Abstract: A folding deployment system for solar panels provides a portable solar collecting power station that can be easily packaged and deployed for use in diverse environments. A solar array frame extends and contracts in accordion fashion. Solar panels mounted on the solar array frame are pivotally moveable from an upright position in a stowed position inside a container to a substantially horizontal position outside the container in a deployed position.

Abstract: A quick release collapsible bolt utilizes a plurality of bolt segments that surround a removable central core. When the central core is in place, the bolt is used as a normal bolt that may screw into a nut or socket. The central, core can be pulled out when the bolt is attached to a nut to collapse the plurality of bolt segments so that the bolt segments then can be quickly withdrawn from the nut or receptacle without the need to unscrew the nut.

Abstract: A blind fastener assembly utilizes flexible legs extending from a cylindrical section of a spring pin. Gripping elements extend radially outwardly from the ends of the flexible legs. When the flexible legs and gripping elements are extended through an opening in the wall, a center pin can be pushed into the cylindrical portion to expand the flexible legs so that the gripping elements can engage the back of the wall. In one embodiment, removal of the center pin causes the flexible legs to contract whereupon the assembly can be removed from the wall.

Abstract: A mine clearing system and method remotely deploys line hose from a remotely controlled two-wheeled vehicle. The wheels are connected together via a central hub shaft. Individual battery operated hub motors on each wheel communicate to a central controller inside the hub shaft. The power source for the motors is contained within the hub shaft, with battery recharge ports located on the hub shaft. The line hose is wrapped around the central hub shaft. An operator uses a remote control console in communication with the central controller to independently control each wheel of the vehicle. A camera can hang from a hub shaft bearing on the outside of one wheel so as to be gravitationally stabilized during vehicle movement. The camera can broadcast signals to a display at the remote control console. Explosive slurry is pumped into the line hose and detonated.

Abstract: A solar panel storage and deployment system includes a container with an opening formed therein. A rotatable spool housed in the container has an assembly of solar voltaic panels wound thereabout prior to its deployment. The assembly is deployed from the opening in the container when the assembly is unwound from the spool. At least one stake is provided where each such stake is anchored to a position in proximity to and outside of the container. Each stake cooperates with a link that couples a free end of the assembly to the stake when the assembly is unwound from the spool and deployed through the opening.

Abstract: A solar panel storage and deployment system includes a container with an opening formed therein and an assembly of solar voltaic panels transitionable between a folded state and a deployed state. The assembly defines a series of accordion-like folds along the length thereof when in its folded state. The assembly arrays the panels in a substantially planar arrangement when the assembly is in its deployed state. The system also includes at least one stake adapted to be anchored to a position in proximity to and outside of the container. At least one link is provided for coupling an end of the assembly to the stake(s) when the assembly is in its deployed state.

Abstract: A system for harvesting electric energy from thermal energy includes energy conversion assemblies that can be distributed about a conduit through which a heated effluent flows. Each energy conversion assembly includes two heat sinks, a thermoelectric cell sandwiched between the two heat sinks, and a thermal insulating gasket surrounding the thermoelectric cell and separating the two heat sinks. Circuit wiring electrically connects to each thermoelectric cell where the energy conversion assemblies are electrically connected to one another in parallel. An electric power storage device is coupled to the circuit wiring.

Abstract: A torque nut assembly includes a multiple-piece nut body and a cap. The nut body can be positioned to define a threaded axial passage, and can expand radially to open the threaded axial passage. The cap is shaped and sized to substantially engage the nut body when the threaded axial passage is so-defined. The cap is locked to the nut body when the cap is engaged thereon.

Abstract: A mine clearing system and method remotely deploys line charge from a remotely controlled two-wheeled vehicle. The wheels are connected together via a central hub shaft. Individual battery operated hub motors on each wheel communicate with a central controller and receiver mounted inside the hub shaft. The power source for the motors is contained within the hub shaft, with a battery recharge port located on the hub shaft. The line charge is wrapped around the central hub shaft. An operator uses a remote control console in communication with the receiver and central controller in the hub shaft to independently control each wheel of the vehicle. A camera can hang from a hub shaft bearing on the outside of one wheel so as to be gravitationally stabilized during vehicle movement. The camera can broadcast signals to a display at the remote control console.

Abstract: A solar awning system is provided with a spool housing containing a sheet of flexible solar light array material rolled into a spool within the spool housing. The spool is rotatably mounted for spooling and unspooling the flexible sheet to and from the spool housing. The spool housing may be attached to a wall or other object or mounted on supports to quickly provide a shaded and lighted region at a desired location. The flexible sheet is quickly retracted into the spool housing to pack up, whereupon the spool housing protects the flexible solar light array material for subsequent use.

Abstract: A system for reducing the operational efficiency of a watercraft's propulsion system includes a self-propelled and variable-speed unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that has at least one homing device adapted to direct the UUV towards an origin of a targeted watercraft's propulsion wake. At least one rod is coupled to a forward end of the UUV and extends forward therefrom at least when the UUV is in proximity to the origin of the targeted watercraft's propulsion wake. At this point, the UUV is directed and accelerated to drive the rod into the targeted watercraft's propulsor.

Abstract: A structure, e.g. a pop-up tent, usable in extremes of temperature, wind, and aridity. One side of the structure's fabric reflects heat, and the other absorbs heat. The structure is reversible, so that, depending which side is outside and which inside, the structure either rejects or absorbs ambient heat, making the structure cooler in hot environments, and warmer in cool environments. The structure can have a detachable base with a hollow chamber in which one can put thermally insulating fluid (e.g. water) to add further comfort, which also provides additional physical and thermal stability to the structure. An optional moisture collector is disposable inside to collect condensate for recycling, and the fabric of the structure can be hydrophobic to direct other condensate to the base and away from occupants.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for improving the navigation accuracy of a vehicle guided by the global positioning system (GPS). The system can be ermanent or can be delivered "on station" by delivery vehicles dropped from a host aircraft. If delivered, each delivery vehicle travels to a destination at the earth's surface on land or at sea. At each destination, an antenna and a GPS receiver use GPS signals and determine the position of the antenna. A transmitter coupled between the GPS receiver and the antenna transmits the determined position of the antenna over the air waves via the antenna. In this way, a plurality of earth-bound GPS positions can be used by a GPS-guided vehicle to improve its navigation accuracy thereby eliminating the atmospheric errors associated with satellite-transmitted signals.

Abstract: A standoff delivery system is responsive to GPS coordinate signals and inight GPS signals to deliver and emplace a sonobuoy at a remote location that otherwise would be hazardous for full size aircraft conventionally deploying the sonobuoy. A flying platform, such as a drone or gliding guided wing, carries the sonobuoy to a remote location. A GPS receiver on the platform enters GPS coordinate signals representative of the remote location and receives GPS signals representative of the location of the platform. A control signal generator produces control signals in response to both of the GPS signals and feeds control signals to servos that displace control surfaces to pilot the platform. The sonobuoy is released from the platform in response to GPS signals that are representative of at least the proximity of the remote location. This system provides for clandestine deployment and activation of the sonobuoy.

Abstract: An air-deliverable global positioning system (GPS) position marking device nd method involves the operations of providing an air-deliverable GPS position marking device, launching the device into flight through the air to a desired location, arming the device in response to launching the device into flight, firing a detonation mechanism contained in the device when the device is at the desired location after receipt of a magneto-inductive transmission so as to generate a predetermined pressure in an interior chamber of the device that causes ejection of a payload assembly from the interior chamber, initiates inflation of an inflatable flotation body of the payload assembly, and initiates communications between a GPS receiver and transmitter unit in the payload assembly and a remote station to determine the position of the position marking device at the desired location.

Abstract: An air-delivered infrared anti-ship missile decoy is delivered from an aiaft to a desired location below sea surface ahead of advancing forces and then activated at a later time by a remotely-transmitted encoded signal to separate a payload assembly from the remainder of the decoy, float the payload assembly on the sea surface and then produce a relatively large infrared plume above the payload assembly and atop the sea surface that provides an infrared signature for decoying and deception purposes.

Abstract: A barge strike system for clearing an obstacle-filled region of water inces a floating barge having at least one hollow region defined therein. The barge is equipped to move under its own power to the obstacle-filled region at various speeds, including speeds in excess of minimum planing speed. Explosive material is contained in the barge's hollow region(s). A plurality of detonators are coupled to a top surface of the explosive material and are initiated to generate a coalesced planar wave downward through the explosive material.

Abstract: A method for ocean surface delivery of ordnance and clearing of explosive mines and obstacles from a navigable sea channel includes the step of providing quantities of ordnance adapted to survive impact and prolonged immersion in sea water and to arm in response to release from a mobile ocean surface vehicle and to pressure actuation upon submersion to a desired depth in sea water and then to detonate in response to receiving a preselected signal transmitted to the ordnance from a standoff location. The method also includes the step of delivering the quantities of ordnance from a mobile ocean surface vehicle toward multiple sites in a navigable sea channel containing obstacles and explosive mines therein so as to cause arming of the ordnance followed by impact thereof with the navigable sea channel and submersion and emplacement thereof at the multiple sites in the navigable sea channel.

Abstract: A hand emplaced underwater mine penetration system includes a launching ambly and a munition assembly. The launching assembly includes a firing device which receives a magnetic or acoustic signal from a standoff signal generator, and a launch tube having a forward open end, an opposite rear end connected to the firing device and a bore extending between the ends. The munition assembly is adapted for insertion within and firing from the bore of the launch tube of the launching assembly and includes a cartridge having explosive elements therein and a fuze disposed at a forward end of the cartridge and adapted to detonate and explode the explosive elements in the cartridge upon impact with an underwater mine.

Abstract: A method for air delivery of ordnance and clearing of explosive mines and stacles from a navigable sea channel includes the step of providing quantities of ordnance adapted to survive impact with land and sea and prolonged immersion in sea water and to arm in response to air flow pressure and then detonate in response to receiving a preselected signal transmitted to the ordnance from a standoff location. The method also includes the step of delivering the quantities of ordnance through the air toward multiple sites in a navigable sea channel having obstacles and explosive mines therein so as to cause arming of the quantities of ordnance followed by impact thereof with the navigable sea channel and submersion and emplacement thereof at the multiple sites in the navigable sea channel.