Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the steady state flow resistance of face sheets on fully assembled acoustic duct liners. Resistance is measured by subjecting the liner to a sinusoidal acoustic pressure field at the face sheet surface. The pressure field is applied through a cylindrical waveguide and is measured by a pressure transducer flush mounted on the inside of the waveguide near the liner face. A second pressure measurement, obtained by a similar transducer positioned further from the face, is combined with the first measurement to calculate the acoustic resistance for the excitation frequency. If the excitation frequency coincides with the resonant frequency of the liner configuration, then no significant pressure exists on the back surface of the liner face sheet. For this condition the root mean square (rms) pressure measured at the face sheet is equated to the static pressure drop used to obtain the steady state flow resistance.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus for changing the antenna radiation pattern includes a transmitter and first and second antenna members. Each antenna member has a plurality of antenna elements which are arranged such that the elements of each antenna member are exponentially amplitude fed. A directional coupler responsive to the transmitter divides the power from the transmitter between the first and second antenna members such that each antenna member is provided with a signal of equal amplitude and phase. A variable phase shifter connected between the directional coupler and one of the antenna members is selectively operable either at 0.degree., or at a predetermined value in the range of about 60.degree. to 120.degree.. A symmetrical pencil beam pattern is provided when the variable phase shifter is set at 0.degree., and a cosecant squared pattern is provided when the variable phase shifter is set at a value in the range of about 60.degree. to 120.degree..

Abstract: An antenna array which may be conformally mounted in an aircraft includes a plurality of non-parasitic antenna drivers. A conductive member serves as a ground plane and reflector. Each non-parasitic driver is coupled to an energy transformer, such as a receiver, by an energy conductor, such as a balun, which supports the element in spaced parallel relation with respect to the conductive member. The energy transformers are releasably secured to the conductive member, which preferably is formed of a plurality of portions, each portion having attached thereto a group of the energy transformers. The antenna array is formed by a series of modules including a portion of the conductive member with its attached energy transformers. The modules form a wing leading edge radome that is hinged to the aircraft along a longitudinal edge of the radome to permit easy access for servicing. The conductive member in each module has a slot for each driver to permit replacement of antenna driver/energy transformer assemblies.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic convoluted cone wheel having a hub section and a resilient section that has a ground-engaging rim at its peripheral outer edge portion to which a tire tread can be provided for the ground engaging rim including an internal element to vary the rate of the wheel with deformation under load which is turnable for changing stiffness with deformation of the resilient section.

Abstract: Diffusion bonding of surface layers of an alloy, such as an aluminum alloy, having surface oxides of low solubility in the alloy includes treating the surface layers to be bonded to remove existing surface oxide coatings, and diffusion bonding the surface layers to one another by placing the alloy to be bonded under sufficient pressure to cause disruption of the oxide coatings by localized surface deformation of the alloy, enhanced by a superplastic microstructure, without substantial deformation of the alloy, i.e., macroscopic deformation approaching zero percent, while heating the alloy in a non-oxidizing atmosphere for a time sufficient for diffusion bonding to occur. The alloy may be treated so that at least the surface layers thereof have a fine grain structure of the type associated with superplastic forming properties. Components may be formed by diffusion bonding and superplastic forming.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering properly positioned rivets to a hopper and including a venturi station, a conduit connected to the venturi station for delivering the rivets from the venturi station to the hopper and having a restricted end for automatically properly positioning the rivets, a rivet shaped slot for introducing the rivets into the venturi station, and components for creating a suction in the venturi station so that when the rivets are introduced into the venturi station by the rivet shaped slot the rivets are drawn by the suction created by the suction creating components through the venturi station and the delivering conduit from the rivet shaped slot to the restricted end of the delivering conduit where the rivets are automatically properly positioned in the hopper for riveting.

Abstract: A circuit useful as an edge detector or pulse width encoder which receives an input signal and supplies a logic output signal includes a delay and inverting circuit for logically inverting and delaying input signals so as to supply a delayed and inverted signal or pulse. The circuit also includes a gate having a first input for receiving the input signal and a second input for receiving the delayed and inverted pulse. The gate provides a logic output signal whenever the input pulse signal and the delayed and inverted output pulse are at different logic levels. The circuit may be expanded with additional circuit elements including a delay circuit for delaying the input signal and an additional gate having an input for receiving the logic output signal and an output connected to the input of the delay circuit. The expanded circuit oscillates at a frequency which varies in response to the delays in the circuit.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic convoluted cone wheel having a hub section and a resilient section that has a ground-engaging rim at its peripheral outer edge portion to which a tire tread can be provided for the ground engaging rim including an internal element to vary the rate of the wheel with deformation under load which is turnable for changing stiffness with deformation of the resilient section.

Abstract: An arrangement that uses aircraft fuel as a heat sink for aircraft auxiliary oil systems for an aircraft having at least one engine operated by fuel and having an engine interface limit and including a fuel/oil heat exchanger for removing heat from the aircraft auxiliary oil systems and having a fuel outlet temperature, a temperature sensing for determining temperature of the fuel leaving the fuel/oil heat exchanger, a recirculating flow control valve having variable positions including an open and a closed position controlled by the temperature sensor, the fuel always going to the aircraft engine but also going through the flow control valve when the flow control valve is in the open position so that recirculation is minimized and maximum heat is rejected to the engine by the fuel outlet temperature of the fuel/oil heat exchanger when the fuel outlet temperature of the fuel/oil heat exchanger is controlled by the engine interface limit, a ram air heat exchanger for removing heat from the fuel leaving the rec

Abstract: A fluid actuator includes an internal lock assembly for locking an actuator piston to a cylinder of the actuator. A circumferential slot is located on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for receiving locking latches which are radially extendable and retractable on the piston, and ball bearings are located between an inner aspect of each latch and a first abutment member on the piston. A second abutment member has a thickness less than about half the diameter of the ball bearings and is adapted to become wedged between the ball bearings and the first abutment means to force the latches radially outwardly into the slot for locking the piston relative to the cylinder and thereafter to abut only the latches to maintain locking.

Abstract: An optical notching filter in which a band of radio frequencies such as the RF input of a radio receiver is an input signal. The input signal modulates a laser beam and the modulated beam is optically Fourier transformed. A programmable optical notching filter spatially filters the electromagnetic interference noise from the transformed beam and the thus filtered beam is optically inverse Fourier transformed. A photo-combining of the filtered beam with a focused laser local oscillator beam down-converts the filtered beam to the original input signal minus electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the relative positions of hole patterns is disclosed wherein two or more fiber optic bundles disposed within first and second holes and connected to one or more sources of light and light sensitive, position sensing devices provide two, three, four, or five axis measurements of the relative positions of the two holes. By measuring the position of the light from the source transmitted via an optical bundle in the first hole and received by an optical bundle in the second hole, a precise measurement system that senses mismatch and the direction thereof with a very high degree of accuracy is achieved. The movement of plane surfaces may also be measured with the present apparatus by attaching either the transmitting or receiving side of the apparatus to a part which is subjected to a load, and measuring the resulting change in the position of the light beam illuminating the light sensitive, position sensing device.

Abstract: A clamping device for setting a detail which has at least one oversized throughbore to a fixture base which has at least one threaded throughbore, the clamping device has six degrees of freedom, a longitudinally adjustable body portion which has an upper threaded portion and a lower threaded portion and is fixed in space so as to form a firm point for longitudinal rotation eliminating bending of the body portion during the setting, a flange disposed on the body portion which separates the upper threaded portion from the lower threaded portion, and a clamping arrangement disposed on the upper threaded portion of the body portion which provides single load line jacking and clamping to adjust and hold the detail in position with relation to the fixture base so that lock-up of the clamping device and the detail is prevented.

Abstract: A thermal management system using heat pipe principles and incorporating capillary-pumped equipment mounting panels such that a heat transport loop without moving parts is provided. The panels can function to either absorb heat or to reject heat and can interface with heat generating equipment or heat radiators. Each panel comprises a pair of coextensive flat plates bonded together with a thin, fine-pore sheet wick interposed therebetween. A network of liquid grooves in one plate is in fluid communication with the sheet wick which covers the grooves and most of the plate and a separate liquid line connecting the panels. A network of vapor channels in the other plate is in fluid communication with the wick and with a separate vapor line connecting the panels. The vapor channel networks of the panels and the liquid groove networks of the panels are connected such that the panels are arranged in parallel in the fluid circuit or loop.

Abstract: A transient air and surface contact vehicle for transporting a person has a fuselage structure for carrying a person. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts a surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. A buoyancy control device mounted on the structure and on the vehicle support provides for the buoyancy required to keep the vehicle afloat while stationary and at low speeds. At high speed the dynamic pressures generated at the bottom of the struts provide the supporting forces. A power source is mounted on the structure for moving the vehicle along the surface at the predetermined distance above the surface. A position control mounted on the structure produces a positive pitching moment to cause the vehicle to become airborne, a negative pitching moment to maintain the vehicle in surface-following contact with the surface and both moments to control the altitude of the vehicle when it is airborne.

Abstract: A composite VTOL vehicle comprising a VTOL carrier with outboard mounted engines and an aircraft which is lifted off and retrieved by the carrier.

Abstract: A computer image generation system is described which models objects without the necessity of linear edges. The system is adaptable for dynamic (real time) image generation from a compact model base for use in, for example, flight training systems. Scene content is enhanced by a novel texture generator. The system is designed for use with standard video display equipment.

Abstract: A supercritical movable airfoil over which is blown air to obtain a Coanda affect. A sealing strip is provided on a stationary airfoil portion which seals against the movable airfoil portion during blowing to prevent flow of air therebetween.