Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining oceanographic information includes a controllable coherent light source providing light to an aquatic region. A telescope receives backscattered light that is filtered by an ambient light filter. A first interferometer receives filtered, backscattered light and provides a particulate backscatter output and a Brillouin backscatter output. A second interferometer accepts the Brillouin backscattered light and spatially disperses it according to frequency into a fringe pattern. An image sensor receives the fringe pattern. A processor joined to the image sensor utilizes image sensor output properties to determine oceanographic information concerning the aquatic region.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring structural health of a beam using at least one pair of data collection devices mounted along the beam at a spacing distance to define a measurement region. A computer-implemented drive system in communication with the accelerator pairs executes instructions to monitor each measurement regions for propagating transverse waves. After initialization of a propagation speed threshold for each measurement region, a continuous and real-time monitoring loop operates the accelerometers to detect propagations of a transverse wave along the measurement region. For each propagation event, a time delay is determined and, in turn, a propagation speed for the transverse wave based on the time delay and known spacing distance of the measurement region. If the propagation speed violates the threshold set for the measurement region, an alert condition for beam damage is reported and if the propagation speed satisfies the threshold, a success condition is reported.

Abstract: A distributed temperature system with at least one optical fiber is provided. Each optical fiber runs horizontally and vertically within at least one compartment of a ship. Each optical fiber connects to a distributed temperature system unit or is multiplexed to a single temperature system unit. The system employs Optical Time Domain Reflectometry to support measurements of optical pulses in processing bins defined along the fiber. The spatial fidelity of the measurement capability is sufficient to localize a fire detection in individual shipboard compartments. The system can diagnosis conflagration events that produce fire and also flooding in the compartment.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is positionable at an ocean surface to harvest energy from a hydrothermal vent surrounded by cooler ocean water. The system includes an energy storage device positionable proximate to the ocean surface. A cable capable of conducting electrical energy is joined to the energy storage device. An energy harvesting structure is joined to provide electrical energy to the cable. The energy harvesting structure can be positioned proximate to the hydrothermal vent to harvest energy therefrom.

Abstract: A non-rotary joint for connecting a static component to a rotatable component includes an adapter on a rotatable part. A motor is joined to rotate the rotatable part. A connector is joined to the static component. The connector can be moved by an actuator from a first position joined with the adapter to a second position positioned away from the adapter. A controller is joined to control the motor and the actuator. The controller signals the actuator to move to the second position when the motor is activated and signals the actuator to move to the first position when said motor is deactivated. In a practical embodiment, the non-rotary joint makes a connection between a static signal carrier and a cable on a winch drum.

Abstract: A lift based acoustic source is towable in an undersea environment by a towing vessel. A controller provides a combined lift control signal and an acoustic source signal. A control cable is joined between the towing vessel and a towed depressor having an active lift control system. The combined signal is used to control the towed depressor active lift control system. The towed depressor lift fluctuates in response to the source signal to generate the undersea acoustic signal. A hydrophone or hydrophone array can be provided for measuring the generated acoustic signal for feedback and monitoring.

Abstract: A system is provided to compensate for heave of a vessel in which the compensation system has a first panel with a first magnetic field having magnetic flux disposed in a first direction and a second panel parallel to the first panel. The second panel has a second magnetic field having magnetic flux disposed in a second direction with the first magnetic field parallel to the second magnetic field. A conducting loop is located between the first panel and the second panel. The conducting loop is attachable to a cable connected to a load suspended in water. Compensating force generated by the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field transfers to the cable to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize the cable-connected load in the water.

Abstract: An acoustic source positionable on a platform in an operating environment includes a pendulum arm and a transducer positioned on the pendulum arm. The combined arm and transducer have a natural frequency of oscillation dictated by gravity and a pendulum length. A signal generator is electrically joined to the transducer. The signal generator has a preferred frequency of operation at the natural frequency of the pendulum.

Abstract: An energy harvesting pendulum device is provided to oscillate in a semi-circular path on an inclined plane with a low friction surface in response to wave motion of an ocean surface. An electrical production source is mounted to an underside of the plane to convert kinetic energy of a pendulum bob of the pendulum device into electrical energy. The pendulum device can be enclosed by an enclosure floating on the ocean surface with the pendulum moving bob on the inclined plane within the enclosure. The length of the pendulum and the angle of the inclined plane are determined so that the pendulum operates in a resonant state at the ocean motion frequency. The pendulum bob can include rollers for minimal friction when contacting the inclined plane.

Abstract: A method for isolating vibrations from a source on a structure includes modeling the structure as a beam having a portion for isolation. A sensor is positioned proximate to the source, and at least one actuator is positioned on the structure between the source and the portion for isolation. A controller receives signals from the sensor and calculates vibrational inputs for each actuator that will isolate the structure portion. Driving signals are provided to each actuator by the controller in response to the calculated vibrational inputs, and each actuator is vibrated accordingly, isolating the structure portion from the source. This method can be implemented in multiple configurations to isolate the structure portion.

Abstract: A safety system and method of use is provided for a tow cable handling system. In use, the cable is from a winch and onto a sheave where a cable tension surge is transmitted to a meter and onto a software element. The software of a controller determines torque needed from a motor to increase winch speed to unreel cable to relieve the surge but not too much that the cable will unreel off the winch. Once the surge concludes, the motor reverses and decreases speed of the winch. If the tension surge is transient, then the motor can increase the winch speed and then slow down the winch before the cable completely unreels. The sheave is suspended by a spring and a dashpot for an over-damped response to increase the time for the winch to speed up to an acceptable speed.

Abstract: An acoustic projector is provided with an enclosure having a semi-permeable membrane on one side. High salinity liquid is injected at the enclosure to increase osmotic pressure. Valves thereafter allow free flooding between the enclosure and surrounding seawater to equalize the pressure. Transient pressure in the enclosure generates a pressure pulse that propagates from the semi-permeable membrane. The timing of the injection by salt jets and the free-flooding valves enables a repeatable acoustic pulse at low frequencies and a determinable upper frequency. If the acoustic projector is mounted to be conformal to the hull of a ship; the acoustic projector includes a free-flowing region on one side of a semi-permeable membrane and valves. When the valves are opened; the other side of the membrane is free-flooded. Salt jets inject high salinity liquid into an enclosure to increase pressure with the result of an acoustic pressure pulse.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of narrowband signals in estimating a Doppler shift of a target object. The method includes simultaneously transmitting at least two narrowband signals from a source and receiving incident signals at a receiver. Multiple narrowband signals can be sent simultaneously and in combination with broadband signals from a source. The incident signals are filtered and processed to determine range and Doppler shift of the target.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant underwater vehicle is provided in which a length of the vehicle is up to one tenth the length of a predetermined acoustic wavelength. The vehicle includes an inertial navigation system with an accelerometer capable of measuring velocity in a multi-axis direction. The navigation system is operationally connected to a hydrophone which measures acoustic energy of the wavelength arriving at the underwater vehicle. A processor gathers the data from the accelerometer and the hydrophone to convert the data into usable units. The operation of the vehicle-based components is similar to a vector sensor for frequencies of 250 Hz or lower.

Abstract: A dynamic acoustic impedance matching device for an acoustic signal transmitted or received in a medium by a transducer includes a particle flow in an acoustic signal path of the transducer. The particle flow has an acoustic impedance between an acoustic impedance of the transducer and an acoustic impedance of the medium.

Abstract: A device for deflecting acoustic waves for an object in a liquid environment includes an electrical power source located in the object. A heating grid is positioned about the object in the liquid environment, and a cooling grid is also positioned about the object in the liquid environment such that the heating grid is located between the object and the cooling grid. A least one Peltier device is joined to the electrical power source and the cooling grid for providing cooling. Resistance heating or the Peltier device can be joined to the heating grid for providing heating.

Abstract: A method of use for parametric sonar is provided that utilizes an acoustic beam formed at a difference frequency generated by non-linear interaction of acoustic energy of primary frequencies. At least three primary frequencies are transmitted from a frequency source by amplifiers and acoustic projectors of the sonar. The non-linear interaction of the primary frequencies produces at least three difference frequencies. The difference frequencies are received by a receiver array. Increased interaction increases efficiency linearly with the number of primary frequencies used. The increased bandwidth resulting from the use of multiple center frequencies can also produce signal processing gains and signal-to-signal ratio is also improved, especially at the lower difference frequencies.

Abstract: A well conductor strain monitoring system is provided which includes a plurality of fiber optic Bragg grating sensors written onto a single optical fiber. Cable strands are wound around the optical fiber to form an armored cable protecting the fiber. The armored cable is further integrated into a strength cable to provide robustness. This strength cable is then wrapped around the conductor under tension and anchored at both ends. The cable is wound at a prescribed angle so as to have multiple wraps around the conductor. Once tensioned, the cable remains stationary against the conductor and holds a position. The strain gages are spaced along the optical fiber, such that the strain gages are oriented 90 degrees apart when the cable is wrapped about the conductor. This orientation supports the estimation of bending in any direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planer specimen includes providing a heat impulse to the specimen, detecting temperatures in the specimen at a plurality of locations, and imaging the specimen from the detected temperatures. A laser can be used to provide a single or a plurality of heat impulses to the specimen. Temperatures in the specimen can be detected utilizing a contact sensor array or a remote infrared detector. These sensors are joined to a data processing device to image the specimen utilizing the detected temperatures.

Abstract: A well conductor strain monitoring system is provided which includes a plurality of fiber optic Bragg grating sensors written onto a single optical fiber. Cable strands are wound around the optical fiber to form an armored cable protecting the fiber. The armored cable is further integrated into a strength cable to provide robustness. This strength cable is then wrapped around the conductor under tension and anchored at both ends. The cable is wound at a prescribed angle so as to have multiple wraps around the conductor. Once tensioned, the cable remains stationary against the conductor and holds a position. The strain gages are spaced along the optical fiber, such that the strain gages are oriented 90 degrees apart when the cable is wrapped about the conductor. This orientation supports the estimation of bending in any direction.