Abstract: A flight control system is provided for a helicopter furnishing safety feres, and providing back up control in the event of failure of controls of the rotary head swashplate of a helicopter. The swashplate is regulated by a series of actuators which are angularly positioned at particular settings around the swashplate. In the event of a control system failure, a supplemental system controls the selected settings for the swashplate, rotary head, and spar root and blade assemblies of the helicopter.

Abstract: The invention deals with the manufacture of fully segmented sabots used in he launching of subcaliber projectiles. The prior method required the machining of individual sabot segments and fitting them on to the sub-projectile. The improvement involves the casting of the sabot segments with the shimmed sub-projectile pre-positioned in a mold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrating angular accelerometer ich has a neutrally buoyant mass, thereby eliminating the detrimental effect of high shock and vibration loads. The accelerometer includes a housing and an inertial mass positioned in the housing, arranged for relative rotation with respect to the housing. An annular channel is provided between the housing and the inertial mass, located about the acceleration sensitive axis and dimensioned to cause fluid flow upon relative rotation of the housing and inertial mass in the direction of relative rotation. The fluid contained within the channel is a viscous fluid having a density equal to that of the inertial mass so as to achieve a neutral buoyancy of the inertial mass. A splitter for blocking fluid flow in the channel is provided so as to produce a differential pressure which corresponds to the relative angular rotation of the inertial mass and housing.

Abstract: An arrangement of hot-wire anemometers is set partially into the rotor boary layer so that they form two resistors of a wheatstone bridge circuit for each axis. The hot wire resistors change in resistance according to the angular offset from null of the gyro rotor. The combination of resistance changes is then used in the bridge circuit to provide an electrical signal which is directly proportional to gyro rotor angular offset.

Abstract: A process is disclosed by which thermoplastic elastomers may be utilized to repare melt-formable composite rocket propellants. The thermoplastic elastomer is dissolved in a volatile organic solvent, the other propellant ingredients are mixed in, and the volatile organic solvent is evaporated. The dried propellant is melt-formed to final shape by molding or extruding above the melting point of the elastomer. An example of a usable thermoplastic elastomer is a block copolymer comprised of about 5 to about 20 weight percent styrene and of about 80 to 95 weight percent diene. The formed grain can be reclaimed by melting or dissolution in an organic solvent for reuse of the propellant ingredients.

Abstract: A TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile system is mted on a combat vehicle turret for greater combat effectiveness. Before the missile is launched, the gunner keeps the target in his sights in azimuth by powering the turret through a movable sight to which the turret is slaved by a lock mechanism. Missile launch energizes certain electrical devices which unlock the mechanism to make sight movement independent of the turret, open the turret drive motor power switch, and set a brake on the motor which locks the turret against movement to provide a stable platform for tracking the target during missile flight. After a preset time to allow for on-target impact, the devices are automatically reset and the turret drive is again slaved to the sight in azimuth.

Abstract: A two-degree-of-freedom gyro that uses a combination of fiber optics and iant energy sensors for low torque gimbal/housing position sensors. The mode of operation of the gyro is a sustained rotor displacement type instrument. The radiant energy type pickoffs eliminate gimbal wiring, slip rings, and wiper environmental problems.

Abstract: A loop-around doppler canceling loop is employed between a master ground minal or node and a slave ground terminal or node for translating a doppler-free reference to the slave terminal by having a local voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) of frequency f at the master terminal lock to a frequency f.sub.o =f.sub.d where f.sub.o is frequency of the primary standard reference clock 8 at the master terminal and f.sub.d is the two-way doppler frequency that exists during transmission between the master and slave ground terminals by way of satellite.

Abstract: A miniature, helmet mounted, display panel having a very wide range of luance is provided by combining a thin film flat panel display with a wafer diode image intensifier tube.

Abstract: To prevent the anode wire which runs along the axis of the tube from vibrng at the end adjacent the window, a ceramic cup has a flat surface sealed to the inside of the window, and the end of the anode wire is captured within an opening of the cup.

Abstract: Non-volatile semiconductor matrix random access and electrically alterable rogrammable read-only memories are disclosed. Each memory cell of the matrix memory includes a photovoltaic ferroelectric element which is remanently polarized with a write signal, and which when illuminated, produces a photovoltage which causes a field effect transistor to assume one of two states. Variable impedance means, for example, at least a diode or a breakdown diode is connected in each cell for providing a low impedance when the write gate pulse is applied to the photovoltaic ferroelectric element and for providing a high impedance when the photovoltage produced by the photovoltaic ferroelectric element is applied to the field effect transistor gate. If power to the memory is lost, by illuminating the photovoltaic ferroelectric element, the field effect transistor may be caused to assume the state which it was in before loss of power.

Abstract: In this disclosure is described a FM-CW radar distance measuring system. By onventional means a frequency modulated continuous wave signal is generated and transmitted toward a target. A sample of the transmitted signal is compared with the received target return signal in a mixer. A second sample of the transmitted signal which is delayed by an amount proportional to the time required for a signal to travel to the target and return is compared with the first sample in a second mixer. The outputs of the two aforementioned mixers are amplified and compared in a third mixer, and the Doppler component is selected for use in indicating the distance to the target.

Abstract: An effective amount of 5-nitrobarbituric acid or its trihydrate, when mixed ith molten TNT explosive permits the TNT explosive to set with a fine unoriented crystal structure. In one embodiment, the 5-nitrobarbituric acid or its trihydrate is added to well-stirred liquid TNT at about 100.degree.-110.degree. C. and the mixture is allowed to cool until it stiffens and then is reheated slightly below 85.degree. C. and then cast at about 81.degree. C.

Abstract: A shock-wave-reflecting surface and low density matter or gas within the ntal ogive of a shaped charge warhead ahead of the concave liner thereof modifies the speed and consequent distribution of particles in the stretching jet to improve armor penetration capability.

Abstract: An improved switch actuator, for safe and arm applications requiring utmost ependability in order to preclude a premature or false arming sequence, utilizes a plurality of simultaneous input signals from independently coded pneumatic, optical and electrical sources to drive a rotary switch. A rotary fluidic valving plate is used to decode non-uniform input optical signals into a uniform cyclical output pressure signal which is used to drive a fail-safe, reversible pneumatic gerotor type motor. A geneva mechanism is used to mechanically couple the prime mover to an output gear to activate a switch. Alternatively, an electrical switch may be incorporated within the housing of the actuator.

Abstract: An auxiliary lubrication means is disclosed which is suitable for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine or similar mechanical device. The present apparatus includes a reservoir for storing a lubricant under pressure during normal operation of the engine. Upon failure of the engine's lubrication system, or during a subsequent start-up procedure, the means of the present invention is operative to provide lubricant to the moving parts of the engine.

Abstract: Countermeasures apparatus is disclosed for attenuating radiation by absoron, reflection, and/or scattering, whether the radiation is reflected by or emanates from a target to be protected. The countermeasures apparatus comprises an artificial tree having a plurality of leaves disposed between the target to be protected and radiation sensors whereby the radiation directed from the target to the sensors is attentuated, the radiation being of a plurality of different wavelengths. Attenuating means are disposed on the leaves and take the form of an array of electrically conductive particles forming dipoles whose lengths are chosen to be 0.48 or approximately one-half of the wavelengths of the wavelength of the radiation to be defeated. The dipoles of the array are spaced from each other a spacing within an optimum range of one-half to one of the wavelength of the radiation of interest to effect coherent absorption and scattering of this radiation.

Abstract: A broadband RF isolator system for connection between RF devices such as inear antennas is disclosed. In accordance with this invention, two or more antennas are spaced several wavelengths apart, connected to coaxial feeds and choked at their adjacent ends to establish the electrical length. In one embodiment of the invention, the isolator is formed by placing a second line adjacent the coaxial line connected to the upper antenna. The addition of this second line forms a balanced transmission line having a given characteristic impedance. The second line is terminated at one end by a resistor having a resistance equal to the value of the characteristic impedance. In a second embodiment the second line is replaced by a coaxial sleeve which is also terminated at one end with a resistor having a resistance value equal to the characteristic impedance. In four additional embodiments, which are essentially variations of the second basic embodiment, coaxial sleeves are also utilized to form the isolation system.

Abstract: A high efficiency gas laser which utilizes transverse electrical excitation f a laser gas medium confined in a circular cylindrical volume. Limitation of the excitation energy to only the optical mode volume of the laser eliminates the inefficiency associated with conventional TEA laser technology in which a much larger gas volume is excited for a given optical mode volume. The present invention is comprised of a new design making possible the higher efficiencies through use of dielectric coupling between concave electrodes.

Abstract: An improved I beam construction for longitudinal I beams preferably as used n trailer frames. The I beam is comprised of a top flange, a bottom flange, a vertical web wall interconnecting the top and bottom flanges along their centerlines in a customary manner, for a substantial part of its length, with the novel aspect including a portion of the vertical web wall offset laterally toward the outer side edges of the top and bottom flanges so that said offset wall portion is essentially flush with those said edges. The purpose of this offsetting is to provide more advantageous horizontal and vertical mounting surfaces for saddle mount capability and attachment of a trailer's wheel suspension assembly, which construction is found to be stronger than can otherwise be fabricated.