Abstract: A plurality of pan-shaped beams and supports of graphite/epoxy laminate mrial are mounted on a circular graphite/epoxy aft panel to form a symmetrical structure which is attached to the missile shell. Four main stiffening beams intersect at right angles to form a central square structure with the intersecting walls extending outward beyond the central square to the missile shell. Four diagonal stiffening beams are disposed across the corners within the central square to form a central hexagonal structure. Additional stiffness is provided by strut support beams oriented parallel to the main support beams and support ribs oriented perpendicular to the main support beams.

Abstract: A passive step trimmer for a maneuvering re-entry body (MRB) which uses existing inertial forces acting on the MRB to deploy a free flowing mass from the rear of the MRB to trim the MRB altitude. The mass deployment from the MRB causes a forward shift in the center of gravity (CG) which in turn creates a more stable body which flies at a reduced angle-of-attack (.alpha.).

Abstract: A microstrip antenna employing a rectangular radiating element having a Uaped slot oriented parallel to the length of the radiating element and employing a single feedline coplanar with the radiating element. The slotted radiating element has three resonances: a length resonance polarized parallel to the length of the element; a width resonance polarized parallel to the width of the element; and a slot resonance polarized parallel to the length of the element. By proper selection of the length and location of the slot, the frequency of the slot resonance can be placed such that a region of circular polarization occurs between the width resonance and the slot resonance. Alternatively, a region of circular polarization can be created between the length resonance and the width resonance since they are also polarized perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: In an engine of the type wherein the combustion of fuel is initiated by a detonation wave, a plurality of axisymmetrical rotor elements are fixed along the length of a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a central longitudinal chamber which is supplied with the fuel mixture. Each rotor element has an annular initiation chamber which communicates with the central chamber of the shaft and a system of ducts which extend outward from the initiation chamber to exhaust openings. The initiation chambers and the associated systems of ducts are selectively filled with the fuel mixture and detonation is selectively initiated in the initiation chambers. This detonation produces detonation waves which propagate outward in the ducts resulting in the combustion products being ejected from the ducts in the form of high speed jets to produce rotational moment on the rotor/shaft unit.

Abstract: A process for fabricating graphite/epoxy tools where graphite/epoxy lamin is laid up on a mandrel to form an oversized shell which is subsequently machined to conform to the design dimensions.

Abstract: A pulsed illuminator projector for reducing the reverberation levels of rected ligh by illuminating a lamp that is pulsed on and off at a specified rate and for a specified time duration. The critical factor is controlling the amount of time the light is on versus amount of time it is off, and the frequency at which the lamp is pulsed on. The pulsed illumination projector device reduces the amount of backscatter from particulate matter such as water, zooplankton, dust, fog and the like which causes a significant amount of light to reflect back toward the source thereby reducing visibility. Backscatter is reduced through the reduction of direct incident light. As the backscatter is reduced, the distance which objects can be detected is increased. Illumination is controlled directly by pulse length and repetition rate. The device is completely portable and can be hand held item as well as mounted on a vehicle and operable in gaseous or liquid atmospheres.

Abstract: In a fiber optic rate sensor employing a Sagnac ring circuit wherein an ocal source launches an optical signal which is divided into two equals signals which are coupled in opposite directions through a multi-turn fiber optic coil to provide two counter-propagating optical signals. The two counter-propagating optical signals are coupled to a photodetector after passing through the multiturn fiber coil. The signals detected at the photodetector have traversed identical optical paths between said source and said photodetector and have undergone a Sagnac phase shift directly related to the rate of rotation of the fiber coil about its axis in inertial space. The two counterpropagating signals are phase modulated by a phase modulator at one end of the fiber optic coil and the output of the photodetector undergoes signal processing in a signal processor to produce a rate output directly related to the rate of rotation of the fiber coil.

Abstract: A rocket motor insulator of varied thickness with an integrated flap to rce propellant stresses.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping insulation from electrical cables which has two osing clamp assemblies, a front assembly which is fixed to a housing box and a movable rear clamp assembly which slides on guide rods. The rear clamp assembly is biased against the front clamp assembly to maintain both clamp assemblies in the open position. A cable in which the insulation is scored is inserted into the opposing clamp assemblies with the scored section being disposed between the two clamp assemblies. A pneumatic motor operates through a pulley and rope system to pull the rear movable clamp assembly away from the front clamp assembly allowing the clamps to close on the wire to be stripped. The insulation is stripped as the rear clamp assembly is pulled away from the front pulley while the wire is held by the front pulley assembly.

Abstract: The front end of a conical forward carbon-carbon heatshield is attached to arbon-carbon nose tip by a threaded connection. The nose tip provides rigid structural support for the small end of the heatshield at all conditions of thermal expansion. The joint between the aft end of the forward heatshield and the forward end of an aft carbon-phenolic heatshield includes a tolerance gap which is tapered to accommodate the vector movement of the carbon-carbon heatshield due to axial and circumferential thermal expansion. The gap is filled with a high temperature insulating washer of frangible material which is crushed by the axial expansion of the forward heatshield and evacuated by the slip-stream. The forward heatshield is supported at the joint by a segmented ring of high density carbon wedges that will expand during flight and move with the heatshield along an expansion ramp to provide continuous support.

Abstract: A solid propellant which utilizes a high solids loading of blended HMX (8%) by combining unground and ground HMX particles to achieve desired processing control.

Abstract: A dual band microstrip antenna including a slotted microstrip radiating pllel to and spaced from a ground plane with dielectric material therebetween, the slotted microstrip radiating and having a first resonance corresponding to the dominant radiation mode that would occur in an unslotted microstrip and a second resonance created by the slot. The polarizations of the two resonances are perpendicular to each other with the slot resonance being polarized along the centerline of the slot.

Abstract: A fastener in which a captive bolt engages a cylindrical nut within a cylrical confining housing. The cylindrical nut has a longitudinal slot in which a pair of oppositely facing latches are disposed and which cooperate with the housing to prevent the rotation of the nut. Rotation of the captive bolt moves the cylindrical nut longitudinally within the housing and operates to extend the ends of the latches to engage a surface or to retract the ends of the latches to within the nut.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly capable of controlling the hot exhaust gases which flow om the burning solid rocket propellant.

Abstract: A laser diode power supply that uses a proportional controller that drives series pass transistor to regulate laser diode current and the intensity of the laser diode output. The purpose of the controller is to maintain constant laser output power when its unregulated output power would otherwise gradually decrease with age. The laser diode includes a detector that samples light emitted from the laser diode. The output of the detector is amplified and compared to a reference voltage in an integrator. The output of the integrator controls a series pass transistor that varies to power to the laser diode to provide a constant laser diode power output. The controller also includes power limiting and transient voltage protection circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus for on-site testing of wrist straps or shoe straps of the type d to prevent the buildup of electrostatic charges on the body and clothing of a worker engaged in handling charge-sensitive electronic devices. The worker wearing a grounding strap connects the grounding strap to a terminal on the tester and touches a touch pad on the apparatus. The tester incorporates the resistance of the grounding strap and the worker wearing the strap into a voltage divider. If the incorporated resistance is within acceptable limits, an indicating lamp is lighted to show that the grounding strap is working properly. An indicating signal may also be coupled to a computer for automatic recordkeeping.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a filament wound chamber combining circular and helical winging configurations.

Abstract: A vacuum bag autoclave type procedure for curing layers of phenolic resin pregnated fibrous material to form a composite structural part. A straight up heat rise cure cycle is employed in conjunction with a layup and bagging procedure that ensures a relatively free bleed of excess resin during cure and a high-capacity vacuum system for removal of volatiles generated during cure. This method of fabrication releases the majority of volatiles prior to gelation and produces a part having a pore structure that provides an escape path for gases generated during cure and postcure to prevent delamination.

Abstract: An addressable delay memory device which operates as a dual mode device. In he first mode, the addressable delay memory functions as a first in-first out delay memory in which the data is delayed for a predetermined period. In the second mode, the addressable delay memory operates under the control of a remote controller and delays input data for three predetermined periods. The input data is sequentially stored in each of three sections of a dynamic random access memory means with the three delays being determined by the time required to fill each of the three sections. The delayed data from each of the three sections is coupled to a static random access memory means. The remote controller may request that the data words from any of the three groups of delayed data be placed on the output of the addressable delay memory device.

Abstract: A heating system for curing rocket motors includes a plurality of separate lectrical resistance heating elements such as heating rods or cal-rod heaters. The system is floor mounted and has a cantilever supported heating section that is temporarily positioned and sealed within the interior of a rocket motor. The rocket motor is then slowly rotated wherein relative rotation between the rotating rocket motor and the stationary heating section is provided. A plurality of uniquely positioned heating elements are selectively activated at predetermined power levels to tailor proper heating of all interior surfaces of the rocket motor.