Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine is provided. The coordinate measurement machine includes a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends. The articulated arm includes a plurality of arm segments, each including encoder configured to produce a signal corresponding to an angle of rotation. A base section is connected to the second end. A measurement probe is connected to the first end. The measurement probe receives an externally mounted sensor having an attachment ring, the measurement probe having an alignment surface and external threading. A retaining ring having internal threading is threadably receives the external threading; the retaining ring further couples the attachment ring to the surface. An electrical circuit is configured to receive the signal and to provide data corresponding to a coordinate of the externally mounted sensor, the data based at least in part on the signal.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. The handle-bar includes collection holes positioned to be adjacent to a user's hand when the user grips the handle-bar, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's hand when the user grips and moves the handle-bar. The gate includes a series of collection holes, is positioned to be adjacent to the user's clothing when the user traverses the gate, and is configured to dislodge and capture particles from the user's clothing in response to pressure applied from the user. The air-stream gatherer includes an outward vent and an in-drawing vent, and is positioned to enable objects, such as the user's feet, to be placed between the outward and in-drawing vents. The air stream is configured to dislodge and capture particles from objects, such as the user's feet, that block the air-stream between the vents.

Abstract: A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

Abstract: A trace sampling detection system includes a gathering device configured to gather particles through a handle-bar, a gate and an air-stream gatherer. A collection tube is configured to deposit gathered particles from the gathering device onto a portion of a sample media. A carousel wheel that includes the sample media is configured to rotate the sample wheel such that the portion of the sample media including the gathered particles is presented to an exothermic decomposition detector that detects, through an infrared sensor, the decomposition of the gathered particles.

Abstract: A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

Abstract: A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

Abstract: A hand-held, wand-type buried object detector includes a motion and position sensor that provides data about the sensor head of the buried object detector. An inertial measuring device including three accelerometers and three gyroscopes is one example of a motion and position sensor. The buried object detector includes a processor/communicator device that is capable of processing the data from the motion and position sensor and communicating feedback, based on the processing results, to the operator about the operation of the buried object detector. In one example, a personal digital assistant may be configured for use as a processor/communicator device of a buried object detector.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner rotatably mounted thereon.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes an integral on-board power supply/recharger unit.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner rotatably mounted thereon.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes an integral on-board power supply/recharger unit.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner rotatably mounted thereon.