Abstract: A low force pull-apart underwater connector apparatus, system, and a method of manufacturing. In one embodiment, a low-force pull-apart waterproof connector a receptacle having at least two receptacle pins, wherein the receptacle is electrically connected to a first wire, a plug having at least one plug pin, configured to selectively mate with the receptacle to form an electrical connection, wherein the at least one plug pin is oriented parallel to the at least two receptacle pins, and wherein the plug is electrically connected to a second wire, and a compressive seal sleeve filled with a marine-grade silicon grease tightly surrounding the electrical connection of the plug and the receptacle, and wherein the connection is operable to disconnect with the application of a low force.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of thru-hull adapters for underwater pressure-proof housings are described. The adapters are suitable for use with pressure proof housings including spheres, cylinders, flat and domed end caps. The thru-hull adapter is comprised of a pressure-proof circular disk that is sized to fit over a through hole drilled through the outer wall of a pressure-proof housing, a hollow threaded shaft that attaches to the circular disk and extends into the interior of the pressure proof housing, a fastener stack including washers and a jam nut that when tightened pulls the circular disk against the outer wall of the pressure proof housing and, with a bonded or o-ring elastomeric seal, forms an air and water tight seal between the thru-hull adapter and the wall of the pressure proof housing.

Abstract: A spherical input device 105 for navigating a virtual environment 102 is activated for touch sensitivity at any point on its surface 801 by a capacitive touch sensor 709 that includes first and second capacitance-sensing elements 710 and 711. A first variable capacitance 806 is formed between a first capacitance-sensing element and a first area of the user's hands through a first hemisphere 802. A second variable capacitance 807 is formed between a second capacitance-sensing element and a second area of the user's hands through the second hemisphere 803. A touch-responsive capacitance 805 includes the first variable capacitance in series with the second variable capacitance. Gestural data is derived from the touch-responsive capacitance and device rotations, and transmitted in gestural radio signals 108 to a receiver 109. One or both of the capacitance-sensing elements is configured to minimize attenuation of the gestural radio signals passing through the surface.

Abstract: An automated floating dock system is provided having a controller for controlling the repositioning of a floating dock. The system can be controlled remotely using a controller device. The system may also have sensors and controls that will automatically report sensor condition and perform necessary functions to relocate a floating dock.

Abstract: A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine. A source of fissionable material such as plutonium is provided utilizing a carrier fluid having neutron moderating constituents, such as hydrogen and/or carbon, therein. A carrier fluid may be methane, or ethane, or a combination thereof. A neutron source is provided, such as from a neutron beam generator. Reactor design geometry provides containment of fissionable material in the reactor during acceleration. Collisions occur between neutrons and fissionable material injected by way of the carrier fluid. Impact of neutrons on fissionable material results in a nuclear fission in sub-critical mass reaction conditions in the reactor, resulting in release of heat energy to fluids provided to the reactor.

Abstract: A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine. A source of fissionable material is provided in a bed of fuel pebbles located in a reactor. A fluid having neutron moderating constituents, such as hydrogen and/or carbon, therein, is provided, which may be in the form of methane, or ethane, or a combination thereof, or may further include various isotopes of hydrogen. An external neutron source is provided using a neutron beam generator. Reactor design geometry provides containment of fissionable material, and for any byproducts of fission reactions, in the reactor during acceleration of the rocket. Impact of neutrons on fissionable material results in a nuclear fission reaction conditions in the reactor, resulting in release of heat energy to fluids provided to the reactor. The reactor is sized and shaped to contain fuel pebbles containing fissionable material, and to confine expandable fluids as they remove heat from fuel pebbles.

Abstract: A substantially spherical hand-held input device which provides manual data input for navigating a virtual environment and other kinds of user interface, includes a capacitive touch sensor responsive to touch events anywhere on its surface, the touch sensor including a propagation-enhancing portion so that gestural radio signals can be transmitted through the touch-sensitive surface of the input device to a computer system during use, the propagation-enhancing portion being in the form of a spiral-shaped conductor that is also used for capacitance-sensing, and a multi-touch array includes multiple spiral-shaped touch-sensing conductors to provide the propagation-enhancing portion, and the propagation-enhancing portion is a metamaterial at a transmission frequency of the gestural radio signals.

Abstract: A substantially spherical hand-held input device which provides manual data input for navigating a virtual environment and other kinds of user interface, includes a capacitive touch sensor responsive to touch events anywhere on its surface, the touch sensor including a propagation-enhancing portion so that gestural radio signals can be transmitted through the touch-sensitive surface of the input device to a computer system during use, the propagation-enhancing portion being in the form of a spiral-shaped conductor that is also used for capacitance-sensing, and a multi-touch array includes multiple spiral-shaped touch-sensing conductors to provide the propagation-enhancing portion, and the propagation-enhancing portion is a metamaterial at a transmission frequency of the gestural radio signals.

Abstract: A system for presenting immersive images to a user via a display device, in which the user has a viewpoint within a three-dimensional virtual environment, the system including a substantially spherical manually-rotatable hand supported input device with a rotation-detector, a device-processor and a wireless transmitter, in which the device-processor generates gestural-data in response to manual rotation of the input device measured by the rotation-detector, and the transmitter transmits the gestural-data; an external-processing-device which receives the gestural-data wirelessly, moves the user viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual environment in response to manual rotation of the input device and renders image-data from the virtual environment with respect to the viewpoint; and a display device, in which the display device presents the image data to a user; in which the user experiences locomotion within the virtual environment in response to rotation of the input device.

Abstract: A security system for deployment within a retail environment is shown. First tags (108 to 112) are concealed within an item of merchandise. Each of these first tags is configured to transmit a first signal modulated to specify a unique first tag code in response to being energised at an exit gate. Second tags (113 to 117) are each independently attached to the merchandise and are configured to communication with mobile devices to facilitate the purchase of the items. A data communication apparatus (119) communicates with mobile devices and controls responses of an exit gate when detecting output signals from the first tags. User selected tags transmit second output signals to a mobile device in response to respective user interactions, with each for the second output signals being modulated by a unique second code. The mobile devices relay received second codes to the communication system.

Abstract: An association between a user of a mobile device (301) and an item of merchandise (501) is shown, in which each item of merchandise as a tag (601) attached thereto. The movement of tags is monitored to produce movement data (801). Proximity data is generated for each mobile device identifying tags that are in close proximity (802). The movement data is processed in combination with the proximity data to identify an association between a user and a mobile device and an item of merchandise to which an associated tag has been attached (803).

Abstract: A purge system and methods are described. The system allows purging of closed vessels in a precise and reproducible manner under microprocessor and sensor control. The process includes automated valves that allow repeated purge cycles with little or no operator attention. The purge parameters may be stored in memory for recall at a later time to repeat the purge process on the same or a different vessel. In a preferred embodiment the equipment and process allows for purging and desiccation of deep-sea vehicles without the need to carry compressed gas cylinders out to sea.

Abstract: A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine. A reactor is provided to receive a fissionable fuel and a propellant fluid. Fuel may be transported and injected using a carrier fluid. Carrier fluid for fuel may be hydrogen or an isotope thereof. Fuel may be plutonium or selected actinide. A neutron generator is provided, and utilizes an ion generator and a target container which extends into the reactor to hold a target material therein. Neutrons may be emitted almost omni-directionally by impact of ions from the ion generator on target material. Cooling of the target container may be provided by a cooling sleeve that receives and circulates a cooling fluid, and discharges the cooling fluid after it has been heated. Fuel injectors provide fuel through fuel injector valves regulated to cycle on and off to pulse output power of the rocket engine, by timing frequency and duration of fuel feed, and regulating injected fuel amounts, to regulate the energy released over discrete time periods.

Abstract: A fission based nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine. An embodiment provides a source of fissionable material such as plutonium in a carrier gas such as deuterium. A neutron source is provided, such as from a neutron beam generator. By way of engine design geometry, various embodiments may provide for intersection of neutrons with the fissionable material injected by way of the carrier gas, while in a reactor provided in the form of a reaction chamber. Impact of neutrons on fissionable material results in a nuclear fission in sub-critical mass reaction conditions in the reactor, resulting in release of heat energy to the materials within the reactor. The reactor is sized and shaped to receive the reactants and an expandable fluid such as hydrogen, and to confine heated and pressurized gases for discharge out through a throat, into a rocket engine expansion nozzle for propulsive discharge.

Abstract: A free vehicle suitable to serve as a platform to carry a variety of equipment to the ocean floor, actuate devices at the floor and at intermediate points on the way to and returning from the ocean floor is described. The free vehicle includes standardized power, control electronics, navigation equipment and mechanical release mechanisms that can be used in conjunction with custom experiments. Exemplary experiments include sensors and sampling equipment used for deep-sea exploration. The free vehicle platform provides for scalable designs to meet scientific needs and surface vessel constraints.

Abstract: A purge system and methods are described. The system allows purging of closed vessels in a precise and reproducible manner under microprocessor and sensor control. The process includes automated valves that allow repeated purge cycles with little or no operator attention. The purge parameters may be stored in memory for recall at a later time to repeat the purge process on the same or a different vessel. In a preferred embodiment the equipment and process allows for purging and desiccation of deep-sea vehicles without the need to carry compressed gas cylinders out to sea.

Abstract: A free vehicle suitable to serve as a platform to carry a variety of equipment to the ocean floor, actuate devices at the floor and at intermediate points on the way to and returning from the ocean floor is described. The free vehicle includes standardized power, control electronics, navigation equipment and mechanical release mechanisms that can be used in conjunction with custom experiments. Exemplary experiments include sensors and sampling equipment used for deep-sea exploration. The free vehicle platform provides for scalable designs to meet scientific needs and surface vessel constraints.

Abstract: A composite structure fabricated by thermoplastic welding, and a method for producing such structures. First and second composite parts are provided, having first and second surfaces, respectively, that define an interface where the parts are to be joined. The parts include a thermoplastic matrix. An insert is provided, which includes a film portion, which may include the same thermoplastic matrix. The insert is provided with an electric resistance heating element. The first and second parts are urged together using low fusion pressure while the insert is heated using the electric resistance heating element. After a selected period of time, the electrical supply to the resistance heating element is turned off. A high fusion pressure is then applied to urge the parts together. The weldment joint is allowed to cool. After cooling, excess material may be removed, to form a composite structure.

Abstract: A camera pod for an aircraft includes a housing with a plurality of camera compartments configured to downwardly angle a camera therein and a port for the lens of a camera. A pliant member is configured to quickly and easily retain a camera in a compartment biasing the camera in the downwardly angled position and absorbing vibration. A back plate is secured to the housing sealing it.

Abstract: A camera pod for an aircraft includes a housing with a plurality of camera compartments configured to downwardly angle a camera therein and a port for the lens of a camera. A pliant member is configured to quickly and easily retain a camera in a compartment biasing the camera in the downwardly angled position and absorbing vibration. A back plate is secured to the housing sealing it.