Abstract: A missile launcher tube from which a missile is fired from a forward end causing gases to exit out the aft, or exhaust gas, end of a launcher tube in which the aft end is provided with a conical surface (flare) forming a nozzle so that as the missile exits from the forward end, a forward pressure force created by the exhaust gas acting on the conical surface as the exhaust gas exits from the aft end opposes and reduces an aft end directed recoil force. The conical nozzle is located entirely within the outer surface of the launcher tube so that the launcher tube envelope is not disturbed.

Abstract: An articulated nose is locked in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of a rolling projectile body. Pyrotechnic means within the nose is actuated to unlock the nose and tilt it toward the target when the error between the projectile path and the path to the target exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A low-loss fiber optic tap coupler including an optical fiber mounted and adhered to a curved surface and having a clad single fiber core, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber through the cladding, a prism mounted on the surface having two reflective surfaces positioned to receive signals from the fiber travelling in opposite directions, and photodiodes mounted adjacent the prism to receive the reflected signals.

Abstract: A signal processor for an array of charge injection device (CID) radiation detector elements is disclosed. An integration time control system effectively increases the dynamic range of the detector array by varying the integration times of the detector elements in accordance with measurements of the magnitudes of data signals respectively produced by the detector elements in relation to the saturation thresholds and of the detector elements so as to maintain the amount of radiation stored in a predetermined percentage of the detector elements within a predetermined operating range below their saturation thresholds and above their noise level. A responsivity compensation system adjusts the data signals prior to such measurements to compensate for variations in the responsivity of the detector elements. In response to the identification of a defective detector element, the last previously provided adjusted data signal in the data stream corresponding to a non-defective detector element is reproduced.

Abstract: A low-loss fiber optic tap is fabricated by mounting a portion of an optical fiber with epoxy resin along the curved surface of a solid support form. After curing of the epoxy, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber is established by lapping and polishing the device to a carefully controlled depth. A prism having a preferred characteristic angle of 70.degree. is attached to the planar surface along the optical fiber and a photodiode is mounted adjacent thereto. The disclosure teaches how the parameters of the device may be tailored to the specific signal tap requirements of particular fiber optic transmission lines.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding an optical fiber, having both longitudinal and radial adjustment capabilities. The fiber is disposed in a tubular member having an end disc which secures one end of the fiber in an eccentric hole therein. The tubular member is disposed in an eccentric hole of a threaded collet. Relative rotation of the collet with respect to the end disc provides for radial adjustment of the end of the optical fiber. Axial motion of the tubular member within the collet provides for longitudinal adjustment of the fiber. A tapered nut provides for locking capability of the tubular member with respect to the collet. A particular embodiment of the present invention provides a means by which the optical fiber may be adjusted with respect to an optical system to allow optical energy to be focused on the end of the fiber.

Abstract: A system for proportionally navigating an airframe to a target wherein the airframe is maneuvered by an onboard flight control system including body rate gyros for detecting the movement of the airframe relative to a fixed reference. A target sensor is mounted for pivotal movement in the pitch and yaw planes on a gimbal assembly rigidly connected to the airframe body. Mechanisms, such as motor/tachometer/potentiometer assemblies, pivot the sensor in the pitch and yaw planes and provide signals representative of the angular rate of motion and angular position of the sensor. These signals, along with the sensor output, are utilized in a gimbal track loop for pivoting the sensor so that it tracks the target. The outputs of the body rate gyros are utilized to remove or decouple the airframe body motion from the gimbal track loop signal. The system eliminates the need for a costly and complex space stabilized gimballed sensor while offering improved performance over a system utilizing a pure body fixed sensor.

Abstract: A pedestal gimbal drive assembly includes a yoke and a cross shaft mounted for movement about separate orthogonal axes for affording a sensing platform for being driven by differential drive mechanism for sweeping a hemispherical segment. One embodiment of the drive means includes an endless cable drivingly connected by means of two separate reversible motors to a pair of fixed pulleys on the platform and trailed over a plurality of idler pulleys and operative to move the platform in the desired motion. An alternate embodiment includes a driven gear connected to the ring and a pair of bevelled gears connected to the driven gear and connected by link members to the two independent reversible motors.

Abstract: A delivery system for multiple sub-missiles including in the sub-missiles a marking system, a detection system, a diverter for elimination of targets identified by the detector system, a scanner for initial determination of multiple targets, a logic circuit utilizing input from both the diverter and the scanner to eliminate targets and a sub-missile guidance system.

Abstract: A two-piece hinge which is spring biased in both its folded position and in its unfolded or deployed position to provide built-in deployment power for structural members and which is provided with trigger/locking mechanisms which are held in an unlocked position when the hinge and the structural members are in their folded position and which triggers and releases the locking mechanisms to lock the hinge in its unfolded or deployed position for positive locking capability. Two trigger-locking mechanisms are used for redundancy.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly includes an outer arcuate yoke gimbal member mounted on rollers to rotate about its axis and an inner gimbal member includes a platform pivotally mounted in the yoke to rotate about a second axis. Two drive motors are separately and independently connected through independent cable drive assemblies to separate ones of the inner and outer gimbal members and functions either individually or together to rotate the gimbal members selectively or both together in a combination of motion. In one form, the two drive motors are co-axially mounted in the base of the gimbal assembly. In another form the gimbal drive motors are co-axially mounted with the outer housing of one motor forming the drive pulley for the other drive assembly. In another arrangement the motors are disposed on adjacent parallel axes with one drive motor for the inner gimbal having co-axially disposed drive pulleys for the drive cable.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composites are molded and cured in a system using controlled elastomeric tooling to apply molding pressure only after temperature has been increased to a selected point. A composite material to be molded and cured is typically placed between a fixed mold surface and a movable reaction block. A container is mounted on a fixed support behind the block in a manner permitting movement toward the block. The container has an interior base generally parallel to the block and an upstanding edge extending toward the block. A pad of an elastomeric material having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion is retained in the container by the edges. The pad extends beyond the edges into contact with the block. A gap of selected size lies between the pad and the container base. As the assembly is heated during molding, the pad expands into the gap without exerting significant pressure on the block.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic patterns on a dielectric surface such as a radome surface that has a compound curve which includes the steps of coating the radome with a metal and then with a photoresist. An electrical pattern is formed on the photographic emulsion of a thin membrane that is used as a photo mask. A water soluble adhesive, which is non degradable to the exposure and development of the photoresist and the etching of the conductive surface is applied to the metallic surface and the photo mask is pressed into position on the adhesive to conform to the curvature of the radome. The photo mask is removed and the electrical pattern is provided on the surface by conventional developing and etching techniques to provide a clear, well defined pattern even in arrays wherein the pattern segments are of small dimension.

Abstract: A direction finding antenna system including a self-referencing interferometer for determining the direction of a source that emits plane wave radiation. The interferometer includes a slab of dielectric material for passing incident plane waves and for guiding coherent waves excited by the incident plane waves, whereby the guided waves interfere with the incident plane waves passing through the slab to form intensity fringe patterns, wherein the fringe spacing in a given dimension along the non-incident surface of the slab equals 2.pi.(K.sub.g -K.sub.o sin .theta.).sup.-1, wherein K.sub.g is the propagation constant of the dielectric material, K.sub.o is the propagation constant of free space, and .theta. is the angle between the normal to the incident surface of the slab and the direction of the incident plane waves.

Abstract: A passive system and method for enabling the display of an image of the location of emitters of electromagnetic radiation that is effective in the lower portion of the HF band. The system essentially includes an array of antennas for receiving electromagnetic radiation from emitters, and for providing a received signal from each emitter in response to the received radiation; a receiver system coupled to each antenna of the array for measuring the phase and intensity of each received signal, and for providing separate coherent phase signals and amplitude signals that respectively indicate the measured phase and intensity; and a signal processor coupled to the receiver system for processing the coherent phase signals and amplitude signals to provide an image signal for generating an image of the emitters. A display device, such as a cathode ray tube or a graph plotter, is coupled to the signal processor for displaying the image of the location of the emitters in response to the image signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable panel and truss structure capable of being stowed in a storage container (canister) for transportation into space and deployed to form structures such as antennas, solar panels or similar space or terrestial structures. The antenna formed comprises the panels stored as hinged pairs (sets) folded in accordian-like fashion together with the expandable trusses and other devices necessary for antenna space operation, such as attitude control and antenna feed. The panel sets are deployed from the canister to form a toroidal ring, circular in cross-section when deployed, for supporting the antenna lens and to form a feed support boom utilizing the canister as part of the antenna structure. The canister is connected to the ring and support boom in the deployed state by the expandable trusses. A fully automatic system is included for deploying the antenna and for holding the antenna structure in its deployed state.

Abstract: A circuit which performs regulator or limiter functions at current and voltage levels below the operating ranges of conventional zener diodes. The output of an op amp is connected through a diode to a main input terminal which may be connected between a power source and one end of a load resistor. A first current limiting resistor connects the main input terminal to the inverting input of the op amp. A second current limiting resistor connects the non-inverting input of the op amp to the wiper terminal of a potentiometer which permits adjustment of a simulated zener voltage V.sub.z. A pair of supply voltage terminals of the op amp are connected to voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.ee, respectively. A pair of fixed terminals of the potentiometer are also connected to voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.ee, respectively. The simulated zener voltage V.sub.z may be positive or negative, and may be adjusted to any value within limits determined by voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.

Abstract: A method of detecting and analyzing normal zones in a superconducting coil which involves generating a signal representative of the real power dissipated within the superconducting coil after the background noise and transient conditions within the coil have been accounted for. The power signal is integrated with respect to time to provide a signal proportional to the total energy dissipated within the superconductor which is then compared against a critical reference signal so that a quench signal is generated to immediately disconnect the superconducting coil when the reference signal is exceeded and to allow the coil to discharge its energy into an external device to prevent coil damage. An exemplary circuit for implementing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing liner of flexible material such as Teflon has a downwardly tapering side wall which is positioned over a header. A case is positioned over the liner, and the top of the case is moved into engagement with the top of the liner to capture the tapered side wall of the liner between the side walls of the header and the case to provide a tight cold flow seal so that small particles working loose from the case cannot reach the header.

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.