Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for attaching to a wing operating in a fluid medium for increasing the angle of attack at which the wing experiences aerodynamic/hydrodynamic stall. The wing includes upper and lower surfaces extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge and having a maximum thickness therebetween, and between a root and a tip, wherein the leading and trailing edges define a chord and the root and tip define a span. The apparatus comprises at least one substantially triangular shaped plate member projecting normal to the upper surface of the wing. The at least one plate member has a straight top surface and a curvilinear bottom surface which corresponds to the contour of the upper surface of the wing. The top and bottom surfaces define the height of the at least one plate member and extend in a substantially chordwise direction between an anterior end and a posterior end of the at least one plate member.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the computer-assisted design of omplex systems and, more particularly, to the design and analysis of waterborne vessels, especially with respect to specific fuel consumption performance of the vessel engines. The invention is a power plant (e.g., propulsion engines and ship-service engines) simulation method incorporated within the machinery module of a computer-assisted design methodology for designing and analyzing ships. The invention projects the impact of engine choice on overall ship design in the design methodology by characterizing performance characteristics of an engine as a generic equation, a small plurality of equation coefficients, and a small plurality of parameters which may be stored and retrieved for purposes of computation of elements of the ship design. The generic equation is developed as an expression of a curve which best fits dimensionless engine performance data as a function of engine operating values.

Abstract: The invention is directed to hydrofoil structures for efficient operation over a wide speed range from subcavitating to supercavitating operation. A dualcavitating hydrofoil is provided that overcomes cavitation problems associated with high speed operation of prior art subcavitating hydrofoil structures by providing a supercavitating profile shape in the lower surface to achieve a supercavitating condition at high speeds, and that overcomes problems associated with low speed operation of prior art supercavitating hydrofoil structures by providing an upper surface that combines with the lower surface to form a streamlined cross-sectional shape that achieves a smooth flow exit at the trailing edge for efficient, low drag, high lift subcavitating operation.

Abstract: A pulper includes a pulping chamber, a pulping mechanism, and a non-pulpas collection chamber attached to a bottom of the pulping chamber below a top of the pulping mechanism in an annular area outside of the pulping mechanism. The collection chamber includes a container with openings at first and second ends; a basket having an opening at a first end and disposed inside the container wherein at least a bottom portion of the basket includes perforations; a pipe connection located at the second end of the container; means for removing the basket from the container; and means for preventing material from entering a space between the basket and the container; wherein the first end of the container is inserted into the pulping chamber. The collection chamber does not interfere with the fluid flow around the pulping mechanism and can collect a relatively large amount of non-pulpables without requiring pulper shutdown.

Abstract: A coupling circuit receives a high voltage surge wave and injects it into e or more power lines of a single-phase or three-phase power supply circuit, either line-to-line or line-to-ground. The coupling circuit may have a surge coupler including a series connection of a gas tube and a coupling capacitor, and preferably a rectifier, and a shunt resistor for discharging the coupling capacitor. A one-stage or two-stage surge back filter across the power lines protects the power source from the surge wave. Each surge back filter may have series inductors, and shunt surge suppression circuits, which may each include a series combination of a capacitor and a resistor, in parallel with at least one metal-oxide varistor (MOV) or a cluster of MOVs. A grounding suppressor connected from a power line to ground may include gas tubes and/or MOVs, inductors and resistors. Risetime adjusting circuits including resistors and capacitors may be connected between the power lines and/or between the power lines and ground.

Abstract: A muffler for a gas flow at a gas intake of a machine consists of a venturi ozzle cooperating with a chamber. The venturi nozzle has an inlet opening and outlet opening. The chamber has a gas inlet connected to one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the venturi nozzle. The chamber has a gas outlet connected to the gas intake of the machine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a circumferential actuator for actively contling and generating pressure waves in a piping system having a fluid or a fluid flow therein. The circumferential actuator includes a casing, a plurality of actuator units mounted in the casing for generating controlled pressure waves, a plurality of amplifiers for electronically conditioning the force generated by each of the plurality of actuator units, a controller for providing the input signals to the plurality of actuator units for controlling the phase and amplitude of the generated pressure wave, and a pressure compensating system for providing a balancing force to each actuator unit. The casing is adapted for interconnection in fluid communication with the piping system for passing the piping system flow therethrough. The plurality of actuator units are arranged axi-symmetrically around the casing.

Abstract: A process for forming pressure cast alumina tile reinforced aluminum alloy rmor in which a silver coated aluminum disc is first inserted into a mold assembly, the mold assembly includes a base plate, a hollow steel die with a removable steel liner located on the base plate, a plug disposed on the base plate within the die cavity, and a punch movably disposed within the die cavity, the aluminum disc being inserted within the die cavity over the plug. Next, an alumina tile preform is prepared by cutting a plurality of alumina tiles and weaving the tiles together with a stiff steel wire. The alumina tile preform is inserted over the silver coated aluminum disc in the cavity of mold assembly. The steel die, the plug and the disc are heated. The punch is also heated separately. A melt of molten aluminum is prepared and poured into the die cavity, completely covering the alumina tile preform. The heated punch is immediately driven into the cavity to apply pressure to the molten aluminum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for stabilizing a marine vehicle against rolling and pitching motions and for providing steering control to the marine vehicle. The system includes at least two rudders rotatably affixed to the marine vehicle aft of marine vehicle propellers and canted approximately 45.degree. to the vertical; at least two rudder actuators, one actuator associated with each of the rudders, for providing a predetermined dynamic rotational motion to each rudder; at least one power unit for providing power to the rudder actuators; and a control unit for determining the predetermined dynamic rotation of each of the rudders and for generating control signals corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A compress/melt waste processor includes a frame; a chamber housing having walls which define a chamber therein; a ram movably disposed in the chamber; a sensor which senses pressure applied by the ram; an actuator operatively connected to the ram to move the ram; a chamber hatch upon which the housing is mounted, the chamber housing walls, the ram and the chamber hatch defining a space therebetween; and a device for feeding contaminated plastic waste into the chamber. The apparatus also includes a device for heating the housing walls, the ram and the chamber hatch; a device for cooling the housing walls, the ram and the chamber hatch, a device for detecting temperature of the housing walls, the ram, the chamber hatch and the contaminated plastic waste in the chamber; and a control device for controlling the actuator and the heating and cooling devices.

Abstract: A load limit system is provided for a linear actuator. An interface is athed to the linear actuator and is disposed between first and second spring assemblies. A first sensor senses a first amount of linear compression of the first spring assembly along a first direction. A second sensor senses a second amount of linear compression of the second spring assembly along a second direction. Movement of the linear actuator in the first direction ceases whenever the first amount of linear compression is sensed. Movement of the linear actuator in the second direction ceases whenever the second amount of linear compression is sensed.

Abstract: Early fire detection and extinguishment is provided by a plurality of fire etection units, each associated with a localized portion of a protected space and including condition sensors specifically appropriate to the environment of that localized portion of a protected space by a selected combination of condition sensors. A fire alarm annunciator and at least one controlled fire extinguishment system portion, or a stand-alone fire extinguishment system, is provided for each fire detection unit. A central control unit preferably includes a profile detector which evaluates outputs of one or more condition sensors over time to reduce false alarm rates while increasing sensitivity to early stage fires.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved water jet propulsion system for a marine vehicle. The water jet propulsion system of the present invention incorporates an unconventional and compact design including a short, steep, hydrodynamically designed inlet duct adapted for mounting to the surface of the vehicle hull and extending internally thereof, a water jet pump having an inlet end attached to the outlet end of the inlet duct, a motor for rotating the pump impeller, a drive shaft located completely outside of the flow path connecting the motor with the pump impeller, a flow passage for discharging accelerated flow received from the pump in a generally rearward direction, and a steering and reversing mechanism pivotably mounted about a substantially vertical axis to the aft portion of the vehicle hull for redirect accelerated flow received from the outlet nozzle so as to provide maneuvering capability to the vehicle.

Abstract: A solid waste pulper including a pulping chamber, oriented at an angle, hng a first inlet port for introducing solid waste material to be pulped, and a second inlet port in the pulping chamber for introducing water into the chamber. A blade assembly, preferably formed of a plurality of rotatable blades and a plurality of fixed blades, is mounted in the chamber for pulping the solid waste material introduced in the chamber, the water mixing with the pulped waste material to form a slurry. A sizing ring is provided in the pulping chamber through which the slurry must pass to be discharged, the sizing ring having a predetermined area for limiting the size of the pulped waste material in the slurry which can be discharged from the pulping chamber.

Abstract: Ship rudders are subjected to propeller induced velocities and induced flow ngles that vary along the rudder span and chord. Because of non-zero onset flow angles, a suction pressure peak is formed at or near the leading edge of the rudder where early cavitation occurs. The present invention is directed to a rudder and method for minimizing early cavitation and related ship vibration and for thus improving acoustic and hydrodynamic performance thereof. The rudder of the present invention is twisted so as to have profiles along its entire span that are aligned with propeller induced non-zero onset flow angles into the rudder. The twist of the rudder sections vary in the spanwise direction, that is, the twist angle of one rudder sections may vary relative to the twist angle of adjacent or remaining rudder sections, such that the rudder experiences substantially zero angles of attack along the span from the rudder's root to the rudder's tip.

Abstract: A torque balanced propulsor unit for a submersible vehicle of the type having a bow, a stern, a longitudinally extending central section axisymmetric about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and including therein a maximum diameter of the vehicle, and a tapered aft section axisymmetric about the longitudinal axis is provided. The torque balanced propulsor unit includes a rotor for providing a forward thrust to the vehicle. The rotor includes a central axisymmetric hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart impeller blades extending radially from the central hub. The rotor is rotationally mounted to the tapered aft section of the vehicle. The rotor has a first torque associated therewith. The torque balanced propulsor unit further includes a stator for producing a second torque on the vehicle. The stator is secured to the vehicle at a location aft of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for designing a fluid inlet duct for marine vehicle hull, generally comprises the steps of: (a) determining an inlet duct surface geometry, represented by a series of fifth-order Bezier cross-link curves, within specified hydrodynamic design constraints; (b)generating a panel representation of the surface geometry; (c) calculating the pressure and velocity distributions of the flow within the inlet duct; (d) evaluating the surface geometry; (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) for subsequent iterations of the surface geometry until the specified hydrodynamic design constraints are satisfactorily met at a predetermined design condition; (f) evaluating a resulting surface geometry at off-design conditions; (g) repeating step (a)-(d) for subsequent iterations of the surface geometry until the specified hydrodynamic design constraints are satisfactorily met at off-design conditions; (h) performing a geometric refinement to a fillet region of high curvature in the inlet duct; (i) gener

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stud and attachment assembly for securing ividual studs to composite material substrates so that thermal or acoustic insulating materials may be attached to the substrate. An attachment stud for securing a layer of insulation material to an organic matrix composite substrate is provided which includes a mechanical attachment element for securing the attachment stud to the composite substrate and a stud element rigidly affixed to the attachment element for receiving the layer of insulation material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved vessel configuration for high speed ships such as Naval Destroyers. The vessel has a long, slender tumble home (inward-sloped topsides) watertight hull and a deckhouse structurally integral with the watertight hull. All main machinery is modular and outside the watertight hull, freeing midship areas for personnel. Two removable, prealigned and pretested, steerable propulsor modules are attached to the stern after construction and are replaceable pierside. Each propulsor module includes a steerable pod aligned to the water inflow, a steering cylinder, and a streamlined strut connecting the pod to the steering cylinder. Two removable, power modules are mounted above the weather deck in a deckhouse. Each power module includes an intercooled, recuperated gas turbine, a ship-service alternator, and a propulsion alternator.

Abstract: Ship rudders are subjected to propeller induced velocities and induced flow angles that vary along the rudder span and chord. Because of non-zero onset flow angles, a suction pressure peak is formed at or near the leading edge of the rudder where early cavitation occurs. The present invention is directed to a rudder and method for minimizing early cavitation and related ship vibration and for thus improving acoustic and hydrodynamic performance thereof. The rudder of the present invention is twisted so as to have profiles along its entire span that are aligned with propeller induced non-zero onset flow angles into the rudder plane. The twist of the rudder sections vary in the spanwise direction, that is, the twist angle of one rudder sections may vary relative to the twist angle of adjacent or remaining rudder sections, such that the rudder experiences substantially zero angles of attack along the span.