Abstract: An ultrasonic nondestructive testing system of the pulse-echo type is disclosed including an echo-signal-translator exhibiting a bandwidth that is varied to achieve excellent near-surface resolution while affording deep inspection of an object under test.

Abstract: A search unit for detecting internal flaws in the web of a railroad rail includes a plastic polymer shoe having a base surface contoured to conform generally to the web surface and of sufficient width to extend substantially across the width of the web. A plurality of dual ultrasonic transducers, each transducer including a transmitter and a spaced receiver, form a linear array across the width of the shoe and are angled with respect to each other. A couplant fluid is injected between the shoe and the rail web through fluid inlets in the shoe as the unit is slid along the rail.

Abstract: Herein described is an electronic control system for guiding a search unit of a nondestructive material tester over sloped or curved surfaces and shapes. More particularly described is the index system used on an indexing-scanning (inspection) device. An oscillator provides a preset number of pulses through an angle rate generator and direction logic to a binary coded decimal pulse counter. The counter keeps track of the input pulses provided thereto (each pulse represents an 0.1.degree. increment) therefore, its contents are indicative of the angle accumulated therein. A pair of read only memories provides the sine function and cosine function of the accumulated angle as a binary coded decimal trigonometric representation of the input angular degree. The signals therefrom control respective Y and Z rate generators whose input clock rate is indicative of the velocity along the curve of the pivot point of the search unit.

Abstract: An encoder is disclosed for providing an accurate digital representation of the altitude of an aircraft vehicle by comparing an output signal from a pressure transducer which is a function of the barometric pressure at the altitude of the vehicle with an internally generated waveform which represents a curve of altitude vs. barometric pressure on its X--Y axis. The waveform is generated by a closed loop having an integrator circuit for providing the waveform, a comparator, a filter, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a counter, which all maintain the amplitude of the waveform within precise limits. The output signal from the transducer and the wave form from the closed loop are compared by a second comparator to provide a signal which transfers temporary information in the counter to a storage device which provides a coded digital output of the altitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: Connector for tow cable which carries tow tension and electrical circuits permits release of both the tension and the circuits. Electrical connectors in high current circuits are arranged so that the male connector is pulled out of the female electric socket, and the arc between them is elongated, but the arc chamber is closed until the arc is extinguished.

Abstract: A method of making an annular biased frequency interference shielding member having securement tabs for mounting between plug and receptacle shells of an electrical connector, and having folded resilient fingers having base and distal portions respectively engageable with said plug and receptacle shells under resilient pressure engagement. The folded resilient fingers are precisely dimensioned and formed about an axis such that minimal space intervals are provided between adjacent edges of adjacent resilient fingers whereby virtually 360.degree. shielding integrity is afforded.

Abstract: A system for detecting intruder motion in selectable zones of a defined area is disclosed. The system is principally used as a line protector to detect intruders in the vicinity of a fence or wall and may be used as a virtual fence by employing a narrow-beam antenna and deep range coverage to detect an intruder crossing its line of sight. The system utilizes a transmitter for periodically sweeping the area to be protected and a receiver incorporating a narrow band filter which is variable to select a plurality of overlapping zones within the protected area, the presence of a reflective target in a selected zone resulting in a corresponding output signal. Means are provided to store such output signals from each zone and to compare received signals with previously-stored signals to detect differences in the target pattern of each zone.

Abstract: A preformed radiator hose and a method of manufacturing such a hose are disclosed herein. A long length of an uncured hose is first fabricated by alternately wrapping layers of an uncured elastomer and fiber reinforcements around a straight mandrel. The uncured hose is then removed from the straight mandrel and cut into shorter segments. Each of these segments is then placed on a contoured mandrel having a shape corresponding to the intended configuration of the final hose and cured by heating. Although the fully cured hose does have a permanent shape, because of the unique arrangement of the reinforcements, etc., it has sufficient deformability to be easily slipped off the mandrel.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a plug means with a plug shell and a receptacle means with a receptacle shell receivable within said plug shell in coaxial relation for interconnecting a plurality of electrical conductors; and an annular resilient member between said plug and receptacle shells for providing a low resistance electrical connection between said shells, bridging the annular space therebetween, and shielding against transmission of radio frequencies. An annular biased frequency interference shielding member having securement tabs for mounting said annular member in said plug shell, and having folded resilient fingers having base and distal portions respectively engagable with said plug and receptacle shells under resilient pressure engagement.

Abstract: A flexible vacuum cleaner hose is provided with a simple and inexpensive end fitting for use with various vacuum cleaner accessories and attachments. The hose is a corrugated plastic, i.e., it has annular rings or corrugations formed therein. Each section of hose has a predetermined length with a suitable cuff on each end thereof. Each of the cuffs includes a snap lock. The end fitting is a one piece molded member having a locking seat and a tapered end section or a threaded end section. The tapered section is adapted to be forced into the cuff so as to spread the snap lock on the cuff. The snap lock rides over the end section and drops into the locking seat formed therebehind. This is effective to lock the end fitting on the hose while allowing it to remain free to rotate inside the cuff.

Abstract: An electrical connector for establishing a positive interconnection between a first set of electrical contacts and a second set of electrical contacts which employs the use of a receptacle section and a plug section. The receptacle section includes a collet receiving opening therein. The plug section includes a plurality of collet fingers which are to be locatable within the collet receiving opening and establishing a positive interlocking therewith. The collet fingers are integrally formed within a sleeve which has a drawbolt slideably mounted therein. The drawbolt is movable by a manual actuation means between an extended position and a retracted position. With the drawbolt in the extended position the collet fingers are capable of being deflected thereby permitting movement of the receptacle section with respect to the plug section.

Abstract: An electrical connector having cooperable mating and unmating plug and receptacle means carrying a dielectric insert member within a cylindrical shell and having an insert member compressible retainer ring for immovably axially holding an insert member against a positioning shoulder within the shell.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a receptacle means including a receptacle shell and a plug means including a plug shell, coupling means including a coupling housing engaged with a coupling nut for rotation of the coupling nut, the coupling nut having threaded engagement with the plug shell and the coupling housing having a breech lock means engageable with cooperable breech lock lands on the receptacle shell, the plug means and receptacle means being adapted to be fully electrically mated and locked by rotation of the coupling housing through about 90.degree.. An arcuate detent member of about 180.degree. keyed to the plug shell for relative axial movement and received within an annular groove in the coupling housing for resilient forcible selective engagement of opposite radially outwardly enlarged ends of the arcuate detent member with two sets of radially outwardly formed recesses in the coupling housing.

Abstract: A machine for and a method of forming a continuous tubing of flexible material, said tubing being wound in helical fashion and having interlocking edge portions. The machine includes a pair of spaced askew related rollers about which a strip of flexible material is wound, one of the rollers having a plurality of annular fins spaced apart the width of the strip of flexible material to partially receive the strip between portions of adjacent fins. The other of said rollers may have a single annular fin. Guide means contact external surfaces of edge interlocking portions of the wound strip. Both of said rollers are driven at the same speed. In the method of forming such a flexible continuous tube the improvement comprises positively engaging internal surfaces of turns of the strip being wound for advancing the strip in one direction and positively engaging external surfaces of a portion of at least one turn of the strip being wound for guiding the strip on the pair of rollers.

Abstract: A distance amplitude compensation system is disclosed herein for comparing received signals with a reference signal having a time varying amplitude. The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is particularly adapted for use in an ultrasonic nondestructive testing system to vary the reference signal of the system as a function of time to compensate for variations of the echo signal produced by changes in the amplitude of the ultrasonic energy as it propagates through the workpiece as a result of attenuation or other causes. A pulser/receiver transmits ultrasonic signals into the workpiece, receives echo signals returned therefrom and produces received signals corresponding to the echo signals. A distance amplitude compensation generator produces a reference signal that has an amplitude that varies with time as a function of the manner in which the ultrasonic energy changtes as it propagates through the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a coupling assembly breech retaining means carried by one of the mating sections of the connector to maintain a coupling ring housing, a coupling sleeve nut within the housing, and a spring means biasing said coupling nut in assembly in the coupling ring housing. The retaining means comprises an annular ring having outer circumferentially spaced locking lugs axially movable with respect to the coupling housing and within one end portion for engagement with spaced recesses in the end portion of the housing and biased in locking position by the spring means.

Abstract: The method of transferring radioactive material into and out of the cask comprises positioning a tank with an open end in a well. Then a cask having a passage for moving radioactive material into and out of the cask is placed in the tank through the opening in the tank. The tank opening is then sealed to the cask relative to the well without sealing the passage relative to the well to prevent water filled into the well from leaking into the tank. Then the well is filled with water above the seal, and radioactive material is then moved through the water in the well through the passage into the cask. The tank may be filled with demineralized water from a separate source to pressurize the space in the tank on the other side of the seal from the well to prevent water in the well from entering the tank.

Abstract: An electrical connector and method for providing an electrical connection wherein a receptacle having a current-carrying cable is insertible into a plug having a current-carrying cable and the cables are interconnected providing electrical connection therebetween. An endless spring coil of circular form having closely spaced turns each at an angle to its tangent to the circular form, when uncompressed, is inserted into an annular groove on the plug prior to insertion of the receptacle. When the receptacle is inserted into the plug, the coil is radially compressed thereby reducing the spacing between the turns and increasing their slant and wiping the coil along the contacting surfaces of the plug and receptacle to present the electrical effect of a solid coil and to minimize radio frequency and electromagnetic interferences.

Abstract: An ultrasonic nondestructive testing system is disclosed which is adapted to display test information representing ultrasonic energy reflected from within an object under test in various modes. In one mode, herein called the set-up mode, a dual display is generated. One of the displays contains a portion of the test information effectively expanded along a horizontal scale, while the other display has a contracted horizontal scale thereby to present essentially all of the test signal. In addition, the other display includes a suitable marker to indicate the location and extent of the test information in the first display. In the other, or test mode, the instrument is adjusted to display only the test information shown in the first display of the set-up mode.

Abstract: A surface wave communication system is disclosed which provides a communication link between moving objects via a single conductor transmission line. The system includes a wire dispenser for storing and paying out transmission line as needed, and an RF coupling device for initiating and intercepting a surface wave bound to the transmission line.