Abstract:
A special contour near the trailing edge (24) of an airfoil (20) which improves the airfoil effectiveness. The contour is a combination of a blunt airfoil base (28), a local region of high surface curvature, typically on the airfoil lower surface, and upper surface and lower surface trailing edge slopes that diverge from each other (30).
Abstract:
Tubes (12), which can have any variety of cross section and multiple bends, to be cleaned each have one end portion retained within a fixture (16) by an expanded bladder (42) while pressurized cleaning fluid (52) from conduit (50) passes through the tubes (12). Where no tube (12) is positioned within a particular fixture (16), the cleaning fluid (52) is prevented from moving through the fixture by the expanded bladder (42).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for coating the surface of a substrate suspend a coating material above the surface of the substrate and irradiate both the coating material and the underlying surface of the substrate. By irradiating both the coating material and the underlying surface of the substrate, a first portion of the coating material is melted to form an at least partially molten droplet of coating material. In addition, at least a second portion of the coating material is ablated to thereby create an ablation plume which propels the at least partially molten droplet of coating material toward the substrate. In addition, the portion of the substrate toward which the at least partially molten droplet of coating material is propelled is simultaneously heated, such that the at least partially molten droplet coating material adheres to the heated substrate, thereby coating the surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
An aircraft (50) with a variable cargo bay (52) includes a frame (60) having an inner surface and an outer skin (64) covering the frame (60). The frame (60) has a pair of faceted fairings (54, 56) coupled to the frame (60) and a door assembly (58) between the pair of faceted fairings (54, 56). The door assembly (58) has an inner surface connected to a linkage mechanism (66). The linkage mechanism (66) couples the inner surface of the frame (60) and the inner surface of the door assembly (58). A conformable surface (70) is connected between the skin (64) of the frame (60) and the door assembly (58).
Abstract:
First and second pylon flaps (30, 32) are located on aft portions of the first and second jet engine pylons, respectively. The first and second pylon flaps (30, 32) are moveable between retracted pylon flap angular orientations and extended pylon flap angular orientations. The first and second pylon flaps (30, 32) can assume only fully retracted angular orientations and fully extended angular orientations. When the T-tailed aircraft enters into a deep stall condition, the pilot will more than likely push the control column (45) forward to its maximum position. This full forward movement of the control column (45) commands the first and second pylon flaps (30, 32) to assume fully extended angular orientations. A first pylon flap controller (40) controls the first pylon flap (30) to move between the fully extended and fully retracted angular orientations, and a second pylon flap controller (40) controls the second pylon flap (32) to move between the fully extended and fully retracted angular orientations.
Abstract:
A rare earth doped multi-channel fiber amplifier which simultaneously amplifies first and second optical signals in a similar manner has greater absorption than emission for wavelengths immediately less than a reference wavelength and greater emission than absorption for wavelengths immediately greater than the reference wavelength. A pump source has a Stokes band which includes at least some wavelengths greater than the reference wavelength of the fiber amplifier. The first and second optical signals wavelengths are both within the Stokes band of the pump source and are greater than the reference wavelength of the fiber amplifier such that the fiber amplifier simultaneously amplifies both the first and second signals by stimulated Raman scattering. As a result, the multi-channel fiber amplifier can simultaneously amplify multiple optical signals without preferentially amplifying the optical signal having the longer wavelength.
Abstract:
A direct diode laser system (400) includes N laser head assemblies (LHAs) (400A, 400B, etc.) generating N output beams and generating N received output beams, and a torch head (500) recollimating and focusing the N received output beams onto a single spot. Preferably, each of the laser head assemblies (400A, 400B, etc.) of the direct diode laser system (400) includes M modules generating M laser beams, wherein each of the M laser beams has a corresponding single wavelength of light, M-1 dichroic filters (420), wherein each of the M-1 dichroic filter (420) transmits a corresponding one of the M laser beams and reflects all other wavelenghts, and a fiber coupling device (460, 462, 464, 466) collecting the M laser beams to produce a respective one of the N output beams. In an exemplary case, the M-1 dichroic filters (420) function as band pass filters. A method of generating a high fluence, high power laser beam is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a multi-mode secondary power unit (14) comprising a first starter/generator unit (10) operably coupled to a shaft (20). The first starter/generator motor (10) is operable in a motor mode for causing rotational movement of the shaft (20) and is operable in a generator mode for generating electric power from rotational movement of the shaft (20). A thermal engine (22) is operably coupled to the shaft (20) and is operable in a fuel burning mode for causing rotational movement of said shaft (20) and is operable in a non fuel burning mode for receiving rotational movement from the shaft (20). A load compressor (25) is operably coupled to the shaft (20) for pressurizing air to a predetermined level.
Abstract:
A body integral electronics package housing is formed of cloth material that simulates a person's garment, such as a poncho or vest. The housing contains various pockets to confine various electronic modules, including a front pocket of such size as to overlie the breast and midriff portions of the person's torso. The front pocket confines a plurality of rigid electronic modules that are supported within the pocket in a row and column array. The user may twist or turn his torso and bend forward or back, and the foregoing array and the modules do not restrict that movement. Instead, the position of the individual modules independently adjusts to the torso's position.
Abstract:
A tube welding fixture (10) for holding and axially aligning cylindrical tubing pieces (22, 24) in an end-to-end butted relation, in preparation for welding and assembly. The fixture has clamping surfaces (27, 28) which fit tightly around the outer walls of the tubing pieces and compress each piece between a clamping yoke (16) and a clamping base member (12). The clamping yoke (16) is removably attached to the clamping base member (11) for insertion and removal of the tubing piece (22, 24). The fixture (10) is constructed from heat conducting material which acts as a heat shield and sink, and blocks excess welding heat from conducting down the tubing piece (22, 24) and damaging adjacent components.