Abstract: Provided is an automated case cutting device that may be remotely controlled to rotate and cut an outer case of an object. It can be applied to the disassembly and disposal, testing, or inspection of munitions. In one application, the device cradles a generally cylindrical munition of a length much greater than its diameter on two rollers attached to a bed or plate comprising a support frame. One of the rollers is rotated by a transmission mechanism powered by an electrical motor, while the other roller may also be turned by the same transmission mechanism via a sprocket and chain set. The munition may be further held in place by one or a set of holding rollers attached to a frame hinged to the support frame, so that the holding roller(s) swing onto the top of the munition after the munition is placed on the cradling rollers. The holding roller(s) may also be turned via a second sprocket and chain set, driven off the same drive shaft as the first roller.

Abstract: A machine provides in situ cutting of a specimen of elastomeric propellant rom a rocket motor wherein an undetached plug is formed by an annular opening cut through the motor casing and into the propellant. The machine has a length of resilient wire secured at its ends to a rod for forming a loop mounted on the rod. The rod is inserted into the opening at one side of the plug with the loop around the plug. The rod is then rotated to wind the wire onto the rod so as to contract the loop and sever the plug. A tray is pivotally mounted on the rod between the rod and the plug with the wire passing through slots in the tray. The tray is inserted into the opening beside the specimen so as to prevent engagement of the rod with the specimen during cutting and to receive the detached specimen for removal from the motor. The rod and tray extend from an assembly having an air motor rotating the rod through reduction gearing and through an overrunning clutch which drives in the loop contracting direction.

Abstract: A machine performs in situ excision of a specimen of tough and highly elac solid propellant from a fin of the propellant disposed within a cavity extending from the nozzle opening of a rocket motor. The machine is mounted at the opening and has a rod extended into and moved generally axially of the cavity by an actuator assembly. A knife is mounted at one side of the rod end within the chamber. A mounting assembly supports the actuator assembly on the rocket motor and provides selective positioning of the actuator assembly axially of the cavity, of the angle of rod movement to the cavity axis, and of the knife position rotationally within the cavity. The actuator assembly has a guide received in the mounting assembly. The rod extends through the guide which prevents rotation of the rod while guiding it axially. From the guide, the rod extends successively to and through an air cylinder and a hydraulic dampening cylinder to a rod end bearing an adjustable stop for selecting the axial movement of the rod.

Abstract: This invention discloses a high-speed waveguide switch for diverting energy mong a plurality of waveguides. This switch is composed of a rotor, a rotor housing, biasing means, housing for the biasing means, and an electronic circuit to control the biasing means. The rotor and rotor housing are of conventional design. The biasing means is composed of two rotary solenoids mechanically linked through a geneva drive and wheel to the rotor. The electronic circuit is composed of a power supply circuit, a control circuit, and a motor circuit being the coils of the rotary solenoids. An external device such as a radar supplies a switching command signal to the control circuit. Various flip-flops are actuated based on the leading or trailing edge of the switching command signal. Signals from these flip-flops actuate switches in the power supply circuit so that a sequence of driving and braking currents is transmitted to the coils of the rotary solenoids.

Abstract: A weather modification cartridge dispenser for automatically igniting and spensing pyrotechnic weather modification rounds wherein the dispenser is basically a motor driven automatic spring powered gun.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent lighting apparatus for generating an illuminated marker aterial for delivery to a desired area. Two fluids to be mixed are contained in separate chambers and are separated from a mixing chamber by means of frangible disc-shaped members. A hollow gas generator expells gas when a squib fractures one of its walls. The force of the escaping gas exerts pressure on the two fluids sufficient to fracture the frangible disc members allowing mixing action in the mixing chamber. The mixed fluid chemically reacts to produce light and flows from the mixing chamber to a light transmittable material where it is stored to provide an illuminated area.

Abstract: A signal device combining a fluorescent or phosphorescent light tube and a ovel base to be thrown or dropped from a vehicle as a warning marker. The light tube may be of the chemically actuated type and the base preferably has four pivotally attached resilient legs serving to ensure that the device will assume an angular position of about 45.degree. when dropped.