Abstract: A spatially graded optical switch is described which comprises a transparent substrate, a layer of optically switchable material deposited on the substrate and having optical thickness which is a preselected function of radial distance from the center of the substrate, and electrical or thermal means for switching the material between an OFF state characterized by high transmission (or reflection) and an ON state at which transmission (or reflection) is attenuated smoothly with radius across the switch, according to a preselected profile, from substantially zero at the center to about 100% at the outer edge.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hybrid MQW spatial light modulator is described which comprises steps of depositing on a substrate in sequence a first layer to preselected thickness of n+ (or p+) semiconductor material, a second layer to preselected thickness of intrinsic semiconductor material and a third layer to preselected thickness of p+ (or n+) semiconductor material to form a modulator portion, applying a metallic layer defining a mirrored surface to the third layer of the modulator portion, providing a prefabricated silicon PIN detector having a layered structure including an intrinsic layer of preselected thickness sandwiched between an n+ layer and p+ layer of respective preselected thicknesses and joining the PIN detector to the mirrored surface using a conductive adhesive layer, selectively boring channels into the modulator portion to preselected depth into the PIN detector to form an array of a plurality of pixels on the modulator portion, filling the channels with light blocking material, and applyi

Abstract: A vertical velocity indicator for aircraft is described which comprises an inlet open to ambient static pressure; a pressure transducer communicating with the inlet for detecting changes in ambient static pressure and providing output signals corresponding to equilibrium with ambient pressure at level flight, a static pressure increase corresponding to rate of descent, and a static pressure decrease corresponding to rate of climb of the aircraft; a pitch gyroscope for detecting pitch of the aircraft and providing a corresponding output signal; a signal processor for the output signals from the pressure transducer and pitch gyroscope and a graphics generator operatively connected to a visual display of aircraft pitch and vertical velocity, the display including an aircraft silhouette defining aircraft pitch, and a color coded background and a preselected plurality of spaced level altitude lines which present preselected intervals of altitude and which move on the background at a rate corresponding to the rate

Abstract: An optical switching device is described which comprises a substrate of light absorbent material, a plurality of holes defined through the substrate containing a liquid material having an index of refraction which is highly temperature dependent within a selected temperature range of operation, the liquid-filled holes defining a plurality of waveguides for conducting light through the substrate.

Abstract: A turbine stator vane structure is described which comprises an airfoil having a pressure side and a suction side and at least one duct of preselected size defined through the airfoil from the pressure side to the suction side thereof with preselected orientation with respect to the camberline of the airfoil for directing a predetermined portion of the turbine engine gas flow through the airfoil whereby the gas flow angle and momentum at the rotor inlet plane of the engine is selectively altered. A rotatable slotted sleeve may be included within each duct for selectively throttling flow therethrough.

Abstract: A system for pneumatically controlling the blood circulation in the lower body extremities in enhancing effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a subject is described which comprises an inflatable garment for covering a preselected portion of the lower body and legs of a subject, a source of pressurized air operatively connected to the garment through a control valve configured for controllably deflating and inflating the garment in response to the application and removal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation pressure applied to a sensor disposed on the chest of a subject.

Abstract: A method for extruding metals and alloys, particularly difficult-to-work high temperature alloys, is described which comprises inserting a billet of the metal or alloy into an extrusion can, heating the canned billet to a temperature in a temperature range in which the ductility of the billet material is substantially maximum, cooling the canned billet sufficiently to establish a preselected temperature difference between the billet and can at which the difference between the flow stress of the billet material and the flow stress of the can material is substantially minimum, and extruding the canned billet to preselected shape.

Abstract: A system for indicating the presence of Coriolis accelerations within an aircraft which might affect pilot perception of aircraft attitude and spatial orientation, which comprises sensors for measuring vehicle angular position, rotations and velocities operatively connected to an onboard computer program which calculates the Coriolis accelerations according to an analysis presented herein and presented on a display to the pilot.

Abstract: System and method for tracking the gaze of the human eye are described which comprise directing an infrared light beam along an optical axis into the eye, and displaying the reflected optical light distribution on a position sensing detector to determine eye position, considering the differences in infrared reflectivities between the pupil and the surrounding iris and sclera.

Abstract: A disposable gingival grafting knife is described which comprises a narrow blade sharpened on one side, formed to define a preselected cross-sectional shape of the graft and embedded into the end of a sterilizable handle to define preselected width and thickness for the graft, and a tissue graft receptacle removably attachable to the back of the knife near the blade for catching the harvested graft.

Abstract: System and method for high temperature lubrication of a bearing surface of a movable machine part using lubricant sublimation is described which comprises a source of solid lubricant, a heater disposed in thermal contact with the lubricant for heating the lubricant to sublimation and a conduit for conducting sublimated lubricant vapors into contact with the bearing surface to be lubricated.

Abstract: A method for hot forging coarse grain materials to enhance hot workability and to refine microstructure is described which comprises the steps of imposing minimum initial deformation at low strain rate to effect initial dynamic recrystallization and grain refinement without fracture, and thereafter increasing the deformation rate to recrystallize the material and further refine grain structure. Depending on the deformation required to achieve full recrystallization at a given rate, deformation rate can be increased a number of times to further refine grain structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a brazed sheet metal panel for use in an engine nozzle structure is described which comprises steps of providing a first sheet metal member having a plurality of spaced dimples formed therein and a second sheet metal member having a plurality of spaced cutouts corresponding in position to the spaced dimples in the first member, providing a mixture of powdered braze material and polymer binder and spraying a layer of the mixture onto a surface of the second member, assembling the first and second members in laminar contact with the cutouts of the second member in registration with the dimples of the first member and the layer of mixture between the members, and then heating the assembly under vacuum to a temperature sufficient to fuze the braze powder and to volatilize the binder.

Abstract: An intensity sensitive optical switch is described which comprises a nonlinear thin film Kerr material deposited on a conducting surface.

Abstract: A method for treatment and disposal of propellant wastewaters, soil washwaters or groundwaters having dissolved perchlorate salts is described, which comprises adding to the contaminated water in an anaerobic reactor a mixed bacterial culture containing a specific bacterium, HAP1, which uses perchlorate as its terminal electron acceptor and thus reduces the perchlorate ion to chloride in the water; maintaining the proper nutrient and environmental conditions for HAP1 to optimally reduce perchlorate in the water and discharging effluent wastewater from the anaerobic reactor to an aerobic reactor and maintaining proper nutrient and environmental conditions for the optimal conversion of soluble organics to carbon dioxide and sludge and reduction of BOD, COD, ammonia and odor in the effluent water.

Abstract: System and method for measuring complex shear or Young's modulus of a polymeric material are described wherein first and second beams of preselected lengths and different thicknesses are disposed in parallel spaced relationship firmly held at first ends thereof and first and second spaced gripping members are attached along the beams, a specimen of polymeric material is disposed between confronting surfaces of the gripping members, a time varying force is applied to one beam, the time varying displacements of the beams are measured, and the modulus of the polymeric material is calculated from the measurements.

Abstract: A rotor structure for an electrical generator, motor or the like is described which comprises a rotatable generally cylindrically shaped heat pipe defining an internal vapor chamber having an evaporator end and a condenser end, a plurality of radial fins regularly spaced on the periphery of the heat pipe, each fin defining an internal chamber communicating with and extending radially from the vapor chamber, a vaporizable liquid disposed within said heat pipe, and a heat exchanger in thermal contact with the condenser end of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A disposable respiratory protective gas and toxic fume mask is described which comprises a transparent hood of thin film chemical resistant material sealable at the neck or to the face of a subject and covering the eyes, nose and mouth, a filter in the hood for filtering and conducting air into the hood, a tube interconnecting the filter and a mouthpiece and including a first one-way valve for conducting filtered air to the subject, a second one-way valve in the mouthpiece for conducting exhaled air air into the interior of the hood and thereby generating an overpressure condition within the hood.

Abstract: A support bracket for securing medical equipment on or near a litter carried within a medical vehicle, which comprises an extensible tubular member having a threaded lock fitting along the length thereof for locking the extensible member at selected length, first and second tubular end members of preselected inner diametric size attached to the ends of the extensible member for receiving a pair of substantially parallel rod members, such as the handles of a litter, and a pair of set screws threaded into the tubular end members for releasably securing the rod members within the tubular end members.

Abstract: An optical data transducer system is described which comprises a cryogenic dewar for containing an infrared focal plane array at low temperature and an optical spatial light modulator, collimated laser beam and associated optical train and detector for efficient extraction of information from the array.