Abstract: A device (10) for purifying a gas stream (30) made up of a plurality of DBD cells (12a, 12b, 12c) in series and, for each of the DBD cells (12a, 12b, 12c), a power supply (24a, 24b, 24e) for providing alternating current to each DBD cell (12a, 12b, 12e).

Abstract: A method of reducing sidelobes of an antenna induced by a blockage in a radome covering the antenna, which includes providing at least one passive tuning element between the antenna and the blockage, and adjusting the position of the tuning element to reduce the blockage-induced sidelobes. An antenna apparatus which includes an antenna, a radome covering the antenna and including a blockage tending to induce a sidelobe in the radiation pattern of the antenna, and at least one passive tuning element between the antenna and the blockage for reducing the blocking-induced sidelobes.

Abstract: In a weapons system of the type in which a round having a case is fired from a gun, the round including a fuze processor, the round further made up of a firing circuit having a resistor and also having two contacts in the case of the round, the gun having two contacts which contact the two contacts of the round when the round is in the gun and ready to fire, the gun being fired by applying a voltage in excess of a certain threshold to the contacts of the round via the contacts of the gun, the weapons system including a fire control system outside the gun.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimally decoding messages from CDMA signal sent by a plurality of users and received asynchronously at one receiver, using a minimal number of computations and minimal memory and processing resources. It is based on a novel approach to signal correlation, as well as to subsequent decoding by decorrelation, that requires a correlation period of only one symbol length, by providing for each user a pair of partial signatures sequences, with which the signal is correlated, deccorelating the results with the inverse of the cross-correlation matrix of all partial sequences, and combining the resultant partial symbol estimates--to obtain final estimated symbol values. The partial sequences are formed by separating each original sequence at a point corresponding to the estimated symbol boundary time, relative to an arbitrary correlation window, of one symbol length.

Abstract: A method for creating a surface having a fast changing temperature, comprises providing a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice opening into a jacket which is in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, and providing two gas sources, each gas source being independently connected to the said heat exchanger, one source providing a first gas, which liquefies when it expands through the orifice, and the other gas source providing a second gas, having an inversion temperature lower than the temperature obtained by the liquefaction of the first gas, and causing the exhaust gas flowing out from the jacket, to flow through the said heat-exchanger to preheat or precool the inflowing gas, as the case may be, and further causing the said first and the second gas alternately to flow through the said heat exchanger and orifice, to cool or to heat the surface; means being provided for allowing and stopping

Abstract: A FLIR staring array detector system for imaging an object scene using catadioptric optics has a cold shield efficiency approaching unity. The system provides a full format image of the object scene. The catadioptric optics include reflective objective optics for providing an intermediate image of the object scene and refractive relay optics for providing the full format image. The system further includes a staring detector for receiving the full format image.

Abstract: A multiple access communications system reuses a set of either N carrier frequencies or time slots in adjacent communications sites to provide more than N or T minimally cross-correlated frequency or time hopping communications channels respectively. A first set of communications channels is associated with a first of the communications sites. No two of the channels in the first set employ the same frequency or T time slots at the same time. A second set of communications channels is associated with a second of the adjacent communications sites. No two of the channels in the second set of channels employ the same one of the N carrier frequencies or T time slots at the same time. One or more sets of the minimally cross-correlated channels are further defined so that none of the channels in such sets employ the same frequency at the same time as more than a predetermined number of the channels in another of the sets of the minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels.

Abstract: An optical fiber dispenser for the payout of optical fiber from a moving vehicle so as to maintain a wire communication link with a control station. The dispenser has a bobbin carrying a multi-layer optical fiber pack and holding heating means connectable to a power or heat supply.

Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor igniter for igniting a charge of explosive material. The igniter includes a semiconductor substrate, and one or more fuse which is diffused in the semiconductor substrate such that the fuse ignites the charge when an electrical current is passed through it. Also provided is a process for manufacturing a monolithic semiconductor igniter. The process includes providing a semiconductor substrate, and diffusing one or more fuses in the semiconductor substrate. An additional embodiment provides an igniter with multiple sawtooth bridge elements. The resistance of this igniter may be adjusted by cutting individual bridge elements.

Abstract: A dual-mode surveillance system with a radar and an electro-optical mode. The radar mode is afforded by a conventional manned radar surveillance station fitted with an imaging assembly. The electro-optical mode is afforded by means of at least one electro-optical surveillance station with tracking capability located remote of the manned radar surveillance station.

Abstract: An add-on reactive armor element effective against normal and skew attack. The element is a multilayer composite body in which each layer tightly bears against each contiguous layer, which multilayer composite body includes an outer cover, at least one explosive layer, at least one intermediary inert body and a base plate. The intermediary layer or layers may be, for example, of aluminium, glass or ceramics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bobbin made essentially or partially of a curable resin comprises the steps of: a) providing a mold consisting of a male portion and of a female portion, the gap left between the said female and the male portions, in their operational mounted position, being of the shape and dimensions of the bobbin which it is desired to produce, the mold being provided with a resin inlet and vacuum port in communication with the gap; (b) laying on the surface of the male part of the mold, or winding thereon, any element or material which it is desired to embed within the resin; c) inserting the male part of the mold into the female part thereof and securely connecting the two parts, the two parts, when connected, being essentially sealed against pressure loss along their contact surfaces; d) causing a curable resin to flow into the gap through the resin inlet, while applying a vacuum at the vacuum port, until the empty space provided within the gap is substantially entirely filled with resin; e)

Abstract: A spool is produced by winding a filament, particularly an optical fiber, onto a bobbin by forming a first layer wound in a helical pattern, forming a transition at a predetermined angle from each successive odd layer to the following even layer and creating starts in each even layer at the transition point from the preceding, odd layer. In each odd layer, except the first layer, two cross-over lines at 180.degree. from one another lie directly over those of the preceding, even layer.

Abstract: A frequency source for sequentially generating several output signals of different frequencies, which includes a permanent frequency table, a digitally stored frequency table and a single stabilization circuit for updating the digitally stored frequency table using the permanent frequency table and the output frequency. The source further includes the ability to convert the digitally stored frequency to the generated output frequency; and a clock for synchronizing the updating of the digitally stored frequency table. In certain embodiments the source further includes a sampler for sampling the output signal and a feedback mechanism for feeding back the output signal to the stabilization circuit.

Abstract: A multiple access communications system reuses a set of N carrier frequencies in adjacent communications sites to provide more than N minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels. A first set of communications channels is associated with a first of the communications sites. No two of the channels in the first set employ the same frequency at the same time. A second set of communications channels is associated with a second of the adjacent communications sites. No two of the channels in the second set of channels employ the same one of the N carrier frequencies at the same time. One or more sets of the minimally cross-correlated channels are further defined so that none of the channels in such sets employ the same frequency at the same time as more than a predetermined number of the channels in another of the sets of the minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels.

Abstract: A rigid assembly of at least two intersecting constituent members which form between them at least one engagement canal made of two opposite holes in two brackets of one constituent member, each with an inwardly converging wall, and a registering transversal bore with divergent end portions in the other constituent member. A tightening device is accommodated within each engagement canal which comprises a first cylindrical member with a centrally bored frusto-conical head portion, a second cylindrical member slidably accommodated therein and having a screw-threaded central bore and a frusto-conical head portion, and a tightening screw connecting both cylindrical members, each of said frusto-conical head portions being of smaller size than the associated bracket hole and having a slant matching that of the side wall of the latter. When the tightening screw is tightened, the first and second cylindrical members of the tightening device are drawn together and the constituent members are fastened to each other.

Abstract: A cryogenic surgical apparatus comprises: a) a plurality of probes, each having a contact surface, each of which probes is suitable for creating fast temperature changes at the said contact surface; b) temperature generation means, coupled to each of the said probes, being capable of creating cryogenic and above 0.degree. C. temperatures at the said contact surface of the said probe; and c) temperature control means, to control the said temperature generation means.

Abstract: A connector for detachably connecting a first body and a second body together. The connector includes an insert which is attached to the first body. The insert has a first edge which features an outwardly inclining portion and further features an opposing edge which includes a protrusion. The connector further includes a base member attached to the second body. The base member includes a rotatable shaft which is adjacent the first edge of the insert when the insert is seated in the base member. The base member further includes an overhang which is adjacent to the opposing edge of the insert when the insert is seated in the base member and is directed toward the shaft. The shaft of the base member is shaped so as to alternately secure the insert by confining the inclined edge and the protrusion of the opposing edge of the insert member and release the insert, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.

Abstract: A flight control device is described for a flying object assembly. The assembly has a plurality of fins symmetrically disposed thereabout. Each of the fins is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A support is provided for the flight control device. The flight control device further includes a frame for each fin which is connected to the fin by a pivot and is freely movable with respect to the support. The fin can be angularly displaced about the pivot. A main shaft is rotatably supported on the support and is coaxial with the axis about which the frame is movable. Also provided on the support, is a motor having a motor shaft. Included, are rotating means connecting the motor to rotate the main shaft. A guide is actuated by the main shaft and a follower which is carried by the fin engages the guide to angularly displace the fin about the pivot when the guide is actuated by the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating controlled temperature changes on a contact surface, comprises: a) a probe having a contact surface, which probe is suitable for creating fast temperature changes at the said contact surface; b) temperature generation means, coupled to the said probe, being capable of creating cryogenic and above 0.degree. C. temperatures at the said contact surface of the said probe; and c) processing means to control the said temperature generation means according to predetermined operating conditions.