Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely sensing the angular displacement of a test surface 22. Two coherent collimated light beams 10,12 having different optical frequencies are directed toward optically reflective target areas 18,20. The beams are reflected and converge to form a fringe pattern in an interference zone 24. A sampling means 34 having at least one sampling aperture is positioned within the interference zone 24. The sampling aperture lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the converging beams and it has a width smaller than the effective spatial period of the fringe field, .lambda..sub.es, where .lambda..sub.es =.lambda..sub.s /cos.phi., .lambda..sub.s being the spatial period of the finge field and .phi. being the angular deviation of the plane of the sampling aperture from a plane which is perpendicular to the fringe planes of the fringe field. A light detector 42 is positioned to receive the modulated optical radiation which is sampled from the interference zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 10 for sensing and measuring the quality of the wavefront of a substantially collimated incoming optical beam 12. Incoming beam 12 is directed through a polarizer 14 and toward a polarizing beam splitter 14 where it is separated into an S-polarized beam 18 and a P-polarized beam 20. Beams 18,20 are directed in opposite directions along a common closed path of a modified cyclic interferometer 22. This closed path includes mirrors 24,26 and focusing means 28,30 for focusing the P- and S-polarized beams 18,20 at a common focal region on the path and for recollimating each beam 18,20 after it passes through the focal region. At the focal region is located a specially constructed polarizer component 32 with an optical aperture 34.

Abstract: Ion exchange resin wastes are prepared for disposal by dewatering and/or dehydrating the resins, sealing the pores and recovering the ion exchange resins having radioactive waste products trapped within the sealed pores.

Abstract: A gas lens 10 for lensing a light beam 12. A first gas is injected through orifices 18-18.sup.n into enclosure 16 thereby forming a row of jets 14-14.sup.n. A second gas having a different index of refractivity than the first gas also is contained within the enclosure 16 in the form of a mantle 24 surrounding each jet 14-14.sup.n. The light beam 12 is lensed (either convergently or divergently) as it passes through the jet/mantle interfaces.

Abstract: A compact, valve assembly (10) is provided having multiple chambers. A forward chamber (14) retains dual T-shaped blades (36) having shaped orifices (38) for controllably metering at least two fluids passing through the valve assembly. The valve assembly is also provided with a servo-valve assembly (70) and a piston indicator (62) assembly in cooperative association with the valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly and accurately positioning an optical surface comprises at least one piezoelectric element 10 with an optical surface 16 located thereon and means 12,30 for applying an electric field to the piezoelectric element 10. The piezoelectric element 10 is piezoelectrically polarized along a first axis and the electric field is supplied along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Thus, piezoelectric shear deformation of the piezoelectric element occurs and there is rotation of the optical surface 16 about a third axis which is perpendicular to both the first and second axes. The deformation is sufficient to alter the direction of incident radiation and to alter the direction and distribution of diffracted incident radiation after interaction with the optical surface 16. Varying the magnitude of the electric field alters the magnitude of the deformation thereby accurately positioning the optical surface 16.

Abstract: A metal conduit assembly for interconnecting the discharge duct of the pump and the inlet coolant duct or reactor core in a pool-type nuclear reactor. The conduit assembly comprises an upper section for connection to the discharge of a reactor pump, a lower section for connection with the coolant inlet duct with reactor core and a third intermediate tubular section for interconnecting the other two sections. Joint means are provided for interconnecting one end of the intermediate section with an adjoining end at the upper section and an opposite end of the intermediate section with an adjoining end of the lower section. The joint means comprises a male portion having a ridge provided with a circumferential groove for receiving a seal means and an associated female portion having an inside diameter greater than that of the ridge for receiving said male portion and a seal means.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a gas from a liquid but truly suited for use in a zero gravity environment. The apparatus includes first and second closed vessels each of which are separated into a gas and liquid zone. The first vessel is separated by gas de-entrainment means and the second vessel by a plurality of elongated passageways for capillary containment of a body of liquid. The passageways provide the sole source of fluid communication between the gas and liquid zones. The gas zones of the first and second vessels are in fluid communication with one another as are the liquid zones of the first and second vessels.

Abstract: A compact pulse-rocket engine assembly comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical housing containing an axially extending substantially cylindrical combustion chamber which terminates at one end in a nozzle means. Within the housing at the opposite end of the combustion chamber are a pair of charging chambers. Intermediate the charging chambers and the combustion chambers are a pair of valve means which are parallel and linked together for ensuring that the valves operate in unison.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature during a pyrolysis reaction wherein the predominant pyrolysis reactions are endothermic. A fuel and oxidizer are combusted in a combustion zone to produce a hot gas stream at a superatmospheric pressure. The hot gas stream is then passed through a converging-diverging nozzle to accelerate the hot gas stream to a velocity of at least about mach 2. The reactant to be pyrolyzed is injected into the supersonic hot gas stream to produce a reaction mixture flowing at supersonic velocity and initiate the endothermic pyrolysis reactions. Substantially immediately thereafter the velocity of the reaction mixture is reduced over a predetermined reaction time to convert the kinetic energy of the reaction mixture to thermal energy in an amount sufficient to substantially offset the endothermic reactions taking place while maintaining supersonic flow. At the end of the predetermined reaction time the velocity of the reaction mixture is reduced to subsonic flow and the reaction quenched.

Abstract: A compact pulse-rocket engine assembly comprising an elongated housing containing an axially extending substantially cylindrical combustion chamber terminating in a nozzle means at one end. An opposite end of the housing contains a pair of angularly disposed charging chambers. Intermediate the charging chambers and the combustion chamber are a pair of angularly disposed piston valve means. The arrangement of the valve means provides for the injection of propellants into the combustion chamber for impingement at the same point throughout the operation of the piston valve means.

Abstract: A self-aligning, high-power, free electron laser (FEL) oscillator 10, comprises a self-aligning feedback, element 12 located near the electron beam input end 14 l of the FEL wiggler 16; a partially transmitting stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) plasma mirror 18 located near the output end 20 of the laser wiggler 16; and a plurality of laser beam expansion elements 32-32.sup.n located in succession on the path of the resulting output laser beam 34 for magnifying the output laser beam 34 to a desired output diameter. A totally reflecting, removable start-up mirror 30 is located between SBS plasma mirror 18 and laser beam expansion elements 32-32.sup.n. The removable start-up mirror 30 provides feedback until the SBS threshold is reached.

Abstract: A low temperature gas generator 2 comprising a combustion chamber 4, an injector 6 formed with a plurality of recesses each having at least one oxidizer orifice 16, and at least one fuel orifice 10 and a mixing cup plate formed with a plurality of mixing cups 26 each communicating a respective one of said recesses with said combustion chamber 4 and formed with an aspect ratio greater than about 2.0 and less than about 5.0 and a diameter such that the flow velocity of the fuel-oxidizer mixture passing through said mixing cup 26 is in excess of about 150 feet per second.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system for performing in-service inspection of atomic reactors and the like includes a remote inspector including a transducer holding device of novel design and function. The holding device basically comprises an outer housing; an inner housing rotatably retained within said outer housing; an ultrasonic transducer retained within said inner housing; retention means for selectively positioning said transducer within said inner housing; and means for locking said transducer within said inner housing at a selected position.

Abstract: An adaptive gas lens provides a radial flow of gas that makes phase corrections on a distorted annular wavefront passing therethrough. A flexible flange controlled by precision actuators provides for variation in gas stream width yielding variations in the optical path difference over a range of azimuthal periods.

Abstract: A selectively preloaded coupling assembly 10 for connecting tubular members includes a tensioned annular member 12 including opposing coupling means 14, an annular recess 22 formed within the tensioned member and a tension maintaining annular member 26 seated within the annular recess.

Abstract: A drive shaft comprising an elongated inner drive shaft having an end connected to a drive device and an opposite end engaged with a work piece. A hollow outer shaft extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the drive shaft in a spaced-apart relationship thereto, and is connected to the drive shaft. A bearing carrier member extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the outer shaft. First and second springs inhibit movement of the outer shaft and the bearing carrier member respectively. A bearing is located intermediate the bearing carrier member and outer shaft. The assembly further includes a support structure provided with a bore which circumferentially surrounds the bearing carrier member and second springs. An outer surface of the bearing carrier member and an inner surface of the bore cooperatively form a fluid passageway which is bounded on either side by barriers which form restricted fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A solid grain pure fluorine gas generator which comprises the in-situ generation of a thermodynamically unstable transition metal fluoride from its stable anion by a displacement reaction with a stronger Lewis acid, followed by the spontaneous irreversible decomposition of said unstable transition metal fluoride to a stable lower fluoride and elemental fluorine of superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of making a laser mirror substrate having a network of cooling passages in which a plurality of separate plates are injection molded from a mixture of particulate material and binder. The molded plates are combined in a stack to form a unitary body which is then processed to fuse the particulate matter and remove the binder. The individual plates are formed with a pattern of holes which are aligned with the holes in the other plates of the stack to provide passages through the unitary body.

Abstract: A sintered, metal infiltrated article and a method for preparing same is disclosed. The method permits mass production by injection molding, of metal infiltrated sintered articles of complex shape without excessive machining of the final product. The articles so produced have desirable physical properties such as abrasion resistance, high hardness, and high resistance to erosion at extreme temperatures encountered in use.