Abstract: A non-contact gaging method and apparatus using a directional light beam develops a silhouette image on a CCD camera detector array; the image spanning opposite edges of an object to be gauged. The three dimensional object is imaged on the two dimensional camera array and, by means of computer analysis of pixels output from the camera, precise measurements to MIL Standards of physical dimensions are made at high rates for high volume production.Errors inherent in Prior Art devices are eliminated by only using a point source of light and eliminating the need for any additional optics. The system overcomes dimensional error by continuously gauging the high precision etched mark on the camera faceplate.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device that is modular can readily be changed to produce laser configurations for a broad spectrum of applications, using a minimum of components. A set of semiconductor modules covering wavelengths and polarizations of interest in specific technologies can be coupled to one of two beam shaping modules and projected through a selected objective optics module to provide large and small circular beams as well as broad and narrow line segments. Resolution enhancing and diffraction limiting filters may be included in the objective optics.

Abstract: An apparatus including an integrated circuit matrix of resistance elements for generating black body thermal images is used as a thermal radiation signal source in infrared apparatus testing and development. The matrix of thermal elements that have quasi-instantaneous temperature rise is controlled by computer program to produce multiple thermal images at locations over the field of view of a detector device or observation camera, and image motion can be simulated by computer program sequences. No transistors are used in the matrix thereby permitting very low cost and fast element heating (e.g., to 350K. in 0.2 .mu.sec from an 80K. cryogenic environment). A system including a cryogenic chamber enables the microcircuit matrix and an infrared CCD observation camera to output video frame and intensity data signals from a simulated cold environment for test of systems such as infrared guidance systems.

Abstract: A fraction of the theoretical spot size in a lens system is obtained by applying a filter consisting of a variable pitch circular grating, in front of the focus lens. The focal point Image of a lens is a spot called an Airy disk. The diameter of the Airy disk is proportional to (wavelength)/(Numerical Aperture). Numerical aperture is equal to (1/2 of the diameter of the lens)/(focal length). This is the theoretical limit of spot size. Using a Bessel Transform, modified circular grating, filter the resulting first and higher order diffraction images lie on the optical axis and interfere resulting in a small beam spot at the focus surrounded by interference bands, producing a narrowed zero order beam for projection in optical and infrared applications.

Abstract: The diode laser having an elliptic beam and a Gaussian intensity distribution is transformed by graded index lenses and beam shaping prisms to a circular beam of small diameter and then focused to a point. The focused beam is then magnified by a compound meniscus lens and a collimating lens, producing a collimated flat beam of uniform intensity having negligible loss of the energy of the diode laser radiation. The design is easily implementable using all spherical surface lenses and industry standard glass types, producing a collimated, diffraction limited output beam.

Abstract: A diode laser and optical system uses the minimum number of elements to obtain a small diameter beam (1 mm). A large numerical aperture lens collimates the full energy from the diode and the oval shaped output of the collimator is corrected for astigmatism by means of a cylinder lens and made circular by two identical prisms arranged to receive the corrected, collimated beam directly at a right angle surface of the first prism and transmit the beam after deflection to the second prism further which demagnifies the beam producing the round (.ltoreq.1 mm diameter) beam spot output of the laser. The output beam is well collimated (1 mRad) and wave front aberration is diffraction limited. The spot size at 50 feet distance is maintained. In order to hold total Gaussian distribution energy, the prisms are coated with a multilayer dielectric thin film eliminate reflection and to transmit the TE mode wave without loss at the Brewster angle.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the surface contour of optical elements having aspheric surfaces accommodates large numerical aperture optical elements. A null lens composed of only spheric surfaces is inserted into the optical path for nulling an aspheric surface under test, such as parabola or hyperbola, so that the aberration is zero as indicated by a reduced Ronchi fringe image from a Ronchi test grating located at the optical path focus. The surface contour of the aspheric surface is obtained as equivalent to the conjugate of the null lens.

Abstract: A camera mounting device particularly for automotive vehicles is easily mountable or removable from the vehicle and allows fast setup and removal of the camera from the vehicle without removing the mounting. A double suction cup attachment bracket and a leveling support member provide resistance to longitudinal, transverse, and roll forces due to the velocity, acceleration, and centrifugal forces of the vehicle.

Abstract: A phase locked loop utilizing digital techniques to control the closed loop bandwidth of the RF carrier phase locked loop in a receiver provides high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range for signal reception. After analog to digital conversion, a digital phase locked loop bandwidth controller provides phase error detection with automatic RF carrier closed loop tracking bandwidth control to accommodate several modes of transmission.

Abstract: A secure communications system multiplexes segments of the information signal for keyed encoding and modulation onto a plurality of different carrier frequencies and/or polarizations, and transmits the encoded carriers to multi-channel signal summing receivers that decode the segments from all channels, to reassemble the information signal for use by authorized stations with a key. The use of the multi-channel link and the summing receiver allows the greatest number of different coding algorithms for accommodating the greatest number of discrete secure channels.

Abstract: A computer assisted optical instrument analyzes a differential wave front developed by subtracting the wave front due to a circular grating reticle only in the optical path, from the wave front due to a reflecting surface being analyzed in the optical path including the reticle, to obtain a Foucault shadow fringe pattern indicating the surface curvature. The differential wave front is analyzed by the circular grating and a CCD camera, in polar coordinates, to obtain polynomial coefficients defining the wave front. The polynomial is then plotted and displayed as the topographic shadow fringe pattern of the reflected surface. Dedicated lens and reflector combinations adapt the instrument to specific embodiments in ophthalmology and metrology.

Abstract: An energy conserving engine particularly for heavy power requirements in freight movers and power plants, consists of an Otto cycle Diesel engine modified to receive superheated water injection for steam operation. The waste energy resulting from heat due to fossil fuel combustion is utilized in a series of counterflow heat exchangers that are temperature and pressure monitored, and valved for computer control of the heat transfer rates, providing superheated water at the proper temperature and pressure for steam operation of the engine. The computer defaults to fossil fuel operation of the engine when superheated water and steam operation conditions do not exist in the counterflow heat exchangers.

Abstract: A receiver utilizing a plurality of small paraboloid antennas in lieu of a single large antenna of equal area, each antenna connected to a separate phase coherent heterodyne receiver channel includes a main channel and branch channels, the channels being summed to provide a carrier phase locked loop local oscillator signal that is distributed to all channels producing phase coherent IF signals in all the channels. These are summed to enhance the carrier margin or dB from the sensitivity threshold, of the system combining the receiver channels, to a level greater than that of the single antenna of equivalent area with its single receiver. The tendency toward cycle slipping near threshold is further reduced by providing summed additional amplified uncorrelated predetection receiver noise in the IFs of the branch receiver coupled to the main receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying dental wax, simulating natural gingiva, to denture models uses controlled temperature and pressure to maintain the wax at constant viscosity and flow rate. Placement of the flow nozzle to fill recesses in the model where the simulated gum tissue should be, can be manual or microprocessor program controlled in combination with a micropositioner.

Abstract: A computer assisted keratometer in which a fiducial line pattern reticle illuminated by CW or pulsed laser light is projected on a corneal surface through lenses, a prismoidal beamsplitter quarterwave plate, and objective optics. The reticle surface is curved as a conjugate of an ideal corneal curvature. The fiducial image reflected from the cornea undergoes a polarization shift through the quarterwave plate and beamsplitter whereby the projected and reflected beams are separated and directed orthogonally. The reflected beam fiducial pattern forms a moire pattern with a replica of the first recticle. This moire pattern contains transverse aberration due to differences in curvature between the cornea and the ideal corneal curvature. The moire pattern is analyzed in real time by computer which displays either the CW moire pattern or a pulsed mode analysis of the transverse aberration of the cornea under observation, in real time.

Abstract: A drug dispensing device for in-vivo implantation has a diaphragm defining a movable wall of a container for drug fluid, the diaphragm being moved by expanding gas volumes differentially activated by electric heater means controlled by a calendar-clock to induce drug fluid through a constant flow valve in one wall of the container and into the living organism, discretely, or continuously over a period of time or at intervals controlled by the clock. The container is refilled with fresh drug by injection through the skin and a puncturable seal valve while the diaphragm is actuated in a reverse direction by heater activation. The dispensing program can be changed externally by electromagnetically coupled signals; the controller batteries can be similarly recharged by external coupling to a power source. Freshness of the drug and the size of the container determine the time between refills.

Abstract: A mosaic printer is made secure from unauthorized interception of data by falsifying the needle drive pulse current magnitude and sequence so that electromagnetic leakage radiation cannot be used to determine the alphanumeric data being printed. This falsification is accomplished by a compensation device having compensators energized each print cycle in addition to the printer needle drives in a reciprocal or a pseudorandom manner. The compensators have current consumption characteristics nominally identical to the needle drives and produce substantially identical radiation pulses, making it impossible to correlate the radiated pulse format with the symbol being printed.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating whether a correlation tracking system such as a phase-locked-loop has locked onto a periodic signal or not, utilizing a quadri-correlation circuit and digitalizers for the in-phase and the quadrature correlation signals, and logic circuitry for detecting the direction of transitions in the output state combinations of the digitalizers, and for adding the detector output signal rates for obtaining lock.

Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system for motor vehicles has a plurality of elevators for conveying automobile support pallets to and from a plurality of tiers, the support pallets being moved off an elevator onto a cart by a transfer mechanism on the cart, and into storage stalls, under automatic sequence control by a programmable controller; the sequence of events being displayed on an interactive terminal together with storage location data, and recorded in programmable controller memory for later retrieval by automatic sequence upon command.