Abstract: A cyclonic separator and methods of cyclonic separation which provide for a band pass separation of particles. That is, a cyclonic separator able to remove particles from an air stream that are greater than a predetermined minimum (which is greater than zero) while being smaller than a particular maximum. This band pass separation may be performed with the inclusion of a secondary vortex break on a cyclonic separator. Also discussed are cyclonic flow systems which provide for less deposition of aerosolized particles onto the cyclonic flow generator and related structures to improve likelihood of particles of interest being provided to an attached detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.

Abstract: A filtration unit for use with an environmental control unit (ECU), usually a portable ECU, which includes at least two air flow paths wherein at least one of the air flow paths allows for use of air which has not passed through a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) filter and at least one other does. The filtration unit may have at least three air paths, at least two of which provide NBC filtered air. This filtration unit can provide for longer expected operational life before filter replacement is required in both contaminated and non-contaminated environments. Further, the filtration unit may include remote sensing and control apparatus allowing for quick switching between operational modes depending on the need for filtered vs. unfiltered air and for a decreased reliance on personnel for maintenance and control, and a more simplified setup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces.

Abstract: An active damping system for damping the rotation of an object to an extent dependent upon the angular velocity of the object utilizes a feedback mechanism and provides a robust method for rotational damping. The active damping system comprises a torque controller, a speed measuring device connected to said torque controller for measuring a speed correlated with the rotation to be damped, and a torque generating device for producing the damping torque, which is controlled by the torque controller. Where the torque controller is a microprocessor, various defined relationships between the rotation to be damped and the damping torque can be programmed into the torque controller, which can also perform diagnostics on the active damping system. Both the programmability and the ability to perform diagnostics allow the active damping system to respond reproducibly over a range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: Described herein, amongst other things, are electronically available interactive reference materials that can preferably be accessed by using a network, such as the World Wide Web or Internet, to eliminate the need to create and transport paper. There are further described systems, methods, and means for generating, storing, and providing to a user these interactive reference materials. There are also disclosed, system, methods, and means for generating, storing, and providing to a user interactive electronic systems for use with the interactive reference materials.

Abstract: Supercritical water (SCW) systems and methods using the properties of supercritical water to allow a raw water stream including water and a contaminant to be purified. A supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), water purifier may generally include water and oxidizer (such as oxygen in air) pumping and mixing apparatus, a supercritical water reactor, and a system for separating the resultant purified water from other relatively harmless outputs of the supercritical water reactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces.

Abstract: A light detecting device, particularly one which indicates illumination by a laser, and methods for its use. The device includes at least two light detectors which each comprise a light sensor and a light control filter. The light control filter includes microlouvers arranged so that the microlouvers of the two different light detectors are at different angles. The light detecting device may be used to determine the direction to the source of the light detected. Further, two or more devices may be combined into a system that allows for a user to determine the distance to the source of light, particularly laser light emitted by a laser rangefinder. The system is designed to be functional under combat or other battlefield conditions and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elevating lift for raising and lowering a load (such as a sensor suite) onboard a vehicle, such as a Humvee, which can allow for the transport of the vehicle in a standard transport without removal of the sensor suite from the vehicle, and can provide for a more stable support for the load than is available from a traditional mast. The elevating lift may also able to maintain the load in a parallel position as it is raised, and may be able to lock in a intermediate position where the sensor suite can be used while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: An isolation platform assembly (10) for a vehicle (V) on which is mounted instruments and sensors (S). The instruments and sensors are installed on a gimbal (G). A mounting bracket (12a-12c) attaches the assembly to the vehicle. The unit further includes a platform or plate (14) to which the gimbal is attached. The plate connects to the bracket by cable isolators (62) which attenuate shock and vibration forces transmitted through the vehicle. This protects the instrument and sensor packages from shock and vibration damage, particularly when the vehicle is moving. It also allows the instruments and sensors to be used to obtain information both while the vehicle is parked and while it is moving. The assembly further includes a restraint mechanism (64) comprising torsion bars (66, 72) and levers (74, 108) which connect the platform to the mounting bracketry so to enable the instrumentation and sensor payload to be moved from one orientation to another for data acquisition.

Abstract: A docking station (10) comprises a mast latch assembly (12) which attaches to the outer end of a mast (M). An adapter (14) which connects to a sensor platform (G) disengagingly attaches to the mast latch assembly. An isolation assembly (16) mounts on a surface (D) of a vehicle (V) adjacent an opening (O) through which the mast extends and retracts. As the mast is retracted, the adapter (14) engages with isolation assembly (16) and disengages from the mast latch assembly. This attaches the sensor platform to the isolation assembly which now protects the sensors from vibrations produced by the vehicle and any shocks created by the terrain over which the vehicle travels. It also allows the sensors to be used for surveillance during vehicle travel. When the vehicle stops and the mast is again extended, the adapter (14) re-engages with the mast latch assembly and is disengaged from the isolation assembly.

Abstract: A docking station (10) comprises a mast latch assembly (12) which attaches to the outer end of a mast (M). An adapter (14) which connects to a sensor platform (G) disengagingly attaches to the mast latch assembly. An isolation assembly (16) mounts on a surface (D) of a vehicle (V) adjacent an opening (O) through which the mast extends and retracts. As the mast is retracted, the adapter (14) engages with isolation assembly (16) and disengages from the mast latch assembly. This attaches the sensor platform to the isolation assembly which now protects the sensors from vibrations produced by the vehicle and any shocks created by the terrain over which the vehicle travels. It also allows the sensors to be used for surveillance during vehicle travel. When the vehicle stops and the mast is again extended, the adapter (14) re-engages with the mast latch assembly and is disengaged from the isolation assembly.

Abstract: An isolation platform assembly (10) for a vehicle (V) on which is mounted instruments and sensors (S). The instruments and sensors are installed on a gimbal (G). A mounting bracket (12a-12c) attaches the assembly to the vehicle. The unit further includes a platform or plate (14) to which the gimbal is attached. The plate connects to the bracket by cable isolators (62) which attenuate shock and vibration forces transmitted through the vehicle. This protects the instrument and sensor packages from shock and vibration damage, particularly when the vehicle is moving. It also allows the instruments and sensors to be used to obtain information both while the vehicle is parked and while it is moving. The assembly further includes a restraint mechanism (64) comprising torsion bars (66, 72) and levers (74, 108) which connect the platform to the mounting bracketry so to enable the instrumentation and sensor payload to be moved from one orientation to another for data acquisition.

Abstract: A method for effecting the desired optical characteristics of an optical system (10) using phase diffractive optics. Incident light (Bi) is directed onto a surface (12i) of a material (12) whose index of refraction (n) is variable over the material. Passage of the incident light through the material effects the phase and amplitude of the light waveform. An optical map (Om) is determined for the surface of the material. This map comprises variations in the index of refraction over the material surface, and the map, in effect, represents any of a range of refractive and diffractive optical elements such as a mirror (1), a lens (2,3,6,7), or a diffraction grating (100). The map is dynamically written onto the material to map the material such that the incident light's passage through the material corresponds to the passage of the light through the optical element currently emulated by the material.

Abstract: A two axis (azimuth and elevation) stabilized common gimbal (SGC) for use on a wide variety of commercial vehicles and military vehicles which are employed in combat situations capable of stabilizing a payload of primary sensors and of mounting a secondary sensor payload that is independent of the moving axes. The SCG employs three gyroscopes, inertial angular rate feedback for providing gimbal control of two axes during slewing and stabilization. In addition the third (roll) gyroscope is used for performing automatic calibration and decoupling procedures. In this regard, the SCG provides an interface for the primary suite of sensors comprising one or more sensors having a common line-of-sight (LOS) and which are stabilized by electronics, actuators, and inertial sensors against vehicle motion in both azimuth and elevation.