Abstract: Seals (20, 102) for an electrical connector (130) comprising a receptacle (10) and a pin header (122) has been disclosed. The first seal (20) includes grooves (50) in a body portion (30) which cooperate with ribs (b 52) on an end cap (22) to provide proper assembly orientation. A rim portion (106) on a second seal (102) includes an outwardly facing mating surface (114) for compression sealing and an inwardly facing surface (116) for peripheral sealing.

Abstract: A vacuum-isolation vessel for measurement of thermal noise in microphones s an outer vessel and an inner vessel suspended within the outer vessel. A high vacuum is created between the inner and outer vessels to provide acoustical isolation. The suspension assembly coupled between the inner and outer vessels provides a substantially vibration-free environment. Thus, thermal noise in a microphone mounted within the inner vessel is accurately measured, especially at low thermal noise levels and at low frequencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acoustophoresis, i.e., the separation of species via acoustic waves. An ultrasonic transducer applies an acoustic wave to one end of a sample container containing at least two species having different acoustic absorptions. The wave has a frequency tuned to or harmonized with the point of resonance of the species to be separated. This wave causes the species to be driven to an opposite end of the sample container for removal. A second ultrasonic transducer may be provided to apply a second, oppositely directed acoustic wave to prevent undesired streaming. In addition, a radio frequency tuned to the mechanical resonance and coupled with a magnetic field can serve to identify a species in a medium comprising species with similar absorption coefficients, whereby an acoustic wave having a frequency corresponding to this gyrational rate can then be applied to sweep the identified species to one end of the container for removal.

Abstract: A rolling joint is provided for obtaining slewing maneuvers for various apparatuses including space structures, space vehicles, robotic manipulators and simulators. Two noncircular cylinders, namely a drive and a driven cylinder, are provided in driving contact with one another. This contact is maintained by two pairs of generally S-shaped bands, each pair forming a generally 8-shaped coupling tightly about the circumferential periphery of the noncircular drive and driven cylinders. A stationarily fixed arm extends between and is rotatably journalled with a drive axle and a spindle axle respectively extending through selected rotational points of the drive cylinder and of the driven cylinder. The noncircular cylinders are profiled to obtain the desired varying gear ratio.

Abstract: A retention device (50) for retaining a terminal (40) in a hole in a plastic housing is disclosed. The device (50) comprises two sets of outwardly projecting nibs (52) on a cylindrical section (44) of the terminal (40). Each nib (52) includes a flat edge surface (54) normal to the axis of the terminal (40).

Abstract: A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000.degree. F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a backplate for damping membrane motion. The backplate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.

Abstract: A turning insertion type electrical connector system is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle side connector (20) which mates to a plug side connector (40) by a turning motion. The receptacle side connector (20) includes recesses (23) which are arc-shaped in cross section and which receive arc-shaped protrusions (43) when the connectors (20,40) are mated. Further a projection (24) on one connector (20) has multiple protrusions (24') which lock into holes (44') on a projection part (44) on the second connector (40).

Abstract: A heavy launch vehicle for placing a payload into a spatial Earth orbit including an expendable, multi-container, propellant tank having a plurality of winged booster propulsion modules releasably disposed about one end thereof; and a payload supported by adapter structure at the other end. The preferred payload is an entry module adapted to be docked to a space station and used as a return vehicle for the space station crew, as scheduled, or in emergency situations. Alternately, the payload may include communication satellites, supplies, equipment and/or structural elements for the space station. The winged propulsion modules are released from the expendable propellant tank in pairs and return to Earth in a controlled glide, for safe landing at or near the launch site and prepared for reuse. The rocket engines for each propulsion module are dual-fuel, dual-mode engines and use methane-oxygen and hydrogen-oxygen, respectively, from the multi-containers of the propellant tank.

Abstract: The invention is an ambulatory, passive sensor for use in a fetal monitoring system. The invention incorporates piezoelectric polymer film combined with a metallic mounting plate fastened to a belt and electrically connected to a signal processing unit by means of a shielded cable. The purpose of the sensor is to receive pressure pulses emitted from a fetus inside an expectant mother and to provide means for filtering out pressure pulses arising from other sources, such as the maternal heart.

Abstract: A sample in a wind tunnel is radiated from a thermal energy source exteriorly of the wind tunnel. A thermal imager system, also located exteriorly of the wind tunnel, reads surface radiations from the sample as a function of time. The produced thermal images are characteristic of the heat transferred from the sample to the flow across the sample. In turn, the measured rates of heat loss of the sample are characteristic of the flow and the sample.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for leadless electronic devices has been disclosed. The socket (10) includes a film-circuit member (16) having circuits (66) on a dielectric base (64) with inner ends (68) for electrically engaging conductive pads on the electronic device and outer ends (74) for being electrically attached to circuits on a substrate. The film-circuit member (16) rests on a support plate (18) positioned in a cavity (42) in a lower housing (20) and is overlaid by an upper housing (12) having an opening (24) for receiving an electronic device.

Abstract: A non-mechanical optical switch is provided for alternately switching a monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic light beam along two optical paths. A polarizer polarizes light into a single, e.g., vertical component which is then rapidly modulated into vertical and horizontal components by a polarization modulator. A polarization beam splitter then reflects one of these components along one path and transmits the other along the second path. In the specific application of gas filter correlation radiometry, one path is directed through a vacuum cell and one path is directed through a gas correlation cell containing a desired gas. Reflecting mirrors cause these two paths to intersect at a second polarization beam splitter which reflects one component and transmits the other to recombine them into a polarization modulated beam which can be detected by an appropriate single sensor.

Abstract: A mounting device (40) for mounting electrical connectors (10) in a cut-out (32) in a panel (30) without using separate fastening members is disclosed. The mounting device (40) includes a rigid plate (70) attached to each of two opposite sides (22) of the connector (10) and a resilient wing attached to each side (22) in spaced relation to the plate (70) for receiving the panel (30) therein. Bosses (54) on the wings (42) enter windows (34) in the panel (30) to secure the electrical connector (10) in the panel (30).

Abstract: An electrical connector (100') having a plurality of contacts (10) positioned in a dielectric housing (20') for terminating respective electrical wires (1) and a plurality of wire retaining grooves (70, 80) on the housing (20') for receiving and retaining respective electrical wires (1), each groove (70, 80) being provided with projections (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b) on respective sidewalls (74, 84) wherein the projections (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b) are positioned at different depths relative to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing steel components for temperature embrittlement uses magneto-acoustic emission to nondestructively evaluate the component. Acoustic emission signals occur more frequently at higher levels in embrittled components. A pair of electromagnets are used to create magnetic induction in the test component. Magneto-acoustic emission signals may be generated by applying an AC current to the electromagnets. The acoustic emission signals are analyzed to provide a comparison between a component known to be umembrittled and a test component. Magnetic remanence is determined by applying a DC current to the electromagnets, then turning the magnets off and observing the residual magnetic induction.

Abstract: A gripping assembly (30) for use with a robotic arm (12) in withdrawing articles (16) from a molding machine (14) is disclosed. The gripping assembly (30) includes an L-shaped block (24) slidingly attached to a gripping mechanism (10) and biased therefrom by coil springs (26) positioned therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical edge contact member for use in an integrated circuit chip burn-in connector is formed as a laminate of at least one layer of a first material having good spring properties and at least one layer of a second material which does not form a solid solution with the surface material of the integrated circuit chip lead. Along the edge of the contact member where it contacts the chip lead the layers of the first material are recessed with respect to the layers of the second material, so that only the second material contacts the integrated circuit chip lead.

Abstract: A silicon pressure die is bonded to a borosilicate substrate above a pneumatic port. A Wheatstone bridge circuit is formed on the silicon pressure die and has bridge elements of silicon doped with boron to a deposit density level of approximately 1.times.10.sup.19 -10.sup.21 boron/cm.sup.3. A current source is provided to excite the Wheatstone bridge circuit. In addition, a temperature sensor is provided to provide temperature readings.

Abstract: Apparatus (30,42) for a molding press (10) which permits rapid mold module (50,52) change-out has been disclosed. The apparatus includes a sliding frame plate (30) which carries the B-side master frame (48) and plate receiving members (42) for receiving the plates (30). One member (42-b) is mounted on the movable platen (38) and another member (42-a) is located to one side and in alignment with the other so that the frame plate (30) may be shifted in and out of the press (10).

Abstract: Various heat exchange apparatuses are described in which an oscillating flow of primary coolant is used to dissipate an incident heat flux. The oscillating flow may be imparted by a reciprocating piston, a double action twin reciprocating piston, fluidic oscillators or electromagnetic pumps. The oscillating fluid flows through at least one conduit in either an open loop or a closed loop. A second flow of coolant may be used to flow over the outer walls of at least one conduit to remove heat transferred from the primary coolant to the walls of the conduit.