Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: A method for removing paint from a substrate includes the steps of providing a sponge having a first surface for contact with the substrate, providing ultrasonic transducers in contact with a second surface of the sponge opposite from the first surface, saturating the sponge with water to provide a path of water extending from the transducers to the substrate, and activating the transducers to generate (i) a low frequency acoustic field; and (ii) a high frequency acoustic field; and thereby (iii) micron-sized vapor or cavitation bubbles which impinge upon the paint on the substrate to remove the paint from the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated fiber-optic tow cable is described having both optical fibers and armor wires located outside the cable core to avoid high strain on the optical fibers when the cables is under stress during deployment. The optical fibers have integral temperature sensors near the outermost portion in order to measure accurately the temperature of the fluid coming in contact with temperature sensors. A beam of light is shown on the optical fibers which is reflected by the optical fibers and reaches the receiver and processed by the processor which may also include a display unit.

Abstract: A system for preventing overflow from a tank being filled. An open-ended elongated adapted for fixture to a tank extends from an opening of the tank and proximate to a bottom of the tank. A nozzle connectable to a source of pressurized liquid has an open end extension extending through the opening into the elongated tube. The nozzle creates broadband acoustic signals inside of the elongated tube during filling. A microphone mounted on the nozzle near the open end extension senses resonant frequency signals of the acoustic signals and generates representative signals. A module processes the representative signals and generates a closing signal when the representative signals represent a critical resonant frequency. A shut-off valve between the fuel source and the nozzle is responsive to the closing signal.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a sponge capable of having a fluid therein. The sponge has a first surface that can be placed in contact with the coating. High and low frequency transducers are positioned in contact with the second surface of the sponge. A method performing the invention includes the steps of providing a sponge having a first surface for contact with the substrate, providing ultrasonic transducers in contact with a second surface of the sponge opposite from the first surface, saturating the sponge with water to provide a path of water extending from the transducers to the substrate, and activating the transducers to generate (i) a low frequency acoustic field; and (ii) a high frequency acoustic field; and thereby (iii) micron-sized vapor or cavitation bubbles which impinge upon the paint on the substrate to remove the paint from the substrate.

Abstract: An acoustic array deployment system for an underwater vehicle is provided along with a method for carrying out such deployment. An optical fiber based acoustic array has a first end thereof coupled to a weighted projectile housed onboard the underwater vehicle. A second end of the array is coupled to the underwater vehicle. The acoustic array is maintained in a spooled configuration while the weighted projectile is housed onboard the underwater vehicle. The weighted projectile is forcefully launched from onboard the underwater vehicle in a gravitationally downward direction that is not aligned with the underwater vehicle's direction of travel. As a result, the acoustic array is paid out from its spooled configuration as the weighted projectile is launched and then sinks under its own weight.

Abstract: A parametric sonar for use in a liquid medium includes a first signal generator which transmits a first acoustic signal and a second signal generator transmitting a second acoustic signal which interatct to produce a difference frequency signal at an interference region. A cavitation generator is provided to transmit a cavitation acoustic wave causing cavitation vapor bubbles in the liquid medium at the interference region. The cavitation vapor bubbles improve the efficiency of generating the difference frequency signal.

Abstract: An acoustic array deployment system and a method are provided. An optical fiber acoustic array has a first end coupled to a projectile housed onboard an underwater vehicle. A second end of the array is coupled to the underwater vehicle. The acoustic array is stored on a spool while the projectile is housed onboard the underwater vehicle. The projectile is launched from onboard the underwater vehicle in a gravitationally downward direction that is not aligned with the underwater vehicle's direction of travel. As a result, the acoustic array is paid out from the spool as the projectile is launched and then sinks. By establishing the line array's broadside beam in a direction that is away from the vehicle and approximately perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel, the relative angular difference between the underwater vehicle and target can be used to guide the vehicle towards the target.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the temperature to which a structure is subjected. An optical fiber having at least one pair of fiber sensors is attached to the structure. The fiber sensors comprise Bragg gratings and each is configured to have a particular coefficient of thermal expansion and be responsive to a particular wavelength. A broadband spectrum of light is launched into the optical fiber. The light returning from the fiber sensors is detected. The temperature to which the structure is subjected is then determined based on the difference in strain response of the fiber sensors as a result of the effects of temperature upon the fiber sensors. Coatings of different materials may be applied over the optical fiber to provide the fiber sensors with differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the velocity of sound waves which includes a liquid medium having a plurality of gas bubbles. In the liquid medium, a laser transmits a light pulse to interact with the bubbles excited by the sound wave. Backscattered light from the interaction of the light pulse is received. A processor is then responsive to the detector to provide detection of the acoustic wave through the fluid medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the velocity of sound waves which includes a liquid medium having a plurality of gas bubbles. In the liquid medium, a laser transmits a light pulse to interact with the bubbles excited by the sound wave. Backscattered light from the interaction of the light pulse is received. A processor is then responsive to the detector to provide detection of the acoustic wave through the fluid medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas-under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: A microphone apparatus which includes a directional microphone having an axis of sensitivity along which the directional microphone is sensitive to sound. A light source is mechanically coupled to the directional microphone to produce a beam of light in a direction substantially commensurate with the axis of sensitivity as a visual indication thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of coating a substrate. First, a layer of liquid polymeric coating having a pigment and a solvent is applied to the substrate. An ultrasonic acoustic source is then provided and operated at a frequency of from about above 40 kHz to provide an acoustic pressure field and an acoustic pressure of above 190 dB and directing the main lobe of the acoustic pressure field toward the layer of liquid polymeric coating. This acoustic pressure field reduces the gradient in and smoothes any uneven surface features in the liquid polymeric coating.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of coating a substrate. First, a layer of liquid polymeric coating having a pigment and a solvent is applied to the substrate. An ultrasonic acoustic source is then provided and operated at a frequency of from about above 40 kHz to provide an acoustic pressure field and an it acoustic pressure of above 190 dB and directing the main lobe of the acoustic pressure field toward the layer of liquid polymeric coating. This acoustic pressure field reduces the gradient in and smoothes any uneven surface features in the liquid polymeric coating.

Abstract: A method for reducing strum in tow cables. Such tow cables typically extend from a marine vessel and have their lengths controlled by a winch on the deck of the ship and have a tow component at their distal end. The length of the cable is adjusted so that the number of longitudinal waves is an integral number of the number of transverse waves is an odd integral number.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the temperature to which a structure is subjected. An optical fiber having at least one pair of fiber sensors is attached to the structure. The fiber sensors comprise Bragg gratings and each is configured to have a particular coefficient of thermal expansion and be responsive to a particular wavelength. A broadband spectrum of light is launched into the optical fiber. The light returning from the fiber sensors is detected. The temperature to which the structure is subjected is then determined based on the difference in strain response of the fiber sensors as a result of the effects of temperature upon the fiber sensors. Coatings of different materials may be applied over the optical fiber to provide the fiber sensors with differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An improved automotive battery jumper cable includes an electrically conductive cable which is terminated at each end by a terminal clamp. Each of the terminal clamps includes a pair of gripping members each having a jaw end and a handle end. The gripping members are pivotably connected to each other about an axis between the jaw ends and the handle ends. A torsion spring is mounted on the gripping members for normally urging the jaw ends toward each other. Each of the jaw ends of the gripping members is provided with a copper jaw member for engaging and grasping the battery terminal. One of the jaws on each clamp is not electrically connected to the cable. One of the battery clamp is electrically connected to the respective end of the cable via an encapsulated pressure switch.

Abstract: A soft-bodied, towable, active acoustic module includes a specially formed uspension fixture and a flexible faired body enclosing an active acoustic array. The suspension fixture is a Y-shaped tube having a single forward end and two trailing ends, one for attachment of a trailing tow cable and the other for attachment of the flexible, faired body. The flexible, faired body is an elongated hydrofoil having sections which allow lateral bending. The combination of the suspension feature and lateral bending feature allows the module to be deployed and recovered through shipboard undersurface deployment tubes. A weight attached to the faired body near the lower rear end balances the body to maintain a substantially vertical position during towing. Flow steps on the lower portion of the faired body reduce lateral oscillations.