Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermal barrier structures comprising at least three dimpled cores separated by flat plate material with the outer surface of the flat plate material joined together by diffusion bonding.

Abstract: Currency or other documents or items of value containing a liquid crystal/photovoltaic device which produces a coded display in response to artificial or ambient light. Such a device functions both as an anti-counterfeiting deterrent and also as a means for permitting the man-in-the-street easily to authenticate the validity of a document containing such a device.

Abstract: A liquid or gas cooled adjustable cylindrical mirror (10) for a high powered laser includes a plurality of parallel cooling conduits (20-32) which abut the back surface of the mirror in order to effect heat transfer. The cooling conduits (20-32) are vertically adjustable, and by virtue of their abutting relationship with the flexible mirror are operative to control the curvature of the mirror. A housing (16) for the mirror (10) is provided with a pair of pressure blocks (50) which secure the mirror in position and serve to direct stray photons into the usable area of the reflected beam.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein may be practiced by passing the vapors to be sampled along a path with halogen vapor, preferably chlorine vapor, heating the mixed vapors to halogenate those of the sampled vapors subject to halogenation, removing unreacted halogen vapor, and then sensing the vapors for organic halogenated compounds. The apparatus disclosed herein comprises means for flowing the vapors, both sample and halogen vapors, into a common path, means for heating the mixed vapors to effect the halogenation reaction, means for removing unreacted halogen vapor, and a sensing device for sensing halogenated compounds.By such a method and means, the vapors of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols, when present, such as methane, ethane, acetone, ethanol, and the like are converted, at least in part, to halogenated compounds, then the excess halogen removed or trapped, and the resultant vapors of the halogenated compounds sensed or detected. The system is highly sensitive.

Abstract: An inertial energy storage device is disclosed employing a safety flywheel which is made of flexible material such as a twisted rope ring. The rigidity required for such a device is achieved through centrifugal forces inherent in such a device when it is operating. A small number of the strands of the rope ring have a tensile strength that is lower than the vast majority of the strands of the rope ring whereby should any of these strands fail, they will begin to whiplash allowing such a failure to be detected and braked before a castastrophic failure occurs. This is accomplished by the inclusion of glass tubes located around the periphery of the flywheel. The tubes are in communication with a braking fluid reservoir. The flywheel and glass tubes are enclosed within a vacuum-tight housing. The whiplashing of a broken strand breaks one or more glass tubes. This causes the housing to be flooded with the braking fluid thereby braking the rotation of the flywheel.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for securing vapor samples, particularly from articles such as suitcases, travel bags, packages, and the like. The apparatus may include several depressor arms hinged above a station along a conveyor belt or the like. A sampling probe for sampling vapor expelled from the articles is positioned at the station. As the articles are carried by the conveyor past the station, they lift the arms which are suitably hinged above them so that the weight of the arms causes a part of the vapor accumulated in the article to be expelled. The expelled vapor is sampled by the probe at the station and may be carried to a suitable vapor analyzer for test.

Abstract: An externally moderated thermal nuclear reactor is disclosed which is designed to provide output power in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The reactor is a gaseous fueled nuclear cavity reactor device which can operate over wide ranges of temperature and pressure, and which includes the capability of processing and recycling waste products such as long-lived transuranium actinides. The primary output of the device may be in the form of coherent radiation, so that the reactor may be utilized as a self-critical nuclear pumped laser.

Abstract: A system for tracking moving signal sources is disclosed which is particularly adaptable for use in tracking stage performers, although a wide range of other uses is possible. A miniature transmitter is attached to the person or object to be tracked and emits a detectable signal of a predetermined frequency. A plurality of detectors positioned in a preset pattern sense the signal and supply output information to a phase detector which applies signals representing the angular orientation of the transmitter to a computer. The computer provides command signals to a servo network which drives a device such as a motor driven mirror reflecting the beam of a spotlight, to track the moving transmitter.

Abstract: A rechargeable cell or battery is provided in which shape change of the zinc anode is combatted by profiling the ionic conductivity of the paths between the electrodes so that ion flow is greatest at the edges of the electrodes and least at the centers thereof, thereby reducing migration of the zinc ions from edges to the center of the anode. A number of embodiments are disclosed, wherein the strength and/or amount of electrolyte, and/or the number and/or size of the paths provided by the separator between the electrodes, are varied to provide the desired ionic conductivity profile.

Abstract: A space-to-space or space-to-earth optical transmission link is simulated by positioning a linear optical modulator between an optical carrier source and a receiver for the carrier. The optical modulator is driven by an analog signal having random variations indicative of characteristics of the transmission link, as derived from an analog computer circuit. The analog computer circuit is responsive to a Gaussian random analog source. For certain types of links, the analog computer circuit is responsive to a pair of Gaussian analog signals which are derived by feeding a relatively wide band Gaussian analog source in parallel to a first low pass filter and to a heterodyne circuit that derives a beat frequency output that is passed through a second low pass filter having the same characteristics as the first low pass filter. For space-to-space transmission, transmitter pointing jitter is a dominant noise source and is simulated by deriving a beta statistical variation from the analog computer.