Abstract: A programmable control unit for disk memory and controller comprising a microprocessor (MPU), random access memory (RAM) used as a buffer to cache disk resident data used by a data processing system (DPS), and a configurable data path (CDP) which couples the DPS to the disk controller. The (MPU) is programmed to provide the DPS rapid access to disk resident data by so controlling the CDP as to maintain a memory cache of disk resident data in the RAM. Data is cached under either directed control via an application level task or operator console directive, or under dynamic control through which a predetermined number of successive blocks of data are read from the disk and stored in the RAM each time any one block is addressed, and once the RAM is full, by discarding from the RAM a block of data which the immediate history has shown is least useful.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for addressing memory locations in a random access memory system having m address lines and 2 Exp(m+n) address locations. The random access memory system is divided into a plurality of 2 Exp(n) memory modules, each memory module having 2 Exp(m) memory locations. Each of the memory modules is divided into 2 Exp(n) groups of 2 Exp(m-n) memory locations. In a specific embodiment in which m=15 and n=4, each memory module contains 2 Exp(15) or 32,768 address locations, and the sixteen memory modules together contain 524,288 address locations. Each memory module is divided into 2 Exp(4) or sixteen groups of memory locations. The first or most significant 4 bits of a 15 bit address word are used to address one of the sixteen groups of memory locations and also to address a particular memory module containing the addressed group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-speed searching of a byte stream for predetermined words or terms. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for use in combination with a data source supplying a stream of binary signals defining both the identities of alphanumeric characters occurring in an ordered sequence and the position of each such character within a character group for detecting the occurrence of a particularly ordered group of R characters. The apparatus preferably includes a search memory means comprised of multiple (N) sets of R storage locations each of which includes S bit stages, each bit stage being capable of storing a "1" or "0" state. R represents the number of characters within a character group and S represents the number of different characters that can be identified. Each of the R storage locations may store one or more "0" bits, the position of each "0" bit identifying a particular character.

Abstract: An electrical penetration apparatus is described for mounting within a containment wall of a nuclear reactor installation to pass electrical currents while avoiding the outward leakage of radioactive gasses, which can be constructed at relatively low cost. The apparatus includes a pair of cup-shaped casings that face away from one another and have slightly separated base walls, a group of rod-shaped conductors extending through aligned holes in the base walls of the casings and through the separation space between them, and a quantity of potting material disposed in each of the casings and sealed to the conductors and to the inside surfaces of the casings.

Abstract: A channelized receiver system for use in conjunction with a scanning antenna wherein a received rf signal is provided to a plurality of filters each of which has a passband corresponding to a portion of a search bandwidth. The filter output signals are processed to provide a signal related to the frequency of the received rf signal for tuning a narrow band, superheterodyne/receiver to the frequency of the received rf signal. More particularly, the received rf signal is divided so that a first portion is applied to a first group of filters, and a second portion applied to a second group of filters. The filters in each group have passbands defining non-contiguous portions of the search bandwidth. The invention also provides a voting logic circuit in which outputs from each of the filters in each filter group are processed to determine which filter in each group has the highest output signal. Circuitry is provided for comparing these output signals to predetermined amplitude and width criteria.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing a clock signal generated by a lower stability clock generator to a received incoming signal whereby a higher stability clock generator is synchronized to the lower stability clock generator when the clock signal is synchronized to the incoming signal, and the lower stability clock generator is synchronized to the higher stability clock generator when the incoming signal is lost. More specifically, in a spread spectrum receiver for receiving a signal phase modulated by a pseudo-random code, a means for synchronizing a receiver pseudo-random code generator to the incoming code modulation is provided. The code generator is clocked by a relatively low stability voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) whose output frequency is controlled by an error signal created by a phase difference between the received code modulation and the output of the pseudo-random code generator.

Abstract: A square root processing apparatus wherein an unknown number is sequentially squared and compared to a number whose square root is to be determined. The result of each comparison determines the state of a bit in the square root being determined. More specifically, the square root processor includes a Y register containing a number whose square root is to be determined, and an X register which is used to develop the square root of the contents of the Y register. The apparatus provides a means for initially setting the most significant bit stage of the X register to one, the remaining bit stages containing zeros. The contents of the X register are then squared by a high speed digital multiplier and compared with the contents of the Y register. If the squared number is greater than the contents of the Y register, the most significant bit stage of the X register is reset to zero. The apparatus then sets the next most significant bit stage of the X register to one and repeats the above-described sequence.

Abstract: A system is provided for disconnecting a retained electrical connector on a missile launcher, from a launched connector on the missile, as the missile begins moving during launch, which is simple, reliable, and reusable. The retained connector, which is supported by a parallogram linkage to cause automatic retraction during launch, is initially fastened to the launched connector by a bolt. The bolt is automatically released during launch by the initial retraction of a sleeve on the retained connector which releases a split threaded collet on the mating connector to allow the collet to open and release from the bolt.

Abstract: A high density arrangement for interconnecting integrated circuit devices, of a type which includes a stack of numerous wafers formed primarily of metal, wherein some of the wafers holding integrated circuit chips have overhanging edge portions at one side of the stack that extend beyond other wafers of the stack, and wherein there are cooling fluid tubes clamped against the overhanging edge portions to carry away heat to a cooling fluid flowing through the tube. The wafers are interconnected at numerous locations by button portions of malleable material such as gold, and the stack of wafers are clamped together to slightly deform the button portions to provide a considerable area of contact. The stack clamping device is separate from the cooling fluid tube clamping device, to provide different degrees of pressure and compressive strain.

Abstract: A flexible connector cable for providing high density and reliable electrical interconnections between printed circuit boards or any other surfaces having conductive paths that need connection to conductive paths on adjacent surfaces. The connector cable comprises a flat flexible laminar structure including an electrically-insulative layer and an electrically-conductive layer. The insulative layer is typically formed on a bonded plastic such as Polyimide and the conductive layer is typically formed of copper. Openings are formed in the insulative layer to expose the conductive layer and raised contacts or buttons are deposited on the conductive layer on both surfaces of the cable. The raised contacts are formed of ductile conductive material which exhibits plastic deformation under pressure to form good electrical connections.

Abstract: A compressed fluid hover control system for a submersible buoy in which the water level in a buoyancy chamber is controlled in accordance with external water pressure and predetermined levels of water in the buoyancy chamber. More specifically, a submersible buoy having a fluid-containing chamber containing a compressed fluid is connected to a buoyancy chamber by a gas inlet valve. A gas exhaust valve connects an upper portion of the buoyancy chamber to the surrounding water and a relief duct connects a lower portion of the buoyancy chamber to the surrounding water. Both the gas inlet and gas exhaust valves are controlled by a valve control circuit which opens and closes the valves in accordance with predetermined criteria related to water levels within the buoyancy chamber and the depth of the buoy as determined by a water pressure transducer.

Abstract: A cylindrical electric penetration assembly carrying instrumentation leads from the interior of a nuclear reactor and having thin layers of polyethylene and lead radiation shielding installed at both its entrance and exit regions, the shielding layers being separated by a large hollow cavity located inside the central portion of the penetrator nozzle. Each layer attenuates and extinguishes either gamma ray or neutron radiation emanating from the reactor's core. The combination of the shielding and central air pocket prevents excessive radiation leakage through the penetration assembly and excessive heating inside the penetration nozzle.

Abstract: A system useful in an assembly intended for use in a deep ocean environment for generating gas within the assembly to equalize the internal pressure with the external underwater pressure. In one embodiment, the gas is generated by a chemical reaction between a stored substance and the ocean water itself and, in another embodiment, the gas is generated by a reaction initiated by a pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A system for maintaining seal integrity under pressure and monitoring leakage within an electric penetration assembly of the type which extends through a containment wall of a nuclear reactor installation. The manifold passage in the penetration header plate is filled with a dielectric liquid and is pressurized by an apparatus which includes an accumulator containing the dielectric liquid and located inside the penetration header plate to supply the liquid thereto. The liquid in the accumulator is kept under pressure by a diaphragm separating the liquid from an inert gas which is under pressure.

Abstract: A linear sensor array is deployed horizontally on the ocean floor by first deploying a vertical array, between an anchor and a float from which the array is suspended, and then decreasing the buoyancy of the float gradually as the float is carried away from the anchor by ocean currents. The float is comprised of a suitably large volume of buoyant material such as hollow glass microspheres freely floating inside a liquid filled plastic container. To gradually reduce buoyancy, the microspheres are allowed to flow out through a neck near the top of the container while water is allowed to enter the bottom of the container through a liquid permeable membrane. The diameter of the neck is selected for optimum sinking rate of the float.

Abstract: A system for deploying a vertical linear sensor array from a transiting vessel comprising a tubular deployment case closed at the bottom by a descent weight that is connected to a plurality of sensors packed in the case and connected in sequence by a cable of signal wires to a unit for creating drag in the descent of the deployment case and sensors, such as a collapsed parasol-type drogue or a buoyant body. Stacked over the telemetering unit is a cable dispenser open at the bottom and closed at the top by a nose weight. A substantial length of signal cable is coiled in the cable dispenser to pay out from the center with one end connected to the nose weight and the other connected to transmit sensor signals. A toroid core around the signal cable where it is being payed out inductively couples sensor signals to a signal line connected to an inner conductor of an armored cable.

Abstract: A flexible connector cable for providing high density and reliable electrical interconnections between printed circuit boards or any other surfaces having conductive paths that need connection to conductive paths on adjacent surfaces. The connector cable comprises a flat flexible laminar structure including an electrically-insulative layer and an electrically-conductive layer. The insulative layer is typically formed on a bonded plastic such as Polyimide and the conductive layer is typically formed of copper. Openings are formed in the insulative layer to expose the conductive layer and raised contacts or buttons are deposited on the conductive layer on both surfaces of the cable. The raised contacts are formed of ductile conductive material which exhibits plastic deformation under pressure to form good electrical connections.

Abstract: A simple and compact disk brake mechanism which includes a housing having a pair of slightly separated flat guide walls, a plate-like brake member in the housing which is slideable against the disk brake, and a plate-like camming member slideable in the housing and moveable transverse to the braking member to advance the braking member against the disk brake. The housing also includes a spacer plate with a portion that reaches around the disk brake and against an area of the disk brake opposite the plate-like braking member.

Abstract: A constant bias voltage and current for a transistor is provided by two series resistors connected across the transistor with a voltage regulator connected to a source of DC voltage for maintaining a predetermined voltage across the one resistor connected to the output electrode (drain or collector) of the transistor. The common electrode (source or emitter) is connected to a source of constant current.

Abstract: A low power digital memory comprised of a matrix of memory cells suitable for fabrication by large scale integrated circuit techniques. Each memory cell is comprised of field effect transistors, preferably metal oxide semiconductors. A plurality of cells are fabricated on a single monolithic chip and are interconnected for coincident signal addressing. Power is conserved by periodically pulsing load transistors rather than biasing them continuously on.