Abstract: Multiple robotic monitors are located in a hydrocarbon storage or transport facility. Each robotic monitor is communicably coupled to other robotic monitors and includes a heat sensor configured to detect heat emitted by a hydrocarbon tank of the hydrocarbon storage or transport facility. A controller is communicably coupled to the heat sensor and configured to generate a heat signature based on the heat detected by the heat sensor. A pump is communicably coupled to the controller and configured to exert pressure on a fire retardant, responsive to the generation of the heat signature by the controller. An outlet is mechanically coupled to the pump and configured to discharge the fire retardant at the hydrocarbon tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a roll posture of a projectile includes: at least one thermopile sensor sensing a temperature of a side of the projectile; and a signal processor determining a roll posture of the projectile by using an output signal output as a result of the sensing by the at least one thermopile sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater antenna device with a nonstationary antenna, an extension mechanism and a repositioning mechanism, wherein an extending force can be applied in a direction of the extending force by the extension mechanism of the antenna and an opposing force can be applied in a direction of the opposing force, in the opposite direction to the extending force by the repositioning mechanism of the antenna, characterized in that the repositioning mechanism or a part of the repositioning mechanism is designed as selectively nonstationary, so that, by selected changes to the position, the antenna can be positioned in a retracted position, an extended position or an intermediate position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a plurality of UUVs, tethers and tethered devices. The devices that are tethered comprise explosive devices or acoustic devices. The UUV provides mobility and controllability for the tethers and the tethered devices. The tether is also used as a means to entangle target vessel's propeller. The entangled propeller's revolution moves the explosive device closer to the target vessel for denotation. The tether is made with high strength material whereby once entangled, it is difficult for the propeller itself or intervention to disentangle. The system has a detachable housing with fluid dynamic shape. The whole system is designed to submerge during operation. The system can be wirelessly controlled by a remote command center via satellite link, or by a nearby command center directly.

Abstract: A system for reducing the operational efficiency of a watercraft's propulsion system includes a self-propelled and variable-speed unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) that has at least one homing device adapted to direct the UUV towards an origin of a targeted watercraft's propulsion wake. At least one rod is coupled to a forward end of the UUV and extends forward therefrom at least when the UUV is in proximity to the origin of the targeted watercraft's propulsion wake. At this point, the UUV is directed and accelerated to drive the rod into the targeted watercraft's propulsor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vortice-amplified diffuser section for use in a buoyancy dissipater are generally described herein. The vortice-amplified diffuser section may include a plurality of diffusion ports to diffuse an expanding gas, a reduction sleeve to adjust an amount of diffusion flow, and vortex generators within at least some of the diffusion ports to generate vortices. The reduction sleeve may be configurable to block off some of the diffusion ports. The vortex generators may generate vortices of gas bubbles in the water to reduce the water's buoyancy and to inhibit movement or disrupt the operations of an errant vessel. The reduction sleeve may be used to control the size, shape, and intensity of the expanding gas bubble or bubble plume as well as to control the lethality level of the buoyancy reduction.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for launching and recovering an unmanned, water-born vehicle (UWBV) from a mother ship. The UWBV mimics the behavior of dolphins and is positioned ahead of the ship in preparation for bow riding. The UWBV uses a guidance system to position and keep in the bow wave. A high-frequency (HF) sonar transceiver array aboard the ship computes and sends course corrections to maintain the UWBV within the bow wave. The frequency range of the HF array can be 100 kHz or higher due to the short distance between the ship and the UWBV. Accordingly, the HF array can have a small aperture allowing for accurate bearing resolution. Course corrections can be sent on a near-continuous basis such that changes in thrust and rudder angle can be minimized to allow for accurate control of the UWBV.

Abstract: A method for controlling a torpedo to at least one target. In order to increase the range of the torpedo, the torpedo, during the travel thereof to the target, submerges once or several times into the near-surface region of a water system that is adjacent to the water surface, wherein, however, the torpedo also remains immersed in said near-surface region. The torpedo then extends a radio antenna into a surface region above the water surface and subsequently receives position data containing target position data of the target by way of said radio antenna and uses said position data to head for the target. The invention further relates to a torpedo comprising an antenna section having an extendable radio antenna. Further, the invention relates to such an antenna section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communications between a fire control system and an effector according to various aspects of the present invention may include a communications link. The communications link may be coupled to a launcher for the effector and the effector. The communications link is detachably coupled to at least one of the launcher and the effector. The communications link may be adapted to transmit a fire control solution to the effector after initiating the launch.

Abstract: Embodiments of a buoyancy dissipater and method for deterring an errant vessel are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a volume of gas is generated from a propellant and diffused below a waterline of a vessel. The resulting gas bubble dissipates the buoyancy of the vessel providing a non-lethal deterring effect. The buoyancy dissipater includes a diffuser having radially-positioned diffusion ports to radially diffuse the gas generated by a gas generator below the waterline. In some embodiments, the radially-positioned diffusion ports comprise holes positioned radially around the diffuser to diffuse the gas around the buoyancy dissipater.

Abstract: Embodiments of a buoyancy dissipater and method for deterring a vessel are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a volume of gas is generated from a propellant and diffused below a waterline of a vessel. The resulting gas bubble dissipates the buoyancy of the vessel providing a non-lethal deterring effect.

Abstract: A torpedo tail mounted dispenser (TMD) for deploying an elongated, flexible article generally along a deployment axis, which includes a receptacle for storing the article in a multiple-turn, multiple-layer configuration about the deployment axis in a storage volume. There is also a torpedo connector mechanism having a terminal forward face and a lateral peripheral surface extending away from the receptacle along the deployment axis. An elastomeric cushioning feature is mounted on the lateral peripheral surface of the connector mechanism. An annular elastomeric bumper is mounted on a forward peripheral face of the cushioning feature, the annular opening of the bumper surrounding the connector mechanism to allow connection of the TMD to a torpedo. The bumper provides protection to the TMD and torpedo under certain shock and vibration levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing a pursuing vehicle, such as a torpedo, on an intercept trajectory from a launching vehicle to a target vehicle with evasion capabilities. The guidance system bases a solution on vectors on a first Cartesian coordinate system. Evasive maneuvers for the target vehicle are based upon vectors on a second Cartesian coordinate system. The guidance system converts the evasive maneuver to the first coordinate system and then performs an iterative process using initial guidance parameter values to determine, upon convergence of the solutions, final guidance parameters for the target vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid pressure recovery includes an elongated housing having an opening at a first end thereof, an opening at a second end thereof, an inner peripheral surface, and a fluid flow passageway therethrough. The apparatus further includes a plurality of choke members fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing, each of the plurality of choke members being spaced from an adjacent choke member and projecting a predetermined distance into the fluid flow passageway of the longitudinal housing. The plurality of choke members sequentially produce a reduced turbulent free shear fluid layer from the first end to the second end of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A coil restraint device for a torpedo mounted dispenser of a torpedo assembly is disclosed. The torpedo assembly includes at least a torpedo body, a longitudinal propulsion shaft housed within the torpedo body, and a torpedo mounted dispenser connected to the longitudinal propulsion shaft at the aft end of the torpedo body. The torpedo mounted dispenser houses a wire payout coil and a flex hose surrounds the wire payout coil, a forward end of the flex hose being open and unrestrained. The coil restraint device includes a flexible band member having an inner surface, an outer surface, opposite ends, and opposing longitudinal edges. A strap is provided on the outer surface of the flexible band member, the strap having opposite distal ends extending beyond a length of the flexible band member.

Abstract: A torpedo mounted dispenser for a coil of flex hose and control wire includes a rigid shell round in widthwise cross section, and a circular shock mount disposed centrally of the shell, the shell and the shock mount defining an annular chamber therebetween. Hooks are mounted on an exterior wall of the shell. Slots are defined by the shell, each slot being proximate one of the hooks. A retainer ring is disposed in the chamber. Retainer loops each extend at least partly around the retainer ring, through one of the slots, and is attached to one of the hooks. The coil of flex hose and control wire is disposed in the chamber and is movable lengthwise through the retainer ring while uncoiling and paying out from the dispenser.

Abstract: A torpedo mounted dispenser (TMD) for deploying an elongated, flexible article generally along a deployment axis, which includes a receptacle for storing the article in a multiple-turn, multiple-layer configuration about the deployment axis in a storage volume. There is also a torpedo connector mechanism having a terminal forward face and a lateral peripheral surface extending away from the receptacle along the deployment axis. An elastomeric cushioning feature is mounted on the lateral peripheral surface of the connector mechanism. An annular elastomeric bumper is mounted on a forward peripheral face of the cushioning feature, the annular opening of the bumper surrounding the connector mechanism to allow connection of the TMD to a torpedo. The bumper provides protection to the TMD and torpedo under certain shock and vibration levels.