Abstract: New, flexible intumescent protection sheeting of unusually uniform thickness have been prepared from epoxy-polysulfide compositions containing microfibers and the ammonium salt of 1,4-nitroaniline-2-sulfonic acid, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,464, except that an ammonium salt particle size in the order of 5 to 8 microns and a fiber size of about 1/128th inch in length and 3 to 5 microns in diameter have been found critical to obtain the required density of 1.46 to 1.50 g/cc. The insulation sheeting is prepared by a continuous process involving vacuum mixing, calendering, and curing under very strict conditions which depend to some extent upon the thickness of the sheet produced.The resulting flexible sheet can be wrapped easily and tightly around small diameter missiles, thus affording them for the first time, protection from fire for at least 5 minutes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which permits simultaneous display of an EKG waveform in real time in conjunction with a two-dimensional cross-sectional image of the heart, so that the EKG waveform can be directly compared with dimensional changes in the heart. The apparatus of the invention includes an ultrasonoscope for producing a C-scan cross-sectional image of the heart. An EKG monitor circuit along with EKG logic circuitry is combined with the ultrasonoscope circuitry to produce on the same oscilloscope screen a continuous vertical trace showing the EKG waveform simultaneously with the heart image. The logic circuitry controls the oscilloscope display such that the display of both heart and EKG waveforms occurs on a real time basis.

Abstract: Pressure suit mobility joints for use in interconnecting adjacent segments of an hermetically sealed spacesuit in which low torques, low leakage and a high degree of reliability are required. Each of the joints is a special-purpose joint characterized by substantially constant volume and low torque characteristics and includes linkages which restrain the joint from longitudinal distension and includes a flexible, substantially impermeable diaphragm of tubular configuration spanning the distance between pivotally supported annuli. The diaphragms of selected joints include rolling convolutions for balancing the joints, while various joints include wedge-shaped sections which enhance the range of motion for the joints.

Abstract: A refractory composite insulating material prepared from silica fibers and aluminosilicate fibers in a weight ratio ranging from 1:19 to 19:1, and about 0.5 to 30% boron oxide, based on the total fiber weight. The aluminosilicate fiber and boron oxide requirements may be satisfied by using aluminoborosilicate fibers and, in such instances, additional free boron oxide may be incorporated in the mix up to the 30% limit. Small quanitites of refractory opacifiers, such as silicon carbide, may be also added. The composites just described are characterized by the absence of a nonfibrous matrix.

Abstract: Diamidoxime monomers having the formula: ##STR1## are intermolecularly and thermally condensed to form a heat and chemical resistant polymer containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole linkages and having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R represents identical bivalent organic radicals or any combination of bivalent organic radicals selected from the group consisting of --(CX.sub.2).sub.p --, wherein p ranges from 2 to 8 when X is fluorine and 2 to 18 when X is hydrogen, chlorine, nitro or aryl; arylene; and an oligometric or polymeric radical prepared by reacting a dicarboxylic acid halide with a fluorinated epoxide and having the formula:CFY(OCF.sub.2 CFY).sub.m O(CX.sub.2).sub.p O(CFYCF.sub.2 O).sub.n CFYwherein Y is fluorine or trifluoromethyl, X is nitro, aryl, hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine, preferably the latter, p ranges from 1 to 18 and m+n ranges from 2 to 7.

Abstract: A rotor blade extended radially from a hub, characterized by an elongated spar and a plurality of axially aligned shells pivotally mounted on the spar, each having an aerodynamic center located in trailing relation with the spar and supported thereby for simultaneous axial and angular displacement as centrifugal forces are applied thereto, and a pitch controller including a plurality of pivotal pitch limiting arms transversely related to the spar, each being characterized by a cam surface defined along one edge thereof, engaging in supporting relation a cam follower of a truck pivotally connected to a shell and supported thereby for pivotal motion about an axis coincident with a radius of said spar, and a push-pull link interconnecting the arms for imparting simultaneous pivotal motion thereto, whereby the angular relationship of the arms to the spar is varied for varying the motion of the trucks along the arms for thus limiting the pitch of the segments about the spar.

Abstract: The abrasion resistance of plastic surfaces coated with polymerized organosilanes can be significantly improved by post-treatment of the polymerized silane in an oxygen plasma. For optical purposes, the advantages of this post-treatment are developed with a transparent polycarbonate resin substrate coated with plasma polymerized vinyltrimethoxysilane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of composite laminate structures of glass cloth preimpregnated with polybismaleimide resin and adhered to a polybismaleimide glass or aromatic polyamide paper honeycomb cell structure filled or partially filled with a syntactic foam consisting of a mixture of bismaleimide resin and carbon microballoons.The carbon microballoons are prepared by pyrolyzing phenolic microballons and subsequently bonded using a 2% bismaleimide solution. The laminate structures are cured for two hours at 477.degree. K and are ahered to the honeycomb bismaleimide adhesive using a pressure of 700kN/m.sup.2 pressure at 450.degree. K. The laminate composite is then post-cured for two hours at 527.degree. K to produce a composite laminate having a density in the range from about 95 kilograms per cubic meter to 130 kilograms per cubic meter.

Abstract: A plasma polymerization process for the deposition of a dielectric polymer coating on a substrate comprising disposing the substrate in a closed reactor between two temperature-controlled electrodes connected to a power supply, maintaining a vacuum within the closed reactor, causing a monomer gas or a gas mixture of a monomer and diluent to flow into the reactor, generating a plasma between the electrodes, and varying and controlling the dielectric constant of the polymer coating being deposited by regulating the gas total and partial pressures, the electric field strength and frequency, and the current density. A monomer, such as a polar saturated or unsaturated nitrogen-containing compound, or a monomer and diluent, such as a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon and nitrogen, can be polymerized to form a dielectric coating having a varying dielectric constant in accordance with this plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A radio-frequency glow discharge reactor for removing trace oxidizable contaminants from an oxygen bearing atmosphere including a reaction chamber defined by an inner metal electrode facing a dielectric backed by an outer conductive electrode. In one embodiment, a conductive liquid forms the conductor of an outer electrode and cools the dielectric. A resonator coupled to a variable radio-frequency source generates the high voltages for creating a glow discharge in the chamber at a predetermined pressure whereby the trace contaminants are oxidized into a few simple non-toxic products that may be easily recovered. The corresponding process for removal of trace contaminants from an oxygen-bearing atmosphere with high efficiency independent of the concentration level is also disclosed.

Abstract: New gel tray and lid assemblies designed for use in conjunction with slotted electrophoretic membranes have been developed to take advantage of recently improved microelectrophoretic accessories which include a multisample applicator capable of applying up to 10 samples consecutively or simultaneously, and a temperature control plate for dissipating the heat produced by electrophoresis in a gel. The trays and membranes can be marketed ready for use as electrophoretic media or impregnated with various specific substrates and dyes which can develop the electrophoretic patterns of up to 30 individual protein samples in up to 10 tray or membrane compartments. In addition to greatly simplifying and speeding up electrophoresis, these new methods and equipment will contribute to the standardization of processes for clinical, forensic and anthropological diagnosis and identification.

Abstract: A miniature echosonometer adapted for implantation in the interior of an animal for imaging the internal structure of an organ, tissue or vessel. The echosonometer includes a receiver/transmitter circuit which is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. Power is coupled to the echosonometer by electromagnetic induction through the animal's skin. Imaging signals from the echosonometer are electronmagnetically transmitted through the animal's skin to an external readout apparatus.

Abstract: Calcium superoxide is prepared in high yields by spreading a quantity of calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate on the surface of a container over an area of 18 to 300 cm.sup.2 per gram of diperoxyhydrate; positioning said container in a vacuum chamber on a support structure through which a coolant fluid can be circulated; partially evacuating said vacuum chamber, allowing the temperature of the diperoxyhydrate to reach to a level within the range of about 0.degree. to about 40.degree.

Abstract: An improved cooling and ventilating system for removing metabolic heat, waste gases and water vapor generated by a wearer of an hermetically sealed spacesuit. The cooling system is characterized by a body suit having a first circuit for simultaneously establishing a cooling flow of water through the thorax and head sections of the body suit including circulation patches mounted in the thorax section and head section of the body suit, a second circuit for discharging a flow of gas throughout the spacesuit and a disconnect unit for coupling the circuits with a life support system externally related to the spacesuit.

Abstract: A process for coating an optical plastic substrate, for example polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA), with a single layer coating for the purpose of improving the durability of the plastic, the coating being deposited by a low temperature plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high purity inorganic higher oxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals by subjecting the hydroxide of the alkali or alkaline earth metal to a radio frequency discharge sustained in oxygen. The invention is particularly adaptable to the production of high purity potassium superoxide (KO.sub.2) by subjecting potassium hydroxide to glow discharge sustained in oxygen under the pressure of about 0.75 to 1.00 torr.

Abstract: An angle detector for determining a transducer's angular disposition to a capacitive pickup element. The transducer comprises a pendulum mounted inductive element moving past the capacitive pickup element. The capacitive pickup element divides the inductive element into two parts L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 which form the arms of one side of an a-c bridge. Two networks R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 having a plurality of binary weighted resistors and an equal number of digitally controlled switches for removing resistors from the networks form the arms of the other side of the a-c bridge. A binary counter, controlled by a phase detector, balances the bridge by adjusting the resistance of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. The binary output of the counter is representative of the angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reaction cured glass and glass coatings prepared by reacting a compound selected from the group of substances consisting of silicon tetraboride, silicon hexaboride, other boron silicides, boron and mixtures thereof with a reactive glass frit composed of a porous high silica borosilicate glass and boron oxide. The glassy composites of the present invention are useful as coatings on low density fibrous porous silica insulations used as heat shields and for articles such as reaction vessels that are subjected to high temperatures with rapid heating and cooling and that require resistance to temperature and repeated thermal shock at temperatures up to about 1482.degree. C (2700PF).

Abstract: Pressure suit mobility joints for use in interconnecting adjacent segments of an hermetically sealed spacesuit in which low torques, low leakage and a high degree of reliability are required. Each of the joints is a special-purpose joint characterized by substantially constant volume and low torque characteristics and includes linkages which restrain the joint from longitudinal distension and includes a flexible, substantially impermeable diaphragm of tubular configuration spanning the distance between pivotally supported annuli. The diaphragms of selected joints include rolling convolutions for balancing the joints, while various joints include wedge-shaped sections which enhance the range of motion for the joints.

Abstract: A separable entry closure assembly for joining axially separable tubular segments of a pressure suit along an angulated zone of separation having a first portion projected transversely beneath the axilla zone of the suit and a second portion projected behind the shoulder zone thereof and characterized by a first endless member of a rigid configuration affixed to one segment of the suit, a second endless member of a rigid configuration affixed to the other segment and mated in hermetically sealed relation with the first endless member, and a releasable "C" section clamp releasably securing the first endless member to the second endless member.