Tension measurement device Patent

Apparatus for measuring load on cable under static or dynamic conditions comprising pulleys pivoting structure against restraint of tension stra

Improved control system power unit for large parachutes

Improved control system power unit drives the control surfaces of very large controllable parachutes. The design features subassemblies for determining control surface position and cable loading, and protection of the load sensor against the possibility of damage during manipulation

Synthesis of Telechelic Polyisoprene via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization in the Presence of Chain Transfer Agent

Telechelic polyisoprene was synthesized via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of 1,5-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene (DMCOD) in the presence of cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene as a chain transfer agent (CTA). This method afforded telechelic polymer in excellent yield, and the acetoxy groups were successfully removed to yield α,ω-hydroxy end-functionalized polyisoprene with potential for subsequent reactions. Efficient, quantitative incorporation of CTA was achieved, and NMR spectroscopy was utilized to confirm the chemical identity of the polymer end groups. Polymerization of discrete DMCOD monomer generated polyisoprene with excellent regioregularity in the polymer backbone. Successful ROMP of sterically challenging DMCOD in the presence of a CTA for chain end-functionalization was borne out through screening of a variety of Ru-based olefin metathesis catalysts

Line cutter Patent

Piston in bore cutter for severing parachute control lines and sealing cable hole to prevent water leakage into loa

Winch having cable position and load indicators Patent

Design and characteristics of device for showing amount of cable payed out from winch and load impose

Bidentate N,O-prolinate ruthenium benzylidene catalyst highly active in RCM of disubstituted dienes

The synthesis of a bidentate N,O-prolinate ruthenium benzylidene from commercially available starting materials and its activity in ring-closing metathesis of functionalized disubstituted dienes at 30 °C is disclosed

The Living ROMP of trans-Cyclooctene

The living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of trans-cyclooctene (tCO) was investigated. ROMP of tCO in the presence of PPh_3 in THF leads to the formation of narrowly dispersed polycyclooctene (PCO). The presence of PPh3 as an additive and the use of THF as a solvent were demonstrated to be necessary to suppress competing secondary metathesis processes in the ROMP of tCO. Under optimal conditions, narrowly dispersed PCO was achieved without high molecular weight contaminates. The PCO was then hydrogenated to form linear, narrowly dispersed polyethylene with a melting temperature of 139 °C. Protected, hydroxy-functionalized tCO was polymerized by this method to afford narrowly dispersed, hydroxylated PCO. Block copolymers containing polynorbornene and PCO or containing differentially functionalized PCO were also synthesized and hydrogenated to form block copolymers containing blocks of linear, narrowly dispersed polyethylene

Well-defined silica-supported olefin metathesis catalysts

Two triethoxysilyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been synthesized and used to prepare the corresponding second-generation ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts. These complexes were then grafted onto silica gel, and the resulting materials were efficient heterogeneous catalysts for a number of metathesis reactions. The solid-supported catalysts were shown to be recyclable over a number of reaction cycles, and no detectable levels of ruthenium were observed in reaction filtrates (ruthenium concentration of filtrate <5 ppb)

Discrete local altitude sensing device Patent

Device for use in descending spacecraft as altitude sensor for actuating deceleration retrorocket