Abstract: A novel packaging system for VLSI circuits allows low-cost construction and maintenance of complex high density high-performance devices with low power requirements. The devices can be individually created by software means from a small selection of standardizable IC chips by disposing a plurality of chips in leadless chip carriers in a mosaic on a substrate, and configuring them by software to selectively communicate with other chips of the mosaic or even to individually change their operating function. The immediate juxtaposition of the chip carriers in the mosaic eliminates transmission line data skew, and also allows considerable savings in chip space and power requirements by dispensing with interconnection drivers, receivers and bonding pads.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic multiple ratio transmission having a compound planetary gearset with clutches and brakes that are selectively engageable and released to establish two underdrive ratios, a direct drive ratio and an overdrive ratio, as well as a reverse ratio, the clutches and brakes being operable by fluid pressure operated servos, the clutches and brakes for establishing the underdrive ratios and the direct drive ratios being disposed between the planetary gearing and a hydrokinetic torque converter, a friction clutch engageable for overdrive operation and disposed on the opposite side of the planetary gearing and two torque input shafts, one being concentrically disposed with respect to the other, the torque input shaft for overdrive operation being connected to torque input portion of the overdrive clutch through an intermediate shaft adapted for articulation to accommodate eccentricities between the bearing supports disposed on opposite sides of the planetary gearing.

Abstract: Controlling ignition current in the ignition control system of an internal combustion engine includes determining the amount of time it takes current in the ignition coil to reach a desired or limit value and adjusting the time of starting ignition coil charging before spark firing to be substantially equal to the amount of time it takes ignition coil charging current to reach the desired or limit current value.

Abstract: A method for controlling transition from thruster control to momentum wheel control to minimize nutation angle and transition time in a three-axis stabilized spacecraft employing an internal body fixed-momentum wheel as an attitude stabilizer. The method employs direct, substantially real-time measurement of momentum components and angular rates and generates paired roll thrust impluses and paired yaw thrust impulses in synchronization with the nutation period of the spacecraft to drive the spacecraft to a state of substantially zero nutation. The controller employs a deadbeat principle in a closed-loop real-time feedback system. In a preferred embodiment, the impulsive thruster firing commands in roll and yaw are simultaneous, spaced one-half nutation period apart in time with the effect that the target momentum is achieved in one to three pairs of impulse firings.

Abstract: A time delay shifter imparts a constant time delay to an electromagnetic signal, preferably a signal at a microwave frequency, over a band of frequencies. The phase shift imparted to the signal is a linear function of frequency. The shifter comprises a finite number of delay units (1) each having four single-pole single-throw switches (11-14). Closure of the first and third switches (11, 13) causes the signal to traverse a first path (2) containing a preselected length of transmission line that imparts a fixed time delay to the signal. Closure of the second and fourth switches (12,14) causes the signal to traverse a minimum-delay path (3) which is shorter than the delay path (2). The paths (2,3) are fabricated of coplanar waveguide. Each switch (11-14) is resonated by an inductor (21-24) for purposes of increasing isolation. An attenuator (70) is inserted in each minimum-delay path (3).

Abstract: A pulsation damper for a swashplate air conditioning compressor comprising a tube adapted to be inserted in the discharge port of the compressor to provide internal damping whereby the pressure pulsations are forced to travel in a reentrant flow path as the pulsations from one side of the compressor cancel or neutralize the pulsations from the other side.

Abstract: A power steering gear mechanism for vehicles with a variable assist characteristic having primary and secondary steering valve portions, the primary portion controlling pressure in a power steering fluid motor, a steering control valve that controls the magnitude of the steering assist as a function of vehicle speed the secondary steering valve portion developing a steering torque signal, and an electronic signal processor for controlling the steering control valve in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the steering torque signal.

Abstract: A telescope body is disclosed. The telescope body generally includes a primary structure for holding a mirror, a secondary structure for holding a means for receiving a reflection from the mirror, and a mounting section connecting the primary and secondary structure. The primary and secondary structures include four-bar linkages which have linkage action planes intersecting at the focal point of the mirror. Apparatus for preventing the secondary structure from intruding in a raypath of light to the means for receiving a reflection is also disclosed.

Abstract: Consolidation of active and passive detectors (26, 28, 34) on a single coldfinger (20) in a dewar (10) is made possible by interposing between the detectors (26, 28, 34) an electromagnetic interference shield (64, 68) which acts as a waveguide filter blocking any interfering frequencies. The waveguide is formed by a pair of spaced interleaved shields (64, 68), one of which (64) is associated with the dewar envelope and is externally grounded, and the other of which is associated with the coldfinger (20). Photons which penetrate through the waveguide (64, 68) are deflected to the outside of the dewar (10) by a flanged narcissus shield (40) surrounding the passive detector (34).

Abstract: A throttle valve system for an automatic transmission control circuit comprising a solenoid pilot valve and a pressure regulating throttle pressure spool valve for developing a throttle valve pressure for use in initiating control functions in a multiple ratio transmission wherein the output signal of the throttle valve can be used as an indicator of the driving torque wherein the force requirements of the variable force solenoid are reduced and wherein the sensitivity of the pressure regulating throttle valve to the output signal of the pilot valve and to changes in engine torque is improved relative to prior art throttle valve systems, the pilot valve being effective to control a larger flow insensitive regulating valve and the stroke of the solenoid actuator for the pilot valve being minimal.

Abstract: A novel packaging system for VLSI circuits allows low-cost construction and maintenance of complex high density high-performance devices with low power requirements. The devices can be individually created by software means from a small selection of standardizable IC chips by disposing a plurality of chips in leadless chip carriers in a mosaic on a substrate, and configuring them by software to selectively communicate with other chips of the mosaic or even to individually change their operating function. The immediate juxtaposition of the chip carriers in the mosaic eliminates transmission line data skew, and also allows considerable savings in chip space and power requirements by dispensing with interconnection drivers, receivers and bonding pads.

Abstract: A novel packaging system for VLSI circuits allows low-cost construction and maintenance of complex high density high-performance devices with low power requirements. The devices can be individually created by software means from a small selection of standardizable IC chips by disposing a plurality of chips in leadless chip carriers in a mosaic on a substrate, and configuring them by software to selectively communicate with other chips of the mosaic or even to individually change their operating function. The immediate juxtaposition of the chip carriers in the mosaic eliminates transmission line data skew, and also allows considerable savings in chip space and power requirements by dispensing with interconnection drivers, receivers and bonding pads.

Abstract: The manufacture of monolithic HgCdTe detectors and Si circuitry in an IR focal plane array is achieved by forming a protective layer of SiO.sub.2 or SiN.sub.x on a silicon wafer containing silicon circuits, etching steep-wall recesses into the wafer, selectively depositing epitaxial single-crystal layers of GaAs, CdTe, and HgCdTe in the recesses fabricating HgCdTe IR arrays, and depositing appropriate insulating and conductive interconnection patterns to interconnect the Si devices with one another and the HgCdTe devices with the Si devices. Little or no GaAs, CdTe, and HgCdTe grows on the SiO.sub.2 or SiN.sub.x outside the recesses. Since material grown outside the recess is polycrystalline, it is easily chemomechanically removed.

Abstract: A three-axis accelerometer (4) mounted on board a spacecraft (10) proximate a fuel tank (3) is used to derive an estimate of the amount of fuel (2) remaining within the tank (3). The output of the accelerometer (4) is converted (at 7) to a signal representing the rate of change of the polarity of the acceleration; amplitude information is ignored. This signal is then filtered by bandpass filter (8) or Fourier transform means and applied against an empirically derived function (stored within storage medium 9) relating frequency of oscillation to fuel (2) remaining in the tank (3). The function is stored for three axes; information from one axis is accessed, corresponding to the vector of a perturbing force such as caused by a thruster (11) firing. Some or all of the above described items can be located on board the spacecraft (10) itself. The accelerometer (4) can also be used directly to estimate the force imparted by the thruster, from the expression F=MA.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a silicon micromachined nozzle plate which coacts with a fuel flow valve to control fuel flow out of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A microwave-frequency microstrip antenna (10) simultaneously usable for both transmitting and receiving microwave-frequency signals that have dual orthogonally polarized components. The components may be either linearly or circularly polarized. A radiating patch (26) is mounted on a first dielectric (12). A ground plane (20) abuts the first dielectric (12) and has two elongated coupling apertures (32,31) at right angles to each other. A second dielectric (22) abuts the ground plane (20) and has embedded thereon two substantially identical conductive planar feed networks (52,51) that are disposed at right angles to each other. At least one additional optional dielectric layer (16,18) having a conductive patch (36,34) may be interposed between the first dielectric (12) and the ground plane (20) for purposes of broadening the bandwidth of the antenna (10). A meanderline polarizer (45) or a 3 dB 90.degree. hybrid coupler (40) may be used for converting from linear polarization to circular polarization.

Abstract: A method of operating an onboard diagnostic system for a distributorless ignition system of an internal combustion engine includes detecting the time of occurrence of a spark plug firing and calculating the time of spark plug firing. The calculated time and the detected time are compared to see if they come within a predetermined time period, adjusted for averaged rotational velocity. A fault is indicated if the time of occurrence of the calculated and the detected spark do not come within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: Apparatus for gaging the amount of liquid propellant remaining in a spacecraft (38) tank (1). The tank (1) comprises several preferably V-shaped channels 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, hereinafter collectively referred to as "2" which communicate liquid propellant from regions within the tank (1) to an outlet port (8) that expels liquid propellant but not pressurant gas. A liquid/bubble chamber assembly (9) couples the channels (2) with the outlet port (8). The channels (2) comprise relatively open portions (11) and relatively closed portions (10). A first ultrasonic transducer (31) is positioned along the outside of the tank (1) and detects a condition of near propellant depletion by measuring the amount of liquid retained in the relatively open portions (11) of the channels (2). The liquid/bubble chamber assembly (9) comprises a liquid trap (27) and a bubble trap (28).

Abstract: An inexpensive, reliable analog ramped-voltage timing device (34, 36, 38, 40, 44) can be used in a laser echo ranging device capable of resolution in the decimeter range by using a very steep ramp (42), and a flash A/D converter (50) to instantaneouly sample the ramped voltage upon receipt of the laser echo.

Abstract: A vibration type sensor can make a noncontacting measurement of position or sense the passage of an object past a point. The sensor has a coil of wire placed on a vibrating structure. A power supply causes current to be passed through the coil at the resonant frequency of the vibrating structure. As an object with an attached magnet approaches the coil, a force is exerted on the current carrying coil thereby exciting the structure at its resonant vibrational frequency. A piezoelectric bimorph is attached to the structure so that it flexes with the structure producing an emf output proportional to the vibrational amplitude. As the object moves, the field strength at the coil, the amplitude of the vibration and the induced emf change. The latter quantity is used to sense the motion of the object.