Abstract: A method in high temperature repair of damaged fuel cell screens comprising the steps of forming a mask, bathing the screen to be repaired in pure argon, masking the damage site with the mask, applying to the site selected repair material via plasma spray in several cycles each cycle interspersed with a cooling period, where a test wafer may be exposed on the surface of the mask for metering purposes.

Abstract: Improved low profile over-center toggle latch having a latch arm with an internally threaded latch barrel nut for adjustable cooperation with a threaded latch draw bolt. The bolt is pivotally coupled to a latch handle assembly. The latter comprises projecting sidewalls and a grip end. The latch handle assembly is mounted by means of integral flanges cooperating with journals defined in a mounting stirrup, the latter being mounted on the container body.

Abstract: A phase-only optical filter capable of being utilized within a phase-only optical correlation system. The phase-only optical filter is made by mathematically generating preselected phase-only information by a fast Fourier Transform technique. This generated phase-only information is transferred onto an unexposed holographic film. Thereafter, the film is developed and subsequently bleached. The resultant bleached film is the phase-only filter which, when utilized in a correlation system, provides substantially 100% utilization of the source of electromagnetic radiation during the correlation process.

Abstract: A high efficiency fiber-shaped detector having a longitudinally extending core transparent to the wavelength of an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation. Circumscribing the core and deposited thereon is an extremely thin layer of photosensitive material, an extremely thin layer of insulation and an extremely thin layer of reflective material. The photosensitive layer converts the electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal which is transmitted to a processing system. Upon receiving the incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation, the reflective layer reflects this beam so that the beam passes through the photosensitive layer many times. Consequently, it is possible to provide a reliable indication of beam intensity. Modified embodiments of the above described detector also provide information with respect to the angularity and alignment of the input beam of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A test target for adaptive optics comprising, in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of nine adjacent, stacked, and aligned rows of a multiplicity of alternate opaque sections and transparent sections in a repeating bar pattern, with all sections being positioned on a flat transparent medium (such as film or glass), and with each opaque section being an opaque bar and with each transparent section being a transparent bar. Each row has a different spatial frequency than any other of the nine rows, with the spatial frequency of any one row being of a different multiple of the row having the lowest spatial frequency. As a matter of preference, the nine adjacent, stacked, and aligned rows are stacked with the first and lowermost row having the lowest spatial frequency, and with the ninth and uppermost row having the highest spatial frequency.

Abstract: A self-propelled, floating, rotary, liquid atomizer having a feed tube and a free floating rotor operably connected at the bottom thereof. The feed tube is hollow and is affixed to the inlet line of a pressurized liquid source. This liquid source is not only atomized but serves as the motor force for the atomizer as well as lifts the rotor off its support to become free floating. A plurality of slits are formed adjacent the bottom of feed tube and they are juxtaposed a plurality of cup-like openings and holes formed in the rotor. As the liquid under pressure is passed through the feed tubes it exits from the slits at the bottom of the feed tube and impinges upon the upper edges of the cup-like openings within the rotor to cause the rotor to lift from its support coincidental to rotation thereof.

Abstract: An optically pumped semiconductor ring laser having a plurality of reflective elements optically aligned with one another to form a ring-shaped resonant cavity. A semiconductor lasing medium is mounted within the ring-shaped resonant cavity by a transparent, heat conductive mount located within a vacuum/cooling chamber of the type which allows the passage of a laser beam therethrough. A pump beam initiates a lasing action within the ring-shaped resonant cavity to produce said laser beam and said laser beam exits the resonant cavity as a pair of outputs. An alternate embodiment of the above described semiconductor ring laser provides a semblance of unidirectional lasing operation.

Abstract: An optical flip-flop system having a pair of optically aligned nonlinear Fabry-Perot etalons, one of which acting as a bistable optical device, the other acting as a negative optical gate. The negative optical gate is initially tuned for high transmission and will remain transmissive until impinged upon by a first optical pulse, at which time it will momentarily become nontransmissive. If this nontransmissive state is longer than the recovery time of the bistable optical device, then the bistable optical device will become nontransmissive. The bistable optical device will remain nontransmissive until impinged upon by a second optical pulse. Thereupon, the bistable optical device will remain transmissive until such time the negative optical gate becomes nontransmissive again. In this manner the flip-flop system can be readily controlled by the application of the pair of optical pulses thereto.

Abstract: A wavelength selective demultiplexer tuner having an optically transmissive body for receiving an input signal containing a plurality of different wavelengths and transmitting the signal therethrough. An electro-optic block of material is secured to the body of the tuner and a reflective grating or mirror is secured to the electro-optic block of material for redirecting through the body the input signal as a plurality of signals, each containing a different one of the wavelengths. By appropriately varying a voltage placed across the electro-optic block of material, the index of refraction of the block of material changes thereby altering the optical paths followed by the plurality of signals redirected through the body. In this manner, each of the signals containing a different one of the wavelengths can be selectively output from the body at different times and at the same, single location.

Abstract: A portable, sequential air sampler having an easily transportable housing containing therein a plurality of interrelated components which allow the air sampler to operate by either battery or "line" power as well as maintain the flow rate through the sampling media substantially constant. The components include a vacuum pump and rotary valve which are capable of sequentially drawing air through the sampling media. In addition, a flow rate control system is operably connected to the vacuum pump in order to maintain the substantially constant flow rate through the sampling media. The air sampler can vary initiation of the sampling operation from 1-999 minutes while varying the sequence of sampling from 1-99 minutes, and, yet, maintai substantially constant air flow throughout the air sampling procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively controlling anodic oxide growth on semiconductors for controlled electrochemical pattern generation incorporating use of a writing beam of a wavelength which encourages oxide growth and a bias beam at a wavelength which discourages oxide growth. The bias beam is projected on the semiconductor in electrolytic environment to prevent or retard oxide growth while oxide growth is accelerated at points of illumination by means of writing beam.

Abstract: A blind-mating, positionally adjustable electrical connector device of the plug-and-socket type, with the plug connected to an electrically conductive structure (such as a passive printed circuit board), and with the electrified socket insulatively attached in a positionally adjustable manner to a base member (such as a chasis). Unlike the prior art, the positionally adjustable socket can be moved to correct a misalignment with the plug thereby permitting easy blind-mating of the plug and the socket, and the socket can be quickly de-electrified by a quick disconnect means which includes a wire lead, from an electric source, removably wrapped around a terminal in electrical connection with the socket, with the wire lead easily and quickly unwrapable from the terminal.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector for coupling together a pair of optical fibers having a pair of fixtures, each of the fixtures securing therein a respective optical fiber and having a magnification lens optically aligned with the end of the optical fiber. The lenses and fibers are so positioned relative to each other so as to focus a magnified or enlarged image of the end of each of the fibers to a predetermined position. A fastening means is utilized to removably attach the fixtures together in such a manner that the positions of the enlarged images of the fibers overlap thereby achieving excellent coupling of the adjacent fiber optic ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously inspecting the physical characteristics of particulate matter having a collection and conveying system, a sampling compartment, and a camera system. The collection and conveying system transports particulate matter, in the form of snowflakes, for example, to a viewing area in the sampling compartment. The camera system monitors the viewing area in order to provide single or multiple images of the snowflakes on single video frames at suitable magnification in order to analyze the crystalline characteristics of the snowflakes under naturally occurring conditions.

Abstract: A high-resolution digital pulse to digital pulse divider circuit directly synthesizes precise frequencies having low phase noise content and phase continuity when frequency changes occur.

Abstract: A fiber Fourier spectrometer having a focusing element, a beamsplitter, a pair of monomode optical fibers, a block of electro-optic material defining a pair of optical paths and means for controlling the effective length of one of the optical paths. A source of electromagnetic radiation is focused through and reflected by the beamsplitter into the pair of monomode fibers, respectively, and from there to the respective optical paths within the electro-optic block of material. The outputs of the two optical paths are combined and received by an intensity detector. Varying the effective path length of one of the optical paths alters the phase of the beam passing therethrough. Because the source of electromagnetic radiation has different wavelengths, the spectral components of the source are phase retarded by different amounts as they pass through the electro-optic material and can therefore be analyzed by a conventional Fourier spectroscopy technique.

Abstract: A system for, and a method of, replicating the known (i.e., ascertained) operational coolant fluid flow local pressure in an optical surface (such as a mirror surface) of the heat exchanger portion of a fluid cooled cylindrical optic. The system essentially comprises a precision numerically controlled lathe having a selectively rotatable spindle on which is mounted, with a hollow adapter, the cylindrical optic in which is retained a fluid connector that is in communication with the adapter which, in turn, is in communication with a source of pressurized fluid containing a fluid whose rate of flow and pressure can be regulated.

Abstract: A system for producing precise angular measurements in order to accurately configure an object, such as a wing rib, to be fit within a cavity, such as a wing. This system includes a device for measuring the interior angular measurements of the sides of the cavity and a device for measuring the exterior angular measurements of the sides of the object to be fit therein. Once these angular measurements are made, the exterior angle measuring device is made to encompass the interior angle measuring device. Any difference in space therebetween is related to the difference in angular size between the sides of the object and the cavity into which it is fit. Appropriate size adjustment of the object can then be readily made.

Abstract: A fuel vapor generator capable of being incorporated within a carburetor having a housing defining a chamber at the bottom thereof. An input line is attached to the lower portion of the housing for introducing a liquid fuel into the chamber and a return line is also attached to the lower portion of the housing for removing any excess liquid from the chamber and returning the excess liquid to the chamber. Located within the chamber is a level regulating system which, by being operably connected to both the inlet and removal lines is capable of regulating the liquid level within the chamber. In addition, an atomizer is located within the chamber in order to spray the liquid fuel in mist form into the upper portion of the housing for vaporization thereof prior to introduction into the Venturi tube of a carburetor.

Abstract: An optical correlator having a series of optical elements necessary for providing the comparison or correlation of incoming optical signals and for providing a readout beam representive of the correlation between the input signals; and a detection system which is capable of rapidly and reliably detecting intensity peaks in the readout beam. These intensity peaks establish the actual correlation between the optical input signals. The detection system incorporates therein a pair of optical fibers, one of which having associated therewith an electro-optic component for effectively varying the length of that fiber. By varying the effective length of one of the fibers, an intensity detector can provide an output of the intensity peaks necessary in making the actual correlation determination between the optical input signals.