Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system, such that sensor measurements and responses to control actions can be compiled utilizing one or more sensors associated with the rotating system. The rotating system may be represented utilizing sensor measurements and responses to control actions through an associated control model, such that the control model and the sensor measurements are determinative of future control actions. The rotating system may be perturbed utilizing a control action while improving a balance condition associated with the rotating system. Sensor data may be measured from one or more sensors associated with the rotating system. Responses thereof may be determined based on the control action. The sensor data may be manipulated in order to remove measurements and responses thereof that do not well-represent the rotating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the speed and direction of a rotating target is disclosed. A first differential Hall package can be generally located opposite to a second differential Hall package, wherein the first differential Hall package and second differential Hall package comprise mirror images of one another. A first output signal can then be generated by the first differential Hall package and a second output signal by the second differential Hall package during a rotation of the rotating target. The first Hall output signal can thus be compared to the second Hall output signal during a shift of the rotating target from a sinusoidal phase to a non-sinusoidal phase thereof, thereby permitting accurate phase information indicative of the speed and direction of the rotating target to be obtained.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a stack of laminations that are bonded together by a dielectric bonding agent. The laminations and the dielectric bonding agent have matching coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A pattern solution set for paper roll trimming to fulfill orders is generated using constraint programming and a heuristic. For every pattern generated, an objective function is evaluated based on the sum of waste factor and the variance of the quantity ordered for all widths in that pattern. The pattern that has the least objective function is chosen with the maximum number of sets possible. Orders are updated with the quantities left over and then the process continues, forming a solution tree, which serves as an initial solution set. The initial solution set is checked individually against the average loss of the solution set. Nodes in the solution tree having trim loss greater than the average loss are identified. Branches of the tree emanating from its parent are explored for better patterns. The process continues until all patterns are below the initial average loss.

Abstract: A sensor placement algorithm uses process data to determine the optimal distribution of sensors in a distributed parameter manufacturing system. An automatic classification procedure maps any problems in the process to a predetermined set of process disturbances. A control procedure uses process data to determine the best control action that will ensure good system response. Methods for sensor placement, automatic decision tree classification, corrective action control and the apparatus to effectuate these respective methods are integrated into a design methodology.

Abstract: A system for improving the duty cycle output of a vehicle speed sensor circuit is disclosed. The vehicle speed sensor circuit can be configured, for example as a binary counter, to provide a particular number of pulses per distance of vehicle travel. An output of the vehicle speed sensor circuit is generally divided by placing varying values on particular load pins of an associated counter circuit, thereby providing a substantially improved duty cycle output from the vehicle speed sensor circuit, which is independent of an associated sensor duty cycle. The output of the vehicle speed sensor circuit can be divided utilizing a toggle flip-flop circuit integrated with the vehicle speed sensor circuit. The toggle flip-flop can be configured as an edge-triggered toggle flip-flop. The vehicle speed sensor can be utilized to sense rotating members present in a vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor thus provides a digital pulse output for every tooth that passes in front of the vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: A fast pseudo-random number generator, which can be employed in a variety of systems such as a stream cipher cryptosystem or a Monte Carlo simulation system, includes a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) having a state contained in N storage elements storing N bits of binary data which are separated into w words having word length M. At least two tap sources provide binary data, each tap source has a number of bits which is a multiple of M. The LFSR also includes a linear feedback function coupled to tap sources and providing a temporary value which is a linear function, such as bit-wise exclusive-or, of the binary data provided from the tap sources. The LFSR state is advanced by shifting the binary data in the storage elements by a multiple of M bits and provide the temporary value to fill in storage elements that would otherwise be empty from the shifting.

Abstract: Magnetic sensing methods and systems are disclosed. A minimum magnetic signal output and a maximum magnetic signal output can be detected utilizing a sensor comprising a peak detector circuit associated with a filter averaging circuit and one or more magnetic elements (e.g., a Hall element and/or magnetoresistive bridge). An average magnetic signal output can then be determined utilizing the filter averaging circuit when a target begins to rotate in front of the sensor.

Abstract: An integrated mesopump-sensor suitable for disposition in two- and three-dimensional arrays having small dimensions is disclosed. One mesopump is formed of an electrostatically attractable flexible diaphragm disposed through cavities or pumping chambers formed between two opposing electrostatically chargeable material layers. Fluid is pumped through the chambers by sequentially moving the diaphragm toward the first chargeable layer, then towards the second chargeable layer, which can pull and push the fluid through a series of chambers, and past the sensor. One group of sensors utilizes multiple and varied chemoresistive sensors which can vary in resistance differently in response to the presence of various analytes. Another group of sensors utilizes chemo-fluorescent sensors that fluoresce in the presence of particular analytes.

Abstract: A stream cipher cryptosystem includes a pseudo-random number generator receiving a key and providing a keystream. A cryptographic combiner combines a first binary data sequence and the keystream with a one's complement operation to provide a second binary data sequence. In encryption operations, the cryptographic combiner is an encryption combiner and the first binary data sequence is a plaintext binary data sequence and the second binary data sequence is a ciphertext binary data sequence. In decryption operations, the cryptographic combiner is a decryption combiner and the first binary data sequence is a ciphertext binary data sequence and the second binary data sequence is a plaintext binary data sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for sensing rotary position. A rotor and stator are positioned proximate to one another but are not in contact with one another. The rotor comprises at least one radial spoke for receiving angular information from the stator, wherein the rotor is located in a non-contact position proximate to the stator. Preferably, the rotor comprises only one radial spoke for receiving the angular information from the stator. Additionally, a coil or other transmitting member is located centrally between the stator and the rotor, wherein the angular information is broadcast to the stator from the rotor through the coil to resolve angles between spoke positions thereof and thereby accurately sense rotary position.

Abstract: A system and a method for an automated intelligent information mining includes receiving product-related queries and respective product-related information from various text sources; extracting multiple key-phrases from the product-related information and received queries; generating two or more layers of contextual relation maps by mapping the extracted key-phrases to two-dimensional maps using a self organizing map, and a technique including a combination of Hessian matrix and Perturbation technique to enhance the learning process and to categorize the extracted key-phrases based on a contextual meaning. Further, the technique includes forming word clusters and constructing corresponding key phrase frequency histograms for each of the generated contextual relation maps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting gear features is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic-sensing element, a thresholding module, and an output module. The magnetic-sensing element may provide a sensor-output signal indicative of the presence of a gear feature. The thresholding module may (i) transform the sensor-output signal into a characteristic waveform, which is also indicative of the presence of the gear feature; (ii) detect a first difference between the characteristic waveform and a reference signal, and responsively provide a tracking signal that tracks this difference; and (iii) detect a second difference between the tracking and reference signals, and responsively adjust the sensor-output signal. Adjustment may be performed (i) as a function of the second difference when it falls below a given threshold and (ii) by a predetermined amount when the second difference satisfies the given threshold.

Abstract: Methods of and systems providing high reliability relative humidity sensors having integrated signal conditioning are described, providing a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric, a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, respectively. Changes in humidity affect the humidity-sensitive dielectric thereby causing changes in the capacitive value of said series capacitive circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating and deactuating an electro-mechanical switch utilizing an energy-storing actuator is disclosed. An electro-mechanical switch can be configured to include an (internal or external) lever. A first magnet having a first magnetic field thereof is generally located on the (internal or external) lever of the electro-mechanical switch. A second magnet having a second magnetic field thereof is generally located on an energy-storing actuator, such as a bi-metal coil, wherein the second magnetic field of the second magnet opposes the first magnetic field of the first magnet to form an opposing magnetic force thereof in order to actuate and deactuate the electro-mechanical switch.

Abstract: An apparatus to normalize a flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel is provided. The apparatus uses a movable member, such as a flexible membrane disposed for reciprocating displacement, to produce a constant dither flow of the fluid that is independent of fluid composition. This dither flow generates a signal output from a normalizing flow sensor that both represents a characteristic property of the fluid and a flow rate calibration factor. A similar apparatus to determine the characteristic property or flow rate calibration factor is also provided. The devices disclosed may be used in numerous industrial, process, and medical flow system applications for normalization of flow sensors and to derive other properties of a fluid.

Abstract: A power supply rejection circuit and method thereof for capacitively-stored reference voltages is disclosed. The power supply rejection circuit generally comprises a comparison circuit for comparing a signal associated with a power supply such as, for example, a Wheatstone bridge configuration, to a stored reference voltage, such that the comparison circuit includes at least one existing capacitor therein. At least one additional capacitor can be then coupled to the comparison circuit, such that the additional capacitor creates a capacitively-coupled voltage divider. This capacitively-coupled voltage divider negates the first order effects of power supply noise in the system. This effect significantly reduces the effect of power supply noise and improves signal jitter associated with the comparison circuit during a comparison of the signal to the stored reference voltage utilizing the comparison circuit.

Abstract: Detection of a person disguised with one or more artificial materials includes detecting reflection from at least one portion of a head of a human body in at least a portion of an upper band of the near infrared spectrum. The presence of an artificial material associated with the head of the human body is determined based on the detected reflection.

Abstract: A device 10 for sensing a magnetic field gradient using an optically powered resonant integrated microstructure (O-RIMS). The O-RIMS comprises a microbeam 11 having a resonant frequency, a shell 16 supporting the microbeam 11, sensor electronics, a light transporter 36, such as an optical fiber or optical waveguide, in proximity to the shell 16, and a ferromagnetic or magnetically permeable element 26 attached to the shell 16. The ferromagnetic or magnetically permeable element 26 experiences a torque about the fulcrum 24 when a magnetic field gradient is present, and causes a strain on the shell 16. The strain is in turn transmitted to the microbeam 11, thereby affecting its resonant frequency. The change in resonant frequency of the microbeam 11 is conveyed to the sensor electronics via the light transporter 36.

Abstract: A toggle switch includes a one piece integrated plate, stand off, and bushing. The stand off has protrusions extending therefrom, and the stand off and the protrusions form a seal receptacle and determine a stand off depth of the plate from a panel. An O-ring seal is seated around the bushing and within the seal receptacle. The toggle lever extends through an opening of the bushing. The bushing and the toggle level are inserted through a hole in the panel until the protrusions engage the panel. The switch cover is fastened to the panel using a single fastener so that the O-ring seal is squeezed between the stand off and the panel to provide a seal between the panel and the switch cover.