Abstract: A propulsion system with at least one storage chamber containing at least one solid propellant and at least one fluid propellant is disclosed. The fluid propellant is retained under pressurized conditions, such that depressurization of the storage chamber substantially homogeneously disperses the at least one solid propellant in the at least one fluid propellant. A mixed-phase propellant can thereby be fed to a combustion chamber. The pressurized conditions under which the at least one fluid propellant is retained can include supercritical or critical conditions, saturation conditions, and conditions sufficient to provide a compressed gas.

Abstract: The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human-chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors. A series of pulleys corresponding to the number of servo motors are arranged in a housing.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: A solid/fluid hybrid propulsion system for a projectile launchable from a launch platform includes a container having a fluid reactant therein, an outer casing, and a cartridge. The cartridge is constructed and arranged to be moved between an operative position in which at least a substantial portion of the cartridge is received within the outer casing and an inoperative position in which the cartridge is dissociated from the outer casing. The cartridge includes at least a combustion chamber containing a solid reactant therein, a thrust nozzle proximal to one end of the combustion chamber, an oxidizer distribution plate proximal to the opposite end of the combustion chamber and having an injection nozzle therethrough, and a protective liner extending along at least the length of the combustion chamber and being interposed between the exterior surface of the solid reactant and the interior surface of the outer casing when the cartridge is in the operative position.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: A solid/fluid hybrid propulsion system for a projectile launchable from a launch platform includes a container having a fluid reactant therein, an outer casing, and a cartridge. The cartridge is constructed and arranged to be moved between an operative position in which at least a substantial portion of the cartridge is received within the outer casing and an inoperative position in which the cartridge is dissociated from the outer casing. The cartridge includes at least a combustion chamber containing a solid reactant therein, a thrust nozzle proximal to one end of the combustion chamber, an oxidizer distribution plate proximal to the opposite end of the combustion chamber and having an injection nozzle therethrough, and a protective liner extending along at least the length of the combustion chamber and being interposed between the exterior surface of the solid reactant and the interior surface of the outer casing when the cartridge is in the operative position.

Abstract: The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors. A series of pulleys corresponding to the number of servo motors are arranged in a housing.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors. A series of pulleys corresponding to the number of servo motors are arranged in a housing.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors. A series of pulleys corresponding to the number of servo motors are arranged in a housing.