Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence, location, and extent of the moise in a roof using metallic time-domain reflectomerry (TDR) includes an electrical pulses, a transmission line embedded within the roof and connected with the pulse generator, and a signal analyzer which interprets the electrical pulses transmitted along the transmission line. When the transmission line is exposed to moisture, the dielectric constant of the transmission line changes, thereby causing a portion of the energy of the transmitted pulse to be reflected back toward the source and a portion to pass through to the end of transmission line. The distance from the source and the length of the dielectric discontinuity are determined by analyzing the round-trip travel time of the reflected pulse.

Abstract: A digital computer computes the optimum air pressure in the tires of a vehicle which minimizes fuel consumption, tire wear, and road deterioration, and transmits to a pressurized air supply system an output signal for adjusting the tire pressure to this optimum tire pressure. The computer uses input from sensors including both vehicle speed and acceleration.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hand-held or vehicle mountable portable procer based high resolution radar system for detecting and identifying an object by using high resolution radar. In particular, the invention concerns using radio waves for identifying a depth and material of an object within a media. This system can perform target and media identification in real-time. This process is achieved by the system's processor where the media identification results can be visually displayed on an output unit. The generated carrier signal used in the radar system is an exponentially decaying superimposed direct and alternating signal. The frequency of the carrier signal can be in the microwave region. The system performs analog to digital (A/D) conversion using integrated circuitry whose sampling rate is in the same as the carrier signal transmission rate.

Abstract: Wall panels are fastened to walls or to one another with pairs of identical elically-wound fastener rods which engage each other by turning. Spacer tubes are provided to maintain the desired spacing between panels, or between panels and walls, and to align the helically-wound sections of the fasteners before engaging. Guide prongs may also be used to assist in the alignment of the fasteners with each other before engaging.

Abstract: A bulkhead for dry isolation of dam gates, the bulkhead comprising a plurty of tubular log members bound together to form a platform assembly adapted to float in a horizontal attitude on a water body surface. Water and air conduits are in communication with one or more of the log members to cause the platform selectively to move between the horizontal attitude and a vertical attitude in the water body, and selectively to reduce and increase buoyancy of the platform. A conduit and valve is disposed in one of the log members for selectively permitting flow of water from the water body through the bulkhead. The invention further comprises a method for isolating a dam gate from an adjacent body of water.

Abstract: A penetrometer sensor probe and system with a detachable sleeve section which performs radiation measurements in subsurface formations. The penetrometer sensor probe measures radiation particularly gamma radiation in real time as the sensor probe is retrieved from a subsurface formation following an initial penetrometer push operation. A sacrificial sleeve surrounding the sensor probe's radiation detector is separated from the penetrometer after an initial push operation at a particular subsurface depth. During a retraction process, a sleeve section containing the radiation detector is detached from the sacrificial sleeve of the penetrometer. The sleeve provides both strength to the penetrometer and protects the probe's radiation detector from damage. Additionally, the detachable sleeve results in significantly reduced bremsstrauling scattering radiation attributed to gamma radiation that otherwise would strike a steel casing adjacent to the radiation detector.

Abstract: Portland cement particles having the characteristics of slow hardening is oduced by a process of heat treating portland cement particles in the temperature range from 1500.degree. to 3000.degree. C. for from 0.5 to 10 seconds and cooling to obtain particles containing an amorphous, glassy shell as an outside layer.

Abstract: An armor unit for protecting coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines, and other structures from the damaging hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents. The armor unit has a central elongate member having a longitudinal axis and first and second outer elongate members connected with the central elongate member on opposite sides thereof. The first and second outer elongate members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central elongate member. The elongate members may each have an octagonal cross section decreasing from an intermediate portion toward the opposite ends. When a plurality of units are interlocked to define a protective array, a high degree of wedging is afforded between the octagonal members.

Abstract: A device for measuring soil pore-air pressure in a high shock environment characterized by a shock resistant housing containing a plurality of pressure sensing ports with sintered metal filters mounted therein which filter fine soil particles, withstand high pressure shock, and permit high air flow. When the device is installed in the ground and an explosive is detonated nearby, soil particles are filtered from the air blast by the sintered metal filters, thereby enabling the device to provide accurate pore-air pressure measurements.

Abstract: A ground condition monitor includes a housing for disposal underground, a power source disposed in the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and in communication with the power source and with a plurality of sensors. The sensors are adapted to receive signals from the controller and in response thereto to send electromagnetic excitation signals into surrounding earth, receive reflective electromagnetic signals from the surrounding earth, and feed the reflective signals to the controller, which is adapted to convert the reflective signals to data indicative of electromagnetic properties of the surrounding earth, and to transmit the data.

Abstract: A high resolution thermometer operated by the pressure of a solid/liquid se mixture is characterized by a vessel containing the mixture, a pressure sensor and a pressure indicator. A relatively small change in the temperature to be measured causes the proportion of solid and liquid in the vessel to change, thereby producing a dramatic change in pressure which can be measured with greater accuracy than the relatively small temperature change. Temperature is determined by converting the pressure to temperature using the appropriate thermodynamic relationship.

Abstract: Rigid composite laminates of paper and glass layers, suitable for use as ouflage, are provided. This combination of components allows for great versatility in the final design and utility. A strong bond is obtained between paper and a fiberglass layer due to formation of a resin-cellulose matrix which allows interbonding between the paper and fibrous glass. The composite laminates may include other coatings or signature control layers and can be used as simple appliques or construction materials. A method for preparing the composite laminates is also provided wherein the paper is treated to enhance porosity in the formation of the resin-cellulose matrix.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cementious composition of a strong, light, foamed silicate binder or concrete made from ground, calcium-rich glassy silicates that are the major component of blast-furnace slag. The other materials used to create the material are sodium peroxide and water. The cementious mixture can include a volume modification foaming agent that substitutes a part of the mixture. These agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A geosynthetic barrier adapted to deny wildlife access to contaminated seents (CS), includes a geocomposite (10) formed of a top layer (14) juxtaposed on a bottom layer (12) which is adapted to be placed on the sediments. The top layer includes a geosynthetic drainage matrix having a plurality of openings, and the bottom layer includes a geotextile having a plurality of openings (12H) formed so as to allow gases to escape from the contaminated sediments on which said geocomposite is placed. The openings in the bottom layer of the geosynthetic barrier have a size in the range up to 200 cm and are spaced apart on centers having a range of between 6 cm to 600 cm, for example. The geosynthetic drainage matrix may be a geonet, a geogrid or a geomesh, fabricated from polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polystyrene, or high impact polystyrene.

Abstract: A low-temperature method for producing coated hazardous waste pellets which re used as the aggregate in a concrete wasteform is characterized by combining hazardous waste with a chemically setting organic polymer to form a mixture which is formed into pellets. The pellets are first coated with epoxy and then coated with a silicate-based powder. The liquid concrete-pellet mixture is then placed in molds which can be rotated to concentrate the pellets away from the perimeter of the wasteform. The double-coated hazardous waste pellets have improved bonding when used as a coarse aggregate in a concrete mixture. The resulting wasteform is self-supporting and needs no external container for transportation, storage, or disposal.

Abstract: The reinforcement of soil to prevent erosion or strength loss, for example n berms and embankments, involves the addition of fibers having an adhesive coating to the soil. Both natural and synthetic fibers may be used. Degradable or non-degradable adhesives may be employed with a preferred adhesive being one which is moderately soluble in water.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a microwave continuous wave (CW) Doppler adar system for river ice motion detection and real-time kinematic data acquisition using digital signal processing equipment for processing, storing and displaying such data. With less complex electronic signal processing hardware, a Doppler radar ice motion detection and alarming system can be used in conjunction with the system. River ice kinematic measurements are fundamental to analyses of river/ice dynamics. The system herein can be rapidly deployed, requires minimal operator interaction, and can continuously acquire, process, store and display ice kinematic data regardless of visibility conditions. Use of the Doppler radar system is an effective, efficient and precise method and apparatus for obtaining river ice kinematic data.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to sloped-faced, ice control elements that are each spaced apart across a riverbed adjacent to a floodplain region. The elements arrest a breakup ice run. The size and spacing of the ice-resisting elements can vary with river size and average ice piece size diameter. The ice-resisting elements, for example, can comprise three or four quarried granite blocks buried in the riverbed in a relatively narrow river of 100 feet or less. This arrangement allows gaps between each ice-resisting element for easy canoe and fish passage. These gaps prevent the ice pieces of the ice jam from passing through during breakup ice runs. The ice-resisting elements may be formed from various materials such as quarried rock, poured concrete, rock-filled cribs, etc. After the ice-resisting elements have retained and stabilized the ice jam, water levels recede and warming water temperatures melt the ice in place behind the ice-resisting elements.

Abstract: A passive, rigid, durable and inexpensive lane marker device that allows remote observations of visual and infrared electromagnetic (EM) signatures. The rugged and rigid construction of the device permits flexible deployment thereof, either by manual placement or by air drop thereof. The lane marker is particularly suitable for hostile military environments which in turn enhances the survivability of military equipment. The lane marker herein is a bispectral lane marker (BLM) that functions as a "thermal mirror" such that thermal EM radiation is reflected in the direction of an approaching moving object such as a plane or land vehicle that are equipped with a thermal imaging system (TIS). The device is a rigid dihedral structure that reflects ambient radiant conditions for intended observation by a TIS.

Abstract: The present invention describes a cylindrical armor unit for use in a revent structure, herein referred to as Vatia Stone. These units are shaped for: i) optimal strength, positional stability and durability; ii) interlocking along all major axes; iii) flexible interlocking capability with each other for abrupt transitions in shorelines; and iv) natural aesthetic qualities. These qualities in combination provide a significant improvement over existing structures. The Vatia Stones are uniformly placed over an erosion controlled shoreline surface and have an optimal interlocking capability between individual units for maximum stabilization. Each unit has an upper and lower surface which can be shaped geometrically to fit the natural surroundings, e.g. look like natural stone as one example.