Abstract: This invention relates to the field of metal detectors. More particularly, it relates to an imaging metal detector for imaging the metal on subjects passing through a spatial plane providing the specific location, shape and mass of the metal object. This invention makes use of an array of active sensors to transmit and receive magnetic beams and a computer for generating an image of the metal object based upon the data received from the sensors. Through the use of this invention it is possible to scan several subjects at the same time and generate a two- or three-dimensional image of any metal object on the subject as well as precise location, mass and type of metal contained in the object.

Abstract: As voltage and frequency dependent multiple payload dispenser system in which a variable voltage or frequency signal source is used to selectively fire squibs based on the pass voltages and pass frequencies of a filter network. The filter network is placed near, or incorporated into, the payload dispenser itself or attached to the magazine, reducing system wiring.

Abstract: An incident optical signal is captured by an array of apertures and directed to pairs of fibers, each pair having a delay fiber with a unique length and a no-delay fiber. Each pair of fibers further has a unique transmission characteristic. Time interpolation is then performed using the transmission characteristic curve for each delay fiber and the duration from the time the optical signal arrives over the no-delay fibers and the time the signal arrives over the delay fibers to determine the wavelength. In a second embodiment, each pair of delay and no-delay fibers is replaced by a fiber splitter which directs light into a no-delay fiber and a delay fiber that have been split from the input of the splitter. In a third embodiment, two fiber splitters are used in place of the pairs of fibers. Each splitter has a number of branches for receiving light and an output end for guiding light onto the photodetectors.

Abstract: A telescoping support pole suitable for supporting tarpaulins or camouflage netting is described. The pole is made up of a plurality of tubes that nest within one another for storage. To deploy the pole, the tubes are extended in a telescoping fashion. Ball locks are provided for maintaining the extended poles in desired longitudinal relationships. The ball locks are activated by spring loaded collars that force balls into circumferential grooves formed in the outside surfaces of the inner telescoping tubes. The collars may be manually operated to release the ball lock mechanism to permit the pole length to be adjusted or to permit the tubes to be nested within one another for storage. Pivoting fixtures suitable for use at the upper end of the support pole are also described.

Abstract: A separating joint for use primarily in aerospace applications is provided having two operational components. The first component provides a very high force over a short stroke distance, using an explosively actuated expanding-tube, suitable for shearing connectors such as rivets. The second component provides a longer stroke, thrusting force to impart a separating velocity to the structures connected using this joint. The second component comprises a flexible bellows surrounding the expanding-tube. The bellows is inflated by gases that exit the expanding-tube, usually through vent holes in the tube wall. In operation, the detonation of an explosive cord in the tube causes the tube to expand and shear rivets or other connectors. The detonation gases then exit the tube to inflate the bellows, which further pushes the separated structures apart. This invention thus provides a high strength separable joint having relatively low weight and capable of providing a high thrusting force.

Abstract: Novel structural members are provided that are flexible prior to being rigidized. The structural members are fabricated as bundles of reinforcing fibers commingled with binder materials, e.g. thermoplastic yarn, and a heat source. Means for compressing the bundle during deployment may also be provided. The structural members are rigidized by activating the heat source to melt the binder material, which flows throughout the bundle to bind the reinforcing fibers together, such that when the binder sets or hardens a rigid, reinforced structural member is provided. In preferred embodiments, these structural members are attached to an inflatable enclosure in a structural framework arrangement to form an inflatable structure. Such an inflatable structure may be rolled or folded into a compact space for storage and transport, such as into outer space.

Abstract: A rigid habitat structure is provided that is fabricated in an axially compressed condition so that it occupies less volume before it is expanded upon deployment. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is fabricated with a pleated metal skin forming a bellows-like structure. The structure may further comprise structural hoops and stringers connected to the metal skin. The structure may be transported to its desired location in its compressed condition and then deployed by inflating the structure to axially expand the bellows, whereby the metal skin and stringers are stretched into a straightened condition. Inflation may be continued past the elastic limits of the stringers and skin, thereby stiffening them in their expanded condition and creating a rigid expanded structure. Axially expandable micrometeorite shielding and thermal insulation are also provided that can be installed on the compressed structure and that expand along with the structure during deployment.

Abstract: A separating joint for use primarily in aerospace applications is provided having two operational components. The first component provides a very high force over a short stroke distance, using an explosively actuated expanding-tube, suitable for shearing connectors such as rivets. The second component provides a longer stroke, thrusting force to impart a separating velocity to the structures connected using this joint. The second component comprises a flexible bellows surrounding the expanding-tube. The bellows is inflated by gases that exit the expanding-tube, usually through vent holes in the tube wall. In operation, the detonation of an explosive cord in the tube causes the tube to expand and shear rivets or other connectors. The detonation gases then exit the tube to inflate the bellows, which further pushes the separated structures apart. This invention thus provides a high strength separable joint having relatively low weight and capable of providing a high thrusting force.

Abstract: A portable laser pulse detection device. Optical pulses are sensed by a photodiode, and if the pulse width is narrow enough to yield sufficient spectral energy within the bandpass of the tuned circuits, a "laser occurred" indication will be produced by the processing circuitry. Automatic adjustment of the detected output for non-laser incident radiation is made by varying the signal level into a sequential detection logarithmic amplifier by a voltage proportional to the integral of the incident radiation over a short period of time. The device is shielded against electromagnetic interference and adapts automatically to variations in background noise.

Abstract: An improved ion detector having a removable ionizer inlet assembly, a high vacuum chamber, an analyzer and a removable detector are provided. Valves are employed to permit replacement of the ionizer inlet assembly or the detector without meaningful loss of vacuum. The ionizer inlet assembly has a gap which is adjustable in order to permit more precise control of the molecules which are delivered to the ionizer. Adjustment is provided to control ions which are discharged from the ionizer assembly prior to delivery to the analyzer. Internal heating is provided for the ionizer inlet assembly zones. The ionizer preferably has generally longitudinally oriented slots to facilitate more efficient electron bombardment of the molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the preparation of infusion grade water for use in the preparation of parenteral solutions. The apparatus is comprised of a two component system including a chemical purification unit and an endotoxin filter receiving assembly. Chemical purification of the water is achieved by treating the feed water [any potable water source] using a sequence of carbon adsorption, reverse osmosis, deionization, and membrane filtration. The chemically pure water from this system is used as a feed water to a low molecular weight cutoff membrane ultrafilter, which is an integral part of a presterilized manifold with receiving bags. The receiving bags may contain premeasured solutes in sterile nonpyrogenic powder form or in concentrated solution form to yield by dilution typical parenteral solutions ready for administration.

Abstract: A microcoded central processing unit (CPU) is used to emulate the macroinstructions of a target computer. Each macroinstruction emulated is divided into two phases, an operand derivation or classification phase and an instruction execution phase. A microcontroller is provided to control each of the two separate phases. The two microcontrollers operate in parallel and simultaneously in performing their respective operations. The two microcontrollers are synchronized together so that when one microcontroller needs access to CPU resources that are currently under control of the opposite controller, the requesting microcontroller is put to sleep until the needed resource comes available before it continues its operations. Microcode is minimized by sectionalizing the micromemory such that certain microcode can be shared by both microcontrollers where common microcode is needed to emulate different macroinstructions.

Abstract: A multiple payload cartridge connectible to a source of firing signals by two connecting wires having a first and a second branch each having a squib therein connected in parallel across the connecting wires is characterized by a zener diode connected in series with the second squib in the branch containing the same. The zener diode prevents the flow of current through the branch with the second squib until a firing signal of a predetermined polarity and a magnitude greater than the breakdown voltage of the zener diode is applied across the second branch. The zener diode responds to that firing signal by breaking down into a low resistance conduction path to thereby permit an electrical current sufficient to raise the second squib to incandescence to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A liquid chromatograph for HPLC utilizes low pressure solvent metering pumps for solvent mixing in series with a high pressure pump driving the column. Solvent mixture is provided at a flow based upon the intake demand of the high pressure pump. Such operation is obtained by the use of flow control apparatus disposed between the solvent metering pumps and the high pressure pump. The flow control apparatus includes a detector cell disposed in the solvent mixture flow path between the metering pumps and the high pressure pump. The cell has an inlet port for receiving an input flow of solvent mixture into the cell from the solvent mixing means, an outlet port for withdrawal of an output flow of solvent mixture by the high pressure pumps, and a reservoir between the inlet and outlet ports for holding a volume of solvent mixture accumulated in an amount dependent upon the relative flow rates of the cell input and output flow.

Abstract: A differential drag apparatus is disclosed for detecting air pressure forces on a drag-sensing body. The body is movable in response to a predetermined magnitude of air pressure force. A pressure regulator responds to the movement of the body by releasing uniform pressure to an activation system. The activation system in turn releases a trigger provided the air pressure force acting against the drag-sensing body remains above the predetermined magnitude for a predetermined length of time. The trigger upon release may perform any number of activates such as opening or closing an electrical circuit, initiating a mechanical response, i.e. releasing a parachute, or detonating a small munition charge. The detonation of a charge, for example, may in turn ignite a rocket motor, release an explosive, or any other of related activities. The apparatus is insensitive to short duration forces above or below the predetermined magnitude, and radiation as results from proximate nuclear blast.

Abstract: N-nitrosamines in samples containing other nitrogen compounds may be selectively and quantitatively detected by use of a method and apparatus which provides for the quantitative detection of N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography, the pyrolysis of the qualitatively determined N-nitrosamines in a gold or platinum reaction environment at temperatures ranging from 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. and the quantitative determination of ammonia produced by the pyrolysis reaction by electrolytic conductivity detection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized optical system, including a housing, an objective lens group mounted to the housing for collecting light from the image to be viewed, and an eyepiece lens group adjustably mounted to the housing for focusing the image at the eye of a viewer. Pivotally mounted between the objective and eyepiece lens groups is a roof Pechan prism. The prism is connected through a rigid gimbaled linkage to a gyroscopic stabilizer which is offset from the optical axis, so that rotational motion of the housing is not transmitted to the prism, thereby stabilizing the image viewed through the optical system. The gyroscopic stabilizer is provided with a damper for minimizing nutational motion of the stabilizer and a precision compensator for counteracting the precession of the gyroscope. The eyepiece lens group includes a negative lens component positioned between the objective lens group and the remaining components of the eyepiece lens group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the destruction of an alkali source in a nitrogen-phosphorus detector by certain reactive and derivatizing reagents encountered in gas chromatography is disclosed. Protection is afforded by lowering the temperature of an electrically heated alkali source during the period in which offensive substances in a gas under analysis are eluted, with the temperature of the source being restored after passage of the offensive substances. The temperature of the alkali source is changed by altering the current through an electrical resistance heater with a temperature control circuit that utilizes a wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: A mechanical and electrical pressure sensor wherein the mechanical part includes a fluid pressure chamber with a magnetic, electrically conductive diaphragm moving out-of-contact with a stationary contact in the presence of pressure and into contact therewith in the absence of pressure or because of energizing of a cooperatively acting magnetic coil. The electrical circuit connected to the coil includes a clocked flip-flop, the output of which is high during a time interval when the contacts are open (coil energized) and which is low when the contacts are closed (coil deenergized). The duty cycle of energized time to total time is a measure of average coil winding current, and, hence, sensed pressure. The ratio of energized intervals to total intervals develops a useful digital measurement of pressure readily useful in a computer.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed that utilizes a single font of somewhat cylindrical configuration, bearing type for various symbols upon its peripheral surface. The font is movably mounted to accommodate rotation and axial displacement, to set a desired symbol in printing position. The type font is controlled in movement by shift registers operating in combination with a source of pulses bi-directional stepping motors and reset apparatus. The printer is responsive to various codes which are registered by components in the shift registers which are then cleared by pulses that step the stepping motors to position the type font by driving the stepping motors in a forward direction to accomplish the desired position in components. Thereafter, the type font is actuated to print the desired symbol. Structure is disclosed for returning the type font to a home position by reverse stepping the stepping motors.