Abstract: A ferroelectric imaging system is taught. The system comprises a lens system, detector matrix, drive and readout electronics, controller, video processor and display. The lens system is a lens system for focusing electromagnetic energy from a scene onto a detector matrix. The drive and readout electronics selectively bias the elements of the detector matrix, and readout voltage signals indicative of the infrared energy impinging on each element of the detector matrix. The controller section includes clocks and shift registers, respectively, for timing the electronic drive and readout electronics, and for selecting in a desired order the matrix elements for readout. The controller also controls the readout signal input to the video processor which processes the voltage signal output of the detector matrix into video signals. The video signals are applied to a display means such as, for example, a cathode ray tube for display.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photoconductive detector of increased responsivity, such as an infrared detector, from a slab of N-type, intrinsic bulk semiconductor material comprises shielding part of the detector active area between the positive and negative contacts with a material limiting photon exposure of the active area to retain a reduced detector active area sufficiently spaced from the negative contact to permit negligible loss in responsivity due to recombination of the photogenerated hole carriers at the negative contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved double acting piston actuator proportionally controlled by a pulse duration modulated control valve having a gas metering orifice in the actuator gas supply line to decrease gas consumption. The orifice reduces gas pressure applied to the actuator in proportion to the rate of gas use. The actuator has maximum gas consumption at mid range where actual load is a minimum and minimum consumption at actuator extremes where the load is maximum. The orifice thus supplies maximum pressure only when needed and reduces pressure and consumption under no load conditions.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A method of making a light polarizing material having excellent polarization characteristics over wavelengths from the visible to the infrared (IR) region is disclosed. A smooth surface of an optical material, such as for example glass, plastic or IR transmitting material, is mounted in a vacuum enclosure and a vaporized material or metal is directed onto the surface. The metal may be gold, silver, copper or aluminum, for example, or any other material or combination thereof which is reflective at the wavelength to be polarized. As the deposition occurs on the surface, metal atoms are initially attached to sites on the surface with metal whiskers forming on the initial sites in the direction of the incident vaporized metal. The metal whiskers are grown with their long axis essentially parallel to the vaporized metal direction and essentially parallel to each other.

Abstract: An improved Vuilleumier cycle refrigerator is disclosed. To reduce fluid contamination and inactive refrigerant volume, the hot and cold fluid displacers of the refrigerator are driven by a magnetic drive mechanism. The magnetic drive mechanism has a first and second assembly. The first assembly is contained in the fluid chamber together with the hot and cold displacers; the second assembly including the drive motor is mounted exteriorly of the fluid chamber. The first and second assemblies of the drive mechanism include adjacent magnets separated by the wall of the fluid chamber. Thus, the first and second assemblies are coupled together by their magnetic field for rotation to drive the hot and cold displacers and the fluid chamber provides an hermetic seal to contain the working fluid thereby removing the motor with its air space and contaminants from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coaxial waveguide antenna. In a basic form the coaxial waveguide horn for the antenna comprises an inner section operating in a .SIGMA. (sum) mode only and an outer section operating in a .DELTA. (difference) mode only. Where required for broadband (i.e., for more than 1 octave), intermediate sections operating in .SIGMA. and .DELTA. modes are provided. The basic structure operates in the linear mode; for polarization diversity and circular polarization, a polarizer is placed in front of the horn, or a dielectric sheet is positioned within a coaxial waveguide section at an angle of 45.degree. as to the E field, or by feeding the coaxial waveguide with six or more number of probes.

Abstract: An adjustable Joule-Thomson cryogenic cooler with a downstream thermal compensation mechanism is taught. The cryogenic cooler includes a cryogen source coupled to a manifold input port, the manifold input port connected to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger coupled to an orifice block, and the orifice block connected to an expansion chamber. A thin cylindrical tube is attached to the manifold to support the heat exchanger. The expansion chamber is defined by the orifice block, the exterior surface of the cylindrical tube, a portion of the interior of the cylindrical tube in communication with the exterior surface of the cylindrical tube through passages, a dewar stem, and a portion of the manifold. The dewar stem encloses the cylindrical tube and sealingly engages the manifold. The thermal compensation mechanism includes a bimetal cantilever in the expansion chamber portion of the cylindrical tube, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the effective bimetal cantilever, and a needle valve mechanism.

Abstract: The specification discloses a low noise parametric amplifier for use with a radar receiver. A Gunn diode oscillator is provided to generate a pump frequency. A bandpass filter filters the pump frequency and applies the pump power through a waveguide having a reduced height portion employing a multisection Chebycheff transformer. A coaxial signal input line connects through the waveguide to a coaxial idler section which is provided to terminate the signal input line and to match the signal and idler frequencies. A varactor diode assembly is mounted on the center conductor of the signal input line and the idler section. A cup member is attached to the diode assembly for matching the parallel resonance of the diode assembly to the pump frequency.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed for use in connection with a beacon tracking receiver. The display system provides both audible and visual displays for use in locating a source of radio transmission. The display includes an audible tone signal to indicate the reception of a desired signal and with a frequency indicative of the distance to the transmitter. The visual display includes the direction as well as the distance to the transmitter. Also disclosed is a new switching means for use in activating the transmitter of a beacon tracking system.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter is hidden within a packet of currency which may be mingled with other currency packets in the cash drawer of a bank, convenience store or other such commercial institution. The transmitter is automatically activated by unauthorized removal from the cash drawer or other place of safekeeping. The signals from the transmitter activate alarms in one or more receivers located in police vehicles in the area. The receivers employ phase comparison techniques to indicate relative direction and distance to the transmitter thereby facilitating apprehension of the possessor of the packet.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver is responsive to signals radiated by a remote transmitter. The receiver includes at least one pair of antennas separated by approximately one-half wavelength at the transmitter frequency. The phases of the signals detected by the antennas are compared for the purpose of determining the relative direction to the transmitter.

Abstract: An improved Lewis scanner comprising a focal lens having two best focus angles positioned with its axis at an angle other than perpendicular to the antenna aperture. The antenna aperture is maintained vertical with respect to the earth's surface to provide a planar beam at 0.degree. elevation. The focal lens axis is oriented at an angle of typically one-half the maximum elevation scan angle. The angle of the microwave reflector between the parallel plates of the Lewis scanner is changed from the conventional 45.degree. by one-half the angle between the focal lens axis and the 0.degree. elevation angle. An asymmetric feed lens improves the beam shape over the entire scan range.

Abstract: An infrared receiver having a thermal conductive device for providing continuous thermal contact between a detector cooling means and an IR detector is disclosed. The thermal conductive device is bellows shaped and constructed from laminated layers of copper, nickel and copper or other suitable materials having the necessary thermal conductivity and elasticity at operating temperatures.

Abstract: A rate sensor is disclosed comprising a motor driven elastic disk rotor, a light source for illuminating the surface of the disk rotor, a plurality of light detectors mounted on the x or y or both axes of the rate sensor, and a signal processor including a differential amplifier for producing electrical signals representative of the quantity of light detected by the light detectors, the light reflected by the elastic disk is deflected by the disk bending responsive to torque or couple forces applied to the rate sensor and detected by the light detectors to produce electrical signals representative thereof, the electrical signals are coupled to a difference amplifier and dc signals representative of the direction and angular rate of movement of the rate sensor are produced.

Abstract: The specification discloses a semiconductor magnetic modulator for use with a moving target indicator radar transmitter and which utilizes a plurality charging capacitors for receiving charging current from a direct current power source and discharging in parallel. Silicon controlled rectifiers are connected to each of the charging capacitors and are operable to triggering signals to cause said capacitors to discharge at a predetermined time. A de-Q-ing circuit is connected to each of the charging capacitors in order to sense the voltage level across the capacitors and to dissipate voltage above a predetermined threshold level. The charging capacitors discharge through a hold-off inductor and through a switching transformer to a pulse forming network including a second charging capacitor. Compression occurs in the pulse charging network and a resulting high power modulator pulse is applied from the network to a klystron power tube in a moving target indicator radar transmitter.

Abstract: An improved radiation energy detecting system is disclosed. The system comprises a rotating scanning mirror reflecting energy radiating from objects in the field of view through a novel image derotating prism, providing optimum transmission modulation transfer and minimal dimension for packaging, and focusing optics onto a radiant energy detecting array. The detector converts the radiant energy to electrical signals representative of the impinging radiant energy for display processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three phase AC power regulator using a single power modulating element. The element may be operated class A or in switching mode. A transformer primary is connected in Y configuration with the common junction being made through a 6 diode bridge and the single control element. The single control element thereby controls the common current in all three sections of the transformer primary. The transformer secondary windings are coupled to a second 6 diode bridge to produce a DC voltage level which is fed back to drive the control element.

Abstract: A substrate of photoconductive semiconductor material is anodized by electrolysis in an electrolyte such as, for example, 0.1M KOH 90% ethylene glycol - 10% deionized water to form anodic oxide surfaces to stabilize the surface state density to prevent recombination hole-electron pairs during sweepout thereby producing a long term, high temperature stable infrared detector.

Abstract: A method of making a light polarizing material having excellent polarization characteristics over wavelengths from the visible to the infrared (IR) region is disclosed. A smooth surface of an optical material, such as for example glass, plastic or IR transmitting material, is mounted in a vacuum enclosure and a vaporized material or metal is directed onto the surface. The metal may be gold, silver, copper or aluminum, for example, or any other material or combination thereof which is reflective at the wavelength to be polarized. As the deposition occurs on the surface, metal atoms are initially attached to sites on the surface with metal whiskers forming on the initial sites in the direction of the incident vaporized metal. The metal whiskers are grown with their long axis essentially parallel to the vaporized metal direction and essentially parallel to each other.