Abstract: An engine testing system tests an engine at the end of a production line by controlling the fuel charge and ignition spark timing of an operating engine as a function of engine speed and air charge. The test is accomplished without the need for mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining encoding and modulation creates signal sets from available amplitude and phase modulations by indexing ordered subspaces. The subspaces need not be limited to the class of subspaces known as binary subspaces. The resultant signal sets, for a preselected power and bandwidth, are widely separated and unlikely to be confused by the effects of channel noise. Such signals can be in either finite block or convolutional form, depending on the natural format of the desired transmission. Further according to the invention are basic apparatus for encoding and modulating as well as demodulating and decoding a signal in accordance with the invention. Specifically, a method is provided for decoding the incorporates a specific type of decoding/demodulation techniques which develops accurate estimates of the information from the received signal in a computationally efficient manner and which permits high speed operation using softdecision decoders.

Abstract: A multi-spectral reticle projector coaxially projects two separate reticles at different wavelengths through a single aperture by using a lens system including a dichroic lens disposed coaxially between the two reticles. The visible light is reflected by the mirror and passes through the lens system twice, while the infrared light passes through the mirror and passes through the lens system once. At the output of the lens system, the two reticle images are superimposed, collinated and coaxial.

Abstract: A cold extrusion process for forming internal ring gears comprising the formation of an annular ring gear blank having precise inside and outside diameters, placing the workpiece over a circular mandrel having external gear forming die teeth and a pilot portion adapted to receive the blank, placing a die ring around the mandrel and the assembled workpiece, a circular punch arranged coaxially with respect to the mandrel and the workpiece, moving the punch into the annular space occupied by the workpiece between the die ring and the mandrel, advancing the punch by means of a press whereby the workpiece is cold formed through the external teeth of the mandrel, moving the die ring in synchronism with the downward motion of the workpiece through the die teeth thereby eliminating any frictional forces in the direction of motion of the die during the extrusion process, and retracting the die ring following the extrusion of the workpiece thereby permitting automated ejection of the workpiece.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission having a driving sheave assembly connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and coaxially mounted with respect to the crankshaft, an intermediate shaft upon which is mounted a driven pulley assembly, a drive chain or belt drivably connected the pulley assemblies, high range and low range gearing coaxially disposed with respect to the driven pulley assembly, a countershaft arranged in parallel and spaced disposition with respect to the secondary shaft wherein the countershaft is adapted to support forward and reverse gearing and improved bearing means for supporting the countershaft and wherein a differential output assembly connects torque output elements of the countershaft to each of two axle half shafts thus providing improved torque transmitting capacity with reduced overall dimensions due to reduced shaft spacing.

Abstract: A power steering gear for a vehicle capable of providing a variable degree of power assistance to supplement manual steering effort wherein the variable assist is achieved by controlling directly the magnitude of the steering pressure made available to a pressure operated motor by a vehicle engine driven pump, the magnitude of the pressure being controlled by a central processing unit that responds to vehicle steering wheel torque and vehicle speed to produce an appropriate steering pressure and power assist for all driving conditions.

Abstract: A microwave signal linearizer for a travelling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) provides for simple and flexible adjustment of a predistortion network suitable for independently compensating for a wide range of travelling wave tube amplifier-induced distortions. The linearizer or predistortion network is formed by three divided parallel passive microwave signal channels, the first channel having a coaxial microwave limiter diode network, the second channel having a variable attenuator for adjusting amplitude modulation (AM/AM) non-linearity, and a third channel for adjusting amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM/PM) non-linearity. Signals directed to the first and second channels are combined in a 180.degree. hybrid network to produce a difference signal which is directed through a difference channel to a 90.degree. hybrid network. The signals through the third channel are directed to the 90.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing and combining electromagnetic energy, particularly at microwave frequencies. An input port (4) is positioned generally equidistant from each of n output ports (5,6;31,32,33 . . . ), where n is a finite integer greater than 1. n quarter-wavelength impedance transforming conductors (20;41,42,43 . . . ) couple the input port (4) to the n output ports (5,6;31,32,33 . . . ), respectively. Positioned between each pair of adjacent output ports (5,6;31,32,33) is an isolation resistor (7). A pair of half-wavelength unity impedance transformers (21) couples each isolation resistor (7) to its two associated output ports (5,6;31,32,33 . . . ), respectively. The invention allows greater geometrical freedom than prior art splitters, and offers a lower loss for a given frequency.

Abstract: A variable conductance thermal insulation blanket regulates the temperature of a component (20) on the surface (32) of a spacecraft. The blanket comprises a sealed container (2) and a pressurized gas tank (10). When gas is introduced from the tank (10) into the sealed container (20), heat is conducted away from the component (20) into outer space via conduction through the gas molecules. Thus, component (20) is cooled. When gas is evacuated from within sealed container (2) and there is a vacuum there-within, heat conduction is thwarted, and the primary means of heat escape from component (20) is via radiation. However, radiation is also thwarted by means of a set of stacked radiation sheilds (24) having low emissivity but high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A system in which several colors of the spectrum are selectable to be displayed having common polarity and with high contrast against a black background, utilizing liquid crystal cells along with linear and color polarizers disposed along an optical axis so that comparable results in either reflective or transmissive modes are achieved, with appropriate light sources.

Abstract: A long travel damper having variable friction lag comprising a torque input cover plate and a torque output driven plate, a plurality of springs arranged on a circular spring guide for cushioning torque delivery between the cover plate and the driven plate, the springs having a large L/D ratio, and a friction lag clutch adapted to be actuated by cam plates connected respectively to the cover plate and the driven plate whereby the clutch is applied with a variable force that depends upon relative angular displacement of the cam plates.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gun assembly includes a gun barrel, a projectile structure disposed within the gun barrel, and a plurality of bore rider members disposed between the projectile structure and the gun barrel. The bore rider members are dimensioned and arranged to maintain the projectile structure spaced-apart from the gun barrel, restrict lateral movement of the projectile structure relative to the gun barrel, accommodate ablative mass loss, and accommodate static and dynamic gun barrel expansion. Each bore rider member has a tapered shape that includes converging first and second surfaces, the first surface facing the gun barrel, the second surface facing the projectile structure, and the first and second surfaces converging in a direction opposite to a direction of acceleration in which the projectile structure is to be accelerated along the gun barrel.

Abstract: A multiple ratio transmission having planetary gearing with clutches and brakes for establishing selectively each gear ratio, a hydrokinetic torque converter connecting a torque input shaft to a torque input shaft for the gearing and a hydrokinetic torque converter bypass friction clutch for connecting the torque input shaft directly to one of the torque input elements of the planetary gearing whereby the transmission may be conditioned for (i) open converter power drive mode, (ii) a normal drive mode wherein the converter is operated with an open bypass clutch during low speed ratios and wherein a split torque delivery is achieved in a higher speed ratio and wherein the torque converter is bypassed through the clutch during operation in the highest speed ratio, and (iii) an economy light throttle drive mode wherein the transmission is conditioned for open converter operation in the low speed range and for operation with the bypass clutch fully engaged for each of the higher speed ratios.

Abstract: The fill factor in a Pt:Si imager is greatly improved by (1) biasing the reflector plate as a field plate to eliminate the need for an N.sup.- guard ring along the edges of the imaging diodes; (2) reconfiguring the meander channel to use a single meander channel for two columns of diodes; and (3) using a self-demultiplexing output bus structure which requires no separate array space for clocking buses. Two different types of dual-sided meander channel are described.

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 carries 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 pump and regulator valve assembly having multiple pump and multiple regulator valve means that establish pressures of two or more operating pressure levels in a control system wherein the valve means has multiple valves that selectively respond to varying flow demands of the different regions of the control system to connect one or more pumps to reduced pressure regions when the flow demands of higher pressure regions are satisfied.

Abstract: A programmable voltage offset circuit (PVOC) (1) comprises a temporary latch memory (7); a latch disable circuit (5) which selects that PVOC (1) among several such circuits which may be simultaneously present on the same semiconductor chip; a resistor array (3); and a programmable nonvolatile memory (37). The desired voltage offsets V(OFFSET)s are temporarily produced in an iterative manner using the latch memory (7). Quasi-permanent voltage offsets V(OFFSET)s are then programmed using the nonvolatile memories (37), each of which typically comprises an EPROM (39). Application of an avalanche voltage V(STORE) to a PFET (43) portion of the EPROM (39) causes the PFET (43) to avalanche, thereby selectively programming the nonvolatile memory (37), depending upon the status of a signal supplied from the latch memory (7).

Abstract: The relative intensity of the transmit beam and the local oscillator beam in a ladar diplexer can be continuously adjusted during operation by using a rotatable retardation plate with a slightly inclined "C" axis to turn a polarized laser beam into a composite beam having two components polarized in mutually perpendicular directions. The relative intensity of the components is adjustable by varying the inclination of the "C" axis. The composite beam is applied to the same polarizer element normally used to separate the return signal from the transmit beam. The polarizer acts as the beam splitter which separates the local oscillator beam from the transmit beam. The described configuration also saves one beam splitter and allows improved packaging and alignment of the diplexer.

Abstract: An attitude control system for a three-axis controlled spacecraft (1) in which the location of thrusters causes significant cross-coupling torques. A thruster command conditioning electronics module (TCCEM) (3) is positioned between the conventional roll, pitch, and yaw loop controllers (41-43) and the thrusters (61-63). The TCCEM (3) converts spacecraft-axis-based torque requirement signals (TDX, TDY, TDZ) emanating from the loop controllers (41-43) into scalar quantities (UL, UM, UN) that are input to thruster modulators (51-53) that turn on one or more thrusters of the thruster pairs (L,M,N). The TCCEM (3) causes the spacecraft (1) attitude to be adjusted as commanded by the torque requirement signals (TDX, TDY TDZ) despite the presence of the cross-coupling. Two embodiments are illustrated: a working embodiment in which cross-coupling torques are produced about two axes (Y,Z), and a more general embodiment in which cross-coupling torques are present about all three axes (X,Y,Z).

Abstract: A wideband, aperture-coupled microstrip antenna comprising a multilayer structure and including a feed layer, a ground plane including an aperture therethrough, a plurality of tuning layers formed of dielectric material, at least one of the tuning layers including therein a tuning element in the form of an electrically-conductive material, herein called a tuning patch, and final radiating layer including a radiating patch. The multiple tuning layers serve to extend the operational bandwidth of the antenna as compared to other microstrip antennas. Aperture coupling allows realization of the antenna using integrated circuit fabication techniques without the shortcoming of direct physical connections between the feedline and the radiator, and thus providing simple, yet reliable coupling between the feedline and the antenna.