Abstract: A method for remotely guiding a refueling boom of a tanker to engage with a fueling receptacle of an aircraft while the tanker and the aircraft are in flight. The method comprising: transmitting a polarized RF scanning pattern from one of the refueling boom and refueling receptacle; detecting the polarized RF scanning pattern at one or more cavity sensors disposed on the other of the refueling boom and the refueling receptacle; and controlling a position of the refueling boom relative to a position of the refueling receptacle based on the detected polarized RF scanning pattern at the one or more cavity sensors.

Abstract: A mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer; a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and at least one layer of metallic fragments disposed between the inner and outer layers, the layer of metallic fragments including a plurality of individual metallic fragments unconnected to each other. In a variation, the mortar shell including: a metallic inner layer, the metallic inner layer having a grid formed on an outer surface to define a plurality of metallic fragments separated by grooves; a polymer having first reinforcing fibers disposed within the grooves; and a polymer outer layer having second reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. In another variation, the mortar shell including a polymer outer layer having reinforcing fibers dispersed therein; and a metallic inner layer having a plurality of metallic fragments with a shape to interlock to each of the other and assembled together into the metallic inner layer.

Abstract: A method for charging an energy storage device having a core with an electrolyte. The method including: (a) obtaining one or more of a measurement or approximation of a temperature of the electrolyte; (b) determining whether the temperature obtained in step (a) is below a predetermined threshold considered to at least reduce the charging efficiency of the energy storage device; and (c) inputting one or more of a predetermined voltage and current input to terminals of the energy storage device causing internal components of the energy storage device to generate heat if the temperature is determined to be less than the predetermined temperature. Similarly, a method for discharging an energy storage device having an electrolyte is provided.

Abstract: A method for producing electrical energy in a munition includes; initiating a thermal battery contained within the munition to generate electrical energy; dumping the electrical energy generated by the thermal battery into an electrical energy storage device before the thermal battery becomes inactive; and using the stored electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device over a period of time. The initiation device can be an inertial igniter, the electrical energy storage device can be a capacitor and the thermal battery, initiation device and electrical energy storage device can be configured such that the initiation device and electrical energy storage device sandwich the thermal battery.

Abstract: A mechanism including: a toggle link rotatably connected to a base structure; a first element associated with the toggle link; a second element associated with the base structure; a biasing element having a first end attached to the base structure and a second end attached to the toggle link such that the first element moves towards the second element; and a blocking element movably disposed between a first position blocking movement of the toggle link and a second position allowing to first element of the toggle link to move towards the second element when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A dressing for application to skin, the dressing including: first and second portions; an adhesive applied on a surface of the first and second portions for adhering the first and second portions to the skin; an elastic member having one end connected to an end of the first portion and another end connected to an end of the second portion; and a locking member entirely disposed between the end of the first portion and the end of the second portion, the locking member restraining the elastic member into a first shape; wherein when the locking member is at least partially removed from between the first and second portions, the elastic member moves in a direction towards an unrestrained second shape.

Abstract: An apparatus actuatable under a rotary acceleration having a predetermined duration and magnitude. The apparatus including: a body having a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being disposed radially offset from the first channel; a mass disposed in the first channel, the mass having an arm disposed at a first end of the mass and the arm being rotatable from a first position in which the arm cannot move within the second channel to a second position in which the arm can move inside the second channel; a first biasing spring member having a first end connected to the body and a second end connected to the arm such that when the arm is subjected to the rotary acceleration greater than the predetermined duration and magnitude, the arm is biased to rotate from the first position to the second position; wherein the mass is connected to the arm such that the mass moves in the first channel and the arm moves in the second channel when the arm is biased into the second position.

Abstract: A method for generating electrical power, the method including: storing potential energy in an elastic element having one end attached to a shaft and another end attached to a structure upon rotation of the shaft relative to the structure in a first angular direction; and moving a retaining mechanism between an engaged position for retaining the shaft from rotating in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction and a power generating position permitting the shaft to rotate in the second angular direction; wherein when the retaining mechanism is moved to the power generating position, the stored potential energy in the elastic element is converted to kinetic energy to rotate the shaft which in turn rotates a generator operatively coupled to the shaft so as to produce electrical power.

Abstract: A method for generating power in a gravity dropped munition. The method including: attaching a cable from a generator associated with the munition to a portion of an aircraft; separating the munition from the aircraft to pull the cable from the munition; converting the pulling of the cable to a rotation; producing power from the rotation; and providing the power to an internal component of the munition.

Abstract: A shock testing machine including: a movable impact mass upon which one or more components to test are mounted; one or more rails upon which the impact mass is movable; and a brake operatively engageable with the movable impact mass after the movable impact mass has moved a predetermined distance to retard the movement of the movable impact mass such that the components to be tested experience a deceleration profile.

Abstract: A device responsive to an acceleration pulse event, the device including: a piezoelectric device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to one or more acceleration pulse events; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the generated voltage to accumulate a charge; an energy dissipating device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to dissipate the accumulated charge following the one or more acceleration pulse events and not to substantially dissipate the accumulated charge during the one or more acceleration pulse events; and a voltage limiting device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to limit the portion of the generated voltage applied to the electrical storage device to a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A method for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions in a projectile, the method including: storing mechanical energy in an elastic element attached to a first movable mass at one end of the elastic element upon a firing acceleration of the projectile; engaging a second movable mass with the first movable mass such that movement of the second movable mass upon the acceleration moves the second movable mass which in turn moves the first movable mass; converting the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy upon the acceleration to vibrate the first movable mass and the elastic element to apply a cyclic force to a piezoelectric element attached to another end of the elastic element; and locking the second movable mass in a position where the second movable mass cannot interfere with vibration of the first movable mass upon the second movable mass being subjected to the acceleration.

Abstract: A method of closing a wound with a dressing. The method including: restraining at least a portion of the dressing corresponding to the wound into a first shape; adhering first and second portions of the dressing across the wound; removing the restraint from the dressing while the first and second portions are adhered to the skin by removing a member from the dressing to allow at least the portion to move towards a second shape and apply a force tending to close the wound.

Abstract: A device including: a processor being configured to: instruct an image sensor to capture first image data of a patch applied to a user's skin unprotected against an ultraviolent spectrum of radiation, the patch having a reflection coefficient in the ultraviolent spectrum; measure a first reflectance from the patch based on the reflection coefficient; determine a second reflectance from the unprotected skin adjacent to the patch based on the measured first reflectance; instruct the image sensor to capture second image data of the user's skin after application of a sunscreen; determine a third reflectance from the skin adjacent to the applied patch for the skin having the applied sunscreen based on the measured first reflectance; and determine a time extending factor for the applied sunscreen based on the second and third reflectance.

Abstract: A rotary shock-testing machine including: a base; a first shaft rotatable relative to the base, the first shaft being driven to rotate; a first wheel rotatable with the first shaft; a second shaft rotatable relative to the base; a second wheel rotatable with a first portion of the second shaft; and a test disc for holding one or more specimens to be tested, the test disc being rotatable with a second portion of the second shaft; wherein the first and second wheels are aligned with each other such that the second wheel is driven by the first wheel when a material is introduced into a gap between a surface of the first wheel and a corresponding surface of the second wheel.

Abstract: A rotary shock testing machine including: a base; a shaft rotatable relative to the base; a test disc for holding one or more specimens to be tested, the test disc being rotatable with the shaft; an actuator for applying a rotation to the shaft and test disc; and a brake for applying a braking force to the test disc to subject the one or more specimens to a rotary shock.

Abstract: An electrical energy harvesting device for harvesting electrical energy from a pulsed impact loading event. The device including: a piezoelectric element configured to be loaded and unloaded to a first load level by the pulsed impact loading event; and a first inductor coupled to the piezoelectric element configured to be loaded and unloaded to a second load level by the pulsed impact loading event, wherein the piezoelectric element and the first inductor together operate as a first inductor/capacitor (LC) resonant circuit having a first resonance frequency and wherein the loading of the first inductor lags in time the loading of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A device for providing electrical energy in a submunition of a projectile upon an expulsion acceleration of the submunition from the projectile, the device including: at least one elastic element and a mass connected to the at least one elastic element such that a firing acceleration of the projectile deforms to store mechanical energy in the elastic element; and a mechanism for locking the elastic element in the deformed position and unlocking the elastic element due to the expulsion acceleration to vibrate the at least one elastic element and mass and apply a cyclic force to at least one piezoelectric element to convert the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A method for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions in a projectile, the method including: storing mechanical energy in an elastic element attached to a first movable mass at one end of the elastic element upon a firing acceleration of the projectile; engaging a second movable mass with the first movable mass such that movement of the second movable mass upon the acceleration moves the second movable mass which in turn moves the first movable mass; converting the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy upon the acceleration to vibrate the first movable mass and the elastic element to apply a cyclic force to a piezoelectric element attached to another end of the elastic element; and locking the second movable mass in a position where the second movable mass cannot interfere with vibration of the first movable mass upon the second movable mass being subjected to the acceleration.

Abstract: A piezoelectric open-circuit output voltage profile simulator including a capacitor; at least first, second and third switches; and a controller for controlling the first, second and third switches.