Abstract: A tank system may be conventional and fixed, or mobile, such as a fracking fluid or other tank trailer. A drain port thereof is fitted with an adapter connecting a snorkel system to drain liquids from near the top of the liquid level in the tank. A snorkel head at the extreme distal end of a tube near the longitudinal center of the tank is suspended by a system of buoys. A flow field controller plate resists formation of vortices near the snorkel head, so it can operate as near the surface as possible, withdrawing the highest grade oil efficiently. At its exit, the proximal end of the tube drains oil through an inner conduit of an adapter at a penetration in the wall of the tank. The adapter forms an annulus around the inner conduit draining tank bottoms directly from the tank.

Abstract: A fluid turbine system is provided for harnessing light radiant energy, thermal energy and/or kinetic energy of a vehicle. At least one fluid tube is coupled with a body portion of the vehicle. At least a portion of the at least one fluid tube is positioned proximal to the vehicle's roof, the trunk and/or hood. The at least one fluid tube contains a fluid configured to expand in response to receiving light radiant energy or thermal energy. At least one fluid turbine is coupled with the at least one fluid tube and has blades configured to be rotated by the fluid. A generator converts kinetic energy from the rotation of the blades of the at least one fluid turbine to electrical energy stored in the battery. Valves and/or pumps may control the fluid flow for enhancing generation of electrical energy using light radiant energy, thermal energy and/or kinetic energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water inflow prevention device that prevents an inflow of water into an aircraft when the aircraft lands in water through a communication passage allowing the inside and outside of the aircraft to communicate with each other. The water inflow prevention device includes a mesh part provided in the communication passage, through the mesh part a fluid flowing through the communication passage passes.

Abstract: A mine placement system is provided for determining mine launch parameters ased on launcher vehicle position, speed, and direction and on latitude. The system includes an input module for receiving launcher vehicle position, speed, and direction having a settable aim point. The input module is connected to a processor module which continuously calculates the trajectory of the mine as the launch ship maneuvers. The processor module having a vectorizer, a decoder, a time processing unit and gyroprocessing unit drives a launch display having steering cursors and a range display. The steering cursors and range display provide maneuver information to the ship's operator to steer the ship to a launch window which will allow a mine to deploy to the set aim point. In addition to displaying the set aim point, the display also shows the present actual mine placement point based on the launch ships present location and velocity. Whenever a mine is launched, the system records the actual mine placement point.

Abstract: The invention consists, after launching (1) a vehicle (9), in guiding (2) the vehicle (9) towards the mine (5; 6) by means of a sonar coupled to a tactical control station (12) of a hunter (8), fulfilling the functions of classification and permanent monitoring of the position of the vehicle (9) relative to the mine (5; 6), in releasing a locating means (13), carried by the vehicle (9), once the vehicle (9) has arrived at a determined distance from the mine (5; 6), making it possible to fulfil a target designation function by interacting with the vehicle (9) and the tactical control station (12) of the hunter (8), then in communicating (3) to the vehicle (9), by means of the tactical control station (12), the navigation parameters necessary for its attack strategy as a function of the type of mines (5; 6) encountered, and its position referenced by the fixed locating means (13), and in destroying (4) the mine (5; 6) according to the attack strategy acquired by the vehicle (9).

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a weapon and buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically therein. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes a controllable valve for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. The control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controls the firing of the weapon. The control element further controls the valves during weapon deployment to enable filling of the buoyancy chamber to maintain a predetermined distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment, an erectable observation mast and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a plurality of weapon deployment devices situated about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each weapon canister includes end caps at opposing ends which are discharged when the weapon contained therein is fired to allow seawater to enter. The erectable observation mast obtains environmental information. The control element controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices between the retracted, non-deployed position and the extended, deployed position to facilitate firing of a weapon, and retraction after firing.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a plurality of weapon deployment devices situated about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each weapon canister includes end caps at opposing ends which are discharged when the weapon contained therein is fired to allow seawater to enter. The control element controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices between the retracted, non-deployed position and the extended, deployed position to facilitate firing of a weapon, and retraction of the weapon deployment devices after firing.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment, an erectable observation mast and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a weapon and a buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically therein. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes controllable intake valving for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. The erectable observation mast obtains environmental information. The control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controls the firing of the weapon. The control element cooperates with the intake valving to maintain a predetermined distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: In brief summary, the invention provides an unmanned undersea vehicle sys comprising a mother vehicle and a daughter unmanned undersea vehicle. The unmanned undersea vehicle has an erectable observation mast for obtaining environmental information. A communication link interconnects the mother vehicle and the unmanned undersea vehicle for transferring command information from the mother vehicle to the unmanned undersea vehicle and unmanned undersea vehicle status information from the unmanned undersea vehicle to the mother vehicle.

Abstract: Fiber-optic cable is wound on a cylindrical bobbin without adhesive and is situated in the vehicle so that the cable, attached to a relatively stationary control computer station, is pulled freely off of the bobbin as the vehicle, such as a missile or torpedo, travels rapidly away from the station. In one embodiment, a propulsion engine is located within the hollow interior of the bobbin and the cable flows outwardly in a helix around the plume of the engine.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises an axi-symmetrical cylindrily-shaped self-propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter, the undersea deployment vehicle having an amidships undersea weapon compartment. The weapon compartment includes elements for receiving a weapon and a buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically within the weapon compartment. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates the mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes controllable valves for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. A control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controlling the firing of the weapon, contemporaneously controlling the valves during weapon deployment to enable filling of the buoyancy chamber to maintain an axi-symmetrical distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes an axi-symmetrical cylindricy-shaped self-propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter having an amidships undersea weapon bay. The amidships undersea weapon bay includes a number of weapon deployment devices symmetrically disposed about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted, non-deployed position and an extended, deployed position, and have a surface which, when the weapon deployment devices are in their retracted, non-deployed positions, conforms to the vehicle's cylindrical shape, and when in their extended, deployed positions place the weapon canisters beyond the vehicle's diameter. Each weapon canister has a sidewall conforming to the shape of the weapon contained therein, and end caps at opposing ends.

Abstract: A communications system of an underwater defense system is decoupled from unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) when the UUV is deployed under the surface of the water. A housing attached to the UUV has a communications wire spooled therein with a first end of the wire coupled to the UUV. Once underwater, the housing separates from the UUV causing the communications wire to be paid out from the housing. As a result, a pulling force is applied to the housing via the communications wire. Communications electronics are coupled to a second end of the communications wire. The communications electronics includes an RF antenna switchably coupled to an RF receiver operating at a first frequency and to an RF transmitter operating at a second frequency. A buoy is coupled to the communications electronics to float same to the surface of the water such that the RF antenna breaks the surface of the water.

Abstract: A system for guiding a steerable object, such as a torpedo, from a launch te, such as a submarine, to a contact or target. The system generates two distinct sets of guidance commands. One set is based upon a guidance command model that is selected to be the optimal model for a given tactical situation; the other, for a situation in which a communications path between the launch site and steerable object fails. At the steerable object, an integrity detector determines the integrity of the communications path. A command receptor and storage unit receives the two sets of signals corresponding to the two sets of selected commands. The one set is passed along so long as the communications path has integrity. Otherwise the system defaults and pursues guidance according to the second set of commands.

Abstract: An active electromagnetic influence firing system has transmitter coils and eceiver coils mounted on a single warhead section. One set of receiver coils has vertical look capability for detecting surface ships and another set has 360.degree. look capability for detecting submarines. An influence electronics package automatically nulls out directly induced electromagnetic radiation and passes only the signature received from targets. Amplitude, duration, and frequency criteria implemented by circuitry in the influence electronics package determine whether there is a valid target.

Abstract: An underwater maneuverable vehicle is presented which carries an explosive charge and can be used for immediate removal or destruction of various menaces to navigation and other underwater hazards. The battery powered vehicle is air dropped from a platform which carries an imaging lidar system for detection and is operated and navigationally controlled in conjunction with an imaging lidar system. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, an optical lidar downlink is used to control the submerged underwater maneuverable vehicle from an airborne platform. The downlink is pulse spaced modulated. Command signals are secure, and are decoded aboard the vehicle. Control in speed, heading and depth, as well as command detonation are available using this technique.

Abstract: A dual frequency, polymer hydrophone, array for a submersible vehicle is closed. A mid-frequency transducer array is employed in the forward end of a submersible vehicle. Between the mid-frequency array and a nose portion of the submersible vehicle is a single or multiple board piezoelectric polymer array employed to implement a secondary, high-frequency transducer array. Amplifying and signal conditioning units are mounted adjacent or on one metallic electrode layer or formed integrally thereon to minimize signal lead loss. The piezoelectric polymer material is chosen to have a density coefficient and sound velocity substantially equivalent to an acoustic window in the nose portion of the submersible vehicle and to be substantially transparent to the mid-frequency array. Minimal degradation of the mid-frequency received or transmitted signals occurs due to the transparency of the high-frequency array.

Abstract: A remote control system protected against enemy take-over and particularly uited for the undersea control of acoustic decays and torpedoes. System includes dual electronics systems. Command signal includes plurality of frequencies which disable one of dual systems and energizes the other system.

Abstract: An underwater maneuverable vehicle is presented which carries an explosive charge and can be used for immediate removal or destruction of various menaces to navigation and other underwater hazards. The battery powered vehicle is air dropped from a platform which carries an imaging lidar system for detection and is operated and navigationally controlled in conjunction with an imaging lidar system.

Abstract: An underwater maneuverable vehicle is presented which carries an explosive charge and can be used for immediate removal or destruction of various menaces to navigation and other underwater hazards. The battery powered vehicle is air dropped from a platform which carries an imaging lidar system for detection and is operated and navigationally controlled in conjunction with an imaging lidar system. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, an optical lidar downlink is used to control the submerged underwater maneuverable vehicle from an airborne platform. The downlink is pulse spaced modulated. Command signals are secure, and are decoded aboard the vehicle. Control in speed, heading and depth, as well as command detonation are available using this technique.

Abstract: A safety system for deterring a homing missile from attacking its launching ehicle whereby the launching vessel is enabled to alter the course and neutralize the detonator of the weapon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for locating and destructing submarine vehicles from airborne vehicles disposed above the water surface, wherein a device (10) suspended from said airborne vehicle comprises sensing means (14) scanning generally in the horizontal plane to discover submarine vehicles in the water is submerged in the water from the airborne vehicle, said sensing means scanning the surrounding water to detect presence of and direction to submarine vehicles in the water. The device submerged in the water comprises a propulsion mechanism (12) and an explosive charge (11) and is released from the airborne vehicle during continuous scanning of the water and detection of the presence of an direction to submarine vehicles is propelled independently through the water and steered for the submarine vehicle from the point of release.

Abstract: A vehicle vent (12) for exhausting air from a vehicle occupant compartment includes a float valve (32) that prevents water that enters an outlet (24) of the vent from passing into the vehicle through the vent inlet (20) but which has a drain passage (36) for permitting a limited flow of the water to a drain (38) on the vent inlet side of the float valve (32). The vent (12) preferably includes a fan (40) that is most preferably energized by a solar panel (48). Mounting of the vent (12) can be provided on the vehicle roof, on the roof just forward of a vehicle back window, or as part of a sunroof.

Abstract: The invention is an air-to-subsurface missile system which has an acoustic oming torpedo and a directional sonobuoy held in the missile behind the torpedo by a cowling means which includes fins for aerodynamic stability. When the missile reaches the desired location in a body of water, the torpedo and sonobuoy are released. The sonobuoy has the ability to search for targets and to communicate both with the homing torpedo and with a tactical command station. Thus the torpedo can be guided to a target by the sonobuoy and command station, even at ranges at which the torpedo could not locate a target with its own homing system.

Abstract: The transmission of prelaunch weapon communication in a submarine is accoished without the use of an umbilical cord. Acoustic transducers transmit and receive acoustic data through water in place of the umbilical cord. The data transmitted through the water from the launch tube wall to the weapon is in serial format having been converted from parallel data by multiplexing.

Abstract: There is described a snorkel mast for a submersible vehicle. The mast terminates at the upper end in an inverted U-shaped snorkel head pipe section closed by a butterfly valve. The butterfly valve is operated by a bell-crank lever having a float at one end and a water impact flap at the other. Operation of the bell-crank lever by water level action against the float or by water impact action on the flap if a wave washes over the top of the snorkel mast acts to close the butterfly valve. The mast carries a fairing which comprises a number of fairing elements of airfoil cross-section, vertically spaced on the mast so as to be freely rotatable thereon in water lubricated bearings. The segmented fairings on the snorkel mast maintains hydrodynamic stability during high speed turns.

Abstract: A deck ventilator suitable for small vessels is formed as a low dome 12. Outside air may enter it through window 14 and then circulate around member 30, through orifice 22 and down duct 7 which pierces deck 4. Member 30 usually serves merely as a shield against spray, however if a surge of water enters compartment 18 the orifice 22 is closed by movement of member 30 which is slidably hinged to U-shaped rods 23. This closing movement results from the combination of the impact of the water on member 30 and the member's inherent buoyancy.

Abstract: The outboard motor includes a powerhead housing defining an engine compartment for an internal combustion engine and a vent assembly for ventilating the engine compartment to the atmosphere. The vent assembly includes a tubular member mounted in an aperture in the housing bottom wall and having an inlet port communicating with the interior of the engine compartment, an outlet communicating with the atmosphere and an interior wall defining a bulbous passage between the inlet and outlet ports. Under normal operating conditions, a buoyant ball valve movably disposed in the bulbous passage is held in an open position by gravity to afford free air flow into and out of the engine compartment. In the event the water rises to a level above the housing bottom wall, the ball valve floats on the water entering through the vent assembly outlet and sealingly engages a valve seating surface to prevent entry of water into the engine compartment.

Abstract: A valve unit for installation in a vent to atmosphere from an upper end of a shipboard storage tank for liquids. The valve has a housing with a closure seat, a normally open closure member, and an actuator for automatically closing the closure member against the seat to prevent the passage of liquids out from the tank if and when the ship sinks. The actuator includes a sealed reference chamber and a restricted orifice leading into a housing surrounding the sealed chamber, so that if the ship sinks, water enters the orifice, fills the housing around the sealed chamber and exerts pressure substantially greater than that inside the sealed reference chamber. A trigger is actuated by movement resulting from the pressure in the housing exceeding that inside the reference chamber. The invention also provides for a safety by-pass. A by-pass conduit leads around the closure seat, and a relief valve in the by-pass conduit opens only when the pressure in the main valve, i.e.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve, e.g. for oil tankers comprising a valve housing, in the interior of which there is provided a valve seat for an upwardly opening valve body which carries a drop-shaped throttling member located in a flow-off opening at the top of the valve housing at a distance from the valve seat.

Abstract: A conduit vent-and-valve combination especially adapted for tank ships employing gas-inerting of cargo tanks. It includes location of the vent and valve adjacent to one another in the conduit, and employs mechanical interlock between the valve hatch cover and an extension of the valve stem in order to prevent closing the hatch unless the valve is fully open.

Abstract: Remote telemetry control in the testing of multiple projectiles such as rets, simultaneously fired, in an environment requiring extremely low power dissipation in the inactive state and experiencing extremely high-G accelerations during launch. On-board battery charging, battery and telemeter conditioning and telemeter control are remotely effected in a highly reliable manner through interfacing a portion of which is on board each projectile and another portion of which is remote from the projectiles and also remotely controlled for safety reasons. The aforementioned on-board functions are prioritized to accomplish first the charging and conditioning requirements, whereby telemeter activation during same is prevented, and the control signals governing charging, conditioning and telemeter operation are electronically isolated to prevent spurious activation. Electronic switching circuitry is incorporated to protectively ensure deactivation of the telemeter during higher priority operations.