Abstract: A spring element is made of a spring material and is formed into a generally elliptical shape. Two mounting pins extend in a normal direction through parallel relatively short segments of said elliptically-shaped spring element. The mounting pins are substantially aligned with the shorter of the two axis of the elliptically-shaped spring element so as to extend both inwardly and outwardly of said elliptically-shaped spring element. An elastomeric coating is applied around substantially all of the spring elements and a pair of blocks, each of which surrounds one of the mounting pins receives one of the mounting pins. A number of spring elements are joined together by two parallel, spaced-apart coupling links which contain cavities therein to receive one of the blocks of each of the spring elements.

Abstract: Dense physical and electrical connection of (i) flat flexible multiconductor cables of the printed circuit or ribbon types, to (ii) to spaced-parallel planar modules, particularly to switching modules containing switching chips, is realized by (1) a particular connection geometry in combination with (2) a spring clip connector. Flat flexible multiconductor cables routed through free space either in (i) “X” and, optionally also, “Z” planes, or else in (ii) “Y” planes exclusively, have their conductors' ends stripped and bent 90° so as to lie upon conductive pads, arrayed along lines angled 45° to both the “X” and “Y” planes, located on the substrates of switching modules that are within “Z” planes.

Abstract: Multi-stage switching networks may be constructed and expanded from small to very large networks that are contained within a compact physical volume. This is accomplished by replication of a pre-selected network module containing switches by a rotating, folding and squaring process that substantially reduces the length of connections between switches. This geometry allows very large networks by inductively combining smaller networks into larger networks. In networks constructed with this geometry, the length of the longest connections between switches is proportional to the square root of the number of ports provided by the network.

Abstract: A process is provided for near real-time or real-time software based scan conversion in a general purpose computer. The general purpose computer receives data via a digital network comprising range scaled and window detected radar video and antenna azimuth data in polar coordinate format according to the Andrusiak et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,285. The general purpose computer integrates the polar data into a polar buffer prior to conversion to Cartesian coordinates for display. This process de-couples the polar buffer from the coordinate conversion process so that the polar buffer process keeps up with incoming real-time data. The coordinate conversion process is given some portion of the remaining processor bandwidth such that even if it does not keep up with the real-time rate of the radar, it will display all target information. The polar buffer processing involves integration of the new data with old data in the polar buffer in order to preserve target information until it has been displayed.

Abstract: An expandable network constructed from a plurality of identical network fabric cards which uses a plurality of selected row address bits to route connection paths between adjacent columns of interconnecting switches and a software algorithm for implementing a network of any whole number power of 2 rows or ports by assigning numbers of the network switches and attached nodes are described.

Abstract: A process provides radar scan conversion from radar amplitude data in polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates by a digital computer which receives (r,.theta.) coordinate amplitude data from a radar receiver and which supplies (x,y) coordinate amplitude data which covers a rectangular-shaped display area of a monitor display. A software program generates an aggregate radial scan pattern that consists of a plurality of radials each of which have active lengths that span one or more of a plurality of selected regions of the display such that the region boundaries are square as a result of a modified radial drawing method. Each resolution region is defined by the bisection of the radials forming the previous resolution region and the hole-filled range of the previous resolution region. The display can be generated as an offset display where the antenna center may be offset from the display center.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for releasably connecting to a base or assembly a box or the like such as an electrical module. Opposite mutually parallel sides of the box are each provided with a pair of projections having distal heads wider than their exposed shafts. The base or assembly is provided with a pair of parallel plates or angle irons sufficiently separated to accommodate the box and each provided with a pair of openings positioned and configured to receive and retain one of the projections. Preferably, each such opening has a right angle bend. For mounting, the box is placed on the base or assembly between the two plates or angle brackets such that each of the projections enters one of the openings. A right angle bend in the opening permits the opening to releasably retain that projection. At least one of the openings on each side is provided with a latch and a bail configured to releasably engage such a projection when the projection is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A mechanism for securing an electrical fan assembly to a frame is provided by a frame constructed with a generally flat frame peripheral section that surrounds a generally four-cornered rectangular opening at a fan support location. Two spaced-apart tabs punched out of the frame project into holes in the corners of the fan assembly, and two spaced-apart U-channel ribs formed from the frame engage the fan assembly housing when it is supported at the fan-support location. The frame has a wall that extends away from the frame which has a pair of spaced-apart slots. A resilient spring clip is associated with each of the slots so that a lip of the spring clip is clamped over a hole in a corner of the front of the fan assembly housing.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports a load and limits shock force from being transmitted through the four elongated struts that are positioned to support the load. The struts are aligned at an acute angle relative to a base when no shock force is applied to the load. The struts pivot to a second smaller acute angle relative to the base when a shock force is applied to the load. A pair of leaf-springs, which may consist of a stack of several leaf-springs, is associated with each pair of struts so that when a shock force is applied to the load, the leaf-springs apply a return force that drives the struts back to the first acute angle alignment with the base. Restraint members coupled to the struts are used to align them at the first angle relative to said base when no shock force is applied to the load.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitter array package for compiling optical data signals through an optical coupling connector is presented. The package includes the laser array that is mounted on a backing plate that has alignment holes in it, which receive alignment pins to align the array with the input end of the optical coupling connector. In one version of the package the input end of the optical coupling connector extends into the housing of the package and is aligned with the laser array. In a second version the optical coupling connector is extended to the housing and is aligned with optical fibers that project a feed-through assembly into alignment with a second optical coupling connector inside of the package, which in turn is aligned with the laser array. In a third embodiment an optical lens is aligned with the laser array and transmits optical data signals through a window insert in the housing of the package to the input end of the optical coupling connector.

Abstract: A ground based radar antenna system and method for determining the elevation angle .phi. of a tracked target having a shaped reflector and a pair of spaced feedhorns for transmitting radiated energy to and receiving returned signals from the tracked target T, the shaped reflector and feedhorns cooperating to increase the range of coverage of the elevation angle .phi. beyond the coverage previously available with a standard parabolic reflector and to increase the gain of the signals returned to the ground based radar antenna system while simultaneously eliminating elevation angle ambiguities over prior systems employing only feedhorns for collecting returned signals. The radar system includes a construction which approximates a cosecant-squared antenna pattern, permits the calculation of the target height and three-dimensional position, and is economical to manufacture.

Abstract: A modular night vision device wherein either one or two night vision monocular assemblies can be joined to a common mount to selectively create either a monocular night vision apparatus or a binocular night vision apparatus. Electrical contacts are present on the night vision monocular assemblies that couple to the common mount. The electronic controls and power source needed to operate the night vision monocular assemblies are contained within the common mount. Accordingly, the night vision monocular assemblies automatically become disabled when detached from the common mount. The common mount provides interpupillary and distance-to-eye adjustments for the night vision monocular assemblies. Additionally, the common mount enables the night vision monocular assemblies to be flipped up to a stowed position out of the field of view of the person utilizing the night vision device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and bounding the path of a ground vehicle. The apparatus comprises a GPS receiver for receiving radio signals from a Global Positioning System which are indicative of the current ground position coordinates of the GPS receiver and thus, are the current ground position coordinates for the ground vehicle also when the GPS receiver is coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a data base for storing ground position coordinates which are indicative of at least one bounded area of permitted operation for the ground vehicle. A control unit which is responsive to the GPS receiver and the data base, is provided for comparing the stored ground position coordinates with the current ground position coordinates in order to determine if the ground vehicle is outside of the bounded area of permitted operation.

Abstract: A master-slave data transmission system employs a flexible single-wire bus and where any master unit can send data to or read data from any slave at a single time. Data transfer is accomplished by means of a flexible message format having a variable-length address section and a variable-length data section, with the beginning and end of the individual message sections being defined by labels, and a fixed bit clock being transmitted for a given interval before and/or after the message. During multiple master operation, a priority control arrangement prevents two or more masters from accessing the single-wire bus at the same time.

Abstract: A system of making satellite-to-ground range measurements, carrying out communications between a ground station and a constellation of autonavigating satellites, and using these range measurements to improve navigation accuracy is disclosed. The system comprises an anchor that is in a fixed position relative to the earth. The anchor implements a filtering algorithm to arrive at solutions for the satellites' positions based on measured satellite positions and predicted satellite positions. Each time a new measurement is received by the anchor an update is generated. In this manner the system is capable of updating satellite positions at a greater rate than similar prior art systems, thereby, decreasing the transient response associated with satellite delta-v maneuvers and decreasing the quantity of data that must be exchanged by the anchor and the satellites.

Abstract: The present invention is a bracket for coupling an illuminating device having an independent power supply to a night vision device having a separate power supply, wherein the illuminating device coupled to the housing of the night vision device will draw no additional power from the night vision device. The bracket comprises a generally cylindrical barrel for receiving the illuminating device, which may be a flashlight. A support extends substantially perpendicularly from the cylindrical barrel near one end. An eye ring is included on the support for attaching the bracket to a housing. The support further includes a second support region extending from the cylindrical barrel to just above the eye ring, wherein the support region overhangs a portion of the housing of the night vision device to provide additional support.

Abstract: A low temperature apparatus and process exists for cleaning photo-cathodes used A lo VW pV:image intensifier tubes. The process comprises the steps of applying atomic or molecular particles of a plasma to a photo-cathode for the purpose of removing contaminants, such as oxides, from the photo-cathode surface; and applying heat or ultra-violet radiation to the photo-cathode to remove remaining impurities. The apparatus comprises means for subjecting a photo-cathode to the atomic and molecular particle products of a plasma, and preferably, means for applying heat or ultra-violet radiation to the photo-cathode at a low temperature to remove any remaining impurities from the photo-cathode.