Abstract: A method of making an elastomer lined composite vessel or portion of such vessel is disclosed. The method comprises causing a thin, tacky ribbon comprising an elastomer (preferably curable) to continuously so encircle a center rotational axis of a madrel as to adjacently position and tack together integral segments of the ribbon substantially circumferentially relative to this center rotational axis thereby forming a layer of the elastomer about the mandrel which may be the shell of the pressure vessel in case of internal application of the insulator or may be a workpiece around which the shell is built over the so-layed ribbon.

Abstract: A method of making an elastomer lined vessel or portion of such vessel is disclosed. The method comprises causing a thin, tacky ribbon comprising an elastomer (preferably curable) to continuously so encircle a center rotational axis of a mandrel as to adjacently position and tack together integral segments of the ribbon substantially circumferentially relative to this center rotational axis thereby forming a layer of the elastomer about the mandrel which may be the shell of the vessel in case of internal application of the insulator or may be a workpiece around which the shell is built over the so-laid ribbon.

Abstract: Damage tolerant composites comprising high strength filaments in the form of bundles or tows of continuous fiber and a tough phase separated, crosslinked epoxy resin matrix are disclosed. The crosslinked epoxy resin matrix comprises infusible particles made from a rubber polymer that reside primarily between plies of the composite and critically have a median particle size between 10-75 microns. Prepregs for making the damage tolerant composites and methods of making such prepregs and the epoxy resin compositions thereof are also disclosed The epoxy resin compositions comprise the infusible particles which become segregated as to size on a surface layer of the prepreg during the process of combining the high strength filaments of the prepreg and the resin containing the epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: Described are novel thermosetting maleimide compositions suitable for making cured resins, prepregs and tough thermoset composites. The thermosetting compositions comprise a multifunctional maleimide and terminally unsaturated polyamide, polyimide, or polyamideimide oligomer which is soluble in the composition. The cured resins have a fracture toughness, K.sub.ic, of at least 1.0 MPam.sup.1/2 and a glass transition temperature of at least 200.degree. C.

Abstract: Non-asbestos elastomeric insulating materials for rocket motors are disclosed. The insulating materials are low in density (between about 0.035 and 0.050 lb./cubic inch) and comprise crosslinked elastomeric polymers (100 parts by weight of a crosslinkable elastomeric polymer that is substantially saturated and about 5-50 parts by weight of a crosslinkable, substantially unsaturated, elastomeric polymer) in which are dispersed between about 10 and 100 (preferably 15-75) parts by weight of a char forming organic fiber selected from polyaramide pulps, between 1 and 15 parts by weight of a peroxide crosslinker, and between about 0 and 150 parts by weight organic and/or inorganic particulate. The insulating materials issue little smoke, have notable erosion resistance and can be tailored to have thermal, mechanical and other properties of desired character. Ingredients such as supplemental elastomers, oils and lubricants enhance the processability and green properties such as tack of the insulating materials.

Abstract: End connectors of filament wound tubes are disclosed. The end connector uses an upset region at an end of the filament wound tube as a base for mounting a threaded ring around the tube. The ring is threaded to a sleeve mounted also around this upset region. The sleeve threads to a coupling on the other side of the upset region. The coupling carries means for connecting the filament wound tube to another body. In forming the end connector, the sleeve and coupling are assembled about the upset region and the ring, assembled on the body of the filament wound tube on the other side of the upset, is threaded to the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to industrial manufacture of composite tubes in a continuous fashion. The invention utilizes a segmented mandrel which proceeds as a train of endwise joined segments through a composite tube forming machine. Segments are added to and subtracted from the mandrel during manufacture of the tubes.

Abstract: Damage tolerant composites comprising high strength filaments in the form of bundles or tows of continuous fiber and a tough phase separated, crosslinked epoxy resin matrix are disclosed. The crosslinked epoxy resin matrix comprises infusible particles made from a rubber polymer that reside primarily between plies of the composite and critically have a median particle size between 10-75 microns. Prepregs for making the damage tolerant composites and methods of making such prepregs and the epoxy resin compositions thereof are also disclosed. The epoxy resin compositions comprise the infusible particles which become segregated as to size on a surface layer of the prepreg during the process of combining the high strength filaments of the prepreg and the resin containing the epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: Novel sulfur containing polyarylene polyether oligomers are disclosed. The oligomers are prepared through condensing salts of hydroxy and/or thio aromatic compounds, halobenzenoid compounds bearing two replaceable halogens and metal or ammonium sulfides following by end capping the resultant oligomer intermediate with a salt of a hydroxy and/or thio aromatic compound.

Abstract: Described are novel thermosetting epoxy resin compositions suitable for making cured resins, prepregs and stiff, tough thermoset composites. The thermosetting compositions comprise a polyepoxide component, an amine hardner and a specified amount of certain aromatic oligomers containing functional groups which are reactive with the polyepoxide and/or hardener under curing conditions for the composition. The cured resins have a multiphase morphology which comprises at least one glassy continuous phase and at least one glassy discontinuous phase and have a fracture toughness, K.sub.IC, of at least 1.0 MPam.sup.1/2.

Abstract: End connectors of filament wound tubes are disclosed. The end connector uses an upset region at the end of the filament wound tube as a base in mounting a threaded retaining ring around the tube. The retaining ring is threaded to a housing mounted also around this upset region. The housing carries means for connecting the filament wound tube to another body and forming a pressure seal between the liner (optional) of the tube and the tip end of sleeve inserted beneath the upset region.

Abstract: A microwave bridge circuit for measuring frequency modulation noise signals arising in low power, high frequency sources having a highly non-constant FM noise versus baseband frequency characteristic includes amplifying and filtering means for excluding signals in frequency ranges beyond the field of interest and frequency response compensator means of attenuating signals outside the primary range of interest.

Abstract: A method of forming a microwave integrated circuit is disclosed. A hole is bored in an alumina substrate and a plug having a diameter substantially equal to the hole is provided. The hole and the perimeter of the plug are coated with a thermally fusable dielectric composition and the plug is embedded in the hole. Heating the substrate fuses the plug is place and crystalizes the composition into a glass with compatible thermal expansion. At least one face of the substrate and plug are then polished to provide a planar surface. The metalized circuit is then formed on this assembly, which minimizes conductive tracking on the substrate and facilitates alignment of the circuit with the plug.

Abstract: Polyarylene polyethers, made by a process comprising reacting a dihydroxy compound and strong and weak bases in a liquid reaction medium at 100.degree.-200.degree. C. to form a double salt and then reacting the double salt with a slight molar excess of dihalobenzenoid compound bearing two replaceable halogens, are disclosed. The process reliably produces halogen-terminated polyarylene polyethers of select degrees of polymerization and desirable correspondence between weight and number average molecular weights. In subsequent steps amine-terminated polyarylene polyethers are made using the strong and weak bases. The resulting amine-terminated polyethers have a low, select degree of polymerization, desirable correspondence between weight and number average molecular weights and high level of amine termination.

Abstract: Damage tolerant composites comprising high strength filaments in the form of bundles or tows of continuous fiber and a tough phase separated, crosslinked epoxy resin matrix are disclosed. The crosslinked epoxy resin matrix comprises infusible particles made from a rubber polymer that reside primarily between piles of the composite and critically have a median particle size between 10-75 microns. Prepregs for making the damage tolerant composites and methods of making such prepregs and the epoxy resin compositions thereof are also disclosed. The epoxy resin compositions comprise the infusible particles which become segregated as to size on a surface layer of the prepreg during the process of combining the high strength filaments of the prepreg and the resin containing the epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: A linearally polarized multiport multimode feed for a reflector type antenna generates a plurality of beams, each in a different pointing direction, from a single radiating aperture. Each beam possesses a distinct phase center determined by the waveguide modes establishing the aperture distribution for that beam. The feed is linear and bilateral, therefore may be utilized in a receiving or transmitting antenna.

Abstract: A microwave integrated circuit is comprised of a ferrite plug in an alumina substrate, fused therein by a glass composition thermally compatible with both plug and substrate, thereby filling any voids at the interface with dielectic material to minimize circuit losses. The method of assembly permits metalizing the substrate after insertion of the plug, minimizing conductive tracking on the substrate, and facilitating alignment of the metalized circuit with the plug.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel having a larger diameter, threaded polar opening with integrally depending threads is disclosed. The threaded polar opening is reinforced by a winding pattern that enables it to be closed against the axial forces resulting from significant internal pressures. This closure seals the interior of the pressure vessel in the tactical rocket motor case assembly disclosed.

Abstract: A reflection coefficient phase angle measurement apparatus includes a voltage controlled phase shifter coupled to phase shift a sample of one of the signals incident to and reflected from a waveguide termination. The phase shifted signal sample and a sample of the non-phase shifted signal are phase compared in a phase detector and the sign of the signal resulting from the phase comparison is noted. This sign is compared with the sign of the previous phase comparison to determine a zero crossing. When a zero crossing has not occurred an incrementing signal is added to the phase control signal applied to the voltage controlled phase shifter to alter the phase of the the phase shifted signal sample, and the procedure is repeated until a zero crossing is obtained. The control voltage applied at the zero crossing is established by interpolation and utilized to determine the reflection coefficient phase angle.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for installing an elastomeric liner in a pressure vessel. The process comprises winding a tacky ribbon around an expandable mandrel, inserting it in the vessel shell, expanding the mandrel and optionally curing the wound ribbon.