Abstract: A two-dimension vernier scale utilizing a cartesian grid on one plate member with a polar grid on an overlying transparent plate member. The polar grid has multiple concentric circles at a fractional spacing of the spacing of the cartesian grid lines. By locating the center of the polar grid on a location on the cartesian grid, interpolation can be made of both the X and Y fractional relationship to the cartesian grid by noting which circles coincide with a cartesian grid line for the X and Y direction.

Abstract: A flow reactor for simulating the interaction in the troposphere is set forth. A first reactant mixed with a carrier gas is delivered from a pump and flows through a duct having louvers therein. The louvers straighten out the flow, reduce turbulence and provide laminar flow discharge from the duct. A second reactant delivered from a source through a pump is input into the flowing stream, the second reactant being diffused through a plurality of small diffusion tubes to avoid disturbing the laminar flow. The commingled first and second reactants in the carrier gas are then directed along an elongate duct where the walls are spaced away from the flow of reactants to avoid wall interference, disturbance or turbulence arising from the walls. A probe connected with a measuring device can be inserted through various sampling ports in the second duct to complete measurements of the first and second reactants and the product of their reaction at selected XYZ locations relative to the flowing system.

Abstract: The combination 10 of a foot restraint platform 12 designed primarily for use by an astronaut being rigidly and permanently attached to an end effector 14 which is suitable for attachment to the manipulator arm 16 of a remote manipulating system. The foot restraint platform, is attached by a brace 36 to the end effector 14 at a location away from the grappling interface of the end effector. The platform comprises a support plate 18 provided with a pair of stirrups 21,22 for receiving the toe portion of an astronaut's boots when standing on the platform and a pair of heel retainers 23,24 in the form of raised members which are fixed to the surface of the platform and located to provide abutment surfaces for abutting engagement with the heels of the astronaut's boots when his toes are in the stirrups. The heel retainers 23,24 preclude a backward sliding movement of the feet on the platform and instead require a lifting of the heels in order to extract the feet.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein a load limiting, energy absorbing net is arranged to overlay a normally-covered vent opening in the rear bulkhead of the space orbiter vehicle. Spatially-disposed flexible retainer straps are extended from the net and respectively secured to bulkhead brackets spaced around the vent opening. The intermediate portions of the straps are doubled over and stitched together in a pattern enabling the doubled-over portions to progressively separate at a predicable load designed to be well below the tensile capability of the straps as the stitches are successively torn apart by the forces imposed on the retainer members whenever the cover plate is explosively separated from the bulkhead and propelled into the net.

Abstract: A hypervelocity impact shield 10 and method for protecting a wall structure, such as a spacecraft wall 12, from impact with particles of debris having densities of about 2.7 g/cm.sup.3 and impact velocities up to 16 km/s. The shield comprises a stack of ultra thin sheets 11 of impactor disrupting material supported and arranged by support means 13 in spaced relationship to one another and mounted to cover the wall 12 in a position for intercepting the particles. The sheets 11 are of a number and spacing such that are impacting particle 15 and the resulting particulates of the impacting particle and sheet material are successively impact-shocked to a thermal state of total melt and/or vaporization to a degree as precludes perforation of the wall. The ratio of individual sheet thickness to the theoretical diameter of particles of debris which may be of spherical form is in the range of 0.03 to 0.05.

Abstract: A video-rate coordinate remapper includes a memory for storing a plurality of transformations on look-up tables for remapping input images from one coordinate system to another. Such transformations are operator selectable. The remapper includes a collective processor by which certain input pixels of an input image are transformed to a portion of the output image in a many-to-one relationship. The remapper includes an interpolative processor by which the remaining input pixels of the input image are transformed to another portion of the output image in a one-to-many relationship. The invention includes certain specific transforms for creating output images useful for certain defects of visually impaired people. The invention also includes circuitry for shifting input pixels and circuitry for scrolling the output matrix.

Abstract: The invention teaches a return vehicle for use in returning a crew to Earth from low earth orbit in a safe and relatively cost effective manner. The return vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped crew compartment attached to the large diameter of a conical heat shield having a spherically rounded nose. On-board inertial navigation and cold gas control systems are used together with a de-orbit propulsion system to effect a landing near a preferred site on the surface of the Earth. State vectors and attitude data are loaded from the attached orbiting craft just prior to separation of the return vehicle.

Abstract: A gas sampling system for determining particulate matter contamination in a high velocity gas flow where the sampling chamber is first cleaned, then evacuated and is coupled by a closed three way valve in a straight line relationship to the gas supply line. The operating gas flow rate is established through the three way valve which is quickly opened to couple the dynamically flowing gas to the evacuated sample chamber in a straight line relationship to trap a gas sample under dynamic conditions. When the sampling chamber has a gas sample the three way valve is again closed so that particulate matter in the sample chamber can be flushed from the sample chamber with a compatible liquid to a filter for collection and analysis.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved methods and apparatus disclosed herein to provide effective real-time management of a spacecraft rocket engine powered by gaseous propellants, real-time measurements representative of the engine performance are compared with predetermined standards to selectively control the supply of propellants to the engine for optimizing its performance as well as efficiently managing the consumption of propellants. A priority system is provided for achieving effective real-time mangagement of the propulsion system by first regulating the propellants to keep the engine operating at an efficient level and thereafter regulating the consumption ratio of the propellants. A lower priority level is provided to balance the consumption of the propellants so significant quantities of unexpended propellants will not be left over at the end of the scheduled mission of the engine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for releasably connecting first and second objects, wherein a magnetic end effector may include at least one elongated pin member (10) a proximal end of which is connected to the first object (1) and the distal end of which may be inserted into a receiving portion (4) in the second object (2). Latch members (16) are carried by the pin member (10) for radial movement between retracted and expanded positions for releasing and locking, respectively, first and second objects (1, 2). A plunger member (20) carried by the pin member (11) is axially moveable between first and second positions. In the first plunger position, the latch members (16) are located in the expanded (locked) position and in the second plunger position the latch members (16) are released for movement to retracted or unlocked position. Magnetic end effector (30) is provided for releasable attachment to the first object (1) and for moving the plunger member (20) to the second position, thereby releasing the first object (1).

Abstract: A space transport vehicle including a body movably mounted on an elongated guide member disposed in outer space and driven therealong. A drive wheel is mounted on a drive shaft in rolling engagement with the elongated guide carrying the vehicle. A brake member on the drive shaft moves into and out of engagement with an adjacent surface of the drive wheel. An actuator on the body manually moves back and forth between spaced positions in an arc of movement. A rachet-and-pawl mechanism operates upon movements of the actuator in one direction between first and second positions for coupling the actuator to the drive wheel to incrementally rotate the wheel in one rotational direction and to operate upon movements of the actuator in the opposite direction for uncoupling the actuator from the wheel.

Abstract: A fluid connector system including a modified plumbing union having a rotatable member for drawing said union into a fluid tight condition. A drive tool is electric motor actuated and includes a reduction gear train providing an output gear engaging an integral peripheral spur gear on the rotatable member. A housing member attached to the connector assembly provides coaxial alignment for an interface socket on the drive tool. A hand lever actuated latching system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced latching balls selectively wedged against the housing member attached to the connector assembly or to secure the drive tool to the connector assembly with its output gear in mesh with the integral peripheral spur gear. The drive motor is torque, spped and direction controllable.

Abstract: An article of laminate construction comprising an underlayer of polycarbonate polymer material 16 to which is applied a chemically resistant outer layer of polysulfone material 17. The layers 16, 17 which are joined by compression-heat molding, are moldable to form the shape of a body protective shell such as a space helmet 10 comprising a shell 18 of polycarbonate, polysulfone laminate construction attached at its open end to a sealing ring 19 adapted for connection to a space suit. The front portion of the shell 18 provides a transparent visor for the helmet. An outer visor 25 of polycarbonate polysulfone polymer laminate construction is pivotally mounted to the sealing ring 19 for covering the transparent visor portion of the shell 18 during extravehicular activities. The polycarbonate under layer of the outer visor 25 is coated on its inner surface with a vacuum deposit of gold to provide additional thermal radiation resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining three dimensional positioning relative to a predetermined point utilizing moire interference patterns such that the patterns are complementary when viewed on axis from the predetermined distance. Further, the invention includes means for determining rotational positioning in addition to three dimensional translational positioning.

Abstract: A block of electrically-conductive material which is to be formed into a body with internal and/or external surfaces that approximate hyperboloids of one sheet is placed so that its axis is set at a predetermined skew angle with relation to a travelling EDM electrode wire and the electrode wire is then moved into cutting proximity of the body wire. Thereafter, by revolving the body about its own axis, the external and/or internal surfaces of the body will be cut into an approximate hyperbolic surface of revolution depending upon whether the body is positioned with the cutting wire outside of the body or in a previously-formed longitudinal passage in the body. As an alternative technique, elongated channels can also be cut into the walls of the body of successively orienting the body to a selected number of angular positions with the electrode wire being either outside of the body or in a previously-formed passage in the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biofilm monitoring of a water distribution system which includes the mounting of at least one fitting 61 in a wall port 65 of a manifold 19 in the water distribution system with a passage 62 through the fitting in communication with the manifold flow stream and the insertion of a biofilm sampling member 77 through the fitting with planar sampling surfaces 91,92 of different surface treatment provided on linearly arrayed sample couplons of the sampling member disposed in the flow stream in edge-on parallel relation to the direction of the flow stream of the manifold under fluid-tight sealed conditions. The sampling member 77 is adapted to be aseptically removed from or inserted in the fitting and manifold under a positive pressure condition and the fitting passage 62 sealed immediately thereafter by appropriate closure device 60 so as to preclude contamination of the water distribution system through the fitting 61.

Abstract: A coupling device which is mechanically two fault tolerant for release. The device comprises a fastener plate 11 and fastener body 12, each of which is attachable to a different one of a pair of structures to be joined. The fastener plate 11 and body 12 are coupled by an elongate toggle 13 mounted at one end in a socket on the fastener plate for universal pivotal movement thereon. The other end of the toggle 13 is received in an opening in the fastener body 12 and adapted for limited pivotal movement therein. The toggle is adapted to be restrained by three latch hooks 55 arranged in symmetrical equiangular spacing about the axis of the toggle, each hook being mounted on the fastener body 12 for pivotal movement between an unlatching non-contact position with respect to the toggle and a latching position in engagement with a latching surface 44 of the toggle.

Abstract: A power saw for space or robotic operations with jaw members (12,14) for clamping to a work piece (16) by an operation of a lever arm (70). The saw assembly (18) is slidably mounted on the jaw assembly (18) and fed into the work piece by a hand operated feed screw (54). The saw assembly includes a motor and gear belt (26,28). A current sensing circuit provides a current signal which actuates colored lights (96,100,102) to visually depict the load on the saw blade during the cutting operations.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object in a sequence of images is described. Such sequence of images may, for example, be a sequence of television frames. The object in the current frame is correlated with the object in the previous frame to obtain the relative location of the object in the two frames. An optical joint transform correlator apparatus is provided to carry out the process. Such joint transform correlator apparatus forms the basis for laser eye surgical apparatus where an image of the fundus of an eyeball is stabilized and forms the basis for the correlator apparatus to track the position of the eyeball caused by involuntary movement. With knowledge of the eyeball position, a surgical laser can be precisely pointed toward a position on the retina.

Abstract: A fluid storage and expulsion system comprising a tank 12 with an internal flexible diaphragm assembly of dual diaphragms 17,18 in back-to-back relationship, at least one of which is provided with a patterned surface having fine edges such that the diaphragms are in contact along said edges without mating contact of surface areas to thereby form fluid channels 27 which extend outwardly to the peripheral edges of the diaphragms. The interior wall of the tank at the juncture of tank sections 14,15 is formed with a circumferential annular recess comprising an outer annular recess portion which forms a fluid collection chamber 40 and an inner annular recess portion which accommodates the peripheral edge portions of the diaphragms and a sealing ring 38 in clamped sealing relation therebetween. The sealing ring is perforated with radially extending passages 39 which allow any fluid leaking or diffusing past a diaphragm to flow through the fluid channels 27 between the diaphragms to the fluid collection chamber.