USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Michael P Smith

Paul V Cavallaro

Megan A Matson

Christine C Schleicher

Nicholas A Valm

Jacob D O'Donnell

A soft-to-hard goods connector is provided which includes an elastomeric bladder having a preform layer and an outer textile layer enclosing the preform layer. The outer textile layer has at least one skin extension layer extending beyond a periphery of the elastomeric bladder. The skin extension layer has a chord attached at a distal end with the chord being perpendicular to the skin extension layer. The connector includes a host rigid structure with a receiving component. The receiving component has a mounting track with the chord mounted in the mounting track. The receiving component permits the chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the chord with a limited range of motion.

Soft-to-hard goods connections with dynamic energy dissipation having offset connections

An inflatable deployable mast fairing assembly is provided with a rigid foundation, a hydrodynamic fairing and at least one soft actuator. The hydrodynamic fairing is shaped to close an aperture formed between a deployable hardware system and a sail bay opening. A first soft actuator connects to the rigid foundation at one end and to the hydrodynamic fairing at another. Fluid pressurization elongates a first soft actuator coaxial to the deployable hardware system to fittedly position the fairing in the aperture with a void in the fairing to receive the hardware system. If the rigid foundation is sail-mounted, a second soft actuator connects to the sail-mounted foundation opposite the first soft actuator and to a counter flange mechanically connected to the hydrodynamic fairing. A second pressurization elongates the second soft actuator coaxial to the deployable hardware system to retract the hydrodynamic fairing from the aperture.

Inflatable and deployable mast fairings for submarine sail systems

Soft-to-hard goods connections with dynamic energy dissipation enhanced through friction

Soft-to-hard goods connections with dynamic energy dissipation

A sensor platform is provided with a rigid hull having a planar shape having a bow, stern, a port and a starboard side. The platform includes an inflatable perimeter tube having sides extending along a perimeter of the hull. A tow connection is at the bow and rigid control surfaces are at the stern. A planar sensor array is disposed within the platform. The planar sensor array includes inflatable sensor panels attached to the port and a starboard side of the perimeter tube. Each of the inflatable sensor panels has a plurality of sensors embedded with electrical conductors for power and data transfer. A manifold disposed within the platform operationally connects to the inflatable perimeter tube and the inflatable sensor panels. An electrical controller disposed within the platform connects to the sensors and the manifold.

Large aperture towed inflatable planar sensor platform

Growing community of inventors

Warwick, RI, United States of America

Michael P Smith