Abstract: An hydraulic actuator for a spring closed poppet valve is connected to an electrically motivated valve selecting a high or a low fluid pressure source for a chamber in which a plunger reciprocates in a cylindrical body. Poppet valve closing is controlled by restricting fluid flow from the chamber to the low pressure source. Initially, closing flow is through a closing check valve and is gradually cut off by a frusto-conical end of the plunger. Closing flow is then restricted by an orifice bypassed by a snubber check valve during poppet valve opening. The closing check valve, an opening port, and a recuperation check valve open radially through the body. The closing check valve and the opening port communicate with an annular body groove connected to the electrically motivated valve.

Abstract: A device and method for performing clutter rejection through edge integran. The invention uses optical flow estimation to produce target centering information which is used to control an image source so that a detected moving target is maintained in the center of an image containing the target and accompanying clutter while continuous, real-time integration of the target edges is performed. The output image produced contains an enhanced target and the target to clutter ratio is, therefore, enhanced.

Abstract: A glow plug shield centrally receives a glow plug which, typically, has a silicon nitride surface. The shield and plug are spaced radially from a fuel injector disposed centrally of a cylinder head. The shield and glow plug extend into a combustion chamber where the shield has an oblique end exposing the circumferential portion of the plug which faces the injector. This shield configuration protects the glow plug from cooling by inlet air, increases the residence time of air/fuel mixture around the plug, and improves flame propagation so that plug temperature and electrical power can be reduced to extend glow plug life. The shield has a coating exteriorly and interiorly covering the portion of the shield extended into the combustion chamber. The coating is of thermally insulating, high temperature resistant ceramic material and acts as a thermal barrier to further reduce glow plug cooling.

Abstract: The apparatus and method measures the shrinkage of rocket motor propellant hat is caused during curing and may control this shrinkage by thermally expanding it to prevent creation of voids and cracks. The apparatus heats the propellant compound during curing. A laser emits radiation onto the compound and a detector receives reflected radiation from the compound and provides signals representative of the size of the volume of the compound. An interconnected indicator provides readouts representative of the size. A temperature controller coupled to a processor and a heater controls the heating of the compound to regulate its thermal expansion and consequent volume. The method calls for heating the compound during curing and radiating it with a laser. Reflected radiation is detected to provide signals representative of the volume. Readouts of the signals represent the relative size of the compound.

Abstract: Fine aluminum powders are prepared by decomposing alane-adducts in organic solvents under an inert atmosphere to provide highly uniform particles selectably sized from about 65 nm to about 500 nm and believed particularly effective as fuels and additives, in pyrotechnics, and in energetic materials including composites, super thermite, and other explosives. Effective adduct species are trialkyl amines and tetramethylethylenediamine, ethers and other aromatic amines being believed effective. Effective production is obtained at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures as low as 50.degree. C. with xylene solvent. Increased production rate is achieved at higher temperatures. Toluene, dioxane, and tetramethylethylenediamine were also effective solvents. Aliphatic solvents and other aromatic and polar solvents are believed effective.

Abstract: Triisopropylindium ((CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH).sub.3 In is used as an n-type dopant for II/VI semiconductor materials. This dopant precursor is particularly suited for indium doping of II/V semiconductor materials at low carrier concentrations in the range of the low 10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and does not exhibit an appreciable memory effect.

Abstract: An adhering, continuous, polycrystalline diamond film is deposited on a z sulfide substrate by forming a refractory nitride interlayer directly on the substrate and then depositing diamond on the interlayer in a vacuum chamber containing a microwave activated mixture of hydrogen and a gas including carbon. The diamond film may be of optical quality and may be deposited without mechanical treatment or seeding of the zinc sulfide substrate or the nitride interlayer. However, diamond deposition may be facilitated by abrasion of the interlayer before diamond deposition.

Abstract: Sampling interfaces and methods of operation thereof having increased duty cycles and pressure equalizations that improve sensing of airborne metals in air samples fed to a continuous emissions monitor. Residual pressure in one or two sample reservoirs (loops) can be automatically equalized just prior to pneumatic connection between each sample reservoir loop and plasma in a plasma torch, thus minimizing or eliminating perturbation of the plasma. Deliberate sequential activation of valves allows each sample reservoir loop to be first isolated from the vacuum pump, and then momentarily as its pressure is equalized, it remains isolated from the plasma as well. Finally, pneumatic connection is made between each sample reservoir loop and the plasma allowing the contents of each sample reservoir (now at the same pressure as the plasma) to be transported into the plasma.

Abstract: An adhering, continuous diamond film of optical or semiconductor quality is deposited on a substrate by forming on the substrate a layer of a nitride and then depositing diamond on the nitride without mechanical treatment or seeding of the substrate or the nitride. A substrate of silicon or silicon carbide has been used by depositing a layer of silicon dioxide directly on the substrate and then directly depositing the nitride layer on the silicon dioxide. A polycrystalline diamond film has been deposited by heating the substrate and nitride layer in a vacuum chamber containing a microwave activated mixture of hydrogen and a gas including carbon with the nitride being a refractory nitride to withstand the temperature at which the diamond is deposited. Deposition of the diamond is facilitated by adding oxygen to the mixture after a sufficient thickness of diamond is deposited to protect the nitride layer from oxidation.

Abstract: A charging/discharging apparatus uses constant charging current and constant discharging current to reduce the possibility of building memory in the cells of a battery. Memory reduces battery capacity and eventual failure will result since the cells will refuse to take any charge. A charger circuit includes a current source receiving supply voltage to couple constant charging current to the battery and an amplifier is coupled to receive reference voltage from a source and feedback voltage from the battery to connect supply voltage to the current source when the reference voltage is greater than the feedback voltage. A discharger circuit utilizes a current sink receiving supply voltage to couple constant discharging current to the battery. An amplifier receives reference voltage from a source and feedback voltage from the battery to connect supply voltage to the current sink when the reference voltage is less than the feedback voltage.

Abstract: A secure computer network switch, wherein a network switch is enclosed in a material which not only reflects electromagnetic waves but also absorbs them. This arrangement keeps all network signals confined to the switch enclosure and prevents electromagnetic radiation from the network cable connections. This allows a single computer to have access to multiple networks without vulnerability to theft or unauthorized disclosure of data between the networks.

Abstract: A substantially inert composition has mechanical properties simulating corresponding properties of an energetic composition which may include a nitrate ester and may include a particulate organic energetic filler. A nitrate ester is replaced by a mixture of inert materials having densities less than and more than the density of the ester and present in proportions such that the mixture has substantially the density of the ester. A particulate energetic organic filler is replaced by a particulate inert organic chlorine derivative having substantially the same density. When the ester is 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate, which may function as a plasticizer in an elastomeric energetic composition, the less dense material is a non-volatile ester, such as dimethyl phthalate, and the more dense material includes a bromoaromatic derivative as in a mixture of pentabromodiphenyl ether and an aryl phosphate.

Abstract: In a process for depositing a diamond layer from an activated gaseous mixe including hydrogen and carbon where the process is facilitated by the inclusion of oxygen in the mixture and the diamond is deposited directly on a material, such as a nitride interlayer, which is oxidized by oxygen in the activated mixture, an activated mixture without oxygen is provided at the beginning of the depositing of the diamond layer and an activated mixture containing oxygen is provided when the diamond layer attains a thickness sufficient to protect the material from oxidation by the oxygen in the activated mixture.

Abstract: A lead-free percussion primer composition and a percussion cup containing e composition. The lead-free percussion primer composition is comprised of a mixture of about 45 wt % aluminum powder having an outer coating of aluminum oxide and molybdenum trioxide powder or a mixture of about 50 wt % aluminum powder having an outer coating of aluminum oxide and polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The aluminum powder, molybdenum trioxide powder and polytetrafluoroethylene powder has a particle size of 0.1 .mu.m or less, more preferably a particle size of from about 200-500 angstroms.

Abstract: A high energy shock-insensitive explosive composition for use in deformable warheads. This high energy shock-insensitive explosive composition is comprised of a shock-insensitive explosive and hexa-nitro-hexa-aza-isowurtzitane constituting about 35-45 wt. % and a having an average particle size of about 3 .mu.m. The high performance explosive consists of ammonium nitrate, nitroguanidine, 3-nitro-1,2, 4-triazol-5-one, or mixtures of the three and constitutes about 30-40 wt. %.The CL-20 explosive is wet ground in aqueous alcohol to reduce the size thereof, prior to incorporation in the explosive.

Abstract: The present invention is a charge amplifier that directly produces a low impedance voltage output proportional to the charge at its input. The invention consists of an operational amplifier, an input capacitor, a feedback capacitor and a feedback resistor in a parallel configuration. The change amplifier of the present invention can be said to be a differentiator followed by an integrator so that the "noisy" differentiation process precedes the integration and, thus the integration produces less signal degradation.

Abstract: A leak detector and shut-off apparatus shuts off hydraulic fluid downstream o prevent the hazards attendant hydraulic failure such as loss of fluid and fire. A first sensor is coupled to a supply line for hydraulic fluid to produce pressure differential force F.sub.s, which is representative of the flow of hydraulic fluid. A second sensor is coupled to a return line for hydraulic fluid to produce pressure differential force F.sub.r that is representative of flow of hydraulic fluid. A compensator creates representation F.sub.c of the rate of accumulation of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit downstream of the device and a safety margin. A shutoff mechanism is connected to the first and second sensors and the compensator to shut off the supply and return lines when F.sub.s is greater than the sum of F.sub.r and F.sub.c.

Abstract: In depositing an adhering, continuous, polycrystalline diamond film on a substrate by forming a refractory nitride interlayer on the substrate and depositing diamond on the interlayer in a vacuum chamber containing a microwave activated mixture of hydrogen and a gas including carbon, the crystal orientation of the deposited diamond, <111> or <100>, is selected by controlling the pressure in the chamber. Preferably, relatively higher microwave power is utilized at higher pressures.

Abstract: A thin film of ignition inhibitor is applied uniformly to a rocket propelt grain which may be large and have a complex shape. The film is applied by condensation and polymerization of a vaporized monomer to which the grain is subjected. The monomer is prepared by thermally cracking the dimer of paraxylylene or a halogenated paraxylylene derivative.

Abstract: A transducer is deposited on each fiber of an optical fiber scene projector to convert portions of electromagnetic radiation to emitted radiation, h as IR. The transducer, is adaptable to large arrays of optical fibers and can be fabricated using mature conventional processes, such as vapor deposition, for example. The components of the transducer can be tailored to handle different incident radiation and produce desired emitted radiation. Dielectric layers having thicknesses equal to odd-numbered multiples of quarter wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation receive the electromagnetic radiation and a reflector adjacent to the layers reflects unabsorbed portions of radiation back through the layers. An absorber layer interposed between adjacent dielectric layers absorbs the received and the reflected radiation so as to convert the absorbed radiation into heat energy.