Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating the messenger cable of a helicopter includes a helicopter having a floor and including a RAST system; the RAST system comprising a messenger cable with a connector attached to one end for lowering to a landing deck of a ship, the RAST system further comprising a winch for raising and lowering the messenger cable, a housing attached to the floor of the helicopter through which the messenger cable is raised and lowered, a top of the housing including an opening through which the messenger cable passes, a sheave attached to the top of the housing and over which the messenger cable passes and a pulley attached to the housing and over which the messenger cable passes; a luminescent cover attached to a portion of the messenger cable adjacent the connector; a light mounted on the top of the housing for charging the luminescent cover; and a limit switch mounted on top of the housing for stopping upward motion of the messenger cable.

Abstract: An RF carrier signal is frequency modulated by a modulating signal, as a function of the amplitude of the modulating signal. The number of cycles in the frequency modulated carrier is counted in a first counter during the positive half cycle of the modulating signal and in a second counter during the negative half cycle of the modulating signal. A microprocessor obtains the difference of the counts in the counters, and from the difference computes the deviation of the modulated carrier from the center frequency of the carrier. This is compared with a desired deviation and the microprocessor calculates and generates a correction signal to vary the amplitude of the modulating signal when the difference between the computed and desired deviation exceeds a predetermined value. An arrangement is also provided whereby, after a calibration procedure, an external source may provide the modulation signal.

Abstract: Pretreated aluminum and aluminum alloys and the process and composition for pretreating said aluminum and its alloys to provide a coating with color recognition for identification purposes and to improved the corrosion-resistance, electrical conductivity, and adhesion properties which comprises pretreating said aluminum and its alloys with an effective amount of an acidic aqueous solution having a pH ranging from about 2.5 to 5.5 comprising water soluble trivalent chromium compounds, alkali metal hexafluorozirconates, divalent zinc compounds, alkali metal fluoro-compounds, and effective amounts of water soluble thickeners, surfactants or wetting agents.

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-lubricating ceramic composite characterized as having a low porosity derived from a mixture of at least one ceramic powder preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, zirconia, alumina, zirconium nitride, tungsten carbide, and titanium carbide; a cemetitious binder, effective amounts of at least one metal silicide, and at least one metal oxide. The ceramic powder mixture can be slurried with sufficient amounts of water and subsequently subjected to pressures of about 6.0 to 7.0 MPa in a mold at temperatures of about 125° to 175° C. to form a self-lubricating ceramic composite capable of maintaining hot-hardness temperatures above 750° C. These self-lubricating ceramic composites are particularly useful in the manufacture of high-performance turbine engines, including engine parts, bearings, gears, rotors and in other areas where high-heat lubricating properties of the ceramic composite are required.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions for post-treating metal coated substrates such as cadmium-plated steel, and zinc-nickel coated substrates and the process for using said compositions to provide a color recognizable coating and to improve the corrosion-resistance, abrasion, electrical, and adhesion properties of the coating. The post-treatment composition comprises an acidic aqueous solution having a pH ranging from about 2.5 to 5.5 and contains effective amounts of trivalent chromium compounds, alkali metal hexafluorozirconates, at least one divalent zinc compound, alkali metal fluoro-compounds, and effective amounts of water soluble thickeners, wetting agents or surfactants.

Abstract: A probe for obtaining temperature and humidity readings within the oral and nasal cavity. An elongated tube having a wire cage at one of its ends, includes first and second longitudinally positioned pairs of thermocouples, one thermocouple of each pair having a wetted wick for obtaining humidity measurements. The pairs of thermocouples are positioned within the confines of the wire cage such that temperature and humidity measurements are made of the subject's airway. Other longitudinally positioned thermocouples are outside the confines of the wire cage and are used to obtain surface temperature readings. For positioning inside the relatively small nasal cavity, one embodiment is constructed and arranged to reduce the outside dimension of the cage for ease of insertion and to return it to its original dimension after insertion, so that the thermocouples outside the confines of the wire cage can contact the nasal membrane.

Abstract: A computer-based system to create and modify documents used in a tool management program. A word processing module is used to create the document, in conjunction with a graphics module. The graphics module includes representations of all of the tools used in a maintenance program, as well as representations of toolbox panels into which the tools are placed. A user simply drags selected tools into selected panels to. create a tool-filled panel graphic which may be directly imported into the document in the word processing module. The tools also have certain attributes defined by associated data. A data interface arrangement is operable to convey certain selected data from the graphics module to the document in the word processing module, after preselected sorting.

Abstract: A tunable Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is disclosed that produces N frequencies of visible light. The VCSEL comprises an array of quantum wells (QWMs) which replaces one of the normally present Distributive Bragg Reflectors (DBR) at one end of a laser cavity of the VCSEL. These N independent QWMs produce N independent frequency in the laser cavity of the VCSEL device.

Abstract: A sensor-carrying pod which has middle and readily detachable end sections. The end sections are chosen from a suite of different end sections, depending upon the sensors used in a mission. The sections may include panels, or windows specifically transmissive to predetermined wavelengths, such as visible and IR. A deployment arrangement allows the pod to move horizontally and vertically, from an aircraft, into the airstream, and back again after a mission. The door of the aircraft is sealed around a component of the deployment arrangement to allow for pressurization of the aircraft for high altitude reconnaissance missions.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a fine liquid mist includes a container capable of holding fluid; one of a perforated basket and a porous bag disposed in the container; a liquid supply connector connected to the container; a mixing chamber connected to the container; and at least one convergent/divergent nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. A method of forming an effervescent fine liquid mist includes mixing liquid and chemical reactant to form non-toxic, noncombustible gas bubbles; mixing the liquid and the gas bubbles to form a two-phase fluid flow; and directing the two-phase fluid flow through at least one convergent/divergent nozzle.

Abstract: A frequency detection circuit is disclosed that employs a phase lock loop circuit in operative cooperation with a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides a control signal to an oscillator of the phase lock loop circuit so as to control its free-running frequency. The microprocessor has prestored quantities that represents predetermined parameters for measuring the frequency components contained in a tone burst transmitted from a sonobuoy. The microprocessor provides an output signal if the measured parameters correspond to predetermined and desired parameters. The microprocessor has predetermined parameters for measuring the length of the tone burst. The microprocessor provides a serial output signal transmitting the frequency and tone burst length measurements.

Abstract: A portable apparatus cleaning a conduit including a housing, a filter and a pump. The filter is attached to the conduit to be cleaned and an aqueous solution reservoir, and is storable within the housing. The pump is attached to the aqueous solution reservoir, and to the conduit to be cleaned, and is storable within the housing. A method for cleaning a conduit, which includes connecting a power supply to a pump, connecting an aqueous solution reservoir to the pump, connecting a conduit to be cleaned to the pump, connecting the conduit to be cleaned to a filter, connecting the filter to the aqueous solution reservoir, running the pump for a specified period of time, disconnecting the aqueous solution reservoir from the pump and filter, connecting the pump and filter to a container of distilled water, and running the pump for at least one cycle.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for post-treating metal coated substrates such as cadmium-plated steel or zinc-nickel coated substrates and the process for using said composition to improve the corrosion-resistance, abrasion, and adhesion bonding properties of the metal coatings. The composition comprising an acidic aqueous solution having a pH ranging from about 2.5 to 4.5 containing effective amounts of trivalent chromium salts, an alkali metal hexafluorozirconate, at least one alkali metal fluoro-compound, and effective amounts of water soluble thickeners and/or surfactants.

Abstract: Pretreated aluminum and aluminum alloys and the process for pretreating said aluminum substrates to improve its corrosion-resistance, and adhesion properties which comprises pretreating said aluminums with an effective amount of an acidic aqueous solution having a pH ranging from about 2.5 to 4.5 and comprises effective amounts of a trivalent chromium compound, alkali metal hexafluorozirconates, at least one alkali metal fluoro-compound, and small but effective amounts of water soluble thickeners and/or surfactants.

Abstract: Composition for post-treating anodized aluminum and aluminum alloys and the process for using said composition to improve the corrosion-resistance, abrasion, and adhesion bonding properties of the anodized aluminum and its alloys. The composition comprises an acidic aqueous solution having a pH ranging from about 2.5 to 4.5 containing effective amounts of trivalent chromium salts, alkali metal hexafluorozirconates, an alkali metal fluoro-compound e.g. fluoroborates and/or fluorosilicates, and effective amounts of water soluble thickeners and surfactants.

Abstract: An artificial eye includes a generally spherically shaped container including a substantially hemispherical posterior portion, a substantially hemispherical anterior portion and a fastener for attaching the posterior portion to the anterior portion. The artificial eye includes functional counterparts to the anterior and posterior chambers of the human eye. Within these chambers are fluids which mimic the characteristics of the aqueous and vitreous humors in the human eye. Protective eyewear is tested by placing the eyewear between the artificial eye and a source of radiation. Radiation is directed through the protective eyewear and then through the artificial eye. The radiation is then received by a sensing device such as a charged couple device (CCD) camera or optometer. The resulting image is then evaluated.

Abstract: An apparatus for repositioning an occupant in response to a crash event including a seat, a pivot and an energy absorber. In response to the force of a crash, the energy absorber absorbs at least a portion of the energy of the crash and allows the seat to move to a more desirable position. An accelerometer may be used to generate a signal in response to a crash to activate an explosive charge and cause the seat to pivot to a more desirable position.

Abstract: A process of preparing aligned, in-situ, two-phase single crystal alloys of titanium, aluminum and niobium which comprises growing the alloys at rates of about 3.0 mm. to about 6.0 mm. per hour by rotating a seed rod alloy consisting essentially of Ti-43 to 45 Al-10 to 12 Nb+0.5 Si, in atomic percent, at about 7.75 to 8.25 RPM while in contact with a rotating feed rod alloy consisting essentially of Ti-43 to 45 Al-10 to 12 Nb, in atomic-percent, rotating at about 5.75 to 6.25 RPM in an atmosphere of substantially pure argon at melt temperatures ranging from about 1650° C. to 1750° C. to obtain two-phase single crystal alloys of Ti-43 to 45Al-10 to 12 Nb characterized as having improved ductility, excellent oxidation resistance, and high-temperature creep strength. These alloys are particularly useful for manufacturing high-temperature material components for internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and advanced aircraft engines.

Abstract: A method of assessing the effectiveness of a laser eye protection (LEP) device having an interference filter surface (IFS) includes (A) specifying optical densities at a number of points on the IFS for a user specified range of incident angles of a given wavelength of laser light at each of the number of points; (B) entering the specified optical densities into a computer; (C) entering properties of the IFS into the computer; (D) entering properties of an eye into the computer; (E) entering properties of the given wavelength of laser radiation into the computer; (F) defining a grid for the IFS and assigning values of optical densities to points on the IFS grid using the optical densities from step (A) and interpolation; (G) assigning different colors to different optical densities, respectively; (H) generating and displaying a three-dimensional image of the eye and IFS using a graphical user interface (GUI); (I) using the GUI, selecting an incident angle orientation for the given wavelength of laser light and

Abstract: A system, and a method of operation thereof, for analyzing the performance of a tape recorder having a playback head is disclosed. The system allows for the recorded data of the tape recorder to be routed to a analog-to-digital converter whose output is delivered to a digital signal processor preferably having a routine to convert the digital data to an FFT data stream which, in turn, is routed to a microprocessor. The computer analyzes the FFT data and provides digital signals to external display devices that indicate the proper recording of the tape recorder, the need for the recorder's heads to be cleaned, the occurrence of excessive dropout data recording rate, or the need to manually or automatically adjust the bias and equalization levels of the tape recorder.