Abstract: A pump for solids handling is provided having a suction liner in combination with an impeller. The suction liner has a suction liner spiral design. The impeller has forward curved impeller suction side pump out vanes.

Abstract: A compact electrical connector has first contacts (32) with a first characteristic impedance (50 ohms) and second contacts (34) with a second characteristic impedance (100 ohms), with each set of contacts having a separate electrical ground (G1, G2). The first contacts lie in passages of a first insulative holder (24), with the first contacts arranged in three rows (62, 64, 66) wherein the middle row is offset from the top and bottom rows to maintain a constant contact spacing. The second contacts (34) lie in two vertically elongated insulative holders (26, 28) that each lies at one end of the first holder, with each holder having a grounded second contact (56) and with each holder projecting into a recess (84) at the end of the frame that receives the first holder.

Abstract: An appliance controller is provided featuring one or more modules configured for providing power to an appliance that receives fluid from a fluid supply system, for receiving a fluid supply system signal indicating that the fluid is not being provided to the appliance and for disconnecting the power to the appliance. The one or more modules may take the form of an appliance controller circuit having a first circuit part configured for providing power to an appliance that receives fluid from a fluid supply system; and a second circuit part configured for receiving a fluid supply system signal indicating that the fluid is not being provided to the appliance and disconnecting the power to the appliance. The appliance controller may form part of an appliance controller system having appliances, appliance controllers and the fluid supply system.

Abstract: A method of performing Raman spectroscopy, and an apparatus for performing the method, including irradiating, with laser light, a trace amount of a target substance disposed on a painted surface, receiving reflected laser light and a Raman return signal from the trace amount of the target substance, processing the Raman return signal using, at least, a spectrograph and camera to obtain a Raman signature for the target substance, and identifying the target substance based on the Raman signature for the target substance and a database of Raman signatures. The laser light wavelength may be selected based on a ratio of Raman return signal power to fluorescence power.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical assembly frame having an input portion, an output portion, and an objective lens assembly disposed at the input portion of the optical assembly frame. The objective lens assembly has an objective lens central optical axis. An eyepiece lens assembly is disposed at the output portion of the frame. The eyepiece lens assembly has an eyepiece lens central optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and offset from the objective lens central optical axis by a distance. An inverting image intensifier is disposed between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly. The image intensifier has an image intensifier optical axis parallel to the objective lens central optical axis and parallel to the eyepiece lens central optical axis. The image intensifier optical axis is offset from both the objective lens central optical axis and the eyepiece lens central optical axis by about half the distance.

Abstract: Memory-based permutation methods and systems are provided for the permutation of data. The memory-based permutation methods and systems provide flexibility and reconfigurability while reducing size and increasing speed. They provide the ability to program a memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), to implement a permutation of source data. The RAM may be reprogrammed to change the permutation pattern thereby providing the flexibility to implement any pattern of permutation from source data to output data and the reconfigurability to change that implementation as desired. Also, the size of the RAM is greatly reduced, and as the input and output data width and number of input and output data bits increase, the size and complexity of the RAM does not increase greatly or exponentially, as with typical conventional systems.

Abstract: A system for obtaining emission flux of a gas plume, emanating from a source, includes an airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system for determining multiple concentration path length (CPL) values along a flight path; and an airborne wind measuring system (WMS) for determining a wind vector at the aircraft altitude. Also included is a processor for receiving the multiple CPL values determined by the DIAL system and the wind vector determined by the WMS. The processor uses the CPL values to compute either (a) an area-integrated concentration (AIC) value or (b) an average concentration value over a cross-plume extent, defined along the length dimension of the flight path. The processor also scales the wind vector to the near ground altitude level of the gas plume to obtain a scaled wind vector. The emission flux is obtained by multiplying either the AIC value or the average concentration value with a component of the scaled wind vector.

Abstract: A searchlight is provided featuring a searchlight having a searchlight assembly and a searchlight control circuitry module. The searchlight assembly has a central axis and includes a ramped insert and a light source socket arrangement. The ramped insert is configured with an angled surface that is oblique in relation to the central axis. The light source socket arrangement is configured to receive a bulb or light source for providing the light beam, is also configured with a corresponding angled surface that is also oblique in relation with to the central axis, and is also configured to respond to an applied force and rotate so as to move axially along the central axis in relation to the ramped insert.

Abstract: A mechanical linear actuator having a tubular member that is defined by a housing for rotatably and axially supporting a circular nut, a lead screw is mated to the circular nut so that it can move axially in and out of the tubular member. A torsion spring clutch brake is wound about the circular nut to normally brake the nut and thus prevent the lead screw from moving into or out of the tubular member. An unlocking mechanism can remotely unwind the torsion spring clutch brake to sufficiently release the circular nut and thus allow the lead screw to pass in and out of the tubular member. An adjustable stop is provided for adjusting the stroke of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique portable, self-contained, fluid system. The portable, self-contained, fluid changing system may be used as a fluid changing device for changing a fluid such as oil or another suitable fluid in a container of a boat, recreational vehicle (RV), automobile or other suitable military, agricultural or industrial device. Alternatively, portable, self-contained, fluid system may also be used for providing fluid such as water or other suitable fluid for cleaning or showering. Moreover, the portable, self-contained, fluid system may also have a reversible electric pump that may be adapted or switched for pumping in either direction once the pump is affixed on the reservoir so the system may be sold and marketed for use in a fluid changing type of device or in a water providing or cleaning type of device consistent with that described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising a pump housing provided with a rotatable impeller (3) having at least one vane (9) and an impeller seat (4), the impeller seat (4) presenting at least one recess (13) in the top surface (11) thereof, a sheering/cutting action arising between an cutting edge (15) of said recess (13) and a lower edge (14) of the vane (9) as the impeller (3) rotates relative to the impeller seat (4). Furthermore, the pump also comprises means for guiding the solid matter towards said recess (13), the guiding means comprising at least one guide in and at least one projection (20), an upper surface (19) of the guide pin extending from a position contiguous to the most inner part of the vane (9) of the impeller (3) towards the impeller seat (4), and the projection (20) protruding from the impeller seat (4).

Abstract: A system for detecting and locating illicit cellular telephone use within a facility includes an array of radio frequency (RF) receivers, each receiver being placed in a predetermined location in the facility, and a central server, the receivers being in electrical communication with the central server. The server commands a group or groups of receivers to tune to a frequency of interest and to perform detailed sample rate measurements of the RF signal level received at the receivers. The array of receivers is organized into a plurality of measurement areas covering widely separated areas of the facility or different buildings of the facility, and the plurality of receivers of a measurement area is organized into a plurality of measurement groups covering areas of approximately uniform RF propagation conditions. Each receiver scans a frequency band of interest non-synchronously and independently of the other receivers in the array. Also, each receiver is preferably a direct-conversion receiver.

Abstract: A re-imaging optical system includes a front objective lens group, a relay lens and a Dewar assembly. The front objective lens group includes at least three lenses for focusing light entering an entrance pupil and forming a first image located adjacent or near a field stop. The relay lens group includes at least three lenses for focusing light from the first image toward the Dewar assembly. The Dewar assembly includes a cold stop and a cooled detector array for forming a second image. Advantageously, the second image is a magnified version of the first image. Also advantageously, the distance between the entrance pupil and the detector array is less than or equal to 201 millimeters. Furthermore, the lenses of the front objective lens group and the lenses of the relay lens group are made from readily available material, such as silicon and/or germanium.

Abstract: A pixel accumulates charge and an active guard ring surrounds the pixel. A buffer has an input terminal coupled to the pixel and an output terminal coupled to the active guard ring. The buffer places a charge potential on the active guard ring that is substantially equal to a charge potential on the pixel. The charge leakage from the pixel is effectively reduced.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly for night vision goggles including an objective lens cell having a threaded portion, an optical bench having a mating threaded portion for receiving the objective lens cell, and a snap-ring washer for reducing backlash between the objective lens cell and the optical bench. The objective lens cell includes a first wall radially extending away from an axial neck portion, the optical bench includes a second wall radially extending toward the axial neck portion and oriented substantially parallel to the first wall, and the snap-ring washer circumferentially surrounds the axial neck portion of the objective lens cell. The biasing element is configured for a relaxed mode of operation and a compressed mode of operation. In the relaxed mode, the snap-ring washer is inactive, and in the compressed mode, the snap-ring washer reduces backlash between the lens cell and the optical bench.

Abstract: Charged particle sensing devices and methods of forming charged particle sensing devices are provided. The charged particle sensing device includes a source of charged particles, a plurality of collector electrodes for receiving a first portion of the charged particles and a grid formed around and spaced apart from the plurality of collector electrodes. The grid receives a second portion of the charged particles and directs backscattered charged particles, generated responsive to the second portion, to adjacent collector electrodes.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a body member for regulating pressure of a fluid flowing therein. The body member has one end for receiving the fluid and another end for providing pressure regulated fluid. The pressure regulator has two quick-disconnect devices, each arranged on a respective end of the body member, including a male quick-disconnect device for coupling to a corresponding female quick-disconnect device forming part of a hose or dispenser for providing the fluid or a pump for receiving the pressure regulated fluid; or a female quick-disconnect device for coupling to a corresponding male quick-disconnect device forming part of a hose or dispenser for providing the fluid or a pump for receiving the pressure regulated fluid.

Abstract: The present invention embodiments bypass congested links in a multi-hop Ad-Hoc wireless network. Initially, congestion is measured at each network node based on channel utilization for both transmission and reception of TDMA and CSMA messages. The measured utilization is quantized to conserve transmission bandwidth. Non-uniform quantization is applied to enable the measured utilization to be quantized to the highest value within the quantization range prior to occurrence of congestion, thereby effectively providing early notification of the congestion. The quantized utilization is distributed with the original use costs of a communication link to the remaining network nodes by a Link State Advertisement (LSA) flood and supplemental ACK and/or HELLO packets. After a network node receives the quantized utilization, the link cost is updated and used to select a routing path that minimizes the total costs from the source node to the destination node for a multi-hop network.

Abstract: A helmet mount for night vision apparatus wherein night vision goggles can be coupled and uncoupled to its power pack without the use of tools and wherein the power pack can be coupled and uncoupled to a helmet without the use of tools. When an aviator wearing a helmet with night vision apparatus so mounted, is ejected from his aircraft both the goggles and the power pack are released from the helmet.

Abstract: A multi-function modulo processor architecture is capable of performing multiple modulo mathematic operations. The modulo processor includes a pipeline processing portion that iteratively computes a running partial modulo product using the operands of a modulo mathematic argument to obtain one or more final partial modulo products. The final partial modulo product is post-processed to obtain the final result.