Abstract: A novel form of sandwich construction is disclosed. The lattice core sandh construction comprises of elongate lattice cells in side-by-side abutment, to present common, lengthwise flat sides that have facesheets co-cured thereto without any secondary bonding. Each lattice cell is formed by wrapping, in alterate patterns, fiber-reinforced, composite bands around commonly-shaped mandrels. Opppositely disposed face sheets are placed against flat sides and the construction co-cured. After co-curing, the mandrels are removed.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for regulating the meniscus of a water droplet in a high velocity water droplet apparatus in which a large pulse of energy are applied to the water droplet to propel the water droplet at high velocity. In this method the shape of the meniscus of the water droplet is observed and adjusted in accordance with the observation. The energy is applied to the water droplet substantially simultaneously with the observing of the shape of the meniscus. The shape of the meniscus is determined by observing a magnified image of the water droplet so that the adjustment may be made in accordance with the magnified image. The high energy is applied to the water droplet by means of a projectile and an energy transfer body which transfers energy from the projectile to the water droplet. A pressure adjustment device is provided for adjusting the pressure applied to the water droplet in order to adjust the meniscus.

Abstract: An AC uninterruptible power source is disclosed that provides multi-phase wer output signals for actual use and a selectable single phase power output signal for use in testing. The AC uninterruptible power source further comprises at least one battery. The single phase output signal is connected to a dummy load by means of a power switch of the break-before-make type. The invention further includes the dummy load as preferably having metering capabilities to measure the frequency, current, and voltage parameters of the single phase output signal. The arrangement of the present invention allows for the single phase output to be mated to the dummy load without the need of removing input power to the AC uninterruptible power source so as to reduce, or even eliminate, transient caused failures to the AC uninterruptible power source and to its sensitive load equipment which the power source services.

Abstract: A unified, low-profile, lightweight and strong component mounting system an aircrew member's helmet is disclosed. The system includes a substantially rectangular mounting bracket that carries necessary power, communications, and optical inputs to the components, mounting hardware and specially designed interface pieces for each component. The system is designed to securely and easily snap-lock onto the helmet and is positioned to stay balanced while attached to eliminate crewmember discomfort.

Abstract: An automatic repeater station, sometimes called a relay system, is disclo. The relay system receives signals, preferably at one band of frequencies, then filters and restores their inherent information, and finally transmits the restored information, preferably at another band of frequencies. Unlike the prior art systems utilizing transceivers and electronically tunable filters, the present invention uses separate receivers and transmitters and is devoid of electronically tunable filters.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant polyurethane coating for application directly to a face as a self-priming topcoat comprising major amount of a polyurethane binder and minor amount of a combination of pigments consisting essentially of an aluminum phosphate, zinc salts of benzoic acids, and an alkaline earth metal phosphate such as zinc-barium phosphate. In addition, the coating contains up to about 30 parts by weight of a titanium dioxide pigment, up to about 2.0 parts by weight of an oil soluble surface active agent and up to about 50 parts by weight of at least one organic solvent.

Abstract: A jack mechanism having a crank handle that drives a linear motion control all nut and threaded screw. Two rods are included to provide a positive stop in each direction of the jack's limit so as to prevent overrun of the mechanism.

Abstract: An underwater acoustic surveillance system for obtaining data related to nd sources of interest in a large geographic area over long periods. A number of acoustic sensors are dropped from an aircraft for placement on the bottom of the sea at known locations. Each sensor automatically deploys a parachute to retard the descent in the air. A parachute riser weak link releases the parachute upon immersion in the water, and a latch operable at a preselected depth allows cylindrical staves to spread apart and form a stable platform on the bottom from which a hydrophone suspends and an acoustic projector tethers. A web-like flow shield unfolds between adjacent staves of the platform to provide additional retardation during the descent in the water and to reduce hydrophone noise due to water currents at the bottom.

Abstract: An underwater probe for determining true acoustic intensity by the direct asurement of true acoustic velocity and true acoustic pressure in a neutrally buoyant package, utilizes a moving-coil geophone embedded in a casting of syntactic foam and a pair of hydrophones on the exterior of the casting.

Abstract: A Josephson break junction device suitable for highly sensitive electronic detecting systems. A superconductor film such as YBa.sub.2 Al.sub.3 O.sub.7 is deposited on a substrate such as a single-crystal MgO. The film is fractured across a narrow strip by at least one indentation in the substrate juxtaposed from the strip to form a break junction. A transducer is affixed to the substrate for applying a bending movement to the substrate to regulate the distance across the gap formed at the fracture to produce a Josephson turned junction effect. Alternatively, or in addition to the transducer, a bridge of a nobel metal is applied across the gap to produce a weak-link junction.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant seal-coatings are formed on anodized aluminum by immeon in aqueous solutions containing trivalent chromic compounds with an alkali added near or slightly beyond the precipitation of insoluble basic compounds. Trivalent chromium seals formed on the anodized aluminum when tested in 5% NaCl salt spray chamber showed improved corrosion resistance. After a post-treatment in a peroxide or permanganate solution, the corrosion resistance for the anodized aluminum showed even greater improvement in the salt chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides instantaneous passive range measurement oard an aircraft for determining the range between the aircraft and a target. The target may either be stationary or a slower moving vehicle. Calculation of the desired range is achieved using the formula: Range=(S/S')V(Cos a)(Cos b) where "S"=apparent target size; "S'"=rate of change of apparent size; "V"=ground velocity; "a"=azimuth angle from aircraft heading to target; and "b"=elevation angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The apparatus consists of an automatic video tracker, a video camera, and a servo controlled aiming platform. The video tracker provides target size data. Resolvers on the aiming platform are utilized to determine the azimuth and elevation angles from the aircraft axis to the target. The azimuth angle is added to the aircraft drift angle to determine the total azimuth angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The drift angle and ground velocity are obtained from the aircraft inertial system.

Abstract: A submersible acoustic generator for projection of sound waves into a body f water comprises a tubular resonator, open at its lower end and closed at its upper end, and having a multiple-plate thermoacoustic stack located near the upper end between a pair of heat exchangers which set up a temperature gradient in the stack. The upper heat exchanger is heated by a chemical fuel, and the lower heat exchanger is cooled by the surrounding water. The resonator is gas-filled, and the wavelength of the oscillations produced is approximately twice the length of the resonator. A portion of the resonator tube can be surrounded by a coaxial tube which serves as an impedance matching stub. The stack plates can be made anisotropic by means of embedded copper wires. In alternative versions of the apparatus, the resonator can have two stacks, one near the open end and the other near the closed end, and the temperature gradient in the stack can be established cryogenically.

Abstract: An improvement to a vibration-damping structural component of the type hag viscoelastic material sandwiched between two outer structural layers of stiffness material is disclosed. An inner layer of stiffness material having two predominant surfaces is positioned between the two outer structural layers of stiffness material and is fixed along an edge of one of the two predominant surfaces to one of the two outer structural layers of stiffness material along a line thereon corresponding to a nodal line of vibration. The remainder of the two predominant surfaces is fixed to the viscoelastic material. During flexural vibrations, the inner layer displaces in-plane with respect to the inner surfaces of the outer layers, causing greater shearing in the viscoelastic material, and therefore causing greater vibration damping in the structural component.

Abstract: A method of measuring the position of a liquid surface within a vessel is scribed. An optical fiber is provided which has first and second ends and has an energy-absorbing element of a predetermined length disposed upon a portion of the cladding thereof such that there is a thermal interface between the energy-absorbing element and the cladding. The optical fiber is then positioned in the vessel so that the energy-absorbing element disposed thereon extends a known distance into the vessel along a known depth gradient of the vessel and so that the energy-absorbing element will intersect the liquid surface over the anticipated range of positions thereof. Single-frequency, coherent light is then transmitted through the core of the optical fiber by launching it into the first end of the optical fiber. A pulse of energy is applied across the entire length of the energy-absorbing element to heat it, and then the transmitted light is received from the second end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides instantaneous passive range measurement oard an aircraft for determining the range between the aircraft and a target. The target may either be stationary and on the earth's surface, or a slower moving vehicle. Calculation of the desired range is achieved using the formula: Range=[Sin a/Sin b] V; where "a"=angle from aircraft heading to target, "b"=turning rate; and "V"=ground velocity. The apparatus consists of an automatic video tracker, a video camera, and a servo controlled aiming platform. A resolver on the aiming platform is utilized to determine the angle from the aircraft axis to the target. This angle is added to the aircraft drift angle to determine the total angle from the aircraft heading to the target. The video tracker is utilized to determine the turning rate of the aiming platform.

Abstract: An improved, multi-store dispenser is described which uses a solenoid and ring combination to eject individual stores after an electrical pulse is sent from the transporting aircraft. As each store is loaded into the dispenser, the loading action forces a spring into a compressed mode and a latch is closed to prevent expulsion. An electric pulse trips a solenoid, which in turn causes the latch to release, thereby allowing the store to be ejected.

Abstract: An elastic device that provides solderless, pressure contact, electrical connections between leads or leads and terminals at an interface. The elastic device comprises elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, and has electrical conductive, compressible wires formed of a metal, such as monel, embedded in the silicone. The elastic device is particularly suited to provide electrical connections between an interface that is brought together by a connector and which is separable in response to an impulse that may be created by an explosion produced by a pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a gas or metal vapor discharge device is disclosed. A pair of electrode assemblies each comprising thoriated tungsten with an alloy composition of tungsten (W) and from about 2% to about 3% of thorium dioxide ThO2 are located at opposite ends of the discharge chamber of the discharge device. The tip of the electrode preferably has four slots equally spaced around its circumference and a groove at its outermost edge. The tip of the electrode provides mechanical flexibility that inhibits the cracking of the thoriated tungsten electrode when it is mounted in the discharge device. Each electrode assembly further comprises a copper spacer, preferably I-shaped in cross-section, brazed against the base of the electrode and against a vacuum flange. The pair of electrode assemblies confines the discharge of the discharge device between the tips of the electrodes and inhibits the arc condition from finding its way to delicate vacuum seals.