Abstract: A waveguide slotted array is disclosed, employing compound slots in a waveguide broad wall. The phase of the voltage excited in the slot is controlled by the slot offset and angle of inclination relative to the axis. Utilization of the additional phase control provided by the compound slots allows the beam of a traveling wave slot array to be placed far from broadside, without the need to operate the array at frequencies so close to the waveguide cutoff frequency that there is unacceptable frequency sensitivity. The beam may be placed at any angle independently of which end of the array contains the input and which end the load.

Abstract: A digital electronics unit (81), missile, and missile system for a tube-launched missile. The invention utilizes a positional status mechanism (10) to structure signals from the on-board gyro system (80) and a directional mechanism (11) to separate signals from an operator. These signals are handled by a digital micro-controller (12) to create the proper control signals for manipulation of the missile in the missile system.

Abstract: In a weapon system 10 incorporating a target position sensor (14), an information system (16), a power source (24), a launcher (20), and an airborne vehicle (18), a launcher control system (12) incorporates a communications interface (26) for coupling the information system (16) and the target position sensor (14) to a launcher (20) and an airborne vehicle (18). The communications interface (26) receives target position information and launch and control orders and provides launcher and airborne vehicle status. A airborne vehicle interface (28) couples the launcher (20) and the airborne vehicle (18) to the information system (16) and a power source (22). A transmitter (30) communicates updated target position information to the airborne vehicle after launch. A power control means (32) converts and regulates power from different power sources (22) to be used by the launcher control system (12).

Abstract: A two-stage Joule-Thomson cryostat (10) has a first-stage cryostat (12) with a helical-coil heat exchanger (14) and and isenthalpic gas expansion orifice (20) that discharges a mixture of cooled gas and cryogenic liquid into a liquid cryogen plenum (26). A second-stage cryostat (30) with a helical coil heat exchanger (32), wound to a larger diameter than the first-stage heat exchanger coil (14), is wound around and in thermal contact with the liquid cryogen plenum (26). This arrangement achieves a high degree of interstage heat transfer and cooling of the gas flowing in the second-stage heat exchanger coil (32) by the liquid cryogen in the first-stage liquid cryogen plenum (26). In operation, a gas flow management system (60), designed for rapid cooldown, initially passes a first gas of high specific refrigerating capacity through both stages (12 and 30).

Abstract: A warhead, used in a torpedo, includes an expolsive device that is detonatable within a breached water-tight compartment such that damage to the target is enhanced by the presence of the confined incompressible fluid therewithin.

Abstract: An array antenna which includes a first waveguide 12 coupled to a second waveguide 20 by an L-shaped coupling slot 30. The slot 30 has a first portion 32 orthogonal to a second portion 34 thereof thereby providing the unique L-shape. In a specific embodiment, the slot 30 is located with the first portion 32 along the centerline and longitudinal axis of the first waveguide 12 and the second portion 34 along the centerline and longitudinal axis of the second waveguide 20. The folded short, as well as the tapered section of prior designs can be eliminated by use of the L-shaped coupling slot of the present invention in the first and last positions of the coupling slot because a short can be placed at the L-shaped slot. Hence, the L-shaped coupling slot of the present invention provides a more compact planar antenna than that afforded by conventional designs.

Abstract: A mirror having optical quality reflective faces is prepared by pressing of metallurgical powders. An optical quality surface, free of scratches and irregularities, is formed by pressing the faces with an optical quality tool face, applied to the face at an acute angle to achieve a degree of metal flow. The mirror is progressively formed, by first pressing an assembly of powder to a "green" powder mirror, sintering the pressed powder, and then repressing the sintered mirror using a tool having optical quality surfaces on the faces contacting the mirror faces. The mirror is annealed, repressed with the tool having optical quality surfaces, and coated on the reflective surfaces with a thin metallic coating. This technique is particularly effective for preparing large numbers of mirrors with multiple facets requiring precise facet intersections, as the pressing tool can be adjusted to produce highly exact facet intersections which are then reproduced exactly in subsequent mirrors.

Abstract: A phase dependent radar guidance system, the receiver (18) of which separates returns into a channel (22) where returns are summed (S) and a further channel (24) where the returns are differenced (jD). The S and jD signals are combined (26) and formed into two further channels as S+jD and s-jD, both of which are passed through AGC controlled amplifiers (28, 30) into a phase angle detector (32) which provides the target (14) angle .beta. to boresight (20). A test signal is applied to the receiver (18) with jD=O, the output value of the phase angle detector (32) for various values of AGC attenuation are stored by a digital processor (34), and the processor (34) modifies measured target phase value with the stored values to correct for AGC amplifier-induced errors.

Abstract: A winding form baselayer (20) has a flexible insulative substrate (22) on which a plurality of parallel spaced apart filament cable guides (24) are located. Optionally, the guides (24) can be formed by depositing a metal layer and etching out spaces (W) between the guides or plating the individual guides. A wound pack (28) is produced by winding a first filament layer (26) into the spaces (W) with subsequent layers wound over the first layer in conventional manner. In an alternate version, the filament cable guides (52) are etched into the top side of a metal sheet and the opposite side is etched into a diagonally arranged set of struts (56) which provide lateral resiliency for the entire baselayer (46).

Abstract: A modular electronic safe arm device (MESAD) (10) for arming and igniting an explosive is universal in application and employs a standard circuit architecture which uses application specific logic modules (12) and (14), a standard voltage control module (16), and standard high energy firing modules (18) and (20). In the preferred embodiment, the logic modules (12) and (14) are state machines using clocked sequential logic and having read-only-memories. The logic modules (12) and (14) generate dynamic arming signals at outputs (54) and (76) which cause the voltage control module (16) in conjunction with transformer (102), to convert a low voltage input (98) to a high voltage output (100). The high voltage output (100) is used to charge firing capacitors (112) and (138) in standard high energy firing modules (18) and (20). Logic module (14) generates two trigger signals at outputs (76) and (78) for activating the trigger modules (126) and (148).

Abstract: Target tracking capability is provided by a synergistic tracker system (5) which includes both a correlation tracker (30) and an object tracker (40) for processing sensor data input (10) and for generating tracking error signals (80). The operation of the synergistic tracker system is controlled by a central processing unit (70). The system operates by first correlating a reference region image with a portion of a current digitized image provided by an analog to digital converter (20). Secondly, the object tracker provides a precisely defined trackpoint for an object within the current image. The correlation tracker stabilizes and limits the portion of the digitized image that the object tracker must operate upon. Stabilizing and limiting this portion of the digitized image reduces the object tracker's sensitivity to background clutter and sensitivity to a loss of lock induced by sensor motion. The object tracker provides a non-recursive update for the correlation's reference region image.

Abstract: An optical fiber dispensing system (30) includes a canister (42) within which an optical fiber (12) is wound, and a helix dampener (40) that reduces the helical diameter of the optical fiber (12) as it is paid out from the canister (42) along a payout axis (20). The canister (42) is either a cylinder or a slightly tapered cone. The helix dampener (40) is a structure overlying the payout end of the canister (42) and extending beyond the canister (42) along the payout axis (20). The interior surface of the helix dampener (40) defines a locus (36) of points whose distance from the payout axis (20) decreases with increasing distance from the canister (42), to an opening (38) through which the optical fiber (12) is dispensed.

Abstract: An optical fiber (12) being removed from a storage spool (14) for winding onto a canister (20) passes through a housing formed from separable parts (22, 24). A chamber (34) within the housing has a nozzle (40) connected to a supply of a cleaning solvent and directs a spray of the solvent onto the moving fiber. Another version locates a further nozzle (46) within the housing directing a pressurized air stream on the fiber to dry the solvent as well as remove foreign particulate matter from the fiber. Yet another version has brushes (50, 52) within the housing that the fiber moves against to aid in removing particulate matter from the fiber surface.

Abstract: A refrigerating device (34 or 46) is formed using a refrigerating unit (10) having a hot end (32) at which heat is transferred to a heat sink (22), a cold end (30) at which heat is transferred from a cooling load (28) to the unit (10), a first junction (14) of a material (16) carrying electrical current in a nonsuperconducting mode to a material (12) carrying electrical current in a superconducting mode nearest the hot end (32), a second junction (18) of a material (12) carrying electrical current in a superconducting mode to a material (20) carrying electrical current in a nonsuperconducting mode nearest the cold end (30), and an electrical current source (24) that forces a flow of electrical current in the direction from the first junction (14) toward the second junction (18). As the electrical current flows, heat is transferred from the cooling load (28) into the cold end (30), and expelled to the heat sink (22) at the hot end (32).

Abstract: The RF/microwave switch/modulator uses an optically controlled diode 20. The reactance of the diode may be varied by varying the illumination intensity. In this fashion, the photodiode in conjunction with an external circuit can switch or modulate a microwave signal by varying the reactance of the diode using a laser light source or the like. The bias voltage may be varied to electronically tune the diode so that the microwave frequency of operation can be electronically controlled.

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a particulate material (28) located within the enclosure (20) is converted to an aerosol mixture by the filament movement on dispense. The aerosol mixture serves to act as a brake on the filament preventing dispense speed exceeding a predetermined desirable maximum.

Abstract: A system for transmitting a comb of radar signals. The invention includes a phase shifter for shifting the phase of an input carrier signal. A frequency modulation signal is adjusted in amplitude by an attenuator 16 and input to a balanced mixer 14. The balanced mixer 14 mixes the input carrier signal with the attenuated frequency modulation signal. A summer 20 combines the output of the phase shifter 12 with the output of the balanced mixer 14. The system 10 of the present invention provides an inexpensive means of generating and receiving a complex of illuminating signals having a spread spectrum consisting of lines (teeth) of carrier frequencies with controllable power. The system 10 is agile in that the power levels and the spectral positions of the teeth may be varied.

Abstract: A compensated amplitude comparison monopulse receiver (10) having an angular measurement capability substantially unaffected by mismatches in channel transient response and target range tracking inaccuracy is disclosed herein. The inventive monopulse receiver (10) includes a first receiver channel (24) for impressing a first output voltage S1 on a first output port (28) thereof in response to excitation by a sum signal. A second receiver channel (26) impresses a second output voltage S2 on a second output port (30) thereof in response to excitation by the sum and a difference signal. In a calibration mode, a calibration source (22) provides a series of calibration pulses to the first and second channels (24, 26) which induces first and second calibration voltages to appear on the first and second output ports (28, 30) thereof. Sampling gates (32, 34) sample the first and second calibration voltages subsequent to application of each calibration pulse to the first and second receiver channels (24, 26).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a reprogrammable program missile memory module 26 which is placed within a missile 14 in substantially the same manner as the currently used programmable read only memory. The reprogrammable program memory module 26 provides for remote writing of tactical program data thereto while allowing the missile 14 to remain in a substantially operational state.

Abstract: Data decompression of an image is implemented by reconstructing blocks of pixels from a table that stores orthogonal icons and related attributes representing a data compressed image. Each block of pixels is processed independently of all other blocks. Orthogonal processing is employed to reconstruct orthogonal features that relate to manufactured elements in an image. An optimum set of orthogonal icons and an optimum set of attributes for each icon are employed to further improve data decompression and fidelity. The optimal set of orthogonal icons includes a flat icon, an edge icon, a ribbon icon, a corner icon and a spot icon. The optimal set of attributes includes average intensities, intensity transition position and separation, and angle of the principal axis.