Abstract: An underwater self-propelled surface-adhering robotically operated vehicle capable of being navigated through a volume of water and of adhering itself to an underwater surface and traversing along the surface. The vehicle has a main body with an interior suction chamber and a motor driven impeller disposed in the chamber to draw water through the bottom end of the chamber and expel it at the top end and thereby create a negative pressure force at the bottom end to maintain the vehicle in contact with the underwater surface. Thrusters on the main body allow the vehicle to be driven through a volume of water before and after attachment to the underwater surface as well as to hold station in mid water for tasks and inspections. The vehicle may be provided with an evacuable enclosure to provide an environment for task accomplishment and with measurement and inspection devices and tools for underwater hull cleaning, welding, and other underwater tasks.

Abstract: A MIG and Flux Core wire feed and containment system for filler wire distribution for both manual and robotic underwater and terrestrial welding applications has a sensor feedback pressure sensor system that detects deflective and deformative pressures acting on the filler wire by surrounding environmental objects which the operator may not be aware of while setting up the task and which prevents the filler wire from being bent if the welding torch is inadvertently pressed against solid objects in robotic applications, thereby eliminating the need to manually straighten the wire, and enabling the capability of providing a filler wire distribution assembly at great water depths or at locations distant from the welding controls and in close proximity to the torch head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved welding system incorporating a novel torch mounted gas scavenging system which removes and filters contaminant gases from the workplace and incorporates an enclosure which creates high turnover rates of shielding gases at the weld pool thereby preventing contaminant gas induced defects, and which insulates the heat affected area thereby prolonging the cooling process of the weld pool, effectively reducing porosity and other related defects, and which provides the capability of accurately monitoring and displaying specific measurements of an ongoing welding operation such as humidity, ambient frequencies, internal temperature and pressure in the enclosure, and on line acoustic emissions sensors which indicate the presence or absence of defects as the weld is being made.

Abstract: A viewing screen apparatus for helmets or face masks of the type having a viewing area covered by a face plate is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosure adapted to be mounted on a helmet or face mask adjacent the face plate, a solid-state flat panel display screen and associated circuitry contained within the sealed enclosure for displaying visual images on the screen responsive to electronic signals, and a signal receiver connected with the screen for enabling the screen to receive electronic signals from an electronic signal transmission source. In one embodiment the enclosure is selectively movable between a viewing position adjacent the face plate and a position out of the wearer's field of vision to allow an unobstructed field of vision through the face plate.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes laser imaging, detection and ranging (LIDAR) as an optical source for an imaging system for helmeted divers who work in highly light backscattering fluid mediums. A laser emitter and detector in waterproof enclosures(s) are mounted on the divers helmet, and send signals to a topside LIDAR processing system, which processes them and sends them back down to the diver in the form of an image of the fluid environment on a viewing screen which is attached to the diver's helmet by a hinged bracket, leaving the diver's hands free for any required tasks. The LIDAR processing equipment is operated by support personnel above the surface of the water, while the imaging equipment on the diver sends and receives signals from the remote processing equipment by wires which run along the diver's hose. The system has the effect of reducing the perceived suspended particles in the fluid medium, thereby increasing identification and detection capabilities for the diver.

Abstract: A method of editing compound documents containing both text and non-text components, such as image, graphics or digital-audio objects. The method transforms a compound document in modified revisable form architecture to an internal editing format. In the transformation process, non-text components are recognized and catalogued in a component index generated for the compound document in the internal editing format. The component index contains information on the characteristics of the non-text components and describes the size, location and type of each non-text component. A reference or referencing control to the non-text component is placed in the text at the location the user wishes to print or display the non-text component in the final document. Through the invention, it is possible to represent and display a single non-text component multiple times within the compound document while storing only a single physical representation of the non-text component within the document.