Abstract: A valve control having a valve body (5) with an actuator stem (16) and a rotating handle (35) connected to the actuator stem by differential drive mechanism (25, 26) which, during uniform movement of the handle in one direction, initially opens the valve (20) at a relatively slow rate and, thereafter, completes the valve movement at a substantially faster rate. A series of stop rings (44-48) are received about the body in frictional abutting relationship and serially rotated by the handle to uniformly resist handle movement independently of the extent of handle movement.

Abstract: A mechanical connection system comprises a first body 10 defining a receptacle 38 and a second body 12 defining a pin 24 matingly receivable in said receptacle 38 by relative movement in a first directional mode. A primary latch 64 is engagable between the first 10 and second 12 bodies to retain the pin 24 in the receptacle 38, the primary latch 64 being reciprocable in a second directional mode transverse to the first directional mode. A lock member 50 carried by one of the bodies 10 or 12 is operatively associated with the primary latch 64 and movable, transverse to the second directional mode, between a locking position maintaining engagement of the primary latch 64 and a releasing position permitting release of the primary latch 64. The lock member 50 includes an operator portion 54 engagable to move the lock member 50 from its locking position to its releasing position. The operator 54 is located internally of the first body 10.

Abstract: A receiver for tracking and demodulating several types of phase modulated communications, either analog or digital data, for either residual carrier or suppressed carrier signal and for phase modulation or keying of two, four or higher phase angles, from 0.degree. through 360.degree.. A carrier component signal and a converted series sideband component signal are obtained from the incoming signal and summed to produce a carrier tracking signal, permitting more accurate tracking of the above types of phase modulated data.

Abstract: A heat-resistant, protective glove having a shell made of a fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber, the outer surface of the shell being coated with a fire-resistant elastomer and a liner, generally conforming and secured to the shell and disposed inwardly of the shell, the liner being made of a felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber.

Abstract: For transmission of data from the computer to the peripheral, the computer initially clears a flipflop which provides a select signal to a multiplexer. When the computer is ready to provide data to the peripheral, it produces a data available signal or data strobe signal while the data is being provided to the interface. Setting of the flipflop causes a gate connected thereto to provide to the peripheral a signal indicating that the interface has data available for transmission thereto. In response thereto, the peripheral provides an acknowledge or strobe signal to transfer the data to the peripheral. This acknowledge signal is also provided to the gate to shut off the signal being provided to the peripheral. Setting of the flipflop also causes the multiplexer to change state so that it now can multiplex the acknowledge signal to the pulse generator. The pulse generator then resets the flipflop, so that it is now ready for transmission of more data from the computer to the peripheral.

Abstract: A hexagonal protective and high temperature resistant system for the Space Shuttle Orbiter consists of a multiplicity of pockets formed by hexagonally oriented spacer bars 11 secured ot the vehicle substructure 12, a packing of low density insulating batt material 18 in each pocket, and a thin protective panel 19 of laterally resilient advanced carbon-carbon material surmounting the peripheral bars 11 and packing 18. Each panel 19 has three stepped or offset lips on contiguous edges, as M-1, M-2, M-3, the other three edges, as M-4, M-5, M-6, being non-stepped, i.e., flat so that complementary edges of abutting panels rest against the peripheral bars. At the center of each pocket is a fully insulated stanchion 15 secured to and connecting the substructure and panel for flexing the panel toward the substructure and thereby prestressing the panel and forcing the panel edges firmly against the spacer bars.

Abstract: A microwave radar signal is generated (12) for transmission through an antenna (20). Before transmission, the signal is phase modulated (18) by 0.degree. or 90.degree. amounts during each alternate half-cycles of an intermediate frequency (IF) clock signal (26). After transmission and return, the signal is again phase modulated (18) the same amounts during each alternate half-cycles. The return phase modulated signal is mixed (24) with a leakage signal component of the microwave signal, leaving an IF doppler. The IF doppler signal may then be amplified (30), removing any requirement that direct current level signals be amplified and also removing the effect of detector noise from the doppler signal.

Abstract: A heat-resistant protective glove having first and second shells which generally define the palm side and backside of the glove, respectively, each of the shell sections being made of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber, the first shell section being a twill weave, the second shell section being a knitted fabric, a first liner section having a flame-resistant, elastomeric coating on a surface contiguous the inner surface of the first shell section, and a second liner section inwardly of the second shell section, the first and second liner sections generally conforming to the configuration of the first and second shell sections, respectively, both of the first and second liner sections being comprised of a felt fabric of a temperature-resistant aromatic polyamide fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for releasably connecting first and second space objects, such as a spacecraft and a space vehicle, in predetermined spaced relationship. The apparatus comprises at least one probe member (10) mounted on the first object (1), having an elongated shank portion (11), the distal end of which is provided with a tapered nose portion (12). At least one drogue assembly (20) is mounted on the second space object (2) for releasably capturing the probe member 10 upon the first and second objects (1 and 2) being brought into close proximity with each other.The drogue assembly (20) may comprise a housing (21, 28) which carries a cone subassembly (40, 41) having inwardly tapered conical surfaces (42, 43) for receiving the probe member (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating gravitational forces on a living organism wherein a series of negative pressures are externally applied to successive lengthwise sections of a lower limb of the organism, the pressures decreasing progressively with distance of said limb sections from the heart of the organism. A casing defines a chamber adapted to contain the limb of the organism and is rigidified to resist collapse upon the application of negative pressures to the interior of the chamber. Seals extend inwardly from the casing for effective engagement with the limb of the organism and, in cooperation with the limb, subdivide the chamber into a plurality of compartments each in negative pressure communicating relation with the limb. Controls apply negative pressures to the compartment and maintain the negative pressures at incrementally different levels in respective ones of the compartments.

Abstract: A method of installing fragile, light-weight, high-temperature fiber insulation, particularly where the insulation is to be used as a seal strip providing a high order of thermal barrier insulation. The process is based on provision of a strip of the mineral batting cut oversize by a predetermined amount, saturated in a fugitive polymer solution, compressed in a mold, dried and cured to form a rigidized batting material which may be machined to required shape. The machine dimensions would normally be at least nominally less than the dimensions of the cavity to be sealed. After insertion in the cavity, which may be a wire-mesh seal enclosure, the apparatus is subjected to baking at a temperature sufficiently high to cause the resin to burn off cleanly, leaving the batting substantially in its original condition and expanded into the cavity or seal enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-layer absorbent product (10) for use in contact with the skin to absorb fluids, the product having a water pervious facing layer (12) for contacting the skin, a first fibrous wicking layer (14) overlaying the water pervious layer, a first container section (17) defined by inner and outer layers (16, 18) of a water pervious wicking material between which is disposed a first absorbent mass (20), a second container section (20) defined by inner and outer layers (22, 24) of a water pervious wicking material between what is disposed a second absorbent mass (28), and a liquid impermeable/gas permeable layer (30) overlaying the second fibrous wicking layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for preloading a spring loaded threaded member. The apparatus is formed of three telescoping tubes. The innermost tube has means to prevent rotation of the threaded member. The middle tube is threadedly engaged with the threaded member and by axial movement applies a preload thereto. The outer tube engages a nut which may be rotated to retain the threaded member in axial position to maintain the preload.

Abstract: Means for controlling the compression pressure in an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders and subject to widely varying power output requirements. Received between each crank pin (C) and connecting rod (D) is an eccentric sleeve (F) selectively capable of rotation about the crank pin and/or inside the rod and for latching with the rod (D) to vary the effective length of the connecting rod and thereby the clearance volume of the engine. The eccentric normally rotates inside the connecting rod during the exhaust and intake strokes but a latching pawl (F) carried by the eccentric is movable radially outwardly to latch the rod and eccentric together during the compression and power strokes. A control valve (J) responds to intake manifold pressure to time the supply of hydraulic fluid to move the latch-pawl outwardly, varying the effective rod length to maintain a substantially optimum firing chamber pressure at all intake manifold pressures.

Abstract: Flame retardant, abrasion resistant elastomeric compositions comprised of thermoplastic polyurethane polymer and flame retarding amounts of a filler selected from decabromodiphenyloxide and antimony oxide in a 3:1 weight ratio, and decabromodiphenyloxide, antimony oxide, and ammonium polyphosphate in a 3:1:3 weight ratio respectively. Also, flame retardant, abrasion resistant, and heat sealable coated fabrics employing such elastomeric compositions as coating film.

Abstract: A liquid degassifier including a containment vessel (10), a liquid pump (16) and a header assembly (12) within the containment vessel (10) in a volume above the reservoir (11a) of liquid therein. The pump (16) draws from this reservoir and outputs to the header assembly, the latter being constructed to return the liquid to the reservoir in the form of a stacked plurality of vertically spaced, concentric, conical cascades (13a, 14a and 15a) via orifices (13, 14, and 15).A vacuum source (34) provides a partial vacuum in the containment vessel (10) to enhance the degassing process.

Abstract: A bio-medical flow sensor (FIG. 1) including a packageable unit of a bottle (10), tubing (11) and hypodermic needle (12) which can be pre-sterilized and is disposable. The tubing (11) has spaced apart tubular metal segments (18,19). The temperature of the metal segments and fluid flow therein is sensed by thermistors (23,24) and at a downstream location heat is input by a resistor 25 (FIG. 2) to the metal segment (19) by a control electronics (16, FIG. 2). The fluid flow and the electrical power required of the resistor (25) to maintain a constant temperature differential between the tubular metal segments (18,19) is a measurable function of fluid flow through the tubing (11). The differential temperature measurement is made in a control electronics 16 (FIG. 2) and also can be used to control a flow control valve or pump (17) on the tubing (11) to maintain a constant flow in the tubing (11) and to shut off the tubing when air is present in the tubing.

Abstract: Measuring apparatus for determining changes in the volume of limbs or other body extremities by determining the cross-sectional area of such limbs may comprise a transmitter (10) including first and second transducers (11, 12) for positioning on the surface of the limb at a predetermined distance therebetween, and a receiver (20) including a receiver crystal (21) for positioning on the surface of the limb. The distance between the receiver crystal and the first and second transducers are represented by respective first and second chords (d.sub.1, d.sub.2) of the cross-section of the limb (C) and the predetermined distance between the first and second transducers is represented by a third chord (d.sub.3) of the limb cross-section (C).The measuring apparatus may also include a Pinger (10) and associated electrical circuitry for generating acoustic pulses at the first and second transducers (11, 12) for propagation along the first and second chords (d.sub.1, d.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressive testing of a test specimen may comprise vertically spaced upper and lower platen members (1 and 2) between which a test specimen (T) may be placed. The platen members are supported by a fixed support assembly (3, 5, and 6). A load indicator (14) is interposed between the upper platen member (1) and the support assembly (6) for supporting the total weight of the upper platen member (1) and any additional weight which may be placed thereon. Operating elements (8 and 17) are provided for moving the lower platen member (2) upwardly toward the upper platen member (1) whereby an increasing portion of the total weight is transferred from the load indicator (14) to the test specimen (T).The testing apparatus may include limit devices (20 and 22) for limiting the movement of the lower platen member (2) toward the upper platen member (1) to prevent permanent deformation in the test specimen (T).

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for the determination of functional capability of bodies. Reach as well as velocity, acceleration and force generation at various positions may be determined for a body by a three dimensional kinesimeter equipped with an ergometer. A general data package indicative of performance potential of a subject body or collection of bodies is provided for interfacing with data characteristic of various environments.