Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the charge energy available from electrochemical cells (batteries) of the type that exhibits a substantially constant discharge voltage characteristic over its charge life, such as zinc-silver oxide cells. Within several seconds following a brief period of shorting out for reactivation, two to four seconds in the case of zinc-silver oxide cells, short circuit current from the test cell flowing for a period of time just sufficient for complete charging of the internal capacitance of such test cell is sensed, integrated over such period, and used to control display of information as to the charge level of the cell under test.

Abstract: An improved passive optical range simulator device used to test the ranging function of the optical radar ranger system by input to a coil of optical fiber having a mirror at its inner terminus that permits such coil to act as an optical delay medium. Improvement resides in inclusion of a partial mirror at the input end of the optical fiber coil to present multiple "target echo" reflections of the laser pulses back to the optical radar ranger system undergoing test.

Abstract: A slightly negatively buoyant personnel-accommodating chamber is suspended from a pair of buoyant-link flexible drive loops engaging the under surface of an ice cover over the body of water in which the chamber is submerged. Propulsion of the chamber can be effectuated through the medium of a power driven sprocket wheel arrangement that propels the chamber along the buoyant drive loops which in turn are caused to "roll" along the under surface of the ice.

Abstract: A fiber optic interface junction assembly in which an unsheathed end portion of a floating buffer optical fiber is held in perpendicular biased abutment with an optical interface surface by a constrained terminator for such end portion and a continuous coiled portion of the buffered fiber. The interface surface may be active, as in light transmission to the abutting fiber end, or passive, as in reflection of light backwardly into the fiber at such end, according to the particular function needed to be served by the assembly. The end of the optical fiber abutting the interface surface is made square to the fiber axis by cleaving, for efficient optical coupling with such surface, and chamber means are provided for retention of index matching fluid in encirclement of such end, for added assurance of coupling efficiency and protection against contamination by light-obstructing foreign substances that may be present in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: The system includes a number of cables and pulleys arranged to prevent vertical and sidewise tilting of the sensor mounting structure (SMS) about a transverse axis while affording a useful limited degree of vertical and sidewise translational freedom for resilient vibration-isolating support. The cable and pulley arrangement extends from end to end of the SMS in a narrow radial clearanceway between the SMS and an elongated cylindrical pod housing to be affixed to an aircraft for disposition at its exterior.

Abstract: A rotary fiber optic waveguide coupling. Bared ends of two fiber optic waveguide cable sections are held in mutually-aligned end-to-end adjacent positions in opposite extension along a common rotary axis by a pair of ferrules having central through-openings in which such ends coextend and are bonded in close fit. The ferrules are held in precise axial position by abutment at their inner ends with annular shoulder in a pair of alignment caps mounted in two members movable relatively about such rotary axis. Retaining sleeves screwed into the relatively turnable members cooperate with washer members on the ferrules to obtain such abutment, and the ferrules project through openings in the alignment caps to obtain precise radial positioning. A friction-free rotary bearing interconnects the two relatively turnable members. The bearing is preloaded along the axis of rotation to give precise axial and radial positions of the one turnable member relative to the other.

Abstract: Vibration isolated sensor apparatus with minimized air stream obstruction for external mounting on an aircraft. An elongated multi-gimbaled sensor assembly disposed within a cylindrical pod housing for extension along a longitudinal axis of an aircraft is resiliently supported for vibration isolation by a circumferential array of cantilevered longitudinally-extending leaf springs. By actuation of crank arms at the supported ends of the leaf springs, the direction and extent of such resilient support can be made to match g forces created by maneuvering of the aircraft, thereby maintaining minimal radial-wise spring travel clearance-way and minimal transverse section size.

Abstract: Vibration isolation apparatus in which the vibration-protected portion thereof is supported by the vibration-prone portion through the medium of a vertically-actuable multiaxis joint assembly that affords 3.degree. of angular freedom. In one embodiment the joint assembly also affords 2.degree. of translational freedom, and in another such translational freedom is introduced at the support for such assembly. Suitably controlled actuators between the two apparatus portions actively isolate a range of vibration frequencies in 6.degree. of freedom. A spring support means for the protected portion offers passive isolation vertically.

Abstract: A plurality of shielded wires are held bundled and electrically interconnected at their braided-shield exteriors by a compacted metallic thin-wall honeycomb member whose collapsed cell walls encircle the wires individually. The honeycomb wrap around the wire bundle is encircled by a heat-shrunk sleeve of plastic tubing, and the collapsed cell walls are held electrically joined to the braided shields by conductive adhesive.

Abstract: An anti-backlash gear assembly including an hydraulic piston that automatically maintains clearance-filling positioning of two relatively circumferentially adjustable axial parts of a split gear by receipt of hydraulic fluid from a local accumulator via a fluid-retaining check valve means.

Abstract: A streamlined electronic-component-containing pod is mounted on the exterior of a military aircraft in subjection to the airflow past the aircraft during flight. An evaporator in the pod is close coupled thermally to the electronic components for cooling. The outer skin of the pod acts as a condenser for return of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator during normal flight operations. During short-term high-speed dash operation the outer skin of the pod becomes too hot for condensing refrigerant vapor, which then becomes condensed by a heat sink. At this time the refrigerant at the outer skin remaining in the vapor phase acts as thermal insulation.

Abstract: An adjustable-effectiveness support spring device for vibration-isolating support of an airborne load subject to varying g forces in both positive and negative directions. A vertically movable load support rod is interconnected for support by a mounting base through the medium of a low pickup value helical spring means and a rockable lever assembly. Adjusting position of the spring means and a fulcrum means along the length of the lever assembly adjusts the support effectiveness of the weak spring means as well as the direction of its effort imparted to the support rod.

Abstract: An automatic self-administered interrogating apparatus that projects a series of film-frame-recorded images onto a rear projection screen. At least many of such images simultaneously present to the viewer both a question and a list of multiple choice answers, any or all of which answers may be selected by actuation of respective response buttons before a new question-answer image is brought into view on the screen. Each question has a serial number that is recorded together with the several answers, and each answer is coded on the basis of branching logic to control the number of film frames to be advanced for presentation of the next question-answer image. A selection device is included for determining which of the several film advancement codes is honored when the choice of answers necessitates such selection.

Abstract: An improved target sighting device of the type particularly suited for use on moving vehicles, such as military aircraft, and in which a vertically-disposed C-shaped elevation gimbal is supported for rotary movement about an elevation axis at the center of the gimbal to enable a vertically extending mirror on the gimbal to be aimed toward a target along a line of sight at one side of the gimbal, for reflection of target information along such axis and through the open end of the gimbal to a fixed optical pickup assembly. Improvement resides in the support of the open end of the gimbal by a ring bearing encircled by an annular flex pivot assembly that limits the extent of rotary aim-influencing vibration that can be transmitted from the exterior of the device to the gimbal and mirror circumferentially through the ring bearing by friction.

Abstract: A power operated radar antenna assembly for airborne use in which an antenna carried on one end of a pair of rockable arms is balanced by a pair of motors at the opposite end of such arms; unified operation of which motors effects the rocking of the arms for elevation scanning movement of the antenna.

Abstract: A planar mirror is mounted on a narrow rotary shaft-like support member without use of a wide distributed backing member, for low inertia angular movement about the axis of such shaft. A resilient material is interposed between the mirror and the shaft for antidistortion stress-free support.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for digitally deflecting a line-of-sight (LOS) axis of an energy beam, or an optical LOS axis of an optical train, in each of two mutually orthogonal directions of deflective sweep. The apparatus utilizes a series of mirrors, each of which is independently pivotable about two orthogonally related linear pivot axes. Each of the mirrors doubles the deflection movement of the preceding mirror so that binary values of deflection of the LOS are generated by selective control of the mirrors of the series. Positioning of each mirror is provided by a "four position-two orthogonal axis actuator" which forcibly drives the mirror between any one to any other of four positions consisting of combinations of two pivotal deflection positions about each of two mutually orthogonal linear pivot axes.

Abstract: A breakwater apparatus for generating electrical power by extracting energy from sea waves. A novel array of subsurface fixed-position flexible-walled pneumatic bags or cells, in a closed cycle system, react to surface-wave-correlated static pressure variations by expiring compressed gas into a supply header to a generator-driving pneumatic motor while simultaneously inspiring return gas in a return header from such motor. Alternate inspirational-expirational operation of individual cells involves use of a supply check valve at each cell, discharging into the supply header, and a return check valve at each cell, receiving from the return header.

Abstract: Underwater breathing apparatus which includes means for reducing the power required to operate the pumps that effect flexible-hose interchange of breathing gas to and from a diver and a diving bell. This is accomplished primarily by maintaining a substantially constant differential between the supply and return pressures.

Abstract: Improved assembly for use in an inertially stabilized heliostat device, wherein the vertical stabilized-body-azimuth axis about which the elevation gimbal supporting the inertially stabilized body moves angularly in azimuth coincides with the vertical stabilizing-mirror-azimuth axis about which half-angle movement of the input stabilizing mirror takes place, both of these azimuth axes in turn lie in a plane that is common to that in which the horizontal elevation axis for such elevation gimbal lies, and the mass of the stabilized body lies both fore and aft of such elevation axis.