Abstract: A waveguide mode converting apparatus especially of the TM.sub.01 to TE.sub.11 converting type and usable in circuit waveguide apparatus with desirable high efficiency and relatively small physical size is disclosed. The mode converter employs the combination of an asymmetrically shaped conical frustum waveguide segment together with a radially disposed fin having tapered input and output or ramp surfaces. Details of a 1.3 gigahertz embodiment of the mode converter including dimensions are included along with the results of efficiency measuring and indications of alternate arrangements of the invention.

Abstract: A pseudo uniphase CCD array having four functional regions, a clocked barrier region, a clocked well region, a virtual barrier region, and a gate variable potential well region per stage. The described structure allows flexibility in setting operating voltages and avoids the breakdown and fabrication difficulties of a virtual well region. The device employs a virtual barrier plus adjacent MOS well fixed potential region and uses clocking of barrier and well regions to achieve charge transfer. A fabrication sequence and operating potential selection criteria are also included.

Abstract: A wafer scale integration arrangement wherein integrated circuit die of varying size, fabrication processes, and function are commonly mounted in the same host wafer using a filled epoxy material of special characteristics. The mounting epoxy material also serves as a substrate for the die interconnecting conductors in regions adjacent the mounted die. The described assembly also includes a newly available photosensitive polyimide material as a planarization and passivation covering for the die and host wafer and as a mounting surface for an interconnecting metal conductor array. Multiple levels of interconnection metal. Fabrication processes for the die to host wafer attachment and the passivation covering of the assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: An energizing and functional exercising apparatus for use with a variable pitch aircraft propeller in a maintenance shop environment is disclosed. Use of the apparatus enables functioning and performance check-out of an overall propeller assembly while the assembly is mounted on a cradle received engine in a hanger or maintenance shop and without requiring use of the aircraft or exposure of maintenance personnel to inclement weather. The disclosed apparatus provides electrical energization and control of the hydraulic system received within the propeller assembly and additionally provides check-out of sensing functions contained within the propeller assembly. Latched energization of the blade driving apparatus until a predetermined blade position is obtained and remote control of the blade movement operation are incorporated features of the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of subaperture arrays which may be disposed within the diameter of the conventional single large aperture in order to achieve improved sidelobe energy characteristics with respect to that of the single large aperture. The apertures may be embodied as optical sources or radio frequency energy sources. The preferred arrangements of the subapertures include dispositions on concentric circles circumscribed within the single large aperture with a single aperture at the center of the large aperture and six, twelve, eighteen, twenty four and so on subapertures disposed on each subsequent concentric circle. One particularly attractive subaperture arrangement includes a total of nineteen subapertures with the outer concentric circle twelve of these subapertures being slightly rotated with respect to those of the inner concentric circles.

Abstract: A video scanning and signal processing arrangement usable with devices such as a forward looking infrared system. The signal processing disclosed employs an analog-to-digital converter of limited dynamic range and incorporates plural closed loop signal modifying for optimizing the use of this limited dynamic range.

Abstract: An ultrasonic echo scanning apparatus having operator determined software controlled gated sampling of individual radio frequency excursions in the reflected ultrasonic energy waveform. Use of the system to obtain heretofore images of damage layers, resident in close physical proximity to large echo regions of a workpiece and images of good correlation with physical inspection of a disintegrated workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic oxide such as aluminum oxide of significantly improved electrical properties is disclosed. The method of oxide formation includes a combination of soft porous anodization followed by transformation to a hard barrier form of oxide using inter alia low temperature electrolytes, constant voltage anodizing, and timely rate of current change responsive termination of the anodizing process. Use of the resulting oxide in electrical insulation, optic and other environments is contemplated.

Abstract: A high-temperature electrical resistance heating module which employs a graphite or equivalent material electrical resistance element in an arrangement providing for pressurized fluid cooling of the heater support headers, and additionally provides a reradiating reflector assembly. The module includes resistance element thermal expansion accommodation through the use of a high-temperature simple expansion support member located in close proximity to the heater resistance element where binding and distortion forces are minimized. The disclosed heater module can be used in any physical orientation in a nonoxidizing atmosphere such as nitrogen or vacuum and can achieve operating temperatures in the range of 4500.degree. F. Energy dissipation densities in the range of 350 BTU per square foot second and operating energy dissipation in the range of 140 kilowatts are achieved. A typical use of the heater in laboratory testing of high-temperature transatmospheric aircraft components is disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow trephine cutter unit capable of disassembly to provide damage-free access to the collected sample or to permit size changes of the cutting element. Disassembly by sliding movement of one element of the apparatus with respect to the other and multiple torque transmission paths between prime mover and cutting element are also disclosed. Multiple function use of the prime mover chuck and easy cutter unit disassembly despite the presence of organic fouling are also provided.

Abstract: A wide frequency spectrum mechanical impulse calibration apparatus for a microphone or other pressure wave to electrical signal transducer apparatus is disclosed. Calibration is accomplished using the Fourier series based transfer function of the transducer as obtained from its response to a time domain mechanical impulse input signal. Details of a mechanical impulse signal source, an improved time gated signal processing arrangement, and exemplary calibration signals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pseudo uniphase CCD array having four functional regions, a clocked barrier region, a clocked well region, a virtual barrier region, and a gate variable potential well region per stage. The described structure allows flexibility in setting operating voltages and avoids the breakdown and fabrication difficulties of a virtual well region. The device employs a virtual barrier plus adjacent MOS well fixed potential region and uses clocking of barrier and well regions to achieve charge transfer. A fabrication sequence and operating potential selection criteria are also included.

Abstract: An alkali metal plus halide electrical battery cell of, for example, the sodium and sulfuryl chloride type is disclosed. The disclosed cell provides accommodation for cell chemical reaction products that otherwise preclude achievement of secondary battery action or rechargeable nature in such cells and provides two physical accommodation changes, a reaction space and a reaction space temperature, in the cell arrangement to enable repeated charge and discharge cycling of the cell. The disclosed cell is shown to be embodied in a laboratory type structure and is described with net reaction or end result equations of a combined chemical and physical nature.

Abstract: A solid state thin film detection and measurement apparatus for halogen gas components such as chlorine in a gas mixture is described. The detection cell employs plural response modes to the halogen gas including response to the thermal effect of a halogen and thin film reaction and response to the thermal and ion diffusion effects of the halogen reaction with a halide supporting substrate member. These plural responses are manifested by an electrical resistance change in the thin film element and this change is sensed with a four-lead measurement arrangement. The use of plural measurement cells each of a different composition and computerized multiplexing of thin film resistance signals is included as are identification of possible thin film and substrate compositions.

Abstract: Hand movement assistance apparatus of both the active and passive types and usable for movement stabilization by either a normal human subject seeking to perform a task of great precision or a neurologically impaired human subject having Parkinson's disease or similar dysfunction. Both the active and passive apparatus provide a glove-like receptacle for the subject's hand; the passive system applies closed-loop feedback system generated forces to the glove and the active system provides a hand guidance track arrangement for the subject's hand. Three axis stabilization forces and rotationally oriented forces are alternatively provided by the active system, along with responses particularly adopted to the Parkinson's tremor frequency.

Abstract: A paint or other protective coating removal method involving the use of reciprocal motion ultrasonic frequency mechanical energy applied to the coating by a variety of tool and abrasive substrate members in the company of surface preparation agents such as coolant, heating, softening, and/or abrasive agents. The invention is particularly applicable and disclosed in terms of, protective coating removal from aircraft such as is often necessary for replacement or in the reutilization of aircraft with different identification markings. The coating removal method is environmentally and human operator safe in comparison with presently used coating removal methods such as abrasive blasting and chemical solvent removal.

Abstract: A propellant sample combustion apparatus employing a multiply optical ported pressure vessel for sample illumination, sample viewing, and sample burn face elevation is described. High-speed motion picture filming using short-duration high-intensity laser provided optical illumination from a copper-vapor laser is employed. Details of the employed pressure vessel, a burn inhibiting coating for the propellant sample, a laser coherence spoiler, and a sample level maintaining closed-loop apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for stimulating or actuating an eye sensing oculometer system with simulated eye movement signals that are stable, predetermined, and repeatable. The simulated signals are electrically coupled to an oculometer signal input port in lieu of video signals normally received from an eye viewing camera. Optical images representing infra red reflections from the retina and the cornea portions of the oculometer user's eye are simulated by the apparatus; movement of these images in a computer controlled pattern is contemplated and is emulated by simple operator electable patterns in the disclosed apparatus. The presence of noise signals and eye imperfections are contemplated in the stimulating apparatus.

Abstract: Mechanical impedance determining apparatus for the control stick of an aircraft, an aircraft simulator, or non-aircraft apparatus such as a video game. Impedance determination is accomplished by a feedback path connected from output to input of the control stick with feedback transfer function coefficients determined by operator election in order to achieve positive, negative, or zero mechanical impedance at the control stick. Electrical network and computer realization of the feedback signal transfer function are contemplated using s plane pole descriptions of overall stick and feedback path characterizing transfer functions.

Abstract: An improved capillary action wicking structure and method with a method for its making and with application of the wicking structure to a high temperature electrical battery cell of the sodium/sulfur type. The wicking structure includes finely-divided metal particles of nickel, for example, that are attached to the solid electrolyte structure in the electrical battery cell by an organic binder and sintering combination.