Abstract: A combination gas generator and pyrotechnic separation device which causes separation of elements safely, quietly, quickly, and without the production of loose parts or release of combustion gases to the ambient environment. A tubular tensile element houses a quantity of pyrotechnic material which, when ignited, burns, fuses or melts a tensile element allowing the separable elements to break apart. High pressure gases generated by the combustion of the pyrotechnic material aids in separating the separable elements.

Abstract: A protection device for an electro-optical detector used in systems for making far field diagnostic measurements of a high energy laser beam comprises a solid silicon cone having a truncated apex which functions as the pin hole aperture for the detector. The large end of the cone has a surface defined by the radius drawn from the cone axis at the truncation. This surface is coated with a reflective attenuation layer which reflects a high percentage of the energy of the incident laser beam entering the pinhole aperture thereby minimizing the absorption of the beam by the cone. The high index of refraction of the solid silicon cone permits large off-axis angles of the laser beam to be directed onto the detector resultingly increasing the field of view of a system using a given detector. The increased field of view allows a closer spacing of a plurality of detectors in the system ensuring a high spatial resolution of the laser beam for a desired field of view.

Abstract: A plurality of gas actuated valves capable of high-speed action, great prure endurance and withstanding shock, vibration and a marine environment. A sliding member, closing the valves inlet ports, may be retained by a frangible flange. Electrically-initiated gas cartridges produce a rapid pressure rise causing the sliding member to be displaced thereby shearing the flange and allowing the sliding member to uncover the inlet ports for ambient fluid entry. A plurality of O-rings minimize functional sensitivity to external pressure and seal the valve against the entry of the ambient fluid.

Abstract: The reflective mirror face plate of a deformable adaptable mirror for laser ystems is cooled by an improved heat exchange apparatus. In accordance with the invention jets of cooling fluid impinge normal to the face plate in addition to coolant flowing parallel to the surface of the face plate. Coolant manifolding is provided within the mirror allowing the coolant to flow through a nozzle plate and thereafter impinge and spread over a knurled back surface of the reflective plate. Electromagnetic actuators act on control rods to transmit forces to the face plate thus controlling its curvature to produce optimum laser beam reflection.

Abstract: A variable flow diffuser for use in air cushion vehicles to convert the ktic energy of the moving air from the main fan into potential energy of air pressure. The conversion is accomplished by passing the air flow from the fan through a flow splitter and diverting it radially outward in all directions along a plane perpendicular to the initial direction of the air flow. The volume of air passing through the diffuser is controlled by placing control vanes around the flow splitter or by moving the flow splitter and a back plate in and out of the air channel.

Abstract: An improved flueric cartridge initiator (FCI) comprising a heat resistant or composite material resonance tube, a hardened high strength thermal disk and copper seals, in combination with an ignition train is made safe utilizing specific fluid dynamic phenomenon associated with the operation of the resonance tube. The present device uses simultaneous dual fluid inputs to create a Boolean AND logic element in order to reduce inadvertent firing functioning of the FCI.

Abstract: A reusable tilt or inversion indicator comprising a clear, plastic vial having two chambers and a funnel. The lower chamber of the vial is filled with a granular material such as sand. The funnel is inverted and retained between the two chambers of the vial. When an article to which the indicator is attached is tilted or inverted, the material will spill through the opening in the funnel and become trapped between the funnel and the walls of the upper chamber of the vial to provide a permanent indication of the tilt of the article.

Abstract: A system for recovery of cargo floating at sea with a helicopter or ship. A hook is rigidly secured to a float attached to a hoist line. The hook is dragged through the water until it contacts and connects with a buoyant line attached to the cargo. The cargo may then be pulled aboard the helicopter or ship by winching in the hoist line.

Abstract: A constant-force spring of the liquid-gas type comprising a piston slidable n a cylinder and an elastomeric bladder enclosed in the cylinder. The bladder is filled with a gas, preferably nitrogen. The rest of the cylinder is filled with a compressible liquid having a low bulk modulus. A liquid that can be used is dimethyl silicone which has a bulk modulus of only 150,000 psi. The low bulk modulus gives a low spring constant which is necessary if a constant force characteristic is to be achieved.

Abstract: A gas cooled nuclear fission reactor employing spherical fuel elements which are held in a critical assembly configuration by centrifugal forces. This is accomplished by inserting the spherical fuel elements in a rotating drum of a shape suitable to ensure that a nuclear critical configuration of the total entity of fuel elements can only be achieved if the centrifugal forces are present. This has the effect that in case of a loss of load, a loss of coolant or other adverse occurences, the critical part of the reactor will disassemble itself, by gravitational forces exclusively, into a non-critical configuration.

Abstract: A pipe joint alignment tool comprising a segment of a clear plastic cylinder which, when placed on the surfaces of opposing pipe joint flanges, allows the measurement of twist, parallelism, face to face dimension, and lateral displacement between the pipes at the joint by visual inspection of the position of the pipe flanges relative to lines scribed on the surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A combined analog and digital ratio detector circuit produces a gated out whenever the average amplitude of an information pulse exceeds a fixed preset threshold in the presence of an interfering noise background. The circuit also has the capability of tracking the average value of the noise to null it out, thereby maintaining the preset signal-to-threshold ratio over a wide range of slowly varying noise amplitudes.The circuit's functional breakdown is as follows: (1) an input operational amplifier has a time constant related to the information pulse duration; (2) a noise voltage tracking and nulling loop has a time constant related to the background noise characteristics; (3) a logic interface between a system clock and a counter (part of item 2) prevents "racing"; and (4) an adjustable threshold gate sets the false alarm rate at an acceptable information retrieval probability.

Abstract: A torque coupling comprising two non-metallic inserts linked together by a lip-fitted shaft having a multi-sided cross-section. One of the inserts is press-fitted into the internal involute shaft of a driving mechanism, such as a gear box, while the other is similarly fitted into the internal involute shaft of a driven mechanism, such as a pump. The multi-sided configuration of the slip fitted shaft permits the torque load to be distributed compressively on the inserts. Consequently, greater torque loads can be transmitted by the coupling with the benefit of the low-wear, self-lubricating characteristics of certain non-metallic insert materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting wear on radial or thrust bearings. Bearing clearances are monitored by observing clearances generated by dummy bearings structured to wear like the actual bearings and installed in proximity thereto and designed so that their clearances may be readily determined by direct inspection.

Abstract: A fuze utilizing both point detonation and controlled variable time detonon that arms the point detonation apparatus at the same time the controlled variable time detonation apparatus is armed. Addition of a commutator and associate wiper in the controlled variable time arming circuit of a controlled variable time fuze, and placement of the point detonation arming switch across the firing capacitor and electric primer, prevents point detonation until controlled variable time arming occurs.

Abstract: An active leak detector which uses frequency multiplexing to indicate the cation of water leaks. The circuit is composed of any number of satellite leak detectors and a master indicator circuit which monitors all detectors simultaneously. Each detector unit is identified by a unique frequency warning signal which allows the indicator circuit to isolate and display the location of the leak. Only two wires are needed to connect all the detectors to the master indicator as well as supply the necessary power to the detectors.

Abstract: A code generator generates, upon command, code sequences representing either time of day, time and date, or event number codes, in either single sequences or continuously repeating code sequences for simultaneous recordation with a physiological event on magnetic tape or oscillographic paper for permanently identifying and indexing biomedical data. Multiplexed binary coded decimal output lines of a digital clock are strobed to provide the option of either single frame or continuous frame operation while requiring no critical timing circuits, and the sequencing operations are synchronized by the multiplex timer, which recordation is visually interpretable.

Abstract: A compressor stall warning system for jet aircraft gas turbine engines. The urbine inlet temperature and the compressor rotor speed are monitored and signals representative of the ratio of these two functions and the inlet temperature itself are produced. If the turbine inlet temperature increases while the compressor rotor speed decreases their ratio would increase rapidly. When either this ratio or the turbine inlet temperature alone increase beyond predetermined thresholds, a signal is furnished to the aircraft pilot warning him of impending aircraft engine stall.

Abstract: A bomb fuze arming clip made of spring steel and having a substantially triangular or loop shape. A first side of the triangle extends for some distance through a hook in which the end of the third side is formed. The clip is made of spring steel. Downward force on an apex of the triangle forces the extending portion of the first side of the triangle downward through the hook, thereby opening the clip.

Abstract: A method and means for passively detecting presence of noise radiating dees in a noise environment by determining the number of times per time sample that a received noise signal upwardly crosses a preselected threshold level, comparing this number with the number of upward crossings caused by a standard noise signal or background noise signal, and applying a predetermined ratio criteria. The noise sensors in the detection system may comprise a directional acoustic transducer in combination with an omnidirectional acoustic transducer, and acoustic transducer in combination with an artificially generated noise signal, or a single acoustic transducer.