Abstract: An axial fan has a blade support wheel coupled to a drive shaft. A disk is positioned about the drive shaft adjacent the wheel. A torsion spring is coupled to the wheel and to the disk. When the torsion spring is in tension, the disk is poised for a relative rotation about the drive shaft. A lock couples the disk to the wheel when the torsion spring is in tension. Fan blades are supported by the wheel, and are coupled to the disk. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the fan blades generating a specific flow direction. To reverse the flow direction, a release mechanism uncouples the lock from the disk and wheel causing the disk to experience rotation about the drive shaft as tension in the torsion spring is released. The disk's relative rotation re-positions the fan blades reversing the flow direction as the drive shaft continues to rotate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for enabling a single sensor to indicate a greater quantity of information about a sensed event, or the occurrence of many different types of events. A sensor system employs a number of individual sensors with single-use indication means (such as an explosive charge). Each individual sensor is equipped with a chronometer. The sensors are programmed to transmit information through their single-use indication means at specific times with each specific time being indicative of a particular type of event or of specific information about an event. A central monitor chronologically records all sensor indications and compares indication times to a schedule of time keyed information to determine the nature of each sensor indication.

Abstract: This invention serves as a method and apparatus for delivering power to a series of remote sensors in an on hull sensor grid for the purpose of biasing the active circuitry on the sensors. It requires no physical connection between the source of power and the sensor. It works by delivering electrical energy across the insulating gap that separates the sensor from the hull by means of a displacement current. In particular, the method and device include a conducting layer interposed between inner and outer decouplers and a ground plane interposed between a bonding layer and the inner decoupler. An application of alternating current to the ground plane will activate the conducting layer and provide power to the sensors at a location of the outer decoupler. The inner decoupler acts as a capacitor and the ground plane further provides an electrical path back to the hull.

Abstract: A speech to touch translator assembly and method for converting spoken words directed to an operator into tactile sensations caused by combinations of pressure point exertions on the body of the operator, each combination of pressure points exerted signifying a phoneme of one of the spoken words, and sound characteristics superimposed on the spoken words, permitting comprehension of spoken words, and the speaker thereof, by persons that are deaf and blind.

Abstract: A method and test apparatus for carrying out testing on a variety of samples of polymer bonded to metal wherein the samples are subjected to an accelerated cathodic reaction causing cathodic delamination of the samples. In particular, the method and test apparatus include a closed vessel that is partially filled with synthetic ocean water. An impressed current system is employed to protect the metal component of the samples. The synthetic ocean water is heated with an external band heater raising the temperature of the synthetic ocean water to thermal levels exceeding normal ocean temperatures in order to accelerate the reaction. Pure oxygen is then introduced into the closed vessel at a desired pressure to dissolve the oxygen into the synthetic ocean water to further simulate natural ocean conditions.

Abstract: A multi-language phonetic transcribing system and method are provided for automatically transcribing speech into a phonetic equivalent. The phonetic transcribing system need only be able to recognize the limited number of phonemes of a particular language, e.g., the forty-two phonemes in the English language. Each language to be translated may be broken down into the phonetic elements and stored in a phonetic library for that language. The transcribing system detects speech, converts the speech to an electrical signal, and analyzes the frequency, amplitude, and timing characteristics of the speech to produce incoming phoneme information. The incoming phoneme information is compared to the phonetic elements in the active library. A correlator determines the degree of correlation between the incoming phoneme information and the stored information for each phoneme in the library. For each match, based on the degree of correlation, a respective phoneme is preferably stored and/or printed.

Abstract: A non-contact method and apparatus for continuously monitoring a physiological event in a human or animal, such as blood pressure, which involves utilizing a laser-based interferometer system to produce a waveform that is representative of continuous blood pressure in a subject. The invention may preferably utilize a laser Doppler vibrometer which is oriented to produce a laser beam directed toward the subject substantially perpendicular to a skin surface of the subject wherein the skin surface is moveable in response to blood pressure. The vibrometer is sensitive to motion of the skin surface in a direction parallel to the laser beam and produces a signal representative of this motion. By plotting the velocity of the skin surface movement in the direction parallel to the laser beam with respect to time, a waveform is produced that has been found to be representative of the blood pressure waveform and highly defined to thereby permit accurate timing analysis thereof relating to cardiac cycles.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting an acoustic signal in the presence of flow noise produced by the turbulent flow field that develops about a hosewall of a towed array. Pressure is sensed with pressure sensors at two diametrically-opposed locations at the surface of the hosewall over a period of time. The sensed pressure signals are used to generate an ensemble-averaged cross-spectra which effectively cancels out the flow noise while retaining the acoustic signal associated with a possible target of interest.

Abstract: A user worn man overboard beacon that provides multiple indication means to alert a ship to an overboard crew person and to assist in locating the crew person. The beacon device is contained in a housing attached to the clothing of the sailor and is activated upon contact with seawater. A battery powers the multiple indicators contained in the housing, which include a high intensity strobe light to provide a visual indication, an x-band radar patch antenna to transmit a radar signal indication that can be detected by the ship's radar system, and an acoustic transducer to project an acoustic signal indication that can be detected by the ship's sonar system.

Abstract: An assembly for determining speed of a supercavitating underwater vehicle during underwater travel includes a fin mounted on the vehicle aft of a cavitator portion of the vehicle and adapted to be extended outwardly beyond a hull of the vehicle and through a boundary of a gas-filled cavity around the vehicle to form a disturbance in the cavity boundary, which disturbance propagates along the boundary. An acoustic transmitter is mounted on the vehicle and directs acoustic energy toward the boundary and the disturbance. An acoustic receiver is mounted on the vehicle and receives acoustic energy reflected off the disturbance. An autopilot is mounted on the vehicle and clocks times of projection of the fin and acoustic transmission receptions of reflected acoustic energy to determine the speed of the vehicle through the water.

Abstract: A speech to visual display translator assembly and method for converting spoken words directed to an operator into essentially simultaneous visual displays wherein the spoken words are presented in phonems and variations in loudness and tone, and/or other characteristics of phonemes displayed, are presented visually by the display.

Abstract: A relative phase shift is induced in the signals of a pair of identical orthogonal antennas such that when the signals are combined the signals are 90 degrees out of phase. This is done in order to eliminate the null along the axis between the two dipole moments of the antennas such that the system has equally good reception from all azimuth angles over a broad range of frequencies. The phase shift is accomplished with the use of single pole operational amplifier circuits whose pole frequencies are adjusted by means of a potentiometer prior to implementation of the antenna system.

Abstract: A segmented patch antenna has a dielectric material substrate, a plurality of primary electrically conductive segments consecutively disposed on the dielectric material substrate and spaced apart so that a portion of the substrate is exposed between any pair of adjacent primary segments, and a layer of dielectric material disposed over the primary segments. Secondary electrically conductive segments are disposed over the layer of dielectric material wherein each secondary segment corresponds to a pair of adjacent primary segments. Each secondary segment overlaps a portion of each primary segment of the corresponding pair of adjacent primary segments to which that secondary segments corresponds. The overlap of each secondary segment with a portion of each primary segment in a pair of adjacent primary segments produces a plurality of capacitive gaps that capacitively couple the primary and secondary segments together to define a single antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited in a hopper connected to an electrode. A mesh covers the hopper opening and the hopper is inverted and suspended over an adhesive coated substrate. An electric field is generated between the hopper and the substrate while the hopper is simultaneously shaken. As a result, fibers fall through the mesh, aligned along the electric field lines, travel through the electric field, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of switching a digital signal from a single input optical fiber to one or more optical fibers comprising the steps of providing an input signal into the input optical fiber, splitting the input optical fiber to form a plurality of split optical fibers each carrying the input signal, amplifying the signal in at least one of the plurality of split optical fibers with a laser activated amplifier, and then attenuating the signal in all of the split optical fibers to produce at least one output signal in one or more of the designated split optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for determining a bounding region for a launched weapon. The method processes the course and speed of ocean currents, and the bearing and range to an aim point to determine the resultant speed of the launched weapon. The method then processes the resultant speed to determine a course for the weapon. The method also processes the ownship position at launch, the desired aim point and the resultant speed to determine weapon run time. The method provides a mathematical distribution of the uncertainty in the speed and course of the ocean current and then processes it to generate a scatter region of possible weapon positions. The method then processes the distribution function of the mathematical distribution and the desired aim point to determine a plurality of positions that define a bounding region. Finally, the method quantifies possible positions of the scatter region that are within the bounding region.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission and communication network that provides efficient interrogation and powering of sensors for use on undersea vehicles. The present invention employs a wave-guide that allows the propagation of electromagnetic waves through a dielectric material that covers the exterior of an undersea vehicle's hull. Embedded within the dielectric material is an N dimensional array of Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems sensing devices coupled with radio frequency (RF) decoders and transceivers, and strips of conductive metal tape. Electromagnetic waves such as microwaves propagate through the dielectric material both powering the sensor network and addressing and interrogating individual sensing devices. The sensing devices take readings and then format and transmit the data results back across the wave-guide where they are received and processed by a digital processor within the hull of the undersea vehicle.

Abstract: A wake absorber, wherein an aquatic vehicle with a propulsor mounted on the vehicle and operative to propel the vehicle through a water medium, has a wake absorber mounted on the vehicle aft of the propulsor. The wake absorber includes an artificial muscle surface adapted to be impinged upon by a wake created by the propulsor. The wake absorber further includes electrodes mounted on the artificial muscle surface. Pressure of the wake upon the muscle surface exercises a bending force on the surface, which creates energy that is recovered by the electrodes as electrical power that can be digitized. Energy removed from the muscle surface by the electrodes weakens the wake and renders the wake less pronounced visually and acoustically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved semi-fuel cell and an improved cathode used therein. The semi-fuel cell stack comprises a housing, an anode within the housing, a porous cathode within the housing, an aqueous catholyte within the housing, an aqueous anolyte stream flowing in the housing, and a membrane for preventing migration of the catholyte through the porous cathode and into the anolyte stream. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catholyte comprises an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the anolyte comprises a NaOH/seawater solution, and the membrane permits passage of OH? ions while inhibiting the passage of hydrogen peroxide. The membrane is attached to a surface of the cathode or alternatively, impregnated into the cathode.

Abstract: An oscillating appendage includes a vessel housing a supply of pressurized fluid with reinforced tubes selectively receiving the pressurized fluid from the vessel, an oscillating valve for controlling the supply of pressurized fluid from the vessel to the reinforced tubes, and a flexible skin encompassing the vessel, the reinforced tubes, and the valve. The flexible skin defines an outer shape of the oscillating appendage with a tail member affixed at a terminal end of the appendage to further propel the appendage by an oscillating motion of the appendage.