Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing properties of glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly includes a waveguide having a first end disposed in the burner assembly and a second end disposed outside of the burner assembly, and at least one detector located adjacent to the waveguide's second end. A radiation collector is located adjacent to the first end of the waveguide so as to direct incident radiation substantially paraxially into the waveguide. The method includes collecting radiation from the glass-ceramic plate, and directing the collected radiation onto a detector located outside of the burner assembly via a waveguide.

Abstract: A computed tomography system employs an optical communications link to reliably transmit high bandwidth data from the gantry to the associated processor. The communications link comprises an optical emitter, an optical waveguide, an induced radiated wave chamber, and an optical detector. The optical emitter is attached to the gantry of the computed tomography system. The optical waveguide generates a total internal reflection breach in response to an electric field, light energy, magnetic energy, and alternatively, in response to heat produced within a induced radiated wave chamber. The optical emitter generates a high bandwidth optical data signal which travels along the optical waveguide in correspondence with data generated by the detector array on the gantry.

Abstract: An asymmetrical (inbound only) high frequency communication system for asset tracking is made up of a message preparation and transmitter subsystem, a receiving subsystem, and a system monitoring subsystem. A transmission channel is selected randomly or pseudorandomly. Prior to each transmission, the transmitter performs a radiometric measurement of a selected channel. If the measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold, transmission in the selected channel is canceled and another channel is selected. The transmission protocol achieves frequency diversity by sequentially transmitting a message on a plurality of different channels. The receiving subsystem has a plurality of spatially separated receiver sites at various geographical points, thereby providing spatial diversity. The receiver sites are linked to a common processing center. Onboard the asset and collocated with the transmitter, a system monitoring subsystem records and stores parameters related to the message preparation and transmitter subsystem.

Abstract: Statistical methods of partial discharge analysis utilizing histogram similarity measures are provided by quality assessment and condition monitoring methods of evaluating high voltage electrical insulation. The quality assessment method is utilized to evaluate the quality of insulation within the electrical equipment. The condition monitoring method is utilized during normal operation of the equipment to identify degradation in the insulation and to predict catastrophic insulation failures.