Abstract: In an optical radar system a coherent signal is transmitted at a variable position and the return signal, that is, the reflected portion of the coherent signal is received and coherently detected. The transmitter utilizes a scanning laser having an electron beam that impinges upon a variable reflectance mirror that terminates one end of an optical cavity. An oscillating mode is generated within the resonant cavity when the electron beam locally heats the surface of the variable reflectance mirror to create a pixel that reflects light in a diffracted pattern. The receiver utilizes a stable single mode laser to illuminate a variable reflectance surface. A receiver electron beam generates a plurality of receiver pixels at various positions. The diffracted light from each pixel generates a plurality of variable angle local oscillator beams that are summed with the return signal at a beamsplitter. The output of the beamsplitter is applied to the surface of a detector array.

Abstract: An optical processing system for processing infrared information prior to detection. In one embodiment, optical information from an infrared scene is focused by optics (10) onto a thermoptic modulator (12) which contains an optical structure (16) disposed on the faceplace of a cathode ray tube. The modulator is normally nonreflective of infrared energy from the scene incident thereon. Reflecting spots (22) written on the modulator by an electron beam reflect a portion of the scene to a detector (52) which generates a signal representative of the radiance of the scene element sampled. A series of first and second reflecting spots of different size are written at selected coordinates on the modulator. The respective signals generated by the detector for each spot of the pair are subtracted to provide a spatial band pass filtered signal for each sampling coordinate on the modulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a uniform sealant coating over the portion of a fastener (14) exposed above a panel (10, 12) includes depositing an amount of uncured sealant (S) in a cavity (44) in a sealant retaining shell (40). The shell and sealant is applied over the exposed portion (22) of the fastener (14) and the retaining shell is brought into contact with the panel such that the uncured sealant is entrapped between the shell and the exposed portion of the fastener and the panel. As descent is made onto the fastener, a slight rotating motion may be used to adjust the sealant around the fastener equally. The sealant is allowed to cure and thereafter the shell is removed leaving a uniform sealant coating over the fastener exposed end.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for effecting relative pivotal movement between two structures (12, 14) includes a bent beam member (18) having a first portion (20) rotatably secured to one structure and a second portion (22) supported for rotation and eccentric revolution by a housing (42) grounded to the other structure. Index gears (64, 66) assure eccentric revolution of the beam member (18) in an opposite direction in response to rotation of the bent beam member to produce relative pivotal movement between the structures (12, 14). In the first two embodiments, the actuators (10, 120) incorporate internal hydraulic or electric drive arrangements. In other embodiments, the actuators (150, 172, 250, 270) employ various planetary type gear arrangements to achieve even greater mechanical advantage. In the last embodiment, both portions (304, 306) of the bent beam member (302) of the actuator (300) are driven and supported for eccentric revolution.

Abstract: In an optical radar system a coherent signal is transmitted at a variable position and the return signal, that is, the reflected portion of the coherent signal is received and coherently detected. The transmitter utilizes a scanning laser having an electron beam that impinges upon a variable reflectance mirror that terminates one end of an optical cavity. An oscillating mode is generated within the resonant cavity when the electron beam locally heats the surface of the variable reflectance mirror to create a pixel that reflects light in a diffracted pattern. The receiver utilizes a stable single mode laser to illuminate a variable reflectance surface. A receiver electron beam generates a plurality of receiver pixels at various positions. The diffracted light from each pixel generates a plurality of variable angle local oscillator beams that are summed with the return signal at a beamsplitter. The output of the beamsplitter is applied to the surface of a detector array.

Abstract: In an optical radar system a coherent signal is transmitted at a variable position and the return signal, that is, the reflected portion of the coherent signal is received and coherently detected. The transmitter utilizes a scanning laser having an electron beam that impinges upon a variable reflectance mirror that terminates one end of an optical cavity. An oscillating mode is generated within the resonant cavity when the electron beam locally heats the surface of the variable reflectance mirror to create a pixel that reflects light in a diffracted pattern. The receiver utilizes a stable single mode laser to illuminate a variable reflectance surface. A receiver electron beam generates a plurality of receiver pixels at various positions. The diffracted light from each pixel generates a plurality of variable angle local oscillator beams that are summed with the return signal at a beamsplitter. The output of the beamsplitter is applied to the surface of a detector array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a plurality of secondary directional modes within the resonant cavity of a scanning laser oscillator. A first directional mode is generated by directing an electron beam on a variable reflectance end reflector to create a variable position pixel. A pattern of fixed reflectance material is positioned on the surface of the variable reflectance end reflector to generate the secondary directional modes within the resonant cavity. The oscillation threshold for the secondary directional modes is higher than the first directional mode, thereby allowing the first directional mode to have priority over the second directional modes. The second directional modes occupy the regions of the active laser medium of the resonant cavity not occupied by the first directional mode thereby suppressing the gain of the laser medium therein.

Abstract: A relatively high speed memory system is provided utilizing relatively low speed electronic memory devices such as NOS integrated circuits. The memory system is organized as a planar array with rows and columns of word positions and includes an address generator for generating sequences of N address bits to access sequences of N words of data where N is greater than 1 along any selected substantially straight path in any direction along the memory array with each address generating having a set of most significant bits and a set of least significant bits. Each electronic memory device includes an address decoder which is responsive to a first plurality of address bits for selecting a memory element within the memory device and an enable circuit for enabling the memory device. The logic circuit coupling the address generator to the electronic memory devices selectively enables at least one memory device during each memory access and no one memory device is selected more than once per N memory access.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the position of a driven member is disclosed which includes a control circuit for controlling the application of electrical power to a motor and a circuit element operable for generating position error signals corresponding to the position of the load which may in one embodiment constitute a rotor element of the motor. A comparator section is provided for comparing the position error signals with position reference signals and for generating control signals to effect rotation of the load in a desired direction. In one embodiment, the error signal is generated by a feedback loop including a potentiometer having a movable element coupled to the load or motor rotor, wherein the voltage magnitude of the error signal is varied in accordance with the rotational position of the load or rotor element. In a preferred embodiment, the comparator section includes first and second comparators respectively responsive to position deviations of the rotor in first and second rotational directions.

Abstract: Composite protective coatings for protecting carbonaceous substrates from degrading in oxygen containing environments are provided. The composite protective coatings include a first coating layer applied to the surface of the substrate. The first coating layer is a silicon carbide type coating. The second coating layer is applied to the surface of a first coating layer and is a sputter deposited phase stabilized zirconium oxide having a columnar microstructure. Carbonaceous substrates having the composite protective coatings are able to withstand temperatures of about 4100.degree. F. in oxygen containing environments.

Abstract: A material and process for preparing corrosion resistant reflective material. The process in the preferred embodiment comprises abrading a metal substrate, anodizing the metal substrate, depositing a thin film of substantially pure metal on the anodized substrate, and covering the reflective metal with a protective organic coating. The material produced is a metallic substrate having an anodized layer with a relatively thin film of reflective metal covered by a protective organic coating.

Abstract: Stimulated emission at the approximate wave length of 4.5 microns, 2.25 microns and 1.6 microns is obtained from pumping on an excited energy level. The phenomenon of photon avalanching is utilized to create a population inversion within three lower level states that have a substantially equal energy spacing to provide resonance between neighboring ions. This resonance feeds the photon avalanching process when pump having sufficient power in excess of the critical pump power irradiates a LaCl.sub.3 :Pr.sup.+3 crystal at an excited energy level to maintain a population inversion in an optical cavity.

Abstract: A septum (18) is installed at a desired depth within a section of honeycomb core (12) for use in a sound attenuation panels, the septum is sandwiched between two layers (20, 24) of support material having a melting temperature intermediate between the fusing and curing temperatures of the septum material. The honeycomb core (12) is pressed into supporting materials and septum to segment and position the septum (18) therein, after which the resultant assembly is heated sufficiently to allow the septum to fuse and adhere to the honeycomb core. The resultant assembly is then heated sufficiently to melt the support material and allow it to be drained away, leaving the segmented septum (18) in place within the honeycomb core.

Abstract: A process for sealing silicon carbide primary coatings of carbonaceous substrates comprising impregnation and curing with tetraethyl orthosilicate, application of a sealant mixture followed by curing, application of a liquid sealant followed by curing, high temperature heat treatment, and repetitive of the application of the materials described above.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for stabilizing images in the reference frame of a forward or down looking infrared receiver moving relative to the scene. An infrared modulator (14) is disposed in the image plane of the receiver for imaging infrared energy from the scene. The modulator (14), normally nonreflecting of infrared energy incident thereon, is capable of having reflective spots written on selected locations thereon to reflect infrared energy incident at those locations. Detectors (24) positioned to detect infrared energy reflected from the modulator provide an output signal representing the radiance values of the sampled scene element. A microprocessor (30) is connected to the detector, responsive to the detected output signal, to detect image motion caused by relative motion between the receiver and the scene from the detected information.

Abstract: A pair of simple phase-sensitive full-wave high-gain demodulator circuits generate an output for both halves of an AC reference cycle. One of the demodulator circuits is utilized as an amplifier to drive, for example, the steering system servo valve in an aircraft steering system and the other demodulator drives a dummy load which has a resistivity approximately equal to the resistivity of the servo valve coils. The output current from both demodulators are compared, for example, by an opto isolator or coupler which generates corrective and/or warning signals in case a system failure occurs. In one embodiment, the sensor output loop is maintained at a predetermined voltage level above ground so that an open circuit in the sensor loop is detected by additional sensing circuits.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system is disclosed having an exhaust nozzle structure having an exhaust deflection structure extending within an exhaust duct to direction exhaust flow along selected flow paths. In its preferred embodiment, the exhaust deflection structure is a variable geometry deflection structure having a distal end portion which is movable, relative to adjacent aircraft structure, within an exhaust duct whereby the exhaust deflection structure is positionable as an extension of an upper, aft wall portion of the exhaust duct. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust nozzle structure includes a guide structure or nozzle segment, connected to the exhaust deflection structure, which is translatably mounted to adjacent aircraft structure for permitting fore and aft movement of the nozzle segment along the aircraft structure.