Abstract: A reference sample for testing fire detectors and a method of testing utilizing the reference samples. The reference sample comprises a fused mixture of pellets of the plastics usually found in aircraft cargo holds, with a heating element embedded in the sample. The pellets are in a plurality of layers with the composition of each layer being homogeneous but the thicknesses and porosities of the layers differing from each other. When the heating element is energized the layers of pellets, which have previously been fused into porous masses, begin to smolder, thereby generating a smoky atmosphere that as nearly as possible simulates the atmosphere in an aircraft cargo hold when there is a fire in the hold. In addition, a flammable liquid can be poured onto the sample and ignited, simultaneously with the energization of the heating element, by a separate ignition source to provide a flaming fire atmosphere.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring the mass loss rate of a sample of combustible material placed on a mass-sensitive platform. The material has been formed into a block through which a heating wire has been inserted that thermally degrades the block when an electric current is passed through the embedded wire. Because the terminal ends of the embedded wire deform when heated, attachments that supply the current to these terminals exert spurious forces on the block resulting in inaccurate mass measurements. To eliminate these forces, the terminal ends of the heating wire are connected to high conductivity leads that are dipped into electrically insulated reservoirs of a conductive fluid, typically mercury, to which a power supply provides a potential difference. As the terminal ends of the heating wire deform under the resulting current, the leads are free to move in the conductive fluid without exerting any forces on the block, allowing the true mass loss rate of the sample to be measured.

Abstract: A calorimeter that measures heat release rates of very small samples (on the order of one to 10 milligrams) without the need to separately and simultaneously measure the mass loss rate of the sample and the heat of combustion of the fuel gases produced during the fuel generation process. The sample is thermally decomposed in a small volume pyrolysis chamber. The resulting fuel gases are immedediately swept by an inert gas stream from the pyrolysis chamber into a combustion furnace in a plug-like flow. This plug flow substantially synchronizes the emerging fuel gases with the mass loss rate of the sample. Oxygen is metered into the fuel gas stream just before it enters the combustion furnace where the fuel gases are completely oxidized. The effluent from the furnace is analyzed to determine the amount of oxygen consumed per unit time and the heat release rate is computed without the need to separately measure the mass loss rate of the sample.

Abstract: A radiation detector which registers the radiation absorbed during the Prt Initial Radiation (PIR) phase following the detonation of a battlefield nuclear device is disclosed. The dose and dose rate attributable to gamma rays may be measured when the dose rate is low, and the total dose attributable to neutron and gamma ray radiation can be determined separately when the dose rate is high. Two silicon photodiodes are arranged on opposite sides of a slab of polyethylene to gather protons scattered by the incident neutron flux. A third photodiode is set next to a slab of silicon such that its depleted layer is surrounded by silicon. All three diodes are sensitive to gamma ray radiation. When the dose rate is low, the three diodes gather gamma ray dose information. When the dose rate is high, the two diodes adjacent to the polyethylene register combined neutron and gamma ray dose information while the remaining diode registers predominantly gamma ray dose information.

Abstract: A solid state gamma ray dosimeter which measures radiation in terms of absorption in a material different from the detector material. A solid state detector, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital interface and a microprocessor are combined in circuit to correct for differences between absorption of radiation in detector material and absorption in other materials, especially tissue. A suitable cladding may surround the detector. A method of generating dose translation data for calibrating the microprocessor is also disclosed. The solid state detector is attached to a multichannel analyzer circuit and subject to known doses of various monochromatic gamma rays. Output pulses from the detector are amplified and introduced into the multichannel analyzer. The spectrum produced is used to determine an average channel number (or pulse height) for a given dose of monochromatic radiation. The given dose is in units specific to material different from the detector material.

Abstract: A projectile suitable for use with an electromagnetic launcher or railgun. he projectile has a detachable conductive header portion which mates closely with and is restrained by one of the rails of a railgun. The header eliminates arcing and rail damage. The remainder of the projectile is ejected through a hole in the header toward a target.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which uses permanent magnets to manipulate charged ticle beams, such as those employed in traveling wave tubes, wigglers, and undulators. Tapered pole pieces are inserted between magnets in a periodic permanent magnet array, and the taper is oriented away from the beam path. The magnets themselves may also be tapered, but the taper is oriented toward the beam path. Tapering is described according to the cross sections formed when the plane which contains the beam path intersects the magnets and pole pieces.