Abstract: An apparatus, method and system to enhance the performance of composite armor by utilizing the energy of the threat projectile is disclosed. The frontal member includes, for example, a plurality of concentric proves on the face opposite of the surface that is impacted by a projectile. The grooves in the frontal member preferably may mate with a complimentary plurality of concentric grooves in a backing plate. During impact by a projectile, the force from the projectile presses the grooves of the frontal member into engagement with the grooves of the backing plate. The grooves are uniquely designed to cause the backing plate to impart a compressive load into the backside of the frontal member preventing it from prematurely fracturing in tension at the onset of the projectile penetration.

Abstract: An active blast mitigation system includes one or more sensors configured to produce a set of acceleration signals indicative of a dynamic response of the vehicle. A control system communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors is configured to determine the dynamic response of the vehicle based on the set of acceleration signals and determine whether mitigation is required based on the dynamic response of the vehicle. If it is determined that mitigation is required, the control system produces one or more countermeasure signals selected to at least partially counteract the dynamic response. Countermeasure assemblies communicatively coupled to the control system are configured to activate in response to the one or more countermeasure signals.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension unit for use on a vehicle including a ring bearing, a trailing arm, a spring and damper for providing large vertical wheel travel in a jounce and rebound suspension condition. The ring bearing may include external threads for rotationally connecting the trailing arm to a mounting plate or a hull of the vehicle. Further, supply lines for electrical and fluids may be passed through the opening in the ring bearings without the use of a slip ring and passed through a passage in the trailing arm to a wheel on the vehicle. The spring and damper may be located on top of the trailing arm and separately connected to the mounting plate to generate significant mechanical advantage. The geometry of the spring, damper, and trailing arm allow the spring in the suspension unit to be gas cylinder employing air.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for imparting spectral characteristics to composite materials by coating prepreg or dry reinforcement materials with pigment, then processing the prepreg or dry reinforcement materials using conventional composite processing methods. The resulting composite material products are lightweight and have durable treatments. The invention further includes composite materials with spectral characteristics imparted by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A composite armor 10 and method for making it. The armor 10 has a honeycomb core 12 that is provided with polygonal openings 14 and oppositely facing sides 16, 18. Inserts 20 are placed within at least some of the openings. A pair of sheets 22, 24 are respectively secured to the oppositely facing sides of the honeycomb core to close the openings, thereby containing fracture debris after impact, and to provide reinforcement. One method of making the composite armor includes: providing a honeycomb core having polygonal openings; adhering a sheet to cover the polygonal openings that are located on one side of the honeycomb core; at least partially filling at least some of the openings with a resin; placing one or more inserts within at least some of the openings; and adhering a front sheet to the oppositely facing side of the honeycomb core. A preferred manufacturing practice involves resin infusion.

Abstract: A modular spray cooling system 10 for cooling electronic components in enclosures containing electronic components that dissipate heat and therefore require cooling. The modular system is mounted in a sealed enclosure 12 with an inside wall 14. A spray cooling module 26 is detachably mountable within the sealed enclosure 12. The coolant is distributed to a spray manifold card 48 that is provided with nozzles. Localized cooling is accomplished with the use of individual nozzles 17. The spray cooling module 26 atomizes the evaporative coolant through nozzles 22 so that liquid droplets of the coolant are delivered to the electronic components, and cooling of the components occurs upon evaporation.

Abstract: A modular spray cooling system 10 for cooling electronic components in enclosures containing electronic components that dissipate heat and therefore require cooling. The modular system is mounted in a sealed enclosure 12 with an inside wall 14. A spray cooling module 26 is detachably mountable within the sealed enclosure 12. The coolant is distributed to a spray manifold card 48 that is provided with nozzles. Localized cooling is accomplished with the use of individual nozzles 17. The spray cooling module 26 atomizes the evaporative coolant through nozzles 22 so that liquid droplets of the coolant are delivered to the electronic components, and cooling of the components occurs upon evaporation.

Abstract: The invention is a method for increasing the capacity of an electrical component, such as a bus bar, to carry an electrical current. The method comprises the step of exposing the electrical component to an evaporative fluid that is in fluid and thermal contact with the electrical component. Upon heating, fluid undergoes a phase change at least partially to a vapor state. Thus, electrical energy in the form of heat generated by the flow of current is dissipated at least partially by the evaporative fluid. As a result, the temperature of the electrical component is maintained within an acceptable range when carrying the electrical current.

Abstract: A method for cooling bus bars 12,14 in order to increase their current-carrying capacity while saving space and weight. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing having an interior wall; locating a distribution manifold 20 within the housing, the distribution manifold comprising a hollow bus bar 12,14; communicating to the manifold a supply of an evaporative coolant 18, 18′; and delivering the coolant 18, 18′ outwardly under pressure so that upon exiting the manifold 20, the coolant 18, 18′ undergoes a phase change from the liquid to the vapor state. Heat is extracted from the manifold 20 at least as quickly as heat is generated by the flow of current. The extraction of heat by the flow of coolant 18, 18′ and evaporation maintains or lowers the temperature of the bus bar and enables a given size of bus bar to carry more current without a significant rise in temperature. The invention also includes an apparatus 10 for cooling bus bars 12,14 in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A self-tapping threaded insert (20) for threadedly mounting another component by a threaded central connector (50). An assembly (24) of the insert (20) and a mounting member (22) for threadedly mounting the insert are assembled by a method for mounting the self-tapping threaded insert. The insert (20) has a threaded shank (26) that is threaded into a partially tapped hole and has a shank end with flutes (32) of a construction that provides self-tapping. Upon final torquing, a locking flange (42) of the insert (20) locks against a surface (46) of the member (22) as threads of the insert shank (26) are completely engaged with the hole.

Abstract: A non-skid, radar absorbing system 10. The system absorbs and scatters incident microwave and/or millimeter wave radiation so as to decrease retro reflectance. The system includes an absorbing layer (RAM) 14 juxtaposed with a substrate 12. Disposed adjacent the RAM 14 is a non-skid matrix layer 16 for providing a safe foot hold. Optionally, a protective environmental topcoat 18 is applied to the non-skid layer 16. The system has electrical and magnetic characteristics such that radar energy at a discrete or broadband frequencies is at least partially absorbed. The invention also includes methods of making and using the non-skid, radar absorbing system 10.

Abstract: A non-skid, radar absorbing system 10. The system absorbs and scatters incident microwave and/or millimeter wave radiation so as to decrease retro reflectance. The system includes an absorbing layer (RAM) 14 juxtaposed with a substrate 12. Disposed adjacent the RAM 14 is a non-skid matrix layer 16 for providing a safe foot hold. Optionally, a protective environmental topcoat 18 is applied to the non-skid layer 16. The system has electrical and magnetic characteristics such that radar energy at a discrete or broadband frequencies is at least partially absorbed. The invention also includes methods of making and using the non-skid, radar absorbing system 10.

Abstract: A self-tapping threaded insert (20) for threadedly mounting another component by a threaded central connector (50). An assembly (24) of the insert (20) and a mounting member (22) for threadedly mounting the insert are assembled by a method for mounting the self-tapping threaded insert. The insert (20) has a threaded shank (26) that is threaded into a partially tapped hole and has a shank end with flutes (32) of a construction that provides self-tapping. Upon final torquing, a locking flange (42) of the insert (20) locks against a surface (46) of the member (22) as threads of the insert shank (26) are completely engaged with the hole.

Abstract: To control transmission ratio of a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission including an input shaft, an output shaft, a hydraulic pump unit driven by the input shaft, a grounded hydraulic motor unit, and a wedge-shaped swashplate drivingly, pivotally connected to the output shaft and positioned to accommodate pumped hydraulic fluid exchanges between the pump and motor units. A ratio controller is provided having a pair of hydraulically actuated, differentially sized pistons coupled by a linkage mechanism to pivot the swashplate in opposite transmission ratio-changing directions. The smaller piston is incorporated internally of the output shaft, while the larger piston, of an annular shape, coaxially surrounds the output shaft. The linkage mechanism has geometry effective to translate axial forces exerted by the pistons into amplified ratio-changing moments exerted on the swashplate.

Abstract: In a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump unit driven by an input shaft, a grounded hydraulic motor unit, and an intermediate, wedge-shaped swashplate for developing torque on an output shaft in response to pumped exchanges of hydraulic fluid between the pump and motor units through swashplate ports, a ratio controller is provided to vary transmission ratio by changing the swashplate angular orientation and to engage a lock-up clutch directly mechanically coupling the input shaft to the output shaft when a 1:1 transmission ratio is set.

Abstract: In a multi-range, continuously variable transmission, input engine power is split between a belt-type, continuously variable transmission unit and a system of interconnected planetary gears. This gear system then combines the split power received from the engine and the transmission unit output to produce a transmission output for propelling a vehicle in multiple forward ranges and one reverse range, each range of continuously variable speed produced by stroking the transmission unit. Synchronous shifting between ranges is achieved by selectively clutching or braking elements of the planetary gear sets at appropriate stroke settings of the transmission unit, such that the vehicle may be smoothly accelerated from rest to maximum speed.

Abstract: A multi-range, synchronous shifting, hydromechanical transmission according to the present invention is suitable for application in an automotive drivetrain including a high speed engine. The transmission receives split power inputs from the engine; one input being geared down to a suitable lower speed for driving a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission unit, while the other input drives a counter shaft from which mechanical outputs are take at different speed ratios. A planetary gear set, driven by the hydrostatic transmission unit output, is shiftable to provide either a narrow continuously variable speed hydrostatic output, range suitable for transmission operation in low output ranges or a wide continuously variable speed hydrostatic output range suitable for transmission operation in high output ranges.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission receives split power inputs from a vehicle engine, one split input driving a hydrostatic power unit and the other split input driving a mechanical power input. The infinitely variable hydrostatic power output is combined in the mechanical power unit with multiple ratios of its split input power to achieve infinitely variable ratios of hydromechanical output power for smoothly propelling a vehicle from rest through multiple transmission ranges to maximum speed, with synchronous shifting between ranges.

Abstract: A high pressure pulsed gas source for accelerating a projectile along a gun barrel comprises a structure including a high voltage electrode for establishing axial electrical discharges in corresponding axial gaps behind an outlet where the projectile is located. Plasma flows at right angles to the discharges into a propellant mass that is converted into a high pressure component of the gas pulse. The gaps are arranged so that after the projectile moves away from its initial position and is in the barrel, power applied to the plasma via gaps close to the outlet is greater than power applied to the plasma via gaps farther from the outlet. To avoid damage to the gun, the gaps are arranged so power applied to the plasma is substantially the same in the discharges when plasma is initially produced. The gaps include walls that are eroded differently by the discharges so gap walls close to the outlet erode faster than gap walls farther from the outlet.

Abstract: A cartridge for accelerating a projectile includes a light gas pressurized in a sealed container to 5,000-10,000 psi. Upon ignition in the sealed container, a gas mixture having a low or intermediate molecular weight and a high or low energy density is applied as a high sound speed gas to accelerate the projectile to speeds of above about 2.4 km/sec.