Abstract: The invention generally provides a system and method for detecting, measuring, and/or classifying particulate and/or water contaminants in a fluid supply line, storage tank, or sump. Embodiments of the invention provide a contaminant detection apparatus with a detection chamber and a detection module. The detection chamber includes a housing with an internal fluid conduit and one or more acoustic transducers disposed in the housing. Alarms and/or automatic signaling may be included to shut off valves or pumps when contaminants are detected.

Abstract: A system for locating an object in a GPS-denied environment includes first and second stationary nodes of a network and an object out of synchronization with a common time base of the network. The system includes one or more processors that are configured to estimate distances between the first stationary node and the object and a distance between the second stationary node and the object by comparing time-stamps of messages relayed between the object and the nodes. A position of the object can then be trilaterated using a location of each of the first and second stationary nodes and the measured distances between the object and each of the first and second stationary nodes.

Abstract: A system for transmitting power and data through a solid medium includes a power signal transmitter configured to acoustically transmit power through the solid medium to a power signal receiver using a first frequency and a data signal transmitter configured to acoustically transmit data through the solid medium to a data signal receiver using a second frequency. The second frequency may be offset from the first frequency and from at least a first overtone of the first frequency. Furthermore, the data signal transmitter and data signal receiver may be positioned at a null of a pattern of acoustic waves produced by operation of the power signal transmitter. The system may further include a notch filter coupled to receive an electrical output of the data signal receiver, the notch filter being tuned to attenuate the first frequency.

Abstract: A system for locating an object in a GPS-denied environment includes first and second stationary nodes of a network and an object out of synchronization with a common time base of the network. The system includes one or more processors that are configured to estimate distances between the first stationary node and the object and a distance between the second stationary node and the object by comparing time-stamps of messages relayed between the object and the nodes. A position of the object can then be trilaterated using a location of each of the first and second stationary nodes and the measured distances between the object and each of the first and second stationary nodes.