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: Embodiments include a flight safety assembly onboard an aerial vehicle, which includes a first sensor configured to sense first information related to flight of the aerial vehicle and a second sensor configured to sense second information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A sensor input is adapted to receive third information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A processor is operably coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the sensor input. The processor is configured to determine three independent instantaneous impact points for the aerial vehicle by independently analyzing each of the first information, the second information and the third information. The processor is also configured to generate three independent onboard flight termination indicators for each of the three independent instantaneous impact points that intersects with a region to be protected.

Abstract: The present invention provides acyclic, geminal-dinitro organic compounds, methods of synthesizing the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, therapeutic methods, and medical kits for treating various conditions using such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds and compositions are useful in the treatment of cancer.

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: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of determining the nitrogen content in nitrocellulose by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It is within the scope of the invention for the sample of nitrocellulose to be unstable nitrocellulose, unrefined nitrocellulose, or refined nitrocellulose. The sample of nitrocellulose can wet or dry. A sample of nitrocellulose that is wet can be in acid or in water. Before HPLC, the sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The nitrogen content of the sample is determined by comparing the retention time of the sample to a graph of retention time to amount of nitrogen due to the linear correlation of retention time and percent nitrogen substitution.

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. A method of extinguishing fires is also disclosed.

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: A system and method for deploying a satellite having an integrated bus and an aperture, wherein the integrated bus extends along its longitudinal axis and wherein the aperture intersects the longitudinal axis. The satellite is deployed into an orbit, wherein deploying includes orienting the satellite so that the aperture points at a desired location. The satellite is spun so that the logitudinal axis and the aperture remain pointing at the desired location and data regarding the desired location is captured via the aperture.

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: 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 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 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 downhole combustor system for a production well is provided. The downhole combustor includes a housing, a combustor and an exhaust port. The housing is configured and arranged to be positioned down a production well. The housing further forms a combustion chamber. The combustor is received within the housing. The combustor is further configured and arranged to combust fuel in the combustion chamber. The exhaust port is positioned to deliver exhaust fumes from the combustion chamber into a flow of oil out of the production well.

Abstract: Non-lethal payloads including at least one of boron and silicon, at least one fuel, and at least one oxidizer. The non-lethal payload may be a single-component or dual-component payload. Methods of producing the non-lethal payloads 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 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: 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: 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.