Abstract: Method and apparatus for showing the relative range from an active line scan sensor to a target, the changes in range being shown on a recording medium as an alternate series of bright and dark lines. In particular, a modulated laser beam having high frequency components is utilized to illuminate the target, the reflected energy received at the sensor having the same modulation frequency but phase modified by the transit time required to make the roundtrip from the sensor to the target and return. The phase difference between the received energy and the transmitted, or reference, energy is detected by a phase demodulator, the detected phase difference corresponding to range contour lines. A reflectivity signal corresponding to the reflectance of the target is also provided. The range contour and reflectivity signals can be simultaneously recorded on a recording medium. Alternately, the reflectivity signal may be gated by the range contour signal producing a composite image on the medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing imagery of an object having distinct vertical geometry characteristics located at a reference plane remote from a scanning laser. In particular, a laser beam is utilized to scan objects at the reference plane and the optical signal reflected therefrom, corresponding to the reflectivity of the objects and background, is detected. An electrical signal, corresponding to the detected reflectivity signal, is coupled to an RF amplifier, the output of the RF amplifier being applied to an amplitude demodulator. The output of the amplitude demodulator, corresponding to the reflectivity and vertical geometry characteristics of the object at the reference plane, is applied to a recording device to produce the aforementioned imagery.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for showing the relative range from an active line scan sensor to a target, the changes in range being shown on a recording medium as an alternate series of bright and dark lines. In particular, a modulated laser beam having high frequency components is utilized to illuminate the target, the reflected energy received at the sensor having the same modulation frequency but phase modified by the transit time required to make the roundtrip from the sensor to the target and return. The phase difference between the received energy and the transmitted, or reference, energy is shown on the recording medium by directing a portion of the reference energy to a detector which is also responsive to the received energy.Points in the image formed on the recording medium where the phase angles are the same can be made to appear white while the points where the phase angles differ by 180.degree. can be made to appear black.

Abstract: The signal received through the fixed nonscanning transmitting lobe of the antenna in LORO conically scanning radar systems is demodulated to derive the interfering amplitude modulation. This modulation is then used to apply an amplitude modulation to the signal received through the scanning lobe that is equal and opposite in phase to the interfering modulation, thereby cancelling the interfering modulation and leaving only the modulation due to the conical scanning. Applications to both mechanically and electrically scanned systems are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing fluid from the fuel tank of an aircraft or missile. A structure of coaxial cylinders with one slidable member responding to transient variations in the direction of the gravitation ("g") force acting on the reservoir by reversing the fluid withdrawal location. When the "g" force is positive, the fluid is drawn from the reservoir below. If the "g" force becomes negative, the slidable cylinder translates to align a different set of passage ports within the structure, changing the location of the fluid draw to one within the fluid.

Abstract: An electronic tripod technique for postlaunch alignment of the roll and pitch gyros of a missile inertial guidance system. Prior to launch, missile gyros are spun up and caged to the missile airframe axes. At launch, gyros are uncaged and slant range to ground measured over an azimuthal sweep symmetrical to the plane of the missile's roll and yaw axes. A roll error signal proportional to the difference between the slant ranges at the sweep extremes is generated and used to torque the roll gyro, resulting in a rotation of the missile about its roll axis until the error signal is zero. This establishes a new roll reference at the roll gyro that is normal to the local vertical. A pitch error signal is then generated that is proportional to the difference between the slant range at either sweep extreme and the slant range at 0.degree. aximuth.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for use with a cabinet or other structure having double doors separated by a jamb at the point of closure. Two brackets are mounted on either side of the jamb, extending beyond the exterior surface of the cabinet sufficiently to install a locking device. The locking device obstructs the opening of the cabinet doors. The apparatus is structured such that it can be installed and removed from the cabinet without modifications to the cabinet or the need for special tools.

Abstract: A device for sealing the joint between ducts having sheet metal flanges mated with V-band couplings. Seal assemblies are interposed between the V-band coupling and the abutting duct flanges. As the V-band coupling is tightened to draw the ends of the duct flanges together the seal assembly is compressed, deforming the sealing material in contact with the duct flanges and effectuating a tight seal therebetween. A variety of seal assembly configurations are contemplated including those of continuous or segmented structure, those having compressible resilient materials or ductile metals as sealing materials, and those having a support band bonded to the sealing material for added structural rigidity.

Abstract: An apparatus attached to the flight control surface designed to lock the surface in a fixed and generally neutral position when a hydraulic pressure failure occurs. A spring loaded hydraulic actuator is mounted in the fixed wing structure but has an arm with a locking roller extending into a wedge shaped recess in the adjacent movable control surface. When hydraulic pressure is present the actuator spring is compressed and the locking roller on the actuator arm is moved to the wide end of the wedge, effectively avoiding any contact between the roller and the flight control surface surrounding it irrespective of the control surface orientation. Upon the occurrence of a hydraulic pressure drop, the compressed spring translates the actuator arm drawing the locking roller into a detent in the narrow end of the wedge, thereby inhibiting control surface rotation and flutter.

Abstract: A three actuator steering mechanism for rotating a strut type forward landing gear of an aircraft particularly adapted for use in ground steering. The actuators are of a linear push-pull construction and are mounted at both ends by rotatable joints. At one end the joints attach the actuators to a nonrotating segment of the landing gear structure, while at the opposite ends the joints connect the actuators to a steering collar through which the landing gear is actually rotated. With the landing gear aligned in the forward direction, the two laterally mounted actuators form moment arms with the steering collar about the vertical rotational axis of the landing gear, in the conventional fashion. The center actuator is attached with an orientation such that it contributes no steering torque with the landing gear facing forward but increasingly supplements the two lateral actuators as the steering angle of the steering collar diverges in either direction from forward.

Abstract: A cargo pallet, pallet support and restraint system which distributes the supporting forces equally over the bottom of the cargo pallet, even though the cargo load forces are concentrated and unevenly distributed over the pallet. The pallet is supported by a system of multiple ball or roller assemblies acting in conjunction with an interconnected hydraulic pallet support system to produce a multiplicity of equal lifting forces acting over the bottom surface of the pallet. Rails located at the pallet periphery restrain the pallet's upward movement and thereby introduce forces opposing those of the hydraulic pallet support system. The force and torque interactions among the areas of load concentration, the interconnected hydraulic pallet support system, the restraining rails, and the pallet structure rigidity, distributes the concentrated load evenly over the bottom of the pallet by hydraulically maintaining an equal supporting force from each of the underlying pallet support ball or roller assemblies.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus for detecting improper operation in the electrolytic plating or etching of a workpiece. Three connections are made from the electrical detection circuit to the work area at the plating or etching tank, namely to the anode bus bar, the cathode bus bar, and the workpiece being processed. In the detection circuit are two polarity sensing devices, which in conjunction with other electrical and manual switching devices, indicators, timers and alarms can detect incorrect operation of the plating or etching process and notify the operator accordingly. Furthermore, in the case where the operator fails to respond to a warning indicator the apparatus disclosed automatically initiates shutdown of the process in operation.

Abstract: A STOL aircraft having turbojet or torbofan engines mounted above and forward of the wing whereby the engine exhaust gases flow over and, by the Coanda effect, attach to the upper surfaces of the wing and a downwardly curved extendible flap to produce a downwardly turned exhaust flow having a large vertical component of thrust. Premature separation of the exhaust flow from the wing or flap due to reduced velocity in the boundary layer of the flow, which would result in decreased turning of the exhaust gases and a reduced vertical thrust component, is prevented by a boundary layer scoop extending across the exhaust flow, in an area just prior to where the exhaust flow would separate from the wing or flap, for removing the boundary layer gases and discharging them beneath the wing.

Abstract: A unitized apparatus with no moving parts capable of degassing the liquid flowing through it, forming a liquid seal and reservoir between the pressurization system and flowing liquid, and operating in an aircraft type varying "G" environment. Two cylindrical tanks are vertically disposed one within the other with a transfer tube forming the means of communication between their interiors. Liquid within the inner tank covers one end of the transfer tube both to form a liquid seal and to function as a limited reservoir. Gas introduced into the upper region of the inner tank pressurizes the system. The flowing liquid to be degassed is introduced tangentially between the tanks and exists through an opening in the outer tank near its lower end, producing a rotational flow and a centrifugal force to drive the gas bubbles inward toward gas traps located on the surface of the inner tank. Vortex flow within the trough-like gas traps captures the gas bubbles and confines them in the traps while the bubbles rise.

Abstract: A wideband compressive receiver using only one surface acoustic wave (SAW) device in a time-multiplexed fashion. A short pulse into the SAW device generates a "downchirp" local oscillator sweep signal which, after appropriate band limiting, is mixed with the incoming signal of unknown frequency. The lower sideband is filtered out and applied to the same SAW device as an "upchirp". Timing of the resulting compressed pulse emanating from the SAW device output is related to the frequency of the unknown signal.

Abstract: A countermeasure for LORO (lobe-on-receive-only) tracking radars comprising a transmitter and a receiver which controls the transmitter. The transmitter radiates pulses on the radar's frequency at a repetition rate that repeatedly sweeps over a range selected to include the unknown lobing frequency of the radar, the sweeps being alternately slow and fast. The receiver circuit receives the tracking radar signal and operates upon a fall in its intensity to halt the pulse frequency sweep and cause it to reverse at a slow rate.

Abstract: A leveling apparatus used in conjunction with a specimen holder and plastic film window material to accurately and consistently form a flat, bubble free analysis window on the open face of the specimen holder. The specimen holder in the form of a shallow cylindrical cup is slightly overfilled and covered by the plastic film. Placement of the mating leveling apparatus over the film squeezes out trapped air bubbles, levels the exposed face of the specimen, draws the plastic film tight over the exposed face of the specimen, and allows easy installation of a film retaining O-ring to maintain the specimen material in a level state within the holder.

Abstract: A narrow-band, inverted homo-heterojunction avalanche photodiode, configured in the shape of a mesa situated upon a substrate which is transparent to selected light energy wavelengths. The diode is inverted for operation such that the incoming light energy enters the substrate side, passes through a wavelength selective buffer layer and is absorbed upon entering the succeeding, active region. Avalanche gain is attained by drift from the area of absorption to the high field p-n homo-heterojunction located immediately thereafter. The device exhibits low levels of noise during operation because absorption is occurring in a low field region and because the ionization and breakdown noise associated with lattice mismatches is avoided through the formation of the p-n homo-heterojunction in one continuous growth process. Appropriate passivation of the mesa walls inhibits surface leakage and breakdown effects.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical removal of a metal cover wherein the electrically nonconductive underlying material to be exposed cannot withstand elevated temperatures produced by hot spots or arcs in the material being removed. The item to be processed is first masked, completely covering the area which is to be in contact with the etching solution. Segments of protective maskant are then removed in strips of prescribed width and at specified time intervals to expose additional material. The sequence produces graduated depths in the material being etched away and eventually results in the underlying material being exposed in incremental strips. Appropriate selection of timing and exposure width retains adequate unmasked covering material to avoid local areas of high current density, while insuring a smoothly expanding etched exposure of the underlying material.

Abstract: A process for forming a removable dental cast embedded with a plastic, threaded, cast ejector button, and apparatus for fabricating a plurality of cast ejector buttons comprised of a mold device including an upper plate containing a plurality of mold cavities, and a base plate incorporating coil spring means for resiliently maintaining the upper plate in a predetermined spaced-apart and open relation thereto and a plurality of rigid support elements attached, at their bottom ends, in vertically-upright relation on the base plate and slidably engaged, at their upper ends, in a bottom opening in each upper plate-mold cavity and extending in overlapping relation into the respective cavity. The upper ends of each rigid support element are threaded so that, when the mold cavities are poured with and filled by a suitable material, in the plastic flow form that is allowed to set for a specified period, a separate and internally threaded plastic cast ejector button is formed in each cavity.