Abstract: A cushioned oral X-ray plate packet as well as a cushion for use with an X-ray plate packet are provided. The cushion is made of compressed cellulose sponge material which expands in thickness when moistened. A cushion wrap is also disclosed for controlling the wetting and/or expansion of the cushion.

Abstract: A stainless duplex ferritic-austenitic steel with improved corrosion resistance. The steel consists essentially of about: 0.03 w/o Max. carbon, 3.0 w/o Max. manganese, 1.0 w/o Max. silicon, 26.0 to 29.0 w/o chromium, 3.5 to 5.2 w/o nickel, 3.5 w/o Max. molybdenum, 0.15 w/o Min. nitrogen and the balance essentially iron. The steel preferably contains about 0.17 to 0.35 w/o nitrogen for improved pitting resistance and for increased austenite content. Welds of the steel preferably contain at least about 17% austenite in the as-welded condition for improved pitting and intergranular corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A large, austenitic, non-magnetic, stainless steel, alloy article which has been significantly warm worked between about 1500 F. and 1650 F. but not subsequently annealed, which has a 0.2% yield strength of at least about 90 ksi, and which, when formed into a U-bend, does not undergo stress corrosion cracking within about 700 hours in boiling saturated aqueous sodium chloride containing 2 weight percent (w/o) ammonium bisulfite. The alloy of the article consists essentially of about:______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C 0.1 Max. Mn 1-11 Si 0.6 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 14-25 Mo 2.5-6.5 Cu 2 Max. B .01 Max. N 0.15 Min. C + N .gtoreq. ##STR1## ______________________________________and the balance is essentially iron. A preferred alloy for this article contains about: ______________________________________ Elements w/o ______________________________________ C .02 Max. Mn 3.0-9.0 Si 0.5 Max. Cr 18-23 Ni 15-22 Mo 2.5-6.5 N 0.20 Min. 3 Mo + Cr .gtoreq. 29.

Abstract: A galling and corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel alloy is disclosed containing in weight percent about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ Carbon 0.25 Max. Manganese 2.0-7.0 Silicon 1.0-5.0 Phosphorus 0.05 Max. Sulfur 0.3 Max. Chromium 12-20 Nickel 2.0-7.75 Molybdenum 3 Max. Copper 3 Max. Nitrogen 0.35 Max. ______________________________________the balance being essentially iron. To attain its unique properties the alloy must be balanced so as to contain no more than about 10% ferrite. The % Ni+1/2(% Mn) must not be less than 5.5% and not greater than 1/8[11(% Si)+42], and the sum of the (% C+% N) is at least 0.15%. Care must be taken that when the amount of silicon present is less than about 2.25%, at least about 4.0% manganese is present.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy consolidation process and apparatus for carrying out said process produces integral metal bodies by heating metal powder of a predetermined composition to a temperature sufficient to cause solid state interparticle bonding, while simultaneously maintaining a reactive fluid in contact with the metal powder. The metal powder is compacted to a density greater than 90% of the full theoretical density of the composition after the reactive fluid has been removed. The reactive fluid is selected to modify the powder particle surface chemistry in order to improve bondability and to obtain other properties as desired. Metal bodies which have been consolidated by the process are sufficiently dense to be mechanically hot worked and exhibit exceptionally low retained gas content.

Abstract: A digital computer based system for managing a plurality of redundant sig processing equipment in a complex avionics system provides fast reconfiguration of the signal processing equipment to add, delete, or modify signal processing functions. A single user may thereby control a very large number of signal processing functions for communication, navigation, and identification from a single input/output device. The system utilizes a data base thereby making additions or deletions of equipment easily achievable.

Abstract: A low cost sonobuoy is constructed of plastic pipe and fittings. A simple design is used comprising a section of plastic pipe and two end caps. One end cap is tapered and adapted for having an antenna mounted thereon. The other end cap has a recess for storing a hydrophone, cable and plastic streamers. The hydrophone and cable are held in place by water soluble tape. The sonobuoy may be launched from aircraft and thus the plastic streamers trail from the second end cap to provide in-air stability. The sonobuoy is designed to be self-righting and self-scuttling.

Abstract: A device and method for interconnecting multiterminal electronic devices. e device and method combine the use of input light sources, output light detectors and an optical waveguide matrix device for routing the signals from various preselected input terminals to various other output terminals. The optical waveguide matrix device includes a number of intersecting optical waveguides formed on a base. The intersecting waveguides are optically coupled by means of reflecting surfaces formed at the nodes of intersection.

Abstract: Passivation of a hybrid microelectronic device is achieved by plasma polyization of hexamethyldisilazane on the device surface. A moisture impermeable thin film layer is deposited which protects the moisture sensitive components from corrosion. The layer is readily removable, however, in order to effect repairs to the device when necessary.

Abstract: A system for arresting and recovering test ballistic missiles is adaptable or use in an existing facility and with the existing arresting engine. A long loop of cable encircles a sheave on the nose-end of the test missile and is supported by sheaves mounted on the support structure. The ends of the cable loop are terminated on one side of a singletree device. The other side is connected by a single cable to the arresting engine. One end of the cable loop slidably engages with the singletree and has an end cap. As the test missile is launched the cable loop and singletree are drawn toward a ratchet mechanism which grasps the end cap. An intermittent pulling machine is disposed for anchoring one leg of the cable loop whereby the test missile may be later raised or lowered for recovery. The system effectively doubles the load carrying capacity of an existing arresting engine by providing mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A test signal generator for on the ground testing of coherent air-to-ground adars has a rotating antenna for simulating aircraft motion when receiving return radar signals. An angular position sensor provides a signal which is proportional to the angular position of the rotating antenna. Correlation of these signals in the radar computer provides a radar test signal having realistic amplitude and doppler histories.

Abstract: A mechanism for inserting and aligning electronic modules, especially in se configurations, is provided with removable ring or sleeve whereby the module assemblies may be automatically retracted. The removable ring or sleeve is installed near the threaded end of each mounting shaft. When a shaft is unscrewed from the chassis the ring or sleeve bears against a shoulder formed in the end-portion of the module assembly heat sink frame, thereby providing a lifting force on the module assembly. The ring or sleeve is easily installed or removed through an opening in the side of the end-portion.

Abstract: A beam scanning antenna system that uses a small, rapidly rotatable feed enna to illuminate a large, fixed secondary collimating device, such as a reflector or electromagnetic lens, which in turn illuminates a large, fixed primary collimating device. The primary collimating device forms a narrow collimating beam that is reflected or transmitted into space. Rotation of the small feed antenna causes the beam to scan.

Abstract: A bootlace microwave lens antenna has orthogonal delay lines for reducing adratic phase errors to improve focusing capability. The collector and radiator elements consist of mutually orthogonal pairs of subelements with one of the subelements oriented radially and the other oriented tangentially on the respective collector and radiator surfaces. Individual delay lines interconnect corresponding radial and tangential subelements on each surface thus allowing for phase corrections in the axial planes parallel to and perpendicular to the plane of scan by the introduction of an appropriate phase delay in each delay line.

Abstract: Broadband, unpolarized light is produced by coupling a birefringent optical fiber to a light emitting device, such as a superluminescent diode, which is capable of emitting broadband, partially polarized light. The optical fiber is made sufficiently long to provide an optical differential path length between its birefringent axes which is longer than the coherence length of the light emitting device.

Abstract: Optical interferometric apparatus for detecting and measuring discontinuis in structural materials from ultrasonic stress waves at their surfaces. The apparatus includes an acousto-optic (a/o) modulator which shifts a portion of a laser beam in frequency, producing a modulated beam of light. This modulated light beam is deflected and passes through an adjustable lens to the surface being measured. The light scattered by the surface is focused by the lens on an end mirror of the laser which produced the original beam, and is divergingly reflected therefrom. The reflected, scattered light is heterodyned with the unshifted portion of the laser beam in a photodiode to produce a phase modulated signal at the acoustic frequency of the a/o modulator. Surface displacement can be measured as a function of instantaneous phase shift, and surface velocity as a function of rate of change of phase shift.

Abstract: A straddle-lift carrier for transporting long heavy loads, having adjusta width for accommodating various size loads and for compacting the carrier for storage. The adjustable width allows the carrier to negotiate relatively narrow passages. A high degree of maneuverabiltity is achieved by utilization of independently driven and steered traction wheels. Raising and lowering of loads is accomplished by hydraulically operated forklift mechanisms disposed on either side of the carrier. Operation of the carrier is controlled by a handheld remote control unit.

Abstract: A ship deck lifeline has an insulator fitting interposed between the metal able and the metal end stanchion. The lifeline cable is insulated from the metal ship deck thereby reducing electrical interference with the ship's electronic instrumentation. The insulator fitting is designed to be easily retrofit to existing lifelines.

Abstract: A servo operated system for controlling pressurization of an aircraft pils anti-G suit during high energy maneuvers has a servo operated control valve and a feedback loop controller for minimizing pressure lag in the suit. The controller has dual modes of operation: one for normal flight conditions and one for combat flight conditions. The normal flight mode provides nominal G-protection while the combat mode provides faster response by prepressurizing the anti-G suit to a bias level and lowering the G-force threshold. While in the combat mode, the crewman may select an adjustable pulsating signal to be superimposed on the prepressurization level to obtain additional comfort. Alternatively, he may select a superimposed pulsating signal which is synchronized with his own heartbeat to reinforce the pumping action of the heart.

Abstract: A non-invasive ultrasonic flowmeter which utilizes the phase modulation of an ultrasonic beam transmitted through a fluid carrying conduit to determine the fluid volumetric flow rate. Transmitting and receiving transducer pairs are diametrically disposed on the outside of the conduit. The received signal is filtered, amplified and phase demodulated. In one embodiment dual loop-circuits having different carrier frequencies have their output signals combined in a differential amplifier. Instrumentation such as frequency meters or RMS voltmeters are utilized to measure either the zero-crossing frequency or amplitude, respectively, of the resulting voltage signal. Both of these quantities are nearly linearly related to the fluid flow rate.