Abstract: One or more misaligned packaging blanks or blanks for cigarette boxes in a stack can be realigned by causing the stack to be engaged at both ends by two half-shell-shaped receiving portions. It is then tilted by 90.degree. so that the edges of the blanks all rest on a supporting surface. The two receiving portions are then brought together so as to realign any blanks protruding from the stack longitudinally. A detection device are incorporated in one of the receiving portions for checking the proper orientation of the stack and for causing it to be turned over one way or the other, depending upon its initial orientation.

Abstract: A limited-life reusable hard pack for encasing a soft pack of cigarette. The reusable hard pack permits easy access to the cigarette by the feature of a sliceable interior wall attached to a pivotable bottom wall that when moved relative to the exterior walls of the hard pack pushes the soft pack upward and beyond the top of the hard pack. An overhang on a top wall extends across and beyond one side wall to prevent the bottom wall from pivoting downward, beyond the bottom plane of the hard pack. The opposite side of the top wall leaves a gap through which cigarette may be removed without opening to top closure. One such hard pack is collapsed and inserted into a standard ten-pack carton.

Abstract: The laminate structure comprises a liquid crystal polymer substrate attached to a test surface of an article. A light absorbing coating is applied to the substrate and is thin enough to permit bonding steric interaction between the liquid crystal polymer substrate and an overlying liquid crystal monomer thin film. Light is directed through and reflected by the liquid crystal monomer thin film and unreflected light is absorbed by the underlying coating. The wavelength of the reflected light is indicative of the shear stress experienced by the test surface.

Abstract: An induction heating head includes a length of wire having first and second opposite ends and being wound in a flat spiral shape to form an induction coil, a capacitor connected to the first and second ends of the wire, the induction coil and capacitor defining a tank circuit, and a flexible, elastomeric body molded to encase the induction coil. When a susceptor is placed in juxtaposition to the body, and the tank circuit is powered, the susceptor is inductively heated.

Abstract: A device for mounting a data transmission apparatus to a rotating, tapered and instrumented shaft is provided. This device permits attachment without interfering with shaft rotation or the accuracy of data output, and prevents both radial and axial slippage of the data transmission apparatus. The mounting device consists of a sleeve assembly which is attached to the shaft with clamps that are situated at some distance removed from the instrumented area of the shaft. The data transmission device is secured to the sleeve such that the entire assembly rotates with the shaft. Shim adjustments between sleeve sections assure that a minimum compressive load is transferred to the instrumented area of the shaft and a rubber lining is affixed to a large portion of the interior surface of the sleeve to absorb vibration.

Abstract: An optical fiber fluorosensor is provided having a portion of a fiber core which is surrounded by an active cladding which is permeable by the analyte to be sensed and containing substances which emit light waves upon excitation. A remaining portion of the fiber core is surrounded by a guide cladding which guides these light waves to a sensor which detects the intensity of waves, which is a function of the analyte concentration. Contrary to conventional weakly guiding principles, the difference between the respective indices of refraction of the fiber core and the cladding is greater than approximately 0.01. In an alternative embodiment, the fiber core is surrounded by an active cladding which is thin enough such that its index of refraction is effectively that of the surrounding atmosphere, whereby the atmosphere guides the injected light throughout the fiber core.

Abstract: A method of supplying power to a device such as a lunar rover located on a planetary surface is provided according to the present invention. At least one, and preferably three, laser satellites are set in orbit around the planet. Each satellite contains a nuclear reactor for generating electrical power. This electrical power is converted into a laser beam which is passed through an amplifying array and directed toward the device such as a lunar rover. The received laser beam is then converted into electrical power for use by the device.

Abstract: The invention is a counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane. The apparatus for hoisting payloads comprises a crane having a lifting segment and a counter-balanced segment. The lifting segment comprises an end effector and three cables. One end of each cable attaches to a different winding device located on the lifting segment, and the other end of each cable attaches to a different point on the end effector, such that the three cables have a theoretical point of convergence, this point corresponding with a center of mass of the payload. Three controls command rotation of the winding device to a predetermined position. Accordingly, the crane provides precise and autonomous positioning of the payload without human guidance. Two controls position the counter-balancing segment to offset the overturning moment which arises during the lifting of heavy payloads.

Abstract: An optical fiber is provided comprising an active fiber core which produces waves of light upon excitation. A factor ka is identified and increased until a desired improvement in power efficiency is obtained. The variable "a" is the radius of the active fiber core and "k" is defined as 2.pi..lambda., wherein .lambda. is the wavelength of the light produced by the active fiber core. In one embodiment, the factor ka is increased until the power efficiency stabilizes. In addition to a bare fiber core embodiment, a two-stage fluorescent fiber is provided wherein an active cladding surrounds a portion of the active fiber core having an improved ka factor. The power efficiency of the embodiment is further improved by increasing a difference between the respective indices of refraction of the active cladding and the active fiber core.

Abstract: Various heat exchange apparatuses are described in which an oscillating flow of primary coolant is used to dissipate an incident heat flux. The oscillating flow may be imparted by a reciprocating piston, a double action twin reciprocating piston, fluidic oscillators or electromagnetic pumps. The oscillating fluid flows through at least one conduit in either an open loop or a closed loop. A secondary flow of coolant may be used to flow over the outer walls of at least one conduit to remove heat transferred from the primary coolant to the walls of the conduit.

Abstract: A method of recertifying a load on a bearing member using a pulsed phase locked loop (P2L2) system. A first tone burst signal with a corresponding first phase signal is generated in the bearing member in a first load condition. The sample/hold of the P2L2 is adjusted to a determined phase point on the first phase signal and then the P2L2 is locked at this phase period to determine a first load measurement. Next, the phase sample point is correlated with a corresponding position w on the first tone burst signal. A second tone burst with a corresponding second phase signal is then generated at some later time in the bearing member in a second load condition. The sample/hold is adjusted to the same sample/hold phase point as before and then the output frequency of the P2L2 is adjusted until the sample/hold is positioned at the previously determined phase point corresponding to position w on the second tone burst signal.

Abstract: A crack length sensor is fabricated in a rectangular or other geometrical form from a conductive powder impregnated polymer material. The long edges of the sensor are silver painted on both sides and the sensor is then bonded to a test specimen via an adhesive having sufficient thickness to also serve as an insulator. A lead wire is connected to each of the two outwardly facing silver painted edges. The resistance across the sensor changes continuously as a function of the crack length in the specimen and sensor.

Abstract: Planar or multilayer structural preforms are made having yarns extending in a bias direction of the preform. Angularly directed yarns can be inserted in planar and multilayer fabrics to increase shear strength of structural preforms made from the fabrics. In multilayer fabrics, the angle yarns can extend between layers to provide through-the-thickness reinforcement. Fabrics are formed by carrying yarns transversely across the fabric as the fabric advances. Fill yarns may be inserted by an insertion technique employing a pneumatic beating element. Angle yarn feeding arrangements are made readily removable to provide for the use of other weaving assemblies.

Abstract: The laminate structure comprises a liquid crystal polymer substrate attached to a test surface of an article. A light absorbing coating is applied to the substrate and is thin enough to permit bonding steric interaction between the liquid crystal polymer substrate and an overlying liquid crystal monomer thin film. Light is directed through and reflected by the liquid crystal monomer thin film and unreflected light is absorbed by the underlying coating. The wavelength of the reflected light is indicative of the shear stress experienced by the test surface.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus uses a fixed frequency oscillator to measure small changes in the phase velocity ultrasonic sound when a sample is exposed to environmental changes such as changes in pressure, temperature, etc. The invention automatically balances electrical phase shifts against the acoustical phase shifts in order to obtain an accurate measurement of electrical phase shifts.

Abstract: The nozzle diffuser has an inlet in fluid communication with the narrowed inlet of an open test chamber in a conventional wind tunnel. The nozzle diffuser has a passageway extending from its inlet to an outlet in communication with the open test section. The passageway has an internal cross-sectional area which increases from its inlet to its outlet and which may be defined by top and bottom isosceles trapezoid walls of a particular flare angle and by isosceles trapezoid side walls of a different flare angle. In addition, a collector having a decreasing internal cross-sectional area from inlet to outlet may be provided at the opposite end of the test chamber such that its outlet is in fluid communication with a diffuser located at this outlet.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and an angle of flux deviation of the ultrasonic wave front is measured from this initial direction. This flux deviation angle is induced by the unknown applied load. The flux shift is determined between this flux deviation angle and a previously determined angle of flux deviation of an ultrasonic wave applied to a similar anisotropic reference material under an initial known load condition. This determined flux shift is then compared to a plurality of flux shifts of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.

Abstract: A suspension device is provided for simulating the free-free boundary conditions of space for a low frequency structure. A support cable is connected at one end to the test structure and is vertically guided by a guiding ring. The other end of the cable is connected to a cam having an outer circumference which supports the cable. A drive axle passes through the cam center of rotation and is rotatably journalled in a suitable manner to a rigid structure. Two torsion springs are provided about the drive axle. One end of each spring is connected to a respective face of the cam and the other end is connected to the fixed support. The cam is shaped and the torsion springs selected such that Wr.sub.(t) =T.sub.s(t), wherein W is the weight of the test structure; r.sub.(t) is the instantaneous moment arm defined as the perpendicular distance from the rotational center of the cam to the cable at time t, and T.sub.s(t) is the total spring torque exerted by the two springs on the cam at time t.

Abstract: A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000.degree. F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a backplate for damping membrane motion. The backplate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.

Abstract: An anchor nut insert is provided having external threads for engaging an internally threaded receptacle of a fixture to be installed. The fixture also has two wings flanking the receptacle and having fastener holes. An insert driver is provided having a projecting blade which engages a slot in the anchor nut insert for driving the insert. A guide member such as a wire passes through symmetry axes of the anchor nut insert and insert driver such that the anchor nut insert is located between the insert driver and a first terminal end of the guide wire. A swaged portion is provided on this terminal end to prevent the anchor nut insert and insert driver from sliding off the end. The fixture with the installed anchor nut insert is fed through a central hole in a structure wall having a blind side. The fixture is rotated until the wing holes are aligned with side holes in the wall and then the fixture is pulled flush against the blind side via the guide wire.