Abstract: A laser diode is soldered between metal plates for intimate thermal and electrical contact. The plates are prefabricated and are provided with an insulative spacer therebetween. The two metal plates are held together in a preferred orientation by the spacer which is firmly adhered and sealed to the two plates during the diode soldering operation. The metal plates are constructed from material thin enough that they yield under thermal pressure of the diode to eliminate mechanical strain on the diode during thermal cycling. Backup plates are provided in contact with the diode mounting plates to feed electrical energy thereto.

Abstract: A thermally conductive mechanical joint is provided between two object surfaces across which it is desired to conduct heat. The joint includes metallic material of a predetermined melting point below the normal operating temperature of the joint. The metallic material is bounded by a mask forming cells of sufficiently small dimensions that the melted metallic material can withstand the anticipated loading normal to the joint and at right angles to the heat transfer direction. The metallic cells can be provided on opposite sides of a thin heat conductive layer provided between the surfaces of the joint or they can be provided directly on one of the surfaces of the joint. By proper choice of materials, the metallic material will remain in the cells even though the thermal joint is made and broken on multiple occasions.

Abstract: A controlled dielectric barrier is created surrounding a fastener to isolate its sparking areas. The barrier is formed by creating a cap to define a desired cavity between the cap and the fastener and then dielectric isolation material is placed in the cavity and held in place by the cap until hardened. The cap may then be removed from the fastener as desired.

Abstract: A pallet restraint system for use in the cargo bay of an aircraft in an air drop sequence. The system assures an equal application of the parachute extraction force and simultaneous release of all load sensitive latches by means of hydraulic interconnectors between the latches to vary their position.

Abstract: A package for matching the characteristic impedance of a transmission line to the impedance of a pulsed semiconductor laser diode so that short duration pulses of light can be produced with a fast repetition rate. The package mounts the laser diode on the center post of a one turn secondary of a toroidal transformer whose multiturn primary is connected to the transmission line. Not only does this allow the matching of the characteristic impedances, but the center post provides heat sinking for the diode.

Abstract: A light source is operated near its threshhold and its output is split and sent in opposite direction about a fiber optic coil which is exposed to acoustic energy. The recombined light out of the coil is modulated at acoustic frequency. The modulated light can be fed back to the light source which responds to the modulation with large amplitude variations which are sent to a detector for conversion into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy. Alternatively, the light beam may be directed from the fiber coil to the detector directly. The sensors can include components for rejecting noise at frequencies not of interest and a plurality of similar sensors can be formed in an array to obtain directional information or increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A lens is produced on the end of a single mode optical fiber by first coupling light into the fiber so that the light projects out the end of the fiber on which the lens is to be produced. The fiber end is then dipped in and out of a drop of negative photoresist and held in a vertical position while the photoresist wicks up the fiber and dries. The dipping and drying is continued until a sufficient lens of photoresist is built up which lens tends to build in the desired shape due to the Gaussian distribution of the light projecting out the end of the fiber and the flow of photoresist up the fiber.

Abstract: An improved card for use in an automated machine to detect the continued existence of microbes in a plurality of wells containing different media so that the organism can be speciated. The card includes an improved configuration wherein the wells have different reduced oxygen environments and all of the wells have an improved bubble chamber connected to the well by a bifurcated passage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for producing singlet molecular oxygen, O.sub.2 (.sup.1 .DELTA.). A nitrogen containing base such as NH.sub.3, diethylamine, ethanolamine, propylamine, triethylene diamine, phenethylamine, methyl amine, or dipropylamine is mixed with hydrogen peroxide. Chlorine gas is bubbled through the mixture which reacts therewith to produce singlet molecular oxygen. A preferred embodiment of the reaction is illustrated by the following example:2RNH.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.sub.2 +Cl.sub.2 .fwdarw.O.sub.2 (.sup.1 .DELTA.)+2RNH.sub.3 Clwhere RNH.sub.2 is an amine.The apparatus for producing the singlet molecular oxygen is a reactor vessel with the hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen containing base solution as a liquid mixture in the bottom thereof through which chlorine gas is bubbled. The vessel is maintained at a pressure range of 1 to 20 Torr, a temperature range of -30.degree. to 35.degree. C., a pH range of 7 to 12, and the O.sub.2 (.sup.1 .DELTA.

Abstract: A laser diode is soldered between metal plates for intimate thermal and electrical contact. The plates are prefabricated and are provided with an insulated spacer therebetween. The two metal plates are held together in a preferred orientation by the spacer which is firmly adhered and sealed to the two plates during the diode soldering operation. The laser diodes so mounted can be tested in this configuration and after testing are formed into an array by stacking the laser diode subassemblies providing spacer elements therebetween and series contacts from one end to the other of the array so that an array of laser diodes with matched characteristics can be constructed in a line which may not be in alignment with the total package to provide an intense light output at a predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for explosively severing non-metallic material such as aircraft canopy transparencies, egress panels and other structural members. To provide a more effective use of a given amount of explosive, a detonating cord is encapsulated within the material to be severed. This encapsulation protects the cord and maximizes the severance effect of the detonation. The cord may be encapsulated at positions wherein augmented shock waves are used to accomplish fracture along a line away from the detonating cord while leaving the explosion products restricted in the remaining cord cavity.

Abstract: A beam of light is split and introduced into different ends of a light path whose rotation is to be sensed. At least one frequency shifter is placed in the light path to affect the frequency difference of the two beams so as to introduce or adjust a nonreciprocal phase shift. The beams are then mixed back together and the resultant beam is detected and analyzed by suitable circuitry to provide an output indicative of rotation of the light path.

Abstract: A refueling system, for use in a tanker aircraft from a remote location without a direct out-the-window view of the refueling operation, having enhanced three-dimensional viewing of the refueling operation by use of multiple video cameras, polarized video monitors and cross-polarized eye glasses together with controls for movement of the boom tip in elevation and azimuth, as well as controls for extension of the boom tip.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator cylinder primarily for the actuation of aircraft landing gear in which the rod end is made integral with the piston rod with the attaching threads positioned inside the cylinder. The piston head is designed to float on the piston rod plus or minus the amount of adverse tolerance conditions that are possible in the landing gear installation.

Abstract: A seal structure for use in high pressure pneumatic or hydraulic fluid actuators. A solid toroidal shaped elastomeric O-ring and a solid toroidal shaped backup ring are emplaced in a specially configured circumferential groove on an internal sleeve. A conical shaped ramp in the groove bottom permits the use of a solid backup ring with a larger internal diameter for ease of installation over intervening lands on the sleeve without distortion of the backup ring beyond its elastic limit. The difference in the sizes of the symmetrical O-ring and backup rings assist in their proper installation on the sleeve.

Abstract: Tooling for use in an autoclave or a hot press for the superplastic forming and diffusion bonding of metals which tooling includes upper and lower portions with a labyrinth seal therebetween having inert counterflowing gas introduced thereto to prevent contamination from flowing across the seal to attack the metal being processed.

Abstract: A drill for use on reinforced composite parts comprising a two fluted marginless drill body with four forward cutting edges, said edges first scribing a hole in the composite and then cutting the plug from the circumference of the hole inward to the axis of the hole.

Abstract: An automatic hydraulic stop for use with a numerical control machine and cutting tool. The stop senses the distance to a work piece, limits the depth of penetration of the tool into a work piece and provides protection for inadvertent travel of spindle of the numerical control machine beyond a projected point.

Abstract: A roller hold down is designed to restrain parts being cut from a stack of flat sheets. The roller hold down eliminates the need for secondary fastening means to restrain the parts during the cutting operation. The parts are restrained in position on a flat worktable by a pair of cylindrical rollers adjacent the cutter which force the parts against the table. By use of the roller hold down, the restraining force applied through the rollers follows the excursions of the cutter and is applied near the cutter where the force is the most effective.

Abstract: A coupler for use in joining cargo pallets by their attach rings. The coupler, normally used in pairs, provides for uniform spacing of joined pallets and bendability between pallets, permitting the joined pallets to traverse crests and valleys without putting concentrated loads on the coupler, the pallet, or cargo floor.