Abstract: This specification discloses a multibeam antenna which produces a null at one or more specified points with greater frequency band width for a given null depth. For example, a ring of beams about the null are set to have a phase difference between adjacent beams of 360.degree. divided by the number of beams in the ring. The amplitude of each of the beams is chosen so that each such ring set is self-nulled at the intended null and any common change in the side lobes of all beams of a ring set at the null due to frequency change is substantially equal. Thus, even with change in frequency, the null depth and position is substantially unchanged.

Abstract: A technique for sensing both the earth generated electromagnetic and electrostatic fields is employed on board a remotely guided spin-stabilized projectile or missile in order to accurately determine a vertical reference direction and provide for proper response to received guidance information during the entire flight trajectory.

Abstract: An amplifier is disclosed which is capable of operation from 0 MHz to over 100 MHz with very low distortion over this entire range. Several inputs may be combined without affecting the gain of the amplifier. Several outputs may be combined without adding to the distortion products significantly. A pair of common-base symmetrically juxtaposed transistors drives a pair of symmetrical common-emitter transistors. An AC and DC feedback loop is provided along the line of symmetry. In addition, each symmetrical half of the set of four transistors has a DC feedback loop which balances current between stages of said half and inhibits overcurrent conditions in the transistors of that half.

Abstract: This device enables one to perform individual measurements, tests, and tuning of active elements in a circuit in which the active elements are combined using couplers. Typically, the active elements are amplifiers which are power combined using quadrature power dividers and combiners. The invention uses two additional quadrature couplers, one at the front and one at the back of the circuit. All the power is introduced into one input port of the first additional coupler. The action of the first two couplers results in power flowing through one of the active elements only. The action of the second pair of couplers results in the flow of power through one output port only. After testing, the additional couplers are removed. The invention enables the one step fabrication of components on the substrate followed by testing, rather than the more time consuming and complex separate assembly and testing of four substrates.

Abstract: A field effect transistor bias circuit is presented which exhibits a low impedance for small signals and a high impedance for large signals. This circuit uses an operational amplifier to provide a temperature compensated low impedance voltage source for the gate bias which is optimal for small signal operation. In the presence of a large signal, the gate begins to draw current. This causes the operational amplifier to saturate and transforms the bias circuit into a high impedance source, which is optimal for large signal operation.

Abstract: A beam projector capable of projecting alternately orthogonally oriented cross-sectional beams by utilizing a single beam generator that emits a polarized beam through an electro-optical cell, which is activated to alternately switch the beam between two orthogonal plane polarization states. The respectively alternately polarized beams are imaged into an elongated cross-sectional beam wherein one of the beams of one of the polarizations states is rotated orthogonally with respect to the other beam and the beams are projected along parallel paths.

Abstract: A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.

Abstract: This specification discloses a nondissipative load termination for a traveling wave antenna array whereby energy incident at the end of the antenna array is applied directly to the main beam of the array with the same polarization as the main beam so that the gain of the antenna is improved.

Abstract: For inspecting a float glass ribbon for flaws an optical flaw detection system utilizing a laser beam which linescans the surface is provided. The laser beam is made incident to the glass ribbon at a high angle of incidence with respect to the normal. Deviation of the light transmitted through the glass ribbon is used as an indication of a defect. The invention is particularly useful for detecting "tin drip" type defects.

Abstract: A solid state temperature gradient cooling system in which thermal energy is, under a first condition, carried from a heat source to a heat storage device and under a second condition is carried from the heat source and storage device to a heat dissipator. The change in conditions is responsive to changes in the temperature of the heat dissipator above and below a predetermined value. Bimetallic disc elements are employed, which respond to temperature changes about the predetermined temperature, and snap from a first condition concave/convex surface configuration to a second condition convex/concave configuration. The disc elements are supported about their outer peripheries so that the change in configuration will cause the center of the disc to move along an axis normal to the disc. This movement is used to respectively open and close a low resistance thermal path between the heat dissipator and a first thermal conducting path defined to transmit thermal energy between the heat source and the heat sink.

Abstract: A system for alternately projecting and receiving electromagnetic radiation through a single optical aperture. A source of radiation emits radiation that is focused onto a rotating gating means which is synchronously timed with said source emissions. The gating means acts to reflect radiation received from a distant target through the optical aperture during the off time of the source towards a radiation detector.

Abstract: A method for joining a composite material shaft, such as a graphite epoxy or fiber glass driveshaft, to a metal end member is disclosed, wherein said joint is capable of withstanding large ranges of temperature and humidity, can handle high torque and has high resistance to fatigue. The design of parallel grooves on the end of a metallic sleeve concentrically aligned within the shaft is amenable to mass production. The first layer of fibers of the composite material shaft is preferably wound perpendicular to the orientation of the grooves. On the other end of the metallic sleeve is carved a scalloped pattern which facilitates concentric alignment of the sleeve on the tooling mandrel and helps to reduce shear stress between the sleeve and shaft. A method for mass production of shafts with metallic end joints attached employs an elongated spinning mandrel and pre-preg tape wound at high speed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a device and method for optimizing the weight and/or the heat transfer (conduction) capability of a heat transfer cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is designed to fit around a cylindrical heat source. One particular application for this invention is where the heat source is a battery such as a metal gas battery in a satellite (where weight savings is important). Two sets of functional relationships are generated showing the relationship between the thickness of the sleeve at its top and bottom, an "area factor" (which is directly proportional to its heat transfer capability), the material thermal conductivity, and its volume per unit length (which is directly proportional to its weight). One can specify the desired heat transfer capability of the sleeve and optimize (minimize) its weight. Conversely, one can specify the desired weight for the sleeve and optimize (maximize) its heat transfer capability.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for bonding a skin member such as metal, plastic, perforated acoustic skin, or fiberglass or graphite reinforced plastic, to a honeycomb core support structure such as lightweight hollow hexagonally shaped tubes. Such a method can be used in the construction industry for making panels and walls and similar structures, and in the aerospace industry for making airplane and satellite structures, etc. The adhesive employed is an adhesive-coated fabric material which is partially cured onto the honeycomb and cooled down, following which most of the adhesive material is removed when the coated fabric is peeled away. This leaves an optimum amount of adhesive in the most effective locations on the wall edges of the honeycomb cells where it is needed for bonding the core to the skin. The skin member is then bonded to the honeycomb by bringing the adhesive to its final cure.

Abstract: This specification discloses a frontal reflector bracing wherein at least a portion of the support for a reflecting surface is positioned on the front side of the surface and the rearward most support is adjacent the reflecting surface. A natural structural rigidity minimizing weight can be achieved with a frontal truss arrangement including radial components.

Abstract: A flying spot scanner is utilized to scan a beam of laser radiation along a fixed spacial path on a moving web material. An optical detector assembly is positioned to receive radiation reflected from individual elements of the web to produce an electrical signal which is processed to determine and monitor the number of the individual web elements per unit length.

Abstract: An active microwave amplifier element is hermetically sealed on the opposite side of a dielectric substrate from the side in which input and output signals are transmitted. The active element is mounted on a ground plane and is electrically connected to coplanar waveguide elements which are coplanar with the ground plane. The coplanar waveguide elements are electrically connected to associated microwave strips through the dielectric substrate and said holes are also sealed. A cap having similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the dielectric substrate is mounted on the ground plane to enclose and hermetically seal the active element.

Abstract: A thermal conducting path between a relatively movable heat source and a relatively fixed heat sink element, defined as a relatively narrow non-contacting conducting gap between opposing conducting surfaces. In an embodiment where the heat source is gimbal mounted, for movement with respect to two orthogonal axes, its conductive surface has a convex partial spherical shape while the relatively fixed surface of the heat sink element has a concave partial spherical shape. In order to maintain a constant gap, the opposing surfaces have a common spherical center located at the crossover of said orthogonal axes and the spherical radii dimensions differ by the distance of said relatively narrow non-contacting gap therebetween.

Abstract: The improvement to a low profile pushbutton radio tuner eliminates excessive friction between the mechanical parts thereof by providing loosely mounted cam followers in a mounting mechanism which provides for accurate centering and, therefore, accurate repetitive tuning of stations in response to depressed pushbuttons.

Abstract: This circuit divides power from an input source equally among N different paths, where N is an arbitrary number. These individual path powers can then be amplified separately to take advantage of the full output power ratings for the individual amplifiers, then the outputs from the amplifiers are combined. A combiner circuit, which is the reverse of the divider circuit, then combines the individual powers to a single output. In each of the combiner and divider circuits, the phase angles of the output ports vary from each other by 90 degrees sequentially down the entire chain of N-1 couplers. Each combiner and divider network utilizes N-1 series-connected couplers, preferably interdigitated ones. The interdigitated couplers utilize preselected power division ratios based upon N.