Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating a sound level comprising an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, where an exhaust flow director is positioned within the enclosure and fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The exhaust flow director comprises a plurality of overlapping vanes that directs the exhaust flow to attenuate the level of the sound produced by the exhaust.

Abstract: A noise abatement system including at least one fluid circulation chamber to receive at least one flow of fluid; at least one vorticity-inducing component adjacent to the at least one fluid circulation chamber, the at least one vorticity-inducing component to redirect the at least one flow of fluid tangentially to an inside perimeter wall of the at least one fluid circulation chamber to create fluctuations in a flow and pressure of the fluid causing increased and variable vorticity within the at least one fluid circulation chamber; and at least one vorticity-interaction region in communication with the at least one vorticity-inducing component to attenuate acoustics caused by the at least one flow of fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating a sound level comprising an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, where an exhaust flow director is positioned within the enclosure and fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The exhaust flow director comprises a plurality of overlapping vanes that directs the exhaust flow to attenuate the level of the sound produced by the exhaust.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems may provide for the detection of an object at a rotating intersecting plane of light created by synchronously rotating a first plane of light and a second plane of light. A first laser beam of a first color may be projected with a first laser line projector and a second laser beam of a second laser beam of a second color may be projected with a second line projector. Laser planes of the first and second laser beams may be adjusted to create a beam intersection line plane of a third color on an object located at a predetermined intersection range from the first and second laser line projectors. The first and second laser line projectors may be rotated to create a rotating plane of light of the third color on the object.

Abstract: A method for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, the method may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

Abstract: A method for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, the method may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

Abstract: A system for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, such system may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

Abstract: A system for displaying information via a light source on rotating helicopter blades of an aircraft such as a helicopter is provided. The light source may be a laser light source and the light therefrom may be directed onto the aircraft blade by one or more motion controlled mirrors and a computer controller. A sensor is capable of determining the position of helicopter blades during rotation, such that light may be projected upon only the moving blade at precisely timed intervals, so as to form perceivable graphics and/or messages thereon. In addition, such system may be utilized for displaying graphics and/or messages on rotating propellers of fixed wing aircraft.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing acoustic waves are provided. An exemplary system includes a housing, multiple acoustic passageways and an acoustic sensor. The housing defines an interior cavity. The multiple acoustic passageways communicate acoustically between the interior cavity and an exterior of the housing. Each of the acoustic passageways has an inlet port and an outlet port, with each outlet port being located within the housing to direct a portion of an acoustic wave to the interior cavity. The acoustic sensor is mounted within the interior cavity and is operative to receive portions of an acoustic wave directed to the interior cavity by the acoustic passageways. The acoustic sensor also is operative to provide information such as direction of arrival information corresponding to a composite waveform formed by acoustic interference, within the interior cavity, of the portions of the acoustic wave. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing acoustic waves are provided. An exemplary system includes a housing, multiple acoustic passageways and an acoustic sensor. The housing defines an interior cavity. The multiple acoustic passageways communicate acoustically between the interior cavity and an exterior of the housing. Each of the acoustic passageways has an inlet port and an outlet port, with each outlet port being located within the housing to direct a portion of an acoustic wave to the interior cavity. The acoustic sensor is mounted within the interior cavity and is operative to receive portions of an acoustic wave directed to the interior cavity by the acoustic passageways. The acoustic sensor also is operative to provide information such as direction of arrival information corresponding to a composite waveform formed by acoustic interference, within the interior cavity, of the portions of the acoustic wave. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: Silencers are provided for a weapon having a combustion chamber and a barrel. The weapon is configured to launch a projectile with combustion gases generated in the combustion chamber. An exemplary silencer includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured for mounting the silencer to the barrel, the distal end being configured to allow the projectile to pass therethrough, and at least one vortex chamber disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The at least one vortex chamber includes a circular peripheral wall for inducing a vortex on a portion of the combustion gases expelled from the combustion chamber during launch of the projectile. The vortex impedes flow of the combustion gases from the barrel such that acoustic energy associated with the launch of the projectile is dissipated.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an underground abject includes a container in contact with the ground surface; a medium disposed in the container; at least one acoustic sensor disposed in the medium in the container; and an output device connected to the acoustic sensor. A portion of the container in contact with the ground is substantially acoustically transparent and conforms to contours of the ground. The acoustic impedance of the medium in the container is substantially the same as the acoustic impedance of the ground. A method of detecting an underground object includes receiveing reflected acoustic noise with at least one acoustic sensor immersed in a medium, the mediukm being desposed in a container in contact with a ground surface; converting the reflected acoustic noise to electrical signals; and, using an output device, converting teh eletrical signals to a form that can be sensed by a human to determine if the undergroung object has been detected.

Abstract: A transducer in communication with fluid in a pad held in close contact against a sound or movement source monitors acoustic signals transferred into the fluid. The signal pattern is monitored aurally and/or compared to predetermined reference patterns, and optional control and stimulation means can be activated in response to the comparison results. The sensed acoustic signal can be transmitted to a remote receiver or processed locally. Typically, the acoustic signal is representative of the heartbeat or breathing of a living organism. The monitoring system may be applied to diverse situations including SIDS, apnea, home baby monitoring, medical transport devices, blood pressure cuffs, seats, combat casualty care and hand-held devices.

Abstract: A movement monitor and stimulator may prevent death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent medical studies indicate a SIDS victim's breathing may be resuscitated by immediate stimulation. The sound and/or movement monitor and stimulator may have a base member configured as a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting an infant and a transducer for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e.g., heart beat, breathing, voice and motion sounds). A stimulator may move the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer corresponds to no sound and/or movement from the object, or indicates a dangerous change in monitored condition, such as the decrease in metabolic rate indicative of the onset of sleep. The stimulator may also be applied in a more gentle fashion to soothe and quiet an infant that has been awakened unexpectedly. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad.

Abstract: A heart-sound monitor and esophageal stethoscope which makes use of fluidic aminar proportional amplifiers (LPAs). These LPA's are used to sense and amplify incoming acoustic pressure signals, such as heart signals. Moreover, the fluidic monitor is able to monitor a fetus heartbeat while eliminating the acoustic interference present from the mother's heartbeat. In this case, the LPA acts not only as an amplifier, but as an acoustic filter as well.

Abstract: An acoustic detection device having a parabolic dish antenna for gathering ound waves and providing a first stage of amplification, an exponential horn located at the focus of the parabolic dish antenna for further acoustic amplification, a fluidic gainblock for a final stage of amplification, and acoustic earphones for listening. Either a hand operated latex bulb or a mechanical pump is used to pressurize a plastic fluid storage container that is used to supply fluid to the fluidic gainblock. Within the fluidic gainblock are four or more staged laminar proportional amplifiers having a bandwidth of 0 to 4,000 Hz.

Abstract: A noise suppressor and stabilizer for a firearm having a number of fluidic scillator laminates each having a number of fluidic pressure controlled oscillators disposed thereon stacked and attached to the muzzle end of a firearm. The pressure controlled oscillators exhaust part of the propellant gases at a frequency either above the range of detection by the human ear or at a less sensitive region of hearing thus lowering the characteristic muzzle blast heard as the bullet exits the muzzle of the firearm. Additional laminates having the pressure controlled oscillators asymmetrically placed are provided to compensate for muzzle climb. Twist of the firearm is controlled by the placement of one or more twist compensating laminates within the stack. One embodiment of the invention provides for laminates of different internal dimensions forms expansion chambers within the noise suppressor.