Abstract: A steering rate sensing device for rolling air frames includes a base member for attachment to the air frame, a magnetic member fixed to the base member, and a pick up coil pivotally mounted to the base in close proximity to the magnet such that movement of the coil relative to the magnet generates a signal proportional to the steering rate of the rotating body.

Abstract: A steering rate sensing device for use in the control of a rotating air frame comprises a base member adapted to be secured to the frame for rotation therewith about its rotary axis, a magnetic member pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the rotary axis and a coil encircling the magnetic body for sensing and picking up a signal induced by relative angular movement of the magnetic member with the coil. The device responds to gyroscopic effect induced by rotation thereof upon movement of the air frame from its axial orientation to cause the magnetic member to move relative to the sensing coil for generating a signal.

Abstract: A laminated, multi-layer armor construction is disclosed as a means of defeating armor piercing projectiles.

Abstract: A two-piece skirt is disclosed for supporting a tank in the hull of a ship. One skirt portion carries a trough, and the edge of the other skirt portion extends into the trough but is spaced from contact therewith. The trough is filled with a hardenable material, preferably of low thermoconductivity, which upon hardening structurally joins the two skirt portions. If the tank carries liquefied gas, the joint effectively thermally insulates it from the hull.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a ship in relation to predetermined positions on the ocean floor is disclosed. A plurality of first acoustic addressable transponders and a plurality of second acoustic addressable transponders are respectively located at first and second sets of predetermined positions on the ocean floor. Each of the acoustic transponders transmits an acoustic ranging response and identification signal in response to receipt of an acoustic ranging interrogation signal. First and second buoy communications systems are located on first and second buoys respectively moored to the ocean floor in the vicinity of the first and second pluralities of acoustic transponders.

Abstract: A liquid-transporting cargo ship has a hull which supports a main deck and several cargo tanks which extend above the main deck. A generally hemispherical cover surrounds the above-deck portion of each tank. The cover is formed of at least three self-supporting metal plating subsections, each of which is connected along its bottom edge to the main deck and along its lateral edges to a meridonal expansion member which is generally tubular in cross section. For cargo tanks designed to carry cryogenic liquid, the cover is made gastight, and an inert atmosphere is maintained in surrounding relation to each cargo tank.

Abstract: A marine container for holding liquefied gas wherein a metal tank having the general shape of a surface of revolution is designed to contain a liquefied gas by maintaining a low temperature therewithin via a surrounding thermal insulation barrier. A first layer of foamed polymeric panels, each having a predetermined hole pattern, are supported by studs affixed to said exterior surface and extending into the holes. Fibrous insulation fills the remainder of the holes and the joints between the edges of adjacent panels. Heat-insulating posts extend outward from the studs and support a layer of fibrous insulation and a third layer of foamed polymeric panels having an offset hole pattern. Fasteners secure the third layer panels upon the posts. Insulating material is foamed in situ through apertures in the fasteners to fill the holes around the posts.

Abstract: A system is described for transmission, storage (as by recording) and for multiplexing of both digital and analog information. The recording system includes apparatus for converting analog information into digital information having a predetermined format. Each track of the recording apparatus receives a series of encoded format words containing a plurality of ternary NRZ pulses, each represented by any one of three voltage levels; positive, negative or zero volts during a bit interval, such that the average level of each word is zero volts. The spectrum of a signal composed of a serial sequence of these format words is capable of being recorded on a magnetic tape recording track with a much higher pulse packing density than heretofore possible with conventional NRZ or other binary recording techniques.

Abstract: A beacon receiver or IFF system in which the gain of the receiver is time varied to enhance the discrimination between response from transponders located ahead of the interrogator as compared with the responses from transponders in the side or rear lobe regions of the interrogator antenna pattern. The system is employed with a directional antenna and signal processing apparatus giving sum .SIGMA. and difference .DELTA. channels. In accordance with this invention, the gain of the receiver in the sum .SIGMA. channel is increased from the minimum value to a maximum value beginning after the end of interrogation pulse. The difference .DELTA. channel is varied in gain from the time in the beginning after the end of the interrogator pulse but the gain is varied inversely from the maximum level at the beginning of reception to a maximum level at the end of reception.

Abstract: A high accuracy broadband antenna system is disclosed. This system is a dual mode system which includes a parabolic reflector dish having a dielectric substrate and a conductive material coating on the substrate; an antenna feed positioned at the focus of the paraboloid and directed at the reflector dish for providing a narrow beam monopulse radiation pattern; and a circuit for coupling energy to and/or from the antenna feed. The conductive material coating on the reflector dish substrate defines a plurality of conductive spiral arms for providing a wide beam monopulse radiation pattern; and the antenna system further includes structure defining a cavity for backing the conductive spiral arms and a circuit for coupling energy to and/or from the conductive spiral arms, whereby the parabolic reflector dish is operable as a primary antenna providing a wide beam radiation pattern.

Abstract: A solid state power combining apparatus for use in a microwave transmission system. The apparatus includes a distributed amplifier having an input transmission line, an output transmission line, and a plurality of amplifiers connected between the input and output transmission lines at quarter wavelength intervals. The phase relationship between the traveling waves placed on the output transmission line from the amplifiers is such that the waves placed on the output transmission line by the amplifiers in the direction toward an output terminal add and the waves placed on the output transmission line by adjacent amplifiers in the direction away from the output terminal cancel each other.Also, a solid state power combining apparatus wherein a plurality of oscillators are connected between input and output transmission lines at quarter wavelength intervals.

Abstract: A boresighting antenna for receiving signals within a given frequency band is covered by a radome having a wall including dielectric material. Boresight error compensation is provided by one or more pairs of perforated metal plates. Each plate has a dielectric material thereon. The plates of each pair are positioned symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the radome forward of the antenna in the radome in the direction from which the signals are received, and are tilted forward toward the radome axis from the interior wall of the radome at such an angle as to provide a phase lag in frequency components of the received signal at the high end of the given frequency band and a phase lead in frequency components of the received signal at the low end of the given frequency band.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for joining, compacting and thermo-mechanically processing materials under controlled application of heat and evenly distributed mechanical pressure in a vacuum or inert gas environment, having particular usefulness in diffusion bonding, powder metallurgy, vacuum brazing and materials treatment. One or more workpieces or materials are pressed, joined, formed or treated by placing them in a reusable or permanent type, closable chamber having a movable wall portion, the same and/or other wall portions having a bellows construction.

Abstract: A single channel monopulse radar system including an antenna for transmitting and receiving pulsed radar signals; an arithmetic matrix for providing a pulsed sum information signal, a pulsed azimuth difference information signal and a pulsed elevation difference information signal in response to the pulsed radar signals transmitted and received by the antenna, wherein said information signals are RF signals; an azimuth phase comparator for comparing the sum signal to the azimuth difference signal to provide an azimuth angle error signal; and an elevation phase comparator for comparing the sum signal to the elevation difference signal to provide an elevation angle error signal. An RF delay line separately delays the pulsed sum and difference information signals so as to provide a multiplexed signal in which the three pulsed information signals appear serially and are closely spaced in time. A mixer converts the multiplexed signal from an RF signal to an IF signal.

Abstract: A system for optically dividing an incident beam into segments and processing it through optics with obscurations, while maintaining the full power of the incident beam. The system utilizes a combination of mirror sets with the processing optics. The mirror sets incorporate spaced parallel reflecting surfaces nominally oriented at 45.degree. to the incident beam. The processing optics are of the type with optical member support structure, or obscuring secondary mirrors. The distance along the incident beam axis that the two surfaces of the mirror sets are separated determines the separation between the beam halves reflected from the first mirror set, and the beam quadrants reflected from the second mirror set. This is spaced to miss the structure or secondary obscuration.

Abstract: An improved photoconductive sensor is provided which includes a substrate of calcium fluoride or barium fluoride in monocrystalline form upon which has been sputtered under controlled conditions a thin unannealed monocrystalline film having the formula Pb.sub.1-x Sn.sub.x Te where x = about 0-0.3. The conditions under which the film is deposited are controlled so that the film exhibits a cutoff wavelength between about 6.mu.m and about 15.mu.m, a photoconductive responsivity which may be as high as up to about 10.sup.3 V/watt at 77.degree. K and a detectivity peak value which may be as high as up to about 1.5 .times. 10.sup.10 cm-Hz.sup.1/2 /watt at frequencies above the 1/f noise frequency. The film also exhibits a fast response time of less than about 100 nanoseconds and is usually present in a thickness, for example about 1-2.mu.m, corresponding to high quantum efficiency and minimal contribution of unexcited film to detector noise.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a layer of low density foam of uniform thickness on a surface is disclosed. A plurality of upstanding studs spaced across the surface to be coated support a taut screen at a selected height above the surface. An applicator applies liquid, self-rising foam material in a uniform manner to said surface through said screen. As the foam rises, it penetrates through the screen, leaving irregular projections above the screen. After the foam cures to at least a self-sustaining state, the screen is stripped away, leaving a uniform foam layer. Since the screen offers very little resistance to the rising foam, the resulting foam layer has a very uniform low density, highly desirable for thermal insulation application.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously coating a large surface with a foam layer having uniform low density and uniform thickness. The coating apparatus is positioned adjacent to the surface to be coated, with the surface movable past the apparatus in a direction substantially in the plane of the surface. The coating apparatus includes a plurality of self-rising foamable liquid application means for continuously applying the liquid to the surface. Immediately downstream, a screen positioning means moves a screen substantially parallel to the surface without relative motion therebetween. As the foam rises, it penetrates slightly through the screen and cures to a self-sustaining state. A rotatable brush then engages the upper surface of the screen to abrade and comminute the excess foam extending through the screen. Further means are provided to remove the comminuted excess foam and to lift the screen and any remaining excess foam away from the surface of the resulting uniform foam layer.

Abstract: A cradle for supporting a space vehicle such as an upper stage in a reusable launch vehicle (such as a space shuttle orbiter) cargo bay. The cradle includes means for supporting the space vehicle and any satellite attached thereto against launch loads and against abort landing loads. The cradle consists of two radial sections of a tube which, when closed, surrounds the space vehicle. One section is secured within the cargo bay. The second section is latched to the first edge of the second section and is hinged along the second edge. When the cargo bay doors are opened, the space vehicle is deployed by unlatching said latch and activating a first actuation means to rotate the second section about the hinge to move the second section outwardly of the cargo bay. A deployment probe connects the space vehicle to the second section.

Abstract: A resuable portable wind indicator comprises a central body member having four elongated arms extending radially outward therefrom at equal angles of 120 degrees from adjacent arms and connected to the central body member by coil springs, with each arm including a ribbon or the like at the outer end thereof. The outwardly extending arms can be folded up in one direction for packaging in a small container and, when released from an aircraft or the like, will spring outward such that when the indicator lands one arm will be extended in the upward direction such that the ribbon or flag on the end thereof will be blown by the wind in the direction of the wind. The radial arms are mounted by means of coil springs through a central body which may either consist of a spherical member with radial bores for threadably receiving the springs, or a radially extending plurality of studs for threadably receiving the coil springs.