Abstract: A vehicle is provided which maintains a substantially constant weight, and therefore traction, on all wheels, despite one wheel moving considerably higher or lower than the others, while avoiding a very soft spring suspension. The vehicle includes a chassis or body to be supported and a pair of side suspensions at either side of the body. In a six wheel vehicle, each side suspension includes a middle wheel, and front and rear linkages repectively coupling the front and rear wheels to the middle wheel. A body link pivotally connects the front and rear linkages together, with the middle of the body link rising or falling by only a fraction of the rise or fall of any of the three wheels. The body link pivotally supports the middle of the length of the body.

Abstract: A random access memory (RAM) comprises memory cells each including an RS type flip-flop having complementary data inputs and transistors for forcing the flip-flop by that one of two data wires which is at a given level (high level for example) when a selection wire is at a first given level (high level for example). The flip-flop is connected to an output wire by circuitry for maintaining the output wire at the high level as long as the selection wire is at the first level and for causing the output wire to take the level corresponding to the condition of the flip-flop when the selection wire is brought to the other level. The transistors are preferably N-MOS for higher speed.

Abstract: Laser pyrometer techniques are utilized to accurately image a true temperature distribution on a given target without touching the target and without knowing the localized emissivity of the target. The pyrometer utilizes a very high definition laser beam and photodetector, both having a very narrow focus. The pyrometer is mounted in a mechanism designed to permit the pyrometer to be aimed and focused at precise localized points on the target surface. The pyrometer is swept over the surface area to be imaged, temperature measurements being taken at each point of focus.

Abstract: A system is provided for molding a slurry containing particles in a solution of solvent and binder, which enables the close control of the production of a tape with particles of a high density. A rotor forms a chamber with a cylindrical molding surface, and a conduit carries the slurry from the outside to the surface while the molding surface rotates to use centrifugal force to force particles against the molding surface. The chamber is substantially closed to avoid the uncontrolled loss of solvent, and a means is provided for venting the chamber to remove solvent therefrom after the slurry has been molded into a tape. A container lies within the chamber and holds solvent prior to casting the slurry, to create a solvent-containing environment within the chamber.

Abstract: A bio-reactor for cell culture which provides for the introduction of fresh medium without excessive turbulent action. The fresh medium enters the bio-reactor through a filter with a backwash action which prevents the cells from settling on the filter. The bio-reactor is sealed and depleted medium is forced out of the container as fresh medium is added.

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).

Abstract: A reusable, durable heat pipe which is capable of operating at temperatures up to about 3000.degree. F. in an oxidizing environment and at temperatures above 3000.degree. F. in an inert or vacuum environment is produced by embedding a refractory metal pipe within a carbon-carbon composite structure. A reusable, durable heat pipe panel is made from an array of refractory-metal pipes spaced from each other, each refractory-metal pipe being embedded within a carbon-carbon composite structure. The reusable, durable, heat-pipe panel is employed to fabricate a hypersonic vehicle leading edge and nose cap.

Abstract: A method of exchanging rare-isotope oxygen for common-isotope oxygen in the top several layers of an oxide-containing catalyst is disclosed. A sample of an oxide-containing catalyst is exposed to a flowing stream of reducing gas in an inert carrier gas at a temperature suitable for the removal of the reactive common-isotope oxygen atoms from the surface layer or layers of the catalyst without damaging the catalyst structure. The reduction temperature must be higher than any at which the catalyst will subsequently operate. Sufficient reducing gas is used to allow removal of all of the reactive common-isotope oxygen atoms in the top several layers of the catalyst. The catalyst is then reoxidized with the desired rare-isotope oxygen in sufficient quantity to replace all of the common-isotope oxygen that was removed.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a releasable clamping apparatus (10) is constructed having an opening or slot (14) within which a lifting handle (28 or 30) is clamped between retaining latch portions (62, 64) and a clamp assembly (34). The latch portions (62, 64) are supported by openings (56, 58) and are retracted and extended into a slot (14) by spring biased linkage members (78, 80). These members (78, 80) are acted upon by similarly profiled cam lobes (116, 116a, 118, 118a). Dissimilarly profiled cam lobes (126, 128) of the cam member (110) act upon the clamp assembly (34), clamping a handle (28 or 30) against faces (68) of the latch portions (62, 64). The cam member (110) is coupled to a shaft (162) having an operating handle (32), with the shaft (32) also being provided with a detent assembly (202). This detent assembly (202) locks the handle (32) and the shaft (162) in "locked" positions (38 or 40) in the surface (198) of the apparatus (10), which clamps a handle (28 or 30) as described.

Abstract: The driving (30) and driven (32) members of a magnetic drive (20) are separated by an enlarged gap (35) to provide clearance for a conduit (23) or other member. Flux pins (40) in the gap (35) maintain the torque transmitting capability of the drive (20). The spacing between two of the flux pins is increased to provide space for the conduit (23).

Abstract: A saran carbon matrix is employed to conduct heat through the heat storing volume of a cryogenic regenerator. When helium is adsorbed into the saran carbon matrix, the combination exhibits a volumetric specific heat much higher than previously used lead balls. A helium adsorbed saran regenerator should allow much lower refrigerator temperatures than those practically obtainable with lead based regenerators for regenerator type refrigeration systems.

Abstract: Novel copolyimides are prepared by reacting one or more aromatic dianhydrides with a meta-substituted phenylene diamine and an aromatic bridged diamine. The incorporation of meta-substituted phenylene diamine derived units and bridged aromatic diamine derived units into the linear aromatic polymer backbone results in a copolyimide of improved flexibility, processability, and melt-flow characteristics. The novel copolyimides are especially useful as thermoplastic hot-melt adhesives.

Abstract: A table top for use in constricted areas has a plurality of support arms abutting at one end to form a hub. The support arms are arranged in equidistant, spaced-apart relation to each other at the ends distal to the hub. A plurality of work surface leaf sections mounted between the support arms are individually pivotable through 360 degrees about their longitudinal axes. The table top additionally has a plurality of distal leaves, each distal leaf being attached to the distal end of one of the arms. The distal leaves are pivotable between an upright position level with the support arms and a stored position below the support arms.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuated structural release device 10 which is mechanically two fault tolerant for release. The device 10 comprises a fastener plate 11 and fastener body 12, each attachable to a different one of a pair of structures to be joined. The fastener plate 11 and body 12 are fastenable by a toggle 13 supported at one end on the fastener plate and mounted for universal pivotal movement thereon. At its other end which is received in a central opening in the fastener body 12 and adapted for limited pivotal movement therein the toggle 13 is restrained by three retractable latching pins 61 symmetrically disposed in equiangular spacing about the axis of the toggle 13 and positionable in latching engagement with an end fitting on the toggle. Each pin 61 is individually retractable by combustion of a pyrotechnic charge 77, the expanding gases of which are applied to a pressure receiving face 67 on the latch pin 61 to effect its retraction from the toggle.

Abstract: A skin friction balance uses a parallel linkage mechanism to avoid inaccuracies in skin friction measurement attributable to off-center normal forces. The parallel linkage mechanism includes a stationary plate mounted in a cage, and an upper and lower movable plate which are linked to each other and to the stationary plate through three vertical links. Flexure pivots are provided for pivotally connecting the links and the plates. A sensing element connected to the upper plate moves in response to skin friction, and the lower plate moves in the opposite direction of the upper plate. A force motor maintains a null position of the sensing element by exerting a restoring force in response to a signal generated by a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).

Abstract: In a telescope having primary and secondary reflectors, wherein the actual primary reflector surface deviates from an ideal primary reflector surface, such deviation is compensated for. At least one intermediate element forms an image of the primary surface onto the secondary surface, so each point on the secondary surface corresponds to a point on the primary surface. The secondary surface is formed with a deviation from an ideal secondary surface, with the "piston" distance of each point on the actual secondary surface equal to the piston distance of a corresponding point on the actual primary surface from the ideal primary surface. It is found that this results in electromagnetic (e.g., light) rays which strike a deviating area of the actual primary surface being brought to the same focus as if the actual primary surface did not have a deviation from an ideal primary surface.

Abstract: HSA crystals are provided in the form of tetragonal plates having the space groups P42.sub.1 2, the crystals being grown to sizes in excess of 0.5 mm in two dimensions and a thickness of 0.1 mm. Growth of the crystals is carried out by a hanging drop method wherein a precipitant solution containing PEG and a phosphate buffer is mixed with an HSA solution, and a droplet of mixed solution is suspended over a well of precipitant solution. Crystals grow to the desired size in 3 to 7 days. Concentration of reagents, pH and other parameters are controlled within prescribed limits. The resulting crystals exhibit a size and quality such as to allow performance of x-ray diffraction studies and enable the conduct of drug binding studies as well as genetic engineering studies.

Abstract: Krypton and a monolithic porous carbon such as Saran carbon are used respectively as the sorbate and sorbent of an adsorption type refrigerator to improve refrigeration efficiency and operational longevity.

Abstract: A dual-fuel, dual-mode rocket engine 60 is made by modifying a baseline single-mode booster engine 10. A second hydrogen propellant system 62, and a fuel mixer 68 is added to provide a means for delivering and mixing a hydrogen fuel 66 with the baseline engine hydrocarbon fuel 36 upstream of exhaust nozzle cooling jacket 38. A second dual-fuel, dual-mode rocket engine 61 is made by modifying a baseline single-mode main engine 11. A hydrocarbon propellant system 63, and a fuel mixer 69 is added to provide a means for delivering and mixing a methane fuel 67 with the baseline engine hydrogen fuel 23 upstream of exhaust nozzle cooling jacket 27. The resulting fuel mixture within both embodiments of the invention described above is utilized for thrust chamber fuel and exhaust nozzle cooling. The relative quantities of each fuel within the mixture vary to provide a progressively less dense mixture throughout a rocket flight.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of removing desirable constituents from an infusible material by infusion extraction, where a piston operating in a first chamber draws a solvent into the first chamber where it may be heated, and then moves the heated solvent into a second chamber containing the infusible material, and where infusion extraction takes place. The piston then moves the solvent containing the extract through a filter into the first chamber, leaving the extraction residue in the second chamber.