Abstract: The invention is a switch for use with very high currents and relatively voltages. The contacts of the switch comprise several stationary rectangular bus bars positioned parallel to each other and one or more movable bus bars which slide along the surface formed by the stationary bus bars and conduct current from one stationary bus bar to another. Attached to each movable bus bar are several louvered contact strips which establish a large number of electrical contacts between the movable and stationary bus bars and conduct all of the current which flows between them. Electrical circuits through the switch are turned on and off by changing the positions of the movable bus bars. The positions of the movable bus bars are changed using a screw drive mechanism which is driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: A combined rotary electrical contact and seal system for rotating machines, sing a liquid metal for electrical continuity and convertible labyrinth and rotating rubbing face seals to effect a nearly perfect seal system for the liquid metal, both while the machine is at rest and during rotation at normal operating speed. To avoid leakage of the liquid metal while the rotor is stopped or at low speeds, a face seal is effected by a slight axial movement of the rotor. As the rotational speed increases, the rubbing face seal becomes a labyrinth seal to avoid wear while maintaining an adequate seal. The liquid metal level is monitored and drains are provided to recover any leakage losses, and a replenishment system is provided to maintain the liquid metal at a proper level.

Abstract: This invention is a method for forming an antenna reflector and housing f a plastic material, rather than from metal or a glass/cloth laminate. The method comprises the steps of scribing a grid structure on a plastic sheet; vacuum or gavity forming the plastic sheet and trimming it to size; coating the plastic sheet with a conductive metal such as copper; and then removing the excess copper from the antenna. Alternatively, a printing and etching technique can be used in substitution of the scribing coating steps.

Abstract: 1. A chemical canister for generating gas in a noisemaker beacon comprising canister case for holding a chemical for generating a buoyant gas, a canister cover adapted to be mounted on said case, a watertight seal between said cover and said case, means for ejecting said cover from said case, and means for temporarily locking said cover and said canister; said ejecting means comprising a conical spring adapted to be compressed within its outer diameter, and said locking means comprising a rod extending from the bottom of said canister to said cover, a groove in said rod near said cover, a locking pin mounted in said cover having one end adapted to lock with said rod by means of said groove and having a piston at the other end, and a locking pin ejecting spring mounted on said pin for moving said locking pin out of engagement with said rod by means of said groove.

Abstract: This device is used in an underwater environment to determine the exact ltion of an object or the displacement of an object from an equilibrium position within a relatively small confined area. An alternating electric current is transmitted through the water, thereby creating an electric field surrounding the object. A probe placed on the object and connected to a voltage amplifier measures the electric potential of the probe and the object with respect to the potential of one of the electrodes. The position or the displacement of the object is then determined from its measured electric potential.

Abstract: This fluid valve is mounted in the hub of a circulation control helicopter otor to modulate the flow of air through the hub to the blowing slots on the leading and trailing edges of the blades. The valve independently controls the air pressure to the leading edge slots and trailing edge slots so as to vary the lift produced by each rotor blade as a function of its azimuth angle. The periodic waveforms of the air pressure provided to the leading edge slots and trailing edge slots in the blades are controlled by a combination of flow regulating cams and programming rings.

Abstract: Aluminum objects which are designed to be submersed, submerged, or buried e rendered antifouling by anodizing the surface of the aluminum and impregnating therein, for example, an organometallic compound containing tin. Long term antifouling is achieved due to the low rate of leaching of the organotin compound, while adverse environmental effects are minimized.

Abstract: This invention is a display system to assist a human operator in manually ntrolling a ship. This system may be operated in a conventional autopilot mode, where the system controls the ship completely; in a conventional hand electric mode, where the helsman manually controls the ship unaided by the system; and in a third mode, where the autopilot provides the helmsman all the information needed to steer the ship properly while the helmsman maintains direct manual control over the ship. In addition to the usual displays such as a rudder angle indicator and a compass repeater, the system provides a display which shows both the actual angle of the helm wheel and optimum angle for the helm wheel calculated by the autopilot.

Abstract: A coaxial, polarity switch, for insertion in and electrical connection to a oaxial power transmission line, designed to carry high currents. Coaxial transmission lines are used to contain stray magnetic fields and this coaxial switch maintains the coaxial relationship. An outer rotary switch member, made up of insulators and conductors, is rotatable about a fixed inner switch member, and has multi-louvered contact material, containing many contact points, to conduct the high current. The outer switch member, in one position, maintains forward polarity; in a central position, the switch is off; in a third position, the polarity is reversed. Thus the switch is a DPDT, center-off type, but SPST, SPDT, and DPST types are possible. Non-conductive coolant may be circulated through passages in the switch, and may be sealed in the switch by seal members.

Abstract: A fan impeller for axial flow having automatically variable-pitch blades ached to a rotatable hub for attaining maximum lift and inhibiting stall in a varying back pressure regime. The blades are attached for rotation about their axes to the hub, and are connected through a crank and link to a drive shaft. The hub is attached to the drive shaft to permit relative axial movement, but to preclude relative rotational movement. Varying back pressure moves the blades and the hub in variable blade rotation planes, causing changes in blade pitch. Springs and dash-pots, connecting the hub and shaft, act axially to give non-linear restoring forces and damping to the blade pitch changes.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion system of improved efficiency with a novel boundary ayer water inlet, and having multiple water jet pumps and motors. The inlet has a large width to height ratio. The pumps may be connected to one drive shaft which can be connected to one or more motors by means of clutches.

Abstract: A rotational energy absorbing coupling for shaft-to-shaft and shaft-to-crank applications such as a tiller arm for a steerable strut for hydrofoil ship using a plurality of shear pins spaced in a circular pattern. A first, inner disc is affixed to one shaft and has a circular repeating sequential pattern of a round hole, and a plurality of slots of increasing length all chamfered at the edges. At least a second disc or outer disc are connected to the other coaxial shaft or crank with extended arms and, when more than one is used are sandwiched over the first disc. These discs have a circular pattern of round holes chamfered at the edges and in register with the holes and the center of the slots of the inner disc. A plurality of axially aligned shear pins pass through all the aligned holes thus providing progressive bending of the shear pins due to the chamfered holes, then the shearing of the pins when an overload occurs.

Abstract: A coaxial, polarity-reversing switch for insertion and electrical connect into a coaxial power transmission line with both switch and line designed for carrying high direct current, but useable with alternating current systems. Since stray or external magnetic fields are best contained in coaxial transmission lines, this coaxial switch best maintains this desired relationship. A reciprocatable shuttle, movable axially within the body of the switch, has multi-louvered contact material containing many areas of contact to conduct the high current. In one shuttle position the switch maintains forward polarity; in the central position, the switch is off; in a third position, the polarity of the conductors in the coaxial line is reversed. Thus the switch is a DPDT center-off type, non-conductive coolant may be circulated through passages in the switch and when used may be sealed in the switch with suitable seals.

Abstract: An ozone reactor having two elongated chambers mounted coaxially. The outer hamber having closures at each end and the inner chamber being smaller in cross section and being mounted in spaced relation to the outer chamber as well as being spaced from the end closures of the outer chamber. The outer chamber has inlet and outlet ports for admitting and exhausting the liquid. Mounted near the bottom end of the inner chamber is a sparger for introducing bubbles containing ozone which rise to the top of the liquid causing a circulation flow between the two chambers and up through the inner chamber. There may also be a stirrer mounted to extend into the inner chamber to cause a breakup of the ozone containing bubbles thereby speeding the dissolving of the ozone into the liquid. Also there may be included a spray mounted to control the foaming of the liquid.

Abstract: A uniaxial load limiter pneumatic coupling capable of rigidly transmitting ensile and compressive loads without deformation up to and including a design maximum, and then absorbing static, dynamic, and shock loads in excess of the design maximum by temporary deformation.

Abstract: An underwater noisemaking device that is self-driven for use in towed undater acoustic minesweeping or as a decoy countermeasure device. It comprises a cambered and slotted disc mounted in a frame so as to be free to rotate about a horizontal, transverse axis within its plane when being towed or is in a flow stream. The disc auto-rotates rapidly causing intermittent cavitation, resulting in the emission of loud "clapping" acoustic noise. It may be incorporated into other towed underwater acoustic minesweeping and decoy devices.

Abstract: A system for discouraging and inhibiting growth of the entire marine fouling community onto a ship hull while it is at rest in brackish or seawater. A pipe or pipes having nozzles distributed therealong, run the length of the keel. Fresh water is supplied to the pipe which flows out the nozzles and up along the hull to create and maintain a moving boundary layer of fresh water. Such movement also serves to inhibit fouling. An enclosure comprising segmented, over-lapping, opaque curtains hang down by weights, from the ship-deck. These curtains serve to prevent light from reaching the hull, and to protect the thin boundary layer of fresh water from the disruptive, mixing actions caused by the surrounding currents. Thus the marine fouling community, including tubeworms, barnacles, grass, and algae, may be inhibited from growing and adhering to the hull surface.

Abstract: An automatic roll, pitch, and heave stability device for air-cushion-borne vehicles equipped with semi-rigid planing bow and stern seals, the latter which may be divided into separate port and starboard seals, and with rigid side-walls. Each seal at its trailing edge is mechanically linked to, and controls, a bypass duct valve. The linkage is arranged so that pressure in the seal increases as the seal is forced up due to a wave crest, and decreases as the seal drops away from the vehicle body in a wave trough. Vehicle stability in heave is achieved by the bow and stern seals operating in unison; in pitch, by the bow and stern seals operating oppositely; and in roll, by the split port and starboard seals operating oppositely. The system operates both while the vehicle is underway, and with changes in load on the vehicle in calm water.

Abstract: A testing system and method for testing and evaluating the performance and ervice life of finger seals and skirts used on surface effects ships (SES). The system simulates actual conditions that SES seals would encounter and tests full scale portions of seals and skirts. The system and method comprises placing a number of seals together in a mounting frame that moves the finger relative to another surface to simulate the chaffing and wear that occurs during actual pitch and roll. Below and in contact with the finger seals/skirts is a surface which has a wave-shaped rigid contoured surface movable as a unit vertically and horizontally. On the surface is a water-retaining pile-like material that retains water flowed thereon.

Abstract: An automatic pitch stabilization and motion alleviation device for air cushion borne vehicles, equally applicable to fully-skirted and to rigid sidewall vehicles. The vehicle's air cushion plenum is divided into bow and stern compartments by a transverse seal. Vehicle lift fans and a unique ducting arrangement supply air flow to the air cushion compartments and seal system. A valve, in a portion of the duct feeding air to the forward compartment, regulates the pressure drop from the stern compartment to the forward compartment. The valve is capable of providing 30-100% higher mean pressure in the aft compartment relative to the forward compartment. The valve is actuated automatically by height, motion, rate, acceleration, and pressure sensors, the outputs of which are fed to the valve servomechanisms to provide effective underway dynamic control of the pressure differential between compartments for motion stabilization in pitch and for improvements of ride quality.