Abstract: A projectile such as a bomb or rocket is provided with a flare section comprising an elongated cylindrical casing containing a body of flare material. An elongated support element extends through the flare body along its central axis, and a truncated conical flame spreader is attached to one end of the support element with the smaller end of the truncated cone in firm engagement with an end surface of the flare body and with at least the major portion of the conical surface of the flame spreader recessed within an extended portion of the casing. A nose fairing is removably attached to the extended portion of the casing and is adapted to be blown away from the casing by a charge located in a cavity within the flame spreader.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively raising and lowering a collapsible screen normally stored in collapsed fashion in a storage channel extending around the periphery of the upper surface of a tank supporting a gun barrel. A rigid frame is secured to the screen and is detachably connectable at one end thereof to the gun barrel. As the barrel is raised, the frame is raised at its forward end so as to raise the forward portion of the screen. Stays are then pivotably mounted on each side of the frame adjacent its mid points. Thereafter, when the barrel is depressed, the frame is pivoted about those first, auxiliary stays to thereby elevate the rear portion of the frame. An additional set of stays can now be inserted to support the rear end of the frame. Finally, the front end of the frame can again be elevated by raising the barrel with further stays supporting such front end of the frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying nitrocellulose powder. The wet powder with the liquid is admitted into the upper part of a frame comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced foraminous members which are inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. The wet powder is admitted in sufficient quantity to substantially fill the space between the members. A stream of a drying gas is directed against the upper one of the members and the dried powder is received from between the spaced members at the bottom of the frame. The liquid is removed through the apertures in the lower one of the members. Preferably, the angle of inclination of the frame is between 5.degree. and 45.degree. to the horizontal. The velocity of the drying gas is selected such that, in conjunction with the angle of inclination of the frame, the powder is spread as a substantially even layer over the lower one of the frame members throughout the drying of the powder.

Abstract: A device is provided for controlling the sensitivity of a receiver of the type comprising a photosensitive element operative to convert radiant energy into electric signals and having an amplifier connected to the output of the photosensitive element and signal processing members for separating a useful signal from interfering background radiation. A sensor device is connected to the photosensitive element to sense the direct current which the element emits in response to radiation from the sun or other strong sources of disturbance, the sensor device being operative to emit a signal when the direct current exceeds a predetermined value, and a switching device responsive to said signal operates to switch the amplifier from a given fixed sensitivity level to a lower fixed level of sensitivity.

Abstract: A process for the resolution of stereoisomeric mixtures of certain steroids obtained by synthesis into its components, comprising subjecting the stereoisomeric mixture to gel filtration, the components in view of different retention volumes being separated and being separately recoverable; and stereoisomeric components A and B thereby obtained, pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and method of treating inflammation therewith.

Abstract: A tank having a firearm mounted thereon for selective elevation and depression about trunnions located within a turret, is provided with a cover pivotally mounted on said turret and adapted to be engaged by the recoil jacket of the gun when the gun barrel is in a depressed position to swing the cover upwardly thereby to cause the recoil space to extend at least partially above a frame for the cover. The arrangement further includes a cartridge case deflector located within the tank below the cover and pivotally fastened at its opposing ends to a portion of the cover and to the recoil jacket of the barrel respectively, and the sides of the cartridge case deflector are adapted to be compressed by one another when engaged by a loading tray within the turret to enable rounds to be moved from a magazine to a loading position.

Abstract: A process for the resolution of stereoisomeric mixtures of certain steroids obtained by synthesis into its components, comprising subjecting the stereoisomeric mixture to gel filtration, the components in view of different retention volumes being separated and being separately recoverable; and stereoisomeric components A and B thereby obtained, pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and method of treating inflammation therewith.This application claims pharmaceutical compositions and method of employing Component B of the novel steroid stereoisomeric mixtures, including both the free 21-hydroxyl and the 21-acetates thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for the loading of rounds of ammunition from a magazine into the barrel of a firearm, particularly a firearm supported on a tank. The firearm is movable in elevation about a first axis, and a pendulum-like member is provided which is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the axis about which the barrel rotates. The pendulum-like member is also movable translationally along the axis about which it rotates. Apparatus is provided for rotating the pendulum-like member about the axis of rotation between first and second angular positions, and further apparatus is provided for translationally moving the pendulum-like member along its rotational axis between predetermined spaced locations. To transfer a round of ammunition to the pendulum-like member from a magazine, the member is translationally moved along the axis and also rotated about the axis so as to be disposed adjacent the magazine, thereby making possible the transfer of an ammunition round into the member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mould members which comprises mixing together a granular material such as sand; a polyurethane forming cold-hardenable bonding agent composition; and a solvent for the bonding agent composition wherein the solvent has an evaporation rate which corresponds to a reference value of 100-800 when the normal butyl acetate has a value of 100 and pure acetone has a reference value of 1,000; shaping the mixture into a predetermined form; and blowing gaseous amine through the mixture to catalyze the formation of the polyurethane bonding agent.

Abstract: Sodium hexahydroxy antimonate is added to powder and acts as a flash-reducing agent.

Abstract: Novel steroids having the general formula: ##SPC1##Wherein X and Y are independently selected from hydrogen and fluorine, X being selected from hydrogen and fluorine when Y is hydrogen and X being fluorine when Y is fluorine, Z is selected from hydroxyl and esterified hydroxyl preferably containing a maximum of 12 carbon atoms, if any, in the esterifying group, R is selected from straight and branched hydrocarbon chains having 2-10 carbon atoms; processes for the preparation of said steroids; compositions containing said steroids; and method of treating inflammation therewith. The steroids are physiologically active compounds possessing anti-inflammatory activity. This application claims pharmaceutical compositions and method of treating employing the novel steroid steroisomeric mixtures.

Abstract: A land mine is provided with a pair of nested bowl shaped parts having their respective contacting surfaces arranged for tangential displacement relative to one another, and an actuating device provided in the mine is selectively responsive to such tangential displacement for activating the percussion mechanism in the mine. The actuating device includes a member located in a space provided between the contacting surfaces of the nested parts, and a locking device operates in response to the presence of a predetermined external force to lock such member to one of said parts to cause said member to activate the percussion mechanism upon occurrence of the tangential displacement between the parts. The locking mechanism is responsive to the absence of said predetermined external force for unlocking said member from said part to prevent activation of the percussion mechanism upon occurrence of said tangential displacement between the parts.

Abstract: A radiation emitter for a projectile comprises a pyrotechnical charge located within the body of the projectile, and connected via a channel within the body to an opening in the side of said projectile to emit radiation via said opening when the pyrotechnical charge has been ignited. The radiation emitter may comprise the transmitter unit of a proximity fuze carried by the projectile.

Abstract: Fermentation process for preparation of L-tryptophan and its derivatives from indole or derivatives thereof wherein the fermentation is carried out in a substrate with methanol as the main source for carbon and is carried out using a certain type of methanol using bacteria.

Abstract: Apparatus which provides a digital signal which represents the unbalance in a resistance bridge. The apparatus includes a source of direct-current voltage which is applied alternately and repetitively with opposite polarity to input terminals of the bridge. An amplifier is connected to the bridge output terminals. Analog-to-digital converters are connected to the output of the amplifier in such a way that one converter is connected to the amplifier output at a time when a positive voltage is applied to the bridge input and another converter is applied to the amplifier output at the time that a negative voltage is applied to the bridge input. A count is provided which represents the difference in the digital signals provided by the two converters. Such output is unaffected by any initial unbalance in the amplifier and is also not responsive to thermo-electrically generated electromotive forces.

Abstract: A laser diode is provided with a casing that encloses a light-emitting crystal. The casing includes a transparent member through which the light passes. A portion of the diode is positioned within a holder and means is provided for cooling the diode. To reduce condensation of moisture which is present within the holder, upon the transparent member, a sleeve formed of a thermally high conductor material such as copper is placed about the casing with close physical contact therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical target tracking. A target image, particularly based on reflected laser light, is projected by an optical system onto a light-sensitive detector, control signals for directing purposes being generated depending on the position of the target image on the detector surface. At least when a clear target image on the detector surface would be small in comparison with the detector surface, the area of the target image is increased by blurring the target image, for instance by displacing the detector plane from the image plane of the optical system.

Abstract: Power transmission apparatus for controlling the elevation of a gun barrel. Two telescopic members are provided, one being secured to the gun base and the other to the gun barrel. The first and second parts define a first piston and a hollow piston rod attached thereto with the first piston being slidable in a cylinder defined by the second part. A second piston having an associated rod is also provided and such second piston is slidable inside the first piston rod. First and second chambers are thus formed, the first being filled with an incompressible fluid such as hydraulic fluid and the second chamber is filled with a highly compressible fluid such as a gas.

Abstract: A low profile air cushion loading platform is provided with a driving and steering device comprising a plurality of laterally spaced steering boxes located under the platform. Each steering box includes a plurality of wheel members adapted to be driven by motors about horizontal axes of rotation, with the wheel members and their driving motors being located within a ball race and rotatable with said ball race as a unit about a vertical axis. The ball race has gear teeth which cooperate with a driving gear operated by an electrohydraulic steering system to rotate the ball races of different ones of the steering boxes through different angles respectively during the steering operation, to cause the wheel members of all the steering boxes to be driven along arcs having a common center of curvature.

Abstract: A projectile of the type containing a payload and a heat source spaced from said payload and activated while the projectile is in flight, is provided with a power-generating device comprising a number of thermo elements which are connected in series at a plurality of hot and cold junctions. The hot junctions are disposed adjacent the heat source within said projectile, and the cold junctions are spaced from said heat source and located adjacent the payload. The heat source may constitute a source of radiant energy associated with the transmitter portion of a proximity fuze, and the power-generating device may in turn energize the receiver portion of the fuze to control initiation of the payload.