Abstract: A wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator is disclosed. Eight identically pentagon-shaped translucent rear-projection screens are joined together at their edges to form a partial dodecahedron. Each video projector is mounted outside the partial dodecahedron to direct, through a mounted mirror-folded beam path, an appropriate simulator image to the rear of a pentagon screen. A simulator pilot views the simulated image from inside the partial dodecahedron. Also disclosed is an apparatus for switching eight video signals among six video channels by monitoring simulator head movement to switch video signals to the screen, or window, then being viewed. Further disclosed is an apparatus for providing geometrically correct separate images to two simulator crewmembers. Each field of an interlaced raster display is a display for a separate crewmember design eye-point. Two liquid crystal controlled glasses are worn one each by each crewmember.

Abstract: A nosecone/fairing for reducing the aerodynamic drag of an underwing mounted chaff and flare dispenser has the shape of a flattened paraboloid and covers only the generally square front of the chaff and flare dispenser. The nosecone/fairing is made of fiberglass and attaches to the chaff and flare dispenser by mounting holes in the nosecone/fairing located to align with preexisting holes in the unmodified chaff and flare dispenser.

Abstract: A power probe for in-situ electron microscope viewing of electromigration in aluminum thin films has a probe holder, a detachable probe tip and, mounted on the probe tip, a quartz power distributor. A test specimen, such as an integrated circuit component, can be viewed inside the electron microscope while logic gates or other components are exercised. The probe holder is shaped to mate to a conventional electron microscope side entry port. The probe tip attaches to the end of the probe holder and extends into the electron beam path. The test specimen mounts on the power distributor which is in turn mounted inside a trough at the end of the detachable probe tip. The probe tip and power distributor include mutually aligned openings, over which the test specimen mounts, for the electron beam path.

Abstract: A high contrast remotely switchable target discriminator, particularly suitable for use with automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), is disclosed. A laser light source directs light through a first polarizer to reflect off a beam splitter toward a target, which may be an AGV guidepath. The target comprises a reflecting material overlaid with a polarization rotator so that the light then reflected from the target has a polarization different from that from the original light source. The reflected light transmits back through the beam splitter to a second polarizer that transmits only light of the rotated polarization. Light that passes through the second polarizer then strikes a detector. A second polarizer-detector combination may be set to transmit and detect only light of the non-rotated polarization so that a sufficiently large ratio of the two different polarizations may be tested.

Abstract: An improved system for training and testing radiographic interpreters is providing by cracking or otherwise causing structural defects in vinyl floor tiles which, when radiographic images of the floor tiles are made, produce images that accurately mimic the radiographic images of structural aluminum aircraft components. Other plastic, or aluminum, plates, called radiographic eliminating plates, are variously combined with the simulated aluminum sheets, called radiographic imaging plates, to produce a series of increasingly difficult to read radiographs for training and testing.

Abstract: A floor-mounted, retractable, energy absorbing pallet end stop assembly for use in cargo aircraft and the like is described. The pallet end stop assembly mounts in the forward portion of an aircraft to stop and hold in place rows of cargo pallets. The pallet end stop rotates from a stowed position level with the cargo deck to a released position above the cargo deck. A lower half of the pallet end stop includes a pair of arcuate slots. A shock absorber is mounted beneath the deck and is slidably attached at one end to the arcuate slots. A release mechanism is also mounted in the floor so that, when pressed down, the release mechanism rotates and an integral tooth slides a latch pin, through a notch in the latch pin, against a spring away from a lip on the pallet end stop to thereby free the pallet end stop from its stowed position.

Abstract: A method for making an anisotropic or predominantly unidirectional wick primarily for use in heat pipes is disclosed unidirectional heat pipe wicks is made by supporting magnetically susceptible particles on a wire screen and moving the screen inside a magnetic field until the characteristic cone or point shapes assumed by the particles are aligned in a laid down orientation. The particles are then heat treated to yield a sintered wick. An example of a wick made with nickel powder demonstrates improved wicking in the direction pointed to by the laid down points. A wick is also made by the spinning pipe-slurry method for making heat pipe wicks. Magnetically susceptible powder is mixed into a viscous binder to make a slurry, then injected inside a rotating cylindrical heat pipe container. A magnetic field is created around the spinning container and varied to align the particles in a desired structure.

Abstract: An improved blade outer air cooling system for aircraft jet engines is disclosed. An integrated substrate backplate, cooling impingement plate and manifold replaces a conventional substrate backplate supporting a seal surface. A cooling impingement plate is mounted on the back of the backplate and a manifold is mounted over the impingement plate. The combined seal surface and new substrate outer air seal assembly attaches to the engine case structure through flange hooks formed as part of the manifold. A support supports the manifold inside the case structure and includes an opening for cooling air to enter an inlet into the manifold. A metal seal ring is compressed between the manifold and the support. The backplate includes holes for exhausting or purging cooling air after impinging on the backplate. The backplate, impingement plate and manifold may be welded, brazed or otherwise united together.

Abstract: A flow-through cell cultivation apparatus and method is described. The flow-through cell cultivation system comprises a flowcell, a chamber inside the flowcell for holding cells, and a flowcell holder. The flowcell has a lower intake port for flowing liquid nutrient through a cellbed inside the flowcell and an upper outlet port for flowing the liquid nutrient out of the flowcell. The flowcell also includes a chuck for receipt of a thermal probe. The probe is made of electromagnetically non-interactive material. The flowcell is enclosed inside the flowcell holder. The flowcell holder includes a pair of intake ports into a cavity having an open end at the flowcell for turbulently flowing a temperature controlled gas against the flowcell. The cavity has rough walls to promote the turbulent flow. The flowcell holder includes an exhaust port for flowing the gas out of the flowcell holder which also serves as a port for another thermal probe.

Abstract: An ordnance or munition casing is described which comprises a hollow outer casing having a shock attenuating inner liner made from successive layers of material of inwardly decreasing acoustic impedance. The inner liner reduces the sensitivity of the munition to sympathetic detonation and cookoff. Also described is an attenuation barrier made from a layer or layers of less detonation sensitive explosive material. The layers of less detonation sensitive material are preferably arranged in successive layers of outwardly decreasing detonation sensitivity. The same layers may combine sequenced acoustic impedance and detonation sensitivity. The layers may be made of material compounded with flaked or granular materials to provide preselected acoustic impedances. A coating for desensitizing the outer surface layer of a main explosive charge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for cryogenic removal of paint and other surface coatings is disclosed. Alternate stream pulses of a cryogenic fluid and abrasive beads are directed at a surface coating to alternately embrittle and then shatter the coating. The pulse durations and the time intervals between pulses are generally less than one second and may be on the order of micro and milliseconds. The cryogenic stream pulses may also be alternated with other mechanical paint removal methods.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for nuclear energy powered thermionic fuel elements is disclosed. An inner cylindrical nuclear fuel heat source is surrounded by cylindrical layers of, in outward order, an emitter, a gap, a collector, an insulator and a cladding layer. A hexagonal pressure vessel surrounds the other parts of the thermionic fuel element and forms liquid metal coolant passages between the inside corners of the hexagon and the cladding. Longitudinally, each thermionic fuel element comprises a middle active zone between two 20% enriched uranium zones to reduce the critical mass of the system for safety. Beryllium zone endcaps act as neutron reflectors and further reduce the critical mass. A plurality of thermionic fuel elements is arrayed into a reactor core with brazed together pressure vessel hexagon sides. In the event of a leak, or other coolant flow failure, the pressure vessel sides act as thermal conduction fins and transfer waste heat to adjacent pressure vessels where coolant flow has not failed.

Abstract: A flow-through cell cultivation apparatus and method is described. The flow-through cell cultivation system comprises a flowcell, a chamber inside the flowcell for holding cells, and a flowcell holder. The flowcell has a lower intake port for flowing liquid nutrient through a cellbed inside the flowcell and an upper outlet port for flowing the liquid nutrient out of the flowcell. The flowcell also includes a chuck for receipt of a thermal probe. The probe is made of electromagnetically non-interactive material. The flowcell is enclosed inside the flowcell holder. The flowcell holder includes a pair of intake ports into a cavity having an open end at the flowcell for turbulently flowing a temperature controlled gas against the flowcell. The cavity has rough walls to promote the turbulent flow. The flowcell holder includes an exhaust port for flowing the gas out of the flowcell holder which also serves as a port for another thermal probe.

Abstract: A ballistic protective insert for use with soft body armor by female personnel is disclosed. The ballistic protective insert provides enhanced protection to female breast tissue which is uniquely susceptible to the harmful effects of blunt trauma from ballistic impact. The ballistic protective insert is a rigid, inflexible cup worn over a woman's breast and under a conventional soft body armor vest. The insert is preferably made of SPECTRA SHIELD, a high strength polyethylene material, sheets laminated together with epoxy. The protective insert appears to work by a combination of dynamic effects. The dynamic effects include redirecting ballistic impact forces to the muscular chest wall surrounding the breasts, and creating a compression wave inside the breast which reflects off the chest wall as a tension wave and then tends to push the insert away from the breast. The protective inserts resist any significant deformation for as long as possible to reduce impact intensity.

Abstract: A long life, very low friction pump for use in a heat pipe pump or the like s disclosed. A first pump uses magnetically confined ferrofluid rings are both sealer and lubricant for a sliding pump piston in a two sided piston pump that minimizes the seal pressures on both sides of the ferrofluid seals. A second pump uses a magnetically confined ferrofluid slug as a self-sealing and self-repairing pump piston.

Abstract: A predominantly unidirectional wick primarily for use in unidirectional heat pipe wicks is disclosed. The wick is made by supporting magnetically susceptible particles on a wire screen and moving the screen inside a magnetic field until the characteristic cone or point shapes assumed by the particles are aligned in a laid down orientation. The particles are then heat treated to yield a sintered wick. An example of the disclosed wick made with nickel powder demonstrates improved wicking in the direction pointed to by the laid down points. The invention also includes a combination with the spinning pipe-slurry method for making heat pipe wicks. Magnetically susceptible powder is mixed into a viscous binder to make a slurry, then injected inside a rotating cylindrical heat pipe container. A magnetic field is created around the spinning container and varied to align the particles in a desired structure.

Abstract: A flexible lower body negative pressure (LBNP) anti-G suit for protecting against the adverse effects of -G.sub.z acceleration is disclosed. Conventional anti-G suits protect against the adverse effects of +G.sub.z acceleration. Accelerations in the negative z direction, -G.sub.z, can also cause adverse physiological effects and, additionally, severely unpleasant subjective sensations. LBNP has been used in the past to alleviate the somewhat similar physiological effects of weightlessness in space. It has also been used with merely limited success to treat various medical problems. The present invention provides an improved LBNP suit that successfully alleviates the adverse physiological and subjective effects of -G.sub.z accelerations. Applying LBNP to an aircrew member increases venous vascular volumes in the lower body and reduces the otherwise increased pressures in the upper cardiovascular system.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating subhuman primate animal test subjects about one or more axes to minimize trauma during simulated zero or micro-gravity studies. The timed roto-positioning apparatus has a frame, a subframe rotatably attached to the frame, and a carrier for a primate restraint system rotatably attached to the subframe. Two motors, controlled by a programmable controller, individually rotate the subframe and the carrier according to a preselected sequence. The preferred embodiment is a modified A-frame structure made from welded channel aluminum beams and equipped with casters and lifters to move and securely position the apparatus. A tube with rotatable fittings is used to supply drinking water to test animals and electrical slip rings are used for transmitting physiological sensor signals from the test animal through the rotating connections of the carrier, subframe and frame. Radio telemetry may be used in place of the electrical slip rings.

Abstract: A fastener tool for tightening obstructed fasteners is disclosed. A handle and a blade made of flat metal are pivotably attached at two ends. One end of the blade is bent to form a tip having a generally straight outside edge for inserting into a fastener head. The edge may additionally include a substantially half circle projection from the middle of the line segment for use with cross-slotted or Phillips type fastener heads. The edge may also be slightly outwardly convex.

Abstract: Particulate additives for increasing the modulus of thermoplastic matrix materials used in making fiber reinforced composites is disclosed. Finely divided filler materials, such as silica, titania and silicon carbide, having particle sizes about 1 to 5 microns, is added to thermoplastic resin powder to increase the modulus properties, especially in compression, of the resulting matrix without materially changing any of the otherwise advantageous properties of the thermoplastic material.