Abstract: A method of making a multi-layer coating on a substrate is provided and involves applying a mirror coating to a substrate then spraying a silicate topcoat onto the mirror coating. Applying the mirror coating can involve applying a reflective material to the substrate to form a reflective layer and applying an oxide layer to the reflective layer to form the mirror coating. The oxide layer can be made of one or more oxide layers, and each of the one or more oxide layers can include aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, or a combination thereof. The multi-layer coating provides increased IR emittance and decreased solar absorptance relative to conventional thermal control coatings.

Abstract: A method of making a thermal control coating is provided. A primer layer can be applied to a substrate to form an exposed surface. The primer layer can include an epoxy binder and a silica filler. The exposed surface can be treated with an oxygen plasma to form a treated surface. A silicate-based thermal control coating can be applied to the treated surface, for example, by spraying, to form a thermal control coating on the substrate. Spacecraft and spacecraft hardware components coated with the thermal control coating, are also provided.

Abstract: A laminate has a composite coating on a substrate. The substrate is a polymeric substrate with a surface resistivity of 4×102 to 1×108?/?; or a textured substrate with surface features which are 100 nm to 10 microns high. The composite coating comprising a tie layer of a nickel-chromium alloy; a layer of a reflective metal; a layer of aluminum oxide; a layer of silicon oxide; and optionally a layer of indium tin oxide. The laminate has a solar absorbance at a wavelength of 0.25 microns to 2.5 microns of between 0.07 and 0.7; and the laminate has an IR emittance of 0.1 to 0.8. Solar absorbance and IR emittance of the laminate may be independently to control the ratio of solar absorbance to IR emittance. Solar absorbance may be adjusted by changing the surface resistance or degree of texturing on the substrate. IR emittance may be adjusted by changing oxide film thickness.

Abstract: A compact, high speed, miniaturized adaptive controller for a microwave power generator. A pair of directional couplers are arranged between a microwave source and a circulator to measure forward and reverse power. An electromagnet in the circulator may be controlled in response to a VSWR calculation. In some arrangements, the directional couplers may be loop-type directional couplers that are integrated into a waveguide magnetron launching assembly. The directional couplers may use a tapered coaxial line that presents an impedance that reduces along the length thereof. This enhances the directivity of the loop coupler and improves performance of the controller.

Abstract: Presented is a system for extracting subsurface oil using microwave or RF energy generated above the ground surface, and directed to an underground oil bearing location using a coaxial transmission line functioning as a wave guide.

Abstract: A power divider for a waveguide between a single electromagnetic microwave generator input and two output ports, the divider including two tuner networks, each comprising a moveable capacitive probe with a pair of fixed flanking inductive posts.

Abstract: A power divider for a waveguide between a single electromagnetic microwave generator input and two output ports, the divider including two tuner networks, each comprising a moveable capacitive probe with a pair of fixed flanking inductive posts.

Abstract: A power divider for a waveguide between a single electromagnetic microwave generator input and two output ports, the divider including two tuner networks, each comprising a moveable capacitive probe with a pair of fixed flanking inductive posts.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method, for using circular mode magnetic microwave energy to heat the food product in a continuous microwave process. The microwaves are generated and transmitted as rectangular waveguide mode microwave energy, and are converted by mode converters to circular magnetic mode microwave energy. As circular magnetic mode microwave energy, the microwave energy passes through a food material and is reflected on the other side back into the food material, thus travelling through the food material a second time. Reflected microwave energy from the main reflected wave as well as reflections from other structures, surfaces and layers in the system travel back toward the microwave source. They are sensed, and a computer tuning system causes capacitive probes to generate offsetting microwave reflections, which are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to the sum of all of the reflected waves.

Abstract: A power divider for a waveguide between a single electromagnetic microwave generator input and two output ports, the divider including two tuner networks, each comprising a moveable capacitive probe with a pair of fixed flanking inductive posts.

Abstract: An improved magnetic field stop. The field stop adjusts to allow different sizes of products to be passed through a microwave heating system. The field stop prevents undue radiation from escaping a heating chamber which is used in a microwave heating process for a variety of substrates.

Abstract: A high power microwave or radio frequency network is disclosed which utilizes [2] two movable capacitive probes in order to provide complete vector tuning [in 4 axis by] utilizing the capacitive reactance of the two capacitive probes to provide [2] two tuning axis and the inductive reactance of two fixed inductive posts to provide [the] two additional [axis] axes of tuning, thereby allowing four axes of tuning with the movement of only two members, the capacitive probes. A third capacitive probe/inductive post set can be added to the two probe configuration for extremely high reflection correction at all phase angles.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method, for using circular mode magnetic microwave energy to heat the interior regions of a work piece of wood fiber and glue. The microwaves are generated and transmitted as rectangular waveguide mode microwave energy, and are converted by mode converter to circular magnetic mode microwave energy. As circular magnetic mode microwave energy, the microwave energy passes through a work piece or billet of material is reflected on the other side, and travels through the billet a second time. Reflected microwave energy from the main reflected wave as well as reflections from other structures, surfaces and layers in the system travel back toward the microwave source. They are sensed, and a computer tuning system causes capacitive probes to generate offsetting microwave reflections, which are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to the sum of all of the reflected waves.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method, for using circular mode magnetic microwave energy to heat the interior regions of a work piece of wood fiber and glue. The microwaves are generated and transmitted as rectangular waveguide mode microwave energy, and are converted by mode converter to circular magnetic mode microwave energy. As circular magnetic mode microwave energy, the microwave energy passes through a work piece or billet of material is reflected on the other side, and travels through the billet a second time. Reflected microwave energy from the main reflected wave as well as reflections from other structures, surfaces and layers in the system travel back toward the microwave source. They are sensed, and a computer tuning system causes capacitive probes to generate offsetting microwave reflections, which are opposite in phase and equal in magnitude to the sum of all of the reflected waves.

Abstract: An improved, longitudinally extending, centrally disposed support member for a box spring frame of increased strength and reinforcing support is disclosed. The support member includes an elongate slat that has at least one metal reinforcing member affixed thereto. The metal reinforcing member has a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein, each of the openings having penetrating means projecting therefrom and penetrating into the elongate slat to affix the reinforcing members to the slat.

Abstract: A portable fifth wheel hitch assembly (10) for conventional pick-up trucks (100); wherein, the assembly (10) comprises a plurality of rail units (11) which are removably secured to the truck side walls (105) via a plurality of expansible securing members (60) that fit inside the stake wells (103) of the truck (100); and wherein the assembly further comprises a draw bar unit (12) having pintles (72) whereby the draw bar unit (12) having pintles (72) whereby the draw bar unit (12) is operatively and removably connected to the rail units (11) via a pintle capturing assembly (50).

Abstract: A bed frame having inset legs comprised of an inclined, inwardly extending upper portion and a vertical lower portion. The legs each include a first portion connected to an end of a cross-frame member and a second portion connected to a side-frame member. The first and second leg portions are telescopically associated to connect the side-frame and cross-frame members, and to support the resulting bed frame upon the floor.

Abstract: A knock-down side rail member for support of a box spring and mattress set. The side rail member includes a pair of side rail sections which are secured together by a connecting bracket. The horizontal surfaces of the side rail sections and the connecting bracket are coplanar. The connecting bracket is permanently secured to one of the side rail sections.

Abstract: In a pipe coating made by wrapping the pipe with polyolefin tape and a butyl rubber based adhesive, the strength of the bond to the pipe at elevated temperature is improved by incorporating in the adhesive a cross-linking agent which is either 0.15-1% by weight of p-dinitrosobenzene or 1.0 to 2.5% of p-quinonedioxime, or both together with an activator.

Abstract: A guard rail attachment is provided which enables the guard rail for a bed to be moved from an upright position to a lower clearance position to provide access to the mattress. The guard rail attachment includes a plate which is secured to the guard rail. A lower hinge is associated with the plate and includes one element which is secured to the plate and another element which is secured to one of the side rails of the bed. An upper hinge is associated with the plate and includes a locking element which releasably locks the guard rail attachment to the bed frame structure.