Abstract: An along-track alignment and formatting system (ATAFS) formats synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to align and format signals from scatterers in a scene to achieve an ideal data format in the along-track dimension in which such ideal data format leads to improved image quality of an image based on the SAR data and/or reduced computational burden for generating an image based on the SAR data. Two aspects of the ATAFS include: 1) the division of data stabilization into two distinct steps; and 2) the along-track (or slow-time) migration of signal support of scatterers as a function of their along-track location. A suite of SAR image formation algorithms use the ATAFS in conjunction with conventional signal processing stages to transform input coherent signal data into a complex image with image quality and geometric accuracy commensurate with the inherent information content of the input data.

Abstract: A fiber splice tray for connecting optical fibers between hydrophone modules, allowing each module to be independently assembled. The tray houses the optical fiber in a small space envelope, and allows positioning of a spliced fiber along a straight portion of an internal groove. The internal groove has alternate paths for housing the fiber. The internal groove comprises two opposing parallel sections and two arcs at both ends of the parallel sections, making two continuous looped alternative fiber paths. The internal groove may further comprise two sections that are alternatives to the parallel sections and that cross each other in the middle of the tray. The various alternative fiber paths make it possible to position a splinted optical fiber splice or splice sleeve, which cannot tolerate a bend in the path, in a straight section of the groove.

Abstract: A termination assembly for use in an optical hydrophone module, comprising a module oil seal and an optical fiber seal. The termination assembly is used at the ends of modules and provides a means for filling individual modules with fill fluid. A module oil seal comprises a cylindrical wall defining a cavity, with one end substantially closed and the other end open. An annular face plate on the open end makes a seal dividing a coupling and a clevis. A check valve is mounted to an orifice that passes through the substantially closed end of the module oil seal. Optical fibers pass through the substantially closed end and the optical fiber seal is provided around the optical fiber that passes therethrough. The fiber seal fits snugly in a module oil seal opening. Both components serve to provide a seal that can withstand high pressures and maintain optical fiber integrity.

Abstract: A fluid conduit is provided for use in a hydraulic actuating system for controlling an instrumentality disposed on a rotating portion of a machine. The fluid conduit transports pressurized fluid between a fluid source disposed on a non-rotating portion of the machine and the instrumentality and comprises a rigid tubular member formed in the shape of a helix having at least about 2 revolutions and a non-constant pitch length. The ends of the tube are adapted to be sealingly connected between the fluid source and the instrumentality. The fluid conduit is used, for example, in an apparatus and system for controlling a hydraulic actuator mounted on a rotating blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple high-layer-count (HLC) substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two HLC substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). An adhesive film may be positioned between the surfaces of the HLC substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive film includes an aperture located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The HLC substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two substrates via the adhesive. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the two conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two or more substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). Adhesive films may be positioned between the surfaces of the substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive films include apertures located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The two or more substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two or more substrates via the adhesive films. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive films.

Abstract: A first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a prism are used to turn light through 180° in a small space. The prism can be a discrete microprism or a custom prism specially made using precision molding techniques or by specially machining a section of coreless optical fiber using precision machining techniques. A precision holder or substrate can be used to facilitate molding of a prism and/or assembly of the overall apparatus.

Abstract: Two neural networks are used to control adaptively a vibration and noise-producing plant. The first neural network, the emulator, models the complex, nonlinear output of the plant with respect to certain controls and stimuli applied to the plant. The second neural network, the controller, calculates a control signal which affects the vibration and noise producing characteristics of the plant. By using the emulator model to calculate the nonlinear plant gradient, the controller matrix coefficients can be adapted by backpropagation of the plant gradient to produce a control signal which results in the minimum vibration and noise possible, given the current operating characteristics of the plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple high-layer-count (HLC) substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two HLC substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). An adhesive film may be positioned between the surfaces of the HLC substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive film includes an aperture located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The HLC substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two substrates via the adhesive. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the two conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive film.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the positioning of volumetric detection array lines. In the case of a sonar array, ultrasonic frequencies are used. Transmitter subsystems including ceramic transducers, and sensors such as hydrophones, are deployed on the lines of the array and code division multiple access (CDMA) type pseudo-random numbers are used to identify each transmitter. Transit times between transducers and sensors, as determined by detector electronics, are sent to a ship-board receiver in any of various formats, so that array line position can be determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple high-layer-count (HLC) substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two HLC substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). An adhesive film may be positioned between the surfaces of the HLC substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive film includes an aperture located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The HLC substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two substrates via the adhesive. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the two conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive film.

Abstract: A device for injecting light from one of a first group of optical fibers into a corresponding one of a second group of optical fibers includes a holder for locating each of the fibers in the first and second groups, a clamp for securing fibers in the second group to the holder, and a depressor for laterally displacing each of the fibers in the second group, thus forming a bend in each of the fibers in the second group. The maximum curvature in the bend occurs where the fibers in the second group exit the clamp. Light is injected from fibers in the first group into corresponding fibers in the second group at the point of maximum curvature. An optical gel may be used to used to promote optical coupling between fibers in the first group and fibers in the second group. The optical fibers in the second group may include a lens for focusing the light to be injected. The device can function in reverse to extract light from fibers in the second group into fibers in the first group.

Abstract: An actuator for use in an active mount system for reducing vibration transmission from a vibrating component to a support structure. The actuator is disposed in a housing that is attached to the vibrating component or the support structure. The actuator includes a piston moveably disposed in a casing, and a piston rod assembly that is connected to the other one of the vibrating component or the support structure. A seal assembly, disposed either in a groove in the piston or in a groove in the casing, provides a seal between the piston and casing. The seal assembly includes an annular seal member comprising polytetrafluoroethylene resin, backing rings on each side of the seal member, and an annular compression spring in the groove between one of the backing rings and one edge of the groove.

Abstract: An active mount is provided for use in a rotary wing aircraft between each of the gearbox and airframe mounting locations for mechanically suspending the airframe from the gearbox. The active mount comprises first and second linear hydraulic actuators each having a principal axis. The length of the actuators is variable along the principal axis for providing relative movement between the airframe and the gearbox. The principal axes of the actuators are adapted to lie in the directional planes of the primary forces necessary for supporting the airframe and acting on the transmission gearbox mounting locations for providing movement of the gearbox relative to the airframe in the planes at a frequency for reducing the transfer of vibration through the active mount to the airframe. A system for reducing vibration in the rotary wing aircraft further comprises a hydraulic system for supplying a controlled flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuators.

Abstract: An optical fiber is bent to form a discontinuous curve through which light can be injected into the fiber or extracted from the fiber. The bend can be formed by securing a portion of the optical fiber in a fixture and laterally displacing a portion of the fiber outside the fixture using a depressor. The depressor can be an integral part of the securing fixture or a separate device. The securing fixture can be adjustable so that the degree and location of the bend can be varied. Injected light can be sourced from a second optical fiber, and extracted light can be supplied to a second optical fiber which can have a lens at its free end.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for use in a hydraulic actuator of the type including a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending from an end of the cylinder. The seal assembly comprises a seal member formed of a material impervious to hydraulic fluid and having an inner edge and an outer peripheral edge. The inner edge of the seal member defines a central opening which is larger than the outside diameter of the piston rod for receiving the rod. The outer edges of the seal member are attached adjacent the end of the cylinder so that the inner edge of the seal member is radially spaced from the outside diameter of the piston rod and the seal member forms a fluid impervious wall for preventing hydraulic fluid from contacting the elastomeric portion of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple high-layer-count (HLC) substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two HLC substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). An adhesive film may be positioned between the surfaces of the HLC substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive film includes an aperture located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The HLC substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two substrates via the adhesive. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the two conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive film.

Abstract: Two neural networks are used to control adaptively a vibration and noise-producing plant. The first neural network, the emulator, models the complex, nonlinear output of the plant with respect to certain controls and stimuli applied to the plant. The second neural network, the controller, calculates a control signal which affects the vibration and noise producing characteristics of the plant. By using the emulator model to calculate the nonlinear plant gradient, the controller matrix coefficients can be adapted by backpropagation of the plant gradient to produce a control signal which results in the minimum vibration and noise possible, given the current operating characteristics of the plant.

Abstract: A motor has a rotor for controlling a parameter of an instrumentality, such as a blade or a blade flap. The rotor is positioned about the drive shaft of the instrumentality and rotates at the same average angular velocity of the drive shaft. The instrumentality is controlled by applying to the instrumentality a physical displacement signal that is generated by the phase relationship of the rotor of the motor with respect to the angular position of the drive shaft. A plurality of permanent magnets proximate the periphery of the rotor cooperate with a plurality of stator polepieces and electromagnetic coils. The current flowing through the coils is reversed each time that the rotor advances by the angular space of one permanent magnetic pole. The strength and polarity of the current flowing through the coils controls the direction and displacement of the rotor with respect to a neutral phasing of the rotor with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An adaptive controller is used to adaptively generate vibration cancellation signals driving a controlled device which effects an associated vibration and noise-producing plant. The adaptive controller has multiple control paths to generate the control signal. In a vibration attenuation control path(s), an adaptive control signal is generated by plant compensation and adaptive filtering techniques to cancel vibrations. In a position control, saturation prevention path, the available operational extents of the controlled device are monitored and compensation signals are generated which direct the movement of the controlled device in such a manner as to prevent the controlled device from reaching the extents of control. The control signals from the multiple paths are then combined and transmitted to the controlled device which alters in some fashion the noise and vibration being generated or transmitted by the associated vibrating plant.