Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and measuring relative concentrations of pollutants such as HC, CO and CO.sub.2 in the exhaust emissions from passing vehicles includes an infrared (IR) beam source for directing an IR beam through a vehicle's exhaust plume and a detector disposed on one side of a roadway and a lateral transfer mirror (LTM) disposed on the other side of the roadway for lateral reflecting of the IR beam back through the vehicle's exhaust plume and onto the detector. The LTM allows for close spacing and precise alignment between the emitted and reflected beam paths and permits the IR beam source and detector to be disposed in a single module. Compensation for variation in a range of vehicle operating conditions is provided by adjustable, computer-controlled potentiometers, while audio and/or visible light feedback of the detected IR signal allows a single operator to precisely align the optical components of the apparatus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 1993
Date of Patent:
December 6, 1994
Assignees:
Envirotest Systems Corp., Colorado Seminary
Inventors:
John DiDomenico, James H. Johnson, Kenneth W. Michaels, Donald H. Stedman, Dennis L. Smith
Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and measuring relative concentrations of pollutants such as HC, CO and CO.sub.2 in the exhaust emissions from passing vehicles includes an infrared (IR) beam source for directing an IR beam through a vehicle's exhaust plume and a detector disposed on one side of a roadway and a lateral transfer mirror (LTM) disposed on the other side of the roadway for lateral reflecting of the IR beam back through the vehicle's exhaust plume and onto the detector. The LTM allows for close spacing and precise alignment between the emitted and reflected beam paths and permits the IR beam source and detector to be disposed in a single module. Compensation for variation in a range of vehicle operating conditions is provided by adjustable, computer-controlled potentiometers, while audio and/or visible light feedback of the detected IR signal allows a single operator to precisely align the optical components of the apparatus.
Abstract: A gas analysis device (10) for the remote detecting, measuring and recording of NO.sub.x, CO, CO.sub.2, HC and H.sub.2 O levels from the exhaust (30) of moving motor vehicles (28) utilizes a source (11) of collimated infrared and ultraviolet radiation (15) and includes a detector unit (16) positioned on the opposite side of the roadway for receiving and measuring the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the source (11) tranmitted through the vehicle exhaust. The detector unit splits the combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation into separate infrared and ultraviolet beams (42) and (40). An ultraviolet sensor (44) receives the separate ultraviolet beam and generates a signal indicative of NO.sub.x. A rotating reflector (27) time-multiplexes the infrared beam to a plurality of infrared sensors that generate electrical signals indicative of, for example, CO, CO.sub.2, HC and H.sub.2 O in the vehicle exhaust. A computer (17) then computes the relative concentrations of CO, CO.sub.2, HC, NO.sub.x, and H.sub.
Abstract: A gas analysis device for the remote detecting, measuring and recording of NO.sub.x, CO, CO.sub.2, HC and H.sub.2 O levels from the exhaust of moving motor vehicles. It utilizes a source of collimated infrared and ultraviolet radiation and includes a mechanism for receiving and measuring the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from its source, and another mechanism for measuring background infrared and ultraviolet radiation levels in the ambient atmosphere. The receiving mechanism splits the combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation into separate infrared and ultraviolet beams. A mechanism receives the separate ultraviolet beam and generates a signal indicative of NO.sub.x. Another mechanism splits the infrared beam into two to four components, and devices are positioned for receiving each of the infrared components and generating two to four signals indicative of, for example, CO, CO.sub.2, HC and H.sub.2 O. Another associated mechanism then computes and produces signals indicative of the amount of CO, CO.
Abstract: An improved electrostatic precipitator for removing high resistivity particles from a gas stream. The precipitator includes a charger section having a plurality of corona electrodes and hollow tubular collector electrodes. These electrodes are arranged in parallel, alternating arrangement in a single plane which is positioned perpendicular to the gas flow. The electrodes are connected to a high voltage electrical source while produces a thin high current electrical field which electrically charges the particles present. A temperature control fluid is passed through the collector electrodes to control the temperature of the particles collected so as to maintain the resistivity of the particles in a range in which back ionization will not occur. Due to the size and geometry of the charger section and the temperature control of the particle layer, an extremely high voltage, high current electrical field can be maintained. A collector section can be provided spaced downstream from the charging section.
Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the position of the eye and generating an electrical signal based upon its displacement from a neutral position, such apparatus being characterized by a pair of eyeglasses modified to provide an infrared mirror on the inside surface of one lens, an infrared light emitting diode located on the nosepiece in position to produce a virtual image thereof within the wearer's eye as reflected from the infrared mirror, and an image detector mounted on the bow of the eyeglasses adjacent the mirror filtered to respond only to infrared light and effective to locate the position within the eye of the reflected LED image. The invention also encompasses a novel detector which, not only monitors the position of the eye but, in addition, through the use of a photosensor array, provides the means for generating a signal whose magnitude is proportional to the displacement of the eye from its centered or reference position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 1977
Date of Patent:
March 20, 1979
Assignee:
Colorado Seminary
Inventors:
George A. Rinard, Donald E. Rugg, Dale A. Steffen
Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for simultaneously determining the sample to detector distance (R.sub.o) and the angle between the surface normal and the incident X-ray beam (.beta.) of a position sensitive X-ray detection device for use in stress analysis determinations on an unknown sample. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a stressable sheet, means capable of being detachably fastened to opposite ends of the sheet, spreader means interposed between the means fastened to opposite ends of the sheet operative upon actuation to spread said means apart and tension the sheet, and a strain-free film coating one surface of the sheet.