Abstract: The invention is an inlet system for a variable geometry transatmospheric air breathing engine. It incorporates a rotatably translatable cowl provided with a rotating lip used in combination with insertable and propellant injection struts.

Abstract: A mode suppressor structure designed to maintain TE.sub.01 mode matching in an overmoded waveguide, while at the same time allowing efficient coupling of unwanted modes for dissipation in the mode filtering structure of the overmoded waveguide, and in a manner which is non-intrusive on the TE.sub.01 mode and thus promotes high power operation.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device providing very high density information storage on an organometallic charge transfer data storage medium. The medium is switched from one state to another through the application of an electric field to the medium by the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope resulting in an observable change in the electron density of the surface of the medium. A STM tip is used to write, read and erase data via the organometallic charge transfer medium (e.g. TCNQ, or derivatives thereof).

Abstract: High speed automatic gain control (AGC) circuitry, capable of use in pulse or CW systems, incorporates hysteresis for improving the stability and distortion characteristics of the AGC. After a gain setting is selected, the built-in hysteresis feature prevents an adjustment in that gain setting until the amplitude of the input signal varies more than a predetermined amount. Sampling of the amplitude of the input signal and gain adjustments are accomplished by digital circuitry. In one embodiment, AGC is on a pulse-to-pulse basis.

Abstract: The system is a fixture used to nondestructively support electrical circuits for testing. It is particularly useful for physically and electrically mounting circuits which are edge accessed. Support, positioning and contact elements are used in conjunction with a base plate grid and adjustably cooperate through a system of T slots and T shaped projections.

Abstract: A compact waveguide bend structure having high power handling capability, particularly designed for use with TE.sub.01 circular overmoded waveguide, comprises a transition from circular overmoded waveguide to rectangular overmoded waveguide (using the TE.sub.20 mode), followed by a TE.sub.20 mode rectangular waveguide bend, and a transition back to circular overmoded waveguide.

Abstract: An optimized design for circular overmoded waveguide, of both the dielectric lined or sheathed helix types, operating in the microwave and lower millimeter wave bands.

Abstract: The invention is a propellant utilization system for flight vehicles operating in both the subsonic and supersonic speed ranges. In particular, the invention uses steam and water produced in the system to replace hydrogen as a coolant and for power generation. It also provides for the utilization or oxygen obtained from air captured by the air inlet instead of oxygen stored in the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a heated element sensor for detecting the flow rate of a fluid or other physical characteristics of a fluid. The invention teaches driving the thermo-resistive element along a profile having at least two states and measuring the power and temperature of the sensor at each state. In this way a dissipation coefficient can be determined and fluid flow and other physical characteristics determined without the need for ambient temperature to be determined.

Abstract: An efficient hardware cache manager controls the top-of-stack data underflow/overflow. A processor chip includes a processor, a stack buffer and the invented cache management hardware. The processor chip communicates with a remove overflow stack through an address/data bus. The cache management hardware efficiently manages overflow and underflow to and from the processor chip in such a manner less than 1% of the processor's time is spent managing the stack cache.

Abstract: A method and electro-optical apparatus for generating the Radon transform and angular correlation of input images using optical signal processing techniques is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, video feedback of raster scanned images is utilized to perform the Radon transform and angular correlation separately or in combination. The basic video feedback architecture implements angular rotation of the input image via successive passes through a video feedback loop in which the feedback focal plane array is rotated by a fixed amount relative to the input/feedback miniature display unit. Subsequently, the Radon transform is derived by using anamorphic output optics, which image the Radon transform onto a linear self-scanned detector array.

Abstract: A magnetic nerve stimulator comprises a capacitor which is charged to a high voltage, then discharged through a coil placed near the head. The magnetic field produced induces eddy currents in the brain that stimulate neurons. When the capacitor is fully discharged, the discharge path is broken by opening a switch. The inductive action of the coil forces a diode to turn on and the energy from the collapsing magnetic field around the coil charges a second capacitor. The charge on the second capacitor is augmented by a power source to make up for any losses, and the process is repeated. The stimulator of the invention can pulse rapidly, does not cause excessive heating of the coil, and uses comparatively little energy. As a result, high level cognitive functions in the brain can be disrupted for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A device and process for adjusting, locking, and mounting a mirror. The device, in one embodiment, comprises three adjustor bolts which are threadably engaged with a mirror assembly and a support plate. Two locking bolts per adjustor bolt apply torque symmetrically to the adjustor bolt to preserve micro-radian adjustments during the locking process. The invention's design also results in extremely high structural stiffness at the adjustor-locking bolt joints.

Abstract: Weak links in superconductors are detected by observing the effect of magnetic field modulation on the microwave resistance of superconductors. The phase detected response to the magnetic modulation can show a peak at T.sub.c. The presence of peak(s) at temperatures below T.sub.c indicates the presence of weak links in the superconductor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to either a satellite or missile deployed to a high altitude location at a desired position above a target. Once at the proper position a drogue chute is deployed to slow reentry and then a high-altitude balloon or paraglider is deployed to maintain the invention above the target area. Once deployed, the invention utilizes onboard sensors to collect target information which is communicated to an over-the-horizon (from the target) receiver.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for rapidly attaching glass to a metal support structure without cracking the glass. The invention consists of a C clamp with a force providing screw threadably engaged through a hole in one leg of the C clamp. The force providing screw has a spindle on one end which rides in a channel in the metal support structure. A spring, Belleville washer or other energy storing device is mounted on the spindle and is compressed against the metal support structure by the spindle base when the force providing screw is tightened. The amount of force that can be applied is limited by the combination of the screw head on the force providing screw and the longer length of the channel in relation to the spindle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow competitive assay system for the detection and measurement of chemical and biochemical analytes. It is a time-based, continuous on-line measurement of analyte concentrations comprising three functional assemblies connected in series: a sampler, a reactor and a detector. Tagged immunochemical discharged from the reactor is detected in the detector which contains a model of system response with the tagged immunochemical and keeps track of the amount of tagged immunochemical lost during the course of the operation of the reactor.

Abstract: A computer aided design (CAD) method for designing circular overmoded waveguide systems having optimal operating characteristics. The CAD method receives selected input waveguide operational, material and structural parameters and computes the resulting waveguide operational characteristics, including power losses for a given waveguide system configuration, including both straight and bent sections. Optimal designs for lined dielectric and sheathed-helix types of circular waveguide and waveguide bends have resulted for both S- and X-band operation.

Abstract: The invention provides for a toileting module which can be used in a standard wheelchair and consists of straps and a tensioning mechanism therefor attached to a support structure. The straps run under the wheelchair-bound person and, when tightened, raise the person above the seat cushion permitting its removal and the insertion of a waste receptacle for toileting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method to detect a magnetic field by measuring the magnetically modulated resistance of a superconductor maintained at its phase transition temperature (T.sub.c).