Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a method for determining a lift of a gas cell of an airship. A computing device receives depth measurements of an interior surface of the gas cell comprising a lifting gas using a lidar sensor positioned outside at the top of the gas cell. The computing device performs a particular integration on the depth measurements and estimates a volume of the gas cell based on performing the particular integration. The computing device determines the lift of the gas cell comprising the lifting gas using estimated volume of the gas cell. The computing device sends the lift of the gas cell comprising the lifting gas to a control module of the airship.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a method for determining a current state of a gas cell in an airship, particularly the lift. A computing device receives depth measurements of the interior of the gas cell using a lidar sensor positioned outside the cell and uses these depth measurements to create a mesh, segment a space within the mesh into geometric shapes, calculate the volume of the shapes, and use the calculated volume to estimate the total volume of the space within the mesh, representing the volume of gas within the gas cell. The computing device then uses the estimated volume to calculate the lift of the gas cell and sends the calculated lift to a control module of the airship.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a method for determining a current state of a gas cell in an airship, particularly the lift. A computing device receives depth measurements of the interior of the gas cell using a lidar sensor positioned outside the cell and uses these depth measurements to create a mesh, segment a space within the mesh into geometric shapes, calculate the volume of the shapes, and use the calculated volume to estimate the total volume of the space within the mesh, representing the volume of gas within the gas cell. The computing device then uses the estimated volume to calculate the lift of the gas cell and sends the calculated lift to a control module of the airship.

Abstract: A laminate material for lighter-than-air vehicles includes at least one monofilament yarn layer, a polymeric film layer adjacent to the at least one monofilament layer, and a metallized coating adjacent to said polymeric film layer. A clear film cover layer may be adhered to the metallized coating, and one or more fluorescent dyes may be incorporated into the clear film layer.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an apparatus and process for testing various parameters and properties of high strength flexible, fabric laminates. In particular, the apparatus comprises a machine using individually controlled loads to test various material parameters.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an apparatus and process for testing various parameters and properties of high strength flexible, fabric laminates. In particular, the apparatus comprises a machine using individually controlled loads to test various material parameters.

Abstract: A load patch for attaching concentrated loads to a flexible inflated structure such as a high-altitude airship is stiff in the direction of the applied load so as to carry the load, and is attached to the inflated structure for a very short distance through T-tape so as to minimize strain concentration in the inflated structure due to the stretching of the inflated structure. Since the load patch must be attached for a long length transverse to the load to distribute the applied load, it is transversely compliant to minimize strain concentration in the inflated structure due to stretching of the inflated structure.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Abstract: An airship with a lifting gas cell system comprises an airship that contains a plurality of partitions and a plurality of diaphragms, wherein the partitions and diaphragms are configured to form a number of gas cells that contain a lifting gas such as helium, and a single air cell that contains air. As a result, during the ascent and descent of the airship the number of gas cells ensures that the lifting gas is uniformly distributed over the entire length of the airship, whereas the air cell allows a large amount of air to be retained during a descent.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Abstract: A laminate material for lighter-than-air vehicles includes at least one monofilament yarn layer, a polymeric film layer adjacent to the at least one monofilament layer, and a metallized coating adjacent to said polymeric film layer. A clear film cover layer may be adhered to the metallized coating, and one or more fluorescent dyes may be incorporated into the clear film layer.

Abstract: An airship retrieval system comprises a plurality of aerodynamic pods releasably mounted in suitable locations about the external surface of the airship. Within the pod is a handling or a tether line that is attached at one end to the airship and at the other end to the pod. When a suitable control signal is sent to the pod, the pod is released and the handling line and pod falls toward the ground to enable retrieval of the airship.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.

Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secured anode seal for a fuel cell which includes at least one housing having a base securable to a top frame wherein the frame has a notch and a recess edge facing the base and a cathode secured between the base and the top frame. A boot is secured between the base and the top frame and received in the notch and recessed edge, wherein an electrolyte chamber is formed between the boot and the cathode and a coolant chamber is formed between the boot and the top frame wherein the boot has a plurality of holes therethrough. The invention also includes an anode which has a plurality of integral posts extending through the plurality of holes of the boot wherein each of the plurality of posts has a head for securing the boot to the anode for precluding migration of material between the electrolyte chamber and the coolant chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the electrochemical performance of discrete areas of a cathode that is to be used in a fuel cell is presented. The apparatus tests a cathode which is retained and carried by a holding fixture wherein a chamber is formed between an underside of the cathode and the holding fixture to allow for passage of an oxidizing agent therethrough and wherein the holding fixture also provides for retention of electrolyte on the top side of the cathode. A probe, which is connected to the cathode, has an anode material that contacts the electrolyte but is spaced apart from the cathode. Placement of the anode in the electrolyte generates electrical power detected by a measuring device connected between the probe and the cathode. The probe provides a sealing surface to allow for testing of just discrete areas of the cathode to determine if there are any flaws in the manufacture of the cathode.

Abstract: A pressure equalized fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell stack for receiving an oxidizing agent, a coolant accumulator coupled to the fuel cell stack, an electrolyte accumulator coupled to the fuel cell stack and a device for equalizing the pressurized flow of coolant and electrolyte from the respective accumulators into the fuel cell stack depending upon the pressure exhibited by the oxidizing agent. The equalized pressure flow is obtained by an accumulator having a rigid housing for receiving an oxidizing agent and a flexible housing received within the rigid housing for receiving respective amounts of coolant and electrolyte wherein the flexible housing is coupled to the fuel cell such that any change in pressure within the rigid housing causes a corresponding change in pressure in the flexible housing.

Abstract: A two-piece patient support having height adjustable legs. One piece of the support includes hinged sections for ease in elevating the patient's head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna monitor for a diversity communication system having the capability of detecting differences in reception characteristics between a plurality of reception paths or modes and storing that failure information in a non-volatile memory store. Subsequently, the memory is read to determine if the antenna systems are functioning improperly.