Abstract: A variable area recording geometry is formed over the surface of a photosensitive material by scanning and exposing with an optical writing beam. The width of this area is determined by input signals to be processed. The exposed photorefractive medium results in a phase modulation of an optical beam traversing the medium in a direction parallel to the surface as in an integrated optical waveguide.

Abstract: A telescoping energy-dissipating oleo landing gear shock strut set which can provide both the main landing gear and forward landing gear function, and which is affixed to an airplane, is restrained in an unenergized, shortened condition. A high pressure gas charge is then provided between the extendible element of the strut and the element affixed to the airplane. Early in the takeoff run, the charge gas in the forward strut is released so as to jump the nose and rotate the airplane to a high angle of attack appropriate for takeoff. Subsequent to this rotation, but before the conventional takeoff speed is reached, the charge gas in each of the main struts is released to impart a vertical velocity to the entire airplane, thus jumping it into the air. Both the forward strut and main struts incorporate a hydraulic flow bypass function, so that the landing shock dissipation function does not compromise the aforesaid energy release.

Abstract: A keyboard terminal for entering test programs written in an English-format computer programming language into computerized automatic test systems is disclosed. In response to the activation of selected user-activated keys associated with a programmable keyboard, a preprogrammed microprocessor control system generates word character strings corresponding to the words of a predetermined test programming language, thereby allowing single keystroke entry of test program words into a control computer associated with the automatic test system.

Abstract: A terrain-following transient surface contact vehicle for transporting a load from a surface starting point to a surface end point has a structure for carrying the load from the starting point to the end point. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts the surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. An acquisition sensor mounted on the structure initiates surface operations. A sensor is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the acquisition sensor to sense and track a target at the end point upon initiation of surface operations. A power source is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the sensor to energize upon tracking of the target and to move the vehicle along the surface to impact with the target at the end point. A position control mounted on the vehicle produces a negative pitching moment to maintain the structure in terrain-following contact with the surface.

Abstract: A transient surface contact vehicle for transporting a load from a surface starting point to a surface end point has a structure for carrying the load from the starting point to the end point. A vehicle support extends from the structure. A buoyancy control device mounted in the structure is coupled to the vehicle support for selectively making the support buoyant and non-buoyant whereby when the support is buoyant it abuts the surface of a body of water thereby supporting the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface of the body of water. An acquisition sensor mounted on the structure initiates water surface operations. A sensor is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the acquisition sensor to energize upon tracking of the target and to move the vehicle along the water surface to impact with the target at the end point. A position control mounted on the vehicle produces a negative pitching moment to maintain the structure in surface-following contact with the body of water.

Abstract: An automatic processing circuit is associated with an optical matched filter system which supplies correlation imagery representing the products of diffraction patterns of known objects with that of an input scene in which the known objects are to be detected. The disclosed circuitry distinguishes between auto and cross-correlations in the supplied imagery using a number of criteria including peak amplitude, rising slope, peak width, and normalized amplitude.

Abstract: A unitary targeting device is used to align a machined plane of a workpiece, for instance an industrial assembly fixture, with the optical axis of a reference instrument. The disclosed device and method are designed to fully utilize the depth of field of the reference instrument to sense misalignment in a single sighting.

Abstract: A self-contained sun sensitive window made up of liquid nematic crystals sandwiched between two transparent conductors is powered directly by a solar cell. An increase in light intensity upon the solar cell reduces the transparency of the window, resulting in a constant intensity behind the window.

Abstract: A machine which orbits an abrader or cleaning tool about a fixed axis at a relatively low speed in which the orbital radius of the abrader may be changed while the machine is in operation.

Abstract: A plug-in interconnection for optical and avioptic cables for connecting those cables into equipment such as circuit boards having fiber optic circuitry running in a plane normal to the axis of the plug-in interconnection. In the interconnection, a male connector having the end of the optical fiber means of the cable projecting from the end thereof is plugged into an on-axis female receptacle. In the receptacle, an aperture normal to its axis receives either the end or light from the end of the optical fiber circuit means in the equipment being interconnected. Reflecting means in the bore of the female receptacle aligned with the axis of optical fiber means in the male plug-in connector, when plugged in, reflects light signals between the optical fiber means in the connector and the circuit means in the equipment. An embodiment in which the light signal reflecting means is in the male connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gripper device is affixed to the first and second blades of hedge and shrubbery trimmer gripper shears in a manner whereby the gripper device does not interfere with normal interaction of the blades in cutting shrubs, hedges, vegetation, or other material and retains severed material on the blades until the severed material is manually removed.

Abstract: A sealed heat pipe of uniform cross sectional profile from evaporator to condenser which includes a plurality of capillary channels communicating with a central channel by means of narrow re-entrant groove openings having convergent entrances. A two step method of fabrication includes extruding the re-entrant grooves, then drawing a mandrel through the virgin extrusion.

Abstract: A bus interface unit for use with a multiplexed biphase serial bus includes a Mealy modeled sequence logic unit which allows flexibility in the design and implementation of a desired data transfer algorithm. The unit's internal architecture is such that the device may be implemented on a single semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A charge injection device sensing an optical radiation pattern is driven at an operation sequence where the charge holding mode is inserted between the charge storing/readout mode and the charge injection mode. The charge holding period is effective for picture elements influenced by charges injected into the substrate after the readout operation placed spacially far and timed. The problem of cross-talk at high speed operation is resolved.

Abstract: A passive means for controlling the power augmentation of a diffuser augmented wind turbine is disclosed. Spoiler tabs for the boundary layer control slots of a diffuser augmented wind turbine include a lifting surface responsive to the fluid flow velocity through the slot and operate to block the slot when fluid flow velocity through the slot exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A two step process allows a multiple holographic lens to be recorded with a single exposure. A multiple exposure, non-overlapping holographic fly's eye lens is first prepared with the correct F number spacing. A single collimated beam striking the fly's eye lens results in a multiple refracted beam array which is allowed to interfere with a second reference beam on a photographic plate. The resulting multiple holographic lens will have equal intensity playback beams, no distortion cross product terms, and improved optical efficiency over multiple superimposed exposure lenses.

Abstract: A combination landing gear door and splash guard for an aircraft landing gear which includes a linkage to control the clearance between the door/splash guard and a runway surface with respect to the extension of a shock absorbing strut of the landing gear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming components having one or more inner cavities wherein material forming the component is laid up about a number of eutectic salt mandrels corresponding to the inner cavities. The mandrels are melted and the laid up material compressed during the formation of the component by hydraulic pressure transmitted through the molten mandrels.

Abstract: Electrically conductive leads of a radio alarm system electrically connect a relay, a source of electrical energy and a radio transmitter in a back up circuit. The relay is energized by electrical conductors of an electric circuit of the radio alarm system having switches, and maintains the relay normally open as long as the radio alarm system is in operative condition. When an electrical conductor of the radio alarm system is open-circuited, the relay is deenergized and closes the back up circuit to actuate the transmitter to transmit radio signals indicating that an electrical conductor of a closed circuit of the radio alarm system has been open-circuited.

Abstract: A collapsible container for milk cartons has a plate-like base member with first and second spaced parallel edges and third and fourth spaced parallel edges perpendicular to the first and second edges. First and second upper ledges extends upward perpendicularly from the base member along the first and second edges thereof. Third and fourth upper ledges extend upward perpendicularly from the base member along the third and fourth edges thereof. The third and fourth upper ledges are perpendicular to the first and second upper ledges. A first side panel is pivotally mounted in the third and fourth upper ledges next-adjacent the first upper ledge in a manner whereby the first upper ledge prevents the first side panel from falling outward. A second side panel is pivotally mounted in the third and fourth upper ledges next-adjacent the second upper ledge in a manner whereby the second upper ledge prevents the second side panel from falling outward.