Abstract: A collet for multiple wire elements is disclosed. In an example, the collet has a body made of a polymeric material and extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The body defines a first passageway extending axially through the body, the first passageway in communication with the environment via a first insertion opening extending along an entire length of the first passageway. The body defines a second passageway extending axially through the body and in communication with the environment along an entire length of the second passageway via a second insertion opening, the second passageway spaced circumferentially from the first passageway. When installed, the collet frictionally engages wire elements when a first wire element is seated in the first passageway and a second wire element is seated in the second passageway.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monostatic pulsed time-resolved wide-field-of-view underwater laser imaging. In embodiments, a rotatable optical assembly consisting of a single pyramid mirror and optical ports for each facet is used to both direct a transmitted pulsed laser beam to a target and focus the return signal to a high dynamic range detector, such as a photomultiplier tube, The detector output signal is sampled by a high-speed digitizer and can be processed to generate three-dimensional images.

Abstract: A collet for multiple wire elements is disclosed. In an example, the collet has a body made of a polymeric material and extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The body defines a first passageway extending axially through the body, the first passageway in communication with the environment via a first insertion opening extending along an entire length of the first passageway. The body defines a second passageway extending axially through the body and in communication with the environment along an entire length of the second passageway via a second insertion opening, the second passageway spaced circumferentially from the first passageway. When installed, the collet frictionally engages wire elements when a first wire element is seated in the first passageway and a second wire element is seated in the second passageway.

Abstract: A replacement fin for an underwater vehicle includes a fin defining a socket that includes a bore of a first diameter and an internal spring recess of a larger diameter. A coil spring is retained in the spring recess and has coils of an elongated coil shape. The coil spring can occupy a first canted position in which the coils are canted in a direction generally into the bore and the coils can occupy a second canted position in which the coils are canted in a direction generally out of the bore. The UUV has a post that can include at least one circumferential recess configured to engage the coil spring, and which can function as a lock in some canted orientations of the spring. Alternately, the socket is defined in the UUV and the fin includes a post sized to be received in the socket.

Abstract: An antenna module configured for use on an underwater vehicle is disclosed. The antenna module includes an array of spiral antennas fabricated on a multi-layer substrate that provides wide-band RF communication with direction finding (DF) capability. The antenna module can also include other antennas fabricated on the same multi-layer substrate, such as one or more global positioning system (GPS) receivers, an ultra-high frequency/very-high frequency (UHV/VHF) antenna, or one or more iridium antennas. The antenna module may further include a water-proof housing that is coupled to the outside hull of an undersea vehicle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism allows the antenna module to rotate between a stowed position against the hull and a deployed position that extends the antennas out away from the undersea vehicle. The antenna module is curved or flexible so it can stow against a corresponding curved hull of the undersea vehicle.

Abstract: An antenna module configured for use on an underwater vehicle is disclosed. The antenna module includes an array of spiral antennas fabricated on a multi-layer substrate that provides wide-band RF communication with direction finding (DF) capability. The antenna module can also include other antennas fabricated on the same multi-layer substrate, such as one or more global positioning system (GPS) receivers, an ultra-high frequency/very-high frequency (UHV/VHF) antenna, or one or more iridium antennas. The antenna module may further include a water-proof housing that is coupled to the outside hull of an undersea vehicle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism allows the antenna module to rotate between a stowed position against the hull and a deployed position that extends the antennas out away from the undersea vehicle. The antenna module is curved or flexible so it can stow against a corresponding curved hull of the undersea vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monostatic pulsed time-resolved wide-field-of-view underwater laser imaging. In embodiments, a rotatable optical assembly consisting of a single pyramid mirror and optical ports for each facet is used to both direct a transmitted pulsed laser beam to a target and focus the return signal to a high dynamic range detector, such as a photomultiplier tube, The detector output signal is sampled by a high-speed digitizer and can be processed to generate three-dimensional images.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger assembly and method. First and second plates made of a predetermined thermally conductive material are configured when mated to form a hermetically sealed vapor chamber. A wick made of the same predetermined thermally conductive material resides in the vapor chamber forming a gas chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface from which biofouling is to be removed once the biofouling has adhered to the protected surface. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger assembly and method. First and second plates made of a predetermined thermally conductive material are configured when mated to form a hermetically sealed vapor chamber. A wick made of the same predetermined thermally conductive material resides in the vapor chamber forming a gas chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface from which biofouling is to be removed once the biofouling has adhered to the protected surface. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface from which biofouling is to be removed once the biofouling has adhered to the protected surface. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface from which biofouling is to be removed once the biofouling has adhered to the protected surface. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a mast system including a telescoping mast having first and second mast sections, the mast having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the first mast section including an inner surface having ribs disposed thereon, and, the second mast section including a coupling mechanism to engage the ribs on the first mast section for enabling axial movement of the second mast section with respect to the first mast section.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface to be protected from biofouling. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: A system includes a UV light source and an optical medium coupled to receive UV light from the UV light source. The optical medium is configured to emit UV light proximate to a surface to be protected from biofouling. A method corresponds to the system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a mast system that includes a telescoping mast having first and second mast sections, the mast having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, and a stabilization structure including a guy wire to stabilize the mast in the deployed configuration, wherein the guy wire is connected to the first mast section for manipulating the first mast section between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a mast system including a telescoping mast having first and second mast sections, the mast having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the first mast section including an inner surface having ribs disposed thereon, and, the second mast section including a coupling mechanism to engage the ribs on the first mast section for enabling axial movement of the second mast section with respect to the first mast section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method to prevent biofouling of underwater optical systems using ultraviolet light generated from within a pressure vessel and through an optics window, without removing the optical systems from the water and without disbursement of chemicals into the water.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger assembly and method. First and second plates made of a predetermined thermally conductive material are configured when mated to form a hermetically sealed vapor chamber. A wick made of the same predetermined thermally conductive material resides in the vapor chamber forming a gas chamber.