Abstract: A method for a short-term prediction of future ship motion in open water to furnish visual cueing information that can be remotely presented to a pilot during an aircraft landing is described. Two sets of samples of the sea surface geometry along a radial azimuth line from a ship as a function of elevation of a sensor are first acquired. These are compensated to remove the components due to the ship's motion. Two wave traces are then separately derived in Cartesian format from the two sets of acquired samples. These wave traces are subjected to a Fast Fourier Transform to detect the amplitudes and phases of the individual wavelength components. The direction of the wavelength components is determined using a measure of their phase change in the scan direction during the time interval between the two scans together with their measured wavelength.

Abstract: A method for demodulating digital frequency modulation (FM) signals is disclosed. A group of complex-valued discrete-time FM signal samples is initially received. A corresponding first complex product for each of the complex-valued discrete-time FM signal samples is computed, and a corresponding second complex product for each of the first complex values of the complex-valued discrete-time FM signal samples is computed. Subsequently, an inverse tangent of the second complex products are computed to yield an angle for each of the second complex values, wherein each of the angles represents a second-order difference of a phase of the complex-valued discrete-time FM signal samples. Finally, a digital integration is performed to obtain a first-order difference of the phase of the complex-valued discrete-time FM signal samples.

Abstract: A method and construction for providing thermal management and vibration isolation to a component that requires a controlled temperature during operation. The component (e.g., a hard disk drive) is mounted within an enclosure such that the component is substantially isolated from mechanical vibrations, and the isolation mechanism further provides a thermal path from the component to the enclosure. An elastomeric article which supports the component may be attached to the interior of the enclosure, the elastomeric article being loaded with thermally conductive fillers (fibers or non-directional particulates molded within the elastomer material). Alternatively, a wire rope which supports the component may be attached to the interior of the enclosure, the wire rope having at least one support strand and at least one heat transfer strand that has a higher thermal conductivity than the support strand.

Abstract: Lineal light distribution is provided from a source which may comprise a quasi-point source. The light is directed to one or more arms, each arm comprising conveyance means defining a region of light travel. Collimated light is directed into the conveyance means. Directing means in the light path direct light in respective independent paths to each of a plurality of exit means. The directing means may be discrete or distributed. The exit means each project light away from the conveyance means. The exit means are distributed at a number of locations at differing locations with respect to the source so that a lineal distribution of light from the source is provided.

Abstract: In a vortex chamber flow meter, a bearingless annular rotor rotates about an axis in a cylindrical operating chamber. The chamber is enclosed in a jet ring within a meter housing. Liquid enters the housing and flows to a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports in the jet ring, directing flow through conduits into the vortex operating chamber tangentially. Liquid flow exits the vortex chamber axially through a central aperture. Optical sensing means respond to markings on the surface of a rotor moving past a selected position. The meter is constructed to effectively offset the entry of the liquid into the vortex chamber. The centerlines of the ports define a plane which is positioned to be off center from a plane bisecting the vortex chamber in the axial degree of freedom. The offset is in an axial direction away from the exit.

Abstract: A neck exerciser for a user preferably lying prone and moving his head up or down includes a helmet secured to the head by a chinstrap. A selectable number of removable weights are each affixed to a band portion of the helmet. The position of each weight is selectable to produce the maximum movement of force for a given amount of weight so that the maximum training effect is achieved with a minimized amount of weight.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring length of an optical fiber, a light source of a selected wavelength transmitted along the fiber is modulated by both a first and a second light modulation signal, which light modulation signals each differ in frequency from a first modulation frequency by a fixed amount. A time detector responds, alternately during a period, to the light signal as modulated by of each of the first and second light modulation signals by using each of the light signal modulation frequencies as a reference. Consequently, the output of the time detector has a phase responsive to the effective length of the fiber. A phase sensitive detector receives as a signal input an output of the time detector means. A second modulation frequency defines the period of alternation of response and provides a reference input to the phase sensitive detector.

Abstract: An architectural member that may be installed, for example, in a ceiling contains means for receiving a light source, dividing and distributing light from the source into a number of paths within the member and means for directing the light from the member in each of a plurality of directions.

Abstract: In an energy spectroscopy system in which the photon detector such as a germanium detector provides pulses indicative of incident gamma or x-ray radiation, compensation circuitry corrects the amplified pulse output for charge trapping effects in the detector. The compensated output is provided to a prior art multichannel analyzer. The compensation circuit adds to the detected pulse a correction factor proportional to a polynomial function of charge collection time of the carrier being trapped multiplied by the amplitude of the pulse. In this manner, the output pulse is increased to compensate for impediments to charged carrier migration within the structure of the detector, and resolution is improved.

Abstract: An CO.sub.2 injection nozzle is incorporated in a system for carbonating a beverage in a sealed vessel from which it will be served, such as a soda bottle. The nozzle projects vertically, and is received into and through a vessel closure member on an inverted vessel. The nozzle provides a path for communication of the vessel interior with a source of CO.sub.2. A first axial portion of the nozzle is formed to provide for extension through the closure member and into liquid in the vessel. Outlet means are provided adjacent an axial extremity of the nozzle for projecting CO.sub.2 for maximum path length through the liquid as it rises. The outlet means may comprise radially opposed pairs of horizontal bores extending tangentially from a vertical internal bore in the nozzle.

Abstract: A self-contained polarity tester (1) tests connection within a device (40), e.g. a lamp fixture, of a power input plug (41) to a socket (53). A tester body (3) has a polarized receptacle (10) which receives the plug (41). A probe (20) mounted to the tester body (3) is moved by an operator to engage the socket (53). A low-level power source (35) in a circuit in the tester (1) is connected to energize one of a plurality of indicator devices (16, 17) dependent upon the polarity of the connection of the plug (41). Illumination of neither indicator device (16, 17) or both is indicative of a short or open circuit respectively.

Abstract: An electro-optic sampler utilizes a Pockels cell comprising an electro-optic crystal and a separate, removable sample carrier having an electrical transmission line affixed thereto to provide an electric field accessible to the optical sampling pulses. In the present system, a device under test is bonded to the removable sample carrier. The electro-optic crystal is not bonded to the carrier. Rather, means are provided for the electro-optic crystal to releasably engage the sample carrier and its affixed electrical transmission lines. Upon completion of a test, the carrier may be removed from the system with the device-under-test affixed thereto, and the same electro-optic crystal may be utilized in conjunction with another removable sample carrier having another device under test affixed thereto.

Abstract: In a photon detector system, such as a cryogenic gamma radiation detector cooled by a dewar, a vacuum-jacketed radiation detector is provided in a cryostat assembly. The detector can be used with any one of a plurality of cryostats without breaking the vacuum seal therearound when transferring from one cryostat or dewar to another. The detector is vacuum-jacketed and mechanically and thermally connected to an axially projecting conducting member, which member is received in a thermally conducting transition member contained in the cryostat. The transition member is thermally and mechanically coupled to the dewar and may include a fluid path completing a vacuum jacket in the dewar.

Abstract: A metal powder is produced by inert gas atomization processes. The atomizon process is regulated to provide a preselected level of inert gas alloyed in the metal.

Abstract: In a single mode fiber under test a direct measurement of transmissive dispersion, such as of colors or polarizations, is produced. In the measurement of chromatic dispersion, light is modulated in amplitude by a first, high frequency signal and between one wavelength and another by a second, low frequency signal. Light transmitted through a fiber under test is received by a photodetector providing an output which is compared to the high frequency reference for phase by a first phase-sensitive detector. The amplitude modulated output of the first phase-sensitive detector is compared by a second phase-sensitive detector, preferably a lock-in amplifier to the low frequency reference signal to provide a signal indicative of transmissive dispersion. Other forms of dispersion, including polarization dispersion, may be measured. A source is modulated at a first, high frequency.

Abstract: A reflection seismograph collects data received over a plurality of channels in a field location and provides data recorded on a recording medium for processing at a home data processing site in accordance with well-known algorithms. Data is collected over a plurality of channels and converted into a recordable form. In accordance with the present invention, the data is not coupled directly to recording means but is stored. Stored data is processed by a post acquisition processor so that a field operator may preview data to make a determination as to whether the data inputs are suitable to provide a desired result when processed at the home location. The operation may then actuate a means for recording the data onto the recording medium.

Abstract: A system for concurrent, non-destructive evaluation of partially completed welds for use in conjunction with an automated welder. The system utilizes real time, automated ultrasonic inspection of a welding operation as the welds are being made by providing a transducer which follows a short distance behind the welding head. Reflected ultrasonic signals are analyzed utilizing computer based digital pattern recognition techniques to discriminate between good and flawed welds on a pass by pass basis. The system also distinguishes between types of weld flaws.

Abstract: A handling system supports a closure member, e.g. a manway cover or tensioner ring, for maintaining it in position when opening or closing operations are performed thereon and for moving it conveniently into or out of engagement with a mating member without damage to supporting studs. Gimbaling means include first and second attachable connections each vertically supported to a pneumatic cylinder assembly whose internal pressure is set to generate an upward force equal to the weight supported. An operator may provide a force to overcome damping forces at each support point to move the closure member in all degrees of freedom, and the member appears essentially weightless to the operator. The vertically movable connections are supported for translational movement on a cart which is also movable. Reliable movement of a closure member with respect to a pressure vessel is provided without the need for alignment or calibration of a path defined by the closure member support means.

Abstract: In a system for providing maximum display deflection within a preselected scale size for a time-varying imput whose envelope may be monotonically decreasing, or otherwise varying, automatic gain control means produces a multiplication factor by which an input signal is multiplied to provide an output signal for provision to utilization means such as a display. The multiplier signal is produced as a function of an error signal. The output signal is compared to a value indicative of a desired trace size to produce a signal representative of percentage error rather than a difference. The percentage error is subtracted from 100% to provide a gain error signal, a function of which is the multiplier signal. The function may be further generated by sampling the gain error signal over a window length and summing the samples. The integral thus obtained may be utilized as an exponent in the value of the multiplication factor.

Abstract: A radiation source directs light at a mirror which reflects to a first photosensor. As a dew point is reached, scattered light is reflected to a second photosensor to indicate dew point. Rather than periodically interrupting operation to test reflectivity of the mirror or to perform a heating cycle, operation is monitored continuously. The common mode output of both the first and second photosensors is monitored. When below a threshold level, the output indicates the need for cleaning the mirror. It may also be used in a closed loop to increase light source intensity as mirror reflectivity decreases.