Abstract: Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) converts thermal energy contained in working fluid (20) to electrical energy. Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) comprises a pump (110), a boiler (120), a boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130), an expansion electroactive polymer reservoir assembly (140), and a condenser (150). The boiler electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of a transducer (10), that generates electricity resulting from the inflation and deflation of the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130). Transducer (10) is comprised of one or more polymer spacers (502) sandwiched between one or more top electrodes (504) and bottom electrode (506) pairs. The electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of one or more electroactive polymer reservoirs that are similar in design to the boiler electroactive polymer assembly (130).

Abstract: Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) converts thermal energy contained in working fluid (20) to electrical energy. Electroactive polymer expansion power cycle (100) comprises a pump (110), a boiler (120), a boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130), an expansion electroactive polymer reservoir assembly (140), and a condenser (150). The boiler electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of a transducer (10), that generates electricity resulting from the inflation and deflation of the boiler electroactive polymer reservoir (130). Transducer (10) is comprised of one or more polymer spacers (502) sandwiched between one or more top electrodes (504) and bottom electrode (506) pairs. The electroactive polymer assembly (140) is comprised of one or more electroactive polymer reservoirs that are similar in design to the boiler electroactive polymer assembly (130).

Abstract: A missile component such as a rocket motor case, of an initial transverse cross-sectional shape flexible into another, different cross-section responsive to application of internal pressure from ignition of a propellant grain within the component. A missile launch assembly including at least one missile of a non-circular cross-section disposed within a segment of a partitioned circular launch tube. A multi-stage missile comprising at least a first stage and a second stage having rocket motor cases of non-circular transverse cross-section, the rocket motor case of at least one of the stages being deformable into another, different cross-section. A method of launching a missile including igniting a rocket motor of a missile component having a first cross-section, internally pressurizing the missile component substantially concurrently with motor ignition and flexing the component rocket motor into a second, different cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A missile component such as a rocket motor case, of an initial transverse cross-sectional shape flexible into another, different cross-section responsive to application of internal pressure from ignition of a propellant grain within the component. A missile launch assembly including at least one missile of a non-circular cross-section disposed within a segment of a partitioned circular launch tube. A multi-stage missile comprising at least a first stage and a second stage having rocket motor cases of non-circular transverse cross-section, the rocket motor case of at least one of the stages being deformable into another, different cross-section. A method of launching a missile including igniting a rocket motor of a component having a first cross-section, internally pressurizing the missile component substantially concurrently with motor ignition and flexing the component rocket motor into a second, different cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A Light-weight low cost mirror for astronomical purposes and a method of manufacturing said light-weight mirror is disclosed. The light-weight mirror is comprised of an optical plate a backing plate and a core disposed between said optical plate and said backing plate. The core is comprised of a plurality of core strips. Said core strips are assembled in an arrangement wherein the core strips, the optical plate and the backing plate form cavities by the intersection of the core strips with the backing and the optical plate. The cavities are open the outside diameter edge of the mirror. A method is also disclosed for manufacturing the mirror by fusing the core to opposing faces of the optical plate and backing plate. Melt support assemblies are used to support the unfused backing plate and core strips. The unfused assembly is heated to the glass melting temperature to fuse the core to the optical plate and backing plate.