Abstract: Undesirable vibrations of stator airfoil vanes circumferentially disposed in annular rows, and fixed at their ends by a sectored outer shroud and a sectored inner shroud, in an axial flow compressor of gas turbine engine are damped by a damper assembly that is fitted into, and is frictionally engaged, in the sectored inner shroud which, in turn, is segmented to assist in this damping. The damper assembly includes: A metal seal strip member having indentations; a metal sine wave-shaped damper and spring member that is complementary to, and is engaged with, the seal strip member; and, a honeycomb member affixed to the bottom surface of the seal strip member. The vibrations cause movement of the shroud segments which, in turn, cause rubbing contact; and, the resulting friction heat energy is conducted through the metal components of the damper assembly to the thermal sink that is the through-flowing air in the compressor.

Abstract: A system for carrying and rearwardly launching and/or ejecting a store from an aircraft while flying at low altitudes. The store which may be in the form of a bomb, pod, missile, etc. is mounted at the top of one or more vertical stabilizers at the aft end of the aircraft. Aerodynamic lift and drag generated by the store shape causes the store to separate from the aircraft and move upward and aft therefrom. The store becomes a lifting body and gains altitude before falling on target thus enabling the carrying aircraft to remove itself from the blast area preventing possible damage to the aircraft.

Abstract: A precision actuator of minimum thickness which provides high output force with low input torque and includes a single-piece metallic rhombus with a drive assembly made up of a right-hand threaded rod that passes through a right-hand threaded side apex of the rhombus connected by a coupling to a left-hand threaded rod that passes through a left-hand threaded side apex opposite the other threaded apex of the rhombus. The right-hand threaded and left-hand threaded rods are secured to the coupling such that the drive assembly rotates as a unit. Right-hand rotation of the drive assembly increases the distance between the threaded apexes while drawing the end apexes closer together and left-hand rotation of the drive assembly draws the threaded apexes closer together forcing the end apexes further apart.

Abstract: A plurality of cantilever beams, each fitted with a calibrated strain gage, are arranged to pivot on a corresponding plurality of upstanding pivots located near one end of each beam of a steel plate. A cylindrical specimen threaded at each end is disposed vertically between one end of each beam and the steel plate with a machined nut and socket at each end of the specimen to provide self-alignment. A self-aligning hardened steel stud is threaded into the plate and held in a hole in the other end of each of the beams with a nut and socket. A tension load is applied to the specimen by torquing the nut on the stud, with the mechanical advantage being proportional to the relative distances between the pivot and the specimen and the pivot and the stud.

Abstract: An autopointing laser system utilized in the tracking and/or detection of objects having a stationary flat reflector, a pair of parabolic reflectors, and a telescope reflector, all in optical alignment with each other. When the telescope reflector is also in optical alignment with the object to be tracked and/or detected these elements combine to act as the optical resonator of the laser system. As a result of the above arrangement, the lasing medium located between the pair of parabolic reflectors will continue to oscillate as long as the object remains in the field of view of the telescope reflector thereby providing an automatic tracking operation.

Abstract: A conical shaped, screen-like structured device that is positioned over, and forward of, the rain-erodible, thermal shock-susceptible optical dome of an optically guided missile which travels at varying speeds, from sub-sonic to and including supersonic, through an air environment in which raindrops are falling. This device provides raindrop erosion protection to the dome by fragmenting the raindrops before they impact on the dome; and, it also provides thermal shock protection to the dome by producing a region of relatively stagnant air forward of the dome, and within the device, which reduces the heating rate to the dome. The device allows the use of lower cost rain-erodible and thermal shock-susceptible materials for the optical dome.

Abstract: A clamp fabricated of a springy material having two curved arms attached at a common anchoring point with a series of equally spaced holes along the length of the arms. A first pin extending inwardly and located on the outer extremity of the first of the arms is adapted to engage one of the holes in the second arm, while a second pin extending outwardly and located on the outer extremity of the second of the arms is adapted to engage one of the holes in the first arm. The arms may be of any convenient size and length to roughly define curved concentric loops for accommodating the required number and diameter of wires therein.

Abstract: An electrically insulating, structurally strong bushing assembly for use at the chassis mounting interface of an electronic chassis, especially a Low Power RF chassis requiring a single point electrical ground, includes a specially machined epoxy-glass bushing for electrical insulation with a steel insert for high strength. The epoxy-glass bushing is machined from plate stock with the grain direction running perpendicular to the structural load and includes both inside and outside threads. The steel insert threads into the epoxy-glass bushing which is then threaded into the electronic chassis.

Abstract: A combination push and tow bar/hitch assembly including a pair of spaced apart parallel outwardly extending mounting bars pivotally attached at their lower ends to the front frame of a motor vehicle. A first transverse brace member is positioned between the mounting bars near the center point and a second transverse brace member is positioned between the outer ends of the mounting bars. A U-shaped frame with a coupler at its apex is pivotably attached to the second transverse brace for use when the bar/hitch is in the horizontal towing position. A ball mounted at the midpoint of the first transverse brace is engaged by the coupler on the U-shaped frame to lock down the frame when the bar/hitch is upward in the push position.

Abstract: A device for mechanically adjusting a gun with respect to a separate sighting means. The gun has a gimbal mounting and a double eccentric mounting arrangement, whereby the gun can be adjusted or aligned to a specific relationship with the sight, and once adjusted, can be locked to maintain such adjusted position.

Abstract: A light-scattering disc collector member useable in converting a classical (coherence-dependent) microdensitometer to a linear (mode) microdensitometer that is coherence-independent. The member is made of material that is transmissive, non-absorbing, and high scattering as to light, and it preferably comprises a right circular cylinder which is made opaque (such as with black paint), except for a light-transmissive entrance aperture which is located on one base of the cylinder and which is shaped as an inwardly formed hemispherical dome, and a light-transmissive exit aperture which is located on the other base of the cylinder in geometric alignment with the entrance aperture. When used to convert a classical microdensitometer to a linear microdensitometer, the light-scattering disc collector member replaces the objective of the microscope in the sensor optics assembly of the classical microdensitometer.

Abstract: A system for, and a method of, scanning a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation with a very large primary reflector of an antenna system without loss (i.e., with zero phase error) and without moving the primary reflector. The system is a two dimensional scan, loss-free, Cassegrain antenna system which comprises a stationary, parabolic-shaped, primary reflector, and a smaller, movable, parabolic-shaped subreflector, and also a movable, plane wave, electromagnetic radiation beam source interposed between the two reflectors. It is shown that, without moving the primary reflector, the beam can be scanned over wide angles with no phase error in the plane of scan, provided that the source and the subreflector are rotated about the focal point of the antenna in a specific manner. A unique angular relationship between the source and the subreflector is required for each scan angle, and is taught.

Abstract: A unidirectional heat transfer device for use between an electronic assembly on an aircraft and the skin and/or pod on the aircraft. The device includes a thermal decoupler mechanism which operates to disengage a retractable interface heat transfer surface when the skin on the aircraft reaches a predetermined elevated temperature caused by the high speed of the aircraft. In the decoupled mode, the heat from the electronic equipment passes to a phase change material heat absorber to provide a limited capability cooling function during extended high speed aircraft operation.

Abstract: The ejection seat on a high performance aircraft is provided with a plurality of inflatable air bags on the back of the seat. The air bags are generally elliptical in cross-section and arranged one above the other in two parallel vertical rows on a supporting pallet attached to the seat back. Suitable gas generators cause the air bags to inflate in sequence top-to-bottom as the seat ejects from the aircraft to produce a rearwardly extending generally streamline afterbody thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and stabilizing the seat with its occupant after emergency ejection.

Abstract: The azimuth shaft of an internally gimballed, gyro-stabilized platform assembly is maintained rigid by keeping the uniquely structured inertial instrument-mounting components neutrally buoyant in a flotation liquid that is captive within a spherical shaped outermost gimbal member. Unlike the prior art, this internally gimballed, gyro-stabilized platform assembly can be used for precision, and high-"g", applications.

Abstract: Two radial cuts are made in a disc-shaped solid, the wedge (or sector) thereby produced is removed, and the exposed faces of the radial cuts are forced into contact with each other. By bonding (or welding) together the faces of the radial cuts, a self-stressed disc, capable of propagating a pure mode 1 crack, is created.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, reconstructing and viewing a speckled holographic image through a microscope, with the result that the speckle of the holographic image is significantly reduced, without loss of resolution of the image. A finely-structured and transparent light diffuser is interposed thru the aerial image formed by a hologram or an image formed or relayed by a lens system such as a microscope objective prior to the eyepiece. This diffuser is moved in its plane with a rotary or vibratory motion to suppress the speckle.

Abstract: A circular disk type calculator for determining the proper approach speed for a particular aircraft within a specified range of gross weights and flap settings. The calculator includes three superposed circular disks pivoted for independent rotation about their centers. A third lower disk is imprinted with appropriate speed and weight information. A second intermediate disk includes cut-outs and windows to expose certain readings on the lower disk and also includes a flap setting marker extending outwardly from its outer edge. A first upper disk is provided with appropriate windows and markings relating to the other disks thereby indicating the desired information including pattern and threshold air speed for the gross weight and flap setting of the aircraft.

Abstract: A device for inserting a typed or printed label into a label holder on the upper edge of a file folder including two, thin, flat, elongated, juxtaposed clamping blades and a handle on one end. The blades possess some spring action to normally urge them together and are of unequal lengths to facilitate their insertion into the label holder. The label extends slightly beyond the outer ends of the blades to permit grasping the label and holding it in position during withdrawal of the device.

Abstract: A slow scan, frequency limited spectrometer having a screw mechanism for driving a rotatable grating is improved by incorporating and interlinking the following new constituent members with the screw mechanism: a cylindrical cam member with a groove and a constraint to attain a predetermined pitch, so that rapid scanning of a preselected wavelength range is achieved with the grating; a high torque, variable speed, direct current electric motor, so that the rapid scanning may be varied in speed; and, a liner potentiometer with a sliding contact, so that a remote wavelength readout of the variable rapid scanning can be obtained. Cylinder cam members of various pitches are also disclosed for use in scanning different wavelength ranges. At a low cost for improvements, the resulting spectrometer provides a variable fast scan, and is frequency selective.