Abstract: Method for applying an aqueous benzyl alcohol paint strippling composition to the surface of a high strength steel substrate or of an assembly containing high strength steel components, such as steel fasteners on the surface of aircraft assemblies, while minimizing the effect of hydrogen-induced embrittlement, hydrogen-induced cracking and corrosion normally caused by aqueous benzyl alcohol. The invention comprises applying a liquid silane to the surface of the steel substrate or components immediately before and/or as an ingredient of a novel aqueous benzyl alcohol composition of the present invention which contains from about 1% to 10% by volume of the liquid silane.

Abstract: A top load threaded bolt assembly (60) for restraining a workpiece (36) on a operating surface (32) of a tooling fixture (50) is provided. Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) includes a housing (66) having a bolt cavity (75) and a bolt passage (76) disposed within housing (66). A bolt (64) having a first threaded portion (70) is disposed within bolt cavity (75) such that first threaded portion (70) extends above a operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). The top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may be disposed in the operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may further include a conical spring (62) to bias bolt (64) in an extended position. Bolt (64) may be secured in a non-extended position by threading a second threaded portion (72) into a threaded passage (58) which is adjacent bolt cavity (75) and opposite bolt passage (76).

Abstract: A multi-layer structure for controlling the transmission laser radiation including an array of polydispersing scatterers in an intermediate layer. The outer layer is made of a material which partially ablates when exposed to incident laser radiation, generating an irregular surface which initially scatters the incident laser radiation. The initially scattered radiation is transmitted to the intermediate layer containing the array of monofilament fibers which further scatters the laser such that combination achieves substantial attenuation of on-axis transmission of the laser radiation in an otherwise transparent structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, in an aircraft storage container which is used for the transport of cargo items, defines an enclosed interior compartment and includes a hatch for selectively accessing the interior compartment, there is provided an improvement of the aircraft storage container. The improvement is provided with a high strength flexible bag member disposed about a substantial portion of the interior compartment for distributing force in response to explosive forces emanating from cargo items within the bag member. The bag member includes an opening and is positionable within the interior compartment such that the opening is adjacent the hatch for allowing cargo items to be placed into and removed from within the bag member via the hatch and the opening. The improvement is further provided with a bag opening frame which is attachable to the opening of the bag member and formed to receive cargo items for storage within the bag member therethrough.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional stiffener having at least one wall (6, 8) extending outwardly from a generally planar base portion (4) comprises the steps of forming the base portion by weaving at least two layers (16, 18) using orthogonally disposed first and second yarn lengths (10, 12) and using a third plurality of yarn lengths (14) located within planes extending perpendicularly to the general plane of said stiffener. Each of said plurality of yarn lengths in said third pluratlity is woven between the topmost and bottommost ones (10, 12) of said plurality of first and second orthogonally disposed first and second yarn lengths. At least one stiffener wall (6) extending orthogonally to said plane is formed by overweaving along a given section of said planar portion and in a direction perpendicular to said general plane of said stiffener coincident with a section of one of said plurality of first and second yarn lengths.

Abstract: A portable compressed air heating system for delivering a flow of heated air directed at a substrate. The system first includes a hot air distribution member for placement in juxtaposition with the substrate and thereafter distributing heated air collected from a heater module. Second, the system includes a heater module for receiving and heating a continuous volume of air, and is equipped with an adjustable velocity production element for drawing and delivering heated air to the hot air distribution member. An interface conduit connects the heater module to a system controller disposed upstream therefrom, and includes circuitry directed by the controller for operation of the heating module. The system controller includes an air-in port for receiving air, an air-out port for distributing air, a heater-power conduit, a temperature controller, an air pressure monitor, and an air pressure adjuster.

Abstract: A bidirectional broadband log-periodic antenna assembly has a printed wiring board having a plurality of log-periodic antennas etched upon at least one side thereof. Each log-periodic antenna comprises a plurality of antenna elements extending from a common trunk. A resistive film is formed upon a distal end of a longest antenna element extending from at least one trunk. The resistive film enhances a low frequency response of the antenna.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of optical devices and particularly to embodiments of a four-stage PPLN optical parametric oscillator/difference-frequency generator configuration. The present invention allows simultaneously and colinear generation of four wavelengths in efficient use of the pump signal. A first embodiment comprises a singly resonant cavity having an internal monolithic non-linear optical medium disposed in the cavity. The cavity is bounded by an input mirror and an output mirror. The monolithic non-linear optical medium is divided into four regions each having its own grating period. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a monolithic non-linear optical medium divided into four separate regions. The entrance facet and exit facet of the monolithic non-linear optical medium includes a coating which acts as the cavity mirrors.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing detection signal-to-noise ratio, while reading out a hologram from a holographic storage medium, are disclosed. The hologram is written by interfering a write reference beam with an object beam. The method comprises the steps of (1) effecting multiple sequential hologram-read operations using multiple read reference beams separated from each other by a separation angle; (2) shifting the detector array contents in between hologram-read operations such that the data signal patterns incident on the detector array are approximately identical but the incident scatter noise patterns are uncorrelated; and (3) integrating the multiple hologram readouts electronically on the detector array. The apparatus comprises a laser source, a beamsteerer, a detector array and a shifting device.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure for controlling the destructive effects of laser radiation including means within the structure for conducting the heat generated in the outer layer by the incident laser radiation away from the outer layer to achieve significant mitigation of the destructive effects of the laser radiation in a transparent structure.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure for controlling the transmission of laser radiation including outer and intermediate layers absorbent to incident laser radiation. The outer and intermediate layers ablate under the influence of the incident laser radiation to achieve substantial attenuation of on-axis transmission in an otherwise transparent structure.

Abstract: The invention resides in a module used in conjunction with other such modules in an apparatus for rapidly producing an article having a three-dimensional design comprising a base, a plurality of pins mounted on said base and said plurality of pins movable relative thereto, a plurality of drive motors corresponding in number to the number of said plurality of pins and means interconnecting each of said plurality of pins with said base, each said means being connected independently between said base and a corresponding one of said pins. A control means interconnects each of said drive means and a controller with one another to effect selective energization of said drive means.

Abstract: A wing flap structure includes a wing, a flap, and a hinge mechanism connecting the wing and the flap. The hinge mechanism includes first and second hinge links connected between the wing and the flap. The pivot points for the hinge links are oriented so that as the flap moves away from the wing, the flap moves in a circular arc path relative to the wing. The first hinge link includes a first elongate link having a first end rotatably connected to the wing. The second hinge link includes a second elongate link having a first end rotatably connected to the second end of the first link, and having a second end rotatably connected to the flap. The rotatable connections have axes of rotation that meet at a point below the wing to define an axis of rotation for the circular arc of the flap. The hinge mechanism is contained substantially along the circular arc of the flap as the flap is extended and retracted. A drive mechanism is connected to the wing and to the flap for moving the flap through a circular arc.

Abstract: A conformal log-periodic antenna assembly having a broadband frequency response as a printed circuit board having a plurality of log-periodic antennas etched thereupon. Each log-periodic antenna has a plurality of antenna elements extending from a common trunk. The trunk of each log-periodic antenna extends generally radially from a common point. A foam spacer is disposed at the backside of the printed wiring board. A dielectric layer is disposed at the backside of the foam spacer. An absorber layer is disposed at the backside of the dielectric layer. A metal backing is disposed at the backside of the absorber layer for reflecting lower frequency electromagnetic radiation back to the antenna so as to enhance an intensity thereof. The dielectric layer enhances response across a broad frequency band and the foam spacer positions the antennas a desired distance from the metal backing such that reflections therefrom enhance operation of the antennas.

Abstract: An aircraft door adapted to substantially seal with a door frame. The aircraft door is provided with an edge portion which is formed to engage the door frame. The edge portion has a sealed position wherein the edge portion is engaged with the door frame. The edge portion further has an unsealed position wherein the edge portion is spaced from the door frame. The aircraft door is further provided with a substantially rigid door body and an elastic portion interposed between the door body and the edge portion. The elastic portion is selectively expandable and compressible for permitting movement of the edge portion between the sealed and unsealed positions. The aircraft door is further provided with an actuator device which mechanically couples the door body with the edge portion for selectively moving the edge portion between the sealed and unsealed positions. The actuator device comprises a shape memory metal material having a predetermined transition temperature.

Abstract: A multispectral imaging system for generating imagery from a broad range of electromagnetic radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an image processor unit having a plurality of dedicated inputs formed thereon, each of which connectable to a respective one of a plurality of sensors wherein each sensor is designed to detect wavelengths emanating from a specific spectral region. The image processor unit receives data from a respective sensor, processes such data, and generates an output that is fed to a multimedia controller and computer, the latter being designed to either digitally store, display or provide a printout of the imaging data. In a preferred embodiment, the multimedia controller computer is further designed to transfer such imagery data to a variety of data links to users interfacing with the imaging system. The system may further be modified to accommodate endoscopic sensors for use in procedures related thereto.

Abstract: A rotationally invariant correlator which correlates an arbitrarily rotated image with a large database of similar stored images. The correlator initially scans the image to produce a two-dimensional array of pixels representative thereof. A plurality of concentric rings of pixel data are then produced from the two-dimensional array of pixels. A Fast Fourier Transform is taken of each ring of pixel data which produces an amplitude spectra of the frequency components of that ring of pixel data, which is then normalized. The normalized amplitude spectra for the image being correlated is then compared with normalized amplitude spectra of similar rings of pixel data for similar images in memory, and any matches are identified. The width of each ring of pixel data is selected to be smaller than the size of the smallest features which are to be resolved, while being sufficiently wide to smooth out extraneous noise.

Abstract: A self-contained isolation and environmental protection life support system for shielding a patient contained therein or, alternatively, isolating a contaminated patient from a clean environment while allowing treatment of traumatic injuries to the patient. The system comprises the combination of an environmental control system (ECS) and a containment enclosure that are designed to function in concert with conventional life support stretcher. The ECS component possesses an air management system that is designed and configured to extract contaminated particles and gas from the external air and deliver the same to the patient contained within the containment enclosure. To facilitate such delivery, the containment enclosure is preferably provided with a plurality of tubular passages which are designed to be filled with air provided by the ventilator system to thus cause the containment enclosure to expand to form a semi-rigid structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of profiling a total vector potential field of a periodic permanent magnetic field structure, wherein desired elements of the total vector potential field are known. The magnetic field structure comprises a plurality of magnets having individual vector potential fields which collectively form the total vector potential field. The method provides for using an electromagnetic solver to generate data files representative of each individual magnet's contribution to the total vector potential field.