Abstract: An internally manifolded plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger comprises a side port contiguous with and transverse to at least one channel, and wherein the channel is contiguous with an end port. The plate may be of unibody construction and also include integral side and end external manifolds.

Abstract: A primary nozzle provides a two-dimensionally expanding source flow of an oxidizer; a line serving as origin; and curved secondary nozzles are positioned in the primary, supersonic flow, for discharging fuel in radial direction, parallel to the oxidizer flow, mixing therewith in the laser cavity. The secondary nozzles have concavely curved, leading edges as well as concavely curved expansion edges downstream from the leading edges, positioned to cancel shockwaves from the leading edges of the respective adjacent secondary nozzles. The secondary nozzle structure provides a radially expanding fuel flow and maintains the radially expanding primary flows shock free. This radially expanding, primary flow accommodates the unused heat of reaction so that pressure is maintained nearly constant in the laser cavity. Supersonic expansion provides a low, initial pressure, and the radially expanding flow thereby maintains this pressure low.

Abstract: There is described a device for analyzing the wavefront of a light beam exiting the laser to detect any aberrations across the cross-sectional area of the beam from a planar wavefront. A rotating wave plate splits the beam from the laser into two orthogonally polarized beams separated in frequency by a frequency difference in the audio range. A polarization selective interferometer directs these two beams along a test arm and a reference arm. Quarterwave plates in each arm convert the outgoing waves to circular polarization and the return waves back to linear polarization but orthogonal to the input polarization. A linear polarizer at the output oriented at a 45.degree. angle to the polarizations causes the waves to interfere and a detector placed at any point in the output beam detects a beat signal at the audio frequency.

Abstract: Wave front distortions of a laser beam are detected by measuring the distribution of the point spread function of a focussed portion of that beam and by generating moments of that function representing tip, tilt, focus, and astigmatisms of the beam. Signals representing these moments can be used directly for correcting the distortions.

Abstract: Fluorodinitro compounds are proposed as new compositions of matter which are useful as energetic ingredients for propellant and explosive formulations.

Abstract: An interferometer for detecting defects in the surface of a mirror or inhomogeneities in a medium uses two coherent but orthogonally polarized beams, one of which may be frequency or phase modulated. The two beams are separately directed into a test arm and a reference arm and, upon their return, recombined, and polarization filtered so that they interfere. The interference pattern is detected in a plane in plural, individual detection points. The resulting electrical signals are processed to obtain OPD information at a resolution that is much higher than the wavelength of the beams used. An alternative method using neither phase modulation nor frequency modulation is based on additional, separate point by point detection of the intensities of the individual beams.

Abstract: A pump having inducer blades configured to have a tip thickness less than about twice the clearance between the tip and the adjacent housing to prevent cavitation damage to the inducer blades.

Abstract: Direct firing downbole steam generator basically comprises an injector assembly axially connected with a combustion chamber. Downstream of the combustion chamber and oriented so as to receive its output is a heat exchanger wherein preheated water is injected into the heat exchanger through a plurality of one-way valves, vaporized and injected through a nozzle, packer and check valve into the well formation.

Abstract: A fluorinating agent having an empirical formula which comprises FOIF.sub.4 O whereby said fluorinating agent is prepared by a metathetical reaction of solutions of NF.sub.4 SbF.sub.6 and CsIF.sub.4 O.sub.2 in anhydrous HF, removing the precipitated CsSbF.sub.6 and HF solvent, followed by thermal decomposition of the filtrate residue.

Abstract: A family of liquid hydrocarbon motor fuel additives known as polynitro alkyls having the general formula R.sub.1 --C(NO.sub.2).sub.2 --R.sub.2 have been found to enhance the overall combustion characteristics of motor fuels by increasing combustion efficiency and reducing undesirable combustion by-products.

Abstract: A tube-in-tube shelless heat exchanger having the capability of being modularized comprises a plurality of single element tube rows 18 in combination with header means 26. The single element tube row 18 comprises a plurality of inner 12 and outer 14 concentric tube pairs for carrying a first and a second heat transfer fluid, forward and aft tube sheets 20, and flexible arcuate manifold means 16 for outer tubes 14.

Abstract: A laser of the type in which laser gas molecules are pumped by an electron beam has a gas-cooled window forming the interface between the electron beam source and the laser gas. The window includes a metallic foil mounted on a supporting frame with a parallel thin layer of material transparent to the electron beam positioned between the foil and the electron beam source. Helium or other cooling fluid is circulated in the space between the foil and the intermediate layer for conducting heat away from the foil. The helium may be at an intermediate pressure less than the pressure of the laser gas on one side of the foil but greater than the vacuum of the electron beam source to reduce foil stresses.

Abstract: A process for fabricating character bands 22 for computer printers and the product generated thereby. The process comprises the steps of electrodepositing a binary or ternary nickel alloy onto a cylindrical cathodic mandrel 20, preferably machining away excess backing material 36 so as to leave a smooth surface 38, and separating character band 22 from mandrel 20.

Abstract: A retractable nozzle assembly for a rocket has an extendable nozzle section which is concentric with the main nozzle and is movable telescopically from a retracted position to an extended position. A drive assembly moves the nozzle section into the extended position in which it forms an extension of the main nozzle. Cam members, movable by the same drive assembly after the nozzle is moved to its extended position, wedge detent members radially into a detent groove, providing a positive lock between the two nozzle sections.

Abstract: A slide guide 22 for a tube-type heat exchanger has a tubular geometry and comprises saddle 28 and slots 26 interposed one each between fingers 24. Saddle 28 positions slide guide 22 within tube support sheet port 30 while fingers 24 are biased so as to conform to the ovality of tube 12 and dissipate dynamic loads across a relatively large tube surface area.

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid hydrocarbon motor fuels improved by the addition of an azido compound. Specifically, the azido compounds of the present invention have the following general formulas N.sub.3 --R.sub.2, N.sub.3 --R.sub.2 --N.sub.3, N.sub.3 --R.sub.3 --O--R.sub.4 --N.sub.3, N.sub.3 --R.sub.3 --CO.sub.2 --R.sub.4 --N.sub.3, ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl, alkyl hydroxy, primary alkyl ether, and alkyl ester and mixtures thereof; R.sub.2 is an alkyl or alkyl hydroxy, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and comprise lower alkyl radicals and mixtures thereof; x is an integer from 1 to 5' y is an integer from 3 to about 20; and z is an integer from 3 to 20.

Abstract: A multi-actuator deformable mirror and control system which comprises a copper-surfaced, aluminum faceplate supported by a flexure strut attached to an aluminum-backed structure and actuated by nineteen differential ball screw mirror actuator assemblies. The actuators are driven directly by direct current stepping motors capable of 400 steps/rev when operating in "half step" mode. A 10.mu. meter per revolution differential pitch in the screw provides a resolution of 1.mu. inch per motor step. An alternating current dither actuator comprising a plurality of piezo-ceramic elements is connected one each in series with said actuator assemblies for providing both tagging and real time dynamic corrections.

Abstract: A precombustor 10 for use in diesel engines comprises a precombustion chamber 12, a fuel spray nozzle port 18 through which a fuel spray nozzle 20 may be incorporated into the precombustion chamber 12, an igniter port 22 for an ignition means adjacent to said spray nozzle port 18, and a supersonic DeLaval nozzle 14 integrally incorporated into the precombustion chamber 12 opposite said spray nozzle port 18 for enhancing the injection of air into the precombustion chamber 12. Axially connected to the throat area of the DeLaval nozzle 14 is a two-dimensional subsonic diffuser 34 and flow passage 30 for transferring air from the diesel piston to the precombustion chamber 12 and combustion gases from the precombustion chamber 12 into the diesel cylinder.

Abstract: A geometrically optimized precombustion chamber 12 for a diesel or stratified charge engine is provided which limits the maximum gas temperature through transonic and/or supersonic flow to prevent the production of nitrous oxides and is defined in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU1##