Abstract: A sonobuoy launching system having an electrical connection device for prding a data transmission link between a sonobuoy launch tube and launch container mounted therein. Conductive metal rings are disposed on the end surface of the launch container. A contact-pin device having spring-loaded conductive metal pins is mounted in the breech end of the launch tube. The contact-pin device is oriented such that when the launch container is coupled to the launch tube each of the conductive metal pins will make electrical contact with one of the conductive metal rings.

Abstract: Optical interferometric apparatus for detecting and measuring discontinuis in structural materials from ultrasonic stress waves at their surfaces. The apparatus includes an acousto-optic (a/o) modulator which shifts a portion of a laser beam in frequency, producing a modulated beam of light. This modulated light beam is deflected and passes through an adjustable lens to the surface being measured. The light scattered by the surface is focused by the lens on an end mirror of the laser which produced the original beam, and is divergingly reflected therefrom. The reflected, scattered light is heterodyned with the unshifted portion of the laser beam in a photodiode to produce a phase modulated signal at the acoustic frequency of the a/o modulator. Surface displacement can be measured as a function of instantaneous phase shift, and surface velocity as a function of rate of change of phase shift.

Abstract: A straddle-lift carrier for transporting long heavy loads, having adjusta width for accommodating various size loads and for compacting the carrier for storage. The adjustable width allows the carrier to negotiate relatively narrow passages. A high degree of maneuverabiltity is achieved by utilization of independently driven and steered traction wheels. Raising and lowering of loads is accomplished by hydraulically operated forklift mechanisms disposed on either side of the carrier. Operation of the carrier is controlled by a handheld remote control unit.

Abstract: A ship deck lifeline has an insulator fitting interposed between the metal able and the metal end stanchion. The lifeline cable is insulated from the metal ship deck thereby reducing electrical interference with the ship's electronic instrumentation. The insulator fitting is designed to be easily retrofit to existing lifelines.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope which derives angular rotation thef from the phases of precessing nuclear moments utilizes a single-resonance cell situated in the center of a uniform DC magnetic field. The field is generated by current flow through a circular array of coils between parallel plates. It also utilizes a pump and readout beam and associated electronics for signal processing and control. Encapsulated in the cell for sensing rotation are odd isotopes of Mercury Hg.sup.199 and Hg.sup.201. Unpolarized intensity modulated light from a pump lamp is directed by lenses to a linear polarizer, quarter wave plate combination producing circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light is reflected by a mirror to the cell transverse to the field for optical pumping of the isotopes. Unpolarized light from a readout lamp is directed by lenses to another linear polarizer.

Abstract: A servo operated system for controlling pressurization of an aircraft pils anti-G suit during high energy maneuvers has a servo operated control valve and a feedback loop controller for minimizing pressure lag in the suit. The controller has dual modes of operation: one for normal flight conditions and one for combat flight conditions. The normal flight mode provides nominal G-protection while the combat mode provides faster response by prepressurizing the anti-G suit to a bias level and lowering the G-force threshold. While in the combat mode, the crewman may select an adjustable pulsating signal to be superimposed on the prepressurization level to obtain additional comfort. Alternatively, he may select a superimposed pulsating signal which is synchronized with his own heartbeat to reinforce the pumping action of the heart.

Abstract: A non-invasive ultrasonic flowmeter which utilizes the phase modulation of an ultrasonic beam transmitted through a fluid carrying conduit to determine the fluid volumetric flow rate. Transmitting and receiving transducer pairs are diametrically disposed on the outside of the conduit. The received signal is filtered, amplified and phase demodulated. In one embodiment dual loop-circuits having different carrier frequencies have their output signals combined in a differential amplifier. Instrumentation such as frequency meters or RMS voltmeters are utilized to measure either the zero-crossing frequency or amplitude, respectively, of the resulting voltage signal. Both of these quantities are nearly linearly related to the fluid flow rate.

Abstract: An electronic system for selecting the proper mode sequence for deploying a ecovery parachute from an aircraft ejection seat. The system senses altitude, airspeed, and sink rate; and compares these to predetermined reference signals. The system also incorporates logic circuits and time delay circuits. The logic circuits are arranged to select one of four time delays depending on the status of the various parameters relative to the reference signals.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system and associated technique is disclosed for measuring an electric field wherein a sensor arm of optical fiber cable is wound about a core member of piezoelectric material. A reference arm of optical fiber cable substantially equal in optical path length to the sensor arm is isolated and connected in parallel to the sensor arm so that coherent light generated by a single mode laser source may be split through the fiber-optic arms and recombined after passage therethrough for phase comparison. When subjected to a local electric field, the core member of piezoelectric material varies in dimensions and thereby causes a change in the strain in the optical fiber cable of the sensor arm. Relative phase changes in the coherent light caused by the resulting optical path length change of the strained sensor arm are detected by a passive homodyne demodulator and determinative of the value of the local electric field.

Abstract: A series of pulses are transmitted to a first laser and the same series of ulses through a time delay network to a second laser. Each laser provides pulses of light through separate diagonal mirrors and through respective transparent holograms. Each light beam is then brought into convergence by respective sides of a wedge shaped reflector and brought into spacially coincident focus by an imaging lens onto the surface of a sample under test. The two hologram transparencies are imaged spacially coincident but separated in time on the face of the sample. Thermal elastic waves produced by laser heating at the sample surface transform into a desired acoustic beam pattern determined by the nature of the wavefronts which the hologram transparency represents. The position of the coincident image on the sample may be moved by varying the time between the two pulses.

Abstract: Poly(tri-n-butyltin) methacrylate, an anti-fouling compound, is prepared by sterifying a cross-linked polymethacrylic acid with tributyltin oxide in the presence of a poly solvent. The poly solvent, such as acetone, dioxane or methyl-ethyl ketone, causes particle size reduction due to hydraulic shattering. The in-reaction particle size reduction eliminates the need for mechanical post grinding in the current process.

Abstract: A high resolution servo actuator is responsive to an electronic control or manual control. An output shaft having fast response and infinite positioning for stroking a manual servo valve on a pump is rotated by hydraulic power. A set of hydraulic working cylinders and centering cylinders are connected through a rack and pinion drive to a shaft. Centering cylinders utilize stop tubes to prevent its pistons from traveling past the center position and applying a constant force to center the shaft. A directional valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the working cylinders for driving the shaft throughout its range of travel. An electrohydraulic servo valve converts the electronic control signal into hydraulic flow to the actuator. Shaft position feedback is developed and connected to the electronic control.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a focusable and scannable ultrasonic beam for e in nondestructive internal examination of an object. In one embodiment an optical mask modifies a pulsed light beam to form an optical zone pattern. The zone pattern is imaged on the surface of an optically absorbing thermoelastic layer in contact with a propagation medium. An ultrasonic beam is thereby generated which focuses at a point in an object submerged in the propagation medium. An optical lens and a mirror respectively focus and scan the modified light beam, whereby the ultrasonic beam is also focused and scanned. A second embodiment utilizes an acousto-optic modulator to modify the light beam and cause scanning and focusing of the ultrasonic beam. Suitable detectors and instrumentation may be provided to analyze the ultrasonic beam after it has traversed the object under examination.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system is disclosed for protecting an occupant in a t during ejection from a vehicle, particularly an aircraft. In one preferred embodiment, an air bag member is deployed from a stored position frontally to the chest of the occupant and guided upward and downward along tracks on either side of the seat so that the upper body of the occupant is enclosed within the seat just prior to ejection. In another preferred embodiment, the air bag is stowed within a cover about a semicircular hoop releasably connected to the seat about the chest of the occupant. At the initiation of the ejection sequence, the cover is released and the air bag inflated, expanded into the proper shape by external restraint straps, so that the head, arms and torso of the occupant are encapsulated at the time of ejection.

Abstract: A velocity measuring system utilizes a pair of magnetic sensors each moun in a displaced location with respect to the other on a vehicle whereby such sensors passing over the same stationary base location at different times provide geomagnetic field signals to a correlator circuit for producing a value for the ground speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope which derives angular rotation thef from the phases of precessing nuclear moments utilizes a single-resonance cell situated in the center of a uniform DC magnetic field. The field is generated by current flow through a circular array of coils between parallel plates. It also utilizes a pump and read-out beam and associated electronics for signal processing and control. Encapsulated in the cell for sensing rotation are odd isotopes of Mercury Hg.sup.199 and Hg.sup.201. Unpolarized intensity modulated light from a pump lamp is directed by lenses to a linear polarizer, quarter wave plate combination producing circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light is reflected by a mirror to the cell transverse to the field for optical pumping of the isotopes. Unpolarized light from a readout lamp is directed by lenses to another linear polarizer.

Abstract: A data link for an automatic aircraft carrier landing system is described which an aircraft is guided to the carrier by pitch and bank information from the carrier so as to indicate to the pilot of the aircraft whether he is within a prescribed flight path for landing or whether he should be waved off for another approach. The information transmitted from the carrier is received by a microelectronic data link receiver having an internal clock which is synchronized with the incoming information to determine if that particular aircraft is being addressed and if so, what the nature of this information is so that it may be stored and presented to the pilot at a later time for appropriate action.

Abstract: A data link for an automatic aircraft carrier landing system is described which an aircraft is guided to the carrier by pitch and bank information from the carrier so as to indicate to the pilot of the aircraft whether he is within a prescribed flight path for landing or whether he should be waved off for another approach. The information transmitted from the carrier is received by a microelectronic data link receiver having an internal clock which is synchronized with the incoming information to determine if that particular aircraft is being addressed and if so, what the nature of this information is so that it may be stored and presented to the pilot at a later time for appropriate action.

Abstract: A data link for an automatic aircraft carrier landing system is described which an aircraft is guided to the carrier by pitch and bank information from the carrier so as to indicate to the pilot of the aircraft whether he is within a prescribed flight path for landing or whether he should be waved off for another approach. The information transmitted from the carrier is received by a microelectronic data link receiver having an internal clock which is synchronized with the incoming information to determine if that particular aircraft is being addressed and if so, what the nature of this information is so that it may be stored and presented to the pilot at a later time for appropriate action.

Abstract: A shape-memory alloy initially configured to have engaging potential for a ance, guillotine or pin connected thereto is wrapped in a heating element powered by current from a water activated battery. When the alloy reaches a specific temperature it silently reverts to a predetermined shape. The reversion force is used to displace a lance to pierce a gas cylinder seal to allow inflation of a float and to cut a retaining loop or withdraw a pin to payout a preset length of hydrophone suspension cable.