Abstract: A multi-component propellant charge is disclosed wherein one component is energetic high-strength composite resin, which is plasticized by an energetic plasticizer and supports the other components during the high-acceleration stage of the propellant's performance.

Abstract: A method for steering solid propellant ballistic vehicles during powered flight which eliminates the requirement for cutoff control by allowing simultaneous fuel depletion and velocity-to-be-gained, V.sub.G, nulling. The vehicle booster is steered along a velocity trajectory of length equal to the remaining velocity capability, V.sub.CAP, which results in a fuel-inefficient trajectory. The trajectory is divided basically into three phases--an exit phase, a fuel-depletion guidance (FDG) phase and a short phase of constant attitude thrusting just prior to final stage burnout. For the exit phase the launch azimuth and the pitch-over magnitude can be varied from their usual fuel-efficient values. During fuel-depletion guidance the additional degree of freedom is the angle, .theta., between V.sub.G and the desired thrust direction, U.sub.S, where: ##EQU1## a.sub.T being the sensed acceleration vector.

Abstract: Information about the plasma density profile in an aerodynamic flow field of plasma adjacent a supersonic space vehicle or test model is provided by a flush mountable plasma density profile probe device having at least three striplines embedded in and separated by a dielectric support member from a conducting ground plane therebelow. In operation, the device is affixed flush and conformally to the surface of the space vehicle or test model. The plasma density profile is determined from a plot of data points derived from sequential measurements, in the plasma flow field environment, of the conduction between a driven stripline and parallel flush embedded additional striplines in the order of the nearest stripline to the furtherest stripline from the driven stripline. Standard formulas can be applied to determine the data points.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing viscous, curable liquid materials in which the compots to be mixed are fed at high pressure (up to 5000 psi) into the central longitudinal chamber of a mixing head. The inlet ducts are on opposing sides of the chamber and displaced longitudinally so that there is no mixing of the components in the upstream end of the chamber where the drive shaft enters the mixing head. The two components are forced from the chamber through rotating apertures into a rotating inner tube (rotating at up to 500 RPM). The end of the rotating inner tube is closed so that the high pressure forces the material through a multiplicity of apertures in the wall of the tube. The rotating tube is enclosed in a concentric stationary tube having a multiplicity of apertures in its walls. The material is forced through the second group of apertures into an annular outer chamber which leads to the output of the mixer.

Abstract: Subharmonics of a data waveform are generated for the purpose of reducing ta bandwidth prior to transmission. Input data waveform is phase split and the antiphased output signals are fed to a rectifier. The rectification of antiphased signals creates two pulsating voltage with opposite polarity. The pulsating voltages are alternately switched by a chopper to provide a sinusoidal signal. The sinusoidal signal is filtered to average the energy of the pulsating voltage to provide a smooth waveform of one-half the frequency of the input data waveform.

Abstract: A low power expenditure oscillator/driver circuit including a transistor drive and control windings connected thereto and being operatively wound on a magnetic core suitable for use in a fluxgate magnetometer is disclosed. Its low power expenditure feature is provided, inter alia, by including an additional resistor in the base circuit of the transistor portion thereof so as to lengthen the base current pulses which permits their termination to be controlled by saturation of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A coating for smoothing rough surfaces of steel, masonry, and concrete hag desirable application and curing characteristics comprising component A and component B in a ratio of 4:5 to 5:4 by weight. Component A includes by weight, polyamide adduct resin of 45-54%, polyamide resin of 3-4%, thixotrope additive of 12-24%, titanium dioxide pigment of 5-6%, and magnesium silicate pigment of 34-38%. Component B includes by weight, epoxy resin of 55-60%, thixotrope additive of 10-20%, colorant pigment of 3-4%, and magnesium silicate pigment of 31-35%.

Abstract: A controller featuring digital address display, manual control functions, signal conditioning, transducer outputs and computer address interrogation for a plurality of multi-port devices. For address interrogation the controller is compatible with a standard digital interface bus. The current device address is input to a plurality of multiplexers. The address of the device to be selected is transmitted from a computer through the interface bus to a data input/output circuit which routes the address data to a data storage unit. The address data is used to address the multiplexers to transmit to the interface bus the state of the device selected by the address data.

Abstract: A hand-held welding torch is disclosed having a pair of foldable handles to ermit maneuvering of the torch in confined spaces. The torch is of the type having a non-consummable electrode radially mounted on a longitudinal shaft which can be inserted into the bore of a tubular member and rotated so that the tip of the electrode moves over a circular path around the axis of the tubular member. In one preferred embodiment, a front handle is coupled to a spring-loaded collet having an expanded end and mounted for axial movement about the shaft upon actuation of the front handle. A set of radially-projecting jaws pivotally mounted immediately about the collet are spread outward to positively grip the bore by movement along the expanded end so that the torch is properly positioned in substantially the center of the bore and supported therein during rotation of the electrode.

Abstract: A crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated by digitally substrang a correction frequency from the running frequency of the crystal oscillator to provide the required operating frequency. The correction frequency is generated by a digital frequency synthesizer circuit which is controlled by the output of a programmable read-only memory which has been programmed to generate the required correction frequency for each temperature code over the operating temperature range. The temperature code is generated by gating a digital counter with the output of a monostable multivibrator which utilizes a thermistor to make its gate interval proportional to temperature.

Abstract: A system for transferring cargo at sea by helicopter includes an automatily activated self inflatable apparatus for reducing the velocity of the cargo if jettisoned or inadvertently dropped into the sea and for keeping the cargo afloat until retrieval may be accomplished. The cargo is lifted by a support sling attachable to a helicopter suspension cargo hook and simultaneously connected to a second sling in parallel to the helicopter through the rapidly deployable retardation and floatation device. Release of the support sling causes the cargo to drop and initiate deployment and inflation of the ribs of the parachute thereby retarding the cargo's descend and providing buoyancy for its floatation.

Abstract: A method of converting magnetic energy to mechanical energy comprising subjecting a material of the formula R.sub.x T.sub.1-x wherein R is a rare earth or mixtures thereof, T is Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, or mixtures thereof, and 0<x<1, to a change in magnetic field and of converting mechanical energy to magnetic energy comprising subjecting a material of the formula R.sub.x T.sub.1-x to a change in pressure.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlled focusing of a reconnaisance camera instad on an aircraft. The camera can be focused to any of a plurality of pre-selected focused position, each position having a unique corresponding binary coded decimal designator generated from a position correlated switch. When a change in focus is selected by depression of a push button switch, the resulting binary coded decimal designator for the desired focus position is added to the binary coded decimal designator from the optical switch. Differences between the two designators will cause a scanner to rotate and scan all optical switches, while simultaneously a gear mechanism adjusts the camera lens focus position to the position corresponding to that for the switch scan at that increment of time. When the scanner locates the activated switch whose binary coded decimal designator is the same as the designator of the selected pushbutton, scanning and focusing adjustments are halted.

Abstract: A cable testing system which eliminates the swivel on the crane hook. Means are provided for attaching a crane weight indicator system (dial scale) to a crane lifting block directly. Steel bars are inserted through the block on the lifting pin and four short slings are attached to these bars. The weight indicator is then hung by these slings, with the cable to be tested connected from the weight indicator to a dead man in the ground.

Abstract: An aerodynamic lift-generating adapter assembly secures to the nose of an guided projectile to provide a capability for flat-trajectory flight. The adapter assembly comprises a rotatably-supported, roll-stabilized lift-generating section coupled to an actuator section containing inertia means to initiate gyroscope rotor spinning. The control gyroscope is directly linked to the lift-generating device to maintain fixed orientation of the lift.

Abstract: A balanced preamplifier is disclosed for impedance-coupling an audio signal source, such as a microphone, to a differential amplifier. In one embodiment, the preamplifier comprises a first stage wherein a pair of complementary bipolar transistors are connected in a common-base configuration and coupled to a low-impedance microphone so that the microphone signal is appied to the respective emitters of the transistors and transformed to an appropriately higher impedance level at the respective collectors thereof with common-mode passage of external and internal noise. A second stage including a complementary pair of bipolar transistors in a common-emitter configuration is coupled to the first stage for greater power and voltage amplification requirements.

Abstract: A spacecraft associated deployable support structure which incorporates a ssive mechanism for extending an elongated arm, having a supporting surface, from a position adjacent to the spacecraft into a position extensive in relation to the spacecraft, whereby solar cells or instrumentation mounted on the supporting surface can be employed for their intended use.

Abstract: An aircraft crewman protective system properly positions the lower legs and eet of the crewman during emergency egress from an aircraft. The system includes a pair of plate members connected to swing outward from the under side of the crewman's console at each leg position and means for deploying the plate members at the time of ejection. Upon deployment, the plate members push the feet of the crewman backward guiding the feet and lower legs within a contact-free envelope during ejection without changing desired spinal position of the crewman.

Abstract: An improved method for etch-thinning silicon devices using three sequential tches. The device is pre-thinned in a hot KOH-H.sub.2 O etch. The thinning etch is a hydrofluoric, nitric, acetic acids (1:3:10) and a precise amount of hydrogen peroxide mixture. The cleanup etch is a potassium permanganate, hydrofluoric and acetic acids mixture. The result is a repeatedly specular, smooth, uniform, 10 micron thick membrane over the pixels with a p.sup.+ surface to enhance the CCI optical response.

Abstract: An explosive auto-enhancement device for providing higher detonation pressure than can be achieved with conventional explosives by the use of magnetic precompression for enhancing the detonation wave. A cylindrical armature containing an explosive charge is coaxially spaced within a helical field generator winding with a first end of the armature being electrically coupled to the helical winding. A "seed" magnetic field is provided to the helical winding prior to the initiation of the explosive charge. When the explosive charge is initiated, forming a detonation wave, the other end of the cyclindrical armature expands and is coupled to the helical winding, thus completing the electrical circuit between the winding and the armature. As the detonation wave continues through the explosive charge, more of the coils of the helical winding are short circuited which reduces the inductance and results in increased magnetic flux within the winding.