Abstract: A means for identifying a particular range and Doppler shift signal in the field of view of a moving radar antenna which determines azimuth angle to this range-Doppler signal relative to the antenna by determining the phase difference between said signal as processed through two channels each fed by antennas displaced in a horizontal direction with respect to the axis of the antenna system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser pointing and tracking system which forms and maintains a small laser spot size at a selected aimpoint on a target and compensates for optical distortion in the intervening media. The invention comprises an illumination laser for directing a first wide divergence beam of short-pulse laser radiation toward a stationary or moving target. The target reflects a portion of the incident beam as return radiation which is interfered with a properly-timed short-pulse reference beam on an electronic radiation detector array. The detector array signals are processed to produce an electronic hologram which is imposed as a phase pattern on a spatial light modulator. A laser reads out the hologram to direct a beam of radiation at the target. Multiple sequential illumination and hologram formation/readout steps produce a small spot size at the selected aimpoint. The small spot is maintained at the aimpoint during the duration of an engagement by repeating the above steps.

Abstract: A method of forming an acoustic attenuation chambers within a honeycomb core. The honeycomb core have a plurality of honeycomb cells having interconnected side walls. A plurality of septum layers are spaced from one another within the honeycomb cells to define acoustic attenuation chambers between the septum layers and the side walls of the honeycomb cells. Each of the septum layers have an associated ablating wavelength and is transparent to the ablating wavelengths of the other septum layers. A laser beam having a laser wavelength is directed towards the septum layers. The laser beam is selectively absorbed by a septum layer which has an associated ablating wavelength equal to the laser wavelength to ablate apertures therethrough without ablating other septum layers.

Abstract: A remotely operable radio frequency jamming device having a jamming transmitter and a local controller in communication with a remote commander. The local controller has a signal receiver and decoder component for receiving, decoding and causing by electronic command the device to perform a remotely initiated instruction signal. In particular, the receiver and decoder component of the local controller can receive and decode a remotely initiated instruction signal to activate or inactivate the jamming device and thereafter cause by electronic command the activation or deactivation of the device. To effectuate the jamming of enemy radio signals, the receiver and decoder component of the local controller can receive and decode a remotely initiated instruction signal to transmit a selected jamming band from the transmitter of the jamming device, and thereafter cause by electronic command the transmitter to transmit the selected band.

Abstract: An electrical bus assembly distributes high current electrical power to a plurality of different devices simultaneously. The electrical bus assembly has a busbar assembly having an electrical conductor and a plurality of studs. At least one multi-contact connector is mounted to the busbar assembly and has a plurality of individual pin contacts in electrical communication with one another, so as to facilitate the transfer of electrical power therethrough. An array of such bus assemblies, defining an electrical power distribution module is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for adhering a first ceramic foam to a second ceramic foam. The method begins with impregnating a liquid resin with reinforcement fibers to form a liquid reinforced bonding resin. The liquid reinforced bonding resin is then applied to at least one of the ceramic foams. The foams are joined to each other with the liquid reinforced bonding resin disposed therebetween. The liquid reinforced bonding resin is cured to form a solid reinforced bonding resin. The solid reinforced bonding resin is pyrolyzed for adhering the first and second ceramic foams to form a ceramic bonding layer. The ceramic bonding layer is characterized by a porous ceramic matrix with reinforcement fibers disposed therein.

Abstract: An adaptive ramp mechanism for an aircraft having a fuselage which includes a fuselage skin, an interior cavity, a forward end and an aft end, and at least one door attached to the fuselage and moveable between an open position exposing the interior cavity and a closed position enclosing the interior cavity. The ramp mechanism comprises a ramp structure which is attached to the fuselage between the forward end and the interior cavity thereof.

Abstract: A non-chrome process for the pretreatment of substrate surfaces to simultaneously clean them and improve their bonding strength for organic coatings such as adhesives, protective primers, sealants, paints, composites and similar materials conventionally bonded to such substrates, including non-chromated or chromated curable organic resin protective coatings applied directly to bare aluminum substrates. The invention involves the use of novel wipe solvent compositions containing a major volume of an environmentally-safe volatile organic solvent which has a low composite vapor pressure or is otherwise exempt from federal, state or local regulations, and a minor volume of a polyfunctional coupling agent, preferably of the silane type.

Abstract: A compact broadband log-periodic antenna for transmitting and receiving frequencies between 0.5 to 18 GHZ. The antenna comprises two dielectric substrates bonded together, both substrates comprise a first group of dipole elements configured in a log-periodic sequence and a second group of serpentine configured dipole elements fabricated on the same substrate and in electrical communication with the first group of elements. The serpentine dipole elements are configured in a specific pattern such that the size of the antenna is reduced, yet still maintains log-periodic characteristics. Disposed between the two substrates is a feed system in electrical communication with both groups of elements such that a connector from a transmitter or receiver can be in communication with the antenna.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, in an aircraft storage container which is used for the transport of cargo items, defines an enclosed interior compartment and includes a hatch for selectively accessing the interior compartment, there is provided an improvement of the aircraft storage container. The improvement is provided with a high strength flexible bag member disposed about a substantial portion of the interior compartment for distributing force in response to explosive forces emanating from cargo items within the bag member. The bag member includes an opening and is positionable within the interior compartment such that the opening is adjacent the hatch for allowing cargo items to be placed into and removed from within the bag member via the hatch and the opening. The improvement is further provided with a bag opening frame which is attachable to the opening of the bag member and formed to receive cargo items for storage within the bag member therethrough.

Abstract: A double-balanced monolithic microwave integrated circuit mixer is fabricated on a GaHs substrate with a radio frequency microstrip balun formed thereon and a local oscillator microstrip balun formed thereon. A crossover diode ring is also formed upon the substrate. The radio frequency microstrip balun and the local oscillator microstrip balun provide enhanced electrical isolation between a radio frequency port and a local oscillator port, enhanced spurious response suppression, and enhanced local oscillator noise rejection in only 0.021".times.0.048" of circuit area.

Abstract: A multi-channel receiver which exploites the parallel processing advantages of an optical signal processor is used to facilitate 100 percent intercept of an incomming RF signal in a dense RF environment. The receiver performs real time parallel signal processing to effectively capture a given signal of interest. The receiver modulates a laser beam with incoming RF signals. The modulated laser beam is then Fourier transformed, channelized into an array of signals of varying frequencies, optically filtered and then down converted into their original radio frequencies with only the pass characteristics altered so that the captured signal can be readily identified. An electronic controller is used to control the pass structure of the optical filter which can be reconfigured in real time to selectively pass signals having the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming a fiber-reinforced resin structure having an opening therein by vacuum bag forming. A resin infusion port is disposed adjacent a mold surface. The resin infusion port has a resin inlet and at least one resin outlet. A fiber-reinforced ply is distributed adjacent the mold surface about the resin infusion port. A flexible covering is placed over the fiber-reinforced ply and the mold surface to form a chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated. Resin is dispensed into the resin infusion port through the resin inlet. The resin is infused into the ply by dispensing resin into the chamber from the resin infusion port through the resin outlet. The resin is cured within the resin infusion port and within the chamber to form a cured resin structure which is subsequently removed from the mold surface. An opening is formed in the resin structure by removing the resin infusion port and a portion of the resin structure adjacent the resin infusion port.

Abstract: Tooling apparatus comprises opposing first and second dies adapted to receive a three-dimensional honeycomb core article therebetween and including opposedly aligned arrays of elongated mutually parallel translating pins, each terminating at a tip end and arranged in a matrix for longitudinal movement between a retracted position and an extended position engageable with the article. A controller individually moves each of the translating pins in a coordinated manner between the retracted and extended positions and into engagement with the article to form it to a predetermined contour.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an aerodynamic control system which is attachable to an aircraft body and is operable between enhanced control and radar evasive modes. The aerodynamic control system is provided with an aerodynamic support structure which extends from the aircraft body. The support structure is rotatably attached to the aircraft body about a support structure rotational axis. The support structure has an outboard support and an inboard support which is disposed adjacent the aircraft body. The aerodynamic control system is further provided with an elongate torque member which extends from the aircraft body. The torque member has a torque rotational axis which is co-linear with the support structure rotational axis. The torque member further has an outboard end which is fixedly attached to the outboard support of the support structure. In the normal fight mode the inboard and outboard supports cooperatively rotate in response to rotation of the torque member.

Abstract: A riveting mechanism (10) is disclosed which includes a riveter (26) having a lower upset post (32) with a vertical member (48) mounting a cylinder (50) having a piston (52). At the end of the piston (52) is a roller (54). The cylinder can be actuated to move the piston and roller so that the roller contacts the outer side (66) of a intermediate arm (64) to move a stringer (14) against the lower upset post (32) to precisely locate the stringer relative the skin and lower upset post for riveting.

Abstract: A radar transponder and transponder system is provided for providing transponder communications signals embedded within radar interrogation and reply signals. The radar interrogation signals include transponder interrogation signals embedded within the bandwidth thereof. The transponders include a receiver for extracting the transponder interrogation signal and an offset frequency generator for up-converting or down-converting the transponder interrogation signal while remaining within the bandwidth of the radar signal. The transponders may be selectively enabled in response to interrogation signals having particular frequencies and/or in accordance with preset date or time schedules. The transponder outputs may be phase coherent with the interrogation signals and generated less than 10 nsec after receipt of the transponder interrogation signal. As such, the transponder reply signals are difficult to distinguish from the radar interrogation/reply signals.

Abstract: A pollutant-reducing catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is of ceramic and operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency. A ceramic foam is used as the substrate for the catalyst. The foam is an open-celled foam and the substrate is deposited on the walls of the cells. Thus, there is a maximum area of catalyst with a minimum amount of catalyst required. The catalytic converter can be placed in the engine compartment adjacent the engine for maximum efficiency without causing temperature problems within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A fuel containment area, and method of forming the same are disclosed herein. A fuel containment area is defined in part by a vehicle interior structure, such as an aircraft wing. Portions of the fuel containment area are provided with elastomeric partial bladders or appliques to bridge sections of the vehicle interior structure, to provide additional container integrity, and/or to segregate fuel from certain areas of the vehicle interior, e.g., about electrical components, mechanical leakages, or high temperature areas. The appliques are sealed to the vehicle interior by flexible transition joints to define a continuous, hybrid fuel container.

Abstract: A computer controlled optical system for angular alignment of structures which uses an optical imaging system input to a computer to synthesize regularly spaced reference and test line patterns replicated from binarized edges taken from the optical images of structures to be aligned. The two patterns are then combined resulting in an interference pattern in which the spacing of moire fringes indicates the amount of movement of the structures required to bring them to a predetermined alignment. All of the procedures are observable on the interference display. These moire fringe pattern are a quantitative measure of angular alignment between the reference and test images and of the edges from the structures from which they were taken. An operator programmed and controlled template automatically processes moire edge alignment measurements. An automatic template processor generates a test sequence template from the chosen areas for measurement by the operator.