Abstract: A method for removing the dielectric insert of a metal shell electrical connector. The tool holds the shell and has a threaded press that pushes the dielectric insert out of the shell. The tool is then used to push a new dielectric insert into the shell. The tool is adjustable, such that it can be used on various sized connectors.

Abstract: A double-barreled tool for inserting and extracting electrical contacts includes an inner barrel and an outer barrel, the inner barrel being coaxial with the outer barrel and fully retractable therein. Each barrel has an elongated slot which are in alignment with one another. A means is provided for retracting the inner barrel into and extending the inner barrel from one end of the outer barrel. The contacts have lead wires extending therefrom. To extract and electrical contact from its installed position within an insulator body cavity, the contact lead wire is first slipped into the aligned slots of the inner and outer barrels. Then, the tool is guided along the wire and into the cavity, until the outer barrel impacts the dielectric within the cavity at a point at which the cavity narrows. At this juncture, the inner barrel is extended from the other barrel such that the end of the inner barrel approaches the electrical contact, thereby releasing the contact.

Abstract: A photovoltaic electric power system for use in space. A self contained sun powered electric power generating system comprising a fresnel mirror array made up of a plurality of quadrilateral mirrors individually mounted on a generally flat supporting structure with the mirrors aimed at a common point above the structure, a photovoltaic array positioned at the common point by a movable strut mechanism, heat exchanger means at the PV array to draw excess heat therefrom, coolant lines from the heat exchanger means running through the struts to transfer heat to heat pipes configured as flat panels at the edges of and perpendicular to the supporting structure, and positioning means attached to a separate structure to enable the system to track the sun. The system is designed to fold into itself in the form of an elongate box for launch, maneuvering and protection.

Abstract: A heat pipe radiator coating of a fibrous material provides protection for the radiator, such as a heat pipe, pumped loop, etc., while allowing good emissivity and heat rejection. Fibers are constructed from fiberglass, glass, quartz, saphire, diamond, carbon carbon, tantalum, stainless steel, aluminum, beryllium, and copper, and may be coated with a variety of metallic materials.

Abstract: Fixed parallel cargo rails are positioned on the cargo bed floor of an aircraft, spaced sufficiently to fit a pallet snugly therebetween. A plurality of collinear slots arranged along the length of the cargo bed floor are positioned just inboard of each rail. The slots are evenly spaced and oriented lengthwise with respect to the cargo bed floor. A dog extends above the cargo bed floor from each slot and is adapted to engage a notch in the cargo. While engaged, the dog is adapted to move along its slot, thereby moving the pallet lengthwise along the cargo bed floor. The pallet is passed bucket brigade style from one dog to the next.Another aspect of the invention is the employment of movable cargo rails on the cargo ramp. The rails are slidable widthwise across the ramp within mounting slots, thus permitting the spacing between the rails to vary. The result is that loading cargo onto the ramp and aligning it with the fixed cargo rails on the cargo bed floor is made much easier.

Abstract: A pitch stabilization system for an ejection seat includes a gyroscope rotor assembly having a pinion gear attached to two rotor wheels. The rotor assembly is mounted with a geometry to precess in response to change in the pitch rate of the seat. Precession of the gyro rotor rotates a vernier rocket with the resulting thrust applying a correcting moment to counter the adverse moment causing the ejection seat to pitch. When the seat is at rest in the cockpit of the aircraft, the rotor pinion gear teeth engage the teeth of a rack mounted stationarily to a fixed attach point on the aircraft. When an ejection force is applied to the seat, by a catapult or the like, the rotor wheel is rotated by virtue of the interengaging relationship between the rotor pinion gear teeth and the rack teeth so that by the time the ejection seat exits the cockpit the rotor disengages from the upper end of the rack, and is fully spun to operating revolution so that it can precess gyroscopically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the superplastic forming process by measuring and controlling the gas mass flow rate of the gas displacing the blank being formed.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated anthropomorphic g-suit, with a breathing regulator and means for protecting the user of the suit from hostile environments. The suit has a flexible, distensible, impermeable inner liner that conforms to a user's body, and a flexible, impermeable, nondistensible outer liner that fits over the inner liner, to trap a thin layer of fluid between the inner and outer liners. The suit acts as a tank of fluid, so that the suit exerts a hydrostatic pressure on the user's body, preventing blood from draining from the user's head, when the user is subjected to acceleration. The breathing regulator is responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the suit, such that the pressure of the breathing gases being supplied to the user is approximately the same as the fluid pressure in the thoracic region of the suit. The regulator can vary the pressure of the breathing gas, automatically as a function of ambient pressure.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensing system detects changes in a material based upon physical deformation of a fiber bonded to the structure in which stress, strain or failure is to be detected. Deformation of the fiber affects propagation of light therethrough, permitting detection based upon detected changes in light throughput.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for measuring angles to a precision approaching the theoretical optical limit for a fixed aperture. Calculations and measurement of the angle are made on the basis of the displacement of a very detailed waveform on a multi-pixel detector from a known point on the detector. The angle this displacement represents is created by the angular displacement of a dispersive element attached to the object of interest. The beamline comprises an optical source, the dispersive element on the object, and a spectrometer which contains an echelle and the detector. The known point on the detector is established by aligning the beamline to a fiducial angle.

Abstract: A powered canopy breaker attached to an ejection seat, that fractures a canopy when the seat is ejected. The breaker has a piston that is operatively connected to an explosive cartridge. When the seat is ejected, the piston engages the canopy, pushing the piston a predetermined distance until the cartridge is detonated. The detonated cartridge ignites a detonating cord that fractures the canopy.

Abstract: The tool and the process for forming structural shapes from multiple elements of either a monolithic or metal matrix composition by either diffusion bonding or brazing the metal or metal composites under temperature and pressure. The pressure is applied by expanding superplastic metal bladders, the specimen is contained in a superplastic metal vacuum bag, and all are contained in a steel die cavity.

Abstract: An aerodynamic fairing seal for use on a variable incident airfoil which protrudes through a structural opening in an aircraft such that the fairing covers the opening as the airfoil is moved during flight. In the preferred embodiment on a T-tail configuration aircraft which utilizes a vertical stabilizer that supports a variable incident horizontal stabilizer at its uppermost section, a cover plate is attached to the upper surface of the horizontal stabilizer support structure such that it moves with the horizontal stabilizer. In addition, the cover plate is mounted internally to and adjacent to the structural opening in the vertical stabilizer through which the horizontal stabilizer protrudes. The cover plate is composed of two panels, an upper end and a lower panel, connected by a hinge and a torsion spring. A means is provided to hold the panels adjacent the structural opening when the horizontal stabilizer is in its lowermost position.

Abstract: Tapered disc rotatably mounted in the exhaust duct of a propulsion system. The disc can be rotated about an axis normal to the yaw plane. A disc bump projects from both the upper and lower surfaces of the disc, and extends diametrically across it. When fluid is flowing through the exhaust duct, the bump, together with the opposing surfaces of the exhaust duct, chokes the flow and causes a sonic plane to be formed at the bump. The supersonic flow downstream of the disc bump remains approximately normal to the bump for angles of rotation of up to 20.degree. from normality between the bump and the upstream flow. Rotation of the disc thus causes deflection or turning of the fluid flow. The resultant thrust vectoring enables the yaw of the propulsion system and, therefore, a vehicle containing the propulsion system, to be controlled.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for applying sealant to a countersunk fastener hole. The apparatus comprises a sleeve, an adapter tube within the sleeve, a nozzle housing attached to the adapter tube, and a tip within the nozzle housing. A guide pin is attached to the adapter tube and follows an oblique slot in the sleeve. To operate, the sealant applicator is inserted into a countersunk fastener hole, engaging the tip with the countersink of the hole. The tip depresses into the nozzle housing, ejecting sealant onto the countersink. The adapter tube is pushed into the sleeve, moving the guide pin along the oblique slot in the sleeve. This guide pin movement rotates the adapter tube, nozzle housing and tip, causing the tip to uniformly spread the sealant around the countersink.

Abstract: A cutting insert having four symmetrically located cutting edges is mounted on a cutting insert holder, which is in turn mounted on a rotary driver. One of the cutting edges projects out from the cutting insert holder. The rotary driver rotates the projecting cutting edge along a circular path. A tube end to be finished is held in contact with projecting cutting edge being colinear with the centerline of the tube. A plurality of cutting insert holders each has a cutting insert mounted thereon with the respective projecting cutting edges being located at varying distances from the axis of rotation. The design of the cutting edges also varies. Tube ends having different radii, wall thicknesses, cross section, or chamfers are finished by successively mounting on the rotary driver the cutting insert holders having projecting cutting edges located the required distances from the axis of rotation and having the appropriate designs.

Abstract: A process and resulting structure for a window typically used on weapons with infrared sensors. The window has a plurality of transparent blocks connected in a mosaic pattern. Between the blocks are slots, that allow a coolant to flow through and cool the window, such that the window does not have a thermal signature.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the metal wire braid shielding from jacketed electrical wire. It uses a male/female die set and avoids moving the wire braid while cutting. A carousel is provided which readily accommodates different wire sizes.

Abstract: A powered canopy breaker attached to an ejection seat, that fractures a canopy when the seat is ejected. The breaker has a piston that is operatively connected to an explosive cartridge. When the seat is ejected, the piston engages the canopy, pushing the piston a predetermined distance until the cartridge is detonated. The detonated cartridge thrusts the piston back, fracturing the canopy.