Abstract:
A visual display system (10), such as a flight simulation system, includes a number of display screens (12) and a number of associated video projectors (28) which project predetermined video images on the display screens (12) in response to control signals provided by an operator. In one embodiment, the display screens are circumscribed by an imaginary sphere (34) having a predetermined radius and centered about the design eye (36) of the visual display system. The design eye is generally positioned in a predetermined fixed relation to the operator such that the distortion of the displayed video image is reduced. In another embodiment, the video projectors are mounted in a linear side-by-side relationship on a rear side of the display screens, thereby reducing the overall size of the visual display system. The visual display system also includes image redirection means, such as fold mirrors (42), to redirect the video images projected by the aligned video projectors (28) so as to provide the video images to the respective display screens (12) in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of each display screen. In addition, adjacent display screens can be attached by a pair of rearwardly extending tabs (54) which are positioned so as to not mask the projected video images. At least one of the pair of tabs is opaque such that the projected video images will not pass between the adjacent display screens. Thus, at least the portion of the video image displayed along the edges of the adjacent display screens is clarified.
Abstract:
A system (50) for determining strain includes: a stimulating light source (54, 56); a device (64) for placing stress on an object (58); a number of local strain gauges (66) attached to the object (58); and an image capturing device (62, 64). A controller (52) is coupled to the stimulating light source (54, 56) and has a signal that turns on the stimulating light source (54, 56). The controller (52) receives a strain signal from each of the local strain gauges (66) located on the object (58). The controller (66) has an image signal that determines when the image capturing device (62, 64) captures an image.
Abstract:
An optical fiber (10) includes a rare-earth doped inner core (12) surrounded by an outer core (14), and a pump core (16) attached to the outer core (14). The pump core (16) is separated into branched regions each partially attached to the outer core (14). Excitation light, from an external pump source is coupled into each branched region (18) of the pump core (16), propagates into the outer core (14), without breaking open the outer core (14), and leaks into and is absorbed by the inner core (12). The rare-earth ions contained in the inner core (12) are capable of being stimulated by this received optical power, thereby providing the desired amplification of an optical signal propagating through the optical fiber (10).
Abstract:
A radome structure has an outer first layer of a fiber-reinforced composite material of quartz fibers in a noncrystalline cured oligomeric cyanate ester prepolymer. A second layer of a syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the first layer. A third layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (although possibly of different thickness) underlines and is bonded to the second layer. A fourth layer of the syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the third layer. A fifth layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (preferably of the same thickness as the first layer) underlies and is bonded to the fourth layer. The structure is formed by layup of the first layer inside a female mold, and successively shaping the remaining layers and tacking them to each preceding layer. The shell produced in this manner can be joined to conforming shells.
Abstract:
Axial and rotational movement of the torque tube foot (49) of an aircraft's disc brake assembly (10) is restrained to substantially dampen or eliminate the short interval high frequency vibration previously experienced on brake application. Vibration damage experienced to brake and landing gear components with brake assemblies of the prior design is avoided.
Abstract:
An aircraft (50) with a variable cargo bay (52) includes a frame (60). A pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) is coupled to the frame (60). Each of the pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) has a ramp (100) connected to the frame (60) by a front sliding pivoting mechanism (106). A door assembly (58) is between the pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) and is coupled to the frame (60).
Abstract:
A color selective, anti-reflective optical coating has a substrate (42), a first layer (44) and a second layer (46). The first layer (44) has an index of refraction that is 25 % to 39 % greater than an index of refraction of the substrate (42). The first layer (44) has a width of between 12.31 nanometers and 13.41 nanometers. The second layer (46) has an index of refraction that is between 1 % and 17.5 % less than the index of refraction of the substrate (42). The second layer (46) has a width between 118.32 nanometers and 130.78 nanometers. When the color selective, anti-reflective optical coating is applied to a head lamp lens (40), it significantly increases the output of the head lamp (20) and has a distinctive tint.
Abstract:
Ejection seat rails (4) that guide an ejection seat (2) out of a vehicle (8), wherein the seat (2) has rollers (10) that travel along the rails (4). The rails (4) are constructed such that the rollers (10) simultaneously disengage from the rails (4), reducing the amount of tip-off that would occur if the rollers (10) were to sequentially disengage.
Abstract:
This invention is an integrated anthropomorphic g-suit, with a breathing regulator and means for protecting the user of the suit from hostile environments. The suit has a flexible, distensible, impermeable inner liner that conforms to a user's body, and a flexible, impermeable, nondistensible outer liner that fits over the inner liner, to trap a thin layer of fluid between the inner and outer liners. The suit acts a tank of fluid, so that the suit exerts a hydrostatic pressure on the user's body, preventing blood from draining from the user's head, when the user is subjected to acceleration. Chemical, radiation and biological protection is provided by the fluid, which circulates through a heat exchanger incorporated into the suit. The user is supplied with a breathing system having a regulator that is responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the suit, such that the pressure of the breathing gases being supplied to the user is approximately the same as the fluid pressure in the thoracic region of the suit. The regulator can vary the pressure of the breathing gas, automatically as a function of ambient pressure.
Abstract:
0 linkage is provided between various components within the feed mechanism of an automated gun (10) which allows a feed cover (14), which includes some of the components of the feed mechanism (12), to be opened relative to other elements within the feed mechanism in order to allow access or changing of ammunition within the feed mechanism (12) without unlinking the various feed mechanism (12) components. Feed mechanism (12) components within the gun are linked to other feed mechanism (12) components within the rotatable feed cover (14) by means of a ball and bracket (54, 44) combination. The feed cover (14) rotates about a pivot pin (3, 4) on a predetermined axis. The bracket (42, 54), through which the motive power supplied to the components of the feed mechanism (12) and the feed cover (14), is disposed to lie on and is rotatable about the predetermined axis defined by the pivot pin (34).