FOAMED IN-PLACE CERAMIC REFRACTORY NASA Case No. XGS-02435 Canada Address inquiries to: Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771 [Corresponding to U.S. Patent No. 3,382,082] In many applications there is a need for providing vibration shielding and also thermal protection for electrical components. Most prior potting compositions, while providing mechanical vibration protection, do not exhibit satisfactory thermal characteristics. On the other hand, some prior art refractory materials are known to have excellent thermal properties; however, electrical components cannot be potted directly in them because the extremely high temperatures required in the curing portion of the potting process would damage or destroy the components. In such cases it was necessary to prepare refractory blocks of various shapes which were then fitted around the objects to be protected. The obvious disadvantages of this procedure are obviated by this invention which may be foamed in-place since its curing time and temperature are relatively low. The invention has other uses such as in furnaces and in the construction industry as a low-cost, easily workable insulating material. APPARATUS PROVIDING A DIRECTIVE FIELD SPIN-STABILIZED SATELLITE NASA Case No. XGS-02607 Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Address inquiries to: Goddard Space Flight Center Attn: Patent Counsel [Corresponding to U.S. Patent No. 3,341,151] A satellite, adapted to spin about an axis, having antenna elements for communicating with a remote body and a beam collimator rotatable with respect to the spin axis. The beam collimator is rotated at the same rate and in the opposite direction as the spin of the satellite to provide a directional beam stationary in space. Ejection apparatus enables the collimator to be jettisoned in event of rotational malfunction so that an omnidirectional beam may be provided about the spin axis. Signal processing circuitry operating in conjunction with the antenna elements provides information concerning the attitude of the satellite. A portable magnetic hammer, a metal working device developed in the course of the Saturn program, wherein energy for manipulating a metal workpiece is acquired by creating a high-intensity magnetic field from a controlled electrical discharge into a conductor coil. This compact, lightweight device performs sizing, blanking, and stress removal functions without surface marring of the metals. It is expected that the magnetic hammer would find use in many environments particularly in removing dents, deformed or depressed surfaces from vehicles, fenders and bodies, tanks, etc. FLUID FLOW SENSOR NASA Case No. XMF-04163 Canada Address inquiries to: Marshall Space Flight Center Mail Code: A&PS-PAT Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 [Corresponding to U.S. Patent No. 3,340,732] A meteorological balloon having superior response and aerodynamic stability characteristics due to provision of a plurality of evenly dispersed protuberances on the balloon surface. These protuberances form a roughened surface to provide a more evenly distributed flow separation area to induce a larger balloon wake, resulting in greater stability in flight. This invention is associated with fluid heating devices which operate by circulating fluid past an electronically controlled heater element in a flow conduit. The efficiency of such devices is increased by placing the heater control components in the conduit, upstream from the heater element, thereby utilizing the heat generated in the control components for preheating the fluid anterior to the principal heater element. |