Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensors and systems and methods employing the sensors for detecting one or more compounds of interest in a test medium. In one embodiment an optical sensor comprising a long period grating and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) film is exposed to a test medium such that one or more compounds of interest are selectively partitioned into the solid phase microextraction film. At least one optical property of the sensor exposed to the test medium is compared with at least one corresponding optical property of the sensor in absence of the test medium; wherein a difference in the optical property is indicative of one or more compounds of interest in the test medium. The methods and systems may employ long period grating sensors with or without SPME films, and fiber loop ring-down spectroscopy to measure optical properties of the sensor.

Abstract: A laminated fabric of an elastomeric copolyetherester-based film laminated to a manmade fiber substrate fabric and having a stiffness of from about 5 to 80 Newtons measured according to test method ASTM D4032-94 is described which demonstrates a desirable combination of stiffness and foldability, non-blocking (non self-sticking), air impermeability and resistance to heat aging.

Abstract: An airbag fabric is made from multifilament yarns each comprised of a plurality of individual filaments, with each filament having a linear density in the range from about eight (8) decitex to about eleven (11) decitex per filament, and more preferably a linear density in the range from about nine (9) decitex to about eleven (11) decitex per filament. The fabric has a circular bend stiffness in the range of about four (4) Newtons to about seven (7) Newtons, as measured in accordance with ASTM method D4032-94.

Abstract: A laminated fabric of an elastomeric copolyetherester-based film laminated to a manmade fiber substrate fabric and having a stiffness of from about 5 to 80 Newtons measured according to test method ASTM D4032-94 is described which demonstrates a desirable combination of stiffness and foldability, non-blocking (non self-sticking), air impermeability and resistance to heat aging.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use in heating systems has an aluminum barrier layer for preventing ingestion of oxygen. The aluminum barrier layer is securely bonded between two adhesion tubes which are vulcanized in place against the aluminum. Vulcanization is performed in the presence of peroxide. Principal active ingredients of the adhesion tubes are ethylene propylene diene polymethylene and polybutadiene-maleic anhydride adduct resin.

Abstract: Barriers against atomic oxygen attack, e.g. on substrates such as parts of space vehicles in low earth orbit, consist of layer minerals, especially vermiculite and selected smectites.

Abstract: Reinforced composite materials having a thermoplastic matrix and at least 30% by volume and preferably at least 35% by volume of reinforcing filaments, at least 25% by volume being pitch based graphite fibres, are produced having a longitudinal flexural modulus according to ASTM D790-81 of at least 250 GN/m.sup.2. Impregnation of very fragile, inflexible pitch based graphite filaments is achieved using supporting filaments of greater robustness to the abrasion encountered in impregnation processes and, optionally, severing the filaments during the process if products containing only pitch based graphite filaments are required.

Abstract: A hose article for carrying volatile fluids, which can conduct and dissipate the accumulation of static electrical charges that are associated with such volatiles, which includes an elastomeric tube and outer sleeve and at least one reinforcement layer of fiber bundles sandwiched between the tube and the cover. Sandwiched between the tube and the reinforcement layer is a nontwisted yarn of fibers of carbon that runs in a direction generally lengthwise to the axis of the tube, and at the end of the tube makes electrical contact with a staple-shaped metallic connector, which in turn electrically contacts a metallic hose coupling, leading from there to an electrical ground.

Abstract: The power supply for an airborne pulse radar includes an unfiltered source of 400 cycle AC power connected to a full wave rectifying circuit including two diodes associated with each phase of the three phase input circuit. In addition, three SCR's are employed for controlling the operation of the rectifiers. During normal operation of the pulse magnetron power supply, the control electrodes of the SCR's are biased to the conducting or enabled state by a small floating DC voltage which is obtained from a small DC power source which includes a rectifier circuit connected to the floating secondary of a low voltage transformer. When a fault is sensed in the magnetron pulse circuitry as indicated by the drawing of excessive current, a switching circuit is activated which removes the enabling voltage across the SCR's, so that the input rectifier circuitry is disabled, thus preventing burn-out of components included in the pulse generation circuitry.

Abstract: The use of high voltage relays in variable pulse width magnetron type triggering circuits are avoided by the use of two separate pulse-forming networks. In addition, two separate banks of charging capacitors and switching transformers are employed. Separate SCR's are employed to apply charging current to either the first or the second bank of storage capacitors. Additional SCR's are employed to initiate the triggering sequence for the selected pulse-forming network and associated circuitry. The selected pulse length might be microsecond or one-quarter microsecond, with pulse repetition rates of 1,000 to 2,000 pulses per second. Accordingly, the duty cycle could be in the order of 0.001%, or less, but the output pulse power during the "on" time for the circuit might be in the order of several hundred kilowatts. During each cycle of operation, the two switching transformers and the output pulse transformer, which are both of the square or rectangular hysteresis loop type, are reset.