Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a momentum wheel assembly (10) to a spacecraft (54). The momentum wheel assembly (10) includes a momentum wheel which has a primary spin axis coinciding with the primary spin axis of the spacecraft and spins in a direction opposite that of the spacecraft (54). Suspension isolation struts (20) attach the momentum wheel assembly (10) to the spacecraft (54) and provide substantial vibration isolation between the spacecraft (54) and the momentum wheel assembly (10). Voice coil actuators (40) attach to an adaptor ring (14) which in turn attaches to the spacecraft (54). The voice coil actuators (40) magnetically interact with a magnetically conductive element (42) attached to the momentum wheel assembly case (12). Interaction between the voice coil actuators (40) and the magnetic element (42) provides forces which displace the momentum wheel assembly case (12) in two axes orthogonal to the primary spin axis.

Abstract: An articulated viewing apparatus (10) has a pair of elevational actuators (56, 78), one of which is a coarse-position actuator (56) and the other of which is a fine-position actuator (78), and each of which pivots a mirror head (28) about respective parallel elevational axes (54, 66'). Pivotal movements of the mirror head (28) direct the line of sight of a viewer looking outwardly through a window (22). The window (22) may be formed in the wall of a vehicle or may be at the upper end of a periscope tube, for example, and includes a transparent material (24). This window (22) may admit light to an optical sensor or to the user's eye directly. The coarse-position elevational actuator (56) is positioned so that its axis (54) is located as close as possible to an edge of the mirror head (28) and close to the inner surface of the window glazing (24) so that the size of the window (22) is minimized with respect to the size of the optical aperture and field of view provided to the user of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A volumetric display system includes a display member which has a plurality of electrically-responsive optical shutters arranged in a layered relationship. The optical shutters include layers of a liquid crystal which preferably can be formed in geometric shapes which enhance the volumetric display. A projection system projects successive images onto the display member while successive ones of the optical shutters are switched into their translucent state. At any moment in time, all optical shutters except the successive one are maintained in a transparent state.

Abstract: A processor array 100 having an improved I/O pin utilization scheme. The inventive processor array 100 includes a first and a second set of processors 112 and 114 arranged within a chip boundary B1, with each of the processors 112 within the first set being positioned adjacent the chip boundary B1. The invention further includes an I/O arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical paths 136 across the chip boundary B1. A switch network is included for connecting each of the I/O paths 136 to a horizontal port 130 of an associated one of the processors 112 within the first set during a first clock cycle and for connecting each of the I/O paths 136 to a vertical communication port 132 of the associated processor during a second clock cycle.

Abstract: In a gaseous pollutant destruction apparatus employing a corona discharge reactor for reducing nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x), a fuel injection system provides a precisely controlled small quantity of hydrocarbon fuel to the corona discharge reactor to facilitate the destruction of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing between the output voltage terminals of a focal plane array (FPA) detector and subsequent digital processing circuitry and employing a differential circuit including respective resistors to create first and second input currents and a control circuit to adjust the first and second input currents to eliminate the common mode current component. The control circuit includes a current source and a current mirror amplifier on each side of the differential circuit with each current mirror amplifier supplying a current sample signal to a current sense amplifier which, in turn, supplies a control signal to each of the current sources. The interface circuit accommodates input voltages of different polarities and magnitudes, while operating from reduced supply voltage levels and providing output currents limited within a defined range.

Abstract: An error detector apparatus (42) producing a signal used in the computation of a missile guidance signal in an aircraft-based missile guidance and tracking system. The error detector apparatus (42) incorporates means (146), (148), (150), (152), and (154) for producing a first envelope signal from a tracking signal emitted by a missile. The envelope signal is then converted, along with a reference signal, to a digital signal by an analog to digital converter (158). A microcontroller (168) calculates an error correction signal from the digital signals. A digital to analog converter (160) converts the digital error correction signal to an analog error correction signal and outputs the analog error correction signal to the system for use in computing a missile guidance signal.

Abstract: Three adjustable supports, positioned at the vertices of a triangle, are used to support one structure from another structure. In one form of the support, a post threaded at its lower end extends from the first structure to a slot in the second structure. A spring is captured between a shoulder on the post and a facing shoulder on the second shoulder at the bottom of the slot. A threaded end of the post extends through an oversize bore in the second structure. A spherical washer has a flat side resting against the outer surface of the second support, and a spherical washer is engaged to the threaded end of the post such that the spherical surface of the washer contacts the spherical surface of the nut to provide freedom of movement.

Abstract: A band limited Amplitude Shift Keyed (ASK) modulator employing linear modulation and an efficient Class C power amplifier. Band-limited operation is provided by filtering a digital baseband input signal prior to modulation. Closed loop feedback is employed around the amplifier to assure linear modulation over a wide modulation range which preserves the frequency characteristics of the baseband signal on the modulation envelope. Further filtering is accomplished by exploiting the closed loop system response, incorporating it in the filter characteristic as an added filter pole.

Abstract: A compact diode pumped laser including a nonuniform, single- or double-sided diode pumped laser head and a polarization output coupled (POC) resonator. The POC resonator employs reflections from two opposing uncrossed roof prism mirrors to produce a uniform near field and far field beam with diffraction or near diffraction limited quality. The single laser head particularly includes a laser rod, a sapphire envelope located about the rod, an area of antireflection coating located on the sapphire envelope between the rod and the diode array, and a high reflectivity nickel-plated indium layer located on the sapphire envelope on the surface thereof outside of the area of antireflection coating.

Abstract: Active sonar apparatus, especially adapted for detecting submarine targets under ice, includes means for providing first and second pulsed, underwater acoustic signals respectfully having a high frequency, f.sub.H, and a low frequency, f.sub.L. The high frequency, f.sub.H, is selected for causing the signal to be reflected at the submerged, water-ice interface and and the low frequency, f.sub.L, selected for enabling the signal to be propagated through the ice with no significant reflection at the water-ice interface while then causing the signal to be reflected at the above-water, air-ice interface. Included are means for separately receiving and processing the reflected signals from the first and second acoustic signals and for detecting possible target reflections (which may include ice reflections) as a function of range and angle cells.

Abstract: A suspension system permits fine angular adjustment of a gimbal-mounted platform and, in combination with a wireless power and communications transfer system, eliminates the unwanted forces associated with systems which rely upon cables to transfer power and signals between a gimbal platform and its support structure.

Abstract: An improved liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system containing an improved dry cleaning fluid. The dry cleaning fluid contains an antistatic agent for dissipating static charge on members or garments generated by friction during cleaning thereof. The concentration of the antistatic agent is typically less than 1 percent. Static charge present on the members or garments that are cleaned is transferred through the dry cleaning fluid to ground. This transfer of charge minimizes static charge buildup on the members or garments and suspended soil redeposition onto the members or garments. An odorizing agent or fragrance, and/or a deodorizing agent may be added to the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A processing method that estimates the size and structural features of a magnetizable object or source from readings provided by an array of magnetic sensors. Using the method, an array of magnetic sensors generates magnetic reading derived from the source that are processed by selecting candidate positions for the location of the source. The correlation B.sup.T B is maximized, where B=Rm and B is a vector of composite measurements from the array of magnetic sensors, R is a projection matrix from the location of the magnetic source to the sensors, B is an estimated vector of composite measurements representative of what the true magnetic readings should be for a source at an assumed location 16, and m is a dipole strength vector. The maximum correlation is chosen which is indicative of the location and magnitude of the source. Candidate arrangements of sets of dipoles 11a symmetrically arranged about the chosen location of the source are then selected.

Abstract: A holographic stoplight system that includes a stoplight hologram (21, 21') supported adjacent the inside surface of a rear window (211) of a vehicle, and a light source (29, 31) for providing a converging beam that is vertically converging and predominantly horizontally colimated. The stoplight hologram is illuminated with the vertically converging beam, or with a predominantly collimated beam provided by a collimating lens (27) that collimates the vertically converging beam.

Abstract: A low cost infrared camera (1) for night vision. The camera (1) is disposed within a housing (2) having an infrared transmissive window (6) disposed at an input aperture (5) thereof. A compact optical arrangement (10) is disposed within the housing (2) to focus energy from the window (5) onto a focal plane array (20). A chopper disk (19) is positioned between the reflective optical arrangement (10) and the focal plane array (20) to establish a reference level for the array (20) and to facilitate a sequential readout thereof. A signal processing circuit (100) is included for processing the output of the array (20) for display on a standard video screen. Thus, the problems with uncooled detectors are overcome by use of a fast optical system in combination with an uncooled detector. The fast optical system provides a high signal level to the uncooled detector, thereby compensating for losses in collection of thermal radiation.

Abstract: A laser rangefinding system (12) that utilizes multiple pulse, multiple return, modal range processing for clutter rejection. A laser source (16) emits a series of laser beam pulses (42), and each reflected return from objects (46) in a scene for each of the pulses is recorded. Each return signal above a predetermined threshold is added as a count to a count table within a selected bin representing the range of the return signal. After all of the analog return signals are recorded, the range bin with the most counts is selected as the range of a target.

Abstract: A system (10) for conjugating electromagnetic energy beams adapted for use with UV, visible and infrared beams (24), and beams (24) that are depolarized or partially polarized. The inventive system (10) includes an SBS-active medium (20) and an asymmetric waveguide (27) whose guiding medium is an SBS-active medium (20). The asymmetric waveguide (27) has different propagation constants for different modes in the beam and this difference is sufficient for dispersing the modes over the length of SBS gain, thus eliminating cross-scattering between the different modes. The asymmetric waveguide (27) allows all the modes to interfere with each other locally, creating local hot spots that favor correct phases between the polarizations of a back-scattered beam (30). The inventive system (10) has focusing optics (12) for focusing the beams (24) into the SBS-active medium (20) inside the asymmetric waveguide (27) at an angle (22) with respect to an axis (18) of the waveguide (27).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an environmentally insensitive initiator, including: an electro-explosive device responsive to an electrical signal of unique voltage and frequency applied to the electro-explosive device, the unique voltage and frequency being such that are not otherwise present in a well completion operation. An example of voltage and frequency is 350V at 900 Hz. In another aspect, an initiator insertable in a housing insertable in a well casing, the initiator having a contact which is grounded when the initiator is uninstalled, to protect against unintended currents, but which becomes ungrounded by the act of inserting the initiator in the housing. In a further aspect, an initiator including a dual-function fuse.

Abstract: Detection and gauging of a joint (18) in a rotating and axially moving drilling tool (16) subject to transverse axial displacement is achieved by positioning an ultrasonic sensor assembly (12) coaxially encircling the tool in a plane perpendicular to the tool. The sensor assembly (12) generates more than one reflected pulse to represent changes in tool (16) diameter by transmitting a beam from at least one ultrasonic sensor (32) toward the tool (16) as the tool axially advances or recedes, perpendicularly piercing the plane of the sensor assembly (12). Each reflected pulse is converted to an electrical output signal, all of which signals are summed to minimize measurement distortion due to noise and transverse axial displacement of the rotating tool and compared to a threshold detection voltage in a signal processor (14) to generate a detection output pulse.