Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting and sorting drills oriented in the same direction in a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly feeds the drills, one at a time, and places them in a predetermined ready location. A camera, part of the inspection assembly, mounted directly over the predetermined ready location, takes preliminary measurements and alerts the system controller that a drill is available for a high resolution second inspection for wear and then for sorting. A robot assembly then picks up the drill from the ready location and orients it in front of two high resolution cameras, also part of the inspection assembly, for a visual inspection for wear. A control assembly then analyzes the results of the inspection and determines the drill size and whether or not it needs to be re-ground. The robot assembly then sorts the drill into an appropriate predetermined bin within a bin assembly as a function of size and wear. The process is then repeated.

Abstract: Improved superplastic aluminum alloys are formulated to contain less than 0.05 weight percent each of iron and silicon based on the total weight of the superplastic aluminum alloy. Advantageously these two elements are present at levels of 0.03 weight percent or below, preferably 0.01 weight percent or below. Advantageous superplastic forming properties are achieved with these low iron, low silicon alloys. Further advantageous superplastic forming properties are achieved by subjecting aluminum alloys to a thermomechanical treatment followed by a rapid recrystallization-anneal treatment as, for instance, a recrystallization-anneal treatment utilizing a molten salt bath. When these formulations and processes are practiced alone, in combination with each other or together with cavitation supression improvements in superplastic forming of component parts are achieved.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high accuracy measurement of non-reciprocal reflectivity of magnetic thin film materials and magnetic mirrors. An ellipsometer which employs a Helmholtz coil to supply magneto-optic modulation to p-polarized light and an acousto-optic modulator to provide intensity modulation is utilized in conjunction with a novel scheme of analyzer rotation and computational techniques to accurately measure non-reciprocal reflectivity. A microcomputer is used to provide controlled rotation of polarizing elements, data logging, data analysis, and output. The non-reciprocal reflectivity value is determined by the slope of the measured ratio of magneto-optically modulated and absolute intensities (.delta.I.sub.magnetic /I.sub.total), plotted against a function of the analyzer angle G(.PSI.).

Abstract: An essentially cylindrical, light weight, composite fastener formed of an interior cylindrical core member, a cone-shaped molded insert plug member in the first or head end of the core, and an exterior cup-shaped overwrap member. Threads are formed at the second or threaded end of the fastener. All of the components are fabricated of an organic resin material with high-modulus fibers embedded therein. The fibers of the exterior member are long and continuous while the fibers of the other members are short and chopped. All the fibers are essentially parallel with the axis of the fastener. The resin material is preferably polyetheretherketone and the fibers are preferably graphite. Also disclosed is the method of manufacturing the above described fastener.

Abstract: A radar decoy ribbon packed within a dispenser body is launched from an aircraft by creating, within a launch tube, gas pressure sufficient to expel a frangible retaining plug from the outer end of the tube, driving the dispenser body into the airstream. The body has a pair of drag vanes which open in the air stream. As the dispenser recedes from the craft, the ribbon, one end of which is attached to the aircraft by a towline, is paid out of the body. Once the ribbon is fully deployed, a drogue maintains tension on the ribbon until the towline is severed.

Abstract: For use in a machine capable of forming integrated circuits or the like on an odd-shaped, odd-sized semiconductor wafer, an improved chuck assembly, for increasing the rotational adjustment capabilities of the chuck assembly and a semiconductor wafer supported thereon. The chuck assembly comprises a mounting ring having a circular configuration formed of a plate and a peripheral wall forming a circular recess extending from a surface of the mounting ring. The chuck assembly also comprises a chuck plate having a circular configuration adapted to be received within the recess of the mounting ring. A lever extends radially from one edge of the chuck plate through an opening in the side wall of the mounting ring. An adjusting bracket is secured to the exterior edge of the mounting ring.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming silicone rubber vacuum bag assemblies which can be used repeatedly to debulk and autoclave composite layups. These bags can be formed of a single layup of uncured silicone rubber over a tool of a simple shape or as a layup of uncured silicone rubber over the totality of the tool and a prepreg consisting of a fiber in uncured silicone rubber laid up over areas which do not include male and female radii on the tool. Additionally, a further bag can be constructed by removing those portions of a simple bag which overlay recesses and female radii followed by curing of the silicone rubber and filling of the recesses within uncured silicone rubber followed by a second cure period. Each of the vacuum bag assemblies of the invention is postcured preferredly removed from its defining tool so as to stabilize and fully shrink the silicone rubber. The vacuum bag assemblies are mounted in a silicone rubber membrane which is preferably then supported in a frame.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor is constructed to include a substrate, a collector layer epitaxial grown on the substrate and a base layer ion implanted in the collector layer. Next a further epitaxial layer is grown on the collector layer over the ion implanted base layer. A base contact region is ion implanted in this further epitaxial layer between the surface of this further layer and the base layer. The base contact region surrounds and defines an emitter in the further layer. A base ohmic contact is formed on the surface of the further layer in a location overlaying and contacting the base contact region. An emitter ohmic contact is also formed on the surface of the further layer in contact with the emitter. Additionally a collector ohmic contact is also formed on this same surface in a position isolated from the emitter by the base contact region. The collector ohmic makes an electrical contact with the collector by utilizing the further layer as a contact pathway.

Abstract: The invention includes a method with the steps of confining a substance which will, upon heating, produce the liquid treating composition and corrosive vapor in a first compartment and confining an article to be treated by the liquid treating composition in a second compartment until both are heated to the designated treating temperature. The treating liquid is then introduced into the compartment containing the article to be treated. In this matter, the corrosive vapors do not come into contact with the article to be treated until the article is immersed in the treating liquid. The apparatus according to the invention includes a unitary structure including a first compartment adapted to contain a substance which will produce the treating liquid upon heating as well as the corrosive vapor simultaneously therewith, and a second compartment adapted to hold the article to be treated and including a means for positioning the article in said second compartment.

Abstract: A method of forming a lightweight threaded fastener element of bimaterial construction to high tolerance requirements, the element formed by the steps of shaping a metal shell to a preliminary configuration blank by extrusion, filling the extruded shell with a less dense material such as a curable epoxy-graphite material or an aluminum-lithium alloy, further shaping the filled blank by forging both the core material and shell to an intermediate configuration which is finished by warm rolling to form a strong lightweight fastener element configured with the metal shell thereof which may be engageable with a cooperating metal fastener assembly member.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming silicone rubber vacuum bag assemblies which can be used repeatedly to debulk and autoclave composite layups. These bags can be formed of a single layup of uncured silicone rubber over a tool of a simple shape or as a layup of uncured silicone rubber over the totality of the tool and a prepreg consisting of a fiber in uncured silicone rubber laid up over areas which do not include male and female radii on the tool. Additionally, a further bag can be constructed by removing those portions of a simple bag which overlay recesses and female radii followed by curing of the silicone rubber and filling of the recesses within uncured silicone rubber followed by a second cure period. Each of the vacuum bag assemblies of the invention is postcured preferredly removed from its defining tool so as to stabilize and fully shrink the silicone rubber. The vacuum bag assemblies are mounted in a silicone rubber membrane which is preferably then supported in a frame.

Abstract: An aluminum liftoff masking process is effected on a prepared gallium arsenide wafer having a base thereon. Successive layers of silicon dioxide and aluminum are deposited on the wafer. The aluminum and silicon dioxide layers are successively etched, including undercutting of the aluminum layer. Base majority carriers are implanted through the windows to the base and refractory metal ohmic contacts are built up in the windows. After forming the base contacts, the base contact areas may be passivated. The aluminum layer and any overlaying layers thereon are removed by etching off the aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive material (10) comprising a substantially spherical refractory particle (12) having an exterior surface (14) and having a diameter of no more than about 5 millimeters. An electrically conducting coating (22) substantially equally covers the entire exterior surface (14), the coating (22) having at least about 70 atomic percent carbon and being from about 10 Angstroms to about 500 Angstroms thick. A plurality of such particles (12) are useful as filler materials. Also, such particles (12) are useful as flowing electrodes. Objects containing the particles (12) have desirable electrical properties.

Abstract: A system for coating recipient surfaces of substrates with thin optical film by the deposition of coating material. The system comprises a vacuum chamber, a target within the chamber for providing a sputtered flux and an ion beam gun adapted to direct ion emissions within the chamber onto the target to sputter the flux which is then moved in a path of travel to the recipient surfaces of the substrates for constituting the coating material. The system also comprises a cylindrical support means within the chamber to position the substrates with their recipient surfaces located in a primary plane intersecting the path of travel of the coating material and drive means to move the cylindrical support means and substrates with their recipient surfaces within the primary plane while coating material is being deposited upon the recipient surfaces. Adjustment means are also provided to vary the position of the recipient surfaces radially, axially and angularly.

Abstract: A method for improving mechanical properties of superplastically formed alloy by healing the cavities formed as result of a superplastic forming process is disclosed. The alloy, such as an aluminum alloy, is superplastically formed and is then placed in an autoclave and hot isostatically pressed at a pressure ranging from about 10,000 psi to 30,000 psi for a time and temperature sufficient to heal cavities.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding drills, one at a time, from a hopper containing a supply of drills and for feeding them to a final predetermined position. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly having a hopper for supporting the drills, a blade for lifting the drills one at a time from the supply to an upper position, and a pusher to axially transport the lifted drills to the final predetermined position. The apparatus also includes a base assembly for supporting the hopper assembly at a predetermined location and controls for sequencing the feeding of the drills.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an improved aluminum alloy plate product wherein the plate produced from an Al-Li-Cu-Mg alloy in the T351 condition is subjected to a thermal aging treatment wherein the plate is exposed to a temperature of about 170.degree. C..+-.2.degree. C. for about 32 hours .+-.0.5 hours.

Abstract: A decoder and comparator for Manchester biphase code utilizes a clock recovery logic to recover clock signals directly from the code and thus bypasses the necessity of an external clock. This recovered clock is utilized to input the code into shift registers. Further, a frame sync recovery logic analyzes the code with respect to correspondence of a proper Manchester code format. An encoder is utilized to encode first and second comparators. The first comparator is encoded with error codes for the Manchester code. If the proper Manchester code is present as determined by the frame sync recovery logic and the proper error codes are present, a frame or word of code is output from the shift registers to a first holding latch. If proper Manchester code is present and if a second set of error perameters are met as for instance perameters with respect to either data or address, the frame or word held in the first latch is output to a second latch and from there to an output bus for use by some other device.

Abstract: A method and electrical circuit for circumventing MOSFET failure resulting from exposure to high energy level radiation. The method includes the steps of turning the MOSFET on during the radiation event and keeping the MOSFET on at the end of the event until parasitic elements inherent in the MOSFET have recovered. In one presently preferred embodiment this method is implemented by providing a bipolar transistor across the voltage source of the MOSFET and the MOSFET gate. During exposure to radiation of very high intensity, radiation induced photo currents in the bipolar transistor turn the transistor on, thereby applying an "on enabling" voltage the gate of the MOSFET device to turn on the MOSFET device. The MOSFET, in an "on" state, effectively shorts out the inherent parasitic elements thereby preventing destruction of the parasitic elements and, consequently, the MOSFET. A resistor is provided to keep the MOSFET "on" until the parasitic elements recover.

Abstract: The gyroscope includes a symmetric and concentric, freely vibrating cylinder. Electromagnetic forcers are arranged to apply forces on the cylinder to excite the cylinder's lowest order radially oscillating mode. The forcers also steer the resulting nodal pattern of the cylinder. The cylinder nodal pattern is sensed and a servo selectively excites the forcers to steer the nodal pattern to its original configuration in the presence of cylinder rotations. The forcer steering commands are related to the rotation rate of the gyro. The vibrating cylinder is free of any attachments or deposits and is machined accurately to eliminate the need for balancing, resulting in low temperature sensitivity.