Abstract: The device uses a sensor probe in which a plurality of electrolyte level sensor coils and/or specific gravity stratification indicators are stacked vertically in the walls of a hollow electrically insulating and chemically nonreactive elongated probe housing such that the sensor coils never come into contact with the electrolyte. Balanced transformers or series resonant coils are used to sense changes in electrolyte level and/or changes in specific gravity at various respective levels to indicate stratification of electrolyte. The fields of the sensors are changed by the amount of electrolyte in the area of the sensor coils. These changes operate to produce signals that are read as digital or analog outputs.

Abstract: A radar decoder circuit for converting NRZL Data to radar video data which s supplied to a radar video display screen. The radar video circuit includes an Erasable Programmable Logic Device which decodes incoming NRZL data to identify a frame sync having twenty four data bits. When the frame sync is identified the location of sixteen bits of synchro data is also determined. The synchro data is then latched into a latch within the Erasable Programmable Logic Device for processing by a Digital-to-Synchro Converter. Control signals for effecting a transfer of the synchro data to the Digital-to-Synchro Converter are provided by enable and latch signal generating circuit within the Erasable Programmable Logic Device. The Digital-to-Synchro Converter converts the digital synchro data to analog synchro signals which are supplied to the radar video display allowing the display to indicate the direction the radar from which the NRZL data is received is pointing.

Abstract: A digital circuit comprising a pair of D Flip-Flops which synchronize an oming NRZ.sub.-- L serial data stream to an external ten megahertz clock signal. The combination of a third D Flip-Flop and an EXCLUSIVE-NOR gate generates a clear pulse whenever a change of state occurs within the synchronized serial data stream. This clear pulse is supplied to a ten state state machine resetting the state machine to state S0. When the state machine transition to state S4 the state machine generates an enable signal which is supplied to a toggle Flip-Flop enabling the Flip-Flop allowing the Flip-Flop to change state. The ten megahertz clock signal then clocks the toggle Flip-Flop causing the Flip-Flop to change state. At state S9 the state machine again provides an enable signal to the toggle Flip-Flop enabling the toggle Flip-Flop which allows the ten megahertz clock signal to change the state of the output of the toggle Flip-Flop.

Abstract: A multistatic radar signature measurement apparatus comprising a curvilin sensor array of photonic sensors which are used to measure the radar cross section of a target. The array of photonic sensors provide for the simultaneous collection of target scattered measurement data over an approximately semi-spherical field of view. Laser light passing through each photonic sensor of the sensor array is modulated by the photonic sensor in direct proportion to the strength/intensity of scattered waves from the target as the scattered waves pass through each photonic sensor of the sensor array. The modulated light from each sensor of the sensor array is then transmitted to an optical switching network which samples the optical signals from the array. The sampled optical signals are next provided to an RF receiver which converts the sampled optical signals to equivalent RF electrical signals.

Abstract: A reel payout system preferably for optical fiber guided tactical weapon tems to dispense a fiber data link or other strand member through a relatively small diameter exit aperture at a cone-shaped end of a housing containing the reel at relatively high velocities, the fiber dispensed from the reel generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reel normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A flame extinguishing pyrotechnic which flamelessly deflagrates to produce rimarily nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and a fluoroolefin. The flame extinguishing characteristic is achieved by reducing the content of oxygen proximate the deflagration as well as through the flame suppressing properties of particular fluoroolefins. The pyrotechnic composition contains an azido binder such as glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), an azido plasticizer, a solid tetrazole, and a perfluorocarboxylic acid salt. This composition is cured to a rubbery composite by the addition of an isocyanate.

Abstract: A shear layer of a fluid flow has relatively large vortical structures generated by acoustic forcing from oscillations induced in a cavity closely adjacent to the flow so that these structures enhance mixing at the layer. The forcing frequency is selected by varying the dimensions of the cavity, and several cavities of different dimensions may be provided for forcing at different frequencies, including beat frequencies. The cavity provides passive, high amplitude forcing effective with a compressible shear layer due to high speed flow, including supersonic flow. Cavities of differing configuration provide forcing for fluid flow from nozzles of different geometries. The most effective enhancement is provided by particular excitation frequencies generated by a cavity having a size selected in accordance with dimensionless relations between the flow parameters and nozzle geometry.

Abstract: Electrochromic systems providing enhanced cycle lifetime. The increase in cycle lifetime is a product of one or more of the following: novel or known asymmetric viologen compounds, mixed electrolyte systems, and mixed solvent systems.

Abstract: Preexisting elements are bonded by placing a sol-gel solution between juxtapositioned surfaces of the elements and sintering a gel formed from the solution at a temperature, which does not damage the elements, to form a sol-gel derived bonding material. The elements may be constructed of glasses, metals, infrared transmissive materials, or diamond, and bonded by sintering at about 300.degree. C. The bonding material may be resistant to high temperature and may have properties, such as refractive index, selected by varying the composition of the sol-gel solution. Optical and electronic articles are constructed by preparing a mandrel conforming to a substrate, which may be of arbitrary shape; depositing a coating on the mandrel; bonding the coating to the substrate with a sintered sol-gel; and removing the mandrel, as by etching.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a continuous underground tunnel and located inside f the forward end of a continuously rotating, pushed drillstring includes a housing for receiving pressurized drilling fluid, a nozzle including bores, attached forwardly to the housing for discharging the pressurized drilling fluid from the nozzle, a rotatable valve located in said housing for receiving and forwardly directing pressurized drilling fluid from the housing to the nozzle. The valve may be rotated in a 1st position, thereby directing the pressurized drilling fluid to a first set of bores in the nozzle for boring straight ahead. The valve may also be rotated in a 2nd position, thereby directing the pressurized drilling fluid to a second set of bores. By maintaining the valve in the 1st position for 1/4 rotation of each revolution of the drillstring and then maintaining the valve in the 2nd position for the remaining 3/4 rotation of each revolution of the drillstring, an off axis (curved) tunnel may be bored.

Abstract: A mobile safety structure for the storing and handling of containers of hrdous materials which comprises a secondary containment feature in the form of a base assembly having a containment pan. The base assembly also provides a framework for supporting a floor of removable grating which allows access to the containment pan. The mobile safety structure further comprises front, rear and side walls and a roof of very sturdy construction employing interior and outer surface steel panels supported by a generally rectangular shaped tubular steel framework for each wall and the roof of the mobile safety structure. There is sandwiched between the interior and outer surface steel panels of each wall a pair of gypsum boards and R-19 fiberglass insulation. The fiberglass installation allows the user of mobile safety structure to adapt the structure for use under varying climatic conditions, while the gypsum board provides the structure with at least a four hour fire rating.

Abstract: An electronics circuit for accurately digitizing an analog audio, video or ike data signal into a fourteen bit digital equivalent signal/words having thirteen data bits and a sign bit and then introducing a dither component into the digital equivalent signal. A Read Only Memory which generates an eight bit dither component to be added to a selected eight bits of each fourteen bit digital equivalent sample. The combination of an automatic gain control circuit and a data selector circuit is provided which selects eight of the thirteen data bits of each sample to supply to a binary adder which adds the dither component to each sample. The eight selected bits of each thirteen bit data sample provide optimum video, audio or like information for the sample. A binary adder is also provided to add the dither component to each bit sample before providing the resultant signal to a missile's telemetry system.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispensing a mono-filament strand, particularly adaptable r high speed strand dispensing, has an inner guide and an outer guide shaped so as to pay out or dispense the mono-filament strand, such as a fiber optic cable, between two objects moving relative to each other or one object moving relative to the other.The inner and outer guides define cooperating surfaces of revolution, curved surfaces, and points of inflection between straight and curved surfaces that provide for strand pay out in which the strand or fiber does not contact or slide off a bobbin or over the inner guide so as to create bending stresses or angular accelerations that exceed the known physical limits of the strand or fiber material.

Abstract: An audio information apparatus for providing position information as to the ocation of a target comprising a global positioning system receiver affixed to the target for generating a string of fifty ASCII characters representing the latitude and longitude spherical coordinates of the target. The fifty ASCII characters are supplied to a microprocessor which converts a predetermined number of the fifty characters to a plurality of a four bit addresses. The four bit addresses are supplied to a digital voice module which generates an analog audio voice signal in response to the four bit addresses. The analog audio voice signal which represents the location of the global positioning system receiver is supplied to a speaker. The speaker then broadcast the exact location of the global positioning system receiver. The analog audio voice signal is also supplied to a transmitter for transmission of the signal to a ground station.

Abstract: An improved method of inducing piezoelectric properties in polymer films, ch as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films and co-polymers thereof. This improved method involves applying uniaxial tensile forces to pre-aligned polymer films while simultaneously applying an electric poling field to the pre-aligned polymer films at room temperature to provide enhanced piezoelectric properties. This improved method does not require the use of heating equipment or temperature cycling equipment during the electric field poling of the polymer and thus represents a simpler and more cost efficient process of inducing piezoelectric properties in polymers.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus comprising a reservoir for providing a medication er pressure and a housing which has a centrally located chamber and a wave shaping chamber located in a front portion of the housing. Positioned between the wave shaping chamber and the centrally located chamber is a blast valve. The plunger of a reciprocating piston has a vertical extending support member attached its front end. A power supply provides a square wave signal at a predetermined frequency to a coil alternatively energize and de-energize the coil. When the coil is energized the piston moves rearward. De-energizing the coil results in forward movement of the piston. A plurality of inlet ports positioned around the housing between an inlet manifold coupled to the reservoir and the centrally located chamber allow the medication to enter the chamber as a medicated vapor when the piston is drawn rearward.

Abstract: A color changing pigment composition which changes color reversibly when ted comprising (a) a cyclic aryl lactone dye, (b) a diaminoalkane activator and (c)an ester. The pigment composition can also include a white pigment such as titanium dioxide as an opacifier or a yellow dye such Hansa yellow G. The pigment composition changes from a dark color, e.g. blue, to white when the composition is heated to a specified temperature, e.g. to a temperature of 52.degree. C., and reversibly changes from white back to the blue color when the pigment composition is cooled, e.g. to a temperature below about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A multiple stores weapons rail comprising a box beam structure spanning the nderside of an aircraft's fuselage. The box beam structure has a forward structural member and a rear structural member which are flexibly coupled by a ball joint coupling at a predetermined location on the aircraft's fuselage. Extending from the box beam structure are first, second and third identically shaped elongated pylons with the first elongated pylon being located on the centerline of the box beam structure and the second and third elongated pylons being positioned adjacent the first elongated pylon at angle of about 24 degrees. Each of the three elongated pylons has front and rear portions flexibly coupled at the predetermined location on the aircraft's fuselage. The first elongated pylon has first, second and third openings, while the second and third elongated pylons each have first and second openings with each opening being adapted to accommodate a missile launcher or bomb rack.

Abstract: Mixed metal chalcogenides formed of lanthanide chalcogenides having the formula MLnX.sub.2 where M is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu and Au; Ln is one of the elements of the lanthanide family other than Pm and X is selected from the group consisting of S, Se and Te and having electrical properties that range from dielectrics to semiconductors to metallic conductors in a temperature range from -50.degree. C. to in excess of +100.degree. C. The lanthanide chalcogenides can be prepared by slow fusion of the basic elements such as silver, lanthanum and selenium, in substantially stoichiometric properties, in powder form under an extended time period at elevated temperature, e.g. 650.degree. C. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: The addition of cathode materials comprising Cu.sup.++, Fe.sup.+++, Cr.sup.+++ or Au.sup.+++, in the form of salts such as the nitrate or halide, e.g. Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3 or CuCl.sub.2, to low melting nitrate electrolyte cells increases cell potential. Other ions such as Co.sup.++, Eu.sup.+++, La.sup.+++, Ni.sup.++, Mn.sup.++, Ce.sup.+++, Pr.sup.+++, Nd.sup.+++, Gd.sup.+++, Sm.sup.+++ and Tb.sup.+++, in the form of salts thereof, can also be used, but yield smaller cell potentials. Such cathodic materials in the form of a suitable salt, such as a nitrate or halide, e.g. Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3 or CuCl.sub.2, are added to low melting fused nitrate electrolytes, e.g. a LiNO.sub.3, KNO.sub.3 mixture, in a concentration sufficient to increase cell potential, using Li or Ca anodes. A suitable metal current collector such as a Ni screen can be used as a cathode. The above cathodic materials can be used in conjunction with other cathodic materials such as AgNO.sub.3, which undergoes reduction to the free metal.