Abstract: A method and system are provided for diagnosing the health-condition of engines, in particular internal combustion reciprocating engines, in which the harmonic terms of the Fourier series representation of the engine vibration are correlated with the mechanical state of the engine. In particular, the characteristics of the harmonic components of the Fourier representation are monitored at one or more predetermined frequencies according to at least one first predetermined criterion, and the characteristics of these harmonic components are analysed according to at least one second predetermined criterion to determine the operational state of the engine correlated to the second criterion.

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A faceplate (F) for an image intensifier tube (10) for reducing veiling glare begins as a blank (36) of optical material of a desired glass composition having a shape that conforms substantially to a configuration of the faceplate (F) to be produced. An extraneous removable aperture step portion (54) is formed on the glass blank (36). The glass blank is blackened (41) and the aperture step portion (54) is removed creating a desired transmissive aperture (34) through the glass blank (36).

Abstract: An event synchronizing apparatus E for an image intensification camera system C for gathering image data includes an image intensifier 348 for amplifying received light 312. A relay optic assembly 316 is coupled between the image intensifier 348 and a digital image sensor 350, such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic 352 is used to process or output an image or related data 334. An event detector 340 digitizes an input signal 342 from an illumination source 338 and generates an electrical output synchronization signal 346 in response to the input optical signal 342. The image intensifier camera C derives imaging and control information for the synchronization signal.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a photocathode (20) with an active layer (52) providing an electrical spectral response to photons of light. The photocathode (20) also includes integral spacer structure (42) which extends toward and physically touches a microchannel plate (22) of the image intensifier tube in order to establish and maintain a desirably precise and fine-dimension spacing distance “G” between the photocathode and the microchannel plate. A method of making the photocathode and a method of making the image intensifier tube are described also.

Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (P) for receiving photoelectrons includes a plate-like substrate web (W) formed from a plurality of micro-tubules (10) of a single type of cladding glass (12) and defining a pair of opposite faces (14a and 14b). The substrate web (W) further includes a plurality of microchannel passages (16) extending between the opposite faces (14a and 14b) and having openings (18a and 18b, respectively) in both of the opposite faces (14a and 14b). The microchannel openings (18) have funnel-like entries or openings (20) formed in the substrate web (W) with at least one of the opposite faces (14).

Abstract: An electrochemical device (18) for generating a desired gas of the type includes an ionically conductive electrolyte layer (20), a porous electrode layer (22), and a current collector layer (16) that has a high electrical conductivity and is porous to a desired gas (24) generated by the electrochemical device (18). The current collector layer (16) is substantially formed as a film comprised of a layer of spherical refractory material objects (26) having a conductive coating (12) of a precious metal. The coated spherical objects (26) have a desired diameter (28) making them suitable for forming into the film.

Abstract: A viewer device (G) has at least one monocular assembly (10) having a focus ring (12) that is accessible externally for adjusting optical focus of the viewer (G). A clamping assembly (18) for the viewer includes a band (20) that is controllably secured about a portion of an exterior surface (22) of the monocular (10). At least one pin body (24) extends from the band (20). The pin (24) is secured to the band (20) at a base end (26). An opposite pin end (28) extends toward and overlaps at least a portion of the focus ring (12). The focus ring (12) has at least one cooperating member (30) that is formed with an exterior surface (30) of the focus ring (12). When the band (20) is secured, the pin (24) engages the cooperating member (30) of the focus ring (12) to secure the focus ring (12) from undesired movement.

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate structure (10) having an interior portion (12) formed with an outer surface (14) is porous to at least one selected gas (16). A first ceramic coating layer (18) is applied to the outer surface (14) of the ceramic substrate structure (10) in a suspension state. The first ceramic coating suspension (20) has a desired level of viscosity for application to the substrate and is formed with a ceramic electrolyte powder and at least one organic additive. A second ceramic coating layer (22) is applied to the outer surface (14) following application of the first coating (18). The second coating (22) is initially applied after the first coating (18) and in a suspension state. The ceramic layers (18 and 22) substantially prevent gas leakage through the outer surface (14).

Abstract: An image intensifier tube includes a photocathode (20) with an active layer (52) providing an electrical spectral response to photons of light. The photocathode (20) also includes integral spacer structure (42) which extends toward and physically touches a microchannel plate (22) of the image intensifier tube in order to establish and maintain a desirably precise and fine-dimension spacing distance “G” between the photocathode and the microchannel plate. A method of making the photocathode and a method of making the image intensifier tube are described also.

Abstract: A battery adapter (A) replaces two batteries (10) with a single battery (10) housed within a compartment (48) of a battery powered electrical device (D). An electrically conductive housing (40) adapted to replicate a selected battery and fit within a space adapted to house two of the selected sized batteries. A step up circuit (18) mounted within the battery housing (40) receives an electrical signal from a single battery (10) and transforms the voltage of the electrical signal to simulate an electrical signal from two electrically connected selected batteries (10).

Abstract: A bend (B) in a wave guide (G) is formed having two angled cuts (201, 202) on either side of a middle pivot point (207). The angled cuts (201, 202) extend through a first side of a cladding layer (101) of the wave guide formed with at least one inner layer (102) and one outer layer (101). The wave guide (G) is then bent at the angled cuts about the middle pivot point (207) to make a desired angle bend. The middle pivot point (207) has a reflective angled surface (401) such that light (404) propagating through the wave guide (G) will be reflected and turned at the desired angle.

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: An oven insert (110) for a gas generating system of the type that includes heating elements, heat exchanger, a gas generating module (22), an air inlet, and a product gas outlet, includes a furnace enclosure member formed with a plurality of interior chambers. The interior chambers (112) are adapted for holding at least one gas generating module (22). The interior chambers (112) each have an opening (122) formed an exterior face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110). The openings are spaced along a central axis (126) of the face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110).