Abstract: A mail delivery indicator which may be readily and easily mounted on the standard rural or cluster mailbox to signal when the mail has been delivered by the mail carrier. The mail delivery indicator comprises an elongated rod forming a flag staff with one of its ends connected to a coiled spring attached by a bracket to the right side of the mailbox. The other end of the flag staff is provided with a flag member and a latch element. The latch element serves the dual purpose of securing the flag to the flag staff and engaging a catch element on the mailbox door to set the flag staff in its horizontal nonsignaling position when the door is closed. When the door is opened by the mail carrier, the latch element releases from the catch element and the coiled spring causes flag staff to automatically swing to its vertical signaling position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat tube device through which a working fluid can be circulated to transfer heat to air in a conventional air conditioning system. The heat tube device is disposable about a conventional cooling coil of the air conditioning system and includes a plurality of substantially U-shaped tubes connected to a support structure. The support structure includes members for allowing the heat tube device to be readily positioned about the cooling coil. An actuatable adjustment device is connected to the U-shaped tubes for allowing, upon actuation thereof, for the heat tubes to be simultaneously rotated relative to the cooling coil for allowing the heat transfer from the heat tube device to air in the air conditioning system to be selectively varied.

Abstract: An integrated polygeneration system and process is disclosed for generating liquid hydrogen as a main energy product for use as a propellant for space vehicles. Secondary energy products and commodities for supporting a space center complex and launching of the space vehicle includes the production of electrical and thermal energy and gaseous nitrogen. The integrated process includes a coal gasification and gas cleanup system (12), a combined cycle power generation system (18), a hydrogen production and liquefaction system (22) and a air separation system (32). A medium BTU gas (16) is produced by the coal gasification system and is delivered at (16a) to the power generation system and (16b) the hydrogen production and liquefaction system.

Abstract: A switching matrix enables switching of optical signals from any of a plurality of optical input paths to selected optical output paths, without requiring physical re-connecting of the inputs or outputs. Plural broad-band optical waveguides are defined preferably in otherwise non-transmissive quartz crystalline wafers, to provide relatively high signal isolation. The wafers are fused to electronic shutter windows situated in an array and discretely operable under processor x-y address control. Optical signals passed through actuated electronic shutter windows are summed in output wafers, having waveguide structure generally reverse to that of the input quartz wafers. Through selected segment actuation, optical signals from selected optical input paths may be transmitted or blocked at the electronically controlled shutter array, for being output on selected optical output paths. Alternatively, fiber optic bundles may replace input or output quartz wafers.

Abstract: A vortex motion phase separator for transferring a liquid in a zero gravity environment while at the same time separating the liquid from vapors found within either the sender or the receiving tanks. The separator comprises a rigid sender tank having a circular cross-section and rigid receiver tank having a circular cross-section. A plurality of ducts connects the sender tank and the receiver tank. Disposed within the ducts connecting the receiver tank and the sender tank is a pump and a plurality of valves. The pump is powered by an electric motor and is adapted to draw either the liquid or a mixture of the liquid and the vapor from the sender tank. Initially, the mixture drawn from the sender tank is directed through a portion of the ductwork and back into the sender tank at a tangent to the inside surface of the sender tank, thereby creating a swirling vortex of the mixture within the sender tank.

Abstract: A headband for a headset has separate coarse and fine adjustment features. The adjustments may be to the axial distance between at least one earpiece element and a side support. Such adjustment to the axial distance varies the pressure exerted on the head of the user. The present fine adjustment feature may be used while the headset is being worn, thereby permitting a user to optimize the amount of pressure between the contending criteria of comfort and keeping the headset in place on the user's head.

Abstract: A zero-leak cryogenic coupling includes a polymeric seal clamped to a male bayonet member with two pairs of tightening rings. The tightening rings threadably engage each other in respective pairs around tapered ends of the inflatable seal member so that a wedging action tightens the seal member about the male bayonet. Once in place, the seal may be inflated via an inflation port so that its expansion provides a pressure contact with the inside surface of a coaxial female member.

Abstract: A personnel emergency carrier vehicle is disclosed which includes a vehicle frame (10) supported on steerable front wheels (20, 22) and driven rear wheels (36, 38). A supply (78) of breathing air is connected to quick connect face mask couplings (112, 114) and umbilical cord couplings (116, 118) for supplying breathing air to an injured worker or attendant either with or without a self-contained atomspheric protection suit for protection against hazardous gases at an accident site. A non-sparking hydraulic motor (90) is utilized to drive the vehicle and suitable direction (134) and throttling controls (138, 134) are provided for controlling the delivery of a hydraulic driving fluid from a pressurized hydraulic fluid accumulator (100). A steering axis (80) is steerable through a handle (82) to steer the front wheels (20, 22) through a linkage assembly (84, 28, 30).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitizing audio signals being generated from a plurality of parties (A, B) in order to provide audio communication between the parties with a minimum of interference. Each of the parties has an audio transmitter and receiver (38, 58) provided for transmitting and receiving audio signals. The audio signals are converted (40) to a PCM companded eight-bit parallel signal followed by conversion (42) to a serial signal for transmitting to a remote location and then reconverting (46) each of the companded serial signals to a first eight-bit parallel signal. A pre-programmed ROM (48) is located at the remote location and has a plurality of inputs and outputs. Each of the eight-bit parallel signals from the individual parties are fed to the ROM causing the ROM to produce an eight-bit signal on the output representing the instantaneous sum of the eight-bit parallel signals being supplied to the inputs thereof.

Abstract: A circuit for use in a transponder located in an aircraft or the like for identifying a true side lobe suppression signal being transmitted by a ground located transmitted system. The true side lobe suppression signal includes at least pulses P1 and P2. The circuit causes the transponder to produce a reply signal upon the amplitude of the P1 pulse being a predetermined ratio to said P2 pulse. The circuit includes a pair of transistors with a capacitor connected to the output of the second transistor. The pulses P1 and P.sub.2 are supplied to the base electrode of the first transistor. Pulse P1 turns on the two transistors and charges the capacitor to a predetermined level so that when the second pulse P2 arrives, it does not turn on a transistor when it is equal to or less than the first pulse P1.

Abstract: An inflight IFR procedures simulator for generating signals and commands to conventional instruments provided in an airplane. The simulator includes a signal synthesizer which generates predetermined simulated signals corresponding to signals normally received from remote sources upon being activated. A computer is connected to the signal synthesizer and causes the signal synthesizer to produce simulated signals responsive to programs fed into the computer. A switching network is connected to the signal synthesizer, the antenna of the aircraft, and navigational instruments and communication devices for selectively connecting instruments and devices to the synthesizer and disconnecting the antenna from the navigational instruments and communication device. Pressure transducers are connected to the altimeter and speed indicator for supplying electrical signals to the computer indicating the altitude and speed of the aircraft.

Abstract: An automatic level control circuit for an operational amplifier 16 for minimizing spikes or instantaneous gain of the amplifier at a low period wherein no signal is received on the input. The apparatus includes a multi-branch circuit which is connected between an output terminal 26 and a feedback terminal 34. A pair of zener diodes 50 and 52 are connected back-to-back in series with a capacitor 54 provided in one of the branches. A pair of voltage dividing resistors 44 and 46 are connected in another of the branches and a second capacitor 42 is provided in the remaining branch of controlling the high frequency oscillations of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A system for automatically optically switching fiber optic data signals between a plurality of input optical fibers (10, 11, 12, 13) and selective ones of a plurality of output fibers (56, 56a, 56b, 56c). The system includes optical detectors (14, 16, 18, 20) which are connected to each of the input fibers (10, 11, 12, 13) for converting the optic data signals appearing at the respective input fibers to an RF signal. A plurality of RF to optical signal converters (38, 40, 42, 44a, etc.) are arranged in rows and columns. The output of each of the optical detectors (14, 16, 18 and 20) are each applied to a respective row of optical signal converters (38, 40, 42, 44, etc.) for being converted back to an optical signal when the particular optical signal converter is selectively activated by a DC voltage. These optical signals are then applied via optical fibers (62) to optical detectors (58) which convert the optical signal back to an RF signal which is used for driving the ILDs ( 60).

Abstract: A system for analyzing asynchronous signals containing bits of information for ensuring the validity of said signals by sampling each bit of information a plurality of times and feeding the sampled pieces of bits of information into a sequence controller. The sequence controller has a plurality of maps or programs through which the sampled pieces of bits are stepped so as to identify the particular bit of information and determine the validity and phase of the bit. The step in which the sequence controller is clocked is controlled by a storage register. A data decoder decodes the information fed out of the storage register and feeds such information to shift registers for storage.

Abstract: A method of repairing cracks or damaged areas in glass, in particular, glass coatings provided on tile. The method includes removing the damaged area using a high speed diamond burr drilling out a cavity that extends slightly into the base material of the tile. All loose material is then cleaned from the drilled out cavity and the cavity is filled adjacent the upper surface of the coating with a filler material including chopped silica fibers mixed with a binder. The filler material is packed into the cavity and a repair coating is applied by means of a brush or sprayed thereover. The repair includes borosilicate suspended in solution. Heat is applied at approximately 2100.degree. F. for approximately five (5) minutes for curing the coating, causing boron silicide particles of the coating to oxidize forming a very fluid boron-oxide rich glass which reacts with the other frits to form an impervious, highly refractory layer.

Abstract: A system and method for refurbishing and processing parachutes is disclosed including an overhead monorail conveyor system on which the parachute is suspended for horizontal conveyance. The parachute is first suspended in partially open tented configuration wherein open inspection of the canopy is permitted to remove debris and inspect all areas. Following inspection, the parachute is transported by the monorail conveyor to a washing and drying station with the parachute canopy mounted on the conveyor in a systematic arrangement which permits water and air to pass through the ribbon-like material of the canopy. Following drying of the parachute, the parachute is conveyed into an interior space where it is finally inspected and removed from the monorail conveyor and laid upon a table for folding. Following folding operations, the parachute is once again mounted on the conveyor in an elongated horizontal configuration and conveyed to a packing area for stowing the parachute in a depolyment bag.

Abstract: A system for differentiating between cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning discharges which include an electric field antenna that senses the rate of change of an electric field produced by a lightning discharge. When the signal produced by the electric field exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is fed to a coincidence detector. A VHF antenna it also provided and generates a video signal responsive to a cloud-to-cloud lightning discharge, and this signal is fed through a level sensor, an inverter, to the coincidence detector simultaneously with the signal from the field detector. When signals from the electric field antenna and the VHF antenna appear at the coincidence detector simultaneously, such indicates that there is a cloud-to-cloud lightning discharge; whereas, when there is not a signal produced on the VHF antenna simultaneously with a signal produced by the field sensor, then a strike indicator connected to the coincidence detector indicates a cloud-to-ground lightning discharge.

Abstract: A system for automatically verifying the connections between terminals of a patchboard. The system includes a back plane having a plurality of plugs provided therein corresponding to the pins of the patchboard so that the patchboard can be plugged therein. A plurality of decoders are connected to the plugs of the back plane so that a signal can be sequentially applied to each plug of the back plane under control of a stepping register and a control circuit. A plurality of data selectors are also connected to the plugs of the back plane and under control of a second external register and said control circuit sequentially make connections between an output circuit and the plugs of the back plane so as to patch the signal applied to a respective plug through a patch connection to the output circuit. By making the above connections in a controlled manner, the precise locations of the patches on the patchboard can be identified and compared with previously stored information in a memory unit.

Abstract: A system for automatically calibrating the accuracy of a flowmeter which is used for measuring the flow of fluid such as gas or liquid flowing therethrough. The system includes a calculator capable of performing mathematical functions responsive to receiving data signals and function command signals. A prover cylinder which includes a piston is provided for measuring the temperature, pressure, and time required for accumulating a predetermined volume of fluid. Along with these signals, signals representing the temperature and pressure of the fluid going into the meter are fed to a plurality of data registers. Under control of a process controller, which includes a program counter, a programmable read only memory, and decoder logic system, the data registers are read out and the information is fed through a data select circuit to the calculator. Command signals are also produced by a function select circuit and are fed to the calculator set indicating the desired function to be performed.

Abstract: A system for producing a stream of humidified sterilizing gas for sterilizing objects such as the water systems of space vehicles and the like. The system includes a source of sterilant gas which is fed to a mixing chamber having inlet and outlet ports. Water is carried in the mixing chamber with the level of the water only partially filling said mixing chamber so as to provide an empty space adjacent the top of the chamber. A heater is provided for heating the water in said chamber producing a humidified atmosphere. The sterilant gas is fed through an arcuate shaped tubular member connected to the inlet port of the mixing chamber for producing a vortex type of flow of sterilant gas into the chamber for being humidified. A tubular member extends from the mixing chamber for supplying the humidified sterilant gas to the object for being sterilized. Scrubbers are provided for removing the sterilant gas after use.