Abstract: A motor driven mechanical positioner is provided which will position a movable arm to any one of 840 discrete angular positions. A total angular range of +/-42.degree. can be covered in 0.1.degree. increments. Electronic circuitry controls the nonlinear drive mechanism. A drive shaft wheel has six evenly spaced holes through which light from an IR LED is allowed to shine on a phototransistor placed on the other side of the wheel. As a result of the intermittent light striking the phototransistor, six clock pulses are generated for every revolution of the drive shaft. A desired angular position is entered into the electronics via thumb wheel BCD switches. The BCD information from the switches is transformed into binary information to address EPROMs. For each possible binary address representative of a desired angular position, the selected EPROMs output binary data that is representative of the clock pulse count for that particular angular position.

Abstract: The described embodiment of the present invention provides a technique for minimizing unwanted components in the output of a frequency synthesizer. The output signal of the frequency synthesizer is tapped and mixed with a selective reference control signal. The reference control signal is selected by a control logic so that, when mixed with the output signal of the frequency synthesizer, a signal is derived of constant frequency no matter what frequency the frequency synthesizer is set to provide. This constant frequency signal is provided to a power divider. One output of the power divider is provided to a phase shifter which shifts the signal 180 degrees. The other output of the power divider is provided to a high quality band pass filter tuned to the constant frequency. The output of the phase shifter and the high quality band pass filter are recombined, thus cancelling the constant signal while leaving remnants of the undesired frequency drift.

Abstract: An optical processing system for performing a matrix multiplication Mx where M is a matrix and x is a vector involves two two-dimensional arrays of optically transmissive elements with each element of the first array communicating light to the corresponding elmement of the second array. The optical transmittance of each row of one of the arrays is controlled according to the values of the vector x, and the optical transmittance of each element of the other array is controlled according to the corresponding matrix value m(i,j). The first array is uniformly illuminated and the amount of light transmitted through the two arrays is detected by a suitable array of photodetectors. The output of each photodetector will be proportional to the sum of the products of the vector x(i) with each value of the matrix in the corresponding column of the matrix array.

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 on the associated vehicle roadwheels, an end connector (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: The invention is directed to a measurement of rotation of a body with respect to a fixed inertial coordinate system by use of an oscillator that is rotationally symmetrical about one axis, a locking oscillator for injecting locking the rotationally symmetric oscillator to a selected frequency and state of polarization and measuring the polarized orientation of the oscillator with a polarization detector.

Abstract: Armor plate (10) is disclosed as including at least one hardened steel plate (14,18) having triangular holes (16,20) arranged in a repeating pattern. Webs (40,42 and 44,46) are located between the triangular holes to provide lightweight armor without any ballistic gaps. The triangular holes (16,20) are shaped and positioned with respect to each other such that the webs (40,42 and 44,46) are generally straight. Each steel plate disclosed has its associated triangular hole (16,20) provided with the same size and shape as each other which are preferably in the shape of equilateral triangles.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system for recovery of liquid fuel rocket engines used in space flight. The system comprises a sphere with a normally circumferential open portion for containing a rocket engine. The sphere is fixedly attached to the space vehicle. The engine is attached to the inner surface of the sphere in a manner allowing normal engine functions including but not limited to gimbaling. The normal engine hookup is provided via disconnects on the outer surface of the sphere. A pair of sphere closure sections are carried on rails within the sphere adjacent to the normally open portion of the sphere. When the use of the engine in space flight is completed generally prior to vehicle orbit, actuation devices translate the closure sections into the normally open portion of the sphere sealing the opening thereby forming an integral closed sphere, the sphere containing the engine is disconnected from the vehicle by explosive bolts or the like and then the sphere falls from the vehicle towards earth.

Abstract: The system has one or more vision units each of which has a head with a primary prism, a primary objective lens, and zoom optics including a plurality of lenses which form an optical path through which the image of an object may pass onto an area array sensor. Also provided is a reseau plate having a plurality of reseaus formed in a given pattern and a light source for projecting the image of the reseaus through the optical path onto the sensor for use for correcting in real time, optical distortion of the image of the object passing through the optical path including the lenses of the zoom optics. The unit is capable of movement about two perpendicular axis. Servo control devices operated by a computer are employed for automatically adjusting the focus, aperture, magnification, axial position of the reseau plate in consonance with the focus adjustment, and movement of the head about its two axes. The system also contains a central control processing head and a manual controller for the vision units.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for protecting the exposed components of a mounted electrical connector from the environment provides a seal between a connector backshell and a mounting plate to which the connector is mounted. The bell housing sealing assembly generally comprises a tubular member having a bottom end and a top end, the member being of sufficient inside diameter and length for surrounding an electrical connector having a backshell between the connector backshell and a mounting plate to which the connector is mounted; a top seal for sealing between the top end of the tubular member and the backshell of the surrounded connector; and a bottom seal for sealing between the bottom end of the tubular member and the mounting plate. The sealing assembly is threadably attached to either the connector backshell or, preferably, to the receptacle mounting nut. A second embodiment employs a force fit double lip seal as a top seal.

Abstract: A method of arresting delamination between and within plies of a composite laminate having layers containing a resin without significantly degrading the structural strength of the laminate characterized by emplacing within a plurality of the laminate layers having a resin, at a plurality of respective discrete locations, narrow strips of a tough adhesive having a fracture toughness greater than the fracture toughness of the resin in the respective layers of laminate. The adhesive has a Mode I critical strain energy release rate in the range of 5 inch pounds per square inch or more; for example, about 10 inch pounds per square inch. Also disclosed is a preferred method of constructing the laminate to employ this invention.

Abstract: A phase comparator has additional circuitry for correcting nonquadrature error during operation of the comparator. The phase comparator has a 90 degree power divider which receives a reference signal input and produces two reference outputs, one shifted 90 degrees out of phase with the other. The phase comparator also has a zero degree power divider which receives a return signal, such as a reflected signal of a radar transmitter unit. The outputs of the power dividers are applied to mixers and filters to result in an I video output whose frequency is the difference between the reference and signal input frequencies, and a Q video output which is identical in frequency but shifted 90 degrees. The correction circuit includes a frequency trap connected to the reference input and tunable about a center frequency of approximately the third harmonic of the fundamental reference frequency.

Abstract: An electrical drive system is controlled by a microprocessor-based, electronic control unit which is coupled to operator-generated input signals and various feedback signals to individually control the major components of the drive system including a turbine engine, a three-phase alternator, power control units and their respective synchronous AC motors and gearboxes. A combat vehicle which utilizes the drive system includes a vehicle bed on which right and left sets of three wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the centerline of the vehicle in driving engagement with their respective gearboxes. Each of the wheels includes a hollow hub in which its gearbox and its synchronous AC motor is mounted. A torsilastic suspension system supports the wheels on the vehicle bed. The turbine engine drives the alternator which comprises a brushless, synchronous device having a variable three-phase power output.

Abstract: An automatic fluid flow regulator particularly adapted to maintain equilibrium within a cryogenic fluid system. The regulator includes a housing that has an input port and first and second output ports. A housing of the regulator contains a spool body having longitudinally extending expanding fluid channels provided on its outer periphery. The spool body cooperates with spaced flow restriction shoulders on which it is slidably disposed to bias the spool body by means of pressure differences exerted on the ends of the spool body by disturbances in the branches of the system to a position in which more fluid is supplied to one branch while less fluid is supplied to the other branch and the fluid system is brought into equilibrium.

Abstract: A bimetallic shaped-charge liner is formed by explosively bonding two metal disks and then shear-forming the bonded disks simultaneously into a conoidal shape over a mandrel. An exemplary method for manufacturing a ductile, bimetallic, shaped-charge liner comprises the steps of explosively bonding a plate of one metal to a plate of another metal; annealing the bonded plates; cuting forming blanks from the bonded, annealed plates; shear-forming the blanks with the light metal side outward into a conoidal shape over a mandrel; and then annealing the resulting conoid.

Abstract: An array of photosensors is electrically connected to an array of individually readable capacitive storage cells in a one-to-one correspondence, each photosensor and each storage cell having a parasitic resistance. The interconnection is performed in an environment which is adapted to minimize photon impingement upon said photosensors cells and thereby minimize photocurrent. Each connection, if successfully made, places the parasitic resistance of a photosensor in electrical parallelism with the parasitic resistance of its corresponding capacitive storage cell.

Abstract: A removable and replaceable insert locating pin adapted to locate a workpiece in a tooling fixture for machining thereof. The locating pin includes a central body inserted in a precisely located aperture in the tooling fixture and an upper portion that extends into an aperture in the workpiece. Hardened inserts are selectively positioned in apertures formed in the outer periphery of the upper portion and contact the sidewall of the aperture in the workpiece for positioning the workpiece on the sub-plate in a desired direction or directions. Flexibility of the set up of the tooling for machining of workpiece is enhanced.

Abstract: A rocket exhaust recirculation obturator or cover member is designed to extend across the base of a missile in a launch tube between the exit nozzle of the missile rocket exhaust and the walls of the launch tube. The cover member has a central opening which seals against the rocket motor nozzle exit, and an outer periphery which seals against the launch tube walls. During launch, pressure of exhaust gases recirculating back up the launch tube will urge the obturator against the base of the missile, and both the missile and obturator will accelerate together up the launch tube. A release assembly is provided at the upper end of the launch tube which engages corresponding release devices at the outer periphery of the obturator. The engagement releases the pressure bond between the obturator, the missile base, and the launch tube. This allows the rocket exhaust to impinge upon the upper surface of the obturator in opposition to the obturator's momemtum.

Abstract: A wire sensing and measurement apparatus comprises an optical fiber having a hook shape formed at one end and connected to an optical pulse generator at the opposite end for transmitting a continuous stream of optical pulses to the free end of the hook. An optical detector is positioned opposite the free end of the hook to detect pulses emitted from the hook, and is connected to a missing pulse monitor for monitoriing the output of the detector to detect any missing pulses in the sequence. The monitor produces an output pulse for each missing pulse detected. The hook is moved beneath expected wire positions and any wire passing between the free end of the hook and the detector will interrupt the stream of pulses, allowing the wire position to be located. The fiber optic hook may be used as part of a wire pull test machine for testing the strength of electrical circuit wires.

Abstract: The solar simulator of the invention comprises a source of high intensity light simulating as closely as possible the spectral radiance of the sun directed through a flexible optic light guide into a chamber and pressure sealed through a chamber wall where this light is then directed on to a test specimen in a column or otherwise. The high intensity light is provided by one or more illuminating sources which can be positioned at the distal end or ends of the fiber optics or embedded within a fiber or liquid optic core.

Abstract: A joint assembly for holding electrical conductors together comprises a connector which loosely engages the conductors when the assembly is subjected to relatively high temperatures. The connector is made of a material which has a sufficiently higher coefficient of expansion then the coefficient of expansion the material used for the electrical conductors in order to cause a differential shrinkage of the connector onto the conductors for a clamping engagement therebetween when the assembly is subjected to relatively low temperatures.