Abstract: An improved method of planarizing a side surface of a partially completed integrated circuit device comprises, in sequence, the steps of depositing on the side surface a spin-on glass coating; partially curing the coating; back etching the coating to remove portions thereof which overlie insulation-encapsulated electrically conductive portions of the device; and then subjecting the remaining coating portions, which are disposed within and level off previously depressed portions of the side surface, to an oxygen plasma final curing process, preferably utilizing a downstream stripper type oxygen plasma generator. By performing the back etching step prior to the oxygen plasma curing step, undesirable cracking of the remaining coating portions is advantageously avoided.

Abstract: A clearance pocket having a housing attached to a cylinder of the compressor. In one embodiment, in which the housing has a sidewall and a distal wall and includes a clearance chamber with a passageway extending between the cylinder head and the clearance chamber, the pocket also has a piston movably located in the clearance chamber in slidably sealing engagement with the interior sidewall of the housing, and means for providing fluidic communication between the cylinder head and that portion of the clearance chamber between the piston and the distal wall of the housing.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio controller for a gaseous-fueled, turbocharged engine having an air manifold, a gas manifold, and a turbine inlet is disclosed herein. The controller includes means for controlling air manifold pressure and means for controlling turbine inlet temperature. The means for controlling air manifold pressure includes means for providing an air manifold pressure set point signal based on gas manifold pressure and engine RPM's and at least one constant input. The means for controlling turbine inlet temperature includes means for modulating the slope of the set point signal for the air manifold pressure controller.

Abstract: A track lighting fixture includes a housing with sufficient space for a replaceable lamp and a voltage reduction transformer. Mounted on the base of the housing is a plate member which is removably engagable with the housing by the resilient interaction of spring clips with the housing.

Abstract: Multiple flat-plate blade rows of pitch adjustable blades are offset mounted in a manner such that when flat-plate blades in adjacent rows are aligned at a specific pitch setting, respective flat-plate blades of the adjacent rows nearly mate. The offset between the flat-plate blade rows functions to produce unequal pitch angle settings of the blades of adjacent rows which, in turn, function to produce the result that the respective flat-plate blades which nearly mate, in combination, produce a blade configuration which has an effective camber.

Abstract: A pointed splitter is placed in the body of a soft, rocket-powered training issile with the point toward the rocket motor in the rear. Upon impact, the motor is split and fragments thereof spread transversely so that the force of impact of the motor is reduced.

Abstract: A damage assessment system consisting of a three-dimensional grid of opti fibers for locating and assessing damage in plastic composite structures. A optical fiber grid system is implanted in a composite structure during its fabrication and becomes integrated with it. The optical fiber grid experiences an identical load/damage condition as the structure itself. Using a system of interrogation based on optoelectronics, passage or continuity of light throughout the system can be monitored for light attenuation or interruption. Highly stressed fibers would attenuate light while broken fibers would interrupt or hinder light transmission. By monitoring a number of optical fiber ends, the extent of damage in three dimensions can be determined.

Abstract: A device for testing hydraulic actuators using acoustical transducers to se sound sources indicative of leaks or other defects in the actuator. A graph of acoustic signals versus piston location may be determined using one acoustic transducer and one position sensor. A correlation function may be obtained by cross-correlating the output from two spaced acoustic transducers.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a main propulsion shafting system on a ship having ting pads and fluid equalizing pistons. Hydraulic oil fills a recess on the face of each pad to provide additional lubrication and hydrostatic pressure to allow the bearing to handle added load capacity. The system for supplying oil to the recess may either be separate from the piston equalizing hydraulic system or part of a combined system. In the combined system, stationary control pads sense the oil thickness and control the oil flow.