Abstract: A revetment container including series of compartments conjoined to form a line of compartments with each compartment including a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment with the two sub-compartments having differing thickness in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the series of compartments and a thinner of the two sub-compartments including one or more tension bearing members to control thickness expansion of the thinner sub-compartment where the bearing member is longer than the unstressed thickness of the thinner sub-compartment and preferentially located in a top half of the height of the thinner sub-compartment. Additionally, a revetment container compartment may be provided with a sub-compartment sized to accept ballistic panels which can quickly be inserted to attain some level of protection. Furthermore a revetment contain compartment may be augmented with the addition of slat armor.

Abstract: A revetment container including series of compartments conjoined to form a line of compartments with each compartment including a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment with the two sub-compartments having differing thickness in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the series of compartments and a thinner of the two sub-compartments including one or more tension bearing members to control thickness expansion of the thinner sub-compartment where the bearing member is longer than the unstressed thickness of the thinner sub-compartment and preferentially located in a top half of the height of the thinner sub-compartment. Additionally, a revetment container compartment may be provided with a sub-compartment sized to accept ballistic panels which can quickly be inserted to attain some level of protection. Furthermore a revetment contain compartment may be augmented with the addition of slat armor.

Abstract: A high capacity broadband service is provided from an Earth orbiting satellite having a payload that includes multiple large antennas, the satellite having an inverted configuration when deployed on orbit. The satellite has an aft surface proximate to a launch vehicle structural interface, a forward surface opposite to said aft surface, and a structure disposed therebetween. In a launch configuration, two or more deployable antennas are disposed, undeployed, on or proximate to and forward of the forward surface; on-orbit, the payload is operable when the satellite is disposed with the aft surface substantially Earth facing while the forward surface is substantially facing in an anti-Earth direction. Each deployable antenna is disposed, so as to be Earth facing, when deployed, in a position substantially forward and outboard of the forward surface.

Abstract: A high capacity broadband service is provided from an Earth orbiting satellite having a payload that includes multiple large antennas, the satellite having an inverted configuration when deployed on orbit. The satellite has an aft surface proximate to a launch vehicle structural interface, a forward surface opposite to said aft surface, and a structure disposed therebetween. In a launch configuration, two or more deployable antennas are disposed, undeployed, on or proximate to and forward of the forward surface; on-orbit, the payload is operable when the satellite is disposed with the aft surface substantially Earth facing while the forward surface is substantially facing in an anti-Earth direction. Each deployable antenna is disposed, so as to be Earth facing, when deployed, in a position substantially forward and outboard of the forward surface.

Abstract: Passive shock filtering apparatus that filters shock waves experienced by structural systems, such as spacecraft and its structures and components, for example. The shock filtering apparatus reflects energy back to a shock source, and generally reflects a propagating shock wave within the boundary of the apparatus. In general, the apparatus comprises a member disposed adjacent to the shock source that has a plurality of slots disposed therethrough that are configured to reflect energy back to the shock source. The plurality of slots typically comprise a set of partially-overlapping slots formed through the member. The apparatus may further comprise a reinforcing layer of material affixed to the member that has slots that overlay and match the slots the formed through the member. The apparatus may have a cylindrical or rectangular cross section and may include a raised rim disposed around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An active cooling system (40, 41) for cooling electrochemical cells (11) that are arranged in a stack (9) in a fuel cell or battery (3). The cooling system (40, 41) comprises cooling panels (15, 16) carrying a cooling fluid that flows adjacent to, and parallel to the plane of, each cell (11). The rate of cooling fluid flow past each cell (11) is made to be substantially equal, so that each cell (11) experiences substantially the same cooling environment, adding to the longevity of the fuel cell or battery (3). This can be accomplished by equalizing the resistance to cooling fluid flow for each cooling path (12), e.g., by using pressure equalizing, monotonically increasingly sized orifices (28) in an input manifold (25). Dual cooling panels (15, 16) are preferably employed, in a counterflow mode. The panels (15, 16) may be divided into parallel channels (33). Heat pipe panels (35) containing a two-phase fluid may be used in lieu of panels (15, 16) that contain cooling fluid in a single state.

Abstract: A bipolar metal-gas battery cell stack (1) eliminates the heavy bipolar plates (11) of the prior art by means of locating the series electrical connections (25, 27) between oppositely polarized electrodes (5, 7) of adjacent cells (3) external to the cells (3) in a dielectric frame (21, 23). As a result, the reliability of said electrical connections (25, 27) is improved, weight is saved, and reactant gas screens (15) and electrolyte reservoirs (13) can beneficially be made of compressible lightweight materials. Electrolyte is beneficially confined within each cell (3), and secondary (overcharge) gasses are beneficially confined within each cell (3) in a region (17) proximate the positive electrode (7). A hydrophobic barrier (29) and the frame segments (21, 23) prevent intercell migration of electrolyte and secondary gasses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal which provides effective hermetic sealing of insulated metallic feedthroughs in metallic containers. The device has particular applicability in the fabrication of pressurized metal/gas battery cells such as those used in spacecraft. A conductive terminus protrudes through a metallic vessel which may be pressurized. It is desired to maintain electrical separation between the terminus and the wall of the vessel by means of a dielectric, which is compressed between the terminus and a metallic boss to provide a hermetic seal. The compressive force is applied radially outwardly by means of drawing a nondeformable pin through a hollow cylindrical barrel constituting the terminus, thereby slightly deforming the barrel and grossly deforming the dielectric. The pin may be either pulled out of the barrel from within the vessel or pushed into the barrel from outside the vessel, but in each case force is applied radially outwardly in a gradual, relatively frictionless fashion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery cell having positive and negative terminals penetrating the same end of the cell, and equalized internal resistance through all paths connecting electrode modules with the terminals. The equalized resistances insure uniform aging of electrode pairs, thus maximizing the life of the battery. A single equalizing busbar is inserted between the equalized terminal, which can be either the negative or the positive terminal, and that end of the equalized busbar remote from the terminaled end of the cell. The length and linear resistance increment of the equalizing busbar are independent of corresponding parameters for the equalized and non-equalized busbars. The resistance increment between any two adjacent electrode connections along each of the equalized and non-equalized busbars must be the same. A simple way to satisfy this condition is to make the length and linear resistance increment of the equalized and non-equalized busbars substantially equal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal which provides effective hermetic sealing of insulated metallic feedthroughs in metallic containers. The device has particular applicability in the fabrication of pressurized metal/gas battery cells such as those used in spacecraft. A conductive terminus protrudes through a metallic vessel which may be pressurized. It is desired to maintain electrical separation between the terminus and the wall of the vessel by means of a dielectric, which is compressed between the terminus and a metallic boss to provide a hermetic seal. The compressive force is applied radially outwardly by means of drawing a nondeformable pin through a hollow cylindrical barrel constituting the terminus, thereby slightly deforming the barrel and grossly deforming the dielectric. The pin may be either pulled out of the barrel from within the vessel or pushed into the barrel from outside the vessel, but in each case force is applied radially outwardly in a gradual, relatively frictionless fashion.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a device and method for optimizing the weight and/or the heat transfer (conduction) capability of a heat transfer cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is designed to fit around a cylindrical heat source. One particular application for this invention is where the heat source is a battery such as a metal gas battery in a satellite (where weight savings is important). Two sets of functional relationships are generated showing the relationship between the thickness of the sleeve at its top and bottom, an "area factor" (which is directly proportional to its heat transfer capability), the material thermal conductivity, and its volume per unit length (which is directly proportional to its weight). One can specify the desired heat transfer capability of the sleeve and optimize (minimize) its weight. Conversely, one can specify the desired weight for the sleeve and optimize (maximize) its heat transfer capability.

Abstract: A rechargeable metal oxide-hydrogen battery which operates on the back-to-back electrode placement theory as opposed to single metal oxide-hydrogen couple cells is disclosed. Interconnecting of electrodes in series and construction of an electrode stack of series connected electrodes is utilized in one embodiment in place of bipolar construction to achieve high voltage operation. In a second embodiment, back-to-back construction is used for positive electrodes in a parallel arrangement of electrode connection to complete an operative cell. Individual cells are separated by a nonporous polymer separator which avoids the formation of electrolyte films which tend to electrochemically short each cell, yet are fashioned of light weight and volume to keep sizes to minimum dimensions. Interconnection of various cells is by means of bus bars coupled to electrode tabs.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in the construction of metal oxide/lanthanum nickel hydride storage batteries. A stack construction is disclosed which allows recombination of oxygen before it reaches the hydride electrode. The oxygen gas is forced to escape from the back of the metal oxide electrode where it is reduced at a catalyst electrode held at the potential of the lanthanum nickel electrode. With rapid recombination, no build-up of pressure occurs and no oxygen gas will arrive at the hydride electrode which would tend to damage it. In one embodiment, the hydride electrode is separated from the metal oxide electrode by a fuel cell-type separator. In one embodiment, a single oxygen reduction electrode is placed between two back-to-back metal oxide electrodes, and the reduction electrode is connected to the two common leads to the hydride electrodes. In a second embodiment, the reduction electrodes are pressed against or attached to the hydride electrodes.

Abstract: A new sealed rechargeable electric fuel cell of the type using a metal oxide, metal hydroxide or oxygen as the positive electrode reactant and hydrogen as the negative electrode reactant. The cell uses a hexagonal nickel - rare earth metal hydride compound for storage of hydrogen gas which causes the cell to be maintained at a low gas pressure during charging and discharging.