Abstract: An optoacoustic probe including an ultrasound transducer array, an acoustic lens and a light path separated from the transducer array by an isolator to mitigate light energy from the light path from reaching the transducer array. The isolator being formed from a mixture including a flexible carrier, a coloring and between 10% and 80% by volume micro-bubbles. The isolator mixture being adapted to both absorb light energy and the optoacoustic response to light energy. In an embodiment, an optoacoustic probe also comprises an optical window and/or a diffuser, and the isolator also separating the transducer array from these components.

Abstract: A therapeutic laser with a source of pulsed electromagnetic radiation, a control device for controlling the intensity and/or the duration of the therapeutic laser applied to the tissue, and a detection device for detecting optoacoustic signals triggered by irradiating the living tissue with the pulsed electromagnetic radiation. The therapeutic laser is characterized by an evaluation device that acts on the control device and is used for calculating a degree of quality B(t) from the optoacoustic signals detected by the detection device for individual laser pulses applied to a predetermined laser spot and determining a fit function f(t) at a predetermined point in time ?t1, the fit function f(t) approximating the mean curve of B(t) for 0?t??t1. The intensity and/or the irradiation time of the therapeutic laser is defined by the parameters for the predetermined laser spot, the parameters being determined for the fit function f(t).

Abstract: A system includes a detector configured to detect a fog condition within an air flow directed toward a compressor. The system also includes a controller coupled to the detector, wherein the controller is configured to activate a first control measure in response to the fog condition.

Abstract: Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an operating voltage lower bound for preventing photovoltaic (PV) cell reverse breakdown during power conversion. The method comprises determining a PV cell operating temperature; computing, at a controller, an operating voltage corresponding to a maximum power point (MPP) based on the PV cell operating temperature; and determining, at the controller, an operating voltage lower bound based on the operating voltage.

Abstract: Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the dew point temperature of a measurement gas, having a light guide, a condensation surface located on the light guide and whose reflectivity is dependent on the condensation of the measurement gas, a light source for emitting light through the light guide onto the condensation surface, a light sensor for determining the light intensity reflected back into the light guide by the condensation surface and means for adjusting the temperature of the condensation surface, which has a semihydrophobic construction.

Abstract: An imaging system for generating an image of an object is provided. The imaging system comprises an X-ray source disposed in a spatial relationship to the object configured to transmit X-ray radiation through the object. The system further comprises at least one X-ray detecting media configured to convert the X-ray radiation transmitted through the object to optical signals. In addition, the system comprises an optical transmission conduit comprising a first end and a second end and an optical detector configured to convert optical signals to corresponding electrical signals. The first end of the optical transmission conduit is coupled to the X-ray detection device and the second end coupled to the optical detector.

Abstract: Very small projections (10-2) are arranged on a mirror surface (10-1) of a mirror (10). The shape of a projection (10-2) is not limited to a circular cone, but it can be a hollow-cylindrical shape, semispherical shape, or square prism shape, and also, it can be a polyhedron with many faces. With a reduction in temperature of the mirror (10), water vapor contained in a gas to be measured condenses on the mirror surface (10-1) of the mirror (10). In this case, because of the very small projections (10-2) on the mirror surface (10-1), the condensation is promoted by the projections (10-2) serving as the cores. This facilitates condensation even at low dew points and improves response. Further, the size of condensation products does not easily vary relative to variation in flow speed of the gas to be measured, and this makes equilibrium of condensation less likely to break, increasing measurement accuracy.

Abstract: The long-side surface of a triangular prism is a detection surface. The distal end portions of coaxial light-emitting/light-receiving optical fiber cables are joined to one short-side surface of the prism. A thermoelectric cooling element is mounted on the other short-side surface of the prism. A mirror is provided between the cooling surface of the thermoelectric cooling element and the short-side surface. When dew condensation occurs on the detection surface, part of light applied from an optical fiber on the light-emitting side onto the lower surface of the detection surface exits from the prism through the condensed dew. The specular reflection returns to the lower detection surface by a mirror surface and is specularly reflected again. The specular reflection then enters an optical fiber on the light-emitting side. Dew condensation on the detection surface is detected by a change in the intensity of light received through the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to measuring engineering. In order to increase accuracy by increasing sensitivity, for the inventive dew point measurement method a light flux polarized in the plane of incidence thereof is used and directed towards the condensation surface of a dielectric cooled element at an angle at which the light flux is not reflected from the condensation surface of the cooled element in the absence of condensate.

Abstract: A dew point hygrometer for determining the dew point of a gas in which a displaceable transparent film is in contact with the gas and forms a condensation surface. The film is placed on a temperature control device controlling its temperature and an optic fiber, emits light on the film and reflected light is detected in another optic fiber, the two optical fibers being positioned at an angle with respect to the film. Condensation formed on the film changes the light transmitted by the film which is periodically displaced so that a new uncontaminated regions are exposed to the light.

Abstract: The apparatus for determining the dew-point and/or the content of vapor in the air, particularly for the use in radio sondes, comprises a dew-point mirror assembly, including a source of light, a reflector, a cooling element thermally coupled to the reflector, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the reflector, and a detecting sensor for receiving the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the reflector. The detecting sensor is located in a temperature stabilized region of the apparatus and optically coupled to the reflector by means of a light wave conductor. The light source is an incandescent lamp. A sensor head is provided that receives the reflector, the cooling element, the light source, and the input end of the light wave conductor. The sensor head is heated by means of an active heating element.

Abstract: A fiber optic hygrometer apparatus and method for sensing and measuring the dew point of an atmosphere is disclosed that includes a controller for controlling the operation of the apparatus and a first optical fiber for transmitting light energy from a source of light energy to an optical core extending into the atmosphere being monitored. The optical core includes an end that is prepared as a reflecting surface, allowing the light energy reaching the optical core to be internally reflected back toward the source. A second optical fiber captures the light energy internally reflected from the optical core and conveys the captured light energy to a light energy detector. The light energy detector is arranged to output signals to the controller representing the magnitude of the light energy captured. A cooling device and a temperature-sensing device operationally connected to the controller are attached to the optical core.

Abstract: A novel method for measuring a deposit point is provided, which makes it possible to quickly and accurately measure a cloud point. A test sample is irradiated at an angle of incidence .theta. with an incoming light beam which satisfies an expression .theta.<.theta..sub.2 while gradually cooling the test sample such as gas oil, and a totally reflected light beam from the test sample is detected for every temperature, provided that .theta..sub.2 represents a critical angle of total reflection of a deposit such as a paraffin component deposited when the test sample is cooled. The deposit point of the test sample is determined from a change in intensity of the totally reflected light beam with respect to the change in temperature. The light intensity distributions, detected by a sensor array at respective temperatures, are statistically processed to more accurately determine the deposit point.

Abstract: A method of determining cloud points is provided which comprises: bringing a sample into contact with a high precision cloud point meter which includes a waveguide sensor of a total-reflection type connected to both incidence and emergence optical fibers and a cooling/heating means located in contact with the total-reflection type sensor to cool/heat it within a desired temperature range; cooling/heating the sample; and then determining the sample temperature at which total-reflection of light has taken place as the cloud point of the sample. The sensor includes a waveguide of a structure which consists of an incidence channel and an emergence channel formed on a substrate and which intersect along a detection surface with which a liquid whose cloud point is to be determined comes in contact.

Abstract: Infra-red light from an emitter is directed through a glass slide to an area on which a solid substance is located. Light reflected from the undersurface of the solid substance is received by a receiver. The substance is heated by a strip heater. When the substance changes state, the amount of reflected light arriving at the receiver varies, and information coming from an electronic thermometer records the temperature at which the change of state has occurred.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring dewpoint of different kinds of gases, is based on cooling the measured gas, with the help of cold gas, down to the dewpoint and then detecting the generated mist by optical sensors. The cooling gas is routed to a measurement area (7) from outside the process and the cooling gas is brought to an appropriate temperature below the dewpoint of the measured gas before being conducted to the measurement area (7). Mist generated during the cooling of the measured gas is detected by illuminating the measurement area (7) by a light emitting source (8) and measuring the light (2) scattered from the mist or light (3) penetrating through the mist with the help of a photodetector (9). The temperature of the measurement area is continuously monitored with temperature sensors (10) so that when the mist is detected, the temperature of the measurement area (7) at that instant corresponds to the dewpoint temperature of the measured gas.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the melting point of a material having light reflective properties by determining changes in the reflective properties of the material while under pressure as it is being heated.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring dewpoint of different kinds of gases is based upon cooling the measured gas by mixing it with a cold gas down to the dewpoint and then detecting the generated mist by optical sensors. The cooling gas is routed to a measurement area (7) from outside the process and the cooling gas is brought to an appropriate temperature below the dewpoint of the measured gas before being conducted to the measurement area (7) where it is mixed with the measured gas. Mist generated during the cooling of the measured gas is detected by illuminating the measurement area (7) by a light emitting source (8) and measuring the light (2) scattered from the mist or light (3) penetrating through the mist with the help of a photodetector (9).

Abstract: A method for continuously monitoring and/or controlling the cooling capacity of a liquid coolant containing gas bubbles. The method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the size and number density of the gas bubbles it he liquid coolant by use of a sensor means to infer a heat transfer characteristic of the liquid coolant; and (b) varying the amount of gas that is being mixed with the liquid coolant so that the inferred heat transfer characteristic is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A hygrometer utilizing condensation at the dew point to determine the water content of a gas. The presence of the condensate is determined using linear polarized light to distinguish the condensate from the metal surface on which it forms. A temperature gradient is established across the surface so that condensate forms on only part of the surface. The portion of the surface covered gives an indication of the temperature of the dew point.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the formation of condensation within a cabinet. A light reflective surface is mounted within the cabinet and thermally linked to the exterior of the cabinet so that the reflective surface temperature responds more rapidly to changes in the external ambient temperature than the cabinet itself. The formation of condensation on the reflective surface is detected by monitoring a light beam reflected from the reflective surface. When the formation of condensation on the reflective surface is detected a heater inside the cabinet is turned on to cause the condensation to evaporate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a pour point depressant additive in hydrocarbon liquids includes cooling a sample of the liquid at a predetermined cooling rate from a temperature substantially above the cloud point temperature of the sample liquid to a temperature substantially below the cloud point temperature of the sample liquid. The points on the cooling rate curve for the sample at which a deflection of the curve begins and ends is determined and the time interval between the beginning and ending points of the cooling rate curve is computed. This computed time interval between the beginning and ending points is compared to a reference time interval such that if the reference time interval is less than or greater than the computed time interval between the beginning and ending points on the cooling curve, the presence or absence, respectively, of a pour point depressant additive in the sample is determined.