Abstract: A survivability enhancement air vehicle adapted to be air launched from a launching aircraft has a fuselage with a top half and a bottom half separable from the top half. A first stage rocket constitutes the bottom half of the fuselage and a second stage rocket and associated avionics constitute the top half of the fuselage. Gull wings are rotatably mounted on the top half of the fuselage for rotation from a stowed position next adjacent the top half to an extended position substantially 90 degrees toward the bottom half upon being air launched. A separation device in the fuselage separates and drops the bottom half of the fuselage from the top half upon burnout of the first stage rocket. A control system in the top half of the fuselage controls the air vehicle in flight either from the launching aircraft or autonomously, whereby the air vehicle may be used to protect the launching aircraft in a hostile environment.

Abstract: A folding wing assembly for use on an aircraft is disclosed. The folding wing assembly includes inboard and outboard wing sections which are pivotally interconnected such that the outboard wing section may pivot between folded and unfolded positions. A fairing unit is further pivotally interconnected to both the wing sections and extends chordwise across the wing assembly. The fairing unit is provided with a seal extending chordwise across an inner spanwise end of the fairing. The seat is adapted to engage the underside of a sealing flange attached to the upper surface of the inboard wing section. The other spanwise end of the fairing is adapted to engage a seal carried by the outboard wing section when the outboard wing section is in its fully unfolded position.

Abstract: A reusable silicone vacuum bag is manufactured by making a silicone vacuum bag envelope having peripheral edges. The bag envelope is spread so that the peripheral edges frame the envelope. FEP is bonded to an area bordering the peripheral edges. The bag envelope is folded over on itself at the peripheral edges. Edge sealing tape is applied to the FEP in the area bordering the peripheral edges and covering the peripheral edges with the tape.

Abstract: Portable antenna test apparatus has a test set positioned a determined distance from a number of antennas of an aircraft. A transmitting module of the test set contains low frequency, mid frequency, and high frequency antennas connected to a radio receiver and power amplifier in and of the test set for receiving control commands and for transmitting a number of simultaneous test signals to the number of antennas in the aircraft. A signal generator produces low frequency, mid frequency and high frequency signals. A hand-held computer is connected to a communications radio in and of the aircraft via a radio interface adapter of the hand-held computer and a control computer is connected to the signal generator. The hand-held computer transmits commands via the aircraft radio, which commands are received by the receiver in the transmitting module. This receiver conveys the commands to the control computer which then programs the signal generator.

Abstract: A fiber optic transmitter/receiver module used for controlling multi-axis beam steering of each individual radiating element in a phased array antenna and which is an integral part of a reconfigurable fiber optic corporate feed concept. In the receive mode of operation an incoming signal is captured, amplified and converted into the light domain by means of optical heterodyning. The relative phase and amplitude of the signal would be controlled by optically adjusting the amplitude and phase of a local oscillator. The local oscillator is sent to each fiber optic transmitter/receiver module. In the transmit mode of operation a signal for transmission which is in the light domain is down converted into the electromagnetic domain using optical mixing techniques. Once again, the relative phase and amplitude of the transmission signal would be controlled by the local oscillator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a video display that is especially useful in an article handling system to help control a mechanical arm to move an article into a selected position. A video camera is operated to produce a picture of the article on a video screen. At the same time, force sensor are used to measure forces on the article, and a graphical display of those sensed forces is produced on the view of the article on the video screen.

Abstract: A three-dimensional computer image variable perspective display system provides for the real-time perspective control of a three-dimensional computer generated image controlled by the head movements of a computer operator viewing the image. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitter module worn on the head of the computer operator, a set of ultrasonic receivers mounted on or near the computer display monitor, and a computer interface unit. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits sound waves towards the display monitor which are detected by the ultrasonic receivers and processed by the computer interface unit. The computer interface unit calculates the elapsed times between the transmission and reception of the sound waves and converts this information into digital data words. The quantative magnitude of these data words represent in direct proportion, the instantaneous distance between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receivers.

Abstract: A first surface of a prepreg laminate is positioned against a female mold surface. An inflatable bladder is positioned against an opposite surface. A vacuum bag encloses the mold laminate and bag and they are placed in an autoclave. The bladder is inflated to cause the laminate to conform closely to the female mold surface.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging receiver system for producing high resolution images of the foot and ankle regions of a human subject. The magnetic resonance imaging receiver comprises an antenna for receiving resonance signals produced by a magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency excitation magnetic apparatus, a free standing foot cradle assembly for supporting and rigidly holding the foot and ankle of the subject, and a tuning/impedance matching circuit for providing for the maximum transfer of radio frequency energy from the antenna to the receiver unit in the magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency excitation magnet apparatus. The system utilizes fixed local coils which operate in the receive only mode for receiving electromagnetic signals from resonating nuclei produced by a whole body MRI scanner system or the like to produce high quality images.

Abstract: A stacked Yagi phased array is located within a foil-shaped enclosure that is connected to a rotary joint which allows rotation of the antenna over 360.degree. in azimuth. The radar is normally stored within the equipment bay of an aircraft and is deployed therefrom when radar surveillance by the aircraft is desired. When the antenna is stored, aircraft drag is reduced and radar signature is low. The combination of mechanical and electronic scan permits increased search in critical sectors of interest and allows skipping of other sectors. The rotary joint of the invention requires no RF power or analog signals to pass through it.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of a surface such as a drilled fastener hole of the type used in the aerospace industry includes a borescope having an integral stress inducer at one end for inducing stress directly in the surface to be evaluated. A holographic image of the surface is captured by directing a coherent radiation beam off the surface and shearing and recombining the reflected beam in a shearing interferometer. Inducement of stress and capture of the holographic images is synchronized by capturing the images at a frequency which is synchronized with the frequency of the induced stress wave in the surface, thus permitting overlapping of maximally stressed and unstressed images, and thereby eliminating the blurring which previously limited the application of holographic interferometry techniques in this context.

Abstract: A process for forming a keeper bar upon TAB tape leads for maintaining position of the leads during excise and form operations, integrated circuit placement, and lead bonding, utilizes the steps of immersing TAB tape into a bath of ultraviolet curable resin; directing ultraviolet radiation onto the TAB tape at location(s) where keeper bars are desired, so as to cure the resin to define the keeper bars; washing away uncured resin; and drying the TAB tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid from an air liquid separator is disclosed having a rotatable chamber in communication with the liquid collecting portion of the air-liquid separator such that liquid from the separator may enter the interior of the chamber. A drive motor is associated with the chamber to rotate the chamber such that water collects on the interior of a peripheral wall. A pitot tube extends into the interior of the chamber and has an inlet end adjacent to the inside of the peripheral wall such that water may enter the tubes as the chamber rotates. The other end of the pitot tube extends exteriorly of the apparatus. Rotation of the chamber will cause water to enter the pitot tube and pass through the tube to the exterior of the device.

Abstract: A self-contained spray painting system includes a spray gun for spraying paint under pressure, and a spherically shaped paint container attached to the spray gun for holding a quantity of paint to be sprayed. A flexible pick-up extends into the container and includes a weighted head that moves along an inner surface of the container and remains at the lowest point thereof as the container is moved through different orientations, whereby the pick-up remains immersed in paint in the container. The weighted head also functions to mix the paint as the container is moved through different orientations during use. An external purge system is connected with the paint inlet of the gun and is selectively operable to supply air under pressure through the paint inlet and nozzle to clean paint residue and other foreign matter from the gun at the conclusion of a painting operation.

Abstract: A system for identifying and determining the orientation and location of multiple objects includes a camera and a mechanism for permitting the camera to scan a scene containing the objects. Objects in the moving scene are identified by optical filtering. Filters representing each of the objects to be identified are stored in a digital image memory, from which they are retrieved as needed, Fourier transformed, and loaded into a spatial light modulator to form a matched filter for an input image modulated and transformed laser beam.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in a hydraulic circuit is disclosed which includes a passive gas separating medium to separate gas from the hydraulic fluid as it circulates through the reservoir. The gas separating medium, which may be a membrane-type diffuser, is permeable to air, but not hydraulic fluid. This allows entrained air to diffuse through the membrane element after which it may be expelled to the atmosphere. The membrane diffuser is located within the reservoir housing in a low-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit in a space between spaced apart double walls of the reservoir such that hydraulic fluid returning to the reservoir must first pass through the membrane. The membrane may have several concentric or spiral layers, depending upon the capacity of the circuit. Gas separated from the hydraulic fluid is withdrawn from the membrane diffuser structure and may be vented to atmosphere through a valve associated with the reservoir housing.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband transverse electromagnetic (TEM) exponential antenna in which the radiating or receiving structure comprises first and second elongated conductors have a feed end comprising first and second narrow conductor strips. At an opposite radiating or receiving end, the widths of the first and second conductors expand exponentially in the H-plane, and the spacing between the first and second conductors expands exponentially in the E-plane, thereby providing a double flared, exponentially tapered, transverse electromagnetic horn antenna. Two TEM horn design embodiments are described herein and differ only in the lauching device by which the radiating structure is fed, which converts an input unbalanced transverse electromagnetic wave into a balanced transverse electromagnetic wave. A first preferred embodiment employs a stripline infinite balun as a launching device, while a second embodiment employs a cavity backed waveguide as a launching device.

Abstract: A portable eyeflushing device is disclosed having bladders which store an eyeflushing fluid. The bladders are attached to a mask that may be easily placed on a user so as to cover or enclose the user's eyes. A strap on the mask attaches the device to the user's head such that it is retained in position without the necessity of holding it in position. The bladders have tear strips on a portion extending internally of the mask which are connected to pull cords extending to the exterior of the mask and which may be manually grasped and pulled to tear the strips away from the bladder. This opens the bladders and allows the eyeflushing fluid to be dispensed from the bladders into the interior of the mask and into the user's eye. A nose piece on the interior of the mask prevents eyeflushing fluid on one side of the mask from passing to the other side of the mask and thereby prevents contamination of the user's other eye. A pair of digit covers extend outwardly from the sides of the mask.

Abstract: Measurement of the transfer function of a space fed lens array antenna membrane is achieved by utilizing a low power test illumination antenna opposite the feed side, while a probe antenna undergoes raster scanning of a test window on an opposite target side. The probe antenna measures near field distribution on the target side and data developed enables the transfer function of the membrane to be measured.

Abstract: An aviator suit is provided with a sewn-on channel of hook and eye material which encloses an elongated line that extends to a floor bracket by a shear fastener. The enclosed line prevents snagging on objects within a cockpit and becomes easily removed when the VELCRO gives way during ejection when forces are exerted upon the enclosed channel line. A simplified snubber plug is releasably clamped to the aviator's seat and becomes released after the aviator has cleared a cockpit.