Abstract: The spectral method for determining the concentrations of a substance in a mixture of any number of substances is defined by a chemical image having a plurality of pixels (520). The method includes steps of providing a spectrum for each of the n number of substances in the mixture (530), and obtaining the spectrum for one of the plurality of pixels, and calculating a plurality of estimated concentrations of each substance in the mixture as a function of the spectrum for each substance and the spectrum for the pixel, and calculating a deviation value for each of the plurality of estimated concentrations as a function of the spectrum of each of the number of substances in the mixture, and selecting the estimated concentration with the lowest deviation factor as a most likely concentration of each substance in the mixture (550).

Abstract: A wavelength discriminating optical filter has birefringent retarders stacked between polarizing filters, in relative rotational orientations causing passband wavelengths to emerge in a polarization state aligned to a second such polarizing filter, for transmission, whereas wavelengths at orthogonal polarization states are blocked. The second polarizing filter can be a wiregrid type that reflects the blocked orthogonal component backwards along the light signal propagation path. Internal reflections are minimized while obtaining a high transmission ratio and high discrimination for the passband wavelengths, by pairing a zero-degree reflective polarizer as the second or selection polarizer, with a preceding non-zero-degree reflective polarizer. The non-zero-degree reflective polarizer can absorb the blocked orthogonal polarization components, for example using an oriented dichroic material, or a polarizing cube or the like can be provided to divert the blocked polarization component.

Abstract: A fuse for a high voltage/high current application, such as a hydro-electric vehicle (“HEV”) application is provided. The fuse employs a variety of arc quenching features to handle a large amount of arcing energy that is generated when such fuse is opened due to a fuse opening event. In one embodiment, an insulative substrate, such as a melamine substrate, is metallized with a fuse element. The fuse element extends to multiple surfaces of the substrate. A fuse opening portion of the element is located so that the arcing energy is forced to travel along multiple insulative planes, increasing an impedance across the opening of the element and decreasing the likelihood of a sustained arc. Also, the substrate and element are disposed in a sealed housing, which is packed in one embodiment with an arc quenching material, such as sand.

Abstract: An integrated sensor for automated systems includes a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a network interface. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the flow sensor includes a temperature sensor (26) which determines the temperature of the fluid flowing in a flow path (12). A heater (18) is coupled to the flow path, and is energized by a controller (20) with sufficient electrical power to raise the temperature of the heater above the measured fluid temperature by a fixed temperature difference. In order to aid in determining the temperature difference, a sensor (24) may be associated with the heater (18). The amount of power required to maintain the temperature difference is a measure of the flow velocity. The volumetric flow rate is the product of the flow velocity multiplied by the area of the flow sensor. The mass flow rate is the product of the volumetric flow rate multiplied by the mass density of the fluid. In a particular embodiment, the pressure sensor is ratiometric.

Abstract: Apparatus for making glass fibers has AC induction coils for AC inductive heating of a spinner for spinning molten glass into molten glass fibers, an enclosure that at least partially surrounds the AC induction coils to protect a human worker, and electrically insulating shielding reducing AC power drain by being positioned between the AC induction coils and the enclosure to reduce inductive heating of the enclosure.

Abstract: A programming system includes a graphical data entry user interface for a plurality of sequential steps displayed to a user on a monitor. The user selects outputs to be activated for each of the sequential steps and any inputs to be monitored or timer to be enabled for the sequential steps. The inputs, outputs, and timer enable commands, and timer values identified by the user are converted into data tables each having a plurality of data elements. Each data element corresponds to one of the sequential steps. A programmable logic controller directs a process by reading the data elements corresponding to a sequential step and, for that sequential step, activating the outputs identified by the output data element, monitoring any inputs identified by the input control data element, and enabling a timer for a selected time period if identified in the input control data element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low-pressure carburising method comprising alternating low-pressure enrichment steps and diffusion steps in the presence of a neutral gas. During the enrichment steps, an enriching gas and neutral gas mixture is used, the proportion of the neutral gas being between 5 and 50% by volume of the enriching gas. The enriching gas can be, for example, acetylene (C2H2).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a device dimension extraction model. After collecting in-line data with regard to at least one feature of a device for one or more layouts, a proximity and linearity effect with regard to the feature based on the collected data is determined. Further, the device's electrically active region (OD) drawn size effect with regard to the feature is also determined based on the collected data. The dimension extraction model is modified based on at least two of the above three characterized effects.

Abstract: An apparatus for contactless measurement of sheet charge density and mobility includes a microwave source, waveguide, first, second and third detectors, and an eccentric bore mount for adjusting the sample. A circular waveguide, carrying the TE11 mode, terminates by the sample behind which a short is located. A magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the plane of the sample, and an incident TE11 wave causes an ordinary reflected wave and a reflected wave caused by the Hall effect. A first detector measures the ordinary reflected wave, which has the same polarization as the incident wave. A seperate probe measures the reflected wave caused by the Hall effect, whose polarization is perpendicular to the former. This reflected wave is detected, and the output combined with an attenuated; phase shifted, portion of the forward power at a single detector, to eliminate by destructive interference any spurious incident signal at said detector.

Abstract: A containment cartridge for extracting and preserving a soil sample comprises a cylindrical sampling barrel for insertion into the soil for collecting a soil sample.

Abstract: A secure cable trough includes a tray, a retaining member, and an adjustable fastening mechanism. The tray includes a first retaining arm. The retaining member includes a second retaining arm. The retaining member is slideably engaged to the tray. The first retaining arm, the second retaining arm, the tray, and the retaining member define a cavity for housing the cables. The first retaining arm and the second retaining arm extend toward each other and are offset and overlapping. The distance between the first and second retaining arm defines a gap. The gap provides access to cables and allows cables to be inserted and extracted from the trough. The first and second retaining arms inhibit cables housed within the trough from inadvertently falling out. The adjustable fastening mechanism slideably engages and locks the retaining member to the tray. The adjustable fastening mechanism allows the retaining member to be positioned relative to the tray.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus useful for starting and driving a discharge lamp 22 includes a DC-to-DC converter 16 for converting a DC signal from a DC power supply to a second DC signal having a predetermined magnitude which is supplied to the lamp. A current detector 24 develops a DC current representative signal representing DC current supplied to the lamp from the DC-to-DC converter. A combination of the current detector 24, a DC voltage detector 26 and a multiplier 30 develops a DC power representative signal representing DC power supplied from the DC-to-DC converter to the lamp. An error amplifier 32 develops a DC current error signal representing the difference between the DC current representative signal and a predetermined DC current reference signal. An error amplifier 36 develops a DC power error signal representing the difference between the DC power representative signal and a predetermined power reference signal.

Abstract: A system for recovering submerged devices uses two recovery tubes of an underwater recovery vehicle. A recovery member is disposed within a first recovery tube. A second recovery tube receives the submerged device. To recover the submerged device, the recovery member is extended from the first recovery tube. A capture arm, which is pivotally attached to the end of the recovery member is extended. The extended capture arm is engaged with the submerged device. The capture arm is adjusted to align the submerged device with the second recovery tube. The recovery member is retracted to recover the submerged device into the second recovery tube. Because the recovery member is not disposed within the same recovery tube that is used to house the retrieved submerged device, the submerged device may have an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the recovery tube.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller system comprising a plurality of fuzzy logic controller units cascadably coupled to one another, each controller having a membership processor for receiving a single input signal corresponding to a sensed parameter from a controlled system and performing fuzzy inference operations based on the input signal for outputting an incremental output signal indicative of a requested change in a controlled output from a current level, a permissions processor for scaling the incremental output signal in response to a fulfillment signal from another controller, a processor responsive to the membership processor and to the permissions processor for providing a fulfillment signal to another controller indicative of a permissible range of freedom for scaling the incremental output signal of the another controller in the cascading sequence, an adder for summing each of the incremental output signals from the plurality of controllers and applying the sum to the controlled output for providing a corre

Abstract: A firearm including a barrel having a combustion chamber for receiving propellant and at least one projectile, includes an electrically switched propellant igniting element disposed within the chamber for igniting propellant dispensed into the combustion chamber. A trigger switching assembly, electrically coupled to the igniting element, applies an electrical current pulse to the igniting element when the trigger assembly is operated in a firing mode, the pulse having a duration which causes the igniting element to ignite propellant dispensed into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A device for ground burial with an underground utility line or element and useful for early detection of the underground utility line or element during the excavation. The device has at least one sheet of non-conductive material, indicia on the sheet forming a cautionary message indicating the presence of an underground utility line or element, and at least one support element for vertically positioning the device in the ground. Further, a method for early detection of a underground utility line or element during excavation. The method includes burying at least one of the above-described devices in the ground along a side of an underground utility line or element so that the device is positioned vertically in the ground and extends up toward the surface of the ground from the underground level of the underground utility line or element.

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprising a chamber (12) filled with a first liquid (13), a drop of a second liquid (11) being disposed at rest on a region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the chamber, the first and second liquids being non miscible, of different optical indexes and of substantially same density. The first liquid is conductive and the second liquid is insulating. The lens further comprises means for applying a voltage between the conductor liquid and an electrode (16) placed on the second surface of said wall; and centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape thereof.