Abstract: A gas-lubricated bearing employing at least one pad mounted on a rectangular cantilever beam to produce a lubricating wedge between the face of the pad and a moving surface. The load-carrying and stiffness characteristics of the pad are related to the dimensions and modulus of elasticity of the beam. The bearing is applicable to a wide variety of types of hydrodynamic bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring current waveforms produced by lightning strikes which generate currents in an elongated cable. These currents are converted to voltages and to light waves for being transmitted over an optical cable to a remote location. At the remote location the waves are reconstructed back into electrical waves for being stored into a memory. The information is stored within the memory with a timing signal so that only different signals need be stored in order to reconstruct the wave form.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel cell is described which includes a pair of electrodes formed by open-ended, ion-exchange hollow fibers, each having a layer of metal catalyst deposited on the inner surface thereof and large surface area current collectors such as braided metal mesh in contact with the metal catalyst layer. A fuel cell results when the electrodes are immersed in electrolyte and electrically connected. As hydrogen and oxygen flow through the bore of the fibers oxidation and reduction reactions develop an electrical potential. Since the hollow fiber configuration provides large electrode area per unit volume and intimate contact between fuel and oxidizer at the interface, and due to the low internal resistance of the electrolyte, high power densities can be obtained.

Abstract: Flame retardant elastomeric compositions comprised of either spandex type polyurethane having incorporated into the polymer chain halogen containing polyols, conventional spandex type polyurethanes in physical admixture with flame retardant additives or fluoroelastomeric resins in physical admixture with flame retardant additives, methods of preparing fibers of the flame retardant elastomeric materials and articles of manufacture comprised of the flame retardant elastomeric materials and non-elastic materials such as polybenzimidazoles, fiberglass, nylons, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high purity inorganic higher oxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals by subjecting the hydroxide of the alkali or alkaline earth metal to a radio frequency discharge sustained in oxygen. The invention is particularly adaptable to the production of high purity potassium superoxide (KO.sub.2) by subjecting potassium hydroxide to glow discharge sustained in oxygen under the pressure of about 0.75 to 1.00 torr.

Abstract: A method of forming two diverging beams of energy from a single beam of energy including the steps of splitting the single beam of energy into an externally reflected beam and an internally transmitted beam at a first surface on a wedge shaped energy beam splitting device; splitting the internally transmitted beam into an internally reflected beam and an externally transmitted beam at a second surface of the wedge shaped energy beam splitting device, and substantially totally reflecting the internally reflected beam between the first and second surfaces until the internally reflected beam reaches an end of the wedge shaped energy beam splitting device. The above method may further include steps paralleling the above steps wherein two diverging beams of energy are formed from a second beam of energy impinging on the second surface and then combining the two diverging beams with the two diverging beams formed from the beam of energy split by the first surface, to form first and second combined beams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reaction cured glass and glass coatings prepared by reacting a compound selected from the group of substances consisting of silicon tetraboride, silicon hexaboride, other boron silicides, boron and mixtures thereof with a reactive glass frit composed of a porous high silica borosilicate glass and boron oxide. The glassy composites of the present invention are useful as coatings on low density fibrous porous silica insulations used as heat shields and for articles such as reaction vessels that are subjected to high temperatures with rapid heating and cooling and that require resistance to temperature and repeated thermal shock at temperatures up to about 1482.degree. C (2700PF).

Abstract: A reaction control system nozzle block is provided for testing the response characteristics of space vehicles to a variety of reaction control thruster configurations. A pressurized air system is connected with the supply lines which lead to the individual jet nozzles. Each supply line terminates in a compact cylindrical plenum volume, axially perpendicular and adjacent the throat of the jet nozzle. The volume of the cylindrical plenum is sized to provide uniform thrust characteristics from each jet nozzle irrespective of the angle of approach of the supply line to the plenum. Each supply line may be plugged or capped to stop the air supply to selected jet nozzles, thereby enabling a variety of nozzle configurations to be obtained from a single model nozzle block.

Abstract: The condition sensor system comprises a condition detector which produces a pulse when a parameter of the monitored condition exceeds a desired threshold. A resettable condition counter counts each pulse. A resettable timer is preset to produce a particular time frame. The counter produces a condition signal when the accumulated number of pulses within the time frame is equal to or greater than a preset count. Control means responsive to the incoming pulses and to the condition signal produce control signals that control utilization devices. After a suitable delay, the last detected pulse simultaneously resets the pulse counter and the timer, and prepares them for sensing another condition occurrence within the time frame.The invention has particular utility in the process of detecting rocking motions of blind people. A controlled, audible, bio-feedback signal is provided which constitutes a warning to the blind person that he is rocking.

Abstract: A substantially constant power level is derived over a predetermined frequency band, in each of a plurality of relatively widely spaced power ranges, from a microwave load having a predetermined amplitude versus frequency response, such as an antenna. A microwave source of substantially constant amplitude drives a forward path connected between the source and the load. The forward path includes a voltage controlled, PIN diode, variable microwave attenuator. A feedback path responsive to the microwave power level in the forward path derives a control voltage for the PIN attenuator. The feedback path includes a microwave equalizer attenuator having an amplitude versus frequency response corresponding substantially with the amplitude versus frequency response of the load. The equalizer attenuator drives a linear, crystal amplitude detector.

Abstract: Use of shallow pools of liquid to collect low-temperature solar generated thermal energy on a large scale for commercial use becomes economically feasible when use is made of efficient means to keep the liquid in the pond clean, prevent evaporation, prevent air convection and prevent convective circulation of the liquid. Narrow elongated trenches, grouped together over a wide area, can be formed by bulldozer type equipment. Each trench is lined with a heat-absorbing black liner. The liquid in the bottom of each trench, used to absorb the solar energy, may be a brine solution or plain water, depending on the means used to remove the thermal energy from the pond. The heat-absorbing liquid is kept separate from the thermal energy removing fluid by means such as clear polyethylene material. The covering for the pond may be a fluid or solid. If the covering is a fluid, fire fighting foam, continuously generated, or siloons are used to keep the surface covering clean and insulated.

Abstract: Homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by:(1) polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer selected from the group of:(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5 o).sub.2 p(o)n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2,(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.3 n.sub.3 n.dbd.p(c.sub.6 h.sub.5).sub.2 c.sub.6 h.sub.4 ch.dbd.ch.sub.2 and(C.sub.6 H.sub.5) C.sub.3 N.sub.3 [N.dbd.P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 ].sub.2 ; or(2) polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing said polymerized p-diphenylphosphinestyrene monomer with an organoazide selected from the group of (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5 O).sub.2 P(O)N.sub.3,(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3) and C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C.sub.3 N.sub.3 (N.sub.3).sub.2.

Abstract: A reflex feed system for a dual frequency antenna which may be, for example, one which transmits and receives both S and X-band signals, uses, in place of the dichroic plate normally employed for directing X-band radiation away from the X-band horn a flange about the opening of the X-band horn.

Abstract: Foamed cross-linked poly-N-arylenebinzimidazoles are prepared by mixing an organic tetraamine and an ortho substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a blowing agent and then heating the prepolymer to a temperature sufficient to complete polymerization and foaming of the reactants. In another embodiment of the process, the reactants are heated to form a prepolymer. The prepolymer is then cured at higher temperatures to complete foaming and polymerization.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system characterized by an improved concentrator for directing incident rays of solar energy on parallel vacuum-jacketed receivers or absorbers including a plurality of individually mounted reflector modules of a common asymmetrical triangular cross-sectional configuration supported for independent reorientation and defining a plurality of asymmetric vee-trough concentrators.

Abstract: A circuit deriving an output voltage that is proportional to the logarithm of a DC input voltage susceptible to wide variations in amplitude includes a constant current source which forward biases a diode so that the diode operates in the exponential portion of its voltage versus current characteristic, above its saturation current. The constant current source includes first and second, cascaded feedback, DC operational amplifiers connected in a negative feedback circuit. An input terminal of the first amplifier is responsive to the input voltage. A circuit shunting the first amplifier output terminal includes a resistor in series with the diode. The voltage across the resistor is sensed at the input of the second DC operational feedback amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning contaminated surfaces such as hydro-carbon contaminant films in high vacuum environments including a plasma discharge housing for allowing a plasma to be generated in an environment having a higher pressure than the surface which is to be cleaned. A ground electrode and a radio frequency electrode partially surround a quartz plasma tube, for the introduction of an ionizable gas therein. These electrodes ionize the gas and help generate the plasma. This plasma flows through a non-constrictive aperture, through the plasma discharge housing and then on to the contaminated surface.

Abstract: A computerized field meter calibration system which includes an apparatus for testing the calibration of field meters normally utilized for measuring electromagnetic field potential. A reference voltage is applied to the field meter for causing signals to be produced on the output terminals thereof. A bank of relays is provided for selectively connecting output terminals of the field meter to a multiplexer by means of a digital voltmeter and an oscilloscope. A frequency-shift-keyed receiver is also connected to one of the terminals of the field meter for transmitting and converting a frequency shift keyed signal to a digital signal which is, subsequently, applied to the multiplexer. A microprocessor is used for generating coded command signals to the bank of relays and also to the multiplexer for controlling the comparison of the output signals with information stored within the microprocessor to determine if the field meter is properly calibrated.

Abstract: In wireless power transmission systems, in order to provide maximum possible efficiency in the transfer of power, the receiving element of the system must intercept the greatest possible portion of the transmitted energy beam. By having a planar array of receiver elements that are symmetrically located about a physical center, it becomes possible to determine the location on the array of the center of energy of the incident beam. This information is obtained as follows. Sum the output energy of all the receiver elements to the right and left of the vertical center of the array. Determine the difference and sum of these two amounts. Divide the difference by the sum. The result is an indication of the degrees that the center of the incident beam is off in azimuth. Sum the output energy of all the receiver elements above and below the horizontal center of the array. Determine the difference and sum of these two amounts. Divide the difference by the sum.

Abstract: The magnetometer transducer includes a group of plated magnetic wires arranged in parallel physically and connected in series electrically to serve as a drive circuit, and several turns of 0.025 mm diameter wire wound around the group of plated magnetic wires to serve as a sense coil. Each of the magnetic wires has a diameter of 0.05 mm with their centers being 0.25 mm apart. Because of its shape and small size, it is capable of very good spatial resolution of magnetic fields as low as 0.02 oe and it can make measurements of transverse magnetic fields as close as 0.08 mm from a surface. The magnetometer utilizes two X-Y recorders in a unique transducer scanning technique. One of the recorders moves the transducer over the specimen being measured and the other recorder records the measurements.