Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for monitoring and locating an object using secure communications without relying on GPS. A monitoring device may activate a monitored unit (unit monitored by monitoring device) by transmitting a seed of an algorithm and a time synchronization to the monitored unit. The seed and time synchronization may be used in conjunction with an algorithm, e.g., frequency hopping table, stored in both the monitoring device and the monitored unit, to allow both the monitoring device and the monitored unit to communicate with one another at a uniquely synchronized time and frequency thereby making it more difficult for a third party to locate the monitored unit. An alert may be generated when the monitored unit is located beyond a predetermined zone. The monitored unit may be located by activating a directional antenna in conjunction with a digital compass on the monitoring device.

Abstract: A multiple target array for receiving particles from a particle beam generator includes a particle beam transport path having a transport inlet and a transport outlet, the inlet receiving a particle beam from the particle beam generator. A kicker magnet is positioned along the particle beam transport path. The kicker magnet has an ON state and an OFF state and a kicker magnet inlet and a kicker magnet outlet. The array further includes a plurality of target paths, each of said target paths having a target inlet and terminating in a target. One of the target inlets is connected to the transport path adjacent to the kicker magnet outlet, and the particle beam in the transport path entering the kicker magnet inlet passes along the transport path through the kicker magnet outlet when the kicker magnet is in the OFF state, and the beam is directed to the target inlet when the kicker magnet is in the ON state.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The apparatus can operate in multiple scanning modes and the resulting data collected can be processed using both gauging and computerized axial tomographic (CAT) algorithms and techniques. In a gauging analysis, the apparatus and method make use of both a computer-implementable model of the general shape of the component scanned and a computer-generated model of the specific component scanned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of cylindrical or other geometrically regular-shaped products, such as tube or rounds, through high precision, continuous, real-time three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products during their manufacture are disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. The apparatus is able to continuously and in real time perform a three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products, detect cross-sectional and longitudinal flaws in the products, determine the processing steps causing the flaw, and modify the production process through feedback and/or feedforward control of the processing equipment. In performing the analysis on hot or cold products, the apparatus can determine the dimensional measurements of the products at other temperatures and take these measurements into consideration while controlling the manufacturing process in order to produce products of consistent dimensional quality.

Abstract: An optical rotation device with infinite depth of field for transmitting optical images along an optical axis and selectively rotating the image about the optical axis, while preserving all of the three dimensional characteristics of the image. The optical rotation device consists of two optical elements optically coupled in series, each of which produces an inversion of the image about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis. Rotation of the image by any angle in the plane normal to the optical axis is achieved by rotating the two optical elements relative to one another about the optical axis.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors mounted on a ring assembly which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The ring assembly is held in place by a yoke assembly in a manner that allows the ring to be rotated relative to the yoke assembly so that multiple scans of the same component cross-section can be performed from different angles. The apparatus is also capable of sub-positioning the detectors relative to the source while the ring assembly is stationary to increase the number of scans that can be taken from different angles. The yoke assembly, in turn, is mounted on a beam assembly in a manner that allows the yoke assembly to move relative to the beam assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the shape specific contraction and expansion of cylindrical or otherwise geometrically regular-shaped products as a function of time and temperature through high precision, continuous, nondestructive dimensional analysis of a cross-section of the object as the object is heated and/or cooled. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. In performing the analysis on an object as its temperature changes over a certain temperature range, the apparatus generates curves or formulas representing the changes in a dimension of the object as a function of temperature and/or time.

Abstract: Heterostructure barrier quantum well device with a super-lattice structure of alternating lightly doped and heavily doped spacer layers having multiple, stable current-voltage curves extending continuously through zero bias at ambient temperature. The device can be repetitively switched between the multiple current-voltage curves. Once placed on a particular curve, the device retains memory of the curve it has been set on, even if held at zero bias for extended periods of time. The device can be switched between current-voltage curve settings at higher positive or negative voltages and can be read at lower voltages. Switching between current-voltage curve settings can also be effected by additional terminal connection(s) to the spacer layer(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of cylindrical or other geometrically regular-shaped products, such as tube or rounds, through high precision, continuous, real-time three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products during their manufacture are disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. The apparatus is able to continuously and in real time perform a three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products, detect cross-sectional and longitudinal flaws in the products, determine the processing steps causing the flaw, and modify the production process through feedback and/or feedforward control of the processing equipment. In performing the analysis on hot or cold products, the apparatus can determine the dimensional measurements of the products at other temperatures and take these measurements into consideration while controlling the manufacturing process in order to produce products of consistent dimensional quality.

Abstract: Circuit boards with imbedded traces, which may form grooves or trenches are provided. The traces may be at least partially filled with a reflowable conductive material such as solder. The grooves may be selectively furnished with solder while other regions may be empty or void of solder. In assembling electronic components, with or without extended leads, such as surface mount integrated circuits or chips, to the solder core circuit boards, the leads may be placed within the regions of the grooves without solder (contact regions) and then the circuit board may be heated selectively or as a whole to reflow the solder to the bonding or contacting regions to bond the traces to the leads upon cooling. Circuit boards having surface mount devices on both sides may be formed in this manner. Further, tape automated bonded or TAB mounted devices may be directly placed into and bonded to the traces or solder core circuit boards with minimum exposure of the excised TAB leads prior to assembly.

Abstract: Grain-destroying insects, and those which may infect other types of particulate matter, when feeding and moving about, induce vibrations in the grain or particulate material affected which is modified and amplified to an audible level. The detection is performed using a crystal with piezoelectric properties directly and physically connected to a vibratory receiving structure such as an elongated probe, a thin, flat diaphragm or the like which mechanically amplifies the vibrations to the crystal. The vibratory sounds are then analyzed, such as by comparison with other records of known destructive insects to determine the probable species of insect and its location.

Abstract: Circuit boards with imbedded traces, which may form grooves or trenches are provided. The traces may be at least partially filled with a reflowable conductive material such as solder. The grooves may be selectively furnished with solder while other regions may be empty or void of solder. In assembling electronic components, with or without extended leads, such as surface mount integrated circuits or chips, to the solder core circuit boards, the leads may be placed within the regions of the grooves without solder (contact regions) and then the circuit board may be heated selectively or as a whole to reflow the solder to the bonding or contacting regions to bond the traces to the leads upon cooling. Circuit boards having surface mount devices on both sides may be formed in this manner. Further, tape automated bonded or TAB mounted devices may be directly placed into and bonded to the traces or solder core circuit boards with minimum exposure of the excised TAB leads prior to assembly.

Abstract: Wood and other article destroying insects, when feeding, induce vibrations in the article being destroyed which is monitored and amplified to an audible level. The vibratory sounds are then analyzed as by comparison with other records of known destructive insects to determine the probable species of insect and its location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of non-contacting, non-destructive, on-line dimensional analysis and flaw detection of tubular products are disclosed. The apparatus includes penetrating radiation sources and detectors arranged about the product to be examined and a high-speed data processing system which employs novel computed tomography techniques to provide high precision dimensional estimates and flaw detection. The apparatus is capable of continuously determining the outside diameter, inside diameter, wall thickness, ovality, eccentricity, and weight-per-foot over a wide range of temperatures for essentially tubular products produced on a unit or continuous basis. The apparatus can also detect process-induced flaws in the products.

Abstract: The design of a universally testable logic element from which combinational and sequential logic circuits can be formed is disclosed. The logic element is designed to operate as a NAND gate, NOR gate, or other functionally complete logic function in its normal mode. In a first test mode, the element functions like an OR gate. In a second test mode, the element functions like an AND gate. By building a circuit with such a logic element, the circuit can be tested for all classical stuck-at-zero and stuck-at-one faults with a minimal number of test patterns. Methods of testing both combinational and sequential circuits formed from such logic elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the intensity of radiation passing through an object as a set of planar beams from a radiation source is disclosed. The radiographic apparatus includes a detector array of adjoining scintillators having wall linings suitable for absorbing radiation, thereby functioning as self-colliminating detectors. The apparatus is also capable of counting the number of individual photons of primary radiation passing through an object along each path from a radiation source operating at the very high count rates used in computer-assisted tomography applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the tomographic examination of planar sections of an object is disclosed which includes a plurality of sources spaced about an object at fixed intervals which emit a set of planar beams of penetrating radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, through a planar section of the object and a plurality of self-collimating detector arrays positioned to receive only photons of radiation which pass through the planar section of the object from the source directly opposite the array. The sources and detector arrays are mounted on a mounting apparatus to prevent movement relative to each other. Each of the detector arrays includes a plurality of self-collimating detectors which count the number of individual primary radiation photons passing through the object along the path from the source to the detector without absorption or deflection.