Abstract: An electrophilic solid propellant gas generator employing iodine pentoxide (I.sub.2 O.sub.5) as a prime oxidizer which produces high concentrations of iodine atoms.

Abstract: A laser cavity 15 is continuously flown through by a gas such as metastable iodine and other reactants, but continuous wave lasing is inhibited, except for brief periods to obtain pulsating emission of radiation; the optical energy content of the gas in the cavity 15 is, thus, depleted, and fresh gas flows into the cavity 15 during the pause following each pulse.

Abstract: A magnetic field is generated in the vicinity of a rotatably driven, loaded shaft. A Wiegand device in the shaft is differentially displaced by twisting of the shaft. Changes in magnetization in the regions during rotation of the shaft are detected by a coil. The characteristics of the pulses generated by the coil are representative of the twisting of the shaft and accordingly the torque transmitted thereby. A first signal is derived, which is representative of a characteristic of the generated pulses and a second signal is derived, which is representative of the period of the changes in magnetization. Power is represented by the quotient of the first signal divided by the second signal.

Abstract: There are provided fiber reinforced structures formed of one or more layers of reinforcing fibers contained in an electroformed, superplastic, nickel-cobalt matrix.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diesel fuel injector comprises an injector body including a means for flowing fuel through the injector body, a check valve located within the means for flowing fuel, and a means for ultrasonically vibrating the check valve.

Abstract: Wave front deformations resulting, for example, from the interaction of a laser beam with a deformable mirror are measured by causing the beam, or a sampled portion thereof, to interfere with a reference beam having a slightly different frequency in order to produce interference patterns in a detection plane. Spaced-apart detectors in that plane brightness oscillation at the difference frequency; and relative phase differences in these oscillations are used to determine wave front tilt, spherical and astigmatic aberrations, and, possibly, other deformations. Control signals are provided for correcting these wave front deformations by controlling the surface contour of the deformable mirror. The measuring laser beam may intercept the mirror within and as part of a polarization-type interferometer, or the measuring beam may be derived from a high-energy beam.

Abstract: A two-dimensional flexure gimbal-type coupling in which rectangular flexure members allow limited rotation about two mutually perpendicular intersecting axes. The coupling utilizes two pairs of flexure members arranged in two mutually perpendicular planes when unflexed, the planes intersecting along an axis lying between the flexure members of both pairs. Each pair of flexures are attached to respective spaced frame members along one edge. A coupling member is attached to the opposite edges of all the flexure members in such a manner that the edges of one pair of flexure members where attached to a frame member lie in a common plane with the edges of the other pair of flexure members where attached to the coupling member.

Abstract: Precombustor 10 basically comprises electrostatic injector 12, combustion chamber 14, and glow plug 16. The precombustion chamber 14 basically comprises an injector port 40 for housing the electrostatic injector 12, an igniter port 42 for housing the glow plug 16, and a flow passage 44 substantially opposite the injector port 40 for conveying air into the precombustion chamber 14 and combusted gases out from the precombustion chamber 14. The combustion chamber 14 is enhanced by the incorporation of electrical insulation 46 and electrodes 48 along the interior wall of the precombustion chamber 14. The electrostatic fuel injector 12 basically comprises an electroconductive injector body 20 having at least one fuel inlet and at least one fuel outlet, means 22 and 23 for electrically insulating the injector body from the diesel engine, and a means 24 for charging the injector body in a range from about 10,000 to about 100,000 volts.

Abstract: An aqueous process for the quantitative conversion of polyepichlorodrin (PECH) to glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), using a phase transfer catalyst, is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of chemical pump absorbents comprises electrodeposition of an alkali or alkaline earth metal from a non-aqueous electrolyte. Calcium is preferred. The electrolyte comprises a polar, non-protonic solvent or is a fused salt electrolyte. The cathode substrate and electrodeposition parameters provide sufficient contact area and porosity to remove reactive species from laser effluent gas. Formation of a mercury amalgam followed by distillation of the mercury provides another suitable absorbent.

Abstract: There is provided a ceramic heat exchange module 10 having fluid inlet and outlet conduits (12,20) extending from one side of horizontal manifolds (14,18). Serpentine tubes 16 extend from the opposed sides and connect the manifolds. In use, in a fluidized bed combustor 22, the manifolds are positioned between the base 30 and air inlets 32. Serpentine tubes extend into the fluidized bed 36, the fluid inlet and outlet conduits extend through the base for coupling to a working fluid supply.

Abstract: A family of gun propellants formulated with nitroaminoguanidine (NAGU), as an oxidizer, to reduce the isochoric flame temperature while providing high mass impetus.

Abstract: A variable inlet for a marine jet propulsion system comprising a movable lip, a center splitter serving to divide said inlet into upper and lower passages and coupled for movement proportional to that of said lip to assure equality of the areas of said upper and lower passages, and apparatus for varying the outward projection of said splitter to vary the diffusion ratio of said upper and lower passages.

Abstract: A differential ball screw actuator permitting the rear ball nut to rotate with the screw over a limited range so that plates to be positioned are displaced and/or tilted in a direct pitch mode for a course adjustment while the differential pitch mode is used for fine or small adjustments only. The actuator can be used for tilting a laser mirror or other precision tilt and/or linear displacements.

Abstract: There is provided a fluidized bed combustor comprising an economizer contained in an upper interior portion and indirect heat exchange conduits suspended in the lower interior portion of the fluidized bed combustor in spaced relation to the interior surfaces of the fluidized bed combustor.

Abstract: A positive-displacement compressor receives a gaseous mixture of fluorine and uranium pentafluoride particles. The mixture is compressed by the compressor to cause the fluorine in the gas to react with the uranium pentafluoride to form uranium hexafluoride. The compressed mixture in the compressor is removed by a stream of warm fluorine gas to scavenge the excess particulate matter from the compressor and enhance the refluoridation process.

Abstract: A module for generating multiple high energy laser beams of different frequencies and directing the beams at a target. The beams are formed from a plurality of separate laser cavities, and directed by a mirror system within an evacuated chamber at a photochemical reaction cavity within the chamber. The laser cavities are also positioned within the chamber, and cavities generating laser beams of one frequency are connected by a common duct for circulating a lasing gas through the cavities. A mirror system allows beams from selected cavities to be combined, permitting extra lasers to be substituted optically without removal from the evacuated chamber.

Abstract: The lasing action in an unstable optical resonator is controlled as to frequency by limiting frequency selectivity to an axis-near beam. The control is provided preferably outside the cavity by means of active or passive elements. A passive element returns a frequency-controlled beam into the cavity, an active element injects a control beam at the desired frequency.

Abstract: In combination with a diesel engine, a preheater 10 for diesel fuel generally comprises a hot fluid chamber 12 having a first open end 14, a second open end 16, and perimeter walls 17. As the engine cooling water exits from the engine block, it passes through hot fluid inlet 18 into hot fluid inlet manifold 20, through chamber 12, and out through fluid outlet manifold 22 and hot fluid outlet port 24. Located along the top and bottom perimeter walls 17 of chamber 12 are heat exchanger plates 26 for carrying diesel fuel. Interconnected with plates 26 are fuel inlets 28, fuel inlet manifolds 30, fuel outlet manifolds 32, and fuel outlets 34.