Abstract: A flame igniter for lighting barbecues, gas fireplaces and other devices which tend to flash and therefore require remote ignition. The igniter includes a cylindrical, liquefied gas, fuel reservoir having a plug and valve assembly positioned in one end for filling from commercial containers having various nozzle designs and also for emergency pressure release, and a similar plug in the opposite end, a portion of which forms a valve seat against which a metal valve needle can be actuated to release and regulate fuel into a long thin burner tube, which exits adjacent a removable modular igniter assembly with a confortably operating spark wheel. The burner tube is connected to the source of liquefied gas by the valve and a relatively long tube beneath the valve.

Abstract: An extremely fast operating, explosive operated, switch wherein a torus supports and insulates the facing ends of flat wires of the open circuit to be closed. An explosive input is applied to a conducting piston swage member which normally is insulated from the flat wires by the torus. This moves the swage portion of the member into the torus which forces it off of the ends of the wire. The swage portion then closes the circuit by jamming the frustro-conical swage surface thereof into both flat wires.

Abstract: A three wheeled, generally in line, articulated landing gear with the lever trailing the lever hinge axis, applied in a pair. Each shock strut, axle, and rolling assembly counter twist 90.degree. upon retraction about a laterally offset post to present the smallest frontal area or pod size. The twisting mechanism, the door links and the over center down lock are all tied mechanically to the gear so that no other sequencing is required during gear retraction or extension.

Abstract: A fluid actuator where an outside cylinder envelopes an inside cylinder producing four chambers, two for the power stroke and two for synchronization, for application where two or more cylinders are to drive a single load such that all cylinders advance at the same rate by cross plumbing synchronizing chambers. The combination is provided with valve means which opens at the end of each stroke to realign the actuators.

Abstract: Replacing the timing core of a conventional two-core inverter with a magnetic amplifier allows for control of frequency and for B-H loop symmetry. Switching of the magnetic amplifier results in inverter commutation rather than the familiar pulse width modulation.

Abstract: A unidirectional detent system for use with a flap handle to permit the setting of a variable stop for positioning of flaps for aircraft takeoff.

Abstract: This free flow electrophoresis separation apparatus includes means for controlling the buffer flow across the separation chamber. This is useful in controlling crescent distortion of the sample streams as well as minimizing undesired pressure differentials within the apparatus. The electrophoresis separation apparatus is constructed such that two buffer flow paths are provided. The first flow path connects the outlet of the first electrode chamber with the inlet of the second inlet chamber, and the second flow path connects the outlet of the second electrode chamber with the inlet of the first electrode chamber. Each flow path is driven by separate pump means.

Abstract: Properties of a dynamically operated integrated circuit (IC) are examined by a nondestructive, noncontact method utilizing a scanning electron microscope such that both logic state information as well as timing information regarding signal propagation delays are presented as contrast differences on the SEM video monitor corresponding to phase conditions on the IC.

Abstract: A thermally conductive mechanical joint is provided between two object surfaces across which it is desired to conduct heat. The joint includes metallic material of a predetermined melting point below the normal operating temperature of the joint. The metallic material is bounded by a mask forming cells of sufficiently small dimensions that the melted metallic material can withstand the anticipated loading normal to the joint and at right angles to the heat transfer direction. The metallic cells can be provided on opposite sides of a thin heat conductive layer provided between the surfaces of the joint or they can be provided directly on one of the surfaces of the joint. By proper choice of materials, the metallic material will remain in the cells even though the thermal joint is made and broken on multiple occasions.

Abstract: A controlled dielectric barrier is created surrounding a fastener to isolate its sparking areas. The barrier is formed by creating a cap to define a desired cavity between the cap and the fastener and then dielectric isolation material is placed in the cavity and held in place by the cap until hardened. The cap may then be removed from the fastener as desired.

Abstract: A pallet restraint system for use in the cargo bay of an aircraft in an air drop sequence. The system assures an equal application of the parachute extraction force and simultaneous release of all load sensitive latches by means of hydraulic interconnectors between the latches to vary their position.

Abstract: A package for matching the characteristic impedance of a transmission line to the impedance of a pulsed semiconductor laser diode so that short duration pulses of light can be produced with a fast repetition rate. The package mounts the laser diode on the center post of a one turn secondary of a toroidal transformer whose multiturn primary is connected to the transmission line. Not only does this allow the matching of the characteristic impedances, but the center post provides heat sinking for the diode.

Abstract: A light source is operated near its threshhold and its output is split and sent in opposite direction about a fiber optic coil which is exposed to acoustic energy. The recombined light out of the coil is modulated at acoustic frequency. The modulated light can be fed back to the light source which responds to the modulation with large amplitude variations which are sent to a detector for conversion into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy. Alternatively, the light beam may be directed from the fiber coil to the detector directly. The sensors can include components for rejecting noise at frequencies not of interest and a plurality of similar sensors can be formed in an array to obtain directional information or increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A low-cost composite structure, having near isotropic mechanical properties, produced by molding a matrix material with a reinforcing fiber element. The reinforcing fiber elements are comprised of three or more fibers to form a three-dimensional figure. In the preferred embodiment at least one fiber is oriented in each of the mutually perpendicular planes similar in appearance to a child's jack. The matrix material may be any material which provides a suitable bond with the reinforcing fiber elements.

Abstract: A dual sensitivity photodetector comprising a central region comprising a relatively high sensitivity reach through avalanche photo diode and a surrounding region comprising a relatively lower sensitivity P-type intrinsic N-type photodiode is disclosed which possesses the advantages of a wide sensitivity range and a relative freedom from overload.

Abstract: A manual/automatic brake valve of the OR configuration wherein either the servo command or the manual pedal force, whichever is the greatest, overpowers the other and is the exclusive controller of the brake pressure and springs are provided to generate a feel force during manual actuation. The feel force is independent of valve spool displacement as a result of the automatic servo input and as a result the feel force is relative to manual brake position and ignores brake force as a result of the servo command.

Abstract: A high conductance heat pipe with annular grooves engaging a composite wick having a porous sheath containing a capillary core of glass beads and arranged to provide at least one axial vapor passage. The working fluid projects through the screen sheath to expose the meniscus to the heated surface at the evaporator end of the heat pipe to provide thin film boiling. The annular grooves conduct the vapor to the vapor channel.

Abstract: A store carrier having automatic sway bracing which includes two sway braces located symmetrically at a span larger than a pair of inner suspension hooks and smaller than a pair of outer suspension hooks. When a store is loaded on either the inner or outer pair of hooks and the hooks close, a pair of spring loaded tapered wedges on each side of vertically moveable sway brace supporting columns are released to slide and wedge against mating tapered surfaces on the sway brace column thereby locking the sway braces against the loaded store. The wedges are compliant in that they are spring biased against the sliding surface so as to avoid unloading the wedge when subjected to vibratory loads. The wedges are thus prevented from excessive tightening when subject to vibration. At hook opening the tapered wedges are driven with the hooks to cocked positions ready to accept the next store.

Abstract: A lens is produced on the end of a single mode optical fiber by first coupling light into the fiber so that the light projects out the end of the fiber on which the lens is to be produced. The fiber end is then dipped in and out of a drop of negative photoresist and held in a vertical position while the photoresist wicks up the fiber and dries. The dipping and drying is continued until a sufficient lens of photoresist is built up which lens tends to build in the desired shape due to the Gaussian distribution of the light projecting out the end of the fiber and the flow of photoresist up the fiber.