Abstract: A sensor system employs a thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman (SERS) structure that is positioned in a sample chamber. Gas or vapor that may contain an analyte of interest is introduced into the sample chamber so that the analyte may come into contact with the SERS structure. The SERS structure may be cooled to facilitate condensation of selected analytes onto the SERS structure. When in contact with each other, the analyte and SERS structure may be optically stimulated by an optical excitation signal to produce a unique spectral response that may be detected by a spectroanalysis system. The spectral response then may be correlated to a specific analyte, i.e., identified.

Abstract: A sensor system employs a thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman (SERS) structure that is positioned in a sample chamber. Gas or vapor that may contain an analyte of interest is introduced into the sample chamber so that the analyte may come into contact with the SERS structure. The SERS structure may be cooled to facilitate condensation of selected analytes onto the SERS structure. When in contact with each other, the analyte and SERS structure may be optically stimulated by an optical excitation signal to produce a unique spectral response that may be detected by a spectroanalysis system. The spectral response then may be correlated to a specific analyte, i.e., identified.

Abstract: A sensor for performing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) includes a sensor body having a throughbore; a window mounted to the sensor body that is coterminous with the throughbore; surface enhanced Raman scattering structure mounted to the window; an optical energy source for generating an optical excitation signal; a first optical fiber mounted in the throughbore for directing the optical excitation signal through the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) structure; a second optical fiber mounted in the throughbore for receiving primary Raman emissions generated when an analyte in contact with the surface enhanced Raman scattering structure is irradiated by the optical excitation signal; and an optical detector for generating an optical signal representing the primary Raman emissions.

Abstract: A LIBS cone penetrometer comprises a decoupling mirror to separate an excitation signal and a response signal, an optical fiber arranged with the decoupling mirror for receiving the excitation signal from an energy source and transmitting the response signal from a sample surface, and a cone penetrometer probe connected to the distal end of the optical fiber. The probe further comprises a collimating lens arranged with the optical fiber for collimating the excitation signal and for directing the response signal into the optical fiber. An internally reflecting prism is aligned with the collimating lens to deflect the excitation signal and the response signal between the collimating lens and the sample surface through a window in the side of the probe. A focusing lens is aligned with the prism and the window to reduce the spot size of the excitation signal and to collimate the response signal.

Abstract: A microscope imaging system comprises a tube including a bore and a sidewall having an aperture; an optically transparent window positioned in the aperture; a light source for generating first light signals which are directed at diffuse angles through the window; an imaging system mounted in the bore for detecting second light signals which enter the bore through the window; and a first lens system for focusing the second light signals onto the imaging system. The system may also include a focusing system for changing the distance between the imaging system and the first lens system, and a fluid delivery system for ejecting a chemical indicator reagent from the probe as it is being deployed through the ground. The reagent is dispersed from the tube in the vicinity of the optical window so that it comes into direct contact with the soil outside the tube near the window.

Abstract: A translation system for directing an optical signal through predetermined oordinates of a window mounted in a soil penetration probe includes a tube having a sidewall and an aperture through said sidewall; an optically transparent window mounted in said aperture; an optical system for emitting an optical signal through said aperture; and a translation mechanism mounted within said tube. The translation mechanism may be selectively operated to translate independently and simultaneously the optical system along two orthogonal vectors so that the optical signal scans across the window. Scanning the optical signal extends the useful life of the window before its transmissibility becomes too impaired by damage caused from the optical signal.

Abstract: A spectroscopic detector suitable for detecting oil spills in an aquatic environment includes a buoyant container having an optical window; an optical energy generator mounted in the container for directing an optical energy beam through the window; an optical detector for generating an output signal in response to detecting a second optical energy beam received in the container through the window; and a beam splitter for directing the second optical energy beam to the optical detector. The generation of the optical energy beam and operation of the optical detector may be time gated to reduce thermal noise and isolate the sampled optical energy from background light. The optical energy beam preferably has UV components which inhibits the formation of biological organisms on the optical window.

Abstract: An injector assembly is provided for use with a high heat, high pressure bustion chamber which utilizes a highly corrosive fuel. The injector assembly includes a ceramic injector which has an annular ceramic flange. A metallic retaining apparatus is provided which includes a pair of retainer plates and a tightening device. In a preferred embodiment one of the retainer plates is a retainer ring. With this arrangement the ceramic flange is clamped between the retainer ring and the retainer plate by the tightening device. The retainer ring is provided with an annular groove. An annular spring is disposed within the groove in engagement with the ceramic flange. Because of the different coefficients of expansion the metal of the retaining apparatus will expand away from the ceramic flange when the combustion chamber is operated. When this occurs the annular spring will expand to maintain a high integrity seal between the injector assembly and the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A scuttle valve is provided for flooding a torpedo. The scuttle valve inces a housing which is fitted through the hull of the torpedo. The housing has a bore which when vacant, serves as a port to enable water to enter the torpedo. A piston is slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and is spring biased towards the interior of the torpedo. An explosive bolt which is threaded into the piston extends through a tapered plate which cams a retainer ring across the interior end of the piston and into an interior annular recess in the housing to restrain the piston within the bore. When the explosive bolt is actuated the bolt breaks and the retainer ring contracts to allow the spring to force the piston into the interior of the torpedo. Thus, water enters through the open bore of the housing and floods the torpedo.

Abstract: A shaft seal is presented which combines the attributes of the low pressure ealing of an O-ring and the high pressure sealing of a carbon face seal. This invention provides a dynamic shaft seal with the advantage of a very reliable, positive elastomeric O-ring seal for low pressure sealing and the advantage of a reliable graphite face seal for high pressure sealing incorporated into an integral configuration. This integral configuration allows a smooth transition between the low pressure O-ring seal and the high pressure carbon face seal without leakage. Springs are designed to provide the correct preload compression on the dynamic O-ring seal and the forces required such that the transition operation occurs at the proper differential pressure.Mechanically, a rotating shaft within an aperture in a pressure housing wall is fitted with a sleeve containing a carbon face seal that mates against the face of an elastomeric/graphite-interface seal.

Abstract: A seal for a thrust shaft in a body wherein the body has a bore and a counterbore, the bottom of the counterbore providing a shoulder for the thrust force of the shaft. The seal includes a bearing sleeve which is slidably mounted on the shaft, the bearing sleeve having a static O-ring which seals the interior of the sleeve to the shaft and a flange which extends into the counterbore. Provision is made for radially fixing the bearing sleeve to the shaft. A ring-shaped seal housing is mounted about the shaft below the bearing sleeve and extends into the counterbore, the seal housing having an interior dynamic O-ring sealing the housing to the shaft and an exterior static O-ring which seals the housing to the counterbore.

Abstract: Game apparatus including a game board having an arrangement of parallel columns of which each column contains a number of holes for the emplacement of two groups of markers that are moved according to the roll of dice comprised of marked sticks.

Abstract: A sea water pressure regulator valve is provided for a fuel tank, the valve ncluding an elongated body having a longitudinal cylindrical hole which opens into the fuel tank and a perpendicular passageway which is adapted to open the cylindrical hole to sea water. A piston is slidably mounted in the cylindrical hole with an O-ring on each side of the perpendicular passageway so as to render the movement of the piston independent of sea water pressure. The piston has a longitudinal passageway throughout its entire length so as to be open into the fuel tank at a downstream end and open into the bottom of the cylindrical hole at an upstream end. The piston has at least one aperture adjacent a perpendicular passageway for variably opening the pistons longitudinal passageway to sea water so that sea water will flow from the perpendicular passageway into the pistons longitudinal passageway and out the downstream end of the piston into the fuel tank.

Abstract: A compact fluid pressure regulation valve includes a valve body, the valve ody having a pair of passageways, one passageway being a fluid pressure regulating passageway and the other passageway being a high pressure fluid supplying passageway. The fluid supplying passageway extends substantially perpendicular to the pressure regulating passageway and has a downstream end which opens to an upstream portion of the pressure regulating passageway. The fluid supplying passageway has on and off modes for supplying high pressure fluid to the pressure regulating passageway. A device is provided for activating the fluid supplying passageway from an off mode to an on mode. Further, a device is provided within the pressure regulating passageway for utilizing pressure within this passageway as a back pressure to regulate the pressure of the fluid flowing therethrough. With this arrangement a very compact fluid pressure regulation valve is provided.

Abstract: An O-ring insertion tool for installing O-rings, packings, or seals of various flexible materials into female seal grooves; especially those grooves remotely located, may include a syringe configuration consisting of a barrel and disc-like mandrel that forms an annular opening through which such a seal as forementioned may be ejected at a specifically desired location, and a plunger from which the ejection method is initiated and controlled. With such an arrangement O-rings and other seals of various flexible materials can be easily installed into deeply located female grooves hidden within complicated mechanical parts or assemblies of such.