Abstract: A tandem track system and method provides for safe withdrawal of a tracked vehicle if either of the main tracks becomes separated. The tracked vehicle has a main track longitudinally extending in a closed endless main loop on opposite sides and engaging a separate main drive sprocket assembly, extending under roadwheels to a main drive idler wheel, and back to the main drive-sprocket assembly in the main loop. The tandem drive system has a secondary track engaging each main drive-sprocket assembly and extending forward along the track vehicle from each main drive-sprocket assembly under only an aft-most fractional portion of the roadwheels. The secondary track is configured as a closed endless secondary loop inside of the main loop of each main track whereby each secondary track can transfer rotary power to move the tracked vehicle to safety.

Abstract: An inflatable body armor system has one or more body armor sections adapted to be worn by a user. Each body armor section includes (i) a inflatable flexible/sealable plenum, (ii) a ballistic armor fabric encasing the plenum, and (iii) a variety of lines, shaped objects and/or fabric sheets dispersed in the plenum to alter the trajectory of a projectile entering the plenum.

Abstract: A fuel depot and method autonomously and clandestinely provide fuel for transiting ships. An elongate streamlined flexible bladder member has flexible hull walls and divider walls separated by uniform spaces to form fuel compartments having a fuel valve and fuel pump. The bladder member can transit submerged to a remote destination. A fuel and water tight composition in and along the spaces prevent fuel and water leaks to ambient water and between the compartments. A submersible propulsion system has propulsive machinery and steering gear for towing the bladder member. A command/control system on the submersible propulsion system generated and couples driving signals to the propulsion system to tow and steer the bladder member to the remote destination using the preprogrammed computer, inertial navigation system (INS), global positioning system (GPS), and RF transceiver of the command/control system.

Abstract: Due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, there is an increasingly intense interest in harnessing solar energy. The instant invention is concerned with method and apparatus for the group alignment of solar concentrator micro-mirrors and the maximization of the percentage of incident light that is reflected to the receiver. Novel method and apparatus are taught for the alignment in large groups or ensembles of micro-mirrors of a micro-optics solar concentrator system for single-axis and two-axis tracking. Broadly this invention deals with novel concepts used for alignment in the focussing of light wherever mirrors are used for focussing such as for solar propulsion assist, illumination and projection of light, optical switching, etc. A particularly important objective is the focussing of sunlight for solar power conversion and production.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effects of one or more explosive events utilizes a mapping of graphically-valued dots to describe the explosive event at detonation at a plurality of (x,y) positions. A degradation rule is applied to the mapping of dots at each of times tn, for n=1 to N, to yield corresponding mappings of degraded value dots. The degradation rule specifies how the mapping of dots at detonation changes with time. The mapping at detonation and mappings of the degraded value dots are then simultaneously displayed in (x,y) registration with one another.

Abstract: A flameless and smokeless marker attracts attention to a site. A battery and electronics section has a battery module and electronics module. The battery module connects power to the electronics module for creating responsive power-activation signals. An inflatable bag section is connected to the battery and electronics section and has an inflator and flexible bag. The flexible bag is metalized to reflect radar signals and has ChLCD strips receiving the power-activation signals to be visible to radiation from a remotely located search beacon. A beacon section connected to the battery and electronics section and inflatable bag section has IR laser diode arrays arranged in a circular pattern and a strobe light. The IR laser diode arrays and strobe light are coupled to receive the power-activation signals from the battery and electronics section to emit IR radiation and visible radiation, respectively.

Abstract: A mobile sign is adapted from discarded cotton collection trailers. The cotton collection trailers include a front steering axle and trailing rear axle supporting a horizontal rectangular frame. The rectangular cotton collection cage mounted to the trailer is removed and replaced with an upright vertical rectangular frame which supports sign material. The modifications to unused and discarded cotton collection trailers provides a useful purpose for the trailers and prevents the waste of selling the trailers for scrap. The trailers are easily pulled to desired locations utilizing the existing tow bar and can be secured by deploying outriggers or extendable feet, removing the tires from the trailer, and securing the trailer to a ground anchor. The mobile sign will support numerous types of sign material, including border grommeted canvas and board material.

Abstract: A safety and arming device has first and second portions of an explosive train fixably supported in a housing. A third portion of the explosive train is fixable in a first position such that the first and second portions remain operably separated from one another, and is further movable to a second position such that the first and second portions are operably coupled to one another via the third portion. An integrated water sensor/actuator is coupled to the third portion to provide the motive force that moves the third portion to its second position. The water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that dried-in strain of the cellulosic material is greatest along one axis thereof. In the invention, a plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith.

Abstract: An underwater propulsion system and method are more efficient and reduce vortex wake effects. A submersible has a cylindrically-shaped hull, a nose portion connected forward and a sinusoidal-shaped tapered portion aft coaxially symmetrically disposed around a longitudinally extending axis. The tapered portion has a leading end the same diameter as the hull, a symmetrical apex at its trailing end on the longitudinal axis, and symmetrical rounded laterally extending contours and rounded longitudinally extending contours. An internal pump creates volumes of pressurized water from ambient water for equal-distantly-spaced-apart jets extend through the tapered portion in a circumferential row extending around the tapered portion. The jets point in an asymptotical relationship with respect to a down slope surface of the tapered portion and emit jetted water that creates a spinning toroidal vortex of swirling jetted water along the down slope of the tapered portion.

Abstract: A rocket propelled textile and cordage net fire extinguishing system is deployed from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire. The rocket propelled matrix-like net flies over, lands on, and drapes over the burning site. A detonating means, or detonating network on the net is actuated to rupture spaced-apart canisters on the net that are filled with halon and/or other fire extinguishing compounds. The detonating network quickly disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to engulf and extinguish the fire safely and efficiently without unduly exposing fire fighters to danger. The net fire extinguisher system can extinguish fires aboard a maritime vessel, particularly when the burning craft cannot be safely boarded or burns so fiercely that it cannot be approached closely. The net fire extinguisher system can combat highly dangerous fires including chemical and oil fires, (oil rig fires) on land and at sea.

Abstract: A load reduction device is mounted on a piling to reduce flow-drag created by fluid flowing on and past the piling. Upper and lower collars engage the piling to support and guide a bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil having a tapered leading vane portion and tapered trailing vane portion extending between the collars. The bi-directionally tapered hydrodynamic foil is rotatably supported in the collars to permit its rotation about the longitudinal axis of the piling. The tapered trailing vane portion has an extended tapered shape to orient the leading edge of the tapered leading vane portion into the direction of flowing fluid and reduce hydrodynamic drag on the piling. Load reduction devices of this invention can reduce the loads on pilings attributed to flowing water by at least two hundred percent for a given set of hydrodynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle's hull has an outer wall that is at least partially constructed of a multi-wall fabric having a sealed space between at least two walls thereof. The sealed space is controllably filled with one of air, water, and a combination of air and water in order to control the buoyancy of the hull formed from the multi-wall fabric. Means are provided for propelling and steering the hull in the water. The interior volume of the hull can remain dry or can be filled with water for a wet mode of operation.

Abstract: An air-delivered submersible vehicle system has a monocoque-construction shell made from a fiber-reinforced plastic material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics and thermoset plastics. The shell is equipped with a wing kit so that it can be deployed from an aircraft and fly through the air to a destination at a surface of a body of water. The shell is further equipped as a submersible vehicle so that it can be propelled through the water once it has reached its water destination.

Abstract: A mobile sign is adapted from discarded cotton collection trailers. The cotton collection trailers include a front steering axle and trailing rear axle supporting a horizontal rectangular frame. The rectangular cotton collection cage mounted to the trailer is removed and replaced with an upright vertical rectangular frame which supports sign material. The modifications to unused and discarded cotton collection trailers provides a useful purpose for the trailers and prevents the waste of selling the trailers for scrap. The trailers are easily pulled to desired locations utilizing the existing tow bar and can be secured by deploying outriggers or extendable feet, removing the tires from the trailer, and securing the trailer to a ground anchor. The mobile sign will support numerous types of sign material, including border grommeted canvas and board material.

Abstract: A system converts energy of waves into rotational energy, friction, heat, hydrodynamic lift, and drag to extract energy from waves to reduce their amplitudes and increase their periods to reduce destructive effects on shorelines. This also allows sand to move toward land while capturing and depositing land-ward sand and particulate matter from eroding away from the beach. A plurality of cylindrical-shaped turbines or hydro-foils are stacked in water to rotate in response to energy from waves to dissipate wave energy and renourish beaches and shorelines with sand and other particulate matter. Rounded bearing surfaces are in contact with one another for frictionally engaging one another, and a pair of elongate anchoring members embedded in the sea floor hold the turbines or hydro-foils above the sea floor in an aligned stacked relationship via end portions to assure their frictional engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method permits unattended cleaning of a surface. A clamping mechanism engages features around a contaminated surface and is connected to a dome-shaped receptacle containing a gelled acid compound. The gelled acid compound is pressed and held against the contaminated surface during cleaning. Gelled acid ensures that the acid component for dissolving does not readily disburse into the ambient environment. Contamination exposed to the gelled acid compound is dissolved, and the clamping mechanism is disengaged for other cleaning tasks. More reliable attachment of instrumentation and other packages can be made to the cleaned surface. The uncomplicated apparatus and method of the invention allow a single diver to quietly attach packages underwater in the harsh marine environment.

Abstract: An integrated water sensing actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that it's dried-in strain is greatest along one axis thereof. A plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith. The plug is compressed along it's axis of greatest dried-in strain and is fitted in a water-permeable housing adjacent a piston. The powder material is inert with respect to the cellulosic material and initiates a chemical reaction when exposed to water such that a product of the chemical reaction is water. Immersion of the housing in water causes expansion of the plug and corresponding movement of the piston.

Abstract: A lightweight parabolic mirror includes an open container with a piece of mirror film sealing the open container such that a sealed chamber is defined. A pressure control system coupled to the sealed chamber maintains a predetermined pressure differential between a pressure inside the sealed chamber and a pressure outside of the sealed chamber. The pressure differential causes the mirror film to deflect parabolically in one of a concave or convex fashion thereby defining the mirror's shape.

Abstract: A safety and arming device has first and second portions of an explosive train fixably supported in a housing. A third portion of the explosive train is fixable in a first position such that the first and second portions remain operably separated from one another, and is further movable to a second position such that the first and second portions are operably coupled to one another via the third portion. An integrated water sensor/actuator is coupled to the third portion to provide the motive force that moves the third portion to its second position. The water sensor/actuator is based on a fibrous cellulosic material having anisotropic moisture-absorbing properties such that dried-in strain of the cellulosic material is greatest along one axis thereof. In the invention, a plug of the dry and compressed fibrous cellulosic material has a powder material coated thereon and mixed therewith.

Abstract: A towing rocket motor assembly has a tubular solid propellant grain defined by exterior surface area and interior surface area. The exterior surface area is inhibited from ignition within a tubular region of a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end at either end of the tubular region. The first end defines a plenum having an annular region defined by a diameter larger than that of the tubular region. A plurality of holes formed in the first end communicate with the annular region and are directed substantially in the direction of the second end of the housing. A burn-inhibiting baffle is fitted in the propellant grain wherein an annular spacing is defined between the baffle and the interior surface area of the propellant grain. An ignition assembly, mounted at the second end of the housing, is coupled to the interior surface area of the propellant grain so that the propellant grain burns from the inside out upon ignition.