Abstract: Peak pressure of a shock wave can be measured by a plurality of frangible crospheres of known fracture pressures. The microspheres are sized to be surrounded by the shock wave as the shock wave travels thereby. The microspheres remaining intact after the shock wave passes provide a measure of peak pressure.

Abstract: A noise coding processor employing pipeline processing techniques is disclosed. The noise coding processor employs parallel pseudo-random number sequence generation to generate multi-dimensional fields of pseudo-random sequences. The noise coding processor is particularly suited for use in pattern recognition applications and accepts signals representing feature correlations as inputs and derives a pattern to test the feature coherence therefrom.

Abstract: A coupling assembly couples a drive portion of a torque wrench to a bolt ing a head formed with spanner wrench holes in a top thereof and an annular groove therearound. A base engages the annular groove until it is in coaxial alignment with the bolt. Aligning holes in the base are alignable with at least two of the bolt's spanner wrench holes. Each of a plurality of pins sized for sliding engagement with the aligning holes and the spanner wrench holes are fixed in relation to one another by a yoke. The yoke further aligns the pins with the aligning holes. A collar nut engages the base to retain the yoke thereagainst thereby locking the assembly to the head of the bolt. The base is shaped to receive the drive portion of a torque wrench.

Abstract: An anti tip-off device for rocket rockets adapted for collapsible tube-inbe launchers is provided. The dual-diameter launch tube requires stabilization of the rocket within the larger diameter tube. The anti tip-off device has two segments which together form a hollow cylinder which fits over the nose section of a standard high explosive anti-armor rocket. A sliding surface is located around the circumference of the cylinder to provide support for the rocket during transit of the larger launch tube. The surface contact prevents the rocket from wobbling or tipping during the rocket's transit of the launch tube. Alternately, permanently-bonded stabilizer legs or a bonded ring may be attached to the rocket to match the diameter of the larger launch tube. The anti tip-off device may be fabricated using any material suited to the launcher and rocket combination, including lexan, teflon, nylon, wood, or aluminum.

Abstract: A low cost rugged sealed fiber optic cable furcation unit is provided. The urcation unit has an outer heat shrink tube which encloses a protective tube. Within the protective tube, a spacer/fiber guide is located along with a sealant material. When installed and sealed, the sealed furcation unit includes fiber ends and cables. The furcation unit allows loose tube fiber optic cables or tube ducts within Air Blown Fiber (ABF) cables to be furcated into multiple single fiber cables. The furcation unit is compatible with both 250 micrometer and 500 micrometer coated optical fibers. The furcation unit is also compatible with common single fiber optical connectors and splices.

Abstract: A computer vision system is disclosed that utilizes a spinning array of photodetectors. The array is rotated about the focal plane of a lens and scans all the possible orientations and positions of the edges of the unknown object. In one embodiment, the photodetectors are elongated so as to provide for maximum light gathering ability along the direction of elongation and a minimum light gathering ability in the direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation. In other embodiments, optical means are used to focus the image onto conventional photodetectors while still having the ability to more efficiently determine edge segments of unknown objects. The system efficiently and rapidly implements the wavelet projection transform to characterize-multi-scale edge segment features of an image of an unknown object. An imaging radar system that utilizes a spinning antenna system having frequency scanning provisions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bidirectional converter/interface for connecting several two-way broadb RF cables to a single pair of optical fibers is provided. In the reception mode, a broadband RF carrier of an optical conductor signal is directed to a plurality of bandpass filter/block converter combinations. These filter/converter combinations segment the broadband RF carrier into predetermined RF bands carrying the information. Each segmented band is then shifted (either up or down) to the receiving band frequency utilized by each of the RF systems. In the transmission mode, each transmitted signal from one of the RF systems is passed to a return path block converter/bandpass filter combination that shifts the entire transmitted band to a predetermined band. The predetermined bands are chosen such that each is a unique, non-overlapping band associated with a particular one of the RF systems.

Abstract: A pencil drain fuel fixture for defueling aircraft pencil drains is provi. The pencil drain fixture has an extendable strut with a non-slip rubber base. The strut is set up on the tarmac under an aircraft pencil drain and extended to engage the drain. The upper end of the strut contains a funnel and pencil drain release rod mechanism which opens the pencil drain and by funnel and drain tube directs the fuel to a catch basin.

Abstract: A trimode fuze is provided which comprises a combination of a standard dual ode fuze with the addition of a void sensing mechanism. The modified fuze provides detonation of a warhead under three distinct scenarios: impact upon a hard target with detonation caused by the deformation of the warhead, displacing the hard target firing pin, penetration and continuous deceleration within a solid target with detonation caused by the expiration of a penetration delay timer, and penetration of a soft target with detonation caused by the transition from a target impact deceleration to the lower preset deceleration threshold.The first two modes of detonation are similar to those found in prior art dual mode fuzes. The third mode is brought about when target impact deceleration causes compression of a spring. As the spring compresses, steel balls slide out of a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A photoconductive switching device is disclosed that has an enhanced speed of response so that its closed (low) and open (high) resistive states are obtained in response to optical illumination in the less than nanosecond regime. The enhanced speed of response is achieved by neutron irradiation of a material preferably comprising GaAs:Si:Cu. An application of the improved photoconductive switching devices is disclosed which allows the realization of a high-power, frequency-agile RF source topology.

Abstract: A method of measuring surface roughness is provided in which a video image f a surface area is formed and partitioned into a set of regions that cover the video image. Each region is of equal size. A fractal dimension value is calculated for each region. The fractal dimension values for the regions are averaged to form an average fractal dimension value associated with the particular region size. The steps of partitioning, calculating and averaging are repeated for additional set(s) of regions with each region from an additional set being of an equal and unique size. When all average fractal dimension values are plotted as a function of region size, a best-fit straight line is defined. A combination of the slope and y-intercept of the straight line is indicative of surface roughness of the surface area.

Abstract: A chemical warfare agent decontamination solution made up of about 20% of a quaternary ammonium complex containing benzyltrimethylammoniumchloride and benzyltriethylammonium chloride and about 20% by weight of an oxidizer, dissolved in a solvent, such as water or glycol, is provided. This solution is a noncorrosive, nontoxic, nonflammable decontaminant, which may also be used to neutralize organophosphorus agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotting ifle with a top-mounted electrically fired rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotting rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the rifle. The rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotting round and the electrically fired rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotting rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: A computer vision system having improved means for characterizing the parameters of edge segments of an unknown object is disclosed. The unknown object is transformed by a digital camera into an image and transformed by a wavelet projection transform so as to decompose the unknown objects into their constituent multi-scale edge segment features and provide recognition of the unknown object by relating their constituent edge features to each other.

Abstract: A launcher is disclosed having means for directing and concentrically spreading, as well as dispersing, exhaust gases created by an internal combustion of an object, such as a missile, that is operatively launchable therefrom. The concentric duct provides the directing, spreading and dispersing means and cooperates with a cup having means to arrange a port in operative relationship with an exhaust outlet of the object being launched. The cup which mates with the concentric duct has one of its ends open to the ambient so that the exhaust gases are lead into and out of the concentric duct so as to be concentrically dispersed into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multiple-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotter rifle with a top-mounted rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotter rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the spotter rifle. The spotter rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotter round and the rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotter rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: A storage capacitor of a hold-up circuit is connected by a resistor to the urrent conducting bus supplying operating voltage to computer hardware from a power source. The capacitor is thereby charged to the operating voltage level in order to subsequently maintain computer operation by discharge through a diode during power interruption of a relatively long duration determined by the capacitor charge and a predetermined drop in voltage applied to the computer load causing its shutdown. Detection of such drop in voltage is operative through an opto-isolator to safely discharge the capacitor by relay controlled grounding thereof.

Abstract: A system useful in boresight calibration of a launch cell is provided. The aunch cell has a central longitudinal axis coincident with a central longitudinal axis of a projectile that it would support. The launch cell terminates at either end thereof in a door where each door is provided with a hole through which the projectile can pass. The center of the hole is coincident with the central longitudinal axis of the launch cell. The present invention positions a boresight calibration tool relative to the central longitudinal axis of the launch cell. An open-ended first tube is sized for engagement in the hole. The first tube terminates at a first end thereof in a flange that abuts the door when the first tube is inserted into the hole from one side thereof. An open-ended second tube is sized for engagement in the hole from the other side thereof. The second tube terminates at a first end in a flange that is adjacent the door when the second tube is inserted into the hole.

Abstract: An optical correlator is disclosed that compares signals of interest with lected reference signals stored in holograms. The holograms are arranged so that the selected reference signals impinge onto the plane of the entrance of fiber optics arranged with an optical delay line and fiber optic amplifiers to form a delay line amplifier array. The optical delay line receives the signals of interest represented by light modulated pulses. The cooperative action from the light from the hologram and the light from the optical delay line produces signals that are proportional to the correspondence between the signals of interest and the stored reference signals.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and material for forming warhead casin The material itself consists of tightly wound carbon fiber bonded by a low temperature (room temperature) resin. This process of formation gives several advantages, including the ease of manufacturing and the elimination of the need to do inside threading as the interior of the casing can be totally formed during winding of the carbon thread. This also increases the speed of the formation process. The use of carbon thread and low temperature resins also gives several key advantages. First, the low temperature aspect of the resin allows the resulting casing to break down at temperatures significantly less than the ignition point of the munitions held within it. Because the fibers tend to separate as the ambient temperature increases, the casing will auto-ventilate at high temperatures. Additionally, since the casing is formed from carbon fibers, it maintains a high tensile strength while minimizing the weight of the casing.