Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking a light source in a transient event rich environment locks on to a light source incident on a field-of-view 1 of a charge-coupled-device (CCD) array 6, validates the permanence of said light source and transmits data relating to the brilliance and location of said light source if said light source is determined to be permanent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining if a surface of an object, such as a ball bearing (12), has a radius of curvature within a predetermined tolerance. A test system (10) includes an interferometer having a reference beam (20a) and a measurement beam (20b). The measurement beam is disposed for illuminating a surface of the object while the object is in motion. A cylindrical lens (24) is provided for forming the measurement beam into a linear, stripe-like pattern that illuminates the surface. The measurement beam reflects from the surface of the object to a beamsplitter (20) that combines the reflected measurement beam with a reflected reference beam. The test system further includes an imager (30), optically coupled to an output of the interferometer, for recording a two dimensional interferogram that results from a change in an optical path length of the measurement beam relative to an optical path length of the reference beam.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a plurality of holographic optical elements (HOEs 50) that are disposed on a surface of a mirror (12) that defines a pupil, each of the HOEs diffracting a portion of an output beam for providing an associated sample beam. An optical wavefront sensor (54) has an input that is optically coupled to each of the sample beams through a low aberration optical train and through a transfer lens (54a) that focuses the sample beams at a focal plane (FP). A detector (54b) is positioned in a plane parallel to and offset from the focal plane (focus-biased) for detecting spot images of the sample beams. Each of the HOEs has a prescribed amount of optical power associated therewith for causing the associated sample beam to be focussed by the transfer lens at the plane of the detector, and further has a prescribed amount of optical tilt associated therewith for compensating for a distortion of the sample beam due to a distortion of the pupil for different FOV angles.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes at least one single-mode type laser diode for producing laser emission, and an external cavity with a partial reflector for reflecting a portion of the emission back into the laser. A DC current operates the laser in a first mode with a first frequency of emission. The laser is pulsed with a predetermined sequence of signal pulses each shifting the laser to a second mode with a second frequency different than the first frequency. The frequency shifting thereby constitutes information in a laser beam corresponding to the sequence of signal pulses. The laser system may be formed of a plurality of laser diodes in an array, so that the reflector reflects emission back into the diodes to lock them in the alternate modes of operation.

Abstract: A container of a pressurized gas has an elongated inlet/outlet tubular neck which extends into a housing passage. A cap sealed over the inlet/outlet neck has a platelike member connected to the neck via a hollow support or column. A piston is slidingly received within the housing passage for movement toward the platelike member and has a rod which can be brought into contact with the member eccentrically of the hollow support. A squib on being discharged driving the piston toward the platelike member and rod cantilevers about the hollow support causing it to break and release the gas for use.

Abstract: An open-ended cylindrical housing (50) with a slot (52) extending along one side contains within its bore first and second roller guides (54, 56) each having a longitudinal extending V-shaped groove (58) in an outer surface. The housing and included roller guides are located as a unit within an adhesive recovery tube (62) having a slot (66) along one side. In use, a fiber (18) with adhesive on its surface moves along the V-shaped grooves. Adjustment of the V-shaped groove aperture existing at the facing roller guide ends is accomplished by relative roller guide rotation.

Abstract: A tracking system 10 utilizes both a correlation processor 18 and centroid processor 20 to generate track error signals. The operator is given the option to initially select track error signals exclusively from the correlation processor 18 at track initiation. In a mixed mode of operation, track gate error signals from the centroid processor 20 are selected for each axis where the target is contrast bounded while track gate error signals from the correlation processor 18 are selected for each axis where the target is not contrast bounded.

Abstract: A filament winding apparatus has a bobbin slidably, but non-rotatably, received on a tube mounted to a base. A cylindrical case has an internal circumferential groove with gear teeth which mesh with an orbiting cylindrical bail. A base mounted sun gear located within the case meshes with bail gear teeth driving it along both a circular path and about itself as an axis. A filament to be wound passes through an eyelet axially mounted to the case, through the bail and secured to the bobbin. Rotation of the sun gear winds the filament onto the bobbin while not subjecting the filament to sharp bending stresses, and during which frictional engagement is distributed over extended eyelet, bail and filament surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for forming filament windings which are designed to enable filament (52) to be paid out at a high rate used particularly for guided missile systems using a filament as a data link. Numerous prior art techniques exist which have disadvantages such as difficulty in winding, poor coil stability, and high drag associated with paying out of the filaments. Additionally, some of the prior art techniques do not result in a densely packed coil, thus requiring larger size spools and compromising the packaging efficiency of the overall system. In accordance with this invention, a "deep nested" filament coil winding (80, 94, 102) is provided. By providing a pitch distance of approximately the filament diameter times the square root of 3, and advancing the coils in two equal steps as the turns wrap around the coil spool, a highly densely packed coil is provided which can be wound against a single flange (84, 104) or a pair of separated flanges (84, 86).

Abstract: A fiber guide includes a sleeve having a longitudinal slot therealong a first member, having a notch, is fixed in the sleeve with the notch substantially aligned with the slot. A second member, also having a notch, is rotatably disposed in the sleeve. Thus, a fiber can be positioned in the notches of the first and second members and secured therein by rotating the second member. The fiber can also be readily removed from the guide, without damage or impediment, by reversing the rotation of the second member.

Abstract: A configuration of an electronics unit is disclosed wherein a plurality of circular circuit cards are arranged in an aligned, parallel relationship. Each card has a central circular inner opening formed therein. A plurality of inner and outer spacer elements support the respective inner and outer peripheries of the cards. The conductive patterns on the cards include a plurality of conductive pads arranged around the inner and outer peripheries of the cards. Circular metal-on-elastomer inner and outer connectors engage respective one of the inner and outer spacers, and the metal traces of the connectors make electrical contact with aligned conductive pads of adjacent cards. The unit includes a cover structure which envelopes the circuit card configuration to form a sealed unit, and an electrically insulating coolant liquid is disposed in the sealed unit in direct contact with the circuit cards and electrical components mounted thereon to absorb heat generated by electrical power dissipation.

Abstract: A configuration of an electronics unit is disclosed wherein a plurality of circular circuit cards are arranged in an aligned, parallel relationship. Each card has a central circular inner opening formed therein. A plurality of inner and outer spacer elements support the respective inner and outer peripheries of the cards. The conductive patterns on the cards include a plurality of conductive pads arranged around the inner and outer peripheries of the cards. Circular metal-on-elastomer inner and outer connectors engage respective one of the inner and outer spacers, and the metal traces of the connectors make electrical contact with aligned conductive pads of adjacent cards. The unit includes a cover structure which envelopes the circuit card configuration to form a sealed unit, and an electrically insulating coolant liquid is disposed in the sealed unit in direct contact with the circuit cards and electrical components mounted thereon to absorb heat generated by electrical power dissipation.

Abstract: A very high acceleration tolerant packaging structure 10 for protecting electronic circuit elements such as printed circuit cards 35 or ceramic cards. A rigid housing 15 has at least one planar member 35 for supporting electronic circuitry thereon, mounted within the housing so as to divide the interior of the housing into at least two chambers 50, 52. Each chamber is completely filled with a substantially incompressible fluid 60 so as to leave no air spaces or voids. The fluid in one chamber communicates with the fluid in another chamber only at a controllable rate. Preferably the planar members 35 have substantially the same shape as the cross sectional shape of the interior of the packaging system.

Abstract: A configuration of an electronics unit is disclosed wherein a plurality of circular circuit cards are arranged in an aligned, parallel relationship. Each card has a central circular inner opening formed therein. A plurality of inner and outer spacer elements support the respective inner and outer peripheries of the cards. The conductive patterns on the cards include a plurality of conductive pads arranged around the inner and outer peripheries of the cards. Circular metal-on-elastomer inner and outer connectors engage respective one of the inner and outer spacers, and the metal traces of the connectors make electrical contact with aligned conductive pads of adjacent cards. The unit includes a cover structure which envelopes the circuit card configuration to form a sealed unit, and an electrically insulating coolant liquid is disposed in the sealed unit in direct contact with the circuit cards and electrical components mounted thereon to absorb heat generated by electrical power dissipation.

Abstract: A system (20) for diagnosing defects in electronic assemblies is disclosed. The system (20) comprises a knowledge base (26) for storing information regarding the electronic assembly for receiving current test failure data regarding an electronic assembly (12). The system further comprises a pattern search section (36) for comparing current test failure data to information stored in the knowledge base (26). A voting section (40) is also provided for generating a recommended repair procedure to eliminate the defect in the electronic assembly (12). Finally, the system (20) further comprises a historical pattern generation section (46) which updates the knowledge base (26) with information regarding whether the recommended repair procedure eliminated the defect.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inflatable aerodynamic surface (14) particularly adapted for improving the aerodynamic smoothness of the forward end of a missile (10) of the type having a relatively blunt forward end with a centrally disposed extendible probe member (26). In accordance with this invention, a flexible membrane (36) is provided having a base edge (46) sealingly affixed to the forward edge of the missile casing and an apex (48) affixed to the forward end of the probe (26). The membrane (36) is inflated by a gas generator (42) to pressurize the inside of the membrane to define a smooth, nose-shaped aerodynamic frontal surface.

Abstract: A four element optical magnifying system (10) is disclosed. The primary lens (12), secondary lens (14), tertiary lens (16), and quaternary lens (18) form an optical system (10) have surfaces shaped to focus upon an object such that a high resolution image is formed at infinity at 4.times. magnification substantially over the entire field of view.

Abstract: A postage and mailing information system wherein an encrypted message based upon postage and mail address information is created. This encrypted message is used in the determination of authenticity. Another aspect of the invention resides in placing the encrypted message in the address field of a mail piece for authentication by an automatic high speed sorter.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently executing communication protocol conversions includes a plurality of peripheral interface devices each executing only a single communication protocol conversion whereby the processing capacity required is reduced for each such device. In addition, a single network wide uniform communication protocol is incorporated within each apparatus.

Abstract: A telemetry system connects with a telephone system for communication of data via subscriber telephone lines to a provider of data services. Connection of multiplexing circuitry to a set of subscriber lines is accomplished at a main distribution frame by adapters or access blocks set between arc suppressors and a terminal block. The multiplexing circuitry is activated by signals of a line scan unit which, in turn, cooperates with a host computer associated with a station wherein data is processed. The data may be transmitted out of voice band, if desired, to enable simultaneous voice and data transmission. Passive, active and interactive data can be transmitted by the telemetry system. The host computer selects which of a plurality of stations is to be coupled to which of a plurality of subscribers.