Abstract: A major increase in terminal explosive energy of a missile by reacting bulk aluminum, titanium, magnesium, steel, and/or organic matrix composite missile structure with oxygen enriched air which is collected as the missile flies to its target. Oxygen rich air is produced from a small amount of engine bleed or atmospheric air processed through a molecular sieve on board oxygen generating system (OBOG), and stored under pressure in the missile fuel tanks as they are emptied during flight. Explosive reaction of the oxygen with missile structure is achieved with a flexible linear shaped charge (FLSC) attached to tank wall structure. Initiation of an explosive reaction between the bulk aluminum and oxygen can be achieved by a conventional shape charge or the like.

Abstract: A tool to be used in cooperation with a rotatable drill having a shoulder portion and a shank portion to remove set rivets securing parts together. The tool includes a hollow compressible means which surrounds the drill. The compressible means is provided at one end with a relieved surface having a contour that mates with the head of the rivet and with a central bore through which passes the drill. Spacers may be provided between the shoulder portion of the drill and the tool as well as may be friction reducing. The drill is moved toward the head of the set rivet through the tool and into cutting engagement with the rivet head to cut away the central portion of the rivet head without inadvertent disengagement. The tool may then be removed from the drill to permit the rivet to be knocked out of the parts or the drill may then be used to drill out the remainder of the stem of the rivet.

Abstract: An active flight control arrangement for an air vehicle that includes a split span vee fin tail control arrangement whereby inner and outer spans of each fin are independently operable to provide yaw, roll, and pitch control for an air vehicle in flight. The inner and outer spans of each fin are preferably not, but may be, in the same plane. An intermediate controllable span may also be provided between the inner and outer spans of each fin.

Abstract: An optical edge guidance system for automatic riveters. The guidance system utilizes a light source which directs light toward the material to be drilled/riveted, a video camera is also directed toward the portion of an object to be drilled/riveted and detects reflected source light from the material. The light from the source directed toward the material is angled about 10 to 15 degrees from the vertical. The material either is marked with a dark stripe or, for example, when the material cross-section is in the shape of a hat section, i.e. an aircraft longeron, a shadow is cast by the light striking the edge of the material and forms a dark area along the longitudinal centerline thereof. The edge of the dark stripe or shadow is detected by the video camera. The video signal from the camera is processed into a voltage equivalent of the video signal. A known reference voltage signal is established when the material positioned properly for drilling/riveting.

Abstract: A high strength synthetic resin based structural material in which a polymer having coil-like molecules is uniformly mixed with a second polymer having rigid rod-like molecules. This material is made, basically, by dissolving a thermoplastic matrix polymer having coil-like molecules in a suitable solvent, adding thereto thermosetting polymer reactants which then form a prepolymer. The rigid rod prepolymer may then be partially cyclized through heat or by the use of a chemical agent in order to reduce chain conformations. Excess cyclizing agent can then be removed and the mixture can be heated to complete polymerization to produce a high strength structure with rigid rod-like molecules intimately blended with the matrix coil-like molecules.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure, such as an aircraft wing, which has a foam core and at least one outer layer of fiber reinforced resin material. A shaped foam core is prepared by compressing a rigid, closed-cell foam to the desired shape in a closed mold under heat and pressure. A sheet of flexible open-cell foam is impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A sheet of dry fiber reinforcement material is placed on one or both sides of the impregnated foam sheet. The resulting sandwich is wrapped around the foam core and the assembly is placed in a corresponding tool cavity. The tool is heated to the curing temperature of the impregnating resin. As the temperature rises, the foam core expands, exerting pressure on the impregnated foam sheet, forcing resin into the fiber reinforcement, wetting all the fibers and forcing air out of the material. As the resin cures, void-free, strong skins are formed integral with the core foam.

Abstract: A dual eccentric bearing system for precise adjustment of wing incidence and dihedral. The bearing system is utilized in the attachment of wings that vary the sweep by rotation about a pivot fixedly located on an aircraft fuselage through an interconnecting wing pivot pin. The top portion of the pivot pin is supported by the dual eccentric bearing system and the bottom by a non-eccentric bearing system. The eccentric bearing system has both an eccentric ball retaining ring free to rotate relative to its fuselage attachment and a ball contained within the ring which includes an eccentric pivot pin receiving aperture free to rotate within the ring containment. The bottom end of the pin is supported by a conventional non-eccentric bearing system with the ring fixedly held in position by its fuselage connection. The ball of the non-eccentric bearing has a similar pin receiving aperture with the ball free to rotate angularly relative to the ring.

Abstract: An adaptive gain and phase controller for an autopilot for a flight vehicle, such as a hypersonic glide vehicle, that includes applying a reference excitation signal to the control system of a flight vehicle, measuring the response of the vehicle to that excitation signal, namely the gain and phase losses through airframe, and making adjustments to the gain and phase inputs to the autopilot based on those measurements. A high gain narrow bandpass filter is incorporated so that the test signal can be extracted from the airframe of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A "float-up" launching system for launching missiles from submerged submarines or other submerged launchers utilizing a lightweight rigid cylindrical tube telescoped over the missile while stored in the launcher so as to not take up additional volume. On launching, the tube is extended forward of the missile by a gas generator to form a floatation chamber which creates extra buoyance forward of the missile center of gravity, but still connected to the water surface, nose upwardly, where it is disconnected and the missile booster is ignited.

Abstract: The threaded split-bushing fastener assembly has been designed for high temperature applications such as on hypersonic vehicles. The fastener assembly consists of a pin (with a standard countersunk head at one end and a tapered end at the other end), a tubular threaded split-bushing, a nut, and a washer. Installation is accomplished by inserting the pin in the parts to be fastened, then slipping the washer and split-bushing on the tapered end of the pin and finally screwing the nut onto the split-bushing. Tightening of the nut allows preloading of the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A self-aligning connector that is used with electrical plug-in-module connectors. The self-aligning connector has an elongated connector body with a cutout portion extending from its top surface to its bottom surface to form a walled structure that would surround an electrical contact area. A foot portion extends from each end of the connector body. Each foot portion has an inclined front surface that mates with the inclined bottom wedge surface of a wedge block. Elongated slots in the respective wedge blocks algin with vertically oriented bore holes in the foot portions and mounting screws are passed downwardly through the respective openings. As the mounting screws are tightened the wedge blocks and foot portions have relative translation along their inclined surfaces, thus aligning the connector in the cutout portion.

Abstract: A tool for installation of pin connector assemblies into a computer path board, the pin assembly being of a type that permits a locking bushing to be slid over the pin into a recess within the body of the assembly and thereby cause a tight interference fit of the assembly within a receiving orifice in the patch board. The tool includes a retainer to engage a guide groove formed on the upper portion of the pin assembly and a tubular driver that is mechanically coupled to the retainer for driving the locking bushing into position. The retainer and the tubular driver are preferably connected to opposing handles of a biased plier arrangement. The plier arrangement may be hand or machine operated.

Abstract: A method of improving the flowability and reducing voids in liquid synthetic thermosetting resins precursor compositions used to pot structures such as a honeycomb core or electronic parts and assemblies. Up to about 0.50 weight percent of a suitable titanate coupling agent is mixed with the liquid resin precursor, preferably in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, any necessary hardener is added later to the premixed resin with the agent, then the resin is poured into a mold holding the structure to be potted. The titanate coupling agents have the general formula: ##STR1## where: R is an alkoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aralkyl group having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms or a substituted derivative thereof;M is zirconium or titanium; andR is independently an aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkyl or alkeno group having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for joining carbon-carbon structural elements together using a carbon-carbon pin type fastener for transfer of shear loads. A coating of powdered metal which undergoes a large expansion when reacted in the presence of a gas is used to coat the outer surfaces of a pin which extends through the structural elements to be joined, with the powdered metal coating between the body of the pin and the surfaces of the structural elements through which the pin passes. After installation through the structural elements the pin is heated in an oxygen atmosphere causing the powdered metal coating to expand up to 100% from its unheated volume binding the pin to the structural elements. A fluted or scalloped edge on the pin increases the surface area of the pin increasing its friction holding force.

Abstract: A cryogenic vessel arrangement for a superconductive apparatus that is adapted to be launched into outer space for operation therein. A vacuum vessel, within which a liquid helium vessel containing the superconductive apparatus is positioned, is supported from an external frame. The liquid helium vessel is supported by a cable arrangement from the external frame independently of the vacuum vessel. The cable arrangement is preferably constructed to maintain a constant length throughout a service temperature range. A bumper arrangement is provided to provide direct support for the vacuum vessel independently of the cable arrangement during launch of the cryogenic vessel arrangement into space.

Abstract: Inexpensive, highly efficient, flexible, fiber optic light guide which includes a plurality of flexible optic fibers which are unclad along their length and arranged in a bundle to increase packing density with all the ends of the fibers of the bundle falling in common planes at the entry and exit ends of the light guide. The flexible optic fiber bundle is provided with a suitable protective cladding which also may include a layer of clad optic fibers that surround the bundle. Light incident at one end of the light guide is reflected internally along the longitudinal length of the guide by a cladding boundary or space boundary so that transmission losses are minimized. Suitable ferrules may be provided at each end of the light guide.

Abstract: A disk type magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator/channel and a hybrid pulse power transformer (HPPT) with a superconductive primary and a normal secondary for producing high power and high current pulses is disclosed. The HPPT surrounds the MHD channel through which hot gas is supplied. The channel upstream from the HPPT is formed into a flat circular configuration with narrow portion directed perpendicular to the channel passing through the HPPT. A MHD disk generator is positioned on the opposite side of the channel directly opposed from the HPPT. The output from the MHD is connected to the primary of the HPPT. Prior to generating power, the superconducting primary winding of the HPPT is charged to a low current. The primary is then connected to the MHD generator/channel for conditioning. When the channel is fired causing gases to flow through the channel causing the magnet current to increase producing a higher primary field and hence more power generation.

Abstract: The tapered split-bushing fastener has been designed for high temperature applications. The fastener consists of a pin (with a standard countersunk head at one end and a tapered end at the other end), a split tapered bushing, a washer and a sleeve with an internal taper. Installation is accomplished by inserting the pin in the parts to be fastened, then slipping the washer and the split bushing on the tapered end and finally pushing the sleeve onto the split bushing. Pushing the sleeve causes the split-bushing to react against the washer and generate the fastener axial preload. A high temperature adhesive is then injected to lock the fastener in place.

Abstract: The fastening together of structural elements formed from carbon-carbon is accomplished by a fastener constructed from 2-D or 3-D carbon-carbon in the form of a high angle helical threads on one end and a countersunk head with a carbon-carbon central insert on the other end with the threaded end inserted through the carbon-carbon structural elements to be joined. A metal is painted on the threads and the shank on the fastener. A collar formed from carbon-carbon is fitted over the course threaded end of the fastener with the distal end of the threads extending therefrom. While passing a heating current through the fastener, the head and the collar of the fastener are forced together. The fastener is heated to an elevated temperature in the presence of an Oxygen gas cover which causes the powered metal to expand up to 100% binding the fastener to the carbon-carbon components, collar and insert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to targets for use where precise alignment and location measurements on an object is required. Several embodiments of the invention are described. The targets have at least a portion of their outer surface curvilinear. The target is supported on a convex supporting surface on a support body. Various configured single targets and multiple targets are described for use on flat as well as curved surfaces. Some of the targets have either non-reflective or reflective target surfaces. The various embodiments of the ball targets are used in conjunction with either optical or laser theodolites or the like to preform the required location measurements.