Abstract: A tow cable for measuring temperature in a water column comprising an optl fiber core, an electrically conducting polymer jacket concentrically superimposed over the cable core and a temperature sensor embedded in the electrically conducting polymer jacket. The superior heat transfer characteristics of the electrically conducting polymers allow the heat sensors to be embedded directly into the insulating polymer jacket.

Abstract: A cavitation-resistant sonar array having reduced spacing between transdu elements is provided. The array has a series of transducer elements attached to an array fixture with spacing between elements being fixed at one-quarter wavelength or closer. Cavitation caused by this close spacing is eliminated 11 by replacing the water spaces between elements with a rho-c rubber which matches the acoustic impedance, z, of water, that is z=.rho.c. The rho-c material is bonded to element to prevent loss of contact between the element and the spacer. A processing computation correcting signal data is provided to account for any differences in the speed of sound, c, in the rho-c material when compared to the speed of sound in water.

Abstract: A system is provided for suppressing flow-induced cavitation in a fluid f. At least one acoustic transducer is coupled to the fluid flow in a region that is susceptible to the formation of cavitation bubbles. The transducer (or transducers) applies an acoustic field to the fluid flow in order to raise the cavitation threshold pressure of the fluid flow above the total local pressure including the pressure drop induced by the fluid flow and the pressure due to the acoustic field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for suppressing flow-induced cavitation n a fluid flow. At least one acoustic transducer is coupled to the fluid flow in a region that is susceptible to the formation of cavitation bubbles. The transducer (or transducers) applies an acoustic field to the fluid flow in order to raise the cavitation threshold pressure of the fluid flow above the total local pressure including the pressure drop induced by the fluid flow and the pressure due to the acoustic field.

Abstract: An athletic garment for reducing undesirable aerodynamic drag associated h high speed sports such as bicycling or skiing includes a lightweight and skin tight garment portion for covering at least the torso portion of an athlete, and further includes a plurality of lightweight flexible ribbon fairings attached to the front, side, and aft portions of the garment. At a relatively low velocity point, the flexible ribbon fairings automatically flow rearwardly around the body and adjust to the flow of fluid with respect to the athlete to form an ideal fairing shape extending from the aft portion of the garment.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for cooling a medium. A fluid is moved tugh the medium and bubbles are induced in the fluid as it moves through the medium. The bubble formation is induced by applying an acoustic field to the fluid as it moves through the medium. A heat sink can be thermally coupled to the fluid downstream of the medium so that heat rejected during bubble contraction and collapse is passed to the heat sink. The pressure of the fluid, i.e. the velocity of the fluid, can also controlled so that the bubbles contract and collapse in the region of the heat sink.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable, coated to increase its sensitivity to acoustic press, is towed through a medium. The optical fiber contains Bragg grating sensors at regular intervals along its length. A steerable array of transducers sends a pulse of sound in the direction of the optical cable while broadband pulses of light are directed down the optical fiber. The pulses of light are selectively reflected back according to the spacing between the Bragg gratings. The sound pressure field causes a local strain in the fiber, thus changing the grating spacing. The sound velocity profile along the length of the optical cable is computed by measuring the amount of time necessary for successive Bragg gratings to respond to the acoustic pressure associated with the advancing wave front of the acoustic pulse.

Abstract: A cavitation suppressor using acoustic energy to suppress flow field caviion is provided. The suppressor system has a plurality of pressure transducers located along the outer surface of a sonar dome. These transducers are powered through a controller which receives flow data, that is, pressure fluctuations in the flow field and in response operates acoustic arrays located aft of the pressure transducers. The controller provides a sonic impulse having frequency and pulse duration selectant to reduce cavitation in the flow field around the sonar dome.

Abstract: A towing cable is fitted with segmented fairings, each segment being furt provided with a negative lift vane that is adjustable in orientation relative to the axis of the cable. Each vane has a channel shaped wing with the legs of the channel defining winglets one of which is attached at the inboard end of the wing to a strap that is pivotally mounted to the fairing at a point immediately behind or after the cable. The other end of the strap is releasably secured to the trailing edge of the fairing for locating the vane at a desired angle relative to the axis of the cable on which the fairing is mounted.

Abstract: An automotive battery jumper cable includes an electrically conductive ca which is terminated at each end by a terminal clamp. Each of the terminal clamps includes a pair of gripping members each having a jaw end and a handle end. The gripping members are pivotably connected to each other about an axis between the jaw ends and the handle ends. A torsion spring is mounted on the gripping members for normally urging the jaw ends toward each other. Each of the jaw ends of the gripping members is provided with a copper jaw member for engaging and grasping the battery terminal. One of the jaws on each clamp is not electrically connected to the cable. However, the other jaw of each clamp is electrically connected to the respective end of the cable via an encapsulated pressure switch.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for providing resistance to a motion of a user. The apparatus is provided with a bar having a pair of buoyancy chambers which causes the bar to float. A user may exercise by submersing the apparatus in a body of water against a buoyant force provided by the chambers. An anchoring system for both the user and the apparatus is provided to secure a position thereof in the body of water. In addition, the chambers may be inflated by a pressurized gas canister contained within the bar. The buoyancy chambers are retained between collars and circumferential journals on the bar. Pivotally openable clasps engage the journals. Cylindrical retainers are positioned over the clasps to prevent the clasps from opening, thus retaining the buoyancy chambers on the bar.

Abstract: A relatively short cable connects a surface vessel with an underwater vehe such that the cable does not assume a linear or straight path, but is instead provided with an arcuate shape to avoid snap loads in the cable. Floatation devices are secured to spaced locations on the cable to provide this non-linear cable configuration. The devices are balloons that exert restoring forces on the cable as required to avoid snap loads as the surface vessel heaves up and down due to wave action or the like.

Abstract: A fairing for use with a tow cable and operable to suppress strumming vibions induced in the cable as it is towed generally longitudinally of its length through water includes a plurality of tab members extending in continuous, end to end fashion over the longitudinal length of the cables' outer jacket. Each of the tab members extends radially outwardly from the outer jacket in angularly spaced relation to adjacent tab members so that the plurality of tab members extend in an indexed helical pattern along the longitudinal length of the outer jacket.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a means for providing tension to bones dug the healing process that is non-invasive. In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed means for placing bones under tension comprises a first collar and a second collar. Each collar is controllably moved cyclically between a body member embracing condition and a body member releasing condition in such manner that when one collar is in one condition the other is in the other condition. A firm grip is therewith always maintained on the body member while allowing the circulation thereof.

Abstract: A towed array of hydrophone modules employs bladders that are mounted to bulkheads at the ends of the hose sections. The bladders are configured and pressurized so that pressure waves produced by the oscillatory motion of the bulkhead are suppressed by the bladders thereby significantly diminishing noise due to the breathing waves.