Abstract: A lead positioner for a pencil plotter in which a lead stocker contains a plurality of leads for use in a pencil plotter, a lead actuator mechanism is coupled to the lead stocker and is adapted to release the leads into a lead holder, and a shaker is provided coupled to the lead stocker and adapted to enable the leads to be released individually into the lead holder. In a particular embodiment, the shaker imparts a vibrational motion to the lead stocker prior to the lead actuator mechanism releasing the leads to enable the leads to be released individually. The shaker is further adapted to provide a translational motion to the lead stocker to align the leads and the lead holder and, in addition, to enable the lead actuator mechanism to release the leads into the lead holder.

Abstract: An ink sensing system for a vector plotter in which a pen is adapted to be raised and lowered from a drawing media surface along a system axis. An optical detection system is provided which has a focal point on the system axis and below the media surface when the pen is in its lowered position and at the media surface when the pen is in its raised position. The optical detection system includes a source of illumination and a detector system to determine the degree of reflectance from the media surface to indicate the presence or absence of ink on the media surface. In a particular embodiment the optical detection system is moveable and the movement of the optical detection system is coupled to the movement of the pen. Furthermore, the focal point of the optical detection system coincides substantially with the last point of contact of the pen with the media surface when the pen is in the raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle in free space or air, with external surfaces primarily fashioned from planar facets. The planar facets or panels are angularly positioned to reduce scattered energy in the direction of the receiver. In particular, radar signals which strike the vehicle are primarily reflected at an angle away from the search radar or are returned to the receiver with large variations of amplitude over small vehicle attitude changes.

Abstract: A novelty item in which an inflatable object is secured in a deflated state in a container with a movable lid. Inflation means is provided to rapidly expand the inflatable object beyond the bounds of the container. When the inflation means is actuated, the inflatable object rapidly expands thus causing the lid to move to an open position and a fully inflated object is suddenly thrust into view.

Abstract: An improved radar range comprising a ground plane (22), support means (28) for supporting a target (26) a selected height above the ground plane, transmitting means (24) for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at the target, means (30, 32) for increasing the time required for the portion of the electromagnetic wave reflected off the target toward the ground plane to return to the target, and receiving means (24) for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of the electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by the target. In a particular embodiment, the means for increasing the return time includes means for recessing the support means a selected distance below the ground plane by providing a diffraction ridge (30) a selected distance from the support means toward the transmitting means with the ridge sloping down to the selected distance below the ground plane.

Abstract: An automated fiber lay-up machine for the fabrication of reticulated structures comprising an upper carriage (12) which carries a fibrous material handling system (14), including a source of resin (78), and a lower carriage (44) which carries a fiber laying head (46). The upper and lower carriages each have a selected number of degrees of freedom of movement to allow positioning of the fibrous material handling system and the fiber laying head. Means (20, 32, 50, 60, 113) are provided to move and control the motion of the upper and lower carriages. The movement of the upper carriage is slaved to the movement of the lower carriage to allow the fibrous material handling system to dispense the fibrous material to the fiber laying head. The fiber laying head can rotate to provide an extra degree of freedom and can also be independently moved normal to a work surface.

Abstract: In the present invention an improved sound absorbing panel is provided. The panel comprises an array of wall defining means configured to provide two or more contiguous hollow cells having adjacent open ends and adjacent closed impermeable ends, the open ends defining a sound receiving end of the array, at least one impermeable three dimensional closed surface disposed in at least one of the cells, and a flow resistive permeable facing sheet covering the sound receiving end. Approximately 50 percent of the cells may be filled in a periodic arrangement. The three dimensional closed surface may be a sphere or a cylinder and may be bonded to the closed impermeable ends or to the wall defining means. A drainage notch is provided. The present invention is particularly suitable for sound attenuation in jet engines and other applications having adverse environmental conditions and requiring sound absorptive panels, baffles, duct liners, and duct splitters.

Abstract: An extendable shock strut comprising a strut housing having an open end and a closed end and a piston including a piston housing and a piston head slidable in the strut housing. The piston housing and the strut housing are adapted to move a selected distance relative to one another under normal usage. A source of high pressure gas is provided coupled to the shock strut for rapidly driving the strut housing and the piston housing relative to one another to an extended position. In a particular embodiment of the invention, an expandable chamber is formed from the closed end of the strut housing and a secondary piston slidable in the strut housing and positioned between the closed end of the strut housing and the piston head. The high pressure gas rapidly expands the chamber and drives the secondary piston toward the piston head to cause the piston housing and the strut housing to move relative to one another to the extended position.

Abstract: A sound barrier (22) comprising a pair of spaced apart members (24,26), a medium (34) disposed between the members capable of propagating sound waves, and one or more acoustical resonators (30) coupled to the medium and tuned to one or more selected frequencies. The resonators may be disposed between the members or may be disposed around the outer periphery of the members to permit construction of a sound barrier window. The resonators may form an integral part of one of the members or may be suspended between the members by netting or sound insulating material.

Abstract: Induced fluorescence of air molecules is used to determine air data parameters such as barometric altitude. The air molecules at a sample location are caused to fluoresce by means of a suitable energy source. A detector having an effective field of view including the sample location measures the fluorescence emitted by the air molecules in the detection sample (the portion of the fluorescing region viewed by the detector). By the use of appropriate filters and/or appropriate selection of the energy source, it is possible to measure fluorescence only from a particular type of air molecule. Since the measured intensity is proportional to the number of excited air molecules, it is possible to compute the density of the air, the static pressure of the air, the partial density and pressure of any individual molecular species, and/or the barometric altitude.

Abstract: An electrical multiplex data bus is operatively coupled to an optical multiplex data bus by means of a novel electro-optical converter arrangement to form a hybrid data transmission system in which the transition from the optical data bus to the electrical data bus or vice versa is transparent to the individual terminals and controllers connected thereto. The data on the electrical bus is encoded in a biphase Manchester II code. Within the optical portion of the system, the data is represented by three different levels of flux within the optical fiber transmission line. Since flux is a measure of the intensity of the light, it will never be less than zero; accordingly, the three flux levels may be "zero", an intermediate value "L", and a maximum value "H".

Abstract: A rhythm controller for producing a selected number of clock pulses for a musical beat interval comprising an oscillator, first and second counters coupled to the oscillator and a divider coupling the first counter to the oscillator to reduce the output frequency of the oscillator to the first counter. Input means generates a pulse at the onset of each beat interval and enables the first counter to count the divided output of the oscillator for a first beat interval. A comparator receives the count of the first counter, compares the count for the first beat interval with the count of the second counter and produces a clock pulse upon a coincidence. The clock pulse resets the second counter which continues to recount and to be reset after each coincidence until the end of a beat interval, thereby causing a selected number of clock pulses, i.e., a timebase, to be produced for the first beat interval.

Abstract: A uniquely configured radiation fringe velocimeter is used to measure all three components of velocity remotely from a single point. The device is particularly intended for utilization aboard an aircraft, in which case the velocity being measured may be that of aerosol particles or other scattering centers in the free airstream at a location spaced apart from the surface of the aircraft and thus for the most part, free from any associated turbulence effects, etc.

Abstract: Torsional movement of a blade mass balance element (64) in a helicopter blade brings about a twisting of the upper and lower skin surfaces (24) and (26) of the blade (60) to produce a torsional travelling deformation wave in the skin. Torsion of the mass balance element (64) is accomplished through electrical activation and interaction of an upper coil (63) and a lower coil (62). The lower coil (62) is attached to the balance bar (64) via a cantilevered lever (66) while the upper coil (63) is attached to the balance bar (64) at two spanwise locations via a beam structure (68). The coils (62, 63), when electrically activated, cause torsion to be introduced into the mass balance element (64).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of automatically controlling curing of a thermosetting polymeric material. The method comprises the steps of (a) applying heat to the polymeric material to initiate curing; (b) measuring a selected characteristic of the polymeric material at various times during the cure cycle thereof; (c) generating a set of signals corresponding to the measurements made; (d) determining from the signals the optimum time for applying pressure to the polymeric material; and (e) automatically applying pressure to the polymeric material at the optimum time, in a closed-loop system. The selected characteristic measured may be the capacitance or the dissipation of the polymeric material. In general, the pressure is automatically applied immediately after the minimum capacitance level is reached but before hardening of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A radiation fringe velocimeter subsystem and a subsystem for determining air density related parameters, are combined into a single optical system (20) which permits various important parameters associated with the operation of an aircraft to be measured at a sample location at a sufficient distance from the aircraft (or any physical attachment thereto) so that the measurements will not be subject to systemic errors such as those caused by air compression effects and airflow disturbances, and which does not require that any Pitot tubes, pressure ports or other similar mechanical devices protrude into the airstream where the measurements are to be made.

Abstract: The invention is a nose-torquer electromagnetic pulse deicing system for airfoil surfaces. A deflection wave mode deformation is generated in the skin (14) by activation of two electromagnetic coils (42). The coils (42) form part of a nose-torquer mechanism (40) which includes cantilever levers (46) and (47). The cantilever levers (46) and (47) are secured to the nose-section (44) of the airfoil. The coils (42), when electrically activated, cause a torsional wave deformation of the skin (14) as a result of opposite relative rotation between the levers (46) and the lever (47) about the nose-section (44).

Abstract: An antenna, particularly suitable for two-way communication between a communication satellite and an aircraft in flight, having a circular polarization response, comprising a T-matched dipole element producing a pattern polarized parallel to the axis of the aircraft fuselage, and having a slot therein which is separately excited to produce an E field orthogonally polarized with respect to the pattern of the dipole. By exciting the dipole and the slot in phase quadrature, the combined patterns provide circular polarization as is necessary for satellite communications. The shape of the antenna enclosure has a very low drag and favorable aerodynamic characteristics.

Abstract: A latching assembly comprising first and second mechanically engageable latch members (14,24), biasing means (60,62) for causing the latch members (14,24) to assume a disengaged position, a permanent magnet (50) for overcoming the force of the biasing means, the permanent magnet (50) being isolated from the latch members (14,24) when the latch members (14,24) are in an engaged position, and an electromagnet (46) having a polarity when energized opposing the permanent magnet (50) for overcoming the force thereof and thereby permitting the biasing means (60,62) to cause the latch members (14,24) to assume the disengaged, unlatched position. The assembly is also designed so that the biasing means (60,62) and the electromagnet (46) are isolated from the latch members (14,24) when the latch members (14,24) are in an engaged position.

Abstract: An automated lay-up machine for the fabrication of composite structures comprising an upper carriage (12) which carries a material handling system (14) and a lower carriage which carries a laying head (46). The upper and lower carriages each have a selected number of degrees of freedom of movement to allow positioning of the material handling system and the laying head. Means (20, 32, 50, 60, 145) are provided to move and control the motion of the upper and lower carriages. The movement of the upper carriage is slaved to the movement of the lower carriage to allow the material handling system to dispense material to the laying head. The material handling system and the laying head can also rotate to provide an extra degree of freedom, with the rotation of the material handling system also being slaved to the rotation of the laying head. The laying head can also be independently moved normal to a work surface.