Abstract: A crossed-field amplifier is provided having a cathode structure with an emitting surface which emits secondary electrons upon impingement of priming electrons, an anode vane structure surrounding the cathode and a signal input port located adjacent the anode vanes. A secondary emission material is disposed in an area proximate the signal input port for providing priming electrons in the interaction region of the amplifier. The RF input signal causes the secondary emission material to emit priming electrons for use by the cathode structure. The creation of priming electrons in the interaction area reduces irregular start-up or "jitter" typically experienced with the amplifier at low pulse repetition frequencies.

Abstract: A ceramic oxygen generator is described which is capable of modular construction to permit the oxygen generation capacity to be expanded. An ionically conducted ceramic electrolyte is formed into a series of rows and columns of tubes on a tube support member and like electrolyte bodies can be connected together to form a manifold therebetween for oxygen produced in the interiors of the rubes. An electrical connection between tubes is formed such that the anodes and cathodes of tubes in a column are connected in parallel while the tubes in the row are, respectively, connected anode to cathode to form a series connection.

Abstract: A sensor coil for a fiber optic gyroscope includes fiber with an inner jacket of predetermined composition for reducing the effects of temperature-change-induced optical length asymmetry upon bias stability. Filler material of predetermined composition is combined with silicone and deposited upon the glass fiber, forming an inner jacket. The composition of the inner jacket is adjusted to thereby effect the Poisson ratio of the inner jacket and thereby reduce the isotropic thermally-induced pressure within the wound coil resulting in reduced temperature-induced optical length asymmetry and improved bias stability.

Abstract: A stationary pick-up element for use with a rotary connector having a wire rotary element within a housing. The pick-up element comprises an insulated holder for insertion into a slot in the housing, a plurality of conductive fingers incorporated into the holder and disposed so as to contact the rotary element through an exposed portion of the slot, and end connector incorporated into the holder for connection to a plurality of external wires, and a plurality of conductive traces on the insulated holder for connecting the conductive fingers to the end connector.

Abstract: A system for performing high resolution measurement of frequency variations in multimode fiber laser acoustic sensors having an end-pumped active fiber sensor emitting a plurality of lasing modes, wherein precise frequencies of the lasing modes emitted are dependent upon a strain acting on said acoustic sensor. An optical fiber is connected to the active fiber sensor for transmitting the lasing modes. The optical fiber transmits the multiple lasing modes to an optical amplifier fiber where the lasing mode signals are amplified. The amplified lasing modes signals are then fed through a phase modulator connected to the optical fiber for applying a phase generated carrier on the lasing mode signals.

Abstract: The Radar Scan Converter System (1) receives range and azimuth data generated by a conventional radar as presented in a polar coordinate system, (2) stores this data in associated cell locations in a range/azimuth polar video map, and (3) displays this polar coordinate range/azimuth data in a Cartesian coordinate system, in real time, on a conventional computer monitor having a rectangular display formed by a relatively large number of pixels organized in the Cartesian coordinate system. Each pixel in the display is sequentially update by (1) selecting a respective pixel address, (2) determining the corresponding range/azimuth cell address in the polar video map, (3) reading the video level in this corresponding range/azimuth cell, and (4) in response to this associated video level, either initially loading or subsequently updating the selected pixel.

Abstract: A coaxial connector is disclosed having a selectively plated plastic body and a metallic centre contact which is press fit into an unplated portion of the dielectric body. The dielectric body achieves electrical isolation between the plated ground plane formed by the body and the centre conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing oxygen-enriched air at a first pressure and at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a pressure swing adsorption system and a pressure intensifier. The pressure swing adsorption system for enriching the oxygen content of air has a pressure of at least the first pressure. The pressure swing adsorption system is adapted to provide oxygen-enriched air to a first outlet at the first pressure and to provide oxygen-enriched air to a pressure intensifier at the first pressure. The pressure intensifier pressurizes the oxygen-enriched air and provides the oxygen-enriched air to a second outlet at the second pressure.

Abstract: A method of controlling an oxygen concentrator having a first sieve bed operated over successive control periods according to a duty cycle for alternately pressurizing and flushing the first sieve bed and a second sieve bed operated over the successive control periods according to a reciprocal of the duty cycle is disclosed. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during every second one of the successive control periods to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the first sieve bed and to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the second sieve bed, for reducing concentration of oxygen produced. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during remaining control periods to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the first sieve bed and to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the second sieve bed, such that water vapor is purged from the first and second sieve beds after pressurizing thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for quantitatively characterizing the pressure-induced nonreciprocity of a fiber-optic coil where the pressure-induced nonreciprocity is a property of a fiber-optic coil which pertains to the degree to which light beams, initially in phase, differ in phase as a result of traversing the fiber-optic coil in reverse directions while the fiber-optic coil is being subjected to a time-varying pressure. The method comprises the steps of applying time-varying pressure to the fiber-optic coil for a predetermined time period, measuring the phase difference of light beams traversing the fiber-optic coil in reverse directions during the predetermined time period, and obtaining a measure of the nonreciprocity of the fiber-optic coil utilizing the measured phase difference.

Abstract: An accelerometer is fabricated by forming a proofmass and at least one associated hinge in a silicon substrate by ion implantation and the formation of an oxide support layer below the proofmass, subsequently integrally bonding two complementary proofmass and substrate structures together, and then removing the oxide support layer to leave the proofmass supported by the hinge within the body of silicon material. The proofmass may be electrically connected to a lead extending through an etched recess in one of the substrates; and the proofmass may be electrically isolated or separated from the substrates by an oxide layer and by a change in conductivity type of the semiconductor material where the hinge is structurally mounted to the substrates.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for controlling the vibration modes of a vibratory rotation sensor (VRS) comprising a resonator and a housing which together serve as the ground potential reference. The resonator has a surface with a conductive region and the housing has a plurality of attached electrodes positioned opposing the conductive region on the resonator. The parameters of the resonator standing-wave vibration pattern are determined by feeding an ac sensing signal to the conducting region on the resonator and obtaining one or more vibration signals while the electric potential of the conductive region on the resonator is maintained within 100 millivolts of ground. Each vibration signal is a replica of the ac sensing signal with amplitude modulation which is a periodic function of the distance from a point in the conducting region of the surface of the resonator to an opposing housing electrode. The frequency of the amplitude modulation is the vibration frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: An interferometric rotation rate sensor is arranged to overcome effects of the unavoidable generation of intensity spikes in the modulated optical output. An electrooptical device is located within the optical path of the sensor for receiving the optical output signal from the sensor coil and transforming it prior to application to the photodetector. The electrooptical device is driven by a periodic electrical signal with a period equal to the loop transit time of light traveling through the sensor coil. By synchronizing the periods of attenuation with the predictable presence of spikes in the optical output, valid optical signal information is preserved while gyro electronics are sheltered from the results of optical intensity spiking.

Abstract: A method for providing an optical fiber coil having reduced bias vibration and bias temperature-ramp sensitivity by controlling and adjusting coil geometrical factors including the coil potted length, the adhesive layer thickness, the number of turns per layer, the number of layers and the way the winding is terminated. The windings may be terminated to form the coil as a complete quadrupole, a diapole, an incomplete quadrupole or an incomplete diapole. By adjusting geometrical factors of the coil design, a coil for which the residual net Shupe bias is negligible is obtained.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon is used for forming a sensing coil that may be used in a Sagnac effect fiber optic rotation sensor. The fiber optic ribbon provides a single radial layer per turn of the coil winder and can be made to have a quadrupole spatial turn distribution.

Abstract: The secondary emission characteristics of a microchannel plate of the type fabricated of lead oxide glass and activated by a hydrogen gas bake is stabilized by treating with another gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A power clip for a printed circuit board. The power clip comprises a substantially planar base having an electrical contact extending therefrom, especially in the form of a spring clip. The base of the power clip has stand-offs at opposed ends and a raised platform extending downwardly to contact the surface of the printed circuit board. The base has a plurality of electrical contact pins in a grid pattern. The pins are adapted for insertion into plated through holes in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An accelerometer is fabricated by forming a proofmass and at least one associated hinge in a silicon substrate through a variety of a etching and bonding processes is disclosed. The processes entail ion implantation and formation of an oxide support layer below the proofmass, integrally bonding two complementary proofmass and substrate structures together, and then removing the oxide support layer to leave the proofmass supported by the hinge within the body of silicon material. The proofmass may be electrically connected to a lead extending through an etched recess in one of the substrates, and the proofmass may be electrically isolated or separated from the substrates by an oxide layer and by a change in conductivity type of the semiconductor material wherein the hinge is structurally mounted to the substrates. In a bond and etch back process, the wafer is processed, sawed in half, and then bonded together again wherein the complementary halves are joined to obtain the finished accelerometer.

Abstract: A cover for a fill port of a flow controller of a high pressure fitting for filling a cylinder with a pressurized gas. The cover has a slidable cover plate having elongated flexible members attached thereto, such member having a locking projection that cooperatively fits into a locking recess on the cover plate. The cover plate is movable from a first position covering the fill port to a second position away therefrom. Elastomeric means bias the cover plate towards the first position. A fill port adaptor is used to fill the cylinder through the fill port, and may have a cover that prevents operation when the cover is in place. Both covers are adapted to open when the flow controller is properly placed in a cradle that forms part of the fill port adaptor.

Abstract: A high power switching apparatus comprises an annular cathode having a surface capable of emitting a hollow electron beam therefrom and an anode cavity spaced from said cathode. The cavity has an annular opening smaller in dimension than a corresponding internal dimension that defines the cavity to provide a Faraday cage collector of the hollow electron beam. A control electrode is disposed between the cathode and the anode cavity in a non-intercepting position relative to the hollow electron beam. The control electrode further comprises a first electrode element disposed outside of the hollow electron beam and a second electrode element disposed inside of the hollow electron beam. A controlling electric field region is provided between the first and second electrode elements for modulation of the hollow electron beam. Arc suppressing electrodes are also disposed between the control electrode and the anode. The arc suppressing electrodes are the same electric potential of the cathode.