POSITION LOCATION SYSTEM AND METHOD System and method for position locating, deriving centralized air traffic control data, and communicating via voice and digital signals between a multiplicity of remote aircraft (including supersonic transports) and a central station, as well as a peripheral ground station(s), through a synchronous satellite relay station. Side tone ranging patterns, as well as digital and voice signals are modulated on a carrier transmitted from the central station and received on all of the supersonic transports. Each aircraft communicates with the ground stations via a different frequency multiplexed spectrum. Supersonic transport position is derived from a computer at the central station and supplied to a local air traffic controller. Position is determined in response to variable phase information imposed on the side tones at the aircraft, and relayed back to the transports. Common to all of the side tone techniques is Doppler compensation for the supersonic transport velocity. GSC-10087-1 Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, West Germany FLUID COUPLING ASSEMBLY A quick attach and release fluid coupling for use in those instances where it is desirable that the coupling not only be free from leaks, but also be both easily assembled together and separated. The mating conical and spherical sealing surfaces of this coupling serve to eliminate alignment problems. The coupling is ideally suited for use in cryogenic piping systems where icing conditions are encountered. XKS-1985 Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom, West Germany HEAT CURING OF THERMOSETTING PLASTIC FILM ADHESIVES In order to manufacture strong lightweight metal panels for use in very large structures such as bulkheads in propellant tanks for spacecraft boosters or large aircraft, it is desirable to utilize a honeycomb structure. The difficulty experienced is in curing the thermosetting film which is used as the adhesive to bond the outer plates to the honeycomb core. It was impractical to place the panel in a curing oven since such an oven would have to be very large and it would not be satisfactory for other differently shaped panels. This invention provides curing of the thermosetting film by incorporating a heat producing means within the bonding material. XMF-1402 France, Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, West Germany AIR CUSHION LIFT PAD An air cushion lift pad has been developed which utilizes an air cushion of pressurized air to support a device above a surface. The pad includes an upper wall which slopes upwardly from a center portion. Should the pad tend to tilt, the vertical lift force component acting on the inner wall will tend to decrease on the high side and increase on the low side, thereby producing a torque tending to stabilize the pad along the horizontal. A plurality of pads may be used and the design achieves a very stable device with no flutter, vibration, heaving or pitching. MFS-14685 Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, West Germany |