Abstract: Non-destructive sensing methods and devices for inspection and measuring in manufacturing applications for removal of contaminants from composite surfaces coupled with sensing and activation of the composite surfaces.

Abstract: A matrix resin composition for fiber reinforced composite materials is described. The resin is thermosetting and achieves a glass transition temperature of at least 177° C. (Tg), obtained by curing under anaerobic conditions at room temperature. The matrix resin will streamline composite fabrication processes by eliminating the need for heating during the cure process. The implications of this development are significant in terms of the ease of use and elimination of procedural steps. While the resin system was developed specifically for vacuum bagging, it is expected to be viable for other composite fabrication methods including resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The resin system is viable for use with carbon fiber reinforcements to fabricate laminates at least 0.20 inches thick. The resulting laminates have low porosity and mechanical properties equivalent to those prepared with common epoxy matrix resins.

Abstract: A matrix resin composition for fiber reinforced composite materials is described. The resin is thermosetting and achieves a glass transition temperature of at least 177° C. (Tg), obtained by curing at room temperature. The matrix resin will streamline composite fabrication processes by eliminating the need for heating during the cure process. The implications of this development are significant in terms of the ease of use and elimination of procedural steps. While the resin system was developed specifically for vacuum bagging, it is expected to be viable for other composite fabrication methods including resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The resin system is viable for use with carbon fiber reinforcements to fabricate laminates at least 0.20 inches thick. The resulting laminates have low porosity and mechanical properties equivalent to those prepared with common epoxy matrix resins.

Abstract: A method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance, the method uses a device having a computer readable memory, digital camera, logic assembly and user interface; providing a pixel target intensity profile; placing the coupon in the device and exposing the coupon channel to a test fluid mixture; automatically using the digital camera to take a digital image of the coupon channel test section after the exposure. The improvement in the method includes finding the contiguous set of pixels from the test section of the coupon channel that best matches the intensity profile of the target pattern representation and determining if this best match set of pixels exceeds a similarity threshold and in response to a best match set of pixels passing the similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.

Abstract: A particle concentrator, having a top and a bottom and including a hollow outer hub, having a top and bottom and bottom wall, and a side wall defining a plurality of sampled airflow inlet slots. An inner hub is placed in the outer hub and has a hollow interior, and which for each one of the sampled airflow inlet slots, supports a blade defining a secondary airflow slot aligned to a sampled airflow inlet slot, is sealed at its top, and is in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the inner hub, and wherein each adjacent two blades define a space between blades. A fan assembly is for blowing air out of the top of the outer hub, from the spaces between blades, causing air inflow through the sampled airflow inlet slots, some air then flowing into the secondary airflow slots, where it flows into the inner hub.

Abstract: A concentrator, wherein the concentrator comprises an air processor that includes a sampled airflow inlet slot that receives a sampled airflow that contains particles containing target material. A secondary airflow inlet slot that is located downstream from the sampled airflow inlet slot. The sampled airflow inlet slot uses centrifugal force to concentrate particles containing target material into a central portion of the sampled airflow, and produces a non-collimated sampled airflow. The secondary airflow inlet slot is operable to divide a secondary airflow from at least a part of the central portion of the sampled airflow that is received by the secondary airflow inlet slot from the sampled airflow inlet slot, and is operable to divide side primary airflows from the non-collimated sampled airflow produced by the sampled airflow inlet slot. Finally, the secondary airflow flows through the secondary airflow inlet slot.

Abstract: A method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance, the method uses a device having a computer readable memory, digital camera, logic assembly and user interface; providing a pixel target intensity profile; placing the coupon in the device and exposing the coupon channel to a test fluid mixture; automatically using the digital camera to take a digital image of the coupon channel test section after the exposure. The improvement in the method includes finding the contiguous set of pixels from the test section of the coupon channel that best matches the intensity profile of the target pattern representation and determining if this best match set of pixels exceeds a similarity threshold and in response to a best match set of pixels passing the similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.

Abstract: A method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance, the method uses a device having a computer readable memory, digital camera, logic assembly and user interface; providing a pixel target intensity profile; placing the coupon in the device and exposing the coupon channel to a test fluid mixture; automatically using the digital camera to take a digital image of the coupon channel test section after the exposure. The improvement in the method includes finding the contiguous set of pixels from the test section of the coupon channel that best matches the intensity profile of the target pattern representation and determining if this best match set of pixels exceeds a similarity threshold and in response to a best match set of pixels passing the similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.

Abstract: A matrix resin composition for fiber reinforced composite materials is described. The resin is thermosetting and achieves a glass transition temperature of at least 177° C. (Tg), obtained by curing at room temperature. The matrix resin will streamline composite fabrication processes by eliminating the need for heating during the cure process. The implications of this development are significant in terms of the ease of use and elimination of procedural steps. While the resin system was developed specifically for vacuum bagging, it is expected to be viable for other composite fabrication methods including resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The resin system is viable for use with carbon fiber reinforcements to fabricate laminates at least 0.20 inches thick. The resulting laminates have low porosity and mechanical properties equivalent to those prepared with common epoxy matrix resins.

Abstract: A matrix resin composition for fiber reinforced composite materials is described. The resin is thermosetting and achieves a glass transition temperature of at least 177° C. (Tg), obtained by curing under anaerobic conditions at room temperature. The matrix resin will streamline composite fabrication processes by eliminating the need for heating during the cure process. The implications of this development are significant in terms of the ease of use and elimination of procedural steps. While the resin system was developed specifically for vacuum bagging, it is expected to be viable for other composite fabrication methods including resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The resin system is viable for use with carbon fiber reinforcements to fabricate laminates at least 0.20 inches thick. The resulting laminintes have low porosity and mechanical properties equivalent to those prepared with common epoxy matrix resins.

Abstract: A method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance, the method uses a device having a computer readable memory, digital camera, logic assembly and user interface; providing a pixel target intensity profile; placing the coupon in the device and exposing the coupon channel to a test fluid mixture; automatically using the digital camera to take a digital image of the coupon channel test section after the exposure. The improvement in the method includes finding the contiguous set of pixels from the test section of the coupon channel that best matches the intensity profile of the target pattern representation and determining if this best match set of pixels exceeds a similarity threshold and in response to a best match set of pixels passing the similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.

Abstract: When reading a coupon that displays a pattern when a target substance is detected, recognition of the target pattern can be hindered by nonuniform illumination of the coupon. In one aspect, methods and devices are disclosed for uniform illumination of a coupon using a negative axicon lens and a light diffusing assembly. In another separate aspect, methods are disclosed for mathematically compensating for nonuniform illumination of a coupon.

Abstract: A concentrator, wherein the concentrator comprises an air processor that includes a sampled airflow inlet slot that receives a sampled airflow that contains particles containing target material. A secondary airflow inlet slot that is located downstream from the sampled airflow inlet slot. The sampled airflow inlet slot uses centrifugal force to concentrate particles containing target material into a central portion of the sampled airflow, and produces a non-collimated sampled airflow. The secondary airflow inlet slot is operable to divide a secondary airflow from at least a part of the central portion of the sampled airflow that is received by the secondary airflow inlet slot from the sampled airflow inlet slot, and is operable to divide side primary airflows from the non-collimated sampled airflow produced by the sampled airflow inlet slot. Finally, the secondary airflow flows through the secondary airflow inlet slot.

Abstract: When reading a coupon that displays a pattern when a target substance is detected, recognition of the target pattern can be hindered by nonuniform illumination of the coupon. In one aspect, methods and devices are disclosed for uniform illumination of a coupon using a negative axicon lens and a light diffusing assembly. In another separate aspect, methods are disclosed for mathematically compensating for nonuniform illumination of a coupon.

Abstract: A concentrator that is operable to concentrate particles of target material from a high flow rate sampled airflow into a low flow rate secondary airflow. The concentrator may have an array of radially arranged blades. Each blade may have a sampled airflow inlet that uses centrifugal force to concentrate the particles into a central portion of the sampled airflow passing through it. Downstream, the blade may also have primary airflow outlets and knife-edged secondary airflow inlets that divide the sampled airflow into a pair of lateral, high flow rate primary airflows from which the particles have been depleted, and a central, low flow rate secondary airflow which carries the concentrated particles.

Abstract: A tire deformation sensing and tire inflation system for tires that makes use of ultrasonic sensors embedded in the bead lock of the tire to measure time intervals between transmitted ultrasonic signals and the echo received signals to and uses the information obtained to adjust the tire pressure through a central tire inflation system.

Abstract: A tire deformation sensing and tire inflation system for a steel belted tires which makes use of magnetic coils embedded in the wheel assembly to detect the position of the tire's steel belting and uses the information obtained to adjust the tire pressure through a central tire inflation system.

Abstract: A novel lubricating grease that is useful for underwater applications is made up of lubricating oil that contains a co-polymer of a hydrocarbon backbone for promoting good adhesion and a fluorine containing backbone for promoting lubricity. The grease formulation is resistant to water washout and does not off-gas toxic compounds. In addition to the lubricating oil, the grease formulation includes fumed silica, and may contain one or more corrosion inhibitors, an extreme pressure filler such as boron nitride, and optionally one or more polyurethane initiators.

Abstract: A projectile cartridge for a hybrid capillary variable velocity electric launcher comprising a launcher and breech/barrel assembly as well as a projectile and a pulsed power supply for supplying adjustable amounts of electric energy to permit variable projectile velocity. The projectile cartridge also includes at least an anode and cathode section, a fuse wire, a capillary liner, and the projectile, which may include both a slug and a sabot jacket. A hybridization medium is included with restraining mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods and compositions concerning an ultraviolet light curable formulation useful for repairing composite materials including the repair of a hole in the exterior of an airplane. The formulation may contain an acrylic oligomer, an acrylic monomer, an organic peroxide, a dialkylaniline promoter, a photoinitiator. The formulation can include a filler such as carbon fabric or Kevlar fabric.