Abstract: A variable feel side stick controller for producing and regulating feedback orces on a side stick for optimum pilot response. The controller consists of the floating table assembly which transfers the three-dimensional motion of the side stick into a two-dimensional motion. A series of hydraulic cylinders mounted on the floating table which are connected to a series of hydraulic circuits regulate the feedback forces produced on the side stick. The instantaneous position of the side stick can be determined from a series of linear potentiometers coupled to the hydraulic cylinders or from a series of force transducers connected to the hydraulic circuits. The two-dimensional floating table assembly allows use of a cam and cam follower arrangement which allows the force field to be varied with the shape of the cam.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a first or a second A-C signal in response to a st and second switch. An oscillator circuit having two parallel capacitance networks and one resistance network which together determine the time constant for the frequency of oscillation of the first A-C signal is provided. When the first and second switch are "off" the first A-C signal is generated by said oscillator circuit. When the second switch is "on" an inverting amplifier in the oscillator circuit is electrically removed therefrom thereby electrically removing one of the parallel capacitance networks resulting in the oscillator circuit generating to second A-C signal.

Abstract: Micro electrochemical cells which utilize an intimate mixture of active and assive metals are reacted with seawater for producing heat and hydrogen gas for use as a heat source, energy source, or buoyancy generator for use in remote areas.

Abstract: An event stacker and display device for encoding a multiplicity of event nals into a single output source. The system uses an operational amplifier having three inputs weighted in a "four, two, one" octal fashion. The output of the amplifier is therefore restricted to one of eight possible levels. An optical isolator is also used in the system in conjunction with a Darlington amplifier and a light emitting diode (LED) display device. The optical isolator provides isolation between test equipment and other instrumentation. The Darlington amplifier provides sufficient current to drive the LED display device and the event stacker.

Abstract: A switching system for use in conjunction with a high rate commutator mullexer which separates the commutator switches into two groups. During alternating off periods, each group is grounded through a switch such that voltage which is built up on the inherent capacitances of the commutator switches is reduced to zero. In this manner, crosstalk is virtually eliminated between channels of the commutator.

Abstract: A connector hinge for attaching oil spill containment booms having a male lindrical connector which fits loosely within a female cylindrical connector to allow easy movement of both connectors in both a vertical and horizontal direction. A resilient gasket is disposed within the male cylindrical connector such that the gasket forms an oil-tight seal between the male connector and female connector. The female connector is tapered along its length to allow easy disposition of the male member within its cylindrical cavity. Both the male and female connectors can be attached to a floating oil spill containment boom, a substantially immovable object such as a pier or jetty, or a floating tow assembly. The loose fit between the male and female connectors allows the connector hinge to adjust to tidal variations as well as additionally aiding in placement of the male connector within the female connector.

Abstract: A two channel optical fuzing system for determining that a true target is esent by initiating a gating pulse when the forward looking channel first detects what appears to be a target and initiating an arming signal when the rearward looking channel sees the same target. If the arming signal initiated during the time interval of the gate pulse, a decision circuit passes an output pulse to the firing circuit which produces a firing pulse to initiate the warhead.

Abstract: A smoke marker for indicating the location of a target drone. An aluminum tube with one open end and one closed end contains a polyethylene bottle filled with titanium tetrachloride, a smoke chemical. The bottle is held in place within the tube by means of set screws adjacent the bottle's neck. A nylon washer containing an explosive primer and a metallic disc are disposed between the bottle and the closed end of the tube. The open end of the tube is potted closed with styrofoam potting. Upon ignition, the explosive primer forces the copper disc to collapse the bottom of the bottle. The neck of the bottle shears and the titanium tetrachloride is expelled from the aluminum tube and the bottle, creating a 25 to 30 foot cloud of smoke.

Abstract: A hollow, projectile-shaped body containing an acoustical transducer is rased into the sea such that the body descends in free fall until it strikes and penetrates the sea floor, coming to a rest therein. Acoustic signals emanating from the acoustic transducer are processed utilizing the doppler effect to generate a direct current analog signal which is the function of the velocity of the body from a time immediately preceding the body striking the sea floor surface until the body comes to rest in the sea floor, thereby obtaining an indication of the physical characteristics of the sea floor.

Abstract: The mobile seafloor storage structure for storing POL (petroleum, oils, licants) comprising a pair of cylindrically-shaped enclosures having hemispherical-shaped end members. The two cylindrically-shaped enclosures are connected together by top, bottom and end members such that a center enclosure is formed between the pair of cylindrically-shaped enclosures. Various interconnections and related valves are utilized for moving POL, seawater, and gases from enclosure to enclosure thereby maneuvering the structure between the sea surface and the seafloor.

Abstract: A pressure activated, timed missile flight termination system for destroy a test missile after a predetermined period of flight to shorten its hazard space so that it can be used on firing ranges having a minimum amount of area. A delayed destruct sequence is initiated by pressure in the missile combustion chamber upon ignition of the missile. A pressure driven piston is compressed by the pressure created in the combustion chamber, causing it to strike a primer which initiates a delay fuse, a detonator, and a linear-shaped charge to destroy the missile.

Abstract: A flexible tube section for supplying coolant to infrared (IR) detectors nted in a gimballed system. The tube section is comprised of a plurality of coils and lever arms for supplying coolant to an IR detector mounted on a gimbal telescope and which flexes with the gimballed telescope. The tube section has a fixed attachment loop and a rotating attachment loop connected by three coils providing clearance for the envelope of the gimbal structure and flexing with gimbal rotation. Two of these flexible tube sections are required for supplying coolant across the two gimbal axes.

Abstract: A passive ranging system for determining the range of a target radar by uizing the scan characteristics of the target radar. Receivers are placed on each of two aircraft flying in a specified formation. One aircraft relays detected pulse amplitude envelopes to the other aircraft. The second aircraft measures time delay between impacts of the main beam of the target radar on the two aircraft and a computer determines range according to equation R=D/K.DELTA.t where .DELTA.t is the measured time difference, D is the distance between aircraft and K is a constant depending on the type of target radar.

Abstract: A digital antenna pattern generator for producing an electrical signal to mulate any desired antenna pattern for which the device has been preprogrammed. Read only memories are utilized which are preset according to applicable intelligence data to read out desired radar antenna patterns as the memory locations are addressed in seriatim. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the read only memories are sequentially addressed in accordance with the angular displacement across the antenna beam pattern. In an alternative embodiment, a free-running antenna pattern generator is disclosed in which the beam width, dead time and lobe rate is adjusted. Both systems convert the digital pattern generated by the read only memories into an appropriate output analog signal.

Abstract: A portable salvage lift apparatus for use in an underwater environment coising a buoyancy system having a variable lift capability and a tethering system employing a brake whereby the rate of ascent of the apparatus is controlled.

Abstract: An analog encoder/decoder circuit for use with an instrumentation recorder hich folds the recorded signal over and reuses the same voltage-controlled oscillator range three times at three different gains, thereby increasing the dynamic range to over 10,000. Depending on the level of the input signal, a first multiplexer selects one of three amplifier gains for amplifying the input signal prior to recording. Taken together, the three amplifier gains comprise a piece-wise linear approximation of a logarithmic curve. After playback or demodulation by the recorder, one of three corresponding inverse gain amplifiers are selected for amplifying the playback signal by a second multiplexer whereby the output signal is substantially identical to the input signal.

Abstract: A spherical sensor having the inside thereof lined with a plurality of terature sensing elements, multiplexing circuitry for sequentially measuring the temperature of said sensors, and a comparison circuit for determining the sensors of greater temperature to thereby derive the direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: A battery electrolyte level indicator for indicating when the electrolyte of a wet cell battery has fallen below a minimum acceptable level. A probe pair is disposed in each cell of the battery to a depth corresponding to the minimum acceptable level of the electrolyte contained therein. The probe pairs are connected in series with a light emitting diode connected between the probe pairs in the end battery cells. The series connected probe pairs and the light emitting diode form a complete circuit loop. Current limiting resistors bridge each probe pair such that when the electrolyte level in any one cell is below the minimum acceptable level, the current limiting resistor replaces the probe pair in the complete circuit loop, thus turning off the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An arrangement of thin film resistive layers for hybrid microcircuits that liminates electrical contact problems and provides a means for obtaining high precision by trimming. A thin resistive film is deposited on an insulating substrate over a mask. Without breaking vacuum, a second resistive film which is not subject to oxidation is deposited over the first resistive film. The second resistive film is then etched away from portions which are not used as contact points. Since the second resistive material has a different resistivity, it is also used for low value resistive portions in multiple resistor networks.

Abstract: A multiple channel decommutator accumulator for decommutating a multiplexed ncoded signal forming a train of serial pulses on a single input line to form a series of parallel channels wherein the pulses are accumulated. A display device is provided for addressing any one of the series of channels for continuously displaying the signal accumulated by the channel.