Lockheed Martin Corporation

Ltv Aerospace & Defense Company

William A Thomas, Jr

Kent W Benner

Roland A Creswell

James K Lash

A system includes a first surface, a second surface, and a sealing system operable to provide an aerodynamic seal between the first surface and the second surface. The second surface may be a surface to be sealed. The sealing system includes a first member and a base. The first member includes a first portion and a bulb coupled to the first portion. The first portion has one or more projections and is adapted to couple the first member to the first surface. The base includes a plurality of feet, a plurality of arms, and an arched portion. The plurality of feet are adapted to be positioned against the second surface. The plurality of arms are adapted to accept the bulb. The arched portion forms a preloaded seal adapted to seal against the second surface when air pressure is exerted against a side of the base.

System and apparatus for aerodynamically sealing surfaces

A preform is joined to converging surfaces of a structure, such as an airfoil, to form a structural edge. The preform has a body having an acute-angle edge at one end and connecting areas extending from the opposing end for connecting the preform to converging planar elements of a wing or other similar structure. In several embodiments, the acute angle of the preform generally matches the angle relative to converging ends of the planar elements, the preform forming the outer end of smooth, continuous outer surfaces after assembly. The connecting areas may be connected to interior or exterior surfaces of the elements, depending on the orientation of the preform and elements. In another embodiment, the entire preform is placed between the outer ends of the elements for aligning and supporting the elements at the desired location and angle relative to each other.

Preforms for acute structural edges

A hand-held joystick has spaced-apart groups of accelerometers and is free to move or rotate on multiple axes. Each group has, for example, three mutually perpendicular accelerometers, with each one producing an electrical signal responsive to linear acceleration along one axis. The signals are combined to derive a definition of acceleration of the joystick along the three mutually perpendicular linear axes and/or rotation about these axes. The combined signal is used by an electrical control system which provides input to a device being controlled. The signal to the device under control is responsive to the motion of the joystick.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

William A Thomas, Jr