Abstract: An environmental fog/rain visual display system for aircraft simulators comprising a combination of electronic and mechanical integrated elements which operate together to produce realistic environmental conditions that would actually be encountered by a pilot flying an aircraft. The electronic elements of the system include a real time digital computer, a calligraphic color display which simulates landing lights of selective intensity, and a color television camera for producing a moving color display of the airport runway as depicted on a model terrain board. The mechanical simulation elements of the system include an environmental chamber which can produce natural fog, nonhomogeneous fog, rain and fog combined, or rain only. The environmental chamber is positioned between the color scene produced by the television camera and calligraphic color display and the windscreen of the teaching aircraft cockpit.

Abstract: A low-noise electrode suited for sensing electrocardiograms when chronically and subcutaneously implanted in a free-ranging subject. The electrode comprises a pocket-shaped electrically conductive member with a single entrance adapted to receive body fluids. The exterior of the member and the entrance region is coated with electrical insulation so that the only electrolyte/electrode interface is within the member remote from artifact-generating tissue. Cloth straps are bonded to the member to permit the electrode to be sutured to tissue and to provide electrical lead flexure relief.

Abstract: A spray coating apparatus is provided for rotating a workpiece relative to a spray station to obtain a uniform coating of the workpiece. In a typical example, the workpiece comprises a ceramic tile which is to be coated with a ceramic coating and the tile is to be used as a reusable component of the thermal protection system for a space shuttle. The apparatus for rotating the workpiece includes a base support having a first rotatable stage for rotation in the horizontal plane and a second rotatable stage for rotation in a second plane inclined at an angle, such as 45 degrees, to the horizontal plane and the workpiece is supported on this second stage. Thus the workpiece is rotatable in both of two planes of rotation. The workpiece support is detachable from the first rotatable stage and the workpiece is readily detachable from the workpiece support to facilitate off loading of the spray coated workpiece.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a measurement system for simultaneously measuring torque and angular flexure in a pressure suit joint. One end of a joint (11) under test is held rigid. A torque transducer (31) is pivotably supported on the other movable end of the joint. A potentiometer (36) is attached to the transducer (31) by an arm (33). The wiper shaft (37) of the potentiometer is gripped by a reference arm (41) that rotates wiper shaft (37) the same angle as the flexure of joint (11). A signal is generated by the potentiometer (36) which is representative of the joint flexure. A compensation circuit (67) converts the output of the transducer (31) to a signal representative of joint torque.

Abstract: A flexible, adjustable refractory filler (1) is disclosed for filling gaps between ceramic tiles (10, 11) forming the heat shield of a space shuttle vehicle, to protect its aluminum skin (20) during atmospheric re-entry. The easily installed and replaced filler (1) consists essentially of a strip of ceramic cloth (3) coated, at least along both its longitudinal edges (4, 5), with a room temperature vulcanizable silicone rubber compound with a high emittance colored pigment. The filler may have one or more layers (2, 3), as the gap width requires. Preferred materials are basket-weave aluminoborosilicate cloth, and a rubber compounded with silicon tetraboride as the emittance agent and finely divided borosilicate glass containing about 7.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 as high temperature binder. The filler cloth strip or tape is cut to proper width and length, inserted into the gap, and fastened with previously applied drops of silicone rubber adhesive.

Abstract: New 1,1,1-triaryl-2,2,2-trifluoroethanes in which the aryl radicals carry one or more substitutents have been prepared by condensation of trifluoroacetophenones with substituted phenyl compounds in the presence of catalytic quantities of trifluoromethylsulfonic acid. The reaction can be carried out under reflux in toluene or, for strikingly better results in certain cases, reactants are simply stirred at room temperature for about 24 to 48 hours.

Abstract: Static charges and agglomeration of particles in a fluidized bed system are minimized by maintaining in at least part of the bed a radio frequency glow discharge. This approach is eminently suitable for processes in which the conventional charge removing agents, i.e., moisture or conductive particle coatings, cannot be used. The technique is applied here to the disproportionation of calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate to yield calcium superoxide, an exceptionally water and heat sensitive reaction.

Abstract: A landing approach lighting system which corrects for the effects of chromatic aberration of the human eye to help prevent a pilot from making misjudgments leading to landings short of a runway threshold.The system utilizes red warning lights to delineate the runway approach with additional blue lights juxtaposed with the red lights such that the red lights are chromatically balanced. The red/blue point light sources result in the phenomenon that the red lights appear in front of the blue lights with about one and one-half times the diameter of the blue. To a pilot observing these lights along a glide path, those red lights directly below appear to be nearer than the blue lights. For those lights farther away seen in perspective at oblique angles, the red lights appear to be in a position closer to the pilot and hence appear to be above the corresponding blue lights.

Abstract: Carboranyl-substituted polyphosphazenes are prepared by heat polymerizing a carboranyl halocyclophosphazene at 250.degree. C. for about 120 hours in the absence of oxygen and moisture. The cyclophosphazene is obtained by allowing a lithium carborane, e.g. the reaction product of methyl-o-carborane with n-butyllithium in ethyl ether, to react with e.g. hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene at ambient temperatures and in anhydrous conditions. For greater stability in the presence of moisture, the chlorine substituents of the polymer are then replaced by aryloxy or alkoxy groups, such as CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O--.The new substantially inorganic polymers are thermally stable materials which produce a high char yield when exposed to extreme temperatures, and can thus serve to insulate less heat and fire resistant substances.

Abstract: A test apparatus for locating electrical shorts that is especially suited for use while an electrical circuit is being fabricated or assembled. A ring counter derives input pulses from a squarewave oscillator. The outputs of the counter are fed through transistors to an array of light emitting diodes. Each diode is connected to an electrical conductor, such as a bus bar, that is to be tested. In the absence of a short between two electrical conductors the diodes are sequentially illuminated. When a short occurs, a comparator/multivibrator circuit triggers an alarm and stops the oscillator and the sequential energization of the diodes. The two diodes that remain illuminated identify the electrical conductors that are shorted.

Abstract: An anti-inflammatory and analgesic composition containing indomethacin and an H.sub.1 or an H.sub.2 histamine receptor antagonist in an amount sufficient to reduce gastric distress caused by the indomethacin. Usable antagonists include pyrilamine, promethazine, metiamide and cimetidine.

Abstract: Formals of CH.sub.2 OH(CHOH).sub.n CH.sub.2 OH polyols (n=2 to 4) are prepared in less than 15 minutes by heating to about 125.degree. C., a mixture of e.g. sorbitol and paraformaldehyde in slight excess (5 to 10%), in the presence of e.g. sulfuric acid in catalytic quantities. Elution with methanol and filtration yield the pure solid cyclic triformal. The process can be carried in stages, using almost stoichiometric quantities of paraformaldehyde, but without any change in overall heating time.

Abstract: Polydihalophosphazenes, e.g. --N.dbd.P(Cl).sub.2 ].sub.n, are allowed to react at ambient temperatures for at least one hour with a lithium carborane in a suitable inert solvent. The remaining chlorine substituents of the carboranyl polyphosphazene are then replaced with aryloxy or alkoxy groups to enhance moisture resistance. The polymers give a high char yield when exposed to extreme heat and flame and can be used as insulation.

Abstract: Fire-resistant resins particularly useful for making laminates with inorganic fibers such as graphite fibers, are made by (1) condensation of an ethylenically unsaturated cyclic anhydride with a bis(diaminophenyl)phosphine oxide, and (2) by addition polymerization of the bisimide so obtained. Up to about 50%, on a molar basis, of benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid anhydride can be substituted for some of the cyclic anhydride to alter the properties of the products. Graphite cloth laminates made with these resins have shown 800.degree. C. char yields greater than 70% by weight in nitrogen. Limiting oxygen indexes (LOI) of more than 100% have been determined for these resins, as per ASTM D 2863-4.

Abstract: New crosslinked 1,2,4-oxadiazole elastomers have been prepared by thermally condensing (a) monomer having the formula H.sub.2 N(HON)C-R-Q, wherein Q is a triazine ring-forming group such as nitrile or amidine or a mixture of such group with amidoxime, or (b) a mixture of said monomer with R[C(NOH)NH.sub.2 ].sub.2, with R in these formulas standing for a bivalent organic radical having the formula--(CX.sub.2).sub.p -, or --CFY(OCF.sub.2 CFY).sub.m O(CX.sub.2).sub.p O(CFYCF.sub.2 O).sub.n CFY--wherein X is fluorine or hydrogen, Y is fluorine or trifluoromethyl, p ranges from 1 to 18, and m+n ranges from 2 to 7. In the monomer charge, the overall proportions of amidoxime groups to triazine ring-forming groups varies depending on the extent of crosslinking desired in the final polymer.

Abstract: A high acceleration umbilical cable deployment system for enabling electrical communication between a ballistic projectile forebody and an afterbody. A cable coiled on a spool is housed within a ballistic casing having a drag funnel at the rear end. The cable is sandwiched between a foam plug and the drag funnel before it leaves the forebody and is secured in a strain relief at the apex of a funnel in the afterbody. On deployment, when the bodies are separated, energies that would tend to rupture the cable are expended by the funnels, plug and strain relief.

Abstract: New crosslinked 1,2,4-oxadiazole elastomers have been prepared by thermally condensing (a) monomer having the formula H.sub.2 N(HON)C--R--Q, wherein Q is a triazine rig-forming group such as nitrile or amidine or a mixture of such group with amidoxime, or (b) a mixture of said monomer with R[C(NOH)NH.sub.2 ].sub.2, with R in these formulas standing for a bivalent organic radical having the formula--(CX.sub.2).sub.p --, or --CFY(OCF.sub.2 CFY).sub.m O(CX.sub.2).sub.p O(CFYCF.sub.2 O).sub.n CFY--wherein X is fluorine or hydrogen, Y is fluorine or trifluoromethyl, p ranges from 1 to 18, and m+n ranges from 2 to 7. In the monomer charge, the overall proportions of amidoxime groups to triazine ring-forming groups varies depending on the extent of crosslinking desired in the final polymer.

Abstract: A spine immobilization method and apparatus are provided which make use of a normally flat, flexible bladder filled with beads or micro-balloons that form a rigid mass when the pressure within the bladder is decreased below ambient through the use of a suction pump so that the bladder can be conformed to the torso of the victim and provide the desired restraint. The bladder is strapped to the victim prior to being rigidified by an arrangement of straps which avoid the stomach area. The bladder is adapted to be secured to a rigid support, i.e., a rescue chair, so as to enable removal of a victim after the bladder has been made rigid. A double sealing connector is used to connect the bladder to the suction pump and a control valve is employed to vary the pressure within the bladder so as to soften and harden the bladder as desired.

Abstract: New crosslinked 1,2,4-oxadiazole elastomers have been prepared by thermally condensing (a) monomer having the formula H.sub.2 N(HON)C-R-Q, wherein Q is a triazine ring-forming group such as nitrile or amidine, or (b) a mixture of said monomer with R[C(NOH)NH.sub.2 ].sub.2, with R in these formulas standing for a bivalent organic radical having the formula--(CX.sub.2).sub.p --, or --CFY(OCF.sub.2 CFY).sub.m O(CX.sub.2).sub.p O(CFYCF.sub.2 O).sub.n CFY--wherein X is fluorine or hydrogen, Y is fluorine or trifluoromethyl, p ranges from 1 to 18, and m+n ranges from 2 to 7. In the monomer charge, the overall proportions of amidoxime groups to triazine ring-forming groups varies depending on the extent of crosslinking desired in the final polymer.The heat and chemical resistant elastomers disclosed can serve, for instance, as adhesives, caulking compounds, channel sealants, fuel tank liners.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system utilizing a servo-controlled two-degree of freedom pendulum to obtain specific force components in the locally level coordinate system. The pendulum includes a leveling gyroscope and an azimuth gyroscope supported on a two-gimbal system. The specific force components in the locally level coordinate system are converted to components in the geographical coordinate system by means of a single Euler transformation. The standard navigation equations are solved to determine longitudinal and lateral velocities. Finally, vehicle position is determined by a further integration.