Abstract: This invention relates to a crystal growth apparatus (10) generally used for growing protein crystals wherein a vapor diffusion method is used for growing the crystals. In this apparatus, a precipitating solution and a solution containing dissolved crystalline material are stored in separate vials (12, 14), each having a resilient diaphragm (28) across one end and an opening (24) with a puncturable septum (26) thereacross at an opposite end. The vials are placed in receptacles (30) having a manifold (41) with a manifold diaphragm (42) in contact with the vial diaphragm at one end of the receptacle and a hollow needle (36) for puncturing the septum at the other end of the manifold.

Abstract: An improved lightweight, ablative coating that may be spray applied and cured without the development of appreciable shrinkage cracks. The ablative mixture consists essentially of phenolic microballoons, hollow glass spheres, glass fibers, ground cork, a flexibilized resin binder, and an activated colloidal clay.

Abstract: A cassegrain optical system provides improved collection of off-axis light yet is still characterized by a high concentration ratio. The optical system includes a primary mirror for collecting incoming light and reflecting the light to a secondary mirror which, in turn, reflects the light to a solar cell or other radiation collection device. The primary mirror reflects incoming on-axis light onto an annular section of the secondary mirror and results in the reflection of a substantial amount of incoming off-axis light onto the remainder of the secondary mirror. Thus light which would otherwise be lost to the system will be captured by the collector. Furthermore, the off-axis sections of the secondary mirror may be of a different geometrical shape than the on-axis annular section so as to optimize the amount of off-axis light collected.

Abstract: A double face sealing device for mounting between two surfaces to provide an airtight and fluid-tight seal between a closure member bearing one of the surfaces and a structure or housing bearing the other surface which extends around the opening or hatchway to be closed. The double face sealing device includes a plurality of sections or segments mounted to one of the surfaces, each having a main body portion, a pair of outwardly extending and diverging, cantilever, spring arms, and a pair of inwardly extending and diverging, cantilever, spring arms, an elastomeric cover on the distal, free, ends of the outwardly extending and diverging spring arms, and an elastomeric cover on the distal, free, ends of the inwardly extending and diverging spring arms. The double face sealing device has application or use in all environments requiring a seal, but is particularly useful to seal openings or hatchways between compartments of spacecraft or aircraft.

Abstract: A method for determining the effects of exposure of oxygen plasma on a specimen such as a thin film polymer or thin metals. The method includes providing an apparatus with a chamber having a holder supporting the polymer specimen in a plasma environment provided in the chamber. The chamber is regulated to a predetermined pressure and set temperature prior to the introduction of oxygen plasma therein. The specimen is then subjected to the plasma environment for a predetermined time during which time the temperature of the specimen is sensed and regulated to be maintained at the set temperature. Temperature sensing is accomplished by a probe which senses any changes in bulk sample temperature. Temperature regulation is provided by a thermoelectric module and by a coolant flow tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical etching composition for etching metals or metallic alloys. The composition includes a solution of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, ethylene glycol and an oxidizing agent. The etching composition is particularly useful for etching metal surfaces in preparation for subsequent fluorescent penetrant inspection.

Abstract: A nickel-based superalloy is provided which is resistant to deterioration in hydrogen at high operating temperatures and pressures, and which thus can be used in hydrogen-fueled spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. The superalloy is characterized by a two-phase microstructure and consists of a gamma-prime precipitated phase in a gamma matrix. The gamma matrix phase is a primary solid solution and the gamma precipitated phase will be an intermetallic compound of the type A.sub.3 B, such as nickel aluminide or titanide. Both phases are coherent, ordered, and compatible, and thus will retain most of their strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of (by weight):______________________________________ Ni 50-60% Cr 10-20% Al 2-6% Co 2-5% Ti 3-8% W 5-12% Mo 5-10% Nb 1-3% ______________________________________wherein the ratio W/MO is approximately equal to 1, and Ti/Al ranges from about 1 to about 2.

Abstract: A docking target is provided for use in automated docking of a first vehicle on which the target is located. The target comprising a pair of laterally extending arm portions lying in substantially the same plane and a central post extending outwardly from the plane of the arm portions. At least three reflectors are located on the target, two of the reflectors being located at the outboard ends of the arm portions and another reflector being located at the end of the central post. In an important embodiment, the reflectors comprise individual pieces of retroreflective tape. The reflectors, when viewed from the front of the target, are aligned along the longitudinal center line of the target, and can take a number of different shapes including circular or square.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for below-the-elbow amputees having a cuff, a stem, a housing, two hook-like fingers, an elastic band for holding the fingers together, and a brace. The fingers are pivotally mounted on a housing that is secured to the amputee's upper arm with the brace. The stem, which also contains a cam, is rotationally mounted within the housing and is secured to the cuff, which fits over the amputee's stump. By rotating the cammed stem between the fingers with the lower arm, the amputee can open and close the fingers.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher provides acceleration of a superconducting projectile through the diamagnetic repulsion of the superconducting projectile. A superconducting layer is provided aft of the projectile, either directly on the projectile or on a platform upon which the projectile is carried, and a travelling magnetic field is caused to propagate along a magnetic field drive coil in which the projectile is disposed. The resulting diamagnetic repulsion between the superconducting projectile and the travelling magnetic field causes the projectile to be propelled along the coil. In one embodiment, a segmented drive coil is used to generate the travelling magnetic field.

Abstract: A variable magnification variable dispersion glancing incidence x-ray spectroscopic telescope capable of multiple high spatial revolution imaging at precise spectral lines of solar and stellar x-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation sources includes a pirmary optical system which focuses the incoming radiation to a primary focus. Two or more rotatable carries each providing a different magnification are positioned behind the primary focus at an inclination to the optical axis, each carrier carrying a series of ellipsoidal diffraction grating mirrors each having a concave surface on which the gratings are ruled and coated with a mutlilayer coating to reflect by diffraction a different desired wavelength. The diffraction grating mirrors of both carriers are segments of ellipsoids having a common first focus coincident with the primary focus.

Abstract: A macromolecular crystal growing system especially designed for growing crystals in the low gravity of space as well as the gravity of earth includes at least one tray assembly, a carrier assembly which receives the tray, and a refrigeration-incubation module in which the carrier assembly is received. The tray assembly includes a plurality of sealed chambers with a plastic syringe and a plug means for the double tip of the syringe provided therein. Ganging mechanisms operate the syringes and plugs simultaneously in a precise and smooth operation. Preferably, the tray assemblies are mounted on ball bearing slides for smooth operation in inserting and removing the tray assemblies into the carrier assembly. The plugging mechanism also includes a loading control mechanism. A mechanism for leaving a syringe unplugged is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing O-ring gaskets under a variety of temperature, pressure, and dynamic loading conditions. Specifically, this apparatus has the ability to simulate a dynamic loading condition where the sealing surface in contact with the O-ring moves both away from and axially along the face of the O-ring.

Abstract: This invention consists of a bearing (26) designed to operate in a cryogenic environment and which has an inner raceway (30) generally constructed as an annular band fitted by an interference fit to a rotating shaft (12). A pair of annular tension bands (32, 34) are fitted onto opposed sides of the band and function to firmly clamp the raceway (30) to the shaft (12). This occurs because the tension bands are constructed of a material which, when cooled to aproximately -385.degree. F., shrinks more than the raceway (30) and the shaft (12) to which it is fitted. The bands further relax somewhat at room temperature and permit the interference fit between the raceway (30) and the shaft (12) to be sized such that the raceway (30) is not overly stessed.

Abstract: A sample filter holder for use with a microscope for holding the filter in a planar condition on the stage of the microscope so that automatic focusing of the microscope can be performed on particle samples dispersed on the filter. The holder includes a base having a well communicating with an inlet port which is connected to a suction pump. A screen assembly is positioned within the well. The screen assembly includes a disk having a screen positioned on its top surface and secured to the disk at the peripheral edge of the screen. Small bores communicate the outer surface of the screen with the well. The filter is placed on the screen and is held in a flat disposition by the suction forces.

Abstract: A hand hold device (A) includes a housing (10) having a hand hold (14) and clamping brackets (32,34) for grasping and handling an object. A drive includes drive lever (23), spur gear (22), and rack gears (24,26) carried on rods (24a, 26a) for moving the clamping brackets. A lock includes ratchet gear (40) and pawl (42) biased between lock and unlock positions by a cantilever spring (46,48) and moved by handle (54). Compliant grip pads (32b, 34b) provide compliance to lock, unlock, and hold an object between the clamp brackets.

Abstract: This invention relates to the directional solidification of superalloys, in particular nickel-based superalloys, by imposition of a predetermined temperature profile in the solidification front and, depending on the desired results, a predetermined rate of advance of said solidification front, whereas castings of markedly superior fatigue resistance are produced.

Abstract: A bioaquatic air pollution control system for controlling both water and atmospheric pollution. The pollution control system includes an exhaust for directing polluted gases out of a furnace and a fluid circulating system which circulates fluid, such as wastewater, from a source, past the furnace where the fluid flow entrains the pollutants from the furnace. The combined fluid and pollutants are then directed through a rock/plant/microbial filtering system. A suction pump pumps the treated wastewater from the filter system past the exhaust to again entrain more pollutants from the furnace where they are combined with the fluid (wastewater) and directed to the filter system.

Abstract: A low-noise, variable discharge area, valve (10) is constructed having opposed recesses (46, 48) within which a pair of gates (42, 44) are slidably disposed. Each of the gates (42, 44) is provided with upstream edges (50) having a radius thereon, the radius enabling smooth, accelerated, low-noise flow therebetween. The gates (42, 44) are further provided with tracks (62, 64) along each side, which in turn slide along splines (66) set in side walls (54, 55) of the valve (10). A threaded rod (80) which rotates in a threaded insert (82) in a rear wall of each of the gates (42, 44) serves to move the gates within their respective recesses.

Abstract: A piezoelectrostatic generator includes a plurality of elongated piezoelectrostatic elements having first and second ends, with the first ends fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing and the second extending radially inwardly toward an axis. A shaft movable along the axis is connected to the inner ends of the elements to produce bending forces in piezoelectric strips within the elements. Each element includes a pair of strips mounted in surface contact and in electrical series to produce a potential upon bending, Electrodes spaced from the strips by a solid dielectric material act as capacitor plates to collect the potential charges.