Lockheed Martin Corporation

Other

Thermo Separation Products, Inc.

Brian Robert Said

Douglas A Perry

Steven Edward Bullock

Joseph M Cuschieri

Miner Nelson Munk

Vincent J Forst

John C Brandes

Joseph M Solenski

Systems and methods of reducing drag on outer surfaces of vehicles that are in contact with water using a polymer solution that reduces the drag on the outer surfaces of the vehicles as the vehicles travel through water. A polymer solution is passively ejected into the boundary layer of the water flowing past the outer surface of the vehicle. The polymer solution is mixed and introduced into the boundary layer passively with minimal or no usage of electrical energy. The passive mixing and ejection of the polymer solution minimizes energy consumption, thereby maximizing electrical energy consumption efficiency during operation of the vehicle.

Polymer drag reduction systems on vehicle surfaces

Thermal warming suits for a human occupant of a wet submersible vehicle are described. The thermal warming suits provide a dedicated envelope configured to encase at least a portion of the human occupant in a deformable suit that can be assembled around or donned, as well as be removed, by the occupant or others before or after entry and seating in or on the wet submersible vehicle, while underwater or surfaced. The suits provide a deformable, weight and space (i.e. volume) conscious, collapsible loose fitting perimeter around the occupant. The suits can be used to create a pneumatic barrier around at least a portion of the occupant by using a gas such as air provided from a gas reservoir to force water from the interior of the suit.

Human thermal warming suits for wet submersibles

A multi-wing, multi-engine, multi-hull amphibious aircraft is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the aircraft has an open frame structure without a fuselage.

Amphibious aircraft

Sub-ordinate and host maritime vessels are connected to each other by a tow loop trailed by the host vessel through a capture frame which engages the sub-ordinate vessel. The capture frame acts to engage the sub-ordinate vessel in the transitional coordinate space shared jointly between the sub-ordinate and host vessels, which vessels can be either or both surface-going, submersible, and/or non-surface vessels. The capture frame possess features which allow it to disengage from the host vessel while remaining semi-related and recoverable by a linkage of one or more tensioned lines to the host vessel during the time that its tow loop is connected to the sub-ordinate vessel.

Sub-ordinate vehicle recovery/launch system

A launch and recovery system for use by host vessel in launching and recovering a sub-ordinate vessel includes a ramp structure that is connected to a host vessel and movable so that at least its remote or distal end can be placed in the water, preferably at the stern of the host vessel. The ramp includes interior portions thereof that can be selectively flooded to control the buoyancy of the ramp at least its distal or remote end thereof to thus effect some measure of control of the inclination of the ramp. Additionally, one or more types of flow structures can be provided that effect control of the ramp as a function of water flow through and/or across the ramp. In one form, the flow structures can take the form of one or more thru-flow passages in the ramp so that water from the forward or leading side of the ramp can pass therethrough to the rearward or trailing side thereof. Various flow-control devices, such as moveable plates, baffles, or other members are controlled to increase or decrease flow rate through the flow passages to control the relative pitch or inclination of the ramp. In another form, the flow structures can take of the form of a movable fin or plane connected to the ramp structure that can be adjusted, either manually and/or as part of a control system, to control the relative pitch or inclination of the ramp.

Launch and recovery ramp system

A telescopic actuator has a lead screw and one or more concentric or tiered screws. Each screw has one or more tangential interference stop features such as stop cogs. As the lead screw is rotated, it translates out of the concentric screws. As the lead screw reaches its maximum extension, a tangential interference stop feature on the lead screw tangentially contacts a tangential interference stop feature on the concentric screw with which the lead screw is threadably engaged. Upon tangential contact, the associated concentric screw rotates in unison with the lead screw. When there are additional concentric screws, as each concentric screw reaches its maximum extension, the system of tangential contacting of tangential interference stop features causes the other concentric screws to extend out in sequential fashion.

Telescopic actuator

A process for making a flow cell having an internal flow passage of a material having a refractive index less than that of water or having the internal walls of the flow passage coated or otherwise covered with such a material is provided. The flow cell so produced substantially totally internally reflects light along the cell bore.

Method of making a flow cell for light absorption measurement of small volume samples

The flexible cargo container of this cart partially deflects inside-out as the cart truss supporting it changes orientation pivoting on wheels rotatably mounted at the aft lower extremity of downwardly projecting support struts to serve as a chair. Leg supports providing static stability are pivotably mounted to extend forward thereby resisting tipping moments about the wheel axle with payload located intermediate thereto. Rotation of the forward end of the cart upwardly and rearwardly brings the rearward upper connect strut in contact with the support surface exposing the underside of the flexible container inverted to concavity, resulting in a chair of supine positioning. Support struts making up the truss fold about pivotable connections yielding a non-use flat geometry for storage. Snap releasable interconnections dissociate struts from the truss in further disassembly.

Growing community of inventors

Jupiter, FL, United States of America

Brian Robert Said