Abstract: A boat may have a deck and a plurality of pontoons or hulls supporting the deck of the boat. The boat may include a starboard side pontoon, a port side pontoon, and possibly a middle pontoon. A positioning assembly may be provided with one or more of the foregoing pontoons. Each of the positioning assemblies may comprise a link assembly coupling the deck to the starboard side pontoon, wherein the link assembly is configured to permit pivoting of the starboard side pontoon relative to the deck from a retracted position, where the starboard side pontoon is proximate to an underside of the deck, to an extended position, where the starboard side pontoon is moved further from the underside, and an actuator provided to position the starboard side pontoon between the retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: A payload launch system includes a launch tube, payload, rocket tube, pressurized motor assembly, and control system. The motor assembly has a launch actuator and an accumulator housing containing compressed gas. The accumulator housing defines a vent opening having a closure. The control system transmits an actuation signal to the actuator in response to a launch request signal to open the closure and cause a discharge of pressure into the launch tube. This causes the rocket tube to launch from the launch tube to a threshold altitude in a single gaseous thrust phase. A method includes deploying a launch system, transmitting a launch actuation signal to the launch actuator via a control system, and opening a closure to allow compressed gas to enter the launch tube, thereby launching the rocket tube from the launch tube to a threshold altitude in the single gaseous thrust phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: A system and method autonomously clears obstacles and mines from an approach lane. A ship is distantly located from an approach lane spanning a surf zone and beach portion, and the ship has operator control station software in an onboard computer. At least one system delivery vehicle having a storage bay and propulsion system transits from the ship to the approach lane in response to instructions from the operator control station. A line charge is disposed in each bay and has one end coupled to the system delivery vehicle. A line charge delivery vehicle in the bay is connected to another end of the line charge to pull the line charge from the bay and emplace it in a straight path in the approach lane in response to instructions from the operator control station. Explosives in all line charges are detonated to clear the approach lane.

Abstract: The present invention employs the construction wherein a resistor heater is disposed inside a protective cylinder whose tip is open to a molten liquid packing zone of a crucible inside a pulling apparatus so that the resistor heater is above the tip of a lower portion and temperature setting can be made so as to be capable of fusing a starting material. Since the tip of the protective cylinder is positioned inside the molten liquid at the time of pulling of a single crystal, the gaseous phase portion inside the protective cylinder and the gaseous phase portion inside the pulling apparatus are separated apart by the molten liquid and are independent of each other and a starting material polycrystal rod loaded into the protective cylinder can be supplied to the molten liquid surface inside the crucible while being molten at the lower part of the protective cylinder by the resistor heater.

Abstract: An easily detachable storage tank for use with existing hydrofoil ships is onnected to the ship by two struts with minimal modifications to the ship. The shipboard connections are such that the ship is also usable without the storage tank. The tank may store fuel in a plurality of cells having a diaphragm separating the fuel from ballast seawater. Weapons may also be stored in the tank and fired directly from the tank.