Abstract: A method of modifying and converting an M113A1/A2 into a M113A3 with the use of the M113A3 style powerpack and the M113A1/A2 engine access hole location, which method utilizes a remote engine oil filter that allows the access hole in the bottom plate to remain unchanged from the M113A1/A2 to the M113A3, a remote engine oil filter adapter to accommodate the remote engine oil filter and a remote transmission oil drain and an engine oil adapter to allow engine oil drainage and transmission fluid service through the access hole.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a plasma generation device particularly adapted to an electrothermal-chemical propulsion system. The device comprises a membranous conductive substance having structural compositions which enable the formation of a continuous and volumetrically distributed, segmentally varied plasma arc. The membranous substance is versatile and operates, inter alia, as a fuse wire, plasma incubator, plasma container, plasma distributor, plasma infusion and permeation media as well as a fuel container.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved passive armor system. The armor system uses armor stacks of ceramic tiles connected to layers of glass. The armor stacks are then adhered to the inside of a cover box. The cover box is then secured to a base and then covered with a cloth impregnated with an adhesive.

Abstract: The invention provides a water jet system with higher efficiency and better steering. The water jet system uses cantilever bars for an inlet grating, to prevent blockage. The water jet system also uses an elliptical impeller shaft housing to reduce turbulence and snagging of debris by the rotating impeller shaft. The water jet system uses impeller blades with a curved cross section that curves towards the direction of forward rotation. The water jet system uses U-shaped flanges mounted to the outlet of the water jet to provide steering.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a stabilized plasma injector device specifically adapted to incubate, shape and develop plasma under the influence of an adjustable electromagnetic field to provide ignition and further promote energy coupling between the plasma and a combustible mass. The device includes a pair of shaped coils one of which is evaporated to form the plasma and the other coil provides the electromagnetic force field to influence the characteristic arc symmetry and the energy coupling between the plasma and the surrounding combustible mass.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of rear drive conversion of the M113 family of vehicles to provide a light, mobile and tactical hybrid vehicle. The method includes stripping an M113 to a base aluminum hull and providing modified or newly fabricated parts to enable the conversion. Using the rear drive conversion process disclosed herein, critical operations parameters such as volume under armor, mobility, air transportability and vehicle performance efficiency per unit weight are significantly increased.

Abstract: A simulation engine for temporally driven functional causal model application program is disclosed. An object oriented approach is used to create model definitions in which a system of interacting agents are assembled into a tree structure of agents and subsystems. The interacting agents which exhibit or endowed with time dependent behaviors are identified and are given priority in a queue. The temporal nature of the interacting agents and other characteristics are considered in the simulation of the model.

Abstract: A ballistic grille structure is combined in a stacked array with a similar grille structure to yield ballistic performance capability greater than the ballistic performance capability of the original grille structure. The grille structures may be of the type currently used in single, unscathed deployments with each grille structure a truncated version of the current structure such that a synergistic projectile defeating capability is realized by the stacked array of truncated grille structures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for animating and coloring hydraulic, electrical, electromechanical and similar schematic systems, components and designations to anble repeatable visual review and study. The invention provides, inter alia, a training aid for study, evaluation, design and maintenance of a system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is disclosed for using stand-up expanded metal armor members for protecting vehicles or other objects from ballistic threats. One or more spaced expanded metal member has projectile engaging faces which present sharp edges and arcuate surfaces to the small point of the projectile. When the point of the projectile engages the faces of the expanded metal members, the projectile is progressively deflected or shattered causing the wide arcuate side surface of the projectile to stop the projectile, or to pass through some or all of the members and engage the protected object with less than lethal force.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for bonding ceramic tiles to armor. The invention uses a toughened epoxy adhesive and a rubber interlayer to improve the bonding of ceramic tile to armor. A scrim cloth is embedded in adhesive layers to serve as a wick and spacer to uniformly distribute the epoxy.

Abstract: Passenger boarding bridge extendable sections are provided with roller assemblies supporting one extendable bridge section relative to a second extendable bridge section wherein the roller assemblies assist in reducing the downward load in the overlapping area of the bridge sections.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved passive armor system. The armor system uses armor stacks of ceramic tiles connected to layers of glass. The armor stacks are then adhered to the inside of a cover box. The cover box is then secured to a base and then covered with a cloth impregnated with an adhesive.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus dispensing a liquid bait in a refillable manner. The invention provides a transparent bait station in which is mounted to a structure. A liquid bait is injected into the bait station to initially fill and then refill the bait station. The bait is a slow acting toxicant and attractant. The bait station is formed to allow access by bugs, but not by larger animals. The bait station is also able to protect the bait from wind and rain.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary processor which uses a linear motion detector to measure the deflection of the rotary processor as the rotary processor is heated. The linear motion detector measures the deflection of the rotary processor to prevent damage caused by excessive vessel deflection. The linear motion detector is placed to measure deflection near the center of a rotary processor.

Abstract: The invention provides a shaker with a set of primary eccentric weights and secondary eccentric weights. The invention rotates the primary and secondary eccentric weights at the same speed, but may on the fly change the rotational phase between the primary and secondary eccentric weights, causing an on the fly change of amplitude of the inventive shaker.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved peeler of fruits such as tomatoes. The peeler passes the tomatoes through a pressure inlet valve to a high temperature stem in a pressurized system. The tomatoes then are passed through a pressure outlet valve to a flexible cable peeler, which helps to remove the peels from the tomatoes. A chute passes the tomatoes from the flexible cable peeler to a pinch roller, which removes the remainder of the peels.

Abstract: The invention uses a lost motion clamping system to provide variable height clamping from the top of a one or more stacks. The variable height clamp is then locked in place. A second clamping means then provides additional clamping from the bottom of the stacks.

Abstract: The invention provides a container for holding dry products. The container is a container portion mounted to a base. The container portion has sloping sides with a slope greater than the angle of repose of the dry product. The container and base form a box shape that allows maximum packing and stacking of containers. The invention minimizes hazardous waste and dust produced by conventional paper sacks used for storing pesticides.