Abstract: Method and apparatus for the non-destructive monitoring of the time dependent curing of an advanced composite positioned within an autoclave where it is subjected to varying pressures and elevated temperatures over a predetermined time period. A tool receiving the uncured advanced composite for receiving an acoustic wave guide which directly coupled to the composite. Ultrasound pulses are directed through the acoustic wave guide and the amplitude of the reflected pulses indicate changes in the modulus of the composite during the cure.

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: An ultrasonic squirter couples transducer emitted ultrasonic waves with a structure for ultrasonic testing. The squirter has a tubular body with an outlet on one end and an inlet spaced from the outlet for delivering a flow of liquid through the body to the outlet. The transducer mounts in the body in a position for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves through the liquid that passes through the outlet. A nozzle secures to the outlet for discharging the flow of liquid against the structure. A ring locates at the outlet of the body just downstream from the transducer. The ring and nozzle are of an elastomeric material containing metal oxide particles to absorb unwanted sound energy.

Abstract: A method of inspecting solder joints of a circuit card assembly with a laser inspection system having a laser adapted to be operated at a high power in watts to produce a laser beam for a selectable time duration for application to solder joints of a circuit card assembly and a detector system for detecting infra red emission from the heated solder joints to determine the solder joints integrity. For a given type of circuit card assembly and for a given type of solder joint, a laser beam time duration is selected and the laser is operated at a given high power level which is effective to result in the detection of a peak number of defective solder joints of the same type. The time duration of the laser beam employed in the process is that corresponding to the second peak of defective solder joints determined from prior testing.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process are disclosed for cleaning and/or fluxing circuit card assemblies. The assemblies are moved through an enclosure in which they are sprayed with cleaning and/or fluxing liquid from fenestrated cylinders rotating above and below the path of the assemblies and disposed laterally thereacross. The complex spray impact pattern created by the simultaneous movements of the assemblies and the cylinders effects thorough cleaning and/or fluxing of the assemblies. Separate control of liquid pressure from the cylinders prevents unsoldered components from being dislodged from the assemblies during cleaning and or fluxing.

Abstract: A notched cartridge or casing is provided to mitigate the shock damage to a gun barrel or firing chamber when a cartridge with large amounts of explosive or propellant is fired. The cartridge or casing comprising a generally cylindrical shell with an open top end and a closed base is provided with an annular area near the base and a circular area on the base which have reduced wall thicknesses compared to the rest of the cartridge. The annular and circular areas have external surfaces which are inwardly displaced with respect to the outer surface of the remainder of the cartridge. Upon firing of the cartridge, the areas of reduced wall thickness expand outwardly and are plastically deformed without touching the barrel or firing chamber. Damage to the barrel and/or breech is prevented and the cartridge is easily removed for reloading of the gun system.

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: An electronic digital system for performing discrete Fourier transforms in real time. Read only memory (ROM) modules are used as look-up tables for providing inputs for multiplier stages corresponding to sequences of sample signals as well as for logic and other input converting elements of the system. Two such systems are coupled together so that their real and imaginary output signal components may be additively and subtractively combined. The entire transform output is available one cycle period after the last sample input.

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.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting a first stage liquid rocket booster from impact damage and environmental damage so as to permit recovery from a sea water landing and reuse without major rehaul of the rocket engine of the booster. A cylindrical double walled structural member encircles the nozzles of the rocket engine and precludes impact damage after the booster has landed nose first in the water. A flexible water impervious sleeve means is carried within the double walled structural member and deployed prior to impact. The sleeve extends from the booster and collapses inwardly upon itself to prevent entry of sea water into the rocket engine and associated equipment.

Abstract: A modular segment that is adapted to receive heat generating electronic assemblies therewithin. The modular segments may be joined together to form a housing and the electronic assemblies are electrically interconnected through a hollow channel provided in the joined modular segments. The segments are configured with fins and ribs that form air channels on all vertical outer surfaces of the segments to promote cooling by convective air flow through the channels and between the segments. Segments may be added to form a housing with expanded capacity.

Abstract: A portable target locator system capable of being transported and utilized by an individual combatant is disclosed. The portable target locator system comprises a rifle-like target locator and a transmitter/modem capable of transmitting target location coordinates to a weapons delivery system. The rifle-target locator preferably includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver capable of determining the location coordinates of the target locator automatically and with a high degree of accuracy from signals transmitted from a network of orbiting satellites. A laser rangefinder and digital azimuth and inclination sensor are then utilized to accurately determine the range, azimuth and inclination of an identified target from the target locator. This information is then processed in conjunction with the location coordinates of the target locator to generate location coordinates for the selected target.

Abstract: Self-dissipating projectiles for use in anti-satellite weapons or warheads are made from suitable solid materials capable of sublimation after relatively short periods of time at the low pressures found in outer space. The material is suitably a volatile organic compound such as naphthalene, paradibromobenzene, benzoic acid, or similar compounds which change directly from the solid to the gaseous phase without becoming liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a distance measurement system for monitoring changes in distances between a source of illumination and a reflective surface. A white light source is directed into a transmit fiber optic element which terminates at a graded index lens (grin) which collimates the light. The light output from the grin lens passes through a single grating or a plurality of different gratings which dispose the white light into a spectrum which is directed to the reflective surface spaced therefrom at an unknown distance. The dispersed light bouncing off the reflective surface enters a receiver fiber optic device connected to a detection system for determining the spaced distance between the grating or gratings and the reflective surface.

Abstract: A rail gun utilizing a combination of chemical energy for propelling a piston and a projectile. The piston movement creates electromagnetic energy in rails which further increases the velocity of the projectile as it leaves the gun barrel. In operation, propellants are introduced into the gun and ignited. High pressure gas produced from the combustion accelerates the piston and the projectile along the rails. An external field normal to the piston is applied from a dipole magnet wound around the gun bore. The piston movement induces emf thus charging the rails which act as an inductor. The current flowing in the rails further increases the velocity of the projectile along the barrel to its final exit velocity.

Abstract: A laser fabricated from a substrate having top and bottom surfaces. A first stack of mirror layers of alternating different refractive indices are formed upon the substrate top surface. An active layer defining a mesa is formed on top of the first stack of mirror layers. A second stack of alternating different refractive indices mirror layers are formed upon the active layer mesa. A current confinement layer is formed about the side of the active laser mesa. A first contact is formed upon the substrate bottom surface while a second contact is formed upon a portion of said active layer remote from the active layer mesa.

Abstract: A process is described for enhancing superconductor characteristics by application of strong magnetic and/or electric fields to the constituent component materials from which ceramic superconductors are being formed and during the time that these superconductors are being synthesized. This process has particular applicability to the production of superconducting oxide ceramics such as the cuprates. The required magnetic fields are on the order of 1-10 tesla and the required electric fields are on the order of 0.1-1 MV/cm. The fields act as ordering mechanisms and induce grain orientation. The magnetic field aligns the magnetic moment of the grains. The electric field induces electric polarization in the grains and then aligns them. The superconducting structure formation occurs during the sintering, cooling and annealing phases of the fabrication process. Superconductivity is strongly affected by the oxygen stoichiometry in the lattice elemental cell. Applied electric fields cause elongation of the unit cell.

Abstract: A fastener for connecting structures having significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) which substantially eliminates thermal stress with varying ambient temperatures, while allowing said structures to be either abutting or spaced from each other. A frusto-conical bore through a wall of a first structure receives a frusto-conical surface of an elongated fastener which is coincident with said bore. The fastener has a base secured to a second structure. A shoulder is formed on the first structure around the narrow end of the bore, the shoulder having a frusto-conical outer edge. A flange member is secured to the vertex end of said fastener, the flange member having a surface configured to engage the outer edge in a coincident relationship. The fastener is tightened to bring both pairs of coincident conical surfaces into pressure contact. Both parts of conic surface preferably have a common vertex which lies outside the fastener.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model support system for wind tunnel testing. The two embodiments of the model support use a conventual 2-shell strain gauge balance in conjunction with aerodynamically shaped support vanes with one attached to each end of the inner rod (non-metric) of balance with one half below and the other half above the balance.

Abstract: An interconnection assembly for connecting a unit under test to a testing unit including a plurality of spaced parallel circuit cards, the interconnection row assembly comprising of connector terminals adjacent the outer edges of each circuit card, an interface test adapter unit containing signal relaying circuitry for relaying the appropriate signals back and forth between the test unit and the unit under test, the interface unit having connectors for connection to the unit under test, and an outer face carrying connector terminals for connection to respective connector terminals on the circuit cards. A coupling mechanism releasably couples the units together with the outer face of the adapter unit facing the outer edges of the circuit cards.