Abstract: An opto-mechanical deflector system for an imaging system comprises at least one scanning mirror struck by a collimated light beam focused onto a flat image plane by a first plano-convex lens, a concave mirror and an aplanatic lens system containing a plano-concave lens and a second plano-convex lens between said scanning mirror and said first plano-convex lens, the refractive indices of said first plano-convex lens and said plano-concave lens being substantially indentical and the refractive index of said second plano-convex lens being substantially less than that of said plano-concave lens.

Abstract: A vibration isolation module (30) includes termination members (34, 36) at each end to which are connected electrical wires or cable (39), and a braided rope of aramid fiber (32). A plurality of compliant members (40) of polyurethane hose having tapered ends are inserted at intervals within the braided strands of the rope (32). Some of the compliant members (40) may be filled solid with polyurethane. Variable lengths of hose or variable diameters and wall thicknesses may be used to vary the compliance of the compliant members (40). Between the compliant members (40) are positioned a number of spacer members (38) which provide support for the hose (37) and electrical wires (39). This structure is carried within an oil filled stretchable hose (37) fastened to the termination members. When the module (30) is subjected to forces in tension, the load is carried by the aramid fiber rope (32) which, as the load is increased, tends to squeeze down and compress the compliant members (40).

Abstract: An optical flat bed scanning system, particularly useable in a typesetter, has an optical device to linearize beam deflection positions in a planar deflection plane with essentially two elements. The optical device comprises an aplanatic unit lens with an approximately planar surface and a spherically convex surface and a field flattening mirror with a spherical reflecting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for leading an imaging surface relative to an imaging beam under two controls where first and second leading spaces are produced. The second leading space being a different width than the first leading space, is distributed among the first leading space separating a plurality of line pairs. The second leading space is interspersed within first leading spaces and is visually less perceptible to the human eye. A pattern describing a matrix of row and column positions control the spacial movement of an imaging beam and after each leading step the imaging beam reproduces the original graphic within each of the elemental image positions or image areas of the matrix.

Abstract: A funnel construction for a dipping sonar system carried in a helicopter includes the opening to a cylindrical housing of glass epoxy material for storing an underwater transducer which is deployed by suspending it into a body of water at the end of a thin cable. The housing opening includes a flared funnel structure including an entrance aperture member of thin wall aluminum alloy, a backing structure including a frustoconical strut member secured to the bottom of the helicopter and a resilient foam material positioned between and bonded to the entrance aperture member and the strut member which permits the entrance aperture member to move somewhat when impacted by the transducer. The aluminum alloy material in the entrance aperture is very light and yet transfers the heat of friction from rubbing of the small diameter cable against itself sufficiently rapidly that very little wear or damage is caused to either the cable or the funnel structure from repeated high speed reeling cycles.

Abstract: A spherical vehicle for operation in a fluid medium utilizes an impeller of approximately half the diameter of the sphere for propulsion. In addition to providing the energy for driving the sphere, the propeller acts to draw the flow of fluid smoothly over the after part of the sphere, thus avoiding or minimizing the tendency of the flow to separate from the surface of the sphere and create turbulence. Steering in pitch and yaw planes is effected through the use of a plurality of drag pins located just behind the circle of maximum diameter (with respect to the direction of motion) and selectively actuated by a guidance or control system. A plurality of stub vortex generators are also located on the after side of the sphere and are angled to oppose the torque created by the propeller. The center of gravity is located substantially below the geometric center of the sphere.

Abstract: A compensator for use with a hydraulic control valve connected to a source of high fluid pressure provides the functions of a low pressure return line accumulator and controllable check valve. A spring loaded piston (66) in a housing (64) has a working face exposed to fluid pressure downstream of the power control unit (10). A poppet valve (80) movable in a bore (78) on the axis of the piston is spring loaded against a seat (82) in the return line (40, 42) to interrupt flow between the downstream side of the power control unit (10) and the return side of the fluid pressure source. When normal return line pressure is sensed, the piston (66) moves against its spring (68) to permit the housing (64) to be substantially filled with fluid. Further increases in fluid pressure cause the piston (66) to contact and open the poppet (80) and permit flow to the return side (42) of the fluid pressure source.

Abstract: An underwater connector for electrically and mechanically connecting elongated sections of a towed sonar array and the like includes male and female connector sections terminating array sections, each connector section including a lightweight bulkhead member sealed thereto, one of said bulkhead members including a pair of miniature check valves which are oppositely directed and the other including a fill port for filling the array section to which it is attached with a suitable acoustic liquid. Each of said bulkhead members includes a central aperture supporting one half of an electrical connector. Axially displaced from each bulkhead member in each connector section is a strength member support to which is attached a plurality of high strength ropes which carry the tensile load on the array. These strength member supports are fastened against the force from the ropes by means of retaining rings.

Abstract: A rotary valve of generally cylindrical configuration is arranged to drive two piston-type hydraulic motors by distributing fluid under pressure and return pressures to and from a series of motor ports which match the inlet ports of the motors. Fluid at inlet pressure and at return pressure is distributed through a series of axial passageways to a number of distribution ports. The distribution ports, which would be extremely complex to fabricate with usual casting or machining techniques, are formed of a number of series of stacked disks whose output or input openings are controlled by a rotary member having radial openings and axial passageways. The disks are formed with a symmetrical pattern of ports such that when flow is initiated from a given opening an oppositely disposed opening also will initiate flow, thus radially balancing the forces.

Abstract: A stored energy gyroscope includes a power spring contained within the gyroscope rotor. A latching arm is positioned to hold the rotor in place with the spring fully wound, and when the latching arm is released from the hold position the power spring unwinds to drive the rotor up to speed. A sustaining motor contained within the rotor extends the useful life of the gyroscope by maintaining angular momentum of the rotor and eliminating deceleration torques upon dissipation of the spring power.

Abstract: A structure for connecting together separate elongated small diameter sonar arrays and nonacoustic modules includes a pair of cylindrical housings which telescope together with a keyway to prevent radial movement and each of which includes means for anchoring a plurality of strength members in the form of ropes of aramid fiber. The outside one of the two telescoping housings includes external threads and an external groove for retaining a seal. The inside cylindrical housing includes two external seals, one of which is in contact with the other housing, and an external groove and shoulder. A sleeve member surrounds the telescoping housing members and includes an internal surface in contact with the other two seals, internal threads engaged with the external threads, and a shallow internal groove carrying a radially expanding retaining ring which, in operation, wedges into the shoulder and against the sleeve to transfer the load from housing to housing.

Abstract: Drive shaft apparatus includes driving and driven members and primary torque transmitting means coupling the members. Redundant torque transmitting means is rendered operative for coupling said members in the event of a failure of the primary coupling means and a failure detector including electrical circuitry arranged with the redundant coupling means detects the operation thereof and provides a corresponding indication.

Abstract: A variable displacement balanced vane pump includes an alternate flow passage for fluid being compressed in an intervane chamber whereby the excess portion of the fluid is by-passed from the pump discharge zone to the pump inlet zone without appreciably increasing the pressure of the excess fluid portion to minimize the required pump input energy.

Abstract: A dual suspension gyroscopic device includes a gyro having at least a single degree of freedom and defining an output axis, i.e., the sensitive axis of the gyroscopic device. The gyro is supported by a gimbal which in turn is supported in a case for unlimited angular displacement about the gimbal axis. The arrangement provides low torque suspension about the sensitive axis while permitting normal angular displacement about said axis and maintaining the gyro spin axis in a reference plane. A data transferring slip ring assembly is arranged with the gimbal support and the slip ring assembly and support arrangement is powered to minimize friction about the gimbal axis.

Abstract: A system for providing signals to a microprocesser-based control from which instantaneous values of speed can be computed includes a wheel-driven alternator which provides an alternating current output whose frequency varies with wheel speed. A signal processor converts this signal to a series of sensor pulses whose width varies inversely with frequency. A sample pulse is supplied from the microprocessor which sets the period or length of time the sensor pulses are examined for each speed calculation of the microprocessor. The sample period pulses are AND gated with a high rate clock and also with the sensor pulses to provide a series of marker pulses marking the up and down excursions of the sensor pulses.

Abstract: An acoustic fluid velocity measuring system includes mutually perpendicular arms disposed in the direction of the rectangular components of the fluid velocity, with each arm supporting two transmitting and two receiving electro-acoustic transducers. Pulses of ultrasonic energy are transmitted and received in and against the direction of fluid flow. The transducers in each arm are arranged in separate electrical loops, each of which provides an output at a different frequency. The frequencies are compared to measure fluid speed and direction which appear on a digital display. The measurements are independent of ambient temperature and the transducers are heated so that the system operates under ice forming meteorological conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed wherein a starter provides power for starting an engine and the starter gearing and an overrunning clutch are arranged so that the engine drives an accessory coupled to the starter by using particular elements of the starter gearing while other elements of the gearing come to rest, thereby eliminating separate drive means between the starter and accessory.

Abstract: A flexible shaft is formed of a plurality of linked sections which lock together to provide a rigid shaft when turned in a first direction as for drilling and which, when turned in the opposite direction, unlatch, thereby permitting limited relative movement of the sections so that they may follow a curved path for storage. As the sections are rotated in the first direction, certain internal notches of one section and mating external projections of the next section tend to wedge together and then do not always separate easily and readily when the torque on the shaft is reversed.