Abstract: A fluid connector system including a modified plumbing union having a rotatable member for drawing said union into a fluid tight condition. A drive tool is electric motor actuated and includes a reduction gear train providing an output gear engaging an integral peripheral spur gear on the rotatable member. A housing member attached to the connector assembly provides coaxial alignment for an interface socket on the drive tool. A hand lever actuated latching system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced latching balls selectively wedged against the housing member attached to the connector assembly or to secure the drive tool to the connector assembly with its output gear in mesh with the integral peripheral spur gear. The drive motor is torque, spped and direction controllable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for nondestructively locating and identifying subsurface features of a material or structure. A thermographic scanner constructed in accordance with the invention includes a heat source passed over the surface of interest at a controlled speed and followed in a fixed, spaced-apart relation by an array of detectors. The heat source produces an enhanced temperature gradient on the surface that is a function of the subsurface features. The detectors respond to the surface temperature and produce an indication of the type of subsurface features present. The scanner is provided with wheels connected to an optical encoder that produces an indication of the scanner's position over the surface. Thus, the output of the optical encoder is used to indicate the location of the scanner and detectors with respect to the surface.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump useful under zero-gravity conditions is primed by the capillary wicking action of a fluid accumulator and a set of capillary plates located in a pair of pumping chambers. The fluid accumulator and capillary plates are closely spaced plates designed to draw water into the pumping chamber.