Abstract: A switching interface for routing RF signals. The interface comprises a buffer decoder which receives first, second and third control signals and then decodes the signals to selectively turn on five RF switches. The decoded output signals from the buffer decoder are supplied to five pair of switch drivers for the RF switches. When a logic one is provided to a switch driver, the switch driver sets the RF switch to an ON position. When a logic zero to a switch driver, the switch driver set the RF switch to an OFF position. A window comparator monitors the outputs of the switch drivers for each of the five RF switches. Whenever one of the two output signals from the switch drivers is within a preset voltage range the window comparator provides a logic one and a logic zero which are supplied to a bit decode circuit.

Abstract: The amphibious robot mine locator may be used in water-based and land-based environments to locate mines and other hazards. In a water-based environment a diver controls movement of the amphibious robot mine locator. In a land-based environment movement of the mine locator is via remote control. Mine locator includes a pair of oppositely rotating propellers which propel the mine locator through the water with a ruder being provided to control the direction of movement of amphibious robot mine locator as it travels through the water. There is also a control panel which includes the controls for allowing the diver to steer amphibious robot mine locator and control the depth of mine locator. When amphibious robot mine locator switches to a land-based mode of operation, the propellers function as wheels rotating in the same direction to move amphibious robot mine locator along a programmed path to continue its search for mines and other obstacles and hazards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a filter pack and a well casing slot size for a well which uses soil classification data derived from cone penetrometer test. A user of the method and apparatus utilizes a piezocone or other soil classification sensors to measure soil properties in an area of contaminated soil or non-contaminated soil and then determine the soil type at specific depths within the soil. A multisensor probe generates a laser induced fluorescence intensity plot of the area of soil contamination which is superimposed on a soil boring log identifying the soil type at specific depths within the soil. The soil type for the area of contaminated soil is identified from the load cell data. Contamination within the soil is identified using the laser induced fluorescence intensity plot.

Abstract: An adjustable depth air sparging well comprising a flow through packer which is slidably mounted within a well casing allowing for vertical movement of the flow through packer within the well casing. Flow through packer includes an inflatable packer fabricated from inflatable vitron tubing, a lower end portion of an air supply tube which has a plurality of openings for providing pressurized air to inflate the packer, and a pair of vitron rubber packer end caps. An air compressor is coupled to the air supply tube supplying pressurized air to the inflatable packer which inflates the packer holding the packer at a fixed depth within the well casing. Deflating the inflatable packer allows for vertical movement of the inflatable packer within the well casing. Positioned at the lower end of the air supply tube is a one way valve through which air under pressure passes to a well screen. The well screen, which comprises the lower portion of the well casing, is mounted in the soil's saturated zone.

Abstract: An electronic controller for controlling the fill, settle and draw operations of three settling tanks which are used with a reverse osmosis unit. The three settling tanks provide a pair of liquid level input signals which indicate the water level within each of the three settling tanks. A bounce eliminator circuit eliminates oscillations from the input signals, providing at its outputs steady state liquid level signals which are active low. The liquid level signals are supplied to a programmable logic device which has a state machine. The state machine sequentially controls the fill, draw and settle operations of the three settling tanks. The programmable logic device provides logic signals which are active low and which activate fill and draw valves associated with each of the three tanks.

Abstract: An emergency passive radar locating device for use by missing persons or craft to enhance their survivability in a search and rescue operation. The emergency passive radar locating device comprises an array of eight radar corner reflectors. Each corner reflector of the emergency passive radar locating device has three radar signal reflective surfaces which are mutually perpendicular. When fully inflated the emergency passive radar locating device is spherical in shape with three mutually perpendicular toroidal flotation rings.

Abstract: A water-based apparatus for mitigating the gas pressure loading and associated damage and injuries from a fully or partially confined explosion. The water-based apparatus comprises a water-blanket which rests on each pallet of ordnance to mitigate the gas pressure loading from an inadvertent explosion of the ordnance. The water-blanket includes a pair of storage modules, each module comprising a plurality of water storage compartments that store a predetermined quantity of water which is dependent upon the type and quantity of explosive in the ordnance on the pallet. The storage modules are joined by a zipper which allows the modules to be separated for ease in transport.

Abstract: The adaptive body bending estimator comprises a band pass filter which receives an accelerometer signal from a missile's accelerometer. The band pass filter, which has a bandpass of 25-70 hertz, rejects frequencies which are not of interest. The band-passed signal is then supplied to a notch filter bank comprising six notch filters within a frequency range of between 42 hertz and 55 hertz. The six notch filters are centered at different frequencies, the frequencies being 42 Hz, 44.32 Hz, 46.78 Hz, 49.37 Hz, 52.11 Hz and 55.00 Hz. The notch filters reject signals at these frequencies. The signals from the filter bank are supplied to an absolute value generator which generates an absolute value for each signal. The absolute value of each signal is passed through a low pass filter bank. The low pass filter bank processes these absolute value signals providing a time weighted average for each signal. The low pass filter bank provides its output signals to a find frequency module.

Abstract: An annular after reactor is aligned axially with the direction of exhaust flow from the exhaust port of jet engine undergoing static test. Located near the front end of the annular after reactor is a first set of gas injectors which extend inward into the interior of the after reactor. A second set of gas injectors which are located downstream from the first set of gas injectors also extend inward into the interior of the annular after reactor. The first set of gas injectors inject natural gas or other fuel into the exhaust flowing from the jet engine, while the second set of gas injectors inject ammonia into the exhaust from the jet engine. The natural gas when ignited substantially raises the temperature of the jet engine's exhaust which incinerates the particulate and other combustible matter in the exhaust. Ammonia when injected into the exhaust stream for the jet engine's exhaust functions as a reductant to eliminate up to 90% of the NOX compounds in the exhaust stream.

Abstract: A piezocone for measuring the soil's resistance to penetration and pore water pressure while being advanced into the ground by a twenty ton hydraulic cone penetrometer rig. The low pressure piezocone includes a friction sleeve and a conical tip attached to the lower end of friction sleeve. The conical tip develops the cone resistance. The friction sleeve is an isolated cylindrical sleeve which measures the resistance of the soil as the sleeve passes through the soil. The pore water pressure is measured by a porous element mounted in the conical tip of the piezocone and a pressure transducer mounted in the cylindrical friction sleeve of the piezocone. The measurements including pore water pressure, cone resistance and the soil resistance are supplied to a computer which includes a Piezocone Dissipation Analysis program for processing the piezocone measurements to generate dissipation curves for each depth at which the piezocone provides hydrogeologic site characterization data.

Abstract: Interference from a spread-spectrum signal (e.g., GPS) is filtered out utilizing a wavelet-based method. A wavelet packet decomposition scheme generates a first plurality of coefficient sets from the signal(s). An entropy measurement is determined for each resulting wavelet decomposition level. Portions of the spread-spectrum signal occurring above the noise floor for the wavelet decomposition level having the lowest entropy measurement are then filtered out so that a revised coefficient set is generated therefor. As a result, a second plurality of coefficient sets can be formed such that the first plurality of coefficient sets differs from the second plurality of coefficient sets only by the revised coefficient set. A new signal is formed by applying a wavelet packet reconstruction scheme to the second plurality of coefficient sets.

Abstract: A secured network system comprising a readykey controller which has a first card reader and a power relay switch connected thereto. The user of the system inserts a microchip embedded card into the first card reader which then transmits an authorization signal to the readykey controller. The readykey controller then activates a power relay switch affixed to the computer which connects the computer's power supply to an external power source activating the computer. The secured network system also has a data relay switch which includes a manual A/B secured network switch. The manual A/B switch allows the user to receive and process classified data, by setting the switch to a predetermined position which connects a secured network server to the computer. The user inserts his proximity card into a second card reader which transmits a second authorization signal to the readykey controller. The readykey controller, responsive to the second authorization signal, activates the data relay switch.

Abstract: A piezocone for measuring the soil's resistance to penetration and pore water pressure while being advanced into the ground by a rig. The piezocone includes a friction sleeve and a conical tip attached to the lower end of the sleeve. The conical tip develops the cone resistance. The friction sleeve is an isolated cylindrical sleeve which measures the resistance of the soil as the sleeve passes through the soil. The pore water pressure is measured by a porous element mounted in the conical tip of the piezocone and a pressure transducer mounted in the cylindrical friction sleeve of the piezocone. The measurements including pore water pressure, cone resistance and soil resistance are supplied to a computer which includes a Piezocone Dissipation Analysis program for processing data from the measurements to generate dissipation curves for each depth at which the piezocone provides hydrogeologic site characterization data. Soil classification is also provided from a data file stored within the computer.

Abstract: An encoder for compressing video data to allow for its transmission over a narrow bandwidth. The encoder comprises a multiformat video codec for real-time compression digital data and a dynamic random access memory which operates as a temporary storage device storing compressed data while the codec is compressing data. A digital signal processor adjust the data compression ratio for the codec while the codec is compressing video data. An EPROM, which is connected to the digital signal processor contains the software to run the digital signal processor. A programmable gate array operates as an interface between the codec and an external processor. The array includes a read write controller which provides a read signal to the codec to allow compressed video data to be read from the codec to a parallel to serial shift register within the array. The write control signals which allow data to be written into and shifted through the register are also generated by the read write controller.

Abstract: A waveguide antenna apparatus which allows accurate and independent control of RF amplitude and phase characteristics while maintaining small, narrow dimensions and a constant external cross-sectional shape. The waveguide antenna apparatus comprises a waveguide section having first and second opposing broad faces, with the first broad face having a continuous curvilinear slot therein, and the second broad face having a continuous ridge thereon. The ridge may vary in width along the length of the waveguide and may also vary in height. The waveguide section generally includes first and second narrow faces. The slot in the first broad face is generally positioned off-center with respect to the waveguide section and is elongated, curvilinear or meandering in shape. Conventional feed and load may be coupled to the waveguide antenna.

Abstract: A mobile reuse center structure for containment and handling of hazardous materials comprising a base assembly having a containment pan, right side and left side walls, front and rear walls and a roof assembly. The right side wall and the front wall each have a door which allow access to the interior of the structure by its user. The left side wall has a plurality of deflagration vents which burst open when pressure is applied to the deflagration vents. The roof assembly has at each corner thereof a corner fitting which may receive a twistlock stacker. The twistlock stackers when coupled to the roof assembly corner fittings allow a drum rack to be stacked on top of and secured to the roof assembly. A machinery compartment is located in the rear end of the mobile reuse center structure. The machinery compartment includes the electrical control and power distribution system for the mobile reuse center structure.

Abstract: Fine aluminum powders are prepared by decomposing alane-adducts in organic solvents under an inert atmosphere to provide highly uniform particles and believed particularly effective as fuels and additives, in pyrotechnics, and in energetic materials. Effective adduct species are trialkyl amines and tetramethylethylenediamine, ethers and other aromatic amines. Effective production is obtained at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures as low as 50° C. with xylene solvent. Toluene, dioxane, and tetramethylethylenediamine were also effective solvents. Aliphatic solvents and other aromatic and polar solvents are believed effective. Titanium catalyst was provided as a halide, amide, and alkoxide; and it is believed that the corresponding compounds of zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and tantalum are effective as catalysts. Particle size was controlled by varying catalyst concentration and by varying the concentration of an adducting species.

Abstract: The amphibious robot mine locator may be used in water-based and land-based environments to locate mines and other hazards. In a water-based environment a diver controls movement of the amphibious robot mine locator. In a land-based environment movement of the mine locator is via remote control. Mine locator includes a pair of oppositely rotating propellers which propel the mine locator through the water with a ruder being provided to control the direction of movement of amphibious robot mine locator as it travels through the water. There is also a control panel which includes the controls for allowing the diver to steer amphibious robot mine locator and control the depth of mine locator. When amphibious robot mine locator switches to a land-based mode of operation, the propellers function as wheels rotating in the same direction to move amphibious robot mine locator along a programmed path to continue its search for mines and other obstacles and hazards.

Abstract: A tracking system having an acquisition sight for use by a pilot to acquire and track a target. Once the target is acquired an operator using a track handle can control tracking of the target. The operator monitors the target utilizing narrow and wide field of view monitors. A computer receives azimuth and elevation positional signals from the tracking device which may be the acquisition sight, the track handle, or other tracking device. The computer then processes the azimuth and elevation data and provides azimuth and elevation angle signals to a gimballed mirror steering the mirror to the target. The mirror receives image forming light from the target and then directs the image forming light to a wide field of view camera and a zoom telescope. The wide field of view camera is connected to the wide field of view monitor displaying the target on the monitor.

Abstract: A mobile modular warehouse structure for the storing and handling of conters of hazardous materials comprising a control point modular storage unit and a plurality of warehouse modular storage units. The modular storage units may be configured in a row to form one embodiment of the mobile modular warehouse structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of adjacent modular storage units is provided by a bellows which is connected to and removable from a bellows support frame in a side wall of each modular storage unit. The modular storage units may also be configured in a stacked arrangement to form an alternate embodiment of the modular mobile safety structure. In this configuration access between the interiors of the stacked modular storage units is provided through an opening between the control point modular storage unit and the warehouse modular storage unit stacked thereon. Stairs located in the control point modular storage unit allow the user to gain access to each unit in the stack.