Abstract: A tactical obscurant device having an obscurant payload that comprises a plurality of powder particles radially pressed within a cavity of the obscurant device using a pulsed radial dynamic magnetic compaction process to provide a packing density of at least 40%, such that the obscurant payload has a greater packing density over traditional packing processes, which results in an increased obscurant cloud size upon detonation that is capable of screening in at least one range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The obscurant payload may be comprised of a single powder material, at least two layers of powder material, or may have a multi-layered packed structure using different types of powder materials that are packed concentrically for multispectral obscuration upon detonation.

Abstract: A tactical obscurant device having an obscurant payload that comprises a plurality of powder particles radially pressed within a cavity of the obscurant device using a pulsed radial dynamic magnetic compaction process to provide a packing density of at least 40%, such that the obscurant payload has a greater packing density over traditional packing processes, which results in an increased obscurant cloud size upon detonation that is capable of screening in at least one range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The obscurant payload may be comprised of a single powder material, at least two layers of powder material, or may have a multi-layered packed structure using different types of powder materials that are packed concentrically for multispectral obscuration upon detonation.

Abstract: A plurality of heat pipes in a shell receive concentrated solar energy and transfer the energy to a heat activated system. To provide for even distribution of the energy despite uneven impingement of solar energy on the heat pipes, absence of solar energy at times, or failure of one or more heat pipes, energy storage means are disposed on the heat pipes which extend through a heat pipe thermal coupling means into the heat activated device. To enhance energy transfer to the heat activated device, the heat pipe coupling cavity means may be provided with extensions into the device. For use with a Stirling engine having passages for working gas, heat transfer members may be positioned to contact the gas and the heat pipes. The shell may be divided into sections by transverse walls. To prevent cavity workihg fluid from collecting to the extensions, a porous body is positioned in the cavity.