The Boeing Company

Michael J Dunn

Brian Jay Tillotson

Michael Steven Lewis

Jere S Meserole, Jr

Brian Kenneth Kormanyos

Thomas H Friddell

A method comprises removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient by hastening orbital decay of the debris. A transient gaseous cloud is created at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth. The cloud has a density sufficient to slow the debris so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere.

Space debris removal

An active chaff may be released by an aircraft to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection and a missile. The active chaff may include a signal generator, a signal spreading device, a microprocessor, a power source, and a substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope. The signal generator may emit a signal to assist the aircraft in evading radar detection and/or a missile. The signal spreading device may spread the generated signal. The microprocessor may control the signal generator and the signal spreading device. The power source may power the signal generator and the microprocessor. Each of the signal generator, signal spreading device, microprocessor, and power source may be located on or within the substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope.

Active chaff

Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both.

Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices

Systems and methods for a stable maritime platform are disclosed. The platform is pivotally supported by a superstructure of a floating vessel, the platform to receive a downward force from an object. A platform trunnion is connected to the platform to convert the downward force on the platform into rotational movement. A counterweight axle is connected to the platform trunnion to transform the rotational movement into angular displacement that moves a counterweight away from the superstructure of the floating vessel. Thus, the downward force of the object may be counteracted to balance the floating vessel.

Stable maritime vehicle platform

Systems and methods for a stable maritime helicopter platform are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ship that may be converted into a spar buoy includes a flipping mechanism to convert the ship to the spar buoy, a takeoff and landing platform for helicopters and other VTOL vehicles, and an actuation and balance system to deploy the platform.

Stable maritime platform

One aspect of the present invention is a method that includes displaying a first portion of an image in a peripheral vision field of a person; displaying a second portion of the image at a higher resolution than the first image portion in foveal vision field of the person; and adjusting the displayed first image portion and the displayed second image portion in accordance with movements of the person's line of sight over the image. In other aspects, the present invention provides an apparatus for displaying a tiered resolution image to a person, wherein the tiered image is adjusted in accordance with the person's eye movements.

Method and apparatus for high resolution video image display

A projectile having an efficient integrated propulsion system such that the projectile can guide itself to a target. The projectile comprises a body in which eight supersonic nozzles are positioned. The nozzles are arranged such that each nozzle can provide a reaction force having nonzero components along first and second axes that are fixed with respect to the body and orthogonal to one another. The nozzles are arranged in first and second groups of four nozzles each, the first and second groups being spaced from one another along a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes. The third axis is generally parallel to the course of the projectile towards the target. The nozzles in each group are arranged such that for each direction along each of the first and second axes, two nozzles of the group can produce a reaction force having a nonzero component along that direction. Each nozzle preferably comprises a Prandtl-Meyer expansion nozzle that is lineraly elongated along the third axis.

Growing community of inventors

Federal Way, WA, United States of America

Michael J Dunn