Abstract: A brush assembly is formed from a single metallic foil positioned within a base portion. The foil is folded or rolled up into a plurality of closely spaced foil layers soldered to the base portion of the brush assembly. Attachment of the folded foil to the brush base portion involves use of barrier tape and/or adhesive on the folded side of the foil layers and soldering of one layer edge to the base portion which is received within a holder to position the folded foil in brushing contact along the other layer edges with a running surface under a spring bias pressure. The brush may be constructed by metal fiber braids placed on or between metal skins to form a hybrid structure. The brush assembly may be applicable to slip ring current collectors or other electric contact applications, including cleansing brush applications involving other types of brushes.

Abstract: Forward underwater movement of a sea craft at a high speed induced by propulsion thereof is decelerated and stopped by projection of drag devices, mounted on a fully submerged underwater sea craft hull, from retracted positions within said sea craft hull or the steering rudders positioned thereon. Each of the drag devices has an elongated drag plate with an end surface cap flush with the outer surface of the hull or the steering rudder in the retracted position of the drag device.

Abstract: A hybrid linear actuator features a central load shaft on which a plurality of solid-state magnetostrictive thrusters are positioned in operative relation to electric motors of a permanent magnet synchronous type to impart linear thrust force to the load shaft through clutch units also positioned thereon and under control of force and stroke amplification of output force from motor shafts projecting from the motors.

Abstract: A slip resistance measuring device features a magnetic actuator pivotally mounted on a portable frame positioned on a test surface to apply a linear force to a test specimen for engagement with the test surface at a preselected inclination angle thereto. The linear force is applied to the test specimen through a strain gauge plate which thereby undergoes stress sensed by a load cell mounted thereon from which strain stress signals are delivered under automatic testing operation to provide slip resistance measurement data for the test surface.

Abstract: The aircraft landing arrest cable has wear resisting sleeves positioned thereon in spaced relation to each other to thereby hold the cable out of contact with a non-skid landing surface in a lowered position of the cable. Stresses imposed on the cable when engaged by a tail hook suspended from aircraft during landing, are absorbed by the wear resisting sleeves which are held clamped in positions on the cables by fluid adhesive previously injected into the sleeves. The wear resisting sleeves are respectively formed from pivotally connected sleeve sections made of an impact shatter-proof and durable material such as polyurethane with abutting edges held in contact with each other under a clamped condition of the sleeves on the cable, established by the injected adhesive.

Abstract: Containers are respectively loaded onto and delivered from two trolleys of a single crane at pick-up and delivery locations by guided travel of one of the trolleys along a fixed travel path on a boom between the delivery location at one end of the boom and a turn-table platform of the crane on which a pair of angularly related track paths are established for alternative alignment with the fixed travel path on the boom, to accommodate transfer of the trolleys between such fixed travel path and either one of the track paths on the platform.

Abstract: Containers are respectively loaded onto and delivered from two trolleys of a single crane at pick-up and delivery locations by guided travel along a fixed travel path on a boom between the delivery location at one end of the boom and a central structure of the crane with a platform positioned thereon having a pair of parallel spaced track paths. Lateral movement of the platform alternatively aligns one of the parallel track paths with the fixed travel path to accommodate transfer of the trolleys along such fixed travel path and either one of the track paths on the platform between the pick-up and delivery locations.

Abstract: An unmanned sea vehicle is provided with a canister storing therein a net assembly in a deflated condition attached to the sea vehicle through the canister by a lanyard in a folded condition. The net assembly is connected to an inflation gas generator through which it is inflated to initiate retrieval of the unmanned sea vehicle. Inflation of the net assembly effects ejection thereof from the canister afloat onto a body of seawater, while connected to the canister on the sea vehicle by the unfolded lanyard. The floating net assembly is thereby positioned for engagement by a grappling hook lowered from a helicopter for example so as to lift it with the sea vehicle suspended therefrom by the lanyard from the sea water surface and transferred to the deck of a retrieval sea vessel.

Abstract: A bioreactor tank is internally partitioned into two chambers within which wastewater is respectively aerated and from which a bacteria purified permeate is withdrawn after filtration, while a high bacteria content remnant is recycled between the chambers to repeatedly undergo biological treatment by aeration within one of the tank chambers.

Abstract: A parallelgram arrangement of linkages interconnect a stern ramp frame with a plurality of parallel rails vertically adjusted to positions above the ramp frame by actuators for reception and maintenance of a watercraft thereon with minimized vibration, further reduced by shock-absorbing springs positioned in engagement with the rails and the rail actuators. Rail positioning adjustment by the actuators is effected under computer control to match different hull shapes of the watercraft that are curved or v-shaped and therefore non-flat.

Abstract: Waterjet flow emerging from a jet propulsor body through a cross-sectionally circular duct is conducted through a cross-sectionally rectangular duct passage extending through transition and exhaust aft sections attached to and angularly adjusted relative thereto. Under selective maneuver controls within the propulsor body, the transition section is angularly adjusted relative to the body while pivotal vanes and flaps on the exhaust section are angularly adjusted to direct exit outflow through the exhaust section for steering and reversing purposes.

Abstract: The stern hull portion of a sea craft through which main exit flow channels extend to projecting jet propulsion nozzles, is provided with facilities for controlled maneuvering of the sea craft, including steering, stopping, negative thrust backing and docking without substantial hydrodynamic loading and with facilitated installation. Such maneuvering control facilities include a secondary flow channel extending from each of the main exit flow channels having two angularly related subchannel branches for pressurized water outflow through gated openings in the hull from which propulsion jets emerge under maneuvering control. Either control of a subchannel diverting flapper, or by use of selective closure gates and a flow diverting flap within the main exit flow channel, maneuvering may be effected in response to inflow through inlet openings in the hull of water that is pressurized before supply to the main exit flow channels.

Abstract: An elongated fluid dynamic water jet type of propulsion body receives an inflow of fluid through inlet openings for entry into a jet propulsor from which an outlet jet emerges for passage through an internal transition passage to an exit end between two pairs of horizontal flaps hinged to the body at the exit end for angular displacement about parallel spaced horizontal axes from horizontal neutral positions. Four pair of flaps are pivotally mounted within the transition passage for angular displacement about parallel spaced vertical axes from neutral positions. Actuators inside of the propulsion body connected to the flaps are selectively controlled to impart in-phase angular displacement to all of the flaps about their horizontal and vertical axes from the neutral positions for directional steering by angular deflection of the jet exit outflow from the exit end of the body.

Abstract: An algorithm housed within a rotorcraft, controls real time generation of signals reflecting sensor measurement of plural parameters in accordance with a programmed sequence operationally intermapped pursuant to a linear or non-linear equation with calculations therefrom of estimates to provide an accurate determination of flight usage from which to evaluate and detect excessive damage with respect to components of the aircraft.

Abstract: Physical structures are represented by modeling as topological views having bounding elements related to connectors as mathematical algorithms to enable computational analysis and multi-discipline integration of such physical structures by computer aided design.

Abstract: A grapple anchor device suspended underwater from an unmanned watercraft has prongs pivotally mounted on its tubular housing for hooked engagement with a tow line extended from a retrieval ship so as to tow the watercraft underwater toward the ship. A tow rod within the grapple anchor housing, connected by an anchor line to the watercraft being towed, undergoes dampened axial displacement to condition the grapple anchor device for automatic release of the prongs from the tow line in response to a reduction in the towing force exerted through the tow line after the watercraft is towed into position adjacent the retrieval ship and undergoes crane lift up onto the retrieval ship by its shipboard crane so that the tow line may be withdrawn while the watercraft is transferred onto the ship.

Abstract: An underwater retrieval body connected at its forward bow end by a towing line to a retrieval ship, has attachment facilities at its opposite aft end for attachment thereof during underwater propulsion with an unmanned watercraft by engaging its projecting hook or reception of a projecting probe. During propulsion of the underwater retrieval body toward the unmanned watercraft, it is maneuvered into alignment therewith through steering rudder fins under control of a homing control system on the underwater retrieval body, in response to reception of tracking signals emitted from the unmanned watercraft.

Abstract: Biological agents in solution within an underwater treatment zone are transferred by infusion to living cells under an acoustic energy field of limited duration and certain accompanying water flow and temperature conditions to maximize processing efficiency.

Abstract: A composite structure having a substrate is protectively covered during fabrication by a barrier layer, such as an intumescent mat or felt, into which a fire resisting agent such as phenolic resin or water, or oil based intumescent coating is infused in-situ before attachment to the substrate and completion of composite structure fabrication. The barrier layer is infused in-situ with the phenolic resin before attachment by adhesive bonding to the substrate or infusion is performed during formation of the underlying substrate layer so as to achieve attachment without adhesive.

Abstract: Netting constructed from strong elongated tubular elements encloses optic fiber signal lines. Such netting is anchored at spaced locations underwater adjacent to a dock to establish a protection zone for sea vessels within the zone from terrorist threats to be delivered underwater by penetration or attempted penetration of the netting which may also block damaging impact inflicted on sea vessels within the zone by missiles. If a missile however penetrates the netting for impacting the sea vessel, the location of such netting penetration is then indicated through the signal lines so as to enable rapid threat response.