Abstract: A low observable, brass ammunition cartridge casing with an exterior surface having a colored coating which renders the cartridge casing low observable. The colored coating may be deposited onto the exterior surface by various processes, such as electroplating, chemical deposition, and spray painting. The colored coating may be selected from a variety of different colors such as, black, olive green, silver, brown, tan, gray, and white. The colors are typically obtained using conventional pigments and colorants, such as metal oxides. The brass casing exterior surface may be roughened to reduce the gloss or sheen of the casing on the colored coating. The invention includes ammunition cartridges containing a low observable brass casing described above.

Abstract: A root cause analysis system operative in conjunction with fault management apparatus, the system includes a topology-based reasoning system (TRS) operative to topologically analyze alarms in order to identify at least one root cause thereof.

Abstract: An improved adaptor for coupling a video camera to an endoscope, borescope, or the like includes a focusing mechanism and an independent zoom or magnification variation adjustment mechanism. The zoom mechanism will move two lens groups along an optical path simultaneously, but at different speeds. Each lens groups preferably includes a pair of lenses affixed together as a doublet. By controlling the position of the doublets relative to a pair of focusing lenses, the present adaptor provides an optically compensated zoom mechanism which allows changes in the magnification of the adaptor throughout a wide magnification range without having to refocus the adaptor.

Abstract: The method is directed to attaching spherical and/or non-spherical contacts to a substrate having mounting pads arranged in a predetermined array. The method includes the steps of positioning the substrate over a fixture, and positioning a stencil over the substrate. The stencil has openings arranged in the predetermined array, and is held and aligned by the fixture in such a position that the openings of the stencil are aligned with the mounting pads of the substrate. Soldering paste is applied onto the stencil so as to fill the openings of the stencil wherein a dab of paste is left in the openings of the stencil. Next, a contact loading plate is positioned over the substrate, the plate having openings arranged in the predetermined array. The plate is held and aligned by the fixture in such a position that the openings of the plate are aligned with the mounting pads of the substrate. The openings of the contact loading plate are then filled with contacts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making service connection to polyethylene replacement sewer pipe. Specifically, the method involves the steps of (1) locating the service; (2) excavating an opening less than two feet in diameter from the surface to the polyethylene replacement pipe at the service; (3) introducing a fusing apparatus on top of the polyethylene pipe and fusing a stack to the polyethylene pipe; and (4) drilling a opening into the polyethylene pipe through the fused stack. Before drilling the opening into the polyethylene pipe, the stack may be tested to make certain that there are no leaks in the fusing step and that the stack is securely connected to the polyethylene pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an attachment for a plastic pipe, usually polyethylene pipe, to a head for pulling the pipe into a sewer or other utility line. The present invention is also directed to a slip lining head. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a slip lining head which includes the unique attachment for a plastic pipe used in the repair/replacement of sewer and other utility lines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing a utility pipe or main and replacing the main with a polyolefin pipe. More specifically, the unique apparatus or system of the present invention includes a rotating head connected to a plurality of pipe joints to remove the old pipe, usually concrete or tile, by cutting, chipping and grinding. The head has an outer periphery of roller bits which cut, chip and grind the old pipe or earth into pieces which pass inwardly through the head. Behind the head is a non-rotating member which opens and packs the hole formed by the head for the replacement polyolefin pipe which is pulled into the hole by the member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making service connection to polyethylene replacement sewer pipe. Specifically, the method involves the steps of (1) locating the service; (2) excavating an opening less than two feet in diameter from the surface to the polyethylene replacement pipe at the service; (3) introducing a fusing apparatus on top of the polyethylene pipe and fusing a stack to the polyethylene pipe; and (4) drilling a opening into the polyethylene pipe through the fused stack. Before drilling the opening into the polyethylene pipe, the stack may be tested to make certain that there are no leaks in the fusing step and that the stack is securely connected to the polyethylene pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an auger attachment which is mounted on the stick of a backhoe which provides directional capabilities to the auger. More specifically, the auger attachment includes an outer body, an inner telescoping body and a piston within the inner body which provides all the lift to the auger.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner portable by a user during use is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner has a housing defining a main inlet, an accessory inlet, an exhaust outlet, and a vacuum passageway interconnecting the inlets to the outlet. An impeller is driven by a motor to create a stream of air passing downstream selectively from the main inlet or from the accessory inlet to the exhaust outlet. A cover is sealingly and selectively mountable over the main inlet and the accessory inlet for selecting a stream of air passing downstream from one of the main inlet or the accessory inlet. Also, the vacuum cleaner may have a pair of clip assemblies and a strap. The clip assemblies are ideally selectively positionable between a retracted position flush with the contours of the main housing of the vacuum cleaner and an extended position wherein the strap may be attached to the clip assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making point-repairs in sewer and other utility lines. The method involves positioning a section of polyolefin, preferably polyethylene, pipe by drawing or pulling it into and through the undamaged portion of the damaged sewer line requiring repair and fixing or securing from the surface the section of polyolefin pipe into place. The present invention is also directed to point-repair collapsible heads and a point-repair insertion tool for assisting in the positioning of the section of polyolefin pipe into the damaged sewer line requiring repair by pulling the point-repair insertion tool which includes the section through the line to the place where repair is required and collapsing the heads and removing them by cable from the section and the damaged sewer line.

Abstract: This technique for detecting underground contamination by organic fluids employs a plurality of spaced-apart boreholes adjacent a region to be tested for contamination. A neutron backscatter gauge is introduced into each of the boreholes for measuring the concentration of hydrogen in the soil surrounding the borehole. Such measurements are made at a plurality of spaced elevations along such a borehole and the distribution of hydrogen concentration as a function of elevation is compared with the expected distribution of hydrogen from underground sources of hydrogen, for distinguishing organic fluid contamination from other sources of hydrogen. For example, one can distinguish buried concrete or underground water from organic contamination. Measurements can also be made using chemical analysis methods. In another embodiment, the invention is used to profile and affect biodegradation. A plurality of spaced apart boreholes are provided in the buried material (for example, dump site).

Abstract: A laser block beam splitter system for microscopes comprising a main body housing, a laser safety filter, two optical trains, a pair of beam splitters, and three viewing stations. The beam splitters provide an image along both an axial beam path and a transverse beam path relative to the main body housing. The laser safety filter is disposed at the distal portion of both optical trains before the pair of beam splitters to protect the viewing stations from laser radiation. The three viewing stations of the laser block beam splitter system are thereby continually protected from laser radiation by the laser safety filter.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing printed circuit boards on a test computer includes a base, a probe plate on the base and a top plate in spaced relation above the probe plate. The probe plate has a predetermined array of spring loaded primary contact probes mounted therein, and the top plate has a plurality of secondary contact probes mounted therein in alignment with and in the same predetermined array as the primary contact probes in the probe plate. The top plate is adapted for receiving and positioning a printed circuit board thereon so that predetermined areas of the printed circuit board are aligned with the secondary contact probes, and the fixture is actuatable for drawing the top plate toward the probe plate to cause the primary contacts to engage the secondary contacts and to thereby move the secondary contacts into engagement with the predetermined areas of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The towed multi-band radar decoy or target is a collapsible, airstream-inflatable device intended to be used for providing gunnery practice or electronic countermeasure protection for aircraft against radars and radar-guided missiles by being towed on a line behind the aircraft and offering a more attractive radar target than the aircraft for the radar or radar guided missile to track and home on. The decoy or target is collapsible, so that many can be stored in a small space, and can be deployed while an aircraft is airborne. The decoy is comprised of a sleeve of radar-transparent fabric having a tapered cylindrical shape and an open mouth at a narrow end, and clusters of orthogonal trihedral corners formed from flat conductive surfaces fixed inside and to said sleeve which can be folded and collapsed into a small space, and once inflated, for providing a radar reflective signature which exceeds that of a towing aircraft over predetermined angular aspects.

Abstract: A hand-tearable masking tape comprising a tearable backing and an adherable face which permits the tape to be readily removable from a surface to which the tape is applied, the backing comprising a plastic film containing sufficient filler to bring the Elmendorf tear strength of the film to between about 150 and 300 gms.

Abstract: A bi-level test fixture for testing printed circuit boards includes a shuttle plate which is reciprocated between first and second testing positions by a motorized actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes an eccentric circular cam mounted on a rotating drive shaft of a geared electric motor, wherein the cam is received in a rectangular aperture in the shuttle plate. The aperture forms a bearing surface for the cam, and as the cam is rotated it slidingly engages the walls of the aperture for shifting the shuttle plate between the testing positions. A switching assembly is provided for switching the motor on when the shuttle plate is in one of the testing positions, and for automatically switching the motor off after the shuttle plate reached the other testing position.

Abstract: A head assembly for a vacuum actuated printed circuit board test fixture includes a top plate adapted for receiving a printed circuit board thereon, a probe plate having a plurality of spring-loaded contact probes thereon, and a support assembly for supporting the top plate in sealed relation above the probe plate. The support assembly includes a primary seal member having a channel formed therein and a resilient secondary seal member in the channel which cooperates with the primary seal member to provide a seal between the top plate and the probe plate around the entire perimeter of the top plate and to support the top plate so that it is movable toward the probe plate by resiliently compressing the secondary seal member.

Abstract: A mobile decontamination system comprises a pair of strong weathertight transportable sea containers which can be positioned side-by-side at a jobsite. One of the containers is partitioned to divide the container into separate compartments including a decontamination room, a decontamination cell room and a count room, there being normally closed doorways between the compartments. Large or heavy objects are cleaned in the decontamination room, preferably using CO.sub.2 pellets delivered under high pressure through a discharge hose. Smaller objects are cleaned in a special decontamination cell or glovebox located in the decontamination cell room. For this, CO.sub.2 pellets are delivered under high pressure through a hose to the decontamination cell. After objects are cleaned in the cell, they may be tested by monitors in the count room to verify that the objects are indeed clean. The second container houses the heavy equipment required to service the first container.