Abstract: Isotopic hydrogen enrichment in a soluble metal is achieved through temperature gradient effects by applying a heat source and a heat sink to two spaced regions of the metal within which isotopic hydrogen atoms are absorbed and enclosed by a diffusion-barrier material. The temperature gradient so created forces the atoms of hydrogen in the hot region to migrate into the cold region, resulting in higher isotopic hydrogen density in the cold region. Discharge of the absorbed isotopic hydrogen is prevented effectively by the diffusion-barrier material.

Abstract: A thrust block is positioned by a steerable support in spaced relation to e hull of a seagoing vessel for angular displacement about a propeller axis and the axis of said hull intersecting the propeller axis. Forward and aft sets of propellers are rotatably mounted by hubs in the thrust block for contrarotation by propulsion motors having rotors respectively fixed to the radially outer tips of forward and aft propeller blades and electrically energized by current conducted thereto through stator and rotor windings of transformers respectively mounted in the thrust block and the propeller hubs to avoid propulsive torque transmission by the thrust block. The rotors of the propulsion motors are protectively enclosed by a radially outer shroud assembly which accommodates hydrodynamic cooling during motor operation.

Abstract: The effluent outflow from a shipboard oil/water separator is further reduced in oil content by passage through ultrafiltration membranes arranged in series as an added downstream treatment prior to overboard discharge. Effluent from the oil/water separator is buffered by delivery through a feed pump and use of a recirculation pump through which such downstream ultrafiltration treatment is subject to conditional flow control as well as periodic backflush cleansing of the filter membranes.

Abstract: The metallic housing of a diverter valve assembly has a plurality of thredly positioned inserts therein through which different port passage paths are established with a multi-ported ball valve element angularly displaceable inside the housing while sealingly enclosed within a tube through which the inserts project into adjusted seating engagement with the ball valve element.

Abstract: The blocking disc serving as an explosive train interrupter of a safety and rming mechanism is angularly displaced from its safe position by a stepping motor through reduction gearing in response to timed energizing pulses applied thereto from a crystal-controlled pulse generator. The blocking disc is releasably latched in its safe position by a locking rod controlling the supply and cut-off of energizing voltage to the pulse generator to accurately time displacement of the disc to an armed position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to means, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed at speeds below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.

Abstract: A bearing assembly underlying the top flange connected to the upper end of n antenna shaft, includes plastic bearing inserts held in contact with the shaft angularly spaced from each other by an outer cylindrical housing and sleeve sections retained therein in axial abutment with the bearing inserts. Removable screw fasteners having upper end portions exposed in alignment with each other underlying the top flange, hold the bearing inserts, the sleeve sections and the housing attached to each other in proper assembled relation to facilitate assembly and disassembly for bearing insert replacement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed in the low airspeed flight range of below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.

Abstract: Angularly spaced sector portions of a bushing element attached by its annr flange to a housing, adjustably positions angularly spaced bearing elements and wedge-shaped spacers for bearing support of a shaft with desired radial and axial clearances maintained by fasteners extending into the housing parallel to the shaft axis from the flanges of the bushing and the bearing elements to accommodate radial adjustment, while fastener studs extending perpendicular to the shaft axis through enlarged holes in all of the elements of the bearing assembly accommodate axial adjustment before attachment of the bearing elements in their adjusted positions to the housing is finalized.

Abstract: A detection and classification system for underwater objects uses a transting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit comprises a waveform generator, a power amplifier, and a transmitting antenna. The receiving unit comprises a receiving antenna, a pre-amplifier, a first harmonic suppressor, a digitizer, and a computer. The transmitting unit radiates an analog electromagnetic wave signal into a conductive medium such as seawater which the receiving unit detects and analyzes by a differential spectral analysis after conversion of the signal into binary code.The system uses a signal-processing method which includes the steps of determining the size of the underwater object to be detected, transmitting an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength proportioned to the size of the object, performing a spectral analysis of the received signal, performing a spectral analysis at a different time or different location, comparing the two spectra performed, and analyzing the difference between the two spectra.

Abstract: A pressure generating system uses a shock wave chamber filled with a liquid pressurized to a static pressure different from ambient atmospheric pressure. Once a a preferred location is established in the chamber, a pulsed compressional acoustic shock wave introduced into the liquid is reflected from a free surface of the liquid as a dilatation wave focused on a point at which a bubble forms and expands about an object. The static pressure causes the bubble to collapse around the object to generate a high pressure thereat.

Abstract: Microwave radiation emitted from a single antenna is focused on a targeted material from which reflected radiation is received by the same antenna to provide signal measurement data from which detected material defects are evaluated by determination of void location and size. Antenna position and orientation is adjusted to obtain the signal measurement data from of the microwave radiation reflection along at least two target incidence paths from the same target location, one of which is normal to said targeted surface of the material and the other oblique thereto at a scattering angle at which the signal radiation intensity is minimized.

Abstract: The burning of material, including fuel and/or waste products, is performed ithin an incineration chamber heated above room-temperature while being supplied with high-power microwave radiation under conditions generating a plasma through which oxidation is enhanced to eliminate contaminants from the gaseous emission discharged from the incineration chamber.

Abstract: The DC voltage of electrical energy applied to a homopolar machine, is corted by transformer windings in response to rotor rotation within the magnetic field of the homopolar machine, to a different voltage level for supply to a load.

Abstract: A safety and arming device interconnecting a bomb with a target detector ures safe mine laying deployment thereof through a detonation explosive train that is armed in delayed response to payout of a lanyard under enablement control exercised by a hydrodynamic piston in response to water impact during such deployment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight barrier and armor materials and, ore particularly, to a method of using a syntactic foam for protecting a desired portion of a fixed structure (e.g., building) or movable structure (e.g., armored vehicle or ship) from ballistic impact. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: (1) providing a mold defining therein a predetermined shape or an enclosed space in a fixed or movable structure; (2) providing a mixture of between about 40 percent and about 80 percent by volume of microspheres and between about 60 percent and about 20 percent by volume of an uncured binder material; (3) pouring the mixture into the mold; (4) curing the mixture to form a syntactic foam barrier material in the form of the predetermined shape; and (5) placing the barrier material in a relationship with the structure to be protected wherein the desired portion of the structure is protected from ballistic impact.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis formed by an assembly of electrode segments enclosing n elongated inner chamber, is inserted into the inner ear of a patient for piezoelectric generation of electrical impulses and localized injection thereof in response to externally generated sound waves. Such electrical impulses are applied from the prosthesis to nerve endings adjacent to cochlea contact locations on the electrode segments so as to improve hearing adversely affected by biological damage to the inner ear.

Abstract: A DC electric field is applied to brain tissue in parallel alignment with urons thereof during periods of brief duration while the tissue is undergoing epileptic activity. The electric field is controllably changed in polarity and magnitude to modify such epileptic activity based on data obtained by recording such activity through electrodes that are isopotentially aligned within the electric field imposed on a slice of the brain tissue.

Abstract: Oil spill polluted water is conducted under pressure in sequence through arator devices to collect and burn a polluted water mixture having its oil concentration increased by extraction of water therefrom during axial flow through the separator devices. Such water extraction is effected by sequential radial outflow through oil flow blocking filter walls of the separator devices in response to rotation thereof.

Abstract: A DC electric field is applied to brain tissue in parallel alignment with urons thereof during periods of brief duration while the tissue is undergoing epileptic activity. The electrical field is controllably varied in magnitude to suppress such epilieptic activity.