Abstract: A system for power generation comprises a wing, a turbine, a tether, and a tether tension sensor. The wing is for generating lift. The turbine is coupled to the wing and is used for generating power from rotation of a propeller or for generating thrust using the propeller. One end of the tether is coupled to the wing. The tether tension sensor is for determining a tension of the tether.

Abstract: A method and device for displaying an underwater detection image is provided, in which an ultrasonic signal having a predetermined beam width is periodically transmitted underwater, receives a signal reflected on a detection target object which moves underwater, generates information on the detection target object based on the received signal, and displays the information on a display module. The method includes periodically detecting the detection target object and a position thereof based on the received signal, coupling the same detection target objects by associating the same based on the detection target object and the position periodically detected, and associating a displacement symbol corresponding to a change in a position of the detection target object with the coupled detection target object, and displaying the displacement symbol at the detected position of the detection target object at least on a two-dimensional position coordinates displayed in the display module.

Abstract: A method for measuring a fill level of a fill substance in a container and for monitoring at least one predetermined fill level (LMIN, LMAX), using a fill level measuring device working according to the travel-time principle, as well as a corresponding fill level measuring device, wherein the monitoring satisfies high safety standards, wherein, in each measuring cycle, transmission signals (S) are sent toward the fill substance and their echo signals (E) are received, the fill level is determined, based on the echo signals (E), in a first evaluation method, and it is determined, based on the echo signals (E), in a second evaluation method independent of the first evaluation method, whether the fill level exceeds or falls beneath the predetermined fill levels (LMIN, LMAX).

Abstract: A method and arrangement to measure the deflection of a blade of a wind-turbine are provided. The blade comprises a cavity inside the blade. A reflector, which is located inside the cavity of the blade, is coupled by a wireless signal with a distance-measurement-device. The distance-measurement-device uses the wireless signal to measure the distance between the distance-measurement-device and the reflector. A line of sight is established and maintained between the distance-measurement-device and the reflector even when the blade is deflected. The reflector is inclined relative to the line of sight in a way, that a lateral movement of the reflector relative to the line of sight results in a change of the distance between the distance-measurement-device and the reflector, while the lateral movement is caused by an deflection of the blade. The distance-measurement-device is designed to measure the change of the distance, which is used to determine the deflection of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading solid particles into a vessel comprising: particle feed means (24); means (26) for dispersing the particles from the top to the bottom of the vessel; at least one means (17) for measuring the height of the filling bed; and at least one automated system for controlling the feed means (24) and/or the dispersion means (26), and also to a process and uses implementing the device.

Abstract: In an obstacle detection system, a wave transmitted by a transmitting element and received by receiving elements as a receiving wave includes extraneous waves, which are reflection waves from other than an obstacle, and obstacle reflection waves from an obstacle. It is determined that, an obstacle is present, if the reflection waves are detected as having an amplitude (voltage) greater than a threshold level and a reception time difference between time points at which the amplitude exceeds threshold level at the receiving elements is less than a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sonar method and apparatus of tracking objects underwater. Specifically, the method and apparatus can be used to acoustically track a multitude of objects in a hemi-spherical volume 360° azimuth and 180° elevation relative to the location of the apparatus. The method and apparatus of the present invention provide four-dimensional, real-time tracking of underwater objects.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for automatic discovery of the physical location of at least one device in a data center, the device having an associated ultrasonic emitter. The system generally includes a plurality of ultrasonic detectors having known locations in the data center. A controller initiates the generation of an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic emitter associated with a device under test. Time of arrival circuitry generates time of arrival information associated with each ultrasonic detector based on the time of receipt of the ultrasonic signal. The controller determines the location of the device under test based on the known location of the ultrasonic detectors within the data center and the time of arrival information associated with each ultrasonic detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning an image measuring platform, the apparatus includes a horizontal base (11); a measuring platform (21) movable on the horizontal base; a support arm (12) extending in the Z-axis direction secured to the horizontal base; two parallel sliders (435) extending in the Z-axis direction fixed on the upper ends of the support arm; a first bar (411) for controlling the measuring platform to move in X-axis direction; a second bar (421) for controlling the measuring platform to move in Y-axis direction; a first cantilever (314) and a second cantilever (315) vertically attached on the two parallel sliders; a charge coupled device lens (31) fixed on the first cantilever and the second cantilever through a lens clamp (312) and a locking cap (313); a first screw handle (414) engaged with the holes of both sides of a first bracket (413) secured on the horizontal base, a first male screw thread (415) formed outside the first screw handle, and a first female screw thread (416) corresponding to the f

Abstract: A rangefinder, for locating an object moving parallel to a planar surface, is rigidly attached to a carrier that is pivotably movable between an obverse position and a reverse position relative to a planar surface. Preferably, an orienting mechanism is provided for determining which position, obverse or reverse, the carrier and rangefinder are in. Preferably, a pivot, for pivoting the carrier and the rangefinder between the two positions, is rigidly attached either to the plane surface or to an attachment mechanism for reversibly attaching the carrier to the planar surface.

Abstract: A system for tracking airborne organisms includes an imager, a backlight source (such as a retroreflective surface) in view of the imager, and a processor configured to analyze one or more images captured by the processor to identify a biological property of an organism.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for identifying a boundary of a cluster in a bitmap, the bitmap having at least one initially set bit, for applying an expansion shape to each of the initially set bits in the bitmap and identifying vertex bits on the boundary of the cluster formed by at least one expansion shape.

Abstract: A moving object detection apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a detection portion, a binary conversion portion and a judgment portion. The transmitter emits energy waves with a first frequency to a detection area. When receiving incoming energy waves from the detection area, the receiver generates an electric signal corresponding to the incoming energy waves. The detection portion obtains a detection signal from a reference signal with the first frequency and the electric signal. The binary conversion portion compares the detection signal with a conversion threshold signal to obtain a binary signal. The judgment portion judges whether or not a moving object approaching or leaving the receiver exists in the detection area based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A distance controller having an automatic stop and/or start function for motor vehicles, having a distance-measuring remote region sensor, a distance-measuring ultrasound sensor, and a control unit designed to intervene in the longitudinal guiding of the home vehicle as a function of the distance, measured by the remote region sensor, from a vehicle traveling ahead. If the measured distance is smaller than the range of the ultrasound sensor, on the basis of the signal of the ultrasound sensor it is verified whether this sensor is functional. If yes, the signal of the ultrasound sensor is evaluated in the context of the stop and/or start function. According to the present invention, the stop and/or start function has an operating mode in which a distance controlling takes place on the basis of the signal of the ultrasound sensor. In this way, the distance from the vehicle ahead can be reduced during stop and go operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of controlling a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: Providing a transmitter arranged to transmit in the microwave frequency range; providing a receiving means on the vehicle, receiving the signal, and calculating the azimuth of the transmitter with respect to the vehicle. The vehicle is controlled based on the calculated azimuth.

Abstract: A distance measurement apparatus arranged to measure the distance to an object (106) comprising a first sonic transmitter (100) arranged at a first distance (h1) from that object and a second sonic transmitter (102) arranged at a second distance (h2) from that object (100), wherein the first and second distances are different, the first (100) and second (102) transmitters being controlled by processing circuitry (108) and the first and second transmitters being arranged such that sonic pulses emitted, in use, thereby are incident upon that object (106) and the apparatus further comprising at least one sonic receiver (100) arranged to receive a plurality of reflected sonic pulses and generate an output therefrom and the processing circuitry (108) being arranged to receive the output, determine the times since the first and second pulses were emitted and generate a distance to that object from the determined times.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of location tracking. The location tracking apparatus may calculate a location of an object using an ultrasound. In this instance, an intensity of the used ultrasound may be determined based on a distance to the object, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

Abstract: A paint spray gun and range finder for positioning the gun with respect to a target surface to be sprayed. The range finder provides a user of the gun with information about the distance between the gun and the target surface, with different indications when the gun is too close, too far or distanced properly from the target surface to be sprayed. An acoustic range finder provides visual indications of the proximity of the gun to the target surface. Visual indications include a digital display of the distance from the target surface and may be frozen while the gun is spraying.

Abstract: A start assist system for motor vehicles, including a long-range locating system for determining the location of vehicles traveling ahead and a starting regulator for initiating and controlling a starting operation, wherein the locating system is combined with a near-range locating system for determining the location of objects directly ahead of the host vehicle and a decision unit is designed to suppress the starting operation in response to a signal from the near-range locating system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a substrate; a transmission device for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; a plurality of reception devices for receiving the ultrasonic wave; and a circuit for processing received ultrasonic waves, which are received by the reception devices after the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission device is reflected by the object. The transmission device and the reception devices are integrated into the substrate. The dimensions of the sensor are minimized, and detection accuracy of the sensor is improved.

Abstract: A system is provided for location monitoring. The system includes an event sensor and a sonar sensor in communication with the event sensor. The event sensor detects an event at a location. The sonar sensor determines a presence at the location.

Abstract: A workpiece detection system includes: a plurality of transmitters disposed on a workpiece, each transmitter transmitting a first signal; three or more receivers receiving the first signal transmitted from the transmitter; and a position calculator detecting a location of the transmitter based on the first signal received by each of the receivers. The position calculator detects a posture of the workpiece from information on the detected locations of the plurality of transmitters.

Abstract: In a method for navigating an undersea vehicle (12), navigation data about position, orientation, and absolute vehicle speed of the undersea vehicle (12) are determined from measurement data delivered by navigation sensors (17) via a navigation filter (18) which incorporates the measurement values of a Doppler log (14). To achieve a highly accurate tracking of the course taken by the undersea vehicle (12), particularly during submerging and surfacing phases, the stretch of water (10) traversed by the undersea vehicle (12) is divided into regions (13) which at least in the vertically oriented z-axis have a finite dimension within a Cartesian coordinate system (11).

Abstract: A method for locating the surface of a solid growth culture medium in a plate in a plate work position, the plate work position including a sensor and having a datum level fixed in one dimension (z), the method including: ˜placing the plate in the plate work position; ˜using the sensor to sense the medium surface for the positioned plate and measuring the distance to the medium surface; and ˜referencing the measured distance to the datum level to determine a surface positional reference, relative to the datum level, in one dimension (z) for the surface of the medium in the positioned plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a level detection device (32) having a tube (34) which, in use, contains a material (14) for which its level in the tube (34) is to be measured. An ultrasonic transducer (10) is provided at one end of tube (34) for emitting an acoustic waveform that reflects off the surface of the level and returns to the ultrasonic transducer (10) to allow computation of the level from the time periods of the emitted and reflected acoustic waveforms. A flared section (22) within tube (34) diverges from adjacent ultrasonic transducer (10) towards the inside wall of tube (34) above the level, whereby, in use, the measured reflected waveform has substantially reduced signal distortion due to flare (22).

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device has a sending surface for sending an ultrasonic wave into a sending area. The receiving device has a receiving surface for receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by an external object from a receiving area. The sending area has an overlapping area with the receiving area. The overlapping area is offset to one of the sending area and the receiving area.

Abstract: The location tracking method of the present invention is a method for tracking the motion of a measuring point on an object by repeatedly irradiating the object with waves and analyzing received signals that are based on the waves reflected from the object, and includes the steps of: (A) irradiating the object with a wave and calculating an initial phase curve showing a phase shift of a received signal in a wave propagation direction with respect to a reference signal, the received signal being based on the wave reflected; (B) setting an initial location in the propagating direction and assigning the measuring point to the initial location; (C) defining a displacement line, which passes the initial location on the initial phase curve and of which the gradient is calculated based on the frequency of the reference signal; and (D) irradiating the object with the waves multiple times, thereby calculating phase curves, each representing a phase shift of the received signal with respect to the reference signal, and

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a processing subsystem (30) responsive to the detection of sound coming from a room (26) to establish an acoustic impulse response for the room (26), and determine a number of sound reflections corresponding to the impulse response. This subsystem (30) is further operable to determine volume of the room (26), one or more dimensions of the room (26) and/or at least one absorption coefficient of a room boundary as a function of the sound reflections.

Abstract: A method for determining the distance of a transceiver located within a lumen from the center of the lumen and for determining the radius of the lumen, the lumen cross-section being substantially circular at the transceiver location, the method applied on data received from a transceiver placed at a position within the lumen that is distance (r) from the center and distance (a) from the lumen wall, transmitting a signal of known velocity (v) that can be correlated with the time of flight and receiving a first signal and a second signal that are reflections of the transmitted signal, timing the time differences between the transmission of the transmitted signal and reception of the first (t1) and second (t2) reflection signals, the method comprising: Calculating the distance of the transceiver from the center of the lumen=(t1?t2)v/4; and Calculating the radius of the lumen=(t1+t2)v/4.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing proximity of an object includes a signal generator, which generates a plurality of signals. A transducer is in communication with the signal generator to receive the plurality of signals from the signal generator. The transducer is capable of transforming a plurality of signals from the signal generator into a plurality of ultrasonic waves. The plurality of ultrasonic waves includes a first ultrasonic wave and a second ultrasonic wave, wherein the first ultrasonic wave and the second ultrasonic wave are formed out of phase. The plurality of ultrasonic waves are directed toward and reflected by the object. The transducer receives the plurality of ultrasonic waves reflected by the object, which become a plurality of received ultrasonic waves. An analog to digital converter is in communication with the transducer. The received plurality of ultrasonic waves reflected by the object is communicated to the analog to digital converter by the transducer.

Abstract: A target detection apparatus that includes a transmission/reception device for generating a transmission signal for detection of a target, and extracting distance information about the target from a received signal; a number of sensors each of which transmits the transmission signal to respective different angle ranges, receives a signal reflected by the target, and transfers the received signal to the transmission/reception device; and a switch device for switching in a time division manner a connection between the transmission/reception device and one of the sensors to a connection between the transmission/reception device and another one of the sensors, where the switch device selects a first of the sensors for transmitting the transmission signal in a time slot and a second of the sensors for receiving the signal reflected by the target in the time slot.

Abstract: A system and method of range estimation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting beams through a medium towards a surface, receiving reflected signals from the surface, and estimating range to the surfaced based on the reflected signals and an estimate of sidelobe coupling of the beams.

Abstract: A method for determining the depth of a parking space using at least one ultrasonic vehicle sensor. According to the method, the following steps are carried out as the vehicle drives longitudinally past the parking space: a) an ultrasonic wave is emitted, b) echo signals of the emitted ultrasonic wave are collected within a measuring window, c) the dispersion is determined and/or the distribution of the echo signals within that dispersion is determined, d) a depth is defined if the dispersion range of all and/or several echo signals that form a concentration within the distribution lies below a pre-determinable threshold value.

Abstract: An echo detection circuit that detects an echo by detecting the magnitude of a digitally mixed representation of the received acoustic signal and reference sine and cosine signals. That magnitude is then compared against an echo threshold to verify the presence or absence of an echo signal. A low pass filter with a configurable cut-off frequency may be used to define the selectivity of the echo detector.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle capable of determining its position in a space through improved communications with beacons is disclosed. The autonomous vehicle utilizes time of flight as well and angular information to determine position, and is capable of intelligent interaction with the beacons.

Abstract: A diver unit computes the direction and distance to a specified target. When the target is obstructed, the diver unit receives navigation assistance data from another diver unit. The navigation assistance data includes direction information that is referenced to a common reference line extending between the two diver units.

Abstract: In a direction detecting device, a transmitting wave generator encodes a transmitting signal with a code having a high autocorrelation so as to generate a transmitting wave. A transmitter transmits the transmitting wave and a plurality of receiver elements receives a reflected wave reflected by an object. A direction calculating unit calculates a direction of the object based on a phase difference between a correlation value calculated based on the reflected wave received by one of the receiver elements and a correlation value calculated based on the reflected wave received by another one of the receiver elements, a distance between the one of the receiver elements and the another one of the receiver elements, and a wavelength of the transmitting wave.

Abstract: An acoustic treatment apparatus obtains a first output signal by performing filtering for forming a directivity in a first direction for received sound signals of sound receivers, obtains a second output signal by performing filtering for forming a directivity in a second direction different from the first direction for received sound signals of sound receivers, obtains a strength ratio between a strength of the first output signal and a strength of the second output signal, and estimates a sound source direction on the basis of the strength ratio.

Abstract: A method of operating an acoustic pulse echo ranging system is provided. A series of acoustic energy pulses of successively increasing or decreasing burst frequencies are transmitted through a transducer assembly. For each transmitted energy pulse associated echoes are received and converted into an echo function over time. The obtained echo function is stored in a two-dimensional pattern whose first dimension is the burst frequency and whose second dimension is the time. Based upon the two-dimensional pattern a frequency response function is evaluated as a function of echo function values over burst frequency at a selected point of time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a plurality of vibrating parts, a plurality of receiving elements, and a waveguide. Each of the vibrating parts vibrates when a corresponding ultrasonic wave reflected by a detection object is transmitted thereto, and receives the ultrasonic wave. Each of the elements includes corresponding one of the vibrating parts and detects the object using the corresponding ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted through the waveguide to each of the elements. The waveguide includes a first opening facing the object, a second opening, and a reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic wave in a direction to each of the vibrating parts. The ultrasonic wave enters through the first opening. The second opening is not viewable from the first opening. The second opening holds the elements such that the each of the vibrating parts faces a direction where the each of the vibrating parts receives the ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: Error correction in an echo pulse is performed by periodically (for example, every 100th pulse) generating a parabola derived from a selected part of the pulse leading edge. An error value is generated from the distance from a leading edge reference point to the peak of the generated parabola or to the echo peak, whichever is less. In this way an error correction is dynamically re-learned.

Abstract: An echo profile in a pulse-echo ranging system is processed by determining the relative slope at points on the profile, determining the relative area of each region of positive slope on the profile, identifying within the region having the largest relative area a point of greatest relative slope as a leading edge reference point, and using either said leading edge reference point or a peak within the echo profile as an echo timing measurement point.

Abstract: A method for measuring a distance of an object with a distance measuring unit, the method including: sending a first signal from the distance measuring unit toward the object; receiving a second signal from the object; and measuring the second signal via the distance measuring unit; wherein the distance measuring unit is enclosed within an electronic meter that is attachable to a fuel heating tank, the electronic meter used for tracking, verifying, and recording one or more variables.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of an object (8) in a space (10) defined by surfaces (11, 12) comprises at least a first transducer (1), a second transducer (2) and a processing device. The transducers are arranged at a mutual spacing (D). The processing device is arranged for determining the times of arrival of both acoustic signals transmitted between the object and each of the transducers (1, 2) and their reflections. On the basis of the difference in the times of arrival of clusters of acoustic signals and the associated reflections the processing device can determine which surface (11, 12) the indirect acoustic signals were reflected by, thus providing additional position information.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus detecting an object position based on a reflected wave generated by reflection of a transmitted ultrasonic wave from the object includes a transmitting portion transmitting the ultrasonic wave, a receiving portion receiving the ultrasonic waves as received signals, a detecting position detecting an envelope and an operation portion detecting a peak of each envelope and obtaining an approximate line with a maximum change amount of the envelope in a change amount increasing period set to a gradient of the approximate line, provided that the change amount increasing period is defined as a period that an amount of change per a predetermined unit time of the envelope, heading to the peak, continues to increase, the operation portion obtaining a time that a voltage value of the approximate line equals a reference value as a receipt time and detecting the object position based on the receipt time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor consists of an ultrasonic transducer and a casing. The transducer includes a metal-made housing having an inner space; a vibrating planar member formed in the housing, wherein an outward surface of the vibrating planar member constitutes an outward surface of the housing and an inward surface of the vibrating planar member faces the inner space; and a driving element attached on an inward surface of the vibrating planar member for vibrating the vibrating planar member. This ultrasonic transducer is assembled within the casing and attached to a vehicle via the casing with the outward surface of the vibrating planar member exposed outwardly. Further, a resin film is attached using an adhesive member applied on a rear surface of the film to cover all the outward surface of the vibrating planner member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic stimulus pulse is emitted incident to a laminar structure and recorded as pulse data. Echoes resulting from the stimulus pulse are recorded as echo data. One or more vectors are derived by way of time-shifting the recorded pulse data by respective amounts and a matrix ? is defined including the one or more vectors. An echo vector Y is defined using the recorded echo data. A solution vector X is determined in accordance with: Y=?*X, typically within a predetermined tolerance. B-scan display or other analysis of one or more distinct solution vectors enables user and/or automated identification and measurement of any anomalies within the laminate material.

Abstract: A sonar system for detecting underwater acoustic signals includes a plurality of hydrophone units capable of converting acoustic impulses to electrical signals, the hydrophone units being substantially vertically oriented when deployed in a body of water, and the hydrophone units occupying at least some of the positions of an M×N horizontal array. Two-dimensional Chebyshev mathematical weighting is applied to the electrical signals from the individual hydrophone units such that each individual signal from each hydrophone unit is assigned a respective weighting number and a numerical value is assigned to each individual signal corresponding to the strength of the electrical signal as adjusted by the respective weighting number.

Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature and sag of an overhead power line, the temperature of the windings in a transformer, or the temperature of the central conductor in a coaxial power cable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating the 3D orientation angles for remotely deployed devices with flexible arms such as dipole antennas of receivers used in marine controlled-source electromagnetic surveys to explore for hydrocarbons. Acoustic transponders or transducers, or other positioning sensors such as attitude sensors or strain-sensitive fiber optic cables are placed on each electrode arm of the receiver. Acoustic sensors (101) on the receiver frame (94) work in conjunction with the positioning sensor(s) (101) on the electrode arms (92) to provide accurate 3D spatial position of the receiver electrodes (93) relative to the receiver frame. Alternatively, sonar transducers mounted on the frame are used to image the electrode arms, which image can be enhanced by fixing reflectors to the arms. An attitude sensor is mounted on the receiver frame, enabling conversion of the relative electrode positions to an earth reference frame.