Abstract: Payload adapters for launch vehicles include a ring structure having an opening formed therein and at least a portion of an antenna assembly coupled to a circular sidewall of the ring structure at least partially within the opening of the ring structure. Satellite assemblies may include a payload adapter comprising a ring structure having a circular opening formed therein and an antenna assembly including a parabolic reflective dish formed within the circular opening. Launch stack systems may include a primary payload and a secondary payload adapter including an antenna dish integrally formed with a ring structure of the secondary payload adapter. Methods of forming a satellite assembly include positioning at least a portion of the antenna assembly within an opening formed in a ring-shaped payload adapter for a launch vehicle and coupling the at least a portion of the antenna assembly to the ring-shaped payload adapter.

Abstract: A two-phase heat transfer system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor line, and a liquid return line. The evaporator includes a liquid inlet, a vapor outlet, and a capillary wick having a first surface adjacent the liquid inlet and a second surface adjacent the vapor outlet. The condenser includes a vapor inlet and a liquid outlet. The vapor line provides fluid communication between the vapor outlet and the vapor inlet. The liquid return line provides fluid communication between the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet. The wick is substantially free of back-conduction of energy from the second surface to the first surface due to an increase in a conduction path from the second surface to the first surface and due to suppression of nucleation of a working fluid from the second surface to the first surface to promote liquid superheat tolerance in the wick.

Abstract: A holster having a body defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a weapon, the body comprising a pair of opposed side walls; a hood assembly pivotably connected to the body, wherein the hood assembly is pivotable between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism for maintaining the hood assembly in the closed position; a finger/thumb release associated with the lock mechanism for releasing the hood assembly from the closed position; and at least one pivot arm that extends from the hood assembly to a pivot plate, wherein the pivot plate automatically pivots the hood assembly to the closed position such that to the lock mechanism is automatically engaged as a forward face of a trigger guard of an inserted weapon urges the pivot plate.

Abstract: An accessory attachment system having a platform body with a platform recess, an accessory mounting plate having a plurality of mounting plate projections extending therefrom and a plurality of mounting plate apertures formed therethrough, wherein at least some of the mounting plate projections correspond to at least some of the slots so that when the mounting plate projections are aligned with the corresponding slots, the accessory mounting plate can pass the locking ledge into the platform recess, at least one release lever that is pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a plurality of internal stops formed within the platform recess, wherein the accessory mounting plate can be secured within a portion of the platform recess such that the mounting plate projections are secured between the internal stops and the accessory plate engagement portion when the release lever is in the locking position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.

Abstract: A multilayer backing composite for armor plate systems. One embodiment provides a ceramic layer and a bonded multilayer backing layer bonded to the ceramic layer. The backing layer can be formed from at least two layers each of alternating elastomeric interstitial layers and UHMWPE layers having an areal density in the range of about 125 to 400 g/m2. The areal density of the stack can be in the range of about 4 to 15 lbs/ft2, and specifically about 6.98 lbs/ft2. In some embodiments, at least one of the at least two UHMWPE layers nearer to the ceramic layer of the stack can have a lower areal density than at least one layer further from the ceramic layer. The ceramic layer can be SiC and 0.280? thick; each rubber layer can be about 0.01?; and each UHMWPE layer can be about 0.15?.

Abstract: An orbital debris removal assembly is provided. The orbital debris removal and asset protection assembly includes a plurality of spaced layers of netting. Each netting layer includes a plurality of sub-layers of meshed composite fibers that are configured and arranged to break up debris that comes in contact with the assembly.

Abstract: A portion of a work-hardened essentially tubular work piece such as a metallic firearm cartridge case is annealed by contact with solid or granular tooling material which has been heated to a temperature approximately that of the appropriate annealing temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of overheating the work piece, and also thereby permitting the annealing of only that portion of the work piece contacted or in close proximity to the point(s) of contact.

Abstract: An energy capture circuit for capturing energy in response to an input pulse. The circuit is constructed and arranged to transfer input energy in time divided portions among subcircuits. This includes a storage means, a clock means, at least two subcircuits, and at least one transfer circuit. Each subcircuit includes a first inductive means in operative communication with the input source, a rectifying means for producing a positive current in operative communication with the first inductive means, a capacitive means in operative communication with the rectifying means, and a switch means in operative communication with the capacitive means. At least one transfer circuit is in operative communication with each of the switch means of the at least two subcircuits. The output of the clock means is in operative communication with both a first switch means and an inverter means, the inverter means having an output in operative communication with a second switch means.

Abstract: An orbital debris removal assembly is provided. The orbital debris removal and asset protection assembly includes a plurality of spaced layers of netting. Each netting layer includes a plurality of sub-layers of meshed composite fibers that are configured and arranged to break up debris that comes in contact with the assembly.

Abstract: Marking cartridge for conventional firearms that deposits marking media on impact with a target. The marking cartridge generally comprises a marking projectile containing a quantity of marking media beneath a frangible cap portion and having a more durable exterior surface adapted to engage the rifling of the barrel when fired. The marking projectile also may comprise a receptacle for marking media having a curled lip adapted to remove air during assembly and excess marking media to insure a consistent quantity of marking media is contained within the marking projectile. The receptacle defining a marking media cavity radially spaced from exterior bearing portion wall and having a mushroom shape. The marking cartridge also may comprise an extendable casing.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for producing an inert gas mixture having a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke. The inert gas mixture may be generated by combusting a gas generant. The gas generant may be a composition that includes hexa(ammine)-cobalt(III)-nitrate. The fire suppression system also includes a heat management system to reduce a temperature of the inert gas mixture. In one embodiment, the system includes multiple gas generators and is configured to ignite the respective gas generant of each gas generator in a predetermined, time based sequential order. For example, the gas generant of each gas generator may be ignited in a sequential order at specified time intervals. Methods of extinguishing fires are also disclosed.

Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.

Abstract: A firearm support device includes a carriage movably coupled to a base structure. Movement of the carriage is restricted to a single axis of direction. The firearm support device may also include an attachment feature for mounting a portion of a firearm and a striker assembly for triggering a projectile. A firearm support device may include a carriage slidably coupled to rails of a base structure restricting movement of the carriage to a single axis of direction. The firearm support device may also include an attachment feature for mounting a firearm and a biasing feature coupled to the carriage and the base structure biasing the carriage in an initial position. A method of testing a firearm may include removing a barrel from a firearm, mounting the barrel to a support device, restricting the barrel to a single axis of movement, and firing a projectile with a firing pin.

Abstract: A holster for a handgun, including a cavity having a frame/slide portion and a trigger guard portion; an axis extending between the frame/slide portion of the cavity and the trigger guard portion of the cavity; and a lever having a finger button portion and an engagement portion, wherein the lever includes a second side facing generally toward the holster cavity, and wherein the engagement portion of the lever includes a locking projection extending from the second side of the engagement portion; wherein the lever is pivotally attached atop the side wall of the holster, along the axis, approximately between the finger button portion and the engagement portion, such that the finger button portion extends from the axis and is positioned above the frame/slide portion of the cavity and the engagement portion extends from the axis and is positioned above the trigger guard portion of the cavity.

Abstract: A switch assembly that is utilized as a tail cap of a lighting device. The switch assembly comprises a depressible switch that allows the user to activate the lighting device. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the switch assembly has four channels, providing for at least three different light functions and a locking channel. Different channels are defined by the axial position of the rotatable portion relative to the lighting device body.

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. Monitor 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-toxic, non-hydroscopic percussion primer composition and methods of preparing the same, including at least one explosive component that has been traditionally considered a moderately insensitive explosive or secondary explosive, and at least fuel particle component having a particle size of about 1.5 microns to about 12 microns, which allows the use of moderately active metal oxidizers. The sensitivity of the primer composition is created by the interaction between the moderately insensitive explosive and the fuel agent such that traditional primary explosives such as lead styphnate or DDNP are not needed. The primer composition also eliminates the risks and dangers associated with traditional nano-sized fuel particles.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and isolating N-(bromoacetyl)-3,3-dinitroazetidine (ABDNAZ) by reacting DNAZ with bromoacetyl bromide and boron trifluoride etherate to produce a mixture comprising ABDNAZ and a salt of DNAZ. Water and a solvent are added to the mixture to form an organic phase comprising the ABDNAZ and an aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. The organic phase and the aqueous phase are separated to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent solution comprising the ABDNAZ and the aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. A nonsolvent is added to the ABDNAZ/solvent solution to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent/nonsolvent mixture. The ABDNAZ is subsequently recovered. A composition comprising ABDNAZ is also disclosed.

Abstract: A platform with a platform body having a plate attachment portion. The plate attachment portion includes a platform opening and the platform opening includes a projection that extends into a portion of the platform opening. A platform plate portion is coupled to an accessory plate portion, through the platform opening, such that the platform plate portion and the accessory plate portion are rotatable relative to the platform body. A portion of the platform plate portion is rotatably slidable along a surface of the internal projection, and a portion of the accessory plate portion is rotatably slidable along a surface of the internal projection. A release lever is pivotably attached to the platform body and the release lever is pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The release lever is capable of releasably interacting with a primary notch of the platform plate portion.