Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for safely reducing abnormally high intra-ocular pressure in an eye during a predetermined time interval. This allows maintenance of normal intraocular pressure during glaucoma surgery. According to the invention, a pressure regulator of the spring-biased diaphragm type is provided with additional bias by a column of liquid. The height of the column of liquid is selected such that the pressure at a hypodermic needle connected to the output of the pressure regulator is equal to the measured pressure of the eye. The hypodermic needle can then be safely inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. Liquid is then bled out of the column to reduce the bias on the diaphragm of the pressure regulator and, consequently, the output pressure of the regulator. This lowering pressure of the regulator also occurs in the eye by means of a small second bleed path provided between the pressure regulator and the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: A self-reconfiguring solar cell array wherein some of the cells are switched so that they can be either in series or in shunt within the array. This feature of series or parallel switching of cells allows the array to match the load to achieve maximum power transfer. Automatic control is used to determine the conditions for maximum power operation and to switch the array into the appropriate configuration necessary to transfer maximum power to the load.

Abstract: A rocket propellant feed system utilizing a bleed turbopump to supercharge a topping turbopump. The bleed turbopump is of a low pressure type to meet the cavitation requirements imposed by the propellant storage tanks. The topping turbopump is of a high pressure type and develops 60 to 70 percent of the pressure rise in the propellant.

Abstract: Triazine compounds and cross-linked polymer compositions are made by heating aromatic nitriles to a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C., and preferably in the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst or mixture of catalysts selected from one or more of the following groups: (A) organic sulfonic and sulfinic acids, (B) organic phosphonic and phosphinic acids, and (C) metallic acetylacetonates, at a pressure in the range of from about atmospheric pressure to about 10,000 p.s.i., and preferably in the range of from about 200 p.s.i. to about 750 p.s.i.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for safely reducing abnormally high intra-ocular pressure in an eye during a predetermined time interval. This allows maintenance of normal intraocular pressure during glaucoma surgery. According to the invention, a pressure regulator of the spring-biassed diaphragm type is provided with additional bias by a column of liquid. The height of the column of liquid is selected such that the pressure at a hypodermic needle connected to the output of the pressure regulator is equal to the measured pressure of the eye. The hypodermic needle can then be safely inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. Liquid is then bled out of the column to reduce the bias on the diaphragm of the pressure regulator and, consequently, the output pressure of the regulator. This lowering pressure of the regulator also occurs in the eye by means of a small second bleed path provided between the pressure regulator and the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: A battery separator is produced from a polyvinyl alcohol sheet structure which is subjected to an in situ, self cross-linking process by selective oxidation of the 1,2 diol units present in the polyvinyl alcohol sheet structure. The 1,2 diol units are cleaved to form aldehyde end groups which subsequently cross-link through acetalization of the 1,3 diol units of the polyvinyl alcohol. Selective oxidation is achieved using a solution of a suitable oxidizing agent such as periodic acid or lead tetraacetate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an air inlet for a turbine engine suitable for use on a short takeoff and landing (STOL), a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) type of aircraft. A critical region in which critical flow occurs under certain conditions communicates with a less critical region of lower static pressure. Air is drawn away from the critical region and reinjected into the air flow at the less critical region.In one embodiment a circumferentially extended slot is provided in the inner surface of the air inlet at the windward side and downstream of the throat region. The slot communicates with a circumferential plenum chamber formed in the front of the air inlet just behind the lip. Circumferentially extending rows of apertures are provided on the lip establishing two sets of apertures spaced circumferentially away from the slot in opposite directions.

Abstract: Membranes comprising a hydrochloric acid-insoluble sheet of a mixture of a rubber and a powdered ion transport material. The sheet can be present as a coating upon a flexible and porous substrate. These membranes can be used in oxidation-reduction electrical accumulator cells wherein the reduction of one member of a couple is accompanied by the oxidation of the other member of the couple on the other side of the cell and this must be accompanied by a change in chloride ion concentration in both sides.

Abstract: A nacelle for use with a gas turbine engine is provided with an integral webbed structure resembling a spoked wheel for rigidly interconnecting the nacelle and engine. The nacelle is entirely supported in its spacial relationship with the engine by means of the webbed structure. The inner surface of the nacelle defines the outer limits of the engine motive fluid flow annulus while the outer surface of the nacelle defines a streamlined envelope for the engine.

Abstract: A variable area exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine comprising a plurality of arcuate flaps pivotally connected to the trailing edge of a cylindrical casing which houses the engine is provided with seals disposed within the flaps along the side edges thereof. The seals are spring biased and extensible beyond the side edges of the flaps. The seals of adjacent flaps are maintained in sealing engagement with each other when the flaps are adjusted between positions defining minimum nozzle flow area and the cruise position. Extensible, spring biased seals are also disposed within the flaps adjacent to a supporting pylon to thereby engage the pylon in a sealing arrangement. The flaps are hinged to the casing at the central portion of the flaps' leading edges and are connected to actuators at opposed outer portions of the leading edges to thereby maximize the mechanical advantage in the actuation of the flaps.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, as exemplified by a rocket combustion chamber, is constructed by stacking thin metal rings having microsized openings therein at selective locations to form cooling passages defined by an inner wall, an outer wall and fins. Suitable manifolds are provided at each end of the rocket chamber. In addition to the cooling channel openings, coolant feed openings may be formed in each of rings. The coolant feed openings may be nested or positioned within generally U-shaped cooling channel openings. Compression on the stacked rings may be maintained by welds or the like or by bolts extending through the stacked rings.

Abstract: Sound-suppressing structure comprising stacked acoustic panels wherein the inner high frequency panel is mounted for thermal expansion with respect to the outer low frequency panel. Slip joints eliminate the potential for thermal stresses, and a thermal expansion gap between the panels provides for additional relative thermal growth while reducing heat convection into the low frequency panel.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system is presented wherein first and second heat exchanger means are each adapted to provide the transfer of heat between the fuel and a second fluid such as lubricating oil associated with the gas turbine engine. Valve means are included which are operative in a first mode to provide for flow of the second fluid through both first and second heat exchanger means and further operative in a second mode for bypassing the second fluid around the second heat exchanger means.

Abstract: A rotatable disc comprising a plurality of generally parallel plates tightly joined together for rotation about a hub. Each plate is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced lands projecting from a face thereof, the lands of each plate interposed in alternating relationship between the lands of the next adjacent plate. In this manner, circumferential displacement of adjacent sectors in any one plate is prevented in the event that a crack develops therein. Each plate is redundantly sized such that, in event of structural failure of one plate, the remaining plates can support a proportionate share of the load of the failed plate. In one embodiment, the plates are prevented from separating laterally through the inclusion of generally radially extending splines which are inserted to interlock cooperating, circumferentially adjacent lands.

Abstract: There is disclosed a voltage multiplier having a capacitor-diode voltage multiplying network which is fed with voltage pulses from a d-c source through a first switching means. Pulses of a second polarity are also supplied through a second switching means to the input of the capacitor-diode voltage multiplier from a second d-c source whose voltage is adjustable to change the voltage of the pulses of second polarity. The switching means are alternately rendered conducting by signals from a control circuit. The second d-c source may be controlled by a voltage comparator which compares the output voltage of the capacitor-diode voltage multiplier to the reference source.

Abstract: Tellurium powder in improved targets is bombarded with a cyclotron beam to produce .sup.123 Xe. Flowing gas streams carry the .sup.123 Xe through one cold trap which removes contaminants to another cold trap which removes .sup.123 Xe that subsequently decays to .sup.123 I.During this bombardment energy is deposited in the target material causing its temperature to rise. Some of the tellurium vaporizes and subsequently condenses on surfaces that are cooler than the vaporization temperature. Provision is made for the repeated bombardment of this condensed tellurium.

Abstract: A direct heating surface combustor is provided that utilizes a non-adiabatic flame to provide a low-emission combustion for gas turbines. A fuel-air mixture is directed through a porous wall, the other side of which serves as a combustion surface. A radiant heat sink disposed adjacent to and spaced from the combustion surface controls the combustor flame temperature in order to prevent the formation of oxides of nitrogen. A secondary air flow cools the heat sink. Additionally, up to 100% of secondary air flow is mixed with the combustion products at the direct heating surface combustor to dilute such products thereby reducing exit temperature. However, if less than 100% secondary air is mixed at the combustor, the remainder may be added to the combustion products further downstream.

Abstract: This application discloses a dirt separator and excluder for removing entrained debris from gas turbine shaft seals. A helical groove pattern is constructed on the rotating shaft with the pumping pattern such that it tends to pump seal pressurizing gas toward the gas turbine seal. A second helical groove pattern is provided on the stationary housing or counter rotating member coaxial with the shaft, and this pattern is designed to provide pumping in the direction opposite from that of the groove pattern on the shaft. Gas with entrained debris entering this grooved area will be subjected to high centrifugal forces due to the swirl motion induced by the groove pattern and the rotation of the shaft. This debris is centrifuged outwardly into the outer groove pattern on the housing or counter rotating member. Since the outer groove pattern has a pumping direction opposite from that of the seal, dirt is pumped away from the seal and can be collected in a suitable debris trap remote from the seal location.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a fuel control useful for automotive-type gas turbines and particularly advanced gas turbines utilizing variable geometry components to improve mileage and reduce pollution emission. The fuel control described compensates for fuel density variations, inlet temperature variations, turbine vane actuation, acceleration, and turbine braking. These parameters are utilized to control various orifices, spool valves and pistons in a desired manner.

Abstract: A design technique, method and apparatus for controlling the bypass gas stream pressure and varying the bypass ratio of a mixed flow gas turbine engine in order to achieve improved performance. The disclosed preferred embodiments each include a unique mixing device for combining the core and bypass gas streams which includes means for varying the area at which the bypass stream is injected into the core stream. The variable area mixing device permits the static pressures of the core and bypass streams to be balanced prior to mixing at widely varying bypass stream dynamic pressure levels.