Abstract: The device is a floating pier with a sliding pile anchoring system arrangnt that avoids rigid connections to the pier and allows the pier to rise and lower with the tides and to remain level during lateral displacement while avoiding substantial tilt or rotation of the pier during seismic and maximum static loading. Preferably, piles that are arranged in pairs and are spaced along the centerline of the floating pier ride in pile guide assemblies attached to the pier deck, and include shear fail means which operate during overload conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for remotely detecting cracks of sub-critical lth which originate from stress raisers in structural materials, wherein the apparatus typically comprises a source of light, a continuous length of optical fiber to conduct the light, strain responsive devices coupled to the fiber and bonded to the structural member in close proximity to the stress raisers, and a light responsive detector which is optically coupled to the fiber in order to detect breaks in the fiber induced by either tensile or shear forces eminating from cracks around the stress raisers.

Abstract: A method of monitoring gases using electronic conductivity changes in ordd organic semiconductor films comprising an insulated substrate fabricated to an interdigital microelectrode and coated with a vapor sensitive semiconductor film. Variations in current flow caused by vapors interacting with the film are indicative of the vapor type.

Abstract: A concretized coating which encapsulates canisters of radioactive, heat-producing materials is caused to be formed by immersing said canister in a sea floor sedimentary layer, the sediment containing feldspathic material. The canister heats the surrounding water causing alkali and alkaline materials to be leached from the seabed sediment. An indurated concretized layer of anhydrite and sedimentary particles is then formed by precipitation of anhydrite and other agents from the hot pore water, that is, water in the proximate environment of the canister. This concretized barrier provides protection to the fuel capsule against intrusion by the corrosive seawater.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for synchronizing two code streams in a digital commcation network. A locally generated code stream is stored in a precessing delay line and correlated with a received code stream using both static and dynamic techniques.

Abstract: A gas cell array absorbs infrared energy radiated by a viewed scene. A la interferometer has its resultant intensity changed by the cell's changing length. This is monitored by a vidicon tube that feeds the signal to a digitizer and onto a video display. The incident infrared radiation is chopped into quantized amounts of energy and memory units receive the digitized output of the vidicon tube. Subtractors receive vidicon tube signals simultaneously with quiescent reference levels data. The subtractors form a difference signal by subtracting the quiescent reference level signal from the immediate signal being passed to control threshold detectors. An extended dynamic range of 1,000:1 is accomplished for the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: An uncomplicated, compact and environmentally-immune sensor for the degree f articulation of finger joints in a remote underwater vehicle uses a length of an optical fiber connected to each finger joint. As the joint is rotated, the bending of the optical fiber changes the attenuation of light through the fibers and a detector monitoring this change provides a signal that is correlated to the degree of articulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the electrooptic performing of matrix-matrix multiplication, computation of the cross-ambiguity function and calculation of triple correlations. A collimated light source is pulsed to illuminate a first matrix of optically encoded information. Since the first matrix functions in the transmissive mode the same pulsed light is deflected by a polarizing beam splitter to a second matrix of optically encoded information. This matrix, functioning in the reflective mode reflects the pulsed, collimated light back through the beam splitter onto a third matrix of optically encoded information. The third matrix is operated in the reflective mode and reflects the pulsed, collimated light back to the polarizing beam splitter and onto a two-dimensional photodetector array. The photodetector array adds the successively arithmetically processed encoded informations from the first, second and third matrices of information.

Abstract: A low cost sonobuoy is constructed of plastic pipe and fittings. A simple design is used comprising a section of plastic pipe and two end caps. One end cap is tapered and adapted for having an antenna mounted thereon. The other end cap has a recess for storing a hydrophone, cable and plastic streamers. The hydrophone and cable are held in place by water soluble tape. The sonobuoy may be launched from aircraft and thus the plastic streamers trail from the second end cap to provide in-air stability. The sonobuoy is designed to be self-righting and self-scuttling.

Abstract: The invention is a programmable frequency controller for a frequency agile adar system. The system comprises a microprocessor which includes clock generator, a front panel radar parameter input unit, a program memory, data memory, a front panel radar an input buffer port, a microprocessor data bus, an output buffer port, a front panel display unit, a radar data collection system, a radar synthesizer output buffer unit, a radar frequency synthesizer, and a frequency agile radar system with antenna. The control system operates, monitors, and collects operational data during operation of the frequency agile radar system. Input control parameters are preset at the front panel radar parameter input unit. Program memory contains preprogrammed computer control instructions for the microprocessor in performing control and management of operational data during radar operation. The data memory unit provides capability of storing and transferring data during operation of the system.

Abstract: The invention presents a digital raster timing encoder/decoder system when television raster synchronization pulses and other timing pulses and information data are generated. The invention comprises a digital clock source having coding circuitry which, combined with the clock source, encodes preselected digital signals containing information on raster synchronization control and timing, and also any other information data that is desired. The encoded signal output is transmitted either directly or via some special transmission link, for example by use of a Manchester Decoder clock multiplier (MDCM) system, to a receiving and decoding circuit. The received signal is decoded to create timing signals for operation control of the video television scanning system, and to read out other desired digital data that has been also transmitted within the signal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable, automatic test equipment system having a controller conted by a system bus to a plurality of IEEE-488 based instrument resource stations is characterized by automatic initialization capability including automatic address searching. Automatically initializable resource stations each include an initializing circuit cooperable with the controller and respective resource to zero in on successive characters of a unique identifier for each resource.

Abstract: Low profile portable panels consisting of fiberglass-reinforced plastic cosite mats which include hollow inorganic silica spheres in the plastic resin to reduce weight have recessed molded lips and bushings along all edges for connecting panels together with bolts to form expedient airfield surfacing and repair having high flexural strength and high structural capacity.

Abstract: A cover gas recirculator in an acyclic generator having liquid metal collors for reducing entrainment of the liquid metal in the gas. Radial passages in the stator housing provide natural recirculating paths for the cover gas to flow radially outward along the sides of the rotor and return inwardly through the passages. Scoops or lips located inward of the liquid metal collector divert the outward gas flow into the passages to minimize contact of the gas with the liquid metal.

Abstract: A variable phase shifter based on the slow-wave effect for operation in the millimeter wave region, comprising a GaAs substrate for mechanical support; an n.sup.+ doped semiconductor layer disposed on the GaAs substrate for operation as a first ground plane; an n doped semiconductor layer disposed on the n.sup.+ semiconductor layer with a thickness to permit only one mode at millimeter wave frequencies to propagate, while suppressing higher order millimeter wave modes; and a Schottky metal microstrip with first and second ends disposed on top of the n doped semiconductor layer. Means are provided in the form of ohmic contacts for electrically connecting the n.sup.+ semiconductor layer to ground electrical potential. These ohmic contacts are disposed on top of the n doped layer, but are provided with a very large surface area contact to the n doped layer in order to significantly reduce the resistance between the ohmic contact and to the n.sup.+ semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A low temperature inflator assembly for an inflatable life raft or life perver for ensuring sufficient buoyancy in low ambient temperatures. A CO.sub.2 cartridge and a solid pyrotechnic gas generator are positioned side-by-side in a heat transfer housing. A single actuator punctures the cartridge and ignites the generator. Combustion gas from the generator supplies immediate low pressure inflation while heat transferred from the generator to the cartridge accelerates a subsequent high pressure source of CO.sub.2. Higher gas capacity and pressure are obtained with no tradeoff of total size compared to the conventional CO.sub.2 cartridge inflators.

Abstract: A recoil simulator is disclosed in which one end of a flexible cable is ached to a weapon and the other end to a system comprising a rotating shaft and a clutch. As the trigger of the weapon is pulled a signal is produced which activates the clutch. The clutch creates a sudden pull on the end of the flexible cable simulating recoil.

Abstract: A compact and portable biosensor which can detect the presense of an environmental stimulus is produced by extracting cell membrane proteins which are specific for the stimulus, purifying the proteins, and reincorporating the proteins into synthetic membranes. Electrodes are used to measure the voltage or current changes across the membrane when the proteins in the synthetic membranes react to the specific stimulus. The magnitude of the changes indicate the concentration of the stimulus in the environment.

Abstract: A desiccant containing plug for insertion through a launcher tube into a sle containing tube which is coaxially received in one end of the launcher tube. The plug has a perforate end which extends into the container tube and which is circumscribed by a humidity sealing ring fitted to the container tube interior. The plug has a valve disk disposed at the perforate end and actuated from the closed end to open and close communication through the perforate end to the desiccant.

Abstract: A marksmanship training system has been developed which depends upon the mal levels of infrared radiation emitted from warm-blooded animals, such as humans. An infrared detector is mounted upon a simulated rifle or unloaded real rifle, or other weapon. This detector is mounted with IR lenses in such a way that a positive indication is given when the rifle is pointed at a suitable infrared emitting animal target. A second detector indicates when the trigger of the weapon is pulled. If a trigger pull is detected at a time when an animal infrared signal is present, the system generates an electronic pulse indicating that a target hit has occurred. This pulse may be used to drive a visible or audible signaling device to inform the user of success.