Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical security data communication system capable of employing an existing optical fiber cable for high-speed data transfer without using encryption. SOLUTION: The communication system includes a Sagnac interferometer for generating an interference output, a Sagnac loop 56, a light source 36 that generates light beams propagated in the directions opposite to each other in the Sagnac loop 56, a phase modulator 58 that provides information to the light beams propagating in the direction opposite to each other in the Sagnac loop 56 apart from the light source 36 to produce the information as an interferometer output, and an optical output detector 76 that is connected to the Sagnac loop to receive the interference output and generate an output signal denoting the information. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
A satellite dispenser for supporting and deploying a plurality of satellites, and adapted to be carried into the Earth's orbit by a launch vehicle, said satellite dispenser comprising:
a shell including a post portion and a base portion, said structure having a length-wise dimension sufficient to span at least one pair of satellites disposed longitudinally along said post portion; a frame secured to said shell adapted to assist in supporting at least one of said pair of satellites; and a separation assembly operably associated with said frame for releasably coupling one of said pair of satellites to said shell and for deploying said one satellite at a desired point of travel of said launch vehicle.
Abstract:
A precision grinding appartus includes a grinding worm (54) for precision grinding a case-hardened face gear (112). A shaper (18) is first placed in contact with a face gear (112), to thereby shape a surface of the face gear (112) into a plurality of face gear teeth (114). The shaper (18) is then removed, and the face gear (112) is case hardened. The grinding worm (54) is disposed in a normal orientation to the case-hardened face gear (112) and includes a spiral tooth (61) extending along a perimeter of the grinding worm (54). The spiral tooth (61) of the grinding worm (54) is adapted to contact and precision grind the case-hardened gear (112). A dressing tool (56) includes a protrusion (58) for contacting the spiral tooth (61) of the grinding worm (54), as the spiral tooth (61) contacts and precision grinds the case-hardened face gear (112). The dressing tool (56) thus maintains the shape of the grinding worm (54) to within a desired tolerance range.
Abstract:
A method of determining pressure requires that a three-dimensional surface of an object (14) be covered with a pressure sensitive coating. Next a raw first image (74) is acquired while the object (14) is not under test and a raw second image (74) is acquired while the object is under test. The raw first image (74) and the raw second image (74) are adjusted for a dark image (76) to form an adjusted first image and an adjusted second image. The adjusted first image and the adjusted second image are mapped (78) from a two-dimensional representation onto a three-dimensional model, to form a first model and a second model. A ratio model is formed (80) by taking the ratio of the intensity of the first model and the second model. Finally, a pressure is determined (84) for every surface that forms the three-dimensional model.
Abstract:
A fastener (78) in an interlocking assembly system for an aircraft cabin comprises
a longitudinally extending shaft (80) having first and second portions (84,86), wherein the first portion (84) is larger in lateral cross-section than the second portion (86), wherein said shaft (80) further includes a first ring (88) proximate an end of the first portion (84) opposite the second portion (86) and a second ring (90) proximate an end of the second portion (86) opposite the first portion (84), and wherein the first ring (88) is larger in lateral cross-section than the first portion (84) and the second ring (90) is larger in lateral cross-section than the second portion (86); and an annular ferrule (82) defining a lengthwise extending channel extending between opposed first and second ends, wherein said annular ferrule (82) also defines a slit (83) which permits said annular ferrule (82) to elastically deform as said ferrule (82) is advanced over the second ring (90) so as to mount said ferrule (82) upon the second portion (86) of said shaft (80) such that the first end of said ferrule (82) is proximate the first portion (84) of said shaft (80) and the second end of said ferrule (82) is proximate the second ring (90) of said shaft (80), and wherein a portion of the channel adjacent the first end of said ferrule (82) is smaller in lateral cross-section than the first portion (84) and the portion of the channel adjacent the second end of said ferrule (82) is smaller than the second ring (90) such that said ferrule (82) is retained upon the second portion (86) of said shaft (80).
Abstract:
An aluminum-alloy article such as a fastener or rivet (40) is prepared by providing an aluminum-alloy article precursor that is not in its final heat-treated state, and in one form is in its solution treated/annealed state. A curable organic coating material is also provided. The method includes anodizing the article precursor, preferably in chromic acid solution and without chemical sealing during anodizing, applying the organic coating material to the aluminum-alloy article precursor, and precipitation heat-treating the coated aluminum article precursor to its final heat-treated state, thereby simultaneously curing the organic coating. If the aluminum alloy temper is of the naturally aging type, it is optionally lightly deformed prior to precipitation treatment aging. The approach may also be applied to articles that are not solution treated/annealed and aged, by first overly deforming the article precursor so that the curing treatment of the coating also partially anneals the article precursor to the final desired deformation state.
Abstract:
The machined-sandwich structural assembly has two components joined together with a joint of substantially the same strength as the weakest base material. More specifically, the structural assembly includes a first structural member and a second structural member. The first structural member is spaced from the second structural member through a plurality of intermediate members which extend between the first structural member and the second structural member. The plurality of intermediate members are friction stir welded to the first structural member. The resultant assembly requires less stock material, takes less time to machine and has a jint of improved strength.