Abstract: A naval mine combined fail-safe deployment and activation system which, ar the mine has been dropped from an aircraft, deploys a parachute to slow its descent and thereafter arms a target detection device when the mine has settled into the water to a predetermined depth for exploding the mine when a target is detected.

Abstract: In guidance systems such as bang-bang missiles or laser guided bombs, the cessary dynamic range is gained by switching between arrays of comparators as a function of signal strength.

Abstract: A generator having a tubular gear made of shape memory alloy in sheet form loatingly supported for rotation about an axis fixedly spaced from the rotational axis of a roller gear. The tubular gear is sequentially deformed by exposure to a geothermal heat source and meshing engagement with the roller gear. Such sequential deformation of the tubular gear is controlled by temperature differential to induce and sustain rotation of the gears in response to which the heat energy is converted into electrical energy.

Abstract: An underwater acoustic transmitter adapted to be released from a submerged ubmarine to float towards the surface of the water and explode a plurality of signalling charges at a predetermined depth in a predetermined time sequence.

Abstract: Personnel dosimeters are salvaged after use or prolonged storage by dividing batches thereof into separate groups on the visually observable degradation of radiation sensing surfaces thereon. The groups are reconditioned by different treatments to respectively correct for surface degradation and the effects of prior radiation exposure. A small fraction of the dosimeters withdrawn from the group treated for removal of the effects of prior radiation exposure, undergo gamma irradiation and measurement of resulting emissions to calculate correction factor assigned to the reconditioned dosimeters to compensate for reduced sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for producing an energistic porous warhead casing comprises the steps of mixing aluminum and magnesium powders in an Al:Mg weight ratio from about 22:78 to about 28:72, isostatically pressing said powders to form a preform of appropriate shape and with a density from about 20 to about 40 percent of the theoretical density, and heating said preform in an inert atmosphere at a temperature from 350 C to about 425 C until the density reaches 60 to 70 percent of the theoretical density.

Abstract: An explosive network forming an explosive logic clock for opening a time window during which a set of theoretically identical detonators must fire. The explosive logic clock also examines the first detonation to determine whether or not it is premature before propagating the detonations on to the explosive safing and arming network. The clock is constructed with a plurality of detonators, each detonator having a first branch of a branched outlet trail leading to a detonator time delay trail leading further to a logic switch. The logic switches are interconnected such that the detonation signal from the first detonator to detonate is extinguished in that detonator's logic switch while the remaining logic switches are set by the first detonation signal to allow propagation of their own detonation signals on to the safing/arming network.

Abstract: The invention, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a heat-shrink gun for eat-shrink applications in potentially explosive or flammable conditions, by using a non-electic non-flame producing, and non-sparking heat source. A hand-held housing has a nozzle attached thereto. A heat transfer element is attached within the housing and extends into the nozzle. The space within the nozzle formed between the heat transfer element and the nozzle defines an air heating chamber. A chemically reactive heat cartridge, contained within the heat transfer element, is activated via a striking force. The heat cartridge radiates heat along the heat transfer element into the air heating chamber. Air under pressure is supplied to the air heating chamber and exits the nozzle as hot air under pressure.

Abstract: An endless drive belt made of shape memory material is entrained about spd pulleys, one of which projects into a thermal heating region within which the drive belt undergoes contraction to form corrugations therein through which variable spaced contact is established with said one of the pulleys to induce rotation thereof and movement of the belt. The belt expands as it moves out of the thermal heating region causing the corrugations to flatten out as the belt approaches the other pulley.

Abstract: A new compound 2,2-dinitrobutyl 2,2-dinitropropyl formal (DNBPF),CH.sub.3 C(NO.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 C(NO.sub.sub.2 CH.sub.3,and a energetic plasticizer which is a 1:1 eutectic mixture of DNBPF and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal.

Abstract: A laser beam conducted through an optical fiber cable is phase modulated communication purposes by a signal encoder operative through a source of current to generate a modulated magnetic field applied to a magnetrostrictive sheathing. The magnetostrictive sheathing is annealed and covers a portion of the fiber cable which undergoes dimensional change to effect modulation.

Abstract: A single element infrared detector consisting of multiple layers of succeve epilayers of lead chalcogenides or their alloys with tin or cadmium to form two or more adjacent contiguous surfaces whereupon each surface is deposited with an ohmic contact. The multiple adjacent semiconductor surfaces are also each fitted or equipped with an non-ohmic contact that yields novel applications in terms of broad band and narrow scanning, particular when the epilayers are geometrically arranged to selectively allow the transmission of radiation to yield both broad band and narrow band responses concurrently so as to obtain a separate electrical signal from each adjacent contiguous semiconducting epilayer surface.

Abstract: A process for preparing monoclinic celsian from topaz and BaCO.sub.3, pows by heating an intimate mixture of the powders at a temperature of from 900.degree. C. to less than 1590.degree. C. in an atmosphere of the gases generated by the monoclinic celsian formation reaction itself.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optically detecting an object within close proxiy to a structure surface, e.g., the nose of a torpedo or claw of a robotic arm, and generating a responsive control or command signal. A cone of light is emitted from the structure surface to illuminate any object coming within its field. Light reflected from that object to a receiver is processed to generate a responsive first electrical signal. This first signal is further processed to generate a second signal, control or a command signal, only after the first signal has decreased to around 30% of its peak level indicating that the object has closed to within a predetermined distance to the structure surface.

Abstract: The invention is a carrier projectile 10 having a safety venting system wh prevents expulsion of the projectile cargo during accidental or inadvertent initiation of the expulsion charge 21. The venting system comprises a collar which closes vent holes when the projectile is fired. The normal activation sequence of the carrier projectile is firing to a predetermined range or time, activation of the expulsion charge thereby bursting open the carrier shell, and dispensing of the cargo. The venting system incorporated into the present invention precludes bursting of the carrier shell, even if the activation of the expulsion charge occurs, unless the vents have been closed by the actual firing of the projectile. The venting system provides a safety feature in the event that the projectile is subjected to fire or other thermal stress and in the event of a hot gun misfire the collar is operated by either angular acceleration or longitudinal acceleration.

Abstract: An underwater acoustic control system for use in a subsurface unit receiv coded signals. A hydrophone receives the signal and enables an electronics package to supply a control pulse which could activate a switch or fire a squib. A timer is included in the package to provide a delayed turn-on of the receiver circuit for as long a period as desired.

Abstract: Propagation of modulated radiation from a platform is substantially limited o unidirectional transmission through a body of water. Acoustical energy is generated at the surface of a remote object submerged in the water in response to impingement and absorption of the modulated radiation from the platform. Radiation of the acoustical energy generated adjacent the object is detected at the platform to extract data therefrom from which the location of the object relative to the platform is indicated.

Abstract: A safe/arm explosive delay path for detonating an explosive device and prnting detonation of the explosive device by extraneous factors present in the internal environment. The delay path comprises a detonator and first explosive trail leading to a delay explosive trail composed of explosive material and reactive material. A second explosive trail is connected to the first explosive trail and parallel to the delay explosive trail. The delay trail and second explosive trail terminate in an explosive junction. The explosive junction or explosive switch is a gated diode with the delay trail leading through the diode in the second explosive trail functioning to gate the diode. The gated diode allows a detonation wave propagating through the delay tail to proceed to the explosive device only when a detonation wave has propagated along the second explosive trail and gated the explosive diode prior to the arrival of the delay detonation wave.

Abstract: An intensity measurement system portion of a phase measurement and control ystem permits rapid measurement of the laser field intensity profile in the transverse plane of a main laser beam. The intensity measurement system portion measures the laser field intensity profile by measuring the intensities of a plurality of beam samples of the main laser beam. The aforementioned measured intensities are processed in a phase computer according to a predetermined algorithm to generate drive current profiles in response to the phase variations of the main laser beam. These drive currents a dither-control amplifier which causes electromechanical movement of a plurality of mirror segments of a multi-dither mirror to correct for the random phase variations in the main laser beam.

Abstract: An energetic uncured binder composite mixture comprising(1) a hydroxy-terminated polyfluoroformal prepolymer of the general formulaHOCH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.2 [OCH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.n H.sub.2 ].sub.m OHwherein n is 3 or 4 and m is selected to provide a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 for the prepolymer; and(2) an energetic plasticizer which isbis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal,bis(2,2-trinitroethyl)formal,bis(2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl)formal,bis(2,2-difluoro-2-nitroethyl)formal,2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal, or mixtures thereof;wherein the weight ratio of energetic plasticizer to prepolymer is from about 2:1 to about 5:1. This binder composite mixture is useful for preparing energetic plastic bonded explosives having high chemical and thermal stabilities.