Abstract: A method and system displays information in a full face mask. A display module is mounted inside the full face mask on faceplate support structure outside of a forward viewing area of a faceplate portion. The display module is located to be free of interference with an operator's forward field of view through the forward viewing area. A display control module is externally mounted on outside components of the full face mask and has a waterproof housing, processing and display driving electronics, memory, internal sensors, external sensors, and battery. A power-data cable is connected to the display control module externally mounted on the full face mask and to the display module inside the full face mask via an accessory interface plate. A switch on the display control module can be accessed and selectably actuated by an operator to present data from the display control module on the display module.

Abstract: A tandem track system and method provides for safe withdrawal of a tracked vehicle if either of the main tracks becomes separated. The tracked vehicle has a main track longitudinally extending in a closed endless main loop on opposite sides and engaging a separate main drive sprocket assembly, extending under roadwheels to a main drive idler wheel, and back to the main drive-sprocket assembly in the main loop. The tandem drive system has a secondary track engaging each main drive-sprocket assembly and extending forward along the track vehicle from each main drive-sprocket assembly under only an aft-most fractional portion of the roadwheels. The secondary track is configured as a closed endless secondary loop inside of the main loop of each main track whereby each secondary track can transfer rotary power to move the tracked vehicle to safety.

Abstract: A magnetic anomaly homing system and method utilize an array of four triaxial magnetometer (TM) sensors coupled to a non-magnetic platform. The four TM sensors are positioned at the vertices of a rectangular parallelogram. The magnetic field sensed at the four TM sensors is processed to generate complete gradient tensors and corresponding scalar gradient contractions thereof for four two-axis gradiometers formed by the array. The scalar gradient contractions define guidance control parameters used to steer the platform toward the magnetic anomaly.

Abstract: A light system for defining a line of approach uses light sources arranged in an array. The light sources are arranged such that they define a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all of the light sources are visible. Less than all of the light sources are visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light sources are further divided into sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. The light sources are controlled in accordance with cyclical on/off sequences. A primary waveform of light energy is defined by the cyclical on/off sequence visible from within the primary FOV. A plurality of secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the amount of oxygen in an oxygen-containing gas within a closed environment. A selected amount of hydrogen gas is mixed with a portion of the oxygen-containing gas from the closed environment to form a first gas mixture. A catalyst exposed to the first gas mixture causes a reaction between the hydrogen and at least a portion of the oxygen therein. The resulting second gas mixture, which is returned to the closed environment, has a lower percentage of oxygen. At least one oxygen sensor is positioned in the closed environment to determine when oxygen levels in the closed environment reach a threshold level. The output signal from the sensor is used to control when and/or how much hydrogen is mixed in the first gas mixture.

Abstract: A telescoping lever arm comprises a tube and a rod. The tube has an opening at one end thereof and has an inner circumferential dimension along the inside thereof. The opening is smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube. The rod has an outer circumferential dimension that is smaller than that of the tube's opening. The rod resides partially in the tube and extends therefrom via the tube's opening. At least one annular flange is coupled to the rod at a portion thereof residing in the tube. Each such annular flange is defined by a circumferential dimension that is larger than that of the tube's opening and smaller than the inner circumferential dimension of the tube.

Abstract: A system provides guidance to a vehicle on an approach to a position. A guidance transmitter stationed at the position includes light sources arranged in an array and a controller coupled to the light sources. The array defines a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all light sources are visible. The light sources are divided into a plurality of sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. Operation of each section of light sources is governed by the controller in accordance with unique cyclical on/off sequences. A primary waveform of light energy is defined by a composite of the cyclical on/off sequences visible from within the primary FOV. A plurality of secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV.

Abstract: A tactile sensor comprises a sensing bladder in pneumatic communication with a first diaphragm side of a pneumatic diaphragm via a first fluid; the pneumatic diaphragm being actuatable by a displacement of the first fluid within the sensing bladder; the pneumatic diaphragm further comprising a second diaphragm side in fluid isolation from the first diaphragm side; the second diaphragm side being pneumatically biased against the first diaphragm side, and the second diaphragm side and the first diaphragm side of the pneumatic diaphragm each being in pneumatic communication with an external environment.

Abstract: A method of detecting a chemical species at a stand-off distance using a spectroscopy system, the method comprising the steps of providing a modulated light source emitting a first beam of light at a first wavelength incident to the chemical species, the first beam of light causing the chemical species to emit a signal, providing a spectral shifter a second beam of light at a second wavelength, the second beam of light causing a photochemical reaction in the chemical species to shift a spectrum of the light emitted from the chemical species, providing a detector positioned to detect the signal emitted from the chemical species, and providing a data processor system in communication with at least one of the detector and the modulated light source, the data processor system processing the signal to determine the identity of the chemical species.

Abstract: Classification of targets in a digital image is accomplished by evaluating windowed portions of the image. A weighted sum is formed for each overlapping windowed portion of an image using a feature set corresponding thereto, each window's feature set and weighted sum is normalized, and a context matrix is defined for each window. A normalized score is defined for each window. A threshold criteria is compared to a maximum score that is based on the context matrix and the normalized score associated with each window. Each window having its maximum score satisfy the threshold criteria is classified as a possible target window and assigned to a group based on location of the possible target window in the image and its maximum score. A group score is assigned to each group. Each group having its corresponding group score satisfying a group threshold criteria is classified as a target.

Abstract: An inflatable body armor system has one or more body armor sections adapted to be worn by a user. Each body armor section includes (i) a inflatable flexible/sealable plenum, (ii) a ballistic armor fabric encasing the plenum, and (iii) a variety of lines, shaped objects and/or fabric sheets dispersed in the plenum to alter the trajectory of a projectile entering the plenum.

Abstract: Detection and classification of targets in a digital image is accomplished by evaluating windowed portions of the image. A feature set is generated for each of a plurality of overlapping windowed portions, a weighted sum is formed for each portion based upon its feature set, and a context matrix is defined for each window. A score is formed from each context matrix and is normalized for each window. A threshold criteria is compared to a maximum score for each window. Each window having its maximum score satisfy the threshold criteria is classified as a possible target window and is assigned to a group based on location of the possible target window and its maximum score. A group score is formed for each group and compared to a group threshold criteria. Each group having its corresponding group score satisfying the group threshold criteria is classified as a target.

Abstract: A barrier for small boats has a plurality of flotation modules on lines extending across a waterway. The flotation modules are cast from a buoyant concrete mixture of cement, water, beaded forms of expanded polystyrene, and polypropylene fibers that is non-water-absorbing, crushable, not susceptible to failure in shear, and has a density lighter than water. The mixture can have cement with the beads in a ratio of about 1:3.5 by volume, the water with the cement in a ratio of about 0.5 (1:2) by weight and the fibers with the cement in a ratio of about 1:141 by weight. Lines pass thru the flotation modules and slip upon impact of a flotation module by a speeding boat, and the buoyant concrete mixture crushes to absorb some energy of the impact. The barrier is relatively low cost, can be made next to a waterway from readily available materials by unskilled workers and is deployed in a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: A method is provided for the detection and classification of targets in a digital image of a structure having known characteristics. In general, windowed portions of the image are evaluated in context with the entire image and in terms of their location in the image. More specifically, a scoring scheme is used to identify relevant windows with the relevance of each window being evaluated in terms of location in the image and the known characteristics of the structure being imaged. Relevant windows satisfying a threshold criteria are grouped based on their relative location in the image. A group scoring scheme is applied to each group to identify and classify targets.

Abstract: An underwater image area is illuminated with light generating elastic scattering from manmade objects and naturally-occurring features, and fluorescence from naturally-occurring features. Local standard deviation (LSD) images are formed using the elastic scattered and fluorescent light. Elements of each LSD image are compared to threshold criteria to generate: i) first binary images having first image state portions indicating manmade objects and naturally-occurring features, and ii) second image state portions indicating background. The first binary images are logically combined generating a composite image mask. Statistical threshold criteria for each fluorescence-based image is generated using only portions identified by portions of the composite image mask indicating of background. Elements of each fluorescence-based image are compared to statistical threshold criteria to generate second binary images.

Abstract: A non-contact electrical energy transfer system has a nearly continuous loop of ferromagnetic material that defines a gap. A first electric conductor is coiled about a portion of the nearly continuous loop that opposes the gap. A block of the same ferromagnetic material is sized to loosely fit in the gap while being spaced apart from each of the opposing surfaces defining the gap. A second electric conductor is coiled about the block. Electrical energy applied to the first electric conductor induces an electric current in the second electric conductor when the block is positioned in the gap.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for simulating the metabolic consumption of oxygen contained in a breathable gas. A variable volume chamber cyclically increases/decreases in volume to receive the breathable gas/expel an exhaust gas. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are introduced into the chamber to mix with the breathable gas to form the exhaust gas. Hydrogen is introduced in an amount sufficient to react with an amount of the oxygen in the exhaust gas equivalent to that used by a human during a selected level of activity. Carbon dioxide is introduced in an amount equivalent to that provided by a metabolic respiratory quotient associated with the same level of activity. A catalyst, exposed to the exhaust gas, causes a reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen in the exhaust gas to generate simulated human exhalation.

Abstract: A method of guiding a vehicle to a position is provided. Light sources arranged in an array are placed at a position with the light sources defining a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all of the light sources are visible. Less than all of the light sources are visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light sources are divided into sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. The light sources are operated in accordance with cyclical on/off sequences so that a primary waveform of light energy is defined by the cyclical on/off sequence visible from within the primary FOV and secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light energy generated by the light sources is sensed by an approaching navigable vehicle. Based on the position of the vehicle, one of the primary waveform and the plurality of secondary waveforms is sensed.

Abstract: A fuel depot and method autonomously and clandestinely provide fuel for transiting ships. An elongate streamlined flexible bladder member has flexible hull walls and divider walls separated by uniform spaces to form fuel compartments having a fuel valve and fuel pump. The bladder member can transit submerged to a remote destination. A fuel and water tight composition in and along the spaces prevent fuel and water leaks to ambient water and between the compartments. A submersible propulsion system has propulsive machinery and steering gear for towing the bladder member. A command/control system on the submersible propulsion system generated and couples driving signals to the propulsion system to tow and steer the bladder member to the remote destination using the preprogrammed computer, inertial navigation system (INS), global positioning system (GPS), and RF transceiver of the command/control system.

Abstract: An automated system for performing a Kepner Tregoe analysis provides a graphical user interface having dedicated data entry screens that include i) a first screen for entering criteria to be used in the Kepner Tregoe analysis, ii) a second screen for entering a relative importance value between each of the criteria and all others of the criteria, iii) a third screen for entering candidates to be used in the Kepner Tregoe analysis, and iv) a fourth screen for entering a raw score associated with each of the criteria for each of the candidates. A separate and dedicated score processor calculates the various parameters associated with the Kepner Tregoe analysis. A text file generator arranges the data for use by a spread sheet processor that will then function solely as part of an output device.