Abstract: A target member mounted on a stationary object, such as a pallet, includes at least three reflector elements. An identifying means, such as a high intensity light source, and an imaging sensor are carried by another, movable object, such as a forklift truck. The reflector elements are so configured as to form images of the identifying means with said images defining a plane oriented other than normal to align from the identifying means to that plane, the images also defining a circle that does not include the identifying means. The target member may be in the form of a vertically oriented planar support member on which are mounted a pair of convex mirrors and a concave mirror. The images of the identifying means in the mirrors are detected by an imaging sensor, such as a television camera, and the directions of each of the images at the camera are used to determine all six degrees of positional information of the sensor with respect to the target.

Abstract: A target member mounted on a stationary object, such as a pallet, includes at least three reflector elements. An identifying means, such as a high intensity light source, and an imaging sensor are carried by another, movable object, such as a forklift truck. The reflector elements are so configured as to form images of the identifying means with said images defining a plane oriented other than normal to align from the identifying means to that plane, the images also defining a circle that does not include the identifying means. The target member may be in the form of a vertically oriented planar support member on which are mounted a pair of convex mirrors and a concave mirror. The images of the identifying means in the mirrors are detected by an imaging sensor, such as a television camera, and the directions of each of the images at the camera are used to determine all six degrees of positional information of the sensor with respect to the target.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle is guided along a predetermined path which is to be traversed autonomously by the vehicle. As the vehicle is guided along the path, the area before the vehicle is scanned and discontinuities in the scan scene are reduced to a series of time separated pulses. The pulse series at selected locations along the path are stored such that the vehicle can autonomously retrace the predetermined path by matching pulse series generated by current scanning with stored pulse series. A scanner mirror receives and directs a laser beam through an area before the vehicle along the path to be traversed and receives reflected return signals from the scanned area. Optical detection means receive the return signals from the scanner mirror and generate raw scene signals which are doubly differentiated to generate pulse series representative of the discontinuities of the scanned area.

Abstract: Treatment of casualties enclosed in garments which protect them from a contaminated environment comprises attaching treatment apparatus containing uncontaminated treatment space to the protective garment and then effecting communication between the treatment space and the interior of the garment. The treatment apparatus comprises a generally rectangular enclosure having an access opening on one side with fastener means provided for closing the access opening. The fastener means are compatible with at least a portion of the fastener means for the protective garment to permit coupling the enclosure to the garment and then communicating the treatment space with the interior of the garment. The treatment apparatus includes an observation window opposite to the fastener device and sealed gloved openings to permit manipulation by treating personnel within the intercoupled treatment space and the interior of the garment.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle is guided along a predetermined path which is to be traversed autonomously by the vehicle. As the vehicle is guided along the path, the area before the vehicle is scanned and discontinuities in the scan scene are reduced to a series of time separated pulses. The pulse series at selected locations along the path are stored such that the vehicle can autonomously retrace the predetermined path by matching pulse series generated by current scanning with stored pulse series. A scanner mirror receives and directs a laser beam through an area before the vehicle along the path to be traversed and receives reflected return signals from the scanned area. Optical detection means receive the return signals from the scanner mirror and generate raw scene signals which are doubly differentiated to generate pulse series representative of the discontinuities of the scanned area.

Abstract: A chemical detector employs a very fine serpentine-like groove which is filled with conductive paint, to form an electric circuit. The application discloses a method of making a molded part having such a groove by making a mold insert for a plastic mold in which the mold insert is formed with grooves defining a land pattern which will form the grooves in the molded part. A mold insert is formed with a main block and a pair of side blocks, the main block having twice as many grooves therein as the side blocks so that, when the side blocks are offset with respect to each other, a serpentine-like land pattern is formed in the three blocks.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot platform consists of a frame with a plurality of casters to support the frame on and space the frame from a supporting surface, as well as permitting any selected direction of movement over the support surface. At least two linear motors are arranged on the frame transversely to one another and generally parallel to the support surface and so that their flux links the support surface. The support surface is preferably a conductor such that by a combination of signals to the respective motor means, the motor fluxes linking the supporting surface will drive the platform. The platform is provided with tool support means and that tool support means includes articulation structure with associated drive means which permits tool positioning.

Abstract: A system is provided for safe passage of personnel between a pair of protective enclosures, at least one of which is portable such as a garment or a mobile unit, and which afford a protective environment to persons or things therewithin. The enclosures comprise an eveloping structure having at least one flexible panel, and the enclosures are adapted to be brought into a position with panels abutting. A first opening is formed in one of said panels and a second opening in the other panel, the openings being dimensioned and arranged to be co-extensive when said panels are in abutting position, and primary fasteners, such as zippers, are attached to each of the openings for repeated opening and closing thereof. Secondary covering fasteners, including flaps with fabric hook-latch material, are on the exterior of each of the panels surrounding and totally covering the primary fasteners.

Abstract: A contaminated casualty is enclosed within an evacuation container comprising inner and outer enclosures for evacuation to an uncontaminated treatment enclosure having an opening operably opened and closed by a first fastener. A second fastener operably opens and closes casualty entry openings in the inner and outer enclosures. The second fastener closes the space between the inner and outer enclosures to maintain uncontaminated space therebetween when the casualty entry openings are opened. A third fastener operably opens and closes a casualty extraction opening in the outer enclosure. The third fastener is compatible with at least a portion of the first fastener to form a passageway for moving a casualty encapsulated within the inner enclosure out from the outer enclosure and into the uncontaminated treatment enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for attaching and detaching two flexible panels, each of which has an opening defined by mating parts of a continuous flexible fastener strip. An elongated slide member has four generally elongated passages which includes merging parts at one end thereof to receive the fastener strip parts. The passages separate in the central part of the slide member, twist 90.degree., and have parts merging different ones of the passages at the other end of the slide member to bring the fastener strips into contiguous relation with their mating parts arranged such that one part of each fastener strip is mated with an opposite part of the other fastener strip by moving the slide member along the strips, simultaneously and progressively separating the mating parts of the fastener strips and joining the parts of one fastener with opposite parts of the other fastener.

Abstract: Treatment of casualties enclosed in garments which protect them from a contaminated environment comprises attaching treatment apparatus containing uncontaminated treatment space to the protective garment and then effecting communication between the treatment space and the interior of the garment. The treatment apparatus comprises a generally rectangular enclosure having an access opening in one side with fastener means provided for closing the access opening. The fastener means are compatible with at least a portion of the fastener means for the protective garment to permit coupling the enclosure to the garment and then communicating the treatment space with the interior of the garment. The treatment apparatus includes an observation window opposite to the fastener device and sealed gloved openings to permit manipulation by treating personnel within the intercoupled treatment space and the interior of the garment.

Abstract: A flow cell for monitoring accumulations of microscopic material in heat exchange systems and the like, by measuring accretion on the surfaces of a pair of plates exposed to a primary flow, includes a split housing which supports the pair of plates in closely spaced relation with an inlet and an outlet positioned to apply a primary flow between the plates, and further includes a cavity formed in each housing half with the back or opposite sides of the plates exposed to the interior of the cavity and fluid inlets and outlets leading into such cavities providing for the flow of a secondary fluid through the cavities and across the back sides of the plates for the purpose of more accurately simulating the thermal gradient conditions on the plates in a heat exchanger, and for monitoring the rate of accumulation on the plate surfaces.

Abstract: The iris of the lens of a closed circuit television camera is controlled to maintain an approximately constant magnitude video signal irrespective of dark current generated by the camera tube. The television camera includes an optically black filter covering the initial horizontal scans of the camera. A dark current sample is taken for each video field during a horizontal scan behind the optically black filter. A compensated video signal is generated by substituting the dark current sample for blanking portions of the video signal. The compensated video signal and the dark current sample are passed to a differential integrator the output of which is used to drive a motor which automatically controls the iris of the camera lens to maintain a selected magnitude video signal.

Abstract: An out-of-line fuse for primarily ring-type, multiple point concurrent initiation, projectiles is disclosed. In the unarmed state, the detonator and booster charges are angularly displaced while located at the same radial distance from the projectile axis in adjacent radial planes. When rotation of the projectile is sensed by a plurality of centrifugally actuated fiber optic light switches arranged in a series optical relationship, an electrically activated pyrotechnic thruster is fired to move the detonator charges and the booster charges into alignment arming the projectile; the electrical circuit having been priorly energized by inertia switches sensing the thrust forces during the launching of the projectile. When rotation of the projectile substantially ceases the detonator charges are electrically fired.

Abstract: The deflection, due to inertia, of the free end of the cantilever rod of fiber optic material is an indication of the acceleration of the supporting structure of the rod. The indication of the deflection of the rod is by detecting light propagating the free end of the rod. Disclosed are fiber optic rod sensing element structures for acceleration indicators, a rate of change of acceleration indicator, a rotation indicator, and a latching acceleration indicator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus for generating a pair of mutually orthogonal signals having a bivariate amplitude distribution compatible with digital processors and having a frequency distribution substantially restricted to a band of frequencies centered on a high (carrier) frequency.

Abstract: Waste paper is shredded and reacted with nitric acid to produce nitrated cellulose in which the inorganic nitrate ion is organically bound to the cellulosic waste paper. The resultant product is neutralized to enhance its stability and is suitable for use as a nitrogen fertilizer and soil conditioner. When phosphoric acid is added prior to neutralization with potassium hydroxide a complete N-P-K fertilizer results.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inertia activated power source in which the moving element is typically a mercury cell shearing a restraining wire at a predetermined G force. The moving cell is then caught between two spring contacts that extend exterior the case providing electrical terminals. Once activated, a spring latch locks the cell in place between the contacts. The action of the spring contacts materially reduces the shock on the battery when the device is subjected to forces many times greater than the desired activation source for the power source.

Abstract: An aerosol can is dispensed through an electrically isolated screen from a fixed distance which induces a charge on the screen from the passing cloud. The charge is conducted by wire into a capacitor where the charge builds up and is measured as a voltage by means of a high impedance voltmeter.

Abstract: A phase shifter control circuit having an integrator circuit for developing as a phase control signal the time integral of an input command or error signal, a reset circuit responsive to the phase control signal for generating a correction signal whenever the phase control signal reaches predetermined limits, and summing circuits for combining the correction signal with the input signal and with the phase control signal whereby the phase control signal is substantially instantaneously adjusted to a value between the predetermined limits.