Abstract: Copper alloy rocket engine combustion chamber linings have been found to deteriorate when exposed to cyclic reducing/oxidizing (redox) environments which are a consequence of the combustion process. This deterioration, known as blanching, can be characterized by increased roughness and bum through sites in the wall of the combustion chamber lining and can seriously reduce the operational lifetime of the combustion chamber. The blanching problem can be significantly reduced by depositing a thin layer of Cu-30.sup.v /.sub.o Cr (a copper matrix with 30.+-.10 volume percent of chromium) on the inside wall of the combustion chamber. The microstructure of the Cu-30.sup.v /.sub.o Cr coating consists of finely distributed chromium (Cr) particles in a copper (Cu) matrix. When exposed to an oxidizing environment at high temperatures, the coating forms a protective chromium scale which is stable in hydrogen atmospheres (e.g., substantially unreduced by high pressure hydrogen). The Cu-30.sup.v /.sub.

Abstract: A liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen (LH.sub.2 -LOX) rocket engine system wherein a conventional oxidizer turbo pump is replaced with a jet pump--a jet oxidizer pump. Beneficial features of the jet oxidizer pump system, over a conventional oxidizer turbo pump system, include: 1) it does not require a complicated seal system, 2) it has no moving parts, and 3) it is lighter. All these features improve the operational reliability of the rocket engine while decreasing its manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An anode wick for use with electrochemical fuel cells, in accordance with the invention, establishes a physical connection between a fuel cell's anode membrane surface and a liquid water reservoir. Wicking action substantially ensures the cell's anode surface is continually bathed in water. Two mechanical check valves are incorporated to effectively prevent mixing of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen gases in the event the fuel cell system's water tanks become over pressurized. This design can effectively eliminate the need for some of a conventional fuel cell system's pumps and/or compressors. Advantageously, the invention also reduces the overall weight and mechanical complexity of the fuel cell system, thereby improving system reliability.

Abstract: Penetration Enhancing Compounds for use in welding is characterized as comprising select alkali metals and alkali earth metals and halogens.

Abstract: A photon-counting spatial light modulator that has an avalanche photodiode structure and is designed to operate in Geiger mode is sensitive to a single photon of light. An avalanche photodiode having an applied electric field is excited by an optical wave comprising one or more photons whose energies exceed the band-gap energy of the photodiode material. This localized electrical excitation alters the refractive index of the material through various effects, most notably the transient thermo-optic effect and the photorefractive effect. A second optical wave is incident during or shortly after the electrical excitation, and comprises photons whose energy is less than or nearly equal to the band-gap energy. This second optical wave is then used to read out the avalanche-induced variation in refractive index.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating excited singlet delta oxygen by effecting a chemical reaction between chlorine and basic hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The flying wedge clutch assembly is a speed actuated coupling device that provides low speed axial load and torque transmission and disengages for increased shaft motion at higher speeds. The flying wedge clutch assembly is a compact and lightweight design, roughly equivalent to a conventional ball bearing assembly in a typical turbopump application. Advantageously, the flying wedge clutch assembly can be used in high speed rotating machines with radial hydrostatic bearings eliminating the speed and life limitations normally attributed to rolling element bearings.

Abstract: A quasi-passive regenerative fuel cell system in accordance with the invention utilizes hydrogen that is stored in a metal hydride form. Advantageously, this embodiment reduces the system's operating pressures from roughly 21 MPa (3,000 psia) to roughly 2.1 MPa (300 psia), when fully charged, and eliminates the need for gaseous oxygen storage altogether. All oxygen consumed by the fuel cell system can be extracted directly from the surrounding air. All oxygen produced by the electrolyzer is, in turn, vented back into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An ultra-passive, variable pressure, regenerative fuel cell system in accordance with the invention utilizes a single gaseous hydrogen storage tank that encloses a plurality of smaller gaseous oxygen storage tubes. This design effectively eliminates the need for active pumping elements to protect the fuel cell's anode surface. A single heating/cooling coil, inside the gaseous hydrogen storage tank, is used to prevent: (a) icing inside the storage tanks due to isentropic expansion during electrical power generation, or (b) overheating of gases due to isentropic compression during electrical recharging operations. Advantageously, the invention also reduces the overall weight and mechanical complexity of the fuel cell system, thereby improving system reliability.

Abstract: This invention provides an easily removable support clip for a solar receiver panel tube. A key feature of this concept is its easy assembly and disassembly without requiring access to the back side of the panel. Another key feature is the design of the clip can accommodate very severe thermal transients without exceeding the material's capacity to sustain these strains.

Abstract: A phase only spatial light modulating device for variably changing the phase of light passing through the device without changing the polarization of the light. Two analog state ferroelectric liquid crystal phase only spatial light modulators are placed such that their smectic layers are orthogonal to each other. The angle of the molecules in the two modulators is controlled to be at the same angle. Whereby light passing through both of the modulators obtains a phase delay for arbitrary polarized input light without amplitude modulation or change in polarization state.

Abstract: The passive wind profilometer measures wind transverse to a line of sight as a function of range. Schlieren which are natural occurrences in wind act as refracting lenses which move along with the wind. The patches of refracted light are detected by use of a light-intensity-sensitive television. camera and a microprocessor. The range of the schlieren are determined from the scale size of the refracted patches of light. The microprocessor, using a specific algorithm for processing the light intensity data, then statistically compares the positions of the schlieren at different times to determine the wind velocity.

Abstract: A method of shaping and polishing the surface of a polycrystalline diamond including the steps of diffusion smoothing the diamond surface with hot reactive metals, shaping the smoothed diamond surface by laser ablation using a pulsed laser beam, and ion-beam assisted polishing the ablated diamond surface to optical smoothness. The polished diamond can be used for high quality optics.

Abstract: Method for destroying radioactive graphite and silicon carbide in fuel elements containing small spheres of uranium oxide coated with silicon carbide in a graphite matrix, by treating the graphite fuel elements in a molten salt bath in the presence of air, the salt bath comprising molten sodium-based salts such as sodium carbonate and a small amount of sodium sulfate as catalyst, or calcium-based salts such as calcium chloride and a small amount of calcium sulfate as catalyst, while maintaining the salt bath in a temperature range of about 950.degree. to about 1,100.degree. C. As a further feature of the invention, large radioactive graphite fuel elements, e.g. of the above composition, can be processed to oxidize the graphite and silicon carbide, by introducing the fuel element into a reaction vessel having downwardly and inwardly sloping sides, the fuel element being of a size such that it is supported in the vessel at a point above the molten salt bath therein.

Abstract: A design of a power plant which uses hydrocarbon fuels in conjunction with solar power to produce electricity. The power plant consists of an array of heliostats for concentrating sunlight on a central solar receiver. The heat energy thus gathered is used to create steam which runs a steam turbine. Steam to run the steam turbine can alternately or modularly be obtained from the exhaust gas of a turbo-burner and fuel added to a furnace. The solar energy gathered may be stored as hot fluid in a thermal storage tank or used immediately in the power plant. A thermal shield may be employed over the solar central receiver to insulate the solar central receiver, provide leak and fire protection and shield the solar central receiver from solar radiation.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing having two axial grooves on opposite sides of the bearing for breaking the rotational symmetry in the dynamic force coefficients thus reducing the whirl frequency ratio and increasing the damping and stiffness of the hydrostatic bearing.

Abstract: A method of preparing active, sinterable, finely-divided plutonium oxide (PuO.sub.2) powder from plutonium metal is disclosed. The process yields plutonium fissile material which can be easily blended to form a uniformly homogeneous powder for the fabrication of high-quality light water reactor ceramic fuel pellets. Such homogeneous fuels are required to prevent hot spots from developing in a reactor using the fuel.

Abstract: A generator for producing a flow of excited oxygen in the singlet delta electronic state comprising a vacuum chamber, an inlet feed system, an internal reaction zone, a method for cooling said reaction zone, an outlet system for separating the gas from the liquid, and a means for interfacing this device to a lasing device for directing the flowing singlet delta gas into a laser cavity.

Abstract: A variable pressure regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one wicked anode electrochemical unit cell.