Abstract: An ion mobility analyser is disclosed having a gas flow directed along the ion travel axis and a set of electrodes to which DC voltages are applied to establish a DC field. The opposing forces of the gas flow and DC field cause ions to be trapped within a separation region in axial regions determined by their ion mobilities. A gas recirculator, having inlet and outlet ends respectively located downstream and upstream of the separation region, supplies at least fifty percent of the gas flow within the separation region, thereby reducing vacuum pumping requirements.

Abstract: A scan engine for capturing at least one image of an object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV) is provided that includes an imaging system, illumination system, aiming system, and a first and second chassis. The imaging system includes a lens holder and at least one lens disposed within the lens holder and both a far imaging system and a near imaging system for capturing images across multiple fields of view at different distances. The illumination system and aiming system are physically positioned to provide illumination of a target in the near and/or far fields of view, and provide an aiming pattern to the near and/or far fields of view.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an autofocus lens system for imaging an object appearing in an imaging field of view (FOV) is provided. The optical assembly includes a compensator lens assembly disposed along an optical axis, with the compensator lens assembly configured to receive light along the optical axis and to provide tuning of a flange focal length of the optical assembly. A variable focus assembly, including a variable focus optical element, is disposed along the optical axis to receive light from the compensator lens assembly. The variable focus optical element has a tunable focal plane. A fixed focus optical group is disposed along the optical axis to receive light from the variable focus assembly, the fixed focus optical group is configured to focus the light at the flange focal length of the optical assembly.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator including a plurality of thermoelectric elements placed on substrates, wherein a thermal conductivity of each substrate is defined as: ? S ? 9 ? ? ? TE ? L S L TE Where: ?S=thermal conductivity of each substrate, ?TE=thermal conductivity of each thermoelectric element, LS=thickness of each substrate, LTE=thickness of each thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric unit including thermoelectric modules, cold side fins, a heat sink, a hot side heat absorption element, and an electronic controller. The heat absorption element includes a metal heat transfer structure, phase change material (PCM) and heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator including a plurality of thermoelectric elements placed on substrates, wherein a thermal conductivity of each substrate is defined as: ? S ? 9 ? ? TE ? L S L TE Where: ?S=thermal conductivity of each substrate, ?TE=thermal conductivity of each thermoelectric element, LS=thickness of each substrate, LTE=thickness of each thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A high resolution x-ray imaging device based on a storage phosphor layer. The storage phosphor layer is sandwiched between two arrays of electrodes. In one embodiment of the device, the arrays are orthogonal arrays of linear electrodes, one of the arrays being transparent to the phosphorescence emitted by the storage phosphor. To read a pixel of a latent image stored in the storage phosphor layer, a voltage difference is established between two crossed electrodes that exceeds the threshold voltage of the storage phosphor material. The emitted light is detected by a device such as a CCD array that has coarser resolution than the crossed electrode array: the resolution of the imaging device of the present invention is the electrode width. Preferably, the electrodes are addressed for activation by optical scanning of photoconductive strips adjacent and perpendicular to the electrodes.