Abstract: A computerized system for translating a torch head tip at a constant travel speed along a contoured workpiece including a driven skate characterized by an elongated bed, a pair of independently pivotal trucks connected to the bed in supporting relation therewith and mounted on a contoured track of an arbitrary configuration in mutually spaced relation, an axially extensible torch head manipulator arm mounted on the bed of the carriage and projected perpendicularly from the midportion thereof and having a torch head mounted at its distal end, and a real-time computerized control drive subsystem to advance the skate along the track at a variable rate for maintaining a constant speed for the torch head tip and to position the torch axis relative to a preset angle to the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved method of constructing a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device having multiple layers of metal deposited by D.C. magnetron sputtering at low D.C. voltages and low substrate temperatures provides multilevel interconnections and cross over between individual circuit elements in integrated circuits without significantly reducing the reliability or seriously affecting the yield.

Abstract: A spherical bearing including an inner ball having an opening for receiving a shaft and a spherical outer surface. A circular outer race including a plurality of circumferentially spaced sections extending around the inner ball for snugly receiving the inner ball. A groove extends circumferentially around the race producing a thin wall portion therebelow which permits the opposed side portions to flex relative to the ball for maximizing the physical contact between the inner surface of the race and the spherical outer surface of the ball.

Abstract: A panel for selectively absorbing solar energy comprising an aluminum substrate, a layer of zinc thereon, a layer of nickel over the zinc layer and an outer layer of solar energy absorbing nickel oxide or a copper substrate with a layer of nickel thereon and a layer of solar energy absorbing nickel oxide distal from the copper substrate. A method for making aforesaid panels is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining intensified images from silver images on developed photographic films and plates comprises the steps of converting silver of the developed film or plate to a radioactive compound by treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution of an organo-S35 compound; placing the treated film or plate in direct contact with a receiver film which is then exposed by radiation from the activated film; and developing and fixing the resulting intensified image on the receiver film.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for examining the crystal lattice of a semiconductor wafer utilizing x-ray diffraction techniques. The apparatus is employed in a method which includes the step of recording the image of a wafer supported in a bent configuration conforming to a compound curve, produced through the use of a vaccum chuck provided for an x-ray camera while the entire surface thereof is illuminated simultaneously by a beam of incident x-rays which are projected from a distant point-source and satisfy conditions of the Bragg Law for all points on the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A sprayable, low density ablative composition consisting essentially of:A. 100 parts by weight of a mixture of 25-65% by weight of phenolic microballoons,0-20% by weight of glass microballoons,4-10% by weight of glass fibers,25-45% by weight of an epoxy-modified polyurethane resin,2-4% by weight of a bentonite dispersing aid and1-2% by weight of an alcohol activator for the bentonite;B. 1-10 parts by weight of an aromatic amine curing agent; andC. 200-400 parts by weight of a solvent.

Abstract: Porous copper workpieces are obtained byA. obtaining a copper workpiece having a selected grain size;B. machining the workpiece to a selected size and shape;C. electrochemically polishing said workpiece;D. annealing said workpiece from step (c) in oxygen at a temperature from 750.degree. to 1080.degree. C. and a pressure of 10.sup.-4 - 10.sup.2 Torr; andE. annealing said workpiece from step (d) in hydrogen.

Abstract: A wrist joint assembly is provided for use with a mechanical manipulator arm for finely positioning an end-effector carried by the wrist joint on the terminal end of the manipulator arm wherein the wrist joint assembly is pivotable about a first axis to produce a yaw motion, a second axis to produce a pitch motion, and a third axis to produce a roll motion, wherein the three axes are mutually perpendicular and have a common point of origin. The wrist joint assembly includes a disk segment affixed to the terminal end of the manipulator arm and a first housing member rotatably carried on the disk segment about the first axis. A second housing member is rotatably carried on the first housing member and a third housing member is rotatably carried on the second housing member whereby the third housing member and the mechanical end-effector carried thereon are moved in the yaw, pitch, and roll motion.

Abstract: A superconducting microbridge is provided for use in superconducting quantum interference devices wherein a pair of spaced layers of superconductive material are connected by a weak link bridge to establish an electrical junction. The superconductive layers and bridge are coated with a semiconductor material shunting the bridge at room temperatures to prevent the destruction of the device by minute electrical currents while the coating acts as a dielectric permitting normal electrical behavior of the microbridge at cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: A method for attaching a fused-quartz mirror to a conductive metal substrate which comprises the steps of tinning one surface of a fused-quartz mirror with a solder of substantially pure indium, tinning a metallic substrate with an indium eutectic alloy consisting essentially of indium, bismuth, lead and tin having a melting point substantially below that of indium, heating the eutectic alloy to a temperature substantially above its melting point, but below that of the solder, floating the mirror into place, and subsequently cooling the alloy to a temperature substantially below its melting point.

Abstract: A method for measuring stress in test articles including the steps of obtaining for a calibrating specimen a series of transit time differentials between the second wave echo for a longitudinal wave and the first wave echo for each of a pair of shear waves propagated through the specimen as it is subjected to a known stress load of a series of stress loads for thus establishing a series of indications of the magnitudes for stress loads induced in the specimen, and thereafter obtaining a transit time differential between the second wave echo for a longitudinal wave and the first wave echo for each of a pair of shear waves propagated in the planes of the stress axes of a test article and comparing the transit time differential thus obtained to the series of transit time differentials obtained for the specimen to determine the magnitude of biaxial stress in the test article.