Abstract: Edible coatings for protecting perishable foods against spoilage and for significantly extending the life of such foods as fruits and vegetables. A protein derived film is prepared from soybeans, wheat, corn, and mixtures thereof by a process of soaking the grain in water to soften the layer, subjecting the grain-water mixture to the shearing action in a blender to form a milky suspension which is filtered to remove the solids. The residual liquid is heated to denature the higher molecular constituents which are coagulated, allowed to float to the surface, and removed from the denatured proteinaceous solution. The denatured proteinaceous solution is cooled and subsequently employed to coat fruits and vegetable with coatings which function as excellent barriers for preventing the fruits and vegetables from reacting with atmospheric oxygen or carbon dioxide while providing barriers which are permeable to water which precludes their drying out due to dehydration during storage.

Abstract: Testing apparatus for testing and evaluating the performance of laser seeking warheads for missiles under simulated weather conditions. The testing apparatus includes a support for supporting the warhead seeker and a laser for generating a laser beam, and for directing it towards the seeker. The laser beam extends through a diffusion screen which is interposed between the seeker support beams and the laser for diffusing the laser beam. A collimating lens is interposed between the diffusion screen and the seeker support for collimating the diffused laser beam and for directing the collimated laser beam onto the warhead seeker. A background illuminator is provided with an operating position between the diffusion screen and the collimating lens for simulating background lighting comparable to various weather conditions. The intensity of light generated by the background illuminator is varied by either individual rheostat controls or by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A transmitting device for transmitting a plurality of spatially separate laser beams over a single fiberoptic glass monofilament, for conveying a plurality of signals without multiplexing. Means are provided for generating a plurality of laser beams, each of which are directed into the core of the fiberoptic monofilament of glass at a different angle to the longitudinal axis of the monofilament. Each of the beams also exits from the exiting end of the monofilament at different angles. Those inserted at an angle of the longitudinal axis exit in a conical annulus having the same angle as the angle in which the beam was originally inserted into the monofilament. Means are provided for intercepting each of said signals as they exit from the exiting end of the monofilament and converting them into electrical energy or extracting data therefrom.

Abstract: A laser actuated thru-bulkhead initiator for transmission of detonation within the initiator without destroying the pressure integrity of the initiator and the seal of the pressure vessel in which the initiator is installed comprises a body portion having an aperture extending throughout the length thereof. This aperture provides an optical path from a laser source to a detonable explosive material positioned within the aperture. The body portion provides a housing for retaining in a first section of the aperture, a primary window element, an attenuator for an explosive shock wave, a second window element, and an explosive material within the aperture and the optical path. A second section of the aperture of the body portion which extends from the outer surface of the second window performs the function of receiving the explosive shock wave energy dissipated from an explosive force released by the detonable explosive composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing candidate rocket nozzle materials includes an elated member having a combustion chamber extending therethrough, with an inlet at the forward end of the combustion chamber for admitting and igniting a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and a nozzle secured to the combustion chamber at the aft end thereof. The nozzle is made of wafers or petals of materials to be tested, with the wafers being secured together at the edges thereof and having a configuration such that the wafers in transverse cross section form a polygon which has an area which increases with distance from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Pivotable, reflective target elements are used to reflect infrared radiat from blackbody sources and transmit the radiation toward infrared-detecting device to test the capability of the device to detect patterns of infrared radiation under dynamic field environment.

Abstract: The trimer of 1,6-hexanediisocyanate, which has the chemical name in acconce with (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) (IUPAC) nomenclature of 7-aza-8-oxo-7[1-isocyanato-6-oxohexyl]pentadecanediisocyanate, is employed in a method of chemical bonding of solid propellant grains to the internal insulation of an interceptor motor. Both the propellant composition and the insulation are chemically reactive with the trimmer identified hereinabove. The method comprises providing a solid propellant rocket motor case having the internal insulation installed therein. Following degreasing of the insulation outer surface, the trimer identified hereinabove is spray coated onto the insulation, and the solid propellant composition is placed onto the trimer. A chemical bond is formed between the propellant and the trimer and the insulation to achieve the chemical bonding of an isocyanate curable solid propellant composition to the internal insulation.

Abstract: A simulator and method of testing a sensor wherein an electron gun mounted n a vacuum chamber directs a stream of electronic onto a target plate made up of a heat sink backing sheet and a heat insulating coating sheet adhered to the backing layer to form small hot spots on the coating sheet. The target plate may be a sheet of copper to which is adhered a coating layer of glass or a sheet of aluminum to which is adhered a coating layer of aluminum oxide. Infrared radiation from the hot spots is collimated and passed through an optical system which forms an image of the hot spots on the sensor to be tested.

Abstract: An optical position sensor for a winding apparatus for winding an optical lament onto a rotating bobbin having means for controlling the winding angle of the filament. The invention comprises a winding angle sensor surface which is rectangular and divided into two surfaces by a diagonal line extending across the path of the filament being wound. The invention includes computer means for receiving signals from each of the halves of the sensor surface for calculating the position of the shadow of the filament crossing over the sensor surface. the sensor head includes means for generating light uniformly on the opposite side of the said filament from said sensor surface.

Abstract: This method can be used either as an independent radar system or as an adct to an existing radar system, after suitably modifying the existing system, and will provide a cooperative, Radio Frequency passive, identification system for either stationary or moving targets. The system uses suitable devices that will mechanically vibrate as a transponder mechanism as an attachment to stationary or moving targets. A sideband analyzer is used to identify the viberation pattern in the radar return, and therefore, identifies the target.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer calibration system for use with an optical time domain reflectometer to check for accuracy of the optical time domain reflectometer in absolute and relative distance measurements as well as for attenuation measurements and receiver linearity.

Abstract: Van Atta array is used to receive a millimeter wave beam from a beam transmitter located in a missile in flight and retransmit the beam back to its source along its original optical path after the beam is phase conjugated and modulated at a tracking station by imparting to it missile guidance information. The missile extracts guidance information from the retransmitted beam and guides its trajectory closer to the course leading to the target.

Abstract: A device for applying adhesive onto a fiber, such as an optical fiber, is located between the fiber supply spool and rewinder and comprises a covered cup for holding liquid adhesive, and a drying chamber. The cup has first and second bores for passing the fiber therethrough and is suitably insulated from external temperature changes. The entrance of the drying chamber is coupled to a side of the cup so that it surrounds the second bore.

Abstract: A block of composite material includes a dielectric material with a dielectric constant of .epsilon..sub.d =4.66 and which is at least 4 .mu.m thick and has electrically conductive microparticles randomly distributed throughout. The composite material exhibits an optical bistability without cavity feedback. The microparticles must be nearly uniform in size and of spherical diameter much smaller than the wavelength of light in the particle. The composite, when illuminated by laser light in the range of 500 nm and of varying intensity, becomes opaque at a critical input intensity and stays opaque until the input intensity reaches a certain level both below and above the intensity at which it initially became opaque. Thus the material behaves as an optical switch and a limiter.

Abstract: A method of extinguishing burning rocket or missile solid propellant employs a device including an explosive charge which is submerged in an extinguishant agent contained in container positioned near the rocket or missile solid propellant being tested or stored. An electrically initiated detonator or heat initiated detonator initiates the explosive charge which causes the extinguishant agent to be explosively driven or propelled horizontally, almost in a solid mass, to the sites of burning propellant to achieve extinguishment within milliseconds. The composition of a preferred extinguishant agent is ethylene glycol of about 55 weight percent, water of about 25 weight percent, and foaming agent of about 20 weight percent.

Abstract: A curved grid fin that is constructed of strips of thin gauge metal such as teel honeycomb secured together in a grid pattern with the honeycomb structure enclosed around a periphery thereof by a thin support structure that is secured thereto in a conventional manner and with a base structure secured to the thin support structure to provide a fin that is designed to be mounted on a missile to provide a fin structure that can control or guide a missile as well as provide a breaking or deceleration means for control of a missile or payload.

Abstract: Utilizing the property of electro-optic crystal which changes its index of refraction in the presence of electric field, such a crystal is placed inside the resonant cavity of a Fabry-Perot type interferometer. Laser light travelling through the cavity and the crystal experiences modified optical path length in the presence of electric field. The fringe pattern at the focal plane is observed and used to detect and measure the ambient electric field.

Abstract: A rocket motor that has a solid propellant with closure means that is secd to the rocket motor housing by heat responsive means that melts before the solid propellant ignites to prevent the rocket motor from becoming propulsive when subjected to excessive external heat sufficient to cause the rocket propellant to ignite.

Abstract: A fire protective blanket is fabricated by sealing and forming between two heets of plastic material a pocket or quilt design of fire extinguishing chemical in powder form which is contained in the formed pockets and selected from potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and the reaction product of potassium hydrogen carbonate and urea. A thickness from about 2 millimeters to about 5 millimeters has been found adequate for the plastic sheet material selected from poly-p-ethylene terephthalamide (Kevlar) or polyethylene. The sealed pocket or patch quilt design is to ensure against the powder from becoming nonuniformly distributed throughout the blanket and to ensure that no settling of the chemical takes place as well. The action mechanism, which can extinguish gasoline fires in millisecond time frames, is due to the rupture of the pockets containing the fire extinguishing chemicals when the gasoline is ignited.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride, MAN, as an adjunct to triphenylbismuthine (TPB) yields roved benefits to the mechanical properties of isophorone diisocyanate cured hydroxy terminated polymer binders. Results from several propellant mixes indicate that both pot life and mechanical properties are affected not only by the concentration of TPB catalyst used, but also by the ratio of TPB to MAN. The ratio of TPB to MAN from about 1 to 0.5 to about 1 to 1.5 produces interesting results in the values of stress, strain, and modulus as shown in the data set forth in the specification and as graphically depicted in the drawing. The weight percent of MAN ranges from about 0.0125 percent to about 0.0375 percent, and the weight percent of TPB ranges from about 0.015 percent to about 0.035 percent.