Abstract: A structure to be subjected to bending and fatigue loading comprises two components having different stiffness connected together. Deflection of the more flexible component is accommodated by the interposition of an intermediate member of varying flexibility between the components or by providing the less flexible component with a flexible portion to act as a fulcrum for the deflection. The components may be a radar-transparent cover and a mounting therefor for use in a submarine.

Abstract: A shipboard search radar in which an antenna beam is stepped up and down in elevation to keep the beam pointed approximately toward the horizon even though the ship may be rolling and/or pitching.

Abstract: A towable broadband submarine antenna system for deployment in the ocean ing operation comprises an antenna element including a metallic termination tip and a length of single conductor buoyant cable. A broadband amplifier connects to the antenna element and provides separate paths for the VLF/LF and the HF/VHF signals with amplification provided only to the HF/VHF signals. The signal from the broadband amplifier is further transmitted on a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A spokewheel convertible buoyant cable antenna is comprised of a multipliy of machined metal and molded or extruded plastic components. These parts are designed to be quickly assembled in such a way as to be watertight at all practical depths. They have sufficient tensile strength so as to be towed at reasonable speeds, either on the surface or submerged. The assembly may be disassembled in the field, for repairs. The design also allows it to be easily inserted into a conventional XU-4 type antenna thereby doubling the usefulness of the standard BCA system when this spokewheel capability is needed. The spokewheel version may be quickly converted back to the standard XU-4 version.

Abstract: A towable broadband submarine antenna system for deployment in the ocean ing operation comprises an antenna element including a metallic termination tip and a length of single conductor buoyant cable. A broadband amplifier connects to the antenna element and provides separate paths for the VLF/LF and the HF/VHF signals with amplification provided only to the HF/VHF signals. The signal from the broadband amplifier is further transmitted on a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A tiltable upwardly extending supporting arch assembly for supporting a radar antenna and other antenna devices above the roof of a cabin or control bridge superstructure of a boat including a unitary rigid arch member of inverted substantially U-shaped configuration having a generally horizontal transversely elongated top portion and a pair of depending leg portions having feet at their lower ends. The feet are attached to a pair of tilting base mounting assemblies each having a base housing component in the shape of an elongated box shaped housing to be fixed to the roof and having a tiltable top plate member pivoted to the box-shaped housing for movement from a first position disposing the arch member in a raised normal operating position to a second position disposing the arch member in a lower position wherein the leg portions lie substantially parallel to the roof.

Abstract: A device for use in mounting on a boat or other mobile unit a radio antenna of the whip type includes a support member and a collar member. The support member has a partial ring portion with a side opening and an integral mount extending laterally from the side of the partial ring portion opposite to the opening by which the support member may be fixed to a support surface. The inside surface of the ring portion is tapered inwardly along its length. The collar member includes a tubular body having a bore of diameter approximating the diameter of the cylindrical base portion of the antenna and a plurality of integral fingers depend inwardly from its lower end. On the outside of the collar member is a tapered section having an angle of taper matching that of the taper in the support member so the collar member may nest in the support member.

Abstract: An apparatus for the stable support of a structure, such as an antenna, in a fluid medium, such as the ocean. A flotation bag supporting an antenna is stabilized by the following features, which can be used individually or in combination. A partially submerged ribbon fence supported by a submerged damper skirt dissipates the kinetic energy of the flotation bag caused by the movement of the ocean and water that encroaches upon the bag. A flexible connection between the bag and the payload enables the bag and the payload to undergo limited motion without affecting each other. Thus, the bag's motion is decoupled and totally independent of the payload. The housing which supports the payload has a flooded chamber, lowering the center of mass of the apparatus. The bottom of the flotation bag is inwardly arched, moving the bouyancy away from the center of the bottom of the bag, enhancing stability and allowing the bag to float lower in the ocean, keeping the damper skirt submerged. The payload includes an r.f.

Abstract: Improved radar reflector apparatus of the type comprising a collapsible and inflatable envelope surrounding a collapsible reflector array made of reflectors which, when the envelope is inflated, form a plurality of corner reflectors. The improvement resides primarily in the fact that each of the reflectors is mounted or suspended in the envelope by a string mounting network independently of the others.

Abstract: A buoy having a mainly circular upper surface and on this surface an auxiliary circular float body located at the center of this surface, the dimensions of the this upper surface and the auxiliary float body being such, that the buoy in rough water restores automatically its original position after it has been reversed and that wind forces create pressure deviations on this surface that compensate the tilting momentum exerted by the wind on the auxiliary float body itself and even the rest of the buoy.

Abstract: A reactive attitude stabilization system to be carried by a vehicle is provided where a first shaft is pivotally mounted on the vehicle in a normally horizontal relation. A second shaft is supported in horizontal relation at its midpoint by the first shaft and oriented perpendicular to the first shaft. Nonrotating slide bearings support a platform on the second shaft for translation of said second shaft relative to the platform. Resilient members oppose translation of the second shaft relative to the platform in either direction and normally maintain the intersection of the axes of the first and second shafts vertically above the center of gravity of the platform. An acceleration induced shift of the second shaft axially and horizontally relative to said platform causes a torque due to gravity to counteract the acceleration dependent torque.

Abstract: A telescoping boat light-antenna for use on a vessel which is recessed below the level of the deck when not being utilized and is capable of being extended to a predetermined height above the deck through a telescoping motor assembly when being utilized as either a boat light or an antenna. The light-antenna includes a recessed cup below a base plate which supports the light lens below deck level when recessed therein in a non-utilized position and provides for extension of the telescoping tubing when the light-antenna is in a telescoped position. The twofold purpose of the light and antenna provides for military function in communications command and control of the vessel as well as safety at sea.

Abstract: A stabilized antenna system is disclosed. The stabilized antenna platform includes an acceleration displaceable mass which compensates for linear acceleration forces to inhibit tipping of the antenna platform. The stabilized antenna system may include in combination a gimbal mounting and one or more gyros.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an antenna which may be collapsed and stored in a compact configuration and readily released from storage to assume a deployed operative state. More specifically, the antenna is a wire member comprised of a straight section and an integral transverse helical spring section. The antenna lends itself to storage about the axis of a right circular cylinder while permitting full deployment parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter. This arrangement permits the storage of potential energies of torsion and bending respectively in the helical spring and straight portions of the antenna, and permits continuous motion in these planes to effect antenna erection and deployment.

Abstract: A phased array lens antenna which includes a lens having two faces disposed ubstantially at a right angle to each other. Transmit-receive modules which include phase-shifters are shared between the two lens faces. Two lens antennas positioned in back-to-back relationship about a ship superstructure scan 360.degree..

Abstract: A ship deck lifeline has an insulator fitting interposed between the metal able and the metal end stanchion. The lifeline cable is insulated from the metal ship deck thereby reducing electrical interference with the ship's electronic instrumentation. The insulator fitting is designed to be easily retrofit to existing lifelines.

Abstract: A plurality of plates are rigidly affixed normal to forward and rearward surfaces along a major axis of a maximal diameter of an asymmetrical rotating antenna. In the presence of a wind, any aerodynamic forces tending to produce aerodynamic rotational moments on the antenna are reduced by the interaction between the wind, which produces a boundary layer on the antenna, and the plates, which affect the boundary layer.The net effects of the plates are to reduce the aerodynamic pressure difference between the forward and rearward surfaces of the antenna and to move the center of aerodynamic pressure closer to the center of rotation of the antenna. Due to these effects, the overall aerodynamic rotational movement on the antenna is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic inflation system for use as an emergency locating system which is activated by the severance of an initiator wire which in turn begins the operation of a transmitter and a timer. Following a period of time as determined by the timer, a pair of electrically activated pyrotechnic thrusters are actuated and cause the rupture of seals on a pair of compressed gas storage cylinders which in turn results in the inflation of two sections of a twin mast, raising a radio antenna and radar reflective material. A radio transmitter is also activated at the start of the time delay with an emergency locating signal broadcast from the antenna, after the mast is raised. This system provides improved means of locating missing equipment when searched for by radio search, radar search, and/or visual search.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism automatically deploys stave-like electronic sensing nits in a circular array and locks the sensing units in position. One end each of an upper and of a lower arm are pivotally connected to a stave-like sensing unit. The other end of the upper arm is pivotally connected to a central supporting electronic unit via a band having tabs. The other end of the lower arm is connected via a hinge support and spring to the central unit. The spring provides the power to rotate the arms down, forming the array segment. The spring also translates the lower arm into a slot in the hinge support to lock the lower arm and, thus, the sensing unit in position.

Abstract: An inflatable antenna for use with a buoy at sea is disclosed. Webs in the inflatable compartment of the antenna have parts metallized to form the feed portions of the radiating elements. Areas of the top inner surface of the inflatable compartment are metallized to form capacitive loading portions of the radiating elements. Conductive inner and outer surfaces of the bottom of the inflatable compartment form a ground plane coupled to the sea water. When the elements of the antenna are fed in phase quadrature, the antenna provides hemispherical coverage including sufficient gain at the horizon.

Abstract: A termination tip for submarine buoyant cable antenna systems can quickly converted from grounding to insulating and vice versa any number of times. The nosepiece assembly fits over a pin contact of wire and is screwed onto a connector that holds the wire. An O-ring between the wire and the nosepiece assembly seals out seawater. The nosepiece assembly is either insulating or conducting depending on the desired configuration.

Abstract: A passive platform stabilization system is disclosed which is suitable for antenna stabilization in maritime communication systems. The stabilization system of the present invention comprises a platform rotatable in a horizontal plane. At least two gyros are suspended from the platform by suspension means which are rotatable about a vertical axis independent of the rotation of the platform in order to avoid undesirable torque components which would result from precession of the gyros. The platform pivots about axes which are parallel to the pitch and roll axes of a vessel on which it is mounted.

Abstract: An interconnect system from a combination gyro and pendulum weight passive stabilization system unit and an equipment platform, such as an antenna platform, whereby the platform is position stabilized in pitch and roll as controlled by the passive stabilization system unit. The interconnect system may take the form of a selsyn system used with a generator and a motor interconnected by multiple wire circuitry to permit location of a passive stabilization system unit at an ideal location in an ocean-going ship, such as in the epicenter region of the ship, with minimized pitch and roll acceleration forces, and with the antenna platform stabilized thereby ideally located for antenna purposes as much as hundreds of feet away from the passive stabilization system unit.

Abstract: An air launchable sonobuoy having two separate liquid chemicals which react pon mixing to form an expanded, rigid foam flotation device. Upon deployment in the air, windflaps release a preloaded plate within a submersible housing and urge the chemicals to mix and foam in an elastic envelope. After water impact, an orifice in the housing permits water to fill the voids at a rate sufficient to allow the housing to remain afloat until foaming and erection of an antenna within the envelope is complete. As the envelope expands, a latch releases it from the housing and permits the housing when flooded to sink to the desired depth determined by the payout length of a cable within the housing connected to the flotation device.

Abstract: The invention provides an antenna having a large area reflector formed of a plurality of conductive slats of carbon fibre re-inforced plastics material having air gaps therebetween. The slats are mounted on a supporting and shaping framework which is of like material. The supporting and shaping framework is carried on a support structure of aluminium and between the aluminium and the support structure and the carbon fibre reinforced plastics material of the supporting and shaping framework is provided the intermediary material (e.g. titanium or stainless steel provided to reduce the effects of electrolytic corrosion.

Abstract: A stabilized ship borne antenna arrangement is provided with an antenna which is stabilized against pitching and rolling motions of the ship on which it is mounted. The antenna is intended to rotate in azimuth about a stabilized vertical axis and it is mounted on a rotatable member which rotates about an unstabilized axis, which is fixed relative to the ship. Linear actuators link the antenna to the rotatable member with the lengths of the actuators being adjusted so as to maintain the vertical axis of the antenna as it rotates. The stabilized portion of the antenna arrangement is relatively light with a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A distributed loop antenna is embodied in a flexible cable structure for marine E.L.F. (extremely low frequency) radio reception. Several distributed loop and magnetic core configurations which provide "side-looking" reception are described, as is the ability of flexible distributed loops to minimize the induction of noise voltages in the antenna.

Abstract: A self-erecting floatable structure which includes a collapsible extendible element and a hollow substantially cylindrical shaped core member about which the collapsible extendible element can be wound and an inflatable torus that is connected to the collapsible extendible element. The hollow cylindrical shaped core member is configured so as to readily receive the collapsed torus and two gas generating members are connected to the torus which generates gas to inflate the torus when they come into contact with water. Provisions are made for maintaining the torus and the collapsible extendible element in a compact configuration with the cylindrical shaped core member until the self-erecting floatable structure comes into contact with water. Upon contact with water the self-erecting floatable structure erects itself in the water so that the inflated torus and the core member which acts as a weight maintain the upper portion of the extendible element in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A down link UHF antenna is designed which includes four equispaced arms ml plated at an angle on a fiberglass cylinder. A coaxial connector is connected to each of the four arms with the metal plated inner surface as the common ground.

Abstract: A bi-directional underwater communication system provides a submerged operator with the capability to communicate with a surface site. A face-mask-mounted microphone and an earphone are connected to a submerged, watertight radio. The radio antenna cable is carried by a buoy to the surface of the body of water in which the operator is submerged.

Abstract: A multiple antenna system for a ship mast top with the individual antenna sections being in stacked relationship. The uppermost antenna is a Global Positioning System antenna. The intermediary antenna is a Tactical Air Navigation antenna. The lowermost antenna is a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System antenna. Isolation between antennas is provided in the form of decoupling chokes which permit the individual systems to run freely.

Abstract: An antenna system including a single directional antenna having a single directional gain pattern for receiving electromagnetic waves in a certain direction. The orientation of the directional gain pattern is varied to vary the gain of the antenna in directions other than the certain direction in which electromagnetic waves are to be received. The gain is varied at a frequency higher than that of amplitude variations superimposed on the received electromagnetic waves while maintaining the gain substantially constant in the certain direction in which electromagnetic waves are to be received. The antenna gain variations in the directions other than the certain direction are effective to reduce the amplitude of received undesired electromagnetic waves and thereby diminish amplitude variations caused by these undesired electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A portable transceiver antenna is provided with a base suitable for retention by a fishing rodholder or for hand held use and is pretuned to facilitate its use without a ground plane. The antenna includes an electrically conductive rod which may be covered by a dielectric and segmented, and would then include couplings fabricated from ferrules closely fitted over nipples to produce reliable electrical contact through the coupling. The antenna may be used with citizens band, very high frequency - frequency modulated, and similar applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns stabilized platform arrangements of the kind utilized, for example, to carry a rotatable ship's radio antenna, which requires to be stabilized against pitch and roll. A control system is provided which includes means for relating error signals representative of deviations in pitch and roll to orthogonal axes fixed with respect to the antenna, by conversion to angular errors in two orthogonal planes, the elevation and cross elevation planes, containing the reference axis about which the antenna rotates.

Abstract: 1. Apparatus for long-range transmissions of messages by means of electromagnetic waves, comprising a long-wave transmitting plant including a message-storing unit, a transmitter, an antenna whose length equals a quarter length of the emitted waves or a multiple thereof, and a missile for hoisting said antenna, a parachute detachably connected to said missile, an elastic cord, said parachute being connected to said antenna by means of said elastic cord, said elastic cord being dimensioned in accordance with the required antenna dimensions and transmission time.

Abstract: A radio beacon for a nautical emergency rescue system includes a flotation housing containing an antenna in an upper portion, a ground plane and a transmitter in a central portion, and batteries in a lower portion. When placed in the water, the lower section is submerged and the central section is at surface level, enabling contact between the ground plane and the water via conductors that pass through the housing. The upper portion projects above the water to permit efficient radiation from the antenna, which consists of a vertical rod and a coaxial cylindrical can that is open at the bottom end. The upper end of the rod is attached to the center of the can closed end. The radio transmitter is frequency modulated in a distinctive pattern, and operates with a duty cycle that permits detection and direction finding of multiple such beacons.

Abstract: A buoyant body having one end of a plurality of elongated electrically conductive spring members affixed thereto with the other end of the spring members attached to a movable member, which is in turn affixed to the body and movable with relation thereto, said movable member being held in a first or stored position and biased by the spring members to a second or erected position wherein the spring members define spaced apart arcuate portions of a sphere and are connected as elements of the antenna.

Abstract: An IFF antenna is disposed symmetrically about a vertical axis. A power divider and a pair of transmission lines are provided to symmetrically feed the IFF antenna. A GPS antenna is disposed coaxially of the vertical axis and above the IFF antenna. A gap is provided between the top of the IFF antenna and the bottom of the GPS antenna having a predetermined width. A three wire balun is disposed coaxially of the vertical axis and within the IFF antenna to feed the GPS antenna and a conductive shield is disposed coaxially of the vertical axis surrounding the three wire balun and interconnecting the IFF antenna and the GPS antenna for isolation therebetween.

Abstract: The drive coupling for an antenna having a shorting assembly traveling along a helix to tune the antenna includes a metal rotating drive shaft extending concentrically through the shorting assembly with flutes on the drive shaft in the region of the helix. A metal shielding cylinder is disposed coaxial to and spaced from the outer surface of the drive shaft and provides an outer member of the shorting assembly. A drive bearing of dielectric material is disposed to engage the flutes and the shielding cylinder so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the shielding cylinder to cause the shielding assembly to travel along the helix. A guide bearing of dielectric material is disposed to engage the shielding cylinder and the end of the drive shaft remote from the flutes.

Abstract: The structure includes a tunable high power MF/HF transmitting antenna having a vertical axis and a shorting assembly driven along the vertical axis to tune the high power antenna. A hollow rotating drive shaft is disposed coaxially of the vertical axis within and coupled to the shorting assembly to drive the shorting assembly. A plurality of additional antennas are disposed in a vertical stacked arrangment above the high power antenna. A plurality of service conductors each coupled to a different one of the plurality of additional antennas are enclosed in a conduit disposed coaxially of the vertical axis and within the drive shaft. A tunable ferrite isolator is disposed below the drive shaft and includes the conduit to enable the conduit and the service conductors to pass through the high power antenna with a minimum of modification to the performance of the high power antenna.

Abstract: A floatable radio antenna (releasable from a submarine) includes a solid hemisphere of conductive material concentric with a hollow hemisphere of dielectric material. The hemispheres are contained in a floatation jacket which carries them above the surface of a liquid on which the jacket floats. Concentric spheres may be used if desired. The dielectric material permits an antenna of small physical dimensions.

Abstract: A satellite tracking antenna structure is disclosed which is adapted to be mounted at the head of the mast of a ship. The antenna itself, is provided with a reflector which forms one side of a box structure, which is open on the side thereof opposite to the reflector and has a rigidifying structure including an arched beam mounted in the box between the reflector and the open side of the box opposite to the reflector. Located within the box structure is a pedestal extending upwardly from the mast. A stable platform arrangement is mounted on the pedestal and the box structure is pivotly mounted on the stable platform arrangement so as to enable the antenna to be rotated in azimuth and in elevation in the direction of a satellite with which communication is desired.

Abstract: A buoy is towed by a submerged submarine through means of an electro-mechanical cable. A cable reel is disposed in the buoy to store an inflatable buoyant cable having a pressure accumulator containing a medium under a given pressure attached to one end of the buoyant cable adjacent the outer surface of the buoy. The other end of the buoyant cable is attached to the cable reel. Through slip rings connected to the cable reel and a conductor connected between the slip rings and the electro-mechanical cable radio communication with a submerged submarine is possible employing the buoyant cable when it is deployed and inflated. An arrangement in the buoy associated with the buoyant cable and the cable reel assists in deploying and retrieving the buoyant cable with the deploying and retrieving of the buoyant cable being under the control of sea pressure acting on the buoyant cable.

Abstract: This antenna arrangement includes a primary buoy connected to the submarine through a first electro-mechanical cable, a secondary buoy carrying an antenna connected to the primary buoy by a second electro-mechanical cable and a system contained within the primary buoy connected to the second cable to automatically control the deploying and the retrieving of the secondary buoy and to provide electrical continuity between the first and second cables. The deployment of the secondary buoy is produced primarily by hydrodynamic forces rather than only hydrostatic forces.

Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed that is suitable for use in the transmission of communication signals from expendable marker buoys. The antenna system is designed such that the antenna is interiorly disposed within the buoy, which eliminates the need for antenna seals and antenna automatic extension mechanisms.The antenna is top loaded to permit the use of a relatively short vertical section. The antenna is attached to a ground plane skirt which is capacitively coupled through a dielectric form for establishing good radio frequency (RF) connection to the water surface within which the antenna system operates. The dielectric medium is provided by the outer housing of the buoy and hence the water surface becomes the effective ground plane for the antenna. In this manner, therefore, the antenna system does not require components to be extended beyond the interior of the buoy housing.