Abstract: There is disclosed a night vision imaging system for mounting on a helmet. The helmet contains a visor having a slot into which is inserted a helmet mount assembly which can be vertically adjusted within the slot by means of a control mechanism including a rotatable knob. The mount assembly is an arcuate planar member conforming to the surface of the helmet and contains two "U" shaped receptacles for receiving two pivots located on a central fork support frame. The fork frame has two adjacent tines which are secured within two slots contained in a gear box. Coupled to the gear box are right and left carriage assemblies which interface with the gear box by means of a first threaded shaft to afford eye relief adjustment and a second rod assembly to afford tilt adjustment. Each carriage assembly is symmetrically positioned on the right and left sides of the gear box assembly and are coupled to a first and a second unity power image intensifier telescope housing containing an image intensifier tube.

Abstract: The asynchronous integrated voice and data communication system includes a continuously variable slope delta encoder and a continuously variable slope delta decoder to convert voice signals to coded signals and vice versa. A packetizer and a depacketizer are employed with each data and voice user to enable each of the plurality of data and voice users to have random access to a fiber optic transmission medium enabling each of the plurality of data and voice users to receive transmissions from all others of the plurality of users. A microcomputer is coupled to each of the voice and data users and the associated packetizer and depacketizer to enable any one of the plurality of data and voice users to establish communication with any other selected one of the plurality of data and voice users.

Abstract: In a fiber optic connector element two or more fiber optic cables are each terminated in a ferrule whose end contains a beam expanding lens. The ferrules are tapered and each of them fits into a correspondingly tapered hole in an insert within the body of the connector element. The ends of the ferrules are substantially in the same plane and are adjacent to a transparent window which is mounted in a bezel surrounding the insert. When two such connector elements are mated, their windows are close to each other and parallel to each other, and each ferrule in one element is optically aligned with a ferrule in the other element. The casings and bodies of the connector elements may be constructed hermaphroditically.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing the relative position of components within an automotive seat track mechanism. Such mechanisms are conventionally powered by electric motor drive, such as a motor with multiple armatures or by using separate motors mounted on a unitary platform or by using clutch activated members driven by a single motor. The output of the motor drive is transmitted through respective gearing to lead screws or rack and pinions within or adjacent to the tracking structures at both sides of the seat to translate the seat horizontally. The motor drive output is also transmitted to operate individual lead screws or rack and pinions within or adjacent one structure for the vertical seat movements. The motor mount is secured to the tracking structure at one side of the seat. A simple light weight holding rod secures the motor mount to the opposed side structure to produce a rigid, yet readily detachable motor mount.

Abstract: A clamp is disclosed for a fiber optic cable having metal strength members. The strength members are fed through axial slots in the forward end of an inner sleeve of the clamp and are wound helically around the inner sleeve. Thereafter an outer sleeve is crimped around the helically wound portions of the strength members and the inner sleeve to tightly secure the strength members to the sleeve.

Abstract: A tool for driving nails into hard surfaces wherein the driving power is provided by cartridges of explosive powder. A safety guard on the front end of the tool is retained on the barrel of the tool by a threaded nut. A retention member is provided for preventing the nut from loosening during operation of the tool, yet which allows the nut to be removed when desired for disassembly of the tool.

Abstract: The disclosure is drawn to a statc pressure unit having a circular dividing fitting with two silicon strain gauges glass bonded thereto. The strain gauges are located to place one strain gauge in tension and one in compression when the fitting is pressurized. One of two embodiments may be employed. In either case, one strain gauge is positioned in tension symmetrically across the center of the fitting. The other strain gauge is placed so that it is in compression.

Abstract: Airborne Tacan equipment includes a receiver to receive Tacan signals and to provide an output signal having modulation components containing bearing information. The receiver includes a logarithmic amplifier to preserve the amplitude modulation of the modulation components and to enable operation on input signals having large amplitude variations. An arrangement is coupled to the receiver to at least partially compensate for the non-linearity of the logarithmic amplifier prior to extraction of the bearing information.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the space between the outside of the socket and the reflector of an outdoor luminaire of the type having its lamp on a substantially horizontal axis. The reflector has an elongated oblong opening through which the socket projects, the oblong shape of the opening enabling setting the mounting height of the cylindrical socket. The space between the socket and reflector must be sealed to prevent insects, dust and dirt from entering the reflector. A sealing plate with an opening larger than the area of the socket circular section resiliently grips the reflector and compresses a gasket liner peripherally enclosing the reflector opening. Adhered to the plate is a second gasket which yieldably engages the outer wall of the socket with an interference fit and completes the sealing action. The resilient gripping of the reflector by the plate is accomplished by two stepped ears on the sealing plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for providing call clearance in a packet-switched data communications system. The apparatus disclosed detects the request of an originating terminal to end a call and delays the request for a predetermined calculated time period. The period is determined according to the length of the message being transmitted, the number and type of transmission links being traversed and the speed of transmission of the sending and receiving terminals. At the termination of this period the apparatus issues a normal clear request which then disconnects the connection while assuring that any data which may have been delayed reaches the destination terminal.

Abstract: A tubular formation of particulate optical material is formed by a layer slurry deposition process which involves spraying layer after layer of slurry containing particles of the optical material onto a rotating rod-shaped bait. The composition of the slurry and particularly the index of refraction of the optical material may be varied from one layer to another or from one group of layers to another to obtain a graded or stepped refraction index profile in the formation, in an optical preform formed therefrom, and ultimately in the fiber drawn from the optical preform. The particles of the slurry are suspended in a liquid vehicle which evaporates in the spray stream or shortly after deposition, and are coated with an organic binder which holds them together in the layer and in the formation, so that the formation is self-supporting. Then, the organic binder is removed and the formation is sintered, followed by a collapse of the sintered tubular formation into the optical preform in the form of a solid rod.

Abstract: Reactor apparatus for use with a gaseous plasma includes a grounded electrode in contact with the plasma. The electrode includes one or more bores in which plasma jets form.

Abstract: A vacuum switch which is air operated and which has low contact capacitance, low inductance and low DC resistance. The switch has two fixed contacts and a moveable contact, the moveable contact being insulated from the moveable end structure to minimize coupling capacity between the two fixed contacts. A portion of the fixed contact support structure is cut away to minimize capacitance between the support structure and between the support structure and a ceramic body which is part of the switch vacuum envelope, the ceramic body insulating the contacts and the metal portions of the envelope.

Abstract: In order to provide a high power heat source having a very clean and invariable heat flux, a ring plasma is induced in a heating zone of a plasma torch including a plurality of coaxial tubular elements and the optical fiber is drawn through a channel passing axially through the center of the plasma torch and of the ring-shaped plasma. In this manner the preform from which the fiber is drawn can be placed in close proximity to the induced plasma without exposure to non-symmetrical temperature variations. Cooling gas passes through the heating zone either in an annular stream surrounding the plasma or in an annular stream passing through the center of the plasma around the preform and the fiber being drawn, or both. The heating zone is protected from environmental disturbances by an extension of the outer tubular element of the plasma torch which surrounds the heating zone.

Abstract: Hydroxyl free deposition with high efficiency and at a high deposition rate may be achieved, even with use of relatively inexpensive raw materials, by utilizing a ring-shaped plasma activated axial chemical vapor deposition obtaining 100% chemical conversion and fractional volatilization of impurities. The plasma is induced in an annular stream of a plasma-forming gaseous medium, and the reactant or reactants used in the axial chemical vapor deposition are introduced into the center of the ring-shaped plasma to be converted by the heat of the plasma flame into soot which is deposited on a bait. An annular stream of a cooling medium flows outwardly past the plasma flame and is circumferentially centered by an extension of the outer tubular element of a plasma torch in which the plasma is generated. An RF generator which induces the plasma is operated at a frequency exceeding 20 MHz to give the plasma flame the desired ring-sloped configuration.

Abstract: A dynamically programmable processing element (DPPE) is disclosed which element has the utility in a digital processing system which requires complicated arithmetic procedures to be implemented. The DPPE device is a special purpose computer which essentially has a program bus for transmitting and receiving program data from an external source. A data bus is also provided which bus can transmit or receive digital data. Coupled between the buses are input and output registers or buffers which are capable of storing transmitted or received data propagating on either of said buses. A program memory has an input coupled to said program bus and means coupling the output of the program memory to the program bus. A data memory has an addressable input means coupled to the program bus and an output coupled to the data bus.

Abstract: A Delta-Sigma .DELTA..SIGMA. modulator for one-bit analog to digital conversion of a signal, such as a telephone voice channel switch to digital form is disclosed. The circuit incorporates integration operative as low-pass filtering. The voice signal is sampled at a rate high compared to the highest voice channel frequency component. Sampled instantaneous signal values are integrated, re-sampled and again integrated to reduce encoding noise. Finally, a bi-level sense identifying circuit links the second integrator output to a D type flip-flop providing the one-bit encoded output.The sampling and integrator control is effected by switching in a capacitor charge shifting arrangement under clock control and feedback is applied as a capacitor switching program modifications.

Abstract: A triangulated rib structure including first, second and third sets of "egg-crate" interlocking ribs. The first set is oriented in a predetermined direction such as the horizontal or vertical coordinate, and the second and third sets are oriented at angles of first and second senses, respectively, thereby forming triangulated spaces which are inherently rigid. The individual ribs have edges falling adjacent to a desired overall reflector surface, each of these being precut before assembly to provide the required line of curvature as a function of the individual ribs placement. Each rib is itself a planar piece, and the "egg-crate" interlocking slot joints may be stabilized with one or more seam welds. A conductive mesh forming the actual contoured reflector surface is conformed to the desired contoured shape and affixed as by tack-welding to the edges of the ribs adjacent the contoured surface.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly for a card file packaging system is disclosed that includes a flat flexible dielectric member having printed conductors disposed thereon patterned to form a printed circuit and a single piece rigid molded dielectric member to which the flexible member is secured for support with the molded member having molded therein at least holes to support leads of the electrical components and, hence, the components themselves of the printed circuit and to enable connection of the leads of the electrical components to the printed conductors on the flexible member, slides for tracks of the card file system and electrical connectors to connect the printed circuit assembly to the card file system.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a telecommunications system including a digital switching network is controlled via a plurality of data processors. Each of the distributed data processors has a unique address and has diagnostic data stored therein for use in performing diagnostics in the switching network. The switching network includes digital switching elements, each having bidirectional ports for receiving and transmitting digital signals, and each of the bidirectional ports also having a unique address in the network. Diagnostic paths are established under processor control between the digital switching elements and the data processors.