Abstract: A system for automatically forming a receive beam being positioned in the direction of a corresponding incoming signal, the system having a known signal corresponding to the incoming signal. The system comprises a plurality, M, of channels, each of the channels collecting the incoming signal and generating a plurality, L, of incoming complex data samples for the incoming signal and a plurality, L, of known complex data samples for the known signal. The system also includes severaly digital beamforming means for forming the receive beam.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first light modulator for modulating a first light beam with a signal, a second light modulator for modulating a second light beam with a reference signal, first lens means, positioned in an optical path of the second light beam, for introducing into the second light beam horizontal magnification/demagnification which gradually varies with respect to a vertical direction, a beam combiner for combining the first and second light beams, and photodetecting means for detecting the combined light beam received from the beam combiner. The apparatus, thus constructed, is capable of processing the 50 to 100 billion operations per second required for true Doppler (time compression/expansion) processing of SONAR signals.

Abstract: In an improved system and method for simulating targets in which a target is moved across a background, background information and target information are stored in separate memories. Selected target information is supplied to selected background to create the simulation. The target memory contains two buffers which enables one frame of target information to be updated as a preceding frame is transmitted.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and receiving outbound and inbound data signals through a satellite communications network, the system having a network data rate and including a satellite and an end user transceiver, the system comprising a half-duplex mobile transceiver for transmitting and receiving the inbound and outbound data signals, respectively, for spreading the inbound data signal from the network data rate to a reduced data rate having an increased signal-to-noise ratio using a spread sequence, and for despreading the outbound data signal from the reduced data rate to the network data rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the weight of an object such as a letter, magazine or parcel, while the object is in motion, without using a weighing scale. The apparatus and method disclosed make use of moving, preferably vertically-oriented transport belts driven by a constant velocity, closed-loop feedback system which includes an electric motor. An object to be weighed is engaged and lifted upwards by the moving belts, increasing the load on the motor as a function of the weight of the object. The increased motor current evoked by the lifted object can be processed to extract the object's weight.

Abstract: In a mail sorting system, a transport/stacker module comprises a plurality of mailpiece carriers included in a conveyor moving in an endless serpentine path through a plurality of distributed sorting sites. Each carrier is provided with a door at each of the longitudinally carrier ends, which are opened to permit the raking of mailpieces from laterally arranged compartments of the carrier into underlying bins at the sorting sites by selectively actuating separate rakes of a rake mechanism stationed at each sorting site. The carrier doors are constructed to provide longitudinal extensions of the carrier floor, thereby minimizing the spacing between the carriers in the conveyor while preserving a requisite interior longitudinal dimension of the carrier when the doors are closed.

Abstract: Individual elements of a sonar receiver transducer provide output signals in response to the receipt of acoustic energy and signals are processed to form one or more receiver beams for display. Each element output is provided to a preamplifier to which is applied a time varied gain function. The output signal of at least one of the preamplifiers is additionally provided to an adaptive time varied gain circuit which generates an error signal for correction of the time varied gain function applied to the preamplifiers.

Abstract: A combined combustion and steam turbine power plant which includes a steam turbine unit, a boiler unit for supplying steam to the steam turbine unit, and a combustion turbine unit with an exhaust gas duct structure for supplying the turbine exhaust gases to the boiler unit, has at least one heat recovery steam generator arranged in the exhaust gas flow downstream of the boiler unit and connected to the steam-turbine unit so as to supply any steam generated in the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine unit.

Abstract: The reactor coolant system (RCS) of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) is chemically decontaminated and cleaned utilizing apparatus which is comprised of components designed to operate at low pressures while still utilizing installed reactor coolant pumps and/or the residual heat removal pumps to generate the high flow rates required for the process. A high volume diverted flow of reactor coolant from the RCS is passed through letdown valves to reduce the high pressure produced by the installed pumps. Chemical decontamination and cleaning agents are mixed with the low pressure diverted flow and returned to the RCS by high head injection pumps. Contamination solubilized by the decontamination and cleaning agents is removed as the reactor coolant is recirculated through demineralizers. Filters remove particulates, and fines from the demineralizer resins.

Abstract: A microelectrostatic cantilever switch that has a thin impermeable oxide layer on the surface of a contact pad which is engaged by an unsupported portion of a cantilever beam when the switch is in a closed position. The switch in the open position exhibits a capacitance between the cantilever beam and contact pad of 0.8 Pf and a capacitance of 0.001 to 0.01 Pf in the closed position.

Abstract: An improved robotic arm system for servicing the tubesheet located within the channel head of a nuclear steam generator is provided. The system includes a robotic arm whose shoulder and elbow joints are rotatable only in the plane parallel to the tubesheet in order to eliminate the imposition of cantileverly-induced torques on the electric motors driving these joints, as well as to minimize the possibility of mechanical interference between the arm and the walls of the channel head. Each of the motorized joint assemblies of the arm includes resolvers connected not only to the output of the drive train that moves the joint, but also to the drive shaft of the electric motor that drives the drive train, wherein the feedback signal generated by the resolver connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor is the primary signal used to modulate the amount of electric power conducted to the motor of the joint. Such a configuration advantageously results in smoother robotic arm movement.

Abstract: Push-pull complimentary MOSFET devices are formed in a thin active layer between the top surface of a high resistivity silicon wafer and a insulating layer implanted below the top surface. Each MOSFET is composed of a plurality of cells each having a source, a gate, and a drain region extending fully through the active layer. Grooves extending through the wafer are lined with vias which connect the source regions with a floating ground plane on the bottom of the wafer. The gates of all the cells are connected by a gate bus on the top surface. Air bridges spanning the gates and the source vias connect the drain conductors of each cell. Neutralizing capacitors connected between an input and an opposite output of the push-pull complimentary MOSFET devices match the parasitic capacitances of the devices and provide wide bandwidth amplification with roll off well into the GHz range without the need for tuning inductors.

Abstract: A method of applying brazing filler metal to a surface to form a brazed joint by plasma spraying the brazing filler metal on the portions of the surface to be joined.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus in which student EEG measurements are made during the videotaped presentation of training materials. Alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (16-24 Hz) activity present during segments of the material directed to a learning objective are used to determine attention and cognitive activity during the training material. An increased level of attention relates to increased understanding of the material. An increased level of cognitive activity relate directly to incorrect understanding of the material. Evoked potential responses are also measured in response to multiple choice questions on the learning objections presented subsequent to the training materials. A difference between midterm responses for correct and incorrect answers measures correct understanding of the subject matter of the multiple choice question. Comparing the alpha, beta and evoked potential results for a learning objective validates the indication of effectiveness if the results correlate.

Abstract: In an improved panel interior assembly of the type in which elongated bus bars are snap-fit into an insulating support structure a plurality of integrally molded pins are attached to the insulating support structure positioned to extend through holes in a pan to which the insulating support structure is to be attached. These pins are ultrasonically staked to securely hold the insulating support structure and bus bars attached thereto on the pan.

Abstract: A bandpass sigma-delta modulator for an analog-to-digital converter is provided in which an RLC circuit connected to the input analog signal is resonant at an intermediate frequency. A Josephson junction connected to the RLC circuit receives the current flowing through the RLC circuit. The Josephson junction emits a voltage pulse which reduces the RLC circuit current when the current in the Josephson junction exceeds its critical current. Selected multiples of the voltage pulse generated by the Josephson junction are fed back to the RLC circuit. A digital output is generated from the voltage pulses generated by the Josephson junction to complete the analog-to-digital conversion of the input signal.

Abstract: A process for finishing wood slatted articles of furniture, such as chairs, tables and ottomans for either indoor or outdoor use comprising the steps of dipping the article in a coating material, draining the excess coating material and then spinning the article to provide an even distribution of the coating, particularly throughout the intricately woven slats of the article. The article is subsequently dried at room temperature and then heated in an oven to cure the coating material. The coating material may be comprised of an acrylic polymer resin. The article may be dipped in various other media, such as a color stain or an exterior protective sealer depending on the finishing application desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring velocity relative to a reference plane having a linear sonar array disposed in parallel with the direction of travel and including from the foremost position to the rearmost position a first transmitter, a plurality of first receivers, a second transmitter, and a plurality of second receivers. The second transmitter is controlled to transmit a sonar pulse after a predetermined time delay has lapsed since the first transmitter transmitted a sonar pulse. The predetermined time delay is selected such that the second transmitter transmits the sonar pulse when the second transmitter occupies the position which the first transmitter occupied when it transmitted the first sonar pulse.

Abstract: A rigid three dimensional diffraction grating is provided in the form of an ABA block copolymer that forms domains. The A domain of the block copolymer is preferably polystyrene and the B domain of the copolymer is preferably a diene such as polybutadiene or polyisoprene. The molecular weight of the diene can be synthetically controlled to regulate the interelement spacing of the polystyrene domains and control the diffraction obtained from the grating.