Abstract: A method for the pyrolytic destruction of microfilm products by utilizing hot silicon oil heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. Destruction of the various types of microfilm is accomplished within a five minute time frame.

Abstract: A decoy missile having the shape of a reentry vehicle and containing a pair of conically shaped dipole jacks in tandem, the jacks are shaped and spaced to provide a desired reflective cross section at a specific frequency, the rear cover plate of the decoy is constructed of radar absorbing material to aid in the enhancement process.

Abstract: A ratio analyzer employing two time-base generators which are used to convert time intervals to analog voltages. The outputs of the two time-base generators are sampled and the amplitude of one pulse is divided into the amplitude of the second pulse which gives an output voltage representation of the ratio of the two original pulse widths. The output voltage representation is indicative of the type of input signal present and thus may be used to analyze the input signal.

Abstract: A roll control system for a reentry vehicle having the pay load positioned within the vehicle so as to offset the center of gravity from the aerodynamic axis of the vehicle. A radial mass unbalance is created in the aft end of the vehicle to create a trim angle of attack dependent upon the vehicle roll rate which provides a source of roll torque with the out-of-plane radial center of mass offset. With the use of a mass and spring arrangement, the mass unbalance is controlled by centrifugal force to terminate the roll torque at the prescribed design roll rate.

Abstract: Infrared detector arrays have focal plan processing in modular form mounted on stacked boards, where the processing integrated circuits are recessed in adjacent boards.

Abstract: An autopointing laser system utilized in the tracking and/or detection of objects having a stationary flat reflector, a pair of parabolic reflectors, and a telescope reflector, all in optical alignment with each other. When the telescope reflector is also in optical alignment with the object to be tracked and/or detected these elements combine to act as the optical resonator of the laser system. As a result of the above arrangement, the lasing medium located between the pair of parabolic reflectors will continue to oscillate as long as the object remains in the field of view of the telescope reflector thereby providing an automatic tracking operation.

Abstract: A hot pressed, biaxially oriented, alumina fiber reinforced, ceramic composite having alternate layers of parallel running alumina fibers within a glass matrix such that the fibers of one layer are positioned at right angles to the fibers of any adjoining layer.

Abstract: A spark gap switching device for high peak currents including a pair of main electrodes with protruding, opposing sub-electrodes, surrounded by high permeability cores typically of ferrite material. Small air gaps separate the sub-electrodes. The switch is activated by an over voltage or the like causing one of the sub-electrodes to breakover producing a flux time rate of change in the core. A voltage is induced in the non conducting sub-electrodes causing aligned pairs to rapidly increase in potential difference until one by one they all conduct.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the angles formed between a line-of-sight and the normal to a planar surface intersected thereby. A solid piece of optically transparent material having a relatively large index of refraction is geometrically shaped to have a planar base surface, with a reference mark theron, and a curvilinear viewing surface with scale marks to designate angular orientations. The exterior surfaces are optically polished to create mirrored surfaces for internal reflection. To accentuate contrast, the planar surface containing the reference mark is coated with a layer of contrasting opaque material. Angles are measured by placing the planar base surface of the device on the planar surface intersected by the line-of-sight and aligning the reference mark with the point of intersection. When viewed from the observation point defining the line-of-sight, an image of the reference mark appears on the scaled surface at a location representing the line-of-sight angle.

Abstract: A privacy communication method and system which utilizes coherent, continuously changing frequencies for keyed, pulsed, and voice communications. A synthesized swept frequency or "chirp" signal imparts a privacy or secure communications capability to the communications signal by virtue of the random or pseudo-random nature of the transmitted signals which is programmed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for showing the relative range from an active line scan sensor to a target, the changes in range being shown on a recording medium as an alternate series of bright and dark lines. In particular, a modulated laser beam having high frequency components is utilized to illuminate the target, the reflected energy received at the sensor having the same modulation frequency but phase modified by the transit time required to make the roundtrip from the sensor to the target and return. The phase difference between the received energy and the transmitted, or reference, energy is detected by a phase demodulator, the detected phase difference corresponding to range contour lines. A reflectivity signal corresponding to the reflectance of the target is also provided. The range contour and reflectivity signals can be simultaneously recorded on a recording medium. Alternately, the reflectivity signal may be gated by the range contour signal producing a composite image on the medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing imagery of an object having distinct vertical geometry characteristics located at a reference plane remote from a scanning laser. In particular, a laser beam is utilized to scan objects at the reference plane and the optical signal reflected therefrom, corresponding to the reflectivity of the objects and background, is detected. An electrical signal, corresponding to the detected reflectivity signal, is coupled to an RF amplifier, the output of the RF amplifier being applied to an amplitude demodulator. The output of the amplitude demodulator, corresponding to the reflectivity and vertical geometry characteristics of the object at the reference plane, is applied to a recording device to produce the aforementioned imagery.

Abstract: A primer, particularly for aluminum and aluminum alloys, that is free of alkaline materials and consists essentially of an aqueous solution of a water soluble condensation product of (1) phenol, resorcinol or a mixture of phenol and resorcinol and (2) formaldehyde.

Abstract: Real time presentation and evaluation of any selected interferogram is realized by electronically simulating optical aberration patterns and displaying them on a cathode ray tube (CRT). The optical aberration patterns include PISTON; X and Y TILT; DEFOCUS; SPHERICAL; COMA; and ASTIGMATISM. The aberration patterns are generated electronically in response to the CRT beam sweep drive signal and are displayed as a function of CRT beam intensity. Any combination of aberration patterns, each having selectable coefficients, can be displayed. The aberration pattern coefficient values are indicated by a digital readout. Evaluation of an unknown interferogram is accomplished by varying aberration pattern combinations and coefficients until a substantial match with the unknown interferogram is achieved. The contributing aberration patterns are then known and their magnitudes are determined from the digital read-out.

Abstract: A scene is scanned line-by-line with a video camera transforming the spatial distribution of intensities present in the scene into a time-varying intensity function which is then filtered in real time. The time-varying function is passed through an electrical filter with adjustable passband and center frequency, and the filtered image is written on a storage tube or other suitable fast-memory array. The stored image which has been spatially filtered in the x direction is then scanned and read line-by-line (in the y direction) with the new scan lines perpendicular to the direction in which the image was written on the storage tube (or memory array). This transforms the spatial distribution of intensities on the storage tube (or memory array) into a time-varying function of intensities. This time-varying function is then passed through a second filter with adjustable passband and center frequency.

Abstract: A mode filter apparatus for preventing unwanted modes in a multi-moded structure utilizing a radial plurality of resonant slots on the bottom of the filter cavity. The top of the filter cavity includes a variable height center section to provide mode selectivity in cooperation with the resonant slots.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhancing the separation of molecules, such as cells or proteins, into distinct propulations based on their interactions with an externally imposed varying electric field during liquid gel chromatography (LGC). An electric field, at radio frequency (RF), is created between two plates of a capacitor structure and impressed through the gel media column situated between the plates. The varying field interacts with the molecules through polarization events that alter the molecular vibration and rotation motions. The induced changes cause the molecules to exhibit elution characteristics distinct from those normally obtained during LGC. Thereby, molecules can be further and more selectively partitioned according to their distinct polarization properties.

Abstract: A precision motor speed control system where a reference generator produces pulses for each revolution of a dispenser shaft, the time between pulses is measured and compared to a preselected standard, a time greater than standard will generate a pulse causing a transistor circuit to apply an accelerating voltage to the motor, a time less than the standard will generate a pulse causing a transistor circuit to apply a decelerating voltage to the motor.

Abstract: A fluorinated polyether is synthesized by (1) reacting perfluoroglutaryl chloride and 1,5-hexafluoropentane diol to provide a fluorinated polyester and (2) converting ester groups of the polyester to ether groups by SF.sub.4 reduction. The product obtained is a thermally stable polyether which is particularly useful in providing an elastomeric material for aircraft fuel tank sealants, tire valves, O-rings, hose, gaskets, and the like.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a used lubricating oil for iron wear metal content in which all of the iron in a sample of the oil is extracted into an oil immiscible layer, buffering and reducing agents are added, and the iron in the solution is reacted with a chelating agent to forma red complex indicative of the iron content. Apparatus for carrying out the method comprises six containers, one for a lubricating oil sample and each of the other five being for a separate reagent. Also included are a reaction chamber, means for transferring oil sample and reagents from the containers to the reaction chamber which may also function as a test cell.