Abstract: A double face sealing device for mounting between two surfaces to provide an airtight and fluid-tight seal between a closure member bearing one of the surfaces and a structure or housing bearing the other surface which extends around the opening or hatchway to be closed. The double face sealing device includes a plurality of sections or segments mounted to one of the surfaces, each having a main body portion, a pair of outwardly extending and diverging, cantilever, spring arms, and a pair of inwardly extending and diverging, cantilever, spring arms, an elastomeric cover on the distal, free, ends of the outwardly extending and diverging spring arms, and an elastomeric cover on the distal, free, ends of the inwardly extending and diverging spring arms. The double face sealing device has application or use in all environments requiring a seal, but is particularly useful to seal openings or hatchways between compartments of spacecraft or aircraft.

Abstract: A method for determining the effects of exposure of oxygen plasma on a specimen such as a thin film polymer or thin metals. The method includes providing an apparatus with a chamber having a holder supporting the polymer specimen in a plasma environment provided in the chamber. The chamber is regulated to a predetermined pressure and set temperature prior to the introduction of oxygen plasma therein. The specimen is then subjected to the plasma environment for a predetermined time during which time the temperature of the specimen is sensed and regulated to be maintained at the set temperature. Temperature sensing is accomplished by a probe which senses any changes in bulk sample temperature. Temperature regulation is provided by a thermoelectric module and by a coolant flow tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical etching composition for etching metals or metallic alloys. The composition includes a solution of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, ethylene glycol and an oxidizing agent. The etching composition is particularly useful for etching metal surfaces in preparation for subsequent fluorescent penetrant inspection.

Abstract: A nickel-based superalloy is provided which is resistant to deterioration in hydrogen at high operating temperatures and pressures, and which thus can be used in hydrogen-fueled spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. The superalloy is characterized by a two-phase microstructure and consists of a gamma-prime precipitated phase in a gamma matrix. The gamma matrix phase is a primary solid solution and the gamma precipitated phase will be an intermetallic compound of the type A.sub.3 B, such as nickel aluminide or titanide. Both phases are coherent, ordered, and compatible, and thus will retain most of their strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of (by weight):______________________________________ Ni 50-60% Cr 10-20% Al 2-6% Co 2-5% Ti 3-8% W 5-12% Mo 5-10% Nb 1-3% ______________________________________wherein the ratio W/MO is approximately equal to 1, and Ti/Al ranges from about 1 to about 2.

Abstract: A docking target is provided for use in automated docking of a first vehicle on which the target is located. The target comprising a pair of laterally extending arm portions lying in substantially the same plane and a central post extending outwardly from the plane of the arm portions. At least three reflectors are located on the target, two of the reflectors being located at the outboard ends of the arm portions and another reflector being located at the end of the central post. In an important embodiment, the reflectors comprise individual pieces of retroreflective tape. The reflectors, when viewed from the front of the target, are aligned along the longitudinal center line of the target, and can take a number of different shapes including circular or square.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for below-the-elbow amputees having a cuff, a stem, a housing, two hook-like fingers, an elastic band for holding the fingers together, and a brace. The fingers are pivotally mounted on a housing that is secured to the amputee's upper arm with the brace. The stem, which also contains a cam, is rotationally mounted within the housing and is secured to the cuff, which fits over the amputee's stump. By rotating the cammed stem between the fingers with the lower arm, the amputee can open and close the fingers.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid turbulence inside and just outside of a cay adjacent to an opening in a wall, the wall having a forward lip which defines the leading edge of the opening and an aft lip having a leading edge which defines the trailing edge of the opening, the forward lip terminating in a sharp edge lying generally in the plane of the outer surface of the wall. The aft lip has a length of 10 to 50% of the length of the opening and extends into the opening at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees to terminate in an arcuate portion having a radius of 2 to 6% of the length of the opening.

Abstract: An electromagnetic projectile launcher provides acceleration of a superconducting projectile through the diamagnetic repulsion of the superconducting projectile. A superconducting layer is provided aft of the projectile, either directly on the projectile or on a platform upon which the projectile is carried, and a travelling magnetic field is caused to propagate along a magnetic field drive coil in which the projectile is disposed. The resulting diamagnetic repulsion between the superconducting projectile and the travelling magnetic field causes the projectile to be propelled along the coil. In one embodiment, a segmented drive coil is used to generate the travelling magnetic field.

Abstract: A variable magnification variable dispersion glancing incidence x-ray spectroscopic telescope capable of multiple high spatial revolution imaging at precise spectral lines of solar and stellar x-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation sources includes a pirmary optical system which focuses the incoming radiation to a primary focus. Two or more rotatable carries each providing a different magnification are positioned behind the primary focus at an inclination to the optical axis, each carrier carrying a series of ellipsoidal diffraction grating mirrors each having a concave surface on which the gratings are ruled and coated with a mutlilayer coating to reflect by diffraction a different desired wavelength. The diffraction grating mirrors of both carriers are segments of ellipsoids having a common first focus coincident with the primary focus.

Abstract: A macromolecular crystal growing system especially designed for growing crystals in the low gravity of space as well as the gravity of earth includes at least one tray assembly, a carrier assembly which receives the tray, and a refrigeration-incubation module in which the carrier assembly is received. The tray assembly includes a plurality of sealed chambers with a plastic syringe and a plug means for the double tip of the syringe provided therein. Ganging mechanisms operate the syringes and plugs simultaneously in a precise and smooth operation. Preferably, the tray assemblies are mounted on ball bearing slides for smooth operation in inserting and removing the tray assemblies into the carrier assembly. The plugging mechanism also includes a loading control mechanism. A mechanism for leaving a syringe unplugged is also provided.

Abstract: A method of obtaining the spectra of a product wherein the product is pas through a gas chromatograph in a stream of helium to separate the product into components, with the components then being passed through a spectrometer to obtain the spectra of the components. The components are chilled to a temperature below about minus 10 degrees Celsius and preferably below about minus 20 degrees Celsius to render the components stable and non-volatile.

Abstract: A rocket system wherein a frustoconical or cylindrical casing contains fi and second rocket stages in series, with each stage having a nozzle extending in an aft direction. Each stage contains a solid rocket fuel, with the forward end of the fuel in the first stage filling and surrounding the nozzle of the second stage so that when the casing is severed along a plane aft of the second stage portion of the case the pressurized combustion products in the first stage forces the stages to separate.

Abstract: A process for figuring the surface of a beryllium mirror to a predetermined urvature wherein the configuration of the mirror surface is sensed to locate areas of the mirror surfaces which are higher than desired and then a stream of phosphoric acid diluted with water and ethylene glycol is directed into contact with the areas of the mirror which are higher than desired while at the same time a current of 10 to 200 milliamps is passed through the stream to the mirror to electro-chemically polish the mirror surface.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for controlling the angle at which a filament is wo from a feed onto a bobbin wherein the position of the filament relative to a particular photo diode in an array is sensed and either the bobbin or the feed is traversed to maintain the filament at a particular location on the array of photo diodes.

Abstract: An antibacklash gear system wherein a pair of gears mounted for limited movement therebetween are biased by a spring to move the teeth of the gears out of register, the spring serving as a link between two levers mounted on one of the gears. The position of one of the levers may be adjusted to vary the force applied to the other lever by the spring to thereby vary the force urging the gears to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A process for determining the electrical characteristics of a material whin a probe is inserted into the material and an electrical pulse is transmitted to generate a reflected wave which will have a shape which will depend on the electrical characteristics of the material. The probe used has coaxial inner and outer conductors, with an exposed one of the inner conductor extending beyond the outer conductor to establish an electric field between the exposed end of the inner conductor and the outer surface of the outer conductor when an electrical pulse reaches the end of the probe.

Abstract: A system for lowering the level of turbulence in an opening through a wall ver which air is flowing at a subsonic velocity wherein an arcuate flange is secured to the downstream edge of the opening and extends into the opening a distance of 0.11 to 0.22 times the length of opening in the direction air flow, the flange being tangent to the wall at the part of attachment of the branch.

Abstract: A rocket for firing from a tube having open ends wherein a rocket motor sed from a projectile is connected to the projectile by a frangible, ported collar, the front of the motor having a vent for allowing combustion products to flow into the tube between the motor and the projectile. The pressure of the combustion products between the motor and the projectile will break the collar to allow the projectile to exit from the tube at a high velocity.

Abstract: A Cassegrain telescope having a primary mirror having an aperture centered n the axis thereof and a secondary mirror spaced from the primary mirror and centered on the axis of the primary mirror for receiving reflected light from the primary mirror and reflecting it through the aperture in the primary mirror and a support member extending from the primary mirror support structure to the secondary mirror. The support member is in the form of a conical honeycomb having cells extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the primary mirror. The support member is made from a carbonized polymeric material.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing the flight of a rocket wherein the body of the ket is provided with a plurality of petals arranged around the periphery of the aft end of the rocket with the leading end of each petal being pivotally attached to the rocket body such that the trailing end of each petal is free to move outward away from the rocket body. A ring slidably mounted on the rocket is linked to each of the petals in such a manner that as the ring moves in an aft direction on the rocket body the trailing ends of all of the petals simultaneously move outward equal distances from the rocket body.