Abstract: A fluid-tight coupling and sealing arrangement including a flexible joint for coupling a tube with pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to another tube or a fluid device. The flexible joint basically includes a first tubular member with an outer restraining member coupled thereto, a second tubular member, and a pressure-energized seal positioned between the first and second tubular members. The first tubular member has a first fluid passageway and a first annular sealing surface. The second tubular member has a second fluid passageway, a second annular sealing surface, and an outwardly facing bearing surface. The outer restraining member carries an inwardly facing bearing surface for engaging the outwardly facing bearing surface of the second tubular member.

Abstract: A wide band ground penetrating radar system (10) embodying a method wherein a series of radio frequency signals (60) is produced by a single radio frequency source (16) and provided to a transmit antenna (26) for transmission to a target (54) and reflection therefrom to a receive antenna (28). A phase modulator (18) modulates those portion of the radio frequency signals (62) to be transmitted and the reflected modulated signal (62) is combined in a mixer (34) with the original radio frequency signal (60) to produce a resultant signal (53) which is demodulated to produce a series of direct current voltage signals (66) the envelope of which forms a cosine wave shaped plot (68) which is processed by a Fast Fourier Transform unit 44 into frequency domain data (70) wherein the position of a preponderant frequency is indicative of distance to the target (54) and magnitude is indicative of the signature of the target (54).

Abstract: An assembly is provided for uniformly applying pressure to a selected portion of a circuit board mounted between spaced surfaces. The assembly includes a retainer for selectively applying pressure to a proximal surface of the circuit board and a stiff U-shaped bar having a channel in which the retainer is mounted, the bar thus being interposed between the retainer and the circuit board. Preferably, the retainer includes at least one member that is attached to the bar by a snap-in fit. When the retainer is actuated, the bar is pressed against the circuit board, thereby causing the opposite surface of the circuit board to uniformly press against a housing slot wall. A side wall of the bar preferably contacts a wall of a slot in which the assembly is mounted to enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: A multi-ply sealing ring and method of manufacturing same. Two annular members are nested one within the other and then welded together at equi-distant intervals to form a plurality of annular weld zones. The two annular members are then cut along the weld zones to form a plurality of multi-ply cylindrical bands having weld-sealed opposite axial ends. Each cylindrical band is then formed to include a sealing profile.

Abstract: A retainer for holding a circuit board between spaced surfaces comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped members slideably mounted end-to-end on a rod. At least one member is designed and constructed to receive and retain the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the one member includes a pair of opposing walls defining a longitudinal entrance through which the rod is inserted. The opposing walls are constructed to permit movement of the rod through the longitudinal entrance only when a force in a proper direction above a predetermined threshold is applied to the rod.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a circuit board between spaced surfaces is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing and a circuit board retainer including a protrusion. The housing is designed and constructed to receive and retain a fully assembled circuit board retainer. The housing includes at least one pair of channel walls defining a channel for receiving an end of the protrusion. The channel walls are constructed to permit movement of the protrusion into and out of the housing when a force in a proper direction above a predetermined threshold is applied to the protrusion.

Abstract: A brush seal device for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The brush seal device comprises an annular retaining plate having a first side facing the high pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, and an annular back plate having a first side facing the low pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, the second side of the back plate having an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion. A plurality of bristles are between the second side of the retaining plate and the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate such that they extend inwardly from the outer peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate. The inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate has a recessed surface formed therein to inhibit the plurality of bristles from contacting the inner peripheral portion of the second side of the back plate.

Abstract: Methods for adjustable separation of solutes and solvents involve the combination of the use of a maximally swollen membrane and subsequent vacuum depressurization exerted on the permeate side of that membrane. By adjusting the extent of depressurization it is possible to separate solvent from solutes and solutes from each other. Improved control of separation parameters as well as improved flux rates characterize the present invention.

Abstract: The gamma neutron assay technique is an alternative method to standard safeguards techniques for the identification and assaying of special nuclear materials in a field or laboratory environment, as a tool for dismantlement and destruction of nuclear weapons, and to determine the isotopic ratios for a blend-down program on uranium. It is capable of determining the isotopic ratios of fissionable material from the spontaneous or induced fission of a sample to within approximately 0.5%. This is based upon the prompt coincidence relationships that occur in the fission process and the proton conservation and quasi-conservation of nuclear mass (A) that exists between the two fission fragments. The system is used in both passive (without an external neutron source and active (with an external neutron source) mode. The apparatus consists of an array of neutron and gamma-ray detectors electronically connected to determine coincident events.

Abstract: A compliant seal device for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The compliant seal device comprises a base member including an annular base wall, a first wall extending radially inward from the base wall proximate the high pressure area and a second wall extending radially inward from the base wall proximate the low pressure area, the base member having a cavity formed therein between the first wall and the second wall. The compliant seal device further comprises a plurality of flexible sheet members extending between the first wall and the second wall, each of the plurality of flexible sheet members having a base end fixed to the first wall and a moveable free end in sealing engagement with the second wall to substantially enclose the cavity with an adjustable pressure therein.

Abstract: In a split mechanical face seal including means for biasing one split seal face against another, an annular, inwardly radially extending leaf spring, which may also be split, is mounted at an outer diameter thereof to the stationary seal housing. A radially inward end of the spring is received in a notch in the stationary seal ring axially remote from the sealing face. The spring end biases the seal face toward a non-resiliently mounted rotating face and retains the stationary sealing face against rotation. A tool in the form of a U-shaped collar is provided for holding two split ring seal halves for preventing grinding motion at their mating surfaces during installation.

Abstract: A conduit joint assembly having a pair of tubular flange members for rigidly coupling a pair of conduits together and for supporting a fluid engaging device. One of the tubular flange members has a pair of headed retaining pins for engaging a pair of retaining slots or cutouts formed in the fluid engaging device. In particular, the fluid engaging device has a radially extending flange with the retaining slots or cutouts spaced 180.degree. apart along its periphery for engaging complementing pins of one of the tubular flange members. Specifically, the fluid engaging device is coupled to one of the tubular flange member by passing the pins through a notched portion of slot and then axially rotating the fluid engaging device relative to the tubular flange member to a locked position. A second tubular flange member is then aligned with the fluid engaging device and coupled together by the coupling assembly.

Abstract: A brush seal device for sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area. The brush seal device comprises an annular sideplate having a first side facing the high pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, an annular backplate having a first side facing the low pressure area and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of bristles between the second side of the sideplate and the second side of the backplate. The backplate is moveable in a radial direction relative to the annular sideplate and the plurality of bristles extend inwardly from an outer peripheral edge of the sideplate. The brush seal device further comprises a retaining washer between the first side of the backplate and the low pressure area, wherein the retaining washer includes a cavity proximate the first side of the backplate, the cavity having an adjustable pressure therein.

Abstract: A method of joining two bodies together, at least one of the bodies being predominantly composed of metal, the two bodies each having a respective joint surface for joining with the joint surface of the other body, the two bodies having a respective melting point, includes the following steps: a) providing aluminum metal and iron metal on at least one of the joint surfaces of the two bodies; b) after providing the aluminum metal and iron metal on the one joint surface, positioning the joint surfaces of the two bodies in juxtaposition against one another with the aluminum and iron positioned therebetween; c) heating the aluminum and iron on the juxtaposed bodies to a temperature from greater than or equal to 600.degree. C.

Abstract: An interferometer in which a coherent beam of light is generated within a remote case and transmitted to a hand held unit tethered to said remote case, said hand held unit having optical elements for directing a pair of mutually coherent collimated laser beams at a diffraction grating. Data from the secondary or diffracted beams are then transmitted to a separate video and data acquisition system for recording and analysis for load induced deformation or for identification purposes. Means are also provided for shifting the phase of one incident beam relative to the other incident beam and being controlled from within said remote case.

Abstract: A spring centering device for centering two annular bodies relative to one another. The device including a spring (22) with a central spine (20) and multiple fingers (24) extending from the spine (20). Alternatively, the device includes a spring with a central axis including axially oriented elements (34) parallel to but displaced from the central axis, and connecting elements (24) structurally contiguous with an axial element on each side of the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention is to make a switch out of two diodes to read out a third photosensitive transducer which integrates and stores the photon-generated carriers. The switching diodes are arranged so that during their on time, the switching resistance remains linear and constant throughout the photosensitive transducer readout time independent of the number of photon-generated carriers that are stored in the photosensitive transducer. To maintain a low constant on resistance, the two switching diodes in series are pulsed simultaneously with complementary pulses applied to the two terminals of the series diodes to forward bias them during the readout period. The third is a photosensitive transducer, which is connected to the series node of the switching diodes such that the photosensitive diode is always in a reversed bias condition, whether it is in a readout or integration mode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a SiAlON ceramic body includes: a) combining quantities of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CeO.sub.2 to produce a mixture; b) forming the mixture into a desired body shape; c) heating the body to a densification temperature of from about 1550.degree. C. to about 1850.degree. C.; c) maintaining the body at the densification temperature for a period of time effective to densify the body; d) cooling the densified body to a devitrification temperature of from about 1200.degree. C. to about 1400.degree. C.; and e) maintaining the densified body at the devitrification temperature for a period of time effective to produce a .beta.'-SiAlON crystalline phase in the body having elemental or compound form Ce incorporated in the .beta.'-SiAlON crystalline phase. Further, a SiAlON ceramic body comprises: a) an amorphous phase; and b) a crystalline phase, the crystalline phase comprising .beta.'-SiAlON having lattice substituted elemental or compound form Ce.

Abstract: An injector/extractor for circuit boards is disclosed. The device includes a slideably engagable locking member adapted to engage a locking pin mounted on a circuit board to prevent accidental release of a circuit board from a chassis.

Abstract: A retainer for holding a printed circuit card in a card rack or the like is disclosed. The retainer comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped members slideably mounted end-to-end on a rod, with at least one of those members being moveable in a transverse direction relative to the rod and to its respective adjacent members upon effective shortening of the rod to thereby bring a clamping surface of the transversely moveable member into contact with a printed circuit board and to apply a clamping force thereto. The rod is formed of an alkaline metal alloy that has been tempered to provide the rod with sufficient strength and decreased weight.