Abstract: Large angular control moments and torques are developed by controllably circulating a relatively small mass of liquid (22) through small diameter pipes (20) describing a large diameter loop (15f,a,b). The loop (15), by thus generating and storing angular momentum, can thereby provide efficient cancellation of periodic, non-accumulating, externally induced rotational disturbances. The loop (15) is preferably located on or near the periphery of a structure (10) which is to be thus stabilized.

Abstract: A steerable multibeam five element cross-feed cluster antenna (16) system. The feed power is divided into five branches. Each branch includes a switching network (12A-12E) comprised of a plurality of time delay elements (90A; 92A) each individually controlled by a respective electromagnetic latching switch (56A,B; 58A,B; 60A,B; 62A,B; 46A,B). Frequency independent individual two-dimensional beam steering at IF scanning frequencies is thereby provided wherein discrete incremental time delays are introduced by the switching networks into each branch and the signals recombined thereafter to form each beam. The electromagnetic latched switching reduces power consumption and permits higher power switching and reciprocal coincident transmit and receive operation. Frequency independence due to incremental time delay switching permits coincident reciprocal operation and steering for transmit-receive signal paths carrying different transmit-receive frequencies.

Abstract: An erectable manipulator placement system for use on a space station and comprising an elongate lattice-like boom having dual guide tracks attached to parallel chords thereof, a carriage-like dolly movable along said tracks, and a segmented maneuvering arm-like assembly pivotally mounted on and extending from said dolly. The system further includes a turntable base pivotally interconnected with the proximal end of the boom and positioned either on a part of a transferring vehicle, or on another payload component being carried by said transferring vehicle, or on the space station.

Abstract: A tapered tubular polyester sleeve as set forth. It has a large end 12 and a small end 14 with a length to be determined. The ratio of taper is also determined by scale factors. All the warp yarns extend to the large end 12. A requisite number of warp yarns 16 extend the full length of the sleeve. Other warp yarns exemplified at 18, 22, 26, 28, 30 and 32 extend from the large end but are terminated along the length of the sleeve. It is then woven with a filling yarn 40 which extends in a full circle along the full length of the sleeve to thereby define the tapered sleeve. The sleeve after fabrication is then placed on a mandrel 42, heated in an oven 44 and is thereafter placed on the arm or other limb of a space suit exemplified at 50.

Abstract: For use with plasma arc welding apparatus, a control system is set forth. The plasma arc welding apparatus includes a plasma arc power supply (12), a contactor (20), and an electrode assembly for moving the electrode (32) relative to a work piece (22). The electrode assembly is raised or lowered by a drive motor (24). The present apparatus includes plasma arc adapter (48) connected across the power supply to measure the voltage across the plasma arc. The plasma arc adapter forms a DC output signal input to a differential amplifier (60). A second input (58) is defined by an adjustable resistor (56) connected to a DC voltage supply to enable operator control. The differential amplifier forms an output difference signal provided to an adder circuit (64). The adder circuit then connects with a power amplifier (68) which forms the driving signal for the motor.

Abstract: A foldable expandable pallet (10) having a basic square configuration. Each pallet is comprised of a plurality of struts (11, 13) joined together by node point fittings (12) to make a rigid structure. Some of the struts have hinge fittings (15) and are spring loaded to permit collapse of the module for stowage (26) and transport to a space station. Dimensions of the pallet are selected to provide convenient, closely spaced attachment points between the relatively widely spaced trusses (21, 30, 31) of a space station platform. A pallet is attached to a truss at four points: one close fitting hole (22); two oversize holes (24, 25); and a slot (23); to allow for thermal expansion/contraction and for manufacturing tolerances. Applications of the pallet include its use in rotary or angular joints (29); servicing of splints; with gridded plates (34); as instrument mounting bases; and as a roadbed (36) for a Mobile Service Center (MSC) (37).

Abstract: A disc brake system for a shuttle orbiter including an annular disc element (10) having internal radially directed and angularly spaced relief slots (12) and trapezoidial shaped carbon pad members (15) disposed circumferentially around the disc element. T Clips (19, 19') snugly engage the outer ends of the pad members and are attached to rivet heads (34, 35) and (34', 35') and have guide members (51, 51') slidably received in guide grooves (50, 50') in a spring housing (20). Springs (61) provide a force tending to move the T Clips toward the center of the disc where the magnitude of the force can be adjusted by a screw (65).

Abstract: A lock joint for a space station truss has a plurality of struts (2-5) joined together in a predetermined configuration by node point fittings (1). The fittings have removable inserts (6) therein. The lock joint has an elongated housing (12) connected at one end to a strut. A split-fingered collet (53) is mounted within the housing for movement reciprocably therein. A handle (25) on the housing is connected to the collet for moving the collet into the insert where the fingers of the collet expand to lock the joint to the fitting.

Abstract: A high effectiveness contour matching contact heat exchanger (10) includes two opposing plates (12,13), each having alternating double rows (25) of attached pins (20). The ends (23) of the pins (20) opposite their respective plates (12,13) are received in tight-fitting holes (40) in the opposite plate (12,13), providing for flexibility of the heat exchanger (10) to maintain efficient thermal transfer contact between the plates (12,13) and the external thermal sources (50,51) of heat or cold, without causing gaps between the ends (23) of the pins (20) and their respective opposite plates (12,13) that decrease heat transfer effectiveness by adversely affecting flow distribution of the fluid flowing therepast.

Abstract: A suitable member formed from sintered, powdered, stainless steel is contacted with a nitrate solution of a soluble alkali metal nitrate and a metal such as zirconium in a pH range and for a time sufficient to effect the formation of a membrane of zirconium oxide on the stainless steel support, the membrane preferably including an organic polymeric material such as polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: A mobile platform (B) for transit about a working face (51) of a truss. The truss has a grid of node guide pins (54) having stationary sprockets (54D). The platform (B) has a rail system (52) comprised of transversely disposed T-shaped tracks (60), direction changing means (58) at their intersections and retractable, reversible chain drive systems (22). The chain drive (22) selectively engages the sprockets (54D) of the guide pins (54) providing selective movement of the platform (B) in two orthogonal directions (L and T). The present invention provides a near-uniform traversing velocity with minimal dynamic loading on the system. Pivoting changers (C1 and C2) move the platform (B) from one face (51) to another.

Abstract: A signal is transmitted from a first location to a remote second location where a target carrying a transponder is positioned. The transponder re-radiates the signal to the first location where it is received. A phase comparator generates from the transmitted and received signals a measurement of their phase difference which is functionally related to the distance between the first and second locations. In one embodiment, the transponder is a passive parametric oscillator, being powered by energy received from the transmitted signal, which generates and transmits a subharmonic of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: An improved rotary engine (10) utilizing essentially the Stirling cycle is provided having at least three rotors (12, 34, 56) each separately rotatable within a toroidal housing cavity (15) and about a common axis. Each rotor has a pair of diametrically opposed rotor blocks, so that at least six cylindrical working chambers are formed sufficient to accomodate the Stirling cycle. Heat may be added to the closed circuit engine gas via a heat exchanger (74) thermally connected to any heat source external to the working chambers, such as a solar collector, thus rendering the high efficiency engine suitable for outer space applications. A cool compressed gas from one working chamber and a hot exhaust gas from another working chamber pass through respective thermally connected heat exchangers (72, 80) for conservation of energy and increased engine efficiency.

Abstract: A pumped loop two-phase heat transfer system, operating at a nearly constant temperature throughout, includes a plurality of independently operating grooved capillary heat exchanger plates supplied with working fluid through independent flow modulation valves connected to a liquid supply line, a vapor line for collecting vapor from the heat exchangers, a condenser between the vapor and the liquid lines, and a fluid circulating pump between the condenser and the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A small component package employing a ring frame 11 of a mouldable polyamide-imide thermoplastic directly moulded onto a heat conducting base plate 10 with integral moulded anchoring pins of the thermoplastic material engaging corresponding bores 21 and 22 through the base plate. The other edge of the ring frame 11 is metalized as is the interface area 13 with a cover plate 12 of the same thermoplastic material for a soldered seal. Multiple solid electrical leads 17, 18, 19, 20 are moulded into the ring frame 11 during the base plate-to-ring from moulding operation to provide an inexpensive, sealed package which is also light in weight. Threaded inserts 14 facilitate a firm connection to an external heat sink surface along surface 10a of base plate 10.

Abstract: In acoustic emission non-destructive testing, broadband frequency noise is distinguished from narrow band acoustic emission signals, wherein the latter are valid events indicative of structural flaws in the material being examined. This is accomplished by separating out those signals which contain frequency components both within and beyond (either above or below) the range of valid acoustic emission events.

Abstract: A bracket hinge and bracket members (10, 10') with a spring biased and movable locking member (30). The locking or latch member (30) has ear parts (38, 39) received in locking openings (25, 25') where wedging surfaces (40, 41) on the ear parts cooperate with complimentary surfaces (42, 42') on the bracket members for bringing the bracket members into a tight end-to-end alignment when the bracket members are in an extended position. When the locking member (30) is moved to an unlocking position, pivoting of the hinge about a pivot pin (32) automatically places locking pins (70, 71) in a circular shaped groove (55) on the locking member (30) to retain the locking member (30) in an unlocked position. In pivoting the hinge from an extended position to a folded position, longitudinal spring members (80, 81) are placed under tension over annular rollers (60, 61) so that the spring tension in a folded position assists in return of the hinge from a folded position to an extended position.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a mechanical force actuator which is light weight and manipulatable and utilizes linear motion for push or pull forces while maintaining a constant overall length.The mechanical force producing mechanism comprises a linear actuator mechanism (22,23) and a linear motion shaft (11) mounted parallel to one another. The linear motion shaft (11) is connected to a stationary or fixed housing (12) and to a movable housing (26) where the movable housing (26) is mechanically actuated through actuator mechanism (22,26) by either manual means (21) or motor means (20). The housings (12,26) are adapted to releasably receive a variety of jaw or pulling elements (28) adapted for clamping or prying action. The stationary housing (12) is adapted to be pivotally mounted to permit an angular position of the housing to allow the tool to adapt to skewed interfaces. The actuator mechanisms (22,23) is operated by through a gear train (19) to obtain linear motion of the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A video controlled solid state range finding system includes an opto-electric camera and a helium neon laser. The laser applies coherent light to a beam splitter which applies a reference beam to the camera and an outgoing beam to a first angularly variable reflector which directs the outgoing beam to the object. An incoming beam from the object is reflected to a second angularly variable reflector and thus to the camera via the beam splitter. The first and second reflectors are configured with respect to the beam splitter so that the distance D travelled by the outgoing beam is the same as the distance travelled by the incoming beam from the second reflector to the beam splitter. The reference beam produces a reference signal and the incoming beam produces an object signal at the camera. The difference between the reference and object signals is used to vary the angle A between the outgoing beam and the reference line (31), and the angle B between the incoming beam and the reference line.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of removing desirable constituents from an infusible material by infusion extraction, where a piston operating in a first chamber draws a solvent into the first chamber where it may be heated, and then moves the heated solvent into a second chamber containing the infusible material, and where infusion extraction takes place. The piston then moves the solvent containing the extract through a filter into the first chamber, leaving the extraction residue in the second chamber.