Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes a power source; a communication device electrically connected to the power source and attachable to a cover of the enclosure; and a sensor suspended away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for providing a monitor of environmental parameters within an enclosure includes attaching a communication device to a cover of the enclosure, connecting the communication device to a power source; and suspending a sensor away from the cover of the enclosure. A method for monitoring environmental parameters within an enclosure includes monitoring one or more environmental parameters with a sensor suspended by a cable within an enclosure, and transmitting data representing one or more monitored environmental parameters from a communication device to a second communication device.

Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: A robust low profile antenna well suited for deployment on the lids of cavities, such as manholes is described. The antenna is constructed from a coaxial cable for use proximate to a structural surface. The antenna is formed by folding back an outer metallic braid of an end of the coaxial cable to a length that approximately matches ¼ of a wavelength of a desired operating frequency times a velocity factor of the coaxial cable. Next, the radiative element is formed by exposing the center conductor from the end of the coaxial cable to a length that approximately matches ¼ of the wavelength of the operating frequency multiplied by the composite velocity factor being based on a dielectric encasing of the coaxial cable and the distance of the antenna from the structural surface. The antenna is oriented substantially parallel to the structural surface. The resulting antenna is of a comparable size to the coaxial cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate the detection of leaks in a pressured pipe. The system includes one or a plurality of pressure sensors, placed at one or several locations along the pipe, and a power source providing power to the one or plurality of pressure sensors. Also a computing device, a communications device, and an algorithm is included. The algorithm assesses data received from the communications device, the data containing information from the one or plurality of pressure sensor(s), wherein the algorithm determines the presence of a pressure leak in the pressurized pipe based on a first pressure profile versus a second pressure profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating power in an enclosure includes a power generation device configured to operate in the environmental conditions of the enclosure, a first power storage device connected to the power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device, a power converter connected to the power storage device and configured to output power at a voltage different than that output by the power storage device, and a second power storage device connected directly or indirectly to the power converter and configured to store power output by the power converter. The second power storage device may then provide power for at least one component of an environmental monitoring system.

Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: A method for determining false alarms at an entry to an enclosure includes: receiving a first reading from a first sensor representing intrusion of the enclosure, receiving a second reading from a second sensor, and generating an entry alarm if the second reading confirms intrusion of the enclosure. An apparatus that determines false alarms at an entry to an enclosure includes a first sensor which senses for intrusion of the enclosure, a second sensor, and a processor with instructions for generating an alarm if the first sensor detects intrusion of the enclosure and the second reading confirms intrusion of the enclosure. Another method for determining false alarms includes receiving readings from a sensor over a period of time, storing the readings at least temporarily in a memory, and comparing a window of the stored readings to a stored signature. An entry alarm is generated based on a comparison of the stored readings to the stored signature.

Abstract: A remote sensing system and method for instrumenting the entries to manhole enclosures, in order to provide a platform and means for sensing environmental parameters within and around the enclosures and wirelessly transmitting those parameters to a distant site. The system comprises a housing with sensor for monitoring environmental parameter in the vicinity of the manhole. A microcontroller in the housing sends the parameters to a radio module, which transmits the parameters to a communication device for alerting a user that a manhole has been tampered with.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown particles contained in a fluid. The method utilizes a source of radiation and at least one radiation detector to measure the radiation scattered by an unknown particle in the fluid. The measurement for the unknown particle is compared with a standard radiation scattering pattern capable of uniquely identifying a previously identified particle and the unknown particle is identified based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An improvement is described for use in a system that identifies particles in a fluid such as water by passing the fluid through a passage in a transparent carrier and detecting light from a laser beam that is scattered by particles, followed by comparing the scatter pattern to those of known particles, which increases the rate at which particles are detected. A plurality of transparent carriers with through passages are provided, and a narrow beam is directed through each carrier to scatter light from particles at a detect zone in each carrier passage. In one arrangement (60), the carriers (62, 64, 66) are connected in series, so a limited amount of water passes through detect zones (24A, 24B. 24C) to generate a high rate of particle detection. In another arrangement (130), the carrier passages are connected in parallel, so when a larger sample of water is available different parts of the water sample pass through different carrier passages, to again increase the rate of particle detection.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown particles contained in a fluid. The method utilizes a source of radiation and at least one radiation detector to measure the radiation scattered by an unknown particle in the fluid. The measurement for the unknown particle is compared with a standard radiation scattering pattern capable of uniquely identifying a previously identified particle and the unknown particle is identified based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown particles contained in a fluid. The method utilizes a source of radiation and at least one radiation detector to measure the radiation scattered by an unknown particle in the fluid. The measurement for the unknown particle is compared with a standard radiation scattering pattern capable of uniquely identifying a previously identified particle and the unknown particle is identified based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown particles contained in a fluid. The method utilizes a source of radiation and at least one radiation detector to measure the radiation scattered by an unknown particle in the fluid. The measurement for the unknown particle is compared with a standard radiation scattering pattern capable of uniquely identifying a previously identified particle and the unknown particle is identified based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method for the identification of unknown microscopic particles in a fluid. A laser beam (104) is directed through the fluid while particles move through the beam. Light scattered by each particle moving through a short detect zone (114) along the beam (an “event”) is detected by some of sixteen detectors DA-DP to generate data for the event. First, a known specie of particles (e.g. a particular pathogen specie) is placed in pure fluid and a subpattern, or eventvector, of data is recorded for each of multiple events for that specie. Each eventvector represents the outputs of all detectors. The process is repeated for other known species (e.g. algae) likely to be encountered. The group of eventvectors for all selected species is analyzed by an algorithm that determines a projection direction that results in the closest grouping of eventvectors of the same specie and greatest of separation of groups of eventvectors of different species.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for the characterization and/or identification of suspensions of microparticles based upon the measurement of certain optical observables produced as the suspension is illuminated by a beam of light, or other electromagnetic radiation. Selected observables calculated from the scattered radiation detected by a plurality of detectors surrounding the thus-illuminated suspension are then used to recall specific maps, from a computer memory means, one for each observable. The common overlap region of said map yields characterizing or identifying particle suspension physical parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for the characterization and/or identification of individual microparticles based upon the measurement of certain optical observables produced as each particle passes through a beam of light, or other electromagnetic radiation. A fine beam of, preferably, monochromatic linearly polarized light passes through a spherical array of detectors, or fiber optics means to transmit incident light to a set of detector means, and a stream of particles intersects the beam at the center of the spherical array. Selected observables calculated from the detected scattered radiation are then used to recall specific maps, from a computer memory means, one for each observable. The common overlap region of said maps yields characterizing or identifying particle physical parameters such as size, mean refractive index, and shape. A method for rapidly discriminating non-spherically symmetric particles is also disclosed.