Abstract: A vessel, such as a rocket motor tube, comprised of an insert, and a joint that allows the insert to decouple from the vessel to relieve pressure when subjected to excessive temperatures and/or a predetermined temperature or temperature range.

Abstract: In a wireless ad hoc network (20) of nodes (22), a method (64) of power management entails monitoring (82) a current traffic load of the network (20), and in response to the current traffic load, selecting (106, 132) a subset (102) of epochs (80) within cyclically repeating time windows (78) for network communication. A message (122) is communicated (120) between the nodes (22) in the network (20). The message (122) identifies the subset (102) of epochs (80) for using in communicating network traffic (32). Following receipt of the message, each of the nodes (22) modifies (124) a transmit capability mode by entering a run state (40) during the epochs (80) within the subset (102) to enable communication of network traffic (32) and by entering a low power consumption idle state (42) during the remaining epochs (80) within the time window (78).

Abstract: A system and method for video navigation is disclosed. The system and method may include one or more video cameras configured to capture views external to the vehicle, a control mechanism for adjusting the sight-line of the one or more video cameras, and a display panel positioned within the vehicle for displaying the views captured within the sight-line of the one or more video cameras.

Abstract: A method for aligning a plurality of sub-apertures of a multiple-aperture imaging system including, but not limited to, identifying one sub-aperture to serve as a reference sub-aperture, actuating the reference sub-aperture in a series of piston steps of a known amount, collecting data relating to each image of a plurality of images of a point object, each image corresponding to a respective piston step, compiling the data into a three-dimensional data cube, detecting a plurality of fringes positioned within the three-dimensional data cube, determining the relative location of each sub-aperture of the plurality of sub-apertures based on a location of each fringe of the plurality of fringes within the three-dimensional data cube, and actuating a piston associated with at least one sub-aperture based, at least in part, on the relative location to move the at least one sub-aperture into alignment with another sub-aperture and repeating with each remaining sub-aperture until all sub-apertures are at substantially

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for efficiently transmitting packetized data from a sender to a receiver over a communications link. A compression context is established between the sender and the receiver based upon commonalities in each of the data packets prior to transmitting the data over the communications link. The data is compressed according to the compression context to thereby create compressed data packets, and the compressed data packets are transmitted to the receiver across the communications link. By establishing compression contexts prior to transmission, the need for in-band signaling is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compliant leaded interposer for resiliently attaching and electrically connecting a ball grid array package to a circuit board. The interposer may include a substrate, a plurality of pads, and a plurality of pins. The plurality of pads may be positioned substantially on the top surface of the substrate and arranged in a predetermined pattern substantially corresponding to the solder ball pattern on the ball grid array package. The plurality of pins may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the substrate and may extend through the substrate and the plurality of pads. The interposer may be configured to attach the ball grid array package to the circuit board such that each of the solder balls on the ball grid array package contacts at least a portion the plurality of pins and at least a portion of the plurality of pads and such that the each of the plurality of pins also connects to a contact on the circuit board.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A connector system is provided. The system includes a substantially circular interconnecting hub, and a plurality of circuit board bays configured substantially radially around the substantially circular interconnecting hub. Each circuit board bay has a plurality of aligned connectors configured to receive a circuit board. The interconnecting circuit hub has, for each individual circuit board bay, a direct data pathway connecting the individual circuit board bay to all remaining circuit board bays of the plurality of circuit board bays. Each of the plurality of circuit board bays can directly communicate through the interconnecting hub with each of the remaining circuit boards bays.

Abstract: A channel in a telemetry system is described. The channel includes a sample-and-hold circuit, a variable resistor circuit, and a control element. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to hold a sample of a signal. The variable resistor circuit is communicatively coupled to the sample-and-hold circuit, and is configured to present a variable impedance to one or more signal lines during a time period designated for the channel. The variable impedance is representative of the sample held by the sample-and-hold circuit. The control element is configured to control the variable resistor circuit to present to the one or more signal lines an open circuit equivalent impedance during times other than the time period designated for the channel.

Abstract: A cable includes an outer jacket of polyethylene surrounding a plurality of conductive wires. Each one of the plurality of insulated conductive wires comprises a conductive core and an insulating layer surrounding the conductive core, the insulating layer being made of cross-linked polyethylene.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to hull have a geometric shape where a first wall, second wall, and third wall are designed to mitigate the effects of an explosion. In an exemplary embodiment, the hull may have a double-vertex shape.

Abstract: A processing system (60) includes an input interface (62), a first processor (64), a second processor (66), and an output interface (68) arranged in a serial configuration. Each of the input interface (62), first processor (64), second processor (66), and output interface (68) computes a digest (92, 100, 110, and 114) using information, e.g., a unique parameter (94, 102, 112, 118), known only by that element (62, 64, 66, 68) and using information generated by that element (62, 64, 66, 68). The digests (92, 100, 110, and 114) are used to validate the integrity of payload data (86) processed by the system (60) to form processed data (104) and the system (60) only outputs the processed data (104) upon validation of data integrity. The serial configuration of system (60) may be implemented to provide high bit rate, redundant cryptographic services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector system for resiliently attaching and electrically connecting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board using a plurality of leads. Each of the plurality of leads are sized and arranged to form a curved body having a first leg and a second leg with a curved portion between the first leg and the second leg. The curved body of the leads may be C-shaped in accordance with the present invention. The plurality of leads may be formed from strips of copper foil or copper mesh folded to form the curved body. The plurality of leads may also be sized and arranged to support the integrated circuit chip in a generally flat arrangement relative to the circuit board with a maximum separation of about 0.016 inches or less between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit board.

Abstract: A system and method for rotating a source image by a first non-zero angle is provided. The method includes: defining a template for the source image, the template representing a rotation of the source image about an axis of the source image by second angle, where the second angle is the negative of the first non-zero angle; determining overlap between the template and the source image; separating the template into a plurality of strips covering at least the area of overlap; and for each strip: indentifying an initial pixel in the source image within the strip and storing the image data of the initial pixel; storing the image data of all remaining pixels within both the strip and the overlap in a database format in which the all remaining pixels is defined by a Y and X offset from the initial pixel.

Abstract: A gun sight for use with a weapon configured for super elevation is disclosed herein. The gun sight includes, but is not limited to, an imaging system that is configured for rotation. The gun sight further includes a drive mechanism that associated with the imaging system and that is configured to rotate the imaging system. The gun sight further includes an inclinometer associated with one of the weapon and the imaging system. The gun sight still further includes a processor that is communicatively coupled with the drive mechanism and the inclinometer. The processor is configured to control the drive mechanism to rotate the imaging system in a manner that causes the imaging system to maintain an initial angular orientation based on information provided by the inclinometer when the weapon is superelevated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A system for controlling an object traveling through exoatmospheric space is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a pressure vessel, a pair of solid propellant grains associated with the pressure vessel that is configured to direct a gas into the pressure vessel during combustion, an exhaust nozzle that is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel, and a valve that is coupled with the exhaust nozzle and that is configured to selectively obstruct the gas from venting through the exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the encryption and decryption of optically transmitted data, and more particularly to the encryption and decryption of optical data transmitted and received using only optical components. Because only optical components are used, the encryption and decryption is independent of the data rate of the optical signal. The apparatus may include an encryption device that operates by receiving and combining both an unencrypted optical signal as well as a delayed optical signal that is based on the unencrypted optical signal. An optical delay may be configured in a number of different ways and may be used for delaying the unencrypted optical signal. The apparatus may further include a decryption device that receives and combines an encrypted optical signal as well as a delayed optical signal that is based on the encrypted optical signal.

Abstract: A capacitive reactive armor assembly for shielding a vehicle is disclosed herein. The capacitive reactive armor includes, but is not limited to, a first flyer plate, a second flyer plate, and a capacitor positioned between the first flyer plate and the second flyer plate. The capacitor is configured to store an electric charge and to explosively short circuit when the capacitor is penetrated while the capacitor is electrically charged. The explosive release of energy from the capacitor pushes the first and second flyer plates apart interfering with the penetration of a shaped charge jet or ballistic penetrator.

Abstract: A method for aligning a plurality of sub-apertures of a multiple-aperture imaging system including, but not limited to, identifying one sub-aperture to serve as a reference sub-aperture, actuating the reference sub-aperture in a series of piston steps of a known amount, collecting data relating to each image of a plurality of images of a point object, each image corresponding to a respective piston step, compiling the data into a three-dimensional data cube, detecting a plurality of fringes positioned within the three-dimensional data cube, determining the relative location of each sub-aperture of the plurality of sub-apertures based on a location of each fringe of the plurality of fringes within the three-dimensional data cube, and actuating a piston associated with at least one sub-aperture based, at least in part, on the relative location to move the at least one sub-aperture into alignment with another sub-aperture and repeating with each remaining sub-aperture until all sub-apertures are at substantially