Abstract: The thermoelectric conversion efficiency of a GaP dope SiGe alloy is improved about 30 percent by annealing the alloy at a temperature above the melting point of the alloy, preferably stepwise from 1200.degree. C. to 1275.degree. C. in air to form large grains having a size over 50 .mu.m and to form a Ge-Ga-P rich phase and a silicon rich phase containing SiP and SiO.sub.2 particles.

Abstract: A redundant error-detecting and correcting local area networked computer system (10) having a plurality of nodes (16) each including a network connector board (20') for connecting to an interfacing transceiver (18) attached to a network cable (12, 14). The system comprises a first network cable (12) disposed along a path to interconnect the nodes. The first cable includes a plurality of first interfacing transceivers. A second network cable (14) includes a plurality of second interfacing transceivers. A plurality of three position switches (48) each having a signal input, three outputs for individual selective connection to the input, and a control input for receiving signals designating which of the outputs is to be connected to the signal input are provided. Master switch (50) is provided for receiving directive signals for outputting addressed switch position signals to the three position switches.

Abstract: An electron beam source having a single electron optical axis is provided with two coplanar cathodes equally spaced on opposite sides from the electron optical axis. A switch permits selecting either cathode, and a deflection system comprised of electromagnets, each with separate pole pieces equally spaced from the plane of the cathodes and electron optical axis, first deflects the electron beam from a selected cathode toward the electron optical axis, and then in an opposite direction into convergence with the electron optical axis. The result is that the electron beam from one selected cathode undergoes a sigmoid deflection in two opposite directions, like the letter S, with the sigmoid deflection of each being a mirror image of the other.

Abstract: A pipeline binary updown counter is comprised of simple stages that may be readily replicated. Each stage is defined by the Boolean logic equationA.sub.n (t)=A.sub.n (t-1).sym.[(U.multidot.P.sub.n)+(D.multidot.Q.sub.n)]where A.sub.n (t) denotes the value of the nth bit at time t. The input to the counter has three values represented by two binary signals U and D such that if both are zero, the input is zero, if U=0 and D=1, the input is -1 and if U=1 and D=0, the input is +1. P.sub.n represents a product of A.sub.k 's for 1.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.-1, while Q.sub.n represents the product of A's for 1.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.n-1, where A.sub.k is the complement of A.sub.k and P.sub.n and Q.sub.n are expressed as the following two equationsP.sub.n =A.sub.n-1 A.sub.n-2 . . . A.sub.1Q.sub.n =A.sub.n-1 A.sub.n-2 . . . A.sub.1which can be written in recursion form asP.sub.n =P.sub.n-1 .multidot.A.sub.n-1Q.sub.n =Q.sub.n-1 .multidot.A.sub.n-1with the initial values P.sub.1 =1 and Q.sub.1 =1.

Abstract: An infrared photodetector is formed of a heavily doped p-type Ge.sub.x Si.sub.1-x /Si superlattice in which x is pre-established during manufacture in the range 0 to 100 percent. A custom tailored photodetector that can differentiate among close wavelengths in the range of 2.7 to 50 microns is fabricated by appropriate selection of the alloy constituency value, x, to establish a specific wavelength at which photodetection cut-off will occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the relative stability of two signals is disclosed comprising means for mixing the two signals down to a beat note sine wave and for producing a beat note square wave whose upcrossings are the same as the sine wave. A source of reference frequency is supplied to a clock divider and interval counter to synchronize them and to generate a picket fence for providing a time reference grid of period shorter than the beat period. An interval counter is employed to make a preliminary measurement between successive upcrossings of the beat note square wave for providing an approximate time interval therebetween as a reference. The beat note square wave and the picket fence are then provided to the interval counter to provide an output consisting of the time difference between the upcrossing of each beat note square wave cycle and the next picket fence pulse such that the counter is ready for each upcrossing the dead time is avoided.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided which maintains a substantially constant weight, and therefore traction, on all wheels, despite one wheel moving considerably higher or lower than the others, while avoiding a very soft spring suspension. The vehicle includes a chassis or body to be supported and a pair of side suspensions at either side of the body. In a six wheel vehicle, each side suspension includes a middle wheel, and front and rear linkages repectively coupling the front and rear wheels to the middle wheel. A body link pivotally connects the front and rear linkages together, with the middle of the body link rising or falling by only a fraction of the rise or fall of any of the three wheels. The body link pivotally supports the middle of the length of the body.

Abstract: Laser pyrometer techniques are utilized to accurately image a true temperature distribution on a given target without touching the target and without knowing the localized emissivity of the target. The pyrometer utilizes a very high definition laser beam and photodetector, both having a very narrow focus. The pyrometer is mounted in a mechanism designed to permit the pyrometer to be aimed and focused at precise localized points on the target surface. The pyrometer is swept over the surface area to be imaged, temperature measurements being taken at each point of focus.

Abstract: A system is provided for molding a slurry containing particles in a solution of solvent and binder, which enables the close control of the production of a tape with particles of a high density. A rotor forms a chamber with a cylindrical molding surface, and a conduit carries the slurry from the outside to the surface while the molding surface rotates to use centrifugal force to force particles against the molding surface. The chamber is substantially closed to avoid the uncontrolled loss of solvent, and a means is provided for venting the chamber to remove solvent therefrom after the slurry has been molded into a tape. A container lies within the chamber and holds solvent prior to casting the slurry, to create a solvent-containing environment within the chamber.

Abstract: A saran carbon matrix is employed to conduct heat through the heat storing volume of a cryogenic regenerator. When helium is adsorbed into the saran carbon matrix, the combination exhibits a volumetric specific heat much higher than previously used lead balls. A helium adsorbed saran regenerator should allow much lower refrigerator temperatures than those practically obtainable with lead based regenerators for regenerator type refrigeration systems.

Abstract: In a telescope having primary and secondary reflectors, wherein the actual primary reflector surface deviates from an ideal primary reflector surface, such deviation is compensated for. At least one intermediate element forms an image of the primary surface onto the secondary surface, so each point on the secondary surface corresponds to a point on the primary surface. The secondary surface is formed with a deviation from an ideal secondary surface, with the "piston" distance of each point on the actual secondary surface equal to the piston distance of a corresponding point on the actual primary surface from the ideal primary surface. It is found that this results in electromagnetic (e.g., light) rays which strike a deviating area of the actual primary surface being brought to the same focus as if the actual primary surface did not have a deviation from an ideal primary surface.

Abstract: Krypton and a monolithic porous carbon such as Saran carbon are used respectively as the sorbate and sorbent of an adsorption type refrigerator to improve refrigeration efficiency and operational longevity.

Abstract: A timing control system is disclosed which is particularly useful in connection with simulated mortar shells. Special circuitry is provided to assure that the shell does not overshoot, but rather detonates early in case of an improper condition; this ensures that ground personnel will not be harmed by a delayed detonation. The system responds to an externally applied frequency control code which is configured to avoid any confusion between different control modes. A premature detonation routine is entered in case an improper time-setting signal is entered, or if the shell is launched before completion of the time-setting sequence. Special provisions are also made for very early launch situations and improper detonator connections. An alternate abort mode is provided to discharge the internal power supply without a detonation in a manner that can be externally monitored, thereby providing a mechanism for non-destructive testing. The abort mode also accelerates the timing function for rapid testing.

Abstract: Two alternative methods are disclosed for digital reduction of synthetic aperture multipolarized radar data using scattering matrices, or using Stokes matrices, of four consecutive along-track pixels to produce "averaged" data for generating a synthetic polarization image.

Abstract: Low-defect crystals are grown in a closed ampoule under a layer of encapsulant. After crystal growth, the crystal is separated from the melt and moved into the layer of encapsulant and cooled to a first temperature at which crystal growth stops. The crystal is then moved into the inert gas ambient in the ampoule and further cooled. The crystal can be separated from the melt by decanting the melt into an adjacent reservoir or by rotating the ampoule to rotate the crystal into the encapsulant layer.

Abstract: A low power consumption current transducer utilizes a saturable core reactor which includes a pair of opposed gate windings and a control winding. The control winding of the saturable reactor is arranged to receive the current to be measured. A square wave generator is connected to the gate windings via a transformer with the primary winding of the transformer connected across the square wave generator and the secondary connected in series with the gate windings of the reactor. A full wave rectifier is connected to the gate windings and a resistor is connected across the rectifier to provide a DC voltage thereacross representative of the current flow through the control winding. A DC power supply is provided to supply power to the square wave voltage source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing signals representative of a complex matrix/vector equation. More particularly, signals representing an orderly sequence of the combined matrix and vector equation, known as a Kalman filter algorithm, are processed in real time in accordance with the principles of this invention. The Kalman filter algorithm is rearranged into a Faddeeva algorithm, which is a matrix-only algorithm that is modified to represent both the matrix and vector portions of the Kalman filter algorithm. The modified Faddeeva algorithm is embodied into electrical signals which are applied as inputs to a systolic array processor. The processor performs triangulation and nullification on the input signals, and delivers an output signal which is a real-time solution to the input signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a stereo image with reduced depth distortion and optimum depth resolution. Static and dynamic depth distortion and depth resolution trade-off is provided. Cameras obtaining the images for a stereo view are converged at a convergence point behind the object to be presented in the image, and (a) the collection-surface-to-object distance, (b) the camera separation distance, and (c) the focal lengths of zoom lenses for the cameras are all increased. Doubling the distances cuts the static depth distortion in half while maintaining image size and depth resolution. Dynamic depth distortion is minimized by panning a stereo view-collecting camera system about a circle which passes through the convergence point and the cameras' first nodal points. Horizontal field shifting of the television fields on a television monitor brings both the monitor and the stereo views within the viewer's limit of binocular fusion.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention provides a plurality of measurements indicative of the absolute cross section for excitation of an ion beam. The ion beam is merged for excitation by specific energies of electrons in an electron beam. Both beams are merged in an evacuated enclosure having a longitudinal magnetic field and a crossed uniform electric field. The ions and electrons interact over a known merged longitudinal length in a merged beam area. After collision, the electron and ion beams are demerged. Forward and backward-scattered electrons are collected and position-detected by a pair of microchannel plate arrays located at opposite ends of the longitudinal beam-merging area. A series of electron and ion primary current measurements are taken at full ion and electron beam strength. Measurements are also taken at greatly reduced beam strength to obtain a beam overlap profile.

Abstract: Random access memory is used to store synaptic information in the form of a matrix of rows and columns of binary digits. N rows read in sequence are processed through switches and resistors, and a summing amplifier to N neural amplifiers in sequence, one row for each amplifier, using a first array of sample-and-hold devices S/H1 for commutation. The outputs of the neural amplifiers are stored in a second array of sample-and-hold devices S/H2 so that after N rows are processed, all of said second array of sample-and-hold devices are updated. A second memory may be added for binary values of 0 and -1, and processed simultaneously with the first to provide for values of 1, 0, and -1, the results of which are combined in a difference amplifier.