Abstract: High-energetic explosive and propellant compositions having decreased detonation sensitivity are provided. To enhance the specific impulse of these formulations and ensure detonation desensitization, the highly-energetic oxidizer 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane is utilized.

Abstract: Actinides metals are recovered from spent nuclear fuel oxides containing fission products by a pyrochemical process. The process comprises, in part, electrorefining the metal complex from an anode by electrolytically oxidizing actinides into a salt and then electrodepositing actinides onto a cathode to form an actinide metal deposit. The actinide metal deposit is then melted to separate the salts and the actinide metals. The separated salt is recycled into an electrorefiner and the actinide metals are recovered and then transferred to a fuel fabrication system.

Abstract: A castable smoke-producing pyrotechnic composition comprising a hydroxy-terminated azido polymer binder with a polyisocyanate curative, an energetic plasticizer, and a dye in an amount sufficient to generate colored smoke.

Abstract: A method for the densification of a shaped nickel base single crystal alloy article utilizing a pre-HIP, an improved hot isostatic pressing (HIP) step, and post-HIP solution heat treatment to enhance removal of casting porosity in a finished article.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymer esters for use in insensitive gun and rocket propellants having pendant terminated azide ester groups and a method for producing same.

Abstract: Energetic azido curing agents are provided for curing hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polymers having pendant alkyl azide groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for steering a light beam which utilizes the relative positioning of adjacently disposed semi-spherical windows to provide the desired steering.

Abstract: A low freezing point eutectic solid propellant plasticizer composition component comprising a mixture of 1,5-dinitrato-3-nitrazapentane and 1,5-diazido-3-nitrazapentane having a eutectic freezing point below about -25.degree. C.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymer esters for use in insensitive gun and rocket propellants having pendant terminated azide ester groups and a method for producing same.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether utilizing a specific catalytic interaction to enhance the solubility and resulting reactivity of an azide moiety.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device or actuator (30) includes dimorph stack (32) attached to a support (34). Affixed to the apex of stack (32) is friction surface (36) which is held in contact with the external friction surface of a positionable object (38).

Abstract: A dynamic mount and actuator for a laser mirror 20 comprising three layers of electroded piezoelectric wafers 46, adjacent layers being bonded. The one-axis movements of each shear motor 40 are amplified by and transmitted to an axially extending flex-joint assembly 36 which is formed with two universal-type flex joints 102,104 therein. A support member 34 coupled to the flex-joint assembly 36 extends from the front end thereof through the suspension ring holder 29, flexure assembly 28, suspension ring 26 and mirror-backing plate 24 and is fastened to the mirror 20 by an interface pin 30 which does not distort the mirror 20.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of storing solar radiation energy in a spacecraft and using it with high efficiency for space propulsion.

Abstract: A rotary pump with an inlet flow duct having a convergent section upstream the tips of the rotor blades. The convergent section decreases the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet flow duct prior to the flow being introduced into the rotor, thereby creating a substantially uniform velocity profile in the flow just upstream the rotor blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a secondary supersonic stream into a primary supersonic stream. A secondary flow nozzle is designed to contain non-uniformities so as to produce stream-wise vortices. The primary supersonic flow is allowed to flow over a ramp surrounding the secondary nozzle. At the aft end of the ramp, stream-wise vortices appear in the primary flow rotating in the same direction as the vortices in the secondary stream. As a consequence, the vortex strength is increased, leading to enhanced entrainment in mixing of the two streams.

Abstract: A method of obtaining magnesium fluoride substantially free from radioactive uranium from a slag containing the same and having a radioactivity level of at least about 7000 pCi/gm. The slag is ground to a particle size of about 200 microns or less. The ground slag is contacted with an acid under certain prescribed conditions to produce a liquid product and a particulate solid product. The particulate solid product is separated from the liquid and treated at least two more times with acid to produce a solid residue consisting essentially of magnesium fluoride substantially free of uranium and having a residual radioactivity level of less than about 1000 pCi/gm. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a catalyst and an oxidizing agent are used during the acid treatment and preferably the acid is sulfuric acid having a strength of about 1.0 Normal.

Abstract: A space-saving discharge collector 40 for the rotary pump 28 of a pool-type nuclear reactor 10. An annular collector 50 is located radially outboard for an impeller 44. The annular collector 50 as a closed outer periphery 52 for collecting the fluid from the impeller 44 and producing a uniform circumferential flow of the fluid. Turning means comprising a plurality of individual passageways 54 are located in an axial position relative to the annular collector 50 for receiving the fluid from the annular collector 50 and turning it into a substantially axial direction.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing a multicolored laser beam. The second harmonic of a 1.06 micron wavelength laser beam is produced from a YAG laser. The second harmonic has a wavelength equal to 0.53 micron. The second and third harmonics of a 1.32 micron wavelength laser beam are simultaneously produced from a second YAG laser. The second harmoic has a wavelength equal to 0.66 micron and the third harmonic has a wavelength equal to 0.44 micron. The produced harmonics from the previous steps are combined to form a multicolored laser beam.

Abstract: A turbopump assembly 10 including a pump section 12 and a turbine section 14 is provided with forward and aft shaft centerline containment assemblies 20,84 in combination with radial hydrostatic bearings 28,72, and seals 26 to support transient loads and center the shaft 22 within the housing at startup and shutdown.

Abstract: An improvement in a pump including a shrouded inducer, the improvement comprising first and second sealing means 32,36 which cooperate with a first vortex cell 38 and a series of secondary vortex cells 40 to remove any tangential velocity components from the recirculation flow.