Abstract:
An inductance coil sensor in which a rotating spoiler (46) alters the inductance of a stationary coil (1230/1432) having two parts (12a, 12b; 30a, 30b/14a, 14b; 32a, 32b) disposed on opposite sides of the spoiler. Changes in inductance of the stationary coil are sensed to develop an indication of the rotary movement of the spoiler which, in turn, represents changes in the parameter being monitored. By locating one part of the stationary coil above the spoiler and one part below the spoiler, compensation is provided for undesired movements of the spoiler along its rotation axis.
Abstract:
Non-contacting sensor apparatus having two tank circuits from which an indication of the position of the moving part of the sensor is developed by measuring the relative resonance frequencies of the two tank circuits. As the moving part of the sensor changes position, the relative resonance frequencies of the two tank circuits change. The outputs of the two tank circuits are multiplexed and drive a pulse generator which develops a first series of pulses having a repetition rate which corresponds to the resonance frequency of one of the tank circuits and a second series of pulses having a repetition rate which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the other tank circuit. The relative times required to count the same number of pulses of each series of pulses provides an indication of the position of the moving part of the sensor.
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring temperature in a layered environment includes an ultrasound transducer positioned perpendicular to an exterior surface of a first layer. The ultrasound transducer is in communication with a computer processor, power source, and computer-readable memory. The processor is configured to: measure a thickness of the first layer; measure an exterior surface temperature of the first layer; calculate an impedance of the first layer based on the thickness and the exterior surface temperature; and calculate an interior surface temperature of the first layer based on the impedance and the exterior surface temperature of the first layer.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for multi-bounce acoustic signal material detection is provided. The apparatus includes a container containing a quantity of material therein, wherein the quantity of material has at least two segmented layers. First and second acoustic sensors are positioned on a sidewall of the container, wherein the first acoustic sensor is positioned at a different height along the sidewall than the second acoustic sensor. An acoustic signal is transmitted into the sidewall of the container from the first acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal reflects between an interior surface of the sidewall and an exterior surface of the sidewall until it is received at the second acoustic sensor. A border between the at least two segmented layers of the quantity of material is detectable based on the acoustic signal.
Abstract:
The invention encompasses systems and methods for detecting and/or monitoring the integrity and/or condition of cement, structures incorporating cement including, for example, highways, bridges, buildings, and wellbores using Nano-Electro-Mechanical System (NEMS)-based and/or Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based data sensors. The disclosure further encompasses systems and methods of monitoring the integrity and performance of a structure and the surrounding formation of structure through the life of the structure using NEMS/MEMS-based data sensors.
Abstract:
A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for a measurement system for the testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric traducers. The measurement system includes a transducer, a feedback amplifier coupled to the transducer and a signal processing circuit coupled to the output of the amplifier. The method of testing the transducer includes coupling the test signal to the transducer, disabling the amplifier, and measuring the response of the transducer to the test signal with the test processing circuit. The circuit itself used for performing this method includes a piezoelectric transducer, an amplifier, including a feed-back circuit coupled to the amplifier for amplifying the output of the transducer, a power source coupled to the amplifier, a signal source generating a test signal having a frequency spectrum at least overlapping the natural resonant frequency of the transducer coupled to the transducer, and a switch coupled to the amplifier capable of disabling the amplifier.
Abstract:
A fire detector that combines a (CO2) gas detector with a photoelectric smoke detector to minimize false alarms by logic means that can be integrated into a single chip that can have an ASIC section and a microprocessor section is disclosed. The (CO2) gas detector can be single or dual channel. The (CO2) gas detector and the photoelectric smoke detector can be separated or combined in a single device that uses a common light source. Also, the (CO2) gas detector and photoelectric smoke detector can be combined on a single substrate within a common housing. The smoke based fire detection criteria of the fire detector is dynamically adjusted in response to the measurements formed by the (CO2) gas detector.
Abstract:
An improved intensity-encoded fiber optic sensor incorporating novel drift correction and filtering means is disclosed. The first embodiments of the invention relate to means for removing unwanted higher-order core and cladding modes from an intensity-encoded signal in an optical fiber using mode strippers and mode filters located strategically at various points in the sensing system. The second set of improvements in the invention relates to an improved technique for long-term temporal drift cancellation in a fiber optic pressure sensor by periodically applying pressure to the sensor tip (100) in order to ascertain the measured voltage at which the sensor diaphragm (116) contacts other elements (120) of the sensor. This measured voltage is subtracted from an initial calibration voltage, and the result is applied to the measured signal as a constant correction term.