Abstract: An alkali-activated silicate based cement or binder has a cure characteric which is modified by a phosphate additive which retards the set time of the cement or binder. The phosphate allows a longer set time than conventional alkali-activated silicate glass cements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a free field stress gauge that can operate in a medium with ambient normal stress fields up to 10 kilobars. The invention uses two machined parts, a top annulus cover disc portion and an active bottom disc portion such that the annulus top cover disc covers the active bottom disc portion but allows a solid central sensing column to be exposed to ambient conditions. The disc portions have a dual sealing means to protect the strain gauges therein from fluid ingress. The gauge is suitable for measuring stresses of soil and rock formations as well as concrete, asphalt or other materials in either a static or dynamic regime. The stress gauge is designed for high uni-axial stress measurements, improved frequency response, have low hysteretic induced effects in measurements and be a thinner gauge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for secondary containment of airbo releases from underground storage tanks, trenches, cribs, and vaults. Airborne releases of nuclear waste from previously operated nuclear weapons plants is a particular problem which this invention addresses. The dome structure is fabricated by large inflatable fabric forms that are insulated and hardened by specialized shotcrete processes for either spherical or elliptical type dome structure. This dome structure is designed to be reused and thus made mobile by having at least three large capacity crawler/transporters or a crane link-up and lift the dome structure for transport to a desired HTRW location. The dome structure is made of layered materials comprising a thin flexible membrane of urethane foam and conventional shotcrete placed on steel reinforcing bars.

Abstract: An improved module and assembly for sampling liquids and gases within the ground is characterized by module housings containing sampling cavities having lateral openings to the exterior of the housings. Within each lateral opening a removable insert and piston assembly is provided. The piston is displaceable between open and closed positions within the insert in response to changes in pressure from pressure and vacuum sources. When in the closed position, the piston and insert are flush with the exterior of the housing to prevent contaminants from accumulating at the opening. When the module is inserted to a desired depth in the ground, the piston is displaced to the open position and samples from the soil at the desired depth enter the sampling cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing components of an electronic engine governor is disclosed. The governor to be tested has a speed control unit responsive to a control signal for producing a fuel control signal and an amplifier coupled to the speed control for compensating engine load, and may have a load computer for producing a load signal indicative of engine loading. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) in the test apparatus is adapted to be coupled to the speed controller for simulating engine speed as a variable frequency output in response to an input voltage. A summing node is adapted to be responsive to the output of the speed control unit and the load computer for producing a summed input control signal to the VCO. Substitute voltage and current signals are provided as input to the load computer to check the load computer operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid thermosyphon which may be rapidly deployed to create a frozen soil barrier for containing toxic spills. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of thermosyphons are deployed for freezing the soil around and under a defined area of soil; each thermosyphon contains a working fluid and includes an evaporator section for contact with the soil for removing heat therefrom by evaporation of the working fluid. A condenser section in flow communication with evaporator section and remote from the soil transfers heat from the working fluid to ambient by heat exchange and subsequent condensation of the working fluid when the ambient is lower than the temperature of the soil. An active refrigeration stage in heat exchange relation with at least a portion of the condenser section removes heat from the working fluid by heat exchange when the ambient is above the soil temperature.

Abstract: Image processing for extracting terrain features from an image formed of an array of pixels is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, each pixel in a neighborhood is averaged in a direction which is most homogeneous thereby preserving and smoothing edges of the image. Edge detection in orthogonal directions is applied for defining the magnitude and direction of edges at each pixel. After edges are defined each pixel is compared with pixels in a neighborhood for determining the probability that the pixel is on an edge and the angle at which such edge is disposed. Probable edges are reinforced and non-probable or non-edges are eliminated. Reinforced edges are thinned to a minimum of one pixel without eliminating its connectivity with any adjacent pixel on the edge. Components consisting of pixels of a similar kind which are connected are identified and uniquely labeled. At least two properties of each connected component are calculated including area and spread.

Abstract: Improved acoustic damping materials comprise interpenetrating polymer netks having a soft polymer component and a hard polymer component. The soft polymer component, constituting from 50 to 90 percent by weight of the material, is a polyurethane made by polymerization of a diisocyanate with a polyether glycol, and the hard polymer component is made by polymerization of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, with boron trichloride amine complex as a curing agent.

Abstract: Improved acoustic damping materials comprise interpenetrating polymer netks having a soft polymer component and a hard polymer component. The soft polymer component, constituting from 50 to 90 percent by weight of the material, is made by polymerizing an aromatic diisocyanate with a polyalkylene ether glycol, and the hard polymer component is an acrylic polymer made by polymerization of the alkyl esters and alkylene diesters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, e.g. n-butyl methacrylate and tetramethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The curing of the mixture is carried out at room temperature.

Abstract: A thermosyphon for use in frozen or unfrozen soil includes an evaporator tion embedded in the soil, a condenser section exposed to ambient air, an intermediate section connecting the two sections and a heat exchanger connected to a mechanical refrigeration source and operable to cool either the condenser or the intermediate section of the thermosyphon during periods when the ambient temperature is higher than that at which passive thermosyphonic cooling occurs.

Abstract: An air or gaseous fluid lubricated penetrometer reduces friction between the soil and the push rod string. Air is pumped into the interior of the string and is directed by exit ports into the annular space between the soil and the outer walls of the string. Without damaging the soil, the air prevents the soil from adhering to the sides of the string and thereby reduces frictional forces that restrict the downward movement thereof. The exit ports in the string are located above the instrument housing so that accurate measurements can be made on the soil properties.

Abstract: The hardened data acquisition system (HDAS) of the present invention is a mpact system built to fit within a canister container, which may be inserted in a moving projectile, such as an artillery shell. Any shock level, air pressure or acceleration/deceleration experienced by the HDAS is measured by a transducer as an analog signal. The analog signal, after proper amplification and filtering, is fed to an analog-to-digital converter and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is in turn fed to a memory where a predetermined amount of the data is recorded. The thus recorded data can be downloaded to the external environment by an interface section. To provide integrity, the different electronic circuit components of the HDAS are encased in plastic instead of ceramic. Moreover, the different electronic components are encapsulated with an epoxy resin, before being inserted into a canister container.

Abstract: The inspection of underwater structures and the repair of leaking cracks or oints therein is effected by the use of a platform positionable at the work site and supporting an equipment cart movable therealong with the cart carrying an underwater light and television camera system for viewing the site and a number of tools for cleaning the site, injecting a leak detecting dye thereon and injecting a sealant to close the cracks or joints. Movement of the equipment cart and operation of the tools are remotely controlled, preferrably with air motors.

Abstract: The invention is a dynamic cone penetrometer for measuring soil shear strength which includes an elongated cylindrical rod having a tip end and a handle end. An anvil portion is mounted to the rod at a selected distance from the handle and a penetrometer tip having a conical free end is secured to the tip end of the rod for engaging the soil or sample. A two weight drop hammer having a cylindrical through bore is slidably mountable on the rod at the handle end for striking the anvil with a selected force when released from a fixed distance from said anvil. The drop hammer is formed in two parts including a cylindrical core portion of a first diameter, and a cylindrical support portion extending from the core portion to a second diameter. The second weight has a through bore and is sleevable over the core for engaging and resting upon the support portion.

Abstract: A large diameter gas gun has a triggering mechanism for quickly and effecely releasing a large bore projectile which is accelerated under gas pressure to impact upon a target area to produce a substantial shock field.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a breakaway prop for a wicket employing a slble and rotatable prop bearing which is secured to the prop by shear pins. Upon application of sufficient force, the shear pins release the prop bearing and allow the wicket to drop without damaging the prop.

Abstract: A well installation preform for locating and dispensing granular materials nto a bore hole around the screen of a well casing is disclosed. A cylindrical sleeve containing a liner is assembled about the screen end of the well casing. The space between the sleeve and the well casing is filled with an ordered layer of granular material including a filter material adjacent the screen, a sealing material above the filter material and the screen and a quantity of filler material above the sealing material. The lower end of the sleeve is blocked while the preform is lowered into the well. The sleeve is thereafter removed whereby the liner is everted and the granular material is uniformly dispensed about the well casing in the bore hole. The sealing material forms a seal above the filter material for establishing an isolated filtration zone about the screen. A method of constructing the well using the preform and the resulting well structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic source for seismic exploration has a generally cylindrical tube ith spaced upper and lower closed ends. An insulated continuous conductor has a first portion with an exposed internal conductive end within the tube and a second portion extending therefrom through the upper end. A selectively closeable port is operably associated with the tube for permitting the tube to be filled and maintained filled with a conductive solution. A gas vent has a first open end within the tube adjacent the upper end and a second end exteriorly disposed of the tube.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a piezoelectric airblast gage includes a steel insert into which the gage is screwed. The insert is contained within a steel housing to provide a protective enclosure for the piezoelectric gage and its associated electronics. The insert is clamped inside the housing by means of a steel clamping ring which is bolted to the housing. Gaskets surround the insert on all surfaces which might come in contact with the steel housing or clamping ring. Prior to final assembly, the external electronics package for the piezoelectric gage is shock-isolated by filling the cavity beneath the insert with a shock-mitigating substance. Once fully assembly, the top of the insert and the piezoelectric gage are flush with the top of the housing.

Abstract: A method and composition for making concrete includes an antifreeze admixe which is added to the concrete to prevent the freezing of water in the concrete when the concrete is cured during the winter or other cold conditions. The concrete admixture includes sodium nitrate and sodium sulfate combined with one another in a predetermined ratio. In a preferred a embodiment the ratio of sodium nitrate to sodium sulfate equals 3:1. A dosage of greater than 2% by weight of cement of the above described admixture was found to significantly increase the compressive strength of concrete cast of cold (below freezing, or 0 degrees celsius) temperatures, and dosages of 6% and 8% by weight of cement of the specified admixture were found to be particularly effective.