Abstract: A soft-to-hard goods connector is provided which includes an elastomeric bladder having a preform layer and an outer textile layer enclosing the preform layer. The outer textile layer has at least one skin extension layer extending beyond a periphery of the elastomeric bladder. The skin extension layer has a chord attached at a distal end with the chord being perpendicular to the skin extension layer. The connector includes a host rigid structure with a receiving component. The receiving component has a mounting track with the chord mounted in the mounting track. The receiving component permits the chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the chord with a limited range of motion.

Abstract: A sensor platform is provided with a rigid hull having a planar shape having a bow, stern, a port and a starboard side. The platform includes an inflatable perimeter tube having sides extending along a perimeter of the hull. A tow connection is at the bow and rigid control surfaces are at the stern. A planar sensor array is disposed within the platform. The planar sensor array includes inflatable sensor panels attached to the port and a starboard side of the perimeter tube. Each of the inflatable sensor panels has a plurality of sensors embedded with electrical conductors for power and data transfer. A manifold disposed within the platform operationally connects to the inflatable perimeter tube and the inflatable sensor panels. An electrical controller disposed within the platform connects to the sensors and the manifold.

Abstract: A helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shell having padding that contacts the head and a cavity formed between the inner and the outer shells, wherein the cavity is filled with a fluid such as air. The helmet also includes a plurality of resilient strands located in the cavity and affixed between the outer and inner shells, wherein an impact force on the outer shell causes the head to impact the padding with a reaction force that compresses the cavity. Compression of the cavity pushes fluid through the strands to increase fluid friction and alter a velocity of the fluid. This decreases the energy of impact and consequently reduces an amount of force transferred to the head thereby protecting the head from normal and shear force.

Abstract: A helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shell having padding that contacts the head and a cavity formed between the inner and the outer shells, wherein the cavity is filled with a fluid such as air. The helmet also includes a plurality of resilient strands located in the cavity and affixed between the outer and inner shells, wherein an impact force on the outer shell causes the head to impact the padding with a reaction force that compresses the cavity. Compression of the cavity pushes fluid through the strands to increase fluid friction and alter a velocity of the fluid. This decreases the energy of impact and consequently reduces an amount of force transferred to the head thereby protecting the head from normal and shear force.

Abstract: A soft transfer case for contaminated material is provided. The transfer case includes a film-laminated, woven textile exterior layer as a pouch. The cylinder is capable of being clamped at each end of the cylinder. An open end elastomeric bladder for containing the contaminated material is contained by the exterior layer. The bladder includes a seam to seal the open end with the material contained therein. Upon pressurization of the bladder, the exterior layer expands and a restraining force is generated between the textile layer and the clamps. A variant of the soft transfer case provides soft end terminations formed by fold-over regions at fold lines in the exterior layer. The exterior layer is fitted with matching locking straps affixed along a longitudinal exterior. The locking straps mechanically lock together. Lifting handles are also affixed to the exterior strength layer to ease transport of the transfer case.

Abstract: A soft transfer case for biological and chemical material is provided. The transfer case includes a film-laminated, woven textile exterior layer as a pouch resembling an open cylinder. The cylinder is capable of being clamped at each end of the cylinder. A pouch shaped and single open end elastomeric bladder capable of containing biological and chemical material can be contained by the exterior layer. The bladder requires only one seam which is used to permanently seal the open end with the material contained therein. Upon pressurization of the bladder, the exterior layer expands and a restraining force is generated between the textile layer and the clamps.

Abstract: A helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shell having padding that contacts the head and a cavity formed between the inner and the outer shells, wherein the cavity is filled with a fluid such as air. The helmet also includes a plurality of resilient strands located in the cavity and affixed between the outer and inner shells, wherein an impact force on the outer shell causes the head to impact the padding with a reaction force that compresses the cavity. Compression of the cavity pushes fluid through the strands to increase fluid friction and alter a velocity of the fluid. This decreases the energy of impact and consequently reduces an amount of force transferred to the head thereby protecting the head from normal and shear force.

Abstract: A launch and recovery system for a towed body is provided in which uninflated air beams extrude from winches where the beams enter a deployment frame and are inflated. Sealing rollers near the winches seal the air beams when the desired length of the air beams is inflated. To deploy the towed body, a positioning cart moves along the inflated air beams from an end of a deployment frame. A translating arch moves from the forward to the aft end of the positioning cart on the rails to where the tow body is released from the capture boom and swing support. The positioning cart can retract back into the deployment frame when not in use.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a delamination and crack prevention layer (DCPL) is provided for use in laminated sandwich panels. The DCPL is formed by using a continuous rolling process and by cutting finger profiles. Each finger forms a beam extending outward at a desired angle from a DCPL plane. The upper and lower DCPL planes are aligned to provide a uniform distribution of fingers along a length of the DCPL. Face sheets are bonded to the outer DCPL planes. Foam infusers add foam between the DCPL planes and among the fingers. The foam is rigidified (cured) during a continuous roll-form process. The DCPL prevents propagation of delamination between adjacent face sheets and core layers as well as arresting cracks in the core layers.

Abstract: A bolt shear force sensor for in-service monitoring is provided in which the sensor includes a deformable ring with channel-like cross-sections and a wire egress hole. The ring surrounds a bolt or fastener to be tested. The channel-like cross sections face exterior to a center of the ring. Strain sensing elements are mounted within the channel cross-sections as an outer circumference of the ring. The sensing elements capture hoop strain from surrounding plates of the operating system which holds the fastener. A signal conditioner operationally connected via wire conductors is used to convert strain sensing signals from the sensing elements to strain output. The strain outputs are then used in conjunction with a calibration curve of shear force versus strain to determine the magnitudes and directions of the resultant shear forces.

Abstract: An inflatable launch and recovery system for a towed body is provided. The system is containerized for ease of transport. A container houses a tow body, tow cable, a winch, winch controls, an inflatable ramp, deployment and retrieval equipment, power junctions and air line connections. Inflatable arch shaped tubes and spacer fabric form the ramp structure from which the tow body can be launched and recovered. The ramp can be ballasted to provide hydrodynamic stability and to provide sufficient system depth to accommodate retrieval of towed bodies operating below a liquid medium surface. Additional control can be achieved using inflatable or rigid fin elements or downward lifting surfaces. A rigid clamping fixture connects the ramp structure to the vessel. A snubber element dampens vibrations and transient tow loads.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced fabric systems are accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within a single fabric layer and across layers of a multi-layer fabric system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fabric layer) by optionally pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The optionally removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a single layer or multiple layer system to increase performance attributes including enhanced energy absorption.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.

Abstract: A deployable and inflatable/deflatable fendering apparatus capable of providing protection for watercrafts and docks. The apparatus has an inflatable cylindrical body, an outer collar body, and a water reservoir with an inflating and deflating means. The collar body circumferentially surrounds the cylindrical body, and is made of abrasion resistant materials and protects the cylindrical body from punctures, tearing and abuse. The collar body may be inflatable or filled with foam-like material. The reservoir comprises a one-way valve, a series of ballasts and is attached to the cylindrical body and is expandable to provide stabilization of the fendering apparatus. The fendering apparatus can be deflated for storage.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed that includes a turntable, an upper scissor jack assembly and a lower scissor jack assembly positioned in parallel planes, about a longitudinal axis and affixed to a base. The apparatus is powered by at least three motors with supporting controllers. The lower assembly is affixed to the base mechanically via the turntable which allows the lower assembly to rotate with respect to the upper assembly. There are two loading plates attached to the hinges of each scissor jack. The test specimen is secured by the loading plate. Each scissor jack operates by a screw-gear powered by one of the motors. Upon energizing a stepper motor; the screw-gear positions a scissor jack to apply a tension or compression on the specimen. While subjected to tension or compression, the lower jack assembly can be rotated with respect to the upper assembly for in-plane shear loading.

Abstract: A testing apparatus having four-bar linkages pivotable to sleeves on opposite vertices with the sleeves of each vertex rotationally attached to each other. Links of each linkage are pivotally attached to loading plate assemblies securing a test specimen. During loading, the assemblies move toward or away from each other; thereby, applying compression or tension to the specimen. A pressure system fluidly impacts opposite faces of a piston of the assembly such that one of the faces is pressurized and impacts arms of the assembly for a sliding motion to move toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the apparatus thereby, applying a compression or tensile load on the specimen or augmenting the loads applied by the movement of the loading plate assemblies. The pressure system includes a controller connected to a reservoir, a pressurized source, a plurality of shutoff valves and pressure-adjustable check valves.

Abstract: A miniature axisymmetric streamline tensile (MAST) specimen having improved axisymmetric surface profile design and surface stress concentration factor (SSCF) improvements, i.e., close to unity is described. The MAST specimen also has improved variable curvature transition fillets, miniaturized profile dimension and shoulder region features used in conjunction with the collet loading method. An axisymmetric, rather than flat, design is preferred since no stress gradients exist in the hoop direction, i.e., circumferential direction, of the specimen. The MAST specimen is designed to permit various loading options. The MAST specimen 10 may be used for testing any suitable material including, but not limited to, metals, plastics and ceramics.