Abstract: A liquid filled variable capacitor or PFL which provides variable frequen impedance, and pulse length without changing the capacitor or PFL hardware. The capacitor is constructed from two or more conducting surfaces. A dielectric fluid mixture separates the conductors. A fluid supply system furnishes the dielectric fluid mixture to the conductors and provides for varying of the dielectric constant of the fluid and thus the capacitor operating characteristics, by varying the mixture composition. The fluid supply system has a mixing tank connected to both a supply of high dielectric constant fluid and a supply of low dielectric constant fluid. The high dielectric constant fluid and low dielectric constant fluid are mixed proportionally to obtain a dielectric fluid having the desired dielectric constant. A pump conveys the dielectric fluid between the mixing tank and the conductors while a heat exchanger controls the temperature of the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: A baffled hot storage tank for solar collector systems is provided. The t includes a concentric cylindrical baffle having a circulation port at the bottom of the baffle and another circulation port at the top of the baffle. This configuration restricts the mixing of water allowing both a vertical temperature gradient and a lateral gradient to be maintained. The maintaining of hot water at the desired supply termperature is restricted to only the upper section of the center core inside the baffle. This location reduces radiant heat loss. Additionally, inlet and outlet pipes are also positioned to take advantage of the tank temperature gradients.

Abstract: A controlled fragmentation explosive device is disclosed. Fragmentation crol is achieved by providing both the inner and outer surfaces of a cylindrical case with intersecting longitudinal and circumferential "v" grooves having specific depth relationships. The inner and outer grooves are aligned with each other. The outer grooves are filled with a material for improving the acoustic impedence mismatch between the case and the volume within the "v" groove.

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprising a probe, infrared fibers, super-cooled detors and their associated electronics, and a computer for determining the temperature from the output of the electronics. Photons from a heat source are collected by the infrared fibers and transmitted to the detectors where they are amplified by the electronics. A voltage is then outputted which represents measured temperature. The voltage is sampled by the computer where it is converted to temperature by use of computer algorithms.

Abstract: An optical backplane for use in a high-speed, parallel signal processing tem. A plurality of circularly shaped optical conductors are arranged in a cylindrical topology. A plurality of printed circuit card connectors are disposed radially about the perimeter of the optical conductors. Each connector consists of a linear array of optical transceivers. The lens of each optical transceiver is mounted in a socket provided at the perimeter of each optical conductor. The optical transceivers convert electrical data information from printed circuit boards plugged into the circuit card connectors into optical data information. The optical data information propagates throughout the optical conductor thereby allowing data to be shared by the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A device for rapidly measuring voltages by electro-optic or magneto-optic ans which exhibits a substantially linear response over much of its operating range. The device employs the Pockels effect in which the orientation of polarized light is altered in direct response to applied voltages. The response of the subject device is made substantially more linear by dividing the polarized light into two beams and retarding the phase of the second beam by one-quarter wavelength, attenuating its intensity by a factor of approximately four, and passing it through a second Pockels cell having a transducer constant of one half that of the first Pockels cell and then recombining, or superpositioning, the first and second beams of light, thus yielding a substantially linear response over much of the applied voltage range.

Abstract: An integrated sidemounting of a rolling airframe missile launcher with a 54 MK-45 gun mount is provided. The integrated gun-missile system permits simultaneous tracking of the missile system and gun system and, through software systems, allows the ship's defensive system to automatically sequence through weapons as required. Chaff, decoys and flares may also be launched using the side-mounted missile launcher.

Abstract: The conventional monocoque missile ordnance section is replaced by a compte sheet stringer design. The composite sheet stringer design consists of a full-length, filamentary composite outer shell attached to stringers. Bending and axial loads are carried by the stringers while the outer shell will resist shear loads. The forward part of the ordnance section is devoted to the warhead. Here, fragment material would be sandwiched between the stringers, the outer shell, and possibly a filamentary composite inner shell. Fragment options include discrete fragments, plates, or rods. The aft part of the ordnance section would be available for fuzing assemblies. The composite ordnance section is connected to the rest of the missile through end joints rigidly attached to the outer composite shell and stringers.

Abstract: The invention is a device to measure the emittance of a charged particle beam. The device is capable of providing precise time resolution limited only by the chosen detector. The device allows a complete emittance determination as a function of time. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of thin foils 11 which generate an optical transistion radiation (OTR) pattern 13; a lens system 14 to collect the OTR pattern 13 from the said foils 11: an optical mask 16 to allow passage of the OTR pattern 13 :and a detector array 17 or similar device placed behind the mask 16 which intercepts, senses and measures the point source OTR pattern 13 for each perforation in the mask.

Abstract: A method for steering the gain of a multiple antenna Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver toward a plurality of a GPS satellites simultaneously is provided. The GPS signals of a known wavelength are processed digitally for a particular instant in time. A range difference or propagation delay between each antenna for GPS signals received from each satellite is first resolved. The range difference consists of a fractional wavelength difference and an integer wavelength difference. The fractional wavelength difference is determined by each antenna's tracking loop. The integer wavelength difference is based upon the known wavelength and separation between each antenna with respect to each satellite position. The range difference is then used to digitally delay the GPS signals at each antenna with respect to a reference antenna. The signal at the reference antenna is then summed with the digitally delayed signals to generate a composite antenna gain.

Abstract: A cylindrical high speed parallel backplane for electrically inter-connecg a plurality of printed circuit boards in a data processing system. A plurality of cylindrical plate conductor structures are arranged parallel to one another. A plurality of circuit board connectors are disposed radially about the perimeter of the plate conductor structures to electrically connect the printed circuit board to the plate conductors structures. This cylindrical design of the backplane provides a short signal path length between the printed circuit boards connected to the backplane thereby providing for broad bandwidth capability.

Abstract: The conventional missile warhead is replaced by a dual wall composite franting warhead. This design consists of two concentric composite shells which sandwich a layer of fragmentation material. All missile structural loads are carried by the shells. The warhead is connected to the rest of the missile through end joints rigidly attached to the shells.

Abstract: An integrated and mechanically aided warhead afterbody arming device for siles using mechanical rotation of the missile to arm the warhead is disclosed. A self-contained electrical generation system provides electrical power for the proper arming of the warhead. Mechanical rotation energy is used to generate electrical power for warhead arming. Revolution counters and mechanical detents are used to prevent premature arming.

Abstract: An attachment platform positioned longitudinally on a rocket motor chamber nd secured with laser welding techniques. Each attachment platform is continuously sealed longitudinally to the rocket motor chamber through the application of laser welding and optical seam tracking. Application of laser welding techniques allows for repair and installation of attachment platforms on rocket motors fully loaded with live propellant.

Abstract: A method of guiding an in-flight vehicle toward a target exhibiting a known or predictable thrusting profile is provided. The vehicle undergoes an alternating series of vehicle coasts and diverts during the vehicle's terminal intercept phase of flight. Position and velocity information of the target with respect to the vehicle is used to select a course change during each vehicle coast. The course change is intentionally offset from a collision course with the target and is effected by the next divert in the series. The amount of offset is such that the final coast results in a target intercept.

Abstract: The liquid level measurement device is an electro-optical device which uses light source (typically a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode) and an optical detector to measure the level of a liquid in a container. The light beam is passed through the liquid and received by the optical detector. The detector output is processed to determine the liquid level or the liquid volume. A special feature is the ability to measure a continuum of fluid levels or volumes.

Abstract: A method of using two diverts in combination to guide an in-flight vehicle rom its initial flight path at target acquisition to a desired flight path prior to target interception is provided. The two diverts are of known and different magnitudes. The magnitude of an initial projected miss at a closest approach to the target is used to determine the order and timing of the two diverts. At the completion of the second divert, the vehicle is on the desired flight path which may be either a collision or offset course trajectory as required by the vehicle's terminal guidance law.

Abstract: A rod for use in fragmenting warheads is notched so that when it is subjed to an explosive load it will break into individual fragments of predetermined shape and size. Various materials can be used depending on the desired kill mechanism. The rods may be alternated and stacked to combine materials and kill mechanisms.

Abstract: A rod is constructed using two or more materials. It is notched so that w it is subject to an explosive load it will break into individual fragments of predetermined shape and size. Rod materials are selected so that a combination of two or more kill mechanisms can be included in a single fragment. If desired, the rod can be divided into segments that contain liquid compounds.

Abstract: The Airborne Infrared Transmissometer measures the infrared transmission between a test target aircraft and a detection system. A transmitter is attached to an aircraft and emits a calibrated infrared beam. A ground-based, shipborne, or airborne receiver measures the transmitted signals in the exact same path between the target aircraft and the detection system. Data recording equipment can be attached to both the transmitter and receiver to measure the associated outputs.