Abstract: A camouflage system for concealing or obscuring a vehicle includes a camouflage cover attached at spaced apart locations to a plurality of inflatable support beams. The support beams can extend from a central hub. Deployment and stowing, of the camouflage cover by inflation and deflation of the support beams can be controlled from within the vehicle. Stowing can include fan-folding of the support beams and retraction of guide cords attached to distal ends of the support beams, or the deflated support beams can be wound around one or more spools when stowed. Embodiments include a plurality of inflatable bladders within each support beam, enabling a plurality of deployed states. The radar signature of the vehicle can be obfuscated by adding metallic layers to the camouflage cover, the support beams, and/or to separate inflatable radar reflection beams. Additional layers of conductive fabric can be included within inflatable beams.

Abstract: A camouflage cover that is simple to deploy and store and is robust to all weather conditions and storage cycles provides a close visual match and close visible and IR spectral signature matches to surrounding vegetation. The cover incorporates a mixture of SAP and cellulose pulp containing approximately 90% water laminated between opaque, non-woven Tencel™ layers to emulate the spectral signature of leaves. Outer polymer film layers prevent water evaporation of the SAP. Organic dye-printed patterns can be applied to one or more of the Tencel™ and film layers. The SAP mixture can be limited to leaf regions of the cover, whereby branch regions include cellulose but not SAP. The cover can be petalized by cuts made, for example, along leaf and branch region boundaries. A gloss-controlling aerogel coating can be applied to outer surfaces of the camouflage cover to match a gloss of the vegetation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic camouflage shield comprises a flexible conductive layer and a textile layer. The shield includes at least one outward facing fibrous face, and is creped with at least 5% increased elongation to enhance its flexibility and effective EM thickness. The conductive layer can be the textile layer, or a separate layer. In embodiments, the conductive layer is one of a woven that incorporates metallic yarns, a textile having an electroless plated metal coating, a metal mesh, a thin layer of foil, and an elastomeric layer having a conductive and/or ferrite filler. The textile layer can be a woven or non-woven. Embodiments are fashioned into shirts, pants, and/or other clothing, and can provide drape and moisture vapor transport for enhanced comfort.

Abstract: A flexible, foldable EM barrier attenuates electromagnetic radiation by at least 20 dB from 1 GHz to 30 GHz. The barrier includes an LF layer that blocks EM radiation at least at low frequencies, laminated to a textile support layer that reduces stress cracking of the LF layer and prevents widening of any cracks that do form. Embodiments further include an HF layer that blocks EM radiation at high frequencies, such as a metallized polymer film and/or an elastomer layer filled with conductive particles. The LF layer can be foil, mesh, or electroless metallization of the support textile or of another textile. A thermal insulation layer can be included. A topcoat can block UV, and primer layers can resist moisture. Barriers can be joined to each other and/or to adjacent structures by lanyards, webbing, sewing, soft connections, and/or flex joints formed by adhesively attached metallized textiles or films.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an enhanced, 3D, hand-shaped glove includes placing a seamless textile glove shell onto a laminating form, placing a solid laminate preform onto the glove shell, and applying pressure at an elevated temperature to laminate the preform to the glove shell. A platen or roller press can apply pressure to a glove shell on a flat surface of a laminating form, or a bladder or vacuum bag press can apply pressure to a glove shell on a curved surface of a laminating form. Edge peel resistance can be enhanced by extending the perimeter of a low modulus upper preform layer beyond underlying layers and bonding it directly to the glove shell. Fingers of the laminating form can be made wide and thin to cause warping of the preform about the glove fingers, or narrow and thick to minimize distortion of the finger shapes due to the preform.

Abstract: A tire having reduced mass and low rolling resistance and a method of manufacture thereof achieves reduced weight by using thin layers of thermoplastic polyurethanes (“TPU's”) to heat seal the carcass, breaker, and tread layers of the tire to each other, rather than embedding the layers in conventional, relatively thicker and heavier layers of sulfur cured vulcanized carbon filled elastomers. Creep and “spring-back” of the thermoplastic polyurethanes during cure is avoided by maintaining the adhered layers under pressure until the assembly cools below its glass transition temperature. In embodiments, the heat sealing can be performed on the forming drum, and in some embodiments cool rollers are applied to the heat-sealed carcass so as to accelerate the cooling to below the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A new class of protective fabrics having good ballistic and fragmentary protection also provide wearable drape, softness, and moisture transport, as well as good UV and abrasion resistance and color acceptance, making them comfortable to wear as garment fabrics. The protective fabrics are constructed from yarns having at least 20% ballistic fibers with greater than 12 gpd tenacity. A combined cover factor of between 55% and 80% avoids added stiffness due to yarn distortion at the crossing points. In embodiments, a long-float weave such as twill or satin with reduced crossing point density improves the hand of the fabric, and in some embodiments provides a different character on each face so that a predominantly staple fabric face is in contact with skin of a user, thereby providing better wearing comfort than a plain weave.

Abstract: A camouflage cover that is simple to deploy and store and is robust to all weather conditions and storage cycles provides a close visual match and close visible and IR spectral signature matches to surrounding vegetation. The cover incorporates a mixture of SAP and cellulose pulp containing approximately 90% water laminated between opaque, non-woven Tencel layers to emulate the spectral signature of leaves. Outer polymer film layers prevent water evaporation of the SAP. Organic dye-printed patterns can be applied to one or more of the Tencel and film layers. The SAP mixture can be limited to leaf regions of the cover, whereby branch regions include cellulose but not SAP. The cover can be petalized by cuts made, for example, along leaf and branch region boundaries. A gloss-controlling aerogel coating can be applied to outer surfaces of the camouflage cover to match a gloss of the vegetation.

Abstract: A flexible, foldable EM barrier attenuates electromagnetic radiation by at least 20 dB from 1 GHz to 30 GHz. The barrier comprises an LF layer that blocks EM radiation at least at low frequencies, laminated to a textile support layer that reduces stress cracking of the LF layer and prevents widening of any cracks that do form. Embodiments further comprise an HF layer that blocks EM radiation at high frequencies, such as a metallized polymer film and/or an elastomer layer filled with conductive particles. The LF layer can be foil, mesh, or electroless metallization of the support textile or of another textile. A thermal insulation layer can be included. A topcoat can block UV, and primer layers can resist moisture. Barriers can be joined to each other and/or to adjacent structures by lanyards, webbing, sewing, soft connections, and/or flex joints formed by adhesively attached metallized textiles or films.

Abstract: A camouflage system adaptively matches the visible and IR spectrum of surrounding vegetation. A bio-chromophore dye solution circulated through an upper channel and distributed by a pulp or fabric matches the visible and biological IR spectrum, while water evaporated from the upper channel or from a separate lower channel matches the water IR spectrum. Dye can be retained in the pulp or continuously circulated. Permanently printed colors and/or patterns can also be included. Petalation cooperative with a channel flow pattern can release evaporated water and inhibit LiDAR detection. An upper waxy layer and surface embossing can avoid specular reflections. The camouflage signature can be compared with the environment and automatically adjusted as needed. Embodiments include thermal management, electromagnetic shielding, and/or radar scattering/absorbing subsystems. An airbag ground plane can match a terrain contour and avoid LiDAR detection.

Abstract: A method for forming interconnections between electronic devices embedded in a textile includes weaving a textile panel including at least one smart fiber having an electronic device embedded in a central portion thereof and at least one electrically conducting filament proximal to an outer boundary thereof. While the panel is in the weaving machine, fiducials not visible to the eye are created in the panel that are correlated in location with the smart fiber(s). After removing the textile panel from the weaving machine, machine detection is used to locate the fiducials, thereby mapping distortions of the fiber pattern. An interconnect pattern is transformed to match the distorted fiber pattern of the conducting fibers, and is applied to the textile panel to form an electrical connection with the electronic device(s). The fiducials can include infra-red phosphors. Vias can be formed to provide electrical access to the conducting filament(s).

Abstract: A textile assembly suitable for integration into a wearable article includes an outer layer having a distributed pattern of penetrations configured to facilitate load carriage, and a protective layer having filament and staple yarns, at least 25% of which have an average tenacity of greater than 15 gpd. The penetrations can be approximately 1 inch long and 0.25 inches wide, and can have a tear resistance when loaded with a 1-inch wide webbing strap of greater than 50 lbf. The textile assembly can have less than 2% consumption per ASTM D6413. In embodiments, at least one layer of polymeric or elastomeric coating substantially encapsulates the yarns of the protective layer. Embodiments provide greater than 600 fps 2 gr RCC protection as measured using Mil Std 662F. The textile assembly can be sewn into a garment, which can be a pant, a shirt, or a jacket.

Abstract: An MFA panel provides enhanced compressibility and off-axis threat protection by distributing solid elements among a plurality of vertically stacked, flexible supporting sheets, so that the elements on each sheet are spaced apart while the stacked arrangement provides adjacent or overlapping coverage of the panel, while allowing the solid elements to slide over each other during compression. The solid elements can be triangular or square, and can be metal or ceramic. The supporting sheets can be high tensile, such as para aramid, or low tensile, such as PET, Nylon, or cotton, for enhanced compressibility, flexibility, drape, and hand. A high tensile backing ply can be included to inhibit tensile failure of low tensile supporting sheets. In embodiments, the panels are attached to each other only at their edges. Fibers of para aramid supporting sheets can be unidirectional, so as to share the load of an impact throughout the panel.

Abstract: A slash-protecting panel is affordable, comfortable, flexible, light, and concealable, while providing at least 80N HOSDB slash protection. A plurality of solid elements are aligned on upper and lower backing sheets in rows and columns separated by continuous gaps between 25% and 95% as wide as the solid elements, the upper elements being centered above the gap intersections of the lower elements, leaving isolated gap “islands” uncovered but no continuous gaps. Embodiments further include a third layer with smaller “button” solid elements arranged behind the gap islands, leaving no gaps. The solid elements can be ceramic or metal, and the backing sheets can be ballistic fabric, or any convenient woven, non-woven, or warp knit. Solid elements can be attached to the sheets by rivets or adhesives, or held in pockets. Embodiments include an inner and/or an outer covering layer of a knit or similar fabric for added comfort.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a power tool user includes a glove or other garment having at least one sensor that monitors proximity to the power tool. Glove embodiments can include finger and/or thumb proximity sensors, and/or sensors that detect hand position, finger and/or wrist joint angle, vibration, and/or acceleration. Sensing targets can be retroactively installed on the power tool, and can define warning and/or danger zones. Sensing can be via magnetic, electromagnetic, capacitive, eddy current, and/or range finding means. Sizes of warning and/or target areas can be controlled by selecting targets from a plurality of targets of various detection ranges. Protective responses can vary according to different sensed events, and can include audible, visual, and/or tactile alerts, and/or interruption of power to the tool. Embodiments can record proximity and/or status data during a work session for review, training, and certification purposes. A controller can be physically cooperative with the garment.

Abstract: A lightweight, low bulk, mobile CB shelter fabric includes a high tensile strength woven scrim laminated between two thin CB-impenetrable polymer films. Laminate adhesives can include isocyanate adhesion promotors. Coatings can provide camouflage, increased light opacity, increased CB protection, sun, fire, and weather resistance. Lamination heat and pressure can cause the films to conform and bond through the scrim, while a pre-applied coating does not flow and remains uniform in thickness. The resulting fabric weight can be approximately 50% of conventional CB fabrics. The films can be hard-drawn polymers. A coating of hammer milled kaolin clay can provide increased light opacity. The films can be 1 micron thick, and can be nylon, aliphatic nylon, urethane, or poly-ether. The scrim can be a 1500 denier Vectran® (liquid crystal polymer) with a 4.5 ends-per-inch warp and a 3.5 ends-per-inch fill. The scrim yarns can be flattened bundles of untwisted fiber.

Abstract: A protective garment system fabricated from ballistic textiles having a V50 on 2 grain RCC of at least 300 fps as measured by Mil-Spec 662F provides good ballistic and fragmentary protection, and can be worn in lieu of conventional clothing without discomfort to the wearer. Embodiments overcome prior art ballistic fabric limitations by incorporating novel construction, such as plaiting and/or twill or satin weaving, as well as novel yarn selection, to enable comfortable skin contact, and by applying coatings to improve abrasion resistance, UV resistance, and color acceptance. Embodiments incorporate layers of ballistic fabric in critical areas, either by overlapping protective clothing articles, and/or by incorporating multiple layers of protective fabric into an individual protective garment. Embodiments provide good moisture transport for long term comfort.

Abstract: A method of protecting a user from a strike by a maximum threat includes adhesively bonding a plurality of solid elements to a support structure in a planar array, dimensions and material properties of the solid elements, support structure, and adhesive being selected to cause an impacted solid element to be dislodged by the maximum threat, and to combine its mass with the projectile for reduced velocity and increased impact area. The support structure is configured to fail in tensile and to allow the combined projectile and solid element to pass through the support structure. The solid elements can be ceramic, and can be commutated upon impact while remaining substantially intact. The solid elements can include titanium backing layers. After formation, ceramic cores can be compressed upon cooling by an outer ceramic layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, the outer layer being formed by glazing or doping.

Abstract: A carrier garment configured to carry protective panels on a user's torso allows adjustment of the carrier garment and the protective panels to accommodate a wide range of bust and torso sizes, from flat-chested to full figured bust and torso lines. Embodiments allow quick adjustment back to a flat configuration to accommodate rifle protection plates that require the carrier and the underlying panels to be flat. Various embodiments can be locked to ensure that the garment retains its adjusted shape. A shaping point and/or a slit can be provided to assist in shaping stiff materials. Embodiments include a plurality of attachment points to which a lower end of an adjustment lanyard can be attached. A lining or inner layer can be included, and can be configured to adjust in shape with the outer garment. The outer garment and/or the liner or inner layer can include a protective material.