Abstract: A technique for resolving whole-cycle ambiguity that is inherent in phase-angle measurements of signals received from multiple satellite-based transmitters in a global positioning system. The relative position of a secondary receiving antenna with respect to a reference antenna is approximately known or approximately initially determined and then measurements from a minimum number of satellites are used to determine an initial set of potential solutions to the relative position of the secondary antenna that fall within a region of uncertainty surrounding the approximate position. Redundant measurements are taken from one or more additional satellites and used to progressively reduce the number of potential solutions to close to one. Even if the number of potential solutions is not reduced to one true solution, the number can be further reduced by using additional measurements taken at different time intervals, at which different satellite geometries prevail.

Abstract: A self defense weapon comprising a glove type mounting of three groups of projecting spikes for slashing and stabbing an opponent. A first group of spikes is directed forward for stabbing. A second group of spikes is mounted to pivot between a first position wherein they are directed forward when the mechanism is not in use and a second position wherein the second spikes extend substantially perpendicular to the first spikes. A third group of spikes are retracted into a handle of the mechanism when it is not in use and are released to extend in a lateral direction during use. An actuator causes the third spikes to become extended and simultaneously causes the second spikes to be rotated to the second position.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter receives a stream of input words and selectively couples a plurality of current sources to produce a DAC output signal. The DAC includes a set of series-connected synchronizing switches and data switches between the current sources and the output lines, and operates the switches such that the current sources are not coupled to the data switches until the data switch transients have ended.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a safe and arm device for spinning munitions that takes advantage of the conservation of momentum law to impart a differential angular velocity to a ball rotating in a race within the device. The rotating ball is used to established discrete time intervals that can be integrated with an electronic counter to determine a safe arm distance, which distance can be programmed to be well beyond the 400-800 caliber arming distance achievable with conventional arming devices.

Abstract: An improved ordnance arming knob assembly. An arbor is secured to a switch shaft. A knob is keyed to the arbor to move in an axial direction relative to the arbor while preventing rotation between the knob and the arbor. A pin on the knob extends in a direction parallel to the switch shaft axis into a stationary hole located, for example, on a panel on which the switch is mounted. The knob must be pulled in an axial direction against the force of one or more springs to withdraw the pin from the hole prior to turning to actuate the arming switch.

Abstract: An improved electrical distribution system with two, four wire, multiwire branch circuits providing two sets of single phase office power circuits in exactly two types of duplex outlets. In each duplex outlet, receptacles are split to offer power from different phases. Each type of duplex has its own neutral and ground wires. These two duplexes control neutral balance and eliminate the previous need for oversized neutrals. Therefore, exactly two types of duplexes may be permanently prewired to a modular symmetrical channel providing user access to all four available circuits. The two multiwire branch circuits may be shielded to isolate clean computer power in one of the two duplex types.

Abstract: Automated constant depth steering and automated yaw correcting techniques for fishing boats or similar craft usable in concert or separately are disclosed. The constant depth steering arrangement controls a relative constant thrust electric trolling motor by varying the orientation of this trolling motor which propels the boat relative to the boat. The constant depth steering arrangement includes operator entry switches and potentiometers for receiving an operator selected water depth and an indication of the direction and sense in which water depth changes. The automatic yaw correcting arrangement includes a rudder-like structure for sensing the lateral component of craft motion relative to the water, and is responsive to the sensed lateral motion to imparting a lateral thrust to the craft in opposition to the sensed lateral component of craft motion.

Abstract: A flexible elongated resistance heating element of improved uniformity and ease of termination has a continuous strip of resistance wire formed about a flexible elongated strand of insulating material in a generally helical pattern of nonuniform pitch with regions of increased pitch and correspondingly reduced turns density which regions experience little increase in temperature when the element is energized. The pitch of the helical resistance wire pattern varies as it approaches each of the ends of the element to provide a region of increased pitch followed by a region of decreased pitch at each end. Shorting wires may thereby be eliminated. An insulating coating surrounds the resistance wire and strand and electrical terminals are connected by crimping to the regions of decreased pitch of the resistance wire at the ends. The heating element may be bonded to a support member in a serpentine pattern with the cool end regions extending freely from the support member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fuse, and safe and arm mechanism for a small active projectile is disclosed including a piezoelectric element mounted within the projectile near the leading end thereof with an impact deformable electrically conductive shell spaced from and at least partially surrounding the piezoelectric element and a resilient material substantially filling the space between the piezoelectric element and the shell. Electrical leads connect the detonator to the shell and to a rearward piezoelectric element contact so that upon projectile impact, the shell deforms compressing the piezoelectric element generating a voltage thereacross, and thereafter, the shell makes electrical connection with a piezoelectric element forward contact actuating the detonator. The safe and arm mechanism includes an interrupter located in a "safe" position between the detonator and a lead charge.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an inter-element mounting for ceramic elements in a piezoelectric transducer stack, which mounting includes two metal plates disposed between adjacent surfaces of the ceramic elements. The metal plates are cantilevered with respect to the surfaces of the ceramic elements, such that a substantial portion of the areas of the plates between the adjacent surfaces is unsupported and, therefore, the plates have a high degree of resilience. This structure provides controlled vibrational characteristics, structural integrity for high hydrostatic pressure, versatility in design for spurious resonance suppression or elimination, dampening, and special utility for pressure gradient hydrophone stacks.

Abstract: An electronically controllable pneumatically powered valve actuating mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is of the type having engine intake and exhaust valves with elongated valve stems. The actuator has a power piston reciprocable along an axis and adapted to be coupled to an engine valve and a pneumatic arrangement for moving the piston. A pneumatic damping arrangement imparts a first decelerating force to the piston when the engine valve reaches a first separation from one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions to begin reducing engine valve velocity as the engine valve approaches said one position, and imparts a second lesser decelerating force to the piston when the engine valve reaches a second lesser separation from that one position.

Abstract: A fishing arrangement and technique are disclosed and include a relatively short fishing pole having a handgrip portion near one end thereof and a bifurcated tip near the other end. The bifurcated tip includes first and second cantilevered portions which diverge from one another and have corresponding first and second tip line guide eyelets near their respective free ends. A trigger actuable spring biased fishing reel fastened to the pole adjacent the handgrip portion provides pretorqued mechanical assistance in setting a hook in the mouth of a fish. A fishing line extends from the reel, through a series of line guide eyelets, through the first tip line guide eyelet and then through the second tip line guide eyelet, and ultimately terminates at a baited fishhook. The first cantilevered portion is significantly more flexible than the second cantilevered portion so as to function as an indicator by being deflected toward the second cantilevered portion in response to an increase in line tension.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered valve actuator is disclosed including a valve actuator housing, a main piston reciprocable within the housing along an axis and a pair of auxiliary pistons fixed to and movable with the main piston. The main piston has a pair of oppositely facing primary working surfaces. A pair of air control valves reciprocable along said axis relative to both the housing and the main piston between open and closed positions control air flow from a pressurized source causing the main piston and the pair of auxiliary pistons to move. Each auxiliary piston forms, in conjunction with a surface of the corresponding air control valve, a variable volume annular chamber. The variable volume chamber function during the early portion of piston movement to apply a reclosing force to the air control valve and during a latter portion of the piston movement to vent air compressed by the piston during damping. This venting of the residual air is in an axial rather than a radial direction.

Abstract: A fast acting valve actuator for actuating an intake or exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine of a type which is hydraulically powered and command triggered is disclosed and includes a cylinder with a power piston having a pair of opposed working surfaces or faces reciprocable within the cylinder along an axis between first and second extreme positions. A cylindrical control valve is located radially intermediate the reservoir and the cylinder, and is movable upon command to alternately supply high pressure fluid from a reservoir of high pressure hydraulic fluid to one face and then the other face of the power piston causing the piston to move from one extreme position to the other extreme position. The cylindrical control valve may be a shuttle valve which is reciprocable along the axis of the power piston between extreme positions with control valve motion along the axis in one direction being effective to supply high pressure fluid to move the piston in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Waveform inputs are sampled to provide vector inputs which are coupled to respective ones of a plurality of series connected time delay stages in a processing circuit. Each vector is weighted, or amplified, and time delayed by each stage between its input point and the circuit output. Each stage has switched capacitors and an operational amplifier. The delay of each stage is the period of the capacitor switching frequency. All of the components in the stages and vector input circuitry are solid state switches, capacitors or operational amplifiers and therefore are especially suitable for integration in a monolithic or film substrate. The circuit is particularly adapted to beam steering a plurality of waveform inputs from an array of hydrophones.

Abstract: A bistable electronically controlled pneumatically powered transducer for use, for example, as a valve mechanism actuator in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The transducer has a piston which is coupled to an engine valve, for example. The pistion is powered by a pneumatic source and is held in each of its extreme positions by pneumatic pressure under the control of control valves which are in turn held in their closed positions by pressurized air and/or permanent magnet latching arrangements and are released therefrom to supply air to the piston to be pneumatically driven to the other extreme position by an electromagnetic neutralization of the permanent magnet field. A pair of auxiliary pistons movable with the piston compress air to a pressure above the pressure of the pneumatic source for aiding reclosure of the control valves as well as aiding maintenance of those control valves in their closed positions thereby reducing the size and cost of the latching permanent magnets.

Abstract: Shock mounting and enhanced conductive cooling of electrical components on printed circuit cards are achieved by mounting the non-component surface of the circuit card to a cold plate with a viscous, heat conductive, electrically insulating material sandwiched between the cold plate and circuit card. The cold plate may be an aluminum plate with a thermally conductive, electrcially insulative anodized surface. Typically, the cold plate is attached to a chassis of electrical equipment, or to a similar heat sink.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp with an attached retaining ring is disclosed. The clamp is formed from two extrusions, an L-shpaed extrusion which includes a groove for receiving the retaining ring along with one portion of a hinge structure, and a U-shaped extrusion which includes a mating portion of a hinge structure. The retaining ring is seated in the groove or channel of the L-shaped extrusion and the edges or lips of the channel crimped closed to capture the retaining ring. The two extrusions are hingedly joined and then a bolt passed through one and into the other to form the clamp.

Abstract: A device for mounting a downrigger to a sidewall portion of a boat includes a base having a generally flat planar surface for receiving and supporting the downrigger and a clamping arrangement including a pair of spaced apart C-clamps joined by a transverse tightening member which C-clamps are removably fastenable to a sidewall portion of a boat for fastening the base to the boat. A preferably adjustable structure couples the base and clamping arrangement or base support together at selected relative angular orientations thereby allowing mounting on virtually any current open side wall style boat while also allowing the downrigger to be optimally inclined to the water line as selected by the user.