Abstract: A narrow banded acoustic transducer is driven by a VCFO whose output is varied by input signals of variable amplitude. One can simulate acoustic emissions for purposes of calibrating transducers which monitor a structural part for such emissions. Different signals for the control of the VCFO are generated to provide for specific test pulses.

Abstract: This device comprises a flexible sheet member having cross convolutions oriented 45.degree. to the shear vector with spherical reliefs at the convolution junctions. The spherical reliefs are essential to the shear flexibility by interrupting the principal stress lines that act along the ridges of the convolutions. The spherical reliefs provide convolutions in both directions in the plane of the cross-convolution ridges.

Abstract: Acoustic signals are received, selectively filtered, and digitally processed, e.g., by digitizing an amplitude, the peak of an echo, or the transit time, and the digital data are stored in a memory whose storage cells are associated with particular frequencies. Other acoustical signals are similarly processed but compared with the reference data to obtain a spectral representation of differences or ratios.

Abstract: A gaseous medium containing aerosols is drawn through a quartz sampling tube and a filter located therein, with the aerosols becoming entrapped on the filter. The filter is located at the geometric center of a microwave cavity, and the principal resonance of the latter is tracked with the aid of an adaptive electronic circuit. The time rate of change of the resonant frequency is a function of the rate of deposition of particulate matter on the filter, and principally of the liquid water content of those aerosols. Water in the vapor phase passes through the filter and does not affect the measurement; solid particulate does affect the frequency shift but in a second order manner and is readily compensated for after measurement of total aerosol mass deposited and the determination of the dielectric constant of the solid species therein.

Abstract: Chlorine trifluoride dioxide is disclosed for use as an oxidizer in formulating energetic compositions, such as propellants. The stable ClF.sub.3 O.sub.2 is produced by reacting a ClO.sub.2 F.sub.2 .sup.+ salt with a strong Lewis base at -78.degree. C.

Abstract: Liquid oxygen-compatible water washable substantially biodegradable dye penetrant composition having excellent sensitivity and high stability, for use in non-destructive dye penetrant inspection particularly of parts or mechanical components which are later placed in contact with liquid oxygen, and which are compatible with a wide variety of metals including steel alloys, such composition consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of certain oxyalkylated alcohols, preferably ethoxylated linear alcohols,particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, and an average of from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide, and a nonhalogenated solvent which is volatile at room temperature, e.g. a ketone such as methyl ethyl ketone or acetone, or a suitable alcohol such as ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling aircraft flight control surfaces. A signal indicative of control surface movement rate is provided and tested for level and duration. When said rate indicative signal exceeds a predetermined level for a predetermined time, authority of positioning apparatus over the aircraft control surface is reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a selected metal nitride utilizing a salt bath. The selected metal is introduced into the salt bath in the presence of gaseous nitrogen and at least a certain amount of a halide of the selected metal. The salt bath is maintained at a temperature above its melting point for time sufficient to form a precipitate of the desired amount of a nitride of the selected metal. In accordance with a preferred embodment, the pressure is thereafter reduced to less than atmospheric and the temperature increased above the boiling point of the salt for a time sufficient to volatilize the molten salt which is removed to leave a precipitate of the selected metal nitride. The method is particularly applicable to the production of the mononitrides of uranium, plutonium, thorium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An improved method of synthesizing nitryl perchlorate by oxidizing chlorine nitrate with ozone.

Abstract: The pressure measurement system utilizes two bourdon tubes with an active side connected to a test specimen and a reference side connected to an outside source. The tubes are attached to a single extensometer measuring relative displacement. The active side deflects when gases vent a specimen failure. The reference side is independently pressurized to a test pressure and provides a zero reference while providing a pressure calibration reference for the active side. The deflection noted by the active side at specimen failure is duplicated on the reference side by venting until an appropriate magnitude of pressure versus deflection is determined. In this way the pressure which existed inside the specimen prior to failure can be determined.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave guiding rotary joint admitting of rotary motion about two or more axes. A spherical journal and a complementary spherical race afford electromagnetic communication between two wave guiding means.

Abstract: A process for the production of a synthesis gas, capable of being upgraded to a high BTU pipeline gas, by the partial oxidation and substantially complete gasification of a carbonaceous material under CO-promoting conditions wherein the carbonaceous material, oxygen, and recycled carbon dioxide from the process are introduced into a molten salt containing an alkali metal carbonate and a minor portion of an alkali metal sulfide, the system being operated at a selected temperature and pressure between 1400.degree. and 2000.degree. F and between 1 and 100 atmospheres. The molar ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen employed is controlled at from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1 to control the CO production and also to maintain the molten salt at a desired operating temperature. Sulfur and ash introduced with the fuel are retained in the molten salt.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for measuring dimensional change in a structural member, and particularly change in a fastener due to tensile stress, utilizes means for double pulsing a transducer to transmit an acoustic pulse into the member at one end for reflection from its other end with a period between paired pulses selected to cause the second echo received of the first pulse to coincide with the first echo of the second pulse. A VCO is employed with a digital counter to time the period between paired pulses, the interval between successive paired pulses, and the time of a predetermined number of pulse pairs. The latter timing is used to alternatively shift the frequency of the VCO high and low to cause the first echo of the second pulse to be offset in phase from the coincidence position it might have at the central frequency.

Abstract: A liquid expulsion device having a tank enclosing a flexible bladder containing liquid to be expelled and an insoluble gas. Prior to expulsion the combined liquid and gas volume remains constant so that during environmental changes the bladder is forced into intimate flush contact with the tank and is incapable of flexing and becoming ruptured. Liquid is expelled through a surface tension screen that blocks passage of the gas.

Abstract: A solid propellant motor is fabricated by spreading a propellant onto an uncured reinforced fabric tape to a uniform thickness and then partially curing the mass to a semi-rigid state. The semi-rigid blanket is then rolled with an air gap between the spirally wound layers. The final configuration of the motor is subsequently fully cured.

Abstract: A compact modular electrical energy storage device comprising one or more cell modules in which certain components of the device are maintained in a substantially fixed position in the device by utilizing a resilient porous body of compressed carbon fibers to resiliently urge the components into physical contact with one another. The invention further provides means for maintaining the cell components in such fixed position during cell operation at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.A preferred compact cell module construction particularly suitable for use in a high-temperature, high-energy-density lithium battery includes two positive electrode assemblies positoned in opposing relationship by a U-shaped spacer member maintained in contact with a separator member of each positive electrode assembly by a resilient porous body of compressed graphite fibers, a unitary double-faced negative electrode assembly being positioned between the two positive electrode assemblies.

Abstract: Water washable substantially biodegradable dye penetrant composition for use in non-destructive dye penetrant inspection of parts for locating cracks and flaws therein, consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, a carrier or solvent for said dye in the form of certain ethoxylated linear alcohols, particularly the biodegradable nonionic surfactants comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, and an average of from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide, and glycol monobutyl ether for thinning the dye penetrant solution substantially without affecting the sensitivity of the penetrant or its biodegradability, and facilitating application of the liquid dye penetrant composition by spraying to the surface of an object or part to be inspected.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric energy storage device including a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte, at least one electrode including a plurality of wall members, forming a plurality of cells having a certain open cross-sectional area, a substantially planar electrolyte-permeable member affixed to the wall members and covering the open end of the cells, and a body of electrochemically active material in said cells; the active material being a solid at the operating temperature of the device and retained in the cells of the wall members by the electrolyte-permeable member.

Abstract: A water washable substantially biodegradable dye penetrant composition having excellent sensitivity and high stability, for use in non-destructive testing of objects to locate voids and defects therein, said composition consisting essentially of an organic dye, preferably a fluorescent dye, and a carrier or solvent for said dye, in the form of a mixture of certain ethoxylated linear alcohols, particularly a combination of biodegradable nonionic surfactants each comprised of ethoxylates of a mixture of secondary alcohols having linear alkyl chains of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, one of which contains an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide, and another of which contains an average of 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A range-gated doppler processor, adapted for cooperation with a non-coherent receiver of a pulsed energy system and comprising a plurality of switched R-C signal-storage (integrating) networks, each switched-on for a preselected interval corresponding to a successive one of a plurality of range bins-to-be-sampled for providing a stored time-averaged signal indicative of the clutter content at such interval. Differential signal-combining means responsive to the sequential outputs of the switched R-C networks and the range trace signal provides a substantially clutter-free moving target signal for subsequent utilization. Pairs of switched R-C networks may be additionally employed in ancillary stages for compensatory signal-shaping and bandpass filtering, while a subsequent single chain of switched networks may be used for range coherent integration of the video-detected MTI signal.