Abstract: A blood smear slide outloader including a platen for transferring a succession of slides from a dryer to a slide storage basket. The slides are sequentially discharged from one end of the dryer onto a platen and held firmly in place by a gripper. A single stepper motor then rotates the platen to a vertical position as it lowers both into alignment above a slot in the storage basket. A linear actuator causes the gripper to release the slide and deposit it into the slot. The platen then returns to the discharge end of the dryer to receive the next slide.

Abstract: Motion of an instrument suspension cable assembly is attenuated in a liquid aving flow fields and surface swells. Strumming which causes vibratory motion is precluded by enclosing the cable assembly along the axis of suspension to isolate it from the flow fields. Motion along the axis of suspension due to the surface swells is substantially reduced by incorporating drag therealong on the cable assembly enclosure.

Abstract: An optical correlator using a light emitting diode array, in which analog gnals from two spaced sensors are correlated in order to locate and track a target. One signal is clipped and digitized and clocked through a shift register, and the other signal is delayed. The shift register is coupled to an LED array, element for element. Each shift register element modulates its corresponding LED element. The delayed signal is also connected at its output to the LED array via a transistor, and modulates each LED element. Therefore, the LED elements emit light in proportion to the product of the two signals. The emitted light is focused onto a CCD imaging array where it is integrated over a period of time before being sent to an integrator and output display device. The output is the correlation function versus the time delay between the two signals. Successive outputs display the movement of targets. Circuit design mitigates inherent errors within the system.

Abstract: A low cost, high stability, high drag aerodynamic decelerator incorporating our slots in a square canopy. Each slot is 4/10 the length of the side of the square and is positioned so that a continuous line colinear with it bisects two adjacent sides of the canopy. The slots are further located so that each diagonal of the canopy bisects two of them. Suspension lines are fixed to and extend from the diagonals of the canopy, crossing the slots and keeping them essentially closed at their midpoints.

Abstract: A dynamic flight simulator control system for enhancing flight realism to a ilot with regard to his perception and response to the linear forces and angular motions generated by a gimballed force and motion platform at the end of a rotating arm. Flight commands generated by controls identical to those in a specified aircraft and operated by the pilot as if flying are converted to the forces and motions predetermined for the aircraft and translated into simulator command signals which regulate the angular velocity of the arm and the roll and pitch of the platform. The perceived angular motions for both the aircraft pilot and the simulator pilot are predicted by computers pre-programmed with mathematical models of their human angular sensor responses and any difference is minimized by iteratively adjusting coefficients in the simulator command signals for predetermined weighting factors based on the individual pilot's preference.

Abstract: A composite of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and a compliant polymer having 1-3-0 connectivity is described. A polymer self-connected in all three mutually perpendicular directions with a void in the center has an array of parallel PZT rod elements embedded therein and extending through the void. The void isolates a region of the PZT rods from the polymer. The axes of the PZT rods are along the direction of the poling electric field. Such an arrangement significantly enhances the hydrostatic piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficients d.sub.h and g.sub.h.

Abstract: A reserve or deferred action battery stores electrolyte about a collapsed llows in a separate chamber sealed from the cell compartments by a rupturable disk. Compressed gas for expanding the bellows and expelling the electrolyte is contained within a rigid spiral tube within the bellows. A frangible end of the tube is broken off by initial expansion of the bellows when the disk is ruptured and permits the electrolyte to flow into the cell compartments and generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A pilot arm retention system for an aircraft ejection seat which includes ertia reels and a parachute is comprised of a pair of nets connected between respective sides of the seat and a pair of deployment straps which are releasably coupled to the inertia reel straps and parachute risers and routed down over the front of the seat through a pair of snubbers to fixed points on the cockpit floor.

Abstract: A arterial blood velocity-to-volume flow rate converter, including a pair of function generators a computer, and a multiplier, is incorporated within a system to objectively measure by non-invasive means the blood volume flow rate to the head of an occupant in a rapidly accelerating vehicle, and take corrective measures to stabilize the vehicle when that flow falls below a preselected lower limit for a predetermined length of time. A conventional ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter determines the blood velocity, subsequently feeding a representative signal to pressure function generator. The output therefrom is then fed to a cross-sectional area signal generator which determines the time-varying area of the artery, a signal representing such being fed to the multiplier along with the velocity signal to compute the flow.

Abstract: A remotely piloted vehicle is provided with single surface membranous airls controllable in flight. The airfoils are selectively deployed from a stowed position on either side within the fuselage by spars attached to the leading edges. Pivotal members attached to the root edges of the airfoils are positioned to regulate twist distribution, angle of attack, root camber ratio and root camber distribution.

Abstract: A flat plate reflector at one station, responsive to ambient vibrations, is illuminated by a narrow beam of radio frequency waves transmitted from a second location, the transmitted waves being modulated in direct proportion to the ambient vibrations and reflected back to the second station for analysis.

Abstract: A programmable phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer for a multi-channel onobuoy transmitter is disclosed. The phase-locked loop, including a counter/divider utilizing variable modulus prescaling techniques, is modulated at its voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by an external signal which is preemphasized by a compensation network in order to correct for the roll-off characteristic response of the loop below its natural frequency.

Abstract: A digital computer based system for managing a plurality of redundant sig processing equipment in a complex avionics system provides fast reconfiguration of the signal processing equipment to add, delete, or modify signal processing functions. A single user may thereby control a very large number of signal processing functions for communication, navigation, and identification from a single input/output device. The system utilizes a data base thereby making additions or deletions of equipment easily achievable.

Abstract: A low-profile fastener for securing parts such as swaybrace pads, mounting locks and suspension loops onto exterior surfaces of multiple ejector racks in aircraft. The fastener consists of a retainer housing formed with an annular neck and a thin wrench head, and an insert threaded into the nut with internal threads. The fastener neck is inserted from within the rack through a mounting hole aligned with a hole of the part to be secured. A bolt inserted through the holes from the exposed side of the part is screwed into the insert and tightened to the desired torque. The thin wrench head is the only portion of the fastener protruding into the rack.

Abstract: A structure for support of a volumetric transducer array that self-erects en deployed in water. Dual assemblies of radially arranged telescoping arms are coaxially aligned to support a plurality of linear transducer arrays which are secured to the ends of corresponding arms between the assemblies. The arms are each telescoped outwardly by respective support cables which are tensed by suspending the deployed array between a float and a terminal mass.

Abstract: An aerodynamic housing is disclosed for stabilizing the free-fall descent an article, particularly a sonobuoy, launched from an aircraft. The housing is cylindrically-configured and includes a tail section wherein a plurality of symmetrical channels are formed obliquely to the cylindrical surface of the housing about the circumference thereof, each channel having a leading edge in the shape of a truncated ellipse. A tailring mounted at the rear of the tail section partially covers the channels thereby forming contoured air ducts through which air flows during the free-fall to orient the housing vertically and stabilize the descent.

Abstract: A sensor system is disclosed for measuring small physical perturbations in he environment using an optical fiber interferometer in the Fabry-Perot configuration operating at maximum sensitivity. A single frequency laser source is focused on one end of a single mode optical fiber with highly polished, highly reflective flat ends. An element responsive to the ambient magnetic or electric field alters the fiber's optical path length, thereby affecting the intensity of light transmitted through the fiber. A detection and feedback system detects the transmitted light and readjusts the optical path length to one which corresponds to maximum sensitivity.

Abstract: A multilayer thermistor and a method of making it are disclosed. The thertor has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) and a room temperature resistance lower than prior art thermistors of the same size. The thermistor is comprised of a plurality of layers of material having the PTCR characteristic laminated in alternation with layers of electrodes, the outer two layers of the thermistor being PTCR layers. Alternate electrodes are electrically connected in common to a pair of conductors forming thereby parallel resistance paths across each layer. The more resistance paths the thermistor has, the lower the overall resistance of the device.

Abstract: A composition for cleaning embedded soil from surfaces coated with flat or ow-gloss coatings has elastomeric particles intermixed with a thixotropic solvent emulsion cleaner. The elastomeric particles provide an eraser-like action to adsorb deeply entrapped soil so that the cleaner can emulsify or dissolve the soil and wash it away.

Abstract: A moisture absorbing, anti-arcing compound comprises a mixture of a moist active isocyanate resin and a generic anti-arcing compound. The isocyanate resin reacts with residual moisture in a high voltage ceramic insulator, thus tying it up chemically. This prevents diffusion of the moisture into the anti-arcing compound and resultant degradation. The compound according to this invention is especially useful for ceramics which may not be baked dry at elevated temperatures.