Abstract: Surfaces to be lubricated are supplied with lubricating oil by containing the oil within a reservoir filled with a porous oleophobic mass forming an oil receptacle which is impregnated with the oil, and communicating the reservoir to the surfaces to effect expulsion of oil from the reservoir to the surfaces by the negative capillary forces active on the oil within the receptacle pores.

Abstract: Heat pipes containing graded pore non-arterial wicks have substantially improved reliability when compared with those which utilize arteries. Heat pipes having wicks which are optimally graded in pore size in an axial direction, with the pore size decreasing from the condenser to the evaporator end. These graded pore size wicks yield more than twice the capacity of axially uniform pore size wicks having similar geometries.

Abstract: A solar array having solar cells mounted on a substrate and electrically joined by rear connector elements on the substrate and front connector elements secured between the cells to the substrate is fabricated by placing the array components in assembled relation and utilizing induction heating to heat to their fusion temperatures a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the substrate and contacting fusible cladding on the solar cells and the connector elements while retaining the components in firm contact to effect adhesive bonding of the solar cells and front connector elements to the substrate and metallic bonding of the solar cells and connector elements to one another.

Abstract: Excessive hydrogen pressure buildup in a sealed nickel cadmium cell during overdischarge of the cell is avoided by adsorption of the evolved hydrogen on an exposed catalyst (c) embodied in the negative cadmium electrode and combination of the adsorbed hydrogen and the active medium of the negative electrode according to the reactionsH.sub.2 + (c) .fwdarw. 2H(c)2H(c) + Cd(OH).sub.2 .fwdarw. 2H.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved fluoroelastomers having fluorinated crosslinks and more specifically to fluoroelastomers containing ether groups and perfluorovinylether groups, the fluoroelastomer having been crosslinked with a hydrocarbon cure catalyst and then reacted with fluorine.

Abstract: Polyaminobismaleimides having superior thermomechanical properties can be produced by reacting maleimide terminated polyaliphatic ethers and maleimide terminated aromatic compounds with an aromatic diamine. These bismaleimide polymers display high recoverable elongation together with good tensile adhesive and electrical properties and thermal and fuel stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel aromatic diamine and more particularly to the use of said diamine for the preparation of thermally stable high-molecular weight polymers including, for example, polyamides, polyamideimides, polyimides, and the like. This diamine is obtained by reacting a stoichometric amount of a disodium salt of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane with 4-chloronitrobenzene to obtain an intermediate, 2,2-bis[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoropropane, which is reduced to the corresponding 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoropropane.

Abstract: A caging device for releasibly caging or clutching two relatively rotatable members to one another, such as a rotatable shaft to a fixed support or two independently rotatable shafts to one another, by axial movement of a clutch or caging member having a conically tapered clutch surface to and from a position of simultaneous engagement of its clutch surface with coaxial conically tapered clutch surfaces on the relatively rotatable members. The caging member can be electromechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or thermally actuated.

Abstract: A monopropellant fluid is ignited in a combustion chamber to form a pressurized gas volume which may include the interior of a piston valve opening into the combustion chamber. A first gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve closed. A second gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to other surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve to open a plurality of radial exhaust ports which vent the gas out of the combustion chamber and thereby generate a sonic pulse. Periodic opening and closing of the piston valve causes a train of sonic pulses to be generated.

Abstract: An improved holographic recording instrument for recording on a holographic recording medium two successive holograms of the structure under differing stress conditions to produce a holographic interferogram containing information defining a deformation fringe pattern representing the deformations in the structure resulting from the change in stress conditions. A holographic recording unit for the instrument and for general holographic recording use.

Abstract: In a process for the recovery of resources from underground geological structures, the process is improved by fracturing the walls of the underground structure and large boulders or rocks by inducing thermal gradients in the deposits. Determination of the thermal gradients which will produce the desired fracturing pattern in each specific deposit involves subjecting a core sample to a controlled heating program. When the heating program has been established from tests on the core sample, it is then applied to the underground formation.

Abstract: A work part resting on a work support is clamped to the work support by means of a self-aligning work holding clamp having a pair of clamp members which are pivotally mounted and operated by actuating means acting between the members in such a way that the members automatically align themselves with the work part during closure of their jaws against the part to effect clamping of the part to the support without exerting on the part a force tending to move the part relative to the support in the direction of jaw movement. The clamp jaws may be spring biased to open position and to a predetermined position relative to the support.

Abstract: A controlled thermal expansivity structure whose length along a given axis of the structure and thermal expansivity in the direction of the axis, i.e. total change in length in response to a given temperature change, are independently adjustable in a manner which permits adjustment of the structure in length while maintaining its thermal expansivity constant and adjustment of the thermal expansivity of the structure while maintaining its length constant. The range of thermal expansivity adjustment may include zero expansivity to permit adjustment of the structure to dimensionally stable mode. The described structure is a load-bearing strut with end fittings which are adjustable to vary the length and thermal expansivity of the strut.

Abstract: A wire mesh structure, primarily for space applications, characterized by its lightweight, its compact stowage and deployment capability, and its ability to maintain its shape under widely varying thermal conditions. The structure has a frame supporting a wire mesh including wires which are terminally secured to the frame and constitute the primary structural elements of the mesh. These structural wires are preformed to a spring-like configuration which renders the wires resiliently compliant with a low spring rate in the endwise direction and are stretched to produce a predetermined tension preload in the wires when the mesh is installed on the supporting frame. This preload retains the mesh in a taut condition under widely varying thermal conditions and thereby prevents the formation of slack in the mesh which would allow out-of-plane displacement of the mesh.

Abstract: A work part is compared to a master part, to measure the deviation, if any, between the parts, using a comparison gaging instrument having a master gaging probe with a fixed master engaging tip and a work gaging probe with an axially floating work engaging tip.

Abstract: Coal is catalytically reacted with steam to produce hydrogen. Various Group I metal salts such as K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and borax are used as catalysts. These catalysts are stabilized with fluoride containing salts such as CaF.sub.2 to thereby extend their life. Alternatively, NaF was found to be a thermally stable catalyst for the reaction.

Abstract: An elastic strain energy deployable helical antenna having a tubular resiliently flexible antenna element of relatively flat oval cross-section fixed at one end to a support and formed into a normally extended, resiliently compressible helix with the major axis of the oval cross-section of the element substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the helix, and flexible tension members of shorter overall length than the fully extended length of the helix fixed at one end to the support and extending axially of the helix across and secured to its helical turns. The antenna helix is compressible axially to a contracted length for storage and is deployable axially by stored elastic strain energy to an extended operating length at which the tension members are stressed in tension by the helix to reinforce the latter against deflection laterally of its longitudinal axis. The tension members may have rigid portions between the helix turns for increasing the natural frequency of vibration of the antenna.

Abstract: A process for the in-situ recovery of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen values and associated minerals from subsurface oil shale deposits is provided by forming a gas-tight retort chamber and injecting it with a hot, pressurized gas followed by a solvent extraction and finally a combustion of the hydrocarbon residue. In order to conduct the process, the shale formation must be beneath a gas impermeable geological structure which will form a gas-tight chamber upon leaching of the water soluble minerals.

Abstract: Relatively large parts, such as large fasteners and the like, are mass electroplated in a plating drum rotatable in a plating solution, without damaging contact of the parts with one another, by confining the parts in separate plating cells of the drum containing openings for circulation of plating solution through the cells and electrodes between which the parts move back and forth during drum rotation to effect exposure of the entire surface area of each part to the electroplating action.

Abstract: A broadband waveguide mixer suitable for the microwave and millimeter wave regions is described. The mixer is characterized by having a unique dual-guide mixer mount through which extends two parallel and spaced waveguides. The RF wave and the local oscillator wave are respectively impressed on the two waveguides via a hybrid coupler. A pair of crossbars extend through each waveguide. A pair of diodes connected back-to-back are disposed in each waveguide and are connected to the respective crossbars. Each pair of diodes has a polarity opposite to that of the other pair. The output is derived from a coaxial cable connected to the adjacent ends of the two crossbars. The input signals may be applied by a folded hybrid tee or a short slot hybrid coupler to simplify the input structure. The mixer has low noise and broadband performance.