Abstract: A compact, valve assembly (10) is provided having multiple chambers. A forward chamber (14) retains dual T-shaped blades (36) having shaped orifices (38) for controllably metering at least two fluids passing through the valve assembly. The valve assembly is also provided with a servo-valve assembly (70) and a piston indicator (62) assembly in cooperative association with the valve assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system for performing in-service inspection of atomic reactors and the like includes a remote inspector including a transducer holding device of novel design and function. The holding device basically comprises an outer housing; an inner housing rotatably retained within said outer housing; an ultrasonic transducer retained within said inner housing; retention means for selectively positioning said transducer within said inner housing; and means for locking said transducer within said inner housing at a selected position.

Abstract: A selectively preloaded coupling assembly 10 for connecting tubular members includes a tensioned annular member 12 including opposing coupling means 14, an annular recess 22 formed within the tensioned member and a tension maintaining annular member 26 seated within the annular recess.

Abstract: A solid grain pure fluorine gas generator which comprises the in-situ generation of a thermodynamically unstable transition metal fluoride from its stable anion by a displacement reaction with a stronger Lewis acid, followed by the spontaneous irreversible decomposition of said unstable transition metal fluoride to a stable lower fluoride and elemental fluorine of superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A sintered, metal infiltrated article and a method for preparing same is disclosed. The method permits mass production by injection molding, of metal infiltrated sintered articles of complex shape without excessive machining of the final product. The articles so produced have desirable physical properties such as abrasion resistance, high hardness, and high resistance to erosion at extreme temperatures encountered in use.

Abstract: A reaction engine thrust chamber 12 is provided having non-mechanical means for varying the flow area of the rocket nozzle contingent upon the pressure environment, flight scenario and throttling demands. The non-mechanical means include a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced injection ports 24 in cooperative relationship with control means 40 for selectively controlling a flow of fluid into the rocket nozzle throat section 18 of the thrust chamber.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) is provided in which a piston assembly (36) functions to control the introduction and expulsion of a fluid from external and internal manifolds (28,30) defined by the valve assembly housing (12) and the piston assembly. Extensions (42,44,46) provided with flexible disc seals (48) depend from a crown portion (40) of the piston assembly. The seals interface with a T-shaped annular partition (62) having a raised lip (68) in the base (66). The raised lip interfaces with the seals to close off fluid exit ports (80) in the base of the valve assembly housing. When functioned, the housing assembly and piston cause separation of the lip and disc allowing the flow of fluid through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A thermal regenerative injector 10 for a rocket engine that transfers heat from a fuel after turbine operation to the fuel prior to turbine operation, thereby providing a higher chamber pressure and lower fuel pump pressure. The injector 10 has a plurality of elements 44 having concentric channels 78, 80, and 82 separated by sleeves 66, 68, and 70, the fuels flowing therethrough, heat being transferred through a common middle sleeve 68, The cold fuel, after being so heated, is heated further in the typical fashion of routing it through the combustion zone and nozzle cooling jackets 16 and 20.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant cooling channel construction for the flow of a corrosive cooling medium therethrough such as may be utilized in a wall of a combustion chamber. The formation of the cooling channel is accomplished by controlled sequential electrodeposition of selected metals onto a wall substrate of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic launcher assembly 10 includes a magnetohydrodynamic power generator 12 for generating electrical energy. The energy is stored in an inductor 26 which is provided with current directing means 30 for selectively routing an electrical charge to activate a rail gun assembly 28 which initiates the firing of a projectile 32 out of the rail gun assembly.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of advanced NF.sub.4.sup.+ salts is described utilizing graphite salts as an HF and oxidizer resistant anion exchange medium.

Abstract: Energetic plasticizers comprising 4,4,4-trinitrobutyryl and 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid esters of pentaerythritol triazide and pentaerythritol diazido mononitrate, prepared by reacting the appropriate acid chloride, e.g. 4,4,4-trinitrobutyryl chloride, with pentaerythritol triazide or pentaerythritol diazido mononitrate.

Abstract: Means for sealing the tip 18 of a rotor turbine blade 10 against tip leakage flow comprising a multiplicity of recesses 30 formed in the surface of the tip 18. The recesses 30 are preferably formed in a labyrinthine or slaggered pattern which interposes at least one recess 30 in every leakage flow path across the tip 18 from the pressure side 26 to the suction side 28 of the blade 10.

Abstract: Diazido derivatives of pentaerythritol are prepared by reacting 3,3-bis(azidomethyl) oxetane with inorganic acids such as hydrobromic or nitric acid. The resulting diazido monobromide can be reacted with sodium azide to produce pentaerythritol triazide which can be subsequently nitrated to pentaerythritol triazido mononitrate. The pentaerythritol diazido mononitrate produced by the reaction of nitric acid with the above oxetane can be further nitrated with nitric acid to produce pentaerythritol diazido dinitrate. These diazido and triazido derivatives of pentaerythritol can be utilized as energetic azido plasticizers per se or can serve as intermediates for the production of such plasticizers.

Abstract: A ball bearing assembly comprising first and second race members 4 and 6 formed with concave ball engaging surfaces 22 and 24 cooperating to define a path of movement 26 for balls 16, 18 and 20 located therebetween and a cage member 8 interposed between said race members 4 and 6 having a plurality of apertures 42, 44 and 46 formed therein, each containing a respective one of said balls 16, 18 and 20 and configured to engage said balls 16, 18 and 20 at an angle to said path of movement 26.

Abstract: An integral combination of two motor pumps wherein two pumps 12, 14 are operated preferably from the motor shafts 41, 43 of a centrally located, pancake-type, d.c., brushless electric motor 10, the entire combination being housed in a unitary casing. The stator 22 is located within a central peripheral cavity between a pair of rotor faces 26, 28 in which are set spaced permanent mangets 32, 34 which react with the commutated d.c. fields of the stator coils to rotate the rotors 36, 38. Each rotor, e.g. 38, is integral with a motor shaft section which is integrally coupled with a pump shaft, e.g., 44. The pump shaft 44 supports an inducer 46 and an impeller 48 which pump a fluid that is also sent through passages in the motor 10 to lubricate the sleeve bearings 54 and to cool the motor components. The speeds of the rotor 36, 38 can be individually adjusted, for example, by adjusting the number of permanent magnets 32, 34 in each rotor face 26, 28.

Abstract: A pancake, d.c., brushless electric motor 10 and pump 32 in which the rotating parts of the pump 32 are integral with the rotor 18 of the motor 10. The motor and pump housing is hermetically sealed from the flow of the pumped fluid. A small portion of fluid is leaked through a seal 38 and acts to cool the motor 10 and to lubricate a sleeve bearing 24 which supports the rotor 18 on the motor's stationary shaft 26. The rotor 18 has permanent magnets 22 divided into two sets which lie on opposite sides of the poles of the stator coils 14 and, therefore, the magnetic thrust between stator and rotor is balanced out.

Abstract: A connector 10 for a fluid-flow line comprising a pair of truncated spheres, the inner 14 nesting within the outer 12, with the truncated ends facing in opposite directions. The non-truncated ends of the spheres are each connected to a different circular disc with a grid structure, called an end member 22, 22'. An adjustable tension wire 24 is stretched between the end members 22, 22' and holds the spheres 12, 14 together. A fluid-bearing seal 16 is affixed to the outer surface of the inner sphere 14 and is in contact with the inner surface of the outer sphere 12. A second seal 18 is attached between the spheres 12, 14 but spaced from the fluid-bearing seal 16 to form a seepage space 30 therebetween. The fluid-bearing seal 16 is formed with internal tubes 32 which permit a small leakage flow from the main flow into the seepage space 30 between the upper surface 34 of the seal 16 and the inner surface of the outer sphere 12 so as to reduce friction between these surfaces.

Abstract: Encapsulation of Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 particles by Glauber's salt crystals formed by crystallization of Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 from aqueous solution in systems comprising Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, H.sub.2 O and Glauber's salt is decreased by including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether in the system.