Abstract: A high SNR in-situ measurement of sample radiance in a low-temperature ambient environment is used to accurately characterize sample emissivity for transmissive, low-emissivity samples. A low-e mirror is positioned behind the sample such that the sample and low-e mirror overfill the field-of-view (FOV) of the radiometer. The sample is heated via thermal conduction in an open environment. Thermal conduction heats the sample without raising the background radiance appreciably. The low-e mirror presents both a low emission background against which to measure the sample radiance and reflects radiance from the back of the sample approximately doubling the measured signal. The low-e mirror exhibits a reflectance of at least 90% and preferably greater than 98% and an emissivity of at most 7.5% and preferably less than 2% over the spectral and temperature ranges at which the sample emissivity is characterized.

Abstract: The absolute spectral radiance of an unknown IR source is measured by bracketing the radiance measurements of the source over a spectral band with radiance measurements of a characterized blackbody at different temperatures. The absolute spectral radiance (or effective temperature) is calculated for the blackbody and paired with the relative radiance measurements. The absolute spectral radiance for the unknown IR source is derived via interpolation. The use of a characterized plate blackbody and a FTIRS allows for rapid and accurate characterization of the unknown IR source across a spectral band.

Abstract: A high SNR in-situ measurement of sample radiance in a low-temperature ambient environment is used to accurately characterize sample emissivity for transmissive, low-emissivity samples. A low-e mirror is positioned behind the sample such that the sample and low-e mirror overfill the field-of-view (FOV) of the radiometer. The sample is heated via thermal conduction in an open environment. Thermal conduction heats the sample without raising the background radiance appreciably. The low-e mirror presents both a low emission background against which to measure the sample radiance and reflects radiance from the back of the sample approximately doubling the measured signal. The low-e mirror exhibits a reflectance of at least 90% and preferably greater than 98% and an emissivity of at most 7.5% and preferably less than 2% over the spectral and temperature ranges at which the sample emissivity is characterized.

Abstract: A locking bicycle rack comprises a plurality of individual bicycle stalls each including a bifurcated swing arm which is pivotally mounted to traverse the stall and engage both wheels and the frame of a bicycle positioned within the stall. The swing arms engage a locking mechanism which includes a latch to maintain the swing arms across the stalls while the stalls are unoccupied. Upon receipt of a predetermined number of coins, a centrally located stall selection mechanism allows selection of an unoccupied stall and operation of the associated latch to release the selected stall. Each locking mechanism includes a guard cap which surrounds, protects and operates an associated lock. Operation of the locks as well as lock securing pins is via cam surfaces within the guard caps. Each lock is operated by a key which is captured within the guard cap while a stall is unoccupied.