Abstract: The transducer functions as a capacitor to sense variations in inter-plate istances produced either by transducer displacement or by pressure. The capacitor plates include flexible rubber sheathing members having interior conductive surfaces spaced slightly from a conductive centrally-disposed metal plate. A pair of electrets are disposed one between each rubber surface and the central metal plate. Electrets are a battery replacement supplying a large electrostatic field. Opposite polarization of the electrets provides push-pull and directional capabilities. Like polarities, or the omission of one electrode, provide responsiveness both to pressure and to displacement. The central metal plate has sufficient mass to remain substantially stationary relative to the flexible movements of the rubber sheathing. Variations in the plate spacings produces variations in the capacitor output.

Abstract: A hollow spherical casing is provided with an inlet opening for admitting e full intensity of the laser beam. A primary substrate formed of a bank of small tubes is mounted in the sphere to intercept the beam. The tubes partially reflect the beam and also conduct a predetermined fraction of the beam intensity into a water coolant. Beam reflections are evenly distributed over the sphere's interior surface by the tube geometry and the sphere applies the reflected beam energy to a surrounding coolant. Temperature measurements are made for both coolants. The predetermined fraction of the energy applied to the primary substrate coolant is a function of the amount of heat needed to produce a substantially instantaneous heat flux time constant that permits a substantially instantaneous measurement of beam power. Integration of the measurements derived from both the tube and the sphere coolants provides a self-calibration capability.

Abstract: The cylindrical warhead has an outer, relatively-thin metal skin member and n inner thicker metal casing, the main explosive charge being disposed in the space between the members with associated boosters or charge initiators. The initiators include a first set of circumferentially-spaced aiming detonation members and a second set of similarly spaced main charge-firing members. Aiming is achieved by first firing a selected aiming initiator to produce a force sufficient to rupture and break open an arcuate section of the outer warhead skin but insufficient to produce a main charge detonation. Next, a main charge-firing initiator disposed substantially diametrically opposite the ruptured arcuate section is fired to produce an inwardly-directed main-charge blast for fragmenting the thicker inner casing and driving the fragments in the desired direction through the ruptured arcuate section.

Abstract: A capacitance-type transducer capsule is placed in a remote environment for xposure to its changing physical conditions. A energy pick-up coil in the capsule receives a remotely-generated signal which is converted to DC power for chargeably establishing the capacitance and for driving a tank circuit which includes the capacitance as the only variable. Changes in pressure, temperature, etc. produce linear variations in the capacitance to modulate the oscillations of the tank circuit and produce a transmittable signal frequency containing the sensed information.

Abstract: A pair of conductive spherical shells are carried by a balloon or other means into an electrical field which induces equal and opposite charges on the shells. Rotation of the shells causes the charges to alternate. The alternating sinusoidal charge is applied to an amplifier and the amplified output modulated and applied to a transmitter. The spherical shells become a telemetry antenna for transmitting the sensed electrical field information to a remote receiver.

Abstract: A plurality of processing channels each receive one of a number of direct d secondary signal energy rays. Each channel includes an A/D converter and computer the logic of which is controlled by a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm to produce a plurality of data outputs each containing the amplitude and phase information of selected frequencies present in the channel input. To enhance signal detection and minimize signal strength fluctuations, each of the selected frequency outputs of each channel FFT is compared with each identical frequency output of other channel FFT's. Phase compensation means such as a shift register adjusts the phase relationship between all identical FFT outputs to permit their amplitudes to be constructively added. The individual subtotals so produced are totalled to provide an output representing the combined strength of the multi-path signal energy.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the process for producing an apparently amorphous porous boron carbide having a mean particle size less than 1 micron in diameter, effective pore sizes on the order of 30 Angstrom units, and surface areas on the order of 100 m.sup.2 /gr and greater. The process involves the gaseous phase reaction of acetylene (C.sub.2 H.sub.2) with diborane (B.sub.2 H.sub.6). The reaction is produced in a closed chamber initiated by an appropriate igniting device, such as a hot wire. This disclosure defines an optimum ratio of four parts diborane to one part acetylene and it describes the operating conditions under which the reaction occurs and the variation in physical properties and yield resulting from changes of ratio of the constituents. It also describes modification of the present batch process to a continuous production process.

Abstract: The transducer includes a sealed pressure reference cavity closed at one by a thick, stiff base plate and at the other by a perimeter-clamped, taut diaphragm. A variable capacitor stack is constructed on the base plate within the reference cavity and the diaphragm is exposed to pressure variations in an environment to which it is exposed. Changes in pressure produce diaphragm deflection measured by the variable capacity. A load piston centrally carried by the diaphragm in flush contact with an upper capacitor plate distributively transmits environmental pressures to the capacitor plates. The use of the load piston achieves a unusually high and stable output that varies linearly with the pressure variations. Also the load piston permits a temperature compensation needed for accuracy.

Abstract: A positive electrode of a storage battery is formed by applying an electrl charge through a non-aqueous lithium perchlorate solution to an electrode formed of powdered "Madagascar"-type graphite and lithium fluoride.

Abstract: CFAR systems may become ineffective when extraneous targets present in thhold control cells raise the threshold detection level to such a point that the target in the cell being tested becomes obscured. The present circuitry locates the particular threshold control cell or cells having the extraneous target and eliminates it from the threshold detection level computation.

Abstract: Errors in the trajectories of balistic missiles result from a number of ces such as the velocity uncertainty of the missile during its powered flight. Prediction of these errors provides the missile circular error probability (CEP) usually in the form of a ballistic position error ellipse that is derived for each trajectory. This ellipse can be used to significantly improve performance by reducing the error probability. At a particular time (T.sub.1) during the flight a radar altimeter determines the actual altitude of the missile and computation of the altitude error is made by subtracting the actual altitude from the nominal altitude at T.sub.1 provided by the predetermined ellipse. Range error is computed from the relationship .DELTA. h over tangent .theta. where .theta. is the angle of the ellipse semi-major axis with respect to the vertical. A missile control system then directs a maneuver based upon the range error to correct the error by returning the missile to its nominal trajectory.

Abstract: A typical end fitting arrangement includes a sleeve-like bearing member riving an end of the explosive cord and a coupling member, such as a threaded nut, slipped axially over the cord into a fixed position relative to the sleeve. To securely bind together the cord and the sleeve, a void is provided radially inwardly of the nut and a thermosetting material is directly injected into the void to flow over and around the components. Upon hardening, all components are locked together as an integral body. The injected material further provides a significantly-improved, hermetic seal. Special thermosetting materials having short glass fiber fillers are used to assure load-bearing strength.

Abstract: A family of stable hydrido-rhodium and iridium carboranes are described which are effective catalysts for the homogeneous hydrogenation, isomerization and hydroformylation of olefins and the hydrosilylation of ketones.

Abstract: A low-power, transient-free, multi-channelled bio-telemetry system utilizes series of C/MOS switches coupled to the data sampling electrodes. Shift register pulses selectively enable the switches to sequentially shift the data sample inputs through nine, switch-controlled channels. The switches have little battery drain and, due to their N and P complimentary arrangement, their gating pulses are effectively cancelled and removed from the system channels. Multiplexing precedes amplification by applying switch outputs to a single, low-power amplifier. A special pulse position modulator employing a ramp generator circuit provides the pulse trains to a keyed transmitter. Other significant improvements including a unique shift register arrangement with a synchronizing interval permit long periods of continuous operation undisturbed by the need for battery changes. The transmitted data is received by a suitable demodulating receiver to produce a recordable output for evaluation and computer analysis.

Abstract: Bourdon tubes should be exercised prior to each calibration by causing the ube to move repeatedly through its normal coiling and uncoiling arcs amounts sufficient to produce full scale deflection of the gage pointer. The exercising movements conventionally have been accomplished by applying pressure inside the tube. It has been found that these exercising movements can be accomplished with equal reliability and considerably less expense by engaging the tube end with a pivoted lever and by using a control screw for pivoting the lever.

Abstract: The apparatus is used primarily to monitor the occurrence of lightning diarges in the vicinity of a known objective such, for example, as a large rocket launch tower or other object which might be detrimentally affected by the lightning. A continuous, linear single-axis, position-sensing photodiode is deployed a predetermined distance from the objective and an optical objective lens focuses a relatively narrow field of view, such as a 40.degree. field on the photodiode. The arrangement is such that the image of a lightning discharge occurring within the field of view is in the form of a focussed narrow-line channel bisecting the length of the photodiode at varying locations dependent upon the actual location of the lightning discharges itself. In a conventional manner, the photodiode produces two signal outputs each corresponding in magnitude to the particular location of the bisecting channel image of the lightning. Using the fractional distribution of these signal outputs, the angle to discharge (.psi.

Abstract: A net spectral intensity signal is derived from a comparison between the absolute spectral intensity of the signal interest and the intensity of a spectral continuum on which it rides. To derive the net signal, a pivotal refractor plate is mounted over the exit slit of a standard 1-meter monochromator. Pivoting of the plate produces a quick shift from the peak to its baseline signal. A programming circuit synchronizes the pivotal action with rotatably-indexed sample changer having a plural number of sample holders. The changer includes a fixed valve plate communicating with the capillary feed of a flame-emission burner and a rotatably-indexed plate having a plurality of ports each carrying a hypodermic needle for aspirating the test sample into the burner when the plate ports are mated. Repeated burnings are conducted for each sample both at the peak line and that of the spectral continuum and a multiplicity (300) of instantaneous digital signals are taken for each burning.

Abstract: A pair of position sensing photodiodes of a conventional quadrature or duaxis type are deployed face-upwardly at a predetermined distance one from the other. A vertically pointing fisheye lens covers each of the position sensing diodes so that the diodes view a full 360.degree. in azimuth and about 180.degree. in zenith angle. Each of the diodes produces four current outputs whose fractional distribution provides the location of the optical center of a luminous source, such as a lightning discharge. The outputs, in turn, are applied to a data acquisition system, such as a simple analog computer, which provides the location data for the lightning discharge as well as its total intensity. The circuit applying the outputs to the data acquisition system includes filtering means for eliminating background noises and passing to the system only the optical transients of the discharge.

Abstract: Reflectivity estimates from clouds and other clutter targets normally reqe an averaging of a large number of independent radar pulse samples. If the radar generates noise pulses of a predetermined bandwidth and pulse length, a large number of returns can be derived and, when averaged over the full length of the pulse, the returns provide the desired reflectivity estimate. Considering a noise source whose spectrum in the frequency domain can be represented by a rectangular function of width .beta. (bandwidth), the properties of this function are such that the time (.tau.) at which it first becomes zero is related to .beta. by .tau.=1/.beta.. Time .tau. is the correlation time. If the pulse length T is made relatively long compared to the correlation time, it becomes possible to average or integrate within the pulse length T since the number of uncorrelated noise configurations is T/.tau.=.beta.T. For a noise pulse of one microsecond long (T) and a bandwidth (.beta.