Abstract: An axial flow fan has a plurality of impeller blades spaced around a hub assembly. The leading edge of each blade overlaps completely the trailing edge of the preceding blade, and the angular spacing between the radial center lines of the blades is unequal, preferably varying in a sinusoidal pattern, so that tonal noise of the fan is effectively attenuated.

Abstract: A pouch for protecting electrosensitive components contained therein from physical shock and electrostatic damage during handling and storage. In one embodiment, the pouch comprises two composite panels, each comprising a sheet of conductive material as the outside layer, a sheet of electrostatic-free material as the inside layer and a layer of open cell cushioning material sandwiched therebetween. Each panel is sealed to enclose the material therein and both panels are then sealed together on both sides and one end. The open end has an interlocking closure to allow components to be inserted into the pouch and for the pouch to be thereafter closed.In another embodiment, the pouch is formed of a pair of extruded, tubular members respectively constituting the conductive material layer and the electrostatic-free material layer with sheets of cushioning material sandwiched between them. The assembly is sealed at one end and provided with a releasable closure member at the other end.

Abstract: A missile launch system includes a missile launch support structure mounted on a launch platform and including a pair of spaced apart rails having longitudinal slots formed therein, and a cooperating missile launch container having a cylindrical bore for receiving and supporting a missile for launching includes radially extending ribs spaced and oriented to engage and slide along the slots in the rails for supporting the missile launch container for launching of the missile.

Abstract: Constituent pyrotechnic materials are dispensed by prescribed weight or volume into a single container containing an excess volume of an inert liquid, such as Freon T.E., having the property of preventing ionization of the materials. The pyrotechnic materials in inert fluid medium are then stirred so as to obtain an homogeneous slurry mixture. The slurry is allowed to settle and the inert fluid is decanted off for future reuse. The remaining slurry is dispensed into individual containers under pressure. The slurry is vacuum dried at a safe temperature to minimize the accidental ignition hazard while removing the remaining inert liquid, thus forming individual casts of pyrotechnic material. The casts are permitted to reach ambient temperature and pressure at predetermined rates so as to prevent cracking of the pyrotechnic charges.

Abstract: An optical image scanner utilizing an integral array of fiber optic launch couplers to direct an input light image to a selectively reflective termination and then to an output termination. The selectively reflective termination is sequenced to scan the bidirectional fibers of the launch coupler array to direct, in turn, the light transmitted through the launch coupler to the output. Thus, an input light image, applied in parallel, is scanned to develop a serial output for the respective pixels of the image. In one particular arrangement in accordance with the invention, the selectively reflective termination comprises an array of binary driven Faraday rotators. In an alternative arrangement, the reflective scanner comprises a rotating disc with a single reflective spot positioned near the periphery and facing the terminal ends of the bidirectional fibers of the launch coupler array.

Abstract: An integrated optical fiber testing device includes means for accurately aligning one end of a fiber optic cable with a laser beam generator and the other end with a beam detector. The cable is positioned in a test chamber wherein it is exposed to various mechanical and thermal stresses to determine its ability to withstand these stresses while light is passing through the cable. The testing is completed in one integrated operation.

Abstract: A system of disassemblable contact junctions for prefabricated conductor paths, such as may be provided on printing wiring boards, flexible printed cables or the like, Each contact junction includes a pressure point contact attached to an associated conductor path. Both the pressure point contact and the opposed conductor path are coated with solder or equivalent. Rigid blocks on opposite sides of the two sets of circuit conductors with an interspersed pad of compliant material, such as rubber, hold the assembly together under substantial pressure. Each of the pressure point contacts is formed with a ridge along the contacting face which, under the pressure developed by the assembly, penetrates through the oxide surfaces of the contacting solder layers, breaking the oxide surfaces and forming a gas tight electrical connection provided by the cold flow of the solder.

Abstract: A broadband optical spectrum analyzer analyzes RF frequencies by modulating a laser beam at its source with the RF frequencies. The modulated laser beam is collimated and directed to a reflection means where signal components of different frequencies are reflected at different angles. Rays of the same spectral range are collected and interpreted.

Abstract: An insulator device which couples a metallic gas delivery tube to a line leading to a detector device which requires cooling gas for operation. The insulator device of the present invention comprises a molded dielectric insulator, molded about two separated metallic end components, each of the metallic components including a nut portion to allow the insulator to be connected, on one hand to the detector device line, and on the other hand to the metallic gas delivery tube. The two metallic components are separated by a gap in order to provide the necessary electrical isolation between the two metallic end components. One metallic end component includes a built-in check valve which permits gas to flow only in the desired direction while preventing gas flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A solid fuel rocket in which the rocket casing acts as a warhead. Solid propellant rocket motors require relatively heavy cases to contain the 1000-2000 psi combustion pressure needed for efficient performance. This casing can be used as a fragmentation warhead by forming longitudinal grooves in the elongated rocket casing, causing the casing to fracture along the grooves and allowing the pressure within the casing to disperse the fragments. The resulting strip-like fragments are particularly useful against "soft" equipment targets, such as anti-vehicle and anti-radar applications. Several different methods for rupturing the case along spaced, parallel longitudinal lines are disclosed. This system eliminates the need for a separate warhead including case and explosive at the cost of a slight increase in propellant case thickness and weight.

Abstract: An antenna-radome structure that functions as a self-referencing interferometer, including a radome having a leading edge and including a plurality of longitudinally disposed slabs of dielectric material having a front edge adjacent the leading edge of the radome; and a corresponding number of antennas disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the radome and respectively embedded in or placed on the surface of each corresponding dielectric slab. Each antenna is located at a distance from the front end of the corresponding dielectric slab corresponding to a maximum of intensity in an intensity fringe pattern produced by interference between free space waves of a predetermined frequency incident upon the dielectric slab and waves guided by the dielectric slab in response to the incident waves. The thickness of each dielectric slab is tapered for reducing sidelobe levels in the far field pattern of the antenna.

Abstract: A missile launch cannister end cap removal device utilizing the pressure pulse of a traveling shock wave within the cannister is disclosed. A pressure chamber, the interior of which is separated from the interior of the cannister by a diaphragm having a selected rupture pressure. Gas pressure is generated in the chamber by the firing of an explosive charge at the appropriate time in the missile launch sequence. The diaphragm is ruptured by the pressure developed in the chamber introducing a traveling shock wave into the interior of the missile cannister. The pressure pulse of the shock wave removes the end caps fitted over the open ends of the cannister.

Abstract: A method for augmenting a noise-adaptive predictive proportional navigation terminal guidance scheme. In a second order configuration with noise adaptive varying gain parameters calculated as a function of time-to-go, this system implements an optimal control law to augment proportional navigation with a missile acceleration feedback term and a navigation ratio to account for first order autopilot time lag. This configuration results in nearly optimal miss distance behavior, with sensitivity to unmodeled errors being substantially less than that in modern guidance systems. The system is particularly useful for high altitude, minimally maneuvering targets.

Abstract: A resilient, flexible elongate member forming a movable electrical contact is squeezed endwise by energizing a piezoelectric body supporting one end of the member. The mechanical advantage provided by this Euler lever construction permits the minute dimensional change in the piezoelectric body to open or close the relay by causing the member to bow outwardly so that its intermediate portion physically makes or breaks electrical connection with a fixed electrical contact. The relay provides improved signal integrity and isolation at lower power dissipation levels than solid state switching alternatives. Form A, B, C, and D and other contact variations are possible. A temperature compensated miniature package containing a plurality of such relays may also be constructed.

Abstract: A highly accurate rapid gimbal assembly method utilizes two fixtures for establishing the critical gimbal assembly parameters of yield and axis of intersection and an adhesive for bonding each mating surface of the gimbal assembly for holding the components of the gimbal assembly in their adjusted positions. The fixtures include an inner/outer gimbal fixture for holding the inner and outer gimbals in relative position for bonding and a gimbal/post fixture for holding the gimbal assembly in alignment on the support post for bonding. These fixtures and assembly method eliminate the need for use of shims between the mating surfaces for establishing alignment of the critical parameters.

Abstract: A large objective lens is placed in a highly eccentric orbit about the earth. The orbit and orientation of the lens are carefully chosen so that it focuses light or other radiation from a preselected astronomical object into an image which slowly moves across the surface of the earth. A row of optical sensing units is located on the surface of the earth so that the image focused by the orbiting objective lens will travel substantially perpendicularly across the row during an observation. Output data generated from the sensing units may be multiplexed and fed to a real time processor which produces display signals. Each of the sensing units provides one scan line of the image being observed. The display signals are fed to a suitable display device which produces a picture of the preselected astronomical object. The objective lens may comprise a large flexible Fresnel zone plate or a flexible convex lens carried by a bicycle wheel-type supporting structure.

Abstract: A preformed cup for receiving and retaining pyrotechnic materials including provision for hermetic sealing against entry of disabling matter and moisture, to be inserted, after sealing, into a conventional casing in such manner as to maintain close proximity with ignition devices as provided in standard pyrotechnic systems. Close proximity of the contained pyrotechnic materials to an associated igniter is permissible with safety, regardless of the volume of material loaded or the "G" loads encountered. The device permits loading of hazardous pyrotechnic materials on an off-line basis, independently of final assembly of devices used as practice rounds in anti-armor missiles and the like.

Abstract: A lightweight single layer microstrip membrane antenna for space radar applications which, in an exemplary application, is adapted to be furled on a spool and carried into space by a space shuttle orbiter where it is easily unfurled to form an antenna. The membrane antenna includes gore sections which are connected by metal mesh members that are folded in the furling process to avoid folding of the gore sections. The metal mesh members may also act as primary power busses for suitable transmit/receive antenna modules that are connected to series strings. Current regulators and zener diodes are connected in the strings of antenna modules to provide for continued operation of the antenna in the event of failure of antenna modules.

Abstract: An air training evaluation process which corrects the position and velocity sensed by an aircraft's inertial navigation system (INS) to obtain more accurate data on the aircraft's position during an engagement.In carrying out the process the aircraft's on-board INS system is employed to obtain pre-flight data on position and velocity, data on position and velocity during the engagement, and post-flight data on position and velocity. The pre-flight data on position and velocity and the post-flight data on position and velocity are compared with independently determined data on the pre-flight position and velocity of the aircraft and with independently determined data on the post-flight position and velocity of the aircraft respectively to obtain pre-flight error functions and post-flight error functions on position and velocity.

Abstract: A drill employed for drilling holes in airframes is provided with means to rotate the drill bit during retraction and means to control the rate of retraction of the drill bit from the hole in a manner to prevent the formation of axial scratches in the wall of the hole.