Abstract: A bio-reactor system where cell growth microcarrier beads are suspended in a zero head space fluid medium by rotation about a horizontal axis and where the fluid is continuously oxygenated from a tubular membrane which rotates on a shaft together with rotation of the culture vessel. The oxygen is continuously throughput through the membrane and disbursed into the fluid medium along the length of the membrane.

Abstract: A flow regulator for high-pressure fluids at elevated temperatures includes a body having a flow passage extending between inlet and outlet openings. First and second orifice members are arranged in the flow passage so at least one of the orifice members can be moved transversely in relation to the flow passage between one operating position where the two orifice openings are aligned for establishing a maximum flow rate of fluids flowing through the flow passage and at least one other operating position in which the two openings are moderately misaligned with one another for establishing a predetermined reduced flow rate of fluids flowing through the flow passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collection of fecal matter designed to operate efficiently in a zero gravity environment. The system comprises a waste collection area within a body having a seat opening. Low pressure within the waste collection area directs fecal matter away from the user's buttocks and prevents the escape of undesirable gases. The user actuates a piston covered with an absorbent pad that sweeps through the waste collection area to collect fecal matter, scrub the waste collector area, press the waste against an end of the waste collection area and retracts, leaving the used pad. Multiple pads are provided on the piston to accommodate multiple uses of the system. Also a valve allows air to be drawn through the body, which valve will not be plugged with fecal matter. A sheet feeder feeds fresh sheets of absorbent pad to a face of the piston with each actuation.

Abstract: A life support system for human habitation (cabin) having a bio-regenerative capability through the use of a plant habitat (greenhouse) whereby oxygen-rich air from the greenhouse is processed and used in the cabin and carbon dioxide-rich air from the cabin is used in the greenhouse. Moisture from the air of both cabin and greenhouse is processed and reused in both. Wash water from the cabin is processed and reused in the cabin as hygiene water, and urine from the cabin is processed and used in the greenhouse. Spent water from the greenhouse is processed and reused in the greenhouse. Portions of the processing cycles are separated between cabin and greenhouse in order to reduce to a minimum cross contamination of the two habitat systems. Other portions of the processing cycles are common to both cabin and greenhouse. The use of bio-regenerative techniques permits a substantial reduction of the total consumables used by the life support system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fusion of data from optical and radar sensors by error minimization procedure. The method has been applied to the problem of shape reconstruction of an unknown surface at a distance. The method involves deriving an incomplete surface model from an optical sensor. The unknown characteristics of the surface are represented by some parameter. The correct value of the parameter is computed by iteratively generating theoretical predictions of the Radar cross-sections (RCS) of the surface, comparing the predicted and the observed values for the RCS, and improving the surface model from results of the comparison. Theoretical RCS may be computed from the surface model in several ways. One RCS prediction technique is the method of moments. The method of moments can be applied to an unknown surface only if some shape information is available from an independent source. The optical image provides the independent information.

Abstract: A spiral vane bioreactor of a perfusion type in which a vertical chamber (10), intended for use in a microgravity condition, has a central rotating filter assembly (30) and has flexible membranes (56) disposed to rotate annularly about the filter assembly. The flexible members have end portions disposed angularly with respect to one another. A fluid replenishment medium is input (68) from a closed loop liquid system to a completely liquid filled chamber containing microcarrier beads, cells and a fluid medium. Output (36) of spent medium is to the closed loop. In the closed loop, the output and input parameters are sensed by sensors (82,96); a manifold 86 permits recharging of the nutrients and pH adjustment; oxygen is supplied and carbon dioxide removed, bubbles are removed and the system is monitored and controlled by a microprocessor (100).

Abstract: A method for determining the volume of compressible gas in a system including incompressible substances in a zero-gravity environment consisting of measuring the change in pressure (.DELTA.P) for a known volume change rate (.DELTA.V/.DELTA.t) in the polytropic region between isothermal and adiabatic conditions. The measurements are utilized in an idealized formula for determining the change in isothermal pressure (.DELTA.P.sub.iso) for the gas. From the isothermal pressure change (.DELTA.P.sub.iso) the gas volume is obtained. The method is also applicable to determination of gas volume by utilizing work (W) in the compression process. In a passive system, the relationship of specific densities can be obtained.

Abstract: An alignment positioning mechanism for correcting and compensating for misalignment of structures to be coupled thereby. The mechanism comprises a power screw 12 with a base portion 13 and a threaded shank portion 14. A mounting fixture 18 is provided for rigidly coupling said base portion to the mounting interface of a supporting structure with the axis of the screw perpendicular thereto. A traveling ball nut 40 threaded on the power screw 12 is formed with an external annular arcuate surface 41 configured in the form of a spherical segment and enclosed by a ball nut housing 50 with a conforming arcuate surface 51 for permitting gimballed motion thereon. The ball nut housing 50 is provided with a mounting surface 53a which is positionable in cooperable engagement with the mounting interface of a primary structure to be coupled to said supporting structure.

Abstract: A quick-connect fastener is arranged with a tubular body that is arranged to be engaged against the exterior surface of a hollow attachment fitting and coincidentally aligned with an opening in the fitting. A collet having normally-contracted fingers with outwardly-enlarged ends is operatively arranged in the body to be moved forwardly by an expander member mounted in the tubular body for advancing the collet fingers through the opening in the attachment fitting. Biasing means are arranged between the expander member and a toggle linkage in the tubular body which is selectively operated to urge the expander member forwardly into engagement with the collet fingers with an initial biasing force to advance their forward portions through the body opening and then expand them outwardly. The biasing means also provide a subsequent biasing force for retaining the collet members in their expanded positions once their enlarged forward end portions are on the opposite side of the body.

Abstract: An orbital debris sweeper is provided for removing particles from orbit which otherwise may impact and damage an orbiting spacecraft. The debris sweeper includes a central sweeper core which carries a debris monitoring unit, and a plurality of large area impact panels rotatable about a central sweeper rotational axis. In response to information from the debris monitoring unit, a computer determines whether individual monitored particles preferably impact one of the rotating panels or pass between the rotating panels. A control unit extends or retracts one or more booms which interconnect the sweeper core and the panels to change the moment of inertia of the sweeper and thereby the rotational velocity of the rotating panels.

Abstract: A diaphragm (10) suitable for extreme temperature usage, such as encountered in critical aerospace applications, is fabricated by a unique method, and of a unique combination of materials, which include multi-layered lay-ups of diaphragm materials (20a, 22, 20b) sandwiched between layers of bleeder fabric (29, 36), which, after being formed in the desired shape on a mold (26), are vacuum sealed (38) and then cured under pressure, in a heated autoclave, to produce a bond capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the promoted combustion chamber disclosed herein, a thick-walled tubular body that is capable of withstanding extreme pressures is arranged with removable upper and lower end closures to provide access to the chamber defined within the body. A bracket is arranged in the chamber for dependently supporting a test sample of a material being evaluated in the chamber. To facilitate the real-time analysis of a test sample, several pressure-tight viewing ports capable of withstanding the simulated environmental conditions are arranged in the walls of the tubular body for observing the test sample during the course of a test. A replaceable heat-resistant tubular member and replaceable flame-resistant internal liners are arranged to be fitted inside of the chamber for protecting the interior wall surfaces of the combustion chamber during the evaluation tests.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system wherein a tubular housing contains an internal circularly disposed set of blade members and a central tubular filter all mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis and each having independent rotational support and rotational drive mechanisms. The housing, blade members and filter preferably are driven at a constant slow speed for placing a fluid culture medium with discrete microbeads and cell cultures in a discrete spatial suspension in the housing. Replacement fluid medium is symmetrically input and fluid medium is symmetrically output from the housing where the input and the output are apart of a loop providing a constant or intermittent flow of fluid medium in a closed loop.

Abstract: Apparatus for gauging the amount of liquid in a container of liquid and gas under flow or zero gravity net conditions includes an accumulator and appropriate connector apparatus for communicating gas between the accumulator and the container. In one form of the invention, gas is removed from the container and compressed into the accumulator. The pressure and temperature of the fluid in the container is measured before and after removal of the gas; the pressure and temperature of gas in the accumulator is measured before and after compression of the gas into the accumulator from the container. These pressure and temperature measurements are used in determining the volume of gas in the container, whereby the volume of liquid in the container can be determined from the difference between the known volume of the container and the volume of gas in the container.

Abstract: A robotic end effector and operation protocol provide for a reliable grasp of a target object irrespective of the target's contours. A robotic hand 30 includes a plurality of jointed fingers 31-34, one of which, like a thumb 31, is in opposed relation to the other. Each finger comprises at least two jointed sections, and is provided with reflective proximity sensors, one on the inner surface of each finger section. Each proximity sensor comprises a transmitter of a beam of radiant energy and a receiver for receiving reflections of the transmitted energy when reflected by a target object. On the fingers opposed to the thumb, the proximity sensors 41 on the outermost finger sections are aligned in an outer sensor array and the sensors 42 on the intermediate finger sections and sensors 43 on the innermost finger sections are similarly arranged to form an intermediate sensor array and an inner sensor array, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring circuitry for the real time detection of vibrations of a predetermined frequency and which are greater than a predetermined magnitude. The circuitry produces an instability signal in response to such detection. The circuitry is particularly adapted for detecting instabilities in rocket thrusters, but may find application with other machines such as expensive rotating machinery, turbines, etc. The monitoring circuitry identifies when vibration signals are present having a predetermined frequency of a multi-frequency vibration signal which has an RMS energy level greater than a predetermined magnitude. It generates an instability signal only if such a vibration signal is identified. The circuitry includes a delay circuit which responds with an alarm signal only if the instability signal continues for a predetermined time period. When used with a rocket thruster, the alarm signal may be used to cut off the thruster if such thruster is being used in flight.

Abstract: A protective device for one battery or serially arranged battery cells is adapted to fit between one battery and its terminal connector or between adjacent battery cells. The device incorporates a disk of positive temperature coefficient material having a pair of circular end faces for contact. The disk is supported by a ring adhesively joined thereto, the ring having a central axial opening to enable the button terminal of a battery cell to contact against the disk as the disk and battery cell are arranged in a single battery application or in serial contact with similar battery cells.

Abstract: An adaptive data acquisition multiplexing system having a monitor terminal and one or more remote terminals with a communication link between them. The remote terminals each include signal conditioning for a plurality of sensors. Upon commands from the monitor terminal, signals providing the remote terminals' current configuration and status, and instructions for changing the remote terminal configuration, are transmitted from each remote terminal to the monitor terminal. Menu driven prompts at the monitor terminal permit commands to be transmitted from the monitor terminal to the remote terminals, selectively altering the configuration of any remote terminal to enable it to acquire and transmit data, as well as its configuration and status information, in the desired format. Alterations in any remote terminal's configuration can then be verified at the monitor terminal.

Abstract: A coupling device has a transversely arranged, open-end groove (30) in a flange attached to a pipe end. The groove in the flange receives a circumferentially arranged locking flange element (76) on the other coupling member and permits alignment of the bores of the coupling members when the locking flange element is in the open end groove. Upon alignment of the bores of the coupling members, a trigger member (60) is activiated to automatically release a spring biased tubular member (33) in one of the coupling members. The tubular member has a conical end (48) which is displaced into the other coupling member to lock the coupling members to one another. A tensioning nut (72) is threadedly movable on a coupling member so as to be moved into tightening engagement with the other coupling member.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence design and qualitative modelling tool is disclosed for creating computer models and simulating therein continuous activities, functions and/or behavior using developed discrete event techniquers. Conveniently, the tool is organized in four modules: library design module, model construction module, simulation module, and experimentation and analysis. The library design module supports the building of library knowledge including component classes and elements pertinent to a particular domain of continuous activities, functions and behavior being modelled. The continuous behavior is defined discretely with respect to invocation statements, effect statements and time delays. The functionality of the components is defined in terms of variable cluster instances, independent processes and modes, further defined in terms of mode transition processes and mode dependent processes. Model construction utilizes the hierarchy of libraries and connects them with appropriate relations.