Abstract: An array of field emission cathodes is formed by a plurality of pointed cold cathode elements arranged in rows and columns along microwave transmission means such as a waveguide or transmission line, into which low power microwave energy to be amplified is fed. Arranged opposite the cathode array in spaced relationship therewith is an anode structure. Running along the anode structure is a second microwave transmission means for receiving and coupling out the amplified input energy. Positioned between the anode and the cathode are a plurality of grid members for controlling the electron flow between the cathodes and the anode.

Abstract: Thermionic filaments are arranged in an array which covers a predetermined area. A spreader electrode which may be in the form of a flat plate is placed on one side of the filaments with an anode being placed on the other side of the filaments, and an accelerator grid, focusing plate and collimation plate being placed in that order between the filaments and the anode. The anode is in the form of a foil through which the electrons pass into an area where they are utilized, such as for example a laser cavity where they are utilized to ionize the laser gas. The foil anode is supported on an apertured structure which facilitates the formation of a vacuum tight seal of the vacuum envelope containing the gun and functions as a heat sink to dissipate some of the heat energy developed in the foil.

Abstract: A single optical fiber having a core with at least one planar side is arranged in an open loop configuration to form a bus which is run between a plurality of communications stations to be served. The legs of the loop are placed side by side to form a paired line cable which interconnects the stations. At each station, a transmit line is coupled into one of the cable lines, and a receive line coupled into the other, such coupling being achieved without breaking the fiber core, by means of a coupler such as a prism, taper, grating coupler or the like, which abuts against an exposed planar portion of the fiber core. Electrical signals are modulated onto a light beam generated at each station by means of a photo-emitter, the light signals received at each station being demodulated from the light beam and processed for utilization as may be required. A multiplex control is employed to time multiplex the signals transmitted from the various stations.

Abstract: An optical assembly is mounted in the nose of a missile, this assembly including an infra-red sensor for sensing the orientation of the missile relative to an infra-red illuminated target, and a visible sensor such as a vidicon for determining the orientation of the missile relative to a visible target. The infra-red and visible detectors may be used alternatively for acquiring and tracking a target, as the situation may demand. The optical unit is stabilized in space about the pitch and yaw axes thereof by means of a gyro stabilized platform unit which is separated therefrom and linked thereto by coupling rods which cause the optical assembly to accurately follow the stabilized platform in both yaw and elevation.

Abstract: A multiline laser and method of operating same which comprises selectively controlling the vibrational bands or lines emitted by the laser through incorporating into the laser an intracavity gas cell which contains sufficient concentration of molecules of at least one gas that will prevent at least one of the lines of said laser from achieving sufficient gain to lase in an undesirable line, leaving the laser oscillation to build up in the remaining lines.

Abstract: A voice-excited vocoder analyzer divides the audio input signals into a baseband and upper band by deriving Fourier transform coefficients and transmitting the coefficients in a time-multiplex frame. The coefficients (a.sub.n and b.sub.n) are derived in two paths, each path multiplying the input signal by a stepped-frequency local source, (one sine, one cosine), the product feeding a recirculating shift register. The vocoder synthesizer effectively performs the same operations in reverse.

Abstract: A laser using an electron beam pump mixture of argon, krypton and nitrogen trifluoride. High power krypton fluoride laser emission is efficiently generated by employing nitrogen trifluoride as a fluorine donor.

Abstract: A laser using an electron beam pump mixture of argon, xenon and nitrogen trifluoride. High power xenon fluoride laser emission is efficiently generated by employing nitrogen trifluoride as a fluorine donor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilized in forming a hemispherical shape from a cast thermoplastic acrylic resin sheet or the like, dyeing the inside surface of the hemisphere to provide a uniform color density or a color density variation increasing from light to dark from the horizon to the zenith point of the hemisphere, heating the hemisphere to its forming temperature, causing it to revert to a flat sheet, and reverse forming the hemisphere to have the dyed surface on the outside.

Abstract: An e-beam pumped laser employs a hollow cylindrical anode and cathode structure, the cathode being externally concentric with the anode. The lasing gas is contained within a chamber formed by the anode, an optical oscillator cavity being formed between mirrors placed at opposite ends of the anode chamber. The laser gas is excited by means of an e-beam directed radially inwardly from the cathode through the walls of the anode, which are formed of a thin foil, into the laser gas cavity.

Abstract: A system for programming the radar return signal from an airborne target carrier to gradually increase its frequency and attenuate its amplitude timed with respect to the launching of a target from the carrier, the target having its own fixed radar return, so that the velocity gate of the doppler tracking radar of a missle fired at the carrier will be smoothly handed off from the carrier to the target when the target is launched from the carrier. The programming equipment comprises timed serrodyne modulation of a traveling wave tube phase shifter to control the frequency change, and a controlled attenuator to reduce the amplitude of the returned "reflected" signal, together with necessary timing controls, the operation of the system being initiated by a command signal to launch the target.

Abstract: A plurality of infra-red detectors having storage capabilities are arranged in an array having X and Y address lines and a signal readout line. The detector elements have a semiconductor substrate of extrinsic material such as suitably doped silicon, and operate to store and provide readout of signal information using majority carriers, there being no requirement for depletion regions or P-N junctions. Majority carrier diffused regions are formed along the front surface of the substrate, the X and Y address lines and the signal line being placed adjacent to these diffused layers as well as terminals for applying a bias voltage and for forming a storage capacitor for each of these detector elements. Bias is applied in a polarity such as to attract majority carriers generated by the infra-red radiation to the surface for storage in the storage capacitor, the stored carriers providing a readout signal on the signal line when an addressing signal appears on the X and Y lines.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter in the form of a pair of saucer-shaped clamps securing between them a segmented, resilient, thin metal sealing ring surrounding a vacuum chamber defined in the underside of the lifter. The clamping surfaces of the lifter are angularly disposed in such a way that the sealing ring engages the surface of a part to be lifted at a shallow angle. Suction is applied to the underside of the lifter creating a vacuum which draws the sealing ring segments together into substantially airtight formation around the lifter vacuum chamber sealing the underside of the lifter from atmosphere and causing the lifter to adhere to the surface engaged thereby while the part is lifted and conveyed from one location to another.

Abstract: A laser beamrider projectile having a lens system and a four-quadrant photodiode detector, which eliminates the need for rate gyros in the projectile to provide stabilization. When the projectile is aligned with the beam, the beam image is centered on the intersection of the four quadrants of the detector, and when the projectile pitch or yaw angle deviates, more light strikes one or two of the quadrants than the others. Comparison circuitry connected to the detector outputs provides one error signal proportional to pitch angle deviation and another error signal proportional to yaw angle deviation. These signals are usable by the projectile flight control system to eliminate oscillation in pitch and yaw. Preferably, an angle rate signal is also supplied to the stabilization system in addition to or instead of the angle deviation signal. The full specification must be consulted for an understanding of the invention.

Abstract: A spherical inertial platform has a plurality of rotary torquer units spaced around the periphery thereof for torquing the platform relative to its housing in response to stabilization signals thereby to stabilize the platform. The torquer units, which may comprise ball shaped rotors which are torqued in response to stabilizing signals fed to armatures associated therewith, provide a mechanical coupling between the housing and the platform so as to impart the stabilizing torquing forces to such platform; an effective gear ratio being provided between the torquer units and the platform.

Abstract: An electromagnetic beam which is preferably generated by means of a laser is transmitted to a vehicle such as a missile to be controlled, and reflected back from such vehicle by means of an optical reflector. The beam is passed through separate optical modulators, one of these being at the control station, where the transmitter is located; the other of these being on the controlled vehicle. A television type camera is installed on the vehicle and provides a picture of objects in the path of the vehicle. This picture is modulated onto the beam by means of the aforementioned modulator. The picture is received at the control station and fed to a display device for viewing by an operator. Using this picture, the operator moves a hand control device in azimuth and elevation, as may be necessary, to generate control signals to correct the path of the vehicle so as to properly direct its course towards a selected target.

Abstract: An interconnect system between an off-center-line gun of an aircraft and the aircraft rudder control. When the off-center gun is fired, the trigger actuation creates a signal modified by dynamic compressible pressure Q.sub.c to cause the interconnect system to automatically deflect the rudder an amount to cancel the yaw moment produced by the gun firing. Circuitry is also disclosed to additionally compensate for any yaw moment which may arise from an extendable gun gas deflector door. The full specification must be consulted for an understanding of the invention.

Abstract: A digital filter for obtaining quadrature components in a periodic signal, such as the recovery of phase and/or amplitude of two or more periodic signals through coherent digital summation techniques. In one embodiment of the invention, the digital filter forms part of an omega type radio navigation system in which a mobile receiver station receives a signal containing three preselected frequencies of interest transmitted from a plurality of fixed transmitting stations in timed sharing sequence. The mobile receiving station may contain band pass filters to receive the signal and separate and pass only the three preselected frequencies of interest. These three preselected frequencies of interest are then summed and introduced into a sample and hold circuit which operates in combination with an analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: A gun aiming system having target ranging means, wherein the operator observes the position of backscattered radiation from a bullet or bullets at the target range relative to a simultaneous visually observed target position. A diverged laser beam is reflected back from a special reflector in the rear of the bullet and received in an optical system which produces an image-like indication in an operator's combining glass. A range gating technique images only the bullets at the same range as the target. The resulting real-time display of the target and the bullet in the target plane simultaneously permits the operator to place the direction of fire so that the two images coincide, thus producing a hit.

Abstract: In an aircraft having two engines, a pilot's master control throttle assembly for selectively operating one or both engines and configured to allow for synchronization of the engines using only the master control throttle, the master control assembly has a master throttle lever with a fixed carriage pin extending laterally therefrom which engages detents located in separate slave throttles for each engine. The detent in one slave throttle is a snug fit around the carriage pin, releasably locking it to the master throttle, while the detent in the other slave throttle is elongated, allowing for engine synchronization by movement of the carriage pin within the range of the elongated detent. The slave throttles are spring loaded and can be selectively disengaged from or engaged to the master throttle.