Abstract: High pressure gas cutting process useful for drilling large numbers of holes in large surface area workpieces such as air frame components and the like. The procedure utilizes a cutting tool which has an internal fluid passageway extending through the shank portion thereof and terminating in at least one discharge port adjacent a cutting edge of the tool. As the cutting tool is rotated and advanced into the workpiece in the course of the cutting operation, a high pressure gas is supplied into the cutting tool passageway under an applied pressure of at least 500 psia. The gas, which may be an inert gas such as nitrogen, is discharged from the cutting port into the tool with an expansive cooling effect. The gas then flows outwardly through the hole and exits the hole with sufficient velocity to entrain and remove the drill cuttings from the hole. A liquid lubricant can be employed to prolong the life of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A method for applying a uniform sealant coating over the portion of a fastener exposed above a panel includes applying a sealant retaining shell over the exposed portion of the fastener to define a closed volume between the shell, fastener and panel. The shell has an aperture, removed from the mouth of the shell, for receiving sealant therethrough. An injection nozzle receiving structure for receiving a sealant injector nozzle therein is provided adjacent and substantially aligned with the aperture. Sealant is injected into the shell through the injection nozzle receiving structure and through the aperture therein to fill the area between the fastener and the shell. A pressure is selected for injecting the sealant such that injection is stopped when the shell is filled. The sealant is allowed to cure and the retaining shell is removed.

Abstract: A neutron radiography system having a high energy neutron generator (100) of the type comprising an ion accelerator (106) and a tritium target (110) located downstream of the accelerator. The generator is disclosed in a housing (22) containing a moderator medium (140) adapted to absorb part of the energy of the neutrons, thereby creating thermal neutrons. A neutron flux booster (130) comprised of a high neutron cross section material, such as depleted uranium, is disposed between the target and the moderator medium such that collisions of high energy neutrons produced at the target will collide with the uranium to release additional high energy neutrons from the booster into the moderator medium. A collimator (40) is disposed in communication with the moderator material for discharging thermal neutrons from the moderator medium.

Abstract: A fishing lure (20) has a body structure (22) with hooks (24) attached thereto. A windup mechanism (80) includes a spool (58) and a spring (90) operating in conjunction with the spool to store energy therein. Propulsion structures, such as legs or fins (26, 28, 224, 226), extend externally from the body for movement upon operation of the windup mechanism. A shaft (60) extends through the spool and windup mechanism and is rotatively secured to the body. A drive train structure (120) is driven by the spring to provide an oscillating movement to the legs or fins.

Abstract: A turf harvester cutter assembly includes a blade assembly attached adjacent one end of a pair of parallel blade carrying arms. Structure is provided for reciprocating the blade carrying arms at input points opposite the pivot points from the blade assembly to effect cutting by the blade assembly. The blade assembly, pivot points and reciprocation input points are substantially aligned.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming elongate structures of composite materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of forming dies for preheating, heating and then cooling an elongate portion of composite material while shaping the material within an internal passage. A pulling device is utilized to continuously draw elongate strips of composite material through the forming dies. The pulling device includes two opposed endless track devices. One of the endless track devices serves to mount a plurality of engagement dogs, each having a substantially flat surface for engagement of the elongate portion of composite material. The other endless track device serves to mount a plurality of pivoting engagement dogs, each having a curvilinear surface wherein increased resistance by said elongate strip of composite material will pivot the curved surface into closer alignment with a corresponding flat surface, thereby tightening the grip of the pulling device on the elongate strip of composite material.

Abstract: A dark field infrared telescope. Energy from an infrared scene is focused by a lens (10) onto a thermoptic modulator (12) comprising an optical structure (16) containing a thin film of vanadium dioxide disposed to form the faceplate of a conventional cathode ray tube. The modulator, normally nonreflecting of infrared energy, may have reflecting spots written at selected coordinates thereon by an electron beam from the cathode ray tube. A reflecting spot written on the modulator optically couples a selected element of the scene imaged on the modulator to an infrared detector (52) maintained at low temperature. A retroreflecting mirror (30), cold spectral filter (46), field lens (47), cold field stop (48) and cold pupil stop (50) are provided ahead of the detector to produce a low background flux cavity with the detector at one end and the retroreflecting mirror at the other. In its unswitched state, the modulator is nonreflecting and the scene image is not coupled to the detector.

Abstract: A solar power satellite (30) includes a truss structure (32) having a plurality of independently controlled solar power modules (34) mounted to one face of the truss structure. The solar power satellite is constructed in orbit by first forming and then assemblying component beam members (50, 52) to the truss structure. The solar power modules (34) are constructed on a fabrication and assembly station (36) movably attached to the truss structure and are then attached to the truss structure. The solar power modules (34) include a primary reflector (200) having a substantially parabolic curvature in cross section. A collector-radiator (202) is mounted on the primary axis of the primary reflector. The cross-sectional configuration of the collector-radiator (202) approximates a flattened inverted S-shape whereon the radius of curvature decreases as the curve approaches both its center and its end furthermost from the primary reflector (200).

Abstract: A metal laminate possessing high strength characteristics as well as good ductility and malleability, comprising one or more layers of a superplastic material metallurgically bonded to one or more layers of a non-super plastic material; and the method of preparing the laminate to induce plastic or super plastic characteristics to the nonsuper plastic material.