Abstract: An energy compression device includes at least one bipolar element comprising a positive electrode formed of cobalt disulfide, a negative electrode formed of a lithium alloy, an inert porous separator disposed between and in contact with the electrodes, and a lithium cation salt dispersed through the separator and in contact with, and preferably dispersed through, the electrodes.

Abstract: A bifunctional gas diffusion electrode used in an electrochemical energy cell wherein a multi-ply composite layer containing an embedded metal screen current collector provides electrical power via the reduction of oxygen from air in the presence of an electrolyte and a catalyst. The electrode stores electrical power via the evolution of oxygen in the presence of an electrolyte and another catalyst. More than one composite layer may be used. Each ply of any particular composite layer is made of carbon-containing material of varying wettability and a fluorocarbon material. Each hydrophobic central ply contain a metal screen current collector. These central plies are prepared in a way to foster fissuring throughout the ply. Such fissuring, along with a hydrophilic impregnate forced into these fissures, permits controlled electrolyte penetration of the hydrophobic ply.

Abstract: A seal for a large annular opening between a launch tube and a missile comprising a suspended hoop composed of a pair of cylindrical rings spaced apart by axially disposed chevron-shaped struts, the inner cylindrical ring having a frustoconically shaped lip extending from its lower margin and a foot cylindrical ring is disposed below the suspended hoop with a frustoconically or half-toroid shaped membrane having a fibrous cloth embedded therein extending between and into the inner cylindrical ring and the lip portion to provide a stabilizing seal.

Abstract: An imaging system utilizes a plurality of sensors capable of sensing objects within a field of view about a sight line. At least two sensors have different sight lines with the sight lines having known relative positions. Each sensor produces signals corresponding to positions of objects within a field of view over time. At least one sensor signal memory receives those signals and stores them in a manner enabling concurrent access to signals received from any selected combination of sensors. The processing unit and associated memory contain at least one program for selecting sensor signals from a sensor signal memory. Preferably motion detectors are provided for determining vibration, flexure or movement of each sensor. A normalizing means is preferably provided to adjust the sensor or make an appropriate modification of the signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: An array of transducer elements receives energy from a target or targets in a field of view and operates on the transducer outputs to provide a plurality of different levels of shading. The most useful portion of the field pattern is selected and combined with other most useful portions of other field patterns into a single composite display which results in one or more relatively narrow lobes, indicating targets, and without the presentation of side lobes which may be masking targets.

Abstract: A device, system and method of image processing and compression are preferably used with second generation infrared (IR) detector arrays where the pixel size is less than the optical blur of the system. Raw input pixels are compressed such that output pixels are more closely matched to the optical blur of the system. Further, the number of output pixels are compressed from a greater number of input pixels, based upon a selected input-to-output compression ratio. The ratio is not constrained to be of an integer value. The compression takes place using a plurality of neighborhood processors, each corresponding to a different output pixel type. Each neighborhood processor contains a plurality of different predetermined weighed fractions of input pixel data and are used to produce compressed output pixel data, based upon the selected input-to-output compression ratio and the output pixel type, for real-time processing.

Abstract: A variable reluctance acoustic projector includes a piston structure that provides rigid retention and precise alignment of electromagnetic cores within the projector housing. The piston structure provides a pair of metallic piston blocks having cavities in which the electromagnetic cores are mounted. The piston blocks rigidly retain the electromagnetic cores within the cavities by compressive loading, improving the structural reliability of the device. In addition, the piston blocks enable precise alignment and orientation of the pole faces of opposing electromagnetic cores parallel to one another. Flexure ribs formed in the piston blocks increase the compliance of the blocks to substantially confine motion of the piston blocks to translation along a single axis of actuation during excitation of the electromagnetic cores.

Abstract: A side looking sonar transducer having a plurality of active elements forming an elongated active radiating, or receiving surface wherein the active elements at the ends of the transducer have a lesser depression angle than the active elements at the middle. This arrangement provides an energy distribution which allows for a greater depth of focus.

Abstract: Both a system and method is provided for implementing a wiring change with respect to an electrical component detachably connected to a solderless PWB module. The system comprises at least one unused via on the PWB, an insulator used for electrically disconnecting a selected contact pad of the component from a contact pad disposed on the PWB, and a metallic strip mounted on a substrate for electrically connecting the selected component contact pad to the unused via. In one embodiment of the system, the substrate used to support the conductive strip is the compliant, insulative sheet material used in the interface that normally interconnects the pads of the electrical component with the pads of the PWB module. Alternatively, a separate "smart" layer formed from a thin insulative sheet material may be used to support the conductive strip.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture side-looking sonar which includes a receiver transducer array and two transmitter transducers. When the apparatus is at a first position, the forwarded transmitter transducer is provided with a signal of frequency F1 while the aft transmitter transducer is provided with a signal of frequency F2. At a subsequent position, the application of the frequencies to the transmitter transducers are reversed. At each location, the F1 and F2 returns are stored and combined with the returns of the subsequent transmission to form a plurality of receiver beams.

Abstract: A microwave buffer for use between transmitter modules and an impedance combiner. The buffer is comprised of a plurality of input segments, a plurality of output segments and an elongated transmission segment connecting the input segments to the output segments. The geometry of the buffer along with bridges located proximate to the transmitter modules eliminate the destructive effects of reflected waves set up by an unbalanced impedance combiner when one of the transmission modules becomes inoperative. The hourglass shape of the buffer causes the phases of the signals from each transmission module to be equal from any transmission port to any output. The bridges force the sum of the mutual couplings to be low in amplitude on any transmission module.

Abstract: A composite material having a fiber system embedded in a host matrix material. The fiber system has a protective reaction barrier around the embedded fibers to prevent deleterious chemical or mechanical reaction between the fiber and matrix. The fiber coating is applied by immersion of the fiber system into an alkoxide solution of the desired oxide precursor with controlled immersion and withdrawal rates with subsequent drying, heating to convert to a pure oxide state, and where required, post processing, to convert the oxide coating to a carbide or nitride, for example.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator filter having at least one of electronically variable center frequency and bandwidth has a shunt coupling consisting of an inductor and voltage variable capacitor matrix. A pair of acoustic resonators each having a parallel inductor are connected to each other and to the shunt coupling network. One of a pair of voltage variable capacitor matrixes each having a center frequency command input voltage is connected to each acoustic resonator and an associated inductor. This circuit can be extended to provide more selectivity and attenuation.

Abstract: A sonar system wherein sum and difference beam patterns are generated utilizing a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a line array. Receiver apparatus including a receiver transducer also constituted as a line array perpendicular to the transmitter transducer is used to form sum and difference receiver beams and return signals are processed so as to accurately define the azimuth as well as elevational position of a target within a target area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering two images from different sensors including receiving a first and second image, detecting hot spots in the first and second images, respectively, pairing each of the hot spots in the first image with all the hot spots in the second image that are within a predetermined mapping distance to produce a mapping between the hot spots of the first and second images, refining the mapping produced by selecting one of the hot spots of the second image for each of the hot spots of the first image utilizing a least mean squares method, producing a registered image from the refined mapping, and outputting the registered image.

Abstract: A totally integrated imaging system has a housing including imaging optics, a scanning mirror and a curved detector array. The imaging optics constitute a meniscus lens and a spherical focusing mirror. The scanning mirror scans the image, and the spherical mirror focuses the scanned image onto the detector array. The meniscus lens advantageously corrects aberrations. A detector support provides access, if desired, for cryogenic cooling of the detector, and individual cold shielding of the detector elements is made possible by the telecentricity of the optics. Processing electronics, at least a portion of which may also be disposed on the detector support, process the detector signals to display an image. The integrated structure advantageously eliminates any need for separate scanner, imager, and electronics modules and the scanning optical system obtains highly desirable image quality over a wide field of view.

Abstract: An electronic identification tag interrogation method is provided in which a portal transmits an interrogation signal which is received by an electronic identification tag within its field of range. The interrogation signal includes an address which requests a response from every tag having an address greater than or equal to the address of the signal. If more than one reply is received by the portal, the interrogation address is bisected and the interrogation signal is retransmitted. The interrogation address is successively bisected until a single response is isolated. When a single response is isolated, communication is directed between the portal and the identification tag and the interrogation system is reset to isolate and identify any remaining tags.

Abstract: An hydraulic liquid system wherein a pump moves liquid from one location to another such as in supplying one or more loads in an underwater environment. The system includes two hydro-pneumatic chambers utilized such that one is filled by liquid from the pump while the other supplies the load, and as one hydro-pneumatic chamber empties, valves reconfigure the system such that the hydro-pneumatic chamber reverse roles. Each hydro-pneumatic chamber includes a liquid side and a gas side separated by a movable barrier with the gas sides of the hydro-pneumatic chambers being connected to one another thereby providing a large acoustic transmission drop across a liquid-gas boundary and subsequent gas-liquid boundary to interrupt the liquid noise path from the pump to the load.

Abstract: A reversing panel assembly utilizable in an aircraft for the carriage and deployment of stores is disclosed. The panel has two pivot axes. The first pivot axis extends through the center of the panel, and the second pivot axis is parallel to the first and extends through a distal portion of the panel. A first and second cam follower are mounted on the first and second pivot axes, respectively, at each end of the panel. The first cam follower is movable laterally along a first guide track which is substantially parallel to the surface of the aircraft. The first cam follower is movable between a first position and a second position on the first guide track. The first position is centrally located relative to the opening, and the second position is distally located relative to the opening.

Abstract: An antenna comprising a ground plane having a base portion and a cylindrical obstruction that extends from the base. The obstruction is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the base ground plane. The antenna also has a conducting transmission along the length of the exterior of the obstruction. A feedpoint located near the base ground plane transmits a voltage signal between the transmission element and the exterior of the obstruction. A short circuit is provided between the transmission element and the obstruction at a point distal to the feedpoint.