Abstract: An electrothermal gun uses an apparatus for generating high gas pressure. The apparatus includes a receiver having a combustion chamber for holding a propellant which produces a gas component and a particle component when the propellant undergoes an exothermic chemical reaction, and a flow passageway positioned downstream of the combustion chamber. An ignition mechanism causes the propellant contained in the combustion chamber to undergo the exothermic chemical reaction. A separator in the flow passageway substantially separates the particle component from the gas component in the flow passageway. The gun includes a barrel connected to the receiver and communicating with the flow passageway. By substantially stopping the particle component, namely metal oxide, from reaching the barrel, wear on the barrel is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically generating an underwater high pressure pulse of sufficient strength to destroy underwater threats utilizes a pair of electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are arranged substantially parallel with each other and are separated by a gap. A pulse generator supplies an electrical pulse to at least one of the electrically conductive elements, which causes the generation of a magnetic repulsion force between the elements. The magnetic repulsion force causes one the electrically conductive elements to be displaced, thereby inducing a high pressure pulse in the liquid in which the pair of electrically conductive elements is submerged.

Abstract: An electrothermal gun uses an apparatus for generating high gas pressure. The apparatus includes a receiver having a combustion chamber for holding a propellant which produces a gas component and a particle component when the propellant undergoes an exothermic chemical reaction, and a flow passageway positioned downstream of the combustion chamber. An ignition mechanism causes the propellant contained in the combustion chamber to undergo the exothermic chemical reaction. A separator in the flow passageway substantially separates the particle component from the gas component in the flow passageway. The gun includes a barrel connected to the receiver and communicating with the flow passageway. By substantially stopping the particle component, namely metal oxide, from reaching the barrel, wear on the barrel is reduced.

Abstract: A method for presenting advertising in an interactive service provided on a computer network, the service featuring applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions is described. The method features steps for presenting advertising concurrently with service applications at the user terminal configured as a reception system. In accordance with the method, the advertising is structured in a manner comparable to the service applications enabling the applications to be presented at a first portion of a display associated with the reception system and the advertising presented at a second portion. Further, steps are provided for storing and managing advertising at the user reception system so that advertising can be pre-fetched from the network and staged in anticipation of being called for presentation.

Abstract: A method for presenting advertising in an interactive service provided on a computer network, the service featuring applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions is described. The method features steps for presenting advertising concurrently with service applications at the user terminal configured as a reception system. In accordance with the method, the advertising is structured in a manner comparable to the service applications enabling the applications to be presented at a first portion of a display associated with the reception system and the advertising presented at a second portion. Further, steps are provided for storing and managing advertising at the user reception system so that advertising can be pre-fetched from the network and staged anticipation of being called for presentation.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically generating an underwater high pressure pulse of sufficient strength to destroy underwater threats utilizes a pair of electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are arranged substantially parallel with each other and are separated by a gap. A pulse generator supplies an electrical pulse to at least one of the electrically conductive elements, which causes the generation of a magnetic repulsion force between the elements. The magnetic repulsion force causes one the electrically conductive elements to be displaced, thereby inducing a high pressure pulse in the liquid in which the pair of electrically conductive elements is submerged.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.

Abstract: A method for presenting advertising in an interactive service provided on a computer network, the service featuring applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions is described. The method features steps for presenting advertising concurrently with service applications at the user terminal configured as a reception system. In accordance with the method, the advertising is structured in a manner comparable to the service applications enabling the applications to be presented at a first portion of a display associated with the reception system and the advertising presented at a second portion. Further, steps are provided for storing and managing advertising at the user reception system so that advertising can be pre-fetched from the network and staged anticipation of being called for presentation.

Abstract: A method for locating application records in an interactive-service database is described. The method features steps for creating multiple search tables which represent subsets of the database to be interrogated; for example the applications of an interactive service. In accord with the method, steps are provided for arranging the tables with keyword, record locators, indexed to record identifiers. Additionally, the method includes steps for providing each table with a unique coding and steps for generating table codes at the user reception system in response to a query for a database record entered with a variety of search strategies; as for example, character string searching approximating the record sought, alphabetized record searching, subject matter category searching and personalized record searching, among others. Further, the method includes steps for comparing the table code generated with available table codes for the database to select a table suited for the query.

Abstract: A method for presenting applications in an interactive service featuring steps for generating screen displays of the service applications at the reception systems of the respective users. Steps are provided for generating the application displays as screens having a plurality of partitions, the partitions being constructed from reusable elements. In accord with the method, the screens include at least a first partition at which an application may be presented and a second, concurrently displayed partition including command functions for managing the display. The method further includes steps for providing command functions that facilitate random navigation to new applications with a variety of different procedures which the user can choose from. In (preferred) one form, the functions are presented as a command bar located at the bottom of the screen.