Abstract: A rapid start power unit and a method of operating a rapid start power unit are disclosed. A fuel cell converts combustible fuel into electrical power during a normal operational period after an initial start-up period when little to no electrical energy is produced. One combustion chamber receives unspent fuel emitted by the fuel cell and combusts the unspent fuel to generate a first heated gas stream. Another combustion chamber receives combustible fuel and burns the combustible fuel to generate a second heated gas stream during the initial start-up period. A turbine receives and is driven by the first and second heated gas streams to drive a drive shaft. A generator coupled to the drive shaft generates electrical power during the initial start-up period and supplemental power during the normal operational period. In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage combustion chamber is used instead of two serially-arranged separate combustion chambers.

Abstract: A rapid start power unit and a method of operating a rapid start power unit are disclosed. A fuel cell converts combustible fuel into electrical power during a normal operational period after an initial start-up period when little to no electrical energy is produced. One combustion chamber receives unspent fuel emitted by the fuel cell and combusts the unspent fuel to generate a first heated gas stream. Another combustion chamber receives combustible fuel and burns the combustible fuel to generate a second heated gas stream during the initial start-up period. A turbine receives and is driven by the first and second heated gas streams to drive a drive shaft. A generator coupled to the drive shaft generates electrical power during the initial start-up period and supplemental power during the normal operational period. In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage combustion chamber is used instead of two serially-arranged separate combustion chambers.

Abstract: A layered arrangement is fabricated by deposit on a mold surface to form a porous foam core of coated microballoons which is assembled within a sandwich between layers of fibrous skin. The sandwich supported on the mold surface is then is sealed within a film enclosure through which a one-shot infusion of liquid resin is performed. After curing and hardening of the infused resin, the film enclosure is removed from the sandwich to expose a multilayered structure.

Abstract: A flow blocking device is lowered by cable from a helicopter for insertion into the exhaust gas stack of a fuel burning combustion engine propelling a marine vessel under full engine speed. The wall of the exhaust stack are engaged upon entry of the flow blocking device to insure its retention within the exhaust stack and to initiate in sequence ejection of cooling water into the outflow of the exhaust gas followed by pressurized gas expansion of a flexible hose portion of the flow blocking device into sealing contact with the walls of the exhaust stack to stop exhaust gas outflow and cause back pressure build up to a high engine shut down level.

Abstract: Robotic cladding of an underlying substrate with a composite metallic surface layer on a prepatterned interface with the substrate, is performed by a laser induced surface improvement process whereby a particulate ceramic additive introduced into a matrix mixture forms the surface layer with a permanent non-skid property bonded by intermixing of molten portions of such matrix mixture and the substrate at the interface, enhanced by prepatterning of such interface.

Abstract: A slurry mixture of alcohol, particles and a binding agent undergoes partial solidification and curve-shaped molding in sequence on flat and curved molding surfaces respectively, to produce a curve-shaped foam product suitable for further fabrication as components of curved structures. The flat molding surface is lined with a release cloth on which the slurry initially undergoes partial solidification and is then molded as flexible core material transferred to the curved molding surface for additional shape molding purposes while alcohol removal is completed by evaporation followed by resin filling infusion to form a composite core as the curve-shaped foam product.

Abstract: A dynamic ramp interface system to allow a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ship to unload and load onto a pier, floating storage facility, or other ship during high sea states. The dynamic ramp interface system includes a motion compensation damping system attached to a first platform, a first ramp also attached to the first platform leading up to the motion compensation damping system, and second ramp that is hingedly connected to a second platform and also leading to the motion compensation damping system. The motion compensation damping system includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a series of interconnected hollow bladders, and a pivot support structure. Through this arrangement, the top plate is allowed to pivot relative to the bottom plate, with the bladder system providing a damping effect. The first ramp is slideably in communication with the top plate by means of a set of articulated fingers. The second ramp is also slideably in communication with the top plate.

Abstract: Carbon-carbon composites of acceptable shrinkage and with negligible voids re prepared in a single casting step from acetylene-terminated Schiff's base monomers by melting a selected monomer, polymerizing it within a mold to form a green casting, and heating the casting to a carbonizing temperature. Blends of monomers may be used. Graphite may be admixed with the melted monomer to form a slurry before molding. Graphite in the form of woven graphite fiber may alternatively be positioned within the mold before the melted monomer is added thereto.

Abstract: A composite for use on submarines and surface craft for controlling self-erated noise when listening with sonar. The composite includes two layers of PVF.sub.2 transducers separated by a layer of phase shifting or absorbing material. The inner transducer senses noise from the ship and subtracts this from the signal from the outer transducer representing noise plus the desired signal. In a second mode the sensed noise is regenerated through the outer transducer 180.degree. out of phase to cancel the noise and allow more accurate detection.

Abstract: A protective device for a container containing toxic or hazardous materia includes a shell, a mechanism positioned in the shell for sealing a puncture in the container so as to prevent release of the toxic materials from the container and a mechanism for attaching the shell to the container.

Abstract: Objects which are designed to be submerged in a marine environment are prcted from fouling for an extended period of time by the use of elastomeric based covering materials which are characterized by a constant delivery rate of the incorporated organometallic polymer toxicant from the formulation.

Abstract: A coating composition for marine structures containing a soluble acrylic organotin polymer and a soluble metal-free acrylic polymer, in combination with an insoluble crosslinked organotin polymer, and an insoluble filler in a coating composition solvent can provide a tough, durable flexible coating and can provide extended protection to marine structures from the growth or accumulation of marine organisms.

Abstract: Conventional Copper based antifouling paints are improved by adding from 01 to 20.0 weight percent based on the weight of the Cuprous ion source of an additive compound which(A) will give a positive acid test to litmus paper in distilled water;(B) is at least slightly soluble in sea water; and(C) does not react quickly with cuprous ions in sea water to produce precipitates.

Abstract: A coating composition for marine structures containing a soluble acrylic organotin polymer and a soluble metal-free acrylic polymer, in combination with an insoluble crosslinked organotin polymer, and an insoluble filler in a coating composition solvent can provide a tough, durable flexible coating and can provide extended protection to marine structures from the growth or accumulation of marine organisms.