Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) includes a method of recording target engagement during operation of the GWS. The GWS includes a sighting system, a weapon cradle and a weapon, wherein the weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive. The sighting system is moved in elevation relative to the weapon cradle using a second elevation drive. A visual image of a target is acquired using the sighting system based on signals received from an observation unit located remotely from the GWS. The visual image of the target is recorded on a storage media for later playback for display by the gunner at the observation unit or optionally by a commander at a separate commander observation unit.

Abstract: A self-contained gimbaled weapon system (GWS) has a shared azimuth axis and two independent elevation axes for a sighting device and a weapon cradle. The GWS allows the weapon cradle to be elevated completely independent of the sighting device. The GWS can be stabilized and operated remotely.

Abstract: A self-contained gimbaled weapon system (GWS) has a shared azimuth axis and two independent elevation axes for a sighting device and a weapon cradle. The GWS allows the weapon cradle to be elevated completely independent of the sighting device. The GWS can be stabilized and operated remotely.

Abstract: A self-contained gimbaled weapon system (GWS) has a shared azimuth axis and two independent elevation axes for a sighting device and a weapon cradle. The GWS allows the weapon cradle to be elevated completely independent of the sighting device. The GWS can be stabilized and operated remotely.

Abstract: A shutter for reconnaissance cameras includes a digital signal processor (DSP) system which provides for control of motors moving two curtains. The curtains each define an edge, the gap between the edges of the curtains defines an exposure slit. The shutter replaces the prior art DC curtain motors and potentiometer curtain position sensing devices with AC motors having integral resolvers that provide motor shaft position feedback information. Furthermore, a mechanical clutch coupling the curtains together, which has been standard practice in the prior art, has been eliminated, with the precise movement of the curtains governed by the motors under control by the DSP. The marriage of DSP control with the AC motors and resolvers provides a direct coupling to the curtains, with built-in motor shaft position feedback via the resolvers.

Abstract: An aerial reconnaissance system generates imagery of a scene that meets resolution or field of view objectives automatically and autonomously. In one embodiment, a passive method of automatically calculating range to the target from a sequence of airborne reconnaissance camera images is used. Range information is use for controlling the adjustment of a zoom lens to yield frame-to-frame target imagery that has a desired, e.g., constant, ground resolution or field of view at the center of the image despite rapid and significant aircraft altitude and attitude changes. Image to image digital correlation is used to determine the displacement of the target at the focal plane. Camera frame rate and aircraft INS/GPS information is used to accurately determine the frame to frame distance (baseline). The calculated range to target is then used to drive a zoom lens servo mechanism to the proper focal length to yield the desired resolution or field of view for the next image.

Abstract: A system for measuring the attitude of the platform that is movable relative to a fixed frame. The system comprises at least three platform mounting assemblies, each of the three mounting assemblies comprising (a) an isolation mount interconnecting the platform to the frame, the isolation mount permitting the platform to move relative to the frame, and (b) a means for measuring the movement of a point on the platform relative to the frame along three orthogonal axes. For each of the three mounting assemblies, the means for measuring, in the preferred embodiment, comprise a set of three linear position sensors having a known fixed attachment point to the frame and an end portion that terminates at or about the point on the platform. The linear position sensors or potentiometers generate measurement signals corresponding to the measurements of platform movement.

Abstract: An amorphous silica, especially precipitated silica, suitable for use in toothpastes, has a high abrasivity represented by a perspex abrasion value in the range from about 23 to about 35.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stabilizing a line of sight of an optical system without the use of gimbals. The apparatus includes a fixed plano-concave lens element mounted in a frame and a moveable plano-convex lens element mounted in a carriage. The frame mounts onto a preexisting optical system such that the lens elements are nominally aligned with the line of sight of the preexisting optical system. A motor driving unit is provided in the frame which moves the plano-convex lens element back and forth relative to the fixed plano-concave lens element about two orthogonal movement axes in response to small amplitude disturbances imparted to the optical system. The line of sight stabilization apparatus is suitable for retrofit installation onto preexisting optical systems, and in particular, to missile tracking guidance and sighting systems which were originally manufactured or installed without line of sight stabilization capability.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for automatically tuning a plant. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of sinusoidal signals to the plant, and measuring the frequency response of the plant to the plurality of sinusoidal signals to detect frequencies at which the plant is resonant. The coefficients of at least one digital filter are calculated such that the at least one filter when combined with the plant suppresses the detected resonances. The method further includes applying at least one sinusoidal signal having a frequency substantially equal to a crossover frequency of the system to the at least one filter and plant, and measuring the frequency response to calculate the magnitude and phase response of the filters and plant at that frequency. The coefficients of the compensator are calculated such that when combined with the plant and the at least one filter the combination provides a response which yields said predetermined system response.

Abstract: A precipitated silica, suitable for use in toothpastes, has a high absorbency, i.e. 110 to 180 cm.sup.3 100 g, and good abrasivity with a plastics abrasion value of 12 to 20. The silica provides abrasion even at a relatively low particle size.

Abstract: An amorphous silica, especially precipitated silica, suitable for use in toothpastes, has a high abrasivity represented by a perspex abrasion value in the range from about 23 to about 35.

Abstract: Calcined silica gels have been prepared and found to have improved properties for clarification of beers to prevent or reduce haze formation. The calcined silica gels are defined in terms of their physical properties and also in respect of the surface silanol groupings in terms of the infra-red spectrum peaks.

Abstract: A multistage precipitation and flocculation production process is disclosed in which primary silica particles are prepared and flocculated useing an alkali metal salt solution and further silica precipitated in the presence of the salt, the pH of the mixture reduced and the silica isolated, purified carefully dried and optionally milled.