Abstract: The attitude of a submerged array of sensing elements can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid having density different than water. In one embodiment, a non-rigid array of sensor elements is equipped with two expandable reservoirs connected between a flexible conduit which allows the ballast fluid to be transferred back and forth. Pumping fluid between the two reservoirs causes one reservoir to expand while the other contracts. Due to the density difference between the pumped fluid and water, the difference in volume between the two expandable reservoirs causes a shift in the center of buoyancy of the array system. The center of buoyancy in this way becomes offset from the center of gravity of the array system, causing a shift in the attitude of the array.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus for detecting electric fields is disclosed that includes an array of non-linear elements configured into an oscillator with each coupled to one or more electric-field sensing plates. In various embodiments, an output of the array produces a frequency that varies as a function of an electric field sensed by the one or more electric-field sensing plates.

Abstract: Execution of functions by a non-human being is achieved by providing the non-human being with an I/O interface for receiving information, and permitting the non-human being to execute functions consistent with the abilities of the non-human being. An input/output interface is used to provide the non-human being with sensory information and to accept control information from the non-human being. An input/output processing system converts signals communicated through the input/output interface. An operation control interface is used for controlling the functions executed by the non-human being.

Abstract: A Communication Assets Survey and Mapping Tool. The method includes collecting and storing agency, communication asset and interoperability data in a database, receiving a request for a display of agency, communication asset and interoperability of a geographic area, retrieving data regarding agency, communication asset and interoperability information from the database, determining interoperability between agencies based on their communication assets data and displaying interoperability information. Features include prioritizing interoperability solutions (a need vs ability analysis), data entry graphical user interface, data export, and community forum.

Abstract: A compensation apparatus for an integrated communication system is disclosed. The integrated communication system can include a first communication device having a first transmitter antenna, and a second communication device having a second receiver antenna, wherein the second receiver antenna is in appreciable proximity of the first transmitter antenna such that the second receiver antenna picks up substantial electromagnetic interference from the first communication device. The compensation apparatus can include an isolation device having compensation circuitry coupling the first transmitter antenna and the second receiver antenna and configured to adaptively cancel the electromagnetic interference from the first communication device at the second receiver antenna.

Abstract: A system and process for the geo-location of an asset given no a priori knowledge regarding time and location of the asset with minimized power consumption is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the system is accurate to about 30 meters CEP (50% circular error probable) using just a short segment, e.g., 100-200 ms, of digitized GPS L1 signal data.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising a conductive structure and a plurality of current probes coupled around the conductive structure. Each current probe is designed to receive and transmit in a substantially different frequency band than the other current probes. The current probes are positioned on the conductive structure so as to effectively create a plurality of transmit/receive antennas such that each respective antenna has a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of less than or equal to approximately 3:1 for a given range within each respective frequency band.

Abstract: The invention provides a means by which the attitude or orientation of a submerged object can be changed or altered using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid which has a density less than that of the surrounding fluid in which the object is submerged. In one embodiment, the process utilizes a static negatively buoyant material (which could be a lead weight) to offset the net negative buoyancy of the transferable ballast fluid. In this way, the total overall buoyancy of the system does not change, but by transferring ballast fluid into expandable reservoirs which are physically separated from the static negatively buoyant material, the separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of mass of the object can be changed, and thus the attitude or orientation of the object, if it is unrestrained, may be changed.

Abstract: The system provides a means by which the attitude or orientation of a submerged object can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid which has a density greater than that of the surrounding fluid in which the object is submerged. In one embodiment, the process utilizes a static flotation shell offset the net negative buoyancy of the transferable ballast fluid. In this way, the total overall buoyancy of the system does not change, but by transferring fluid into expandable reservoirs which are physically separated from the static flotation shell, the separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of mass of the object can be changed, and thus the attitude or orientation of the object, if it is unrestrained, may be changed.

Abstract: A communication method comprising the steps of: a) receiving object of interest detection data from a sensor that is operatively coupled to a first computer node in a wireless network of Unix-like computer nodes; b) transforming the object of interest detection data into an informational payload of a ping packet; and c) propagating the payload via echo-replies and echo-requests to all computer nodes in the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to associate input data with status, location, and technical attributes to arrive at a uniquely identified candidate object by obtaining a set of initial candidate objects based on input data being compared to known technical attributes of uniquely identified objects, obtaining best-known object location and status history for each initial candidate object using previously known location and status information of each initial candidate object, assigning a statistical weight to each initial candidate object based on its maximum calculated speed and speed capabilities of each initial candidate object, generating an association probability of each of the initial candidate objects to the input data to arrive at a set of final candidate objects, and re-evaluating any of the above with data considered to be current that was not used, wherein the set of final candidate objects are uniquely identified candidate objects arrived at with current data.

Abstract: A fluidic antenna is described, using an electromagnetic energy coupler, a non-metallic container coupled to the electromagnetic energy coupler, a fluid having charged particles moving through the non-metallic container at a predetermined rate, and a charge focuser disposed about the non-metallic container, wherein the electromagnetic energy coupler is configured to couple energy between the fluid and at least one of a transmitter and receiver, and the charge focuser is configured to adjust a cross sectional area of charged particles in the fluid to result in a fluid characteristic impedance that approaches that of a surrounding medium, thereby enabling at least one of launching and receiving electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A system for testing the toxicity of a test sample comprising: an aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates; a test chamber configured to contain the aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates and the test sample; an optical signal generator configured to emit an excitation signal for exciting the dinoflagellates to emit a fluorescence signal if the dinoflagellates are alive; a first optical transducer configured to produce a first data signal in response to detecting the fluorescence signal; a stimulator configured to introduce a gas into the aqueous suspension for stimulating the dinoflagellates to emit a bioluminescence signal if the dinoflagellates are alive; a second optical transducer configured to produce a second data signal in response to detecting the bioluminescence signal; and a processor configured to compare the first data signal and the second data signal to a control data to generate an output representing the toxicity of the test sample.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a substrate; two magnets coupled to the substrate in close proximity to each other with like magnetic poles facing each other creating a flux gap; a coil coupled to the substrate and disposed within the flux gap, wherein the coil and the magnets are coupled to the substrate such that substrate acceleration causes relative motion between the magnets and the coil thereby exposing the coil to a changing magnetic flux.

Abstract: An artificial neuromuscular unit (ANMU) comprising: an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layer; an EAP logic layer coupled to the actuator layer; an EAP energy layer coupled to the logic layer such that the logic layer is interposed between the energy layer and the actuator layer, wherein the logic layer is configured to control energy transfer between the energy layer and the actuator layer; and a sensor element operatively coupled to the actuator layer and the logic layer, wherein the sensor element is configured to communicate deflections of the actuator layer to the logic layer.

Abstract: A scupper plug apparatus is foot-operable, by a person standing next to the scupper, to apply substantially more force for sealing the scupper than is typically achievable through application of force by the hand or arm of a person installing a scupper plug. A resilient body of the scupper plug formed from highly conformable closed-cell foam to closely match the shape of the scupper. A rolling member is used as a cam follower in an actuation arrangement for compressing the resilient body.

Abstract: A variable position antenna shield (VPAS) is described that provides a mechanism for attenuating radio interference signals and other electromagnetic waves using a movable shield. The VPAS contains an antenna assembly, an antenna, and a patch variably positioned exterior to the antenna, wherein the patch attenuates passage of electromagnetic radiation such that the passage of electromagnetic radiation through the patch is substantially blocked, the patch being variably positioned to affect the directivity pattern of the antenna.

Abstract: In various embodiments, evolutionary expert systems and methods are disclosed. For example, a method for evolving a rule base of an expert system includes creating a set of meta-rules from a set of first rules associated with the expert system, creating a set of one or more generalized virtual rule candidates based on the set of first rules and the set of meta-rules, filtering the set of generalized virtual rule candidates to remove generalized virtual rule candidates that conflict with at least one rule of the set of first rules to form a set of virtual rules, and incorporating at least one virtual rule of the set of virtual rules into the set of first rules to evolve the first set of rules.

Abstract: A cable brake system for deployments of cable comprising: a frame configured to be mounted on a ship; a repeater supporting track mounted longitudinally to the frame, the supporting track being configured for slidingly supporting a plurality of repeaters; a spool positioned exterior to the frame, the spool having the cable wrapped therearound and being capable of supplying the cable to an interior of the frame; at least one planar surface on an interior of the frame, the planar surface being positioned approximately parallel to the repeater supporting track; and a plurality of brake sub-assemblies being supported by the planar surface in a manner so as to establish a serpentine path for the cable and to impart variable frictional resistance to the cable.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a monolithic micro-generator comprising: fabricating a plurality of magnet layer elements by preparing a semiconductor substrate surface to define: a plurality of coil layer recesses, a plurality of magnet wells, a plurality of integral compliant regions, and a plurality of bonding posts; disposing a ferromagnetic mass within each of a plurality of the magnet wells; fabricating a coil layer element by preparing a second semiconductor substrate surface to define a coil well, and one or more through holes, each hole disposed to accept a bonding post; disposing a conductive coil within the coil well; and bonding the upper bonding post surfaces of a magnet layer element to the corresponding upper bonding post surfaces of another magnet layer element with a coil layer element disposed between their upper surfaces such that each of the bonding posts passes through a corresponding through hole in the coil layer element.