Abstract: A recoil reduction system having a stock with a track formed therein and extending a bottom wall; a sliding member that includes a rail extending from the right side and the left side of the rail, and wherein the sliding member is slidably received within the track by interaction of the track and the rail; a handgrip member formed as a portion of the stock, wherein the handgrip member includes a chamber that extends within the handgrip member; a first recoil reduction means mounted within the chamber, wherein the first recoil reduction means is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction; and a second recoil reduction means mounted within the track, wherein the recoil reduction means is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction.

Abstract: A system for detecting radiation using an array of cells containing a metastable material together with sensing apparatus and display apparatus.

Abstract: A firearm having a receiver having a front end and a rear end, an elongated gun barrel having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the gun barrel being connected to the front end of the receiver; an elongated long gun stock having a butt portion, a middle portion and a front portion; the receiver and the gun barrel being supported in the long gun stock; and recoil reduction means attached to the front portion of the long gun stock.

Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least one nano-size non-coated fuel particle having natural surface oxides thereon, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least fuel particle having a particle size of about 1500 nm or less, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system includes a cyclical heat exchange system and a heat transfer system coupled to the cyclical heat exchange system to cool a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system. The heat transfer system includes an evaporator including a wall configured to be coupled to a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system and a primary wick coupled to the wall and a condenser coupled to the evaporator to form a closed loop that houses a working fluid.

Abstract: Methods of forming a nitrate ester include combining at least one nitrate salt and sulfuric acid to form a nitrating solution and adding an aliphatic polyol to the nitrating solution. Nitrate esters formed by this method may be, for example, triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), diglycerol tetranitrate (DGTN), 1,1,1-tris(methylol)ethane trinitrate (TMETN), 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN), nitroglycerin (NG), diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), metriol trinitrate (MTN), nitrocellulose (NC), or 1,2-propanediol dinitrate (PDDN).

Abstract: A system for detecting radiation using an array of cells containing a metastable material together with sensing apparatus and display apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic nitro compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A holster for a weapon, the holster having a hood assembly pivotably connected to the body of the holster, wherein the hood assembly is pivotable between a closed position for securing the weapon within the holster and an open position for insertion or removal of the weapon; a locking mechanism securing the hood assembly in the closed position when a weapon is held in the body cavity; a release mechanism associated with the locking means for releasing the hood assembly to the open position for removal of the weapon; and a mechanism for automatically pivoting the hood assembly to the closed position and thereby automatically engaging the locking means upon insertion of the weapon into the body cavity, wherein the mechanism for automatically pivoting the hood assembly includes at least one pivot arm that extends from the hood assembly to a pivot plate.

Abstract: Non-lethal payloads may be customized for particular uses and desired visual and audible incapacitation based upon the selection of igniter/activators and illuminants used with the non-lethal payloads. Non-lethal payloads employing high flame temperature igniter/activators and illuminants of powder metals, powdered metals combined with oxidizers, and powdered metals combined with heat-activated chromophores may produce improved “flashes” and “bangs” for non-lethal payloads used with diversionary or other devices. Such devices and methods of producing illuminance and noise are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid feed system may comprise a supersonic nozzle, an isolated injection section having a port for injection of solid feedstock positioned downstream from the supersonic nozzle, and a supersonic diffuser positioned downstream from the isolated injection section. Additionally, a gasification system may comprise such a solid feed system and a reaction chamber downstream thereof. Furthermore, a method of reacting a solid feedstock under pressure may include directing a fluid flow through a supersonic nozzle to provide a supersonic flow stream, and directing the supersonic flow stream through an isolated injection section at a static pressure at least fifty percent (50%) lower than an operating pressure within a reaction chamber (e.g., at a static pressure near ambient pressure).

Abstract: Battery sub-arrays are configured for electrical and mechanical coupling with each other to form a multi-cell battery. A sub-array may be an individual cell or a group of cells. Each sub-array includes a bypass switch to connect the sub-array within the multi-cell battery or bypass the sub-array. Monitoring and control circuitry controls the bypass switch in response to voltage measurements, temperature measurements or a combination thereof for the sub-array. Each sub-array is contained in a holder including a housing and a thermal container encompassing a substantial portion of the housing. The housing includes a cell cavity, a sensor cavity, and a circuit cavity. Positive terminals and negative terminals are positioned on sides of the holder such that when holders are mechanically abutted in an array, various electrical connections can be made to connect the cells in series, parallel, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A non-intrusive sensor for in-situ measurement of recession rate of heat shield ablatives. An ultrasonic wave source is carried in the housing. A microphone is also carried in the housing, for collecting the reflected ultrasonic waves from an interface surface of the ablative material. A time phasing control circuit is also included for time-phasing the ultrasonic wave source so that the waves reflected from the interface surface of the ablative material focus on the microphone, to maximize the acoustic pressure detected by the microphone and to mitigate acoustic velocity variation effects through the material through a de-coupling process that involves a software algorithm. A software circuit for computing the location off of which the ultrasonic waves scattered to focus back at the microphone is also included, so that the recession rate of the heat shield ablative may be monitored in real-time through the scan-focus approach.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include heating a sensor that is operably coupled to a measuring circuit and then measuring an output signal over time. The method may further include determining, from the output signal, a percentage of bond integrity remaining between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a measurement circuit having a sensor operably coupled to a sensing system. The sensing system may be configured for applying a thermal shock to the sensor and subsequently measuring an output signal of the measuring circuit. The sensing system may also be configured for determining, from the output signal, an amount of bond between the sensor and the structure.

Abstract: A safe and arm device includes a booster base assembly having a booster base housing and a barrier. The booster base housing includes a shaft port extending substantially in line with a longitudinal axis, at least three initiator ports disposed about the axis, and a matching number of explosive transfer paths in respective communication with the at least three initiator ports. The barrier includes a matching number of fire-train transfer ports and a drive shaft. The drive shaft of the barrier is coupled within the shaft port of the booster base housing allowing the barrier to be selectively rotationally positioned about the axis into at least one of a safe position and an arm and fire position, allowing the fire-train transfer ports to be substantially aligned with the explosive transfer paths when the barrier is positioned in the arm and fire position. A booster basket assembly is also provided.

Abstract: In methods and apparatuses, a weapon includes a trigger module for sensing trigger input from a shooter and generating a trigger signal, and a firing module for controlling firing of a projectile responsive to a fire control signal. The weapon also includes an image sensor configured for mounting on the weapon and sensing a series of images over a time period of interest while the trigger signal is in a motion-estimation state. A controller is configured for determining when to fire the weapon by receiving the images from the image sensor and generating a motion estimation history over the time period of interest responsive to changes in the images. The controller is also configured for determining a centroid of the motion estimation history and asserting the fire control signal when the trigger signal is in a fire-enable state and a current image is within an offset threshold from the centroid.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes an evaporator having a heated wall, a liquid barrier wall containing working fluid, a primary wick positioned between the heated wall and an inner side of the liquid barrier wall, a vapor removal channel located at an interface between the primary wick and the heated wall, and a liquid flow channel located between the liquid barrier wall and the primary wick. Methods of transferring heat include applying heat energy to a vapor barrier wall, flowing liquid through a liquid flow channel, pumping the liquid from the liquid flow channel through a primary wick, and evaporating at least some of the liquid at a vapor removal channel.

Abstract: Precursors, insulative compositions, an article including the insulative compositions and a method for making the insulative compositions are disclosed. The insulative compositions are formed from a precursor composition that includes a nitride butadiene rubber, a nanoclay and a cure package including a sulfur-based curing agent. The insulative compositions may have a substantially reduced weight and compressive modulus in comparison to conventional insulative rubbers. Thus, the insulative compositions may provide improved ballistic properties in addition to reduced density and thickness. Precursor compositions for forming the insulative composition may have good flow characteristics. The insulative compositions may be used in a variety of applications, such as personnel body armor, ground vehicle armor and aircraft armor systems.

Abstract: A precursor composition of a reactive material that comprises a metal material and an energetic material, such as at least one oxidizer or at least one class 1.1 explosive. The metal material defines a continuous phase at a processing temperature of the precursor composition and the energetic material is dispersed therein. The metal material may be a fusible metal alloy having a melting point ranging from approximately 46° C. to approximately 250° C. The fusible metal alloy may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc. The reactive composition may have a density of greater than approximately 2 g/cm3. The reactive composition may also include a polymer/plasticizer system.