Abstract: An optical fiber (12) being removed from a storage spool (14) for winding onto a canister (20) passes through a housing formed from separable parts (22, 24). A chamber (34) within the housing has a nozzle (40) connected to a supply of a cleaning solvent and directs a spray of the solvent onto the moving fiber. Another version locates a further nozzle (46) within the housing directing a pressurized air stream on the fiber to dry the solvent as well as remove foreign particulate matter from the fiber. Yet another version has brushes (50, 52) within the housing that the fiber moves against to aid in removing particulate matter from the fiber surface.

Abstract: A hollow winding bobbin base (18) is constructed of a material having a relatively low thermal coefficient of expansion (e.g., quartz) and has a pair of flanges (32) slidably located on the ends. A metal tube (24) is received within the base (18) and has annular springs (40) on its ends urging the flanges (32) toward each other. An elastomer baselayer (30) is fitted onto the outer surface of the base (18).

Abstract: A locking hinge mechanism (10) that includes a hinge (10a) comprising an articulated axle (28) rotatably attached to first and second members (22,24) such that the operation of the hinge mechanism (10a) causes the members (22,24 ) to controllably move in a first or opening direction and a second or closing direction. The hinge (10a) comprises a fixed locking member (36), and a movable locking member (46) coaxially disposed relative to the fixed locking member (36). A bias mechanism (48) is coupled to the movable locking member (46) that causes it to interlockably engage the fixed locking member (b 36) such that the hinge (10a) causes the first and second members (22, 24) to freely move in one direction. A disengagement mechanism (38, 40) is coupled to the movable locking member (46) to disengage it from the fixed locking member (36) so that the first and second members (22, 24) may freely move in either direction.

Abstract: An optical fiber (24) is removed from a wound pack (26) by applying an annular stream of pressurized air or other fluid against one or more filament loops previously taken from the pack. The annular stream is produced by passing pressurized air from a source (33) along a conduit (32) having a diverging tapered portion (35) within which a tapered plug (36) is located in spaced relation forming an annular nozzle (37). Filament (24) removed from the pack (26) is stacked on a tapered catcher (38).

Abstract: A retrofit digital electronics unit replaces the analog electronics unit of a tube-launched optically-tracked wire-guided missile. The retrofit digital electronics unit is smaller in size permitting the warhead of the missile to be enlarged. Additionally, the retrofit digital electronics unit is more susceptible to modification through simple changes in software.

Abstract: An umbilical release mechanism (10) for disconnecting an electrical umbilical (14, 16) extending between a host and a releasable vehicle accomplishes the disconnection without imparting any force to the releasable vehicle, and without leaving pieces of the disconnection mechanism (10) in the releasable vehicle. The umbilical release mechanism (10) includes an umbilical connector (12) in which two electrical harness connectors (22, 24) are releasably clamped together, with an intermediate plate (28) using a mat (32) of electrically conductive wires to complete the electrical conduction path between the harness connectors (22, 24). A pair of backing plates (34, 36) having a clamping bore (38) therethrough capture the harness connectors (22, 24) therebetween. A clamping force is releasably applied to the backing plates (34, 36) by engaging a hollow outer shaft (40) through the clamping bore (38), and reacting a clamping force on the backing plates (34, 36) through the outer shaft (40).

Abstract: In a weapon system 10 incorporating a target position sensor (14), an information system (16), a power source (22), a launcher (20), and an airborne vehicle (18), a launcher control system (12) which incorporates a communications interface (26) for coupling the information system (16) and the target position sensor (14) to a launcher (20) and an airborne vehicle (18). The communications interface (26) receives target position information and launch and control orders and provides launcher and airborne vehicle status. A airborne vehicle interface (28) couples the launcher (20) and the airborne vehicle (18) to the information system (16) and a power source (22). A transmitter (30) communicates updated target position information to the airborne vehicle after launch. A power control unit (32) converts and regulates power from different power sources (22) to be used by the launcher control system (12).

Abstract: According to the invention, a method and system of injecting material into a wound filament items such as a fiber optic canister is provided. The method is useful with a canister which, when dry wound, has at least one channel formed therein.In one aspect, the method includes the step of injecting adhesive into the channel to impregnate the canister with adhesive. In another aspect, the method includes the additional step of discharging adhesive from a second channel to remove excess adhesive from the canister. The method may also include the step of circulating air through the two channels to purge excess adhesive and solvent.

Abstract: A laser beam (12) scans a filament (8) being wound onto a bobbin (42) sensing the winding angle of attack .beta. and on determining a variance of the angle from a predetermined desired angle generating a signal in a filament position monitor and control (38) for energizing a bobbin carriage drive (40) to correct the winding angle .beta.. Additionally, the laser beam (12) can scan filament (18) before it becomes the last winding on the bobbin (42) and on a climb-back or gap occurring the filament position monitor and control (38) reverses the spindle drive (41) to remove the climb-back or gap and then reassumes normal carriage drive (40) and spindle drive (41).

Abstract: Three image frames containing an object of interest and background clutter are taken at successive time intervals and stored in memory. The background of images A, B and C are registered preferably using an area correlator 12. A median filter 16 is used to select a median value from the registered image frames. Then, subtractor 18 serves to subtract the median pixel values from one of the image frames. This difference output is then thresholded to provide a binary signal whose pixel values exceeding the threshold levels are generally associated with the position of the moving object.

Abstract: Image data compression is implemented by partitioning an image into relatively small blocks of pixels, matching each block to an orthogonal icon, and extracting attributes associated with the icon. A table of these orthogonal icons and attributes represents a data compressed image. Each block is processed separately from all other blocks. Orthogonal processing is used to preserve orthogonal features while attenuating non-orthogonal features. An optimum set of orthogonal icons and an optimum set of attributes for each icon further improves data compression and fidelity. The optimal set of orthogonal icons includes a flat icon, an edge icon, a ribbon icon, a corner icon, and a spot icon. An optimal set of attributes includes average intensities, intensity transition position and separation, and angle of the principal axes.

Abstract: A transparent elastomeric mold 30 capable of precisely reconstituting the buffer coating surrounding an optical fiber 54. The inventive elastomeric mold 30 is disposed to shape a buffer coating applied to an optical fiber in accordance with the dimensions of a master fiber 32. The mold 30 includes an elastomeric slab 38 for substantially confining the buffer coating within a channel 48 having a cross-sectional dimension substantially identical to that of the master fiber 32. The slab 38 includes an inner surface 50 which defines the channel 48 along a longitudinal axis L. The inventive mold 30 may also include an arrangement of arm members 34, 36 for flexing the elastomeric slab 38 in order to open the channel along the longitudinal axis L.

Abstract: A tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire guided (TOW) portable guided missile system (10) includes a launch tube (16) mounted on a tripod (18) or vehicle, and an optical/thermal sighting and tracking assembly (22) mounted on and aligned with the launch tube (16). The system operator (20) mechanically trains the assembly (22) to maintain a target (38) visually centered in a reticle, thereby establishing a line-of-sight (40) to the target (38). The assembly (22) tracks the target (38) optically or thermally, and feeds guidance signals to the missile (14) through a wire (46) to maintain the missile flight path coincident with the line-of-sight (40). An improved missile guidance electronics unit (44) is environmentally sealed in a small housing (60) which removably fits into a compartment (52) in the sighting and tracking assembly (22), thereby enabling the optical/thermal sighting and tracking elements (26,28) and guidance electronics (88) to be integrated into a compact, unitary assembly (22).

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a damping gas having an effective density of at least about two times that of air (28) is provided within the enclosure (20). The gas serves to damp the helical motion of the filament by absorbing its rotational energy, to inhibit ballooning of the filament (12) as it is paid out from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device for use in microwave integrated circuits is disclosed. In particular, an improved monolithic integrated circuit (10) comprised of a semi-insulating substrate (12) and having an integrated circuit on a top surface (14) thereof. MMIC (10) is provided with free area (38) of a predetermined width extending along the entire periphery or at least two opposing sides and which is void of active circuitry. Free area (38) permits intimate mating contact with a die collet tool (58). Die collet tool (58) has a surface configured to matingly engage free areas (38) while avoiding contact with the active circuitry so as to avoid damage thereto. MMIC (10) permits application of high volume, automated manufacturing processes which previously could not be utilized.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting a gain and phase imbalance between I and Q channels of a synchronous detector. The method of the invention includes the steps of: a) inputting a signal into the detector and extracting therefrom a received signal and a corresponding image signal; b) inputting the received signal in a first Doppler filter; c) inputting the image signal in a second Doppler filter; d) forming a first discriminant; e) forming a second discriminant; f) computing phase (.phi.) and gain (.rho.) errors from the first and second discriminants; g) calculating first and second correction factors based on the phase and gain errors; and h) using the correction factors to correct the phase and gain imbalance errors.

Abstract: Two pieces (12 and 14) of material are releasably bonded together with a thermoplastic adhesive (28) in which a heating element (30) is embedded. After application, the adhesive (28) cures at ambient temperature or at a low elevated temperature produced by passing an electrical current through the heating element (30), to bond the pieces (12 and 14) together. The pieces (12 and 14) are debonded or separated by passing a relatively high electrical power through the heating element (30), to soften or melt the adhesive (28). A preferred adhesive (28) is a cyanoacrylate.

Abstract: In a launcher control system (12), a missile interface unit (29) for controlling a ground launched active radar guided missile (GLA) which is modular in construction. The missile interface unit (29) provides target position information and control signals for test and launch of the GLA, and power for activating the GLA, as well as determining the status of the GLA. It employs a plurality of cards (56-70), each card having a specific function and being interconnected by a backplane bus system (55) which also couples the cards (56-70) to other components of the launcher control system (12).

Abstract: Method for improving particular interconnect pads for microcircuitry so that they provide more compliant interconnections between opposed pairs of contacts of the microchips in a hybrid detector array assembly. The individual tubes of prior art interconnect pads are filled with indium and are then etched away to leave indium columns of increased height, relative to the indium bumps that have heretofore been used in the contact connections of hybrid detector array assemblies. Other materials may be substituted for the indium and a number of variants of the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Image data is processed by a low level feature detection processor that extracts low level features from an image. This is accomplished by converting a matrix of image data into a matrix of orthogonal icons that symbolically represent the image scene using a predetermined set of attributes. The orthogonal icons serve as the basis of processing by means of a high level graph matching processor which employs symbolic scene segmentation, description, and recognition processing that is performed subsequent to the low level feature detection. This processing generates attribute graphs representative of target objects present in the image scene. High level graph matching compares predetermined attributed reference graphs to the sensed graphs to produce a best common subgraph between the two based on the degree of similarity between the two graphs. The high level graph matching generates a recognition decision based on the value of the degree of similarity and a predetermined threshold.