Abstract: An apparatus for providing lateral guidance through a plurality of waypoints utilizing curved path transitions. When the curved path transitions overlap due to a short leg there is a discontinuity in the desired path of the aircraft, causing the aircraft to experience excessive and oscillatory bank angles to maneuver through the turn. The invention adjusts the transition parameters so that there are no discontinuities in the flight path by computing a new turn radius, turn center, or turn center coordinates, in accordance with the course through the waypoints. The invention determines which flight plan legs are short and calculates the parameters so that the path will not violate air space boundaries and bank angles will be minimized. A circular path is generated tangential to course changes in the same or opposite direction, irrespective of the value of the flight plan leg length.

Abstract: An acoustic baffle for reflecting sound waves and rejecting background interference noise for use with a hydrophone array. The baffle utilizes a plurality of lenticular resilient elements embedded in a compliant foam elastomer compound. The embedded elements provide control of overall baffle compliance for submarine applications, particularly for high hydrostatic pressure operation. The resilient members are formed from pairs of resilient lenticular shaped elements which are integrally bonded to a highly damped constrained viscoelastic layer to provide uniform noise reduction performance over a broad frequency range. The pairs of elements are joined at their ends by compliant end caps which provide minimum constraint on the motion of the ends, thus limiting bending stresses in the elements.

Abstract: A Flight Management System for aircraft whereby time-constrained flight can be achieved while maintaining predetermined input parameters selected for minimizing cost of flight, wherein arbitrary points in the flight plan can be designated as time-constraint points, and wherein flight segments can be arbitrarily selected for exclusion from any speed variation. A speed generator derives an initial speed schedule for each segment of a flight plan from inputs of a predetermined cost index, the flight plan, and aircraft performance parameters. The speed schedule is modified by wind data, constant speed segments, and predetermined speed limits. When applied to a profile generator an estimated time of arrival is computed, as well as predicted distance and velocity values for each segment of flight. The predicted values are used to compute a total time of arrival.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable spectroradiometer provides a real-time data acquisition capability from 0.3 .mu.m to 3.0 .mu.m with selectable integration periods, and operates through a Centronics parallel port of a personal computer to program the spectrometer, store data, and to provide real time graphic output. Equipped with two spectrometers operating from a common optical input, high detector efficiency is obtained by structuring the detector elements for maximum energy gathering capability, matched to slit aperture size and orientation. No filters or mechanically driven mirrors are required, thereby permitting a compact, easily portable instrument. If desired, the detector array is readily adaptable to thermoelectric cooling.

Abstract: An improved encapsulant and method of application for rework of a modular electronic assembly. A housing is provided with a structure that permits deformation with thermal expansion of the encapsulant and reduces stresses applied to the electronic components therewithin. The selected encapsulant provides mechanical stability from shock and vibration, thermal conductivity to the surroundings, and freedom from deterioration of electrical performance. Critically, the encapsulant is readily excised for repair and replacement of defective components, thus allowing rework and salvage of the assembly. A potting tool is adapted for selectively refilling the housing to replace the excised portions.

Abstract: A multichannel imaging spectrometer for airborne geological, geophysical and environmental surveys in a moving vehicle. An optical scanner employs a rotating polygon allowing reduced scan optics with increased data acquisition efficiency. Multiple spectrometers integrally registered allow channelization of the received signal to optimize noise performance in the range from ultraviolet through infrared. Output data is in a form for recording and real time display. A staring mode configuration provides enhanced sensitivity by using a two-dimensional detector array and adjustable mirror orientation. A scanning mode embodiment employs a two-dimensional detector array with time delay integration and three-dimensional storage of temporal spatial data and spectral wavelength and intensity. Thus, all channels are acquired simultaneously, resulting in perfect band-to-band registration with continuous spectral curves over the field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a quantitative measurement of high frequency corona discharges from electrical devices operating at high voltages, including an alternating current power source for providing a test signal variable in amplitude and frequency, a high pass filter to reject power source cyclical components and to isolate corona discharge components, an adjustable gain amplifier, and a power meter providing a quantitative readout of the amplitude of corona discharges integrated over a preselected time period. Electromagnetic shielding of individual assemblies comprising the test equipment allows corona detection without emissions or interference from external sources.

Abstract: A system for isolating a supported structure from transmitting vibrations to a supporting base in a spacecraft provides six degrees of freedom in a kinematic mounting. Six isolator elements in a symmetric arrangement of three skewed isolator pairs provides viscous damping and vibration and shock attenuation during launch and operation in space. The isolators employ two degrees of freedom flexure joints at each mounting point to assure primarily axial deflection and minimize bending moments, and have tuning springs to optimize performance. The system permits deterministic design and allows calculation of all loads from the nominal geometry and the isolator axial stiffness. Limit stops are provided between the supporting structure and the supported structure to limit excursions of the isolator members.

Abstract: A multichannel imaging spectrometer for airborne geological, geophysical and environmental surveys in a moving vehicle. An optical scanner employs a rotating polygon allowing reduced scan optics with increased data acquisition efficiency. Multiple spectrometers integrally registered allow channelization of the received signal to optimize noise performance in the range from ultraviolet through infrared. Output data is in a form for recording and real time display. A staring mode configuration provides enhanced sensitivity by using a two-dimensional detector array and adjustable mirror orientation. A scanning mode embodiment employs a two-dimensional detector array with time delay integration and three-dimensional storage of temporal spatial data and spectral wavelength and intensity. Thus, all channels are acquired simultaneously, resulting in perfect band-to-band registration with continuous spectral curves over the field of view.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing damper of the viscous type having an outer cylinder enclosing a damping member with the damping member positioned for axial movement within the outer cylinder while retaining a hermetic seal without the use of gaskets or seals. The damping member is comprised of a pair of arcuate structures with high volumetric rigidity and joined axially by a nonelastomeric member. A fluid-retaining reservoir is deformed by forces applied to the exterior cylinder, resulting in deformation of the arcuate structure and resulting compression or extension of the fluid reservoir. Excess fluid is forced into a bellows through a restricting orifice for storage during compression stresses, and returned from the bellows to the fluid reservoir during extension of the outer cylinder during cyclical vibration. The damper operates with deflections as small as 1 microinch and provides a large actuating force, even though the motion is very small.

Abstract: A viscous damper for absorbing vibrations of low amplitude over a wide frequency range. Two working volumes of resiliently deformable material, in the form of a bellows, are provided in a folded structure joined by a base carrying a restrictive annular fluid passage. Compressive forces applied to the primary volume are transmitted by a damping fluid through the restrictive annulus to the secondary volume, the resulting energy dissipation providing a damping effect. A hermetically sealed configuration provides multi-axis damping and isolation without wearing of frictional surfaces. Large damping values are attained with linear performance over a large dynamic range.

Abstract: A retrofit apparatus for providing a signal indicative of the position of an aircraft control surface comprises a rotary coupling flexibly coupled to the control surface, an extensible coupling driven by the rotary coupling, a quadric-chain linkage coupled to the extensible coupling for converting a linear output into a substantially translatory displacement, a linkage for converting the translatory displacement into a substantially angular motion, and a transducer coupled to the linkage for converting the angular motion into an electrical output indicative of the position of the aircraft control surface. The invention is a simple modification to an existing quadric-chain linkage driving a mechanical indicator, enabling an electrical transducer to be retrofitted in the crowded control stand of an aircraft.

Abstract: A multichannel imaging spectrometer for low speed, low altitude airborne geological, geophysical and environmental surveys, particularly adapted to provide detector limited noise threshold. An optical scanner employs a rotating polygon allowing reduced scan optics with increased data acquisition efficiency. Scan speeds from 5 to 50 scan/sec with up to 2048 pixels per scan are available. Multiple spectrometers integrally registered allow channelization of the received signal to optimize noise performance in the range from ultraviolet through infrared. Output data is in a form for recording and real time display. All channels are acquired simultaneously resulting in perfect band-to-band registration with continuous spectral curves for each pixel.

Abstract: A composite liquid crystal electroluminescent electro-optical display device utilizing single-cell construction. Backlighting is furnished by a low-intensity, low-power-consumption integrally formed electroluminescent light source cooperating with a liquid crystal element with commonly excited electrodes. The integral electro-luminescent light source replaces the requirement for a transflector. The invention offers substantially improved contrast while minimizing physical size, power dissipation and construction complexity.

Abstract: A contrast enhancement filter for color displays, particularly adapted for color CRT tubes of the shadow mask type. A transparent plate has applied thereon absorptive areas, each area dyed with a primary color corresponding to the color dots of the CRT display face and a plurality of such color areas randomly disposed over each color dot. Since the absorption areas are spacially independent, each color area acts independently of the others. The filter provides bandpass efficiency comparable to monochrome filters, and has a broad viewing range essentially independent of angle of vision. In a further embodiment, colored oriented fiber-optic elements are disposed over the phosphor dots in a predetermined array, allowing the filter plate to replace a conventional faceplate and filter combination structure, while providing a selective viewing angle of high contrast. The filter is suitable for any light-responsive display screen, also including liquid crystal elements.

Abstract: A windshear warning system having an adjustable threshold to avoid triggering nuisance windshear alerts wherein the magnitude and duration of the shear are not sufficient to endanger an aircraft that is flying a landing approach at greater-than-normal approach speed. The present invention provides for variable detection times in either a variable threshold windshear detection or a fixed threshold detection system. A measurement of angle or attack is used to deduce the aircraft's approximate weight from which a normal landing approach speed may be calculated. The difference between the computed landing approach speed and the actual approach speed is used to calculate an add-on differential to the windshear system detection threshold.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is comprised of an optical fiber having a core and a cladding wherein the core comprises an organic polymer media exhibiting non-linear optical response over a predetermined optically transmissive region, the polymer having a predetermined index of refraction and the fiber having a predetermined uniform diameter and an arbitrary length. The fiber inherently possesses waveguide properties which are utilized for the detection of radio frequency fields, modulating optical signals, frequency doubling, and as a parametric amplifier.

Abstract: An electro-optical light deflector utilizing layers of a non-linear electro-optically (NLO) responsive polymer for directing an exiting light beam in a given direction. Sandwiched between each NLO layer of a multi-layer array is a thin film electrically conductive layer that is connected to a voltage source. By applying an electric field across an NLO layer, a change in refractive index is induced and the phase of that portion of the optical beam passing through it is either retarded or advanced. Each layer in the NLO array sees a slightly different electric field and therefore produces a slightly different phase change in the portion of the propogating optical beam. This results in directing the reconstructed beam in a different direction. By applying different voltages to the electrodes, both beam shaping and changing beam direction are possible.

Abstract: A single-ended DC-to-DC power converter which is operative at very high switching frequencies with zero-voltage resonant transition switching. A single magnetic element functions as both a storage inductor and a transformer. A charging capacitor is switched to induce a reversal current through the inductor for providing the zero-voltage switching function. Control to output characteristics are identical to those of conventional buck and buck-boost converters. The invention provides efficient, high-frequency operation and isolation of the output from the input power source with minimal component volume. The control system is adaptable to constant frequency pulse width modulation for voltage regulation.

Abstract: The invention provides for the detection of both longitudinal and vertical windshears during the takeoff and landing phases of aircraft flight. Standard instrumentation available on many aircraft is used to calculate the aircraft's energy loss or gain by integrating the value of the longitudinal shear. When the energy loss or gain exceeds predetermined levels, appropriate annuciation is provided to the human pilot. The same standard instrumentation aforementioned is also used to calculate changes in the aircraft's specific energy rate, that is the aircraft's actual energy rate divided by the aircraft's weight, to determine the effect of vertical winds. Specific energy rate is calculated by integrating the difference between the aircraft's acceleration relative to the ground and its acceleration relative to the airmass in which it is flying.