Abstract: An explosive, fragmentation structure having means for selectively controlling fragment size and configuration. The structure includes an outer casing having an inner surface defining a chamber and further includes means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of two detonation points with the chamber. Means are provided for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against the surface in a first pattern of segment-defining lines and for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the surface in a second pattern of lines which define segments larger than those of the first pattern.

Abstract: A machine tool setting device and control system are provided. The machine tool setting device sets the machine tool tip at a predetermined distance above a work piece by detecting when the machine tool tip intercepts an optical beam. The control system allows for the drilling of multi-ply work pieces wherein the multi-plies comprise different thicknesses and hardnesses. The drill bit translational velocity and rotational velocity are continuously controlled for optimization depending upon the type of material and thickness as a hole is drilled through the work piece.

Abstract: A mechanism for raising, rotating and lowering a workpiece from a first secured position to a second secured position with only a rotational input, wherein work operations may be performed on said workpiece in the first and second secured positions, includes dual cam followers extending from the first end of the workpiece for engaging dual camming races to allow the workpiece to first be raised, then rotated and then lowered to a second position. A ball bushing is mounted on the opposite end of the workpiece and pivots in a bushing support to permit the workpiece to rotate about its elongate axis. In an alternative embodiment, two sets of cam followers are provided, one set being mounted at the first end of the workpiece and other set mounted at the opposite end. Both sets of cam followers engage separate dual camming races to rotate the workpiece from a first secured position to a second secured position while remaining in a horizontal position.

Abstract: Novel carbon-carbon laminate composite materials capable of significantly increased strengths in at least one predetermined direction of load are disclosed. The composites can comprise plies of resin impregnated woven carbon or graphite cloth material in combination with resin impregnated carbon or graphite filament unidirectional tape or can be fabricated from the unidirectional tape alone. Generally the unidirectional reinforcement of the tape plies provides higher strengths and moduli in specific directions which can be controlled during lay up of parts. The processes for obtaining the beneficial increase strength of unidirectional tape ply materials while avoiding fabrication problems resulting therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for translating motive energy includes a rotor structure, having mutually spaced rotor members, adapted to react with fluids within the housing. In one embodiment, the rotor structure is rotationally driven by an external power plant for pumping fluids through a tangentially oriented outlet duct. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is driven by fluid under pressure which is conducted toward the rotor structure through an inlet aligned with peripheral portions of the rotor members, for rotationally driving the rotor structure. A variable geometry inlet control system is provided for controlling fluid flow in response to varying flow conditions and for directioning fluid flow to a portion of the rotor structure. The apparatus incorporates a structural configuration which permits its construction of carbonized composite materials, for operation at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus is adapted to be inserted and removed from one side of a work piece having an opposite side which is substantially inaccessible to a worker. A first, externally threaded member is threadingly engaged with a receiving structure, and a second member is inserted within corresponding seats or grooves for interlocking the two members. In the preferred embodiment diverting seats are provided for forming the second member into locking engagement between the receiving structure and the first member. In one embodiment, seat structures are provided for engaging frangible panels or the like for high temperature applications.

Abstract: An automated tool positioning system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of work stations, each having a set of guide rails disposed along the length thereof. A single control device is provided and includes a set of guide rails adapted to be temporarily aligned with the guide rails of each work station. The control device is thus movable from work station to work station and operates with a novel tool support member which may be selectively positioned along any guide rail to support a cutting tool at a selected position on a particular work station. The tool support member includes arcuate bearing surfaces which permit the cutting tool to be rotated through a conical section having its vertex at the cutting point of the tool in response to the output of a workpiece surface detection circuit. In this manner, the cutting tool may be automatically and accurately positioned normal to the contoured surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive data storage element is disclosed, suitable for application in an erasable optical read/write data storage system. The data storage element includes an optical tuning film and a film of thermochromic phase change material which will change from a first phase to a second phase at temperatures in excess of an upper temperature and back to the first phase at temperatures below a lower temperature. In one application, a thermally controlled support member may be employed to temporarily lower the temperature on the storage element to a point below the lower temperature, thereby initializing the element. In one embodiment, the storage element is a planar, suitably circular disk. In use, the storage element is adapted to be initialized by a modulated laser beam which may be focused on the storage element to temporarily heat particular portions of the element to a temperature in excess of the upper temperature, causing a phase change.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming elongate structures of composite materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of forming dies for preheating, heating and then cooling an elongate portion of composite material while shaping the material within an internal passage. A pulling device is utilized to continuously draw elongate strips of composite material through the forming dies. The pulling device includes two opposed endless track devices. One of the endless track devices serves to mount a plurality of engagement dogs, each having a substantially flat surface for engagement of the elongate portion of composite material. The other endless track device serves to mount a plurality of pivoting engagement dogs, each having a curvilinear surface wherein increased resistance by said elongate strip of composite material will pivot the curved surface into closer alignment with a corresponding flat surface, thereby tightening the grip of the pulling device on the elongate strip of composite material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly erasing and rebiasing a thermoptic thin film. A thermal insulating material (16) is disposed adjacent a thermoptic thin film (10). A layer of resistive material (14) is disposed between the insulating material and the thermoptic thin film and is connected to a current generator (18) which supplies a current to the layer dissipating heat into the thermoptic thin film and insulating layer. A thermal body (22), having high thermal conductivity and interfacing with the insulating layer the opposite boundary from the thermoptic thin film, contains a conduit through which a refrigerated liquid is flowed to establish a thermal gradient from the thermoptic thin film to the fluid. Sufficient current is supplied to the resistive layer to maintain the temperature of the thermoptic thin film at the bias temperature.

Abstract: In a method of installing a septum (18) at a desired depth within a section of honeycomb core (12) for use in a sound attenuation panels, the septum is sandwiched between two layers (20, 24) of support material having a melting temperature intermediate between the fusing and curing temperatures of the septum material. The honeycomb core (12) is pressed into supporting materials and septum to segment and position the septum (18) therein, after which the resultant assembly is heated sufficiently to allow the septum to fuse and adhere to the honeycomb core. The resultant assembly is then heated sufficiently to melt the support material and allow it to be drained away, leaving the segmented septum (18) in place within the honeycomb core.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite, fiber/resin components with fibrous, resin-impregnated tape is disclosed. The apparatus employs a gantry for positioning a tape dispensing head assembly over a mold structure, which defines a mold surface of planar or contoured configuration. A control system is employed having sensing devices for generating signals indicative of relative positions of components of the apparatus in several axes of permissible movement, and tape application is effected by means of major and secondary command inputs to appropriate servomotor devices. Primary and initial movement is controlled in accordance with a sequence command program in cooperation with a resident program in a digital computer, and a second, adaptive control system is alternatively employed for enabling the tape dispensing head to follow vertical contours of the mold surface during X-Y movement across the surface.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive film display is disclosed having a piezoelectric substrate and a thin film of pressure sensitive phase change material disposed thereon. A film of pressure sensitive material such as samarium sulfide is deposited on a piezoelectric substrate and exhibits a marked increase in reflectance at a region thereof subjected to a pressure in excess of a selected threshold pressure. Three interdigital surface acoustic wave transducers are provided along three edges of the display and are utilized to produce selective surface acoustic wave pulses in the surface of the film. Each surface acoustic wave pulse generates an area of pressure such that an external pressure greater than the selected threshold pressure is generated only at each point where three surface acoustic wave pulses intersect.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a composition of matter is provided for forming a coating for protecting carbonaceous substrates from degradation at elevated temperatures. The composition of matter is a mixture of particulate silicon, silicon carbide and alumina. The mixture contains between about 40% and 50% silicon by weight of the total composition, between about 30% and 50% silicon carbide by weight of the total composition and between about 20% and 30% alumina by weight of the total composition. A method is provided for forming a primary protective coating on carbonaceous substrates utilizing the aforesaid mixture. An enhancement coating is provided for sealing the primary coating in applications where the substrate will be subjected to elevated temperatures and temperature cycling.

Abstract: A random access memory device is disclosed which utilizes phase change materials. The memory device includes two overlapping films of a phase change material which exhibits an optically discernible phase change at any portion thereof which is subjected to a selected external stimulus and which exhibits a hysteresis effect such that any such portion is substantially unchanged after the external stimulus is removed. Various phase change materials are disclosed which respond to changes in pressure, temperature or electric field intensities to vary the transmission characteristics of a selected portion of a film of such material from substantially opaque to translucent. One of the two overlapping films is then utilized to record digital data by changing the phase of the material at selected portions thereof.

Abstract: In a system for generating thermal (14 MeV) neutrons containing an ionic accelerator, a novel thermal neutron collimator for producing a beam of collimated thermal neutrons is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substantially hollow collimator tube (10) having a closed, neutron permaeable inlet portion (20) communicating with a source of thermal neutrons (12) and an open outlet portion (22) disposed downstream of the inlet portion at the opposite end of the tube. The collimator walls (14,16,18) diverge outwardly toward the outlet portion of the tube and are formed of three radial layers comprising an outer layer of thermal neutron absorbing material (26) for absorbing off-axis thermal neutrons, an intermediate layer of lead (24) for absorbing X-rays and gamma rays and an inside layer of aluminum (23) for structural support.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming concave tape wrapped composite structures. The apparatus utilizes a mold having a cylindrical concave surface with a mounting plate mounted for rotation at each end thereof about a point on a longitudinal axis of the concave surface. A longitudinal shaft is mounted to each mounting plate a selected distance from the longitudinal axis and extends parallel thereto. A tape dispenser carriage is mounted to the longitudinal shaft and is movable along the length thereof. A radial shaft is mounted through the tape dispenser carriage such that the longitudinal axis of the radial shaft passes through the longitudinal axis of the concave surface and along a radius of the concave surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making carbon/carbon composites by pyrolytic conversion of a carbonizable liquid in a pre-formed graphite body to form an amorphous carbon reinforcing matrix. Graphite fabric saturated with a carbonizable liquid is formed into the shape of the desired end product body and placed in a flexible bag. The bag is evacuated to compress the formed body and the bagged body subjected to external pressure and heated. When the carbonizable liquid is heated to the curing temperature, the external pressure is reduced, causing volatile materials in the liquid to expand and form an interconnected pore structure. The formed body is thereafter heated to a temperature in excess of the curing temperature to further remove volatile materials therefrom. The cured rigid body is then transferred to a pyrolyzing furnace and rapidly heated in an inert gaseous environment directly to about 1500.degree. F. to pyrolyze the carbonizable material and form an amorphous carbon matrix.

Abstract: A composite material manufacturing process and resulting structure is provided to include high strength material whiskers (20) having a characteristic orientation when placed in an electromagnetic field (22). In one embodiment, whiskers (20) are disposed between lamina (10 and 15) and oriented generally perpendicular to the fiber layers (14 and 18). The whisker (20) orientation is maintained during a curing cycle for the respective matrices (12 and 16) wherein the matrix viscosity allows the whiskers (20) to orient in response to the applied electromagnetic field (22). The whiskers (20) retain their orientation in the resulting laminate to provide improved structural integrity for the laminate.

Abstract: A multiplexed multiplex bus includes a bus controller for controlling the traffic on a multiplex bus network. A plurality of extended buses are stubbed off of one stub on the main bus and are buffered by a series of driver/receivers. Control remote terminals enable one of the extended buses under control of the bus controller for subsequent communication with the main bus. The bus controller can address the control remote terminal to activate one of the extended buses and then address the remote terminals thereon. The remote terminals on all of the extended buses have identical addresses and, as such, are not simultaneously connected to the main bus at any given time.