Abstract: A penetrometer for coal-shale interface detection for use with coal cutting equipment consisting of a reciprocating hammer having an accelerometer mounted thereon to measure the impact of the hammer as it penetrates the ceiling or floor surface of a mine. Additionally, a pair of reflectometers simultaneously view the same surface, and the outputs from the accelerometer and reflectometers are detected and jointly registered to determine when an interface between coal and shale is being cut through.

Abstract: A horizontally mounted solar collector for collecting solar energy utilizing a vertical deflector assembly, a stationary reflector and a collector. The deflector assembly contains a plurality of vanes which change the direction of the solar energy to the vertical, while constantly keeping the same side of the deflector facing the sun. The vertical rays are then reflected off the stationary reflector and are then absorbed by the collector.

Abstract: A retractable environmental seal for use in sealing the opening of the exit cone for a rocket nozzle comprising a diaphragm-like cover having a central region adapted to be seated in sealing relation with the periphery of the opening and characterized by radially extended failure zones for facilitating a pressure-induced rupture of the cover, and a plurality of angularly spaced tension springs connected with the peripheral portion of the cover for retracting fractured segments of the cover from the opening subsequent to a pressure-induced rupture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for collecting solar radiation rays and for converting the radiation rays into a concentrated beam of parallel rays having a fixed orientation. The apparatus includes an optical system for collecting and concentrating the solar radiation rays and for converting the rays into concentrated beam of parallel rays. A system of mirrors is utilized to provide a concentrated beam of parallel rays which remain fixed in orientation as the optical system is rotated around a tracking axis. The concentrated beam of fixed orientation is then utilized for supplying thermal energy to a stationary solar appliance.

Abstract: A direct current transformer in which the primary consists of an elongated strip of superconductive material, across the ends of which is applied a direct current potential. Parallel and closely spaced to the primary is positioned a transformer secondary consisting of a thin strip of magnetoresistive material.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a structure in outer space from rolls of prepunched ribbon or sheet material that are transported from the earth to the apparatus located in outer space. The apparatus spins the space structure similar to a spider spinning a web utilizing the prepunched ribbon material. The prepunched ribbon material is fed through the apparatus and is shaped into a predetermined channel-shaped configuration. Trusses are punched out of the ribbon and are bent downwardly and attached to a track which normally is a previously laid sheet of material. The size of the overall space structure may be increased by merely attaching an additional roll of sheet material to the apparatus.

Abstract: A computerized system for translating a torch head tip at a constant travel speed along a contoured workpiece including a driven skate characterized by an elongated bed, a pair of independently pivotal trucks connected to the bed in supporting relation therewith and mounted on a contoured track of an arbitrary configuration in mutually spaced relation, an axially extensible torch head manipulator arm mounted on the bed of the carriage and projected perpendicularly from the midportion thereof and having a torch head mounted at its distal end, and a real-time computerized control drive subsystem to advance the skate along the track at a variable rate for maintaining a constant speed for the torch head tip and to position the torch axis relative to a preset angle to the workpiece.

Abstract: An FM/CW radar system with improved noise discrimination in which the received signal is multiplied by a sample of the transmitted signal, and the product signal is employed to deflect a laser beam as a function of frequency. The position of the beam is thus indicative of a discrete frequency, and it is detected by the frequency encoded positions of an array of photodiodes. The outputs of the photodiodes are scanned, then threshold detected, and used to obtain the range and velocity of a target.

Abstract: An improved method of constructing a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device having multiple layers of metal deposited by D.C. magnetron sputtering at low D.C. voltages and low substrate temperatures provides multilevel interconnections and cross over between individual circuit elements in integrated circuits without significantly reducing the reliability or seriously affecting the yield.

Abstract: A servo controlled target replica, and a surface bearing a computer generated line drawing of an object are individually viewed by separate television cameras allowing a two-dimensional composite of the target replica and the object to be displayed on a monitor simulating what an observer would see through a window in a spacecraft. The target replica is coded along one self coordinate axis in such a way that the distance of an elemental area on the target along the axis is capable of being remotely readout by a television camera. A third television camera responsive to the code reads out this information by which the Z-coordinate, relative to the observer, can be calculated, on-line with the scan, for the contents of each picture element of the scene televised by the target camera.

Abstract: A spherical bearing including an inner ball having an opening for receiving a shaft and a spherical outer surface. A circular outer race including a plurality of circumferentially spaced sections extending around the inner ball for snugly receiving the inner ball. A groove extends circumferentially around the race producing a thin wall portion therebelow which permits the opposed side portions to flex relative to the ball for maximizing the physical contact between the inner surface of the race and the spherical outer surface of the ball.

Abstract: A panel for selectively absorbing solar energy comprising an aluminum substrate, a layer of zinc thereon, a layer of nickel over the zinc layer and an outer layer of solar energy absorbing nickel oxide or a copper substrate with a layer of nickel thereon and a layer of solar energy absorbing nickel oxide distal from the copper substrate. A method for making aforesaid panels is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the effectiveness of stray light suppression light shields and baffle arrangements used in optical space experiments. The light shield and baffle arrangement and a telescope model are contained in a vacuum chamber. A source of short, high-powered light energy illuminates portions of the light shield and baffle arrangement and reflects a portion of same to a photomultiplier tube by virtue of multipath scattering. The resulting signal is transferred to time-channel electronics timed by the firing of the high energy light source allowing time discrimination of the signal thereby enabling the light scattered and suppressed by the model to be distinguished from the walls and holders around the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of obtaining intensified images from silver images on developed photographic films and plates comprises the steps of converting silver of the developed film or plate to a radioactive compound by treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution of an organo-S35 compound; placing the treated film or plate in direct contact with a receiver film which is then exposed by radiation from the activated film; and developing and fixing the resulting intensified image on the receiver film.

Abstract: A three-mirror telescope having an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a hyperbolic secondary mirror, and an ellipsoidal tertiary mirror, with the three producing an image in a conveniently located finite plane for viewing.

Abstract: An improved rotatable mass for a flywheel characterized by a plurality of coaxially aligned, contiguous disks mounted on a spin shaft, each disk of the plurality being formed of a plurality of woven fibers disposed in a plane transversely related to an axis of rotation with the fibers of alternate disks being continuous throughout their length, while the midportion of the fibers of the remaining disks of the plurality is removed for defining annular voids concentrically related to the spin shaft.

Abstract: A velocity sensor for sensing the speed of a moving conductive body employing an E-shaped magnetic core having a pair of spaced Hall effect devices positioned on the end of the central core, the ends of all cores being arranged adjacent to the path of the moving conductive body. The difference in output voltage registered by the two Hall effect devices is indicative of the speed of the conductive body.

Abstract: An automatic hybrid holograhic non-destructive testing (HNDT) method and system capable of detecting flaws or debonds contained within certain materials. This system incorporates the techniques of optical holography, acoustical/optical holography and holographic correlation in determining the structural integrity of a test object. An automatic processing system including a detector and automatic data processor is used in conjunction with the three holographic techniques for correlating and interpreting the information supplied by the non-destructive systems. The automatic system also includes a sensor which directly translates an optical data format produced by the holographic techniques into electrical signals and then transmits this information to a digital computer for indicating the structural properties of the test object. The computer interprets the data gathered and determining whether further testing is necessary, as well as the format of this new testing procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning contaminated surfaces such as hydro-carbon contaminant films in high vacuum environments including a plasma discharge housing for allowing a plasma to be generated in an environment having a higher pressure than the surface which is to be cleaned. A ground electrode and a radio frequency electrode partially surround a quartz plasma tube, for the introduction of an ionizable gas therein. These electrodes ionize the gas and help generate the plasma. This plasma flows through a non-constrictive aperture, through the plasma discharge housing and then on to the contaminated surface.

Abstract: A field effect transistor and method of making the same wherein a semi-conductor layer is placed on an insulating substrate, and wherein the gate region is separated from source and drain regions of a like conductivity type to that of the source and drain regions but of reduced conductivity, the gate electrode and gate region of the layer being of generally reduced length, and the gate region being of greatest length on its surface closest to the gate electrode. This is accomplished by initially creating a relatively large gate region of one polarity, and then reversing the polarity of a central portion of this gate region by ion bombardment, thus achieving a narrower final gate region of the stated configuration.