Abstract: A safety switch is provided to detect when a tube launched which exits the tube. The switch is located within the vehicle having a switch plunger extending to the periphery of the vehicle. The plunger is biased to provide outward pressure against a lever on the exterior of the vehicle. The lever rides within the bore of the launch tube such that, when the vehicle is within the launch tube, the lever contacts the interior bore of the tube. The lever contacting the tube bore prevents the plunger from extending to activate the switch. When the vehicle exits the tube, the lever is free to rotate away from the vehicle allowing the plunger to extend and activate the switch which may be a single or multi-pole switch.

Abstract: In combination, a male, multiple connection-type, electrical connector, a female, multiple connection-type, electrical connector, and a connector guide for facilitating blind interconnection of the male and female connectors. The male electrical connector comprises a submarine periscope eye box mating end electrical connector. The female electrical connector comprises a submarine periscope mast mating end electrical connector. The connector guide comprises a wall adapted to slidingly engage outside surfaces of the female connector, and an outwardly flared skirt extending from an edge of the guide wall opposed to the eye box mating end. The connector guide is slidable onto the female connector and the male connector is slidable into the connector guide and is guided thereinto by the connector guide skirt, and is guided by the connector guide into the female connector, such that the eye box connector elements engage the mast connector elements.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic information processing system and method are disclosed that may be used not only with known or definite data input but also with uncertain data input. The uncertain data input may be represented by a set of values wherein the possibility of any particular or specific value within the set being the true or accurate value is uncertain. The preferred embodiment of the system provides for an extensor to extend or map a representation of the uncertain data into at least one additional dimension related to dimensions of a set of rules used for making fuzzy logic inferences. The set of rules may be provided effectively in a mapped or graphed form. The set of rules and uncertain data are combined, for instance by locating intersection regions, to produce an output set that may be also be described as a map or plot. In a presently preferred embodiment the uncertain inputs and rules are represented mathematically or symbolically and then operated on to produce an output set.

Abstract: A Low Velocity Detonation (LVD) trap having acceleration, detonation and High Velocity Detonation (HVD) trap zones. The primary function is to prevent the propagation of LVD explosions in monopropellant fuel systems from propagating to the fuel storage tank. An area of decreasing diameter in the acceleration zone amplifies the pressure pulse propagation of the LVD in the fuel system to intentionally accelerate the rate of detonation such that a HVD can be precipitated in the detonation zone. The diameter of the detonation zone sufficiently violates the critical diameter for the amplified pressure pulse such that the fuel detonates as a HVD. The HVD is then trapped in the HVD trap zone which is designed in accordance with well known methods to prevent propagation of monopropellant fuel detonation from reaching the fuel storage tank. The LVD trap is particularly well suited for use in monopropellant fuel engines used to power torpedoes and in facilities associated with torpedo testing.

Abstract: A cable flushing lateral is inserted into a guide tube or conduit through which a cable is to be payed out. The flushing lateral is in the form of a pipe within a pipe with a cylindrical space formed between the pipes. The inner pipe is connected to the upstream side of the guide tube and the outer pipe is connected to the downstream side of the guide tube. The upstream end of the outer pipe has a Y-connection to which a water source is connected such that water under pressure may enter the space between the pipes. The inner pipe has an open nozzle termination at its downstream end and the outer pipe is closed against the inner pipe at its upstream end. The cable to be payed out extends through the guide tube and flushing lateral. The pressure and velocity of the water flowing through the cylindrical space between the inner and outer pipes become uniform. As the water flows past the end of the nozzle, a uniform flow of water surrounds the cable.

Abstract: A bicone antenna that facilitates the passage of cables for at least one other radiating antenna. The bicone antenna has a plurality of inductive shorts spaced approximately one-quarter wavelength (at the cut-in frequency) from the antenna axis. Each inductive short provides a pathway for a cable for another antenna. Consequently, an antenna cable from each of one or more other antennas can be led to a center point on the bicone antenna, directed radially along a cone to an inductive short, led through the inductive short and directed along the surface of the other cone to the center line. The outer conductor of each antenna cable attaches to an antenna surface.

Abstract: A sensor for facilitating the measurement of temperature and magnetic field is described. The sensor comprises an optical cable having a distal end encompassed in a sheath of giant magnetoresistive material. Temperature changes alter the spectrum emissivity of the giant magnetoresistive material. Magnetic field changes alter the spectrum changes that occur from distorting the optical fiber that occur when the giant magnetoresistive material distorts the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for the automated generation of ballistic constants for use in a trajectory control system. The potential trajectory of a pursuing vehicle is divided into a plurality of multiple sequential phases wherein each phase is characterized by a plurality of ballistic parameters. Known simulated data from a number of runs concerning the pursuing vehicle is analyzed. Ballistic parameter values for each run are obtained and statistically analyzed to produce generic constants for a particular set of operating conditions. Resulting matrices are stored as part of a two-dimensional, kinematic vehicle model to facilitate the propagation of projected trajectories during firing control solutions.

Abstract: An eyecup assembly for a submarine periscope blinder assembly includes an annularly-shaped ring having a multiplicity of holes, which are unthreaded, extending therethrough and adapted to receive screws for securing the eyecup assembly to a like multiplicity of holes which are threaded and arranged in a circular pattern around an eyepiece opening in the blinder assembly, the ring defining a central viewing opening. An eyecup lateral shell circumscribes the eyecup chamber and is fixed to the ring and configured to conform generally to an eye area of a viewer's head, and to be interchangeably mounted to the threaded holes to receive either the viewer's left or right eyes by selectively indexing the holes in the ring 180° apart relative to the threaded blinder assembly holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the force applied to a thin-line towed array having a towed array hose formed as part of a thin-line towed array. Coupling components divide the interior of the towed array hose into compartments. Axial tension measurement devices are located within one compartment, and bend measurement devices are located in another compartment. These measurement devices are electrically connected to a digitization and encoding module which is in turn connected to a processing device for providing measurements of the forces on the array.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing countermeasure device is used to sense the direction of a threat projectile or vehicle in addition to countering the threat with noise or interference signals. Countermeasure device includes an acoustic receive array comprised of segmented vertical staves preferably mounted within a reduced diameter section around the outside housing of the countermeasure device. The staves are grouped to form directional acoustic beams across the entire horizontal plane. To determine the direction of the acoustic signals from the threat projectile or vehicle, the countermeasure device uses a method wherein the direction is indicated by the output of the directional acoustic beams. The countermeasure device locates a known reference direction used to determine the bearing of the threat. The bearing information can be transmitted, for example, to the vessel that deployed the countermeasure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric composite transducer and method for making same are disclosed. A block of piezoelectric material has a common base and a plurality of uniform-length rods extending from the common base in a parallel spaced-apart fashion to define an array. A first surface region is defined at outboard ends of the rods and a side region is defined about the periphery of the array. Electric conductors extend through the side region, are routed parallel to the first surface region, and are then led substantially parallel to the rods to the first surface region. Spaces between the rods are filled up to the first surface region with a viscoelastic material. The common base of the block is then removed such that a second surface region parallel and opposite to the first surface region is defined. Electrodes are deposited at the first surface region to be in contact with the rods and in electrical contact with the electric conductors.

Abstract: A countermeasure device which is supplied with air in order to actively compensate for external water pressure at any depth, is disclosed. The countermeasure includes an air bag hover system and one or more acoustic projectors, both of which are connected by an air line to a high pressure air source. A sensor is provided which measures the external water pressure and transmits the measurements to a microprocessor. Upon sensing an increased external water pressure, a pressure regulator valve is opened and air is supplied to both the acoustic projectors and the air bag in order to compensate for the increased water pressure. Similarly, if the external water pressure decreases, then air is released from both the air bag and the acoustic projectors through a pressure vent valve connected to the air bag. The microprocessor can also be programmed to vary the deployment depth of the device by varying the internal pressure within the device relative to the external water pressure.

Abstract: A method for separation of acoustical data into narrowband and broadband time series components includes the steps of: constructing a data matrix in which time series samples of acoustical data are arranged in a forward-backward linear predictor matrix; decomposing a subband of the matrix into an in-band component and an out-of-band component; estimating narrowband components; estimating out-of-band leakage; removing the in-band narrowband component and the out-of-band narrowband component; repeating sequentially the afore mentioned five steps until narrowband components from all of the subbands of the matrix are removed from the acoustical data; and reconstructing the broadband time series; whereby to provide a narrowband time series estimate indicative of the presence of a signal in the acoustical data.

Abstract: A helix antenna includes a base portion for containing a feed network including a power input, a 90 degree power splitter in communication with the power inlet, and first and second 180 degree power splitters in communication with the 90 degree power splitter. A support tube is mounted on the base portion, and a plurality of disk separators are mounted on the tube. Four elongated elements are wound around the tube and are spaced therefrom by the disk separators. The elements are connected to end-most lower and upper ones of the disk separators, the elements extending toward a center feed point of the upper disk separator. First and second radially opposite pairs of feed cables are wound around the support tube, extending from the lower disk separator to the upper disk separator, and are in communication, respectively, with the first and second 180 degree power splitters.

Abstract: An automated message filing system includes a teletype machine having an input for receiving data and at least one port member for enabling a bidirectional transfer of the received data. A computer is also provided having at least one port member for enabling a bidirectional transfer of data, a display, and a data storage area. A converter links the at least one port of the teletype machine with the at least one port of the computer, the converter enabling conversion of teletype data to computer data. Accordingly, data received by the teletype machine is converted by the converter into data readable and storable by the computer.

Abstract: Three extender assemblies are mounted on the torpedo-mounted dispenser (TMD) of a torpedo to provide shock hardening of the TMD. In a first embodiment, the extender assemblies consist of short sections of metal tubes mounted on inner plate portions. The inner plate portions are bent to conform to the TMD radius and attach to the TMD such that the metal tubes are aligned longitudinally on the TMD. Outer plates are attached to the tubes and are in contact with the dolly used to support the torpedo and TMD. When the dolly the TMD is subjected to a shock load, the tubes deform to take up shock loads applied to the TMD through the dolly. To attach the assemblies to the TMD, slots on each inner plate are positioned over hooks on the outside surface of the TMD. The hooks are part of the TMD assembly and serve to secure o-ring or spring retainers for the cable within the TMD. An eye bolt fits over the hook and is bolted to a bent tab on the inner plate.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to estimate a ship's velocity. Two ship sonar returns from two different directions are selected. Each return includes volume reverberation data and bottom reverberation data. Doppler shift for each of the two returns based on the volume reverberation data is determined as a basis for estimating ship velocity relative to the water. Doppler shift for each of the two returns based on the bottom reverberation data is determined as a basis for estimating ship velocity relative to the ground.

Abstract: A rotary joint between a towed array and its towing vessel is provided having a drive plate, shaft and rotor attached to the towed array payout and take-in stowage drum and rotating with the drum. A thrust washer and bearing provide a rotating mechanical connection between these rotating components and the stationary housing and connector portions of the joint. The housing is fixed within the vessel and has an internal stator surrounding, and in electrical communication with the rotor. Electrical feeds from the towed array are connected to contact rings within the rotor, and the stator includes spring loaded pins in radial electrical contact with the rings as the rings rotate with the rotor. Electrical leads from the pins pass through the housing to the connector which is connected to the vessel's signal processing systems. In addition, the housing contains a pressure compensator within a passageway between the interior and exterior of the joint.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electrochemical system is provided which comprises a plurality of cells, the cells being formed by spaced apart bipolar electrodes. Each of the electrodes is formed by an anode portion formed from a magnesium containing material and an electrocatalytic material joined to a surface of the anode. The electrodes are spaced such that the anode portion of one electrode faces the electrocatalytic material of the adjacent electrode. The electrochemical system also comprises a manifold system for introducing a seawater-catholyte solution into the spaces between the electrodes. An electrical connection is provided across the cells so as to initiate the reduction of the seawater-catholyte solution at the electrodes and to create electrical power. In a preferred embodiment, the seawater-catholyte solution is a seawater-hydrogen peroxide or seawater-sodium hypochlorite solution.