Abstract: Flexible multi-shock shield system and method are disclosed for defending against hypervelocity particles. The flexible multi-shock shield system and method may include a number of flexible bumpers or shield layers spaced apart by one or more resilient support layers, all of which may be encapsulated in a protective cover. Fasteners associated with the protective cover allow the flexible multi-shock shield to be secured to the surface of a structure to be protected.

Abstract: This invention presents Normalized Amplitude Hilbert Transform (NAHT) and Normalized Hilbert Transform(NHT), both of which are new methods for computing Instantaneous Frequency. This method is designed specifically to circumvent the limitation set by the Bedorsian and Nuttal Theorems, and to provide a sharp local measure of error when the quadrature and the Hilbert Transform do not agree. Motivation for this method is that straightforward application of the Hilbert Transform followed by taking the derivative of the phase-angle as the Instantaneous Frequency (IF) leads to a common mistake made up to this date. In order to make the Hilbert Transform method work, the data has to obey certain restrictions.

Abstract: A method of assembling a spacecraft, comprising a carrier rocket and at least a first payload, such as a satellite or the like, wherein the first payload is placed on the carrier rocket employing an adapter between the carrier rocket and the first payload, and a second relatively heavy part of the adapter is placed on the carrier rocket, after which the first part of the adapter together with the first payload is placed on the second part of the adapter and the first part of the adapter is secured in a permanent connection on the second part of the adapter so as to bring the same into the completed form.

Abstract: A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals.

Abstract: A preprocessing apparatus includes a voice input apparatus 2 for acquiring uttered voice; an analog-digital conversion apparatus 3 for converting the uttered voice acquired by the voice input apparatus 2 to digital voice data; a comparator 4 for selecting voice data having a level which is equal to or higher than a certain level, from the digital voice data output from the analog-digital conversion apparatus 3 and outputting the voice data thus selected; a voice data cutout apparatus 11 capable of cutting out voice data having a level which is equal to or higher than a certain level output from the comparator 4, while taking a phoneme as unit; and a voice data output apparatus 10 for outputting voice data of phoneme unit output from the voice data cutout apparatus 11.

Abstract: A method and device utilizes boundary layer separation control for the purpose of wake vortex alleviation. Trailing vortices are manipulated by varying the spanwise vortex-sheet strength via either passive or active boundary layer separation control. Boundary layer separation can be diminished or promoted to vary vortex properties, such as locations and strengths, so as to generate wake signatures that are unstable, resulting in complex three-dimensional interaction and rapid destruction of vortex coherence in the wake. Separation control can be achieved in either a time-dependent or a time-invariant mode.

Abstract: A method, computer readable storage, and apparatus for implementing a recursive hierarchical segmentation algorithm on a parallel computing platform. The method includes setting a bottom level of recursion that defines where a recursive division of an image into sections stops dividing, and setting an intermediate level of recursion where the recursive division changes from a parallel implementation into a serial implementation. The segmentation algorithm is implemented according to the set levels. The method can also include setting a convergence check level of recursion with which the first level of recursion communicates with when performing a convergence check.

Abstract: A method for reducing drag upon a blunt-based vehicle by adaptively increasing forebody roughness to increase drag at the roughened area of the forebody, which results in a decrease in drag at the base of this vehicle, and in total vehicle drag.

Abstract: An electronically programmable multimode circuit is described. More particularly, the present invention is an electronically programmable multimode circuit that includes a first path and a second path wherein a mode and a signal directional flow direction is controlled through the selective biasing of the first path and the second path. A multimode circuit is produced that contains modes such as a phase shifter mode, an IQ modulation mode, an amplifier mode, a mixer mode, and a multiplier mode.

Abstract: A combustion chamber structure for a rocket engine or the like, has a combustion chamber liner with cooling channels and at least one manifold for feeding and removing a coolant, particularly a cryogenic fuel. The at least one manifold is brazed together with the combustion chamber liner and the area of the combustion chamber liner that is not covered by the at least one manifold is coated with an electroplated structural jacket. The invention also includes a method for manufacturing the combustion chamber structure.

Abstract: A scaling device projects a known optical pattern into the field of view of a camera, which can be employed as a reference scale in a resulting photograph of a remote object, for example. The device comprises an optical beam projector that projects two or more spaced, parallel optical beams onto a surface of a remotely located object to be photographed. The resulting beam spots or lines on the object are spaced from one another by a known, predetermined distance. As a result, the size of other objects or features in the photograph can be determined through comparison of their size to the known distance between the beam spots. Preferably, the device is a small, battery-powered device that can be attached to a camera and employs one or more laser light sources and associated optics to generate the parallel light beams. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single laser light source is employed, but multiple parallel beams are generated thereby through use of beam splitting optics.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive flux focusing eddy current device effectively detects deep flaws in thick multilayer conductive materials. The probe uses an excitation coil to induce eddy currents in conducting material perpendicularly oriented to the coil's longitudinal axis. A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, surrounded by the excitation coil, is used to detect generated fields. Between the excitation coil and GMR sensor is a highly permeable flux focusing lens which magnetically separates the GMR sensor and excitation coil and produces high flux density at the outer edge of the GMR sensor. The use of feedback inside the flux focusing lens enables complete cancellation of the leakage fields at the GMR sensor location and biasing of the GMR sensor to a location of high magnetic field sensitivity. In an alternate embodiment, a permanent magnet is positioned adjacent to the GMR sensor to accomplish the biasing.

Abstract: A multi-layered component, such as a rocket engine combustion chamber, includes NiAl or NiAl-based alloy as a structural layer on the “hot” side of the component. A second structural layer is formed of material selected from Ni-based superalloys, Co-based alloys, Fe-based alloys, Cu, and Cu-based alloys. The second material is more ductile than the NiAl and imparts increased toughness to the component. The second material is selected to enhance one or more predetermined physical properties of the component. Additional structural layers may be included with the additional material(s) being selected for their impact on physical properties of the component.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operations in a video guidance sensor system wherein images of laser output signals transmitted by the system and returned from a target are captured and processed by the system to produce data used in tracking of the target. Six modes of operation are provided as follows: (i) a reset mode; (ii) a diagnostic mode; (iii) a standby mode; (iv) an acquisition mode; (v) a tracking mode; and (vi) a spot mode wherein captured images of returned laser signals are processed to produce data for all spots found in the image. The method provides for automatic transition to the standby mode from the reset mode after integrity checks are performed and from the diagnostic mode to the reset mode after diagnostic operations are carried out. Further, acceptance of reset and diagnostic commands is permitted only when the system is in the standby mode. The method also provides for automatic transition from the acquisition mode to the tracking mode when an acceptable target is found.

Abstract: A test apparatus provides an applied load to a monoball through a trolley which moves along a loading axis. While applying the load to the monoball, the torque meter is in communication with the spherical monoball, and a load cell senses the application of applied force to the monoball. Meanwhile, a rotary actuary imports rotary oscillating motion to the monoball which is sensed by a position sensor and a torque meter. Accordingly, a processor can determine the coefficient of friction in substantially real time along with a cycles per second rate.

Abstract: An optical phase modulator includes a bandpass multilayer stack, formed by a plurality of dielectric layers, preferably of GaAs and AlAs, and having a transmission function related to the refractive index of the layers of the stack, for receiving an optical input signal to be phase modulated. A phase modulator device produces a nonmechanical change in the refractive index of each layer of the stack by, e.g., the injection of free carrier, to provide shifting of the transmission function so as to produce phase modulation of the optical input signal and to thereby produce a phase modulated output signal.

Abstract: Heat dissipating apparatus or system for dissipating heat generated by a payload on a spacecraft having a plurality of surfaces. The system includes at least one radiator-condenser coupled to one or more of the surfaces of the spacecraft and a heat pump including an evaporator, a compressor, and an expansion valve coupled in a closed-loop manner to the radiator-condenser. The system components are coupled together using small diameter, thin- and smooth-walled tubing. The system enables the radiator-condenser to be elevated above the source or payload temperature, and, along with the use of thin walled tubing, reduces the mass of the spacecraft. Because the radiator-condenser temperatures are elevated, multiple surfaces of the spacecraft (west, east, earth and aft) can be effectively used as radiating surfaces.

Abstract: In a power MOSFET, on an N+ drain layer 21 as a substrate, a second N base layer 3 and a first N? base layer 22 are deposited in the order by epitaxial growth. In a surface portion of the layer 22, there are selectively formed a P base region 23, in a surface portion of which an N+ source region 24 is selectively formed. On a channel region in the P base region 23, a gate electrode 26 is formed with a gate insulator film 25 held between. A source electrode 27 and a drain electrode 28 are formed on the N+ source region 24 and on the back of the substrate, respectively. The layer 3 is made to have a thickness equal to or more than ¼ of that of the first N? base layer 22, and an averaged impurity concentration between 1×1015/cm3 and 3×1017/cm3. The thickness can be alternatively given as equal to or more than ½ of a difference between the thickness x shown as x(?m)=VSEB(V)/8 and that of the layer 22, where VSEB is an SEB(Single Event Burnout) voltage of the layer 3.

Abstract: This invention is a series of rod-coil block polyimide copolymers that are easy to fabricate into mechanically resilient films with acceptable ionic or protonic conductivity at a variety of temperatures. The copolymers consist of short-rigid polyimide rod segments alternating with polyether coil segments. The rods and coil segments can be linear, branched or mixtures of linear and branched segments. The highly incompatible rods and coil segments phase separate, providing nanoscale channels for ion conduction. The polyimide segments provide dimensional and mechanical stability and can be functionalized in a number of ways to provide specialized functions for a given application. These rod-coil black polyimide copolymers are particularly useful in the preparation of ion conductive membranes for use in the manufacture of fuel cells and lithium based polymer batteries.

Abstract: A recording paper coated or impregnated with a sizing agent containing a water-soluble soybean polysaccharide as an indispensable component, and optionally a cationic polymer and a surfactant, preferably a nonionic surfactant having HLB of 5-15. The water-soluble soybean polysaccharide is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from soybean or soybean extraction residue and subjected to desalinating purification.