Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing a shield for protecting an area from a pressure blast. The shield, which attenuates the pressure blast, can be used with tall, mobile, and underwater structures, including structures in densely populated areas. One system includes a source for providing an attenuation material, a delivery system that delivers the attenuation material to nozzles, and at least one valve device to control the delivery. A detector is configured to actuate the valve device to an open position in response to a perceived blast threat so that the delivery system delivers the attenuation material to form the shield proximate to a periphery of the protected area.

Abstract: A vibration isolator is provided that includes a plurality of elastomeric members. The vibration isolator also includes first and second supports. The first and second supports cooperate with the plurality of elastomeric members to isolate and damp vibration between the first and second supports. The first support defines a first raised portion. The second support is spaced from the first support and defines a second raised portion facing the first support. The first and second raised portions are structured to cooperate so as to define a recess therebetween adapted to at least partially receive at least one elastomeric member. The vibration isolator also includes at least one fastener that is structured to mount the at least one elastomeric member between the first and second supports such that the elastomeric member(s) isolates and damps vibration transmitted between the first and second supports.

Abstract: A vibration isolator is provided that includes a plurality of elastomeric members. The vibration isolator also includes first and second supports. The first and second supports cooperate with the plurality of elastomeric members to isolate and damp vibration between the first and second supports. The first support defines a first raised portion. The second support is spaced from the first support and defines a second raised portion facing the first support. The first and second raised portions are structured to cooperate so as to define a recess therebetween adapted to at least partially receive at least one elastomeric member. The vibration isolator also includes at least one fastener that is structured to mount the at least one elastomeric member between the first and second supports such that the elastomeric member(s) isolates and damps vibration transmitted between the first and second supports.

Abstract: A tension-relieving apparatus for reducing a level of tension in a structure. The tension-relieving apparatus includes a housing, a piston, a spacer member and a heat source. The housing has a wall member that defines a piston cavity. A rod aperture is formed in a first end of the wall member. The piston assembly has a rod and a piston. The rod extends through the rod aperture. The piston is disposed in the piston cavity and is coupled to an end of the rod. The spacer member is disposed in the piston cavity and is coupled to the piston assembly. The spacer member is transformable between a first condition and a second condition, with the first condition maintaining the piston at a first distance from the first end of the housing.

Abstract: A lateral acceleration force isolator that forms a part of an attachment fitting for a payload, such as a spacecraft or satellite, and launch vehicle assembly. An upper portion of the isolator is designed to be attached to the payload and a lower portion is designed to be attached to a launch vehicle. Flexures are positioned in an array between the upper and lower portions to accommodate lateral displacement in the payload attachment fitting, thereby isolating lateral acceleration forces.

Abstract: An acceleration force isolator assembly for attaching a payload, such as a spacecraft or satellite, to a launch vehicle wherein axial acceleration forces on the payload are attenuated. The attachment includes an upper interface ring that is secured to the payload and a lower interface ring that is secured to the launch vehicle. Flexure of the upper interface ring provides axial compliance when axial acceleration forces are transmitted from the launch vehicle.

Abstract: An umbilical and follower assembly for preventing unwanted movements of a frame from being transmitted by an umbilical cord to a microgravity platform as may be utilized on an orbiting space vehicle. The follower assembly includes a plurality of actuators capable of moving an umbilical attachment in directions which are opposite to the unwanted movements of the frame. The attachment engages a portion of the umbilical and thus maintains the umbilical in a predetermined position relative to the platform, preventing the unwanted frame movements from being transmitted past the attachment and to the platform. The umbilical preferably includes a portion having three separate loop portions, with each loop extending in a different orthogonal plane and capable of absorbing rotational motion in that plane by deformation of the loop portion.

Abstract: In a system for in-situ delamination detection in composites, the invention employs a system which evaluates the mechanical vibration response of composite material structures. The damping characteristics of the composite structure are extracted from the detected wave properties generated by imbedded piezoelectric ceramic actuators and received by imbedded high strain sensitive fiber optic sensors. Such a sensor system is simple to operate for real-time non-destructive strain and displacement monitoring and delamination detection, without the need to remove the tested surface from operation.During the routine structural integrity monitoring operation, mechanical vibration pulses are launched into the composite from one actuator. The strain signal's propagation patterns are measured in real time by the fiber-optic sensors at different grating locations. Different travel times are computed dependent on the location of the receiving gratings.

Abstract: A position sensor is structurally integrated within a wide-gap magnetic actuator. Being an integral structure, the sensor provides voltages representative of a relative shift in position of the actuator's armature and pole piece from the neutral or base position and represents the actual position between pole piece and armature. Suitably the position sensor includes a photosensitive surface in the shape of a circular disk that is attached to the actuator's paddle and a narrow beam light source which is attached to the actuator's pole piece and oriented to produce a small spot of light on the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: Permanent magnets affixed to one structure produce a repelling force to magnets affixed to a larger structure that encloses the one structure to suspend and hold the one structure entirely within the larger structure, without physical contact therebetween.

Abstract: Microgravity sensitive payloads placed on a platform are isolated from external acceleration forces over extended periods of time in the weightless environment inside an orbiting space vehicle by canceling acceleration on the platform. Wide gap dual axis magnetic actuators and accelerometer pairs are spaced about the platform with the magnetic actuators providing a non-contacting magnetic position control, wherein physical contact with the platform is avoided. Position sensors sense platform positioning and the control system, containing both digital and analog computers, controls the magnetic actuators to ensure proper positioning and neutralize any transient acceleration forces applied to the platform.