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: 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A method for accelerating projectiles comprises introducing the projectile into an accelerator barrel, feeding a combustible gas mixture into said barrel and igniting said mixture to accelerate the projectile, and is characterized in that a fluid is stored in the projectile and is ejected therefrom into the space between the projectile and the barrel. Suitable accelerator systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable tripod of the kind in which first, second and third telescopic legs are hinged to a head portion and each telescoping leg has a fixed tubular leg member and at least one telescoping leg member slidably mounted therein. The fixed tubular members of the first and second legs are interconnected by telescoping bracing means to form a leg assembly the two legs of which have two degrees of swinging freedom. There are provided backpacking means on the leg assembly.

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 contact surface; b) temperature generation assembly, coupled to the probe, being capable of creating cryogenic and above 0.degree. C. temperatures at the contact surface of the probe; and c) processing assembly to control the temperature generation assembly according to predetermined operating conditions.

Abstract: A station-to-station communication system with a built-in testing arrangement in at least one of the stations. The testing arrangement includes a transmitter/receiver pair with associated light/electricity and electricity/light transducers connectable at will by controlled switching means. When the transmitter/receiver pair is connected to each other, electro-optical light signals emitted by the transmitter are returned to the receiver and produce perceptible signals.

Abstract: A method of protecting a predetermined area, comprises the steps of: a) providing a base station positioned essentially at the center of the area to be protected, the said base station being provided with scanning laser beam generating and receiving means, image and signal processing units, memory means, voice receiving and transmitting means and image viewing means; b) causing a laser beam generated by the base station to be reflected from the surveyed area into the receiving means of the base station; c) processing the received reflected light to generate an image of the surveyed area; d) storing one or more scanned images in memory means, to be used as reference images; e) at any given time, comparing a real-time scanned image with one or more stored reference image(s), to determine changes which have occurred on the image, which exceed predetermined threshold values, and alerting the operator of the base station of any such changes; f) providing one or more moving station(s) comprising emitting/receiving

Abstract: A large area movement robot including a chassis, controllable apparatus for displacement of the chassis, navigation apparatus for controlling the operation of the controllable apparatus, the navigation apparatus comprising a scanning range finder mounted on the chassis, apparatus associated with the scanning range finder for determining the azimuthal orientation of a retroreflecting object whose range is simultaneously determined by the scanning range finder and apparatus responsive to the sensed range and angular orientation of the retroreflecting object for providing operating instructions to the controllable apparatus.

Abstract: A pay out system for paying out a flexible elongated element such as a filament, connecting a first object such as an air vehicle, to a second object such as a launcher, includes a bobbin carried by the first object and having a first flexible elongated element wound therearound one end of which is connected to the first object and the opposite end of which is connected to the second object by a second flexible elongated element wound in loop form on a second bobbin adjacent to the second object. A tension sensor senses the tension in the second flexible elongated element. A clutch normally couples the second bobbin to the tension sensor but is effective, when the tension in the second flexible elongated element reaches a predetermined value, to decouple the second bobbin and to permit it to rotate in a direction to pay out the second flexible elongated element from the second bobbin.

Abstract: An active defense system against ballistic missiles. The system includes a fleet consisting of a plurality of flying platforms fitted with interceptor missiles which loiter over hostile territory. The flying platforms communicate with each other by suitable data links and at least some of them also communicate with a ground station located in friendly territory. The interceptor missiles have electro-optical seeking and tracking capabilities and the data which the missile generates while in captive flight are communicated to a processor of the associated flight platform for autonomous decision whether to launch or not to launch the missile.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the rate of rotation and linear acceleration of a moving body in two perpendicular axis (X and Y). The rate of rotation is determined by measuring the force resulting from the Coriolus effect and the linear acceleration is determined by measuring the resulting force in the axis of acceleration. The apparatus includes an integral flexing unit which during rest extends in the Z axis, having a flexure zone with two degrees of flexing freedom. A proof mass is resiliently mounted on the flexing unit remote from the flexure zone with one degree of oscillation in parallel to the Z axis. The proof mass is caused to oscillate at constant amplitude by suitable electric means whereby, upon rotation of the body or linear acceleration thereof, the flexure unit oscillates by periodic bending of the flexure zone and the extent of flexure which is proportionate to the rate of rotation and/or linear acceleration, is determined by suitable electro optical means.

Abstract: A mobile pneumatic apparatus for combined pneumatic and manual lifting and lowering of heavy objects. A vertically reciprocable carriage is mounted on a trolley and is linked by a hauling device to a vertically reciprocable pneumatic piston associated with gas flow controls and a weight sensor. The piston may optionally be coupled with hydraulic braking means.

Abstract: A device for cleaning surfaces of chemical contaminants. The device comprises a hopper-like vessel having upper and lower chambers separated by a horizontal partition that constitutes the bottom of the upper chamber; an inverted U-shaped withdrawal tube located within said upper chamber and having intake and delivery legs which intake leg terminates short of the bottom of the upper chamber and which delivery leg opens into said lower chamber; an injector pipe having a nozzle located within the lower chamber and aligned therewith a delivery pipe having its intake end located within the lower chamber, the injection and delivery pipes producing together a pumping effect whereby the decontaminating agent is sucked from the upper chamber and a dispersion is formed in situ.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the rate of rotation of a body rotating with an angular velocity .omega. about a first axis. The apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be fixed to the body so as to rotate with the angular velocity .omega. about the first axis and a mechanical system within the housing having more than two degrees of freedom. Electromagnetic drive coils are provided for applying a forced vibration to the mechanical system about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, thereby producing a Coriolis response along a third axis mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes, the forced vibration having a predetermined magnitude and a frequency which is constrained to lie within a predetermined range such that there is produced a coupling between the degrees of freedom whereby the magnitude of the Coriolis response is substantially insensitive to frequency.