Abstract: A vehicle emergency egress system includes a transparent armor assembly disposable in a vehicle window frame, the transparent armor assembly including at least one transparent armor pane, and interiorly accessible release means, the release means being selectively operable by a vehicle occupant for effecting release of at least the one of the transparent armor panes, such release permitting shifting a respective one of the at least one transparent armor panes from the transparent armor assembly to define an egress portal. A method of forming a vehicle emergency egress system is further included.

Abstract: A vehicle emergency egress system includes a transparent armor assembly disposable in a vehicle window frame, the transparent armor assembly including at least one transparent armor pane, and interiorly accessible release means, the release means being selectively operable by a vehicle occupant for effecting release of at least the one of the transparent armor panes, such release permitting shifting a respective one of the at least one transparent armor panes from the transparent armor assembly to define an egress portal. A method of forming a vehicle emergency egress system is further included.

Abstract: A method of winding fibers on a mandrel, the wound fibers being in tension, includes providing a source of fibers, imposing a torque on the source that resists dispensing the fibers from the source to exert a tension on the fibers, adding ultra-violet sensitive material that is polymerized by exposure to ultra-violet light to a resin matrix, impregnating dispensed fibers with the additive containing resin matrix, rotating a mandrel to wind the impregnated fibers on the mandrel, the rotation of the mandrel acting to overcome the torque on the source and putting the fibers in tension, and in situ, quasi instantaneously polymerizing the additive containing resin matrix on the mandrel by means of exposing the additive containing resin matrix to ultra-violet light for a selected period of time, such polymerization acting to lock in the tension in the fibers at the time of polymerization. A rail gun fabricated by means of the above method is further included.

Abstract: An improved transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises ballistic plastic prisms with mirrored external surfaces disposed between armor plates so that the reflection of the image occurs entirely within the prism. The armor sheets are also redesigned with perforations to reduce weight while defeating incoming threats.

Abstract: A very high density storage system comprising a storage grid having a number of storage cells and individual cargo carriers where a cargo carrier is stored in a storage cell. The storage system uses a unique set of individually actuatable gear drives on both the top and bottom of each storage cell, but installed at 90 degrees to each other, to move the cargo carrier to a specific storage cell. Software controls and manages the location of each cargo carrier such that when a specific cargo carrier is desired, software instructions cause the cargo carriers to be shuffled within the storage grid until the desired cargo carrier is located at the desired position, such as an unloading position.

Abstract: A direct vision periscope is disclosed having a second set of mirrors strategically positioned within a wide angle trapezoidal periscope. The main optical path has a vertical field of view of 24° above and below horizontal while the secondary optical path provides a field of view of 12° to 59° above horizontal to allow the occupants to see elevated areas. When used on military vehicles, multiple periscopes may be disposed about the operator's compartment to create a near panoramic view.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torque loop control method for servomotors utilizing discontinuous pulse width modulation that incorporates measuring the power factor in real time. Also included is a sine wave generator for software-based spectrum analysis.

Abstract: A weapon system having a gun barrel and an in bore air regulation system. The gun barrel has a first end and a second end. The gun barrel has a bore formed therein that extends from the first end towards the second end. The bore is adapted to receive a round. The in bore air regulation system is operably attached to the gun barrel so that the in bore air regulation system is in communication with the bore to regulate air pressure in the bore and thereby control the position of the round in the bore.

Abstract: The present invention is an Adaptable Beam Lifter Element (ABLE) system for use in lifting and moving an assortment of military vehicles and containers in transit and storage. An ABLE device is generally a structure having a low-profile frame that contains hydraulic lift, maneuvering, and drive features that may readily be placed beneath or around vehicles or containers for desired movement in a confined space. By using ABLE devices, transported vehicles placed on ships or in other confined locations can be stowed very close together, while allowing vehicles to be retrieved easily and efficiently, without dedicating a vast amount of space for maneuvering. In some embodiments, multiple ABLEs may be ganged and slaved logically together to form a system to cooperatively lift and transport a variety of vehicles and containers including many types of military equipment.

Abstract: A feed through capacitor, includes an electrical conductor having a first end being in electrical communication with a second end, the first and second ends being couplable to respective means for conveying electrical energy, a groundable electrically conductive housing enclosing at least a portion of the conductor and being spaced apart from the conductor, and a capacitor bank having at least one capacitor element, the capacitor element being in electrical communication with both the conductor and the housing. A method of forming a feed through capacitor is further included.

Abstract: A gun for firing a round of caseless ammunition, a round of such ammunition having a projectile and a modular propellant, the projectile and a modular propellant being disposable for firing in a gun tube, includes an actuatable valve being selectively openable to the gun tube, the valve for drawing a negative pressure in the gun tube, the negative pressure acting to pull the round into contact with a breech face such that when a firing pin is forceably released, the firing pin reliably strikes a primer of the modular propellant, the primer igniting the modular propellant, the ignited propellant forcefully discharging the projectile from the gun tube. A firing pin and valve assembly and a method of operating a gun are further included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating digital electrical signals which are representative of the angular position and rotational velocity of a rotatable shaft or similar movable mechanical component in a servomechanism. In particular, the present invention utilizes oversampling techniques to create an accurate, flexible and responsive method for determining shaft position on a high speed motor. The present invention also includes methods for overcoming deadtime losses and velocity lag.

Abstract: An interface includes a blast plate having plate structure, the plate structure being formed to substantially conform to a certain portion of an exterior margin of a hull of a certain vehicle and being semi-permanently mounted to the hull by mounting to certain mounting devices present on the exterior margin of the hull and having mounting structure for supportively mounting a standardized add-on device, the mounting structure being designed to facilitate the add-on device being readily mountable on and demountable from the plate structure, the plate structure having structural characteristics for acting to protect the hull from effects of a blast directed at the hull. A modular assembly and a blast plate are further included.

Abstract: A modular current sensing system for a servo control system that includes a magnetic core with an open center portion and a connection plate that includes at least three wire connectors, wherein the wire connectors are capable of connecting at least two wires electrically in series. The system also includes a plurality of wires, including a first wire with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first wire is electrically connected to a first power source, and the second end of the first wire is connected to the connection plate at the first wire connector and wherein the first wire passes through the open portion defined by the magnetic core at least once. A first motor current flowing through the first wire induces a core current to flow in the magnetic core, causing the magnetic core to emit a magnetic field. A Hall effect sensor detects the magnetic field, produces an output current, and delivers the output current to a control device within a servo control system.

Abstract: A STE for automated testing of ground combat vehicle software application to validate vehicle software logic provides a system and method to conduct interactive (manual) testing of the vehicle software while under development, record information related to the interactive testing activities, including but not limited to tester inputs and expected outcomes, and perform automated testing of the combat vehicle software application using the recorded information. Preferably, reconfiguration of the STE to support changes that arise due to the evolution of the combat vehicle software application system and the subsystems under control of the evolving software system is provided.

Abstract: An ETC igniter and compatible electrical connector for enabling an ETC gun to be used in a battlefield setting in close proximity with personnel and sensitive electronic equipment. This is accomplished by providing a current path to and from the igniter that is electrically isolated from all other portions of the gun. The connector and igniter are adapted to be capable of withstanding the high connection forces necessary to prevent arcing and the extreme stresses imposed during firing of the gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching and recovering an object by a host vessel while the host vessel is in motion. The recovery system utilizes a tethered capture system for connecting with the object and then directing the object to the host vessel where it is secured. The tethered capture system includes one or more side planers that direct a capture cable away from the host vessel. The capture cable is preferably disposed below the waterline through the use of a diving rig or extended cable struts so that the cable does not foul the propeller of the object to be recovered. The side planer itself may include a ramped surface for loading the object prior to securing to the host vessel. After the capture, the object may be secured by way of a boom attached to the host vessel or by a lifting cradle that selectively extends aft of the host vessel.

Abstract: A make-break device includes a first component having at least one engaging member, the engaging member presenting first and second orthogonally disposed edges, each edge being defined at the intersection of a respective pair of chamfered face and a second component having at least one engaging member, the engaging member presenting first and second orthogonally disposed edges, each edge being defined at the intersection of a respective pair of chamfered faces, where the first component first edge and the second component first edge cooperatively act to assist in facilitating radial meshing engagement of the first and second components and where the first component second edge and the second component second edge cooperatively act to assist in facilitating axial meshing engagement of the first and second components. A cannon employing the make-break device and a method of selectively coupling/decoupling stationary electric drive assemblies from associated shiftable driven assemblies are included.

Abstract: A projectile for a large caliber gun including a fall-back preventer ring disposed within a fall-back preventer recess defined by the projectile. The fall-back preventer ring engaging the barrel of the large caliber gun during a loading cycle and releasing from the barrel when the projectile is fired. The fall-back preventer ring is a multifaceted split ring device sized for both axial and radial movement within the fall back preventer recess. The present invention thus maintains the projectile safely within the barrel during loading and in the presence of other external forces.

Abstract: An assembly for effecting a variable volume chamber for use in a cannon having a breech assembly operably coupled to a chamber, and includes the chamber having a certain size being partially defined by a constant diameter for a known depth dimension and having a known volume and a breech plug assembly disposable in the chamber to a selectively variable depth, the depth being less than the known depth of the chamber such that the plug fills a first selectively variable portion of the known volume of the chamber, thereby leaving a second variable portion of the known volume of the chamber free and defining a chamber variable volume. A Cannon including the variable volume chamber and a method of effecting a variable volume chamber are further included.