Abstract: Propellant pressure forces generated within the bore of a gun barrel are lied to a projectile through a self-adjusting obturator to prevent projectile blow by of propellant explosion products. The propellant forces are transmitted through a body of shock-absorbing fluid in the obturator protectively isolated from surfaces of the barrel and projectile by a non-porous, flexible enclosure wall deformed into sliding contact with the barrel bore during projectile launch for preventing propellant pressure loss.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed in the low airspeed flight range of below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.

Abstract: The organic coating deposited on a metallic substrate is quantitatively euated by measurement of electrical signals through an electrochemical cell having an electrode separated from the deposited coating by a porous pad within which a liquid medium is absorbed. Quality determining parameters of the coating are rapidly calculated through a data processor to which electrical current and phase shift measurements are fed together with data from the electrochemical cell. The method may be used to evaluate the quality of the coating on the steel hull of a marine vessel exposed to seawater.

Abstract: A duct fixed to a vehicle propelled through an ambient fluid medium is innally provided with spaced channel passages from which the fluid medium is ejected under pressure tangentially of local duct surfaces through Coanda affected slots at the trailing edge of the duct from which only the ejection of the fluid medium occurs. The supply of the pressurized fluid medium under selective control is limited to different angular segments of the channel passages in order to modify the flow stream through the duct so as to perform certain functions such as thrust control and steerage control effects enhancing vehicle maneuverability.

Abstract: The forks of a conveyor tray are hingedly mounted between two end forks rdly interconnected by a cross-bar and through which electrically powered drive chains impart movement to the tray along a vertical conveyor path. The hingedly mounted tray forks are releasably held in normal load-supporting positions on the cross-bar in alignment with the two end forks, so that they may be pivotally displaced upwardly from such positions by travel resistance forces in excess of a safety level.

Abstract: Electrical energy from a DC voltage source is supplied through a power swhing converter under operational control, to an electrical load in accordance with a soft-switching mode implemented by an auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter. A mode control section having snubber switches connected to the switching converter selectively changes switching operation to a hard-switching mode so as to accommodate supply of load current at higher levels to the electrical load.

Abstract: A process for preparing ammonium dinitramide by:(1) nitrating either ethyl carbamate or methyl carbamate to form the corronding mononitrate compound, ethyl N-nitrocarbamate or methyl N-nitrocarbamate;(2) reacting the N-nitrocarbamate with ammonia under anhydrous conditions to produce the corresponding ammonium salt, ammonium ethyl N-nitrocarbamate or ammonium methyl N-nitrocarbamate;(3) nitrating the ammonium salt and then treating the reaction mixture with ammonia to produce ammonium dinitramide, ammonium nitrate, and regenerate the original ethyl carbamate or methyl carbamate compound.

Abstract: The high discharge rate performance of a non-aqueous lithium electrochemi cell is improved by dispersing a portion of the lithium conducting salt of the electrolyte uniformly throughout the carbon current collector of the cathode in the form of microcrystals. Upon contact, the electrolyte solubilizes the lithium salt from the carbon current collector, increasing the surface area and thus the efficiency of the carbon current collector.

Abstract: A method for propelling a projectile by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a metal fuel element (of Al, Al--Li, or Al--Mg) causing the element to explode dispersing molten metal fuel into water with which it reacts to rapidly generate hydrogen gas at high pressure; the hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile. After the peak current is reached, an inductive electrical energy source drives the electrical current into the molten metal fuel/water mixture thus driving the reaction to completion.

Abstract: A linear actuator having a magnetostrictive rod is magnetically energized der analog logic control in operative relation to a pair of electrically disengaged one-way locking devices, one of which is interconnected with the actuator through a stroke multiplier for high force, high speed motor drive. Two stage operation of the stroke multiplier is effected through levers angularly displaced by angular deformation of the magnetostrictive rod about a pivotal axis offset from the rod axis by means of a flexible support for such levers to avoid wear and backlash.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved acoustic sensor system for detering the direction of underwater sound signals relative to a user is disclosed. The sensor system includes first and second sensing means for sensing incoming acoustic energy and for providing first and second acoustic energy signals in response thereto; separation means for separating the first and second sensing means a distance S=E(C.sub.W /C.sub.A) where E is substantially equal to the separation distance between the users ears, C.sub.W is the speed of sound in water, and C.sub.A is the speed of sound in air; detector means, operatively connected with the first and second sensing means, for providing first and second output signals in response to the first and second acoustic energy signals; and audio means, operatively connected with the detector means, for providing an audio output to the user in response to the first and second output signals.

Abstract: Monoclinic celsian (BaO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2) is produced by heating a stoichiometric, powder mixture of BaCO.sub.3 (or BaC.sub.2 O.sub.4), Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and SiO.sub.2 (preferably SiO.sub.2 gel) with monoclinic celsian seeds at from 1250.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C.

Abstract: Polycrystalline or single crystal magnetostrictive alloys of the formula Tb.sub.1-x Dy.sub.x Zn.sub.w (0<x.ltoreq.0.7; 0.90.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1.10) and Tb.sub.1-y Gd.sub.y Zn.sub.w (0<y.ltoreq.0.4; 0.90.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1.10) and magnetostrictive transducer elements made of these alloys.

Abstract: A two phase HfB.sub.2 --SiB.sub.4 material which is useful as a high tempture oxidation resistant coating.

Abstract: A coil spring made of a shape memory alloy is seated within the container a portable dispenser in a contracted condition under compressive stress maintained by the physical constraint of a pressure plate engaging a collapsible enclosure internally lining the dispenser container to isolate therein material to be dispensed. The pseudoelastic properties of the shape memory alloy are selected to exclusively regulate the storage and delivery pressures in order to accommodate different materials to be dispensed and control discharge thereof by the dispenser.

Abstract: Engine driven turbines respectively drive separate propulsion and service ternators to supply power to propulsion motors and service equipment on naval combat ships through propulsion and service controls. Rechargeable batteries are connected through the service controls to the service alternators and to service loads through dc bus lines. The propulsion controls interconnect the propulsion motors with the propulsion alternators to which the electrically operated weapons are also connected through rectifiers and a pulse forming network.

Abstract: A compact bicoupled contrarotating epicyclic gear is provided. The gear iudes a rotatable input shaft for providing an input-torque, a first-stage epicyclic gear, a second-stage epicyclic gear mutually drivably coupled to and in axial alignment with the first epicyclic gear, an outer-output shaft for conveying an outer-output-torque in response to the input-torque, and an inner-output shaft coaxial with the outer-output shaft for conveying an inner-output-torque in response to the input-torque. The bicoupled contrarotating epicyclic gear further includes at least one interstage torque carrier rotatably connecting the first and second epicyclic gears in series such that the first and second sun gears, the first and second planet carriers, and the first and second ring gears rotate and convey useful torque in response to the input-torque.

Abstract: Vibration-damping layers are stored as a continuous elongated strap in cod condition for supply to subsequently fabricated structural products. Such strap is formed from high modulus layer constrainment segments encapsulated within a viscoelastic material contributing to establishment of the vibration-damping property and flexure of the strap between the segments thereof to accommodate coiling during storage. The strap is uncoiled from its storage condition during a supply phase to a preselected surface of the fabricated structural product.

Abstract: Precise quantities of lubricant from separate reservoirs under automatic trol are injected into chambers of housings of shielded rolling element bearings. Separate feed line conduits directly deliver the lubricant to the shielded critical surfaces of such bearings and insure maintenance-free operation of machinery with which the bearings are associated.

Abstract: Hydroxy-terminated poly(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl) polynitroorthocarbonate repolymers of the formula ##STR1## which are prepared by reacting bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl)dichloroformal with a diol of the formula ##STR2## wherein n>1, and wherein W, X, Y, and Z vary independently and are F or NO.sub.2, and wherein A is --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CF.sub.2 --, --CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 --, --CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 --, --CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 OCF.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, or --CH.sub.2 N(NO.sub.2)CH.sub.2 --. These prepolymers are reacted with curing agents (e.g., polyisocyanates) to form energetic polymeric binders.