Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved methods and apparatus disclosed herein to provide effective real-time management of a spacecraft rocket engine powered by gaseous propellants, real-time measurements representative of the engine performance are compared with predetermined standards to selectively control the supply of propellants to the engine for optimizing its performance as well as efficiently managing the consumption of propellants. A priority system is provided for achieving effective real-time mangagement of the propulsion system by first regulating the propellants to keep the engine operating at an efficient level and thereafter regulating the consumption ratio of the propellants. A lower priority level is provided to balance the consumption of the propellants so significant quantities of unexpended propellants will not be left over at the end of the scheduled mission of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryogenic Joule-Thomson refrigeration capable of pumping multicomponent gases with a single stage sorption compressor system. Alternative methods of pumping a multicomponent gas with a single stage compressor are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the sorbent geometry is such that a void is defined near the output of the sorption compressor. When the sorbent is cooled, the sorbent primarily adsorbs the higher boiling point gas such that the lower boiling point gas passes through the sorbent to occupy the void. When the sorbent is heated, the higher boiling point gas is desorbed at high temperature and pressure and thereafter propels the lower boiling point gas out of the sorption compressor. A mixing chamber is provided to remix the constituent gases prior to expansion of the gas through a Joule-Thomson valve. Other methods of pumping multicomponent gas are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for wire splicing using an explosive joining process. The apparatus consists of a prebent, U-shaped strap of metal that slides over prepositioned wires. A standoff means separates the wires from the strap before joining. An adhesive means holds two ribbon explosives in position centered over the U-shaped strap. A detonating means connects to the ribbon explosives. The process involves spreading strands of each wire to be joined into a flat plane. The process then requires alternating each strand in alignment to form a mesh-like arrangement with an overlapped area. The strap slides over the strands of the wires, and the standoff means is positioned between the two surfaces. The detonating means then initiates the ribbon explosives that drive the strap to accomplish a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding results in electron-sharing linkups.

Abstract: Methods for providing stereoscopic image presentation and stereoscopic configurations using stereoscopic viewing systems having converged or parallel cameras may be set up to reduce or eliminate erroneously perceived accelerations and decelerations by proper selection of parameters, such as an image magnification factor q and intercamera distance 2w. For converged cameras, q is selected to be equal to Ve-qwl=0, where V is the camera convergence distance, e is half the interocular distance of an observer, w is half the intercamera distance and l is the actual distance from said first nodal point of each camera to said convergence point, and for parallel cameras, q is selected to be equal to e/w.

Abstract: A method for the decomposition of halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds contained in a contaminated medium comprises adding an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, bicarbonate or hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an aqueous solution or in a solvent having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C., or in the form of a solid dispersion or suspension. The medium includes a hydrogen donor compound. The hydrogen donor compound may be originally contained in the medium or may be added to the medium. The medium further includes a catalytic source of carbon, for example, a carabohydrate, which will cause formation of a free radical hydrogen ion from the hydrogen donor compound. The medium is heated to dehydrate the medium and then is further heated at a temperature between about 200.degree. and 400.degree. C. to cause formation of the free radical hydrogen ion and effect reductive decomposition of the halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds.

Abstract: The invention teaches a return vehicle for use in returning a crew to Earth from low earth orbit in a safe and relatively cost effective manner. The return vehicle comprises a cylindrically-shaped crew compartment attached to the large diameter of a conical heat shield having a spherically rounded nose. On-board inertial navigation and cold gas control systems are used together with a de-orbit propulsion system to effect a landing near a preferred site on the surface of the Earth. State vectors and attitude data are loaded from the attached orbiting craft just prior to separation of the return vehicle.

Abstract: An improved lightweight, ablative coating that may be spray applied and cured without the development of appreciable shrinkage cracks. The ablative mixture consists essentially of phenolic microballoons, hollow glass spheres, glass fibers, ground cork, a flexibilized resin binder, and an activated colloidal clay.

Abstract: A single material (not a multi-element structure) spatial light modulator (50) may be written to (30), as well as read out from (80), using light (20). The device has tailorable rise and hold times dependent on the composition and concentration of the molecular species used as the active components. The spatial resolution of this device is limited only by light diffraction as in volume holograms. The device may function as a two-dimensional mask (transmission or reflection) or as a three-dimensional volume holographic medium. This device, based on optically-induced electron transfer, is able to perform incoherent to coherent image conversion or wavelength conversion over a wide spectral range (ultraviolet, visible, or near-infrared regions).

Abstract: A cassegrain optical system provides improved collection of off-axis light yet is still characterized by a high concentration ratio. The optical system includes a primary mirror for collecting incoming light and reflecting the light to a secondary mirror which, in turn, reflects the light to a solar cell or other radiation collection device. The primary mirror reflects incoming on-axis light onto an annular section of the secondary mirror and results in the reflection of a substantial amount of incoming off-axis light onto the remainder of the secondary mirror. Thus light which would otherwise be lost to the system will be captured by the collector. Furthermore, the off-axis sections of the secondary mirror may be of a different geometrical shape than the on-axis annular section so as to optimize the amount of off-axis light collected.

Abstract: A birefringent filter is provided for tuning the wavelength of a broad band emission laser. The filter comprises thin plates of a birefringent material having thicknesses which are non-unity, integral multiples of the difference between the thicknesses of the two thinnest plates. The resulting wavelength selectivity is substantially equivalent to the wavelength selectivity of a conventional filter which has a thinnest plate having a thickness equal to this thickness difference. The present invention obtains an acceptable tuning of the wavelength while avoiding a decrease in optical quality associated with conventional filters wherein the respective plate thicknesses are integral multiples of the thinnest plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for releasably connecting first and second objects, wherein a magnetic end effector may include at least one elongated pin member (10) a proximal end of which is connected to the first object (1) and the distal end of which may be inserted into a receiving portion (4) in the second object (2). Latch members (16) are carried by the pin member (10) for radial movement between retracted and expanded positions for releasing and locking, respectively, first and second objects (1, 2). A plunger member (20) carried by the pin member (11) is axially moveable between first and second positions. In the first plunger position, the latch members (16) are located in the expanded (locked) position and in the second plunger position the latch members (16) are released for movement to retracted or unlocked position. Magnetic end effector (30) is provided for releasable attachment to the first object (1) and for moving the plunger member (20) to the second position, thereby releasing the first object (1).

Abstract: The process of the present invention includes first treating a polyamide-acid (such as LARC-TPI polyamide-acid) in an amide-containing solvent (such as N-methylpyrrolidone) with an aprotic organic base (such as triethylamine), followed by dehydrating with an organic dehydrating agent (such as acetic anhydride). The level of crystallinity in the linear aromatic polyimide so produced is maximized without any degradation in the molecular weight thereof.

Abstract: A fluid connector system including a modified plumbing union having a rotatable member for drawing said union into a fluid tight condition. A drive tool is electric motor actuated and includes a reduction gear train providing an output gear engaging an integral peripheral spur gear on the rotatable member. A housing member attached to the connector assembly provides coaxial alignment for an interface socket on the drive tool. A hand lever actuated latching system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced latching balls selectively wedged against the housing member attached to the connector assembly or to secure the drive tool to the connector assembly with its output gear in mesh with the integral peripheral spur gear. The drive motor is torque, spped and direction controllable.

Abstract: A method of treating patients having viral infections exhibiting a synergistic antiviral effect in combination therapy of viral infections is comprised of combining synergistically effective amounts of a halogenated pyrimidine and human recombinant interferon-beta, said agents to be delivered separately or as a single combined composition of matter.

Abstract: The surface of high temperature superconductors such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x are passivated by reacting the native Y, Ba and Cu metal ions with an anion such as sulfate or oxalate to form a surface film that is impervious to water and has a solubility in water of no more than 10.sup.-3 M. The passivating treatment is preferably conducted by immersing the surface in dilute aqueous acid solution since more soluble species dissolve into the solution. The treatment does not degrade the superconducting properties of the bulk material.

Abstract: A device and method rapidly quantifying the relative distention of the bladder of a human subject are disclosed. Ultrasonic transducer 1, which is positioned on subject 2 in proximity to bladder 16, is excited by pulser 3A under command of microprocessor 4 to launch an acoustic wave into patient 2. This wave interacts with bladder walls 12,13 and is reflected back to ultrasonic transducer 1, whence it is received, amplified, and processed by receiver 3B. The resulting signal is digitized by analog-to-digital converter 5 under command of microprocessor 4, and is stored in data memory 6B. The software in microprocessor 4 determines the relative distention of bladder 16 as a function of the propagated ultrasonic energy; and based on programmed scientific measurements and past history with the specific subject as contained in program memory 6A, sends out a signal to turn on any or all of the audible alarm 7, the visible alarm 8, the tactile alarm 9, and the remote wireless alarm 10.

Abstract: This invention features a method for the solid phase synthesis of non-peptide bonds (CH.sub.2 --NH) in polypeptide chains. These polypeptides ae synthesized by standard procedures and the non-peptide bond synthesized by reacting an amino aldehyde and an amino acid in the presence of NaCNBH.sub.3.This invention also features somatostatin analogs with non-peptide bonds.This invention further features a solid phase method of chemically modifying a peptide. The method involves synthesizing .alpha.-N-R and side group N-R analogs of peptides, where R is an alkyl or aryl group, by reacting a carbonyl-containing compound and an amino acid in the presence of NaCNBH.sub.3.

Abstract: The grooved surface of an aberration-corrected holographic model grating is sensed by utilizing the sensing head of a scanning tunneling microscope. The sensing head is mechanically connected to a blazing type stylus for replicating the groove pattern of the holographic model on a ruled grating blank. A ruling engine causes the sensing head not only to scan the surface of the holographic grating model but also drive a blazing type ruling stylus or an equivalent type device in accordance with an error signal resulting from a departure of a sensing tip from the top of the holographic model groove as a function of tunneling current.

Abstract: The novel ESP has a plurality of collector sections alternating in series with a plurality of prechargers (charging sections) with each collector section being preceded by a charging section. Each collector section contains a plurality of collection plates spaced by a distance d to define a plurality of gas flow lanes therebetween. Each gas flow lane contains 1-4 corona discharge wires aligned parallel to the gas flow. Each charging section contains a plurality of corona discharge electrodes alternating with anodes in an array transverse to the gas flow. Each collector section is much shorter than in the prior art, both in actual length and in relation to the length of the length of the charging section and the interplate spacing d.

Abstract: A space transport vehicle including a body movably mounted on an elongated guide member disposed in outer space and driven therealong. A drive wheel is mounted on a drive shaft in rolling engagement with the elongated guide carrying the vehicle. A brake member on the drive shaft moves into and out of engagement with an adjacent surface of the drive wheel. An actuator on the body manually moves back and forth between spaced positions in an arc of movement. A rachet-and-pawl mechanism operates upon movements of the actuator in one direction between first and second positions for coupling the actuator to the drive wheel to incrementally rotate the wheel in one rotational direction and to operate upon movements of the actuator in the opposite direction for uncoupling the actuator from the wheel.