The Boeing Company

The Beoing Company

Stephen Thomas Johnson

John Richard Porter

Mark Frederick Gabriel

Lisa Ann Cardon

Scott Wesley Lea

Brad Lee Kirkwood

Kim Marie Larson

John Michael Costello

Andrea C Saunders

An apparatus () for processing a metal ribbon () comprising a main portion () and a sacrificial portion () adjoining the main portion () of the metal ribbon (), is disclosed. The apparatus () comprises a heater (), configured to heat the main portion () of the metal ribbon () to a first temperature, a first cooler (), configured to cool the main portion () of the metal ribbon () from the first temperature to a third temperature lower than the first temperature, a second cooler (), configured to cool the main portion () of the metal ribbon () at a first rate from the third temperature to a fourth temperature lower than the third temperature, a drive system (), configured to successively advance the main portion () of the metal ribbon () from the heater () to the second cooler () through the first cooler (), and a guide system () configured to route the metal ribbon () from the heater () to the second cooler () through the first cooler ().

Apparatuses and methods for processing a metal ribbon

Aircraft mission equipment (e.g., an electrical equipment cabinet) comprising a base plate equipped on a bottom with a plurality of air casters that provide flotation mobility. When the equipment is being loaded in or unloaded from an aircraft, the actuated air casters provide a plurality of air cushions. The total lift force produced by the air cushions is sufficient to float the equipment above and out of contact with the floor, thereby improving ease of handling and reducing point loads on the floor structure. Portions of the air distribution system that provides pressurized air to the air casters on the bottom of the base plate are structurally integrated into the base plate of the mission equipment.

Aircraft mission equipment having an integrated air caster handling system

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Kent, WA, United States of America

Stephen Thomas Johnson