Abstract: A test chamber is disclosed for determining the bioluminescent signatures of planktonic organisms in which a light tight chamber has at least one light port, and preferably two light ports, where photomultiplier tubes are connected to the test chamber for detecting and measuring the flash kinetics of marine organisms. A door is pivotally mounted on the light tight chamber for permitting insertion and withdrawal of an organism sample holder. A vacuum tube is connected to the test chamber and to the sample holder via a passageway such that the organism can be excited by means of drawing off the fluid containing the organism. The bioluminescent characteristics of the organisms in the sample holder can then be detected and measured by means of the photomultiplier tubes.

Abstract: A thermal microstructure measurement system (TMMS) operates autonomously h its own internal power supply and telemeters data to a platform. A thermal array is mounted on a cross-braced frame designed to orient itself normal to existing currents with fixed sensor positioning bars protruding from the cross bars. A plurality of matched thermistors, conductivity probes and inclinometers are mounted on the frame. A compass and pressure transducer are contained in an electronics package suspended below the array. The array is deployed on a taut mooring below a subsurface float. Data are digitized, transmitted via cable to a surface buoy and then telemetered to the platform where the data is processed via a computer, recorded and/or displayed. The platform computer also sends commands to the array via telemetry.

Abstract: A method for annealing semiconductor samples, especially following ion-implantation of semiconductor samples is disclosed. A furnace on a set of rails is passed over the semiconductor sample which is supported on a stationary wire basket made of low thermal mass, fine tungsten wire. The furnace temperature may be about 5.degree. above the desired anneal temperature of the semiconductor sample such that the sample temperature rises to within a few degrees of the furnace temperature within seconds. Utilizing the moveable furnace insures uniform heating without elaborate temperature control or expensive beam generating equipment.The apparatus and process of the present invention are utilized for rapid annealing of ion-implanted indium phosphide semiconductors within 10 to 30 seconds and at temperatures of approximately 700.degree. C., thereby eliminating undesired and damaging movement of impurities within the ion-implanted InP.

Abstract: A weld metal cooling rate indication system is provided for a welding mace. The welding machine has a torch which is capable of producing a weld bead and has a speed sensor which senses the speed at which the torch travels as selected by an operator. The indication system includes a device for continuously sensing a profile of temperatures along the weld bead, this profile including a predetermined weld temperature. Another device receives the temperature profile and travel speed of the torch information for calculating and producing a signal which represents rate of change of weld temperature at the predetermined weld temperature. A range of acceptable rates of change of weld temperatures at the predetermined weld temperature is provided so that the rate of change of weld temperature at the predetermined weld temperature can be compared with this range.

Abstract: An improved method that directly and continuously determines the magnitude f the earth's gravity in relation to a user platform at one or more selected points on or above the earth's surface. An improved Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to carry out the method and is made up of a plurality of twenty-four (24) continuously orbiting GPS satellites that are arranged into three groups of eight satellites with each group or constellation being disposed in its respective plane of a series of three longitudinal planes. Each plane is arranged in predetermined angular and spatial relation to the earth's equatorial plane and the other planes of the series. Any GPS satellite continuously transmits a pair of encoded RF signals at predetermined L-band frequencies. By virtue of this global arrangement of the 24 satellites, the antenna field of view of a user platform is capable of receiving at any time the encoded signals of at least six satellites.

Abstract: A dual pressure solid propellant control system capable of operating at temperatures of approximately 3000.degree. F. and at multiple pressures. A solid propellant gas generator is connected to a plurality of valve clusters by a manifold, the valves and manifold being of a high temperature material and each valve being independently operable. A pressure feedback loop maintains the system pressure at a commanded value by effectively increasing or decreasing the gas exit area by varying the pulse duration modulation of the valves.

Abstract: A precision fathometer interface adaptor for interfacing a shallow and a p water sonar with a computer operated survey system for a 20-line to 16-line data selector is coupled to a multiplexed 16-line data bus. Two sources of bathymertic data are input to the data bus. For 5-bit BCD the four MSD or LSD are selected for input. The output is selected by three operational modes: Select Source 1, Select Source 2 or Automatic. The Automatic mode selects the bathymetric data output for the computer according to the water depth. An externally activated timer generates time/event markers for external devices.

Abstract: A split-BUS multiprocessor system for acquiring data and outputting the d in digital computer format has an electronic front end that receives data from one or more sensors and converts the data to digital form. An acquisition microprocessor operating in a polling mode acquires the digital data and stores it in a data memory. An output microprocessor operating in an interrupt mode extracts the data from the data memory and routes it to appropriate display and recording devices in digital computer format.

Abstract: Loop radiating elements for microwave frequencies which result in balanced ower division at the feed points and equi-phase currents in the radiating segments are in the form of an Alford loop design having a "kink" in the stripline path on the side of a printed circuit board opposite the cross-over to restore equal path lengths on both sides of a central feed terminal. Alternatively, the radiating segments of a loop may be in the form of end-loaded bent dipoles which are dual-fed on diametrically opposite points of the loop with equi-phase and amplitude signal. The result is loop radiating elements which have an axial null with a symmetrical doughnut radiating pattern.

Abstract: A free nuclear precession gradiometer uses a fluid sample surrounded by a il the fluid sample containing one or more nuclear species which display a magnetic moment. Current in the coil polarizes the nucleii, which when the current is abruptly terminated precess coherently about the earth's magnetic field. The exact frequency generated is a precise measure of the absolute value of the earth's magnetic field. The signal is in the form of a damped sinusoid with the rate of decay being a function of gradients in the ambient magnetic field. Two vector magnetometers are mounted rigidly on the sensor at the right angles to each other and to the earth's magnetic field. A servo system continuously orients the sensor in a two-axis gimbal system to reduce the output of the vector magnetometers to zero. The instrument is polarized, a counter is triggered to make the frequency measurement, and the signal is analyzed by determining the average amplitude of the signal over a precise interval of time.

Abstract: An adapter for existing tow bars or spotting dollies to tow aircraft having on-conventional landing gears has a vertical member which is dimensioned to fit into a socket mounted in the bottom of the aircraft in the vicinity of the nose or tail. A structural cross member, integral with the bottom of the vertical member, has holes in the ends which receive the axle pins located at the ends of the tow bar arms or the lifting arms of the spotting dolly.

Abstract: A bridge crane for use in a shipboard environment consisting of a machinery arrying body having a bolt-on hoist rail. The ends of the machinery carrying body form trucks housing support wheels for suspending the crane from overhead rails. The traversing system is disposed in the machinery body and consists of an air motor coupled to drive pinions which engage a gear rack on each overhead rail. The traversing systems and a pneumatically powered hose reel for holding an air hose for a pneumatically powered hoist are powered from a central air supply through a pneumatic control circuit.

Abstract: Provides a suspension mount for a gyro sensor block suspension eliminates ther cross-talk in a gyro triad having a set of common gyros with the same dither tuned suspension. A sensor block has three gyro mount locations situated such that, when attached, the gyro triad is mutually orthonogal to each other. Two of the gyro mount locations have a spring suspension, each of a different stiffness, formed by joining a central hub, to which the gyro is attached, with the sensor block mass via a plurality of spokes to form a torsional spring about the gyro dither axis.

Abstract: A more clearly defined image is projected onto a distant screen in real-time at video rates to allow for collective analysis of rapidly changing updated data. A laser has its coherent beam modulated in accordance with the images to be viewed. The modulated light beam is scanned across the surface of a liquid crystal light valve to stimulate a photosensor layer that impresses a replica voltage pattern on the bi-refringent liquid crystal. A high intensity projection light beam is reflected from the liquid crystal via a polarizing biprism and, consequently, is modulated by the bi-refringent liquid crystal so that a corresponding image is displayed on the screen. The controllable small spot diameter of the modulated laser beam is capable of greatly improving the resolution as it scans across the liquid crystal light valve.

Abstract: An inflatable liferaft improves disaster victims' chances of survival, pacularly in cold waters. Three inflatable ribs support a layered canopy from the sides of the raft to assure protection from the elements. A highly reflective coating or an equivalent space-blanket type material is provided on the inside of the canopy to help keep the occupants warm and act as a radar reflector. The inflatable ribs also aerodynamically shape the raft to stabilize it in high wind states and while being towed through the air by a rescue helicopter. A hoisting harness cradles the bottom and sides of the raft and is connected to an enlarged hoisting eye located overhead or floating on the water to assure an unassisted, reliable engagement by a helicopter-born hook.

Abstract: The invention is a method for interconnecting close lead center integrated ircuit package to boards by forming the leads as follows: (1) bonding the lead frame material to a thin insulating film, and the (2) forming the leads. Next, the film base is removed selectively where connections to the package and board will be made. The lead material is then plated and formed to provide stress relief in the package-to-board interconnect. The lead frame is then attached to the package and board.

Abstract: A high-speed bipolar logarithmic analog-to-digital (A/D) converter outputs signed binary number proportional to the logarithm of a bipolar analog input signal. A log converter is followed by a level shifting amplifier to center the output of the log converter on a temperature compensating reference. The reference voltage from the temperature compensating reference is used by a linear A/D converter to set the end points of the converter range. A code converter follows the A/D converter if a uniform absolute value coding is desired. Limiting the number of least significant bits (LSB) used to those representing the range of usable converter operation completes the device.

Abstract: Tetranitrodibenzo-1,3a,4,6a-tetrazapentalene is prepared from diaminobenzene by reacting diaminobenzene and lead dioxide in ethylacetate to produce diaminoazobenzene, isolating the product by silica-gel elution, reacting diaminoazobenzene with an inorganic azide in a dilute aqueous nitrous acid solution at a temperature not in excess of 10.degree. C. to produce diazidoazobenzene, isolating the product, heating diazidoazobenzene slowly to about 190.degree. C. until nitrogen stops evolving to form dibenzotetrazapentalene, isolating the product, nitrating dibenzotetrazapentalene with concentrated sulfuric acid and forming nitric at a temperature not in excess of about 65.degree. C. to product tetranitrodibenzo-1,3a,4,6a-tetrazapentalene.

Abstract: A visual display system detects and continuously displays the location of a breach in a protected building or secure area. Each of a plurality of exclusive OR gates is connected to a separate reed-type sensor switch. Each exclusive OR gate output is connected to a flip-flop network, each of which in turn is connected to a light emitting diode. Activation of a sensor switch results in lighting only of the light emitting diode associated with the area breached. A mechanism is also provided for preventing the generation of false alarms by transients or inadvertent momentary opening of any of the sensor switches.

Abstract: The rotor generator includes an elongated generally cylindrically shaped mework. An elongated rotor is longitudinally aligned within the framework and is rotatably mounted therein. The rotor has a plurality of curved blades which are capable of causing rotation of the rotor when there is fluid flow, such as water or air current. The rotor has a magnetic characteristic which may be provided by attaching magnets to the rotor blades or magnetizing the blades themselves. A plurality of wires are mounted on the framework about the rotor so that when the rotor is rotated electrical current is induced in the wires. Apparatus is provided for collecting the induced electrical current so that the electrical current can be provided for power purposes, such as charging a battery. With this arrangement the rotor generator can be placed on the bottom of the ocean where there is current flow, and utilized for charging a battery which may in turn power oceanographic equipment.