Abstract: Constituent pyrotechnic materials are dispensed by prescribed weight or volume into a single container containing an excess volume of an inert liquid, such as Freon T.E., having the property of preventing ionization of the materials. The pyrotechnic materials in inert fluid medium are then stirred so as to obtain an homogeneous slurry mixture. The slurry is allowed to settle and the inert fluid is decanted off for future reuse. The remaining slurry is dispensed into individual containers under pressure. The slurry is vacuum dried at a safe temperature to minimize the accidental ignition hazard while removing the remaining inert liquid, thus forming individual casts of pyrotechnic material. The casts are permitted to reach ambient temperature and pressure at predetermined rates so as to prevent cracking of the pyrotechnic charges.

Abstract: An optical image scanner utilizing an integral array of fiber optic launch couplers to direct an input light image to a selectively reflective termination and then to an output termination. The selectively reflective termination is sequenced to scan the bidirectional fibers of the launch coupler array to direct, in turn, the light transmitted through the launch coupler to the output. Thus, an input light image, applied in parallel, is scanned to develop a serial output for the respective pixels of the image. In one particular arrangement in accordance with the invention, the selectively reflective termination comprises an array of binary driven Faraday rotators. In an alternative arrangement, the reflective scanner comprises a rotating disc with a single reflective spot positioned near the periphery and facing the terminal ends of the bidirectional fibers of the launch coupler array.

Abstract: A system of disassemblable contact junctions for prefabricated conductor paths, such as may be provided on printing wiring boards, flexible printed cables or the like, Each contact junction includes a pressure point contact attached to an associated conductor path. Both the pressure point contact and the opposed conductor path are coated with solder or equivalent. Rigid blocks on opposite sides of the two sets of circuit conductors with an interspersed pad of compliant material, such as rubber, hold the assembly together under substantial pressure. Each of the pressure point contacts is formed with a ridge along the contacting face which, under the pressure developed by the assembly, penetrates through the oxide surfaces of the contacting solder layers, breaking the oxide surfaces and forming a gas tight electrical connection provided by the cold flow of the solder.

Abstract: A laundry piece stacking device which stacks a predetermined number of laundry pieces uniformly and evenly in a stack. Laundry pieces of a predetermined size are conveyed from an ironing area along a double feed conveyor to a swing arm conveyor. The swing arm conveyor is pivotable and rotates in an arc above a work discharge zone. By appropriate adjusting elements, the laundry pieces are evenly draped over a first conveyor in a stacking arrangement until the number of pieces in the stack equals a predetermined count. At that time, the first conveyor and a second, adjacent conveyor are activated for a brief interval so that the first stack formed is transported away from the work deposit zone towards a workpiece receiving area located at the far end of the second conveyor means. The swing arm conveyor is inhibited from operation during this time period. After one stack is removed, additional stacks are formed on the first conveyor and sequentially conveyed towards the receiving area.

Abstract: An automatic folding machine especially adapted for shop towels. Such items, when fed into the machine, are automatically advanced from the feed board, dropped onto a belt where they fold by gravity about a center line, advanced in stacks of ten (or some other preselected number), rotated through 90.degree. to a horizontal attitude and discharged onto a conveyor table. After five such stacks (as determined by the operator) are accumulated in a bundle, the conveyor advances the bundle to a tying machine for tying to complete the processing.The machine includes settable counters, separate towel count and stack count registers and related control and timing elements to achieve automatic operation of the functional components. A pacer light, controlled by a timer, is also provided to improve the feed rate established by the operator.

Abstract: An insulator device which couples a metallic gas delivery tube to a line leading to a detector device which requires cooling gas for operation. The insulator device of the present invention comprises a molded dielectric insulator, molded about two separated metallic end components, each of the metallic components including a nut portion to allow the insulator to be connected, on one hand to the detector device line, and on the other hand to the metallic gas delivery tube. The two metallic components are separated by a gap in order to provide the necessary electrical isolation between the two metallic end components. One metallic end component includes a built-in check valve which permits gas to flow only in the desired direction while preventing gas flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A system for detecting specific contaminants in a gas such as compressed air and automatically indicating the degree of detected contamination. The system is selectively operable in either a PURGE mode or a TEST mode. During the PURGE mode, air flow rate is adjusted to a selected level by reference to a flow indicator. The system includes automatic timing control, operable in the TEST mode, to cause an air sample of prescribed volume to flow through a detection chamber. The system uses commercially available detector tubes which are specific to the particular contaminant suspected and which provide a positive indication of the degree of detected contamination for the volume of air in the sample. The system performs automatically in response to the operation of selected switches in a prescribed sequence, without any need for instrument calibration, thus permitting its use by virtually anyone inclined to use it.

Abstract: A system for providing a Head-Up Display (HUD) on board an aircraft to assist a pilot in guiding the aircraft. The display is positioned in the pilot's normal line of sight. In one mode it utilizes a radio beam landing system such as an ILS (Instrument Landing System) to generate symbols that correspond to visual ground cues which, together with an aircraft symbol display, provide the pilot with cues for aligning the aircraft on the appropriate path for approach and landing. The system moves the aircraft symbol in accordance with motion changes of the aircraft. During a landing approach the pilot "flies" the aircraft symbol relative to the simulated and/or real ground cues. By making the HUD correspond with ground cues, the abrupt transition from instrumented to visual flight is eliminated. At altitudes below which available ILS is not acceptable, the system provides a smooth transition to a mode independent of ILS and then to a flare mode.

Abstract: A system for identifying a hard target from a distance. A delivery vehicle, such as a missile or bomb, is adapted to be dropped from the air. The delivery vehicle contains a plurality of hard target identifier or kinetic penetrator elements. Each of the elements has a nose portion of aerodynamic shape and a plurality of fins connected thereto. When ejected from the delivery vehicle, the elements will reach a substantial velocity, and hence, kinetic energy to penetrate partially into a hard target. A soft surrounding area, such as earth or water will absorb the elements. The elements may be passive for reflecting waves, such as acoustic waves or electromagnetic energy. Alternatively, they may be active elements capable of ejecting a dye, such as a fluorescent dye, or for transmitting acoustical or electromagnetic energy upon being activated.

Abstract: A preformed cup for receiving and retaining pyrotechnic materials including provision for hermetic sealing against entry of disabling matter and moisture, to be inserted, after sealing, into a conventional casing in such manner as to maintain close proximity with ignition devices as provided in standard pyrotechnic systems. Close proximity of the contained pyrotechnic materials to an associated igniter is permissible with safety, regardless of the volume of material loaded or the "G" loads encountered. The device permits loading of hazardous pyrotechnic materials on an off-line basis, independently of final assembly of devices used as practice rounds in anti-armor missiles and the like.

Abstract: A system for limiting the air intake to a diesel engine or the like under restricted operating conditions. A closure valve is mounted in the air intake passage of a diesel engine. The system includes a fluid pressure responsive mechanism for closing the valve under restricted operating conditions, and an orifice positioned downstream of the valve and sized to the particular engine associated therewith. The orifice is sized to permit air flow into the air intake passage of the engine at a rate which is about 60% of the normal, full-flow rate for normal engine operation at specified RPMs. The pressure responsive mechanism is coupled to a closed atmosphere pressurizing system so as to be actuated in closing the air intake valve when the pressurizing system is activated and to automatically permit the air intake valve to be opened when the pressurizing system is deactivated or when its pressurized fluid is exhausted.

Abstract: A multiaxis actuator is described which provides force along at least two translational axes through the interaction of multiple windings on a single platen which interact with the field poles of a magnetic member spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow multiaxis operation. Said field poles generate magnetic lines of flux perpendicular to said platen. Said windings are constructed and arranged so as to provide current paths in one direction over a generally wide planar area intercepting the magnetic flux lines, while concentrating current in the opposite direction return path in a relatively narrow volume not intercepting the magnetic flux lines. Said individual windings are utilized in pairs having their substantially planar portions collinear to one another and disposed substantially perpendicular to a portion of the magnetic field lines generated between said field poles.

Abstract: An improvement in a Venetian blind comprises a bottom rail in openable box form containing means for permitting easy adjustment of the length of the lift cords and slat ladders of the blind, and therefore the overall length of the blind, to adapt it to different window lengths. Preferably, the box comprises a horizontal lower bottom portion with closed bottom and upraised sloped sides and a horizontal upper portion with closed top and depending sloped sides, the latter usually fitting closely between the upraised sides. The two portions are releasably held together, as by removable pins extending therethrough. The lower edges of the depending sides can define inverted V-shaped keeper slots or the like to releasably retain the vertical string portions of the ladders. The upper portion may have apertures in the top down through which the lift cords pass.

Abstract: A tandem rocket launcher is provided by mounting plural rockets in an elongated launch tube with associated guide and launch equipment for each rocket. A conical shield is placed between the rockets which deflects exhaust gases generated by firing the forward rocket away from the rearward rocket. The shield is then removed by firing of the subsequent rocket or pivoting of two halves of the deflector away from the path of travel of the subsequent rocket.

Abstract: An improved golf cart is provided which comprises a frame bearing a seat having a high back, a pair of rear wheels flanking the seat and a front wheel, a set of foot cranks, a drive chain interconnecting the foot cranks and rear wheels, a steering assembly and a golf bag rack behind the back seat. To the upper part of the back rest are attached rearwardly extending rollers so that the cart can be tilted up to rest and ride on the rear wheels and rollers for compact storage and transport of the cart. An L-shaped support bracket may be secured to a car bumper for supporting and transporting the cart in the tilted up position. The cart may include an arm depending from the frame and engageable with the bracket and connectors to aid in holding the cart on the bracket. The cart can also include gears, a gear shift mechanism, brakes and a brake lever.

Abstract: A low-loss bidirectional optical coupler is provided by mounting together and joining with epoxy resin two like fiber optic elements in face-to-face relationship along a common plane. Each of the elements is fabricated by affixing a portion of an optical fiber with epoxy resin along the curved surface of a solid support form. After the epoxy securing the fiber to the form is cured and hardened, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber is established by lapping and polishing the element to a carefully controlled depth. The techniques employed and the resulting devices permit coupling between pairs of individual fibers joined in the manner described.

Abstract: An electroforming process in which parts of complex configurations can be formed more effectively than with the processes available in the prior art. In particular, a heat shrinkable tube is positioned on a mandrel, the mandrel being of a shape different from the ultimate part to be formed but which will develop the desired shape for the part when shrink tubing is shrunk onto the mandrel. A layer of metal is then deposited over the tube and the mandrel is then removed. The tube is heated again, shrinking to a smaller size which enables it to be removed from the finished part.

Abstract: An audible test device which provides a tone when a resistance being measured is less than a selected value, the selected value being variable to a few milli-ohms. A first or second source of voltage is applied to a constant current source. The constant current generated is divided between two paths, one path including test leads holding the resistance being measured therebetween, the other path through a voltage adjusting device. The output from the voltage adjusting device is applied to one input of a voltage comparator, the voltage appearing across the resistance under test being applied to the other input of the voltage comparator. The output of the comparator is applied to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), the output of the VCO being applied to a piezoelectric device and to a speaker operable only when the second voltage source is utilized, thereby generating an audible tone.

Abstract: A mechanical flowmeter is provided for measuring the flow of hydraulic fluid in a system in which the flowmeter is connected. The flowmeter contains a spring biased piston which is responsive to the rate of flow through an annular space surrounding the piston as it moves in a tapered bore. A toroidal armature of ferrous (magnetic) material is mounted on a rod extending from the piston for movement therewith. Movement of the armature and the piston rod within a hollow guide is tracked by a permanent magnet of toroidal shape which is mounted surrounding the guide in sliding relationship. A sight glass surrounding the guide and magnet is calibrated with a scale for converting the position of the magnet to an indication of flow rate. For fluid flow in the reverse direction, the piston is moved out of the tapered bore, thus permitting free flow in the reverse direction with minimal energy loss.