Abstract: The inventive passive damping system features the unique harmonization of: (i) a constrained-layer damping subsystem (wherein an elastomer serves as constrained damping material); (ii) an entrained damping subsystem (wherein a particulate serves as entrained damping material); and, (iii) a tuned damping subsystem (wherein modal properties of certain inventive components have been selectively varied in accordance with anticipated resonance frequencies). The invention's effectiveness is aggregative; the total loss factor for the inventive damping system equals the sum of the individual loss factors for the damping subsystems. Consequently, the invention affords a high loss factor in a broad frequency range. Especially in applications involving control of extremely high vibrations, the inventive damping methodology is more efficient and economical than are common damping methodologies.

Abstract: The invention features a self-contained enclosure-plus-enclosed contexture and the implementation thereof in a multi-phase launching system, according to which the waterborne first phase entails naturally (buoyantly) induced motion, and at least the airborne second phase entails artificially (technologically) induced motion. Typical inventive practice provides a launch canister which is exteriorly configured to be hydrodynamically efficient while moving buoyantly upward in response to hydrostatic pressure, and which has a chamber for stowing an air vehicle. The inventive vehicle-stowing canister is released underwater so as to be buoyantly propelled upward and into the air, at which time the air vehicle is mechanistically propelled (e.g., boosted), in response to which the canister becomes disjointed cooperatively with the uncoupling of the air vehicle from the canister. The air vehicle continues to propulsively ascend, the canister's nose cone and main body gravitationally falling to the water below.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing bumper system features a variably controllable valve which is responsive to impact conditions. The initially closed valve opens upon maximization of the pressure reading upon the bumper, and maintains the same open setting (in other words, the same valve area) during such period of pressure maximization. During the succeeding period of pressure declination from maximum, the valve undergoes ongoing adjustment of its open setting (in other words, ongoing adjustment of its valve area) so that the reaction force of the bumper remains constant. The valve closes (in other words, the valve area becomes zero) when the pressure falls abruptly toward zero (an occurrence which correlates with a similar plummet in reaction force, as well as with near or approximate motionlessness of the impacting body), thereby avoiding or curtailing an unwanted rebound effect.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor based on fluxgate magnetometric principles includes a magnetic core having an elongated oblong configuration and accordingly defining a closed magnetic flux path. The core includes a rigid bobbin which defines the core's shape, and about which amorphous magnetic material is wrapped. A drive winding is wound about each of the two parallel linear sections of the core. A sense winding is wound about another rigid bobbin which surrounds the drive winding-wound core. Typically, a feedback winding is wound about another rigid bobbin which surrounds the sense winding. When, for sensing purposes, the driven sensor is situated near and parallel to a ferromagnetic material surface, the sensor is capable of generating a detectable signal which is representative of the “integration” of magnetic field components over the length of the core.

Abstract: The inventive “Substrate Effect Model” represents an improvement over the “Ebel Model,” a conventional XPS-based methodology for determining carbonaceous overlayer thickness. The Ebel Model generally predicts a higher value than the measured value for the ratio of the carbon's C1s electron emission peak to the carbon's CKVV electron emission peak. The invention recognizes the existence and influence of the “Substrate Effect,” whereby photoelectrons from the underlying substrate cause additional core-level ionizations in the carbon layer. The failure of the Ebel Model to account for the Substrate Effect is responsible for the variance between Ebel Model prediction and actual x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement. In essence, the invention “corrects” the Ebel Model by accounting for the Substrate Effect.

Abstract: The invention features utilization of a duplicate form for creating a conformal cavity which equally mates with an original form having the same shape as the duplicate form. The duplicate form is situated in the wall from the inside of the wall, elastomer is cured onto the outside of wall and around the duplicate form, the duplicate form is removed, and the original form is situated in place of the duplicate form. The shape of the hole in the wall is not in strict conformity with the shape of the duplicate form and the original form, but rather is characterized by a small aberration which leaves a space when either the duplicate form or the original form is situated in the hole. This small aberration, together with the elastomeric quality of the cured material, permits ingressive venting during removal of the duplicate form and egressive venting during insertion of the original form. In typical inventive practice, the manipulative steps are performed from the inside of the wall.

Abstract: The inventive device includes a box-shaped steel shell and rigid polyurethane foam which partially occupies the shell's interior so as to leave a compartment to be used for situation of a suspected explosive object. The compartment is accessed by a doored entrance which is provided in the shell. Some inventive embodiments include a polyethylene liner for foam wear protection, and/or a high-strength layer for attenuating explosive fragmentation. Foam bodies are carefully packed inside the compartment for separating the suspected explosive device from the doored entrance and for stabilizing the suspected explosive object during transit. Upon detonation, the foam pulverizes and the shell inelastically deforms into an ovaloid or cylindroid shape. The shell's edges and corners are convexly contoured for thwarting localized strain concentrations in the shell.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus exercises control of the water flow which is discharged from a marine waterjet propulsor. Typical inventive embodiments comprise plural horizontal and plural vertical blade-like structures which together describe an open-ended, box-like rectilinear configuration characterized by at least two adjacent channels. Every vertical blade-like structure includes, at its aft end, a “steering” flap which is pivotable about a vertical axis. Some inventive embodiments advance marine craft reversing by implementing one or more bucket-like devices behind the inventive apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a muffler for a gas flow at a gas intake of a achine. The muffler includes at least one venturi nozzle. Each venturi nozzle has an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a throat therebetween. Each venturi nozzle cooperates with a chamber. The chamber has a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The chamber inlet is connected to either the inlet opening or the outlet opening of each venturi nozzle. The chamber outlet is connected to the gas intake of the machine. Some inventive embodiments feature at least two venturi nozzles wherein at least one inlet opening can be closed, thereby varying the total effective throat area of the muffler. For some inventive embodiments, the chamber volume can be varied.

Abstract: Fiber optic filaments are embedded at a bearing surface. In the context of a mechanical bearing system, the filaments wear as the surface wears. Based on the observed amount of light which is transmitted through the filaments, the degradation of the filaments is related in a measurable way to the wear of the bearing surface. The sole power requisite for inventive operation is light, for observation purposes. As compared with convention approaches to wear measurement, the invention more accurately measures wear of the bearing itself and is therefore a better predictor of servicing requirements. Inventive practice of remote wear monitoring is a viable and preferable option.

Abstract: The invention features a unique surface configuration which fosters atmosric ventilation and thereby uncomplicatedly reduces drag which is normally associated with implementation of shrouding for a marine impeller. Typical inventive embodiments include a blunt trailing edge and a circumferentially stepped impeller shroud (below the blunt trailing edge), the harmonious union of which affords a generally smooth and unbroken surface which encourages drag-defeating air circulation. During marine navigation, circulation of the air generally describes a path wherein the air first travels linearly downward along the blunt trailing edge, then travels curvingly downward (both clockwise and counterclockwise) along the circumferential step, forming a circumferential air pocket which extends a backward distance increasing in accordance with increasing navigational speed; upon attainment of a threshold navigational speed, the air pocket (virtually) completely surrounds the shroud.

Abstract: The invention permits and promotes high speed water towing by uniquely immenting hydrofoil technology in association with a trailer vehicle. According to many inventive embodiments, a hydrofoil component (comprising one or more foils) is placed in the aft half region of the trailer vehicle; however, the front half region of the trailer vehicle is devoid of hydrofoil structure. The trailer vehicle is adaptable to a semi-rigidly towably connective relationship with a tractor vehicle. When the trailer vehicle is towed by the tractor vehicle at design speeds, most of the weight of the trailer vehicle is supported by the hydrofoil component, while the remaining weight is supported by the tractor vehicle. The invention avails benefits of hydrofoil use, but averts or allays difficulties which are customarily encountered with hydrofoil use.

Abstract: The impact absorption system uniquely features arrangement of composite structures which include fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. According to many embodiments, a gravitationally or buoyantly suspended hollow fiber-reinforced urethane reaction bumper is closely and anteriorly situated with respect to fiber-reinforced urethane tension tubes which are secured at the ends and disposed in an approximately vertical plane. In operation, an incoming marine vessel impacts the bumper which in turn impacts the tubes. The invention takes advantage of the great deformability, high energy absorbency and other beneficial properties of fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. Moreover, applicability/adaptability of individual bumper systems to varieties of marine vessels is made possible through analysis and arrangement/rearrangement/exchange/interchange of structural components.

Abstract: The inventive combination of a stern wedge and a stern flap demonstrates hydrodynamic properties which, for purposes of enhancing the powering performance of a ship, are superior to those of either a solitary stern wedge or a solitary stern flap. For many inventive embodiments, the stern wedge portion's lower surface and the stern flap portion's lower surface are slanted at approximately equal angles with respect to the buttock centerline, thereby optimally consolidating the stern portion's lower surface and the flap portion's lower surface so as to effectively create an overall hydrodynamic lower surface which is slanted approximately at one and the same angle.

Abstract: Inventive electrical-computational method and system for aligning a magnetic gradiometer, and for determining magnetic gradients using a magnetic gradiometer which is inventively aligned. For each correlation of a correction magnetometer's vector with a reference magnetometer's vector, three correction coefficients and an offset coefficient are evaluated, using a mathematical approximation technique (such as least-squares) upon voltage outputs for various relative orientations of magnetic fields in relation to a magnetic gradiometer. An inventive matrix formula is used for determining magnetic gradients. A correction magnetometer matrix (matrix of voltages generated by each correction vector of the correction magnetometer) is multiplied by a coefficient matrix (matrix of correction and offset coefficients).

Abstract: Inventive electrical-computational method and system for aligning a magnetic gradiometer, and for determining magnetic gradients using a magnetic gradiometer which is inventively aligned. For each correlation of a correction magnetometer's vector with a reference magnetometer's vector, three correction coefficients and an offset coefficient are evaluated, using a mathematical approximation technique (such as least-squares) upon voltage outputs for various relative orientations of magnetic fields in relation to a magnetic gradiometer. An inventive matrix formula is used for determining magnetic gradients. A correction magnetometer matrix (matrix of voltages generated by each correction vector of the correction magnetometer) is multiplied by a coefficient matrix (matrix of correction and offset coefficients).

Abstract: A ship has at least one deck which is inventively latticed in a regular (e.g., repeating) geometric pattern of hatches. The hatches of each such inventive deck are shaped in standardized geometric forms and disposed in diagonally contiguous interrelationships, thereby enhancing the structural characteristics of the deck and of the ship, especially in terms of attenuation of warping deflections and resultant stresses.

Abstract: The invention features implementation of a flat triangular blade which has wo cutting edges and a sharp point. The blade is caused to move pointwise across a cylindrical can's diameter, with the plane of the blade perpendicular to the can's axis, so that the point pierces the can, the two cutting edges slice through the can in both directions around the can's circumference, and the point again, diametrically oppositely, pierces the can. The inventive removal of the residual contents and propellants from a spent aerosol can is optimally effective, because the invention divides the can into two separate parts, concomitantly subdividing the can's internal components.

Abstract: A dual energy dependent electroviscous fluid which becomes electroviscous upon the application of both electric potential and a second form of energy such as light or pressure. Dual energy dependent fluids support a dipole sufficient for the fluids to become significantly electroviscous only upon exposure of the aggregate to the second form of energy simultaneous with the electric potential.

Abstract: The invention features utilization of a single electrical power supply for ntermittently electrifying one or more regions of an electrosettable compositional entity during the cure of that entity, thereby controllably altering one or more physical characteristics of each electrified region. A constant voltage-and-current power output is applied to each region; the amount of electric power which is applied to a region during an electrification period varies in accordance with the time duration of that period. The practitioner time-schedules the inventive intermittence in terms of duration, number, frequency and sequence of the regional electrification periods.