Abstract: A replaceable tip for an aircraft leading edge and which has a metallic abrasion shield glove removably mounted to the leading edge of the aircraft, fasteners for securing the abrasion shield glove to the leading edge of the aircraft, and a non-metallic resilient cushion insert fixedly attached to the abrasion shield glove so that the resilient cushion insert forms a dampening arrangement which reduces the amount of damage to the aircraft leading edge when the replaceable leading edge tip is hit.

Abstract: A security mounting arrangement for securing at least one computer and at least one piece of peripheral equipment to a surface. The arrangement has a first pad which contains a mounting aperture and a plurality of peripheral apertures and is fixedly attached to each of the at least one computer, a lock for securing the first pad to the surface, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the first pad to each of the at least one computer, a second pad fixedly attached to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment and containing an aperture, epoxy is used for fixedly attaching the second pad to each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment, and a cable is used for securing each of the at least one piece of peripheral equipment to the first pad.

Abstract: A primary and at least one backup alternating voltage source are coupled to a common load to provide interrupt free electric current to the load through a simplified interconnecting network. Phase control of all but one of the sources is accomplished by monitoring the phase difference across choke coils coupling the sources to the load.

Abstract: A space-based solar operated power module is configured for storage aboard a shuttle and then automatic deployment in the assigned orbit. It includes an articulated base support which is coupled to the ship's frame during deployment, and a chassis module, which also serves as a housing for electrical components of the power supply, and which is connected to the base support. A pair of oppositely extended foldable arms are movably mounted on the chassis sides and each carries an assembly of collapsible solar panels for converting incident radiant energy to electrical energy. The chassis also supports radiator panels which extend from the top of the chassis in the craft's vertical plane. At the start of deployment the shuttle's remote controlled cargo arm is used for lifting the chassis and its appendages from the hold of the ship.

Abstract: To reduce the length of a tube thickened by swaging and to provide acceptable efficiency in use of material and vessel length for a high performance pressure vessel, the tube is locally corrugated, then conventionally swaged and subsequently pressurized to remove the corrugations.

Abstract: A transmitter for producing video and audio signals and transmitting the signals includes an encoder for encoding stereo audio signals with the video signals. The audio signals encoded by the encoder constitute a broadband audio signal of approximately 15 kHz. A receiver for converting signals received from the transmitter to a picture and stereo sound includes a decoder for deriving the stereo audio signals from the received signals.

Abstract: A method for passively determining the range of a target vehicle relative to a non-cooperating moving test platform is disclosed. The method includes the steps of moving the test platform along a single linear path at a constant speed, while simultaneously performing a succession of bearing and frequency measurements on a radiant signal emitted by the moving target vehicle. Similarly, the test platform may remain stationary so that its velocity is zero. The measured parameters, along with knowledge of the test platform's own position and velocity, permit the range to the emitter, its velocity and its transmitted frequency to be determined.

Abstract: First and second tabs are affixed to the surface of a body in close proximity with each other and in partially side by side relation. First and second optical fibers are affixed to the first and second tabs, respectively, and are movable therewith. The optical fibers are positioned transverse to the tabs and in alignment about a mechanical quiescent point in the absence of strain in the body. A source of light produces and directs light through the first and second optical fibers. A light detector detects light transmitted through the first and second optical fibers and determines the intensity thereof, which is proportional to the magnitude of compression and tension strains in the body.

Abstract: A readily assembled and disassembled coupling designed to sustain both axial and torsional loads. The coupling has two tubular elements that are held together by a locking ring inserted from outside the coupling after the connection is made. The end of the first tubular element fits into a section of enlarged diameter in the end of the second tubular element. The shoulder in the bore of the second at the transition point between the enlarged and normal diameter is formed into a helix. A matching helix is formed on the edge at the end of the first element. A peripheral annular groove is provided in the outer diameter of the first element and a similar groove is provided in the inside diameter of the second element. When the two elements are fitted together with their helices in contact to make the connection, the groove in the second element overlies the groove in the first element. A slot in the wall of the second element provides access to the grooves to permit the insertion of the locking ring.

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 range-finding system comprising the hardwired video processing of two side-by-side TV stereo images of a scene to provide automatic, rapid, quantitative ranging to noncooperative objects. A single TV camera with appropriate optics to provide stereo inputs or, in a preferred embodiment, two TV cameras, provide the stereo images. Range is determined for any change of contrast in the common TV stereo scene to obtain the parallax displacement of corresponding object features with a three scan line delay of less than 200 microseconds. The video of the synchronized line scan of both cameras is stored as they are scanned, thus range can be determined with relative motion between the stereo camera and objects in the scene. Range is stored in on-board RAM's for each pixel of the TV scene and is available after three TV lines of delay. Range up-dating is continuous as the TV raster is scanned, or the range of a particular TV frame may be frozen for detailed study.

Abstract: A self-contained, standby flight instrument includes sensors, processing circuitry, rechargeable power supply, voltage regulation circuitry, and display hardware arranged to provide a continuous display of aircraft airspeed, altitude, roll, pitch and heading regardless of any partial or complete failure in the primary instrumentation, an interrelated subsystem, or the electric power supply.

Abstract: A portable, adjustable structure for supporting an equipment unit at a distance above a support surface has a lower tower structural member placed on the support surface. Pivot support structural members are affixed to the lower tower structural member in a manner whereby the pivot support structural members are upright relative to the support surface. A plurality of struts are utilized to stabilize the lower tower structural member and the pivot support structural members on the support surface. A tower member is pivotally mounted on the pivot support structural members. The tower member has spaced opposite first and second ends. The equipment unit is affixed to the tower member at the first end thereof. The tower member is pivotally movable to a position substantially perpendicular to the support surface with the first end thereof spaced farther from the support surface than the second end thereof. Ballast is affixed to the tower member at the second end thereof.

Abstract: In a thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy. The apparatus includes a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and devices for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions. The walls of the chambers, formed of spaced heat conductive sheets, act to transfer heat.

Abstract: A valving system and modified anti-G flight suit are disclosed which operate in either of two modes. In an anti-blackout mode, pneumatic bladders in the flight suit are simultaneously inflated. In an anti-fatigue mode, the bladders are sequentially inflated in a repeated cycle so as to prevent pooling of blood and other body fluids in the leg and lower seat area.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation-pressure regulating system for wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tires. The system has a system control assembly in the vehicle operator's compartment, control signal transmitter assemblies on the vehicle body in close proximity with each vehicle road wheel, and a tire pressure-regulating wheel assembly on each wheel. The transmitter assemblies convert electrical command signals initiated by the control assembly to RF signals that are received by an electronic module in each wheel assembly. Means in each wheel assembly selectively deflate or inflate their respective tires in response to the RF control signals. Gas under pressure for inflating the tires is provided either by a plurality of gas generators or by a pressurized gas-generating liquid.

Abstract: A test system for an electromagnetic brake system for a trailer, which includes a battery disposed in the towing vehicle for powering a plurality of brake electromagnets disposed in the trailer, an automatic controller for regulating current flow, resistors for both proportioning and balancing current flow among the plurality of brake electromagnets and between the towing vehicle and the trailer, respectively, the proportioning resistor is dropped from the system by a solenoid when the towing vehicle is put into reverse for testing, a gauge having both green and red zones is inserted into the system by a relay switch when the towing vehicle is put into reverse for testing, and a pushbutton for actuating the gauge is provided.

Abstract: A vane pivotally mounted atop a wind turbine, rotatably mounted on a support structure, rotates freely with the wind. A cam is affixed to and rotatable with the vane. A toothed wheel is stationarily affixed to the support structure. A pair of pawls are mounted atop the wind turbine in operative proximity with the cam and the toothed wheel. Thus, when the vane rotates to align itself with a new wind vector, the cam rotates with the vane and disengages one of the pawls from the toothed wheel thereby permitting the wind turbine to rotate in the direction of rotation of the vane until the wind turbine is aligned with the vane at which point both the pawls engage the toothed wheel, locking the wind turbine in aligned position with the wind.

Abstract: Canards are pivotally mounted on the fuselage of a variable sweep wing jet aircraft and project laterally with respect to the fuselage forwardly of the wings. The canards are positioned and configured to produce pitch control moments about the center of gravity. Thrust-vectoring devices extend from the jet engines of the aircraft for varying the thrust direction of such engines. A control system is mounted in the fuselage and extends to the wings, the canards and the thrust-vectoring devices for controlling the wings in angular positions relative to the fuselage, controlling the canards in rotary position relative to the fuselage and controlling the thrust-vectoring devices to control the thrust direction. The positions are controlled in coordination to overcome pitch departure, deep stall and spin, which might otherwise occur due to lack of nose-down pitch power, while also optimizing supersonic cruise and transonic maneuver performance of the aircraft.

Abstract: Distortions inherent in the formation of a range/doppler image by an airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) of a ship under the influence of roll, pitch, and yaw motions characteristic of sea state conditions are removed in conjunction with a least squares linear regression solution to doppler processed interferometric azimuth angle data derived from ship radar reflections, resulting in a scaled high resolution range/doppler image representative of the true range/cross range (azimuth) distribution of the ship, so that continuous automatic tracking of a cursor imbedded in a single designated resolution cell of the ship's displayed image, essential to carrying out precision standoff command weapon guidance to that selected ship target cell, can be accomplished.