Abstract: An inexpensive, modular, partition system is provided by panels which include a generally rectangular body and connector members on opposed sides of the body and integral therewith. Each connector member includes female and male elements joined together by a stop element which is generally perpendicular to the body. The panels may be connected to one another to form a wall by either an abutting type or overlapping type connection. In the abutting type connection, one connector member of one panel interlocks with a connector member of the other panel and the female and male elements come into mating engagement with each other, with the stop elements of each member abutting each other. In the overlapping type connection, the ends of adjacent panels overlap each other and the male elements of each connector member are secured to the body of an opposing panel.

Abstract: A designer's triangle which permits completion of a drawing with the use of a single instrument includes a planar sheet having three external edges forming a triangle with angles of 45.degree., 60.degree. and 75.degree., respectively. The planar sheet defines three-sided first and second internal triangular cutout openings having respective edges lying along perpendiculars to edges of the external triangle and a trisector of the 45.degree. angle. In some preferred embodiments these perpendiculars intersect at a common point and may constitute altitudes of the external triangle.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing a missile's rocket exhaust gases from contacting and adversely affecting, such as by overheating, the launch rails from which a missile may be launched. Such apparatus includes an angled member having first and second leg portions, the end of the first leg portion being pivotably secured to the rail. A member having an angled surface is mounted to the second leg portion. Prior to the launching of said missile, the apparatus is in a first operative position such that it is out of contact with said launch rail. When the exhaust gases are emitted from said missile, a portion of the exhaust is incident upon the angled surface which causes the apparatus to rotatably pivot into contact with the launch rail, whereby portions of two surfaces of the launch rail are protected from the exhaust.

Abstract: A holding fixture and method for using the same are disclosed which enable great accuracy in performing measurements of concentricity, diameter, and wall thickness of a cylindrical workpiece. The present invention supports the workpiece for rotation at two fixed locations characterized by orthogonal tangents, while making measurements at a location on the workpiece on the opposite side of one of the support locations. The device is simple and economical in construction, easy to use while providing reliable measurements of the specified parameters, and it improves production line operation by expediting particular measuring procedures.

Abstract: A child's toy having two parts, a tube part for directing a stream of air and a light ball which can be supported by the stream of air. The tube has a mouthpiece at one end with a cup at the other end. The cup has a slightly more concave curvature than the convex curvature of the ball creating an air space between the cup and the ball. A port in the cup connects the tube to the air space and biases the flow of air in one direction causing the ball to spin when the ball is offered to the cup and a stream of air is blown down the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus which includes a plurality of separate weight-responsive, electronic measuring elements, such as load cells, disposed on a base insertable into the bottom of a cash drawer or the like. The drawer has a number of compartments to hold coins of different denominations, a different denomination in each compartment. The cells are disposed one per compartment and are interconnected to an electronic totalizer display unit. The cells have analog signal outputs indicative of the weight of the coins in each of the compartments. The analog signal output in each case is converted to a digital signal output and passes to a totalizer unit providing a digital display of the monetary value of the coins in each compartment, the present monetary total of all compartments, and the change just added to or removed from the drawer. The apparatus includes weighting factor units for adjusting the analog signals to reflect the differences in weight and value of the various coin denominations, for accurate totalizing.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly for coupling and decoupling (and simultaneously braking the rotation of) a rotary implement to a drive shaft. The clutch portion of the assembly operates in one mode during low rotational speeds of the implement and at higher rotational speeds changes modes to become a centrifugal clutch. The clutch is also torque sensitive such that when the implement is subjected to high loads and low rotational speeds, the clutch is more tightly engaged to avoid clutch slippage. The brake portion of the assembly has some components common to the clutch assembly. The brake portion is self-energized and constructed to obtain braking assistance from centrifugal force such as at high rotational speeds of the implement and is torque sensitive so that at low rotational speeds and high braking force, the braking surfaces are maintained in tight engagement.

Abstract: An assembly of fiber optic couplers of substantially identical form in an integrated array comprising two sets of optical fibers arranged side by side across an arcuate surface, epoxied in place, and lapped to develop mating planar surfaces which expose at least partially lapped portions of the respective optical fibers. Preferably, a launch coupler array is provided in which one set of optical fibers is of smaller diameter than those of the other set and is lapped to a depth sufficient to sever the fiber cores. The two lapped faces are then aligned so that one set of severed ends of the smaller fibers is joined with the exposed core portions of the other set of fibers. Selection of fiber size and lapping of the second set of fibers is performed to develop opposed mating portions of individual fibers which are substantially equal in extent and dimensions.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and constraining opposed end members of a heat exchanger frame structure while maintaining the high temperature portions of the heat exchanger thermally isolated from the frame and accommodating relative movement of the heat exchanger due to thermal growth. Thermal isolation with structural support is achieved by the use of strategically positioned, thin-walled metal members aligned in the direction of heat travel between high temperature portions of the heat exchanger and adjacent frame elements. Opposed portions of the heat exchanger are tied together by rods extending between them and secured thereto. Longitudinal growth of the heat exchanger core and associated ducting is accommodated by the provision of flange guides slidable on guide pins attached to the frame.

Abstract: A technique for correlating two images, differing in size, but of identical spatial content. The technique is based on the Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality and is derived in such a way as to eliminate the requirement for division, thereby realizing practical real time implementation with presently available electronic hardware. In the embodiment disclosed, reference and data image signals require no pre-processing for the removal of mean and gain factors prior to being individually supplied to the correlator. The correlator is built around modules which can be configured serially with delay lines to adapt to virtually any image configuration. Simulation tests have shown the embodiment to be superior to prior art correlators utilizing other algorithms under conditions of noise, offset and gain differences.

Abstract: An enclosed survival capsule having an automatic allocation system for providing breathing air for its occupants and intake air sufficient to operate a propulsion engine satisfactorily under emergency operating conditions. Air from a compressed air source on board the capsule is allocated between the engine and the crew breathing system. Air exhaled into the cabin by the crew is available through a restricted orifice to provide part of the intake air for the engine. A relief valve on the breathing air portion of the system is operative to insure that sufficient air is available from the cabin to enable the engine to operate at minimal air consumption levels commensurate with power requirements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which allows the component leads of pre-taped electronic components to be solder tinned to preserve the solderability and shelf life of such component leads. Pre-taped electronic components and the like are prepackaged in a reel and positioned in the apparatus such that the reel is free to rotate. Both leads of each component are secured to corresponding adjacent component leads by tape. The electronic components are moved through a plurality of processing stages such that one lead of each component is solder tinned, one of the processing stages removing the tape from the leads to enable the soldering thereof. After soldering of the leads, tape is applied thereto. The process is then repeated for the other leads of each component.

Abstract: A pouch for protecting electrosensitive components contained therein from physical shock and electrostatic damage during handling and storage. In one embodiment, the pouch comprises two composite panels, each comprising a sheet of conductive material as the outside layer, a sheet of electrostatic-free material as the inside layer and a layer of open cell cushioning material sandwiched therebetween. Each panel is sealed to enclose the material therein and both panels are then sealed together on both sides and one end. The open end has an interlocking closure to allow components to be inserted into the pouch and for the pouch to be thereafter closed.In another embodiment, the pouch is formed of a pair of extruded, tubular members respectively constituting the conductive material layer and the electrostatic-free material layer with sheets of cushioning material sandwiched between them. The assembly is sealed at one end and provided with a releasable closure member at the other end.

Abstract: A control circuit for a brushless DC motor providing positive control in all four quadrants of motor operation. The circuit provides control of motor current, thereby controlling motor torque, in response to an applied current command signal, relying solely on feedback signals of motor current and rotor angle. The heart of the system is a level dependent logic stage which selectively controls the states of the switches applying power to the motor windings in accordance with a current error signal developed by reference to the feedback current signal. The control circuit causes the motor current to correspond to any applied current command and works at any motor speed and torque for rotation in either direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which allows the component leads of pre-taped electronic components to be solder tinned to preserve the solderability and shelf life of such component leads. Pre-taped electronic components and the like are prepackaged in a reel and positioned in the apparatus such that the reel is free to rotate. Both leads of each component are secured to corresponding adjacent component leads by tape. The electronic components are moved through a plurality of processing stages such that one lead of each component is solder tinned, one of the processing stages removing the tape from the leads to enable the soldering thereof. After soldering of the leads, tape is applied thereto. The process is then repeated for the other leads of each component.

Abstract: A missile launching system adapted for installation in a standard commercial aircraft without modification of the aircraft structure. The system comprises a plurality of frame members, linear tracks which are movable longitudinally relative to the frame members, a plurality of launch tubes for storing the missiles, an exit port for installation in an pre-established aircraft fuselage opening, and associated equipment for selectively launching the missiles from the launch tubes through the exit port. The entire system is assembled from individual components, all of which are sized to be placed on board the aircraft through a standard passenger door opening. In preparation for installing the system in a commercial aircraft, the passenger seats and related equipment conventionally installed in the interior of such an aircraft are removed. The frame members of the system are then mounted to the standard seat tracks in the floor of the aircraft.

Abstract: A matrix multiplier system incorporating an integrated fiber optic coupling array in combination with an arrangement for individually modulating the signals on the respective optical fiber transmission lines to develop the matrix multiplication. Each of the individual couplers accomplishes the coupling of an input signal into a bi-directional fiber optic transmission line with high efficiency and unilateral coupling effect. The signal thus coupled into the bi-directional transmission line is reflected back to the coupler output after multiplication by the modulating vector component for the individual coupler element. Because of the fabrication of a large number of identical fiber optic couplers in a compact, integral array and the manner in which the light signals can be modulated, the matrix multiplier system is extremely effective in pattern recognition, signal discrimination, selected signal enhancement, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for preventing a missile's rocket exhaust gases from contacting and adversely affecting, such as by overheating, the launch rails from which a missile may be launched. Such apparatus includes orifices and pressure/flow controls in association with the rails in order to produce a cold gaseous stream directed in opposition to the exhaust gases during at least the initial phase. The stream creates a boundary plane or barrier between the rails and the exhaust gases, thereby shielding the rails from damage due to overheating.Arrangements are provided to control the time and duration of the stream so that it may be limited to the period of actual need.

Abstract: A pouch for protecting electrosensitive components contained therein from physical shock and electrostatic damage during handling and storage. In one embodiment, the pouch comprises two composite panels, each comprising a sheet of conductive material as the outside layer, a sheet of electrostatic-free material as the inside layer and a layer of open cell cushioning material sandwiched therebetween. Each panel is sealed to enclose the material therein and both panels are then sealed together on both sides and one end. The open end has an interlocking closure to allow components to be inserted into the pouch and for the pouch to be thereafter closed.In another embodiment, the pouch is formed of a pair of extruded, tubular members respectively constituting the conductive material layer and the electrostatic-free material layer with sheets of cushioning material sandwiched between them. The assembly is sealed at one end and provided with a releasable closure member at the other end.