Abstract: An actuator having a plurality of concentric cylinders with the inner and outer cylinders being adapted to connect to apparatus which must move relative to one another. Flexible sealing rings are positioned between adjacent cylinders and when the pressure within the cylinders is increased, the flexibility sealing rings will be forced against the action of a spring. When the pressure is relieved, the flexible sealing rings will return to their original position. In another mode of operation, if the pressure is further increased, instead of being relieved, normal operation of the actuator will take place.

Abstract: Electromagnetic launcher apparatus which includes a set of projectile rails and a set of switch rails both lying along a common longitudinal axis. An armature assembly includes at one end thereof a switching armature for conduction of current between the switching rails, and at the other end thereof a projectile armature for conduction of current between the projectile rails. The rail system is supplied with operating current and when a predetermined current level is obtained, the armature assembly separates such that the armatures are propelled in opposite directions. The rearwardly projected switch armature may be intercepted by a stop mechanism while the forwardly projected armature propels a payload such as a projectile.

Abstract: A material which exhibits different electrical resistivity in mutually perpendicular directions is formed by providing a base member of one metal and covering a surface of the base member with a second metal of a different composition. Thereafter, multiple passes are made with a high energy beam over the surface of the second metal to form a plurality of alloyed zones in the base metal with the resistivity of the alloyed zones being different than that of the adjacent base metal.A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine fabricated by such methods imparts a preferred direction to current flow to thereby eliminate large undesirable eddy currents and by tailoring the pattern of the higher resistivity zones, a machine may be provided which produces a self-compensating flux to minimize undesirable flux leakage common in such machines.

Abstract: A homopolar dynamoelectric machine is provided with plural independent output terminals for selectable external interconnection to yield a variable output. Each output terminal is associated with a respective pair of rotor conductor and stator conductor. Each rotor conductor and stator conductor is of a generally cylindrical shape. Each stator conductor is further comprised of two separated portions each of a generally cylindrically shape. The rotor conductors and stator conductors are arranged concentrically to each other, and all stator conductors are positioned external to all rotor conductors. The surface of each rotor and stator conductor can be skewed to provide a skewed current flow generating a magnetic field boosting that initially provided in the system. Each output terminal has two connections to each stator conductor, one on each separated portion of the corresponding stator conductor. Each such connection comprises plurals contact areas on a corresponding stator conductor.

Abstract: A material which exhibits different electrical resistivity in mutually perpendicular directions is formed by providing a base member of one metal and covering a surface of the base member with a second metal of a different composition. Thereafter, multiple passes are made with a high energy beam over the surface of the second metal to form a plurality of alloyed zones in the base metal with the resistivity of the alloyed zones being different than that of the adjacent base metal.A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine fabricated by such methods imparts a preferred direction to current flow to thereby eliminate large undesirable eddy currents and by tailoring the pattern of the higher resistivity zones, a machine may be provided which produces a self-compensating flux to minimize undesirable flux leakage common in such machines.

Abstract: A current collecting brush box assembly for a homopolar generator wherein the assembly includes a high electrical and thermal conductivity, low weight controlled porosity metallic foam for heat transfer and current conduction purposes as well as for direct contact with the rotor of the homopolar generator.

Abstract: A muzzle switch connected to the rails of an electromagnetic launcher to divert post-launch rail current into a dump resistor or other load and to prevent arcing at the muzzle. The switch includes shorting members electrically connected to the launcher rails together with a flexible washer-like ring which surrounds the rails and is in close proximity to the shorting members. Part of the rail current is diverted through the ring and when a current carrying armature which propels a payload along the rails passes the switch the interaction of the magnetic field produced by the rail current and current in the ring forces the ring against the shorting members, thus closing the switch as the armature leaves the rails.

Abstract: A homopolar dynamoelectric machine is provided with current collecting structures which produce a peripheral, circumferential component of load current for self-excitation. The current collection structures include brush boxes which are skewed at a first angle with respect to the rotor axis and a generally cylindrical stator conductor having slits which are skewed at a second angle with respect to the rotor axis. Current flowing in the brushes and stator conductor is forced to have a circumferential component which compensates for rotor saturation due to load current and minimizes the voltage droop characteristic of drum-type homopolar generators.

Abstract: A solenoidal homopolar dynamoelectric machine is provided with inner and outer field coils positioned on opposite sides of a current collecting zone of a rotor which is mounted for rotation with respect to a stator structure. An additional field shaping coil or a tilted brush box current collector is used to conduct current in a circumferential direction near the current collection zone of the rotor to reduce the radial components of magnetic flux in the current collection zone. This reduces circulating currents in the brush assembly.

Abstract: A homopolar dynamoelectric machine is provided with a rotor having a central axis and being mounted for relative rotation with a stator structure that supports a field coil encircling the rotor and has a main pole piece for directing magnetic flux produced by current flowing in the field coil into a first section of the rotor. Brush assemblies which are capable of making sliding electrical contact with a current collection zone of the rotor extend longitudinally adjacent to that current collecting zone and include a plurality of contact elements. These contact elements are packed in an increasing density in a longitudinal direction from one end of the brush assembly to the other end. The use of a variable packing factor for the contact elements of the brush assembly results in more uniform heating of the rotor in the current collecting zone, thereby minimizing the peak rotor temperatures and permitting the machine to operate for longer time periods.

Abstract: A brush assembly for use in a homopolar dynamoelectric machine includes a plurality of contact elements extending into slots of a movable brush holder. Resilient tubular members extend through each of the brush holder slots and lie adjacent to the bottom of the slots. The brush holder is movable with respect to a brush box that includes an array of openings positioned to receive the contact elements. An actuating rod for moving the brush holder with respect to the brush box and projections, on opposite sides of each slot, for retaining the contact elements within the brush holder slots are also provided. When the brush holder is lowered such that the contact elements make sliding electrical contact with the surface of a rotating rotor of the homopolar machine, the resilient tubular members provide a spring force which keeps the contact elements in intimate sliding contact with the rotor surface.

Abstract: A homopolar dynamoelectric machine is provided with a stator structure having an interior surface defining an internal space for receiving a generally cylindrical rotor which is mounted for rotation with respect to the stator structure. A plurality of brush assemblies are positioned between the stator interior surface and an exterior surface of the rotor and are capable of making sliding electrical contact with the rotor exterior surface. Each of the brush assemblies is connected by way of a brush drive rod to a brush actuator which is positioned on an external surface of the stator structure, to control radial displacement of the brushes. By mounting the brush actuators on an external stator surface, a reduction in stator size and weight is achieved.