Abstract: A shock absorbing pad system for a missile in a launch tube comprising a plurality of pads having inner and outer arcuate sheets separated by chevron shaped struts disposed in a circular array and having the inner arcuate sheets joined together by a circumferential tensile resistive fabric which is embedded in the inner arcuate sheets and extends therebetween so as to form a loop in the fabric when the pads are disposed in the launch tube and are in their free state, the loop straightening when the missile is loaded into the tube so that the circular array of pads act as a unit to resist shock and apply centering forces to the missile when it becomes eccentrically disposed in the launch tube.

Abstract: A flexible bearing for a rocket motor is constructed by forming a relatively very thin coating (about 0.01 inches thick) of an elastomer such as natural rubber on one surface at least of an equally thin continuous reinforcement strip of pliable fabric, and wrapping the coated fabric strip about an axis of rotation with a multiplicity of turns to form a laminated component comprising a continuous helical coil having aligned edges defining the transverse width thereof and having spaced top and bottom surfaces, the function of the reinforcement strip being containment of the elastomer, whereby a laminated helical coil, and hence, flexible bearing, with a given amount of elastomer contained therein for shearing, is produced with a substantially reduced dimension between the bearing top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A projectile for firing from a self-loading firearm is provided that will rmit the self-loading mechanism to function while delivering a targeting projectile of reduced range and striking capacity. These latter characteristics may be varied in accordance with a designer's preference.

Abstract: A stern torpedo defense system uses a pair of passive sonar towed tactical etectors in tandem alignment to detect the presence and trajectory of a stern torpedo attack. The detectors are towed below the wake of a surface ship and include arcuate arrays of transducer elements mounted in low self-noise, roll pitch and yaw stabilized platforms. The region aft of the stern of the ship is examined by an overlapping plurality of preformed passive sonar beams of preselected beamwidth. Signal processing means monitor the power level of the beams and detect the presence and trajectory of an attacking torpedo so that suitable ordinance may timely and effectively be deployed to destroy the torpedo and thereby thwart the attack.

Abstract: An electric primer for cartridge ammunition is designed to minimize antenna oupling, capacitive coupling, and aperture coupling of stray electromagnetic radiation thereinto to avoid accidental primer detonation with resulting ignition of cartridge propellant. The primer is provided with a button electrode deeply recessed totally behind a small diameter access aperture which physically guards the button electrode from antenna and capacitive coupling while allowing activating plunger entry. Furthermore, the small opening channels stray radiation about its periphery rather than admitting it to the button electrode.

Abstract: An explosively-separable fastener that consists of two units held together in spring-loaded fashion by a hollow retaining bolt and adapted for mounting between two joined stages of a rocket. The rocket stages are connected by means of electrical contacts between the units and an umbilical line passed through the retaining bolt. An explosively-actuated cutter operable to sever the retaining bolt and the umbilical line threaded therethrough is mounted on a chamber disposed transversely to the retaining bolt. Upon actuation of the cutter, the hollow bolt and the umbilical line are severed releasing the spring-loaded assembly, thus also interrupting all electrical contacts between the two rocket stages.

Abstract: A barrel has an inner tube with a chamber at one end and a muzzle at the other. The barrel guides projectiles such as bullets as they are accelerated by a propellant. The inner tube has an aperture near its front end. Propellant passes through the aperture into a propellant chamber formed by the inner tube and an outer tube positioned about and secured to the inner tube. A plurality of ribs extend between the inner and outer tubes. Also, a coolant may be inserted into the propellant chamber to escape through the muzzle with the propellant after the projectile exits the muzzle.

Abstract: A device for indicating the type of ammunition provided in or on the ammunition unit comprises a distinguishable specific identification allocated for each type of ammunition and made up of electronic device with different electrical characteristics depending on the type of ammunition, including a status-changing element which can change between at least two statuses having different electrical characteristics. A control circuit is provided for controlling change-over of the status-changing element between the at least two statuses having different electrical characteristics, the process of the status changes controlled by the control circuit being indicative of the type of ammunition contained in the ammunition unit.

Abstract: A device is provided which safely simulates the loud noise and bright flash of light of an explosion. This device consists of an ordnance case which encloses a battery, an electronic control module, a charging circuit board, a bridge head, and a shock tube dusted with aluminum and an explosive. The electronic control module provides a time delay between initial activation of the device and the time when the device is ready to create a shock wave. Further, this electronic control module provides a central control for the electronics in the simulator. The charging circuit board uses the battery to charge a capacitor. Passing the voltage stored in the capacitor through the wires of the bridge head causes the explosive and the aluminum in the shock tube to react. This reaction produces a loud noise and bright white flash of light which simulates an explosion.

Abstract: A firearm safety cartridge lodges a projectile in the breech end of the barrel of the firearm to prevent live ammunition from being inserted into the firing chamber of the firearm.

Abstract: The coolant supply to a cooler for the detector of an optical seeker in a missile is to be controlled; the missile is arranged in a launcher attached to an aircraft. A caging device for caging the movable seeker optical system of the seeker is provided in the seeker. For target tracking, this caging device is releasable, before operation of the missile, by a release signal through a control line extending from the cockpit of the aircraft to the launcher. This control line is simultaneously used for controlling the coolant supply by providing a bistable circuit on the missile side of the control line, activation of the coolant supply being effected by setting the bistable circuit, the setting and resetting of the bistable circuit being determined by the variation in time of the release signal.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite gun barrel has an integral metal alloy jacket portion, forming the exterior cylinder of the entire barrel, with a forebarrel interior liner cylinder substantially bonded within the jacket portion, and an unbonded breech portion liner, made from a high melting temperature refractory metal alloy able to resist erosion by hot gun gases in the barrel breech area.

Abstract: An extractor and positioner mechanism is provided for revolvers or like weapons. An increased area contact surface is provided for enhancing the positioning and extraction or ejection functions. The mechanism also allows proper seating in the chamber for rimmed and rimless cartridges. Loading of cartridges into chambers in the revolvers is also made easier.

Abstract: A directed-effect submunition moves in a substantially vertical direction V with a displacement velocity v parallel to V and a rotation velocity r about an axis parallel to V. The submunition includes a shaped charge with axis D forming an acute angle t with axis V and a detection device with axis d forming an angle u with axis D, a target detecting device, and a triggering device. The submunition also includes a displacement velocity v determining device, and a calculation device for calculating as a function of v a value u.sub.i for angle u that minimizes deviation (e) between the position (M) of a target detected, and impact point (M') of the penetrator of the shaped charge if the latter were triggered upon detection, as well as a device for imparting the value u.sub.i to angle u.

Abstract: Ignition means being provided to ignite pyrotechnic materials, this ignition is produced by the activation of these ignition means. As long as the ignition means have not been activated, the casing is maintained firmly attached to a closing plug only by a first set of locking means so that at pressures within the casing in excess of a given pressure, the plug is ejected from the casing. As soon as the ignition means have been activated, the casing is maintained firmly attached to the plug by a second set of locking means at pressures within the casing in excess of the given pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement in a smoke shell rendering protection in both the visible band, and/or the IR band and/or the millimeter band.

Abstract: A protective mask with a hood having a face piece, a head piece, and a bib ormed from an elastic impervious material. A foam rubber seal, mounted on the inside surface of the hood, is located on the periphery of the face piece. An pair of eye pieces are mounted on the face piece for permitting exterior vision from inside the hood. A plurality of filter cells with flexible charcoal filters are mounted on the bib. Air ducts extend from an air reservoir fed by the cells to the face piece to permit filtered air to be drawn into the face piece. A flapper valve is mounted on the face piece to permit air to be exhausted from the mask.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing the transfer of a semiconductor wafer from a first to a second location. The apparatus includes a transfer arm including a plurality of apertures to facilitate the attachment of a bowed wafer, without breakage or frontside contact, to the transfer arm. The size, number and location of the apertures may be determined in accordance with the size of the wafer, the amount of bow, as well as the type of bow (i.e., simple or complex). A plurality of flexible members may be disposed in a one-to-one relationship with the apertures and utilized to achieve a secure vacuum seal of the wafer to the transfer arm.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fastener for manipulating objects in space uses the matic attraction of various metals. An end effector is attached to a robotic manipulating system having an electromagnet such that when current is supplied to the electromagnet, the object is drawn and affixed to the end effector, and when the current is withheld, the object is released. The object to be manipulated includes a multiplicity of ferromagnetic patches at various locations to provide multiple areas for the effector on the manipulator to become affixed to the object. The ferromagnetic patches are sized relative to the object's geometry and mass.

Abstract: A valve assembly is useful for providing ports for connecting hydraulic circuits when the need arises. When an auxiliary circuit is being connected to the valve assembly, the circuit already connected may develop a differential fluid pressure drop. The subject valve assembly includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. A shut-off valve is positioned between the inlet and the first outlet. The shut-off valve must be in the closed position before the auxiliary circuit can be connected to the second outlet of the valve assembly. The shut-off valve includes a handle having an extending portion which overlies the second outlet when the shut-off valve is in the open position thus preventing the connection of circuit to the second outlet. This arrangement of components prevents connecting the auxiliary circuit to the valve assembly when the shut-off valve is in the open position.