Abstract: An aircraft simulator for affording practice in landing maneuvers and the like. A cathode ray tube (CRT) produces an image corresponding to the runway which image changes in response to the trainee's manipulation of controls. The CRT image is projected along an optical path to a screen that is visually accessible to the trainee. Interposed in the optical path are optical elements such as mirrors which are spaced from one another along the optical path so as to create virtual images on the screen that appear to be at different distances from the trainee. The optical elements are sequentially interposed in the path and circuits are provided for synchronizing the production of the CRT image with one of the optical elements so that the image on the screen appears to the trainee to have a range corresponding to the environment being simulated by the CRT image.

Abstract: A solar energy vapor (freon) powered system for generating electrical energy in which a portion of the heat absorbed from the sun in daylight is stored for use during darkness by a thermal capacitor in which a mass of Pyrone, having a high thermal capacity, liquifies when heat is applied to it and goes through a solidification process to provide a heat output. A highly efficient solar boiler is constructed utilizing an anodized titanium surface and a particular combination of shaped boiler tubes and complementary reflectors. The overall efficiency of the system is further improved by a unique arrangement of heat recovery devices.

Abstract: A system of measuring, counting, and recording numerical information using binary notation with a minimized number of digits or bits, a system that may frequently be used to better advantage than the well known binary pulse code modulation system or the delta modulation system. In the binary concatenated coding system (hereinafter BCC), a three-bit data word is used to count all whole numbers from zero through 99, whereas for the same count capability and resolution the binary system requires the use of seven bits. In any one of the 10 decades this is accomplished by starting with a one, progressing stepwise from one to seven and then to zero in a binary fashion, thus providing eight positions corresponding to the first eight numbers of our everyday Arabic system. The ninth and tenth positions are oocupied by two of these same eight numbers so selected and arranged that they uniquely describe the decade completed by them relative to the other nine decades of the total count capability of 100.

Abstract: Sections are cut from a SiC platelet such that the sections have a-faces parallel to the c-axis of the SiC platelet. The sections serve as substrates for the growth of SiC layers by attaching the substrates to a body which is then placed in a chamber and the chamber evacuated. Hydrogen is then admitted, and the body on which the substrates are mounted is heated to produce a temperature profile such that the subsequent admission of a carbon containing chlorosilane gas or a mixture of a chlorosilane gas and a hydrocarbon gas will cause free silicon to be deposited at one end of the body while SiC crystals grow on the substrates which are in a preferred temperature range. Dopant gases, either p-type or n-type, can be admitted with the chlorosilane or hydrocarbon gas to produce the desired type of semiconductor.

Abstract: A method for molding a silicone elastomer into a fiberglass honeycomb panel previously bonded to a face sheet panel. The elastomer is introduced into a mold under vacuum to prevent air entrapment, and the bonded honeycomb panel is positioned above the elastomer filled mold and forced into the elastomer for vacuum filling the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: An improved fluid seal for a rotating shaft is provided which includes an inner annular ring or runner adapted to be secured to the rotating shaft and a composite sealing ring which is keyed to the inner ring and includes a radial sealing surface. An outer, nonrotating, annular ring or housing which is concentrically disposed with respect to the runner and sealing ring, includes a radial sealing surface which sealingly engages the sealing surface of the sealing ring.A circular wave spring, which is anchored to the housing and is disposed between the composite sealing ring and a snap ring secured to the housing, provides an axial force which forces the two sealing surfaces into sealing contact. The waves of the spring act as individual hydrodynamic bearings, and the axial force is transmitted across an oil film. This eliminates rubbing contact and the need for a separate thrust bearing.

Abstract: A solar energy absorber including a tubular absorber surface through which a fluid passes for transferring thermal energy from the absorber to other devices. Positioned above the tubular absorber surface are a plurality of spaced glass layers. Positioned between an upper layer and the next layer is vacuum or air for minimizing thermal energy losses through convection. A clear liquid passes between two intermediate layers of glass for transferring by means of conduction the thermal energy absorbed therein by either the initial passage of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic rays or by infrared radiation radiated from an absorber positioned therebelow.

Abstract: A continuous HCl in-air indicator consists of a tube-like element with an inlet end through which a continuous stream of air, containing HCl, enters. The air flows downstream from the inlet end and exits the element's outlet end. Positioned between the element's inlet and outlet ends are first and second spaced apart photoelectric units, which are preferably positioned adjacent the inlet and outlet ends, respectively. Ammonia gas is injected into the air, flowing through the element, at a position between the two photoelectric units. The ammonia gas reacts with the HCl in the air to form ammonium chloride particles. The difference between the outputs of the two photoelectric units is an indication of the amount of HCl in the air stream.

Abstract: This invention employs a magnetometer as a magnetic heading reference for a vehicle such as a small aircraft. The magnetometer is mounted on a directional dial in the aircraft in the vicinity of the pilot such that it is free to turn with the dial about the yaw axis of the aircraft. The invention includes a circuit for generating a signal proportional to the northerly turning error produced in the magnetometer due to the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field. This generated signal is then subtracted from the output of the magnetometer to compensate for the northerly turning error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for compensating for reflection losses in an optical path length modulated absorption-absorption gas analyzer used for determining the density of a reference gas in an unknown gas sample. The apparatus comprises a first chamber for containing a first gas including a reference gas at a known partial density and a second chamber for containing a second gas including a sample of the reference gas at an unknown partial density. A source of radiant energy is provided for passing radiant energy through the first and second chambers. Means are provided for modulating the path length of the radiant energy in the chambers. Additionally, a chopper wheel comprising a plurality of gas cells containing a sample of the reference gas is interspersed by a plurality of gas cells containing a gas excluding the reference gas.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and isolation of high purity anhydrous lower valence state metal halides comprising dissolving the corresponding higher valence state metal halide of the desired lower valence state metal halide in an organic liquid, which is selected such that the higher valence state metal halide is soluble therein and the lower valence state metal halide is insoluble therein, and subjecting the solution to high energy radiation which reduces the higher valence state metal halide to its corresponding lower valence state metal halide, at a temperature in the range of from about 0.degree.C. to about room temperature.

Abstract: An electronic optical analyzer for use in systems such as optical transfer function analyzers eliminates mechanical scanning systems and comprises entirely electronic image dissection means for dissecting an image transmitted by an optical system under test and producing an electric output signal representative of the beam intensity at a selected element of the image. The image dissection means is preferably (in the case of visible light) an image dissector tube whose positioning coils serve as an image element addressing means. The system is useable with any optical system including visible light, other electromagnetic radiation or charged particles (ions or electrons) so long as the image dissection means is responsive to the beam in question. The optical system under test must produce a real image at the image dissection surface of the image dissection means in order for readily evaluatable data to be obtained.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a jet aircraft provides jet noise suppression. The nozzle includes a plurality of coaxial airfoil ring segments which are spaced serially along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle to define a plurality of annular coaxial channels therebetween. The diameters of the segments progressively decrease downstream along this axis and the exits of the channels are non-coplanar. The radial depths of the channels are small as compared with the axial distance between adjacent channel exits so that noise is emitted non-simultaneously from the channel exits as a series of weakened pulses staggered in time. The boattail angles of the outer surfaces of the ring airfoil segments increase in magnitude with increasing distance downstream to reduce drag.

Abstract: A network is disclosed for automatically checking the skew and character spacing of digital tape drive systems to indicate out-of-tolerance conditions of those parameters. The network enables a tape drive to check its own recording accuracy as well as that of tapes recorded on other drives. In operation, the first detected pulse of each character triggers a monostable multi-vibrator which locks out further data pulses and initiates a window pulse equal in length to the maximum permissible skew. At the end of the window pulse data pulses may again be received. If a pulse is received after termination of the window pulse, the skew is determined to exceed specifications and a skew error indication is given by the illumination of a display light, for example. A similar circuit arrangement is provided for detecting character spacing which is less than the minimum required for unambiguous data reproduction.

Abstract: An antenna system for single or plural beams providing continuously variable beamwidth selectively in one or both of two orthogonal senses, i.e., azimuth and elevation, for either communications or angle-tracking. The system includes two parabolic cylindrical reflectors, which are respectively a main reflector and a sub-reflector; the reflectors are positioned with the focal axes thereof orthogonally. A point or multibeam (e.g., monopulse) feed is mounted adjacent the main reflector on the focal axis of the sub-reflector in the Airy disc of the system. Beamwidth is controlled using telescoping sections on the main and sub-reflectors to control the size of the surface areas thereof. Simultaneous operation of the telescoping sections of the reflector and sub-reflector provides bidirectional zooming of the beam without distortion while individual operation of the sections of the reflectors permits unidirectional zooming.

Abstract: A space-to-space or space-to-earth optical transmission link is simulated by positioning a linear optical modulator between an optical carrier source and a receiver for the carrier. The optical modulator is driven by an analog signal having random variations indicative of characteristics of the transmission link, as derived from an analog computer circuit. The analog computer circuit is responsive to a Gaussian random analog source. For certain types of links, the analog computer circuit is responsive to a pair of Gaussian analog signals which are derived by feeding a relatively wide band Gaussian analog source in parallel to a first low pass filter and to a heterodyne circuit that derives a beat frequency output that is passed through a second low pass filter having the same characteristics as the first low pass filter. For space-to-space transmission, transmitter pointing jitter is a dominant noise source and is simulated by deriving a beta statistical variation from the analog computer.

Abstract: A cyclic therapeutic hand exerciser based on inflation and deflation of structural members, which alternately imparts a straightening and a bending motion to the fingers wherein as air pressure inflates a splint-like upper member the fingers are straightened and upon deflation of the splint-like member and inflation of a wrist pouch a flap is tightened pulling the fingertips down and curling the fingers in toward the palm.

Abstract: An auger device is used to attach rigidized surface insulation to a spacecraft. The auger is preferably screwed into an insulation tile which has been predrilled. The augertile combination is then fastened to the spacecraft using an attachment screw which penetrates the spacecraft skin and which is secured by a blind end fastener. In an alternate method, the auger is incorporated in the insulation tile when the latter is fabricated.

Abstract: An improved portable peening gun characterized by a pneumatic motor, an axially reciprocable hammer supported to be driven by the motor from an initial position along a linear path, and an improved peening head including an axially reciprocable rod bundle coaxially aligned with the hammer and disposed within the path thereof. The improved head includes a plurality of peening rods, each being characterized by an anvil defined at one end thereof for receiving the hammer in impacting engagement, and a peening surface defined at the other end of a configuration substantially conforming to a segment of a sphere having a radius substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the rod, a barrel for supporting the rod bundle for axial reciprocation, and a helical spring disposed within the barrel for urging the bundle in displacement toward its initial position.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the ferrite content of austenitic stainless steel weld material. The device includes a base plate for rotatably mounting a mechanical vernier member thereupon; the mechanical vernier member supports a cantilever beam in a manner to provide vertical positioning of the beam. Suspended from the free end of the beam is a permanent magnet below which is positioned the specimen of austenitic weld material which is to be tested. Strain gauges are provided on the top surface of the beam for measuring the magnetic force between the magnet and weld material by measuring the amount of downward deflection of the beam. The measurement is then converted into a reading which indicates the percentage of ferrite of the weld material in the joint.