Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal emissivity control system. The system may have a segmented array that makes use of a thermally conductive base layer configured to be connectable to an external heat generating subsystem, with the base layer including a thermally emissive surface. The array may also have a plurality of actuation elements at least one of positioned on or adjacent to the thermally emissive surface. A plurality of movable shutter elements is disposed adjacent one another in a grid pattern, and controlled in movement by the actuation elements to create gaps of controllably varying dimension therebetween. The shutter elements control at least one of a magnitude of, or direction of, thermal radiation through the gaps.

Abstract: Method for mapping capped cylindrical environments. The method uses an algorithm for creating an environment map through 3D data segmentation and fitting of right planar capped cylinders. The algorithm implementing the method of the invention offers improved robustness, accuracy and speed over existing segmentation and fitting methods. The improved properties of the invention are achieved through the use of a Gauss map, 3D histogram and shape knowledge driven segmentation. Performance was demonstrated on a variety of cylinders using simulated data.