Other

Rohr Industries, Inc.

Branko Sarh

A method of making ducts having outwardly extending ribs formed integrally with the duct structure. Two tubes are formed from fiber reinforced resin materials, a uniform inner tube and a ribbed outer tube, then the inner tube is bonded with in the outer tube to form a high strength ribbed duct. An outer tube is formed by placing resin impregnated fibers over a cylindrical mandrel having an inflatable bladder on its surface, placing a plurality of spaced rings tightly against the outer surface, pressurizing the bladder to expand the tube into the spaces between rings to form low ribs, then gradually moving the rings toward each other to press the ribs therebetween and form thin upstanding ribs. The inner tube is formed by placing resin impregnated fibers on a slightly thinner mandrel that also has a surface bladder. When both tubes are formed, the mandrel is removed from the outer tube and the inner tube and mandrel are inserted therein and the inner tube bladder is inflated. The assembly is vacuum bagged and cured in an autoclave at a suitable temperature. The rings and mandrel are then removed and an integrally ribbed duct results. The thermosetting or thermoplastic resin impregnated fiber material may be placed on the mandrels by any suitable means such as filament winding, hand lay-up, or other deposition techniques.

Method of manufacturing an advanced composite duct having integral ribs

A fixed wing aircraft that can be converted to an automotive vehicle, comprising a generally rectangular planform fuselage having four wheels as in conventional automobile practice, and a telescopic wing which retracts into a housing in the roof of the fuselage. Telescopic horizontal and vertical stabilizers are provided at the rear end of the fuselage, as well as a retractable pusher propeller that is driven by an engine mounted on the front end of the fuselage. Both the propeller and the rear wheels are connected by a transmission box to the engine, so that either can be driven to operate the vehicle as an aircraft or as an automobile. On take-off, the rear wheels are partially retracted so as to place the aircraft at a proper angle of attack at the same time that the elevators are raised by pulling back on the control wheel. The control wheel is also connected to both the front wheels and the ailerons, and when turned 90.degree. to the left or right while in the flight configuration, causes the ailerons to move to their extreme angular positions while the front wheels are turned only a minimal amount. Further turning of the control wheel causes the front wheels to turn to their full angular position, without causing further movement of the ailerons. The wing is also movable longitudinally with respect to the fuselage so as to trim the aircraft for shifts in the center of gravity with varying load conditions.

Convertible fixed wing aircraft

A machine comprising a horizontally elongated base having pairs of pylons slidably mounted on opposite sides of the base for horizontal movement along the length thereof, forming in effect, a moveable C-frame. The workpiece is fixedly supported on the base in a substantially vertical position, and the pylons of each pair work together on opposite sides of the workpiece to process rivets/fasteners or perform other functions. Each of the pylons comprises a vertical first component and a horizontal second component. The second component is movable vertically on the first component, and is also movable horizontally toward and away from the workpiece. Carried on the end of each of the horizontal second components adjacent the workpiece is a tool assembly holder that is rotatable about horizontal and vertical axes. Each tool assembly holder is adapted to detachably receive a tool assembly, and each tool assembly consists of tools for successively performing various functions, the tools on one side of the workpiece being axially aligned with an companionate to the tools on the other side, so that simultaneous operation of the opposed tools performs the desired function.

Multi-function riveting/fastening machine and method of operating

A fixed wing aircraft that can be converted to an automotive vehicle, comprising a generally rectangular planform fuselage having four wheels as in conventional automobile practice, and a telescopic wing which retracts into a housing in the roof of the fuselage. Telescopic horizontal and vertical stabilizers are provided at the rear end of the fuselage, as well as a retractable pusher propeller that is driven by an engine mounted on the front end of the fuselage. Both the propeller and the rear wheels are connected by a transmission box to the engine, so that either can be driven to operate the vehicle as an aircraft or as an automobile. On take-off, the rear wheels are partially retracted so as to place the aircraft at a proper angle of attack at the same time that the elevators are raised by pulling back on the control wheel. The control wheel is also connected to both the front wheels and the ailerons, and when turned 90.degree. to the left or right while in the flight configuration, causes the ailerons to move to their extreme angular positions while the front wheels are turned only a minimal amount. Further turning of the control wheel causes the front wheels to turn to their full angular position, without causing further movement of the ailerons. The wing is also movable longitudinally with respect to the fuselage so as to trim the aircraft for shirts in the center of gravity with varying load conditions.

A telescopic airfoil comprising a plurality of short wing sections, each consisting of skin and rib, with tubular spar sections attached to the rib. Each spar section is adapted to telescope with respect to the next adjoining spar section toward the root end of the airfoil. Alternate spar sections are rotatable, and intermediate spar sections are held stationary, with the end portions of adjacent spar sections overlapping, and low-friction threads connecting the overlapping spar portions. The threads at opposite ends of each spar section are of opposite hand so that rotation of the rotatable spar sections causes the entire group to be drawn together into a housing at the root end of the wing. In this way, the wing span can be reduced to less than 30% of the full span, while during extension and retraction, the spars retain their full load-carrying capability.

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Riverside, CA, United States of America

Branko Sarh