Abstract: A method and system for facilitating navigation of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) about an egress path that mirrors an ingress path. Complex return data during an ingress cycle are obtained and a corresponding complex image of the seabed along the ingress cycle is generated. Complex return data during an egress cycle are also obtained and a plurality of corresponding complex local images of the seabed along the egress cycle can be generated. The complex local images are compared to the complex ingress image to identify a normalized cross-correlation coefficient (NCCC). A maximum NCCC indicates that a position of the AUV in the along-track direction has been found. Successive local complex images from the egress cycle can be compared against the complex image from the ingress cycle as the AUV moves along the egress path to identify successive NCCCs, and monitored overtime to determine if the successive NCCCs are increasing or decreasing as the AUV moves along the egress path.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating navigation of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) about an egress path that mirrors an ingress path. Complex return data during an ingress cycle are obtained and a corresponding complex image of the seabed along the ingress cycle is generated. Complex return data during an egress cycle are also obtained and a plurality of corresponding complex local images of the seabed along the egress cycle can be generated. The complex local images are compared to the complex ingress image to identify a normalized cross-correlation coefficient (NCCC). A maximum NCCC indicates that a position of the AUV in the along-track direction has been found. Successive local complex images from the egress cycle can be compared against the complex image from the ingress cycle as the AUV moves along the egress path to identify successive NCCCs, and monitored overtime to determine if the successive NCCCs are increasing or decreasing as the AUV moves along the egress path.

Abstract: A molded and shaped acoustical insulating vehicle panel having a dry-laid needled fibrous composite composed of a first portion of about 50 to 80 percent meltable binder fibers and about 20 to 50 percent stable fibers and having a second portion of about 20 to 50 percent meltable binder fibers and 50 to 80 percent of staple fibers. The meltable binder fibers are in a molded and resolidified state such that the resolidified binder fibers of the first portion form a substantially continuous, semi-impervious, densified skin integrally associated with and bonded to a surface of the first portion. The molded composite is in such a heat and pressure molded state that the composite has over a predominance of its area a density of from about 12 to 22 lbs./cubic foot (192 to 352 kg/cubic meter) and the panel is sufficiently rigid as to be self-supporting.

Abstract: A gradient density padding material includes a single layer of nonwoven material having at least one surface processed to form a portion of a thickness thereof having a density increased with respect to a remaining portion of the thickness thereof. The single layer of nonwoven material after processing has an airflow resistance within the range of 200-4000 MKS Rayls, wherein said single layer of nonwoven material has an enhanced acoustic performance. A method of making a gradient density padding material having an enhanced acoustic performance includes the steps of providing a single layer of nonwoven material and processing at least one surface of the single layer of nonwoven material to form a portion of a thickness thereof having a density increased with respect to a remaining portion of the thickness thereof. The single layer of nonwoven material after processing has an airflow resistance within the range of 200-4000 MKS Rayls.

Abstract: A molded and shaped acoustical insulating vehicle panel having a dry-laid needled fibrous composite composed of a first portion of about 50 to 80 percent meltable binder fibers and about 20 to 50 percent stable fibers and having a second portion of about 20 to 50 percent meltable binder fibers and 50 to 80 percent of staple fibers. The meltable binder fibers are in a molded and resolidified state such that the resolidified binder fibers of the first portion form a substantially continuous, semi-impervious, densified skin integrally associated with and bonded to a surface of the first portion. The molded composite is in such a heat and pressure molded state that the composite has over a predominance of its area a density of from about 12 to 22 lbs./cubic foot (192 to 352 kg/cubic meter) and the panel is sufficiently rigid as to be self-supporting.

Abstract: A gradient density padding material includes a single layer of nonwoven material having at least one surface processed to form a portion of a thickness thereof having a density increased with respect to a remaining portion of the thickness thereof. The single layer of nonwoven material after processing has an airflow resistance within the range of 200-4000 MKS Rayls, wherein said single layer of nonwoven material has an enhanced acoustic performance. A method of making a gradient density padding material having an enhanced acoustic performance includes the steps of providing a single layer of nonwoven material and processing at least one surface of the single layer of nonwoven material to form a portion of a thickness thereof having a density increased with respect to a remaining portion of the thickness thereof. The single layer of nonwoven material after processing has an airflow resistance within the range of 200-4000 MKS Rayls.