Abstract: An actuator comprises a magnet yoke (10a, 10b) and a carrier member (2) movable relative to the magnet yoke. The magnet yoke (10a, 10b) has at least one permanent magnet (14) and the carrier member (20) is positioned in the magnetic field produced by this magnet. The carrier member (20) has an auxiliary magnetic member (28) that produces a relative bias force between the carrier member (20) and the magnet yoke (10a, 10b). The bias force will be used to compensate for a weight applied to the device and acts as a bearing with a very large compliance. The carrier member (2) also comprises a coil (26). Passing current through the coil (26) produces a Lorentz force for further control of the actuator; alternatively, the device provides a velocity transducer by sensing the EMF generated in the coil by relative motion of the carrier member (20) and magnet yoke (10a, 10b).

Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.

Abstract: An article and method for controlling the sign (repulsion or attraction) and magnitude of dispersion forces, such as the Casimir force. In accordance with one embodiment of the present teachings, dispersion forces are controlled by selectively reflecting only those spectral components (i.e., frequencies) at which the random oscillations of the electromagnetic field contribute to the force behavior desired, while substantially suppressing all other spectral components. In one embodiment, the selected spectral components are omni-directionally reflected using photonic band gap materials.

Abstract: A plurality of reflective points in front of one's vehicle in a traveling direction are detected by a radar device. The plurality of detected reflective points are grouped based on a predetermined standard, and the grouped reflective points are regarded as detection objects. Relative speeds of the detected detection objects are measured with respect to one's vehicle. Types of the detection objects are determined based on the measured relative speeds.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to radiant energy systems and more particularly to systems exhibiting the retroreflection principle wherein the system comprises a focusing means and a surface exhibiting some degree of reflectivity positioned near the focal plane of the device, and wherein incident radiation falling within the field-of-view of said system is reflected back in a direction which is parallel to the incident radiation. The present invention has great applicability in military optical system applications for detecting the presence of an enemy employing surveillance equipment and for neutralizing this surveillance capability.

Abstract: An electrical energy production system, which includes an electrical energy production section, a multi-stage turbine section, and a mass spectrometer section is presented. The system is designed to produce electrical energy through a multi-stage turbine which draws in large volumes of ambient air through a series of tubular sections made up of repeated combinations of parallel plate or “frigid plate” heating assemblies and variable positive voltage grids. The tube sections cause the atoms or molecules of high velocity air flowing therethrough to undergo the loss of electrons through mechanically induced atomic and molecular impacts and thermal excitation. Free electrons are then collected by the variable positive voltage grids.

Abstract: Apparatus for efficiently modulating the output from an infrared radiation source is provided by a collector/collimator for collecting and collimating the output of the radiation source and a modulator including a stator and at least one rotor. The stator includes a disc of alternating opaque and transparent radial segments having means associated therewith for gathering the radiation from the source and passing substantially all of it to the transparent segments including optical wedges arranged on the opaque segments and a central reflector/collector. The rotor includes a disc of alternating transparent and opaque radial segments. A second rotor may be provided for adding a second modulation and comprises a disc of alternating opaque and transparent radial segments also having optical wedges arranged on the opaque segments and a central reflector.

Abstract: A dry ice substitute that mimics the size and density of dry ice for use in dose mapping to ensure proper amounts of gamma irradiation. The substitute comprises a first substance of a first shape and density and a second substance of a second shape and density, the two substances combined in a ration to yield a product with an overall density substantially equivalent to that of dry ice.

Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.

Abstract: The invention particularly relates to a mixing apparatus using an eccentric phase plate, and an optical rangefinder using the mixing apparatus. In the optical rangefinder, an external distance measurement optical path leads light from the light source to a light receiving part passing through an article to be measured, an internal distance measurement optical path leads the light from the light source to the light receiving part not passing through the article to be measured, and processing means calculates the distance to the article to be measured from the difference between the distance value obtained by the external distance measurement optical path and the distance value obtained by the internal distance measurement optical path. In the mixing apparatus, driving means drives the phase plate.

Abstract: A process for preparing the interior surfaces of aquariums with debris-repellant properties, comprising the irradiation of a surface by far infrared light, thereby inducing an electron deficiency upon the surface. Dirt particles are repelled by the positively charged surface, since most dust particles have positively charged centers. The negatively charged periphery of said dust particles adhere to the positively charged surface, but the attractive forces between the surface and the dirt particles are too weak to overcome gravitational forces which cause the particles to fall off or float away from the surface. In addition, the electron deficiency on the inner surface of the aquarium drives a surface reaction which produces oxygen. This evolving of gas from the inner surface further repels the adherence of debris particles and provides a healthy atmosphere for fish dwelling in the aquarium.

Abstract: Process and system for determining radiation exposure in airplanes The invention pertains to a process for the determination of the radiation load, respectively the dosage (effect) of the radiation prevailing in airplanes with the aid of an algorithm, with which the spectral composition of the encumbering radiation can be determined and which is subject to the altitude as well as the geographical, respectively the geomagnetic longitude and latitude, respectively, that the portions of the individual types of radiation of the locally total spectrum can be determined, or else have been determined.

Abstract: A personal electromagnetic radiation monitor includes an electromagnetic radiation sensor assembly having a surface area sensor in the form of a conductive can-shaped or boss-like element. The surface area sensor detects the radial electric field component directly from the radiating antenna or a secondary radial field component created by the displacement current induced in the wearer of the personal monitor who is illuminated by the electromagnetic radiation. The radial field component is detected by a diode detector circuit and is provided to a comparator circuit which will trigger an alarm if the induced current exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A personal electromagnetic radiation monitor includes an electromagnetic radiation sensor in the form of at least one coil mounted on a rectangular form of lossy material. A first metal shield plate is situated adjacent to one side of the form on which the coil is mounted, and a second metal shield plate is situated on another side of the form. The metal shield plates have an impedance which varies substantially inversely proportional with the frequency of electromagnetic radiation sensed by the coil, and compensate for the variation in the magnitude of the induced current in the coil, which induced current, without at least one of the shields, would have varied in magnitude substantially directly proportional with the frequency of the electric field component of the electromagnetic radiation, so that the magnitude of an output signal generated by the sensor is relatively independent of the frequency of the sensed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A personal electromagnetic radiation monitor includes an electromagnetic radiation sensor in the form of at least one coil mounted on a rectangular form of lossy material. A first metal shield plate is situated adjacent to one side of the form on which the coil is mounted, and a second metal shield plate is situated on another side of the form. The metal shield plates have an impedance which varies substantially inversely proportional with the frequency of electromagnetic radiation sensed by the coil, and compensate for the variation in the magnitude of the induced current in the coil, which induced current, without at least one of the shields, would have varied in magnitude substantially directly proportional with the frequency of the electric field component of the electromagnetic radiation, so that the magnitude of an output signal generated by the sensor is relatively independent of the frequency of the sensed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A personal electromagnetic radiation monitor includes an electromagnetic radiation sensor, a conductive shield spaced apart from the sensor and a backing of graduated lossy material. The electromagnetic radiation sensor includes thin film resistive thermocouples. The backing of graduated lossy material is interposed between the radiation sensor and the conductive shield. The layer is progressively more conductive through its thickness from the side which faces the sensor to the side which faces the conductive shield.

Abstract: An energy beam position detector including a shape memory alloy wire positioned at a boundary of acceptable beam trajectory. The wire is held under adjustable tension. A contraction detector monitors contraction of the wire. If the beam strays, is misaligned, or spreads and strikes the wire, the contraction detector can actuate a switch to alert personnel, shut off the beam, or can exert a force to enable other remedial action be taken.

Abstract: The black hole which a cryogenically-cooled infrared (thermal) detector ctes in a scene being observed by another such detector is obscured by inserting a partial transmitter-reflector on the optical axis of the detector. A black-body radiator projects an ambient-temperature image the same size and shape as the black hole onto the transmitter-reflector such that the other detector sees a combined image with no apparent black hole.

Abstract: A sensing cavity is directed towards the radiation to be measured. An identical reference cavity is directed towards a heat sink which is maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heater and a temperature sensor are mounted on both the sensing cavity and the reference cavity. The temperature sensors are connected to a bridge which is powered only when an observation is made. The heater on the sensing cavity is controlled by bridge imbalance to equalize the temperature of the two cavities. The heater power is then a direct measure of the difference in the power entering the sensing cavity and the power entering the reference cavity. By knowing the power entering the reference cavity, the power entering the sensing cavity can be calculated. The two cavities are mounted together to a common heat sink and have a directly associated preamplifier circuit included in the modular mounting. A plurality of such sensors is used to obtain radiance measurements in many directions simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention presents means for protecting a remote sensing device such as missile seeker unit from damaging radiation outside of the sensing band of the detector and interrogating radiation attempting to determine the operating band of the sensor, its modulation rate, timing signal, or similar data which might be used to deteriorate the performance of the sensor.

Abstract: A novel combination and a method are disclosed for detecting and measuring a predetermined substance capable of being specifically bound. The combination comprises a novel adapter which eliminates contact of a light conducting and receiving probe with the sample.

Abstract: A high-resolution, cryogenic side-entry type specimen stage includes a copper block within which a specimen can be positioned in the electron beam of an electron microscope, one end of the copper block constituting a specimen heat exchanger, means for directing a flow of helium at cryogenic temperature into the heat exchanger, and electrical leads running from the specimen to the exterior of the microscope for four point D.C. electrical resistivity measurements.

Abstract: A method for producing a replica image with enhanced contrast from an orial photographic image comprising toning the original photographic negative with a stable photofissionable isotope material, placing the toned negative in contact with a replication plate made from a transparent material in which damage tracks left by fission fragments may be made visible by some process such as etching, irradiating the toned negative with high-energy X-rays, and etching the replication plate to render the damage tracks visible and thereby produce the replica image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for Langmuir probe plasma diagnostics employing an etronically controlled, discontinuous, modulated sweep of pulses in which the pulse amplitude follows a sawtooth envelope. The pulse organization procedure is such that the probe rests at a baseline potential for a period which is much longer than the pulse width and current-voltage data points are generated by each pulse. The distortions that can result when probe surface conditions change within the measurement period are eliminated by maintaining a single probe surface condition throughout the collection period of the current-voltage characteristic.