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.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for launching or retrieving a vessel. This apparatus includes a first vertical member having a top and a bottom end. A lower vessel engagement hook is positioned at the lower end of the vertical member. A second vertical member is positioned in parallel spaced relation to the first vertical member. An upper vessel engagement structure is positioned at the lower end of the second vertical member in spaced opposed relation to the lower vehicle engagement hook. The second vertical member moves axially upwardly and downwardly to allow for engagement with the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a cylindrical acoustic projector is provided which allows efficient operation of the projector over a wide bandwidth. The system and method use multiple power amplifiers each tuned to operate over separate and narrow bandwidths, the number of seperate bandwidths corresponding to the number of amplifiers such that the total bandwidth is covered. Each tuning network assembly includes the power amplifier, a transformer and a tuning inductor, with the tuning inductor selected for proper tuning over the frequency bands the amplifier is to operate at. The narrow bandwidths for each power amplifier result in a substantial reduction in the reactive power dissipated in the amplifiers and also the total power consumption of the acoustic projector.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a photon transducer system is provided for obtaining information on acoustic signals within a fluid environment. The photon transducer system uses a laser-based Doppler interferometer located within a pressure release surface. The pressure release surface is formed by generating a gas pocket in the fluid, creating a boundary layer between the laser light source and the surrounding fluid. Laser light is reflected from the boundary and is detected by the interferometer to obtain the Doppler velocity of the pressure release surface. The pressure incident on the boundary can be determined from the measured velocity, providing information on the incident acoustic pressure.

Abstract: A device and method, which progressively and sequentially increases the volume of the alarm signal upon the initiation of the alarm, is provided. The disclosed device includes a multiple voltage-controlled oscillator, at least two dual-input positive-NAND gates, a shift register and a plurality of transistors and resistors, which are configured to sequentially include the resistors into the alarm circuit. The method includes sequentially and progressively increasing the volume of an initiated audio alarm signal by sequentially including one of the plurality of resistors into the alarm circuit to vary the volume of the alarm signal emanating from an alarm speaker. The resistors are included into the alarm circuit by sequentially switching on the corresponding one of the plurality of transistors. The transistors are switched on in response to outputs received from a shift register, which is shifted in response to an output received from a first NAND gate.

Abstract: A multi-function radio frequency (RF) signal warning system detects different types of RF signals, such as radar signals, provided in various RF bands and provides an indication of the type of radar signal and the RF band. The system detects pulsed radar signals having different pulse repetition frequency (PRF) ranges as well as high duty cycle radar signals and continuous wave radar signals. The system includes a receiver processor that detects the radar signals, video amplifies the radar signals with baseline correction, and processes the radar signals to determine the type of radar signal, e.g., the RF band and PRF range. The receiver processor generates audio and visual control signals and transmits the control signals to one or more remote units. The remote units receive the audio control signals and generate an audible alarm.

Abstract: A plasma antenna with a plasma column is provided. Lasers are disposed to transmit photon beams through the plasma in an alternating, oppositely directed fashion. When a laser is energized, its laser beam produces photon-electron collisions that impart momentum to electrons in the plasma. Alternating the operation of the lasers produces an alternating current in the plasma that radiates an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An electric cable junction box assembly includes a main body having a hole herethrough. A junction box main connector assembly is fixed in the hole and is provided with electrical leads adapted to receive a main cable end connector. A junction box secondary connector assembly is fixed in a second hole in the body, the junction box secondary connector assembly being adapted to receive a secondary cable end connector. A wiring harness in the main body is connected to the junction box main connector assembly, and a branch of the wiring harness extends from a remainder of the wiring harness and is fixed to the junction box secondary connector assembly.

Abstract: A simple mechanical device is provided which generates acoustic signals at ne or more specified depths. The device consists of a spring loaded piston placed in a wall of a housing, the spring loading biasing the piston away from the housing. The piston is subjected to a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the housing such that the piston moves against the spring force and into the housing as the pressure differential, corresponding to a depth of the housing beneath a water surface, increases. As the piston moves further into the housing, it contacts a series of latches, each latch being used to detain spring loaded striker. The latches are spaced along the travel path of the piston such that each striker is associated with a specific piston movement, or depth. When the piston contacts a latch, the striker is released and strikes against a ledge within the housing, creating one of the acoustic signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intelligent personal underwater monitng system which recognizes when a swimmer is in trouble and transmits a warning signal. The system comprises a device worn by the swimmer which senses water pressure and transmits a first signal when a predetermined depth is passed by the swimmer. The system further comprises a device for receiving the signals generated by the device worn by the swimmer and a neural network processor for processing the signals and generating an output signal representative of whether the swimmer is in trouble and an alarm signal generation device.

Abstract: A method for automatically classifying test images based on their similares with a dictionary of example target and non-target images. The method operates by receiving a test image and then initializing variables for an iteration count and for the linear expansion of the test image. The test image is then projected onto each one of the target and non-target images in the dictionary, wherein a maximum scaling coefficient is selected for each iteration. A residue is then generated, and the linear expansion of the test image is increased until a predetermined number of iterations have been performed. Once this predetermined number of iterations have been performed, the sum of the scaling coefficients belonging to the target examples in the dictionary is compared to the sum of the scaling coefficients belonging to the non-target examples in the dictionary to determine whether the image is a target signal or a non-target signal.

Abstract: A fluid pump and expandable energy storage device includes a substantially igid circular band, a substantially rigid central hub, a membrane fixed to the band and to the hub, the membrane being enlargeable by a fluid introduced into the device, and a plurality of rods interconnecting the band and the hub. The enlargeable membrane is adjacent the rods, such that enlargement of the membrane causes movement of the hub and portions of the rods away from a plane of the band. The movement causes twisting and bending of the rods, biasing the rods to return to their original positions upon release of the fluid. Upon such release, the membrane and the rods immediately return to their non-enlarged states, forcing the fluid out of the device at a high velocity.

Abstract: A simple, mechanical device is provided which produces an acoustic signal a specified depth. The device consists of a shear plug in an exterior wall of the device housing which prevents the movement of a spring biased piston. The plug is subjected to increasing differential pressure between the exterior and interior of the housing as the depth of the device beneath the water surface increases. At a known pressure differential, corresponding to a specified depth, the shear plug fails, allowing for the actuation of the piston. The spring biased piston strikes against a ledge in the device, creating the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A platform for servicing of vertically positioned missiles in a ballistic ssile submarine. The platform includes a vertically inclined rail and a horizontal frame. In the frame there is a first element having a first and a second end superimposed over the inclined rail. This first element is movably mounted directly on the rail at the first end and movably mounted in vertically spaced relation above said inclined rail at said second end. At least one second element is spaced laterally from the first element to enclose a missile tube access opening. A vertical support means is also positioned in opposed relation to the inclined rail. The vertical support means is adjustable to the curved hull surface of the submarine to maintain the frame horizontal. The platform is constructed from a lightweight material such as aluminum, and it can be carried and assembled by two men for the efficient servicing of VLS equipped submarines and other similar vessels.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna is provided having feed points connected to e individual helical antenna elements through a spiral coupling path. The spiral coupling path additionally is wound contrarily to the winding of the helix. Moreover, each path has variable dimensions to provide impedance matching.

Abstract: A wideband, low-profile, towable submarine antenna is provided. The antenna is formed with a metal cylinder having a longitudinal slot. The entire enna may be encapsulated in a tow body and towed horizontally on the surface of the water. The longitudinal slot is open at one end and closed, or shorted, at the opposite end. The location of the antenna feedpoint is placed along the slot so as to set up two sets of frequency resonances. This configuration provides two voltage standing wave ratio minimums, thereby extending the effective reception and transmission range over the entire military UHF frequency range (225-400 MHz).

Abstract: A receiver and method are disclosed that improves signal detection in a mipath environment wherein the desired reflected acoustic pulse is degraded by multipath reflections and embedded in noise. The invention provides a receiver that repetitively processes the received signal. The receiver includes separate signal processors, such as parallel configured quadrature signal processors, wherein each processor operates over different, and preferably contiguous, time intervals. After each repetition, the processing time interval for each processor is changed. The outputs of the processors are combined, such as by summing, and applied to a detector, such as a threshold detector, for each processing repetition to determine if the transmitted pulse is detected. The receiver continues processing the received signal until a predetermined number of time intervals have been processed without detection of a pulse or until the reflected pulse is detected.

Abstract: A horizontal plasma antenna is provided. An ionizer generates an ionizing am through a horizontal tube to form a bounded plasma column extending along a horizontal axis in a gravity field. An amplitude or frequency modulating signal is applied to Helmholtz coils to control a horizontal magnetic field that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The resulting changes in the magnetic field produce a drift current in the plasma that, in turn, radiates an amplitude or phase modulated electromagnetic field from the plasma column.

Abstract: The invention provides an unmanned, autonomous, undersea platform which ends the sphere of influence of a host vessel from which it is launched. The platform is hydrodynamically and stealth shaped to minimize noise, wake and detectability of the platform. The platform includes advanced active and passive sensors for monitoring the undersea environment, high data rate RF and satellite communications capabilities for communication with the host vessel when necessary, forward deployed offensive and defensive weapons systems and sophisticated data processing to coordinate the sensing, communications and weapons systems with minimal direction from the host vessel. Prior to launch, mission directives are input to the data processors. Using artificial intelligence and neural network programming for decision making, the processors constantly update the platform's operating parameters to conform with changing environmental and threat conditions and to successfully complete the mission.

Abstract: A broadband phased antenna is comprised of multiple patches which are dirly feed. The multiple patches provide the broadband patch antenna having overlapping narrow frequency bands and comprise a ground-plane element, multiple antenna elements, multiple dielectric layers, an RF feed line, and a feed arrangement. The ground-plane element has predetermined length and width dimensions and an aperture therein at a predetermined location near its center. The multiple antenna elements have an uppermost antenna element. The multiple dielectric layers are respectively interposed between and separate the multiple antenna elements into a stacked arrangement having odd and even numbered antenna elements.