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: A gas generator assembly and method of operation. A plurality of stacks of laterally adjacent and laterally and axially supported gas generant wafers are contained within a housing. An igniter material is placed between the wafer stacks and an initiator. Upon ignition of the igniter material by the initiator, the wafer stacks are ignited and combust, generating a gas which, when reaching sufficient pressure within the housing in excess of ambient exterior pressures, opens a closed exhaust gas port and is released into a gas discharge structure where the gas passes through a heat sink material, cooling the gas before it exits the gas discharge structure for an intended use.

Abstract: A safety and arming apparatus for use with a projectile includes a rotor pivotable between a safe position and an armed position. A biasing element holds a mass engaged with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to allow the mass to displace and disengage from the rotor in response to a setback force on the projectile. A second biasing element includes a displaceable end for engaging with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to disengage the displaceable end from the rotor in response to projectile spin. A piston actuator can rotate the rotor to the armed position if the mass is disengaged and the displaceable end is disengaged. A detonator on the rotor can be aligned with a detonation cord when the rotor is in the armed position and unaligned when the rotor is in the safe position.

Abstract: A combustor including a housing, an injector body, insulation, an air/fuel premix injector, a hot surface igniter, a fuel injector and a burner. The housing forms a main combustion chamber. The injector body is coupled within the housing, the injector body includes an initial combustion chamber. The insulation lines the initial combustion chamber. The air/fuel premix injector assembly is configured and arranged to dispense a flow of air/fuel mixture into the initial combustion chamber. The hot surface igniter is configured and arranged to heat up and ignite the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber. The fuel injector dispenses a flow of fuel and the burner dispenses a flow of air. The flow of fuel from the fuel injector and the flow of air from the burner are ignited in the main combustion chamber by the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber.

Abstract: A direct contact heat exchanger assembly is provided. The direct contact heat exchanger includes an evaporator jacket and an inner member. The inner member is received within the evaporator jacket. A sleeve passage is formed between the evaporator jacket and the inner member. The sleeve passage is configured and arranged to pass a flow of liquid. The housing has an inner exhaust chamber that is coupled to pass hot gas. The inner member further has a plurality of exhaust passages that allow some of the hot gas passing through the inner exhaust chamber to enter the flow of liquid in the sleeve passage.

Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus comprises a laser generator configured to generate an output laser signal toward a target area, at least one detector configured as an array of light sensitive elements, the array including a plurality of rows and columns of the light sensitive elements, and at least one wavelength dispersion element positioned in a return path of a returning laser signal returning from the target area. The at least one wavelength dispersion element is configured to separate wavelengths of the returning laser signal onto the plurality of rows and columns of the array, wherein the plurality of columns of the array are associated with the separated wavelengths that correspond with a position along a row of the array, the position along the row of the array corresponding with a spatial position of the target area along a first axis. Methods for scanning a target area and obtaining spectral and spatial data are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A releasable vest having a front panel; front shoulder strap elements that include at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening; a back panel; a first waist belt element that extends from the front panel and has at least one waist belt element attachment opening formed through the waist belt element; a second waist belt element that extends from the front panel and has at least one release loop attached thereto, wherein the at least one release loop is capable of being passed through the waist belt attachment opening of the first waist belt element and the at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening of the front shoulder strap elements; and a release lanyard that is capable of being passed through the release loop so as to releasably secure the first waist belt element and the at least one shoulder strap element to the release loop.

Abstract: Methods of forming an insulating material comprising combining a polysilazane, a cross-linking compound, and a gas-generating compound to form a reaction mixture, and curing the reaction mixture to form a modified polysilazane. The gas-generating compound may be water, an alcohol, an amine, or combinations thereof. The cross-linking compound may be an isocyanate, an epoxy resin, or combinations thereof. The insulating material may include a matrix comprising one of a reaction product of a polysilazane and an isocyanate and a reaction product of a polysilazane and an epoxy resin. The matrix also comprises a plurality of interconnected pores produced from one of reaction of the polysilazane and the isocyanate and from reaction of the polysilazane and the epoxy resin. A precursor formulation that comprises a polysilazane, a cross-linking compound, and a gas-generating compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of continuously providing a pressurized slurry of a solid material and liquid carbon dioxide is disclosed. The method comprises mixing particles of the solid material and particles of solid carbon dioxide in a mixing container and feeding the mixture of the solid material and the solid carbon dioxide to a pump to form a slurry of the solid material and liquified carbon dioxide. Within the pump, the solid carbon dioxide sublimates, forming a gaseous carbon dioxide that subsequently liquefies due to an increase in pressure. The liquid carbon dioxide and the solid material then mix to form the slurry of the solid material and the liquid carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the pressurized slurry may be used for pipeline transportation of the solid material. A system of producing a continuous pressurized slurry of solid material and liquid carbon dioxide is also disclosed. A method of producing hydrogen is 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: The present invention provides O-nitro compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of O-nitro compounds and methods of using O-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 radar system includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The radar system further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite elongated member is provided. The method includes forming a preform having at least one of a groove and a ridge. The at least one of a groove and a ridge extends a length of the preform. The preform is then shaped to create the elongated member having a desired cross-sectional shape with at least one curve formed along at least one of the at least one groove and ridge.

Abstract: A firearm cleaning device comprises a flexible cable and threaded coupling assembly, to which a plurality of components may be attached individually or in combination for optimal configuration based on cleaning need and firearm type. A spear-point piercing adapter may be threadably attached to a cable with a coupling portion fixed thereto. The piercing adapter includes a threaded shank with a sharp tip, on which a cleaning patch is speared and a jag is threadably attached thereto, thereby sandwiching the cleaning patch between a body of the piercing adapter and the jag. The cleaning device and various components and attachments can be packaged and sold as a single compact device, which provides mobility for field use, configurability for use with a wide range of firearm types, and cost savings due to fewer components and reduced packaging size.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a primary evaporator, a condenser to the primary evaporator by a liquid line and a vapor line, a secondary evaporator connected to the primary evaporator through a sweepage line, and a reservoir system. The reservoir system includes a reservoir, a first flow directional device that restricts fluid from flowing into the reservoir from the primary evaporator, and a second flow directional device that restricts fluid from flowing out of the reservoir through at least one output of the reservoir.

Abstract: A reactive material that includes at least one of a fuel, an oxidizer, and a class 1.1 explosive and is formulated for use in a reactive material projectile. The reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target. The fuel may be a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, or mixtures thereof. The oxidizer may be an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, or mixtures thereof. A reactive material projectile having the reactive material disposed therein is also disclosed.

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 helical cross flow pulse detonation engine.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a liquid barrier wall made of a ceramic material, a vapor barrier wall made of a ceramic material, and a wick made of a ceramic material and being positioned between the liquid barrier wall and the vapor barrier wall.

Abstract: A magazine pouch having slots for receiving a magazine having a conventional magazine notch engagable by the magazine catch assembly of firearm to retain the magazine within the magazine well of the firearm. The magazine pouch having a shuttle slidable to engage a retention element with a hook portion to move the hook portion into the slot such that the hook portion engages the magazine notch. The engagement of the hook portion to magazine notch retains the magazine within the slot during movement of an individual wearing the magazine pouch. The shuttle can be slid out of engagement with the hook portion to disengage the hook portion from the magazine notch allowing removal of the magazine.