Abstract: A device for controlling the speed and direction of a watercraft using voice commands. The device includes a voice recognition computer, which recognizes spoken commands, and a motor control computer which causes the speed and steering direction of the watercraft to change in response to the spoken commands. A remote control beltpack unit with a radio or infrared link allows free movement of the operator while controlling the watercraft.

Abstract: High speed traversing mechanism and method for winding filamentary material onto a rotating mandrel, wherein an indexer including a crank arm rotatable about a pivot point; a connecting rod connected to the crank arm at a second pivot point; a traverse guide connected to the connecting rod at a third pivot point located on the center line of the traverse guide and the traverse guide reciprocating within a support with rotation of the crank arm; the pivot point is positioned at a point on said center line spaced from the third pivot point; the connecting rod forming a given angle with the center line; the indexer means rotating the rotatable crank arm to displace the traverse guide along the center line within the support; and controlling the indexer to wind the filamentary material onto the mandrel.

Abstract: Winding method and apparatus for consecutively winding filamentary material (FM) on respective first and second mandrels, wheerein first and second independently operable spindles are mounted for rotation about respective parallel-spaced axes located in a horizontal plane of a winding apparatus frame; first and second mandrels are removably mounted respectively on each of the first and second spindles; a traverse mechanism mounted to the apparatus frame for movement between the parallel-spaced axes and for reciprocating movement along an axis parallel to, and spaced from, the parallel-spaced axes; independently rotating each of the first and second spindles; moving a traverse guide in cooperation with the independent rotation to consecutively wind FM on the first and second mandrels; transfer mechanism movably mounted to the apparatus frame for guiding FM from at least one of a first and second mandrel each having FM wound thereon to at least one of a second and first empty mandrel; and for each the first and

Abstract: A sensor system for a structure includes at least one laser diode or LED light source coupled to a bundle of optical fibers, optical sensors integral with the structure and coupled to optical fibers wherein the sensors are adapted for modulating the intensity, frequency and phase of the optical signals in response to strain, temperature, pressure or another stimulus, a CCD video camera for collecting the modulated optical signals from optical fibers which are formed into a bundle representing a distinct structural area, and either a video monitor for visually evaluating the sensor data or a digital computer for image processing of the data.