Abstract: A base insulator design for VLF antennas. A surface insulating material, h as glass, serves to provide a long surface distance between the upper and lower metallic components of the base. A thin, soft metal cover extends the base metal conductor out to the edge of the outer insulator and also provides a weather shield for the internal components. An insulator core of porcelain serves to take up all of the mechanical stress in the structure and a dielectric fluid serves as a coolant which also protects the inside surface from contamination.

Abstract: A control circuit having a digital memory for providing sweep voltages to ceivers in a doppler satellite tracking station of proper amplitude and duration to ensure searching in the correct doppler frequency range. An internally generated ramp function voltage is combined with a reference voltage to produce a composite sweep signal for the receiver. The reference voltage level is determined either from a set of digi-switches or from a digital memory circuit which outputs a digital signal that is a function of the frequency of a received doppler signal.

Abstract: An asymmetrically fed electric microstrip dipole antenna consisting of a n electrically conducting, rectangular-shaped element formed on one surface of a dielectric substrate, the ground plane being on the opposite surface. The length of the element determines the resonant frequency. The feed point is located along the centerline of the antenna length and the input impedance can be varied by moving the feed point along the centerline from the center point to the end of the antenna without affecting the radiation pattern. The antenna bandwidth increases with the width of the element and spacing between the element and ground plane.

Abstract: An end fed electric microstrip quadrupole antenna consisting of a thin elrically conducting, rectangular-shaped element formed on one surface of a dielectric substrate, the ground plane being on the opposite surface. The feed point is located at one end of the centerline of the antenna length. The antenna bandwidth increases with the width of the element and spacing between the element and ground plane. The end fed microstrip quadrupole antenna operates in a degenerate mode, i.e., two oscillation modes occurring at the same frequency. Along the element length, the oscillation occurs in a dipole mode (fundamental mode) whereas along the element width the oscillation occurs in a quadrupole mode (higher order mode). The corners nearest the feed point may be used for fine tuning of the antenna by trimming small strips of copper from the corner.

Abstract: A gas vent tube for removing gas from a container while minimizing loss of iquids. The vent is mounted in a cylindrical container on a 360.degree. rotating joint and has a buoyant material attached to always maintain the vent in an upright position. The pickup tube also has a buoyancy closure valve to prevent the loss of liquid when the end of the pickup tube is not in a gas, and may be provided with a check valve when the container is submerged in a second liquid to prevent the intrusion of the second liquid into the container.

Abstract: An ocean thermal gradient power plant utilizing the concept of converting the potential and/or kinetic energy developed as a low pressure, high specific volume steam to a hydraulic or kinetic working head in seawater. The plant comprises a hull having a pair of air-evacuated, partially submerged compartments therein. Each compartment contains a static hydraulic head and is interconnected with the other compartment above the level of the static hydraulic heads. One compartment contains a steam-lift pump which, in addition to the static head therein, creates a hydraulic working head therein. The water from the hydraulic working head drives a turbine and then exits the compartment to an intermediate depth. Steam from the steam-lift pump is drawn into the other compartment where it is condensed by a barometric condenser. The water in this compartment exits via a pipe extending from the level of the static hydraulic head to an intermediate depth.

Abstract: A control circuit having a digital memory for providing sweep voltages to ceivers in a doppler satellite tracking station of proper amplitude and duration to ensure searching in the correct doppler frequency range. An internally generated ramp function voltage is combined with a reference voltage to produce a composite sweep signal for the receiver. The reference voltage level is determined either from a set of digi-switches or from a digital memory circuit which outputs a digital signal that is a function of the frequency of a received doppler signal.

Abstract: A semiactive bomblet fuze having both contact and proximity fuze capability or a free-fall weapon, and utilizing both a gyro-rotor aligning fuze train and an optical lens for initiating a light sensitive explosive detonator.

Abstract: A thermodynamic kite comprising a non-rigid inflatable body member, a partially rigid helium storage envelope, and a rigid housing. The rigid housing being attached to the underside of the body member contains equipment for maintaining the kite at a preselected altitude as well as safety devices. Attached to the surface of the body member are an interconnected series of inflatable tubes which provide controlled rigidity to the inflatable body member. A radome containing a radar antenna is attached to the body member.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting the level of oil in an oil-collecting chamber conning oil floating on water. A pair of electrodes are disposed in the oil-collecting chamber for detecting the presence of oil therein. A sensing circuit, connected between the electrodes and an amplifier, contains a sensing current when water or air surrounds the electrodes. The amplified sensing current switches a transistor on transmitting a d-c voltage to an open type solenoid valve located in an outlet tube thereby closing the valve.

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Abstract: A system for controlling the annular nozzle throat area (and hence the tht) of a solid-propellant rocket by means of a pintle or plug the position of which is caused to vary in response to pressure variations within the combustion chamber of the rocket.

Abstract: Tracking of a target by a radar possessing electronically controlled nutan (conical scan) is difficult when the target employs pulse jamming techniques, since pulsing of the jammer at or near the nutation frequency causes the radar to break lock on the target. In the present concept, the lobing reference signals for azimuth and elevation are periodically reversed in phase, the reversals of the two signals bearing a quadrature relationship to one another. By thus reversing the direction of nutation in synchronism with the radar pulse-rate switching signal, the deleterious effects of countermeasures on the radar's angle-tracking capabilities are minimized.

Abstract: An oil-water separating device utilizing the wall attachment effect for srating oil from an oil-water mixture in a continuous manner. The device is comprised of an oil-water mixture inlet nozzle delivering the mixture into a bounded region inside the separator to form a mixture jet which attaches to one wall creating a separation bubble in the bounded region. The bounded region is provided by a cavity formed by two or more plates joined together with an oil collecting chamber provided on top of the bounded region by an additional plate. The oil is captured in the bounded region by the separation bubble and flows into the oil collecting chamber through connecting holes. The oil in the collecting chamber is transferred by an oil outlet, either by siphoning or by means of a metering pump to an oil storage tank. A multiple stage oil-water separator can be provided by forming a plurality of series-connected, bounded regions between the two plates.

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: A rechargeable silver sulfide cathode for batteries and fuel cells using uid ammonia electrolytes.

Abstract: A fuzing system in which a third or obscuration channel having a forward king narrow beam width detects a target and generates a signal which is fed to a sequence computer. If within a predetermined time after receipt of the third channel pulse, a second pulse is received from either of the two regular infrared channels, a pulse is generated to actuate the firing circuit. If the above time sequence of pulses is not present, the fuze system then functions in the normal two channel mode of operation.

Abstract: A subbottom rock mapping probe for measuring the thickness of a sediment er located on the bottom of a body of water comprising an automatic, downwardly extending, telescoping probe that is gimbally connected to a support member. Water is forced through the probe to disperse the sediment impeding the probe's downward extension. Recording equipment and related measuring devices measure and record the depth of penetration of the probe into the sediment layer from an initial or reference position.

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 comprising a pump. This pump has a rotor coupled to a reel in the tethering system, an inlet to admit water to the pump and a restricted outlet to increase the resistance to water flow through the pump thus resisting rapid rotation of the reel, whereby the rate of ascent of the apparatus is controlled.

Abstract: A device for generating spot or barrage noise to jam communication equipment, missiles or radar employing a modulating noise that has the high frequencies removed. Said device comprises a filter means and an amplifier in circuit with the noise source, modulator and transmitter of a basic noise jamming device. The filtered output of said device has a non-uniform R.F. spectrum with a random noise density.