Abstract: A piezoelectric crystal with several concentric ring electrodes on one side of the crystal. A resistor network applies different amplitudes of an AC source to each of the several electrodes. A plot of the different amplitudes from the outermost electrode to the innermost electrode is the first half of a Gaussian function. Consequently, the output of the crystal from the side opposite the electrodes has a Gaussian profile.

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells employing chalcogenophosphate (MPX.sub.3) photoelectrodes are disclosed, where M is selected from the group of transition metal series of elements beginning with scandium (atomic number 21) through germanium (atomic number 32) yttrium (atomic number 39) through antimony (atomic number 51) and lanthanum (atomic number 57) through polonium (atomic number 84); P is phosphorus; and X is selected from the chalogenide series consisting of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. These compounds have bandgaps in the desirable range of 2.0 eV to 2.2 eV for the photoelectrolysis of water and are stable when used as photoelectrodes for the same.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating varying levels of friction in the bearings 13 of a free rolling tail afterbody 11 on a canard-controlled missile 12 to determine friction effects on aerodynamic control characteristics. A ring 16 located between the missile body and the afterbody is utilized in a servo system to create varying levels of friction between the missile body and the afterbody to simulate bearing friction.

Abstract: A solar pumped laser in which the lasant is a gas that will photodissociate and lase when subjected to sunrays. Sunrays are collected and directed onto the gas lasant to cause it to lase.

Abstract: Devices for vectorially summing two signals. In a first embodiment (FIG. 3) the vectorial summation is implemented by a mechanical sin/cos mechanism in which a crank 22 drives two linear potentiometers 27 and 29, 90.degree. out of phase. In a second embodiment (FIG. 6) a polarized light resolver generates the sin and cos functions. In a third embodiment (FIG. 8) a printed circuit resolver generates the sin and cos functions.

Abstract: A vertical shaft 11 has several equally spaced blades 14 mounted thereon. Each blade consists of an inboard section 15 and an outboard section 16 skew hinged (17) to the inboard section. The inboard sections automatically adjust their positions with respect to the fixed inboard sections with changes in velocity of the wind. This windmill design automatically governs the maximum rotational speed of shaft 11.

Abstract: The invention is a ride quality meter that automatically transforms vibration and noise measurements into a single number index of passenger discomfort. The noise measurements are converted into a noise discomfort value. The vibrations are converted into single axis discomfort values which are then converted into a combined axis discomfort value. The combined axis discomfort value is corrected for time duration and then summed with the noise discomfort value to obtain a total discomfort value.

Abstract: A low energy electron beam magnetometer that utilizes near-monoenergetic electrons thereby reducing errors due to electron energy spread and electron nonuniform angular distribution. In a first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 3 and 4) atoms in an atomic beam 30 of an inert gas are excited to a Rydberg state (lasers 32, 33 and 34) and then electrons of near zero energy are detached from the Rydberg atoms (gas chamber 35 ). The near zero energy electrons are then accelerated by an electric field V.sub.acc to form the electron beam 21. In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5) a filament 42 emits electrons into an electrostatic analyzer 40 which selects electrons at a predetermined energy level within a very narrow range. These selected electrons make up the electron beam that is subjected to the magnetic field being measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting errors in an electronic digital timepiece that includes an oscillator which has a 2.sup.n frequency output, an n-stage frequency divider for reducing the oscillator output frequency to a time keeping frequency, and means for displaying the count of the time keeping frequency. The error E in the time of the timepiece for an arbitrary period of time T is determined. A computer computes a new adjustment value N+(2.sup.n-m +N)E/T where N is the preceding adjustment value and m is a nonnegative integer less than n. Then the 2.sup.n-m divisor of the first n-m stages of the n-stage frequency divider is adjusted in an amount equal to the new adjustment value. In first and second embodiments of the invention the timepiece is synchronized with a time standard at the beginning of the period of time T.

Abstract: This invention is a multiple channel high data rate pressure sensing device for use in wind tunnels, spacecraft, airborne, process control, automotive, etc., pressure measurements. This device offers data rates in excess of 100,000 measurements per second with inaccuracies from temperature shifts less than 0.25% (nominal) of full scale over a temperature span of 55.degree. C. This device consists of thirty-two solid state sensors 11, signal multiplexing electronics to electronically address each sensor, and ditital electronic circuitry to automatically correct the inherent thermal shift errors of the pressure sensors and their associated electronics.

Abstract: An instrument that receives pulses from a primary external source and one or more secondary external sources and determines when there is coincidence between the primary and one of the secondary sources. The instrument generates a finite time window (coincidence aperture) during which coincidence is defined to have occurred. The time intervals between coincidence apertures in which coincidences occur are measured.

Abstract: A tracking generator 21 is slaved to a spectrum analyzer 23 to produce an input signal having a frequency that follows the frequency of the spectrum analyzer sweeping local oscillator 22. The input signal is gated to a transducer 26 by a transmitter gate 25 to produce ultrasonic waves in the sample 28. The resulting ultrasonic echoes are converted into electrical signals by the transducer and then gated into the spectrum analyzer by receiver gate 29. This arrangement produces spectra that are equivalent to shock-exciting the transducer with a true delta function shock-excitation.

Abstract: A solar energy collector focuses solar energy onto a solar oven which is attached to a mixer which in turn is attached to the channel of a MHD generator. Gas enters the oven and a liquid metal enters the mixer. The gas/liquid metal mixture is heated by the collected solar energy and moves through the MHD generator thereby generating electrical power. The mixture is then separated and recycled.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector array and the method for using it. A series of holes 13 formed through a silicon dioxide layer 12 on the surface of a silicon substrate 11 forms the mounting fixture for the pyroelectric detector array. A series of nontouching strips of indium 14 are formed around the holes 13 to make contact with the backside electrodes 16 and form the output terminals for individual detectors. A pyroelectric detector strip 15 with front and back electrodes 17 and 16, respectively, is mounted over the strips 14. Biasing resistors 18 are formed on the surface of the silicon dioxide layer and connected to the strips 14. A metallized pad 19 formed on the surface of layer 12 is connected to each of the biasing resistors 18 and to the film 17 to provide the ground for the pyroelectric detector array.

Abstract: The RF output of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 11 is periodically gated by gate 15 to a transducer 18 which produces acoustic waves in bolt 19. The reflected acoustic waves are converted to electrical signals by transducer 18 and gated by a gate 20 to mixer 31. Mixer 31 also receives the output from VCO 11 and produces an output which is filtered by low pass filter 32. The output of filter 32 is a DC signal proportional to the phase difference change from a fixed phase difference between the two input signals to mixer 32. This DC signal is sampled at an instant and held by circuit 33 in response to the "P" signal. The output of circuit 33 is integrated by integrator 34 and then applied to VCO 11 to change the frequency of VCO 11 such that the phase difference between the two inputs to mixer 31 remains at said fixed phase difference. The frequency of VCO 11 is a measure of the change in strain of bolt 19.

Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus capable of cyclic heating and cooling of a test specimen undergoing fatigue testing. Cryogenic fluid is passed through a block 10 clamped to the specimen 11 to cool the block and the specimen. Heating cartridges 13 penetrate the block 10 to heat the block and the specimen 11 to very hot temperatures. Control apparatus 36 and 46 is provided to alternately activate the cooling and heating modes to effect cyclic heating and cooling between very hot and very cold temperatures. The block 10 is constructed of minimal mass to facilitate the rapid temperature change thereof.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector array and the method for making it. A series of holes 13 formed through a silicon dioxide layer 12 on the surface of a silicon substrate 11 forms the mounting fixture for the pyroelectric detector array. A series of nontouching strips of indium 14 are formed around the holes 13 to make contact with the backside electrodes 16 and form the output terminals for individual detectors. A pyroelectric detector strip 15 with front and back electrodes 17 and 16, respectively, is mounted over the strips 14. Biasing resistors 18 are formed on the surface of the silicon dioxide layer and connected to the strips 14. A metallized pad 19 formed on the surface of layer 12 is connected to each of the biasing resistors 18 and to the film 17 to provide the ground for the pyroelectric detector array.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a radiant energy image into corresponding electrical signals including an image converter. The image converter includes a substrate 20 of semiconductor material, an insulating layer 23 on the front surface of the substrate and an electrical contact 22 on the back surface of the substrate. A first series of parallel transparent conductive stripes 25 is on the insulating layer with a processing circuit 33 connected to each of the conductive stripes for detecting the modulated voltages generated thereon. In a first embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5), a modulated light stripe 38 perpendicular to the conductive stripes 25 scans the image converter. The resulting modulated signals generated on the conductive stripes are detected by the processing circuits 40 to produce signals that represent the image focused on the image converter. In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG.

Abstract: This invention is an acoustic oral hygiene unit that uses acoustic energy to oscillate mild abrasive particles 17a in a water suspension 17 which is then directed in a low pressure stream onto the teeth. The oscillating abrasives scrub the teeth clean removing food particles, plaque, calculous, and other foreign material from tooth surfaces, interproximal areas, and tooth-gingiva interface more effectively than any previous technique. The relatively low power output and the basic design makes the invention safe and convenient for everyday use in the home without special training. This invention replaces all former means of home dental prophylaxis, and requires no augmentation to fulfill all requirements for daily oral hygienic care.

Abstract: A digital demodulator for converting PCM data from PSK to NRZ-L and to Bi.phi.-L. The demodulator is composed of standard integrated logic circuits. The key to the demodulation function is a pair of cross-coupled one-shot multivibrators 11 and 12 which with a flip-flop 13 produce the NRZ-L. In order to generate Bi.phi.-L, the PSK carrier is constrained to be 2.sup.N times the data bit rate. If NRZ-L is all that is required, the circuitry is greatly simplified and the 2.sup.N times bit rate constraint can be removed from the carrier. A flip-flop 15, an OR gate 14, and AND gate 16 and a binary counter 17 generate the bit rate clock BTCK for the NRZ-L. The remainder of the circuitry is for converting the NRZ-L and BTCK into Bi.phi.-L.