Abstract: A high output, narrow band thermally energized radiation source comprises a rare earth oxide radiator member that has a cross-sectional dimension in the range of five to thirty micrometers, the rare earth oxide radiator member, when heated to about 1700.degree. C., having a concentrated radiated flux over the 400-2500 nanometer wavelength range such that at least 50% of the radiated flux is within a spectral band that is less than 400 nanometers wide.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system includes a thermal energy source and a narrow band emitter spaced and optically isolated from the thermal energy source. Thermal energy is transferred between the thermal energy source and the emitter by a non-radiative mechanism, such as a closed loop fluid flow path that interconnects the thermal energy source and the narrow band emitter. A photocell array is disposed in optically coupled relation to the narrow band emitter for generating an electrical output in response to radiation from the narrow band emitter.

Abstract: A sensing pump for discriminating between liquids and gases. The pump includes a plunger which is reciprocably moved by a succession of repetitive actuation of known force and time characteristics. The response of the plunger, acting against the fluid is indicative of the quality of the fluid (liquid, gas, or vapor). An orifice is provided in the system which in effect eliminates liquid viscosity as a determinant, and makes the system responsive instead to a mass-transfer regime. This increases the discriminatory capability of the system.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic system includes structure defining a diffusion flame burner having separate but adjacent fuel and oxidant inlets, and structure defining a combustion chamber in which an emitter structure is disposed for exposure to combustion products of the burner. The combustion products heat the emitter structure and cause the emission of spectrally distributed radiation. Disposed in optically coupled relation to the emitter structure are one or more photocells for converting energy radiated by the emitter structure to electrical energy, a close match between the spectrum of the photon energy radiated from the emitter structure and the electron production threshold of the photocell array resulting in enhanced efficiency. One portion of the combustion product stream is flowed from the combustion chamber through a recuperator to heat the incoming oxidant, and another portion of the combustion product stream is flowed into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in processing radioactive waste materials for shipment and storage in solid form in a container is disclosed. The container includes a top, and an opening in the top which is smaller than the outer circumference of the container.The apparatus includes an enclosure into which the container is placed, solution feed apparatus for adding a solution containing radioactive waste materials into the container through the container opening, and at least one rotatable blade for blending the solution with a fixing agent such as cement or the like as the solution is added into the container.The blade is constructed so that it can pass through the opening in the top of the container. The rotational axis of the blade is displaced from the center of the blade so that after the blade passes through the opening, the blade and container can be adjusted so that one edge of the blade is adjacent the cylindrical wall of the container, to insure thorough mixing.

Abstract: A strength element for a fiber optic transmission cable is integrally formed from a fiber reinforced resin material and it comprises a longitudinally extending central portion and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs which project substantially radially outwardly from the central portion and define a plurality of substantially longitudinally extending grooves for receiving and positioning optical fibers around the strength element. The ribs are preferably formed in outwardly tapered configurations, and the outer terminal ends of the ribs and the inner extremities of the grooves between the ribs are preferably formed in rounded configurations to increase the resistance of the strength element to breakage during bending.

Abstract: A plurality of nestable members, such as razor blades, are formed into a stack having a parallel array of symmetrical, triangular-shaped edges. The stack of blades are maintained in a close abutting relationship and means are provided for controlling the temperature of the stack.

Abstract: A high output, narrow band thermally energized radiation source comprises a rare earth oxide radiator member that has a cross-sectional dimension in the range of five to thirty micrometers, the rare earth oxide radiator member, when heated to about 1700.degree. C., having a concentrated radiated flux over the 400-2500 nanometer wavelength range such that at least 50% of the radiated flux is within a spectral band that is less than 400 nanometers wide.

Abstract: A sensor utilizes the opposition of a fluid to physical displacement to provide information about the fluid itself, such as its quality as measured by its density or viscosity, or about the state of a fluid system which contains it, such as the fluid pressure existing at some point in the system. The sensor includes a fluid displacement device or element physically adapted to displace the fluid and repetitively urged into displacement by the application of a known impetus or urging force. The resulting motion of the element is then analyzed to obtain the information desired. The fluid displacement element may additionally perform a pumping function, or it may operate in a fluid stream externally powered. When employed as a pump, the sensor may provide information on the fluid pumped or on the state of the fluid system.

Abstract: A bagging device for transferring material from one chamber through an opening in a wall to a second chamber includes a cylindrical housing communicating with the opening and defining a passage between the chambers. A cylindrical cartridge is slidably received within the housing. The cartridge has a substantially rigid cylindrical sleeve to which is affixed a pliable tube. The pliable tube is positioned concentrically about the sleeve and has a pleated portion capable of unfolding from the sleeve and a closed end extending over a terminal end of the sleeve. Sealing means are interposed in sealed relationship between the cartridge and the housing. Material from one chamber is inserted into the cartridge secured in the housing and received in the closed end of the tube which unfolds into the other chamber enclosing the material therein. The tube may then be sealed behind the material and then severed to form a bag-like enclosure defined by the tube's closed terminal end and the new seal.

Abstract: A sensor utilizes the opposition of a fluid to physical displacement to provide information about the fluid itself, such as its quality as measured by its density or viscosity, or about the state of a fluid system which contains it, such as the fluid pressure existing at some point in the system. The sensor includes a fluid displacement device or element physically adapted to displace the fluid and repetitively urged into displacement by the application of a known impetus or urging force. The resulting motion of the element is then analyzed to obtain the information desired. The fluid displacement element may additionally perform a pumping function, or it may operate in a fluid stream externally powered. When employed as a pump, the sensor may provide information on the fluid pumped or on the state of the fluid system.

Abstract: A two input flip-flop circuit is successively triggered to alternate states by two series of electrical signal pulses, each of which corresponds to one of two rotating members and is of a frequency proportional to the rotational speed of the corresponding rotating member. The flip-flop circuit output signals are applied to an averaging filter circuit that produces an output ramp signal that increases substantially linearly in amplitude as a function of change of phase displacement of the pulses of the two series of electrical signal pulses and remains at a constant value when the phase displacement of the pulses of the two series of electrical signal pulses remains constant thereby indicating an equality of the rotational speeds of the two rotating members.

Abstract: A stagnation sensing control for determining when a gas turbine engine has stagnated during a start phase of operation includes means for sampling the engine speed at a first predetermined point in time and means to hold the sampled speed in memory and further including means operative following a period of time to compare engine speed at the later point in time with the speed in memory and means operative if the speed increase is less than an established amount greater than the sampled speed in memory to produce an engine shutdown signal to operate engine starter and shut down circuits for terminating engine operation.

Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system through a main gearbox. Each power unit comprises a gas turbine engine of the gas-coupled type, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor in the fuel control, an engine electronic control, and various engine accessories.

Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system. Each power unit comprises a gas-coupled gas turbine engine, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor, an engine electronic control, and engine accessories.Power plant operation is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a collective pitch control for the rotor blades, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of a rotor speed governor and the gas generator governors. A condition lever transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor. A collective pitch signal from the rotor control system is another factor in setting the gas generator governor of each unit.The power plant includes a power management control which equalizes the power outputs of the engines and includes the rotor isochronous governor.

Abstract: Improvement in sealing means for wind instruments wherein pads are mounted on the cups of keys which are actuated to open one or more tone holes on such instruments which holes are normally closed by the pads. The improvement resides in the pads being comprised of a first layer of a relatively soft, closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam material which is adapted to enter the tone hole of such instruments and seal it off from the atmosphere thus preventing air leaks through such holes and a second layer, bonded to the first layer, of a greater rigidity than the first layer, of a closed-cell polyethylene foam material which is adapted to be secured to the key cup thus forming a pad having a long life and one which is unaffected by moisture.

Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system through a main gearbox. Each power unit comprises a gas turbine engine of the gas-coupled type, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor in the fuel control, an engine electronic control, and various engine accessories.The operation of the power plant is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a pitch control by which the collective pitch of the rotor blades is controlled, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of an isochronous governor for the rotor system and the gas generator governors. The condition lever of each engine transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor.

Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system through a main gearbox. Each power unit comprises a gas turbine engine of the gas-coupled type, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor in the fuel control, an engine electronic control, and various engine accessories.The operation of the power plant is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a pitch control by which the collective pitch of the rotor blades is controlled, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of an isochronous governor for the rotor system and the gas generator governors. The condition lever of each engine transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor.