Abstract: A solar power supply for a spacecraft comprises an array of semiconductor devices for photovoltaic conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. Each semiconductor device is secured by a substantially stress-free electrically conductive joint to a flexible dielectric substrate that can be folded into a compact stowage configuration or opened into an elongate operational configuration. The stress-free joint is formed by securing an electrical terminal of the semiconductor device to a stress-relieving electrical conductor that is affixed to the substrate. Preferably, the stress-relieving conductor is a metallic wire mesh, a peripheral portion of which is adhesively bonded to the substrate circumjacent an aperture in the substrate. A pattern of metallic traces formed on the substrate provides a circuit for connecting the wire mesh to connectors for coupling electrical power generated by the array of semiconductor devices to an electrical load on the spacecraft.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting material floating on the surface of a fluid having waves thereon is provided comprising means (20) for causing the waves to break, means (36) for directing the broken waves to induce a downward flow of surface fluid and the material thereon, means (34) for discharging the downward flow of fluid and said material a preselected distance below the surface of the fluid, and means (20, 22) for containing the discharged material. In a particular embodiment, a submerged refractive structure in the form of a dome-shaped shell (20) is provided to cause the waves to break. Guide vanes (36) direct the broken surface waves into a centrally disposed vertical standpipe (34) where the fluid and the entrained floating material flows downward and is then discharged at the bottom of the shell. The material accumulates at the upper interior portion (22) within the shell. An access opening (50) is provided through the wall of the shell to facilitate removal of the material accumulated within the shell.

Abstract: A mechanism by which more than one torsion spring can be serially coupled to a member to impart a torque thereto equivalent to that from a single spring having the same number of turns as the total turns of the coupled springs. The springs to be coupled are connected at one end to respective storage shafts which are mounted to a free floating coupling arm. The coupling arm rotates about a shaft coaxial with the member to which the other ends of the springs are attached. In a capstan driven web system having a take-up reel and a supply reel, two sets of serially coupled negator springs are utilized to maintain proper web tension during driving of the web system.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the distance and angle between two pipes is disclosed. The gauge consists of an elongated tubular body section adapted to be rigidly affixed to one of the pipes and including an extendable probe. A target plate is fitted over the other pipe and the extendable probe is brought into contact with the target plate. The angle between the target and the extendable probe, the eccentricity of the extendable probe and the target plate and the length of the combination of the tubular body and the extendable probe gives sufficient dimensions for cutting a curved section of pipe or pup.

Abstract: This invention relates to light absorbing inhomogeneous films and their use in luminescent display devices such as cathode ray tubes and electroluminescent panels to achieve high contrast ratio and minimal halation effect, and more particularly to an inhomogeneous film having a composition varying continuously from metal oxide to metal, and the method of making same. The metal is selected from the group consisting of tantalum and vanadium.

Abstract: A device for separating essentially immiscible fluids such as oil from rough water which utilizes a drum-shaped mechanism having generally vertically disposed oleophilic discs rotatable about a horizontal oil receiving trough, the unit being mounted in a frame also providing a sump which allows rotation of the drum, the complete unit being able to follow wave motion substantially independently of a supporting vessel through use of slide and guide mechanisms providing fore and aft restraint while allowing freedom of movement in heave and roll independent of ship motions. A major portion of the interior area of the drum about which the oleophilic discs rotate is filled with buoyancy material.

Abstract: The analog bandwidth compressor of the present system preserves the actual frequencies of the detected signal. This is accomplished by feeding the detected signal to a bank of contiguous filters and feeding the outputs of each of these filters to an AM detector and a frequency divider. The output from each frequency divider is fed to a tunable filter bank. The outputs of the tunable filter bank are fed to multipliers where the outputs from the associated AM detectors are superimposed on the frequency signals from the tunable filter bank. The output of the plurality of multipliers is fed to a summing network which provides a reduced bandwidth signal. The output of the summing network is subsequently fed through a transmission system to a bandwidth restoration circuit which consists of a tunable contiguous filter bank, AM detector, frequency multiplier, tunable filter bank, multipliers and a summer similar to the bandwidth reduction circuit.

Abstract: An assemblage of a rivet for securing at least a pair of sheets or other members, wherein the rivet is formed with a cavity in its upset end of predetermined dimensions with respect to the sheets and the remainder of the rivet. The cavity preferably terminates in the thickness of the bottom sheet, thus facilitating rivet upset while providing maximum strength.

Abstract: A method for measuring such physiological parameters as pulse rate and respiration without physically connecting electrodes or other sensors to the body. A beam of phased energy, for example microwaves, is directed toward the body of a person at a region thereon which undergoes physical displacement corresponding to variations in the parameter being measured. The phase relationship of the energy reflected from the body is compared with that of the transmitted energy to determine the extent of physical movement of the body region as affected by the parameter being measured. The present method may be used as an overt or covert lie detection technique.

Abstract: A power brake punch for curl forming radii of greater than 180.degree. of arc on the edge of sheet metal workpieces.

Abstract: The proposed support and retention mechanism makes it feasible to hot launch missiles or anti-missile missiles especially from aircraft using constant section, open ended, vertical or nearly vertical launch tubes to significantly increase missile range or payload without increasing the missile weight. This bazooka method of launching, results in much lighter launch tubes and support structure and no appreciable reaction on the aircraft. The hot launch feature permits a simplification of the method of storing such missiles as the Polaris, Poseidon and Trident in missile launch submarines. At the same time the jettison feature permits missiles to be stored and released from a vertical position which can increase the load passing through a smaller bomb bay and result in decreased aircraft weight.

Abstract: A control system is specifically designed to improve the performance of an aircraft or other vehicle having undesirable dynamic characteristics. For this purpose there is employed a compensator, either hydromechanical or electrical (hydro-electrical) depending upon the basic control system, which is incorporated into that system and modifies command inputs to the directional controls of the vehicle. This compensator is designed and preset to impose predetermined dynamic characteristics on the command inputs so as to create a resulting input which eliminates or substantially diminishes the undesirable dynamic characteristics.

Abstract: A hydro-ski craft in which load alleviation is attained by reducing the effective wetted area of the planing surfaces at high speeds, and in which elongated flaps extending longitudinally of the craft are mounted to swing about longitudinal axes between generally horizontal planing positions and upwardly swung retracted positions. Spray control dams may be carried by the flaps to themselves automatically swing between inactive and active positions in response to upward swinging movement of the flaps.

Abstract: One or more aerodynamic bodies of preselected shape and placement are employed on the lower surface of an aircraft wing or other aerodynamic lifting surface for the purpose of reducing its drag. These anti-drag bodies singly or collectively provide a reduction in the lower speed profile drag of the associated lifting surface, an increase in its lift at a given angle of attack, and an increase in its critical Mach number.

Abstract: In a reactive metal-water electrochemical cell, an anode-cathode configuration providing for direct anode-cathode contact by use of a mesh-screen cathode essentially contacting the anode over its full surface. Optionally, the screen is supported on a plurality of ribs formed on or attached to a cathode backplate, the ribs forming electrolyte channels between the cathode screen and the cathode backplate.The configuration can be utilized for both unipolar and bipolar electrodes. Provision is made for maintaining contact between the cathode screen and the anode as the anode is consumed, thereby maintaining efficiency of the battery. Voltage and power output of the cell is controlled by varying electrolyte concentration or temperature, or both.

Abstract: A radar object locator having a transmitter radiating carrier energy in at least one band of frequencies and a receiver tuned to a frequency different from that radiated by the transmitter whereby only a frequency band of carrier energy produced by the electrical non-linearity characteristics of particular objects is detected by the receiver.

Abstract: In a reactive metal-water electrochemical battery, means for minimizing the destructive erosion of the reactive metal anode material on those anode surfaces not being actively employed in the operation of the battery. More particularly, in one embodiment, the non-working anode surfaces are maintained in intimate relationship with the battery casing to prevent the eroding electrolyte from contacting the non-working surfaces. In another embodiment, the electrolyte is confined to the working surface of the anode by means of flexible seals which protect the non-working surfaces.

Abstract: A novel stiffened structural laminate formed by contacting at least one layer of a curable resin-impregnated fabric with at least one strip of cellular honeycomb core, disposing another piece of said curable resin-impregnated fabric over said strip of core, and curing said resin under laminating conditions to bond said honeycomb core to said fabric and produce a unitary laminate which includes said strip as a stiffening bead.

Abstract: Apparatus for equalizing the pressure between two compartments of an airplane in the event of sudden depressurization of one of the compartments, and including a closure panel disposed across an opening between the two compartments and functioning as either a blowout panel to be forced bodily from the opening upon development of an excessive differential pressure between the two compartments, or as a frangible panel which is shattered in response to attainment of the undesired differential pressure, to thus allow very open communication between the compartments preventing damage to a wall therebetween.

Abstract: A speech signal-in-noise enhancement system which separates the voiced-unvoiced portions of speech, detects and extracts the voiced fundamental pitch and uses that data to control the band-pass center frequencies of a bank of filters so that the filters pass the harmonics of the fundamental pitch. The output of these filters is summed to form a composite signal representative of voiced speech. Unvoiced speech is separately passed to the summer.