Abstract: A porous body of fibrous, low density silica-based insulation material is at least in part impregnated with a reactive boron oxide containing borosilicate glass frit, a silicon tetraboride fluxing agent and a molybdenum silicide emittance agent. The glass frit, fluxing agent and emittance agent are separately milled to reduce their particle size, then mixed together to produce a slurry in ethanol. The slurry is then applied to the insulation material and sintered to produce the porous body.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for inserting a probe into a pressure vessel having an elongated opening includes a pair of resiliently deformable seals opposingly disposed in sealing engagement with each other. A retainer is connected to the pressure vessel around the elongated opening and holds the pair of seals rigidly to the pressure vessel. A wedge is engageable with the pair of seals and carries the probe, for longitudinally translating the probe in the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A beam focusing and positioning apparatus provides focusing and positioning the final waist of a gaussian beam at a desired location on a target such as an optical fiber. The apparatus includes a first lens, having a focal plane f.sub.1, disposed in the path of an incoming beam and a second lens, having a focal plane f.sub.2 and being spaced downstream from the first lens by a distance at least equal to f.sub.1 +10f.sub.2, which cooperates with the first lens to focus the final waist of the beam on the target. A rotatable optical device, disposed upstream of the first lens, adjusts the angular orientation of the final beam waist by a parallel displacement of the beam at said optical device.

Abstract: A high temperature, flexible brush seal comprises a bundle of fibers or bristles held tightly together and secured at one end with a backing plate. The assembly includes a secondary spring-clip having one end anchored to the brush seal backing plate.An alternate embodiment of the seal utilizes a metal bellows containing coolant holes. Another embodiment of the seal uses non-circular cross-sectional fibers which may be square, rectangular or hexagonal in cross section.

Abstract: Amorphous Co:Si (1:2 ratio) films (12) are electron gun-evaporated on clean Si(111) substrates (10), such as in a molecular beam epitaxy system. These layers are then crystallized selectively with a focused electron beam (14) to form very small crystalline CoSi.sub.2 regions (12') in an amorphous matrix. Finally, the amorphous regions are etched away selectively using plasma or chemical techniques.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for finding the lowest cost path of several variable paths comprising a plurality of linked cost-incurring areas existing between an origin point and a destination point. The method comprises the steps of, connecting a plurality of nodes together in the manner of the cost-incurring areas; programming each node to have a cost associated therewith corresponding to one of the cost-incurring areas; injecting a signal into one of the nodes representing the origin point; propagating the signal through the plurality of nodes from inputs to outputs thereof; reducing the signal in magnitude at each node as a function of the respective cost of the node; and, starting at one of the nodes representing the destination point and following a path having the least reduction in magnitude of the signal from node to node back to the one of the nodes representing the origin point whereby the lowest cost path from the origin point to the destination point is found.

Abstract: Ceramic structures having high strength at temperatures above 1000.degree. C. after sintering are made by mixing ceramic powders with binder deflocculants such as guanidine salts of polymeric acids, guanidine salts of aliphatic organic caboxylic acids or guanidine alkylsulfates with the foregoing guanidine salts.

Abstract: A thermal power transfer system using a phase change liquid gas fluid in a closed loop configuration has a heat exchanger member connected to a gas conduit for inputting thermal energy into the fluid. The pressure in the gas conduit is higher than a liquid conduit that is connected to a heat exchanger member for outputting thermal energy. A solid electrolyte member acts as a barrier between the gas conduit and the liquid conduit adjacent a solid electrolyte member. The solid electrolyte member has the capacity of transmitting ions of a fluid through the electrolyte member. The ions can be recombined with electrons with the assistance of a porous electrode. An electrical field is applied across the solid electrolyte member to force the ions of the fluid from a lower pressure liquid conduit to the higher pressure gas conduit.

Abstract: An electropolymerized film comprised of polymers and copolymers of a monomer having the general formula: ##STR1## is formed on the surface of an anode. The finished structures have superior electrical and mechanical properties for use in applications such as electrostatic dissipation and for the reduction of the radar cross section of advanced aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryogenic Joule-Thomson refrigeration capable of pumping multicomponent gases with a single stage sorption compressor system. Alternative methods of pumping a multicomponent gas with a single stage compressor are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the sorbent geometry is such that a void is defined near the output of the sorption compressor. When the sorbent is cooled, the sorbent primarily adsorbs the higher boiling point gas such that the lower boiling point gas passes through the sorbent to occupy the void. When the sorbent is heated, the higher boiling point gas is desorbed at high temperature and pressure and thereafter propels the lower boiling point gas out of the sorption compressor. A mixing chamber is provided to remix the constituent gases prior to expansion of the gas through a Joule-Thomson valve. Other methods of pumping multicomponent gas are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for providing stereoscopic image presentation and stereoscopic configurations using stereoscopic viewing systems having converged or parallel cameras may be set up to reduce or eliminate erroneously perceived accelerations and decelerations by proper selection of parameters, such as an image magnification factor q and intercamera distance 2w. For converged cameras, q is selected to be equal to Ve-qwl=0, where V is the camera convergence distance, e is half the interocular distance of an observer, w is half the intercamera distance and l is the actual distance from said first nodal point of each camera to said convergence point, and for parallel cameras, q is selected to be equal to e/w.

Abstract: A single material (not a multi-element structure) spatial light modulator (50) may be written to (30), as well as read out from (80), using light (20). The device has tailorable rise and hold times dependent on the composition and concentration of the molecular species used as the active components. The spatial resolution of this device is limited only by light diffraction as in volume holograms. The device may function as a two-dimensional mask (transmission or reflection) or as a three-dimensional volume holographic medium. This device, based on optically-induced electron transfer, is able to perform incoherent to coherent image conversion or wavelength conversion over a wide spectral range (ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared regions).

Abstract: Low cost, high break elongation graphitized carbon fibers having low degree of graphitization are inert to bromine at room or higher temperatures, but are brominated at -7.degree. to 20.degree. C., and then debrominated at ambient. Repetition of this bromination-debromination process can bring the bromine content to 18%. Electrical conductivity of the brominated fibers is three times of the before-bromination value.

Abstract: The surface of high temperature superconductors such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x are passivated by reacting the native Y, Ba and Cu metal ions with an anion such as sulfate or oxalate to form a surface film that is impervious to water and has a solubility in water of no more than 10.sup.-3 M. The passivating treatment is preferably conducted by immersing the surface in dilute aqueous acid solution since more soluble species dissolve into the solution. The treatment does not degrade the superconducting properties of the bulk material.

Abstract: A device and method rapidly quantifying the relative distention of the bladder of a human subject are disclosed. Ultrasonic transducer 1, which is positioned on subject 2 in proximity to bladder 16, is excited by pulser 3A under command of microprocessor 4 to launch an acoustic wave into patient 2. This wave interacts with bladder walls 12,13 and is reflected back to ultrasonic transducer 1, whence it is received, amplified, and processed by receiver 3B. The resulting signal is digitized by analog-to-digital converter 5 under command of microprocessor 4, and is stored in data memory 6B. The software in microprocessor 4 determines the relative distention of bladder 16 as a function of the propagated ultrasonic energy; and based on programmed scientific measurements and past history with the specific subject as contained in program memory 6A, sends out a signal to turn on any or all of the audible alarm 7, the visible alarm 8, the tactile alarm 9, and the remote wireless alarm 10.

Abstract: A polarization filter can maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of a polarimetric SAR and help discriminate between targets or enhance image features, e.g., enhance contract between different types of target. The method disclosed is based on the Stokes matrix/Stokes vector representation, so the targets of interest can be extended targets, and the method can also be applied to the case of bistatic polarimetric radars.

Abstract: Efficient, regenerable sorbents for removal of H.sub.2 S from fluid hydrocarbons such as diesel fuel at moderate condition comprise a porous, high surface area aluminosilicate support, suitably a synthetic zeolite, and most preferably a zeolite having a free lattice opening of at least 6 Angstroms containing from 0.1 to 0.5 moles of copper ions, lanthanum ions or their mixtures. The sorbent removes sulfur from the hydrocarbon fuel in high efficiency and can be repetitively regenerated without loss of activity.

Abstract: A method is described for forming hollow particles, or shells, of extremely small size. The shell material is heated to a molten temperature in the presence of a gas that is at least moderately soluble in the shell material, to form a solution of the molten shell material and the soluble gas. The solution is atomized to form a multiplicity of separate droplets that are cooled while in free fall. Cooling of a droplet from the outside traps the dissolved gas and forces it to form a gas bubble at the center of the droplet which now forms a gas-filled shell. The shell is reheated and then cooled in free fall, in an environment having a lower pressure than the gas pressure in the shell. This causes expansion of the shell, to form a shell having a small wall thickness compared to its diameter.

Abstract: A set of interchangeable pieces comprising a computerized tomography calibrator, and a method of use thereof, permits focusing of a computerized tomographic (CT) system. The interchangeable pieces include a plurality of nestable, generally planar mother rings, adapted for the receipt of planar inserts of predetermined sizes, and of predetermined material densities. The inserts further define openings therein for receipt of plural sub-inserts. All pieces are of known sizes and densities, permitting the assembling of different configurations of materials of known sizes and combinations of densities, for calibration (i.e., focusing) of a computerized tomographic system through variation of operating variables thereof. Rather than serving as a phanton, which is intended to be representative of a particular workpiece to be tested, the set of interchangeable pieces permits simple and easy standardized calibration of a CT system.

Abstract: This is a recurrent or feedforward analog neural network processor having a multi-level neuron array and a synaptic matrix for storing weighted analog values of synaptic connection strengths which is characterized by temporarily changing one connection strength at a time to determine its effect on system output relative to the desired target. That connection strength is then adjusted based on the effect, whereby the processor is taught the correct response to training examples connection by connection.