Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: An applique armor system includes a plurality of armor tiles, each armor tile being a composite armor member with a sheet ceramic armor component, an impedance match enhancing sheet member of material such of metal or polymer material adhered to the surface of the ceramic sheet member remote from the anticipated direction of attack, and a compliant separable fastener component of extended area type secured to a surface of the composite armor tile, the ceramic sheet member preferably having a thickness at least ten times the thickness of the impedance match enhancing sheet member.

Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: Silent touch fastener material adapted to releasably engage a mating surface and adapted to produce reduced sound during rapid separation of the touch fastener material from the mating surface. The material comprises a planar backing material having an engaging surface thereon contacting the backing material at discrete points and adapted to releasably engage the mating surface and means for reducing the coupling of noise-producing vibration from the backing material into the surrounding air.

Abstract: Thermal treatment apparatus for downhole deployment comprising a combustion stage with an elongated hot wall combustion zone for the substantially complete combustion of the fuel-air mixture and an ignition zone immediately upstream from the combustion zone in which a mixture of atomized liquid fuel and air at or below stoichiometric ratio is ignited; together with a water injection stage immediately downstream from the combustion zone through which essentially partuculate free high temperature combustion products flow from the combustion zone and into which water is sprayed. The resulting mixture of steam and combustion products is injected into an oil formation for enhancing the speed and effectiveness of reservoir response due to physical, chemical, and/or thermal stimulation interactions.

Abstract: Pulverized coal is ignited, to furnish energy for warm-up or low load operation of a coal burning furnace, by a technique which does not require the combustion of significant quantities of liquid or gaseous fuels. The direct ignition of pulverized coal in accordance with the present invention contemplates the delivery of a dense phase coal/air stream to an ignition zone where it receives ignition energy and the thus ignited mixture is thereafter contained in a recirculation region until the flame becomes self-sustaining.

Abstract: An electrical discharge is controlled in such a manner as to permit its use to reliably ignite a fuel stream consisting of pulverized coal entrained in air. The ignition technique of the present invention creates expanding and contracting plasma pockets at a rate which is high compared to the velocity of the fuel stream and permits the ignition of the fuel stream in a cold furnace and/or without supplemental combustion of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuels.