Abstract: Backlash or play is avoided in a mechanical, self-adjusting gear drive having two sets of gears arranged in parallel to each other by one or more torsion springs effective between a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The gear sets form a closed gear train which contains the prestressed torsion spring (12) at any suitable point. After adjustment of the prestressing, the spring or springs eliminate any backlash throughout the whole gear train.

Abstract: An electromagnetic beam switch for a laser resonator or generator, specifically for the guided or controlled transmission of light into a light conductor has two electrically controllable rotary magnets arranged in twin fashion for redundancy. Each rotary magnet operates a filter glass plate to tilt these plates into the beam path for interrupting the beam generation. The plates (13a, 13b) cooperate with respective switch contacts in corresponding switches (14, 15) arranged so that during activation, that is during switching-on, both rotary magnets (11, 12) are connected in parallel with each other. Upon completion of a "flight phase " or switch over phase the rotary magnets are automatically connected in series with each other to operate at half power as compared to the initial full power energizing phase. RC-components are arranged to prevent a constant activation of the magnets.

Abstract: An opto-electronic, interference protected missile tracking system operates according to the multiple shutter shifting method, thereby employing a matrix which may have a plurality of liquid crystal cells or deformable mirror devices. These cells or devices are arranged in a rectangular coordinate system and thus have an inherent location determination so that the need for a mechanically movable reticle is obviated. The individual image points in the matrix are modulated under the control of a location determining central processing unit whereby the individual control covers an "n.times.m" vicinity around the image point or pixel that is illuminated by the useful incoming light.

Abstract: Sensitive components of a laser such as a resonator mirror, a decoupling mirror or the like, are protected against an initial laser beam surge caused by the ignition of a laser with an arc discharge lamp, by a beam interrupting switch having two switch sections each carrying a filter or shutter switchable into a laser beam path in response to an arc discharge lamp ignition pulse. For a beam interruption the filters or shutters are located directly in front of and directly behind of a lasing element as viewed in the beam path direction. The switch sections are operated by a shifting mechanism responsive to the ignition pulse to bring the switch sections into the beam path and to a control signal to bring the switch sections out of the beam path or into a beam releasing position.

Abstract: An impact sensor (1) for a vehicle is connected to a testing circuit. The impact sensor includes an acceleration sensor (5), an evaluating circuit (6) and a trigger circuit (7) for a passive safety device. For simply testing the operability of the impact sensor an electro-acoustic transducer (9) is arranged in a sensor housing (2). The transducer (9) emits a testing signal that is received by the acceleration sensor (5). The electrical signals which are produced by the acceleration sensor are tested by the testing circuit (10) which is part of the evaluating and trigger circuit. The testing is performed with reference to given criteria.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay for the activation of at least one operating circuit, has an activator (10, 110) for example in the form of a helix made of a material having form-restoring or shape memory properties. A reset element (17, 117) holds the actuator in a distorted position opposite to that of its original position as long as an electrical heating current does not flow through the actuator. When the heating current, also referred to as switching current, is passing through the actuator, the latter returns to its original position or shape against the force of the reset spring thereby activating, through an operating member, a number of contact pairs of an operating circuit.

Abstract: The present radar altimeter operates in accordance with the frequency modulated continuous wave principle in the C-band. The altimeter is constructed with microminiaturized integrated circuits and provides a completely digital signal evaluation and mode control which enables the transmitter to produce a wave-form providing the altimeter with the following advantages. A silent mode during the signal evaluation greatly improves the resistance of the altimeter against electronic countermeasures. The transmitter frequency is stabilized and a compensation for Doppler frequency drift is provided. Further, the altimeter is able to discriminate between intended proper targets on the one hand and false or erroneous targets on the other hand. The altimeter is equipped with a self-testing unit which provides different functions in different modes.

Abstract: The locking mechanism of an aircraft door is linked with a testing device in such a manner that the inoperability of the testing device indicates a failure in the proper locking or latching of the door in its closed position. The testing device may, for example, be a lever which is actuated last in a sequence of door closing and locking or latching steps. Such a lever could, for instance, be the lever for bringing an emergency chute into a ready or stand-by condition. The linkage assures that the testing lever for operating the emergency chute can be activated only if the door is properly closed and latched. As a result, a door that is incompletely closed and/or incompletely latched will provide an immediate indication of that situation.

Abstract: A scatter ammunition container system has a plurality of container tubes which serve also as ejector tubes. For this purpose the tubes are connected to gas generators providing the pressurized gas for the ejection. Two gas generators are arranged in axial alignment with each other each in a respective ring chamber connected to the respective ejector tube. A valving mechanism including a slide member (7) is arranged centrally between the two gas generators. The valving mechanism makes sure that one gas generator can eject ammunition from several ejector tubes or that the ejector tubes receive gas from both gas generators, or to admit ejector gas from one generator, which is ignited first, to all tubes and thereafter when the second gas generator has been ignited to admit its gas only to tubes ejecting in a certain direction, for generating symmetrical or non-symmetrical scatter patterns.

Abstract: In a belt strap for a restraint system for restraining a passenger in a vehicle seat in the event of a collision, the belt strap includes regions which mechanically absorb energy. Such a seat belt includes elements for increasing the contact surface of the belt strap with the passenger's body so that the force transmitted to the passenger's body in the event of a collision is reduced. The belt may include colored material which discolors over time or plastically deformable colored threads to indicate if the belt's elasticity has decayed due to aging or due to over-extension of the belt. The belt has a modulus of elasticity which varies across its width so that the belt edges roll away from the passenger in the event of a collision. An information label indicating the expiration date of the usable duty lifetime of the safety belt may be provided.

Abstract: A flying body, such as a missile, is strapped to a carrier vehicle, such as an aircraft, by a strapping or locking mechanism mounted in a housing which also includes components for suspending and launching the flying body from launching rails forming part of the housing connected to the carrier aircraft. The strapping is accomplished with two strapping bridges which are pressed down onto the respective suspension block elements resting on the launching rail. The pressing down force is applied by a toggle lever arrangement, one of which is provided for each strapping bridge. The toggle lever arrangement cooperates with a respective spring arrangement which keeps the corresponding toggle levers in a strapping position until the spring arrangement is released through release pawls operated with a reverse magnet. A retaining mechanism which is effective between the release of the strapping mechanism and the actual launching after ignition of the propulsion system of the flying body, is made ready for launching.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft capable of hypersonic flight combines a turbo-jet with a ramjet which are so arranged that the ramjet or jets are located directly adjacent to the aircraft body while the turbo-jet or jets are located away from the aircraft body so that the ramjet or jets is placed between the turbo-jets and the body. This arrangement makes the turbo-jets much more accessible for maintenance and exchange work. Both types of engines have a common air intake which is provided with flaps capable of guiding the body boundary layer through the ramjet when the latter is not in operation. When the ramjet is in operation, the air intake flaps form the air intake in such a way that boundary layer turbulent air is mixed with undisturbed incoming air for the ramjet while the air inflow to the turbo-jet is closed off altogether.

Abstract: An optical resonator for stabilizing a laser source is useful for homodyne and heterodyne applications. The structural resonator length is considerably reduced by placing a laser source, such as a semiconductor laser (10) in an opening of an optical grating, whereby the laser beam is directed onto a parabolic mirror (15), which reflects the laser beam onto the grating (11). Thus, a "folded" beam path results.

Abstract: An optical wide angle sensor head for directionally sensing optical radiation is made of a plurality of individual sensor optical elements. Each sensor optical element is arranged at an input end of its own fiber optical conductor and has its own light entrance, its own field of view and its own individual optical axis. Neighboring fields of view may overlap each other. The fiber optical conductors lead to a transducer for converting the individual light signals into respective electrical signals. The individual sensor optical elements are arranged on a common mounting member in a housing so that the individual optical axes pass through a common intersection in front of said light entrances. The mounting member is a flat plate or a concave plate having a concave curvature facing in the viewing direction, whereby a spherical mounting is avoided.

Abstract: A rail launcher for suspending different types of flying bodies from a carrier such as a carrier aircraft, is constructed as an elongated, substantilly empty shell with cross-sectional configurations which vary along the length of the shell housing. Different types of rail pairs are provided along a downwardly facing side of the shell housing for accommodating different types of flying bodies of various lengths. All the components required for strapping, retaining, ignition, and control purposes are mounted in cells of the shell housing. Due to the use of modular housing mounting means, the same type of rail launcher can be adapted for attachment to different types of carrier aircraft.

Abstract: A wall having a surface in contact with a fluid, has a surface configuration which reduces drag if there is relative movement between the surface and the fluid. The wall is made of metal or of fiber composite material in such a way that sharp edged or fine ridges and grooves between the ridges are formed as integral surface components of the wall structure for simplifying the construction, reducing the weight, and increasing the useful life of structures having such walls.

Abstract: An ejecting mechanism for an ammunition body is operated by pressurized gas from a high pressure bottle for pressurizing a double piston, which controls two ejectors through a hydraulic valve system. The pressurized gas is heated by a heater surrounding the high pressure bottle to keep the bottle and its content at a temperature that corresponds approximately to the highest outer temperature under which the ejector mechanism is expected to operate. Thus, the pressurized gas has the same energy content at all expected external operating temperatures. After an ammunition body has been ejected, the ejector pistons are pushed back again under an electrical control signal from a control which controls the valve system, whereby the hydraulic oil is pressed back into a hydraulic reservoir. The ejector pistons are of the stepped type to facilitate the intended operation.

Abstract: A seat or chair especially for a flight attendant in an aircraft has a backrest section and a seat section hinged to each other and to a frame in such a way that the backrest section and the seat section can take up different angular positions relative to each other and relative to a vertical frame or to the horizontal. Thus, the chair can be folded to take up several positions including positions in which the seat section takes up lower or higher elevations above the floor. For this purpose the upper end of the back rest section is pivotally guided in a guide mechanism while the lower end of the backrest section is journalled to the rear portion of the seat section at a journal axis which simultaneously forms the journal axis of a support and guide member also hinged to the seat section. The support and guide member is hinged intermediate its ends to the frame through a fixed journal so that the rear edge of the support and guide member can engage a stop in the frame.

Abstract: A fire retardant separation wall for an aircraft cabin or transport space in an aircraft or in any other craft, is made portable by constructing such a separation wall as a foldable gas-tight wall made out of fire resistant material. A ring hose surrounds the entire separation wall. The ring hose has such a configuration that, when inflated, it will hug the inner contour of the aircraft cabin. The ring hose and, if used, reinforcing inflatable ribs, are inflated by a battery operated compressor so that the entire wall unit is portable and conveniently stored when deflated and folded. A pressurized gas container assures inflation even if a power failure should occur.

Abstract: The bonding of a porous metal layer to at least one surface of a cermet is accomplished, without a supporting metal netting in the green cermet blank, by using a reducible metal oxide in the green cermet blank and a reducible metal oxide layer on the surface or surfaces of the green blank. In the following reducing sintering step the metal component in the green blank and the porous metal layer are formed simultaneously resulting in an intimate strong bond between the cermet blank and the porous metal layer. Both reducible metal oxides may be the same. The resulting product, such as an electrode-diaphragm-electrode structure is well suited for use in water electrolysis, chlorine alkaline electrolysis, and in fuel cells.