Abstract: A circuit for coupling transitional energy from the output of a transmitting circuit to the input of a receiving circuit in advance of the normal connective path, which contains an inherent circuit time delay. Feed forward compensation circuitry is incorporated into a logic driver having control circuitry for receiving an input bistate data bit and providing power at an output at first and second predetermined voltage levels when an input bistate data bit is respectively of first and second states. The feed forward compensation circuitry is included in the control circuitry for modifying the response time of the control circuitry for providing output power in response to the input bistake data bit. Sensing circuitry is coupled to the control circuitry for detecting the level of current at the output and providing a corresponding current level indication.

Abstract: A pulsed transformer utilizing the transition of the primary winding from a superconducting state to a normal state to increase the efficiency of energy transfer to the secondary winding thereof and hence to a load across the secondary winding. The primary winding is constructed as a composite which has minimal resistance when in a superconductive state and significantly higher resistance when in a normal or critical state.

Abstract: A system and process, including a combination of a solder well and a vacuum system wherein micro through holes are filled with solder. A PC board or the like is supported for contact with solder on one side and with a vacuum apparatus for the application of a vacuum to the other side so that solder is drawn into the through holes for establishing electrically conductive connections therethrough.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to separate and detect a weak frequecy converted signal light beam (f.sub.s +f.sub.p) which is in the presence of a much stronger pump light beam (f.sub.p) at a slightly different frequency. Such a device is useful in laser radars and laser transmitted communication systems where the information is transmitted as a light beam of frequency f.sub.s but more conveniently selected at another frequency f.sub.s tf.sub.p. A specific example would be laser communication system using a carbon dioxide laser (10.6 micron wavelength 3.times.10.sup.13 Hz frequency). In some applications a cooled detector (required for most efficient detection at this frequency) may not be feasible and a frequency conversion detector, operating with uncooled detectors, would be preferred. The device comprises a nonlinear crystal which first receives a properly phased matched pump light beam (f.sub.p) and a signal light beam (f.sub.s) and produces a third beam (f.sub.s +f.sub.p) at a different frequency.

Abstract: The invention provides structure and method for improving the efficiency of nonlinear optical processes where two light beams interact in a material to produce an output beam at a new frequency. Effective phase matching is accomplished by periodically removing the output beam energy so that it does not destructively interfere with the input. The invention can also be utilized to increase the efficiency of optical devices where partial phase matching is present without further adjusting the phase of the beams involved in the nonlinear interaction. The invention also provides effective beam phase matching where the beams passing through the nonlinear material cannot normally be phased matching by present methods.

Abstract: A digital circuit executes a parallel algorithm to compute the dot product of large dimensional vectors at very high speed. The circuit may be made of a plurality of cascaded 1-bit correlator chips and a plurality of ALU chips that sum the output of the correlator chips. Alternatively, a general purpose computer architecture for implementing the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus provides matched filter output characteristics for known signals embedded in noise signals that have varying noise power distributions. The system correlates applied signals with a manipulated version of the applied signals in an analog-to-analog correlator. The manipulated signals are derived by Fourier transforming the applied signals and estimating the noise power spectral density. A filter transfer function is then calculated using the noise power estimates and stored information related to the characteristics of the known signal. The transfer function is then inverse Fourier transformed to provide a filter impulse response characteristic which is correlated with the applied signals. A method of processing applied signals to provide for an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio for varying noise power distributions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a probe test structure for microcircuits utilizes a multiple coating method in conjunction with a novel double-cell electroplating apparatus having a relatively high-resistance ion path between the cells. Photoresist is applied to both sides of a copper foil, copper posts are electroformed onto selected areas of one side of the foil through image hole patterns, the remaining photoresist is stripped away, polyimide prepreg is laminated to the post side of the foil, the copper posts are exposed by sanding, photoresist is reapplied to both sides of the sanded remainder, additional copper is electroformed on each post through image hole patterns in the post side of the photoresist, the foil on the side opposite the posts is chemically milled to provide leads integral with each post using appropriate masking techniques and, finally, all of the remaining photoresist is removed to leave the desired test probe set.

Abstract: A process for producing a copper lead frame tape in which the individual fingers of the lead frame are provided with gold plated bumps. A copper foil is provided with dry film photoresist on both sides and is initially processed to provide openings in one side of the resist for electroforming of the end products directly on the copper foil. Further processing produces openings on the other resist side in locations other than opposite the first resist side bumps whereby a following chemical milling of the exposed opposite side copper yields a plurality of fingers, each consisting of an integral bump/copper foil arrangement. The electroforming step is made possible by a novel double-cell electroplating method in which a relatively high-impedance ion path connects the two cells. Bump heights of as much as 0.0013 inch or greater are produced by the disclosed process, with uniformly excellent quality.

Abstract: An improved pressure transfer plate assembly is provided for an apparatus to heat bond flexible printed circuits in a hydraulic press. The plate assembly comprises aluminum top and bottom plates with two or more thin sheet liners in between. A plurality of workpiece-locating pins are based in stainless steel plug inserts in the bottom plate to give excellent wear resistance. The alignment of top and bottom plates is effected by a plurality of plate-alignment pins screwed into the bottom plate and having slotted head portions to allow for easy removal and installation.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine (10, 10') for storing rounds of ammunition (14) provides compact storage of endless outer and inner loops (22, 32) for storing first and second sets of the rounds of ammunition. Turns (24, 26) of the outer loop (22) have reaches (28, 30) extending therebetween, and turns (34, 36) of the inner loop (32) have reaches (38, 40) extending therebetween in a nested relationship with the reaches of the outer loop to provide compact storage. A separator plate (42) is located between the reaches (38, 40) of the inner loop (32) to permit movement of the loops with the reaches of the inner loop moving in opposite directions to each other. Storage members (46) of each loop store the rounds of ammunition (14) and are connected by connectors (48) that each include connecting portions (50) receiving adjacent storage members.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the positioning of an object wherein a driver generates an optical signal and intensity modulates the optical signal at a rate corresponding to the sum of N different frequencies. A transducer, responsive to relative physical positioning of the object, receives the intensity modulated optical signal and extracts a portion of the intensity modulated optical signal corresponding in intensity to selected ones of the N frequencies. A decoder, responsive to the extracted portion of the intensity modulated optical signal, generates a position signal according to the selected ones of the N frequencies in the extracted portion. The position signal is indicative of the relative positioning of the object with respect to the transducer.

Abstract: An endless track (52) for a track laying vehicle has a construction that facilitates replacement and repair of track components as well as providing an extended lifetime of use as compared to conventional vehicle tracks. The components of the track which facilitate its construction and maintenance include a track shoe (60), a replaceable road pad (62) for the track shoe (60), a pin assembly (64) for connecting laterally aligned pairs of the track shoes (60), a hollow pin (66) of the pin assembly (64), a center guide (68) that guides the track (72) that connects ends of the pins (66) associated with adjacent shoe assemblies (70), and a center connector (74) that cooperates with the end connectors (72) in connecting the shoe assemblies (70).

Abstract: An indexing and locating component to be used with a fixture for precision machining of parts. The component includes a housing that is positioned on the upper surface of the fixture and which contains a bevel gear arrangement which moves a locating pin arrangement in a predetermined vertical direction to provide a precise locating support point for a workpiece. The gear arrangement may be operated at a position remote from the component.

Abstract: An in-flight jettisonable protective cover device for protecting fragile, accurate, radomes or signal-responsive components for the major portion of a flight which is capable of being jettisoned in one piece at supersonic speeds from a guided missile, other air vehicles, or space vehicles. The cover device is for use, for example, in combination with a guided missile having a shell structure, a nose portion, and a radome in the missile nose. The cover device is attached to the missile nose for covering the radome such that an inner space is defined. A plurality of shear pins or other quick-release mechanisms attach and retain the cover device to the missile shell. A source of low pressure gas pressurizes the inner space to approximately 50 psi. A rapid-discharging, high pressure gas cartridge produces a high pressure gas for exerting a pressure force on the aft face of the cover device.

Abstract: A folding wing structure for a missile or other airframe comprises a supporting strut assembly including a leading strut and a trailing strut pivotally secured together at their common ends and pivotally mounted at spaced locations relative to the airframe at their opposite ends, the struts being moveable between a collapsed, storage position in which they are substantially colinear and an expanded, erect position in which they project radially out from the missile. A biassing device urges the struts into the erect position. A double walled, pocket-like wing member of flexible fabric material encloses the strut assembly and conforms substantially to the extended configuration of the struts, and a series of spaced, parallel reinforcing ribs extend chordwise across each wall of the wing member in its erect position between the leading and trailing struts.

Abstract: A discharge control device for transferring accumulated electrostatic charge from containers used in spray painting, to a charge sink, comprising a housing having a hermetically sealed discharge chamber mounted inside. A first electrical contact for receiving an accumulated electrostatic charge is mounted in the discharge chamber in opposition to a reciprocating electrical contact for receiving and dissipating the accumulated charge from the first contact. The reciprocating contact is slidably mounted on the discharge chamber so that it moves between one position adjacent to or touching the first contact means and a second position spaced apart from the first contact. A first electrical conductor is connected between the first contact and the container, and a second conduction means is connected between the reciprocating contact means and the charge sink.

Abstract: Case-hardened plate armor disclosed includes a steel plate (14,18) that is heat treated to provide carbonitride surfaces and a tough, ductile core, with the carbonitride surfaces having a toughness of at least 66, and preferably at least 67, on the Rockwell C scale to prevent surface penetration, and with the tough, ductile core being softer than the carbonitride surfaces to prevent brittle fracture. The steel plate (14,18) may be made from either rolled homogenous armor which has a final core hardness in the range of 45 to 50 on the Rockwell C scale, or from high-hard armor which has a final core hardness in the range of 52 to 54 on the Rockwell C scale. The steel plate may be made with holes or may be imperforate depending upon weight requirements.

Abstract: The invention is directed to electromagnets for producing a high uniformity magnetic field or shielding a magnetic field by the use of passive compensation coils in the form of rings of superconductive material positioned perpendicularly adjacent to the electromagnet windings. Current induced into the rings of superconducting magnetic material establishing magnetic fields perpendicular to the electromagnetic magnetic field, thereby, depending on this size and quantity of the rings a highly uniform magnetic field or the cancelling of the magnetic field from the electromagnet adjacent to the surface of the rings remote from the electromagnet field occurs. High temeprature superconducting material can be used for the rings which lead to high temperature operation.

Abstract: A fastener for connecting structures having significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion which substantially eliminates thermal stress with varying ambient temperatures, while allowing said structures to be offset 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 said first structure around the narrow end of said bore, the shoulder having a frusto-conical outer edge. A flange member is secured to the vertex end of said fastener, said flange member having a surface configured to engage said outer edge in a coincident relationship. The fastener is tightened to bring both pairs of coincident conical surfaces into pressure contact. Both pairs of conic surface preferably have a common vertex which lies outside the fastener.