Abstract: A method for determining and displaying polarization profiles of points in a scene from a single imaging detector array, which utilizes a filter system comprised of a retarder, four linear polarizers, four lenses, a color filter, camera lens and CCD video camera. Light from points in a scene are transmitted through the system and exits with attenuated intensities unique for each wavelength of the light. A narrowband color filter selects the wavelength of interest. The four lenses in the system produce four images of the scene, which are recorded as a single CCD-image. The attenuated intensities in each of the four scene-images are used to calculate the Stokes parameters for selected points in the scene for the selected wavelength. A computer program separates the four scene-images in the CCD-image, crops, registers them and calculates the Stokes parameters for each point in the cropped scene.

Abstract: A storage container system for mounting a storage box on the exterior of a vehicle has trapezoidal members attached to the vehicle that mate with and hold U-shaped members mounted on the container to be carried. The system has a handle mounted on the box which holds the U-shaped member in contact with the trapezoidal member when the box is in a locked position for vehicle movement and a tab that will partially separate the U-shaped member from the trapezoidal member when the handle is rotated.

Abstract: An edge reinforcement for brittle armor plates is described and claimed herein for improving the ballistic performance of the outer peripheral margins of such plates to incoming threat projectiles. Typically, a transparent armor is positioned within a windowed opening of a security structure. Examples of contemplated security structures protected by my shields are civilian light-armored vehicles, military tactical trucks, and combat vehicles. My reinforced armor system deploys a shield of a hardened material, over and outboard of a brittle armor. Typically, this shield is positioned parallel planar to the brittle armor. If desired, my shield may extend slightly beyond the armor plate and mounting apparatuses. Fortuitously, the reinforced brittle armor plate has more strength than that of the central portion, or even exceeds it. Thereby, said plate will not be defeated merely because threat projectiles impact its weaker margins.

Abstract: A method for determining and displaying polarization profiles of points in a scene from a single imaging detector array, which utilizes a filter system comprised of a retarder, four linear polarizers, four lenses, a color filter, camera lens and CCD video camera. Light from points in a scene are transmitted through the system and exits with attenuated intensities unique for each wavelength of the light. A narrowband color filter selects the wavelength of interest. The four lenses in the system produce four images of the scene, which are recorded as a single CCD-image. The attenuated intensities in each of the four scene-images are used to calculate the Stokes parameters for selected points in the scene for the selected wavelength. A unique pseudo-color scheme that utilizes the Poincarè sphere is used for encoding and displaying polarization parameters.

Abstract: An oil level monitoring and replenishment system for use with an internal combustion engine having an oil sump. The system as a sensor which continuously measures the sump level in the reservoir for holding a quantity of oil to be used in replenishment of the sump. A sensor monitors the oil level in the sump and causes replenishment from the reservoir when needed. The reservoir has warning circuit interactive with a reservoir sensor to signal from the reservoir has reached a lower level of oil and requires the filling. The sensor also provides means to signal when the reservoir has been filled to the desired level to prevent overfilling.

Abstract: A catcher, in combination with a firearm having an ejection port, for receiving and retaining expended magnetically attracted shell casings through the ejection port as the firearm is discharged. The catcher includes a hollow housing having a plurality of rigid walls, and retainers. One of the walls has an opening in communication with the ejection port when the catcher is mounted to the firearm for receiving the shell casings. At least one of the other walls includes a plurality of deflectors and each of the deflectors has a front face that is slanted away from the opening such that the deflectors are capable of deflecting the shell casings away from the opening and a rear face that is perpendicular to the planar surface of the housing or slanted away from the opening.

Abstract: For use in landmine clearing, a hitch system providing backup with anti-jack knife and anti-dive, the system includes a hitch assembly and a roller assembly. The hitch assembly has a hinge axis housing containing a hinge shaft and a connector shaft housing containing a stop block having a first side that engages a flat region on the hinge shaft and a second side that engages a biasing spring that is held in the connector shaft housing using an end cap. The roller assembly includes a roller frame that is rigidly mechanically coupled to the hinge shaft. The biasing spring is selected to provide a compressive bias to the stop block such that the roller assembly selective rotates about the hinge axis housing when the roller assembly is subjected to a landmine detonation, and such that rotation of the hinge shaft is prevented during normal forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a visual and thermal shield system that effectively obscures visual indicators and thermal signatures of wheel assemblies of a military vehicle to thereby address longstanding military concerns for vehicle and crew survivability. Our device is spaced outboard from the wheel and tire to maintain an insulating body of air between said shield and the adjacent axle, hub, wheel, and tire. Expeditiously, this invention also affords substantial eclipse of the complete tire profile. If a plurality of wheels exist on said vehicle, then multiple shields of this invention can be used to hinder vehicle identification and potential designation of its military purpose.

Abstract: An elongate ballistic protection apparatus is described and claimed herein which has minimal weight and maximum flexibility to conform to the most contorted and undulating ground surfaces. In use, it is immediately positioned below a military vehicle to protect the crew compartment positioned above said apparatus by extending transversely between the propulsive means and laterally along the direction of travel for the vehicle. The apparatus may detonate mines while operated by driven engagement over mine bearing terrains, but it will do so in a manner sufficient to defeat them without inducing unacceptable damages to either the vehicle or crew. Thereby, this invention provides a means to effectively disrupt the firing sequence of the explosive charges in these mines by contact with my minimal weight roller link chain. Beneficially, the blast gasses and ejecta of the mine simply vents through the open areas of my chain. This is a substantial improvement over devices having solid configurations or geometries.

Abstract: A filter-testing fixture holds a single fuel filter and is adjustable to accommodate a range of filter sizes and shapes. The fixture has a base section that defines a water collection reservoir, and the base opens upward toward a housing. Water separated from fuel in the housing thus drains into the reservoir. A fuel inlet conduit passes through the reservoir, one end of the conduit being disposed above the base section. The first, or filter-supporting, adapter is removably attached to this end of the conduit, and both the first adapter and this end are disposed within, the housing. The housing removably and sealingly mates to the base, and a cap assembly likewise removably and sealingly mates to the housing. A second, repositionable, filter-holding adapter is connected to the inner surface of the cap.

Abstract: A mechanism for retrofitting a turret that has a manual rotation system with a motorized turret rotation system includes a gear box mechanically coupled to the turret, an electrically powered prime mover unit mechanically coupled to the gear box, a user operated control device electrically coupled to the prime mover unit, and an electrical power supply electrically coupled to the prime mover unit. The turret rotates relative to a body structure. The gear box and the prime mover unit are mounted to the body structure. The control device and the electrical power supply are positioned on the turret. The power supply provides electrical power to the prime mover. The control device presents a control signal to the prime mover when the user actuates the control device, and the turret rotates in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A multi-hit transparent armor system is described and claimed herein for improving the resistance of transparent armor to incoming projectiles. Typically, the transparent armor is framed within a window opening of a security structure. An exemplary, contemplated structure is an armored combat vehicle. My system includes a sheet of tempered glass that is also positioned within said window, but is deployed outboard of said transparent armor and is also parallel planar thereto. Positioned below said sheet of tempered glass, and coaxial thereto, is an opaque armor panel that is more efficient and effective against multiple projectiles than either the tempered glass or transparent armor alone. The tempered glass sheet and the opaque armor are typically loaded under compression by a spring assembly. An incoming projectile, launched from a position outboard and also remote from said structure, will first strike the tempered glass before hitting my transparent armor.

Abstract: A load handling mechanism for use with loaded tankers has two transverse attachment members associated with longitudinal beams supporting the tank structure. Cables and associated spreader bars are attached to the transverse attachment members to provide a single lift point loading means for the tanker allowing loaded tankers to be easily loaded and unloaded in to transport means such as ships.

Abstract: The conductive rivet designed to connect the first and second conducting surfaces of circuit board through an aperture in the board. The rivet includes a conical member with an associated insulating washer associated on one side of circuit board. A T-shaped rivet and cooperating insulating sleeve are designed to contact the opposite side of the circuit board and provide a thermal conduction path via tail on the T-shaped rivet to the conical member on the opposing side.

Abstract: There is described and claimed herein a noback bolt design which comprises an elongated shaft having two opposing ends. The first end has an enlarged conical bolt head that extends from this shaft. On the opposite shaft end is a terminus or tip. Between the tip and the conical head, the shaft bears an externally threaded segment on at least a portion of the shaft. The precise length of this segment is determined upon intended applications of my bolt, and the type or exact number of structural components to be assembled. These components include panels, brackets, planar surfaces, chassises, and like structures.

Abstract: A trailer axle has steerable wheels that rotate on hub assemblies pivotally mounted to the axle. Connected to the axle is a mechanism for controlling the pivoting of the hub assemblies and thereby limiting the extent to which the steerable wheels turn. The mechanism has a rod disposed along the axle and pivotally connected to the hub assemblies. A bracket on the axle has an aperture through which the rod passes, the aperture permitting the rod's motion both parallel to the axle and transverse to the axle. Flanges on the rod span an opening of the aperture and slidingly engage the bracket. The flanges are translatable on the bracket transversely to the axle but are immobile in a direction parallel to the axle. The mechanism has collars at the ends of the rod and two elongate coil springs encircling the rod. One end of each spring is affixed to the collar and the other end of each spring is affixed to the flange.

Abstract: An adjustable emergency use v-belt is formed with a tapered end having a plurality of teeth and a housing adapted to engage and hold the teeth when inserted into the housing to allow the belt to be adjusted to the desired length when replacing the normal v-belt used in vehicular applications.

Abstract: A foldable dolly for moving and positioning a vehicle tire assembly is formed with a rectangular base member mounted on a plurality of casters. Two wings are hinged to opposite ends of the rectangular member and have adjustable positioning members having one end attached to the base member and the other end attached to one of the wings. A plurality of bearings at least one bearing being mounted on each wing and one on the rectangular base member allow rotation of the tire assembly on the dolly and easy withdrawal of the dolly when the tire is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a high voltage and high temperature power electronics capacitor which comprises one or more insulator layers of mica paper, and one or more metal conductor layers, all dispersed in a pressurized environment of a nonreactive and high voltage strength gas maintained at near ambient to about 405.2 kPa of pressure. The insulator and conductor layers are isolated and separated from one another by the alternating placement of conductor layers between said insulator layers. These capacitors are readily packaged for commercial use in containers or housings of almost any geometric form and any material of construction. Moreover, low inductance ceramic bushings can be employed on these containers for establishing external electrical contacts. These capacitors can be economically manufactured and used in large commercial volumes with currently available materials and production methods.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor structure for use in a vehicle includes a first sheet of transparent armor composite comprising at least one layer of polymeric material and at least one layer of tempered silica glass bonded to form a laminated bullet resisting structure and also having a bracket member adapted to hold a second transparent spall resisting layer parallel to and slightly spaced from the inner surface of the first transparent composite layer. A spacing means between the first and second layers forms a chamber between the first and second panels and a desiccant is located within the chamber to minimize the amount of condensation on the surface of the transparent armor surfaces.