Abstract: The bed tester includes nitrogen and helium sources, a scale, temperature and pressure readouts, and a computer program for determining the available adsorption capacity or activity of molecular sieve beds. Activity is a measure of the condition of the molecular sieve and is defined as the ratio of the weight of nitrogen adsorbed in the bed under test to the weight of nitrogen adsorbed by an equivalent weight of activated molecular seive. To determine the weight of nitrogen adsorbed for the bed under test, a chamber or plenum of known volume is filled with helium, and expanded into the bed. Then the helium is evacuated, and the bed is pressurized with nitrogen. Measured values of pressure, temperature and weight, and known values of volume and density, are used with the ideal gas law (PV=MRT) and other equations in calculations to arrive at the true weight gain due to nitrogen adsorption.

Abstract: To provide a predictive emergency warning to the pilot of flight and terrain conditions which will result in a collision with the ground unless the pilot takes immediate action, without issuing excessive nuisance warnings, the system uses input parameters from other aircraft systems such as the radar altimeter. Inertial Navigation System, and Central Air Data Computer which are processed in an on-board computer to determine when a warning is required. A software program which is part of the warning system provides a logic link between the on-board aircraft parameters and the on-board voice command ("pull-up, pull-up"). The software program is readily adaptable to all aircraft applications with varying amounts of modification depending on specific mission requirements for which this protection is required. A feature is the use of a continuously computing predictive warning algorithm (based on classical flight dynamics equations) in combination with unique inhibit logic equations.

Abstract: To provide for improving the yield in the manufacture of wafer-scale integrated (WSI) or restructurable very-large-scale integrated (RVLSI) CMOS circuitry, a low power switch circuit, fabricated with standard CMOS process, provides both discretionary disconnect and connect capability, by a simple cut of one metal line to replace defective components with redundant good ones. The circuit uses either a reverse bias p-n junction or a transistor biased for sub-threshold conduction as a "pull-up" device, hence consuming very little power in either the original or the "cut" state. Large numbers of this switch can be incorporated into complex circuits without significantly loading the power supply.

Abstract: Automatically adjusting the time when control is returned to the operational set-point, in compensation for changing load conditions, is accomplished by measuring the operation of a heating or cooling system controller in its standby mode, and using this measurement to calculate the advance time required to return the system to its operational temperature. The operational factor to be measured depends on the control system: with a bistable or on-off thermal source, such as a household furnace, measurement of the time required to heat the house the few degrees between the set-back on and off set-points will permit calculation of the time required to reheat the house to its operational temperature.

Abstract: This high voltage linear FET amplifier operates at voltage levels of ten's of thousand's of volts with power dissipation capabilities in the kilowatt range. It is a broadband device which features power amplification from DC to frequencies well in excess of 100 KHz. The amplifier uses a unity-gain inverting amplifier as its basic building block. N-number of these building blocks are stacked to accommodate whatever voltage stand-off level is desired. To operate stacked high voltage amplifiers, it is necessary to provide a bias shift (reference) progressively increasing in equal increments from the ground reference stage to the highest voltage level stage while preserving the fidelity of the signal applied to the first stage. This is done by establishing a phantom ground at all amplifiers for each progressive bias level.

Abstract: A High Voltage Regulation apparatus which uses an amplifier having an arbitrarily large number of stacked MOSFETs to provide low impedance shunt regulation with a "domino effect". Voltages of many kilovolts can be conveniently regulated. voltage sharing among the devices is assured by the domino arrangement. External capacitances are added to optimize low impedance voltage regulation, including an external capacitor connected between the drain and gate of each stage to equalize the drain to gate and gate to source capacitances. There may also be an external capacitor connected between the drain and source of each stage to provide low amplifier impedance at high frequency, or a lumped external capacitor connected across the entire amplifier string, to provide low amplifier impedance at high frequency. The amplifier uses a unity-gain inverting amplifier as its basic building block. N-number of these building blocks are stacked to accommodate whatever voltage stand-off level is desired.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises four cylindrical absorbent beds of small particle size (16.times.40 mesh) molecular sieve, two with zeolite and two with carbon molecular sieve. The units are integrated with each carbon bed in series with one of the zeolite beds, with valving at the inlets to the zeolite beds and at the outlets from the carbon beds. The oxygen purity of the gas is increased by selectively adsorbing and exhausting the nitrogen component in the zeolite beds and the argon component in the carbon beds. In a two step cycle, during step 1 of the cycle one pair of beds (one zeolite and one carbon) receives high pressure air as feed gas which pressurizes the beds and establishes a product oxygen flow. Simultaneously, the high pressure gas in the other pair of beds is vented to a lower pressure usually the ambient surroundings, and this depressurization serves to desorb the nitrogen and argon previously adsorbed during the high pressure phase of the cycle.

Abstract: The system can be used to generate an image for visual systems, such as an out-the-window image for flight simulator systems. It comprises a photographic based image generator which creates realistic video images in real time for display on a raster scan monitor or visual display. The system is based on two general principles which would be used separately or in combination to simplify the processing of digitally stored video images. The first principle is the interlacing of the digital information which is stored on a disk. Rather than storing a contiguous picture of sections of a picture, the technique stores a digitized photograph as a series of cells. Each cell contains information which is interlaced in both the horizontal and vertical direction with respect to the preceding and succeeding cell. The second principle is the use of a virtual type of photo memory which allows selective updating of picture information.

Abstract: A vacuum feedthrough includes a metal case having elongated, closely spaced, parallel sidewalls and short, conjoining endwalls with a plurality of leads extending through the case open interior; the leads being arranged in closely spaced, parallel, side-by-side relation to and equi-distant between the sidewalls. A hermetic glass seal is created in the case interior in bonded relation with the plural leads and the case walls.

Abstract: The crystal is solid CdTe or GaAs for modulating a laser beam. The mount comprises Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or BeO ceramic between the crystal and a U-shaped aluminum housing on three sides to provide low stray capacitance and high thermal conductivity to the cooled housing. A layer of lead between the ceramic and the housing enhances the acoustic damping of the structure. Electrodes are attached to the crystal, with lead used to enhance dissipation of acoustic energy. in contacting flexible tabs on the electrodes with terminals no pressure or stress is transmitted to the crystal, thereby eliminating a problem of stress-induced birefringence.

Abstract: The rapid communication (RAP-COM) microprocessor controlled memory display system and method operates by presenting real-time data in rapid temporal succession at one spatial location. It can be embodied as a stand-alone instrument or as a small display window within a larger integrated display. It can be incorporated, for example, within larger display configurations in military crew stations, nuclear power plants, air-traffic control centers, space stations, or industrial process control plants. RAP-COM has two advantages over conventional display formats. First, it reduces the amount of required display space be presenting information in sequentially in one location rather than simultaneously in several locations. Second, it speeds the rate of system-to-operator information transfer by eliminating the time needed for the scanning saccadic eye movements that access information from conventional spatially separated displays.

Abstract: The secondary purifier, composed of two cylindrical adsorbent beds and valving, is used to increase the oxygen concentration of the product gas comprising oxygen and argon from a zeolite molecular sieve concentrator. The oxygen purity of the gas is increased by selectively adsorbing and exhausting the argon component by the use of beds of small particle size (16.times.40 mesh) carbon molecular sieve. In a two step cycle, during step 1 of the cycle one bed receives high pressure 30 PSIA feed gas which pressurizes the bed and establishes a product oxygen flow, and the argon component of the air is removed by preferential adsorption in the carbon molecular sieve. Simultaneously, the high pressure gas in the other bed is vented to a lower pressure usually the ambient surroundings, and this depressurization serves to desorb the argon previously adsorbed during the high pressure phase of the cycle. In step 2 of the cycle the adsorbent beds exchange roles.

Abstract: The system is used to measure the gap between the turbine engine compressor blade tip and the compressor case. The measurement is accomplished while the engine is running. This system has several unique features which minimize problems plaguing earlier systems. These include tuning stability and sensitivity drift. Both these problems are intensified by the environmental factors present on compressors, i.e., wide temperature fluctuations, vibrations, conductive contamination of probe tips and others. The circuitry in this new system provides phase lock feedback to control tuning and shunt calibration to measure sensitivity. The use of high frequency excitation lowers the probe tip impedance, thus minimizing the effects of contamination. The ability to control tuning and to calibrate has been demonstrated.

Abstract: Test and man-rating of an oxygen generation system required analytical methods for evaluating system performance both in the laboratory and on the aircraft. The Oxygen System Analyzer is capable of monitoring four performance variables which include: (1) system gas flow rate, (2) product oxygen concentration, (3) system outlet pressure, and (4) aircraft cabin pressure. The analyzer is a portable tester designed to be used on a frequent basis to ascertain system performance and assure reliability and safety. The device may be used either in preflight system checkout mode or to assess in-flight performance characteristics and compliance with design specifications. The analyzer is packaged in a flight worthy case (20.times.13.times.8.5 inches, 31 pounds) and operates from a 12 volt rechargeable power system for 8-10 hours. Data is handlogged from digital panel meters.

Abstract: The image of a word is taken and the two-dimensional discrete Fourier transform of the image is computed. The transformed image is filtered to the first three harmonics, with both real and imaginary components. These components then make up a total of 49 unique vectors which defines a 49 orthogonal vector space. The vector space is normalized to unity and each image of a word or phrase defines a point within this 49 orthogonal, hypersphere. The same process is done to the image for the Fourier components, where there is only 25 unique vector components. Similar looking words cluster in the hypersphere and the smaller distance from one point to another defines the probability of incorrectly recognizing a word. In a study for the case of two through eleven letters in a word using both 49 and 25 vector space calculations, the results show two through eleven words are recognizable using 49 vector space and possibly the 25 vector space.

Abstract: The tracking apparatus uses multi-processor modules for predicting in real time the parametric behaviour of radar signals to be jammed, as part of an electronic countermeasures system. The tracker system is partitioned into three board (module) types--(1) a subsystem request handler, which transfers data from system buses to the tracker system, (2) one or more multi-processor modules (each including a parameter memory and three arithmetic units with micro-sequencers) which does the actual track operation yielding the prediction data, and (3) a vector buffer module, which transfers the completed prediction data onto the buses for the receiver and transmitter. The system computer transfers to the tracker the necessary parameter information (latest time of arrival, threat type (stable, stagger, agile, etc.), angle of arrival, etc.) and initiates a track loop. Central to the operation of the trackers is the parameter memory which is divided conceptually into two main parts: pattern and parameters.

Abstract: A self-mixing antenna-mixer millimeter wave receiver has the local oscillator and the mixer combined in one single unit, using a Gunn diode (or other device) placed at the center of a spiral antenna and proper voltage applied, so that the diode becomes an oscillator. At the same time the diode will function as a mixer for the input signals received by the spiral antenna. The IF frequency from the mixer can be amplified and detected for further processing. Only a dc power supply is required to feed the diode at the center of the antenna.

Abstract: A MISFET device which typically utilizes silicon dioxide as an insulating material and which becomes inoperative under ionizing radiation conditions can be made to significantly enhance its radiation survivability by introducing crystalline zinc sulfide as an insulating material. The invention may be manufactured as one of three variations. Crystalline zinc sulfide may replace silicon dioxide as the gate insulator, the field insulator, or both the gate and field insulators.

Abstract: A segment labeler/extractor outputs segments of video data stored in Random Access Memory for feature extraction and classification as targets. This function is accomplished by labeling the segments of a video frame as the segments are stored in a mass segment memory, sorting the mass segment memory to extract individual segment data, and storing this data in a segment memory where it can be accessed by an algorithm processor. Included in the subject invention is a segment labeler which consists of a segment label filter, adjacent label filter, memory, and sorter. The inputs to the segment labeler are a segment designator discrete which is set for only pixels which are in segments and a segment boundary designation discrete which is set for only pixels which are in segments and on the perimeter of the segment. The output of the segment labeler is a unique group of labels which define each segment. The groups of labels are then passed on to a control processor and handed to a segment extractor upon request.

Abstract: To provide a solution of the problem of medium dispersion in a two-line Raman amplifier which may increase the intensity-length product requirement and limit the conversion efficiency. By adjusting the angles between the input beams, the four-wave mixing phase mismatch due to medium dispersion may be eliminated. This couples together the Raman gains of the two lines so that the effective pump intensity for each is the total pump intensity. Since both lines convert in about the same amplifier length, independent of the relative power in each, the conversion efficiency is not limited by the inability to optimize the length for both lines simultaneously.