Abstract: A method of determining fluid pressure on a gun-launched projectile relies on deformation of a thin layer of a metallic material that comprises the outer layer of a segment of the projectile body. The axial segment of the projectile body that is selected for pressure measurement is altered or replaced with another axial segment. The altered segment has a thin-walled, structural, metallic sleeve that is concentric with an underlying hollow, metallic cylindrical body. The radially outermost surface of the body underlying the sleeve has a plurality of indentations formed thereon. Measurements of the deformations of the thin-walled sleeve into the indentations in the underlying body are correlated with known deformation and pressure data to determine pressure that was applied to the projectile during its ballistic cycle.

Abstract: A combustible fin protection device (10) for protecting the fin planforms 01) on a finned projectile (100) wherein the device (10) comprises a cover member (20) fabricated from a combustible material (21) and dimensioned to envelop the fin planform (101) to protect the fin planform (101) from elevated temperatures and propellant grain impacts during the in-bore transit of the projectile.

Abstract: A means for controlling a rotor of a helicopter utilizes cyclic pitch chas to its rotor blades, accomplished with a cyclic control stick. Cyclic control sticks have been a matter of concern in crashing situations. Prior art cyclic sticks are hinged to that they can be pulled out of the way of a pilot thrown forward and down by an impact. A lanyard actuated by the movement of the pilot's seat pulls the cyclic stick away from the pilot. Since such systems require various mechanisms and pulleys there is a need for an improved cyclic stick. A crashworthy cyclic control stick which is pilot actuated to overcome these difficulties is provided herein.

Abstract: In mass production of explosive warheads, heat-meltable explosive material s continuously converted from an amorphous mass into small solid granules by directing melted exposive in a thin continuous stream against the upper inside surface of a rotating, generally bell-shaped vertically symmetrical element. Gravity and centrifugal force move the explosive downwardly on the said surface until it is flung off the bottom rim of the rotating bell element as small droplets. The droplets free-fall inside a surrounding cold air chamber which congeals them into solid granules of the explosive material which can then be loaded into the warheads. In another aspect of the invention, an explosive soluble in warm water, e.g., nitroguanidine, is provided in a contiuous warm water solution flow to the inside surface of the rotating bell-shaped element to generate free-falling solution droplets from its lower rim.

Abstract: An improved coupling for driven shafts is formed by juxtaposed bores. A se core is disposed within the chamber formed by the bores. A plurality of radially extending splines are formed and used to rotatably fasten the core and the shafts. Adjustment means are associated with the core to move the core from an engaged position between and connecting the shafts for rotation to a second disengaged position within one of the bores.

Abstract: An erectable large optics for outer space application which includes a beam expander optic which is constructed as the output coupling portion of a feedback mirror of an unstable optical resonator and a large erectable gas lens has the focusing optic of an output aperture of a telescope.

Abstract: Metallic coatings are vacuum deposited onto a substrate using more than one eposition method in a single vacuum deposition chamber without breaking vacuum between depositions by providing a vacuum deposition chamber with an RF sputter electrode, a chemical vapor deposition assembly spaced from the sputter electrode, and a substrate that can be rotated from beneath the RF sputter electrode to beneath the chemical vapor deposition assembly, then cleaning and degassing the substrate under vacuum in the deposition chamber, then positioning the substrate below the RF sputter electrode, backfilling the chamber with argon, and then sputter depositing a metal coating onto the substrate and then rotating the coated substrate to beneath the chemical vapor deposition assembly, vacuum pumping the chamber, delivering the material to be chemically vapor deposited to the substrate surface, and heating the substrate to the temperature required for the chemical vapor deposition reaction to take place.