Abstract: A system for translating ambiguous expressions from one natural language to another is described. Electronic processing means are used in conjunction with stored grammatical rules to determine multiple parse structures for expressions in the input language and to create corresponding structures for candidate expressions in the output language. In one version of the invention, the possible structures for each candidate output expression are compared with those of the corresponding input expression to determine whether there is an output expression with a set of possible interpretations that matches that of the input expression.

Abstract: An automatic processing circuit is associated with an optical matched filter system which supplies correlation imagery representing the products of diffraction patterns of known objects with that of an input scene in which the known objects are to be detected. The disclosed circuitry distinguishes between auto and cross-correlations in the supplied imagery using a number of criteria including peak amplitude, rising slope, peak width, and normalized amplitude.

Abstract: A unitary targeting device is used to align a machined plane of a workpiece, for instance an industrial assembly fixture, with the optical axis of a reference instrument. The disclosed device and method are designed to fully utilize the depth of field of the reference instrument to sense misalignment in a single sighting.

Abstract: A self-contained sun sensitive window made up of liquid nematic crystals sandwiched between two transparent conductors is powered directly by a solar cell. An increase in light intensity upon the solar cell reduces the transparency of the window, resulting in a constant intensity behind the window.

Abstract: A machine which orbits an abrader or cleaning tool about a fixed axis at a relatively low speed in which the orbital radius of the abrader may be changed while the machine is in operation.

Abstract: A plug-in interconnection for optical and avioptic cables for connecting those cables into equipment such as circuit boards having fiber optic circuitry running in a plane normal to the axis of the plug-in interconnection. In the interconnection, a male connector having the end of the optical fiber means of the cable projecting from the end thereof is plugged into an on-axis female receptacle. In the receptacle, an aperture normal to its axis receives either the end or light from the end of the optical fiber circuit means in the equipment being interconnected. Reflecting means in the bore of the female receptacle aligned with the axis of optical fiber means in the male plug-in connector, when plugged in, reflects light signals between the optical fiber means in the connector and the circuit means in the equipment. An embodiment in which the light signal reflecting means is in the male connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed heat pipe of uniform cross sectional profile from evaporator to condenser which includes a plurality of capillary channels communicating with a central channel by means of narrow re-entrant groove openings having convergent entrances. A two step method of fabrication includes extruding the re-entrant grooves, then drawing a mandrel through the virgin extrusion.

Abstract: A bus interface unit for use with a multiplexed biphase serial bus includes a Mealy modeled sequence logic unit which allows flexibility in the design and implementation of a desired data transfer algorithm. The unit's internal architecture is such that the device may be implemented on a single semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A passive means for controlling the power augmentation of a diffuser augmented wind turbine is disclosed. Spoiler tabs for the boundary layer control slots of a diffuser augmented wind turbine include a lifting surface responsive to the fluid flow velocity through the slot and operate to block the slot when fluid flow velocity through the slot exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A two step process allows a multiple holographic lens to be recorded with a single exposure. A multiple exposure, non-overlapping holographic fly's eye lens is first prepared with the correct F number spacing. A single collimated beam striking the fly's eye lens results in a multiple refracted beam array which is allowed to interfere with a second reference beam on a photographic plate. The resulting multiple holographic lens will have equal intensity playback beams, no distortion cross product terms, and improved optical efficiency over multiple superimposed exposure lenses.

Abstract: A combination landing gear door and splash guard for an aircraft landing gear which includes a linkage to control the clearance between the door/splash guard and a runway surface with respect to the extension of a shock absorbing strut of the landing gear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming components having one or more inner cavities wherein material forming the component is laid up about a number of eutectic salt mandrels corresponding to the inner cavities. The mandrels are melted and the laid up material compressed during the formation of the component by hydraulic pressure transmitted through the molten mandrels.

Abstract: A composite repair device including a plurality of resistive heating zones, each having independent temperature and rate of temperature rise controls, to compensate for the greater heat loss at the outer areas of a composite patch.