Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved gas gate for interconnecting regions of differing gaseous composition and/or pressure, more particularly between atmosphere and a vacuum. The gas gate includes a cylinder within a housing situated between the regions of differing gaseous pressure, wherein the gas gate provides for choke mode transonic flow of air leaks between the regions. A web of substrate material is adapted to move between the regions with at least one roller in a first region and at least one roller in a second region. The rollers are positioned to create sufficient tension as the web advances over the top peripheral portion of the cylinder between the two regions or under the bottom peripheral portion of the cylinder between the two regions.

Abstract: This invention relates to energetic compositions, which offer increased performance in conjunction with a total absence of halogen based oxidizers to eliminate exhaust products, such as hydrogen chloride. The oxidizers of choice are various combinations neat ammonium dinitramide, ammonium dinitramide prills and CL-20, because these oxidizers do not produce halogen containing exhaust products, such as the HCl gas of ammonium perchlorate. The exhaust these novel propellants consist mostly of CO2, H2O, N2, and small amounts of CO. These exhaust species are friendlier and much less hazardous to the environment than those emitted by conventional AP-based propellants. The plasticizers are selected from energetic plasticizers that do not contain halogens, but maintain other desirable properties.

Abstract: The reduced toxicity hypergolic bipropellant fuels of the present invention contain a hypergolic fuel and rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, preferably HTP. The hypergolic fuel may be a reactive fuel or a catalytic fuel. The rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer consists of about 90 weight % to about 99 weight % H2O2, more preferably about 94 weight % to 99 weight % H2O2. However, hypergolic ignition may be attained with a H2O2 content as low as 70 weight % for some reactive fuels. The reactive fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % reducing agent in a solvent. The catalytic fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % catalytic agent in a solvent. The reactive fuels contain ingredients that are intrinsically reactive with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide. Upon contact with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, reactive fuels react vigorously with the hydrogen peroxide resulting in ignition. The catalytic fuels are produced by dissolving a catalytic agent in a solvent.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a calibration method, system and apparatus for a multimetals continuous emissions monitor system (hereinafter “multimetals CEMS”). More specifically, this invention relates to a calibration scheme for continuous monitoring of mercury emissions from stationary sources by plasma emission spectrometry. A source of mercury vapor, preferably a mercury permeation tube, entrains mercury vapor into a constant flow of carrier air. The carrier air mixes with a constant flow of diluent air in an aerosol mixer. The mixer is operably coupled to the analyzer. A gaseous mixture having a calibration mercury concentration flows from the mixer into the analyzer at a constant rate. A graph having coordinates of analyzer signal intensity and mercury concentration is used to plot the calibration scheme. A first signal intensity generated by the analyzer in response to the calibration mercury concentration is used for the first plot on the graph.

Abstract: This invention relates to energetic compositions, which offer increased performance in conjunction with a total absence of hydrogen chloride in the combustion products. The formulation avoid the use of halogen based oxidizers to prevent the formation of halogen based byproducts. The formulations disclosed herein use ammonium dinitramide as a primary oxidizer, which is a more energetic molecule than ammonium perchlorate. The solid propellant formulations disclosed herein comprise about 5.0 to about 10.0 weight % of at least one energetic binder; about 20.0 to about 35.0 weight % of an energetic plasticizer; about 25.0 to about 45.0 weight % of ammonium dinitramide as a primary oxidizer; about 0.0 to about 20.0 weight % of particulate aluminum having a particle size of about 1 &mgr;m to about 60 &mgr;m; and about 0.0 to about 20.0 weight % of ultrafine aluminum having a particle size of less than 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ship self-defense missile (SSDM) weapon system for launching a plurality of light weight missiles from an existing vertical tube launch infrastructure. The system for vertically launching missiles from a ship comprises a plurality of tiers having a top tier and a bottom tier in which tier supports a plurality of missiles. The tiers are set into a launch canister having an interior wall to form a vertical stack in the launch canister. A launch means is used for selectively launching at least one of the plurality of missiles from the top tier. A means for ejecting ejects the top tier is depleted of missiles. A vertical movement means raises and lowers the tiers within the launch tube and the vertical movement means raises next tier in the vertical stack into a position to launch.

Abstract: This invention involves a new class of compounds, certain geminal-dinitro-substituted heterocycles, including geminal-bis(difluoramino)-substituted heterocyclic nitramines and the production thereof. More specifically, this invention involves the production of 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5,7,7-tetranitro-1,5-diazocine (TNFX), which may be formulated into explosives and propellant oxidizers. The method of making a 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5,7,7-tetranitro-1,5-diazocine comprises reacting a hexahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocin-3(2 H)-one with a difluoramine source to produce a 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocine and reacting said 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocine with a highly reactive nitrating reagent in the presence of a strong Lewis acid, such as antimony pentafluoride, boron triflate or boron fluorosulfonate.

Abstract: An alerting mechanism is integrated into a physical support device for use in the event of an accident or emergency. The device provides a signal that alerts potential rescuers about emergency events such as man overboard. In one alternative. it uses a pre-programmed code to provide a positive identification of the individual or object involved. In a typical application, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) module is incorporated into a secure pocket of a life vest, the vest having at least one conformable antenna sewn into its upper portion as well as connections from the PLB to the antenna. The alerting mechanism may be used in a cooperative system using special receivers that utilize high temperature superconductor (HTS) RF bandpass filters for minimizing RF interference so that low signal levels may be received reliably. The system may also provide access to a database through common interfaces to wireless communications devices, telephone lines, the Internet, and satellites.

Abstract: This invention relates to air breathing engines, such as ramjets, scramjets and internal combustion, and more particularly to an active combustion control device for a combustor. In more particularity, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus that applies active combustion control technology to advanced propulsion devices and closed-loop fuel injection at sub-harmonic frequencies of the instability frequency of the combustor. The problem of limited actuator frequency response is addressed by injecting fuel pulses at sub-harmonic frequencies of the instability. The fuel may be liquid, solid or gas. To achieve this desired result, a closed loop controller is designed to determine sub-harmonic frequencies using a divider to divide the instability frequency of a combustor, yielding a fraction of the harmonic frequency.

Abstract: An image compression system for implementing a zerotree wavelet compression algorithm. The compression system uses a wavelet based coding system which takes advantage of the correlation between insignificant coefficients at different scales.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling the solid fuel regression rate of a solid fuel ramjet engine. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pressure oscillations are excited using active, closed-loop control to vary the heat transfer, and in turn the regression rate of a solid fuel ramjet engine. The pressure oscillations are excited by introducing small disturbances into the shear layer. The disturbances are amplified in the shear layer and excite pressure oscillations. The disturbances are introduced at a certain phase relative to the pressure oscillations. This is accomplished by closed-loop control. By varying the phase, the amplitude of the pressure oscillations can also be varied, which in turn will vary the heat transfer, regression rate, and thrust level.

Abstract: The display utility stand of the present invention is an aesthetically pleasing and durable collapsible portable display stand, which incorporates a minimal number of movable parts. The display utility stand may be adapted for supporting and stabilizing a wide variety of shapes, sizes and weights. The main panels are connected by a pair of top support supported by a left side support and a right side support which are also connected to the main panels. The left and right side supports are hinged at a horizontal median point of the respective by one or more hinge means at the inner ends of the left and right side panels. The top support is located superior to each of the side supports and folds upward as the first and second main panels are pressed together and the display stand is converted into a collapsed condition for easy and safe transfer or storage. There is provided an optional fixture for supporting various shapes as well as an optional door for storage beneath the stand upon erection.

Abstract: The non toxic bipropellent of the present invention contains a non-toxic hypergolic miscible fuel (hereinafter referred to as “NHMF”) and a rocket grade hydrogen peroxide. This NHMF has rapid ignition capability and minimizes the formation of precipitate, even when exposed to extreme heat or water. The NHMF of this invention contains 5 species. Namely, a polar organic species miscible with hydrogen peroxide; a propagator, which may be substituted or unsubstituted amines, amides or diamines; an inorganic metal salt, which reacts to form a catalyst in solution or as a colloid; acetic acid; and alkali acetate. The inorganic metal salt is miscible with the polar organic species and the propagator in solution.

Abstract: This invention involves a new class of compounds, certain geminal-dinitro-substituted heterocycles, including geminal-bis(difluoramino)-substituted heterocyclic nitramines and the production thereof. More specifically, this invention involves the production of 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5,7,7-tetranitro-1,5-diazocine (TNFX), which may be formulated into explosives and propellant oxidizers. The method of making a 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5,7,7-tetranitro-1,5-diazocine comprises reacting a hexahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocin-3(2H)-one with a difluoramine source to produce a 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocine and reacting said 3,3-bis(difluoramino)octahydro-7,7-dinitro-1,5-bis(nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,5-diazocine with a highly reactive nitrating reagent in the presence of a strong Lewis acid, such as antimony pentafluoride, boron triflate or boron fluorosulfonate.

Abstract: Calculated performance improvements are expected from a particularly new class of compounds, geminal-bis(difluoramino)-substituted heterocyclic nitramines, when formulated into explosives and propellants. This invention involves novel and nonintuitive methods for the preparation of certain derivatives of 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine which are suitable precursors leading to 5,5-bis(difluoramino)hexahydro-1,3-dinitropyrimidine (RNFX). The invention also involves novel and nonintuitive methods for the preparation of RNFX, a specific member of a general class of compounds with the substructure 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine. RNFX is produced by the use of key intermediates, including tetrahydropyrimidin-5(4H)-ones, which allow formation of the target structural subcomponent, 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine, and a more specific substructure of 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N,N′-dinitro-1,3-propanediamine.

Abstract: Disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, is a switching circuit incorporating a Field Effect Transistor (FET), two series dual-tap gas tube surge arrestors, and high-voltage resistors as part of a high voltage switch of a fireset for initiating an exploding foil initiator (EFI). Until energizing the FET via a firing command, an operating voltage of 1000 V is held off by a combination of the surge arrestors and high-voltage resistors. Upon receipt of a firing signal, a 28 V source is used to energize the FET that, in turn, decreases the voltage across the one surge arrestor connected directly to ground and increases the voltage across the other surge arrestor. Upon reaching the breakdown voltage of the ionizable gas within the second surge arrestor, the gas ionizes, becomes electrically conductive, and dumps the second surge arrestor's voltage across the first surge arrestor. This causes the first surge arrestor to also break down. Both surge arrestors are now conducting.

Abstract: This invention involves a hard target penetrating warhead designed to penetrate several layers of a target. A standard warhead casing is divided into several compartments with each compartment separated by a shock-absorbing shield. Explosive fill in contained within each compartment. The shock-absorbing shield inhibits the dynamic shock produced by detonating a compartment, thus preventing sympathetic detonation of adjoining compartments. Each compartment also contains a delay element, which permits each compartment to be ignited at the desired time. This allows the warhead to destroy a layer of a target then proceed to the next layer or layers, eliminating the need for several missiles to destroy the entire target.

Abstract: A process that lends itself to automation for producing multi-layer second-order nonlinear optical polymer (NLOP) thin films by the forming of a polycation layer containing an NLO-active cationic polymer, having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on a substrate followed by the forming of a polyanion layer, also having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on the polycation layer. A predetermind number of the polycation and the polyanion layers may be alternated upon the surface as well as one or more buffer layers. An added benefit is the formation of an ultra-smooth surface of the same order of roughness as the substrate upon which the layers are formed.