The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

Other

Marvin A Biren

Jon P Boudreau

Robert J Maselek

Simone B Bortolami

Benjamin J Bresler

Herald S Sulahian

Methods for use in celestial navigation system use multiple star observations from an unknown observer location using an observer camera with an observational field of view along a boresight axis and a focal plane perpendicular to the boresight axis. An observer local ECI coordinate system is determined from the star observations. Then for each of multiple observable objects in orbit around the Earth, multiple optical angular measurements relative to stars are performed over time to estimate its orbital ellipse, and its focus at the center of the Earth. From the multiple focus estimates, a position of the center of the Earth is estimated in the observer local coordinate system without use of object ephemeris data. From the estimated position of the center of the Earth, a radius vector to the observer is determined that represents the estimated observer location in Earth centered Earth fixed coordinates.

Ephemerides-free celestial navigation

Methods and apparatus optically measure acceleration, without Sagnac-effect corruption, without requiring slow light and without moving parts. Each optical accelerometer includes at least one measurement cell and at least one reference cell. Two optical signals traverse the cells in opposite directions around a figure-8-configured optical path and then interfere to produce an output signal. The reference cells have different indices of refraction than the measurement cells. Acceleration differentially affects speeds of the optical signals traversing the measurement and reference cells through differentially affecting the indices of refraction of the measurement and reference cells. These differences are evident in changes in the interference in the output signal, thereby enabling measurement of the acceleration. Several embodiments, including optical bench, vertical slab multi-pass, toroidal prism, planar waveguide, cylindrical waveguide, wound waveguide and optical fiber, are described.

Optical accelerometer

An annular inspection lens is described for viewing obscured internal cylindrical surfaces. This annular lens provides a projected image of the internal cylindrical surface in all directions simultaneously and uses ambient light for illumination.

Inspection periscope

A torque amplifier for increasing torque applied to rotatable connectors, including a generally perimetrical member for rotation about a central axis; means for inwardly biasing that perimetrical member; connector gripping means carried by said perimetrical member and inwardly directed by said means for biasing; and at least one salient portion extending from the perimetrical member generally in the direction of the axis of rotation of the perimetrical member for increasing applied torque; and a method and a tool for engaging and disengaging the torque amplifier with the connector.

Torque amplifier

A contact insertion and removal tool including a removable, replaceable probe made of a hollow tubular member with a slot extending longitudinally from the tip at least part way to the upper end of the tubular member, the tubular member having proximate its tip a reduced outer diameter and enlarged inner diameter sized appropriately for the contact to be inserted and removed; a handle member, independent of the probe, having a passage for receiving the upper end of the tubular member; and means for rotatably securing the probe and handle.

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Chestnut Hill, MA, United States of America

Marvin A Biren