Abstract: A multichip electronic package uses a silicon substrate for chip mounting and interconnects, micro-machined inverted and non-inverted truncated vias for intrinsically hermetically sealed I/O connections, and an anodically bonded silicon cover, with support posts. Stacked, colocated and inverted vias are provided for increased chip and interconnect density within an intrinsically sealed, thermally matched package.

Abstract: A high speed wideband silicon photodetector is formed from a photosensitive junction in a relatively thin epitaxial layer of silicon grown on a sapphire substrate using SOS technology. The photodetector is backside illuminated, that is, illumination to be detected is cause to strike a receptor surface of the sapphire substrate so that it can reach the photosensitive junction in the silicon layer even with the shallower minimum penetration depths available at higher frequencies. A bias voltage may be applied to extend the depletion region from the photosensitive junction to the silicon sapphire interface. A magnesium fluoride anti-reflective coating may be used on the sapphire reflective surface.

Abstract: A tunable, integrated WDM optic couler for coupling optical energy to and from channel waveguides in response to the application of Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW's ), and a distributed processor computer control system utilizing the couplers. A first range of SAW's is used to couple optical energy of selected wavelengths from a channel waveguide driven by a LED to multiplex optical energy to a common optic loop and a second, non-overlapping range of SAW's is used to couple optical energy from the loop to a second channel waveguide. The second, receiving channel waveguide includes a Bragg deflector, planar waveguide and photodetector arrays to demultiplex the optical energy by focusing selected wavelengths of optical energy on selected portions of the photodetector arrays. Changes in the acoustic wavelengths and amplitudes permit tuning of the coupler and computer system by altering the portion and wavelengths, respectively, of optical energy coupled by each section of each coupler.

Abstract: The operation of an electronic neural computer is described. This electronic neural computer solves for the optimal path in a space of "cost functions" which are represented as delays at the nodes of a grid (in two, three, four, or more dimensions). Time gating by delays lets the optimal solution thread the maze of the network first. The neural computer starts to compute all possible paths through the cost function field and shuts down after the first (optimal solution) emerges at the target node. The cost function delays are set from outside the neural computer architecture.

Abstract: An improved target for use in an optical measurement system comprising an upper cylindrical housing portion and a lower cylindrical housing portion separably coupled at an intermediate location, the lower housing portion having a lower cylindrical region of a reduced diameter depending therefrom for receipt in a hole of the tooling to be sighted and an upper region having threads and an upwardly facing cylindrical recess, the upper cylindrical portion having threads at a lower region for separably coupling with threads of the lower portion and with the upper region having a downwardly facing cylindrical recess; illumination mechanisms positioned within the recesses and comprising a battery, a light emitting diode and potting material therebetween in a cylindrical configuration with electrical contacts extending from its lower face in contact with the battery and from one side surface in contact with the housing for establishing electrical contact between the battery and the light emitting diode; and a viewer

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes constructing a definition of the article in a computer memory and further defining in the computer memory from the definition of the article, a plurality of tools for forming component parts of the article. The definition of the plurality of tools is downloaded to a tool forming device which is then operated to form the plurality of tools. The component parts of the article are then formed utilizing the plurality of tools.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tuning an optical gyroscope, such as a MOG, to an operating frequency within a predetermined range of operating frequencies. The method includes an initial step of providing a compound resonator structure having a first optical waveguide resonator [16] optically coupled to a laser [14]. There is also provided a second optical waveguide resonator [18] optically coupled to the first resonator. The second resonator is constructed to extract a significant amount of energy from the first resonator when a coresonance frequency condition exists with the first resonator and to extract an insignificant amount of energy from the first resonator when a coresonance frequency condition does not exist. The method includes a step of varying an output frequency of the laser to a first frequency where a coresonance frequency condition exists.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a 3-dimensional computer system having memory. A graphics definition of an article is located in the system memory. The computer system includes an interface for defining a graphics virtual surface in the system memory. The computer system further includes computer aided design software for generating a graphics virtual member in the system memory where the virtual member incorporates at least a portion of the graphic virtual surface. Additionally the computer system includes computer aided manufacturing software for generating manufacturing instructions for manufacturing a tangible member corresponding to the virtual member. A numerically controlled machine tool suitable for machining the tangible part is interfaced with the computer system for receiving a control program corresponding to the manufacturing instruction for production of the tangible part by the numerically controlled machine tool.

Abstract: A generally circular or elliptical waveguide (2) is fabricated within a substrate (3) such that the waveguide is surrounded by two different indices of refraction, with the index inside the waveguide ring being greater than the index outside the ring. This results, in combination with a varying index of refraction profile across the width of the waveguide inself, in a tendency to confine mode energy away from the outer perimeter of the waveguide ring where leakage is most likely to occur. As a result the asymmetrical index profile compensates for the curvature of the waveguide, wave phase front velocities are made uniform, and the mode energy remains confined within the waveguide. A two step ion exchange technique is disclosed for selectively increasing the index of refraction of the substrate and for forming the variable index of refraction profile within the waveguide.

Abstract: A sleeve bolt for coupling together workpieces including a cylindrical sleeve having a cylindrical outer surface and an axial bore with a radially interior surface of polygonal configuration at one end and internal threads at the other end. An inner slide member with a polygonally shaped cross-sectional configuration positioned within the bore at the polygonally configured end for movement between a retracted orientation totally within the cylindrical sleeve and a protruding orientation partially withdrawn from the cylindrical sleeve. A coupling connects the inner slide member for sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve between the retracted and protruding orientation and includes stop means connected to the sleeve for defining the limits of movement of the slide member between retracted and protruding orientations.

Abstract: A tool ball pad hole positioner is provided which includes first plate which is securely positionable with respect to a jig and has a large aperture therein; a second plate which is movable with respect to the first plate and has a small circular aperture therein overlying the large aperture; a target which is removably receivable within the small hole and able to be sighted by an optical device for determining the precise location of the target as well as the small aperture with respect to the precise location on the jig. The first plate is positively secured to the jig and the second plate is shifted and releasably clamped with respect to the first plate with respect to the first plate. Also disclosed is the method of drilling a hole in a tool ball pad with the tool ball pad hole positioner.

Abstract: A star tracker for generating positional information for a vehicle includes a telescope 40 having multiple fields of view for imaging stellar objects. The telescope includes a plurality of radiation detectors 58 and an input lens 45 comprised of, in one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of holographic elements 45a and 45b. The holographic elements direct incident radiation originating from a plurality of stellar objects to an associated one of the radiation detectors. In another embodiment the multiple field of view telescope is comprised of a monocentric ball lens 80. The tracker may further include a multiplexer 60 for sequentially reading out a signal from each of the radiation detectors and a controller 62 coupled to the multiplexer for receiving the signals and for determining from the positions of the stellar objects imaged by the telescope a position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A helmet formed of a rigid shell and, internally thereof, a liner sized and shaped to the head of the wearer with ear cups secured to the liner. The ear cups have a peripheral surface positionable in contact with the wearer's head. The peripheral surface includes a first annular tube filled with a gel material in contact with the wearer's head around the ears and a second annular tube for urging the first annular tube into conforming contact with the wearer's head. The second annular tube is inflatable and includes tubing means extending through the shell with valve means for inflation and deflation thereof. Also disclosed is the method of fabricating the shell to fit an individual wearer.

Abstract: A low distortion cable made of multi-strand conductors including a dielectric core, a plurality of conductive strands of solid cross-section wrapped around the core in a single layer and a plurality of dielectric spacer strands, at least one of which is interspersed between each adjacent one of said conductive strands to form therewith a single layer of alternating conductors and dielectrics about a core. The support for the conductive strands is only at the lines of contact with adjacent strands and the core. A dielectric insulatr surrounds and supports the layer of strands and core in a unitary assembly, the interstices between strands and dielectrics, where not in contact along lines of support, being filled with a dielectric gas, such as air.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for selective reduction of infrared signature of a vehicle subjected to aerodynamic heating. Liquid coolant under pressure vaporizes in porous sections of the skin of the vehicle to transpiration-cool the skin. Adjacent downstream solid skin sections are film-cooled by the vapor introduced in the boundary layer. Coolant flow control is achieved by pressurizing the liquid coolant, by modulating flow control valves, and, optionally, by configuring the porous section to operate as a cavitating venturi, or combinations of these methods.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for dispensing tape of a thermoplastic matrix composite material onto a recipient surface comprising in combination support means for mounting a reel of tape; feed means for unwinding the tape from the reel and advancing it along a path of travel to the mandrel; a guillotine knife in the path of travel for cutting the tape at a predetermined angle with respect to the path of travel; a slotted, box-type pre-heater for the tape located in the path of travel following the knife for providing heat to the tape; a heated pressure roller located in the path of travel following the pre-heater for providing additional heat to the tape for effecting a process operating temperature and for applying the required pressure to the tape for lamination of the tape onto the recipient surface; cooling means located in the path of travel beyond the pressure roller for reducing the process heat from the laminated tape on the recipient surface and to smoothing it for thereby obtain the desired surface finish; an

Abstract: Dither motor apparatus for oscillating a structure, such as a laser gyroscope 10, about a dither axis "A". The dither motor apparatus includes a support 18 that passes through an opening 16 within the gyroscope. The apparatus further includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 22 individual ones of which are interposed between an outer surface of the support and an inner surface of the opening such that an outer surface of each of the elements is rigidly coupled to the inner surface of the opening and an inner surface of each of the elements is rigidly coupled to the outer surface of the support.

Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a bolt and a malleable fastener. The bolt has a head at one end and either threads or circumferentially extending grooves adjacent the other end. The bolt further includes a plurality of axially extending grooves located on the bolt between the bolt head and the threads or circumferentially extending grooves. The malleable fastener is capable of being swaged from an initial state to a swaged state. In the initial state the fastener is essentially shaped as a hollow collar having an outside surface and an interior surface with the collar sized and shaped to freely slide over the bolt. In the swaged state the interior surface of the collar intimately contacts and irreversibly locks against both axial and rotational movement with respect to the bolt by assuming a complementary shape to the bolt about both the axial grooves and the threads or the circumferentially extending grooves.