Abstract: The invention is a method of and apparatus for characterizing the amplitudes of a sequence of reflected pulses R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 by converting them into corresponding electrical signals E.sub.1, E.sub.2, and E.sub.3 and thereafter exponentially adjusting the amplitudes of the respective signals E.sub.1, E.sub.2, and E.sub.3 to substantially the same value during each sequence thereby restoring the reflected pulses R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 to their initial reflection values by means of timing means 12 and 13, an exponential generator 17 and a time gain compensator 18. Envelope and baseline reject circuits 23 and 24 respectively permit the display and accurate location of the time spaced sequence of electric signals having substantially the same amplitude on a measurement scale on a suitable video display or oscilloscope 14.

Abstract: A quick release toggle clamp utilizes a spring that requires a deliberate positive action for disengagement. The clamp has a sliding bolt that provides a latching mechanism. The bolt is moved by a handle that tends to remain in an engaged position while under tension.

Abstract: A flexible heat transfer apparatus used to flexibly connect and thermally couple a thermoelectric cooler to an object to be cooled. The flexible heat transfer apparatus consists of a pair of flexible corrugated sheets made from high thermal conductivity materials such as copper, aluminum, gold, or silver. The ridges of the corrugated sheets are oriented perpendicular to one another and bonded sandwich-fashion between three plates to define an upper section and a lower section. The upper section provides X flexure, the lower section provides Y flexure, and both sections together provide Z flexure.

Abstract: A two-stage earth-to-orbit transport includes an orbiter vehicle and a pair of boosters, each having a depolyable oblique wing located along a longitudinal axis of the booster. The wing is deployed in an oblique disposition in supersonic and hypersonic speeds, and disposed at 90.degree. for subsonic speeds encountered during entry. The oblique wing is driven axially and rotated by means of a turret mounted on rails.

Abstract: A precision analog electronic circuit that is capable of sending accurate signals to an external device that has hostile electric characteristics, including the presence of very large common mode voltages. The circuit is also capable of surviving applications of normal mode overvoltages of up to 120 VAC/VDC for unlimited periods of time without damage or degradation. First, the circuit isolates the DC signal output from the computer. Means are then provided for amplifying the isolated DC signal. Further means are provided for stabilizing and protecting the isolating and amplifying means, and the isolated and amplified DC signal which is output to the external device, against overvoltages and overcurrents.

Abstract: In a distributed heterogeneous computer system having a plurality of computer nodes each operatively connected through a network interface to a network to provide for communications and transfers of data between the nodes and wherein the nodes each have a queue for containing jobs to be performed, an improvement for dynamically reallocating the system's resources for optimized job performance. There is first logic at each node for dynamically and periodically calculating and saving a workload value as a function of the number of jobs on the node's queue. Second logic is provided at each node for transfering the node's workload value to other nodes on the network at the request of the other nodes. Finally, there is third logic at each node operable at the completion of each job.

Abstract: A reference frequency distribution system for transmitting a reference frequency from a reference unit to a remote unit while keeping the reference frequency at the reference unit and remote unit in phase. A fiber optic cable connects the reference unit to the remote unit. A frequency source at the reference unit produces a reference frequency having an adjustable phase. A fiber optic transmitter at the reference unit modulates a light beam with the reference frequency and transmits the light beam into the fiber optic cable. A 50/50 reflector at the remote unit reflects a first portion of the light beam from the reference unit back into the fiber optic cable to the reference unit. A first fiber optic receiver disposed at the remote unit receives a second portion of the light beam and demodulates the reference frequency therefrom to be used at the remote unit.

Abstract: A fluid storage and expulsion system comprising a tank 12 with an internal flexible diaphragm assembly of dual diaphragms 17,18 in back-to-back relationship, at least one of which is provided with a patterned surface having fine edges such that the diaphragms are in contact along said edges without mating contact of surface areas to thereby form fluid channels 27 which extend outwardly to the peripheral edges of the diaphragms. The interior wall of the tank at the juncture of tank sections 14,15 is formed with a circumferential annular recess comprising an outer annular recess portion which forms a fluid collection chamber 40 and an inner annular recess portion which accommodates the peripheral edge portions of the diaphragms and a sealing ring 38 in clamped sealing relation therebetween. The sealing ring is perforated with radially extending passages 39 which allow any fluid leaking or diffusing past a diaphragm to flow through the fluid channels 27 between the diaphragms to the fluid collection chamber.

Abstract: A multi-channel electronic visual aid device which is able to signal to the user whether sound is coming from the left or right, front or back, or both. For the plurality of channels, which may operate in pairs, the sound is picked up by a respective microphone and amplified and rectified into a DC voltage. The DC voltage is next fed to an analog to digital converter and then to a digital encoder. The binary code from the encoder is coupled into a logic circuit where the binary code is decoded to provide a plurality of output levels which are used to drive an indicator which, in turn, provides a visual indication of the sound level received. The binary codes for each pair of channels are also fed into a digital comparator.

Abstract: A method for tracking an object in a sequence of images is described. Such sequence of images may, for example, be a sequence of television frames. The object in the current frame is correlated with the object in the previous frame to obtain the relative location of the object in the two frames. An optical joint transform correlator apparatus is provided to carry out the process. Such joint transform correlator apparatus forms the basis for laser eye surgical apparatus where an image of the fundus of an eyeball is stabilized and forms the basis for the correlator apparatus to track the position of the eyeball caused by involuntary movement. With knowledge of the eyeball position, a surgical laser can be precisely pointed toward a position on the retina.

Abstract: An improved fluid actuating system for imparting motion to a body such as a spacecraft is disclosed. The fluid actuating system consists of a fluid mass that may be controllably accelerated through at least one fluid path whereby an opposite acceleration is experienced by the spacecraft. For full control of the spacecraft's orientation, the system would include a plurality of fluid paths. The fluid paths may be circular or irregular, and the fluid paths may located on the interior or exterior of the spacecraft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ester derivatives of the anti-retroviral compound AZT, and compositions containing same. It also relates to methods of treatment of retroviral infections comprising administration of said compounds to individuals in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system where cell growth microcarrier beads are suspended in a zero head space fluid medium by rotation about a horizontal axis and where the fluid is continuously oxygenated from a tubular membrane which rotates on a shaft together with rotation of the culture vessel. The oxygen is continuously throughput through the membrane and disbursed into the fluid medium along the length of the membrane.

Abstract: High-gain MOCVD-grown (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs n-p-n double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs) (14) and Darlington phototransistor pairs (14, 16) are provided for use in optical neural networks and other optoelectronic integrated circuit applications. The reduced base (22) doping level used herein results in effective blockage of Zn out-diffusion, enabling a current gain of 500, higher than most previously reported values for Zn-diffused-base DHBTs. Darlington phototransistor pairs of this material can achieve a current gain of over 6,000, which satisfies the gain requirement for optical neural network designs, which advantageously may employ novel neurons (10) comprising the Darlington phototransistor pair in series with a light source (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic transmission from mechanical or acoustic sources by means of a double wall partition, within which an acoustic pressure field is generated by at least one secondary acoustic source. The secondary acoustic source is advantageously placed within the partition, around its edges, or it may be an integral part of a wall of the partition.

Abstract: A demodulator for OQPSK signals modulated with two unique words resolves eight possible cominbations of phase ambiguity which may product data error by first processing received I.sub.R and Q.sub.R data in an integrated carrier loop/symbol synchronizer using a digital Costas loop with matched filters for correcting four of eight possible phase lock errors, and then the remaining four using a phase ambiguity resolver which detects the unique words to not only reverse the received I.sub.R and Q.sub.R data channels, but to also invert (complement) the I.sub.R and/or Q.sub.R data, or to at least complement the I.sub.R and Q.sub.R data for systems using nontransparent codes that do not have rotation direction ambiguity.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the production of solid aromatic polyamic acid and polyimide fibers from a wet gel or coagulation bath wet get using N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solutions of the polyamic acid derived from aromatic dianhydrides such as 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and aromatic diamines such as 4,4'-oxydianiline (4,4'-ODA). By utilizing the interrelationship between coagulation medium and concentration, resin inherent viscosity, resin % solids, filament diameter, and fiber void content, it is possible to make improved polyamic acid fibers. Solid polyimide fibers, obtained by the thermal cyclization of the polyamic acid precursor, have increased tensile properties compared to fibers containing macropores from the same resin system.

Abstract: A nickel-based superalloy is provided which is resistant to deterioration in hydrogen at high operating temperatures and pressures, and which thus can be used in hydrogen-fueled spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle. The superalloy is characterized by a two-phase microstructure and consists of a gamma-prime precipitated phase in a gamma matrix. The gamma matrix phase is a primary solid solution and the gamma precipitated phase will be an intermetallic compound of the type A.sub.3 B, such as nickel aluminide or titanide. Both phases are coherent, ordered, and compatible, and thus will retain most of their strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of (by weight):______________________________________ Ni 50-60% Cr 10-20% Al 2-6% Co 2-5% Ti 3-8% W 5-12% Mo 5-10% Nb 1-3% ______________________________________wherein the ratio W/MO is approximately equal to 1, and Ti/Al ranges from about 1 to about 2.

Abstract: A differential, voltage-controlled current source, employing operational amplifiers as the active elements, provides an essentially symmetrical, differential, high impedance drive to a load, the drive being isolated from any circuit common or system ground. Because of the "floating" differential drive and the identical source impedances of the two outputs, errors from common mode voltages are eliminated.

Abstract: An emergency spin recovery parachute is housed within a centrally mounted housing on the aft end of an aircraft and is connected to a ring fitting within the housing. Two selectively latching shackles, connected to separate towlines are openly disposed adjacent the ring fitting. The towlines extend in opposite directions from the housing along the aircraft wing to attachment points adjacent the wing-tips, where the other end of each towline is secured. Upon pilot command, one of the open shackles latches to the ring fitting to attach the towline connected thereto, and a second command signal deploys the parachute. Suitable break-away straps secure the towlines to the aircraft surface until the parachute is deployed and the resulting force on the towline attached to the parachute overcomes the straps and permits the towline to extend to the point of attachment to exert sufficient drag on the spinning aircraft to permit the pilot to regain control of the aircraft.