Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating fire ants in mounds utilizes a high capacity fan to set up a confined airflow adjacent a fire ant mound such that a substantial portion of the mound and its contents are entrained by the airflow. The mound and ants therein are carried by the airflow within the apparatus wherein they are pulverized either by the action of the fan or by a separate mechanical pulverizer into which the mound and ants are deposited from the airflow. The apparatus is designed as an accessory to a tractor or the like and may be powered from the power take-off unit of a tractor.

Abstract: A panoramic lens grouping utilizes a number of negative and positive power enses to provide 360.degree. photography and projection capabilities. The lens grouping uses a hyperbolic mirror as its input or output, in the photographic or projection mode, respectively. The lenses of the group are selected to reduce the Petzval curvature introduced by the hyperbolic mirror. The lenses are arranged such that the negative power lenses are flanked by the positive power lenses. Provision is made for the use of an internal shutter in the spacing between lenses in the lens group.

Abstract: A training canister for use with a personal breathing apparatus supplements filtered air with oxygen supplied by an internal cylinder. The canister has an integral filter providing airflow to the breathing apparatus, and utilizes a miniature high pressure valve to release supplemental oxygen into the system from an oxygen cylinder charged to up to 2000 psi. The training canister simulates operational equipment in size, shape, integration to the personal breathing apparatus, and actuation.

Abstract: A training system simulates thermal sight presentations utilizing miniature argets which have been painted with retroreflective paint in predetermined patterns corresponding to the thermal radiation associated with the target. The target is viewed through a telescope upon which a light source is mounted, light from said source being reflected into said telescope by the retroreflective paint. A pressure actuated switch in the eyecup of said telescope energizes said light source and background illumination. The system is designed for use with a simulated weapon and includes a TV camera mounted on said weapon with an associated light source for illuminating said target, thereby providing trainee monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A simulated thermal sight utilizes a computer to store digitized video data erived from photographs of actual thermal images. The computer inserts video images formed from the data into optical telescopes, via a miniature TV and mirror system, to simulate a thermal image for a trainee. An IR detector and emitter, whose location corresponds to the apparent location of the thermal image, are used to measure aim error and provide an input to the computer.

Abstract: A template, for use in conjunction with a radar presentation to train an intercept controller in coordinating aircraft movements, defines spatial relationships between aircraft symbols presented on the radar through range and separation scales and position cues imprinted on the template. The template also has a series of apertures which allow direct marking of aircraft position on the radar scope without removing the template.

Abstract: A head position and orientation sensor system utilizes a head mounted protor of known scan pattern which presents a visual display to the observer. In order to maintain proper display orientation, the head position and orientation are measured by intercepting the projected light scan pattern at a retroreflective screen upon which the visual display is focused. A photodetector array mounted in said screen intercepts the visual display regardless of head orientation and position. A computational unit having knowledge of the scan pattern parameters correlates the photodetector array output to a unique head position and orientation.

Abstract: A training device for simulated anti-armor weapons system utilizes a microcessor system to perform a number of functions including solving dynamic flight equations of a simulated missile and determining the gunner's aiming error. A miniature terrain board having a miniature target with an infrared source provides the aim point for a gunner using a simulated weapon launcher. An infrared sensing device mounted in the weapon provides input to the microprocessor while a CCTV provides an instructor with a gunner's view. Sound, visibility, and recoil associated with weapons use are simulated by peripheral devices under the control of the microprocessor. The gunner's aiming error and view are displayed in real time on an instructor's console which provides for instructor input and recording of gunner performance.

Abstract: A helmet mounted projector provides offset and frame scanning capabilities or a dual channel computer generated image simulation system. The projector receives full color lasers from each channel via a separate optical path, including galvanometer controlled line scan offset mirrors designed to provide eye tracking capabilities, and combines said channels along a single optical axis to provide coordinated frame scanning from the complex image produced by the combined rasters.

Abstract: A smoke generator utilizes a boiler chamber within which a mixture of water nd liquid smoke generant are heated above the boiling point of water, thereby producing free steam confined within the chamber. The steam and heated liquid are independently removed from the chamber and recombined at optimum pressure and flow in a special atomizing nozzle to generate a smoke of particulate size under ten microns.

Abstract: A control stick simulator for use in a part task trainer for pilots utili a bending beam in cooperation with deflection sensing transducers to output pitch and roll commands. The control stick is a cantilevered metallic beam, arrested by stops in a mounting flange near a handgrip at its upper end, thereby presenting an isometric feel to the pilot.

Abstract: A field of view test apparatus utilizes a plurality of interchangeable acic masks to vary the resolution characteristics of a projected field of view. An eye or head tracker provides line of sight direction signals to a servo which positions the mask with the optical path of the projection to correlate the area of higher resolution with the direction of the line of sight.

Abstract: A circuit for linearizing the oscillator sweep output frequency signal of a oltage controlled oscillator is disclosed. The voltage controlled oscillator is driven by the output of an op amp, which amplifies and filters the output of a D/A converter. The D/A converter responds to preselected 8-bit words, stored in an EPROM, so as to produce a desired output frequency at each memory address. The addresses, in turn, are provided by a combination of gates, counters, input signals and a clock.

Abstract: A small arms firing effects simulator utilizes a modular construction to egrate with the magazine of a weapon such as a rifle. The modular design resembles the ammunition clip and houses an expendable plastic coated plurality of pyrotechnic charges. An electrical control circuit is also housed within the module and serves to interface the pyrotechnic charges with the firing of the weapon, including semi-automatic and automatic firing as well as disabling the weapon when all rounds have been fired.

Abstract: A pattern generating circuit is disclosed for providing a fixed test pattern to be broadcast on a video display system such that an individual may test or repair the aforementioned video display system. The pattern generating circuit provides a horizontal sync signal, a vertical sync signal, and first and second video component signals which are then summed by a summing amplifier to form a video signal. The horizontal and vertical sync signals are then supplied to the video display system so as to activate the same. This, in turn, allows the video display system, upon receiving the video signal, to broadcast on its display screen the fixed test pattern.

Abstract: An articulated light guide having internal mirrors and rotatable joints, vides a transmission path to a helmet mounted projector wherefrom light is transmitted onto a retroreflective screen to produce images utilized in simulation training. Located at the screen are photodiodes which detect the orientation of said images with respect to a reference and provide alignment signals to a servo-controlled image rotation device.

Abstract: An optical system for 360.degree. image transfer in which spaced primary secondary hyperbolically surfaced mirrors are combined with a refractive lens system and are held in spaced relation by a transparent envelope having inner and outer surfaces generated from the near focal point of the primary mirror to avoid image impairing aberrations, and in which the mirrors are so spaced and concentrically arranged that the entrance pupil of the lens system coincides with the near focal point of the primary mirror, which is centrally apertured to form an aperture diaphragm, and the near focal point of the secondary mirror approximates the apex of the primary mirror, the far focal points of the mirrors coinciding to form a confocal set of mirrors.

Abstract: A data buffer circuit is disclosed for receiving from a serial-to-parallel ata conversion interface circuit a plurality of sixteen-bit parallel data words, for storing therein for a predetermined time period each of the parallel data words, and for transferring to a computer, so as to allow for processing by the computer, each of the parallel data words.

Abstract: An eye position measurement circuit is disclosed for calculating the posin of the cornea of the human eye. The eye position measurement circuit includes a dual axis infrared light detector which will sense the position of the cornea of the eye upon receiving pulsed infrared light reflected from the cornea of the eye. The dual axis infrared light detector is, in turn, connected in unique combination with filters, absolute value circuits, analog-to-digital converters, latches, a digital computer, and other electronic components for calculating the position of the cornea of the human eye.

Abstract: A fresnel lens employs a design that reduces the transmission of stray light to a viewer located at its entrance pupil, said design requiring directional undercutting of selected facets of the lens so as to align the directionally undercut nonimaging surface parallel to the viewer's line of sight. The facets of the lens are arcuately shaped to yield a closer approximation to a glass lens. The lens is of particular use in a visual image display system.