Abstract: A full motion color digital video signal is compressed, formatted for transmission, recorded on compact disc media and decoded at conventional video frame rates. During compression, regions of a frame are individually analyzed to select optimum fill coding methods specific to each region. Region decoding time estimates are made to optimize compression thresholds. Region descriptive codes conveying the size and locations of the regions are grouped together in a first segment of a data stream. Region fill codes conveying pixel amplitude indications for the regions are grouped together according to fill code type and placed in other segments of the data stream. The data stream segments are individually variable length coded according to their respective statistical distributions and formatted to form data frames.

Abstract: Internal stress on an object being electroplated is monitored continuously with a gauge. The gauge includes a metal receptor which is employed as a second cathode in the electrodeposition process. A separate plating current is supplied between the anode and second cathode, distinct from the separately controllable current between the anode and object being plates or electroformed. The stress on the second cathode is measured with a strain gauge, and a stress deviation from a desired plating stress is determined. The currents between the anode and first and second cathodes are adjusted in accordance with the measured internal stress on the metal receptor to achieve a desired stress condition.The internal stress is advantageously monitored with a foil resistance strain gauge. The strain gauge is connected to a carrier disposed in parallel with the metal receptor. The carrier is rigidly connected at opposite ends to the metal receptor.

Abstract: Internal stress on an object being electroplated is monitored continuously with a gauge. The gauge includes a metal receptor which is employed as a second cathode in the electrodeposition process. A separate plating current is supplied between the anode and second cathode, distinct from the separately controllable current between the anode and object being plated or electroformed. The stress on the second cathode is measured with a strain gauge, and a stress deviation from a desired plating stress is determined. The currents between the anode and first and second cathodes are adjusted in accordance with the measured internal stress on the metal receptor to achieve a desired stress condition.The internal stress is advantageously monitored with a foil resistance strain gauge. The strain gauge is connected to a carrier disposed in parallel with the metal receptor. The carrier is rigidly connected at opposite ends to the metal receptor.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotation rate sensor employs two fiber loop interferometers. Two Sagnac fiber optic interferometers are interleaved such that both fibers are contained in each each interferometer. A coherent light beam at one frequency is proprogated in only one of the fibers, and an opticl beam at another frequency is proprogated in the other fiber. The beam emerging from one of the fibers is combined with the beam emerging from the other of the fibers for each of the two ends of each fiber to produce a pair of interference signals each having a frequency equal to the difference between the two light beam frequencies. The relative phase of these two signals is then determined to provide an indication of the rate of angular rotation of the fiber optic loops, and this determination is independent of any temperature-related characteristics that produce offset phase errors.

Abstract: A no-load missile restraint arrangement for releasing a rocket propelled missile promptly after ignition of its rocket motor, and the expulsion of a nozzle seal from its rocket motor nozzle. An anchor device extends from the aft end of the missile, which is engaged by the nose portion of a pivotable latch member. The latch member has two operative positions, with the nose portion engaging the anchor device until the seal is driven rearwardly at the time of ignition of the rocket motor. An elongate device operatively associated with the latch member is struck by the rapidly moving seal, bringing about the releasing of the latch member such that it can pivot to an anchor-releasing position. In this way the missile is released prior to any substantial buildup of thrust in the rocket motor.

Abstract: A submunition having an infrared detector disposed in a nose portion thereof, the detector having a narrow angularly-displaced field of view, and vanes for causing the submunition to rotate at an essentially constant rate while in flight, thus to cause the infrared detector to scan a target area and to detect the presence of a target having a selected higher temperature than the background infrared radiation. The submunition includes a small explosive charge sheet disposed on its outer surface and concentrated in one area, and firing pulse generation means for firing the charge. When the infrared detector scans past a detectable target within the target area, it produces a detection signal that triggers a firing pulse from the firing pulse generation means, thereby firing the explosive charge to create a lateral impulse or offset of the submunition.

Abstract: In an airborne target acquisition and tracking system having a stabilization axis and an optical axis in which a slight mechanical misalignment is present, an apparatus and method for electronically compensating for such misalignment. A roll rate sensing circuit in the system produces a signal when the aircraft rolls. A yaw scaling factor circuit and a pitch scaling factor circuit operate on the roll rate signal and apply scaled versions thereof to the yaw rate servo subsystem and the pitch rate servo subsystem respectively to cancel a yaw rate error signal and a pitch rate error signal produced by the mechanical misalignment. The required scale factors are automatically adjusted by use of a calibrate mode by microprocessors that calculate the ratio of yaw and pitch error signals, generated by artifically rolling the system, to the roll rate signal also generated. The measured ratios are stored in non-volatile memories functioning when the system is in the operate mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective entranceway contained in the outer door of a van, trailer or other shelter means. In one mode our device takes the form of a door operable about a vertical hinge line, and although thicker than an ordinary door, it serves in the manner of an ordinary door to provide closure for the shelter means at such time as no contamination is present. A platform is contained on the outer portion of our door, which is enabled to swing downwardly at the time of a contamination alert. A canopy that had been contained in the door in a folded condition is caused by downward movement of the platform to deploy and form a closed entranceway serving in a second mode of use to prevent contaminated air from entering the shelter means.

Abstract: A high force-gain valve including a housing having first and second openings therein, a fluid diverter fixed in position within the housing and aligned with the second opening, a translatable gate closely surrounding the diverter and having a sealing edge which in the closed position seats against the portion of the housing adjacent the second opening, and a positioner for translating the gate between open and closed positions. The gate is hollow, its interior being in fluid communication with the interior of the housing, and has a beveled sealing edge, exposing most of the sealing edge to the fluid pressure within the housing, and is therefore force balanced. The force balancing permits the gate to be easily and quickly translated and positioned between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An optical sight system having in combination: a sight assembly (10), including a stabilized mirror (12, 14), a laser designator (24), a laser ranger (26), a common optical system (16), a television optical system (20), and a television camera (22); a control panel (50), including manual control (52, 67, 79), range, azimuth and elevation readouts (75, 76, 77), electronic servo control circuits (56), and light level/field of view electronic control circuits (58); and display (60) including television tracker and video circuits (54). A target may be located manually and tracked automatically by television tracker circuits (54). Range to the target may be determined by laser ranger (26) and the target illuminated by a laser spot from laser designator (24) to permit use of guided ordnance to attack the target. The sight assembly (10) by virtue of integration of an optical bed (11) with the elements of the assembly is very lightweight to permit mounting on a mast (5) above the plane of a helicopter rotor.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating magnetic particles by enclosure within oil drops, mixing in an aqueous solution and dispersing the oil drops with the enclosed particles by application of an alternating magnetic field. The dispersed and oil-covered particles are microencapsulated with at least one type of polymer.

Abstract: A depth mapping system is carried from an aircraft flying above the water. pulsed laser directs a pulse at a predetermined water area and a multi-apertured photomultiplier tube receives backscattered or reflected radiation signals from both the air-water interface and a submerged surface. A signal comparator simultaneously compares each of the reflected radiation signals against the air-water interface radiation signal and drives a CRT display which illustrates the depth of the reflecting surface over the predetermined area.

Abstract: A digital voice conferencer for providing digitally encoded vocal communication among a plurality of remotely located digital voice terminals. The conferencer buffers and synchronizes the incoming digital signals generated by each of the terminals and periodically selects a primary speaker signal on a predetermined priority basis. The conferencer distributes the primary speaker signal to the remaining terminals and the primary speaker terminal is sent either an idle or interrupter signal. The idle signal causes the primary speaker to hear silence and the interrupter signal causes the primary speaker to hear voice information from a selected terminal other than that of the primary speaker.

Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer and a method for making the depolarizer. The depolarizer material comprises cuprous thiocyanate, a form of carbon and free sulphur. A metal grid is used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making small spherical particles comprising rotating a toothed disc at a constant speed. Heating means are provided to heat the spinning toothed disc so that when material from which the particles are to be made touches the toothed disc the material will melt and migrate to the teeth and form beads on the teeth. As the tooth disc rotates, centrifugal force causes the beads to be thrown off and form spheres as the falling beads cool off and re-solidify.

Abstract: A method for coating, etching, or coloring a portion of the surface of small articles wherein a plurality of the small articles are supported mainly by the surface tension of the interface between air and a liquid containing a desirable coating, etching, or coloring solution. The small articles are then removed from the solution with the result being that only the portion of the article in contact with the solution becomes treated. The size of the portion of the surface of the small article to be treated can be controlled by adding surfactants to the solution to vary the surface tension.

Abstract: Two different frequencies are generated within an interrogation zone. The receiver portion of the system determines the presence of a predetermined marker tag within the interrogation zone by the sensing and processing of a ratio of sideband signals generated by the interaction of the two different frequencies and the predetermined marker tag. The system is greatly immuned to false alarms due to the method of processing the sensed sideband signals. Falsely generated signals are nulled and subtracted out in the receiver portion of the detection system.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: An acousto-optic coupler for enhancing safety and control of glide slope ection between approaching aircraft and carrier landing facilities. Aircraft engine noise is mechanically coupled through the airframe to modulate light beam signals generated by an aircraft landing light. An optical receiver on board the carrier receives the modulated light beam which is detected, filtered and amplified to produce an output signal from an acoustic transducer. The acoustic output signal is monitored by landing personnel for changes in engine noise responsive to carrier originated commands for glide slope control.

Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer and a method for making the depolarizer. The depolarizer material comprises cuprous thiocyanate, a form of carbon and free sulphur. A metal grid is used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.