Abstract: An apparatus emits radiation on curable adhesives to bond objects or surfaces together under a variety of ambient conditions. An insulating housing has a cylindrical section and a disc-shaped section defining an interior. A plurality of batteries and an LED array are separated in the interior by an insulating spacer to prevent shorting of the batteries. A switch relay in the interior connects power from the batteries to the LED array when a switching mechanism mounted on the outside of the housing is displaced. This displacement closes the switch relay and connects power to the LED array that emits high-intensity radiation. A cover connected to the cylindrical-shaped section seals the interior from ambient and transmits the high-intensity radiation to cure an adhesive.

Abstract: A reconnaissance system and method utilizes an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and at least one micro-aerial vehicle (MAV). The MAV, equipped for unmanned flight after a launch thereof, is mounted on the USV. Each MAV has onboard wireless communications coupled to an onboard video surveillance system. Each MAV launched into the air collects video data using its video surveillance and transmits the video data using its wireless communications.

Abstract: An untethered communications buoy system has an untethered buoy freely floating on the surface of water to not compromise the location of the submersible. The submersible has a cavity containing a first data interface member connected to a computer/data-storage that is connected to an acoustic transducer. The untethered buoy has a computer/memory module connected to a radio transceiver and acoustic transceiver. A second data interface member is connected to the computer/memory module and is mounted on the untethered buoy for fitting into the cavity and mating with the first data interface member. A ship is remotely located from the submersible and buoy and has a radio transceiver and an acoustic transceiver. Mating the first and second data interface members permits bidirectional downloading of data between the computer/data-storage and the computer/memory module.

Abstract: An unmanned, real-time, printed material generation and dispersal system includes a standardized shipping container houses at least one printing module capable of generating printed materials, a controller module for controlling the generation of the printed materials and monitoring status of the printing module, a communications module for communicating with the printing module and transmitting the status to a remote location, and a dispenser for receiving the printed materials so-generated and expelling them from the shipping container.

Abstract: An underwater swim board enables diver navigation under conditions of zero visibility. A rectangular member has a timer, depth gauge, and compass on its topside to provide a visual indication of time, depth and direction. An enhanced display module on the bottom side of the member contains a microprocessor to receive time, depth, and direction signals from separate electronic timer, depth transducer, and magnetic compass modules in the display module creates representative control signals. The display module also has a display screen and an LCD having variable backlight to vary its light intensity. The LCD receives the control signals and displays the information of the time, depth, and direction signals on the screen. A virtual image display lens mounted on the screen allows binocular viewing of the displayed information as magnified near-to-the-eye apparent screen images for a diver holding a dive mask faceplate against the screen.

Abstract: A rocket propelled textile and cordage net fire extinguishing system is deployed from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire. The rocket propelled matrix-like net flies over, lands on, and drapes over the burning site. A detonating means, or detonating network on the net is actuated to rupture spaced-apart canisters on the net that are filled with halon and/or other fire extinguishing compounds. The detonating network quickly disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to engulf and extinguish the fire safely and efficiently without unduly exposing fire fighters to danger. The net fire extinguisher system can extinguish fires aboard a maritime vessel, particularly when the burning craft cannot be safely boarded or burns so fiercely that it cannot be approached closely. The net fire extinguisher system can combat highly dangerous fires including chemical and oil fires, (oil rig fires) on land and at sea.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a remotely piloted vehicle by an operator. The method includes the steps of accepting an operator directional command from a control device, accepting a control device compass reading, adding the operator directional command to the control device compass reading to generate a heading command, and sending the remotely piloted vehicle the heading command. In this manner, the method of the present invention relieves the operator of having to orient himself relative to the direction of the vehicle in order to control the vehicle and thereby provides for instinctive control of the vehicle through elimination of observer translation.

Abstract: A load reduction device is mounted on a piling to reduce flow-drag created by fluid flowing on and past the piling. Upper and lower collars engage the piling to support and guide a bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil having a tapered leading vane portion and tapered trailing vane portion extending between the collars. The bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil is rotatably supported in the collars to permit its rotation about the longitudinal axis of the piling. The tapered trailing vane portion has an extended tapered shape to orient the leading edge of the tapered leading vane portion into the direction of flowing fluid and reduce hydrodynamic drag on the piling. Load reduction devices of this invention can reduce the loads on pilings attributed to flowing water by at least two hundred percent for a given set of hydrodynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: An unmanned system is provided for the delivery and control of an operational payload. A standardized shipping container houses the operational payload. Mounted in the shipping container are a controller for controlling functions of the operational payload and a communication module providing for communication with the operational payload via the controller.

Abstract: A system for generating an approximate GPS position of a vehicle traveling under the surface of the water includes a tether coupled to the vehicle, floatable structures coupled to the tether at spaced-apart positions therealong, a position determination system, and at least one GPS antenna provided at each floatable structure and coupled to the position determination system. The position determination system uses the GPS signals received at the GPS antenna that is nearest the vehicle to generate a global position fix that approximates a GPS position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for slowing the speed of a product released into the air from an aircraft. A flexible material wrapped about a product includes a tethered portion thereof that is collapsible against the product prior to release thereof from the aircraft. The tethered portion expands to form an air drag device after the product is released from the aircraft.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle's hull has an outer wall that is at least partially constructed of a multi-wall fabric having a sealed space between at least two walls thereof. The sealed space is controllably filled with one of air, water, and a combination of air and water in order to control the buoyancy of the hull formed from the multi-wall fabric. Means are provided for propelling and steering the hull in the water. The interior volume of the hull can remain dry or can be filled with water for a wet mode of operation.

Abstract: An air-delivered submersible vehicle system has a monocoque-construction shell made from a fiber-reinforced plastic material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermoset plastics. The shell is equipped with a wing kit so that it can be deployed from an aircraft and fly through the air to a destination at a surface of a body of water. The shell is further equipped as a submersible vehicle so that it can be propelled through the water once it has reached its water destination.

Abstract: An unmanned product dispensing system includes a standardized shipping container having at least one product module mounted therein, a controller module for controlling distribution of the products from the product module and monitoring status thereof, a communications module for communicating with the product module and transmitting the status to a remote location, and a dispenser for receiving and expelling the products so-distributed under the control of the controller module.

Abstract: A system for calculating magnetic stray field data for current loop configurations. A graphical user interface utilizes multiple screens to define a current loop configuration, and prompt a user to select i) one of three orthogonal dipole directions in which the current loop configuration is aligned, ii) units of measure associated with the current loop configuration, and iii) one of a plurality of calculation scenarios. Calculation scenarios include i) current loop configuration defined by a single-size current loop, ii) current loop configuration defined by a non-uniform sized current loop, and current loop configuration defined as a single-size current loop and the user selects direction of simulated movement, start and stop positions along the movement direction and a step increment. A processor coupled to the graphipal user interface is programmed to perform magnetic stray field calculations for the selected calculation scenario. Calculations are displayed in graphical formats chosen by the user.

Abstract: A hybrid craft can operate as a high speed SES in open water and deploy a retracted flexible skirt to operate as a hovercraft across beaches and overland. A downwardly extending boundary structure on a hull periphery reaches through the surface of water. The boundary structure has thin rigid side-walls extending downward from lateral sides, a forward seal wall extending downward from a forward portion, and an aft seal wall extending downward from an aft portion. Machinery creates a pressurized air cushion under the hull inside of the boundary structure to support and transport the hull. A flexible skirt system on said hull inwardly of and adjacent to the boundary structure can be retracted to a first position above the boundary structure and the water and extended to a second position below the boundary structure and the surface of the water to transit beaches and overland on the air cushion.

Abstract: A method of modifying operational characteristics of a swim fin makes existing fins adaptable to different users and/or operational needs. An existing swim fin having a blade portion extending from a body portion is placed on a flat work surface. The blade portion is made from a rubber-like material, and a template is laid on it. The outline of the template is traced onto the blade portion to define shape lines on it. The rubber-like material is removed from within the shape lines on the blade portion of the swim fin. The shape lines and the removed rubber-like material extend from a trailing edge of the blade portion toward the body portion. The method of the invention can readily modify and/or customize the fin's contours according to the user's needs or desires concerning fit, comfort, energy use, mission requirements and/or aesthetics.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating remaining absorptive capacity of a gas absorber. Inside the gas absorber, a reaction gas is produced by an exothermic or endothermic reaction. A plurality of temperature sensors include a first temperature sensor positioned at the gas absorber's inlet and subsequent temperature sensors spaced apart along the gas's flow path therethrough. Temperature differences between each subsequent temperature sensor and the first temperature sensor are determined. Each temperature difference is normalized using the largest one of the temperature differences so that corresponding normalized temperature differences are generated. The normalized temperatures differences are indicative of the remaining absorptive capacity of the gas absorber in accordance with a selected, experimentally-determined calibration function.

Abstract: A high-speed modular platform has an upper level section having gas turbines on it for propulsion, and a lower level section has a lower periphery having a flexible skirt system connected to it to create an air cushion. Hollow struts extend between the upper level section and the lower level section. Each hollow strut is securely connected to the lower level section and has an opening communicating with a skirt volume inside of the flexible skirt system. Each hollow strut slideably engages the upper level section to permit sliding motion of the upper level section on the hollow struts toward and away from the lower level section. A gas turbine is connected to each of the hollow struts to vent, or force pressurized gas through them and create an air cushion with the flexible skirt system to enable high-speed transit over water and land surfaces and provide buoyancy.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for measuring water current direction and magnitude. A plurality of beams of radiation are transmitted radially outward from a location above a body of water. Each beam is incident on the water's surface at an angle with respect thereto. Each beam experiences a Doppler shift as a result of being incident on the water's surface such that a plurality of Doppler shifts are generated. Each Doppler shift is measured with the largest one thereof being indicative of water current direction and magnitude.