Abstract: A system that partitions or divides the functions of a radio into channels and divides the functions of each channel into two major functions: 1) antenna interface and power amplification; and 2) hardwired mixing, modulation/demodulation and signal processing and further partitions the mixing through signal processing functions into the functions of a) programmable analog mixing and b) programmable digital modulation/demodulation and signal processing. Control and user interface functions, if needed for a particular application can also be functionally partitioned.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an aerodynamic control device for integrated use with an aircraft having an inboard lifting member. The inboard lifting member having a leading edge, a pair of opposing distal edges and a trailing edge. The control device is provided with a movable outboard member which extends substantially about the leading, distal and trailing edges of the inboard lifting member and is spaced apart therefrom. The outboard member is provided with a leading edge portion, a pair of opposing distal edge portions, and a trailing edge portion which are collectively movable in unison in relation to the inboard lifting member to form an uninterrupted airfoil surface extending about the inboard lifting member and the outboard member for achieving desired aerodynamic control of the aircraft.

Abstract: A moving target simulator for testing a radar system has a radio frequency receiver, a digital radio frequency memory in electrical communication with the radio frequency receiver for storing a signal received thereby, a digital delay circuit in electrical communication with the digital radio frequency memory for providing a time delay between reception and transmission of the radio frequency signal, an amplitude modulation circuit in electrical communication with the digital radio frequency memory for modulating an amplitude of the radio frequency signal, a Doppler modulation circuit in electrical communication with the digital radio frequency memory for providing a Doppler-modulated signal, and a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the radio frequency signal after it has been delayed, amplitude-modulated, and/or Doppler-modulated.

Abstract: A square wave power inverter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, first and second input voltage sources, and a pair of power switching transistors connected series between the first and second voltage sources for selectively connecting the first and second input voltage sources to the primary winding of the transformer. A pair of output terminals is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer for receiving a load. An inverter control is connected to the gates of the switching transistors for generating a gate drive signal. The inverter control generates a low impedance, substantially square wave, gate drive signal, producing a substantially square wave inverter output when a substantial load is connected to the output terminals, and a high impedance gate drive signal, producing a trapezoidal inverter output when a light load is connected to the output terminals.

Abstract: A heat-resistant, thermally stable, ductile piston ring for an internal combustion engine having a structure comprised at least partially of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material. The FRCMC material includes a polymer-derived ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers. The ceramic portion of the material for the most part provides the heat-resistance of the FRCMC material, while the fibers produce a desired degree of ductility in the FRCMC material. Filler materials may incorporated into the piston ring to produce the desired degree of hardness and/or coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An integrated brake pad and back plate having a brake pad section formed from a first fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material and a back plate section formed from a second FRCMC material. The brake pad and back plate are integrated because the sections are molded together to form an integral, unitary structure. The first FRCMC material used in the brake pad section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state, fibers and possibly a filler material. The types and amount of these constituents are generally chosen so as to impart characteristics desirable in brake pads, such as high temperature and erosion resistance, and a high coefficient of friction. The second FRCMC material used in the back plate section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers.

Abstract: An improved shimming process and release composition for filling the gap between a releasable composite skin and a supporting body with a liquid shim material, using a novel viscous liquid release composition free of volatile vehicle. The liquid release composition is viscous and easy to apply by brushing or wiping, and enables complete and clean release of the composite skin without delamination. The release composition is easy to clean from the parted surfaces of the cured shim material on the composite skin and the supporting body.

Abstract: A deformable aircraft door which is movable between open and closed positions and is adapted to substantially maintain contact with the door frame for reducing a perimeter gap between the door and the door frame. The aircraft door comprises an edge portion which is formed to engage the door frame, and an elastic portion which is attached to the edge portion. The elastic portion is selectively expandable and contractible for permitting movement of the edge portion relative to the door frame when the aircraft door is in the closed position so as to substantially maintain contact between the edge portion and the door frame despite changes in the geometry of the door frame.

Abstract: Aqueous ceramic slurry compositions comprising a critical mixture of lithium silicate, sodium silicate, zirconia powder, glass frit and a magnetic filler, within predetermined amounts, and process of coating substrates therewith by spray or brush methods, and rapidly curing at low temperatures, up to about 500.degree. F. and as low as below about 375.degree. F. This provides a solid, protective, electromagnetic ceramic layer which is resistant to high humidity degradation or blistering after exposure to temperatures of about 1000.degree. F., such as 0.4 mach hot gas.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a store covering for reducing the radar observability of an externally mounted store is provided with a non-rigid body covering. The body covering is provided with a radar reflective material. The body covering is formed to fit around a portion of the externally mounted store. The body covering is in slidable engagement and disengagement about at least a portion of the externally mounted store to allow repeated installation and removal.

Abstract: A method and a stable local oscillator system for providing a signal centered at a frequency of interest to a radio frequency (RF) converter. The method includes the following steps: (a) generating an output signal which comprises a fundamental signal centered at a fundamental frequency and a harmonic signal centered at the frequency of interest which is equal to an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency; (b) amplifying the output signal such that the harmonic signal is amplified more than the fundamental signal; and (c) bandpass filtering the amplified output signal such that the amplified fundamental signal is substantially suppressed and the amplified harmonic signal is used as a local oscillator in the RF converter. An example is given for the case where the fundamental frequency is 1.67 gigahertz (GHz), and the frequency of interest is 3.34 GHz which is the second harmonic.

Abstract: A supersonic ground vehicle having a housing configured from a pair of back-to-back symmetric housing components, and a shock-reflecting surface which extends in the direction of travel of the housing and which aerodynamically interacts with the housing to form a supersonic biplane, thereby substantially reducing aerodynamic pressure drag.

Abstract: Absolute strain is measured by providing a coherent beam of light and separating the coherent beam of light into first and second beams which are in quadrature with one another and which have different polarization angles. The first and second beams are combined in a manner which maintains the different polarization angles thereof, so as to form a combined beam. The combined beam is then applied to a Fabry-Perot strain sensor so as to form a reflected combined beam. The reflected combined beam is then separated into first and second reflected beams having different polarization angles. The intensity of the first and second reflected beams is then sensed, so as to determine a change in the etalon length of the Fabry-Perot sensor. The change in etalon length is indicative of the absolute strain sensed.

Abstract: A method for accounting for individual ones of a plurality of items based upon random times that occur as a function of a first specified time interval, and a random interval inventory system that operates in accordance with the method. The method includes a first step of transmitting information signals based upon random times from individual ones of a plurality of tags (5a1-5xx) to at least one of at least one master transceiver and at least one transceiver (4a-4n). The individual tags (5a1-5xx) are affixed to respective individual ones of a plurality of items. The information signals transmitted from each tag (5a1-5xx) correspond at least to the respective item to which the tag (5a1-5xx) is affixed. The random times occur as a function of a first specified time interval.

Abstract: A method for tutoring a trainee in a simulator comprises the steps of defining an expert system simulating an activity, and using the expert system to provide instructional feedback to the trainee. The step of defining an expert system comprises constructing a decision support system so as to define a human factors engineering module, programming a plurality of training scenarios, and establishing automated performance measures. The method for tutoring of the present invention eliminates the need to have an expert trainer available and the consequent expense associated therewith.

Abstract: A block-set form die assembly (14) for press or stretch forming a product (12), such as a sheet metal product, is provided. In one embodiment, the block-set form die assembly (14) comprises a pin box (18) having a number of pins (20) contained within a containment box (22). The pins (20) within the containment box (22) can extend longitudinally to form a surface contour (24). A set-block (26) engages the pins (20) to set the longitudinal extension of the pins (20) to form the surface contour (24).

Abstract: A coating thickness measurement system (10) for measuring a thickness of a coating (12) on a coated substrate (14) is provided. The coating thickness measurement system (10) may comprise a light source (16), a detector system (18), and a processor (20). The light source (16) directs a light beam (22) at an angle (26) oblique to an axis (28) of the coating (12). The light beam (22) striking the coating (12) produces a reflected light beam (36). The detector system (18) measures a reflectivity of the coating (12). The processor (20) receives the reflectivity measurement and determines the reflectivity of the coating (12). The thickness of the coating (12) is determined from the reflectivity of the coating (12).

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an tool and method for structurally applying fiber stiffeners to a material. The tool inserts a plurality of fibers embedded in a transfer material through a hat stiffener and into a substrate and includes a first head, a second head, and a handle. The first head is defined by a roller having first edges and a center cutout. The cutout corresponds to the thickness of the transfer material. The second head is located at a distal end from the first head and is defined by a roller having second edges and a center groove. The groove corresponds to a thickness associated with guiding the tool along the corner of the hat stiffener. The first and second edges conform to the surface of the substrate. The center handle is coupled between the first head and second head for gripping. The first head is adapted to initially drive the fibers embedded in the transfer material through the hat stiffener and into the substrate.

Abstract: A method for separating a desired signal from an interfering signal, which is particularly useful when the desired signal is substantially weaker than the interfering signal, includes the steps of providing a combined signal which contains both a desired signal and an interfering signal; performing a Fourier transform upon the combined signal; providing a reference function which is a function of the amplitude, frequency and phase of the interfering signal; performing a Fourier transform upon the referenced function; multiplying the real components of the Fourier transform of the combined signal by the real components of the Fourier transform of the reference signal to form a product; and subtracting the product from the Fourier transform of the combined signal to form transformed data less interference, i.e., the desired signal.

Abstract: An optical filter for intentionally blurring camera images has a generally transparent material and a plurality of optical distortions formed in the transparent material. Placement of the transparent material longitudinally in the optical path of a camera in front of the aperture stop allows contouring the blur across the image plane. That contour is preferably random, so as to defeat digital methods for image restorations. Additionally, a linear gradient is utilized to even-out the ground resolution on oblique cameras or localized to even-out resolution on cameras that have areas of unwanted high resolution.