Abstract: A frequency independent beam waveguide comprises a row of equispaced identical axisymmetric phase setting means (1), which may be lenses or reflectors, or a combination of both, spaced a distance D apart from each other. The focal length of each phase setting means (1) is D/2. A launcher (2) spaced a distance D away from the first phase setting means (1A) in the row emits a beam of electromagnetic energy in the direction of said row. The phase and amplitude distribution in the cross-section (A) of the beam at the mouth of the launcher (2) is duplicated every other phase setting means (1) along the row (at locations B), independent of the frequency of the launched beam. As a result, the beam propagates along the row.

Abstract: Stars are sensed by one or more instruments (1, 2) on board a three-axis stabilized satellite, for purposes of assisting in image navigation. A star acquistion computer (64), which may be located on the earth, commands the instrument mirror (33, 32) to slew just outside the limb of the earth or other celestial body around which the satellite is orbiting, to look for stars that have been cataloged in a star map stored within the computer (64). The instrument (1, 2) is commanded to dwell for a period of time equal to a star search window time, plus the maximum time the instrument (1, 2) takes to complete a current scan, plus the maximum time it takes for the mirror (33, 32) to slew to the star. When the satellite is first placed in orbit, and following first stationkeeping and eclipse, a special operation is performed in which the star-seeking instrument (1, 2) FOV is broadened.

Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic and electronic control valve system for an automatic, multiple-speed motor vehicle transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and change-speed gearing adapted for four forward ratios and one reverse ratio, a converter lockup clutch control valve in conjunction with a lockup clutch shift valve adapted to control the lockup clutch and an electronic control module for superseding the action of the lockup clutch shift valve.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering gear mechanism having a driving pinion connected to a driver controlled steering shaft through a torsion rod, a gear rack engageable with the pinion and connected to steering gear linkage members, a fluid motor having a movable piston connected to the rack, a steering valve comprising a valve sleeve connected to the pinion, an inner valve member in the sleeve connected to the steering shaft, and a pressure distributor fluid circuit connecting opposed side of the motor to the steering valve whereby pressure is distributed selectively to one side or the other of the piston to provide a power assist during steering maneuvers.

Abstract: A layer of HgCdTe (15) is epitaxially grown on a crystalline support (10). A single crystal CdTe substrate (5) is first epitaxially grown to a thickness of between 1 micron and 5 microns onto the support (10). Then a HgTe source (3) is spaced from the CdTe substrate (5) a distance of between 0.1 mm and 10 mm. The substrate (5) and source (3) are heated together in a thermally insulating, reusable ampoule (17) within a growth temperature range of between 500.degree. C. and 625.degree. C. for a growth time of between 5 minutes and 13 hours. In a first growth step embodiment, the source (3) and substrate (5) are non-isothermal. In a second growth step embodiment, the source (3) and substrate (5) are isothermal. Then an optional interdiffusion step is performed, in which the source (3) and substrate (5) are cooled within a temperature range of between 400.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. for a time of between 1 hour and 16 hours.

Abstract: A passive propellant management system for a spacecraft liquid propellant tank (1) comprises several preferably V-shaped channels (2) which communicate liquid propellant from regions within the tank (1) to an outlet port (8), which 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). In the relatively open portions (11), liquid is retained in a gap (12) between open ends of the V channels (2) and the inner wall of the tank (1). In the relatively closed portions (10), a screen, mesh or perforated plate (14) covers the open end of the V channels (2), intermediate the V channels (2) and the inner wall of the tank (1). The placement of the relatively open and closed portions (11, 10, respectively) is intentionally preselected based upon mission requirements. Where pressurant gas ullage is expected to be present, e.g.

Abstract: A spark plug for providing an ignition spark has a center electrode. At least a portion of the center electrode contains an alloy material from an alloy family of M-CrAlY wherein M is nickel, cobalt, iron or a combination of these elements and Cr is chromium, Al is aluminum, Y is an element from the group yttrium, zirconium, hafnium or titanium.

Abstract: A Schottky barrier photodiode for detecting infrared radiation uses implantation of metal ions to form a metal silicide. An annular N+ type silicon guard ring is formed in a p-type silicon substrate. Metal ions are implanted into the exposed surface area of the silicon substrate surrounded by the silicon guard ring. The resulting structure is annealed to form a silicide of the implanted metal. A portion of the silicon substrate encircled by the silicon guard ring and above the metal silicide is removed. A thin oxide passivating layer is formed above the metal silicide.

Abstract: A pressure sensor uses two fluidically coupled piezoelectrically driven, vibrating cantilever structures, each tuned to the same fundamental resonance frequency. One cantilever, the driver, is electrically driven at resonance and at constant vibrational amplitude. The other cantilever, the receiver, responds due to the gaseous coupling and generates an output signal proportional to pressure.

Abstract: A threadless linear actuator apparatus comprising a sealed actuator unit with a sealed housing for a set of spool-shaped roller bearings. The roller bearing set includes at least one variable pitch loading roller and two fixed pitch rollers arranged in a skewed relationship about a cylindrical drive shaft. A variable moment is applied to the apparatus through a moment applied about an axis which is perpendicular to and intersects the drive shaft axis which, when applied, varies the pitch of the pivotable loading roller.

Abstract: A three-axis controlled spacecraft (1), typically a satellite, is spun up about its roll axis (20) prior to firing a motor (2), i.e., a perigee kick motor, to achieve the requisite degree of angular momentum stiffness. Thrusters (21) for imparting rotation about the roll axis (20) are activated in open-loop fashion, typically at less than full duty cycle. Cross-axis torques induced by this rotational motion are compensated for by means of closed control loops for each of the pitch and yaw axes (30, 40, respectively). Each closed control loop combines a prebias torque (72) with torques (75, 74) representative of position and rate feedback information, respectively. A deadband (52) within each closed control loop can be widened during the spinup, to conserve fuel. Position feedback information (75) in each of the control loops is disabled upon saturation of the gyroscope associated with the roll axis (20).

Abstract: A parking lock for an automatic transmission for motor vehicles, having a parking gearwheel mounted rotationally and rigidly on the output shaft of the transmission, includes a pivotable parking pawl adapted to engage the parking gearwheel, and actuating rod with a sliding sleeve (5) displaceable relative to the actuating rod against the force of an engagement spring, the parking pawl being adapted to be moved by the sleeve into an operative position, the actuating rod (8) being shaped by upsetting to form a thickened piston portion (11) which is received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt drive comprising adjustable primary and secondary sheaves, a primary shaft connected drivably to an axially fixed cone sheave part and to a companion axially displaceable cone pulley part, an axially displaceable actuating servo cylinder connected to said axially displaceable cone pulley part, an actuating servo piston connected to said primary shaft including cam follower members connected respectively to said primary shaft and to a torque input clutch, one follower member defining in part a pressure regulating valve element that regulates the magnitude of the pressure in the actuating servo.

Abstract: A telescoped ammunition round has a propellant charge with an axial cavity. A projectile is housed within the cavity for being fired from the ammunition round. A wear additive is coupled to the forward portion of the propellant charge adjacent the axial cavity.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for a vehicle power steering system comprising a rotor (42) rotatable in and cooperating with a stator (20) to define a pump cavity (52), (54), inlet and outlet ports (56), (58) and (34), (36) communicating with the pump cavity and a flow control valve (96) located in the flow delivery circuit wherein provision is made for opening the flow delivery circuit to a bypass circuit (72) upon an increase in the speed of the vehicle beyond a design point thereby reducing the pump back pressure and power usage which results in increased "road feel" at increased speeds while maintaining normal power assist during steering maneuvers at low speeds.

Abstract: An r.f. phase modulator operable at up to extremely high frequencies. A circulator (1) having input, output, and isolated ports (2, 3, 4, respectively), channels an r.f. carrier (15) in a prescribed direction. Fitting into an open end of the output port (3) is a moving reflective surface (6) coupled via a moving plunger (7) fixedly mounted at one end thereof to a housing (5) fixedly mounted with respect to the circulator (1). A modulating signal (9) is applied to the plunger (7), causing the reflective surface (6) to move linearly within the output port (3). This change in path length of the carrier (15) produces linear phase modulation thereon. The plunger (7) can comprise a magnetostrictive material (7A), a piezoelectric material (7B), a thermally expansive material (7C), or a combination thereof. The invention can be used for temperature compensation and phase stabilization as well as phase modulation.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and a second fuel of different volumetric energy content, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine determines a desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels are determined. The desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture is determined as a function of the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine includes calculating a base amount of fuel mixture needed to achieve a desired air to fuel ratio at a predetermined engine operating condition. Such a base amount of fuel mixture is modified as a function of the temperature of the internal combustion engine and is a function of the percentage of the first fuel.

Abstract: A four wheel drive for a wheeled vehicle wherein the driver of the vehicle has the option of establishing a front wheel drive, a rear wheel drive, four wheel drive and four wheel lockup drive including multiple ratio gearing, a main geared differential and an interaxle geared differential.

Abstract: A circuit for extending the frequency range of a digitally generated FM signal (f). A digital frequency generator (1) generates a precise FM waveform at a frequency up to about 50 MHz. Coupled to the FM signal (f) is a phase lock loop (53, 55, 57) comprising a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (57) whose output frequency can be much higher than the frequency of the FM signal (f). In a first embodiment, a crystal oscillator (61), mixer (59), and low pass filter (63) are used to bring the output (f') of the VCO (57) down into the range of the digital frequency generator (1). In a second embodiment, an analog frequency divider (73) is used to bring the output (f') of the VCO (57) into the range of the digital frequency generator (1). In a third embodiment, the single sideband (SSB) generator (37) from the digital frequency generator (1) and a counter (66) are used in a partly analog, partly digital, negative feedback loop.