Abstract: An apparatus for testing O-ring gaskets under a variety of temperature, pressure, and dynamic loading conditions. Specifically, this apparatus has the ability to simulate a dynamic loading condition where the sealing surface in contact with the O-ring moves both away from and axially along the face of the O-ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control a robot or manipulator configuration over the entire motion based on augmentation of the manipulator forward kinematics. A set of kinematic functions is defined in Cartesian or joint space to reflect the desirable configuration that will be achieved in addition to the specified end-effector motion. The user-defined kinematic functions and the end-effector Cartesian coordinates are combined to form a set of task-related configuration variables as generalized coordinates for the manipulator. A task-based adaptive scheme is then utilized to directly control the configuration variables so as to achieve tracking of some desired reference trajectories throughout the robot motion. This accomplishes the basic task of desired end-effector motion, while utilizing the redundancy to achieve any additional task through the desired time variation of the kinematic functions.

Abstract: A mechanical strain isolator mount 10 is provided to preserve the alignmental integrity of alignment sensitive instrument 25. Alignment sensitive instrument 25 is mounted on rectangular base 11. Flexural legs 15, 16, and 17 are connected at their proximal ends to rectangular base 11 at points, A, B, C, respectively. Flexural legs 15, 16, and 17 are also spaced parallel to sides AB, BC, and CD respectively. Mounting pads 20, 21, and 22 are respectively connected to legs 15, 16, and 17 at the distal ends thereof and attach mechanical strain isolator mount 10 to substrate 30 by means of threaded bolts 23. When a mounting pad and its respective leg is subjected to lateral strains in either the X or Y directon via substrate 30, the respective leg relieves the strain by bending in the direction of the strain. An axial strain on a mounting pad in the Z direction is relieved by a rotational motion of legs 15, 16, and 17 in the direction of the strain.

Abstract: This invention consists of a bearing (26) designed to operate in a cryogenic environment and which has an inner raceway (30) generally constructed as an annular band fitted by an interference fit to a rotating shaft (12). A pair of annular tension bands (32, 34) are fitted onto opposed sides of the band and function to firmly clamp the raceway (30) to the shaft (12). This occurs because the tension bands are constructed of a material which, when cooled to aproximately -385.degree. F., shrinks more than the raceway (30) and the shaft (12) to which it is fitted. The bands further relax somewhat at room temperature and permit the interference fit between the raceway (30) and the shaft (12) to be sized such that the raceway (30) is not overly stessed.

Abstract: A low frequency torsional suspension system for testing a space structure uses a plurality of suspension stations attached to the space structure along the length thereof in order to suspend the space structure from an overhead support. Each suspension station includes a disk pivotally mounted to the overhead support, and two cables which have upper ends connected to the disk and lower ends connected to the space structure. The two cables define a parallelogram with the center of gravity of the space structure being vertically beneath the pivot axis of the disk. The vertical distance between the points of attachment of the cables to the disk and the pivot axis of the disk is adjusted to lower the frequency of the suspension system to a level which does not interfere with frequency levels of the space structure, thereby enabling accurate measurement.

Abstract: A fiber optic interferometer utilizes a low coherence LED laser as a light source which is filtered and driven at two RF frequencies, high and low, that are specific to the initial length of the resonator chamber. A displacement of a reflecting mirror changes the length traveled by the nonreferencing signal. The low frequency light undergoes destructive interference which reduces the average intensity of the wave while the high frequency light undergoes constructive interference which increases the average intensity of the wave. The ratio of these two intensity measurements is proportional to the displacement incurred.

Abstract: An orbital debris sweeper is provided for removing particles from orbit which otherwise may impact and damage an orbiting spacecraft. The debris sweeper includes a central sweeper core which carries a debris monitoring unit, and a plurality of large area impact panels rotatable about a central sweeper rotational axis. In response to information from the debris monitoring unit, a computer determines whether individual monitored particles preferably impact one of the rotating panels or pass between the rotating panels. A control unit extends or retracts one or more booms which interconnect the sweeper core and the panels to change the moment of inertia of the sweeper and thereby the rotational velocity of the rotating panels.

Abstract: A graphite fiber reinforced polymer matrix is layed up, cured, and thermally aged at about 750.degree. F. in the presence of an inert gas. The heat treatment improves the structural integrity and alters the electrical conductivity of the materials. In the preferred embodiment PMR-15 polyimides and Celion-6000 graphite fibers are used.

Abstract: A diaphragm (10) suitable for extreme temperature usage, such as encountered in critical aerospace applications, is fabricated by a unique method, and of a unique combination of materials, which include multi-layered lay-ups of diaphragm materials (20a, 22, 20b) sandwiched between layers of bleeder fabric (29, 36), which, after being formed in the desired shape on a mold (26), are vacuum sealed (38) and then cured under pressure, in a heated autoclave, to produce a bond capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.

Abstract: This is a system for measuring ocean surface currents from an airborne platform. A radar system having two spaced antennas wherein one antenna is driven and return signals from the ocean surface are detected by both antennas is employed to get raw ocean current data which is saved for later processing. There are a pair of GPS systems including a first antenna carried by the platform at a first location and a second antenna carried by the platform at a second location displaced from the first antenna for determining the position of the antennas from signals from orbiting GPS navigational satellites. This data is also saved for later processing. The saved data is subsequently processed by a ground-based computer system to determine the position, orientation, and velocity of the platform as well as to derive measurements of currents on the ocean surface.

Abstract: Laterally stacked Schottky diodes (25) for infrared sensor applications are fabricated utilizing porous silicon (10) having pores (12). A Schottky metal contact (24) is formed in the pores, such as by electroplating. The sensors may be integrated with silicon circuits on the same chip with a high quantum efficiency, which is ideal for IR focal plane array applications due to uniformity and reproducibility.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the promoted combustion chamber disclosed herein, a thick-walled tubular body that is capable of withstanding extreme pressures is arranged with removable upper and lower end closures to provide access to the chamber defined within the body. A bracket is arranged in the chamber for dependently supporting a test sample of a material being evaluated in the chamber. To facilitate the real-time analysis of a test sample, several pressure-tight viewing ports capable of withstanding the simulated environmental conditions are arranged in the walls of the tubular body for observing the test sample during the course of a test. A replaceable heat-resistant tubular member and replaceable flame-resistant internal liners are arranged to be fitted inside of the chamber for protecting the interior wall surfaces of the combustion chamber during the evaluation tests.

Abstract: An improved plasma gun coaxially injects particles of ceramic materials having high melting temperatures into the central portion of a plasma jet. This results in a more uniform and higher temperature and velocity distribution of the sprayed particles. The position of the cathode is adjustable to facilitate optimization of the performance of the gun wherein grains of the ceramic material are melted at lower power input labels.

Abstract: A catalyst for the combination of CO and O.sub.2 to form CO.sub.2 which includes a platinum group metal--e.g., platinum; a reducible metal oxide having multiple valence states--e.g., SnO.sub.2 ; and a compound which can bind water to its structure--e.g., silica gel. This catalyst is ideally suited for application to high-powered, pulsed, CO.sub.2 lasers operating in a sealed or closed-cycle condition.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system wherein a tubular housing contains an internal circularly disposed set of blade members and a central tubular filter all mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis and each having independent rotational support and rotational drive mechanisms. The housing, blade members and filter preferably are driven at a constant slow speed for placing a fluid culture medium with discrete microbeads and cell cultures in a discrete spatial suspension in the housing. Replacement fluid medium is symmetrically input and fluid medium is symmetrically output from the housing where the input and the output are apart of a loop providing a constant or intermittent flow of fluid medium in a closed loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an organoborosilicon preceramic polymer of the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or phenyl, and x is selected from 0, 1, 2 or 3;which is pyrolyzable to produce a refractory material comprising inorganic compounds of Si, C and B, which process comprises:contacting a silicon containing compound of the structure:(R.sup.1).sub.x --Si (CH.dbd.CH.sub.2).sub.4-x or (R.sup.1).sub.x Si(C.dbd.CH).sub.4-xwith a boron containing compound selected from H.sub.3 B:BH.sub.3, H.sub.3 B:NH.sub.3, BH.sub.3 :N(R.sup.2).sub.3 wherein R.sup.2 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or phenyl in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of between about 90.degree. and 170.degree. C. for between about 0.1 and 20 hr and recovering the prepolymer. The prepolymer is pyrolyzed to produce a ceramic article useful in high temperature (e.g., aerospace) or extreme environmental applications.

Abstract: A fully articulated four-point-bend loading fixture for MOR and fracture toughness specimens utilizes an upper loading plate in combination with a lower loading plate. The lower plate has a pair of spring loaded ball bearings which seat in V-shaped grooves located in the upper plate. The ball bearings are carried in the arms of the lower plate. A load is applied to the specimen through steel rollers, one large roller and one smaller roller each located on both the upper and lower plates. The large rollers have needle roller bearings which enable a single loading roller to rotate relative to the plate to which it is attached.

Abstract: The invention is an enhanced single-layer, multi-color luminescent display 10' comprising an insulator substrate 11' and a single layer of host material 13' having a smooth, flat top surface deposited thereon that hosts one or more different activators, therein forming a pattern of selected and distinctly colored phosphor areas 14', 16' and 17' which may be green, red and blue respectively in the single layer of host material 13'. Transparent electrical conductor means 12' may be provided for subjecting selected areas of the pattern of colored phosphor areas to an electric field thereby forming a multi-color, single layer electroluminescent display. A coactivator such as phosphorus (P) may be selectively introduced into one or more of the phosphor areas 16' and 17' to enhance the brilliance of the color or colors of the one or more selected phosphor areas without changing the electric field.

Abstract: A sample filter holder for use with a microscope for holding the filter in a planar condition on the stage of the microscope so that automatic focusing of the microscope can be performed on particle samples dispersed on the filter. The holder includes a base having a well communicating with an inlet port which is connected to a suction pump. A screen assembly is positioned within the well. The screen assembly includes a disk having a screen positioned on its top surface and secured to the disk at the peripheral edge of the screen. Small bores communicate the outer surface of the screen with the well. The filter is placed on the screen and is held in a flat disposition by the suction forces.

Abstract: A single step is relied on in the canning process for hot isostatic pressing metallurgy composites. The composites are made from arc-sprayed and plasma sprayed monotape. The HIP can is of compatible refractory metal and is sealed at high vacuum and temperature. This eliminates out-gassing during hot isostatic pressing.