Abstract: Ultra low-power GaAs complementary junction field effect transistors are implemented in the design of complementary integrated circuits using a planar technology in conjunction with multiple and selective ion implantation. Both junction FETs, namely the p and n channel devices, are enhancement mode devices and biased in the forward direction thus leading to the advantageous DCFL (directly coupled field effect transistor logic) with one power supply, low power dissipation and high packing densities, all prerequisites for VLSI (very large scale integration).

Abstract: An edge situated in high speed flow of medium is cooled by a tubular heat pipe having a longitudinal axis situated parallel to the edge. The exterior surface of the evaporator section of the heat pipe forms the edge. The heat pipe contains a working fluid existing in both gaseous and liquefied states. Heat input along the edge evaporates working fluid in the liquid state located in the evaporator section, and the heat is transferred transversely across the longitudinal axis of the heat pipe by the flow of vapor to the condenser section. The vapor condenses in the condenser section and releases its latent heat of vaporization. The condensate flows to the evaporator section by means of wicks composed of capillary material. The heat released into the walls of the condenser section is transferred through the walls by conduction and into another heat transfer device, for example, an active cooling apparatus or the evaporator sections of abutting heat pipes of conventional tubular configuration.

Abstract: The demodulator system includes a source of light, and a beamsplitter which produces mutually coherent sensor and reference beams through sensor and reference fibers respectively, the sensor fiber being exposed to the effect to be sensed while the reference fiber is isolated therefrom. A ferrule maintains the output ends of the sensor and reference fibers in fixed positions with respect to a combiner lens which collimates the sensor and reference beams to form an interference pattern on a quad detector through a quad grating. The quad grating has four quadrants lined with the spacing of the interference pattern produced by mixing of the sensor and reference beams but positioned 0.degree., +90.degree., -90.degree., and 180.degree. apart in phase, .phi.. Therefore the quad detector produces outputs which contain +sine .phi., -sine .phi., +cosine .phi., and -cosine .phi.

Abstract: A radiation dispersing cavity has its interior surface covered by a plurality of deformations, each of which acts as a dispersing element which is small with respect to the effective diameter of the cavity and yet large with respect to the wavelengths processed by the integrating cavity. The interior surface of the cavity is coated with a material which provides the proper reflectivity for the wavelengths of interest. The interior of the cavity is covered with at least two different sets of interlocking deformations producing at least two different apparent planes of reflection. Use of alternating concave-inward, concave-outward deformations facilitates smooth transitions between deformations, preventing development of hot spots at sharp discontinuities.

Abstract: A solar dish concentrator is provided having a rotationally symmetrical elliptical shape for focusing an uniform flux density of solar radiation on a receiver. The solar flux pattern reflected to the receiver is evenly distributed over the four quadrants of the receiver without containing any hot spots.

Abstract: There is provided an analog-to-digital conversion technique that utilizes a sample and hold circuit for each bit try stage whereby after the most significant bit try, the remainder is sampled and held by the succeeding stage as an unknown input voltage for comparison with its respective reference voltage representing its corresponding bit weight. Thus, remainders for each bit weight comparison are successively passed from the most significant bit to the least significant bit as input voltages to the next bit try stage. The previous bit stage takes a new sample input voltage and starts another conversion at the next clock pulse. After the first full digital output of the initial conversion, a new digital output word of the successive sampled signal voltage is available after each clock pulse.

Abstract: The side stripping of ammunition from linked ammunition belts in an automatic weapon system is improved by providing a stripping mechanism including a link sprocket for engaging the link belt and rounds and including a synchronously rotating follower guide. A plurality of followers are disposed and slidable within a corresponding plurality of radial slots defined in the follower guide. Two followers are provided for each round which could be accommodated by the link sprocket. The follower slides radially along the slot in the following guide toward and away from its corresponding round as controlled by a cam pin extending from the follower and engaging a cam raceway in an adjacent fixed cam plate. By this means a purely radially force is symmetrically applied to each round through the longitudinal axis of the round and perpendicular to the axis of the sprocket so that no net torque is applied to the round or its corresponding link.

Abstract: Methods for developing particular models which accurately predict the material, process and design parameters for superplastic forming of metal parts under optimum conditions consistent with the desired properties in the finished part. Generalized control equations are developed which enable designers to develop consistency of the forming parameters for materials from different lots. The invention permits control of superplastic forming in accordance with particular raw material microstructure and the effects of time, temperature, strain and strain rate during superplastic forming on the material microstructure, and establishes the relationship between the microstructure and the properties of the parts being formed. These methods applied to the specific area of superplastic forming of metal sheets exemplify a more generalized method of conducting systematic research to derive the maximum information from a minimum number of experiments involving available data.

Abstract: Use of a special blue or blue-green optical filter in a single or double layer dichroic liquid crystal display which is back lit by dimmable incandescent lights provides for easily read, high contrast presentation of information.

Abstract: This read next instruction system (RNI) fetches and parses multi-byte instruction streams by means of a picoprocessor subsystem in conjunction with a state machine controller. These controllers cause the input data, which constitutes software instructions, to be parsed into a plurality of first rank instruction registers. Upon reception of an appropriate command from the main CPU system, the information contained in the first rank registers is transferred into second rank instruction registers. Then the RNI system continues to parse more data which replaces the transferred data in the first rank instruction registers. The data in the second rank instruction registers is used directly by the main CPU for the following functions: map branching and conditional branching based on OP codes and sub OP codes; address computation based on address register and displacement information; use of literals for test masks and software branch address; and determination of word length.

Abstract: Ordinary digital data is reformed and time shifted such that it may be broadcast over a radio link which periodically shifts its frequency. The system of this invention utilizes timing information obtained from a pre-existing frequency-hopping radio link in conjunction with its own buffer and control circuitry to accurately time-position discrete digital data packets within those time bands of the radio transmission wherein the frequency is not changing from one frequency to another. In the drawing, T.sub.H1 is a very short duration pulse which commands the AM frequency--hopping system to shift frequencies. The time period necessary for the frequency hop operation to settle down and attain a stable frequency is represented by the interval between T.sub.H1 and T.sub.1. The actual reception of the uplink message occurs in the interval between T.sub.3 and T.sub.4 ; transmission of the downlink signal from the system occurs in the interval between T.sub.5 and T.sub.6. The interval between T.sub.4 and T.sub.

Abstract: An element is soldered to a heat sink by a flux-free technique in which flux-free solder is first deposited onto the heat sink surface, then the element is placed into position on the surface, then the heat sink is placed into and held at a constant temperature in a pressure controlled chamber to a level below the melting point of the solder while undergoing a plurality of cycles of introduction and purging of an oxygen stripping gas.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an automated machine tool having a rotary indexing table that allows the machine tool to precisely rotate a workpiece 360.degree. to perform a machining function. The rotary indexing table has an aperture therein designed to accommodate an indexing tool supported in a rotatable spindle such that with appropriate movements of the moveable worktable the indexing tool causes rotation of the rotary indexing table to a precise position.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an automated machine tool having a workpiece transfer apparatus that allows the machine tool to automatically load and unload a workpiece during machining. The automated machine tool has the capacity to select a workpiece from a stack of raw material, transfer the workpiece to a machining station, and select a new workpiece from the stack of raw material without human intervention.

Abstract: A passive device which allows processing of signals impressed upon a light beam and arranged so that sensitivity is maximized and signal dropout, due to environmental effects such as temperature, do not occur. The passive homodyne demodulator includes a beam combiner, for combining the impressed light beam with a reference beam, beamsplitters, polarizing beamsplitters, and birefringent elements used as polarization shifters, so that ouputs are produced which are the sine and cosine of the phase change between the sensor and reference beams due to changes in the effective optical path length difference of the reference and sensor fibers due to the effect sensed. These signals are then electronically converted into an electrical output which linearly represents the phase of the signal originally impressed on the sensor fiber.

Abstract: A wheel lift for lifting multi-wheeled vehicles. A wheel lift is applied at each wheel and has a generally U-shaped base supported by an air bearing under each arm. A pair of adjustable chocks engage the wheel near the floor. Either a hook engages the wheel generally opposite the chocks or for application of the device on the inboard side of the wheel, a support member picks up the vehicle structure to resist any overturning moment and provide stability.

Abstract: Liner bushings and bearing assemblies are securely captured within their receiving holes by a new staking system. The inner and outer surfaces of the webs of metal adjacent the actual staking groove which are to be bent over or staked are fabricated such that these surfaces are substantially parallel to each other over the majority of the surfaces. The staking process is advantageously accomplished by use of a self-aligning staking anvil which has a gap in its circumference in order that the tool may conform exactly to the staking groove. Additionally a master matching gauge ensures proper installation.

Abstract: An improved compact optical gyro is provided wherein a beam of light is split and introduced into both ends of an optic coil whose rotation is to be sensed. At least one frequency shifter is placed to affect the frequency of the beam to introduce or adjust a nonreciprocal phase shift. The beams are then mixed back together and the resultant beam is detected and analyzed by suitable circuitry to provide an output indicative of the rotation of the light path.

Abstract: An improvement in an aircraft refueling boom wherein the boom support attachment provides two axes of motion. The first axis, attached to the fuselage, provides for lateral motion of the boom about a longitudinal or roll axis of rotation essentially parallel to the air stream. The second axis of motion, the pitch axis, is located below and perpendicular to the roll axis so that the pitch axis rolls with any roll motion of the boom and provides for vertical displacement of the boom. The resultant boom nozzle motion is such that vertical displacement occurs in a conventional fashion while lateral displacement takes place in an arc or rolling motion rather than a yawing motion.

Abstract: This solar concentrator system is configured such that the base pedestal attachment point is located on the beam connecting the curved solar reflector and the heat energy receiver power conversion unit, herein envisioned as a Stirling engine. This attachment point is located near the balance point CG (Center of Gravity) of the power conversion unit-supporting beam-curved reflector subsystem such that the loads on the base pedestal and the attached solar tracking drive systems are minimized.