Abstract: Actuating circuitry which may be used with a contact exploder, useful on a orpedo, for example, which is sensitive not only to direct hits but also to abrasive damage or sea water exposure caused by grazing contact, but insensitive to changes in its velocity or momentum or unwanted environmental background, such as shock, vibration and electromagnetic field variation. The exploder includes a normally insulated and shielded wire which traverses that part of the surface of the missile which is most likely to make contact with a target. The wire is so connected into associated actuating circuitry that it will cause explosion if: (1) even grazing contact with a target causes removal of even a small amount of the insulation and shielding of the wire, which causes grounding of the circuitry at the wire; or (2) even grazing contact opens or breaks the wire at any point.

Abstract: An automatic cartridge monitoring and indicator system for a firearm having a magazine and a chamber for monitoring the level of a predetermined number of cartridges in the magazine and in the chamber includes: a magazine for storing at least the predetermined number of cartridges; a follower mechanism for feeding the cartridges from the magazine into the chamber; an actuator moveable with the follower mechanism; a monitoring device disposed along the path of the follower mechanism; the monitoring device including a number of magazine switch elements corresponding to the predetermined number of cartridges in the magazine and an additional chamber switch element corresponding to a cartridge in the chamber; the switch elements are operable by the actuator to monitor the level of cartridges in the magazine and chamber; and an indicator device, responsive to the monitoring device, for providing a representation of the level of cartridges in the magazine and in the chamber.

Abstract: An automatic firing system with military applications, that uses the existing state of the art delayed blowback locking mechanism dating from the 1940's. The difference is that the mechanism is located above and in front of the bolt rather than behind the bolt. When firing the weapon, the pressure from the discharge will push directly back on the bolt. The delay rollers apply enough pressure against the bolt to cause a delay before the bolt will move. Once the bolt begins to move it will push the delay rollers up against the delay cam and compression spring. The size and stiffness of the spring combine with the mass of the bolt, cam and rollers to determine the speed which the bolt will travel. The bolt will move back, away from the barrel, pulling the empty cartridge with it. While the bolt continues to move, it will pull the empty cartridge case to the ejection slot in the side of the stock receiver. The empty cartridge case is then ejected by conventional means.

Abstract: A shock-resistant electronic circuit assembly (10) is provided in which an electronic circuit is encased in an encapsulation (14) that engages a surrounding enclosure (18, 22) in shock-dispersing contact therewith. The encapsulation may have a plurality of edges (16, 16a, 16b), fins (24) or bosses (70) that bear against the enclosure. The encapsulation may include a shock-absorbing material (14f) disposed against the enclosure to protect the circuit against vibrations and a structural support material (14e) to protect the circuit against stress. The circuit assembly (10) may contain a capacitor (34) for storing an electrical signal and timing circuitry for releasing the stored energy after a predetermined delay. The circuit assembly (10) may be part of a transducer-circuit assembly (55) that includes a transducer module (58) for converting shock wave energy into electrical energy for the electronic circuit, and the released energy may be converted into a detonation initiation signal.

Abstract: An improved missile launch tube design (10) for wireless TOW missiles. The inventive launch tube (10) includes electronic circuitry (30) for missile guidance and an antenna (40) mounted within a protective casing (12). In a particular embodiment, the electronic circuit (30) includes a radio frequency encoder and transmitter and the antenna (40) is a radio frequency antenna mounted in a spacer ring (20) disposed at the first end (14) of the tube (10).

Abstract: An aircraft utilizes a buoyant evacuated rotating envelope to provide at least a portion of the lift required. The rotating envelope may be in the form of a disk, cylinder or other suitable shape. In one embodiment, an evacuated rotating envelope in the form of a disk is utilized. The disk is provided with a central core tube with at least one jet engine mounted therein. The deflection of the exhaust causes rotation of the envelope. A non-rotating payload compartment is mounted to the rotating envelope by bearings. Structures are provided for deflecting the exhaust to be utilized for lateral propulsion as well as for stabilizing the payload compartment to prevent rotation. Two other embodiments utilize rotating cylinders which may be rotated either by a jet engine mounted within a core tube or by an off center jet engine which drives the cylinder.

Abstract: A shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon having a modified spotting rifle with a top-mounted rocket launcher tube is provided. The spotting rifle forms the base structure of the weapon and all weapon controls are located on the rifle. The rifle has several dual-function mechanisms which perform the combined functions of assembly and safing, bolt-locking back and cartridge ejecting, simultaneous adjustment of both open and optical sights, firing, selectively, of both the spotting round and the rocket round. The combination of these dual-firing mechanisms provides a lighter weight, better-balanced and smaller weapon. The reduction in parts count improves reliability and lowers cost. Other improved features include an adjustable spotting rifle barrel used to match the boresight of the rocket tube and an improved locking mechanism. A dual function trigger assembly operated two sears from a single trigger.

Abstract: A semiconductor bridge igniter device (10) having integral voltage anti-fuse protection provides an electric circuit including a firing leg and, optionally, a monitor leg. The firing leg comprises semiconductor pads (14a, 14b) separated and connected by a bridge (14c) and having metallized lands (16a, 16b) disposed over the pads (14a, 14b) so that an electrical potential applied across the metallized lands (16a, 16b) will cause sufficient current to flow through the firing leg of the electric circuit to release energy at the bridge (14c). A dielectric layer (15) is interposed within the firing leg and has a breakdown voltage equal to a selected threshold voltage (V.sub.th) and therefore provides protection against the device functioning at voltages below the threshold voltage (V.sub.th). A continuity monitor leg of the electric circuit is comprised of either a fusible link (34) or a resistor (36) disposed in parallel to the firing leg.

Abstract: An airbag initiator having an ignition charge and a low temperature ignition charge in an inner case and a metal header closing the inner case, a glass seal providing feed through of one or more electrical connections to the ignition charge through the header. The seal is preferably formed using glass material. A ceramic base supports the header and their spaced relationship maintained by a single continuous glass seal. The ceramic base and glass seal electrically isolates the header and ignition charge against accidental ignition. The ceramic to glass to metal seal provides protection against leakage of unfiltered gas from the inflator system. A ferromagnetic pressed material is assembled into the ceramic base and it's spaced relationship to the ceramic body and the electrical connections are maintained by a single continuous glass seal.

Abstract: A surface (2) is intended for a wall which is subject to a turbulent flow with a main direction of flow. The surface (2) has projecting ribs (6) oriented in the main direction of flow and spaced laterally to the main direction of flow. The height (8) of the ribs is in the range of 45% to 60% of the lateral distance between the ribs. The ribs (6) are wedge-shaped with a wedge angle (7) in the range of 20.degree. to 50.degree..

Abstract: An ignition system for an ammunition-bearing unit includes at least two casings, an inner and an outer casing, which are arranged to at least partially surround each other and are intended to undergo deformation upon striking a target and thus establish electrical contact, and a detecting unit for detecting when electrical contact is established and for, upon actual striking of the target, emitting at least one initiation signal for triggering the charge of the anmunition-bearing unit. At least one of the casings includes plurality of sections which are spaced around its periphery and which are electrically insulated from each other and, upon deformation of the casings establish an individual electrical contact with the opposite at least one part of the at least one other casing.

Abstract: A slapper detonator includes an explosive pellet disposed within a detonator housing and a bridge chip disposed within a pocket defined between a pair of printed circuit boards. One of the printed circuit boards is disposed between the bridge chip and the explosive pellet and includes an opening centered over the bridge element to permit a flyer to accelerate before impacting the explosive pellet. The printed circuit board with the opening also establishes a connection between the bridge contact pads and metalized patterns or pads on the other printed circuit board which are, in turn, connected with metalized patterns or pads on an opposite side of the board. Various input contacts can be attached to the metalized pads, including an adapter board which converts side-by-side pads to concentric pads to permit coaxial connectors to be used.

Abstract: A front loading weapon includes a barrel for firing ammunition therefrom; a breechblock arranged at a rear terminal portion of the barrel; a firing pin carried by the breechblock; and an apparatus for monitoring load conditions of the barrel. The apparatus includes a body sound sensor mounted on the weapon and emitting a first signal representing body oscillations of the weapon; an electronic evaluating device connected to an output of the sensor for emitting a second signal characteristic of an impacting of a cartridge on a region of the breechblock upon loading the cartridge into the barrel; and a warning device connected to the electronic evaluating device for being actuated by the second signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for attaching one or more unmanned, hydroamically shaped, autonomous, undersea platforms to the bow of a submarine. An array of depressions, each matching the shape of the platforms, is provided in the bow of the submarine, equally spaced about the circumference of the submarine. Once seated in the depressions and attached to the submarine, the platforms provide a smooth, hydrodynamic shape to the bow of the submarine. Additionally, conformal arrays on the platforms mate with conformal arrays on the bow of the submarine to form a continuous conformal array and the platforms' weapons systems provide the submarine with forward deployed weapons when the platforms are attached. A platform is launched by detaching it from the submarine bow and raising the leading edge of the platform slightly into the water flow around the bow. Hydrodynamic forces lift the platform away from the submarine for an acoustically quiet launch.

Abstract: A shock absorbing type steering column assembly includes a first bracket fixed to a steering column at a middle portion thereof, a second bracket formed integrally with the car body for supporting the first bracket, and a connecting device having an energy absorbing member for supporting the first bracket until a predetermined load is applied upon a secondary collision and absorbing a collision energy applied on the steering column and allowing the first bracket to move relative to the second bracket to absorb the shock energy when the predetermined load is applied on the steering column upon a secondary collision. The energy absorbing member includes a metallic wire which has a basic portion and elongated deformable portions extending respectively from the ends of said basic portion toward free ends. Each of the deformable portions has a folded-back portion and a deformable portion extending from the folded-back portion to the free end.

Abstract: Hydraulic fracture extension in earth formation zones of interest may be monitored by placing one or more monitor wells in predetermined positions on opposite sides of an azimuth aligned with the expected fracture plane extending from a fluid waste injection well. The monitor wells are provided with arrays of vertically spaced triaxial geophone units and the signals from the geophones are transmitted to a central processing unit for treatment and analysis to determine the location of micro-earthquake events which occur as the fracture propagates radially and, usually, vertically away from the injection well. Geophone signals are converted to digital format and selectively stored on magnetic tapes or in a shared memory of a central processing unit which is operable to display selected channels for geophone signals in a way so that minimum arrival time of a signal at a particular geophone will indicate the growth of the fracture in real time to control fluid waste disposal, for example.

Abstract: A battery system for an body stabilized satellite traveling in a geosynchronous orbit comprises east and second battery modules and similarly facing radiators for discharging beat to deep space. Heat conduction arteries connect each battery module to its associated radiator. An east thermal switch is operable for thermally connecting the first battery module to and from the east facing radiator. Similarly, a west thermal switch is operable for thermally connecting the second battery module to and from the west facing radiator. A computer selectively operates the east and west thermal switches such that, in one instance, for a time between the satellite's emergence from the earth's shadow and its position nearest the sun, the respective thermal switches thermally connect the first battery module to its radiator while thermally disconnecting the second battery module from its radiator.

Abstract: A non-lethal weapon for disabling an engine such as that of a fleeing car by means of a high voltage discharge that perturbs or destroys the electrical circuits. The transmission of the disabling voltage to the distant target is via two channels of electrically conductive air. The conductive channels are created by multi-photon and collisional ionization within the paths of two beams of coherent (laser) or collimated incoherent ultraviolet radiation directed to the target. A single beam may be used when the high voltage source and the target are grounded. The high-voltage current flows from electrodes at the origin of the beams along the channels of free electrons within them.

Abstract: The dual band millimeter-infrared fiber optics guidance data link presents nhanced seekers with the capability to see through cloud cover while exhibiting resolution that is adequate to strike high value targets. Such a seeker may use a bi-directional dual band data link in the form of a secure, high bandwidth optical fiber between the missile in flight and the ground station, offering the capability to transmit millimeter-infrared sensor data from the missile to the ground station and transmit missile guidance signals from the ground station to the missile over the same high bandwidth optical fiber. Both infrared and millimeter target signature data is made available in the ground station by the use of applicants' invention.

Abstract: A firearm comprising a receiver, a barrel and a gas block. The barrel is connected to a front end of the receiver. The gas block is clamped onto the barrel. A gas tube extends between the receiver and the gas block, and the gas block includes a keyway which engages a key piece on the barrel.