Abstract: Ultracapacitor and supercapacitor designs wherein two discrete metal film current collectors of the prior art, one for each of the cathode and anode, are replaced by a single thin polymer film. The polymer film is typically several microns thick and metallized on both sides. The thickness of the metallization is varied from several hundred to several thousand .ANG.ngstroms depending upon the particular application. This metallization serves as the positive and negative electrodes (current collectors) which are spatially separated by the polymer dielectric film. The resulting reduction of volume increases the volumetric energy density and the reduction of mass increases the gravimetric energy density. The electrolyte solvent/salt system can be selected to provide useful individual cell voltages as high as 5 volts. The voltage is limited only by the electrolytic stability of the solvent and salt.

Abstract: A device for measuring strain in substrates at high temperatures in which the thermally induced apparent strain is nulled. Two gages are used, one active gage and one compensating gage. Both gages are placed on the substrate to be gaged; the active gage is attached such that it responds to mechanical and thermally induced apparent strain while the compensating gage is attached such that it does not respond to mechanical strain and measures only thermally induced apparent strain. A thermal blanket is placed over the two gages to maintain the gages at the same temperature. The two gages are wired as adjacent arms of a Wheatstone bridge which nulls the thermally induced apparent strain giving a true reading of the mechanical strain in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for realizing mappings between codewords of two distinct (N,K) Reed-Solomon codes over GF(2.sup.J) having selected two independent parameters: J, specifying the number of bits per symbol; and E, the symbol error correction capability of the code, wherein said independent parameters J and E yield the following: N=2.sup.J -1, total number of symbols per codeword; 2E, the number of symbols assigned a role of check symbols; and K=N-2E, the number of code symbols representing information, all within a codeword of an (N,K) RS code over GF(2.sup.J), and having selected said parameters for encoding, the implementation of a decoder are governed by: 2.sup.J field elements defined by a degree J primitive polynomial over GF(2) denoted by F(x); a code generator polynomial of degree 2E containing 2E consecutive roots of a primitive element defined by F(x); and, in a Berlekamp RS code, the basis in which the RS information and check symbols are represented.

Abstract: An electron beam microwave device having an evacuated interaction chamber to which are coupled a resonant cavity which has an opening between the resonant cavity and the evacuated interaction chamber and an electron gun which causes a narrow beam of electrons to traverse the evacuated interaction chamber. The device also contains a mechanism for feeding back a microwave electromagnetic field from the resonant cavity to the evacuated interaction chamber in such a way as to modulate the direction of propagation of the electron beam, thereby further amplifying the microwave electromagnetic field. Furthermore, provision is made for coupling the electromagnetic field out of the electron beam microwave device.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the controlled growth of single-crystal semiconductor-device-quality films of SiC polytypes on vicinal (0001) SiC wafers with low tilt angles. Both homoepitaxial and heteroepitaxial SiC films can be produced on the same wafer. In particular, 3C-SiC and 6H-SiC films can be produced within selected areas of the same 6H-SiC wafer.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a fiber core having a longitudinal symmetry axis is provided. An active cladding surrounds a portion of the fiber core and comprises light-producing sources which emit light in response to chemical or light excitation. The cladding sources are oriented traversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fiber core. This polarization results in a superior power efficiency compared to active cladding sources that are randomly polarized or longitudinally polarized parallel with the longitudinal symmetry axis.

Abstract: A quick connect fastener for attachment to an axially elongated externally threaded member by axially thrusting the fastener onto the member, the fastener having an outer casing including a passageway having a frusto-conical surface. A segmented core having four internally threaded shells is positioned within the casing, the shells having a frusto-conical outer surface and a cylindrical annulus including a standard thread profile. The shells include a groove at each end for receiving a C-shaped clip which urge the shells radially outwardly and toward the larger end of the passageway. A coil spring positioned within the nut casing at the larger end acts to urge the shells toward a surface acting as a stop at the smaller end which limits movement of the shells and counteracts a substantial amount of the tension of the externally threaded member. Raised keys on the surfaces of the shells are received within grooves in the casing so that the shells rotate upon rotation of the shell.

Abstract: Real-time video presentations are provided in the field of operator-supervised automation and teleoperation, particularly in control stations having movable cameras for optimal viewing of a region of interest in robotics and teleoperations for performing different types of tasks. Movable monitors to match the corresponding camera orientations (pan, tilt and roll) are provided in order to match the coordinate systems of all the monitors to the operator internal coordinate system. Automated control of the arrangement of cameras and monitors, and of the configuration of system parameters, is provided for optimal viewing and performance of each type of task for each operator since operators have different individual characteristics. The optimal viewing arrangement and system parameter configuration is determined and stored for each operator in performing each of many types of tasks in order to aid the automation of setting up optimal arrangements and configurations for successive tasks in real time.

Abstract: A welding torch for plasma arc welding apparatus has a transparent shield cup disposed about the constricting nozzle, the cup including a small outwardly extending polished lip. A guide tube extends externally of the torch and has a free end adjacent the lip. First and second optical fiber bundle assemblies are supported within the guide tube. Light from a strobe light is transmitted along one of the assemblies to the free end and through the lip onto the weld site. A lens is positioned in the guide tube adjacent the second assembly and focuses images of the weld site onto the end of the fiber bundle of the second assembly and these images are transmitted along the second assembly to a video camera so that the weld site may be viewed continuously for monitoring the welding process.

Abstract: Addition polyimide resins having improved thermo-oxidative stability and enhanced processability are prepared by the reaction of a mixture of monomers comprising a non-planar polyphenyl diamine (a), a diester of tetracarboxylic acid or the corresponding dianhydride (b) and an end-capping agent (c), or a diamine (d), a non-planar polyphenyl diester or dianhydride of a tetracarboxylic acid (e) and an end-capping agent (c).

Abstract: A portable a hand-grip device having a base member overlaid by a flexible pad having its opposite ends releasably secured to the base. The pad includes an adhesive-covered surface which may be attached to a flat surface. A plurality of closely-spaced elongated rigid members are arranged side-by-side across the back of the flexible sheet to reinforce the flexible pad. The ends of these reinforcing members project beyond the opposite sides of the base and flexible pad. A selectively-operable mechanism on the base member releasably captures the outer ends of the reinforcing members and secures them when the pad member is attached to a flat surface and provides a load path between a handle on the base and the flexible pad. The selectively-operable mechanism is further arranged to selectively release the reinforcing members so that the device may be progressively peeled away from a wall surface.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyamides having enhanced melt flow properties is described. The process consists of heating a mixture of a high molecular weight poly(amic acid) or polyimide with a low molecular weight amic acid or imide additive in the range of 0.05 to 15% by weight of additive. The polyimide powders so obtained show improved processability, as evidenced by lower melt viscosity by capillary rheometry. Likewise, films prepared from mixtures of polymers with additives show improved processability with earlier onset of stretching by TMA.

Abstract: An optical fiber fluorosensor is provided having a portion of a fiber core which is surrounded by an active cladding which is permeable by the analyte to be sensed and containing substances which emit light waves upon excitation. A remaining portion of the fiber core is surrounded by a guide cladding which guides these light waves to a sensor which detects the intensity of waves, which is a function of the analyte concentration. Contrary to conventional weakly guiding principles, the difference between the respective indices of refraction of the fiber core and the cladding is greater than approximately 0.01. In an alternative embodiment, the fiber core is surrounded by an active cladding which is thin enough such that its index of refraction is effectively that of the surrounding atmosphere, whereby the atmosphere guides the injected light throughout the fiber core.

Abstract: The use of guanidine salts of organic fatty acids (guanidine soaps) as vehicles and binders for coating substrate surfaces is disclosed. Being completely organic, the guanidine soaps can be burned off leaving no undesirable residue. Of special interest is the use of guanidine 2-ethyl hexanoate as the vehicle and binder for coating problematic surfaces such as in coating alumina fibers with platinum or zirconia. For this application the guanidine soap is used as a melt. For other applications the guanidine soap may be use in a solution with a variety of solvents, the solution containing chlorometalates or powdered metals, refractories or ceramics.

Abstract: A method of recertifying a load on a bearing member using a pulsed phase locked loop (P2L2) system. A first tone burst signal with a corresponding first phase signal is generated in the bearing member in a first load condition. The sample/hold of the P2L2 is adjusted to a determined phase point on the first phase signal and then the P2L2 is locked at this phase period to determine a first load measurement. Next, the phase sample point is correlated with a corresponding position w on the first tone burst signal. A second tone burst with a corresponding second phase signal is then generated at some later time in the bearing member in a second load condition. The sample/hold is adjusted to the same sample/hold phase point as before and then the output frequency of the P2L2 is adjusted until the sample/hold is positioned at the previously determined phase point corresponding to position w on the second tone burst signal.

Abstract: A solar power system for use with a space vehicle for achieving extended mission duration is disclosed. The solar power system includes sets of foldable solar panel casings which are unfolded and extended to the starboard and port sides (.+-.Y axis) of the space vehicle. During stowage the laterally offset sets of casings are placed in an overlapping arrangement to reduce the lateral space occupied within the payload bay of the host space vehicle. The casings are further extended away from the space vehicle by extending an extendable boom along the .+-.Y axis. The extendable boom preferably includes a first and second boom section rotatably attached at their inboard end of the support structure. The solar panels contained within the casings are extended in a .+-.Z axis and a hinge is provided between the ends of the boom sections ad the casings such that the deployed panels can rotate about the .+-.Z axis. A pitch drive motor rotates the boom sections about the .+-.Y axis.

Abstract: Planar or multilayer structural preforms are made having yarns extending in a bias direction of the preform. Angularly directed yarns can be inserted in planar and multilayer fabrics to increase shear strength of structural preforms made from the fabrics. In multilayer fabrics, the angle yarns can extend between layers to provide through-the-thickness reinforcement. Fabrics are formed by carrying yarns transversely across the fabric as the fabric advances. Fill yarns may be inserted by an insertion technique employing a pneumatic beating element. Angle yarn feeding arrangements are made readily removable to provide for the use of other weaving assemblies.

Abstract: High performance, thermooxidatively stable polyimides are prepared by reacting aromatic diamines with pendant trifluoromethyl groups and dianhydrides in an amide solvent to form a poly(amic acid), followed by cyclizing the poly(amic acid) to form the corresponding polyimide, which has the following general structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: A measuring apparatus uses a fixed frequency oscillator to measure small changes in the phase velocity ultrasonic sound when a sample is exposed to environmental changes such as changes in pressure, temperature, etc. The invention automatically balances electrical phase shifts against the acoustical phase shifts in order to obtain an accurate measurement of electrical phase shifts.

Abstract: The nozzle diffuser has an inlet in fluid communication with the narrowed inlet of an open test chamber in a conventional wind tunnel. The nozzle diffuser has a passageway extending from its inlet to an outlet in communication with the open test section. The passageway has an internal cross-sectional area which increases from its inlet to its outlet and which may be defined by top and bottom isosceles trapezoid walls of a particular flare angle and by isosceles trapezoid side walls of a different flare angle. In addition, a collector having a decreasing internal cross-sectional area from inlet to outlet may be provided at the opposite end of the test chamber such that its outlet is in fluid communication with a diffuser located at this outlet.