Abstract: A braking system controlled by an operator's pedal for a vehicle equipped with a mechanically actuated brake clutch pack in which a cam is rotated in response to movement of a brake pedal to operate a pressure-modulating hydraulic valve to direct fluid pressure to an hydraulic actuator extendable under pressure to engage a force transfer member secured to an actuator rod, which rod is connected to apply the clutch pack when tensioned.

Abstract: A transmit-receive station connected to a high speed ring bus carrying data signals that may be received from and sent to each station on the ring bus has two sources of transmit clocking signals. One source is based on the frequency and phase of data signals received on the ring bus from another station and the other source is a local crystal oscillator having essentially the same frequency as the first source but in an indeterminate phase. When changing the source of clocking signals for transmission of data originating at the station, bit slippage may be minimized by providing the local oscillator output signal in four phases and using the phase most nearly aligned with the other clocking signal when the change is made. Control of access to transmit by a station employs a token having a message field of seven bits and a access control bit.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical mixture device that avoids the mixing of large batches of chemicals and provides a continuous and precisely mixed mixture. For mixing water and a chemical, a large water tank and a chemical tank supply water and chemicals to first and second mixing tanks. As small batches are mixed in one mixing tank, the mixture is drawn from the other mixing tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary cooler with three regions. The regions are separated by baffles with holes, which provide a slowed laminar air flow. Each region has its own recirculation system.

Abstract: The multipurpose launcher and controls disclosed herein relates to a modular, expandable system with several operational and combat mission options for surface ships. Particularly, the system enables growth in both structure and controls to enable a staged build up, an upgrade or a turnkey system which can launch different types of missiles, rockets, chaff and decoy. More particularly, the system's modularity in both structure and controls enables it to adopt to a variety of existing and future mission requirements. The multipurpose launcher provides trainability and pointing capability for optimal area coverage and for ordnance requiring precise target placement. The system is reconfigurable and modular to obtain a desired ship class mission capability.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises angled louvers with mirror surfaces in an aperture in armor. A sheet of transparent material is also provided adjacent to the aperture.

Abstract: The serial arc plasma injectors device disclosed herein enables the formation of a segmented, isolated chain of plasma arcs which are incubated to form a specified energy level of plasma discharge tailored to initiate ignition and establish efficient combustion in a particular segment of a propellant mass. The device includes a capillary in which a conductive path comprising electrodes is maintained. Particularly, specialized electrodes provide geometric and dimensional flexibility to establish plasma arc and plasma discharge characteristics that are compatible with different zones of the propellant mass. The specialized electrodes in combination with discharge vents enable the development of a series of regions in the capillary through which plasma discharge is introduced into the propellant mass to selectively initiate ignition and promote efficient combustion.

Abstract: A material hand-off mechanism and process which utilizes a pendulating arm to deliver material to and or accept it from a load station which cooperatively engages the arm. The load station and the arm provide interceptive, interactive and linkless conveyance capable of independent and parallel operations to enhance efficiency and availability of the system. Particularly, the mechanism is suited to transfer ammunition from a storage station into a gun tube. The ammunition is rammed into the gun breech using a flick ram mechanism, which operates in cooperation with the arm, and enables a sure ram of ammunition comprising different modules.

Abstract: A system is provided for cooling a flexible high energy coaxial cable wherein cooling fluid is circulated along the cable and through a heat exchanger to dissipate the cable heat generated by the high energy transferred by the cable. The cable has inner and outer concentric conductors separated by an inner dielectric layer and surrounded by an outer dielectric layer. Channels in the two dielectric layers provide for the fluid flow along the cable which carries away the heat.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and device for removing weapon stowage trays particularly adapted to reconfiguration of a submarine weapon room. The device and method comprise of an adapter plate which is attachable to a shipping beam. The shipping beam is used to transport and enable the engagement of the adapter tray to a weapon tray to thereby allow the removal and transfer of the weapon tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for simulating a system, which provides a recording of steps taken in operation of the system. The invention provides teaching and evaluation for the use and repair of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of bi-directional aseptic volume filler cylinders, that are able to provide measured volume fillers as the piston is driven in both directions by providing an aseptic disk value which is able to direct material in the desired directions. Both sides of the chamber are able to draw material from a single passage and output material to a single passage.

Abstract: A liquid distributor having a pair of variable displacement pumps driven by a single electric motor, the rotation speed of which is determined by a voltage from a controller in response to a predetermined ground speed and application rate which mixes a chemical with water in a desired proportion and delivers a solution to be directed into an open furrow just prior to the furrow being covered with dirt.

Abstract: In a regenerable collective protection system the turbine of an air cycle machine is driven by a potion of the clean air output of a pressure swing adsorber bed pair in the system. The beds in the pair are used alternately to cleanse contaminated air. They are then alternately purged of contaminant products. Valves are used to direct these alternate operations. The valve closures cause overpressures in the clean air output. The overpressures are predictable in relation to the valve actuation sequence and are removed by coordinating operation of a surge air bleed valve in the clean air output with valve actuation in the pressure swing adsorber bed pair.

Abstract: The invention provides a three layer liner for armor to reduce spall and the spall angle. The liner provides a high impedance.The liner is formed by layers of silastic rubber with tungsten powder. Successive layers have a decreasing concentration of tungsten powder, causing the density of the successive layers to decrease. This decreasing density causes the high impedance of the liner. The liner is made by casting a layer of the silastic rubber with the tungsten powder mixed in with a second layer of silastic rubber with a lower density of tungsten powder. The material is then pressed into a sheet. One side of the sheet is wet with silastic rubber and merged with a fabric layer.

Abstract: The invention provides modular armor for a vehicle. The modular armor comprises an outer cover with a plurality of mounting racks attached to the vehicle. Armor panels may be added to or removed from the mounting racks as needed.

Abstract: The invention provides an indirect linkage between a spring and a hatch supported by the spring. The torque or moment applied by the hatch is significantly curved. The indirect linkage which provides a first varying moment arm and a second varying moment arm and utilizes a varying ratio between the first moment arm and the second moment arm to provide an applied spring torque which matches the shape of the torque curve applied by the hatch.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire changing and balancing machine. On the same shaft used to mount and demount a tire, a wheel assembly is balanced. A tire on a wheel assembly is placed between a breaker blade and a breaker pad. The breaker blade collapses the tire. The wheel assembly is then mounted on a shaft. A mounting and demounting head is used to remove the tire from the wheel assembly. A new tire is placed on the wheel assembly. The mounting and demounting head is then used to mount the new tire on the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly and mounted tire are then spun on the shaft and balanced.

Abstract: The invention provides a wheel balancer with a filtering system that reduces signal noise using a phase shift and subtraction circuit. In addition the inventive wheel balancer utilizes an automated parameter entry device, and a fast data refresh system which reduces the burden on the central processing unit CPU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a coating on a plate. The invention uses a method of measuring the impedance of a coating on a plate, which uses the steps of placing the coating on a plate in a chamber, and then placing a counter electrode in the chamber so that the coating lies between the plate and the counter electrode. A reference electrode is placed in the chamber so that the coating lies between the reference electrode and the plate, and the chamber is filled with a fluid with an ionic substrate. A potentiostat induces a voltage between the plate and the reference electrode, and the impedance of the coating is measured to determine the quality of the coating.