Abstract: An adaptor detachably mounted on an ocular of night vision goggles for quly adjusting the objective lens focus to clearly view far and near objects. The adaptor includes a positive optical power or close-up lens mounted in a holder pivotally mounted between a stowed, inoperative position and an operative position locating the close-up lens in axial alignment with the objective lens of the ocular. The close-up lens has an effective diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the objective lens to raise the F/number of the objective lens/close-up lens combination for increasing the depth of focus for enhanced near viewing. Auxiliary illumination is provided by a battery powered infra-red Light Emitting Diode (LED) mounted in the adaptor and energized by a switch as the lens holder moves toward its operative position.

Abstract: A sheathed syringe assembly including a syringe having a cylindrical body provided with a needle at one end thereof and a plunger slideably disposed within said cylindrical body for aspirating or dispensing substances into or from the cylindrical body. A sheath assembly comprised of inner and outer tubular members is attached to the cylindrical body. The inner tubular member is telescopically received in the outer member for reciprocal movement therein between a retracted position exposing said needle and an extended position covering said needle to prevent accidental needle stick. The sheath assembly is provided with a ratchet means for manually advancing said inner tubular member into the extended position with the same hand holding said syringe assembly.

Abstract: A parachute extraction line severing apparatus comprising an extensible cutting head depending by means of a power cord from a power cord take-up assembly The cutting head includes a housing having one or more cutting devices and a viper line extending about a parachute extraction line and normally disposed in an out-of-the-way position along the interior walls of a cargo compartment. The opposite ends of the viper line are connected to and adapted to be wound about adjacent spools of a take-up reel mounted in said housing. In the event of a cargo airdrop malfunction, rotation of the spools is effective to gather the viper line into embracing relation with the extraction line to generate a reactive force drawing the cutting head and blades into engagement with the extraction line to sever the same. Once the extraction line is severed releasing the reaction force, a spring loaded spindle in the take-up assembly retracts the power cord carrying the cutting head therewith into its normal inoperative position.

Abstract: An extremely thin, conically shaped sealing member is interposed between the cooling element of a cryocooler and a dewar to permit the flow of cryogenic gases in one direction toward the cold end of the cooling element where the gas liquifies and is precluded from passing past the sealing member in an opposite direction so as to maintain the cryogenic liquid at such cooling element cold end when subjected to extreme acceleration forces. The sealing member can be formed in place directly onto the cooling element or separately fabricated from flat stock and subsequently fixedly secured to the cooling element.

Abstract: A nonmetallic tubular structure and method of making the same comprising a tubular ceramic linear surrounded by a thermal insulating composite tube and an outer braided sleeve of a graphite fiber/epoxy composite tensioned to generate compressive stresses in the ceramic liner and maintained in compression by curing the sleeve while under tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of suppressing noise generated by the primary exhaust gas flow from jet engine nozzles or the like without significantly affecting thrust. A secondary jet stream is provided exteriorly of the primary exhaust gas flow for interacting at the boundary between the exhaust gas flow and the ambient air immediately adjacent the exit end of the nozzle to preclude the formation and propagation of noise generating phenomena. The pressure of the secondary jet stream can be varied in accordance with noise levels sensed at the nozzle exit end to provide optimum noise suppression under essentially all conditions of exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of depolying a movable aerosurface of an aerial vehicle from a folded position to an unfolded, operative flight position. The aerosurface, such as a fin for example, includes a pivotal base member and a control surface connected to the base member for movement relative thereto. An actuator effects pivotal movement of the aerosurface at a predetermined angular rate of deployment. During the initial depolyment cycle the control surface is deflected relative to the base member in a direction and manner imparting aerodynamic forces against the aerosurface to accelerate the angular rate of deployment of the aerosurface. Thereafter, the control surface is deflected in a reverse direction during a later portion of the deployment cycle to impart aerodynamic forces for decelerating and dampening the angular rate of aerosurface deployment to reduce arresting loads as the aerosurface approaches its fully unfolded position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspection of nuclear fuel pins to determine fiss loading and uniformity. The system includes infeed mechanisms which stockpile, identify and install nuclear fuel pins into an irradiator. The irradiator provides extended activation times using an approximately cylindrical arrangement of numerous fuel pins. The fuel pins can be arranged in a magazine which is rotated about a longitudinal axis of rotation. A source of activating radiation is positioned equidistant from the fuel pins along the longitudinal axis of rotation. The source of activating radiation is preferably oscillated along the axis to uniformly activate the fuel pins. A detector is provided downstream of the irradiator. The detector uses a plurality of detector elements arranged in an axial array. Each detector element inspects a segment of the fuel pin.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly including a carriage mounted on a shaft for movement therealong and carrying a pushrod engageable with a load to be moved. A magnet is mounted on a supporting bracket for movement along such shaft. Means are provided for adjustably spacing said magnet away from said carriage to obtain a selected magnetic attractive or coupling force therebetween. Movement of the supporting bracket and the magnet carried thereby pulls the carriage along with it until the selected magnetic force is exceeded by a resistance load acting on the carriage.

Abstract: An optical scanner for indicia arranged in a focal plane perpendicular to an optical system including a rotatable dove prism. The dove prism transmits a rotating image to a stationary photodiode array.

Abstract: An optical scanner employed in a radioactive environment for reading indicia imprinted about a cylindrical surface of an article by means of an optical system including metallic reflective and mirror surfaces resistant to degradation and discoloration otherwise imparted to glass surfaces exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing moisture changes by utilizing optical fiber technology. One embodiment uses a reflective target at the end of an optical fiber. The reflectance of the target varies with its moisture content and can be detected by a remote unit at the opposite end of the fiber. A second embodiment utilizes changes in light loss along the fiber length. This can be attributed to changes in reflectance of cladding material as a function of its moisture content. It can also be affected by holes or inserts interposed in the cladding material and/or fiber. Changing light levels can also be coupled from one fiber to another in an assembly of fibers as a function of varying moisture content in their overlapping lengths of cladding material.

Abstract: A remote optical inspection system including an inspection head. The inspection head has a passageway through which pellets or other objects are passed. A window is provided along the passageway through which light is beamed against the objects being inspected. A plurality of lens assemblies are arranged about the window so that reflected light can be gathered and transferred to a plurality of coherent optical fiber light guides. The light guides transfer the light images to a television or other image transducer which converts the optical images into a representative electronic signal. The electronic signal can then be displayed on a signal viewer such as a television monitor for inspection by a person. A staging means can be used to support the objects for viewing through the window. Routing means can be used to direct inspected objects into appropriate exit passages for accepted or rejected objects. The inspected objects are advantageously fed in a singular manner to the staging means and routing means.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alpha monitor usable in an automated nuclear fuel pin loading and processing unit. Fuel pins or other elongated pins are fed laterally into the alpha monitor in a singular fashion and are translated by a first roller assembly into a weld flare machining and decontamination substation not forming a part of the invention. Pins return and are lifted upwardly and transferred across to a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means which lifts the pins upwardly into a clamshell electrode assembly which is spread open by a combined pin lifting and electrode operating means. Once inserted the clamshell type electrode arrangement closes around the fuel pins so that inspection can occur. Fuel pins are inspected by charging electrodes to a negative potential and measuring the change in charge occurring when positively charged alpha particles strike the negatively charged electrodes.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for determination of neutron exposure and constituent concentrations in an object, such as reactor pressure vessel, is based on the observation of characteristic gamma-rays emitted by activation products in the object by using a unique continuous gamma-ray spectrometer. The spectrometer views the object through appropriate collimators to determine the absolute emission rate of these characteristic gamma-rays, thereby ascertaining the absolute activity of given activation products in the object. These data can then be used to deduce the spatial and angular dependence of neutron exposure or the spatial constituent concentration at regions of interest within the object.

Abstract: Low activation ferritic alloys, specifically bainitic and martensitic stainless steels, are described for use in the production of structural components for nuclear fusion reactors. They are designed specifically to achieve low activation characteristics suitable for efficient waste disposal. The alloys essentially exclude molybdenum, nickel, nitrogen and niobium. Strength is achieved by substituting vanadium, tungsten, and/or tantalum in place of the usual molybdenum content in such alloys.

Abstract: A welding fixture for locating a driver sleeve about the open end of a nuclear fuel pin cladding. The welding fixture includes a holder provided with an open cavity having shoulders for properly positioning the driver sleeve, the end cap, and a soft, high temperature resistant plastic protective sleeve that surrounds a portion of the end cap stem. Ejected contaminant particles spewed forth by closure of the cladding by pulsed magnetic welding techniques are captured within a contamination trap formed in the holder for ultimate removal and disposal of contaminating particles along with the holder.

Abstract: A portable, hand held electric arc saw has a small frame for supporting an electrically conducting rotary blade which serves as an electrode for generating an electric arc to erode a workpiece. Electric current is supplied to the blade by biased brushes and a slip ring which are mounted in the frame. A pair of freely movable endless belts in the form of crawler treads stretched between two pulleys are used to facilitate movement of the electric arc saw. The pulleys are formed of dielectric material to electrically insulate the crawler treads from the frame.

Abstract: A dash-pot valve comprising a cylinder submerged in the fluid of a housing and having a piston attached to a plunger projecting into the path of closing movement of a pivotal valve member. A vortex chamber in said cylinder is provided with tangentially directed inlets to generate vortex flow upon retraction of said plunger and effect increasing resistance against said piston to progressively retard the closing rate of said valve member toward its seat.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing boric acid liquid wastes containing radionuclides by neutralizing the solution and evaporating the resulting precipitate to near dryness. The dry residue is then fused into a reduced volume, insoluble, inert, solid form containing substantially all the radionuclides.