Abstract: An open-loop system for controlling a plant, including a sampling circuit for providing an actuating signal as a series of impulse signals, and a computer for providing a control signal to operate the plant in response to the actuating signal in accordance with a control function defined by a control algorithm based upon a calculated response of the plant in an equivalent closed-loop linear control system. The computer provides the control signal as a function of time following the application of each impulse signal. The control algorithm is a time-domain algorithm based upon an inverse LaPlace transform of the equivalent system. The interval between impulse signals, as defined by the sampling rate, is on the order of the time constant of the equivalent system; and the computation speed of the computer is sufficiently fast to provide a control signal that is effectively continuous relative to the operating dynamics of the plant.

Abstract: A bearing friction testing apparatus includes a bearing support structure having a support arm with a bearing mount for mounting a test bearing with a bi-directional load support ring for attachment to the bearing race with a pendulum attachable to the support ring for adding one direction of force and a tension line attached to the ring for applying a second direction of force transverse to the first direction of force with a pendulum latching device for latching the pendulum in a loaded position and releasing the pendulum with a measuring instrument for measuring the rate of decay in the amplitude of oscillation of the pendulum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orbital space transfer vehicle comprises essentially a composite hollow cylindrical body structure enclosing a spherical oxygen tank suspended and spaced from the inner wall of the cylindrical body structure, a hollow toroidal hydrogen tank suspended from and spaced from said cylindrical body structure, a main thrust rocket engine, and an aerobrake located at the aft end of the vehicle. This arrangement provides a vehicle with a very short length, lowers the required aerobrake size and maximizes vehicle controllability that may otherwise occur due to non-uniform distribution of the propellants during operation of the vehicle. Thus disclosed is a vehicle which can fully benefit from space basing, easily maintained while stationed in orbit, and transportable in a fully assembled state from earth to low earth orbit. Also disclosed is a space station with which the orbital transfer vehicle may cooperate while in space.

Abstract: A two-dimensional optical correlation apparatus includes a transmissive optical mask having a transmissivity pattern corresponding to a two-dimensional reference image and an input image buffer that stores a sequence of pixels corresponding to a raster-scanned input image. The input buffer includes a subimage frame corresponding to a particular segment of the raster-scanned format. As the pixels are serially shifted through the image buffer, every subimage in the input image appears at some time in the subimage frame. The subimage frame is connected to an array of optical emitters. As the input image pixels are serially shifted, the emitter array produces a succession of two-dimensional optical signals corresponding to the succession of input image subimages shafted through the subimage frame. The output of the emitter array is projected onto the transparent mask.

Abstract: A self-erecting wing structure for increased missile performance and maneuverability without significant sacrifice of payload space includes a wing pivotally attached to an air frame in a retracted position in which the wing is both rotated about its spanwise axis relative to an erected position and pivoted forward alongside the air frame. Rotational components enable passing air to swing the wing to the erected position when it is released from the retracted position during flight. A secondary wing surface is included that automatically deploys to increase wing area.

Abstract: A system for providing information to alter the software of an electronic data processor embedded in an electronic module includes a remote reprogramming module that conducts a sequence of operations to provide data to the processor which the processor uses to reprogram itself. The system employs a data link having a bi-directional transmission path connecting the processor and the reprogramming module. A controlled switching circuit is provided at each end of the transmission path. Under normal operating conditions, the transmission path is used to transit a function signal for a function performed by the electronic module. Periodically, the processor operates one switching network to capture the path for transmission of a reprogramming inquiry signal to the reprogramming module. At the same time, the function signal is diverted to an alternate path internal to the electronic module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of placing a measured amount of tracer material into a release agent solution so that the concentration of tracer material in the release agent as applied to a mold surface is an indication of the amount and distribution of the release agent on the mold surface. The release agent can be applied and/or re-applied until the amount of the tracer material reaches a predetermined value. In the embodiment disclosed the tracer material is a UV dye which will re-emit light when activated by a UV light source and the intensity level of the re-emitted light is a function of the amount of release agent applied.Curing of the release agent preferrably taken place after each layer in multiple layer applications.Also disclosed is a spray head (12) connected to a source (20) of release agent with UV dye therein for coating a mold surface (28). A source of UV light (30,32) activates the UV dye to re-emit visable light which is measured by a photometer (34) to practice the above method.

Abstract: A hinged butt joint for connecting struts to multijoint fittings used in space structures is disclosed as two end fittings pivoted together, one of which is bifurcated and the other having a cammed butt end extending between the bifurcation with a pivot pin through aligned openings so that the fittings are rotatable to a desired angular position. Nominal manufacturing tolerances are used throughout. A wedge is forcibly fitted into the base of the bifurcation when the fittings are colinear, and bonded to the base in that position during manufacture or assembly, to preclude freeplay in the joint under alternating compression and tension leads and to create a solid mechanical path though which load is transmitted and heat and electricity conducted.

Abstract: The electro-optical correlator performs pattern-recognition by forming the columnar dot product of an input image with a reference image at video through-put rates. The correlator incorporates an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the input-image data, a plurality of serially arranged delays having a delay time equivalent to one input-image data line, each delay for receiving in turn the digitized input data and for producing a parallel output signal, and a vertical column of photodiodes for receiving the respective multiple parallel delayed signals and for converting same to an optical output. The optical output is fed through a lens, reference image mask, and lens unit and is focused on a plurality of photodiodes that are connected to a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) array. The data from the time- delay-and-integrate array are clocked through an analog-to- digital converter which produces the final system output. The time delay and integrate array may be a charge-coupled device (CCD).

Abstract: A punch for setting a rivet has features to prevent swelling of the rivet between the two members being secured together. The punch has an elongated, solid blow transmitting member with a blow receiving surface and a shank. A sleeve is slidingly carried by the shank and movable from a position protruding past the lower end of the shank. The sleeve has a sidewall with at least one elongated slot extending therethrough. A pin is secured in the shank and extends laterally outward from the shank into the slot to retain the sleeve. A spring urges the sleeve downwardly.

Abstract: A coupler for electrically-isolating two conductive sections of fluid-passing line includes two nonconductively-interconnected pieces of tubing for insertion in the line. The pieces of tubing each have a divergently-flared end, and the flared ends are nonconductively-interconnected within two dielectric wafers. Each wafer has a tapered hole extending through it that matches the flared ends and enlarges to a face on the wafer. The flared ends are each bonded within a separate one of the tapered holes in a position recessed from the face with the flare of the end paralleling the taper of the hole, and the faces are bonded together with the larger ends of the tapered holes aligned and the flared ends sealed in fluid communication with an electrically-nonconductive gap between them.

Abstract: A missile is disclosed which utilizes elastic deformation of structural members in order to control missile flight. The elastic deformation may be in the mounting of the rocket nozzle, the provision of deformable control surfaces, or provision of deformable sections of rocket body, all of which are controlled by independent actuating means.

Abstract: Probes for testing circuitry comprising plural oriented; circular cross-section; microcircuit probes positioned in a dielectric base and having connections on the opposite side of base to attach probe circuitry. A method of manufacture of such probes includes assembling a laminate of a dielectric base, and an aluminum mandrel, drilling holes in the laminate at positions corresponding to the eventual probe positions, electroless plating the entire package, passivating the electroless plated coating, plating the entire assemblage until the holes are substantially filled with plating, separating and shearing off the layers of plating from the laminate, applying a photoresist and developing it one the aluminum side corresponding to the holes for the probes, and on the opposite side corresponding to the desired circuitry, removing the material on the aluminum side to expose the aluminum, dissolving the aluminum to expose the probes, and soldering and reflowing the solder on the probes.

Abstract: Probes for testing circuitry comprising plural oriented, circular cross-section, microcircuit probes positioned in a dielectric base and having connections on the opposite side of base to attach probe circuitry. A method of manufacture of such probes includes assembling a laminate of a dielectric base, and an aluminum mandrel, drilling holes in the laminate at positions corresponding to the eventual probe positions, electroless plating the entire package, passivating the electroless plated coating, plating the entire assemblage until the holes are substantially filled with plating, separating and shearing off the layers of plating from the laminate, applying a photoresist and developing it on the aluminum side corresponding to the holes for the probes, and on the opposite side corresponding to the desired circuitry, removing the material on the aluminum side to expose the aluminum, dissolving the aluminum to expose the probes, and soldering and reflowing the solder on the probes.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an infrared up-convertor incorporates a transparent heat sink in a conductive heat exchange relationship with a surface of the up-convertor and a Joule-Thomson effect cryostat located outside of the incoming and emitted image paths for cooling the heat sink. In this manner, the cooling apparatus does not obscure the path of the image to or from the up-convertor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an output signal having portions thereof being linearly swept in frequency. A controller, responsive to external signals, generates a series of control signals. An oscillator, responsive to each one of the control signals, produces an output signal. The output signal includes a series of output waveforms each linearly swept in frequency and corresponding to a respective one of the control signals. A first servo, responsive to each one of the output waveforms, produces a series of first correction signals each dependent upon the linearity error in a corresponding one of the output waveforms. The first correction signals modify a corresponding control signal as applied to the oscillator so as to correct linearity errors occurring in a corresponding one of the output waveforms. A second servo, responsive to each one of the first correction signals, produces a series of second correction signals each dependent upon the correlations in the first correction signals.

Abstract: A space-referenced, rate-stabilized gimbal platform system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a master gimbal mounted to the vehicle frame and having a master platform that is pivotable with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and pivotable with respect to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; a two-axis rate gyroscope mounted to the master platform; and a slave gimbal having a slave platform for supporting directional apparatus, such as an antenna or sensor. The slave platform is pivotable with respect to a third axis that is parallel to the first axis and pivotable with respect to a fourth axis that is perpendicular to the third axis.

Abstract: A bistatic VHF Doppler radar is utilized to detect and track one or more intruders crossing a large annular ring surveilance zone surrounding a central high security installation. A central omni-directional transmitter radiates the surveillance zone with a continuous wave (CW) signal. Predetermined ones of a plurality of receiver antennas circumferentially spaced around the surveillance zone receive a portion of the signal which is reflected by an intruder crossing the surveillance zone and a portion of the signal which is directly radiated from the transmitter antenna. The reflected signal portion may be received by antenna arrays each of which is controlled to form a null in its pattern toward the transmitter antenna to overcome direct signal overload. The direct signal portion may be received by stub antennas. Each antenna array and each stub antenna is connected to a separate channel of a dual channel receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single control thruster having the expanded capability of operating at various thrust levels and more than one propellant fluid so that the number of control thrusters for a maneuvering vehicle can be reduced to one third from that now required for appropriate maneuverability in space, resulting in large cost savings and improved reliability. Also disclosed is a "plug in" package with control thruster which can be removed from the vehicle and replaced to make the vehicle easily maintainable.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted passive synthetic aperture system for locating sources of electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength .lambda.. The system includes first and second receiving antennas, a phase sensitive receiver and a signal processor. The first and second antennas are mounted to a vehicle and spaced apart from each other in the principle direction of motion associated with the vehicle. The first and second antennas respectively provide first and second received signals in response to a wavefront of electromagnetic radiation having the given wavelength .lambda.. The phase sensitive receiver is coupled to the first and second antennas and responds to the first and second received signals by providing a phase difference signal that indicates a phase difference .phi. between the wavefronts of the radiation of the given wavelength received by the respective first and second antennas when the received radiation is radiated spherically from its source. The speed of the vehicle also is measured.