Abstract: Para-polyphenylene sulfide, a non-composite, ultrahigh-temperature-resist, thermoplastic resin, is employed for the manufacture of interceptor motor cases. The thermoplastic resin, para-polyphenylene sulfide, has a combination of properties which are of particular interest in the fabrication of interceptor rocket motor cases. Para-polyphenylene sulfide in ribbonized forth is wound directly onto the required mandrel and then fused into a solid mass. The fused, solid mass has the properties which enables it to serve as both insulator and motor case material. The manufacture of a combination insulated motor case is achieved by the following method: The equipment, first, involves the fabrication of a breakout mandrel by one of several methods. The para-polyphenylene sulfide is ribbonized by extrusion and wound down on the breakout mandrel to the required thickness and fused into a solid mass by heating to its melt temperature of about 285.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is an initial guidance system for a missile that has o other guidance or inadequate terminal homing guidance to lock onto a target at the time of missile launch. A laser beam projected from the missile launch station is aimed toward the target. Light from the beam is reflected in random directions (scattered) from aerosol particles that are ever present in the atmosphere. This scattered light strikes light detectors that are located on the sides of the missile. When the missile flies off the direction of the target, the amplitudes of impacting light on these detectors are different on different sides of the missile. Guidance controls activated by these amplitude differences cause the missile to veer toward the center of the beam and thus fly in a direction that is more toward the target.

Abstract: The structure of this invention provides a means for shielding an optically ensitive detector, device, or components from electromagnetic fields without shielding them from the optical spectra desired to be transmitted. The structure of the invention is in the form of an optically transmissive Faraday cage or box having optically transparent material selected from optical glass and optically transparent plastic which functions as a substrate. The substrate is provided a thin film of predetermined skin depths in the form of a conductive coating selected from silver and a nickel-chromiumiron-manganese-silicon-copper-alloy. The conductive coating is applied in a thickness equivalent to a predetermined number of skin depths in order to attenuate an external electromagnetic field strength to meet the tolerance of the detector, device, or components which are to be shielded.

Abstract: This invention is a beam rider system and method that utilizes polarization-agile millimeter beams. Information is spatially encoded in the beams by varying the rate of rotation of the linearly polarized vector of the beams. In one embodiment, information is encoded on a beam that is nutated around a centerline flight path of a missile. In another embodiment, information is encoded on four parallel beams that form a centerline which is the intended flight path of the missile. Receiver means in the flying missile receive and decode information from the beams and use this decoded information to guide the missile to a target.

Abstract: Solid fuel gas generator compositions for use in ducted rockets, in which fullerenes or substituted fullerenes are used. Fullerene compounds in which easily oxidizable groups, oxidizing groups, or salts of oxidizing acids are attached to the spherical carbon skeleton of the fullerene.

Abstract: A laser pulse fiber optic neutron detector which is capable of discriminating against background neutrons and gamma rays while measuring both the energy of an incoming neutron and its direction has a sensor having a plurality of vertically-stacked organic fiber light pipes and a reflector at one end of the light pipes. Ionized tracks in the light pipes caused by neutron radiation are detected by directing pulsed laser radiation into one end of the light pipes and detecting the laser radiation backscattered and reflected from the light pipes.

Abstract: A turns count anomaly detector for detecting any irregularities in the pat count of a fiber optic able from fiber optic dispensers. The detector receives an input from an infrared source and receiver that monitors a fiber optic cable during fiber optic cable payout at speeds up to 700 feet per second. A turns count pulse electronics circuitry supplies an input to a turns count anomaly detector. The turns count anomaly detector is comprised of transistor transistor logic one-shot configured as a negative recovery monostable multivibrator. Input to the one-shot is received from a pulse conditioning circuit comprised of a logic signal inverter and a digital flip-flop. The input to the pulse conditioning circuit is the output from the turns count pulse electronics.

Abstract: A high resolution video acquisition system is disclosed that provides a rrding capability at extended time with full resolution. Two real time digital scan converters, a synchronizing computer and image frame buffers cooperate to provide two high resolution Red, Green, and Blue 60 hertz video channel outputs for recording systems in digital format and for real time video display. The respective channels are sampled at approximately one frame per second per channel for approximately 2 hours, thereby providing a full resolution extended time recording capability.

Abstract: A method to extract and recover nitramine oxidizers from solid propellant ing liquid ammonia employs four basic steps which are: (1) propellant removal by cutting or eroding into small pieces, followed by, (2) solution of the oxidizers by liquefied gas solvent ammonia, (3) separation of the insoluble binder, metal fuel, and additive components by filtration and recovery of the solid oxidizer by evaporation of the liquefied gas solvent ammonia, and (4) recompression to liquefy the gas solvent for reuse. The process is a closed system with no release of solvent to the environment. Cycle 1 reduces propellant size to 1/4 inch or less to achieve efficient extraction in cycle 2 where insoluble ingredients (binder, metal fuel, additives) are separated from soluble ingredients. Insolubles are recovered and the solubles are recovered in cycle 3 by evaporation of the liquefied gas solvent ammonia. Cycle 4 is a solvent liquefaction and recycling of the liquid ammonia to the closed system.

Abstract: The coacervation of ferrocene and ferrocene derivative is carried out in a ater-soluble polyol, coacervation mixture at a reaction temperature from about 40.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. The coacervation mixture is comprised of about 70 to about 80 parts of a 1:1 ratio of water and a water soluble polyol selected from glycol, a glycerol, and an erythritol, a urea derivative selected from melamine and triazine, and an aldehyde or ketone selected from the water soluble aldehydes or ketones consisting of methanal, ethanal, propanal, propanone, and 2-butanone. Micro-droplets of the ferrocene derivative, 2,2-bis(ethylferrocenyl)propane, are formed by vigorous agitation of the coacervation mixture containing the ferrocene derivative. A polymeric coating on the outer surface of the micro-droplets produces a coacervate which is separated from the coacervation mixture.

Abstract: Para-polyphenylene sulfide, a non-composite, ultrahigh-temperature-resist, thermoplastic resin, is employed for the manufacture of interceptor motor cases. The thermoplastic resin, para-polyphenylene sulfide, has a combination of properties which are of particular interest in the fabrication of interceptor rocket motor cases. Para-polyphenylene sulfide in ribbonized form is wound directly onto the required mandrel and then fused into a solid mass. The fused, solid mass has the properties which enables it to serve as both insulator and motor case material. The manufacture of a combination insulated motor case is achieved by the following method: The equipment, first, involves the fabrication of a breakout mandrel by one of several methods. The para-polyphenylene sulfide is ribbonized by extrusion and wound down on the breakout mandrel to the required thickness and fused into a solid mass by heating to its melt temperature of about 285.degree. C.

Abstract: An Infrared Fiber Optic Distribution Sensor (IFODS) and control system is ed in a non-contact method for ensuring that a fiber optic cable is unwound from a supply spool at a nominal angle to thereby reduce the twist and stress imparted to the cable. The system is mounted to a fiber optic winding machine platform for an automatic fiber winding system (AFWS). The AFWS is used to precision wind fiber optic dispensers for the Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) weapon system as well as the Naval Weapons Center's SKYRAY program. The IFODS uses pairs of infrared sources and receivers mounted directly across from each other and perpendicular to the plane of the fiber to sense the position of the fiber. Three pairs of sources/receivers are utilized. They are arranged so that the axis of each pair is offset from the center pair by 0.06 inches. If the fiber optic cable breaks the beam of the top pair the distribution motor will drive the supply spool down until he fiber breaks the beam of the middle pair.

Abstract: A general aspherical surface optical testing device comprised of a collimator lens system having lens designed to a predetermined radius of curvature that perfectly collimates a focused laser beam through an aberration compensating lens. The aberration compensating lens is designed to a predetermined radius of curvature to compensate for the aberration of an ellipse mirror, a parabola, or hyperbola mirror. A computer generated holographic general aspheric compensating plate is positioned between the collimator and the aberration compensating lens to make additional correction as needed in addition to the aberration compensations lens. For an aspheric mirror having a large numerical aperture, the hologram is order type.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an integrally wound joint structure with filament wound composite structure at an adjacent end of the integrally wound joint structure and having means for attaching said integrally wound joint structure to another structure provided at other end of said joint structure. The joint structure includes filament winding over a joint tube or joint solid with appropriately sized and spaced grooves running circumferentially around the outer surface of the joint structure. A curable resin is employed in filament winding to complete an assembly which is placed in a conventional oven and allowed to cure.

Abstract: An electronic triple point calibration system comprising in combination triple-point-of-water cells provided with means for sealing; a central thermowell provided in the heat conducting fixture for inserting thermometer being calibrated; a temperature probe installed on heat conducting fixture; and a housing for enclosing the heat conducting fixture and intimately mounted cells in a mounted combination. The cells are prepared from glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, or other material which does not react with water. After thoroughly cleaning, the cells are partially filled with pure water and vacuum sealed. A plurality of cells are intimately mounted on the heat conducting feature designed to accommodate the outer contours of the cells equally spaced around the central thermowell. The mounted combination with cells installed is frozen prior to testing.

Abstract: A method of providing a very strong mechanical interlock between the insuor and propellant of an interceptor rocket motor by employing a first lay-up material comprised of a cloth mat of woven cotton cloth (muslin) over a release liner with bleeder which covers a mandrel shell with a boss and a second lay-up material of an uncured vulcanizable rubber insulator, e.g., ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) with additives and curatives. The lay-up materials are subjected to a vacuum bag and autoclave curing environment to complete a vulcanization cycle to vulcanize and consolidate the insulator to the cloth mat. The vulcanized insulator/cloth mat is installed in a rocket motor case. The muslin cloth mat has many protruding microfibers which will be in the interface section when an uncured propellant composition is cast onto and cured to the vulcanized insulator/cloth mat. A very strong mechanical interlock is achieved which exceeds breaking strength of propellant and insulator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an integrally wound joint structure with filament wound composite structure at an adjacent end of the integrally wound joint structure and having means for attaching said integrally wound joint structure to another structure provided at other end of said joint structure. The joint structure includes filament winding over a joint tube or joint solid with appropriately sized and spaced grooves running circumferentially around the outer surface of the joint structure. A curable resin is employed in filament winding to complete an assembly which is placed in a conventional oven and allowed to cure.

Abstract: A process for mapping the path of an electric arc through a sample of resive material whereby the magnetic field propagated by the arc is recorded on a sleeve of magnetic sensitive material which surrounds the sample, with the intensity of the recorded field at different points on the sleeve indicating the path of the arc.

Abstract: A propulsion system is disclosed comprising a glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) olid fuel generator (SFGG) that produces fuel-rich hot gases which are combusted in a combustion zone of a combustion chamber of a solid fuel ducted rocket. A basic embodiment comprises an airbreathing engine wherein a ducted member scoops air in from the atmosphere for hypergolic reaction with the fuel-rich hot gases for propulsion during a sustain stage of a flight. An augmentation of the basic embodiment is achieved by combusting the fuel-rich GAP SFGG effluent with inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) gel oxidizer to produce higher thrust during the boost and dash stages of a flight. During the high thrust stages, the air ducts of the ducted member are closed and IRFNA gel is injected into the combustion chamber to react with the fuel-rich hot gases from the GAP SFGG.

Abstract: Surface plasmon resonance in small particles of metal is employed to polarize light propagating in a waveguide. An ion-exchanged glass waveguide is provided with a 50 Angstrom (5 nm) mass thick layer of silver which is deposited on the waveguide. The ion-exchanged glass waveguide having the specified layer of silver is annealed at 200.degree. C. for 1 minute causing the silver film to bead, much like water droplets on a waxed car. The silver microparticles have a nonspherical shape with their major axes parallel to the surface of the waveguide and their minor axis perpendicular to the surface of the waveguide as illustrated in the Figures of the Drawing. When light from a HeNe laser at a wavelength of 633 nm is prism-coupled into the waveguide with the field of laser beam parallel to the major axes of the spheroids (TE polarization) the laser light is strongly absorbed and the TM light is passed.