Abstract: This invention relates to an on-line statistical process control device for solder paste and residues. The invention consists of electronics hardware, software, and probing systems. The electrical hardware of the invention provides voltage and current measurements of solder paste materials, the software of the invention controls the hardware, provides real-time complex, nonlinear least squares curve fitting for equivalent circuit analysis, data storage and retrieval of circuit parameters and behavior, and statistical process control tracking and charting. The probing systems of the invention allows for 2, 3, and 4 probe surface and bulk measurements of the solder paste and residues.

Abstract: A nondestructive method and apparatus for optical detection and monitoring corrosion in structures normally inaccessible to light and observation. An optical fiber coated with a corrosion sensitive compound is embedded in the structure. Tapped Bragg gratings of different Bragg periods are spaced along the fiber and refract a narrow bandwidth component of a broad beam light pulse transmitted through the fiber. Due to corrosion, the refracted components are reflected by the compound and their amplitudes are detected and displayed for each narrow bandwidth.

Abstract: Reciprocity calibration of electromechanical transducers is carried out with three transducers, which are secured to a mass mounted for oscillation as a pendulum. A first transducer is driven and the electrical output of a second transducer is measured. A third transducer, which must be a linear, reciprocal device, is driven and the electrical output of the second transducer is measured. The first transducer is driven while the electrical output of the third transducer is measured. The sensitivities of the transducers can be deduced from the electrical inputs and the measured electrical outputs by taking advantage of reciprocity. The transducers may be mounted to the pendulum mass two at a time, or alternatively, all three transducers may be fixed to the pendulum mass.

Abstract: A sensor and method are disclosed for determining if a region, defined by two end points, in a structure has exceeded a predetermined amount of strain. The sensor has an optical waveguide which has two ends for receiving and emitting light and which is fixable at two locations thereon to respective ones of the end points to define a sensing region therebetween. The sensing region has a first portion with a first length and a first cross-sectional area, and a second portion with a second length and a second cross-sectional area which is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The lengths and cross-sectional areas are sized so that the optical waveguide has a strain failure point equal to the predetermined amount of strain. The lengths and cross-sectional areas are approximately sized according to the formula R=.alpha.+1/ (.alpha./.beta.

Abstract: A tapped Bragg grating is used to demodulate optical signals reflected by ber optic Bragg gratings in a sensor in which the line spacings in the fiber optic Bragg gratings vary in response to a mechanical stress. A light detector, or light detector array is used to detect variation in the angular pattern of the light scattered by the tapped Bragg grating. Arrangements of mirrors, or alternatively arrangements of lenses, are used to concentrate the scattered light toward the light detectors and to enhance the angular changes in the scattered light.

Abstract: A variable focus adapter is disclosed that comprises the combination of a ns and an aperture provided by a plate all lodged in a housing that is placed so that the lens is in proximity with each objective lens of a binocular arrangement to change the focal range from greater than 20 ft. to seven (7) ft. with a depth of field spanning from 5 to 15 ft.

Abstract: A cross-corrugated panel has a core between two faceplates, where the core omprises two groups of corrugated elements that are perpendicular to each other. The corrugated elements have peaks and troughs connected by diagonally-extending segments. In each group of corrugated elements the peaks and troughs in adjacent elements are 180 degrees out-of-phase with each other. The faceplates and the corrugated elements in each group are joined at the peaks and troughs. The diagonally-extending segments of one of the elements comprise flat strips whose flat surfaces are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the faceplates. To make a cross-corrugated panel, a first group of elements is provided, each element being formed by oppositely winding two strips of curable material to form overlapping helixes having rectangular cross-sections. The elements are positioned in parallel. A second group of elements of curable material is placed perpendicular to the first group of elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for spanning the distance between a fixed first platform and a ovable second platform includes a ramp; a first pivoting junction located between one end of the ramp and the fixed first platform, and a second sliding junction located between the other end of the ramp and the movable second platform. The first pivoting junction accommodates pitch, roll and heave motion between the fixed platform and the ramp and the second sliding junction accommodates elevation changes between the fixed platform and the movable platform. Means are provided to dampening the motion of the ramp. Other means are provided to limit the side to side movement of the ramp.

Abstract: Impure steam is partially cooled on a first side of an energy transfer dee, forming a condensate substantially free of CO.sub.2 and other non-condensible gases. The condensate is separated from the impure steam and accumulated in a separator/accumulator. The condensate stream is conveyed through a control valve back to a second side of the energy transfer device for reheating to steam substantially free of CO.sub.2 and other non-condensible gases.

Abstract: A space shuttle wheel acceleration system includes a plurality of attachm bands located in the grooves of a tire and extending around the circumference of the tire with collapsible cups attached to the attachment bands located at spaced intervals around the tire that pop open on the downwind portion of a tire revolution to catch the wind and rotate the tire and collapse on the downwind portion of a revolution to reduce drag. The cups include elastic-bands to maintain the cup in a collapsed state when not catching the wind and also include stiffeners to prevent the cups from folding over when catching the wind. A breakaway buckle attaches the ends of each attachment band and automatically fails when the tire touches down to shed the space shuttle wheel acceleration system for smooth runway performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting moisture from the ambient air includes a desint pond for absorbing moisture from the air to produce a water rich desiccant, means for vaporizing the moisture in the water rich desiccant, mixing the vaporized moisture with ambient air to increase the dew point of the ambient air, condensing the vaporized moisture to form a potable water condensate and returning the water lean desiccant back to the desiccant pond.

Abstract: A lock operator located between a backing plate and sliding cover includes pivot plate for activating and deactivating the main boltworks and a relocker, an overtravel stop assembly for sequestering the pivot plate to prevent relock, a spring braised knob for locking the pivot plate in the locked or unlocked position, a pin for locking the sliding cover, pivot plate and locking plate in the locked position and means for automatically activating/deactivating the overtravel stops assembly.

Abstract: A relocatable storage magazine is provided for containing the shockwave, flagration and flying debris of an accidental explosion of stored explosives, ordnance or the like and includes a container; a debris trap attached to the container for receiving the pressure wave and for containing flying debris; an access hole communicating with the container and with the debris trap for venting the pressure wave of an explosion from the container into the debris trap and for providing access to the container; a lid cover and storage tray for storing and retrieving explosives; vent holes in the debris trap for venting the pressure wave to the atmosphere; a sliding door for providing access to the storage magazine; ears for lifting and relocating the storage magazine; hooks for retaining the lid cover and storage tray in an accessible position.

Abstract: An auxiliary target area chaff container for dispensing chaff and other rr counter measure materials from an aircraft includes a housing, chaff canister located in said housing; trigger wires for dispensing the chaff means for retaining said chaff canisters in said housing and means for attaching said housing to an aircraft. The chaff canisters are automatically dispensed when a bomb is released.

Abstract: A universal protective shield includes a central portion with three or more ingers integral with the central portion; openings located between adjacent fingers and above the sole of the foot covering to which the shield is attached, the openings permitting the fingers and the central portion to be adapted to conform to a foot covering: and screws for fastening the protective shield to a foot covering via bores located in the fingers. Flaps, attached to the fingers, diminish the size of the openings. The present invention may be adapted from a flat template or reformed to fit different shaped foot coverings.

Abstract: A lift link for external lift of dual High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle's HMMWV's) includes first and second ends, the inner portion of each end pivotally attached to inner and outer sliders, respectively, said sliders communicating to provide axial movement for said lift link. In operation, a pair of lift links are attached to abutted rear ends of two HMMWV's. The links allow at least 4 degrees of movement for easy hook-up while maintaining the rigid platform necessary to transport the attached vehicles by helicopter lift.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing sedimentation in ship berths including one or m modules, spanning the entrance of a ship berth and providing a continuous, homogeneous, impervious barrier, each module including a base located on the sea floor, an accordion type curtain extendable in the vertical direction and attached on its bottom side to the base, a float attached to the curtain on the top side, a primary operating system for raising and lowering the curtain and a secondary operating system for raising the entire apparatus to the sea surface for repair or removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destroying chemical and biological warfare (C agents includes heating contaminated air in a compressor, flowing the hot compressed air through a reaction vessel to provide sufficient contact time to kill CBW agents; initially partially cooling the hot compressed air in an aftercooler; finally cooling the hot, compressed air by expansion in a turbine. Energy is recovered from the turbine to inverse efficiency. Additional power is supplied by external means.

Abstract: A wear resistant and impact tolerant plow blade comprising a plurality of ternate layers of wear resistant and impact resistant materials. Each layer extends from the leading edges of the plow blade rearwardly and is fabricated of a homogeneous material. Each layer has substantially parallel sides and abuts an adjacent layer or layers to form a substantially seamless plow.

Abstract: A process for removing complexed or chelated ions from an aqueous solution using a cationic chelating resin in the sodium form. The process is particularly useful for removing metal ions chelated during a metal plating process with specific utility for recovering cadmium from a cadmium cyanide complex.