Abstract: A removable pin stabilizer for stabilizing carrier pins of an integrated circuit chip carrier before and during placement of the pins into sockets of a circuit board. The removable pin stabilizer includes a non-dissolvable plate, the non-dissolvable plate having parallel dissolvable sections traversing the plate, the parallel dissolvable sections being through the plate and having holes through the plate for receiving the carrier pins, the holes encompassing the parallel dissolvable sections, wherein the parallel dissolvable sections can be dissolved by a solvent after the chip carrier is mounted and positioned correctly to the circuit board. The resultant additional space created by such removal will allow an increased flow of air between the integrated circuit chip carrier and the circuit board.

Abstract: A gyro platform assembly for determining the coning rate of a spinning and oning vehicle. A rotatable gimbal is attached to the vehicle such that the axis of rotation of the gimbal is in line with a spin axis of the vehicle. A rotatable platform, that supports three gyros, is attached to the gimbal. An axis of rotation of the platform is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the gimbal. Each gyro has a rotation sensing axis, the sensing axes being mutually orthogonal, one such sensing axis being placed in line with the spin axis of the vehicle. A sensing axis, that is orthogonal to the spin axis of the vehicle, senses a coning rate of the vehicle. The output of the sensing axis is processed by a computer. The computer outputs a value equal to a sine of the coning rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A caging system for a magnetized rotor of a gyro. A capacitive detector dcts amounts of linear deflection of the rotor, from an upright position, over time. A computer calculates the linear deflection velocity of the rotor. A power supply sends an amount of current to an electromagnetic coil dependent on the amount of linear deflection velocity of the rotor. An electromagnetic field from the electromagnetic coil moves the rotor to an upright position.

Abstract: A method of determining the effects of stress on a non-linear orthotropic ssile structure. Measurements of non-linear orthotropic strain, due to step-wise increasing stress in one of three orthogonal directions, are made. Non-linear orthotropic strain terms of the missile structure, in each of three orthogonal directions, are determined from the measurements. A compliance matrix is formed by using the determined strain terms. This compliance matrix is used in an iterative fashion of step-wise increasing stress, to determine three dimensional strain of the missile structure.

Abstract: A gyro platform assembly for determining a drift rate of a sensing axis of first gyro, the sensing axis being fixedly aligned to a carrousel axis. The first gyro is on a plane of a first platform. The first platform is connected to a vehicle along the carrousel axis. The first platform has the plane and an opening. A second platform is connected to the first platform within the opening. The second gyro is on a surface of the second platform. The second platform is carrouselable around a carrousel axis that is perpendicular to the carrousel axis of the first platform. The second gyro has a sensing axis that is adjustibly aligned with the sensing axis of the first gyro. When the vehicle rotates, each sensing axis experiences the same rotation rate. Each sensing axis produces a signal that is the result of the rotation rate of the vehicle, and a sensing axis drift rate. The second platform is carrouseled 180 degrees and the sensing axis of its gyro produces another signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering sludges and/or concentrating suspen and dissolved impurities in solutions by simultaneously freezing and rotating same. Rotation of the sludge is accomplished in a rotatable cylindrical apparatus capable of controlled rotational rate sufficient to continuously maintain a thin layer of water between suspended particulate impurities and an ice front which forms on inner cylindrical surfaces of the cylindrical apparatus. The ice front moves progressively inwardly to displace the suspended impurities toward the center of the cylindrical apparatus, thereby concentrating the sludge both by this displacement and by the removal of liquid water from the sludge. The concentrated sludge is discharged from the cylindrical apparatus when the rotation of said apparatus becomes insufficient to maintain the thin water layer between the ice/sludge interface.

Abstract: A shielding connecting structure is disclosed for permitting the opening closing of the electromagnetic seal of screening material as applied across a door and a door jamb wherein the screening material is attached to the jamb and applied along the door. A pair of compressible parallel oriented rubber hoses are mounted between the jamb and the material attached thereto and a single compressible rubber hose is mounted between the door frame and the material applied thereto. The hose on the door is arranged to be positioned between the two parallel hoses when the door is closed upon the jamb during which the hoses become compressed to produce a wiping contacting action between the associated portions of the material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a hydraulic lifting module hich is removable as a unit from a wicket dam. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotably mounted about an axis in the frame and extends outwardly of an apertured cover between extreme positions. A slidable shield is secured and is pivotable with a portion of the cylinder extending out of the cover for closing the aperture and the extreme positions of the cylinder. A flexible boot interior of the frame renders the housing water and silt resistant.

Abstract: An interface between the CPU and a motor for actuating a zero displacement alve as disclosed. First and second switches each having a normally closed pole sense the closed position of the valve when the normally closed pole of the first switch is open and the open condition of the valve when the normally closed pole of the second switch is open. A motor starter completes a power circuit to the motor when energized and a logic chip having a starter input is responsive to the switch positions and a starter input of a select polarity for energizing the motor starter when the normally closed pole of one of the switches is open and the other is closed and the motor actuator state is changed to an appropriate polarity.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for a tank has an anode which comprises a long extendible coil of wire of a valve metal coated with a suitable electrically conductive ceramic material. The coil provides reduced electrolyte resistance and power consumption. At installation the coil is extended to provide the anode length desired for the particular tank. Each end of the anode can have insulation to provide the desired dielectric standoff. The insulation of the lower end can be in the form of a the weighted element to stabilize the position of the anode.

Abstract: A revetment unit for protecting shoreline or waterway embankments from eron comprising a generally L-shaped web having first and second arm portions converging at an apex and forming a 90.degree. right angle. Each of the first and second arm portions terminate at end portions. Identical cylinder members are associated with the web and extend above and below the plane of the web. The cylinder members have a height substantially less than their width and a single cylinder member is positioned at each of the end portions and at the apex. The web has a width slightly less than the diameter of the cylinder members yet greater than the radius of the cylinder members. The end portion cylinders are equally spaced from the apex cylinder a distance between about 0.10 to about 0.25 of the diameter of the cylinders.

Abstract: A method for determining the electromagnetic RF shielding effectiveness of a shielding enclosure including sequentially driving the four diagonally opposite corner pairs of the enclosure with a RF signal, measuring the RF energy leakage for each corner pair, and averaging the four measured RF leakage levels to obtain an average RF energy leakage level. This average RF energy leakage level may then be compared with prior (preferably immediately after manufacture) measured average RF energy leakage levels to obtain an indication of the RF energy shielding effectiveness lost, if any, during the time from the prior test to the current test.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time, on-site detection and analysis of caminant in soil, the invention continuously measures and records specific spectral properties of potentially contaminated soil along a typically vertical profile as a soil penetrating probe of the invention penetrates the soil. The probe is fitted with a light transparent window and a light source disposed internally of the probe. Light from internally of the probe passes through the window and is reflected back through the window from the soil as the probe passes through the soil, the light reflected from the soil back through the window being collected by a fiber optic link within the probe. The collected light is then transmitted through the fiber optic link to the surface for measurement and recordation of spectral distribution and intensity.

Abstract: An explosive stemming device for dispensing granular material into a boree containing an explosive charge therein is disclosed as including a cylindrical member having a flexible sleeve-like liner adapted to conform to the interior thereof when filled with granular material. One end of the liner is turned around an end of the cylindrical member and secured thereto while the other end of the liner is fixed to a centrally positioned pipe whereby extracting of the member containing granular material from the borehole causes everting or turning inside out of the liner and dispensing of the material in the borehole.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for water content determination of soil-water mixtures and of other materials through the use of microwave energy to rapidly dry the material being tested, drying and water content determination being controlled in a preferred embodiment by a computer interfaced with a microprocessor of a digital microwave oven. The invention preferably includes a digital microwave oven mechanically interfaced with a precision digital balance, the oven and balance being operatively interfaced with the computer. As drying in the microwave oven progresses, the computer monitors weigth loss of the test sample as indicated by the balance and controls microwave power levels according to program instructions. The invention is thereby capable of providing rapid, precise and repeatable water content determinations of suitable samples.

Abstract: A locking structure for a spring-loaded, pushbutton pin coupler, the inveon prevents inadvertent or accidental depression of a "button latch" pin which can result in an uncoupled joint. The present locking structure cooperates with a pushbutton pin connector such as is commonly used on collapsible or extendible arms or legs. According to the invention, a conventional button latch pin is provided with a locking plate at its inner end, rotation of the pin after coupling of joint with the pin causes the locking plate to also rotate into engagement with a fixed pin element carried by the structure coupled by the pin, thereby preventing displacement of the pin from the locked position.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear system including a window shaped type membrane wh is mechanically stretched prior to landing. The large surface area of the membrane would significantly increase the load bearing area of the helicopter, enabling landing in snow. Upon takeoff, the member would be rolled up.

Abstract: An encapsulated actuator for testing specimens includes a housing contain a wall defining first and second chambers. The specimen under test is arranged in one of the chambers and vent holes are provided in the wall in order to equalize the pressure within the chambers. An actuator is arranged in the second chamber for generating a mechanical force and a force transmitting device is connected between the actuator and the specimen. The force transmitting device passes through an opening in the housing wall and transmits the mechanical force from the actuator to the specimen. Because the actuator is encapsulated within the housing, it is subjected to the same confining pressure as the specimen.

Abstract: A clamping device for applying loads to a test specimen including spherical egments connected to ends of the specimen. The spherical segments are in turn gripped by a race which allows pivotal movement of the segment. When the system is activated the race is gripped by the collet which is radially deformed by a circumferential clamp. When the spherical segment is clamped securely by the clamping device, the specimen may be axially or torsionally loaded by a reverse-direct stress testing device to determine physical properties of the specimen.

Abstract: In a reactive ion plating process utilizing radio frequency power, the rate of evaporation of a noble metal such as ruthenium or iridium, the rate of evaporation of a valve metal such as titanium, and the partial oxygen pressure are adjusted to produce electrically conductive mixed metal oxide ceramic coating on a valve metal substrate. The noble metal constitutes 10-20 percent of the metal atoms in the coating. The coated substrate can sustain 150 amperes per square meter of exposed coating surface in fresh water electrolyte for at least 20 hours, and preferably at least 75 hours, without an excessive increase in the voltage level required to maintain that current density.