Abstract: An improvement in an inducer for a pump wherein the inducer includes a hub, a plurality of radially extending substantially helical blades and a wall member extending about and encompassing an outer periphery of the blades. The improvement comprises forming adjacent pairs of blades and the hub to provide a substantially rectangular cross-sectional flow area which cross-sectional flow area decreases from the inlet end of the inducer to a discharge end of the inducer, resulting in increased inducer efficiency improved suction performance, reduced susceptibility to cavitation, reduced susceptibility to hub separation and reduced fabrication costs.

Abstract: A solar collector thermal power system 10 which includes thermal energy storage units (22) containing thermal energy storage canisters (28) with the associated heat enhancers and purifiers. A fluid is directed through the canisters to heat a phase change salt contained therein, which stored heat may later be utilized such as in a space station heat engine.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a fuel assembly contaminated with a radioactive alkali metal in which the fuel assembly is subjected to heating with an inert gas followed by being placed under vacuum and finally cooled with an inert gas; the latter two steps being performed in repetitive cycles.

Abstract: A power system heat source applicable to spacecraft and the like is realized in a combination of an integrated solar absorber-thermal storage assembly 10 and a solar energy focusing unit 50. The focusing unit is capable of selectively functioning inflatable pie-shaped wedges 60 which form a cover for the solar energy focusing unit to control collected radiation effectively and reliably.

Abstract: An improved hollow electrode 10 and hollow electrode working tip 14 for a gas tunsten arc welding apparatus is disclosed. The hollow electrode face is formed as a lune-shaped radial surface 16 having two tapered intersecting cone-shaped angled surfaces 18. The improved electrode working tip provides a controllable stable arc resulting in an improved weld.

Abstract: An airfoil-shaped blade assembly having a metallic core, thin coolant liner and ceramic blade jacket includes variable-size cooling passages and a circumferential stagnant air gap to provide a substantially cooler core temperature during high temperature operations.

Abstract: A chemical iodine laser system 10 is provided with a reactive iodine producing container (12) for housing a reactive iodine generating composition. Singlet delta oxygen produced by oxygen generator (30) is mixed with iodine atoms and conveyed to a laser cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemically pumped laser system including means for generating chemicals that react to produce electronically excited molecules used by the laser system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a space vehicle 10 in which solar radiation is utilized to generate thrust by virtue of a solar thermal propulsion unit 12. The propulsion unit comprises basically reaction engines 14 including a DeLaval nozzle 22, heating chamber 26, solar window 28 and inflatable paraboloid solar collector 34.

Abstract: An energetic azide-terminated azido compound and a method for producing same is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the lasing action in a chemical oxygen iodine laser wherein a gas stream having a desired reactant gas concentration profile is combined with a diluent gas concentration profile using hydrogen as the diluent gas.

Abstract: A dynamic mount and actuator for a laser mirror 20 comprising three piezoelectric motors 40 mounted 120.degree. apart on a motor-mount member 32. Each motor 40 comprises a rectangular block 44 composed of horizontal layers of electroded piezoelectric wafers 46, adjacent layers being bonded together. 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.

Abstract: A connector assembly 10 is described which permits high pressure connection joints for either high temperature or cryogenic fluid conduits. The assembly 10 comprises in combination a translating carriage 20, a mandrel 50 and a tubular member 70, all including associated functional elements.

Abstract: A spring collar coupling (10) is provided for joining opposing fluid conduits. Basically, the spring collar coupling comprises a spring collar (20) in cooperative engagement with a first and second flange member (40, 60) functionally joined by the application of a coaxial force, the insertion of a bayonet locking ring (70) and release of the pressure force to effect a coupling of the aforesaid components.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight thruster assembly (10) is provided consisting of a dual armature piston assembly (24). A single solenoid coil (46) operates either or both armatures (26), (34) depending on the level of applied current to effect either of two levels of predetermined impulse emitting from the thruster nozzle (20).

Abstract: A process for producing 1,5-diazido-3-nitrazapentane (DANPE) which comprises the steps of nitrating diethanolamine with nitric acid in a halogenated solvent such as methylene chloride to form 1,5-dinitrato-3-nitrazapentane (DINA) as intermediate, solvent transferring such intermediate from the halogenated solvent to dimethylsulfoxide, adding sodium azide to the resulting solution to form DANPE as product, and solvent transferring such product from the dimethylsulfoxide to another halogenated solvent, e.g. methylene chloride. Thus, both DINA intermediate and DANPE product are prepared in solution, and both can also be purified in solution, eliminating the necessity for isolating the neat, hazardous compounds. The DANPE product can be further solvent transferred from the halogenated solvent to ethyl acetate to form an ethyl acetate solution of DANPE, which can be used to furnish the DANPE as an energetic plasticizer, e.g. in the production of gun propellants.

Abstract: A lightweight propellant valve is provided which incorporates a magnetic flux-shifting actuator associated with a magnetic coil for determining a flux flow path therein.

Abstract: A deployment system for controlling unfolding kinematics of radiator panels 26 of a space power system. The deployment system includes a plurality of forming mandrels 30 associated with a housing 38 of opposing generally triangular plates 40. Within the housing, a drive wheel 52 and two additional guide wheels 50 interact with the mandrels to effect predetermined deflection and deployment of the multiple radiator panels.

Abstract: An internally manifolded plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger comprises a side port contiguous with and transverse to at least one channel, and wherein the channel is contiguous with an end port. The plate may be of unibody construction and also include integral side and end external manifolds.

Abstract: Ion exchange resin wastes are prepared for disposal by dewatering and/or dehydrating the resins, sealing the pores and recovering the ion exchange resins having radioactive waste products trapped within the sealed pores.