Abstract: A process for fabrication of composite articles using electroset materials. Conductive substrates are formed defining the shape of the product to be formed. Electroset material is placed between the substrates and the substrates energized by high voltage. Fluid between the conductive portions of the substrates is under the Winslow effect whereas fluid between nonconductive portions of the substrate is not so affected. The fluid between conductive portions is retained by the Winslow effect and cured.

Abstract: The invention is uniquely "passive-active" in that it brings to bear, sequentially and complementarily, passive vibration control followed by active vibration control. A conventional mount (such as an air mount) is accommodated so as to include, at the mount's foundation-securing plate, at least one motion sensor and at least one vibratory actuator. Each sensor is correlated with an actuator. For each sensor-actuator pair, the electrical feedback loop includes generation by the sensor of a signal resulting from the local vibration of the foundation-securing plate, generation by a processor/controller of a signal derived from the sensor's signal, and exertion upon the foundation-securing plate by the sensor's paired actuator of a vibratory force commanded by the processor/controller's signal. Many preferred embodiments of the inventive apparatus, system and method collocate each sensor with its paired actuator and implement a conventional vibration suppression algorithm involving collocated velocity feedback.

Abstract: An electro-rheological fluid composition is provided. A dielectric oil has particulate mixed therein. The particulate consists essentially of a polymeric sponge material entrapping an electro-rheological constituent such as water. The particulate is sized to remain in suspension when mixed in the dielectric oil.

Abstract: The inventively advanced mount accommodates a conventional mount (such as an air mount) so as to include, at the mount's foundation-securing plate, at least one motion sensor and at least one vibratory actuator. Each sensor is correlated with an actuator. For each sensor-actuator pair, the electrical feedback loop includes generation by the sensor of a signal resulting from the local vibration of the foundation-securing plate, generation by a processor/controller of a signal derived from the sensor's signal, and exertion upon the foundation-securing plate by the sensor's paired actuator of a vibratory force commanded by the processor/controller's signal. Many preferred inventive embodiments collocate each sensor with its paired actuator and implement a conventional vibration suppression algorithm involving collocated velocity feedback. The inventive "passive-active" mount uniquely brings to bear, sequentially and complementarily, passive vibration control followed by active vibration control.

Abstract: Discriminate reduction data processing is disclosed as means of providing ltivariate linear and nonlinear data reduction for the evaluation of statistically representative approximating parameters which effectively minimize parametric expressions representing sums of normalized datum variances. Weight factors are provided as products of datum error deviation coordinate normalizing proportions to account for nonlinearities, nonuniform error distributions, variable precision uncertainties. Selective data sampling is provided so as not to require certain transformation weight factor coordinate normalizing proportions. Conformal analysis is provided as an optional replacement for regression analysis to account for errors in more than a single variable parameter. Nested parameter evaluation is provided to evaluate parameters that are embedded within term functions.

Abstract: The inventive fatigue-testing apparatus features a compact orbital mechan which rotates a bending force around a non-rotating test section and a stationary test bed. In addition to applying a bending force, some inventive embodiments apply an axial force and a torsional force, thereby accomplishing full-scale evaluation of test sections under three-dimensional loading; the inventive practice for applying bending, torsional and axial loads compares favorably with conventional practice in terms of reliability and cost. The inventive orbital mechanism increases the reliability of the entire inventive test apparatus by reducing the number of moving parts, component wear, maintenance and complexity. The invention also provides maximum access to the test section for instrumentation, inspection, maintenance and modification. The inventive benefits will permit evaluations of larger test sections and will afford extended evaluations to more accurately determine fatigue limitations of complex joints.

Abstract: A structural enclosure, box-like for many embodiments, which effectively tains an explosion, thereupon remaining virtually intact and minimizing fragmentation. The structural wall has a sandwich-like arrangement of two fiber-reinforced matrix material skins and a foam core situated between the two skins, at least one skin having fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. The core foam material selectively varies in density so as to provide appropriate rigidity or flexibility at different locations of the structural enclosure. The fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material can be deformed elastically to large strains, has demonstrably high energy-absorbing characteristics, and is relatively lightweight. Upon explosive impact, the inner skin largely deforms so as to be energy-absorbent of the pressure wave caused by the explosive charge, the foam core crushes so as to also be energy-absorbent, the outer skin largely deforms, and both skins contain debris.

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 cooperating with a chamber. Each venturi nozzle has an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a throat therebetween. The chamber has a chamber inlet connected to either the inlet opening or the outlet opening of each venturi nozzle. The chamber has a chamber outlet connected to the gas intake of the machine. Some embodiments of the invention feature variation of the total throat area of the muffler. Other embodiments of the invention feature variation of the volume enclosed by the chamber.

Abstract: The inventive cylindrical cartridges are installed in machinery for purposes of isolating vibration of conventional rolling element bearings from major machinery components. Two inventive cartridges are concentrically coupled with a rolling element bearing, one cartridge fitting circumferentially inside the bearing's inner ring, the other cartridge fitting circumferentially outside the bearing's outer ring. Each inventive cartridge comprises inner and outer concentric cylindrical metallic pieces and an intermediate filling which includes two lateral circumferential elastomeric bands separated by a medial circumferential air gap. The inventive cartridges can be inexpensively fabricated and can be permanently integrated with existing machinery.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a flow energizing system for turbomachinery including means for forming a plurality of rotating jet-sheet blades upstream of an impeller and a component for circumferentially varying the blade geometries of the plurality of rotating jet-sheet blades. The a component for forming a plurality of rotating jet-sheet blades includes: impeller shroud 26 having upstream-projecting axial extension 28 attached coaxially with and projecting upstream of shroud 26; recirculation chamber 30 surrounding shroud and axial extension, 26 and 28; recirculation flow inlet 32 formed by a gap between housing 12 and downstream ends, 20a and 26a, respectively, of impeller 20 and shroud 26, for allowing backflow to pressurize recirculation chamber 30; and a plurality of generally axially-extending jet-sheet slots 34 circumferentially distributed around a periphery of axial extension 28 and passing therethrough.

Abstract: Composite structures which are cost-effectively fabricated using conventional resin transfer molding or filament winding technique, featuring utilization of fiber fabric material or individually stranded fiber tow material as the fiber reinforcement material for high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material, and affording desired structural performance and superior performance in terms of flexibility, damping and damage-tolerance.

Abstract: A tripartite dental instrument includes a curved-trough-like lip retractor, flat-fin-like cheek retractor and a straight handle. The handle and the cheek retractor are separately connected to the lip retractor at nearby locations and are each obliquely oriented with respect to the lip retractor. The dental practitioner selectively retracts the patient's lip (upper or lower) and/or cheek (left or right) while the lip retractor cradles the patient's lip at one side of the patient's mouth. The angularities and configurations featured by the inventive dental instrument advantageously afford the dental practitioner unobstructive, noninjurious and precise manipulative adjustability of either or both the lip retraction and cheek retraction functions.

Abstract: Acoustic near field measurement apparatus uniquely featuring mechanical eomy, in terms of placement and motion of one or more acoustic measurement devices, which is accorded by the geometric character of a structure having indicia of symmetry. One or more devices are arranged, and/or caused to move with up to three degrees of freedom, so as to manifest conformance with respect to the surface of the structure. If desired, virtually complete acoustic near field mapping of the structure can be effectuated.

Abstract: An unmanned marine surface vehicle (UMSV) featuring structural incorporation of the hull of a typical commercially distributed, recreationally enjoyed personal watercraft (PWC). The intrinsic qualities of the PWC hull, especially as pertains to superior seaworthiness and smaller size, avail the UMSV and UMSV system according to this invention. A contoured upper casing which is coupled with the PWC hull serves not only to further the fluid-dynamic integrity of this invention's UMSV but also to house electrical or mechanical components which are designed for effectuating specific military or civilian missions. This invention's UMSV is small, compact, lightweight, durable, rugged, uncomplicatedly direct-driven and quite seaworthy, and hence offers possible advantages over vessels conventionally considered for autonomous or semi-autonomous operations, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness, expendability, deployability, recoverability, maneuverability and versatility.

Abstract: A nonintrusive diesel engine cylinder pressure transducer includes a congruously shaped fuel injector stud which has been internally instrumented with full-bridge electrical resistance strain gage circuitry. The instrumented fuel injector stud has a hole which has been bored axially lengthwise and a full Wheatstone bridge strain gage unit which has been situated in the hole. While the engine is running, the operative instrumented fuel injector stud, which has been replaced in its normal position in the fuel-injector/cylinder assembly, acts in combination with other assembly components as a cylinder pressure transducer. Measurements of tension and compression of the stud are provided which are reflective of pressure, mainly due to compression and combustion, in the engine cylinder. The full-bridge configuration eliminates bending effects and affords electrical temperature compensation. Practice of this invention advantageously avails existing structure.

Abstract: A multiple-layered, translatedly rib-stiffened, composite hollow cylinder d method for fabrication thereof utilizing filament winding technique known in the art. Selective utilization of high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material, without resort to secondary processing, results in improved damping characteristics in terms of dissipation of mechanical and acoustic energy as well as improved structural characterics in terms of damage tolerance.

Abstract: A pulper includes a pulping chamber, a pulping mechanism, and a non-pulpas collection chamber attached to a bottom of the pulping chamber below a top of the pulping mechanism in an annular area outside of the pulping mechanism. The collection chamber includes a container with openings at first and second ends; a basket having an opening at a first end and disposed inside the container wherein at least a bottom portion of the basket includes perforations; a pipe connection located at the second end of the container; means for removing the basket from the container; and means for preventing material from entering a space between the basket and the container; wherein the first end of the container is inserted into the pulping chamber. The collection chamber does not interfere with the fluid flow around the pulping mechanism and can collect a relatively large amount of non-pulpables without requiring pulper shutdown.

Abstract: A structural enclosure, box-like for many embodiments, which effectively contains an explosion, thereupon remaining virtually intact and minimizing fragmentation. The structural wall has a sandwich-like arrangement of two fiber-reinforced matrix material skins and a foam core situated between the two skins, at least one skin having fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material. The core foam material selectively varies in density so as to provide appropriate rigidity or flexibility at different locations of the structural enclosure. The fiber-reinforced high strain-to-failure viscoelastic matrix material can be deformed elastically to large strains, has demonstrably high energy-absorbing characteristics, and is relatively lightweight. Upon explosive impact, the inner skin largely deforms so as to be energy-absorbent of the pressure wave caused by the explosive charge, the foam core crushes so as to also be energy-absorbent, the outer skin largely deforms, and both skins contain debris.

Abstract: Discriminate reduction data processing is disclosed as means of providing multivariate linear and nonlinear data reduction for the evaluation of statistically representative approximating parameters which effectively minimize parametric expressions representing sums of normalized datum variances. Weight factors are provided as products of datum error deviation coordinate normalizing proportions to account for nonlinearities, nonuniform error distributions, variable precision uncertainties. Selective data sampling is provided so as not to require certain transformation weight factor coordinate normalizing proportions. Conformal analysis is provided as an optional replacement for regression analysis to account for errors in more than a single variable parameter. Nested parameter evaluation is provided to evaluate parameters that are embedded within term functions.

Abstract: Acoustic near field measurement method uniquely featuring mechanical econ, in terms of placement and motion of one or more acoustic measurement devices, which is accorded by the geometric character of a structure having indicia of symmetry. One or more devices are arranged, and/or caused to move with up to three degrees of freedom, so as to manifest conformance with respect to the surface of the structure. If desired, virtually complete acoustic near field mapping of the structure can be effectuated. Examples of the various embodiments of this invention include: circumferentially conformal arrayal of devices in combination with longitudinal movement of the arrayal; longitudinally conformal arrayal of devices in combination with circumferential movement of the arrayal; movement of one or more devices in a path or paths which are circumferentially conformal; movement of one or more devices in a path or paths which are longitudinally conformal; movement of one or more devices in a path or paths which are radial.