Abstract: A real-time image processor has three functional sections: an image manager, an image processor, and an instruction generator. The image processor may be an array of single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) processing elements, for processing a subframe of sensor data. The instruction generator generates image processing commands for execution by the image processor. The image manager may be coupled to a plurality of sensors for simultaneously receiving streams of sensor data from the sensors, each stream constituting one or more image frames. When the image manager detects that a subframe of data has been received from a sensor, it loads that subframe into the image processor. Next, the image manager sends a message to the instruction generator, the message including a subframe ready indicator and an algorithm designator. In response, the instruction generator begins generating image processing commands that are determined by the algorithm designator.

Abstract: A digital signal processing system which uses an input image including a plurality of pixels to establish boundaries of objects in the input image. Each of the pixels has a gradient value and the object includes a centroid. Using a segmentation process, the digital signal processing system decides on a perimeter surrounding the object in the input image and then repeatedly searches for a pixel having the highest gradient value and marks that pixel having the highest gradient value as an edge pixel of the object.

Abstract: A testing device has an architecture including a board test interface for coupling to test points on a circuit board; a programmable processor, coupled to the board test interface, for controlling a test of the circuit board via the board test interface; and a first communications interface, coupled to the programmable processor, for coupling to a like first communications interface located on another testing device. The programmable processor uses the first communications interface for communicating test commands and test results with the other testing device, so that a complete test of a system can be produced. The testing device may further include a control port, coupled to the programmable processor, for communicating system test commands between a host processor and the programmable processor.

Abstract: An ammunition round reorienter is equipped with a gear train having parallel drive paths connecting a common motor to concurrently rotate a platform about a vertical axis and to pivot a tray about a horizontal axis, such that an ammunition round carried by the tray is reoriented both in azimuth and elevation as it is translated between receiving and handoff orientations.

Abstract: A compact ammunition magazine of high storage density contains an endless ammunition conveyor running in a serpentine path. The conveyor includes a succession of units consisting of a pair of rigidly connected tubes that receive ammunition rounds in snug-fitting relation. The tube units are pivotally interconnected by links of a single conveyor chain that is driven by plural drive sprockets to index the tubes to a single magazine port through which uploading/downloading of ammunition rounds is conducted. Guide rollers, fitted on the tubes at positions laterally spaced from the conveyor chain, roll on horizontal tracks within the magazine to provide conveyor support and guidance.

Abstract: A clamping system is provided for effectively securing at least one power device in a thermally-conductive and electrically-insulative manner to a heatsink with a clamp member having an elongated member portion adapted to bear against a device, and a second member portion having an end adapted to bear against a heatsink. A fastener exerts a force on the member between the device and the second member portion to force an end of the second member portion into contact with the heatsink, and cause the member portion overlying the device to reciprocally exert a pressure on the device against the heatsink.

Abstract: A transducer array according to the invention includes forty-two acoustic transducers for use in a fluid medium, with each of the transducers having maximum lateral dimensions of less than one acoustic wavelength in the medium, whereby the transducers themselves tend to radiate isotropically. The elements of the array are located at the vertices of an regular geodesic two-frequency icosahedron. The transducer array also includes a driver or a receiver, or both, and arrangements for coupling them to the array elements. A switching circuit can couple the array elements alternately to the driver or receiver, depending upon the operating mode. A conventional delay controller is coupled to the acoustic transducers, for controlling an acoustic beam formed by the array. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the array is operated at frequencies selected so that the inter-transducer spacing of any two mutually adjacent transducers does not exceed 2.lambda./3, and is not less than .lambda./3.

Abstract: To provide pressure relief in a fluid line of a fluidic circuit, the ball element of a shutoff valve incorporates a tube that is aligned with a pair of valve ports when the ball is in the closed valve position. A miniature check valve, positioned in the tube, operates, depending on its orientation, to check fluid flow through the tube between the valve ports in one direction and to vent fluid through the tube in the opposite direction in response to excessive fluid pressure. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of tubes are incorporated into the ball valve element, with the check valves therein oriented in opposed directions to provide bidirectional pressure relief between the valve ports.

Abstract: A suppressor assembly includes a suppressor that is mounted by rails slidingly received by the barrel clamp of a multi-barreled rotary machine gun to accommodate movement of the suppressor between a latched, operative position projecting beyond the barrel muzzles, effective to suppress blast pressure and flash incident to gun firing, and a latched, stowed position restoring the gun to its normal barrel length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for passive identification includes a series of elements preferably in the form of strips, bars or other geometric shapes, or as dipole antennas made of a material having variable EM retro-reflectivity characteristics. By varying the characteristics of individual elements (i.e. spatial, polarization, frequency response and angular extent of retro-reflection), the elements form an alterable pattern which can be used for identification. The characteristics can be changed remotely, the ability of the device to understand and implement the change being a criterion for identification.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a pump driven by an input shaft against a wedge-shaped swashplate. Hydraulic fluid pressurized in the pump flows through ports in a pump cylinder block into kidney-shaped slots in the swashplate, and from there flows into and pressurizes a series of cylinders in a motor cylinder block. The pump and motor exert first and second components of torque on the swashplate in the rotational direction on the input shaft, and the hydraulic system pressure in the swashplate slots exerts a third component of torque in the same direction on the swashplate. The third torque component is a product of the hydraulic system pressure and the differential area of the two ends of the high pressure slot at the narrow and thick sides of the wedge-shaped swashplate. The swashplate drives an output shaft through a pin connection intersecting the centerline of the output shaft where it passes through a central opening in the swashplate.

Abstract: A monopulse signal processor provides target monopulse ratios and thus target angles having an improved accuracy in those situations where a low signal-to-noise ratio subsists and the monopulse ratio is derived from a sequence of pulses. The monopulse ratio value is determined by: ##EQU1## and .SIGMA..sub.Ii is the in-phase component of the sum signal for the i.sup.th pulse, .SIGMA..sub.Qi is the quadrature component of the sum signal for the i.sup.th pulse, .DELTA..sub.Ii is the in-phase component of the difference signal for the i.sup.th pulse, and .DELTA..sub..OMEGA.i is the quadrature component of the difference signal for the i.sup.th pulse.

Abstract: A propulsion thruster (10) includes a solid-fuel, liquid-oxidizer main rocket engine (11), a tank (22) of liquid oxygen, and a turbine (32)-driven pump (30) for pumping liquid oxygen to the main engine. A solid-fuel, liquid-oxidizer auxiliary engine (40) has its oxidizer input port (50) coupled to the output (30b) of the turbopump, for generating drive fluids for the turbine (32) of the turbopump. The temperature of the turbine drive fluids is reduced to prevent damage to the turbine, and the mass flow rate is increased, by injecting water from a tank (60) into the drive fluids at the output (48) of the auxiliary engine (40). Starting is enhanced by preventing cooling of the solid fuel by the liquid oxidizer, which is accomplished by applying gaseous oxygen from a tank (90) to the oxidizer input port (50) of the auxiliary engine (40).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making high purity aluminum nitride from organometallic aluminum, such as an alkylaluminum compound. A gaseous alkylaluminum compound and gaseous ammonia are introduced into a heated reaction zone where the gases are mixed and high purity aluminum nitride is produced. The high purity aluminum nitride is collected in the form of a powder or deposited as a thick, dense layer on an appropriate substrate mounted in the reaction chamber. A carrier gas such as hydrogen gas, may be used to conduct the alkylaluminum compound from a suitable reservoir containing liquid alkylaluminum compound to the reaction chamber. A preferred alkylaluminum compound is triethylaluminum.

Abstract: A built-in-test capability is provided for determining the integrity of an optical fiber connecting: (a) an optical firing unit having a primary light source emitting a first wavelength, a test light source emitting a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a mechanism both for coupling light from the light sources to the optical fiber and also for coupling the return light to a filter/detector; and (b) an optically initiated device which is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber. The apparatus includes a photoluminescent material disposed at a junction of the optically initiated device and the optical-fiber-second-end. This photoluminescence material photoluminesces at a third wavelength (when exposed to the test light source), and the light travels through the optical fiber and, when detected indicates optical fiber continuity.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a white thermal control surface resistant to darkening due to exposure to X-rays and ultraviolet radiation. The surface comprises a substrate and a ceramic zirconium orthosilicate coating on said substrate. The zirconium orthosilicate coating is obtained by plasma-spray applying particles of zirconium orthosilicate onto the substrate. The particles of zirconium orthosilicate are doped with an oxide of a +3 valent metal. The metal ions of said +3 valent metal oxide are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said particles.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a multilayer laminate for a printed wiring board, a plurality of blind via sites are etched from a first side of a first sheet, the first sheet including a flexible dielectric material, the flexible material being clad on the first and a second side with first and second layers of conductive material, respectively, through the first conductive material and the flexible material to the second conductive material. Conductive material posts are electroplated in the blind via sites, using the second layer of conductive material as an electrode. A system for fabricating a multilayer laminate for a printed wiring board and a multilayer laminate for a printed wiring board formed thereby is also disclosed.

Abstract: A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material.In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.

Abstract: A multitrack optical disk has two or more circular or spiral tracks, which are recorded or played back in simultaneous sets for high data rates. Tracking is accomplished by sets of first and second tracking pads, which lie partially on and partially off the track paths. The amount of inter-track space required to accommodate the track pads is reduced by placing the overlap of the tracking pads in the same inter-track space, and by tracking any additional simultaneous tracks in excess of two by mechanical coupling with the first two.

Abstract: HDI fabrication techniques are employed to form a variety of optical waveguide structures in polymer materials. Adaptive optical connections are formed, taking into account the actual position and orientation of devices which may deviate from the ideal. Structures include solid light-conducting structures, hollow light-conducting structures which are also suitable for conducting cooling fluid, and optical switching devices employing liquid crystal material. A "shrink back" method may be used to form a tunnel in polymer material which is then filled with an uncured polymer material that shrinks upon curing.