Abstract: A monitor, and method, for monitoring temperatures at various specific times and locations in a test or manufacturing process, and for comparing those temperatures with reference profiles of optimum temperatures. Both the monitor and the method are especially well suited for checking the temperatures of various zones of reflow ovens used in mass soldering the connections of electronic components on circuit boards. The monitor is designed to distinguish clearly among respective temperatures at several points on tops and bottoms of circuit boards.

Abstract: A carrier for supporting a monitoring device during passage of the carrier and the monitoring device through a processing machine. The carrier is especially adapted for conveying temperature-recording instrumentation following circuit boards undergoing mass soldering of surface-mount and/or through-hole components.

Abstract: This invention is a parachute array in which a plurality of hydrophones are attached to the skin of a planar or volumetric parachute or affixed to strings that are positioned around a planar or volumetric parachute. When the parachute is moved through water, the parachute will expand and provide the necessary tension forces to maintain and position the hydrophone array in a particular geometric orientation without the use of any rigid structural members.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for removably mounting a thermocouple in intimate thermal contact with an electrical component or other object whose temperature is to be accurately sensed and measured. The apparatus comprises a probe having a miniaturized "gripper" or a spring-biased sensor for perceiving the temperature at a precisely defined point. Provision is made for shielding the thermocouple from ambient gases that might degrade the desired temperature perception. Various provisions are made for removably mounting the shielded thermocouple on or in contact with a circuit board or an independent structure.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing towline (14) comprises an elastomeric core (16) having a set of internal polymeric strands (18) helically wound around the outer surface (20) of the core in a first direction and a set of external polymeric strands (22) helically wound around the outer surface (24) of the internal strands in a direction opposite to the first direction. There may be more internal strands than external strands in order to maintain torque balance as the cable elongates. Each of the internal and external strands consists of a plurality of filaments (30), and each external strand (22) may have fewer strand filaments than each internal strand (18) so as to aid in torque balancing. Electrical conductors (26) may be helically disposed between turns of the external or the internal strands. When the towline experiences tension, the elastomeric core elongates, as do the helixes. But the diameters of the helixes contract, so the strands themselves do not elongate.

Abstract: A banner in the form of an elongated sheet of flexible material is attached to an air dropped sonobuoy for stabilization of the sonobuoy during descent as well as for descent speed control, entry angle control, and wave action damping once the sonobuoy is floating at the surface of the ocean. The banner is roller furled and stored on top of the sonobuoy. When the sonobuoy is dropped, the banner unrolls and streams out behind the sonobuoy during descent. It is a feature of this drogue apparatus that it is deployed by the time that the sonobuoy has descended a distance corresponding approximately to the length of the banner. The banner is not released when the sonobuoy hits the water in order to enable it to stream out over the surface of the water to provide wave damping action.

Abstract: A modular buoy system in which a number of similar sonobuoys are housed in a common container. Associated with each sonobuoy is a launching mechanism. A circuit is provided for actuating these launching mechanisms separately so that the sonobuoys may be ejected from the container one at a time.

Abstract: A hydrophone array system comprising a plurality of hydrophones fastened to a cable is deployed beneath the sea in a substantially horizontal straight line. A small powered thruster fastened to one end of the cable urges it in a first direction and this urging is resisted by a member, such as a drogue or an anchored subsurface float, fastened to the other end of the cable. Individual signals from each of the hydrophones are conducted to the surface where they are processed and transmitted by a radio link to a nearby aircraft or surface vessel. Beam forming and analysis is performed aboard the aircraft or surface vessel.

Abstract: An inflation system for sonobuoys and the like is disclosed in which lithium hydride in finely divided form is cast upon the surface of water ingested into a bag carried by the sonobuoy as the sonobuoy descends in the water. A spring loaded pumping system is actuated when the sonobuoy and bag are immersed in the water, with the extension of the spring also causing the ejection of the lithium hydride from a canister within the bag. The casting of the finely divided lithium hydride onto the surface of the water provides for extremely rapid gas generation such that quickly descending sonobuoys may be rapidly returned to the sea surface. Righting of the buoy is accomplished by the suspension of batteries and sonar apparatus beneath the bag through a snorkel so that the snorkel is extended and the bag righted upon immersion. The snorkel tube provides for a predetermined pressure head as well as for sealing of the buoy bag when the buoy is tilted due to wave action.