Abstract: A process for controlling a gimballed motion base system substantially duplicating operator perceptions in a simulated vehicle. Such vehicles may include but not be limited to, aircraft, automobiles, boats, roller coasters, bob sleds, and futuristic space vehicles. The process includes: a subprocess accounting for an effect of yaw on a motion base arm, a full-G bias function and a limited-G bias function, a low-G bias function, improved computation of pitch and roll gimbal commands to negate artifacts, a negative-G process, allowing various yaw gimbal positions, allowing various cockpit orientations, and a yaw gimbal control process.A perceptual model based on empirically observed human response data predicts perceived pitch, roll, and yaw, and accounts for the fact that a Gy component of linear acceleration affects both roll and yaw perception.

Abstract: A process for controlling a gimballed motion base system substantially duplicating pilot perceptions in a simulated aircraft. The process includes: a subprocess accounting for an effect of yaw on a motion base arm, a full-G bias function and a limited-G bias function, a low-G bias function, improved computation of pitch and roll gimbal commands to negate artifacts, a negative-G algorithm, allowing various yaw gimbal positions, allowing various cockpit orientations, and a yaw gimbal control process.A perceptual model based on emperically observed human response data predicts perceived pitch, roll, and yaw, and accounts for the fact that a Gy component of linear acceleration affects both roll and yaw perception.

Abstract: An improved heliostat comprises a focusing reflector having a toroidal configuration. Mounting means for the reflector comprises means defining a first axis parallel to the earth's polar axis, and means defining a declination axis perpendicular to the first axis. The reflector is mounted for rotation about the declination axis. The means defining the declination axis and the reflector are jointly rotatable about the first axis. A field of heliostats in accordance with the present invention may be arranged to reflect solar radiation to a common receiver. A suitable heliostat field arrangement is a field lying in a plane which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at the earth's surface. Also disclosed is a deflecting means for each heliostat facilitating rapid focusing of all heliostats in a field upon the receiver, or rapid defocusing of the field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for direct absorption of solar energy by material being processed whereby it is not necessary to first convert the solar energy to sensible heat in an intermediate heat exchange medium or apparatus. The material to be processed is dispersed downwardly in a chamber, or reaction vessel, in the form of small droplets, or particles, of controlled size. Solar energy entering the vessel through an elongated vertically disposed window impinges directly upon the dispersed material and energy that is not absorbed but is scattered by the dispersed material is generally intercepted by surrounding droplets or particles. Energy not so absorbed by the dispersed droplets or particles is absorbed by the vessel walls and is re-radiated to the dispersed droplets or particles. The vessel is sized so as to absorb the energy whereby the energy is re-radiated from the walls at wave lengths essentially absent from the solar spectrum at sea level due to atmospheric attenuation.