Abstract: An energy conversion device disposed in series with an RF driver circuit and an RF antenna, the energy conversion device being arranged to convert a portion of available RF power from the RF driver circuit into a different form of energy (direct current, thermal, or higher frequency electromagnetic waves such as light) which is converted, if needed, to DC and stored in an energy storage device coupled with the RF driver circuit for supplying recycled electrical energy thereto. The RF antenna may be an electrically small antenna and thus a antenna matching network may be provided between the RF driver circuit and the RF antenna. The energy conversion device may comprise, for example, (i) a transformer in combination with a rectifying circuit, (ii) a full wave rectifier, (iii) a half wave rectifier, (iv) a heat and/or light producing device, an energy converter (such as a generator) or a combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A system for an antenna for very low frequency communication includes a surface platform that is configured to move on a surface or to be stationary on the surface, a first conductive cable having a first end coupled to the surface platform, wherein the first conductive cable is electrically conductive, and an aerial platform coupled to a second end of the first conductive cable, wherein the aerial platform comprises an electrically conductive portion electrically coupled to the first conductive cable, wherein for a moving surface platform the aerial platform is towed and has an elevation above the surface, and wherein for a stationary surface platform the aerial platform flies an orbital path above the surface platform.

Abstract: A composite fuel tank includes a tank-shell and a tank-liner, located within the tank-shell. The tank-shell is formed from a composite layup that is placed, consolidated, and cured on a bladder. The bladder forms the tank-liner after formation of the tank-shell.

Abstract: An isolation system and method are disclosed. The isolation system includes a beam that includes a first end and a second end. The isolation system may include at least one clamping block comprising first elastomeric material, and the first end may be coupled with the first elastomeric material by the at least one clamping block. An end condition of the buckling beam may be varied based on compression stiffening of the first elastomeric material.

Abstract: A distributed transmitter antenna includes a plurality of antenna segments and a plurality of transmitters. A first transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is coupled to a first antenna segment of the plurality of antenna segments, and a second transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is coupled to the first antenna segment and a second antenna segment of the plurality of antenna segments.

Abstract: Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape performs at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an interior heating system for occupant seats of a vehicle is provided. The interior heating system uses a weft co-knit fabric combined with at least one conductive electrode to heat selective regions of a vehicle seat. The interior heating system includes the weft co-knit fabric that contains a set of weft knit active or plated emitting yarn configured with at least one conductive electrode. The knit active or plated emitting yarn is co-knit with at least one parent yarn for enhanced uniformity of an electrical current applied to at least one conductive electrode from the weft co-knit fabric, and a plurality of conductive electrodes arranged in an interdigitated layout to combine together each conductive electrode with a set of a plurality of conductive co-knit active emitting yarns which attach to each electrode tine of the conductive electrode in a select region.

Abstract: A multi-axis isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks includes a housing, at least one pair of radial isolators in the housing, and an axial isolator in the housing. Each radial isolator includes an elastomer dome, a chamber at least partially defined by the elastomer dome, and a fluid in the chamber. The multi-axis isolator also includes a fluid track placing the chambers of the radial isolators in fluid communication with each other. The axial isolator includes an elastomer dome, a backpressure membrane, a primary chamber, a backpressure chamber, a fluid in the primary and backpressure chambers, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber. The multi-axis isolator also includes a shaft configured to be connected to the payload. The pair of radial isolators and the axial isolator are coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: Metal alloy knit fabrics, thermal protective members formed therefrom and their methods of construction are disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature metal alloy wire that is drapable allows for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection. The metal alloy knit fabrics described herein overcome the limitations of current welded stainless steel mesh seal coverings by providing coverings that withstand higher operational temperatures than stainless steel, are wear and snag resistant, can be a separate seal layer or as a portion of an integrated seal construction, can accommodate tight curvature changes to achieve complex shapes without wrinkling or buckling, and can be joined in the knitting process, sewed or mechanically fastened, without the need for welding.

Abstract: Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

Abstract: Knit fabrics having ceramic strands, thermal protective members formed therefrom and to their methods of construction are disclosed. Methods for fabricating thermal protection using multiple materials which may be concurrently knit are also disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature ceramic fibers concurrently with a load-relieving process aid, such as an inorganic or organic material (e.g., metal alloy or polymer), both small diameter wires within the knit as well as large diameter wires which provide structural support and allow for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection.

Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.

Abstract: An isolator configured to isolate a payload from unwanted vibrations and shocks. The isolator includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a primary chamber defined in the housing, a backpressure chamber defined in the housing, a conduit placing the primary chamber in fluid communication with the backpressure chamber, a backpressure membrane in the housing proximate the first end, an elastomer dome in the housing proximate the second end, and a shaft connected to the elastomer dome. The primary chamber and the backpressure chamber are between the backpressure membrane and the elastomer dome. The shaft is configured to be connected to the payload.

Abstract: An auxetic interposer includes: a frame enclosing an interior space; a pad arranged within the interior space; and a plurality of micro auxetic lattices extending between the frame and the pad.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull having inner and outer surfaces and at least one collapsible strake coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake includes a movable skin hingedly coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake also includes a dampening element and a negative stiffness element each extending from an inner surface of the movable skin to the outer surface of the hull. The movable skin is configured to rotate between an uncollapsed configuration having a first stiffness and a collapsed configuration having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Metal alloy knit fabrics, thermal protective members formed therefrom and their methods of construction are disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature metal alloy wire that is drapable allows for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection. The metal alloy knit fabrics described herein overcome the limitations of current welded stainless steel mesh seal coverings by providing coverings that withstand higher operational temperatures than stainless steel, are wear and snag resistant, can be a separate seal layer or as a portion of an integrated seal construction, can accommodate tight curvature changes to achieve complex shapes without wrinkling or buckling, and can be joined in the knitting process, sewed or mechanically fastened, without the need for welding.

Abstract: A variable stiffness structure configured to isolate a mass from unwanted vibrations includes a negative stiffness element and an actuator operatively coupled to the negative stiffness element. The actuator is configured to be actuated to control a stiffness of the negative stiffness element. The variable stiffness structure may also include a positive stiffness element coupled to the negative stiffness element.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull having inner and outer surfaces and at least one collapsible strake coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake includes a movable skin hingedly coupled to the hull. The collapsible strake also includes a dampening element and a negative stiffness element each extending from an inner surface of the movable skin to the outer surface of the hull. The movable skin is configured to rotate between an uncollapsed configuration having a first stiffness and a collapsed configuration having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Metal alloy knit fabrics, thermal protective members formed therefrom and their methods of construction are disclosed. This unique capability to knit high temperature metal alloy wire that is drapable allows for the creation of near net-shape preforms at production level speed. Additionally, ceramic insulation can also be integrated concurrently to provide increased thermal protection. The metal alloy knit fabrics described herein overcome the limitations of current welded stainless steel mesh seal coverings by providing coverings that withstand higher operational temperatures than stainless steel, are wear and snag resistant, can be a separate seal layer or as a portion of an integrated seal construction, can accommodate tight curvature changes to achieve complex shapes without wrinkling or buckling, and can be joined in the knitting process, sewed or mechanically fastened, without the need for welding.

Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.