Abstract: An article comprising first and second bodies of permanent magnet material, each of said first and second bodies consisting substantially of a substrate of permanent magnet material being magnetized substantially uniformly to a predetermined flux density in a range from zero flux to 100% flux saturation of the permanent magnet material; each of the first and second bodies also comprising a pattern of at least one affected volume in a surface of the body, wherein each affected volume has a magnetic flux density that varies from the substantially uniform predetermined flux density and wherein the first and second bodies are stacked and fixedly attached so that the pattern on each body aligns with the pattern on the other body, wherein at least one affected volume on the first body is aligned with at least one affected volume on the second body and wherein the aligned affected volumes comprise a pole detectable by a magnetic sensor.

Abstract: This invention is an electrostatic conductive fiber detector for use in detecting, counting and measuring the length of fibers down to O.1 mm and below with increased accuracy and reliability over prior art devices. It can be used for detection of fibers suspending in a flowing gas, in a nonflowing gas, or in a vacuum and its accumulated counts over a period of time is essentially unaffected by velocity of the fibers being detected.

Abstract: A microwave limb sounder (MLS) to measure trace gases in the upper atmosphere by comparing spectral noise content of limb soundings with the spectral noise content of cold space utilizes an offset Cassegrain antenna system and a tiltable input mirror to alternately look out at the limb and up at cold space at an elevation angle of about 22.degree.. The mirror can also be tilted to look at a black body calibration target. Reflection from the mirror is directed into a radiometer the head of which functions as a diplexer to combine the input radiation and a local oscillator (klystron) beam. The radiometer head is comprised of a Fabry-Perot resonator consisting of two Fabry-Perot cavities spaced a number of half wavelengths apart. Incoming radiation received on one side is reflected and rotated 90.degree. in polarization by the resonator so that it will be reflected by an input grid into a mixer, while the klystron beam received on the other side is also reflected and rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a multi-channel matrix array of CCD devices wherein a plurality of sensor cells (pixels) in each channel are subdivided and operated in discrete intercoupled groups or subarrays with a readout CCD shift register terminating each end of the channels. Clock voltages are applied to the subarrays and are manipulated to selectively cause charge signal flow in each subarray in either direction independent of the other subarrays. More particularly, the array is divided into six independent subarrays, three on each side of the array, such that each channel common to three subarrays is divided into three sections of three sensor cells each. By selective application of four phase clock voltages, either one, two or all three of the sections cause charge signal flow in one direction, while the remainder cause charge signal flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A high resolution interferometer is provided which is insensitive to slight misalignment of its elements, avoids channeling in the spectrum, generates a maximum equal path fringe contrast, produces an even two-sided interferogram without critical matching of the wedge angles of the beamsplitter and compensator wedges, and is optically phase tunable. The interferometer includes a mirror along the path of each beam component produced by the beamsplitter, for reflecting the beam component from the beamsplitter to a corresponding retroreflector and for reflecting the beam returned by the retroreflector back to the beamsplitter. The fact that the mirror "covers" the retroreflector, so that the mirror reflects the beam component before and after it reaches the retroreflector, results in the system being insensitive to slight tilting of the mirror.

Abstract: In a push-pull converter, switching transistors are protected from peak power stresses by a separate snubber circuit in parallel with each comprising a capacitor and an inductor in series, and a diode in parallel with the inductor. The diode is connected to conduct current of the same polarity as the base-emitter junction of the transistor so that energy stored in the capacitor while the transistor is switched off, to protect it against peak power stress, discharges through the inductor when the transistor is turned on, and after the capacitor is discharged the energy now stored in the inductor discharges through the diode. To return this energy to the power supply, or to utilize this energy in some external circuit, the inductor may be replaced by a transformer having its secondary winding connected to the power supply or to the external circuit.

Abstract: Fire-resistant resins particularly useful for making laminates with inorganic fibers such as graphite fibers, are made by (1) condensation of an ethylenically unsaturated cyclic anhydride with a bis(diaminophenyl)phosphine oxide, and (2) by addition polymerization of the bisimide so obtained. Up to about 50%, on a molar basis, of benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid anhydride can be substituted for some of the cyclic anhydride to alter the properties of the products. Graphite cloth laminates made with these resins have shown 800.degree. C. char yields greater than 70% by weight in nitrogen. Limiting oxygen indexes (LOI) of more than 100% have been determined for these resins, as per ASTM D 2863-4.

Abstract: The invention is for a system which provides total cooling for an aircraft airframe which is designed to fly in the speed range of Mach 2 to Mach 8. The system eliminates the necessity of shielding an aircraft airframe constructed of material such as aluminum. Cooling is accomplished by passing a coolant through the aircraft airframe, the coolant acting as a carrier to remove heat from the airframe. The coolant is circulated through a heat pump and a heat exchanger which together extract essentially all of the added heat from the coolant. The heat is transferred to the aircraft fuel system via the heat exchanger and the heat pump. The heat extracted from the coolant is utilized to power the heat pump. The heat pump has associated therewith power turbine mechanism which is also driven by the extracted heat. The power turbines are utilized to drive various aircraft subsystems, the compressor of the heat pump, and provide engine cooling.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the conversion of water vapor to oxygen and hydrogen included an anode comprising a foraminous conductive metal base member having a coating thereon of 65-85 weight percent iridium oxide and 15-35 weight percent of a high temperature resin binder. Also included are a matrix member and a cathode, with the matrix member containing an electrolyte and the cathode being substantially inert to the electrolyte. The foraminous metal member is most desirably expanded tantalum mesh, and the cell desirably includes reservoir elements of porous sintered metal in contact with the anode to receive and discharge electrolyte to the matrix member as required.

Abstract: A method for extracting an underground mineral such as coal, which avoids the need for sending personnel underground and which enables the mining of steeply pitched seams of the mineral. The method includes the use of a narrow vehicle which moves underground along the mineral seam and which is connected by pipes or hoses to water pumps at the surface of the earth. The vehicle hydraulically drills pilot holes during its entrances into the seam, and then directs sideward jets at the seam during its withdrawal from each pilot hole to comminute the mineral surrounding the pilot hole and combine it with water into a slurry, so that the slurried mineral can flow down to a location where a pump raises the slurry to the surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically controlling transformer coupled alternating-current electric lines. The secondary winding of each transformer is provided with a center tap. A switching circuit is connected to the center taps of a pair of secondary windings and includes a switch controller. An impedance is connected between the center taps of the opposite pair of secondary windings. The switching circuit has continuity when the AC lines are continuous and discontinuity with any disconnect of the AC lines. Normally-open switching means are provided in at least one AC line. The switch controller automatically opens the switching means when the AC lines become separated.