Abstract: An optical sight is integrated into a bracket that can support an optical scope. The bracket defines a bore therethrough such that an optical line-of-sight is defined that is parallel to the line-of-sight of the optical scope. A post extends vertically upward into the bore at a forward end of the bracket in a way that the post's outboard end can be selectively positioned in the bore along a vertical line extending through the bore. A plate with a viewing aperture formed therethrough is mounted across the bore at an aft end of the bracket in a way that the viewing aperture can be selectively positioned along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to the vertical line defined by the post.

Abstract: A mounting system for a cylindrical object such as a spotting rifle is provided. First and second U-shaped brackets are coupled to a base such as a launching device. Each U-shaped bracket has first and second legs extending from a common base. The two U-shaped brackets are oriented such that the first and second legs of one U-shaped bracket are perpendicular to the first and second legs of the other U-shaped bracket. Each U-shaped bracket slidably receives a sleeve between its first and second legs. Each sleeve is attachable to the bracket's common base such that the position of the sleeve relative to the bracket's common base is adjustable. A locking mechanism is provided with each U-shaped bracket/sleeve combination to lock the sleeve laterally between the first and second legs of the U-shaped bracket. The two sleeves are coaxially aligned.

Abstract: A method is presented for calibrating an infrared sensing device while in an orbit above a celestial body. The infrared sensing device measures a signal profile proportional to radiance emission from the atmospheric limb region in each of a plurality of spectral bandpass regions. The radiance emission from each of the spectral bandpass regions is primarily due to a gas in the atmospheric limb region. The gas must 1) have a known mixing ratio as a function of pressure, 2) cause spectral opacity to be different for each spectral bandpass region, and 3) cause spectral opacity to be non-linearly proportional to concentration of the gas in the atmospheric limb region over at least a portion of the signal profile. A temperature/pressure profile that is indicative of the signal profiles is determined. The temperature/pressure profile is indicative of absolute radiance emission which is then used to calibrate the infrared sensing device.

Abstract: A spotting rifle barrel is aligned and retained relative to a launch tube and a spotting rifle receiver housing. A first annular lug is coupled to an outer portion of a breech end of the spotting rifle barrel. A second annular lug is coupled to an inner portion of the spotting rifle receiver housing. The spotting rifle barrel extends through the second annular lug so that a forward end of the first annular lug abuts an aft end of the second annular lug. The forward end of the first annular lug and the aft end of the second annular lug meet at a complementary radius of curvature. The first annular lug is retained in an abutting relationship with the second annular lug. A boresight adjustment assembly cooperates with a muzzle end of the spotting rifle barrel to adjust the boresight of the spotting rifle barrel while allowing for axial movement of the barrel.

Abstract: A bayonet lug clamp has a housing opened on one end thereof for slidingly engaging the bayonet lug. A plate is mounted in the housing and opposes the bayonet lug as the housing is slid thereon. A screw passes through the housing to threadably engage the plate. Turning of the screw draws the plate against the bayonet lug.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing countermass assembly for a weapon has a crushable section, a piston at the forward end of the crushable section, and at the rearward end of the crushable section. The countermass can be a rupturable enclosure filled with a dispersible material.

Abstract: An adjustable support for a sensor has a first support defining a first end and a second end. A first clamp is fixedly coupled to the first support between the first and second and thereof. The first clamp has an adjustable coupling for selective fixation to a support platform. A second support is adjustably coupled to the first support in a way that supports the second support, facilitates selective movement of the second support relative to the first support in one dimension, and facilitates fixation of the second support relative to the first support. A second clamp is adjustably coupled to the second support so that a sensor fixedly coupled to the second clamp can be moved relative to the second support and fixed thereto by the second clamp.

Abstract: A joint insert is provided as well as a system and method for using same in the finishing of a surface's joint. The joint insert is a strip of material having a central longitudinal axis dividing the strip into first and second halves that are mirror-images about the central longitudinal axis. The strip is folded along the central longitudinal axis so that when the strip is positioned in the joint, the strip's central longitudinal axis and portions of the strip's first and second halves extend out of the joint. Gaps are formed between the joint and portions of the strip within the confines of the joint. A filler material is used to fill the gaps. As a final step in the finishing process, any of the strip and filler material extending above the plane of the surface over the joint is removed.

Abstract: A mechanical device for generating actuating movement has a housing defining a first bore and a second bore contiguous therewith. The housing also defines radial ports that allow an environment about the housing to communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore. A second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and is positioned so that it is flush with the first bore. A spring, coupled to the first piston, is capable of an at-rest state in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston. The spring is also capable of a compressed state in which the first piston is positioned such that the radial ports communicate with the first bore between the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A water sensor includes a housing that has at least one inlet port formed therein for allowing water to pass therethrough when submerged in water. A drive piston is mounted in the housing for sliding engagement therein. A water-activated driver is coupled to the drive piston and is in communication with the inlet port(s). The water-activated driver is inert in air and reactive with water to exert pressure on the drive piston and so that the drive piston moves in the housing. A movable indicator is mounted relative to the housing and is positioned to be responsive to movement of the drive piston. The movable indicator moves from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the drive piston.

Abstract: A copper crusher gauge holder for testing internal pressures of cartridges during test firing is provided. The copper crusher gauge holder has a circular aluminum upper plate and a circular aluminum lower plate having a layer of urethane rubber approximately ¾ inch thick sandwiched between the plates. The gauge holder is bored to hold copper crusher gauges and center-bored to fit over a cartridge centerline primer tube. A series of machine screws hold the plates together and allow for tightening the screws once the copper crusher gauge holder is in place in a cartridge to be tested. As the machine screws are tightened, the urethane rubber expands laterally gripping the inside of the cartridge and gripping the copper crusher gauges. A method to manufacture the gauge holder is provided.

Abstract: A control mechanism is provided for coupling/interrupting two transmission leads. A first cam configured for spring-loaded rotation in a direction of rotation is positioned between the two leads. A lead coupler attached to the first cam couples the two leads to one another when the first cam achieves a prescribed position.

Abstract: A dual discharge tube excimer laser is provided. An oscillator having a first discharge tube generates a laser beam having a cross-sectional shape as initially defined by the first discharge tube. The oscillator selects a bandwidth of the laser beam and maintains the cross-sectional shape of the laser beam within the oscillator and as it exits the oscillator. The laser beam exiting the oscillator is amplified by one pass through the first discharge tube and two passes through a second discharge tube.

Abstract: A ball lock mechanism has a shaft with an annular groove formed therearou A first sleeve fitted on the shaft defines at least one channel between the first sleeve and the shaft. An opening facing away from the shaft is formed at the end of each channel. Ball bearings fill each channel so that, when the channels and annular groove are misaligned, one of the bearings extends partially through each channel's opening. A second sleeve is fitted over the first sleeve and the openings for retaining the bearings in the channels. The second sleeve is configured and movable with respect to the first sleeve to push the one bearing extending partially through each channel's opening into the channel when the channels and annular groove are aligned. As a result, another of the bearings is pushed into the annular groove while remaining partially in each channel to inhibit axial movement of the shaft relative to the first sleeve.

Abstract: An air-safed underwater fuze system is provided for munitions that are to launch-deployed and water-detonated. A housing defines a first bore contiguous with a second bore. Radial ports in the housing communicate with the first bore. A first piston is slidably mounted in the first bore and a second piston is slidably mounted in the second bore and positioned flush with the first bore. Piston control means are coupled between the munitions and first piston for positioning the first piston in a first position prior to launch in which the first piston seals off the radial ports while being spaced apart from the second piston to define a chamber. The piston control means moves the first piston at launch to a second position so that the chamber expands and the radial ports are in communication with the chamber. The piston control means further drives the first piston from its second position towards its first position at a specified time after launch.

Abstract: A storage device is provided for use with a shelf having an accessible edge. A frame is formed from a single piece of rod stock that is shaped to define first and second U-shaped members that can slidably engage the accessible edge of the shelf. The first and second U-shaped members are coupled to one another in a spaced-apart opposing fashion by a portion of the frame that is spaced a distance from the first and second U-shaped members. In this way, when the first and second U-shaped members engage the accessible edge of the shelf, the portion of the frame is positioned away from the accessible edge of the shelf to extend along and under the shelf. A plate is hingedly coupled to the portion of the frame that couples the first and second U-shaped members to one another. The plate extends from this portion of the frame to approximately the accessible edge of the shelf.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing flow-induced resonance in a cavity of a structure. At least one pair of diaphragms are mounted in a housing and separated from one another such that a chamber is formed therebetween within the housing. A first diaphragm of the pair of diaphragms is oscillated in accordance with a time-varying function. A second diaphragm of the pair of diaphragms is oscillated inversely to the first diaphragm so that pressure in the chamber formed therebetween changes in correspondence with the time-varying function. The chamber is vented at a position flush with the surface of the structure along the leading edge of the cavity. As a result of such venting, the pressure in the chamber that changes in correspondence with the time-varying function introduces a corresponding time-varying disturbance into the shear layer along the leading edge of the cavity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for storing an individual's personal information and for broadcast thereof at a time of emergency. A sealed package contains a medium storing personal information associated with an individual. The sealed package is stored at a facility until an emergency occurs. At a time of emergency, a missing person report concerning the individual generated by a law enforcement agency is processed. The personal information in the individual's sealed package is accessed in response to the missing person report and then broadcast on an electronic bulletin board accessible via the internet.

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image is provided. The image is initially represented by digital data indexed to represent positions on a display. The digital data is indicative of an intensity value I.sub.i (x,y) for each position (x,y) in each i-th spectral band. The intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band is adjusted to generate an adjusted intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band in accordance with ##EQU1## where S is the number of unique spectral bands included in said digital data, W.sub.n is a weighting factor and "*" denotes the convolution operator. Each surround function F.sub.n (x,y) is uniquely scaled to improve an aspect of the digital image, e.g., dynamic range compression, color constancy, and lightness rendition. The adjusted intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band is filtered with a common function and then presented to a display device.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for clamping and severing a compressible structure containing a fluid. A clamp having a pair of arms is secured in a clamped position about the structure so that the fluid between the arms is forced outward therefrom. A cutting assembly coupled to the clamp cuts through the pair of arms while in the clamped position to form first and second separated clamps that remain in the clamped position. As a result, the structure is severed and clamped without fluid discharge.