Abstract: A portable slotting device is used to cut a conical slot in a propellant grain of a rocket motor. A telescoping arm having a cutter thereon is mounted at an angle upon a rotating shaft held in position by a housing attached to said motor. Pressurized fluid is fed to the telescoping arm for providing the motive force to extend the cutter. A control cable is attached to one of two extension arms in the telescoping arm and to an adjusting knob. As the drive shaft is rotated, the adjusting knob is unthreaded from a rod having the control cable attached thus allowing the control cable to extend the telescoping arm. The pressurized fluid forces the extension arms out while the control cable restrains movement. The cutter thus moves in a spiraling conical motion paring out propellant grain.

Abstract: A low heat loss combustion chamber for a gain generator assembly is shown. The gain generator assembly operates in a cylindrical gas laser. The combustion chamber includes a plurality of primary rings having fuel and oxidizer injectors therein as well as primary nozzles. End caps attached to the primary rings contain reaction products so that they flow through the primary nozzles on the primary rings past a secondary injector array into a lasing cavity of the gas laser.

Abstract: A wide band gap semiconductor alloy having a combination of P, In, Te, and Zn is formed by liquid phase epitaxy on an InP substrate. This alloy can be used for the formation of p-n junctions.

Abstract: A service platform for a ladder has a ladder rung locking means that provides support for a frame member upon which a user stands. A scissor-like action is produced about a bearing wherein one lever arm is an extended arm attached to the frame and the other lever arm is a support lever connected directly to the other support lever by a support bar which rests upon the side rails of the ladder. The ladder rung is inserted into slots formed in the extended arms, the bearings, and in the support levers. Rotation of the frame causes the slots to become misaligned thereby locking the ladder rung therein. The service platform can be stored on the ladder without interfering with its use.

Abstract: A method of determining battery life is shown wherein a dielectric constant sensor measures the dielectric constant value of the electrolyte of the battery. The measured dielectric constant value is compared to empirical values to provide battery status. In particular, a fluid electrolyte initially composed of thionyl chloride changes during discharge or aging to an electrolyte having sulfur monochloride therein. Based upon the changes in dielectric constant between the initial fully charged state to the fully discharged state, the battery status is obtained.

Abstract: A single pulse laser calorimeter apparatus utilizing the high laser output pulse to measure the energy output of the laser. The output energy of the laser is absorbed in a NG-1 type glass panel and is transformed into heat. The heat is transferred to an aluminum back plate which is epoxied to the glass and is detected by a series of forward biased p-n junction diodes that are epoxied to the aluminum plate. The voltage drop across the diodes is monitored with a high impedance measuring device such as a strip chart recorder or A/D converter.

Abstract: An improved integrating accelerometer having a plurality of proof masses adapted to move relative to a casing in response to accelerations of the casing, a temperature compensated damping mechanism, and fluid resistors for extending the temperature operating range and for calibrating.

Abstract: An improved missile/canister support pad control system wherein rods having a flexible curved section are interconnected to the support pads and are detachably held parallel to the missile by releasing means. Upon command, after the missile leaves the canister, the releasing means allows the rods to spring away from the missile. The resultant wind in combination with the spring rods lifts and rotates the system away from the missile so as not to recontact the missile surface.

Abstract: An air bomb system for defending an attacked aircraft from a rearward attacking aircraft utilizes a rearward-looking radar system that detects the attacking aircraft and provides information about such to a computer which calculates various times dependent events and outputs signals to a dispenser attached to the defending aircraft so that high explosive bombs are released into the path of the following aircraft. The bombs have a time-delayed detonation signal input and have also attached a lifting-body parachute that maintains the appropriate altitude of the released bomb. The pilot has a control panel for selecting various modes of operation.

Abstract: A mid-way recovery system having an aircraft with a winch and cable system for recovering parachute descending objects wherein a telemetry load link system monitors the strain placed upon a cable by having a telemetry load link assembly connected into the cable so strain data is transmitted to a radio receiver on board the aircraft for monitoring the strain placed upon the cable.

Abstract: A modular lithium battery having a plurality of cells, having electrical connecting means connecting the cells to output terminals, and venting means for releasing discharge byproducts to a chemical scrubber. Stainless steel cell casings are potted in an aluminum modular case with syntactic foam and epoxy. The wall thickness resulting is about 0.5 inches.

Abstract: An altimeter code converter that converts a parallel signal of a first code to a serial signal of a second code; The code converter of this invention includes a code conversion means having memory means with an addressable look-up table to convert Gray code to a binary code; a data conversion means having parallel-to-series shift registers connected in series and a flip-flop parity generator for converting the parallel signal to a serial signal; and operably connected to the above means are means for forming and outputting timing and initializing signals.

Abstract: A process of forming silicon epitaxial refilled pockets in a thick oxide layer, three to five micrometers thick, on a substrate. Pockets are selectively formed in the thick oxide layer by plasma etching. The pockets are filled using a silicon tetrachloride source.

Abstract: A time-shared aperture device using the laser illuminated target to provide a return wavefront which passes through the optical train and beam expander. The distortions in this return wavefront are sampled by a rotating beam chopper which completely blocks the outgoing beam, thereby preventing scattered laser light in the optical train and beam expander from drowning out the fainter target return. Wavefront analyzers provide an indication of errors present in the optical system so that correction may be applied.

Abstract: A portable, compact test set for multi-pair cables having connectors, where the connectors are mated to adapters in the test set and pulses are generated which sequentially test each pair for open and short conditions, using transistor to transistor logic which provides a visual indication of the pair, the wire and the defect detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing an asymmetric load of one or more large heavy objects such as missiles and the like including a rotatable horizontally oriented jack screw for moving a block with a lifting eye thereon in a lateral direction. A beam perpendicular to the jack screw holds a fixture to which one or more missiles are attached. Lateral movement of the block in response to rotation of the jack screw serves to balance the load during the hoisting and conveying operation regardless of the number and position of the missiles in the missile holding fixture.