Abstract:
A process for fabricating layered semiconductor structures, particularly thin gallium arsenide solar cells, on reusable substrates. The structure is fabricated by depositing a selectively removable layer such as gallium aluminum arsenide onto a substrate, and then depositing a solar cell basic structure on the selectively removable layer. Preferably, the solar cell basic structure includes a layer of p-type gallium arsenide on the layer of gallium aluminum arsenide, a layer of n-type gallium arsenide on the p-type gallium arsenide, and a transparent glass cover over the n-type gallium arsenide layer. The solar cell basic structure is separated from the sustrate by selectively dissolving the gallium aluminum arsenide layer, and a new layer of gallium aluminum arsenide is epitaxially deposited upon the exposed face to form a thin, lightweight gallium arsenide solar cell. If the layer of p-type gallium arsenide is about 0.5 microns thick or less, the new layer of gallium aluminum arsenide may be omitted. The separated substrate can then be reused.
Abstract:
A mounting and stowage mechanism erects a head-up display combiner (16) into the pilot's line-of-sight. One end of a crank is mounted on the combiner and is pivoted on a first link which is pivoted to a frame. A support link is pivoted on the combiner and on a drag link which is pivoted to the frame (28). A connecting link is pivoted to both the first link and the outer pivot of the drag link to complete a compound 4-bar linkage which controls the path of the combiner between the erected position and a stowed position out of the pilot's line-of-sight. Manual control is through a handle which is mounted on a slider for linear motion and is connected to the end of the crank remote from the combiner. The mechanism is rendered insensitive to motion in the combiner-erect position by assuring that the instant centers of the links carrying the combiner are located at twice the focal length from the combiner along a line that runs through the center of curvature of the combiner and its focal point. The mechanism thus reduces optical errors caused by play or vibration in the mechanism.
Abstract:
An improved transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in a mid-infrared laser. A potential application has been identified in a continuous wave gas laser. For the laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.
Abstract:
The low loss microwave switcher (10) routes an incoming microwave signal to a selected output port (2) without the need for signal-splitting coupling junctions. A propagation path between the input and selected port is established while a signal reflecting open circuit condition is established elsewhere to block all unselected ports. PIN diodes (46, 56) are biased on or off to select between propagating and reflecting states and shunted one-quarter wavelength paths are used to provide an open circuit condition.
Abstract:
A pointing apparatus for a dual-spin spacecraft (10) utilizing a first sensor (36, 56, 58, 60, 74) for sensing the time of arrival of an inertial attitude reference as the spinning portion (12) of the spacecraft (10) rotates, and a second sensor (38, 40, 60, 74) for sensing the time of arrival of an index reference which relates the position of the despun portion (14) with the spinning portion (12). A digital processor (70) estimates the spin rate and phase of the spinning portion (12) from the inertial attitude reference time of arrival, estimates the relative spin rate and phase between the spinning portion (12) and the despun portion (14) from the index reference time of arrival, and estimates the bearing friction bias torque on the motor means which controls the pointing direction of the despun portion (14) of the spacecraft (10). The spinning portion spin rate and phase estimates are added with the relative spin rate and phase estimates to produce an estimate of the despun portion spin rate and phase, and the despun portion spin rate and phase estimates and the friction bias torque estimates are subtracted from commanded despun portion spin rate, phase and friction bias torque states. A torque command is generated for controlling the motor means (16) from the subtracted estimates.
Abstract:
13fiber optic modular connector system which includes a receptacle connector (30) and a locking leaf spring (17) having a locking tang (17c) mounted on the receptacle connector. The connector system further includes a removable plug connector housing (19) carrying a rotatable coupling ring (23) for selective coupling with the receptacle connector. The coupling ring includes external splines (25) for accepting a connector installation and removal tubular wrench (50), and further includes a plurality of notches (27) for cooperating with the locking leaf spring to provide a rachet mechanism. The notches on the coupling ring and the locking leaf spring on the receptacle connector allow the coupling ring to be rotated in a first direction, and prevent rotation in a second direction when the locking tang of the leaf spring is engaged with one of the notches on the coupling ring. The disclosed connector system further includes a connector installation and removal tubular wrench (50) which has an elongated housing (35) and an internally splined socket (39) for selectively meshing with and engaging the external splines of the plug connector coupling ring. An elongated slot (47) extending from the end of the socket along the housing is provided to allow the tubular wrench to be placed over a removable plug connector having a fiber optic cable connected thereto.
Abstract:
A system for optimizing the RF input drive to a TWT amplifier (50) over a frequency band of interest. The system includes a microprocessor-based controller (50), and RF detector (40) for detecting the TWT output, and a variable attenuator (20) for adjusting the input drive to the TWT. The controller (50) comprises an analog-to-digital converter (54) for converting the video detector signals and providing digital RF level signals which are representative of the TWT output power level. Frequency data is also provided to the controller indicating the frequency of the RF exciter signals driving the TWT. The controller (50) is, therefore, provided with frequency and RF level information, and is adapted to control the attenuator (20) to adjust the TWT input drive for optimum TWT output. The system is operable in a calibration mode wherein the controller (50) follows a calibration algorithm to determine the optimum attenuator (20) setting, resulting in the maximum RF output, for each frequency of interest. The optimum attenuator setting is stored in an EEPROM (62) for each drive frequency. The system i s further operable in a normal mode wherein the controller (50) sets the attenuator (20) at the predetermined optimum setting for the present exciter frequency.
Abstract:
A laser apparatus (10) has a coherent master oscillator radiation source (30) for driving a plurality of laser gain elements (20) positioned in a operationally parallel configuration so as receive unamplified radiation (40) from master oscilltor (30) and transmitting amplified radiation (44). Input means (60) couples portion of radiation (40) from master oscillator to each of said gain elements (20). Phase conjugate reflector means (80) operatively coupled to gain elements (20) reflects the phase conjugate of amplified radiation (44) back into the gain elements (20) where it is further amplified. Output coupling means (90) couples amplified radiation from the plurality of gain elements (20) out of the laser apparatus as a single coherent output beam of radiation.
Abstract:
A chip carrier array (10) which includes interconnected chip carriers (11) separated from each other and from the substrate waste edge (25) by elongated slots (15) which define outer edges of the chip carriers (11). More particularly, each chip carrier (11) includes corners which are defined by elongated slots (15). Each chip carrier (11) includes a plurality of electrically isolated edge interconnects (19) which wrap around edges defined by the elongated slots (15).
Abstract:
Apparatus for simultaneously rotating a plurality of parallel shafts (12) connected, for example, to an array of rf switches (not shown) that feed energy to or from an array of antenna feed horns. Each shaft (12) is connected by a separate crank (34) to a planar drive plate (16) that is controllably moved relative to the switches in an orbiting fashion, to rotate the shafts (12) in unison. The drive plate (16) is controllably moved by a motor drive system that includes an orbiting motor (20) secured to the plate (16) and a base motor (22) secured to a fixed substrate (14) that houses the switches. The output shafts (68 & 70) of the two motors are coupled together such that operation of either motor moves the orbiting motor (20), and thus the drive plate (16), in an orbiting motion about the base motor (22) and substrate (14).