Abstract: A superconducting coil, suitable for generating a magnetic field within a nuclear reactor, wherein a structurally continuous disk helix is utilized to carry a plurality of parallel superconductor windings thereon. The structure provides an improved support to the superconductor windings to more positively prevent stresses or small movements that would cause the superconductor to go normal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring radiant energy scattering characteristics of a test panel of dielectric material over a sphere are disclosed. The test panel is supported on a turntable at a position on the axis of the turntable. The turntable has a first antenna radially mounted thereon for rotation therewith and directed toward the position of the supported test panel. A second antenna is mounted for selective positioning along a circular arc within a plane that includes the axis of the turntable, which arc extends at least ninety degrees from said axis, wherein the second antenna is radially directed toward the position of a test panel that is axially supported on the turntable at all positions along said arc. The test panel support is rotated with respect to the turntable to selectively position the test panel at a predetermined incidence angle with respect to the first antenna.

Abstract: An elongate flexible cable is used as a fastener for preventing sliding movement between adjacent surfaces of two valve components. The cable is inserted through a closable port in the valve, and extends through a uniform channel formed by aligned grooves in the two components. In a preferred aspect, the cable fastener is used in conjunction with a spring to retain axial cylindrical seats in operating position in a ball valve.

Abstract: A method of increasing the strength and high temperature resistance of aromatic thermoplastic polymers by adding thereto an appropriate amount of certain biphenylene terminated compounds, then heating the mixture to a crosslinking reaction temperature. The biphenylene additive has been found to function as a plasticizer for the polymer, making it easier to work, mold, extrude, etc. prior to the heating step.

Abstract: In a rolling missile a seeker system which is responsive to two forms of energy emanating from a target. The system has the capability to switch between guidance modes during its path towards its intended target.

Abstract: An improved tamper-proof window unit comprising similar first and second quadrilateral centrally open frame members adapted to be mounted about an opening respectively on opposite sides of a door. Each frame member has a narrow elongated quadrilateral front panel extending generally in a plane parallel to the door and marginally about the door opening with an outer edge portion partially overlapping the door adjacent the opening. A small countersunk front-to-rear screw hole is provided on each side of the front panel to communicate with the door opening. A narrow elongated quadrilateral and generally L-shaped integral flange extends along the front panel with each L-shaped flange comprising first and second panels. The first panel of each flange projects generally rearwardly and the second panel projects from the rear edge of the first panel outwardly with respect to the door opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying powdered coating materials includes a central channel for directing the powdered coating material passed a conduit that mixes an air jet with the powdered material. The powder is then ionized and forced outwardly towards the workpiece. A conductive cathode attractor ring for creating a corona space charge which ionizes the particles is provided and includes a radially inner porous portion. Contamination of the attractor ring due to adherence thereon of powder particles is inhibited by diverting a secondary pressurized air flow through said porous portion thereby dislodging powder particles adhering to the ring. The porous inner portion is formed of a sintered mass of individual particles which provides an increased surface area for the attractor ring that, in turn, increases the corona space charge. A slidable deflector member is provided at the end of the central channel to alter the spray pattern of the apparatus.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an improvement in a method of anodizing aluminum alloy parts to meet predetermined specifications regarding salt spray corrosion resistance, fatigue failure resistance, paint adhesion and coating weights and including the steps of connecting the aluminum alloy parts to an anode of a direct current voltage source that is positive with respect to a cathode, immersing the aluminum part near the immersed cathode in an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of chromic acid; and carrying out the anodizing under a predetermined voltage differential for a predetermined time with the electrolyte at a predetermined temperature. The improvement comprises employing a differential voltage in the range of 15-25 volts direct current between the anode and cathode, maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte in the range of 85.degree. F.-110.degree. F. and carrying out the anodizing for a time interval in the range of 20-60 minutes.

Abstract: A collimator suitable for use in the creation of more than one miniaturized image of a radioactive concentration simultaneously by a radiation receiving and imaging device, said collimator having at least two adjacent collimating sections separated by areas substantially opaque to radiation from the radioactive object, each such collimating section being a grid-like arrangement of wall portions, adapted to absorb substantially all radiation from the radioactive object which impinges thereon, extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the collimator defining a plurality of holes therebetween of substantially any desired cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Airfoil device and method providing smooth, continuous, variation in airfoil camber and surface curvature over substantially the entire length of the device by use of a trusslike bendable beam as an airfoil rib having the airfoil skin surfaces flexibly slidable relative thereto. The beam is divided chordwise into upper and lower beam members each formed of a plurality of articulated sections. The beam members are connected by a bendable jackscrew which upon rotation causes one member to move chordwise, and its curvature to be changed, relative to the other thereby effecting deflection of the airfoil with concomitant variation in its camber and the curvatures of its outer skin surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to pressure indicators, and more particularly to an improved pressure indicator whose use is especially advantageous in sensitive pressure altimeters in which high resolution and low friction are important.

Abstract: An electrically conducting, electromagnetic wave reflector comprises a knit wire reflecting surface consisting of two superimposed knitted wire meshes. The wire mesh reflector is impregnated with a transparent thermo-setting resin so that the metallic structure is no more than 3 mils from the outer surface of the reflector. The knitted wire mesh permits the fabric to be smoothly stretched over a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape. The two wire meshes are staggered with respect to each other to reduce the effective size of the openings between the loops of the mesh. A reinforcing structure preferably consisting of two layers of glass cloth impregnated with a thermo-setting resin is utilized to provide a lightweight reflector substantially impervious to environmental corrosion. The resulting structure may be used as an antenna or reflector and is suitable for the microwave region such as the K band.

Abstract: An articulated radome for the front end of a missile or the like comprises a generally dome or spherical shaped articulated housing mounted for rotation about two separate transverse axes, with an infra-red window surrounded by a dielectric window so that both infra-red and radar sending and sensing units may be mounted within the dome for target scanning and the like.

Abstract: A light deflector apparatus comprising a bimorph piezoelectric backplate combined with an array of spherical linear piezoelectric actuators for supporting a mirrored faceplate for electrically controlled changes in the spherical radius and the focal length as well as localized variations on the surface of the mirror. The bimorph backplate forms part of a supporting structure including a bellows which, with the backplate and faceplate, form a chamber to contain the spherical actuators and which is partially evacuated to hold the faceplate in engagement with the spherical actuators.

Abstract: A method for forming a layer of very uniform low density foam of uniform thickness on a surface is disclosed. A screen is positioned at a selected distance above a structure surface. The screen is positioned by lowering a tautly stretched screen over a plurality of studs upstanding from the structure surface to a selected height above said surface. A liquid, self-rising foam material is sprayed through the screen onto the structure surface. As the foam rises, it penetrates through the screen, leaving irregular projections above the screen. After the foam cures to at least a self-sustaining state, the screen is stripped away, leaving a uniform foam layer. The foam layer is bonded to the surface as it cures. Since the screen offers very little resistance to the rising foam, the resulting foam layer has a very uniform low density, highly desirable for thermal insulation application.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly in which the outer gimbal member is an arcuate yoke mounted on rollers to rotate about one axis, and the inner gimbal member is a platform pivotally mounted in the yoke to rotate about a second orthogonal axis. Two motors are connected through a differential drive system to rotate either gimbal member selectively or both together in any combination of motions. In one form the differential drive is an endless cable extending around the outer gimbal member and around pulleys on the axis of the inner gimbal member. In a modified form the cable is crossed at one end to drive the inner gimbal member from both ends. In another form the differential drive includes split outer ring members driven individually by the two motors and coupled to the inner gimbal member by a rack and pinion drive.

Abstract: The disclosed method qualifies diodes for microwave power combiners having a central cavity, and having N diode oscillator circuits spaced around the cavity for furnishing energy thereto. It includes the steps of activating only one of the N oscillator circuits, and then measuring the frequency at which the diode in that circuit supplies maximum power to the cavity. This power is measured by means of a probe having an electric field coupling of N.sub.11 with the cavity, where N.sub.11 equals N.sub.12 /.sqroot.N, and where N.sub.12 is the corresponding electric field coupling that is used to remove power from the cavity when all N of the oscillator circuits are simultaneously activated. These steps are repeated on each of the individual diodes to be tested. The diodes which qualify for simultaneous use in the combiner are only those which have measured frequencies of maximum power lying within a predetermined frequency band.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic fiber optic scanner which includes a flexible optical fiber of predetermined length, having one end fixedly supported in a cantilevered fashion, and having an opposite end that is unsupported and free to move. A magnet is rigidly mounted on the fiber near the unsupported end to there produce a magnetic dipole moment parallel to the length of the fiber. A grid like array of electrical conductors lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the fiber and is spaced apart from the unsupported end. By passing current through selected ones of the conductors, localized magnetic fields are produced that react with the dipole moment to position the unsupported end of the optical fiber in offset alignment with the selected conductors.

Abstract: The improved tool of the present invention is adapted to open and close efficiently and rapidly at least two types of widely used container toggle latches, one type having a latch handle in the form of a flat tongue and the other type having a hollow, generally tubular, open-ended latch handle. The improved tool comprises a generally L-shaped shank formed of first and second diverging legs integrally joined together at one end, and a handle secured to the free rear end of the first leg. The second leg, which is generally vertical in usual use, depends from the generally horizontal front end of the first leg; and the free end of the second leg is configured into a spaced, generally vertical pair of tines of unequal length. The shorter tine is closer to the handle. The handle may be large to readily fit the hand. The legs are generally flat and vertically oriented, with the first leg longer than the second leg for improved leverage when operating the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is an fiber optic scanning device that includes an optical fiber of predetermined length having one unsupported end for scanning, and having another end rigidly supported in a cantilevered fashion. The disclosed device operates to allow the movable end to be positioned with voltages that are substantially reduced over the prior art. To that end, an electrically conductive film lies on the fiber extending from the unsupported end to the supported end; and a transparent conductive plate lies in a plane perpendicular to the length of the fiber spaced apart from the unsupported end. This conductive plate forms a capacitance C with the conductive film. A voltage source V couples between the transparent conductive plate and the conductive film on the fiber to produce an electrostatic charge Q on the movable end of the fiber, where Q=VC. The movable end is positioned with a force F=QE by generating an electric field E transverse to the length of the fiber.