Abstract: A binocular periscope (10) viewer includes a columnar glass prism (52) disposed in a vertical optical path (24) and an angled internal reflective surface (51) for redirecting the image from a horizontal path (22) downwardly to a vertical optical path (24). An objective lens assembly (54), a night vision image intensifier tube (56) and a collimator (58) are all disposed in the vertical optical path (24) and further condition the image for presentation to a triple prism (60). The triple prism (60) includes a first prism (62) integral with a second prism (64) and a third prism (66). Prism (62) is disposed in the vertical optical path (24) and redirects the image into a forward horizontal optical path (70). Each of prisms (64, 66) receive essentially the entire redirected image, and further redirect such image into oppositely directed lateral horizontal optical paths (26, 28). The triple prism (60) is mounted to a cradle (106) which is secured to the frame (12) of the viewing system.

Abstract: A missile launcher is disclosed having an elongate planar platform (28) formed integral with the body of the launcher (26). Plural bomb rack fasteners (34, 36) and pylon mounting lugs (38, 40) are fixed to the platform surface (28) to accommodate different aircraft types. Plural sway braces (46) are removably fixed to the side edges of the platform surface (28). Each sway brace (46) can be fixed to desired positions along the side edges of the platform surface (28) to also accommodate different aircraft type mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A headgear (10) for supporting a night vision goggle (12) to the head of a wearer. A flexible temporal strip (18) is joined to a flexible crown strip (20) in the forehead region, at which juncture a pair of integral rails (74, 76) suspend the goggle (12) therefrom. The temporal strip (18) and crown strip (20) include free ends which are directed toward the posterior of the cranium (22) and are connected by straps (36, 46, 48) to a webbed pad (38) which engages the occipital protuberance to prevent forward rotation of the headgear (10) due to the weight of the goggle (12). Lower girth straps (68, 69) maintain attachment of the headgear (10) to the cranium (22) and further aid in antirotational movement.

Abstract: An eyecup (24) for interfacing a night vision goggle (10) with the eyes of the user (12). A flexible curved eyepiece (28) including a wing (38) provides a tight seal of the periphery of the eyepiece (28) to the occular eye area of the user (12). The seal prevents light (22) emitted from the goggle (10) from escaping out of the confines of the eyecup (24). A fastening sleeve (26) is provided to secure the eyecup (24) about a flange on the goggle (10). An intermediate accordion section (40) allows compression and expansion and maintains the seal between the eyepiece (28) and the ocular eye area. An air vent hole (52) is formed in the accordion section (40) to prevent suction from occurring within the eyecup (24).

Abstract: A bracket (10) for releasably engaging a goggle (14) to a headgear (12). The bracket (10) includes a receptacle (52) with inside tapered sidewalls (124) matable with a goggle stud (55) having corresponding outer tapered sidewalls (125). A release lever (22) is housed in said stud (55) and includes a transverse notch (140) latchable with a lug (146) on a catch arm (144) adjustably fixed within the receptacle (52). The catch arm (144) is adjustable by an eccentric (162) while the goggle stud (55) is engaged within the receptacle (52).

Abstract: A thermoelectric unit is disclosed having superposed PN semiconductor thermoelectric stages (10, 12) thermally and electrically connected together by a planar ceramic coupler (14) therebetween. The PN semiconductor blocks (16, 18) of each stage are connected by metallic bridging elements (20), which bridging elements are soldered to isolated metallized areas (40) on each face surface of the ceramic coupler (14) to thereby form a thermal path between the stages. Each stage further includes power source tabs (22,24; 26,28), the tabs (26,28) of one stage receiving power from the other stage through electrically conductive metallized edge paths (42, 44) on the ceramic coupler (14). This forms an interstage connection for connecting the PN semiconductor blocks of the one stage to the PN semiconductor blocks of the other stage.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting headgear-mounted vision equipment with respect to the viewer's eyes. A goggle (14) is mounted to a carriage (20) which is slideable on a frame (10) mounted to the headgear (12). The carriage (20) is slideable on a rail (16) by a tongue and groove arrangement (48), and slideable on a rod (42). The carriage (20) includes a cavity (62) with a coil spring (64) therein encircling the rod (42). In its relaxed state, the coil spring (64) firmly engages the rod (42) and prevents movement of the carriage (20) on the rod (42). The coil spring ends (66, 68) are compressible together to release the engagement of the coil spring (64) about the rod (42). A finger-operated plunger assembly (28) includes a slotted end (118) for engaging one spring end (68). When the plunger button (116) is depressed, the spring ends (66, 68) are pressed together, thereby permitting adjustment of the carriage (20) on the rod (42).

Abstract: A circuit for automatically removing battery power from a night vision goggle (10) upon its detachment from a headgear (12). A magnet (34) on the headgear (12) is magnetically coupled to a magnetic reed switch (36) fixed to the goggle (10). On detachment of the goggle (10) from the headgear (12), the reed switch (36) switches battery current to a capacitively coupled coil (52) of a bistable latching relay (K1). Relay (K1) contacts (56, 62) are disconnected thus removing power from the image intensifier tube (40). On reattachment of the goggle (10) to the headgear (12), the On-Off switch (18) is cycled to pulse latching Relay K1 coil (64), thereby establishing a current path to the tube (40).

Abstract: A measuring apparatus (11) for measuring the contours of a deep mirror (10) includes a laser (14) for generating a light beam (20). The light beam impinges upon a reflecting surface (16) for reflection therefrom to a point P. The light ray is then reflected from the point P back to the flat reflecting surface (16) and then to an intersection point (34). An axial reflecting surface (36) disposed normal to a central axis (12) reflects the light beam to a second reflecting surface (18). The light ray is reflected off of this surface to a point Q on the inner surface of the mirror (10). The point Q is diametrically opposite the central axis (12) from the point P. The light beam reflected from the point Q is then reflected to the reflecting surface (18) and then to a detector (50) which detects positional deviations in the path of the light beam. The mirror (10) is moved about the central axis (12) relative to the measuring apparatus such that the points P and Q traverse the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a thermoelectric device includes forming a matrix board (12) with an array of orifices (100) formed therein. A plurality of P-type thermoelements (96) are formed and then a vacuum chuck (92) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (96) into the alternating ones of the orifices (100). A plurality of N-type elements (108) is formed and a vacuum chuck (104) is utilized to dispose alternating ones of the elements (108) into the remaining orifices (100) of the matrix (12). This forms an assembled array (52). A plurality of conductive tabs (114) is placed onto the P-type elements (98) and N-type elements (108) by a vacuum chuck (116). A second set of conductive tabs (120) is disposed on the opposite side of the assembled array by a vacuum chuck (124). A solder flow oven (54) and a solder flow oven (76) are utilized to reflow the solder on the tabs between the two operations.

Abstract: A link regulator is disclosed for providing a regulated voltage over a wide range of input frequencies and load currents. The frequency of an internal VCO and the input frequency are phase compared to provide a reference error signal. The unregulated DC voltage is integrated for a duration proportional to the error signal. This duration controls a series switching element to provide a constant volts/seconds. The output of the series switching element is filtered to a DC voltage that controls the frequency of the VCO. The DC voltage is proportional to the error signal, thus providing a feed forward system to regulate the DC voltage. During the period when the series switching element is not conducting, a shunt switch presents a low impedance to the input of the filter to clamp the input to ground. This allows for operation over a wide range of load currents without losing regulation.

Abstract: A synchronized switching delay circuit including an oscillator and multivibrator for generating a synchronized delay pulse. The oscillator is divided into three waveforms shifted in phase by 120.degree.. A 4-16 decoder receives the three waveforms and the delay pulse outputs a series of blanking pulses that blank a portion of the leading edge of each of the pulses in each of the three waveforms and their complements to provide a leading edge delay. The resulting delayed waveforms are input to a three phase bridge circuit comprised of three pairs of complementary switches. The delay enables one of the switches in each pair to completely turn off before the other switch turns on.

Abstract: A quick disconnect heat sink includes a first longitudinal bracket having a longitudinal groove along one surface thereof and a second longitudinal bracket having a longitudinal notch along one edge thereof. A heat sink having a first tongue on one end and a second tongue on the other end is disposed between the longitudinal brackets such that the first tongue is inserted in the longitudinal groove and the second tongue rests in the notch. A movable rectangular bracket is attached to the second clamping bracket such that it retains the second tongue between the rectangular clamping bracket and the notch. A first insert is disposed on the first tongue that inserts into a first slot on the first longitudinal bracket and a second insert is disposed on the second tongue that inserts into a second slot on the rectangular bracket, the inserts and slots preventing lateral movement of the heat sink. The rectangular bracket is removable so that the heat sink can be detached.

Abstract: A missing pulse detector circuit is disclosed which includes a variable frequency VCO and a digital phase comparator. The phase comparator compares the phase of the VCO reference and the phase of a driving signal that drives a synchronous motor drive package. The output of the phase comparator is input to a loop filter to provide an error signal that controls the VCO frequency and phase. A second output on the phase comparator translates a phase difference into a pulse width. The pulse width is then input to an integrator circuit to delay the leading edge thereof. This delayed pulse is then input to a Schmidt trigger which provides a switching threshold. The output of the Schmidt trigger is utilized to inhibit the operation of a synchronous motor in the motor drive package. The missing pulse detector is operable to detect rapid increases in acceleration of the driving frequency and added or deleted pulses therein.

Abstract: A DC to DC switching regulator includes a first pulse width modulator (PWM) (26) and two switching transistors (48) and (50) that are coupled to a transformer (18) to generate an output signal that has pulse widths variable in response to the PWM (26). The output of the transformer (18) is rectified to provide a regulated DC output. A second PWM (78) is provided to convert the amplitude of the regulated DC output to a stream of pulses that are input to an isolation transformer (112) by a push-pull arrangement of transistors (118) and (120). The pulse width of the pulses input to the isolation transformer (112) is variable as a function of the level of the regulated DC and the amplitude thereof is a constant referenced to the internal reference of the PWM (78). The output of the isolation transformer (112) is rectified and filtered to provide an error signal that varies in response to the pulse width of the output pulses from the PWM (78).

Abstract: A shielded clear glass cathode substrate (44) is provided for use in an image intensifier tube of the type utilizing a clear glass cathode substrate (46). A black glass cathode substrate shield (48) is coextensive with the entire longitudinal surface of the clear glass cathode substrate (46). The black glass forming the black glass cathode substrate shield (48) has an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of the clear glass utilized in the clear glass cathode substrate (46). A method is provided for producing a shielded glass cathode substrate from a mass of clear glass (52).

Abstract: A system (10) for optimizing the gain of an avalanche photodiode (12) and an associated avalanche photodiode preamplifier (14) includes a variable voltage power supply (58) interconnected to the avalanche photodiode (12) for providing a bias voltage source for the avalanche photodiode (12). Circuitry (26, 28) is provided for measuring the output noise level of the avalanche photodiode (12) and preamplifier (14). Additional circuitry (46, 48) is responsive to the circuitry (26, 28) for measuring the output noise level of the avalance photodiode preamplifier (14) for generating a control signal.

Abstract: A photocathode internally processed image intensifier inverter tube includes a cathode housing having an outer side wall forming a cylindrical opening for connection to the photocathode of the inverter tube. The side wall forms a cylindrical cavity in which the phototcathode is received. A pair of flat wall surfaces are formed in the side wall. The flat surfaces are spaced radially inwardly such that the distance from the surfaces to the center of the cylindrical opening is less than the radius of the cylindrical opening. A tubular processing side arm is attached from each flat wall surface and is used to introduce antimony and alkali metal vapor, under a vacuum into the cathode housing for the deposit of a photosensitive coating on the photocathode substrate. After forming the photosensitive surface, the side arms are sealingly pinched off at the ends thereof to maintain a vacuum inside the inverter tube.

Abstract: A photocathode internally processed image intensifier inverter tube includes a cathode housing having an outer side wall forming a cylindrical opening for connection to the photocathode of the inverter tube. The side wall forms a cylindrical cavity in which the photocathode is received. A pair of flat wall surfaces are formed in the side wall. The flat surfaces are spaced radially inwardly such that the distance from the surfaces to the center of the cylindrical opening is less than the radius of the cylindrical opening. A tubular processing side arm is attached from each flat wall surface and are used to introduce antimony and alkali metal vapor, under a vacuum into the cathode housing for the deposit of a photosensitive coating on the photocathode substrate. After forming the photosensitive surface, the side arms are sealingly pinched off at the ends thereof to maintain a vacuum inside the inverter tube.

Abstract: An imaging system for detection of a target is provided which compensates for range dependency of a reflected interrogating signal. The imaging system includes an electromagnetic radiation source for generating a series of interrogating pulse signals directed towards the target. A receiver is triggered for receiving the reflected interrogating pulse signals from the target during variable time intervals and for generating a resultant output signal. The receiving time intervals are varied such that the number of reflected interrogating pulse signals received by the receiver is dependent on the distance between the receiver and the target. The receiver thus generates a constant amplitude resultant output signal independent of the distance between the receiver and target.