Abstract: A precision power gear train assembly particularly adaptable for use with vehicles having a 360.degree. rotatable turret mounted thereon. The assembly embodies novel spring and stop means to minimize backlash and to limit gear tooth disengagement of the enmeshed output pinion and ring gears of such an assembly. More specifically a pinion-ring gear assembly mounts a gear box to oscillate about an axis parallel to the pinion axis of rotation such that the tooth pressure between pinion and ring gear biases the teeth apart, increasing backlash. A preloaded spring biases the gear teeth into tight mesh to eliminate backlash until the tooth pressure force exceeds a predetermined maximum. Thereafter, further increases in the tooth pressure force separates the teeth by compression of the spring beyond its preloaded compression. A stop limits tooth separation.

Abstract: A bump stop for a trunnion-mounted weapon that includes a torsion bar shock bsorber carried by the receiver portion of the weapon for absorbing shock loads as the weapon nears the limits of its upward and downward motion. The bump stop is advantageously characterized by compactness, high energy-absorbing capacity, durability, insensitivity to temperature or other environmental variations, and usability in two directions, up and down.

Abstract: A pulsed laser beam intensity monitor measures the peak power within a selectable cross section of a test laser beam and measures integrated energy of the beam during the pulse period of a test laser. A continuous wave laser and a pulsed ruby laser are coaxially arranged for simultaneously transmitting optical output energy through a crystal flat during the time a test laser pulse is transmitted through the flat. Due to stress birefringence in the crystal, the ruby laser pulse transmitted through the flat is recorded and analyzed to provide peak power information about the test laser output pulse, and the continuous wave laser output reflected from the crystal flat provides a measurement of energy during the test laser pulse.

Abstract: A non-spinning projectile for combat use against battlefield targets has a tapered paramidal shape with a sharply pointed nose. A supersonic launch speeds the nose causes formation of a generally conical shock wave. Along its length aft of its nose, the projectile has two fin-like projections spaced apart on each side of a symmetrical undersurface and adapted to capture the shock wave so that its pressure effects provide lifting force to the projectile undersurface.

Abstract: An electroexplosive device and percussion safe and arm device in which a ton actuated squib or a directional shaped charge is used to set off a pyrotechnic booster charge that is rotated relative to the squib to align the booster charge with the squib and thereby enable the squib to set the booster charge off. The booster charge is used to ignite an initiator main charge or an additional booster charge that then sets off an initiator main charge.

Abstract: A conventional shock absorber is modified by adding a valve cage to the rod nd and providing an additional cylinder outside the shock absorber to form an annular reservoir outside the shock absorber. Temperature sensitive valves open when oil heats to a potentially destructive level, unloading the shock absorber. When the oil cools to a safe operating temperature, the temperature sensitive valves re-close and the shock absorber is again operative.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of decaborane-14(B.sub.10 H.sub) in high yields from B.sub.5 H.sub.9 which involve three basic procedure steps as follows:(1) conversion of B.sub.5 H.sub.9 to a solid, [N(CH.sub.3).sub.4 ][B.sub.9 H.sub.14 ], by reacting NaH in a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution in the presence of [N(CH.sub.3).sub.4 ][Cl];(2) performing a hydride abstraction on the solid after removal of THF by reacting, while stirring, a boron trihalide selected from BBr.sub.3 and BCl.sub.3 to form B.sub.10 H.sub.14 ; and,(3) separating the B.sub.10 H.sub.14 from the solid reaction mixture by a sublimation procedure.

Abstract: A method of recharging fire extinguisher bottles wherein special transfer linders are used to store and discharge predetermined quantities of liquid fire suppressant and pressurizing gas to the bottle; the process is carried out on a weight basis to minimize errors that would occur if the charging process were carried out on a pressure or volume basis. The invention is particularly applicable to the recharging of fire extinguisher bottles located in military vehicles without the necessity for first removing the bottles from the vehicles.

Abstract: 1,5-Methylene-3,7-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (DPT) is prepared by eacting nitrourea with formaldehyde in aqueous solution in the presence of sufficient added water soluble base, such as sodium hydroxide, to initiate evolution of carbon dioxide gas and formation of an intermediate compound, and reacting the intermediate compound with aqueous ammonia and formaldehyde to form DPT.

Abstract: The present invention provides a training aid and method that produces restic colored images of targets, as seen through a thermal viewer, using black and white video or photographic techniques with filters and light modulators.

Abstract: A mechanical method of case bonding a solid propellant to a rocket motor e wherein a coating of a liner material is first applied to the internal surface of a rocket motor case. While the liner material is uncured a mechanical structural material selected from wire grid, wire hooks, rubber spikes, steel wool, metal grid, polyamide material, or polypropylene material is embedded in the liner material but allowed to protrude above the liner material. The liner material is allowed to cure, and an uncured propellant composition is cast against the cured liner and allowed to flow around the protruding mechanical structural material. On curing, the propellant composition attaches itself to both the liner and the mechanical structural material. The combination of the liner material, the mechanical reinforcing material, and the propellant composition provides a mechanical reinforcement in the propellant which is held in place with improved tensile adhesion against the rocket motor case wall.

Abstract: A four bit subtractor analog to digital converter provides direct conversion of analog voltage signals into binary or binary coded decimal output signals for digital display or digital signal processing. The analog to digital converter utilizes a plurality of signal processing sections, each section being designed to provide a binary output with the composite output bits being indicative of the analog input signal. In processing the analog signal an operational amplifier compares the input analog signal with a reference voltage in each section. Each section either passes or rejects the analog signal input in response to this comparison voltage. If the signal is rejected by a section it is passed to the next section where the same type of comparison takes place, if the signal is accepted by the operational amplifier and operated on, a comparator responsive to the amplifier output changes state providing a binary one output instead of a binary zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detonating an explosive in response to the dettion of a remote explosive without damaging any components positioned intermediate the two explosives. A permanent magnet having a coil of wire positioned thereabout is positioned adjacent to one of the explosives, and the output from the coil is connected to the detonator for the second explosive. When the first explosive is detonated, the permanent magnet is destroyed to thereby collapse the magnetic field traversing the coil. The collapse of the magnetic field generates a voltage which is transmitted to the detonator for the second explosive for initiating detonation of same. The preferred embodiment positions the coil and magnet adjacent to an electronic time fuze detonator and lead charge at the forward end of a cargo-carrying projectile, whereas the second explosive is positioned at the rear of the projectile for initiating ejection of a payload.

Abstract: An improved buffer for small arm weapons utilizes a pair of fluid containing reciprocating chambers to attenuate recoil forces by limiting fluid flow in relation to chamber travel between the pair. In the second chamber of the pair a flow control element moves in the direction of a restricting member when the fluid pressure drop through the flow control element reaches a predetermined point. The flow restricting member limits fluid flow through the flow control element when the flow control element travels to a point proximate the flow restricting member. Fluid flow in the opposite direction is substantially unrestricted by the flow restricting members.

Abstract: A disintegrable projectile is disclosed which utilizes thermal energy obted from the conversion of the kinetic energy of the air moving past the projectile to cause its fragmentation. The projectile employs an air intake nozzle axially disposed in the nose portion of the projectile and a resonance tube located in the body portion of the projectile in thermal contact therewith. The resonance tube develops the thermal energy which is transmitted to the body portion to cause the fragmentation thereof. The projectile of the present invention is intended for use in gunnery training and practice conducted within limited size training and practice ranges, where civilian personnel and property may be in proximate location.

Abstract: An improved ammunition propellant composition and method for reducing gun member wear, erosion, flash and cook-off through use of an additive comprising a mixture of a super water absorbent starch modified polyacrylonitrile which has been subjected to alkaline saponification and water. The wear reducing additive is preferably formed into sheets which can be used with propellants selected from the group consisting of bagged propelling charges and cartridge cased propellants.

Abstract: A photographic exposure meter in visualization equipment for detecting the presence or absence of a pulse of laser light on a target. Light from a laser pulse which forms a hologram, is scattered when it impinges on the target plate and detected by a photodetector, the resultant pulse signal being integrated and amplified. The output pulse, proportional to the hologram exposure, is fed to a storage oscilloscope for convenient display.

Abstract: A special detector and post-filtering system is provided for a scan conver which processes a TV type video signal from one or more infrared detectors which are vertically sampled at a rate less than the Nyquist rate required for the bandwidth of the detectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the determination of the mass and ocation of fragments from a warhead. The fragments are caught in a stack of soft panels placed in the line of fire. Each panel is then fed thru a reading device including an array of magnetometers and the data fed to a reduction computer.

Abstract: A pulse train generator comprising a shift register with feedback for proing an output pulse for every m clock pulses applied to the shift register stages. The feedback shift register normally has a maximal length 2.sup.n -1, where n is the number of stages. Clock pulses are applied to the shift register until an all-ONE condition is reached; thereupon, (m-1) additional clock pulses are applied and the states of the register stages can then be sensed. Appropriate gate circuits are added to the shift register, depending upon the sensed register states, to inhibit certain shifts and to insure that the register is returned to the all-ONE condition upon arrival of every mth clock pulse.