Abstract: A solar energy module characterized by a receiver 14 having a solar energy acceptance opening 22 and supported by a mounting ring 18 along the optic axis A of a parabolic mirror 12 in coaxial alignment therewith for receiving solar energy from the mirror, and a solar flux modulator plate 42 for varying the quantity of solar energy flux received by the acceptance opening of the module. The modulator plate 42 is characterized by an annular, plate-like body, the internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the solar energy acceptance opening 22 of the receiver, and a plurality of slave cylinders 44 are connected to the modulator plate for supporting the plate for axial displacement along the axis A of the mirror for thereby variably shading the opening 22 with respect to solar energy flux reflected from the surface of the mirror to the solar energy acceptance opening.

Abstract: A power generating station (20) having a generator (28) driven by solar heat assisted ambient wind is disclosed. A first plurality of radially extending air passages (32) direct ambient wind to a radial flow wind turbine (34) disposed in a centrally located opening (46) in a substantially disc-shaped structure (21). A solar radiation collecting surface having black bodies (40) is disposed above the first plurality of air passages (32) and in communication with a second plurality of radial air passages (44).A cover plate (50) enclosing the second plurality of radial air passages (44) is transparent so as to permit solar radiation to effectively reach the black bodies (40). The second plurality of air passages (44) direct ambient wind and thermal updrafts generated by the black bodies (40) to an axial flow turbine (48) which also derives additional motive power from the air mass exhausted by the radial flow turbine (34). The rotating shaft (26) of the turbines (34) (48) drive the generator (28).

Abstract: Continuous offset tuning of a frequency stabilized cw gas laser (10) is achieved by using a spectrophone (14) filled with the same gas as the laser for sensing a dither modulation, detecting a first or second derivative of the spectrophone output with a lock-in amplifier (28), the detected output of which is integrated (36), and applying the integrator output as a correction signal through a circuit (24) which adds to the dither signal from an oscillator (22) a dc offset (B1) that is adjusted with a potentiometer (26) to a frequency offset from the absorption line center of the gas, but within the spectral linewidth of the gas. Tuning about that offset frequency is achieved by adding a dc value (B2) to the detected output of the dither modulation before integration using a potentiometer (30).

Abstract: A radiometer controller (11) of a radiation detector (10) is provided with a calibration method and apparatus comprised of mounting all temperature sensitive elements of the controller in thermostatically controlled ovens (26) during calibration and measurements, using a selected temperature that is above any which might be reached in the field. The instrument is calibrated in situ by adjusting heater power (EI) to the receptor cavity (12) in the radiometer detector to a predetermined full scale level as displayed by a meter (30). Then with the heater de-energized and the receptor cavity covered, the voltage output, (E.sub.o) is set to zero as displayed by the meter. Next the preset power is applied to the heater and the output of the radiant measurement channel is applied to the panel meter. With this preset heater power producing the proper heat, the gain of the measurement channel is adjusted to bring the meter dispaly to full scale.

Abstract: A circuit for scanning and outputting the induced charges in a solid state charge coupled device (CCD) image detector (13) is disclosed in an image detection system (10) for use in a spacecraft attitude control system. The image detection system includes timing control circuitry (25) for selectively controlling the output of the CCD detector (13) so that video outputs are provided only with respect to induced charges corresponding to predetermined sensing element lines of the CCD detector (13). The system also includes an analog to digital converter (29) for converting selected video outputs from the CCD detector (13). The timing control circuit (25) and the analog to digital converter (29) are controlled by a programmed microprocessor (15) which defines the video outputs to be converted and further controls the timing control circuit (25) so that no video outputs are provided during the delay associated with analog to digital conversion.

Abstract: A small object (12, FIG. 2) is coated by holding it in the pressure well (20) of an acoustic standing wave pattern, and then applying a mist of liquid coating material (42) at low velocity into the pressure well. The pressure gradient within the well forces the mist particles to be pushed against the object. A lower frequency acoustic wave (for oscillator 28, FIG. 4) also can be applied to the coated object, to vibrate it so as to evenly distribute the coated material. The same lower frequency vibrations can be applied to an object in the shape of a hollow sphere, to center the inner and outer surfaces of the sphere while it remains suspended.

Abstract: A method and radiative cooling device 10 for use in passively cooling spaces, applicable to any level of thermal radiation in vacuum and to high-intensity thermal radiation in non-vacuum environments. The device includes an enclosure 12 nested in a multiplicity of thin, low-emittance, highly-reflective shields 13 and 13' suspended in a casing 14 in mutual angular relation and having V-shaped spaces defined therebetween for redirecting, by reflection, toward the large openings of the V-shaped spaces, thermal radiation entering the sides of the shields, and emitted to the spaces, whereby successively reduced quantities of thermal radiation are reflected by the surfaces along substantially parallel paths extended through the V-shaped spaces to a common heat sink such as the cold thermal background of space.

Abstract: A system is described for acoustically controlled rotation of a levitated object (12), which avoids deformation of a levitated liquid object. Acoustic waves (50, 52 in FIG. 6) of the same wavelength are directed along perpendicular directions across the object, and with the relative phases of the acoustic waves repeatedly switched so that one wave alternately leads and lags the other by 90.degree.. The amount of torque for rotating the object, and the direction of rotation, are controlled by controlling the proportion of time one wave leads the other and selecting which wave leads the other most of the time.

Abstract: An assembly (28) of ceramic surfaces (21, 23), particularly refractory metal oxides and carbides, abutting a thin sheet (22) of metal susceptor material are placed in a chamber (10) of an enclosure (14) containing inert gas (36). An r.f. coil (24) is activated by power supply (26) to melt the susceptor (22) and adjacent zones (40, 42) of the ceramic. Reactive gas such as oxygen or a carbonizing gas (38) is then fed to the chamber (10) and reacts with the susceptor (22) to form compounds (47) which disperse and dissolve in the zones (40, 42). On cooling, a strong joint is formed. The susceptor may contain inner perforations (58) and outer perforations (56) to aid in distribution of heat.

Abstract: In combination with a reactor for a coal utilization system, a pressure letdown device for accepting from a reactor, a polyphase fluid at an entrance pressure and an entrance velocity, and discharging the fluid from the device at a discharge pressure substantially lower than the entrance pressure and at a discharge temperature and a discharge velocity substantially equal to the entrance temperature and entrance velocity. The device 10 is characterized by a series of pressure letdown stages 28a through 28x including a plurality of symmetrical baffles, designated 30, disposed in coaxially nested alignment, each baffle having defined therein a plurality of ports or apertures 32 of uniform dimensions.

Abstract: The surface (20) of a moderate band gap semiconductor (12) such as p-type molybdenum sulfide is modified to contain an adherent film (24) of charge mediating ionene polymer containing an electroactive unit such as bipyridinium. Electron transport between the electrode (12) and the mediator film (24) is favorable and photocorrosion and recombination processes are suppressed. Incorporation of particles (26) of catalyst such as platinum within the film (24) provides a reduction in overvoltage. The polymer film is readily deposited on the electrode surface and can be rendered stable by ionic or addition cross-linking. Catalyst can be predispersed in the polymer film or a salt can be impregnated into the film and reduced therein.

Abstract: A tactile sensor comprises an array of cells which are covered by an elastic membrane, having an exposed surface which is adapted to come in contact with an object. Light is conducted to each cell from a light source by an optical fiber which terminates at the cell. Reflected light from the cell is conducted by an optical fiber to a light processor, which senses changes in the light received thereby from an ambient level whenever an object comes in contact with the membrane surface above the cell.

Abstract: An acoustic levitation system is described, which can utilize a single acoustic source (12) and a small reflector (14) to stably levitate a small object (16) while the object is processed as by coating or heating it. The system includes a concave acoustic source (12) which has locations on opposite sides of its axis that vibrate towards and away from a focal point (36, FIG. 2) to generate a converging acoustic field. A small reflector (14) is located near the focal point, and preferably slightly beyond it, to create an intense acoustic field that stably supports a small object near the reflector. The reflector can be located about one-half wavelength (L, FIG. 3) from the focal point and can be concavely curved to a radius of curvature (L) of about one-half the wavelength, to stably support an object one-quarter wavelength (N) from the reflector.

Abstract: A silicon dendrite is grown as a ribbon forming two silicon crystal layers which are separated by an interface layer which contains a large number of defects. Significant increase of minority carrier lifetime with homogeneous distribution at the outer surfaces of the two silicon crystal layers are achieved by processing the web in an atmosphere of a selected gas, e.g. oxygen, nitrogen or an inert gas, for about 30 minutes to several hours at a temperature preferably on the order of 900.degree. C.-1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A system is provided for forming small accurately-spherical objects. Preformed largely-spherical objects (18) are supported at the opening of a conduit (16) on the update of hot gas emitted from the opening, so the object is in a molten state. The conduit is suddenly jerked away at a downward incline, to allow the molten object to drop in free fall, so that surface tension forms a precise sphere. The conduit portion that has the opening, lies in a moderate-vacuum chamber 40, and the falling sphere passes through the chamber and through a briefly-opened valve (30) into a tall drop tower (32) that contains a lower pressure, to allow the sphere to cool without deformation caused by falling through air.

Abstract: A method is described for removing bubbles (14) from a liquid bath (12), such as a bath of molten glass to be used for optical elements. Larger bubbles are first removed by applying acoustic energy resonant to a bath dimension (H) to drive the larger bubbles toward a pressure well (30) where the bubbles can coalesce and then be more easily removed. Thereafter, submillimeter bubbles (50) are removed by applying acoustic energy of frequencies resonant to the small bubbles to oscillate them and thereby stir liquid immediately about the bubbles to facilitate their breakup and absorption into the liquid (16).

Abstract: An isolator is described for use in a low-noise maser amplifier, which provides low loss across a wide bandwidth and which can be constructed at moderate cost. The isolator (40) includes a train of garnet or ferrite elements (50, 52) extending along the length of a microwave channel (14) parallel to the slow-wave structure (24), with the elements being of staggered height, so that the thin elements (50) which are resonant to the microwaves are separated by much thicker elements (52). The thick garnet or ferrite elements reduce the magnetic flux passing through the thin elements (50), to permit altering of the shape of the thin elements so as to facilitate their fabrication and to provide better isolation with reduced loss, by increasing the thickness (T) of the thin elements and decreasing their length (L) and width (W).

Abstract: A method of CW navigation is provided using four transmitters (TR1-TR4) operating at sufficiently low frequencies to assure essentially pure groundwave operation. The transmitters are keyed to transmit constant bursts (1/4 sec) in a time-multiplexed pattern with phase modulation of at least one for identification of the transmitters with the ability to identify the absolute phase of the modulated transmitter(s) and the ability to modulate low-rate data for transmission. The transmitters are optimally positioned to provide groundwave coverage over a service region of about 50.times.50 km for the frequencies selected in the range of 200-500 kHz, but their locations are not critical because of the beneficial effect of overdetermination of position of a receiver (R) made possible by the fourth transmitter. Four frequencies are used, at least two of which are selected to provide optimal lane resolution. All transmitters are synchronized to an average phase as received by a monitor receiver (M).

Abstract: A multiport memory architecture is disclosed for each of a plurality of task centers (11, 20, 30, 40) connected to a command and data bus (10). Each task center, (such as the center 11) includes a memory (13) and a plurality of devices (12, 14, 15, 17) which request direct memory access as needed. The memory (13) includes an internal data bus (53) and an internal address bus (50) to which the devices are connected, and direct timing and control logic (54) comprised of a 10-state ring counter (62) for allocating memory devices by enabling AND gates (64) connected to the request signal lines of the devices. The outputs of AND gates connected to the same device are combined by OR gates (66) to form an acknowledgement signal that enables the devices to address the memory during the next clock period. The length of the ring counter may be effectively lengthened to any multiple of ten to allow for more direct memory access intervals in one repetitive sequence.

Abstract: A system is described for acoustically moving an object within a chamber, by applying wavelengths of different modes to the chamber to move the object between pressure wells formed by the modes. In one system, the object (96, FIG. 7) is placed in a first end portion of the chamber while a resonant mode is applied along the length of the chamber that produces a pressure well (86) at that location. The frequency is then switched to a second mode that produces a pressure well (100) at the center of the chamber, to draw the object thereto. When the object reaches the second pressure well and is still travelling towards the second end of the chamber, the acoustic frequency is again shifted to a third mode (which may equal the first mode) that has a pressure well (106) in the second end portion of the chamber, to draw the object thereto.