Abstract: A method for remotely accessing packages suspect of containing hazardous devices. The method includes using a continuous stream of high velocity abrasive particles and/or fluid(s) created in-situ while attached to a remotely or autonomously operated vehicle to breach the exterior surface of a suspect package well below the impact initiation threshold thus preventing sufficient stimuli to initiate explosive, pyrotechnic, or flammable materials. An automatic standoff device may be used to allow the operator of a remotely operated vehicle or the feedback mechanism of an autonomously operated vehicle to optimally locate the abrasive fluid stream.

Abstract: A method for remotely accessing packages suspect of containing hazardous devices. The method includes using a continuous stream of high velocity abrasive particles and/or fluid(s) created in-situ while attached to a remotely or autonomously operated vehicle to breach the exterior surface of a suspect package well below the impact initiation threshold thus preventing sufficient stimuli to initiate explosive, pyrotechnic, or flammable materials. An automatic standoff device may be used to allow the operator of a remotely operated vehicle or the feedback mechanism of an autonomously operated vehicle to optimally locate the abrasive fluid stream.

Abstract: Methods of cutting structural shapes by impinging a high pressure jet of anhydrous liquid ammonia or anhydrous ammonia-abrasive mixture at high impact velocity at a target substrate for faster, more efficient cutting/penetration rates i.e., up to 25 percent improvement over high pressure jet cutting methods with water as the cutting fluid, provide greater safety and flexibility, particularly in demilitarizing munitions comprising energetic materials and/or chemical warfare agents. The energy from the cutting jet comprising anhydrous ammonia may also be utilized in a continuous, uninterrupted sequence of processing steps after penetrating a closed casing for dispersing/dissolving and washing out the contents from the penetrated containment for further processing.

Abstract: Described is a method of removing chemical agents from the interior of chemical agent filled bodies such as munitions shells. A rotating nozzle is inserted into an opening cut into the shell. High pressure fluidjets (i.e. from about 1,500 psi to above 40,000 psi) are projected from orifices in the nozzle onto the chemical agent in the shell. Chemical agent and chemical agent laden fluid is contained and carried away from the shell for recycle or disposal.

Abstract: Described is a method of removing explosive agents from the interior of explosive agent filled bodies such as munitions shells. A rotating nozzle is inserted into an opening cut into the shell. Ultra-high pressure fluidjets (i.e. above 40,000 psi) are projected from orifices in the nozzle onto the explosive agent in the shell. Explosive agent and explosive agent laden fluid is contained and carried away from the shell for recycle or disposal.

Abstract: Calendar objects on a data processing system include an item, a due date and a priority value. The objects are reprioritized according to their due dates and priority values. For each object, a difference between the respective due date and a selected date is determined. The selected date is typically the current date. An importance value is determined by combining the difference with the priority value of each object. The objects are sorted and ranked according to their importance values. The sorted objects are then displayed to a user. If the due date is passed the selected date, then a past due notification is provided to the user for that object.

Abstract: An action contained within an electronic mail object is communicated from a data processing system to another data processing system via an audio device. The action is executable on a data processing system. At the sending data processing system, the action is converted to a predetermined audio pattern. The electronic mail object may contain text in addition to an action. The text is also converted to an audio pattern. The audio patterns are then communicated to the audio device over telephone lines or other communication medium. At the receiving end, the audio device records the object. A user can provide the recorded object to a data processing system, which then executes the action and converts the text audio patterns back to text. In addition, the action can be converted to text and displayed on the data processing system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for burning combustible material are provided. The apparatus has a combustion chamber with an intake and an exhaust end, a means for injecting combustible material into the intake end of the chamber, a means for igniting the combustible material to generate a flame front, and a means for providing a variance in pressure in the chamber between the intake end and the ignition means, so that a flame front is held substantially stationary in the chamber adjacent the pressure variance means. In its most preferred mode, the apparatus and method may be used for burning energetic materials which, due to their highly volatile and reactive properties, present unique hazards above and beyond those encountered with less reactive non-energetic combustible materials.

Abstract: Described is a method to recycle laden fluid containing explosives or neutralized chemical agents. For example, the explosive laden fluid is passed through four filtering stages; a clarifier, a filter press, a sand filter and, ultimately, a reverse osmosis device. The feed water to the reverse osmosis device is a saturated solution of explosive or neutralizing chemical agent. The resulting permeate is about 10 ppm of explosive or neutralizing chemical agent.

Abstract: A process for photolytic degradation of the organic and nitrogenous components of high explosives in organic solvent is described. The process can be applied with a module photolytic apparatus so that munitions can be destroyed without endangering the environment or toxifying large quantities of water. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for photolytic degradation of the organic and nitrogenous components of high explosives in organic solvent is described. The process can be applied with a module photolytic apparatus so that munitions can be destroyed without endangering the environment or toxifying large quantities of water. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Device and method for regulating fluid flow within the human body includes small electromagnetic devices embedded in an inner housing of the present device that function under the control of a programmable control unit to create small magnetic fields which cause an artificial increase in the viscosity and apparent density of a magnetorheological fluid located in a compartment surrounding the structure through which fluid flow is to be controlled.

Abstract: A process for photolytic degradation of the organic and nitrogenous components of high explosives in organic solvent is described. The process can be applied with a module photolytic apparatus so that munitions can be destroyed without endangering the environment or toxifying large quantities of water. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an abrasive fluid cutting composition comprising a carrier fluid, and an abrasive. Preferably, the composition may also include a surface active agent. The invention also comprises a method for removing material from a substrate through application of the abrasive fluid of the invention comprising the steps of projecting the fluid composition onto the substrate. Reactive materials such as explosives, propellants, flammables, combustibles and the like may be cut using the composition of the invention.

Abstract: A self-contained, implantable device for controlling passage of material through internal body conduits, and in particular to control the material passage through a closure point commonly referred to as a sphincter, such as flow through the urethra from the bladder, movement through the bowel, or flow of medications from an artificial conduit that is implanted. The magnetic occluding device comprises a fixed magnetic pressure plate assembly, positioned on one side of a conduit, and a permanent magnet on an opposite side of the conduit. The permanent magnet can be moved so that the magnetic force between the pressure plate and the magnet can be altered from a position wherein the attraction between the movable magnet and the pressure plate carries the conduit between the magnet and the pressure plate to collapse to close off flow through the conduit, to a position wherein the conduit can open.