Abstract: A method for determining the earth's magnetic field and, selectively, additionally, for determining a satellite orientation as a premise for the attitude control of an earth satellite in a known orbit. The satellite is equipped with magnetic coils 5, 6, and 7, gyros, sun sensors and reaction and/or flywheels 1, 2, 3, 4. The x-axis of a coordinate system integral with the satellite is continuously oriented towards the sun. The satellite can be rotated through a variable angle of rotation .alpha. around the x-axis. At three instants t.sub.0, t.sub.1, t.sub.2, spaced from each other by small time intervals, respective angular momentum components H.sub.y, H.sub.z are measured. Herein, a constant magnetic moment M.sub.x is generated throughout the second time interval. From these domains, the components of the earth's magnetic field B.sub.y, B.sub.z are calculated for t.sub.0. From this, subsequently, the angle of rotation .alpha. can be determined.

Abstract: A star sensor arrangement for a satellite which on its orbit and/or during transfer into the orbit rotates at least with a part about an axis of rotation fixed with respect to the satellite, and which is equipped with a star sensor looking in the direction of the axis of rotation and likewise rotating about the axis of rotation, having a co-rotating mirror arranged in the viewing direction of the star sensor which is set obliquely with respect to said direction.

Abstract: An arrangement switches from a defective device of a multi-device system to a redundant duplicate device by assigning a non-volatile memory to each device. Each memory has a single read line to a logic circuit that turns on a device or its duplicate depending upon the memory status. An error detector monitors the devices to activate appropriate memory circuits and logic circuits upon detection of a defect in a particular device.

Abstract: An airfoil particularly suited for use in rotor blades of large wind-driven ower plants is formed in three modular sections including a nose or leading section, a spar section and a trailing section, each separately formed and subsequently assembled. In the method of the invention the spar section is formed in two separate mold units which are configured to form part of the upper and lower aerodynamic profile of the airfoil and the two spar section units are trimmed along a junction plane and then joined together at the junction plane to form the spar section of the airfoil.

Abstract: A method and a device for angle coding a guided smooth-tube projectile, by which the roll position existing at the launching can be coded irreversibly for any insertion position of the projectile in the launching tube.

Abstract: A method and system is used for detecting the presence of measuring the distance to and producing an image of, objects which, while being strongly absorbing or reflecting themselves, are hid from sight in a medium which is strongly dampening due to light dispersion, such as submersed submarines. The method provides, in addition to detecting the reflection from the surface of the object, a full acquisition of the variation of the backscatter of scanning laser pulses by the medium surrounding the object, with laser pulse transmitters operating with a much larger pulse duration, being usable for this purpose.

Abstract: Sensing apparatus for determining the relative position between two bodies located at a distance from one another with respect to a predetermined relative position wherein one of the bodies is provided with a camera having an areal matrix of photosensitive elements arranged in the image plane of the camera and wherein the other of the bodies is provided with a shading member projecting from the surface thereof and with an optically clearly distinguishable reference pattern in the area of the base of the shading member, the reference pattern being formed by means of light sources which emit light patterns which are as punctiform as possible. The reference pattern is partially covered in an asymmetric manner by the shading member during deviation from the reference position and this deviation is sensed by the photosensitive elements in the camera.

Abstract: A stereophotogrammetric surveying and evaluation method is presented. A camera is carried over the terrain of interest, the camera having three sensor lines arranged transversely or obliquely to the line of flight. From the resulting three overlapping line image strips both elevational terrain data and camera orientation data are statistically obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus to compensate for the thermal expansion of a component inserted between two elements, particularly an explosive member placed between a lining, and a cover plate in a shaped charge, comprises two rings that are in contact with one another through conical inner and outer surfaces. The ring with the conical outer surface is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the ring with the conical inner surface. So that the apparatus expands upon reduction in temperature and contracts upon increase in temperature to compensate for respective contraction and expansion of the component.

Abstract: A controllable helium-II phase separator utilizes the cut-off action of the thermomechanical effect if superfluid helium-II flows through a capillary gap-shaped canal. For controlling the throughput, the gap width of the canal is varied by changing the distance between two opposite canal walls at least in the range between 0 and 15 .mu.m.

Abstract: A photoelectric receiver for picture recording equipment, particularly for thermal-image equipment having local brightness adaptation, comprises at least one first detector element for providing point-by-point scanning of the image generated by an optical receiving system, as well as at least one second detector element associated with one or several of the first detector element(s) having a larger radiation-sensitive area for picking up at least part of the surroundings of a picture point picked up by a first detector element. The second detector element determines the gain, with which the signals of the first detector element(s) are amplified for the formation of video signals.

Abstract: A brake and release means for a rotary nozzle body. The rotating shaft of the nozzle body is mounted in a missile casing and delivers a gas thrust jet substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the missile for guiding the missile. To be able to adjust the angular position between the rotary nozzle body and missile with high control frequency and exactly, a brake and release device is provided which comprise a friction coupling and an electromagnetic setting means. The frictional engagement and the release of the rotary nozzle body occur through a force control in that through the setting means, a control force axially directed counter to the tensioning force which assures the frictional engagement is exerted on the rotary nozzle body. To support the release of the rotary nozzle body, it may be provided further to build up a gas pressure between the friction faces of the friction coupling.

Abstract: The invention shows a rotary positionable installation, such as a wind power, having a tower (11), and an apparatus carrier supported on the tower so as to be rotatable about its axis and rotary positionable by means of an azimuth drive unit, particularly a housing (2), including a frequency adjusting unit (18, 19 27; 40, 42, 46; 66, 74) for the natural yawing frequency of the swinging system of the following components: apparatus carrier (2), azimuth drive unit and tower (1) by adjusting the torsion (rotation) spring constant by means of one of the components and/or the connection between at least two of the components of the swinging system. In this manner, the adjustment of the natural yawing frequency is made possible in a simple manner in respect to construction as well as operation.

Abstract: A device for use on aircraft or spacecraft provides data corresponding to the course and orientation of the craft, and a digital display of the terrain over which the craft is travelling. The device includes at least first, second and third sensor lines consisting of parallel rows of photosensitive semiconductor elements arranged transversely of the flight path of the craft. The sensor lines provide line images corresponding to terrain images directed onto the lines, and the lines are spaced apart from each other so that a first terrain image sensed by the lines during a first scanning period partially overlaps a second terrain image sensed by the lines during a second, successive scanning period.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing the output signals of an optical rth-horizon sensor (1) operating in the infrared range of an orbiting, e.g. stationary earth satellite with respect to variously warm oppositely located earth rims (earth anomaly). With the earth-horizon sensor (1), an off-course signal is formed which is a measurement of the off-course angle of the line of sight of the earth-horizon sensor in relation to the satellite/earth central point connection line and is used for the attitude control of the earth satellite. This off-course signal is corrected in dependence on the earth anomaly.

Abstract: A device for the recognition and directional detection of optical radiation, especially laser radiation, i.e., a so-called laser warning sensor. The laser warning sensor comprises several optical input systems to which a light guide path leading to a detector is assigned. In the individual light guide paths, polarizing devices for the linear polarization of the incident optical radiation are provided which determine for each light guide path at its end facing the detector, a specific direction of polarization which is different from the direction of polarization of the other light guide paths. The radiation leaving the ends of the light guide paths combined in a bundle is conducted to a detector designed as a polarimeter. From the direction of polarization determined in the polarimeter, the direction of the incident laser radiation is determined in an evaluation circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting the flight path of a missile, such as a high speed shell or projectile, includes a missile body with a distributor for flow means rotatable in the missile body. An outlet opening for the flow means from the distributor is positionable relative to a blow-out opening on the outer circumference of the missile body for effecting a correcting thrust and for switching rapidly between different transverse forces, a missile tip provided with the blow-out openings is arranged to communicate with the outlet openings from the distributor. The extent to which the blow-out openings and the outlet openings align or overlap can be adjusted by a drive for the distributor acting in cooperation with the braking arrangement.

Abstract: A mechanical vibrator for resonance operation, and particularly well suited for use with a beam chopper, comprises a mechanically stiff vibrator arm representing a fixed mass. A spring with a fixed spring constant is attached to and acts upon the vibrator arm. The vibrator arm and the spring comprise a mass/spring system. A drive means is connected to the vibrator arm and has a positive feedback circuit for self-excitation at the resonance frequency of the mass/spring system. At least one first magnetic system is arranged on the vibrator arm and at least one second magnetic system is located off the vibrator arm in operational connection with the first magnetic system for measuring and/or influencing the time ratio of the two half waves (t.sub.o, t.sub.g) of the vibration amplitude waveform of the vibration arm.

Abstract: A device for detonating a rolling mine upon impact or collision with a target by a linkage of sensors which detect physical criteria independent of each other in a sequence predetermined in time, a signal processor connected thereto delivering a firing signal for detonating the mine at the proper time.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of components such as heat exchangers, heat absorbers, rocket engines and the like, the components substantially comprising a base structure having cooling canals which are covered by a cover layer of the same or technologically similar material and which is applied by electroplating in such a manner that the cooling canals are first provided with an electrically conducting filler, the cover layer being generated by electroplating and subsequently the filling of the cooling canal being removed. Flexible and elastically expandable profiled ropes which are inserted loosely into the cooling canals and are pulled out after the cover layer is electroplated on are provided as the filler for the cooling canals.