Abstract: An elevating system elevates a payload platform between a first position and a second position, such elevating system having a stowed position, an operational position, and a fully-deployed position. The elevating system includes an extendable actuator rod pivotably mounted on a frame and a link pivotably mounted to the extendable actuator rod and pivotably mounted to the payload platform. The extendable actuator rod and the link are moved from the stowed position to the operational position by increasing the length of the extendable actuator rod from a first length to a second length. The extendable actuator rod and the link are moved from the operational position to the fully-deployed position by increasing the length of the extendable actuator rod from the second length to a third length.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, compositions of matter are provided for forming two coatings for protecting carbonaceous substrates from degradation at elevated temperatures and to improve said substrate's resistance to surface crazing and cracking. Preferably, the compositions are a mixture of particulate silicon, silicon carbide, alumina and boron. Preferably, the primary mixture contains between about 40% and 50% silicon by weight of the total composition, between about 30% and 50% silicon carbide by weight of the total composition, and between about 20% and 30% alumina by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the secondary mixture contains between about 25% and 40% silicon by weight of the total composition, between about 50% and 70% silicon carbide by weight of the total composition, between about 1% and 15% boron by weight of the total composition, and a minor amount of magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A system for transforming a first 3-D image of a target scene obtained from reflected energy signals to create a second 3-D image from a different perspective. In an illustrative embodiment, the original image includes multiple data elements stored in addresses of a row-column array, where each data element comprises a range and an intensity value corresponding to a point in the target scene. Each data element may be addressed by selecting its row and column numbers. To create the new image, each data element's row-column address is first converted into a spherical coordinate. The spherical coordinate is then converted into a 3-D Cartesian coordinate, and the Cartesian coordinate is translated and rotated to achieve the new perspective. The translated, rotated, Cartesian coordinate is then converted back into a spherical coordinate, and then into row-column format. Then, the contents of each data element of the original array are stored in the new array, in the newly calculated address.

Abstract: An improved system for using reflected energy signals sensed by light detecting optics to identify flat surfaces that are orthogonal to the detecting optics. A light source generates a laser light beam, the beam is scanned across a target scene, and a reflected signal is sensed by light detecting optics to produce an electrical representation of the reflected signal. The representation is stored in an array in the form of a plurality of data elements. The data elements are sequentially analyzed by comparing the range of each data element with the ranges of a selected number of neighboring elements, and giving the data element under analysis a corresponding "index." Data elements whose ranges closely match neighboring data elements are assigned higher indices. Neighboring data elements with high indices therefore signify proximate points on a flat surface, which is orthogonal to the detecting optics.

Abstract: Carbon-Carbon composite products comprising laminate plies formed from the carbon fabric having pitch-based carbon strands of relatively high modulus of elasticity in the warp direction. The fill direction carbon strands have a relatively low modulus of elasticity when compared to the warp direction strands and have a substantially lower end count than the higher modulus warp direction strands. A carbonaceous matrix is integrated with the fabric plies in order to bond the plies together. The matrix material may be glassy carbon or more preferably a crystalline graphitized carbon. In forming such carbon-carbon composite products, a layup is established of a plurality of the carbon fabric plies impregnated with a carbon containing matrix material, typically a thermoset resin. The layup is cured or partially cured and then pyrolized to a temperature sufficient to carbonize the matrix material.

Abstract: A thrusting nozzle (24) comprises an annular shell (34) and an inner body (30). The contours of the inner wall (42) of the shell (34) and the outer wall (44) of the inner body (30) form a convergence zone (48), a throat (50), and an outlet zone (52) in sequence from the nozzle inlet (54) to the nozzle outlet (56). The inner body (30) extends from the upstream end of the nozzle to a point downstream of the throat (50). In the convergence zone (48), the cross section area of the flow passage continuously and gradually decreases from the nozzle inlet (54) to the throat (50). In the outlet zone (52), the cross section area of the flow passage can gradually increase from the throat (50) to the nozzle outlet (56). The nozzle (24) can be mounted as part of a jet engine (10), with the nozzle inlet (54) being connected directly to the discharge of a gas turbine (22).

Abstract: A missile guidance system including a sensor for detecting the position of a target and for detecting the position of a missile. A fire control processor is provided that computes a trajectory for the missile to the target and is connected to the sensor to determine any variations between the actual missile position from a computed trajectory missile position. A transmitter connected to this guidance computer then provides guidance information to the missile. The guidance information includes the missile position relative to the target and enables a processor on board the missile to recompute a new trajectory to the target. This guidance information is transmitted as a single pulse during a predetermined time interval as a periodic update to the missile.

Abstract: A high temperature, high strength in-situ reinforced ceramic composite adapted for use in various applications including missile radomes in which microwave transparency is required in a high temperature environment. The material is manufactured by a pressureless sintering process, in which silicon nitride and barium aluminosilicate are blended together, isostatically pressed into a desired shape and thereafter sintered.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter comprising silicon, silicon carbide and boron carbide as a coating for protecting carbon substrates from degradation at elevated temperatures. The invention also provides a method for forming a protective coating on carbon substrates by utilizing the aforesaid composition of matter.

Abstract: A post treatment for carbon-carbon substrates for the protection of carbon and graphite materials to which have been applied a silicon carbide primary coating from degradation at elevated temperatures. The treatment comprising coating the substrate with a first film of monoaluminum phosphate, water, particulate silicate carbide, silicon carbide felt, alumina, and boron; curing the first film, applying over the first film, a second film comprising water, sodium silicate, sodium borate, particulate silicon carbide and silicon carbide felt, and curing the second coating. Optionally a third film may be applied over the cured second film. The third film comprises sodium borate, water and sodium silicate which is cured after application.

Abstract: A post treatment for protection from degradation at elevated temperatures of carbon and graphite materials to which have been applied a silicon carbide primary coating. The treatment comprising coating the substrate with a first film comprising monoaluminum phosphate, water, particulate silicon carbide, silicon carbide felt, alumina, and .boron; curing the first film, applying over the first film, a second film comprising monoaluminum phosphate, water, alumina and boron; curing the second film, applying a third film comprising water, sodium silicate, sodium borate, boron, particulate silicon carbide and silicon carbide felt; curing the third film, applying a fourth film comprising sodium borate, water, sodium silicate, boron and alumina which is cured after application.

Abstract: The flooring structure of this invention controls electrostatic charges. The normal presence of moisture will not affect the floor structure's ability to control electrostatic charges. A moisture detector circuit will, however, indicate the presence of moisture, and can activate means for drying this moisture. The resistance of the flooring structure can be adjusted so that electrostatic charges are dissipated at different rates. Multiple floor structures with different resistance values can be placed side by side. Improper grounding of the flooring structure can be detected and corrected, and the resistance of the flooring structure system can be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mounting a circuit component such as a gate array device 12 on a printed circuit board 14. The component 12 may include a plurality of pin-type electrical contacts 18 wherein a first portion of the pin-type contacts 18 have been replaced by button-type contacts. In one embodiment, at least two of the pin-type contacts 22, 24 have been retained and serve the dual purpose of locating the gate array device 12 on the printed circuit board 14 and attaching the gate array device 12 to the printed circuit board 14. A sheet of boron nitride 26 is positioned between the printed circuit board 14 and the circuit component, e.g., the gate array device 12. The sheet of boron nitride 26 includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of electrical contacts 18 on the gate array device 12. The openings 32 in the sheet of boron nitride 26 that correspond to the button-type contacts have resilient electrical contacts 34 disposed therein.

Abstract: A gimballed optical system within a seeker head includes a relatively low power laser coupled to a relatively higher power laser by way of a flexible fiber optic cable to reduce the mass that must be oscillated in a scan.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a multidirectional clamping force to clamp selected materials together is disclosed and comprises a tube formed into a closed circular shape and formed of martensitic material and deformed in a first predetermined direction such that the cross-section of said tube is non-circular. An energetic material is loaded into the interior cavity of the tube. An ignition system is operatively positioned with respect to the tube and is capable of igniting the energetic material. Upon ignition of the energetic material, the tube is reconfigured to provide a clamping force in a predetermined direction to clamp the materials together.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for recognizing physical objects, such as targets, through three dimensional image sensing. A three dimensional sensor, such as a solid-state LADAR sensor, is utilized to establish a three dimensional image of an object or target. The target will be identified or recognized in reference to a two dimensional digital representation of the object taken from a first eye point. A sensor field of view anticipated to include the object will be transformed such that sensed data is viewed from the perspective of the eye point from which the reference image was established. Selected surfaces or contours of the two dimensional image and the transformed image are then compared to identify the object or target in question.

Abstract: Devices and methods are taught by this invention of populating excited energy levels with fundamental particles. When these populated excited energy levels are further pumped, a population inversion used in quantum electronic applications can result. Each of the various methods involve pumping on an excited energy level of an elemental physical system to cause, by the absorption of energy, the transition of fundamental particles from the excited energy level to a higher energy level. Part of the energy is used for transition of fundamental particles residing in neighboring elemental physical systems from the lowest energy to the excited energy level.

Abstract: A growth vessel (10) comprises a crucible (12) for containing the source materials within its cavity (26), a substrate carrier (15, 115) positioned on inner shoulder 27 of the crucible sidewalls (22-25), a source tray (14) positioned within the crucible cavity (26), at least one spacer (13) positioned between the bottom of the crucible cavity (26) and the source tray (14), a substrate carrier (15, 115) positioned within the crucible cavity (26) for mounting a substrate parallel to the source of growth material in the source tray (14), and a crucible lid (17, 117).

Abstract: The flooring structure of this invention controls electrostatic charges. The normal presence of moisture will not affect the floor structure's ability to control electrostatic charges. A moisture detector circuit will, however, indicate the presence of moisture, and can activate means for drying this moisture. The resistance of the flooring structure can be adjusted so that electrostatic charges are dissipated at different rates. Multiple floor structures with different resistance values can be placed side by side. Improper grounding of the flooring structure can be detected and corrected, and the resistance of the flooring structure system can be determined.

Abstract: A gate-array pulse capture device senses, receives, and processes signals derived in response to received laser energy, i.e., signals reflected from a target. The reflected signals are initially in the form of light pulses and are converted into analog electrical signals in the detection module and passed on to the pulse capture device. The pulse capture device determines the time delay between the transmitted and received signals and the intensity of the reflected pulse, and then compares its shape to a predetermined pattern to locate the position and intensity of the peak. This information is then used by an image processor to locate and identify targets.