Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for vortex tube desulfurization of jet fuels. Also disclosed are processes for separation of closely boiling species in a mixture of miscible fluids.

Abstract: A system includes a primary evaporator facilitating heat transfer by evaporating liquid to obtain vapor. The primary evaporator receives a liquid from a liquid line and outputs the vapor to a vapor line. The primary evaporator also outputs excess liquid received from the liquid line to an excess fluid line. A condensing system receives the vapor from the vapor line, and outputs the liquid and excess liquid to the liquid line. The excess liquid is obtained at least partially from a reservoir. A primary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, and the vapor line, and provides a heat transfer path. Similarly, a secondary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, the vapor line, and the excess fluid line. The secondary loop provides a venting path for removing undesired vapor within the liquid or excess liquid from the primary evaporator.

Abstract: Gas generators may be utilized for launching a projectile. Launch tubes may include gas generators. Methods of launching a projectile may include utilizing gas generators to impart an initial velocity to a projectile.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an adapter for attaching a handheld firearm to an unmanned air vehicle comprises a mounting assembly configured for attachment to said firearm and to the unmanned air vehicle, and an actuation assembly comprising an actuation device configured to actuate a trigger of the handheld firearm.

Abstract: Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector.

Abstract: Propellant compositions include an energetic binder, such as nitrocellulose, and a stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorous as a ballistic modifier. The propellant composition may additionally include an energetic plasticizer, such as nitroglycerine. For example, the propellant composition may be formed by mixing a double or multi base propellant that includes nitrocellulose plasticized with nitroglycerine with the stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus. The propellant compositions may be substantially lead-free and may exhibit improved ballistic properties. Methods of forming such propellant compositions and an ordnance device including such propellant compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems relating to a sensing device are disclosed. A device may comprise a structure including a first surface and a second, opposite surface, wherein the structure comprises one or more segments. Further, the device may include a plurality of sensors disposed on the structure, wherein each segment of the one or more segments comprises a first sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to the first surface and an associated second sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to the second surface. Moreover, each sensor of the plurality of sensors may be configured to measure a strain exhibited on an adjacent surface of the structure at an associated segment of the one or more segments.

Abstract: A strain measurement device includes a reference material, and a displacement sensor configured to detect relative changes in distance between the sensor and the reference material. At least one of the displacement sensor and the reference material is coupled with a pre-cured elastomeric material. The displacement sensor generates a data signal to a processor that is configured to determine a strain of another elastomeric material based at least in part on the data signal received from the sensor. A displacement sensor and a reference material may be positioned within an elastomeric material within a casing of a solid rocket motor for determining strain experienced by the elastomeric material, such as the propellant of the solid rocket motor. A method includes installing a sensor of an elastomeric material. Another method includes determining strain of an elastomeric material of a solid rocket motor.

Abstract: A holster having a lever with a finger button portion and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion of the lever includes a locking projection extending from a second side of the engagement portion; wherein the lever is pivotally attached to the holster, approximately between the finger button portion and the engagement portion, such that the finger button portion is positioned above the frame/slide portion of the cavity and the engagement portion is positioned above the trigger guard portion of the cavity; one or more ridge segments positioned around at least a portion of the lever; and a lockout lever pivotably attached to the first side wall such that the lockout lever is able to be rotated between a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein the lockout lever is positioned beneath the finger button portion of the lever when the lockout lever is in the locked position.

Abstract: Composite material, devices incorporating the composite material and methods of forming the composite material are provided. The composite material includes interstitial material that has at least one of a select relative permittivity property value and a select relative permeability property value. The composite material further includes inclusion material within the interstitial material. The inclusion material has at least one of a select relative permeability property value and a select relative permittivity property value. The select relative permeability and permittivity property values of the interstitial and the inclusion materials are selected so that the effective intrinsic impedance of the interstitial and the inclusion material match the intrinsic impedance of air. Devices made from the composite include metamaterial and/or metamaterial-inspired (e.g. near-field LC-type parasitic) substrates and/or lenses, front-end protection, stealth absorbers, filters and mixers.

Abstract: An automated material delivery system including a material handling assembly, a compaction member, a handling actuator, and a cutting actuator is provided. The material handling assembly is configured and arranged to guide material. The material handling assembly includes a tacking member that is configured and arranged to selectively press the material over a forming surface of a tool. The compaction member is spaced a select distance from the tacking member. The compaction member is further configured to selectively press the material over at least a portion of the forming surface of the tool. The handling actuator is coupled to selectively move at least one of the material handling assembly and the compaction member to move the material handling assembly in relation to the compaction member. The cutting assembly is positioned between the tacking member and the compaction member. The cutting assembly is configured and arranged to selectively cut the material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for power conversion in fuzes for projectiles. Fuze electronics in the projectile control detonation of the projectile. A rectifier converts pulses from a setter signal to a DC power source signal. A voltage monitor coupled to the power source signal generates a source voltage indicator and a current monitor coupled to the power source signal generates a source current indicator. A combiner generates a supplied power level indicator in response to a combination of the source voltage indicator and the source current indicator. A DC-DC converter uses the supplied power level indicator when converting the power source signal to a power output signal to adjust a current level of the power output for efficient charging of a charge storage device and delivery of power to the fuze electronics.

Abstract: A holster for accommodating a handgun having an attached, offset accessory, including walls defining a cavity for receiving the handgun and the attached accessory, a retention means that is capable of retaining a handgun and accessory in the holster, wherein the retention means includes a lever that is pivotally connected, via a pivot pin, to the first side wall approximately between a finger button end and an engagement end, wherein the engagement end includes a locking portion, formed on a second side of the engagement end, wherein the lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and wherein the lever is biased, via a spring means, to the engaged position, such that when the lever is in the engaged position, the locking portion may extend inside the cavity and inside the inner surface of the trigger guard of a handgun that is secured into the holster.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device has an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body receives bullets from a source and directs the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The bullet feeding device may accept bullets of different lengths and shapes. The collet is interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different sizes.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include performing a process associated with a sensor bonded to a structure and generating measured data in response to the process. The method may further include comparing the measured data to known reference data to determine integrity of a bond between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a sensor system including at least one sensor bonded to a structure. The system may further include a sensing system configured to initiate an application of one or more stimuli to the at least one sensor and monitor a property associated with the at least one sensor. The sensing system may further be configured to determine an amount of bond between the at least one sensor and the structure based on the monitored property.

Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a source of hydrogen and oxygen with high volumetric energy density, as well as a power systems useful in non-air breathing engines such as those in, for example, submersible vehicles, is disclosed. A hydride reactor may be utilized in forming hydrogen from a metal hydride and a peroxide reactor may be utilized in forming oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. The high temperature hydrogen and oxygen may be converted to water using a solid oxide fuel cell, which serves as a power source. The power generation system may have an increased energy density in comparison to conventional batteries. Heat produced by exothermic reactions in the hydride reactor and the peroxide reactor may be transferred and utilized in other aspects of the power generation system. High temperature water produced during by the peroxide reactor may be used to fuel the hydride reactor.

Abstract: Radiation shields include an outer composite wall, an inner composite wall, and an enclosed fuel chamber disposed between the inner and outer composite walls. A fuel may be contained within the enclosed fuel chamber. Spacecraft include one or more such radiation shields, and may further include a fuel cell and a conduit providing fluid communication between the fuel chamber of the radiation shield and the fuel cell. Methods of forming a radiation shield system include forming an enclosed fuel chamber between an outer composite wall and an inner composite wall of a radiation shield, and providing fuel within the enclosed fuel chamber.

Abstract: Gas-generating devices with grain-retention structures and related methods and systems are described. In particular, gas-generating devices having at least one retention structure fixed to a frame and positioned between adjacent gas-generant grains arranged in a longitudinal stack. Fire suppression systems comprising such gas-generating devices are also described. Additionally, methods of manufacturing gas-generating devices, as well as methods of generating a gas and methods of suppressing a fire utilizing such gas-generating devices are described.

Abstract: A distributed ordnance system comprises a plurality of ordnance controllers and a plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller of the plurality of ordnance controllers may be operably coupled with at least one firing unit of the plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller may be configured to provide power signals to the at least one firing unit coupled therewith, and communicate with the at least one firing unit for initiation of an ordnance event. A multiple-stage ordnance system may comprise a first stage and a second stage that each include an ordnance controller configured to control operation of an ordnance event, and at least one firing unit to initiate the ordnance event. Related methods for constructing a multiple-stage ordnance control system and controlling initiation of an energetic material are also disclosed.