Abstract: At least about 0.1 percent by weight of indium is added as an essential component to an alloy which precipitates a T.sub.1 phase (Al.sub.2 CuLi). This addition enhances the nucleation of the precipitate T.sub.1 phase, producing a microstructure which provides excellent strength as indicated by Rockwell Hardness values and confirmed by standard tensile tests.

Abstract: A helmet formed of a rigid shell is disclosed. The shell is lined with several air filled bladders to contact firmly the head of a user. The shell has a rigid chin bar supporting a bite bar connected fixedly to a mouthpiece bearing against the teeth and hard palate to firmly anchor the helmet without movement. The outer shell surface supports various air pumping bulbs and accelerometers. Separate left and right visor pivot on the side guided in a central tongue and groove track to move optical lens mounts into the user's field of vision. The chin bar is connected to the shell by a pair of releasable clasps. A safety lanyard connects to the clasps to quickly pull pins from the clasps to enable quick release in case of motion sickness.

Abstract: A system for deriving direct digital indications of frequency and phase difference between two incoming pulse trains adaptable for collision avoidance systems or the like.A pair of radar beams 152 and 152A are directed toward a target 153 and corresponding beams 154 and 154A returning therefrom are detected. A digital difference circuit 110 forms a pulse train 66 from the Doppler shift frequencies of each beam pair having a repetition rate functionally related to the difference in magnitude of the shift frequencies. Pulses from the pulse train are counted as a function of time. Visual indications thereof on display 144 are correlative to target position relative to beams 152 and 152A.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a stereo image with reduced depth distortion and optimum depth resolution. Static and dynamic depth distortion and depth resolution trade-off is provided. Cameras obtaining the images for a stereo view are converged at a convergence point behind the object to be presented in the image, and (a) the collection-surface-to-object distance, (b) the camera separation distance, and (c) the focal lengths of zoom lenses for the cameras are all increased. Doubling the distances cuts the static depth distortion in half while maintaining image size and depth resolution. Dynamic depth distortion is minimized by panning a stereo view-collecting camera system about a circle which passes through the convergence point and the cameras' first nodal points. Horizontal field shifting of the television fields on a television monitor brings both the monitor and the stereo views within the viewer's limit of binocular fusion.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention provides a plurality of measurements indicative of the absolute cross section for excitation of an ion beam. The ion beam is merged for excitation by specific energies of electrons in an electron beam. Both beams are merged in an evacuated enclosure having a longitudinal magnetic field and a crossed uniform electric field. The ions and electrons interact over a known merged longitudinal length in a merged beam area. After collision, the electron and ion beams are demerged. Forward and backward-scattered electrons are collected and position-detected by a pair of microchannel plate arrays located at opposite ends of the longitudinal beam-merging area. A series of electron and ion primary current measurements are taken at full ion and electron beam strength. Measurements are also taken at greatly reduced beam strength to obtain a beam overlap profile.

Abstract: An aerobraking orbital transfer vehicle which includes an aerobraking device which also serves as a heat shield in the shape of a raked-off elliptic or circular cone with a circular or elliptical base, and with an ellipsoid or other blunt shape nose. The aerobraking device is fitted with a toroid-like skirt and is integral with the support structure of the propulsion system and other systems of the space vehicle. The vehicle is intended to be transported in components to a space station in lower earth orbit where it is assembled for use as a transportation system from low earth orbit to geosynchronous earth orbit and return. Conventional guidance means are included for autonomous flight.

Abstract: A technique for producing thrust by generating a hybrid plume plasma exhaust is disclosed. A plasma flow is generated and introduced into a nozzle which features one or more inlets positioned to direct a flow of neutral gas about the interior of the nozzle. When such a neutral gas flow is combined with the plasma flow within the nozzle, a hybrid plume is constructed including a flow of hot plasma along the center of the nozzle surrounded by a generally annular flow of neutral gas, with an annular transition region between the pure plasma and the neutral gas. The temperature of the outer gas layer is below that of the pure plasma and generally separates the pure plasma from the interior surfaces of the nozzle. The neutral gas flow both insulates the nozzle walls from the high temperatures of the plasma flow and adds to the mass flow rate of the hybrid exhaust. The rate of flow of neutral gas into the interior of the nozzle may be selectively adjusted to control the thrust and specific impulse of the device.

Abstract: A berthing mechanism especially for use in berthing and compliant air-tight securing between manned space vehicles and modules. The interface is provided by a pair of annular rings, one of which is typically, mechanically attached to the vehicle and the other to the module to which it is to be docked and secured. One of the two rings is attached to a base by a resilient bellows. The facing surface of one annular ring is joined to a base by a cable laced through alternating pulleys attached circumferentially so that the interface surface of that ring may be tilted to accommodate angular misalignment as said annular rings are brought into docking (berthing) contact. Interleaving guide flanges with chamfered sides provide at least some rotational misalignment correction.

Abstract: An improved sine bar apparatus for the precise measurement of angles for machining operation. The sine bar apparatus comprises a flat, rectangular base which has an upper and a lower surface with four sides. A collet adapter extends from one side of the base at right angles thereto in a plane which is parallel to the upper surface of the base and there is at least one slot extending transversely of one side of the base. A reference bar is attached to one of the other sides of the base and has a support surface which extends above the upper surface of the base. An elongated, generally rectangular sine bar, which has a reference surface extending along one side, is pivotally connected to the base and is supported on the upper surface of the base. The sine bar is pivotally connected at a point intermediate its ends, though the transverse slot adjacent the side of which the reference bar is attached, and has one of its ends in contact with the support surface of the reference bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-wave holographic interferometry system and method. In such systems, a reference beam holographic is super-imposed on an object beam, the object beam being an image obtained by passing a beam through an object regarding which some parameter (e.g. temperature gradient) is to be measured. A photograph (50) of the superimposed beams (D) is taken. The present invention employs two object (B) and two reference (A) beams and the invention is particularly concerned with the use of a prism assembly (C) which causes the two different wavelengths (W1, W2) of the object beams to emerge from the prism at slightly different angles, thereby providing two holographic images which are slightly displaced from each other.

Abstract: An analytical technique for controlling the curing process of fiber-reinforced composite materials that are formed using thermosetting resins. The technique is the percent gel method and involves development of a time-to-gel equation as a function of temperature. From this equation a rate-of-gel equation is then determined, and a percent gel is calculated which is the product of rate-of-gel times time. Percent gel accounting is used to control the proper pressure application point in an autoclave cure process to achieve desired properties in a production composite part.

Abstract: The invention is a system for automatically controlling the surface contour of a deployable and restowable antenna 11 having a mesh reflector surface 26 supported by a circular, folding hoop 12 affixed to a central, telescoping column 14. The antenna 11, when deployed, forms a quad-aperture reflector with each quadrant A-D of the mesh surface 26 shaped to provide an offset parabolic RF reflector.The hoop 12 is supported and positioned by quartz support cords 12 attached to the top 22 of column 14 and by lower graphite hoop control cords 23 that extend between the hoop 12 and base 24 of the column 14. The antenna 11, an RF reflective surface 26, is a gold plated molybdenum wire mesh supported on a graphite cord truss structure that includes the hoop control cords and a plurality of surface control cords 27 attached at selected points on the surface 26 and to the base 24 of column 14.

Abstract: A space station (20) includes a plurality of modules (24) and berthing hubs (22), joined by interconnections (26) which are sideways connectable. The modules (24) and hubs (22) are fastened together in a triangular configuration in three dimensions. The interconnections (26) include a pair of opposed, axially aligned, flanged ports (50) and a clamp latch (52) formed from a plurality of sections (54, 56 and 58) hinged along their length and extending circumferentially around the flanged ports (50). A hermetic seal (63) is formed between the ports (50). A utilities connection channel (68) extends between the ports (50). The channel (68) has a shell (70) with utilities connectors (74) movable between an extended position to mating connectors in the modules (24) and a withdrawn position. Assembly sequence and common module shell structure is detailed.

Abstract: An almond shaped radar cross-section test body for use in microwave anechoic chambers, which exhibits a large dynamic scattered field over large angular regions.

Abstract: A foldable expandable pallet (10) having a basic square configuration. Each pallet is comprised of a plurality of struts (11, 13) joined together by node point fittings (12) to make a rigid structure. Some of the struts have hinge fittings (15) and are spring loaded to permit collapse of the module for stowage (26) and transport to a space station. Dimensions of the pallet are selected to provide convenient, closely spaced attachment points between the relatively widely spaced trusses (21, 30, 31) of a space station platform. A pallet is attached to a truss at four points: one close fitting hole (22); two oversize holes (24, 25); and a slot (23); to allow for thermal expansion/contraction and for manufacturing tolerances. Applications of the pallete include its use in rotary or angular joints (29); servicing of splints; with gridded plates (34); as instrument mounting bases; and as a roadbed (36) for a Mobile Service Center (MSC) (37).

Abstract: Random access memory is used to store synaptic information in the form of a matrix of rows and columns of binary digits. N rows read in sequence are processed through switches and resistors, and a summing amplifier to N neural amplifiers in sequence, one row for each amplifier, using a first array of sample-and-hold devices S/H1 for commutation. The outputs of the neural amplifiers are stored in a second array of sample-and-hold devices S/H2 so that after N rows are processed, all of said second array of sample-and-hold devices are updated. A second memory may be added for binary values of 0 and -1, and processed simultaneously with the first to provide for values of 1, 0, and -1, the results of which are combined in a difference amplifier.

Abstract: A method making a sailboard or surfboard is described, in which a prefabricated foam core has fibrous material wound about it and resin specially set with a reaction retarder is poured onto the fibrous material, whereupon the thus treated foam core is inserted in a molding tool and the mold is closed for curing the resin. Desirably, the mold is lined with a surface layer, particularly a deep drawn thermoplastic film, before the treated foam core is inserted. In this way one can make low-weight boards of high strength with relatively low production and material costs.

Abstract: This invention features a method for the solid phase synthesis of non-peptide bonds (CH.sub.2 --NH) in polypeptide chains. These polypeptides are 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: Acoustic energy is applied to a pair of locations spaced about a chamber, to control rotation of an object levitated in the chamber. Two acoustic transducers applying energy of a single acoustic mode, one at each location, can (one or both) serve to levitate the object in three dimensions as well as control its rotation. Slow rotation is achieved by initially establishing a large phase difference and/or pressure ratio of the acoustic waves, which is sufficient to turn the object by more than 45.degree., which is immediately followed by reducing the phase difference and/or pressure ratio to maintain slow rotation. A small phase difference and/or pressure ratio enables control of the angular orientation of the object without rotating it. The sphericity of an object can be measured by its response to the acoustic energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically coupling and pressure sealing sections of an instrumentation probe, one of the sections being at a high pressure cryogenic environment and the other section being at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a housing having a passageway within which elements are mounted for precisely locating a rigid optical fiber coupler and the probe sections so as to optically connect and maintain the ends of the probe sections together to permit signals to pass in both directions through the joint in two or more discrete channels. An adjustable positioning member acts to connect the external section of the probe to the housing in axial and rotation alignment with the interior section.