Abstract: A bioaquatic air pollution control system for controlling both water and atmospheric pollution. The pollution control system includes an exhaust for directing polluted gases out of a furnace and a fluid circulating system which circulates fluid, such as wastewater, from a source, past the furnace where the fluid flow entrains the pollutants from the furnace. The combined fluid and pollutants are then directed through a rock/plant/microbial filtering system. A suction pump pumps the treated wastewater from the filter system past the exhaust to again entrain more pollutants from the furnace where they are combined with the fluid (wastewater) and directed to the filter system.

Abstract: A low-noise, variable discharge area, valve (10) is constructed having opposed recesses (46, 48) within which a pair of gates (42, 44) are slidably disposed. Each of the gates (42, 44) is provided with upstream edges (50) having a radius thereon, the radius enabling smooth, accelerated, low-noise flow therebetween. The gates (42, 44) are further provided with tracks (62, 64) along each side, which in turn slide along splines (66) set in side walls (54, 55) of the valve (10). A threaded rod (80) which rotates in a threaded insert (82) in a rear wall of each of the gates (42, 44) serves to move the gates within their respective recesses.

Abstract: A piezoelectrostatic generator includes a plurality of elongated piezoelectrostatic elements having first and second ends, with the first ends fixedly mounted in a cylindrical housing and the second extending radially inwardly toward an axis. A shaft movable along the axis is connected to the inner ends of the elements to produce bending forces in piezoelectric strips within the elements. Each element includes a pair of strips mounted in surface contact and in electrical series to produce a potential upon bending, Electrodes spaced from the strips by a solid dielectric material act as capacitor plates to collect the potential charges.

Abstract: A multispectral glancing incidence X-ray telescope is illustrated capable of broadband, high-resolution imaging of solar and stellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation sources which includes a primary optical system preferably of the Wolter I type having a primary mirror system (20, 22). The primary optical system further includes an optical axis (24) having a primary focus (F1) at which the incoming radiation is focused by the primary mirrors. A plurality of ellipsoidal mirrors (30a, 30b, 30cand 30d) are carried at an inclination to the optical axis behind the primary focus (F1). A rotating carrier (32) is provided on which the ellipsoidal mirrors are carried so that a desired one of the ellipsoidal mirrors may be selectively positioned in front of the incoming radiation beam (26). In the preferred embodiment, each of the ellipsoidal mirrors has an identical concave surface carrying a layered synthetic microstructure coating tailored to reflect a desired wavelength of 1.5 .ANG. or longer.

Abstract: A system for mating fluid transfer couplings is constructed having a male connector 32 which is provided with a pair of opposed rollers 54 mounted to an exterior region thereof. A male half 30 of a fluid transfer coupling is rotatably supported in an opening 36 in an end 38 of connector 32 and is equipped with an outwardly extending forward portion 20. Forward portion 20 locks into an engagement and locking region 16 of a female half 60 of the fluid transfer coupling, with female half 60 being rotatably supported in a receptacle 62. Receptacle 62 has an opening 70 aligned with locking region 16, with this opening having a pair of concentric, annularly disposed ramps 74 extending around an interior portion of opening 70. These ramps are inclined toward interior 78 of receptacle 62 and are provided with slots 76 through which rollers 54 of connector 32 pass.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive area detection device is disclosed which comprises a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a pattern of incoming X-rays, UV, or other radiation falling on the film and capable of fluorescing in response to stimulation by a light source in a manner directly proportional to the stored radiation pattern; a light source capable of projecting light or other appropriate electromagnetic wave on the film so as to cause it to fluoresce; means, such as a lens, to focus the fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film after light stimulation; and at least one charged coupled detector or other detecting element capable of receiving and digitizing the pattern of fluoresced light coming from the phosphor-containing film.

Abstract: Damping seals, damping bearings and a support sleeve for the ball bearings of a high speed rotor, the ball bearings being a duplex set having the outer races packaged tightly within the sleeve while the sleeve provides a gap with a support member so that the bearings may float with the sleeve. The sleeve has a web extending radially between the pair of outer races and acts in conjunction with one or more springs to apply an axial preload to the outer races. The sleeves have a series of slits which provide the sleeve with a spring-like quality so that the spring acts to center the rotor upon which the bearings are mounted during start up and shut down. A damping seal or a damping bearing may be used in conjunction with the ball bearings and supporting sleeve, the damping seal and damping bearing having rotor portions including rigid outer surfaces mounted within the bore of a stator portion triangular shaped pockets on the surface facing the rotor.

Abstract: A welding torch for gas tungsten arc welding apparatus has a hollow tungsten electrode including a ceramic liner and forms the filler metal wire guide. The wire is fed through the tungsten electrode thereby reducing the size of the torch to eliminate clearance problems which exist with external wire guides. Since the wire is pre-heated from the tungsten more wire may be fed into the weld puddle, and the wire will not oxidize because it is always within the shielding gas.

Abstract: A hybrid butterfly valve has a stationary seat and a valve closure disk which may rotate together with an actuating shaft from the fully open position to a position wherein the disk is aligned with the seat, and thereafter may be moved linearly into sealing relationship with the seat. The disk is supported by brackets having an elongated slot through which the shaft extends, the brackets being adapted to move linearly relative to the shaft. Cams fastened to the shaft initiate a 90.degree. rotation of the disk from the fully open position to the position where the valve disk is aligned with the seat, and the cams act thereafter in conjunction with followers carried by the disk to move the disk and the brackets linearly.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to an apparatus for providing a selectively humidified gas to a camera canister (12) containing cameras and film used in space. A source of pressurized gas (leak test gas 26 or motive gas 21) is selected by a valve (30), regulated to a desired pressure by a regulator (34), and routed through an ejector (46) (venturi device). A regulated source of water vapor in the form of steam from a heated reservoir (18) is coupled to a low pressure region (50) of the ejector (46) which mixes with high velocity gas flow through the ejector (46). This mixture is sampled by a dew point sensor (14) to obtain dew point thereof (ratio of water vapor to gas) and the apparatus adjusted by varying gas pressure or water vapor to provide a mixture at a connector (78) having selected humidity content.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for allowing mixing of solutions in low gravity environments so as to carry out crystallization of proteins and other small molecules or other chemical syntheses, under conditions that maximize crystal growth and minimize disruptive turbulent effects. The apparatus is comprised of a housing, a plurality of chambers, and a cylindrical rotatable valve disposed between at least two of the chambers, said valve having an internal passageway so as to allow fluid movement between the chambers by rotation of the valve. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a valve is provided having an additional internal passageway so that fluid from a third chamber can be mixed with the fluids of the first two chambers. This alternate embodiment of the invention is particularly desirable when it is necessary to provide a termination step to the crystal growth, or if a second synthetic step is required.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for improving the microstructure of electrically conducting materials is disclosed by the present invention. A revolving heat source applies heat to the surface of the material evenly and quickly. One or more heat sinks quickly cool the material. In the preferred embodiment, the cooling may be done in such a way as to promote as high a degree of directional grain growth as desired or completely nondirectional grain growth.

Abstract: An insert for a hollow rotatable shaft on the end of which an impeller is mounted, the insert having a first cylindrical portion receivable within the end of the shaft. The insert includes a radially extending portion adjacent the end of the shaft having an annular wall including radially inner and outer surfaces for engaging tightly similar surfaces in a recess formed in the impeller to provide inner and outer pilot surfaces. The insert also includes a tubular extension which is received within a bore in the impeller, the tubular extension having spaced longitudinally extending slits for permitting the extension together with radially extending hook-like tongues thereon to be received within radial slots in the bore of the impeller to lock the impeller to the insert.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is constructed having a cylindrical enclosure (16) within which a disc-shaped wicking element (18) is positioned. A well or recess (22) is cut into an upper side (24) of this wicking element, and a glass cover plate or slip (28) having a protein drop disposed thereon is sealably positioned on the wicking element (18), with drop (12) being positioned over well or recess (22). A flow of control fluid is generated by a programmable gradient former (16), with this control fluid having a vapor pressure that is selectively variable. This flow of control fluid is coupled to the wicking element (18) where control fluid vapor diffusing from walls (26) of the recess (22) is exposed to the drop (12), forming a vapor pressure gradient between the drop (12) and the control fluid vapor.

Abstract: A welding torch for gas tungsten arc welding apparatus has a filler metal wire guide positioned within the torch, and within the shielding gas nozzle. The wire guide is adjacent the tungsten electrode and has a ceramic liner through which the wire is fed. This reduces the size of the torch and eliminates the outside clearance problems that exist with external wire guides. Additionally, since the wire is always within the shielding gas, oxidizing of the wire is eliminated.

Abstract: A composite material suitable for providing insulation for the nozzle structure of the Space Shuttle and other similar surfaces is disclosed which comprises an outer skin layer of nickel chromium and an interleaved inner region comprising a top layer of nickel chromium foil which acts as a primary convective shield, at least two layers of alumina batting adjacent to layers of silicon carbide fabric, and an additional layer of nickel chromium foil to be used as a secondary convective shield. The composite is particularly advantageous for use as nozzle insulation because of its ability to withstand high reentry temperatures, its flexibility, oxidation resistance, low conductivity, and light weight.

Abstract: Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te is prepared in an improved directional solidification method in which a precast alloy sample containing predetermined amounts of Hg, Cd and Te is disposed in a sealed ampule (12) and a furnace (10) providing two controlled temperature zones (16, 18) is translated upward past the ampule so as to provide melting and resolidification. The present improvement is directed to maintaining the zones at temperatures determined in accordance with a prescribed formula providing a thermal barrier (32) between the zones with a maximum thickness and translating the furnace past the zones at a rate less than 0.31 .mu.m/sec.

Abstract: Seals for sealing clevis and flange joints (14) of a solid rocket booster motor, and more particularly to a seal (30) which is twisted upon application of expansion forces to an edge seal (36). This twisting motion initially causes a leading edge seal (44) to be urged into sealing engagement with a surface (48) of an adjacent member (20) and thereafter, increasing fluid pressure on a pressurized side (64) of a seal (30) drives a broad sealing region (46) into sealing engagement with a surface (48).

Abstract: A digitally controlled resistance generator (10) in which resistors (16-38) having values selected according to an expression 2.sup.N-1 (R), where N is equal to the number of terms in the expression, and R is equal to the lowest value of resistance, are electrically inserted into a resistive circuit in accordance with a parallel binary signal provided by an analog-to-digital converter (46) or a programmable computer (75). This binary signal is coupled via optical isolators (50-72) which, when activated by a logical "1," provides a negative potential to some or all of the gate inputs (96) of the normally "on" field effect transistors (98-120) which, when "on," shorts out the associated resistor. This applied negative potential turns the field effect transistors "off" and electrically inserts the resistor coupled between the source terminal (124) and the drain terminal (122) of that field effect transistor into the resistive circuit between the terminals (12, 14).

Abstract: A trailer shield assembly (10) having a housing (24) with an open lower side and a welding torch (12) mounted so that a welding tip portion (48) of the torch (12) extends through the lower side of the housing (24). A flexible gas guide (76) is affixed to a rear wall (74) of the housing (24) and has an interior (116) in communicating relation with a welding region (34) of the housing (24). A flexible shield gas manifold (90) having a plurality of spaced openings (92) therein is disposed in an upper region (110) of the gas guide (76) and is connectible to a source (11) of shield gas. A diffuser (112) surrounds the flexible manifold and serves to distribute shield gas in an even layer downwardly to cover a hot weld. A pair of openings (96) in the flexible manifold (90) communicates with a second gas manifold (32) disposed in an upper region of the housing (24), with this second gas manifold (32) being provided with an aluminum gas diffuser (30).