Abstract: A system for controlling the transmittance of electromagnetic energy through an aircraft cockpit canopy, and more particularly a canopy panel structure incorporating selectively energizable liquid crystals therein for controlling the transmittance of the electromagnetic energy and/or for integrating an information display in the canopy panel structure. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the transmittance of electromagnetic energy through an aircraft cockpit canopy utilizing a liquid crystal arrangement which is incorporated into the canopy panel structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a conductive vias in a non-conductive substrate having a through-hole formed therein intermediate two side thereof. The method utilizes the steps of: applying gold paste to the through-hole so as to provide electrical conduction therethrough; and under firing the gold paste when a thin conductive film is present upon the substrate and fully firing the gold paste when no thin conductive film is present on the substrate. Under firing the gold paste when a thin-film is present upon the substrate prevents degradation of the thin conductive film. Subsequent processing of the gold paste assures the integrity and reliability thereof. Thus, the gold paste provides enhanced conductivity and improved reliability, as compared to contemporary thin-film vias.

Abstract: The invention relates to a titanium article of manufacture having an oxidation resistant surface and a process for producing such article wherein said titanium has an aluminized surface layer formed on it by the vapor deposition of aluminum on the titanium followed by oxidizing the surface layer.

Abstract: An electromagnet for a MAGLEV system incorporates at least one superconducting coil, operating in AC mode, which surrounds a multiple-pole iron core and is constructed from a layer of epoxy-impregnated pancake coils assembled together along a common axis within a cryostat. The windings of each pancake coil may be constructed from predetermined lengths of Bi(2223) superconductor tape. The coil preferably operates at 77 K. but any temperature lying in a range of 5 K. to 80 K. may be used. Two- and six-pole/coil magnets operating in either AC or DC mode are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: Established text characteristics help generate a random ergodic ensemble of characters constituting a random text image. The image is scaled in accordance with different optical parameters such as lens position, focal length, and change in focal length. The test image is printed or displayed so that a Fourier Transform of the image can be taken and recorded. The recorded image is printed and constitutes an inverse filter. The inverse filter is positioned in an inverse Fourier Transform. An actual image (blurred text) undergoes a Fourier Transform and is then filtered by the inverse filter positioned at the inverse Fourier plane. The resulting filtered image then undergoes an inverse Fourier Transform so as to restore or at least greatly enhance the blurred image.

Abstract: A covert communication system utilizes a series of low level duty cycle coded pulse train transmissions which at the necessary end have signal to noise ratios much smaller than unity. Such transmissions are buried in noise and hence are undetectable by ordinary means. The coded pulse trains do not carry data and their sole purpose is only to be compressed by a code matched correlator into a single large pulse per pulse train. Data are encoded in the timing between adjacent compressed pulses of adjacent pulse trains. The low duty cycle of the pulse trains is used to force an unfriendly receiver, which does not know the code of the pulse train transmissions, to integrate its own receiver noise into its detection circuits, thus making the transmissions even less detectable.

Abstract: A method of affixing a material on a substrate to the inner surface of a bore tube of magnets for a superconducting supercollider includes the steps of bonding a gas-absorbing material to a thin metallic substrate and forming the substrate and the material into a partly tubular configuration having an inner surface and an outer surface, the material being on the inner surface. The partly tubular configuration is shaped in a manner whereby the partly tubular configuration is expandable in diameter. The partly tubular configuration is inserted coaxially into the tube with the outer surface of the partly tubular configuration in proximity with the inner surface of the tube. Hoop compressor stress is applied to the inner surface of the partly tubular configuration, thereby forcing the partly tubular configuration against the inner surface of the tube. The bore tube is maintained at cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for exposing a selected area of a film, and comprising a holding assembly for holding a film, and a first support assembly connected to and supporting the holding assembly. The apparatus further comprises an exposure area control assembly located adjacent the holding assembly and forming an adjustable opening to expose a selected area of the film, and a second support assembly connected to and supporting the exposure area control assembly. Preferably, the first support assembly supports the film assembly for movement upward and downward and forward and rearward, and for pivotal movement about horizontal and vertical axes. Also, the second support assembly supports the exposure area control assembly for forward and rearward movement, and for pivotal movement about horizontal and vertical axes.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a multiple holographic element. The method comprises the steps of forming a master multiple holographic element having an absorption grating pattern that produces a given index of refraction pattern across the master multiple holographic element, coating the master holographic element with a layer of a photopolymer, and directing a recording beam to and through the master holographic element and into the photopolymer layer. The absorption grating pattern of the master holographic element modulates the amplitude of the recording beam, and the modulated recording beam causes the monomers of the photopolymer to form a monomer pattern that produces the given index of refraction pattern across the photopolymer layer. The method further comprises the steps of fixing the monomers of the photopolymer layer in that monomer pattern to form thereby a copy of the multiple holographic element, and removing the photopolymer layer from the master holographic element.

Abstract: A superconducting electromagnet arrangement includes a high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil surrounding a multiple-pole iron core for levitating and propelling a MAGLEV transport vehicle along a guideway. The HTS coil operates in the DC mode at approximately liquid nitrogen temperature of 77 K to induce in the iron core magnetic forces of attraction to levitate the transport vehicle a desired distance above a set of guideway rails. A preferred embodiment includes a Bi 2223 HTS coil surrounding a C-shaped iron core. The coil is constructed from a layer of pancake coils, the windings of which are fabricated from short lengths of commercially available conductor tape. The field strength in the core and the windings of the HTS coil are respectively approximately 1.8 T and approximately 0.3 T. To ensure vehicle stability, control coils are placed around the core legs to maintain the desired air gap length.

Abstract: A controlled low temperature chamber for a microscope has a vacuum chamber in a housing. The housing has a top panel and a bottom panel. A mounting in the chamber mounts a sample in a manner whereby the sample is microscopically observable. The mounting includes a base member, a pair of spaced supports extending perpendicularly from the base member and a pair of spaced platforms supported by the supports. Each of the platforms has an upper surface on which the sample rests and a spaced undersurface beneath the sample. A temperature control system maintains a specified temperature in the chamber, applies a controlled temperature gradient on the sample and moves the gradient along the sample in a controlled manner, thereby directionally solidifying and melting the sample, as desired.

Abstract: A method for forming a conductive vias in a non-conductive substrate having a through-hole formed therein intermediate two side thereof. The method utilizes the steps of: applying gold paste to the through-hole so as to provide electrical conduction therethrough; and under firing the gold paste when a thin conductive film is present upon the substrate and fully firing the gold paste when no thin conductive film is present on the substrate. Under firing the gold paste when a thin-film is present upon the substrate prevents degradation of the thin conductive film. Subsequent processing of the gold paste assures the integrity and reliability thereof. Thus, the gold paste provides enhanced conductivity and improved reliability, as compared to contemporary thin-film vias.

Abstract: An imaging system for a precision mammographic needle biopsy system includes an x-ray camera whose housing includes a compression panel for the breast, a portion of the compression panel being transparent to X-rays that have passed through the breast so that the surface on which the breast is positioned forms the outside surface of the camera head. Adjacent the interior of the transparent surface, are a scintillator and optics for guiding an image formed when X-rays impinge upon the scintillation material to a CCD board within a hermetically sealed inner camera housing. The optics are in the form of a fiber optic coupler made up of a bundle of coherent optical fibers having scintillation material coated at ends thereof to provide appropriate magnification of the image, thereby eliminating the need for lenses or mirrors, image intensifiers, and the like, and providing improved resolution because of the direct coupling of the scintillation material at the ends of the fibers and the CCD array.

Abstract: A universal crimping tool locator which is adapted to accurately and repeatedly accommodate and locate all sizes of electrical contacts in a crimping tool within the crimping range of a specific crimping tool frame. The inventive universal crimping tool locator integrates a plurality of concepts in that a multi-stepped receptacle tip of the locator is adapted to accommodate different sizes of electrical contacts and is in operative communication with a measuring device, preferably such as a micrometer head, so as to derive a single crimping tool arrangement or frame which contemplates the provision of a controllable, functionally highly predictable and reliable structure for enabling the crimping of widely divergingly sized electrical contact and wire combination, and which is designed for any particular crimping tool frame with which the crimping tool locator is intended to be employed.

Abstract: A remote non-contacting vehicle load and emissions compliance monitoring system includes a remote vehicle velocity detector, a remote emissions temperature sensor, a remote emissions content monitor, and a processing and computing unit connected to receive data from the sensors and compute the vehicle load based on the vehicle velocity and emissions temperature, as well as on road and environmental conditions and stored vehicle operating specifications, and to compare the observed exhaust plume content with a model emissions profile based on the computed load and vehicle characteristics.

Abstract: An acoustic liner jet engine inlet barrel is formed from a perforated permeable skin, a honeycomb core, and a solid facesheet, each of which is formed in a one-piece configuration such that at most only a narrow single fore-to-aft splice, or no splice at all, is present in the finished product. The acoustic modal content remains unaffected, thus preserving a high degree of liner effectiveness, increasing the total active acoustic area of the barrel while decreasing its weight, and increasing its durability.

Abstract: An improved radar system and technique are disclosed for use in detecting and tracking moving or stationary targets within the antenna field of view. Precise correction of doppler induced location errors is provided by the use of raw sensor data. Return signals are doppler processed, phase shifted and compared in a manner which preserves the angle of arrival of a moving target irrespective of the boresight direction. Stationary target return signals are constructively combined so as to augment the target signal gain independent of the antenna boresight direction.

Abstract: A first rack is maintained in spatial relationship from a pinion so that the rack may be moved vertically with a pilot's seat, thereby accommodating height adjustments. An actuating handle is connected, via a cable, to a linkage which displaces the rack toward engagement with a pinion gear. A second rack is normally maintained in engagement with the same pinion gear and is driven by it. When the pinion gear is driven by the first rack, the second rack follows and it pulls upon a cable connected at an opposite end to a seat firing head.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing, detecting, and predicting the formation and propagation of cracks in structural members. The apparatus includes a plurality of strain sensors integrally formed with a patch to be fixed to an area on the surface of a structural member. The patch operates to reduce stress levels in the patch-covered area for deterring the formation or propagation of a crack therein. The sensors monitor changes in the strain field in the patch-covered area for detecting crack formation and detection. The apparatus may also include a temperature-compensating strain sensor and a temperature sensor both integrally formed with the patch for detecting and predicting crack formation and propagation, respectively.

Abstract: Unconditioned, sub-freezing turbine exhaust air is employed to cool liquid coolant from radar electronics in an aircraft. This is accomplished by utilizing a liquid/air exchanger. However, in order to ensure that the air-cooled heat exchangers do not experience freezing of moisture droplets, sufficient heat is supplied to a liquid/air heat exchanger, located at the turbine exhaust, to maintain all surfaces (fins) above freezing, and also to heat the entire turbine exhaust air stream to a temperature above freezing as it exits that heat exchanger. Use of this anti-icing liquid/air heat exchanger, in conjunction with the proper air and liquid flow controls, will permit savings of total cooling air (i.e., engine bleed air) flow by negating the need for a hot air bypass to reheat turbine exhaust air.