Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: In an aircraft braking system comprising a plurality of carbon brakes a brake control system is provided whereby the number and/or proportion of brakes that may be disabled at each stage of a flight spectrum (i.e. taxi-out, take-off, in-flight, landing, taxi-in or stationary on the ground) and also the number and/or proportion applicable during each stage is further adjusted in response to the specific conditions applicable to the aircraft status at any given time thereby to ensure that the overall safety of the aircraft is not hazarded. The operation of the brake control system may be controlled at least in part by an on-board brake control implementation device actuated by a remote, land-based signal. The brake control system providing for use of less than the total number of available brakes during the landing stage of the flight spectrum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a damped brake rod for use in an aircraft landing gear, the landing gear comprising a strut and a wheel and brake assembly carried on the strut. The brake rod connects the wheel and brake assembly to the strut and bears an axial load during braking. The brake rod is laterally damped to dissipate lateral vibrations imparted to the brake rod during braking.

Abstract: A mechanical regulation system for controlling tow line payout between the aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The regulation portion of the present system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, having the tow line wrapped around it. A rotatable mechanical regulator is slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped tube. The regulator is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the spool. A brake mechanism is provided as part of the regulator, and a brake drum is disposed adjacent the periphery of the regulator that is contacted by the brake mechanism.

Abstract: A launching and regulation system that incorporates an expendable towing and deployment mechanism for use with a towed aerobody that provides for launching and controlled tow line payout between the towed aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool disposed in the housing, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The tow line preferably comprises a photonic, fiber optic, link. The launching mechanism comprises a plurality of impulse cartridges for deploying the aerobody and severing the tow line at a predetermined time. A spring piston is disposed inside a wedge-shaped tube that confines expanding gasses within the tube that are generated by an impulse cartridge and moves the spring piston to launch the aerobody. The regulation mechanism may comprise a mechanical system or adhesive resin system. The mechanical system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, and the tow line is wrapped around it.

Abstract: Method of fabricating a multi-ply carbon fibre fabric, preform or composite material from a layer of unidirectionally aligned carbon fibres of ultra-high modulus and a layer of low modulus carbon fibre comprising the steps of: arranging in superimposed relationship the layer of unidirectionally aligned carbon fibres of ultra-high modulus and the layer of low modulus carbon fibres so that at least a substantial number of the fibres of low modulus are disposed transversely of the fibres of the ultra-high modulus fibre layer, and connecting the two layers by interlacing fibres of the layer of low modulus fibres with those of the layer of ultra-high modulus fibres by needle-punching using felting needles orientated and configured so that their barbs snag only the low modulus fibres during passage through the layers.

Abstract: An aircraft having magnetic suspension systems adapted to be used as a winged surface effect aircraft, as a conventional type aircraft and as an aircraft of vertical take-off. A winged surface effect aircraft is provided with a magnetic suspension system having electromagnets adapted for magnetic interaction with a composite run-way utilizing an eddy current to support the rear portion of winged surface effect aircraft laterally in relation to the run-way while the front portion is supported by and rides on an air cushion developed by forward thrust between the wing and ground. The propelling units of the surface effect aircraft are adapted to hover the front portion and to propel the aircraft along the run-way while the rear portion of aircraft is magnetically supported by the magnetic suspension system. The winged surface effect aircraft can be adapted to be propelled over the ground surface as a conventional type aircraft when the electromagnets are disengaged.

Abstract: A system for arresting movement of an aircraft traveling off the end of a runway at high speeds. Rigid, friable, fire resistant foam boards, preferably phenolic foam, are connected to form a panel, and a plurality of layers comprised of stacked panels are adhered to a base surface. The panels are formed from unfaced foam boards, the compressive strength of the stack of boards being less than the force exerted by the landing gear of the aircraft to allow the boards to be crushed by the landing gear.

Abstract: The system in accordance with the invention provides braking while an aircraft (1) is being towed on the ground by a tractor vehicle (2) which is mechanically connected to the aircraft and which is fitted with a brake device under the control of a brake pedal (27), with the aircraft being fitted with a braking circuit. The system comprises a towing brake member (7) disposed in the aircraft's braking circuit line (34) for connecting the brake control member (27) of the vehicle to the towing brake member (7) of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for arresting and recovering test ballistic missiles is adaptable or use in an existing facility and with the existing arresting engine. A long loop of cable encircles a sheave on the nose-end of the test missile and is supported by sheaves mounted on the support structure. The ends of the cable loop are terminated on one side of a singletree device. The other side is connected by a single cable to the arresting engine. One end of the cable loop slidably engages with the singletree and has an end cap. As the test missile is launched the cable loop and singletree are drawn toward a ratchet mechanism which grasps the end cap. An intermittent pulling machine is disposed for anchoring one leg of the cable loop whereby the test missile may be later raised or lowered for recovery. The system effectively doubles the load carrying capacity of an existing arresting engine by providing mechanical advantage.

Abstract: The method of controlling aircraft braking during landing on a runway as soon as the running gear of the main landing gear has made runway contact and prior to the nose gear making contact, comprises: determining the value of the nose-up angle .DELTA. of the aircraft as soon as it makes runway contact with its main landing gear; providing a signal representative of the value of the nose-up angle; and controlling braking of the aircraft by any appropriate braking apparatus as a function of a magnitude representative of the signal to ensure acceptable variation of said nose-up angle.

Abstract: A deceleration sled to decelerate and safely contain a launched test miss. The sled has crushable honeycomb which absorbs the initial impact of the missile as the sled accelerates along a track to the same speed as the missile. As the deceleration sled is pushed down the rails, forming shoes on both sides of the sled engage flat metal plates. The forming shoes roll the flat plates into a "U" shape. The energy required to roll these plates can be changed by varying their thickness.

Abstract: A variable K factor energy absorber for an aircraft arresting system has a movable control element which is moved into different positions to adjust the K factor. The movement of the control element is programmed during payout of the arresting system in accordance with the speed of the arrested aircraft. The speed is sensed by a pump driven by the arresting gear tape reel. The program is provided by a cam (also driven by the tape reel through a reduction gear). The control element is moved by a hydraulic drive actuated by an electrical shifting switch, which is triggered when the detected speed of the arrested aircraft exceeds the predetermined speed established by a cam during initial and final phases of payout. The control element is thereby moved from an initial low K to an intermediate K position during the initial phase of payout if the predetermined speed established by the cam is exceeded.

Abstract: The tape for connecting a landing aircraft to a rotary energy absorber, which is arresting it includes at least two longitudinal sections, a leading section and a trailing section. The leading section absorbs the impact shock when the aircraft is first arrested. It, therefore, has longitudinal filaments with a relatively low modulus of elasticity and is, therefore, made of a material, such as nylon, which can absorb considerable impact stress without breaking. The trailing section of the tape is brought into action during the runout of the tape to gradually stop the aircraft. It has longitudinal filaments with a relatively high modulus of elasticity and extremely high tensile strength. Such modulus of elasticity is accordingly above 12.times.10.sup.6 PSI with a tensile strength of at least about 10 grams per denier of 400,000 PSI. A satisfactory trailing section material is, for example, an ultra-high tenacity synthetic fiber, such as Kevlar. Kevlar is the trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

Abstract: A fluid-operated energy absorber has an annular axle shaft and bearing assembly connected to the rotor shaft adjacent to a hollow compartment in the base of the rotor shaft. The annular assembly is interconnected by segmented plates. Opposite rotor vanes on each axle are disposed on different sides of the segmented plates. A pair of cam plates in the hollow shaft compartment engage cranks on the inner ends of the axle shafts for varying the angle of the vanes. The cam plates are actuated by a control rod extending out through the hollow center of the rotor shaft, which is pushed or pulled by a lead screw on the outer end of the rotor shaft to vary the angle of the vanes.

Abstract: An improved ground-run/skid-braking and/or maneuvering control system for an aircraft or ground effect machine having an air cushion type undercarriage of the type comprising an elastically retractable inflatable trunk or other air inflatable air cushion confining device fabricated of elastic sheet material. The braking/control system comprises a mechanically actuated multiple spine system disposed interiorly of the trunk fabric; and is operable under pilot control to cause portions of the trunk to curvilinearly project downwardly below the basic footprint level of the trunk when inflated, to provide the desired ground-friction braking/maneuvering effects. The projected portions of the trunk are externally armored by means of wear/tear resistant friction pads which are relatively pleat-folding automatically incidental to elastic contractions of the trunk sheet material, to minimize craft flight drag effects.