Abstract: A neutron radiography system having a high energy neutron generator (100) of the type comprising an ion accelerator (106) and a tritium target (110) located downstream of the accelerator. The generator is disclosed in a housing (22) containing a moderator medium (140) adapted to absorb part of the energy of the neutrons, thereby creating thermal neutrons. A neutron flux booster (130) comprised of a high neutron cross section material, such as depleted uranium, is disposed between the target and the moderator medium such that collisions of high energy neutrons produced at the target will collide with the uranium to release additional high energy neutrons from the booster into the moderator medium. A collimator (40) is disposed in communication with the moderator material for discharging thermal neutrons from the moderator medium.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic skin taping machine for use in applying a protective coating to sheets of material, especially aluminum. The machine comprises a main frame, a transfer car movable within the main frame, an applicator that uniformly applies the coating to the sheet of material by moving over the surface of the sheet, a retainer that immobilizes the sheet of material while the applicator is applying the coating, and a vacuum lift system for transferring the sheet of material from an application position to a storage position. In a preferred embodiment, the application includes a floating roller and a squeegee device.

Abstract: A planar thermal radiator for use in outer space is disclosed. The radiator is adapted to rotate on two mutually perpendicular x and y axes which are in x and y planes respectively that are perpendicular to each other and to the planar surfaces of the radiator. It utilizes a plurality of pairs of heat sensors wherein each heat sensor provides a value of electrical resistance which is representative of the incident heat energy along the sensitive axis of that heat sensor. A common heat sensor pair detects incident heat energy which is perpendicular to the radiator. A first plurality of heat sensor pairs is used to detect incident heat energy along sensitive axes that are parallel to the x-plane and a second plurality of heat sensor pairs is used to detect incident heat energy along sensitive axes that are parallel to the y-plane. One sensor of each heat sensor pair is mounted on the opposite surface of the radiator. Each heat sensor pair has an associated heat sensor pair in its respective plurality.

Abstract: A process for producing a green composite structure by isostatic compression and filtration. A suspension of colloidal size matrix powders is established in a carrier liquid. The suspension is incorporated into a die chamber having a filter opening containing a filter which is permeable to filtrate from the suspension under applied pressure but substantially impermeable to the matrix powders. An elevated pressure is isostatically imposed on the colloidal suspension within the die chamber. The pressure is maintained for a period of time to expel at least 20% of the liquid originally in the colloidal suspension through the filter opening. A specific die chamber comprises a rigid cage structure and an expandable bladder within the cage structure into which the colloidal suspension is introduced. The cage structure is disposed within a pressure vessel which can be initially evacuated to cause the bladder to conform to the cage structure and then pressurized with fluid for the isostatic compression procedure.

Abstract: A frequency control system is provided for controlling the radio frequency of a mechanically tuned coaxial magnetron under a wide variety of environmental conditions by initially tuning the magnetron according to resident tuning data and in response to a received frequency command signal, directly measuring the frequency of the magnetron output, comparing the frequency command signal with the actual frequency of each of a series of sampled output pulses, modifying a dynamically adapting calibration function according to any differences found during the comparison, retuning the magnetron according to the modified calibration function, and repeating the process to maintain the magnetron output frequency in agreement with frequency command signals. The coefficients of the calibration function converge to an optimum set of values within a few pulses.

Abstract: A portable grip length indicator for determining a discrete fastener length for a fastener to be used in fastening a stack of two or more pieces of material. The indicator comprises a body, a probe attached to the body and capable of extending beyond the body for determining the thickness of the stack, a transducer connected to the probe for sensing the relative movement of the probe and translating the movement into an electrical output signal, and an electrical processor for computing the discrete fastener length from the output signal of the transducer according to a predetermined correlation of the thickness of the stack and the type of fastener to be used.

Abstract: A printed circuit board for mounting and connecting a plurality of semiconductor devices is disclosed and includes a planar insulating substrate having multiple conductive layers disposed in overlying relationship within the planar substrate. A plurality of parallel rows of apertures for wire-wrap, quick-connect or stitch-wire contacts are provided for mounting integrated circuits. One side of the printed circuit board includes a plurality of power and ground connections disposed between each pair of parallel rows of apertures so that filter capacitors may be mounted under each integrated circuit, thereby conserving printed circuit board space. In a preferred mode of the present invention, alternate ones of the conductive layers are coupled to a source of electrical power while all remaining conductive layers are grounded. At least two adjacent conductive layers are then utilized to minimize parasitic capacitance by completely surrounding each aperture with a portion of conductive material.

Abstract: Described is a transformer having a two-piece primary winding and housing wherein the second piece is mechanically received within the first piece and electrically coupled together.

Abstract: Described is a transformer wherein the primary winding is formed from the same unitary piece of electrically conductive metal that comprises the housing of the transformer.

Abstract: A composite, carbon-carbon rotor or rotor hub (20) for use in power translating devices, such as in a turbine engine or in fluid pumps, includes a plurality of carbon-carbon laminate plies (P1-P25) layered to form the thickness of the rotor. The plies include alternating plies of cloth and spiral plies of fibrous material having different diameters to provide a desired variation in the cross-sectional configuration of the rotor. The individual spiral plies may vary in thickness from near the center to the outer edge and may be either tapered or formed to other contours. The cloth plies are positioned at predetermined orientations such that the strand axes are not aligned. These plies consist of fibrous carbon or graphite filament tape preimpregnated with a thermosetting polymer material, such as phenolic resin.

Abstract: A material transfer system is provided having particular utility in cooperation with a liquid jet abrasive cutting system in which a continuous supply of abrasive, particulate material is required for abrasive cutting operations. Primary and secondary hoppers are provided for containing the abrasive particulate material, and the secondary hopper is suitably located at a position adjacent to the work station and remote from the primary hopper. The secondary hopper is provided with a first chamber and a second, lower chamber positioned beneath the first chamber.

Abstract: A system for closely controlling the standoff distance of a nozzle in a remotely controlled fluid jet abrasive cutting system. The system comprises a head assembly having a support section and a nozzle body. Control means move the head assembly along a desired cutting path relative to the workpiece. A nozzle is mounted in the nozzle body and oriented to dispense cutting fluid along an axis directed against the workpiece. The nozzle body and the support section are interconnected by means which function to bias the nozzle body relative to the mounting section in a direction along the cutting axis of the nozzle. The nozzle body is provided with a standoff member which is adapted to ride on a portion of the workpiece and which projects beyond the nozzle tip by a distance sufficient to hold the nozzle off of the workpiece by the desired standoff distance.

Abstract: Provided is a modulator having two amplifying stages for supplying high-voltage pulses to the primary winding of a transformer connected to a microwave transmitter tube. The first stage uses field-effect transistors connected in a common source configuration to amplify input pulses to drive the second stage, which uses field-effect transistors connected in a common gate configuration to drive the transformer. The circuit configuration provides a large voltage swing across the transformer primary and a short transistor switching time.

Abstract: A method of applying solder to contacts of a connector, when the contacts are spaced apart according to a given arrangement. The method includes the steps of perforating a water-soluble adhesive material to form perforations in a pattern according to the given arrangement, applying solder preforms around the perforations, positioning the adhesive material to center the solder preforms around the contacts, washing off the adhesive material with water, and heating the contacts to the flow-point temperature of the solder.

Abstract: A method for packaging components in the primary circuit of a microwave tube modulator output transformer. Modules are assembled using parallel plates upon and around which transistors and other necessary components are mounted. In addition to providing mechanical support for the components, the plates act as conductors for circuits common to respective elements of paralleled transistors, thereby minimizing electrical resistance and inductance in the primary circuit. The modules are designed to mount to the output transformer such that two of the parallel plates are mechanically connected to the respective two ends of the transformer primary, and a number of modules can be mounted around and to one transformer according to the amount of energy required.

Abstract: A process for the production of reinforced refractory composite structures which may be of high density and shaped in desired three dimensional configurations. The shaped composite structures are produced by forming a suspension of particulate materials including a colloidal refractory power, colloidal sintering aid, and refractory reinforcement whiskers in a carrier liquid. The colloidal suspension is conformed to a desired configuration and brought into contact with a semipermeable membrane. A pressure is imposed on the suspension in the desired configuration to expel liquid from the suspension through the membrane to arrive at a green composite having a density of at least 40% of theoretical density. After drying, the green composite is then sintered under conditions to form an intergranular liquid phase in the composite providing further densification. A specific composite is a silicon carbide reinforced silicon nitride composite.

Abstract: A device for steering a wavefront of electromagnetic radiation comprising a pumping means for coherently pumping a plurality of phase conjugate mirrors with a monochromatic coherent beam having a wavelength substantially the same as the wavelength of the wavefront. The device further comprises an array of phase conjugate mirrors wherein the acceptance of each phase conjugate mirror, for conjugate reflection of the wavefront, is pointing in substantially the same direction, and the phase conjugate mirrors are composed of material responsive to the beam wavelength. The device further comprises a Fourier transform lens, a control reflector positioned such that the reflected beam from the reflector back to the lens is within the acceptance angle of the ray, and a beam splitter positioned between the array and the control reflector for extracting a steered beam. Each phase conjugate mirror may provide amplification of the wavefront, or amplifying lasers may be used.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a composition of matter is provided for forming a coating for protecting carbonaceous substrates from degradation at elevated temperatures. The composition of matter is a mixture of particulate silicon, silicon carbide and alumina. The mixture contains between about 40% and 50% silicon by weight of the total composition, between about 30% and 50% silicon carbide by weight of the total composition and between about 20% and 30% alumina by weight of the total composition. A method is provided for forming a primary protective coating on carbonaceous substrates utilizing the aforesaid mixture. An enhancement coating is provided for sealing the primary coating in applications where the substrate will be subjected to elevated temperatures and temperature cycling.

Abstract: A lightweight, low energy neutron radiography inspection device (20) includes an inspection head (22) with a sealed tube neutron generator (44) using a deuterium target (110) for emitting relatively low energy neutrons. A moderating fluid (140) within the head is used to thermalize the neutrons emitted from the neutron source. A collimator (40) directs the thermalized neutrons to produce a thermal neutron radiograph. The relatively low energy neutrons produced by the neutron generator permit the reduction in volume of moderating fluid required and thus the use of a smaller, more maneuverable, inspection head.

Abstract: A system and process for fluid jet cutting of a workpiece providing for self orientation of a catcher vessel. This invention comprises a cutting head adapted to be connected to the robot arm of a robotically controlled cutting system. A nozzle is mounted in the cutting head and adapted to dispense a jet cutting fluid stream along a cutting axis to be directed against a workpiece. The system further comprises a catcher assembly including a bracket supporting a catcher vessel having a receiving aperture. The catcher vessel contains a sacrificial material for dissipation of kinetic energy of the spent jet cutting stream. The supporting bracket includes an arm which depends from the cutting head along a traverse which is laterally offset from the cutting axis.