Abstract: A method for controlling cooling fans for variable electrical loads. A cooller monitors cooling fan output, ambient temperature and the electrical load. The controller then matches the fan speed and resulting cooling to the existing electrical load and ambient temperature. As a consequence, fan speed is maintained at a minimum necessary to sustain appropriate cooling levels. This minimizes the generation of structureborne and airflow noise.

Abstract: A system for improving efficiency and reducing harmful emissions in an innal combustion engine and for allowing the engine to run in oxygen poor and oxygen depleted environments. An oxidant, such as hydrogen peroxide, is emulsified with engine fuel. The emulsion is injected into the combustion chamber of the engine. A controller senses the temperature and oxygen level in the exhaust stream of the engine as well as the oxygen level in the ambient fluid. The controller operates a valve to vary the amount of oxidant added to the fuel as well as controlling the amount of ambient air introduced into the chamber and the injection of the fuel oxidant emulsion into the chamber. The controller parameters are set to maintain maximum efficiency and minimum emissions. The oxidant in the emulsion provides for near stoichiometric combustion to reduce combustion products and reduce the engine's air requirements.

Abstract: A torpedo is provided in a static test fixture where the engine, normally iven by the combustion of otto fuel is driven from a land based source of superheated steam. The torpedo's otto fuel engine is operated on steam and the need for a combustor and other fuel related components is eliminated. Such components are replaced by a steam line and a steam adapter. The torpedo's fuel tank is replaced with an extender section where the steam supply is connected and fed to the steam adapter. The need for storing combustible fuel and oxidizer agents on site is eliminated. The usual support and safety equipment required for handling of otto fuel and explosive devices are also eliminated.

Abstract: An underwater measurement device includes a housing for disposition on a bed surface, an opening defined by the housing, a buoy for disposition in the opening and buoyant so as to be floatable out of the opening, a cable interconnecting the housing and the buoy, and a winch in the buoy to pay out and take in the cable to permit the buoy to rise toward the sea surface and be drawn into the housing opening. A sensor is fixed to the buoy. Disposed in the device are communication circuitry for relaying to a remote station signals detected by the sensor, and operative circuitry for receiving instructions from the remote station and in response thereto operating the winch and the sensor.

Abstract: A self-sealing venturi type mixing valve for mixing a polymer with water as t is being dispensed. A hollow piston is slidably mounted in the valve body. Water flows through the piston and into a venturi tube causing the water flow to become turbulent. A circumferential slot connected to a polymer reservoir surrounds the downstream end of the piston. The piston is spring-loaded within the valve such that its downstream end seals against the portion of the valve body forming the throat of the venturi tube, also sealing the slot from the venturi tube. When polymer flow is started, the pressure of the polymer pushes the piston away from the throat, allowing polymer to flow into the tube and mix with the water. When the polymer flow is shut off, the spring-loaded piston closes off the slot. Any polymer remaining in the slot is sealed off from contact with water, thus preventing clogging of the valve.

Abstract: A method for monitoring various parameters for equipment at network sites. controller at each site monitors cooling fan output, ambient temperature and an electrical load. The controller includes a network interface and microcontroller for responding to requests for the values of monitored parameters. In response to such a request, the controller processes a procedure that retrieves a requested monitored parameter value and that transfers that value onto the network.

Abstract: An undersea vehicle propulsion and attitude control system is used to conl the forward/reverse movement, vertical up/down movement, lateral movement, pitch, roll and yaw of an undersea vehicle. The propulsion and attitude control system includes a forward port at a forward end of the undersea vehicle, an aft port at an aft end of the vehicle, and radial ports extending radially along the undersea vehicle. The propulsion and attitude control system further includes a single pump, either reversible or unidirectional, and a plurality of valves that, through a controller, selectively control fluid flow between the pump and the forward port, aft port, and radial outlet ports in the undersea vehicle, to provide accurate vehicle propulsion and attitude control.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel bladder having a flexible bladder wall with a fuel out aperture in which a tubular penetration body extends through the aperture and an interior flange on the tubular penetration abuts the interior side of the flexible bladder wall. A tubular valve connection member is superimposed over the fuel outlet aperture such that its outer peripheral surface abuts the inner peripheral surface of the tubular penetration body. A washer and a lock nut are positioned over the tubular penetration member to press the fuel bladder wall against the tubular penetration member interior flange. An O-ring seal is positioned between the proximate surface of the tubular penetration body and the interior side of the bladder wall. Another O-ring seal is positioned adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the tubular penetration body and the exterior side of the bladder wall.

Abstract: An improved method for laying out a workspace using the prior art crowding index, PDI, where the average interpoint distance between the personnel and/or equipment to be laid out, d.sub.act, can be determined. The improvement lies in using the convex hull area, A.sub.poly, of the distribution of points being laid out within the workplace space to calculate the actual crowding index for the workspace. The convex hull area is that area having a boundary line connecting pairs of points being laid out such that no line connecting any pair of points crosses the boundary line. The calculation of the convex hull area is illustrated using Pick's theorem with additional methods using the Surveyor's Area formula and Hero's formula also being described for calculating A.sub.poly. The improved crowding index is termed PDI.sub.poly to distinguish it from the prior art crowding index, PDI.sub.act.

Abstract: A method for laying out a workspace using the crowding index, PDI, and an proximation for the average interpoint distance between the personnel and/or equipment to be laid out, d.sub.act '. The invention lies in using the convex hull area, A.sub.poly, of the distribution of points being laid out within the workplace space to calculate the actual crowding index for the workspace. The convex hull area is that area having a boundary line connecting pairs of points being laid out such that no line connecting any pair of points crosses the boundary line. The calculation of the convex hull area is illustrated using Pick's theorem with additional methods using the Surveyor's Area formula and Hero's formula also being described for calculating A.sub.poly. The crowding index is termed PDI.sub.poly ' to distinguish it from the crowding index, PDI.sub.act, the prime notation indicating the approximation used to determine the average interpoint distance, d.sub.act '.

Abstract: A torpedo is provided in a static test fixture where the engine, normally iven by the combustion of otto fuel is driven from a land based source of superheated steam. The torpedo's otto fuel engine is operated on steam and the need for a combustor and other fuel related components is eliminated. Such components are replaced by a steam line and a steam adapter. The torpedo's fuel tank is replaced with an extender section where the steam supply is connected and fed to the steam adapter. The need for storing combustible fuel and oxidizer agents on site is eliminated. The usual support and safety equipment required for handling of otto fuel and explosive devices are also eliminated.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable, coated to increase its sensitivity to acoustic press, is towed through a medium. The optical fiber contains Bragg grating sensors at regular intervals along its length. A steerable array of transducers sends a pulse of sound in the direction of the optical cable while broadband pulses of light are directed down the optical fiber. The pulses of light are selectively reflected back according to the spacing between the Bragg gratings. The sound pressure field causes a local strain in the fiber, thus changing the grating spacing. The sound velocity profile along the length of the optical cable is computed by measuring the amount of time necessary for successive Bragg gratings to respond to the acoustic pressure associated with the advancing wave front of the acoustic pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for eliminating surface irregulties on the wraparound window of a torpedo nose array. The method broadly comprises the steps of preheating an oven to a temperature in the range of from about room temperature to about 160.degree. F., placing the nose array with the surface irregularities in the preheated oven, applying a vacuum at a pressure of up to about 10 mm of mercury, and maintaining the object in the oven under the conditions of temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to cause polymerization at the surface of the object and removal of gas bubbles, waves and blisters from the surface of the nose array. The method further comprises introducing an anhydrous gas such as nitrogen into the oven during the vacuum applying step.

Abstract: An extractor for use in removing a solid, smooth, press fit shaft from a sing where access to the shaft is restricted. The extractor has a jacket and a collet. The collet fits around the shaft and the collet in turn fits within the jacket. The exterior of the collet end within which the shaft is placed is tapered and this tapered portion of the collet fits within a similarly tapered bore in the jacket. The collet has a threaded end opposite the tapered portion and the threaded end protrudes from the jacket when the tapered portion is fully seated within the tapered bore of the jacket. A nut is placed onto the threaded end and tightened such that the collet is pulled further into the jacket. The movement of the tapered portion within the tapered bore creates a wedging action which forces the collet against the shaft. As the nut is further tightened, the collet grips the shaft tighter.

Abstract: An omnidirectional ultrasonic microprobe hydrophone is disclosed. Applicans include underwater mine detection, explosive shock testing, high wave number measurements, medical imaging, and therapeutic systems. The apparatus includes at least two lead zirconate titanate (PZT) pressure sensing elements having a plurality of columnar voids formed therein. The pressure sensing elements are deposited on a metallic or nonmetallic substrate which provides mechanical support for the microprobe hydrophone. Electrical connection to the pressure sensing elements is made by deposition of conductors and insulators on the substrate material. Wire bonds are used to attach wire leads for connection to a supporting structure containing a preamplifier. Line arrays and planar arrays of microprobe hydrophone elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system of articulation units is inserted between sections of a standard lindrical underwater vehicle, such as a torpedo, to provide a highly maneuverable vehicle. Each articulation unit consists of two bulkheads connected by a spherical joint which allows rotation about the joint. The bulkheads are connected to adjacent torpedo sections by means of standard joint bands. A number of hydraulic actuators are spaced radially about the spherical joint between the bulkheads. By selectively activating the actuators, the joint bends the vehicle about its longitudinal axis. The pressure of the surrounding medium against the moving vehicle causes the vehicle to turn in the direction of the bend. Depending on the actuators activated, the vehicle can be made to bend, or turn, in any direction, making for a highly maneuverable vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic speargun has an elongated elastomeric bladder for charging the gun. One end of the bladder selectively communicates with the breech chamber at the end of the gun barrel. The other end of the bladder is connected to a pump for inflating the bladder with water under pressure. A plug and dart assembly is breech loaded into the barrel. A trigger opens a valve to release the water pressure into the breech chamber. The pressure forces the spear ended dart portion of the plug and dart assembly to separate from the breech plug end and the dart portion is launched out the muzzle end of the barrel by the force of the water. A lanyard is attached between the breech plug end and the dart end and is coiled around the plug end. As the dart portion travels from the muzzle, the lanyard is deployed through the muzzle end of the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing adhesive shear strength having a cylindrical adhve bond between test specimens which is subjected to pure shear. The test specimens are two cylindrical rods. One rod has a bore and counterbore reamed into one end along its longitudinal axis. The other rod has a diameter essentially equal to the diameter of the bore. The adhesive to be tested is placed within the bore and counterbore and the smaller diameter rod is inserted into and seated at the base of the bore. The adhesive fills the space between the smaller rod and the counterbore, creating a uniform, cylindrical layer of adhesive between the exterior surface of the smaller rod and the inner surface of the counterbore. When the adhesive cures, the assembly is subjected to a tensile load along its longitudinal axis, tending to pull the inserted rod from the bore and subjecting the cylindrical adhesive bond to a pure shear load.

Abstract: A projectile assembly for use in a breech loading hydraulic speargun. The assembly consists of a dart connected to a plug end. The assembly is inserted into the breech end of the speargun barrel with the plug end sealing the breech end of the barrel. A trigger mechanism on the speargun releases water under pressure into the barrel at the location of the connection between the dart and the plug. The dart separates from the plug and is ejected out the muzzle end of the barrel. A lanyard is attached between the plug remaining in the barrel and the dart and the lanyard is payed out through the barrel as the dart travels to its target. The plug end is removable from the barrel and is made buoyant for convenient retrieval of the dart.

Abstract: A lanyard retainer for use in a breech loading hydraulic speargun. A projectile is attached to the retainer and the retainer and projectile are inserted into the breech end of the speargun barrel with the retainer sealing the breech end of the barrel. A trigger mechanism on the speargun releases water under pressure into the barrel at the location of the connection between the projectile and the retainer. The projectile separates from the retainer and is ejected out the muzzle end of the barrel while the retainer remains in the barrel. The retainer has a forward spindle portion about which a lanyard is wound. The rear portion of the retainer serves as the breech seal and the shoulder between the spindle and the rear portion prevents the lanyard from unwinding onto the rear portion and helps to prevent operator entanglement with the lanyard. The lanyard is attached between the retainer and the projectile such that the lanyard is payed out through the barrel as the projectile travels to its target.