An apparatus for controlling the movements of an avatar in a virtual environment includes a user input means, such as a gamepad with a plurality of joystick-controlled and button-controlled outputs, a tracker, and optional sliding foot pedals; a processor for running virtual environment (VE) software that includes an avatar moving through the VE; and a control mapping algorithm. The algorithm maps the gamepad, tracker, and optional sliding foot pedal outputs to the avatar's course, heading, displacement, and view, with the joysticks mapped to provide open loop directional control over the course and heading of the avatar, the tracker providing open loop control over the view, and the optional sliding foot pedals providing open loop control over displacement. The operator-controlled movement of the avatar in the virtual environment is displayed to the operator on a computer desktop display or a head mounted display.

A method for generating an acoustic source in a liquid includes transmitting an optical pulse through the liquid so the optical pulse reaches ILIB through pulse compression and ionizes a liquid volume. The pulse compression is achieved through at least one of a) group velocity dispersion induced longitudinal compression of a frequency chirped optical pulse and b) transverse self focusing via a nonlinear optical Kerr effect. The acoustic source can be generated at a controllable remote location many meters from the optical source. The optical source can be a laser or other suitable optical device.

An apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting footwear or the foot of a user. More particularly, a user controlled multi-functioning device that performs both cleaning and disinfecting of footwear upon contact. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus includes one or more cleaning rollers physically contacting the footwear or foot and one or more disinfectant sources, which may be radiation sources that emits UV rays e.g., or charge particle source that emits a cold plasma blast.

A reusable tamper indicating bag closure for transporting most items in a bag such as documents and portable computing devices including laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, iPods® . . . etc. that would appeal to a broad spectrum of customers including the individual buyer, the business user, and the government user. The tamper-evident bag closure is defined by a lid with multiple hasps and a base with knobs that attach to the bag and is secured by a locking mechanism placed through an opening on the base and inserted within an insertion aperture such that locking the lock mechanism causes the lid to slide into alignment with the base and engages the plurality of hasps with the plurality of knobs thus securing the bag. The bag closure also has several tamper indicating features including the use of tamper indicating markers, wire seals and tamper indicating labels.

An array of pressure sensors and motions sensors is contained in a layered material system that includes an acoustically compliant layer and an acoustically transparent layer. The compliant layer (which vibrates in accordance with acoustical influence thereupon) is the foundation for both sensor types and is the vibratory medium for motion sensing. The transparent layer is the matrix for both sensor types and is the window permitting sound waves to reach the pressure sensors (which sense pressure of the sound waves) and the compliant layer (the vibration of which is sensed by the motion sensors). The compliant layer's exposed surface can be attached to a structure's exterior for passive sonar detection purposes. Since the pressure sensors are effective primarily for low frequency sound waves, and the motion sensors are effective primarily for high frequency sound waves, the invention is aggregately effective for a broad band spanning low and high frequencies.

The present invention provides means of enhancing the acoustic attenuation and vibration damping of a material by (1) embedding a plurality of small particles of either a high characteristic acoustic impedance or a low characteristic acoustic impedance or combinations of high and low characteristic acoustic impedance materials to form a matrix material to act as a acoustic attenuator or vibration damper; and (2) combing this matrix material with a second layer of a decoupling material that serves to effectively isolate the matrix material and reduce its tendency to vibrate sympathetically to the impinging acoustic energy. The mass of the resultant material may be very low while retaining excellent acoustic attenuation, vibration damping, and structural characteristics.

A modular helmet-mask assembly for protecting a user's head and face from hazards such as from chemical and biological warfare agents. The invention includes an impact resistant helmet; a face protection assembly, which can be attached and detached from the helmet; and a transparent, impact resistant lens. The face protection assembly includes an impact resistant face protection shell with a vision port, through which the transparent lens can be positioned; a flexible nosecup assembly positioned to engage the mouth and nose of the user, which also includes a breathe-through airflow assembly and filter unit; and a flexible face seal which surrounds the nosecup assembly and lens and engages the face of the user. An adjustable head harness is attached to the shell or face seal, for adjustably securing the face seal and nosecup to the user's face to maximize comfort and protection while preventing fogging of the lens.

A quantitative fit test (QNFT) system and method for assessing the biological fit factor (FF) performance of respiratory protective devices. The biological QNFT system includes the following three main elements: an aerosol generation system; an exposure chamber; and an aerosol sampling subsystem. The aerosol sampling subsystem includes an aerosol spectrometer that counts particles in discrete size units ranging from 0.5 to 20 micrometers (μm) making it possible to obtain several size-specific FF measurements from a single respirator fit test. A virtual impactor in the aerosol generation system increases the number of challenge particles in the primary target size of interest (1 to 5 μm) and increases the sensitivity of the method allowing FF values of up to one million to be measured without the need to correct for in-mask background particles.

An adapter for testing an outlet valve of a protective mask with a testing apparatus includes portions which oppose the valve and are configured to connect the valve to the tester in sufficient isolation for testing purposes. In one implementation, the valve has first and second notches configured to engage corresponding non-uniform geometries in an interference fit. In still further implementations, the adapter comprises an overmold with a resiliently compressible surface conformed to mate with the outlet valve and an insert at least partly encapsulated by the overmold and providing support to the resilient compression of the surface of the overmold. In use, the portions of the adapter engaging corresponding locations on the valve to be tested form an interference fit.

Airflow is improved for multi-agent chemical biological air-purifying apparatus by providing a filter module that has multiple filter elements contained within a substantially sealed housing. The housing secures the filter elements in a spaced relation such that the top and bottom faces of each filter element are exposed to the flow of air and provides an air path within the housing adapted to channel air through the multiple filter elements in a parallel flow. The filter module may be made from a flexible and resilient plastic material and may be contoured to conform to the shape of a helmet liner or similar headgear.

A quantitative fit test (QNFT) system and method for assessing the biological fit factor (FF) performance of respiratory protective devices. The biological QNFT system includes the following three main elements: an aerosol generation system; an exposure chamber; and an aerosol sampling subsystem. The aerosol sampling subsystem includes an aerosol spectrometer that counts particles in discrete size units ranging from 0.5 to 20 micrometers (μm) making it possible to obtain several size-specific FF measurements from a single respirator fit test. A virtual impactor in the aerosol generation system increases the number of challenge particles in the primary target size of interest (1 to 5 μm) and increases the sensitivity of the method allowing FF values of up to one million to be measured without the need to correct for in-mask background particles.

The invention utilizes a chemical/biological hood with a filter-blower system that is attached to the chemical/biological hood. The filter-blower system provides overpressure to the hood only. The hood is fitted to or attached to a chemical/biological mask. Overpressure created by the filter-blower around the mask is created and is independent of the wearer's respiration so that over-breathing of the positive pressure is not possible. Typically this system would be available as a hood capable of providing enhanced protection. However, the filter-blower and hood system could be integrated with the mask. Cinching or sealing the hood at the neck can improve overpressure performance.

A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants. An apparatus for extending the service life of a CP filter includes: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants.

A modular chemical/biological headgear system includes a helmet liner of a resilient shock absorbing material that conforms generally to the shape of a wearer's head, provides a cavity for removable installation of one or more modular filters in the back, and a duct to convey filtered air from the one or more modular filters to a face mask. The helmet liner may be equipped and configured with a variety of interchangeable modular components including hardened outer shells, communications modules, enhanced chemical biological filters, and the like, to meet a wide variety of operational needs.

A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a supplemental bed configured to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of one or more of chemical warfare agents and toxic threat compounds. An apparatus for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter, the apparatus including: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a supplemental bed configured so as to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals.

A personal water and additive apparatus includes a first container; a manifold having a water passageway and an additive passageway, the water passageway and additive passageway intersecting to form a single mixing passageway; a first tube connecting the first container to the water passageway of the manifold, the combination of the first tube and the water passageway defining a water channel; a second container; a second tube connecting the second container to the additive passageway of the manifold, the combination of the second tube and the additive passageway defining an additive channel; an outlet tube having one end connected to the mixing passageway of the manifold; a check valve disposed in the water channel; and a flow regulator that controls flow in at least one of the water passageway and the additive passageway.

A method for interpreting data representing forces and torques exerted by a right and left foot on a first and second plate treadmill to determine forces and torques exerted on the right and left foot over a specified period of time. A plurality of signals is preferably analyzed to produce data readings from the first and second plates to determine an occurrence of feet contact on the plates and feet departure from the plates. The data from the signals is then separated into a side A dataset and a side B dataset. Each of the datasets is then matched to one of the individual's feet. The resulting determination of forces and torques exerted on the feet provides a more complete analysis of an individual's progress during injury or rehabilitation.

A force sensing treadmill preferably including a pair of treadmills mounted in tandem, each on its own independent force platform attached to a common chassis. Preferably, each of the force platforms, which are separated by a minimal gap, provides a plurality of signals representing forces in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and torques about these three axes enabling separate information to be collected from the left and right foot during walking and running the entire time that either foot is in contact with the belt. The grade of the treadmill preferably can be changed from uphill to level to downhill and back without storming the belt or having the user stop walking or running. Each treadmill unit preferably includes a belt around a plurality of rollers and preferably within the space inside the belt is located the drive system and forceplate.

A hazardous materials protective garment may use a two-stage evaporative cooling process to ease heat strain on the wearer of the garment. The garment may include an impermeable inner layer and a wicking outer layer. One or more reservoirs may be disposed interior to the inner layer for collecting condensed and/or unevaporated sweat. One or more pumps may move the sweat to the exterior of the impermeable layer for distribution in the wicking layer and evaporation from the garment.

A personal water and additive apparatus includes a first container; a manifold having a water passageway and an additive passageway, the water passageway and additive passageway intersecting to form a single mixing passageway; a first tube connecting the first container to the water passageway of the manifold, the combination of the first tube and the water passageway defining a water channel; a second container; a second tube connecting the second container to the additive passageway of the manifold, the combination of the second tube and the additive passageway defining an additive channel; an outlet tube having one end connected to the mixing passageway of the manifold; a check valve disposed in the water channel; and a flow regulator that controls flow in at least one of the water passageway and the additive passageway.

A method and apparatus for cooling a human being utilizes skin temperature feedback to control the amount of cooling. When the measured skin temperature reaches a preset high temperature, the human being is cooled until the measured skin temperature reaches a preset low temperature, and then cooling of the human being stops. In one embodiment, the preset high temperature is about 35 degrees Centigrade and the preset low temperature is about 33 degrees Centigrade. Cooling of the human being resumes whenever the preset high temperature is reached and pauses whenever the preset low temperature is reached to thereby provide intermittent cooling to the human being. The invention is also applicable to heating a human being.