Abstract:
A monitoring system includes optical sensors disposed on one or more fiber optic waveguides. Each optical sensor is spaced apart from other optical sensors and is disposed at a location along a route defined by a transportation structure that supports a moveable conveyance. The plurality of optical sensors are mechanically coupled to one or both of the transportation structure and the moveable conveyance. Each optical sensor provides an optical output signal responsive to vibrational emissions of one or both of the transportation structure and the conveyance. The monitoring system includes a detector unit configured to convert optical output signals from the optical sensors to electrical signals. A data acquisition controller synchronizes recordation of the electrical signals with movement of the conveyance.
Abstract:
Spatially modulated light emanating from an object moving along a flow path is used to determine various object characteristics including object length along the flow direction. Light emanating from at least one object moving along in a flow path along a flow direction of a spatial filter is sensed. The intensity of the sensed light is time modulated according to features of the spatial filter. A time varying electrical signal is generated which includes a plurality of pulses in response to the sensed light. Pulse widths of at least some of the pulses are measured at a fraction of a local extremum of the pulses. The length of the object along the flow direction is determined based on the measured pulse widths.
Abstract:
An optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides. The optical coupler spatially disperses optical signals carried on the input waveguide according to wavelength to the output waveguides. The input waveguides and the output waveguides are arranged to provide crosstalk between optical signals carried on the output waveguides.
Abstract:
A method for determining an operating state (e.g., state-of-charge or state-of-health) and/or generating management (charge/discharge) control information in a system including an electrochemical energy device (EED, e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) that uses optical sensors to detect the intercalation stage change events occurring in the EED. The externally or internally mounted optical sensors measure operating parameter (e.g., strain and/or temperature) changes of the EED during charge/recharge cycling, and transmit measured parameter data using light signals sent over optical fibers to a detector/converter. A processor then analyzes the measured parameter data, e.g., using a model-based estimation process, to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., crystalline structure changes caused by migration of guest species, such as Li-ions, between the EED's anode and cathode), and generates the operating state and charge/discharge control information based the analysis.
Abstract:
A battery includes a folded bicell battery stack with an embedded fiber optic cable and sensor. A cell casing encloses the bicell stack with at least one fiber optic cable is embedded within the battery. The fiber optic cable includes an internal portion disposed within the cell casing and having at least one optical sensor disposed thereon. An external portion of the fiber optic cable protrudes from the casing. A sealing gasket is disposed at least partially around the fiber optic cable and between the cell sealing edges at a point of entry of the fiber optic cable into the battery.
Abstract:
An optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides. The optical coupler spatially disperses optical signals carried on the input waveguide according to wavelength to the output waveguides. The input waveguides and the output waveguides are arranged to provide crosstalk between optical signals carried on the output waveguides.
Abstract:
Approaches for determining the delivery success of a particle, such as a drug particle, are disclosed. A system for monitoring delivery of particles to biological tissue includes a volume, an optical component, a detector, and an analyzer. The volume comprises a space through which a particle can pass in a desired direction. The optical component is configured to provide a measurement light. The detector is positioned to detect light emanating from the particle in response to the measurement light. The detected light is modulated as the particle moves along a detection axis. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying signal in response to the detected light. The analyzer is configured to receive the time-varying signal and determine a delivery success of the particle into a biological tissue based upon characteristics of the time-varying signal.
Abstract:
Approaches for determining object position in a flow path are disclosed. A system includes a spatial filter having a length disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flow path and a width along a lateral axis of the flow path. The spatial filter has mask features configured to modulate light. Light emanating from objects moving along the flow path is detected. The detected light has a component along a detection axis that makes a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal and lateral axes. An electrical output signal that includes information about the trajectory depth of the object is generated in response to the detected light.
Abstract:
Approaches for determining the delivery success of a droplet from an ink jet print head are disclosed. On approach utilizes an apparatus for the ink jet printer that includes an ejector, a spatial filter, a detector, and an analyzer. The ejector is configured to release an ink droplet along a path and the spatial filter has a plurality of features. The detector is positioned to sense light emanating from the droplet along the path with the sensed light being modulated according to the features as the droplet moves along the path relative to the spatial filter. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying electrical signal in response to the sensed light. The analyzer determines one or more physical, spatial, or dynamic characteristics of the droplet based upon the time-varying signal.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to an apparatus that includes a fluidic structure and optical components. The fluidic structure includes a transparent channel through which objects in an analyte fluid can travel along respective paths during operation of the apparatus. The optical components are configured to provide measurement light to the objects traveling through the transparent channel. The fluidic structure is configured to reversibly engage with a host structure. The host structure includes a source of the measurement light and electronics to receive and process output light emanating from the objects traveling in the channel. The fluidic structure makes an air-tight seal when engaged with the host structure.