Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for stabilizing at least one element of a mechanical system against echo-like responses to mechanical disturbances. One or more error signals are provided by sensing the motion of the system at one or more points. At least one adaptive filter is operated in response to the error signal or signals, and in response to at least one non-advanced reference signal that is directly related to some motion of the system. The adaptive filter produces a corrective signal for driving a mechanical actuator, thereby to apply to the element a stabilizing generalized force. By non-advanced is meant that there is a zero or negative time-delay between the presence of a given signal at the reference-sensing location and the arrival of the same, or a similar, signal at the error-sensing location. In particular embodiments of the invention, the reference-sensing location is the same as the error-sensing location.

Abstract: A system is provided for selectively attaching or detaching a land grid array component to a surface of circuit board where the attachment is a grid array of solid conductive solder beads or balls. A chamber contains an inert liquid, and a heater heats the inert liquid to a temperature above the melting temperature of the solder beads. A fluid level adjustment means adjusts the level of the inert liquid in the chamber between a first level below the component and a second level above the component. A first mounting means supports the circuit board above the component, and a second mounting means is positioned at least partially in the container to support the component below the circuit board and to bias the component against the circuit board. An component/board assembly is positioned in the system. The beads are uniformly melted by raising the level of the inert liquid in the chamber to above the component to permit removal of the board.

Abstract: A cartridge for accelerating a projectile includes a light gas pressurized in a sealed container to 5,000-10,000 psi. Upon ignition in the sealed container, a gas mixture having a low or intermediate molecular weight and a high or low energy density is applied as a high sound speed gas to accelerate the projectile to speeds of above about 2.4 km/sec.

Abstract: A high pressure pulsed gas source for accelerating a projectile along a gun barrel comprises a structure including a high voltage electrode for establishing axial electrical discharges in corresponding axial gaps behind an outlet where the projectile is located. Plasma flows at right angles to the discharges into a propellant mass that is converted into a high pressure component of the gas pulse. The gaps are arranged so that after the projectile moves away from its initial position and is in the barrel, power applied to the plasma via gaps close to the outlet is greater than power applied to the plasma via gaps farther from the outlet. To avoid damage to the gun, the gaps are arranged so power applied to the plasma is substantially the same in the discharges when plasma is initially produced. The gaps include walls that are eroded differently by the discharges so gap walls close to the outlet erode faster than gap walls farther from the outlet.

Abstract: A plasma generator (44) for an electrothermal gun cartridge has elongated metallic rod and tube members (58,60) extending along a central axis thereof with the tube member (58) having at least one axial gap (62) and with an elongated annular insulator located between and in engagement with both metallic members to provide support therebetween as an electrical voltage generates an electrical arc at the axial gap to provide a plasma that ignites a propellant (46). Different embodiments of the plasma generator have a plurality of the axial gaps (62) located along the tube member (60) and are constructed for both simultaneous and sequential firing with fuses (74) controlling the timing. Helically extending member portions (78) provide rotation of the electrical arc and hence the plasma generated to distribute it for ignition of the propellent (46).

Abstract: An electrical power feed assembly (12) for supplying high current to an electrothermal gun has first and second electrical connectors (38) and (42) with associated contact portions (40) and (44) for engaging and plastically deforming first and second side contacts (20,22) on a cartridge (14) to provide firing while maintaining the electrical contact without any arcing. The first connector (38) has a curved contact portion (40) that provides an interference fit to plastically deform the first contact (20) and establish the electrical contact as the cartridge (14) is inserted into the gun. The second connector (42) has a pair of curved knife edges (48) that engage and plastically deform the second contact (22) of the cartridge to establish and maintain the electrical contact under spring action of the second connector and by operation of a cam mechanism (50) of a breech block (26) of the gun.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of the invention described herein, sonar signals in the range from 200-3600 cps. are analyzed by bandshifting selected segments of 100 cps. width to the range 300-400 cps. for analysis, and indications of signals in all of the bands are presented side-by-side on a continuous printer. in addition, the modulation envelope of the detected signal, which contains low frequency modulation components, is demodulated to provide indications of such low frequency components in a target signal.

Abstract: A method and system, is disclosed for using a computer system to simulate a vehicle including a plurality of vehicle duty positions having corresponding display panels. The vehicle duty positions are linked together to form at least one simulated vehicle. The method and system for assigning vehicle duty positions to simulated vehicles incorporates contention resolution techniques which ensure exclusive assignments. Vehicle duty positions assigned to a common simulated vehicle may communicate with one another using the corresponding display panels.

Abstract: An emergency power generation system mounted in the aft portion of a submarine includes a gas turbine arranged to drive a generator and an exhaust gas outlet in the rudder structure of the submarine to reduce submarine construction cost and avoid contamination of the fresh air supply for the submarine.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device is shown having a cartridge attached to a valve, and an actuator. The valve houses a stem which is activated by the actuator to move between an open and a closed position. The actuator includes a cam having a cam surface and a roller which rides along at least a portion of the cam surface. A yoke, which is moved by the roller, is interconnected to a plunger which is attached to the stem. The cartridge includes an upper piston, a lower piston, and a plug having a channel therethrough, positioned between the pistons, the upper piston being spring biased towards the plug. The pistons are positioned in relation to the plug and cartridge housing so as to form an upper and lower reservoir, which are substantially filled with fluid, preferably ethylene glycol. The lower piston is capable of being in contact with the actuator yoke.

Abstract: An electrical power feed assembly (12) for supplying high current to an electrothermal gun has first and second electrical connectors (38) and (42) with associated contact portions (40) and (44) for engaging and plastically deforming first and second side contacts (20,22) on a cartridge (14) to provide firing while maintaining the electrical contact without any arcing. The first connector (38) has a curved contact portion (40) that provides an interference fit to plastically deform the first contact (20) and establish the electrical contact as the cartridge (14) is inserted into the gun. The second connector (42) has a pair of curved knife edges (48) that engage and plastically deform the second contact (22) of the cartridge to establish and maintain the electrical contact under spring action of the second connector and by operation of a cam mechanism (50) of a breech block (26) of the gun.

Abstract: A submarine arrangement comprising a double hull construction forward having a wasp waist section minimizes ship displacement and permits storage of weapons in the wasp waist section.

Abstract: A linear actuated sealant applicator pump for pumping a sealant into an aperture prior to installation of a fastener in that aperture. An air driven linear actuator translates a cam plate carrying a sealant applicator head from a first position in a first direction spaced from and slightly out of vertical alignment with the aperture to which sealant is to be applied. An adjustable stop limits the translation of the cam plate and injector pump. The actuator then continues in the first direction causing the cam plate to follow a cam slot translating the sealant applicator head in a second direction normal to the first direction toward and in vertical alignment with the aperture with the head engaging the edges of the aperture. The engagement of the head with the edges of the aperture prevents further translation of the sealant applicator head into the aperture.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for using a computer system to simulate a vehicle including a plurality of vehicle duty positions having corresponding display panels. The vehicle duty positions are linked together to form at least one simulated vehicle. The method and system for assigning vehicle duty positions to simulated vehicles incorporates contention resolution techniques which ensure exclusive assignments. Vehicle duty positions assigned to a common simulated vehicle may communicate with one another using the corresponding display panels.

Abstract: Highly efficient reflective optical system that perfectly reflects incident electromagnetic radiation of a certain spectra and almost perfectly reflects radiation of another spectra. Incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength above a critical wavelength is relatively perfectly reflected. The critical wavelength is determined by the critical temperature of a high temperature superconductor material incorporated in the optical system. A preferred embodiment includes a cryogenically cooled substrate to which is applied a coating of a noble metal such as silver. A layer of a high temperature superconductor material is applied over the coating of noble metal. Since the critical wavelength of the incident radiation is inversely proportional to the critical temperature of the superconducting material, the use of high temperature superconductor material in the optical system provides a critical wavelength whereby certain spectra of an incident radiation is perfectly reflected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting harmonics (multipoles) in high energy particle accelerators using superconducting magnets using a pattern of superconducting bands adjacent to the accelerator magnets. In such accelerators, superconducting coils are positioned around a non-magnetic beam tube with the magnetic coils designed to guide particles, such as protons, along the tube. Magnetic field non-uniformities in the form of multipole harmonics will disrupt the beam guidance, causing particles to hit the tube walls and be lost, reducing accelerator efficiency. The negative effects of multipoles (harmonics) in such accelerators can be reduced or eliminated by positioning a non-magnetic tube bearing a pattern of longitudinal superconducting bands, connected by circumferential band segments around the exterior of the helium vessel or other suitable surface near the magnet ends. The bands are formed from a superconductor having a critical temperature above the boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced, resin matrix, tank with an integral fitting, such as an internally threaded pipe connection, bulkhead door or manhole entryway. A thread form tool having a cylindrical bore and a rounded pattern thread forming outer surface at one end is provided. The tool is secured to a drive shaft extending through the tank forming mandrel with the thread forming end adjacent to the mandrel. A second, thread is formed on the opposite end of the threat form tool opposite the tank mandrel and carries a consolidation nut. A consolidation washer rides on a wider cylinder surface of the thread form tool intermediate the two threaded ends. At least one fabric doily or band is placed over the thread forming tool rounded threads and the tank mandrel is filament wound with high strength fibers impregnated with a resin in a conventional manner, with filaments overlapping the rounded thread area.

Abstract: A fail-safe circuit for preventing an inadvertent communication of a signal from an input terminal to an output terminal includes a series switching network electrically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal. The series switching network contains two switching circuits electrically connected in series. One switching circuit is an electrical switching circuit and the other is an electromechanical switching circuit. The switching circuits are chosen such that defects causing the electrical switching circuit to short circuit do not affect the electromechanical switching circuit and defects causing the electromechanical switching circuit to short circuit do not affect the electrical switching circuit. The fail-safe circuit also includes circuitry for preventing inadvertent communication of the signal from the input terminal through the series switching network to the output terminal when one of the switching circuits is in a short circuited state or condition.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching and quickly disconnecting and jettisoning a rocket booster from a core space vehicle. The arrangement includes a housing connected at one end to the booster and a segmented nut carried within the housing that threadedly engages a bolt end of an interface mounting clevis secured to the space vehicle. A retainer both locks the segmented nut on the bolt and is responsive to high pressure fluid to slide out of locking engagement with the nut and to urge a conically shaped wedge into a shaped end of the segmented nut to force the segments outwardly out of threaded engagement with the bolt end to disconnect the booster from the space vehicle. High pressure fluid is also applied to a piston having a plunger in engagement with the bolt end so that the bolt end is swiftly driven out of the housing and the booster is thereby jettisoned form the space vehicle. The high pressure fluid is preferably provided by a pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: A persistent switch system for protecting a large superconducting magnet coil during quench while providing the necessary different resistances needed for operation of the system in coil charging, discharging, persistent and quench modes while minimizing the heat load on the system refrigerator. The system includes a circuit having a combined persistent switch and shunt heater coil using two superconductor coils in parallel with a normal resistive thermal shunt coil thermally linked to the superconducting magnet coil. Switch superconducting coils can be driven normal to provide the switch resistance needed for efficient charging/discharging or the resistance needed to drive sufficient current through the shunt resistor coil during a quench. The quench operation uses shunt coil heating to enhance normal zone growth in the main coil, limiting the maximum quench temperatures reached.