Abstract: A magnetic gun for the purpose of accelerating a metal clad projectile to high velocities which includes a long dipole magnet extending the length of the gun bore that encloses a plurality of short superconducting dipoles magnets along its length. The short dipoles are superconducting dipoles whose induced current and magnetic field oppose the current and magnetic field of the long dipole. The short dipoles while in a superconducting state prevent the long dipole field from entering the gun bore. When the short dipoles become normal conducting, the current in the short dipoles decay rapidly. When this occurs the field of each of the small dipoles collapse and magnetic flux from the long dipole enters the gun bore at the locaiton of the normal conducting small dipole. This entering flux repels the projectile down the barrel in the direction of least flux, so the projectile is moved to the next short dipole section.

Abstract: A method is presented for the accurate quantitative determination of amounts of reactive (water and ethanol) and non-reactive N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) volatiles in graphite-polyimide prepreg samples. The method is also applicable to other condensation-curing and/or solvent-impregnated prepreg systems, regardless of the type of reinforcement. Prepreg samples are heated in a containment chamber and the volatiles are subsequently flushed from the chamber with dry nitrogen gas. The volatiles are condensed, weighed, and analyzed via gas chromatography to determine the volatile composition. The method offers a means of purging the extremely tightly held, relatively non-volatile NMP solvent from the resin matrix by means of high temperatures applied to the sample chamber. The higher volatility reaction products are also captured by means of the specially designed very low temperature condenser. An internal check (collection efficiency) on the accuracy of the results is included in the test method.

Abstract: A pre-stressed cartridge of the invention generally comprises a cylindrical liner wrapped with a plurality of layers of wound fibers or high tensile wires. These high tension wrapped windings put the walls of the cartridge liner into compression, thus pre-stressing the cylindrical liner. A cartridge constructed in this fashion may develop an ultimate strength in the circumferential direction which approaches ten times the ultimate strength of a typical solid metal cylinder alone. Special reinforcing elements may also be provided, located at the points where the maximum stress is developed upon detonation. Various modifications of this structure include fabricating the liner out of ceramic instead of aluminum, incorporating a steel cup containing the explosive at the base of the internal space of the cartridge, and combining the composite windings with the steel cup to provide a cartridge consisting of a steel cup with the rest of the cartridge being composite fiber windings.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided in conjunction with the upper closure of a missile cell which, upon launch of the missile, generates a rarefaction wave which assists in closing the bottom closure of the missile cell. As a result, reverse flow of exhaust gases back up into the missile chamber from an associated plenum chamber is prevented or minimized.

Abstract: A cascaded magnetron device has an elongate cathode shank extending along its axis and a series of tubular anode elements placed end to end in a linear cascade surrounding the cathode shank along at least part of its length. Each adjacent pair of anode elements is separated by a conductive, annular pin down disc, and the cathode shank has a series of spaced bands of field emitting material separated by non-emitting regions, each band being located within a respective one of the anode elements and spaced inwardly from the ends of that element. Suitable power inputs and magnetic field generators are provided for generating electron emission and oscillation in the interaction zone between each emitting band and the anode element surrounding that band, and suitable extraction devices are provided for extracting power from each of the interaction zones, the arrangement producing phase-locking of the cascaded magnetron bodies.

Abstract: A relativistic magnetron device comprising an elongate cathode shank extending along the axis of the device and a cylindrical anode surrounding the cathode shank along at least part of its length to define an annular interaction area. The anode has an even number of resonator cavities facing the cathode, and microwave extraction devices are connected to alternate resonator cavities to extract power from the device. The cathode has a central, emission band extending from the center of the interaction area in opposite directions and terminating short of the ends of the anode, while the remainder of the cathode is non-emitting.

Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical barrier into a surface aperture is provided. The method provides a vacuum to a work site to evacuate the air from the work site. Then, an injector head is located and retained at the work site. The injector head has a gasket that forms a seal around the work site. Pressurized fluid is conveyed to the work site through a first conduit in the injector head. Any unused fluid is conveyed away from the work site by a second conduit in the injector head.

Abstract: An air liquefier and separator of air constituents for a liquid air engine. Its unique structure captures the ambient air and guides it through guide vanes into a bank of spiral tubes or channels where the air is completely contained while being liquified and separated into its constituents. The spiral tubes or channels provide a compact heat exchanger design with long tube length or channel length for efficient heat transfer and liquefying of the air which is accomplished by a flow of liquid hydrogen flowing either inside a concentric tube inside the air condensing tube or flowing in a tube or channel with a common wall in contact with the air condensing tube or channel. The liquefier can easily be designed to be an integral part of a liquid air jet engine installation.

Abstract: A self-contained alcohol purging and cleaning system for direct writing type trace recorders utilizes a source of compressed air, a tank of R-22 refrigerant and a tank of isopropyl alcohol. A main supply line tube may have its inlet port end selectively connected to either the source of the compressed air or the R-22 tank. The outlet port end of the main supply line tube is connected to the inlet port of the alcohol tank. A first elongated tubing member has its one end connected to the outlet port of the alcohol tank and its free output port end may be detachably connected to inlet end of an output hose whose outlet end is detachably connected to the ink supply manifold of a direct writing type trace recorder. By opening various valves of the system, pressurized gas passing through the main supply line tube forces the isopropyl alcohol into the ink supply manifold and out through its outlet ports until thickened ink is purged and the isopropyl alcohol flowing therefrom is reasonably clear.

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: An improved break-away, end-of-arm robotic tooling assembly that has been designed to prevent damage to the robot arm in the event it would come in contact with something it should not. The robotic tooling assembly has a two inch inside diameter bore for air and paint lines. The robotic tooling assembly is compliant in all directions with the exception of a pulling force and it can be reset on repeating registration structure within the robotic tooling assemble. An air switch is incorporated which instantly signals the robot controller to perform an emergency stop.

Abstract: An optical power summing apparatus that allows a multiplicity of optical signals to be combined with minimal signal transmission loss. A single photodiode simultaneously receives all of the input signals to perform a summation of signal powers. Alternative embodiments of the apparatus use either a tightly packed bundle of etched optical fibers or a converging arrangement of optical waveguides on a dielectric substrate to focus the optical signals onto the base region of a single photodiode.

Abstract: An exhaust gas management system for missile launch arrangements having multiple launch cells exhausting into a common plenum includes automatic aft closure members which serve to close off the flow passages to inactive cells while providing an open passage for exhaust gases from an active cell undergoing a missile firing. This arrangement prevents back flow or recirculation of exhaust gases into the volume in the cell which is upstream of the rocket nozzle exit.

Abstract: A deployable/retractable photovoltaic concentrator solar array assembly for space applications that includes a plurality of solar array panels that are carried by a pantograph arm arrangement that is deployable to position the panels in a predetermined canted arrangement for receipt of solar radiation. Each panel includes a plurality of spaced cylindrical off axis parabolic mirrors that concentrate the reflected light on a line that falls upon a series of photovoltaic cells arranged longitudinally along the back of each mirror. The cylindrical parabolic mirrors are aligned with the cylindrical axis perpendicular to the axis about which the panels are canted, so that such canting causes no loss of focus. The array panels may be hardened to resist perceived threats and the pantograph arm arrangement is operable to position the array panels in a preferred orientation according to the nature of the threat.

Abstract: A fuel system for horizontal takeoff and hypersonic aerospace vehicles. The fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank is mixed with the liquid fuel from the tank. The mix is compressed and supplied to the engine system as usable fuel. The compressor used for compressing the combination gas and liquid can be driven from a turbo expansion cycle using aerodynamic heating of the vehicle. Several different embodiments for mixing the fuel vapor with liquid fuel are disclosed.

Abstract: A lateral thrust assembly for missile maneuvering comprises an annular array of outwardly directed nozzles, each nozzle having a releasable plug normally blocking flow of propellant gases out of the nozzle. A plug release mechanism associated with each plug allows that plug to be released to open the respective nozzle. A combustion chamber containing propellant is connected to the inner ends of all the nozzles. The propellant is ignited when one or more selected plugs are released to allow opening of the associated nozzle or nozzles, controlling the direction of the lateral thrust applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically testing a part uses a transducer which emits sound waves to flow through a water column into contact with the part. The housing has sidewalls, a top, and a bottom, defining a reservoir. The transducer locates in the reservoir and points downward toward the bottom. A collar extends upward from the bottom in alignment with the transducer. The collar has an open upper end spaced a selected distance above the bottom. A tube mounts in the collar in alignment with the transducer. The tube will slide vertically relative to the collar. The lower end of the tube protrudes through an aperture in the bottom for contact with the part. Water is supplied to the reservoir, to flow over the upper end of the collar and through the tube against the part. A supporting surface on the housing supports the housing on the part and depends downward from the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A stripline circuit grounding and shielding system has specially configured ground plane foil sheets that are applied to opposite sides of a module substrate. The sheets extend beyond perimeter edges of the substrate, being folded into overlapping contact and soldered together. Intersecting slits made in the sheets permit tab portions of each sheet to be formed about protruding circuit components of the module. Cover plates on each side of the module have cavities for receiving the protruding component portions, together with the sheet tab portions, which are biased against the components by spring members that are also retained by the cavities. The soldered edges of the sheets provide excellent EMI shielding, while the tab portions provide short, low resistance ground paths for the components, without introducing harmful air gaps, because no soldering is done at the ground planes of the sheets.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a laminated coil conductor for a high current coil which includes wrapping a layer of insulation around a rotatable shaped mandrel and then winding a plurality of copper sheets over the insulation as the mandrel is rotated. Solder is interposed between the copper sheets and between coolant tubes positioned on each end of each coil conductor. The assemblage is then removed from the mandrel and raised to a temperature to bond the copper sheets and coolant tubes together. The assemblage is then placed in a structural box and a plastic is injected into the box to fill any voids between the coil conductor and the box.An assembly of a plurality of coil conductors arranged in a high current coil according to the method is illustrated.

Abstract: A process for producing high-strength, substantially nonporous alloys by means of a three-component mixture, including admixing a first component of one or more low-melting temperature metals or alloys thereof, a second component of one or more high-melting temperature metals or alloys thereof, and a substantially inert third component of one or more refractory compounds, subjecting the mixture to changes in temperature so as to form a mixture capable of being shaped at a temperature well below the melting or decomposition temperature of the highest melting metal and the inert refractory compound.