Abstract: A system for detecting and identifying low-level (weak) radioactive sources moving past stationary detectors. The system, which can detect low-level sources moving at speeds of 30 m/s (about 70 mph), uses the differences between background counts and gamma counts from a moving source to determine that a source has passed the detector, when a source has passed the detector, and the identification of the source. This system has been demonstrated to work successfully for ordinary passenger vehicles transporting a variety of sources, and also for boats at lower speeds on a waterway.

Abstract: An articulated body armor garment has a single layer of ceramic tiles adhesively attached to a flexible fragment-trapping blanket. A foam spacer layer behind the blanket at least partially contains deformation of the blanket in a ballistic attack. The blanket preferably includes at least forty plies of a ballistic cloth stitched together in a quilt pattern. Edge areas of the ceramic tiles are beveled so that edges of adjacent tiles overlap, thus enabling the array of tiles to present an essentially continuous unbroken surface to a projectile.

Abstract: Absorption retardant substances, such as water-repellents, are applied to ballistic energy absorbing fabric before the fabric is encased in a resin system to form an armor piece. Tiles made from boron carbide, other ceramic material or steel can be attached to or incorporated into the cured resin and fabric system to make composite structural armor pieces. The fabric can be made from polyaramid fibers or fiberglass fibers.

Abstract: Armor is constructed by sewing together a multiplicity of plies of energy absorbing cloth made of polyaramid fibers with stitching thread of relatively lower tensile strength in a pattern such that, upon impact by a projectile, the stitching threads break at multiple locations in response to stresses from fibers stretched by the impact. The armor can be sewn together to form a blanket or vest garments, etc., for protection of persons from projectiles.

Abstract: Ballistic armor capable of meeting the threat of armor piercing projectiles of the type having a surface facing formed of individual elements and a backing capable of catching fragmented projectiles; the surface elements having gaps between them, the armor having a ballistic re-enforcing and deflecting strip secured to the armor over the said gaps, the strips being of hardened ballistic material and configurated to deflect the projectiles arriving at a predetermined degree of obliquity so as to force the projectiles to traverse a longer path through the armor.

Abstract: A central belt locking assembly is disclosed comprising a base plate around which an outer ring extends thereby defining a recess therebetween. An inner ring is spring mounted in the recess. A hub is mounted on the base plate within the inner ring. The hub has an annular channel adapted to receive the locking section of a belt lug. The hub cooperates with the inner ring to receive and retain the locking section of a belt lug. A release mechanism is provided to move the hub to a second open position thereby releasing the locking section of the belt lug.

Abstract: A rear-facing crashworthy set for fixed wing aircraft comprises a seat facing in the opposite direction to the direction of flight of the aircraft and energy absorbers attached between the seat and the floor of the aircraft. The energy absorbers include forward energy absorbers attached to a forward section of the seat, intermediate energy absorbers attached rearwardly of the forward energy absorbers, and rearward energy absorbers attached rearwardly of the intermediate energy absorbers, all energy absorbers having the capability of operating in both tension and compression. Stabilizing members are attached between the seat and the floor of the aircraft. Energy attendant upon a crash is absorbed, and the seat is enabled to flex with crash-induced distortions of the floor to prevent separation of the seat therefrom, thus preventing severe injury or death as a result of a second impact of the detached seat with a structural member of the aircraft, such as a bulkhead, under crash conditions.

Abstract: A crashworthy vehicle seat comprises a seat bucket member suspended by supporting webs engaged with rotary energy absorbers attached to the overhead of the vehicle. Beneath the seat bucket member, pairs of extensible and compressible energy absorbers are attached between the seat bucket member and the floor of the vehicle. Upon impact, the rotary energy absorbers and the extensible and compressible energy absorbers are arrayed to permit controlled and energy absorbing movement to reduce the probability of injury to the occupant of the seat. In the one form of the seat it accommodates itself to fore and aft forces acting upon it. In a modified form of the seat the design is optimized to accommodate these forces. In further forms of the seat the design is arranged for a sideward or lateral facing seat and the design is optimized to accommodate lateral forces.

Abstract: An improved helicopter seat primarily for combat aircraft includes at least upper, intermediate, and lower pairs of energy absorbers attached between the seat bucket and the frame of the helicopter and operable in both tension and compression. An upper pair and lower pair of steel tension rods attached between the frame and the seat bucket provide attentuation in a lateral direction. The energy absorbers comprise a plurality of telescoped tubes interfitted into one another and having coils of wire frictionally engaged between adjoining tubes such that energy is dissipated by motion of the tubes relative to one another through the plastic deformation of the coils of wire. The energy absorbers are adjusted to optimize the safety parameters of occupants of the seat under a range of potential crash conditions including the most probable crash condition, and for occupants having a substantial range of weight.

Abstract: An improved crashworthy helicopter seat primarily for combat aircraft includes at least upper, intermediate and lower pairs of energy absorbers attached between the seat bucket and the frame of the aircraft and operable in both tension and compression. The energy absorbers comprise a plurality of telescoped tubes interfitted into one another and having coils of wire frictionally engaged between adjoining tubes such that energy is dissipated by motion of the tubes relative to one another through the plastic deformation of the coils of wire. The energy absorbers are adjustable to optimize safety parameters of occupants of the seat under a range of potential crash conditions including the most probable crash condition, for occupants having a substantial range of weight and size.

Abstract: A tri-axis crash survivable seat, utilizing a plurality of energy absorbers, which are swivel mounted to the seat bucket and also to a frame where the frame is securely fastened to the structure of a rotary wing or fixed wing aircraft. The energy absorbers are utilized in upper, intermediate and lower pairs, each having different energy absorbing characteristics, stroking distances, and force-displacement relationships from the other pairs. The energy absorbing devices attach to the bucketseat and supporting frame so as to permit tri-axial energy absorption during impact for various vertical or combined vertical impact angles. Each of the intermediate pair of energy absorbing devices is a two stage device designed to minimize the dynamic overshoot associated with the elasticity of the human body, such that a reduced probability of injury is obtained. Energy is dissipated in a controlled manner through the process of the displacement of the seat relative to the craft under arbitrary crash conditions.

Abstract: A support system for an object such as a crashworthy aircraft crew seat which is floor mounted will isolate the seat from floor distortions as well as floor vibrations which would otherwise be introduced into the seat. The floor distortions occur only during a severe crash or impact. The floor vibrations occur continuously during normal flight as well as during maneuvers which could increase or decrease from a nominal level of relatively high G forces as they are transmitted from the floor. The invention provides a plurality of vibration and distortion isolating units from which the chair is supported at a plurality of points. The isolation units are circular holding members made of resilient material with crushable metal inserts in the resilient material. Supporting pins or members pass through the metal inserts in the isolation units. The isolation units are carried by rail guides constructed to translate along rails. The isolation units provide the capability of plus or minus 10.degree.