Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermal barrier structures comprising at least three dimpled cores separated by flat plate material with the outer surface of the flat plate material joined together by diffusion bonding.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle rotating in gyroscopic fashion about one of its axes having an optical system operative to scan an area below the vehicle in determined relation to vehicle rotation. A sensing device is provided to sense the physical condition of the area of scan and optical means are associated therewith to direct the physical intelligence received from the scan area to the sensing means. Means are provided to incrementally move the optical means through a series of steps to effect sequential line scan of the area being viewed keyed to the rotational rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: Bonding of an element comprising sapphire, ruby or blue sapphire to another element of such material with a eutectic mixture of aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. The bonding mixture may be applied in the form of a distilled water slurry or by electron beam vapor deposition. In one embodiment the eutectic is formed in situ by applying a layer of zirconium oxide and then heating the assembly to a temperature above the eutectic temperature and below the melting point of the material from which the elements are formed. The formation of a sapphire rubidium maser cell utilizing eutectic bonding is shown.

Abstract: A process for coating an optical plastic substrate, for example polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA), with a single layer coating for the purpose of improving the durability of the plastic, the coating being deposited by a low temperature plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A solar energy panel comprises a support upon which silicon cells are arrayed. The cells are wafer thin and of two geometrical types, both of the same area and electrical rating, namely hexagon cells and hourglass cells. The hourglass cells are composites of half hexagons. A near perfect nesting relationship of the cells achieves a high density packing whereby optimum energy production per panel area is achieved.

Abstract: A thermally powered rotary actuator is disclosed which is used for positioning a shaft in first and second positions which are disposed 180.degree. apart. A pair of heat extensible springs are attached to the shaft and to the frame of the rotary actuator for selectively rotating the shaft from one of its two positions to the other position upon the application of heat to one of the heat extensible springs. The heat extensible springs are preferably constructed from the alloy 55-Nitinol. In the preferred embodiment, a detent mechanism is provided for locking the rotatable shaft in its two rotary positions.

Abstract: A process for making composite structures built up on a mandrel having a smooth outer surface by winding a filament having at least one flat side as viewed in cross-section upon that surface with the flat side against it, and then electroforming matrix material on the wire and on the surface between spaced convolutions until the matrix material builds out beyond the level of the wound convolutions at all points, and then machining away the matrix material until a new smooth surface is attained on which to precision-wind the next filament convolutions with their flat sides in close contact therewith and with the spacings between convolutions very closely controlled.

Abstract: The disclosed encoder is adapted to produce both digital and analog output signals corresponding to the angular position of a rotary shaft, or the position of any other movable member. The digital signals comprise a series of binary signals constituting a multi-digit code word which defines the angular position of the shaft with a degree of resolution which depends upon the number of digits in the code word. The basic binary signals are produced by photocells actuated by a series of binary tracks on a code disc or member. The analog signals are in the form of a series of ramp signals which are related in length to the least significant bit of the digital code word. The analog signals are derived from sine and cosine tracks on the code disc. Such tracks are read by photocells which produce signals corresponding to the sine and cosine of the shaft angle.

Abstract: An optical data communication system is provided whereby two orthogonal polarization states of a light beam carrier correspond to digital states. In such a system, automatic polarization compensation is provided by applying a dither modulating voltage to a cell exhibiting the electro-optic effect. The cell controls the relative phase of electric field components of an input light beam enabling the dither frequency component of the difference of the instantaneous powers in the two polarization states to be coherently detected. A signal derived from the coherent detection process is fed back to the cell via an integrator to form polarization bias compensating servo loop of Type I.

Abstract: Structurally stronger titanium articles are produced by a weld-bonding technique comprising fastening at least two plates of titanium together using spot-welding and applying a bead of adhesive along the edge of the resistance spot-welded joint which, upon heating, flows and fills the separation between the joint components.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light reflective coating is disclosed which exhibits high reflectance to ultraviolet light having wavelengths down to about 2,000 Angstrom units. The coating composition comprises a dispersion of barium sulphate in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulphates, ammonium sulphate and mixtures thereof. The coating is preferably employed in conjunction with an alkaline primer.

Abstract: An axially controllable magnetic bearing apparatus provides radial stiffness force control between a rotor and stator. The bearing includes a pair of axially spaced air gaps defined by corresponding pairs of annular pole pieces of the rotor and stator. Permanent magnets carried by the rotor generate constant axial bias fluxes in each of the air gaps. A pair of coils, disposed to axially excite the air gaps with variable flux, are driven in a manner so that the sum of the total fluxes in each of the air gaps is varied to change the radial stiffness between the bearing rotor and stator. Axial force between the rotor and stator is produced by exciting the two coils to vary the difference of the total air gap fluxes. The pair of coils are driven in a bridge circuit by pulse-width modulated signals.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry apparatus for analyzing the composition of moving microscopic particles includes a capacitor having a front electrode upon which the particles impinge, a back electrode, and a solid dielectric sandwiched between the front and back electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrodes and dielectric are arcuately shaped as concentric peripheral segments of different spheres having a common center and different radii. The front electrode and dielectric together have a thickness such that an impinging particle can penetrate them. The front electrode is negatively biased relative to the back electrode so that an impinging particle causes the front and back electrodes to become electrically connected to form a discharge spark between the electrodes. The discharge spark causes ejection from the front electrode of positive ions of elements in the impinging particle. An electric field is formed in front of the front electrode by a grid that is pervious to the particles and ions.

Abstract: A high voltage distributor allowing the easy connection and disconnection of a high voltage power supply to and from one or more circuits requiring the supply. The design configuration features unrestrained "pump-out," insulation of the high voltage from ground, and freedom from corona. These features are obtained by mounting a removable retaining rod on one or more insulators, thereby facilitating the support by the retaining rod of a plurality of washers. One of the washers is integrally connected to the high voltage power supply while the remaining washers are integrally connected to the circuits requiring the high voltage.