Abstract: A solar energy splitting photovoltaic concentrator system that includes a first reflector that concentrates and directs sunlight to a high energy bandgap first photovoltaic array that absorbs and converts into electricity high energy photons. A second reflector formed integrally with the first photovoltaic array concentrates and reflects low energy photons back through the first photovoltaic array, which is transparent to the low energy photon, to a low energy bandgap second photovoltaic array that absorbs and converts the low energy photons.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding energy concentrating chain comprising a plurality of relatively flat members integrally formed from a flat stock of energy concentrating material having a predetermined thickness and joined together adjacent their peripheries by integral portions to interconnect adjacent members into a longitudinally extending chain, said integral portions being formed as to permit each manual separation of adjacent members, said members being adapted to being interposed between sheets of thermoplastic material and upon application of ultrasonic energy to the sandwich of thermoplastic sheets, the shape of the weld of such thermoplastic sheets generally approximating the shape of said flat members.

Abstract: A spacecraft modular system with two components of a cooling system, one in each replacement hardware module and one in the satellite station, with a coupling means in the replacement module in the form of heat sink which collects heat from the heat generating hardware in the replacement module. The heat sink incorporates heat sink fins which interdigitize with coolant tubes in the satellite coolant system and make a mechanical interface with the fins in response to the satellite coolant system pressure for a thermally efficient heat exchange from the replacement module to the satellite coolant system. In another embodiment, replacement module coolant tubes interdigitize directly with the satellite coolant tubes in a fluid pressure responsive thermally efficient mechanical contact to provide a fluid-to-fluid mechanical coupling.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: An automated assembly, maintenance, and repair system for the construction of a large space structure. The space structure comprises a plurality of trusses and truss junctions that in turn are made up of a plurality of individual struts and nodes. The truss assemblies are progressively built by an assembler trolley as the trolley crawls along the constructed truss. The trolley comprises a forward crawler and a rear crawler joined by an articulated coupler. The crawlers are carried along the structure by belt transports incorporating grippers that engage the truss structure at the nodes. Manipulator arms for strut and node assembly are located on the forward crawler, and the majority of control, power, and communication systems are located in the rear crawler. Cargo canisters filled with component parts for constructing the space structure are carried by the forward crawler. The space structure configuration is determined by the arrangement of the individual struts and nodes during the assembly process.

Abstract: A ramjet missile with a variable size exhaust nozzle formed by a plurality of flaps having heat resistant blocks displaced circumferentially about the nozzle which are latched within the divergent contour of the nozzle during missile climb condition and extendable radially into the exhaust nozzle exit area to reduce the size thereof for missle cruise and descent. These heat resistant blocks are jetisonable so that the nozzle exit area may be increased to its original size upon the missile return to low level flight condition. Actuators are also provided for operating the flaps for unlatching, extending and jetisoning the heat resistant blocks at the appropriate time.

Abstract: A tool for installing shrink fit parts formed of a material which is dimensionally stable over a wide range of temperatures having a locating surface on which a part to be shrunk is clamped and having a chamber adjacent the locating surface, which is filled with a cooling media as the part is being shrunk in a source or vat of cooling media, to maintain the part in its shrunken condition after removal from the cooling media. A valve is provided for removing the cooling media from the chamber after the shrunken part is positioned precisely in a second part so that the shrunken part will warm and expand into the second part to form a shrink fit therewith.

Abstract: A satellite maintenance system for satellite stations orbiting in the geosynchronous corridor comprising a roving satellite maintenance vehicle capable of operating autonomously in the geosynchronous corridor and containing replacement hardware in modular form by which maintenance operation can be made on the satellite station by the exchange of one module for another thereby repairing or upgrading the hardware in the satellite station to prolong its useful life. The maintenance vehicle is capable of operating in the corridor for prolonged periods of time in a standby mode and capable of proceeding, on command, to the satellite station to perform the maintenance function automatically.

Abstract: A damping device comprising a first element in the form of a bolt whose central rod portion, as a spring, forms a primary load path between structural elements between which the damping device is mounted, with a damping element of viscoelastic material loaded in shear between a pair of sleeves and forming a secondary load path, in parallel, with the primary load path to damp vibrations in the structural members.

Abstract: A plurality of fins for a missile which are capable of being folded to conform to the general cylindrical contour of the missile body and which are biased to unfold to an erect position and which includes an interconnection mechanism for connecting all the fins together to ensure simultaneous erection and for distributing the erection moment of individual fins to all fins; said interconnection means further being capable of acting without interfering with the movement of the fins for flight control without need for disengagement after erection.

Abstract: A superconducting coil, suitable for generating a magnetic field within a nuclear reactor, wherein a structurally continuous disk helix is utilized to carry a plurality of parallel superconductor windings thereon. The structure provides an improved support to the superconductor windings to more positively prevent stresses or small movements that would cause the superconductor to go normal.

Abstract: A method of increasing the strength and high temperature resistance of aromatic thermoplastic polymers by adding thereto an appropriate amount of certain biphenylene terminated compounds, then heating the mixture to a crosslinking reaction temperature. The biphenylene additive has been found to function as a plasticizer for the polymer, making it easier to work, mold, extrude, etc. prior to the heating step.

Abstract: A log periodic VEE antenna particularly useful for space craft including a central mast and dipole antenna elements which are collapsible into a compact configuration for transportation purposes and which are deployable in spring-like fashion when released from their confinement. In one embodiment, the antenna elements themselves are semi-circular elements and confined in a bent position in a suitable container for transportation and which, when removed from the container, spring into deployed position. In another embodiment, the dipole elements are flexible wire with a spine member having a semi-circular spring member bent when the antenna is collapsed and which, when released from its confinement deploys the wire elements. The semi-circular elements besides having a deployment function also give rigidity to the antenna when deployed.

Abstract: A method for forming a layer of very uniform low density foam of uniform thickness on a surface is disclosed. A screen is positioned at a selected distance above a structure surface. The screen is positioned by lowering a tautly stretched screen over a plurality of studs upstanding from the structure surface to a selected height above said surface. A liquid, self-rising foam material is sprayed through the screen onto the structure surface. As the foam rises, it penetrates through the screen, leaving irregular projections above the screen. After the foam cures to at least a self-sustaining state, the screen is stripped away, leaving a uniform foam layer. The foam layer is bonded to the surface as it cures. Since the screen offers very little resistance to the rising foam, the resulting foam layer has a very uniform low density, highly desirable for thermal insulation application.

Abstract: A light deflector apparatus comprising a bimorph piezoelectric backplate combined with an array of spherical linear piezoelectric actuators for supporting a mirrored faceplate for electrically controlled changes in the spherical radius and the focal length as well as localized variations on the surface of the mirror. The bimorph backplate forms part of a supporting structure including a bellows which, with the backplate and faceplate, form a chamber to contain the spherical actuators and which is partially evacuated to hold the faceplate in engagement with the spherical actuators.

Abstract: A totally portable, hand-held measuring device utilizing an insertable sliding probe to measure material or structural part thicknesses. The position of the probe actuates electronic circuitry which digitally displays the grip length of the fastener to be selected. The device provides a fast and accurate means of determining the fastener with the correct grip length for each assembly.

Abstract: A warhead orientation device and its use in a directional attack mine are disclosed. The device includes a warhead launchable in a "pop-up" mode from a launch tube. The launch tube and warhead have a cooperating pin and helical groove system which imparts spin to the warhead during ejection from the tube. A stationary "fly wheel" type mass is attached to the spinning warhead. A cooperating pin and straight groove system on the mass and tube prevent rotation of the mass during ejection. This combination of spinning warhead and decoupled stationary mass provide a stable platform in one axis. Thus, suitable sensors and firing mechanisms may be used to cause a directional firing mechanism in the warhead to fire in a selected direction after pop-up.

Abstract: A bearing assembly including anti-friction bearings and bearing mounts between rotatable structures of low coefficient of expansion material, by which the expansion and contraction of the metallic bearings, due to temperature swings, is allowed without radial constraint or without a loosening of the bearings from the structures while maintaining the bearings and the structures in alignment. This is accomplished by providing a loose connection and a plurality of tangentially oriented linkages connected between the structures and the bearings. The loose connection allows the bearings to expand or contract in a radial direction independently of the structures and the links allow radial displacement without a translation circumferentially of the assembly with respect to the structures.

Abstract: A ramjet powered missile having means for controlling the air inlet geometry for best efficiency at a given end-of-boost-take-over Mach number and for changing the inlet geometry for best efficiency at a higher Mach number for fuel economy and extended flight range comprising a first jetisonable air inlet formed of a plurality of removable lip sections held in place by connecting struts and pyrotechnic thrusters. The explosive charge of the thrusters when activated eject the lip sections and struts outward and clear of the missile thus providing a second inlet of a different geometry.

Abstract: A device for docking or joining large structures or vehicles in earth orbit under automatic and remote sensing and control. A thin flexible boom extending from one vehicle contacts the inner surface of a large open cone on the other as the two vehicles approach each other. The conical surface guides the boom end towards the apex where a reel for drawing in the boom engages the boom. As the boom is drawn in, and the vehicles come into close proximity, a mechanical latch is engaged for final rigidizing and securing.