Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring the speed of a moving sport object, for example, from a gun, bow or other implement, such as a bullet or paint ball or arrow. The sensor is operable over a short range and is preferably mounted in close proximity to the path of the moving object preferably utilizes CW Doppler radar of a microwave radio frequency. In use, the unit is situated so as to place a transmit/receive antenna close to or in the line of motion of the object. Such an antenna, so positioned, may be separated from the unit and connected through a transmission line. The remote display/annunciator can also or in the alternative be separated and located remote from the transmitter/receiver and connected by a cable or a wireless link. The sensor is useful for other speed measurements in sports applications, such as for measurement of bat speed, golf club head speed or the speed of another racket, club or bat type implement, or to measure punch or kick speed in martial arts.

Abstract: Quasistatic sensor responses may be converted into multiple model parameters to characterize hidden properties of a material. Methods of conversion use databases of responses and, in some cases, databases that include derivatives of the responses, to estimate at least three unknown model parameters, such as the electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, dielectric permittivity, thermal conductivity, and/or layer thickness. These parameter responses are then used to obtain a quantitative estimate of a property of a hidden feature, such as corrosion loss layer thicknesses, inclusion size and depth, or stress variation. The sensors can be single element sensors or sensor arrays and impose an interrogation electric, magnetic, or thermal field.

Abstract: Observability of damage precursor, damage and usage states, or event occurrence may be enhanced by modifying component materials to include self-monitoring materials or by processing test material to alter the surface properties. The properties of the self monitoring materials, such as magnetic permeability or electrical conductivity, are monitored with electromagnetic sensors and provide greater property variations with component condition than the original component material. Processing includes shot peening or laser welding.

Abstract: Pressurized elastic support structures or balloons are used to press flexible sensors against the surface a material under test. Rigid support elements can also be incorporated into the inspection devices to maintain the basic shape of the inspection structure and to facilitate positioning of the sensors near the test material surface. The rigid supports can have the approximate shape of the test material surface or the pressurization of one or more balloons can be used to conform the sensor to the shape of the test material surface.

Abstract: There is a need for a non-invasive method of calibrating medical devices at the point of care, where the calibration is performed without the removal of blood or bodily fluids. The invention is directed to an approach for calibrating a first non-invasive sensor in which the tissue being measured is modulated in some way so as to after the value of the parameter being measured by the first optical sensor. A second sensor detects another parameter that also changes with the modulation. The second sensor is absolutely calibrated. Where there is a known relationship between the first and second parameters, a calibration may be derived for the first sensor. Such a technique is applicable to calibrating non-invasive sensors for monitoring a wide variety of physiologic parameters including, inter alia, glucose, blood gases, blood electrolytes and blood pH.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, cost effective, self-contained standby electronic navigation system with high signal-to-noise ratio and good dynamic stability is provided. The system includes a first sensor module for providing a plurality of rotational rate signals, a second sensor module for providing a plurality of compensation signals, and a microcontroller module for processing the rotational rate signals and the compensation signals and sending the signals to a display for displaying attitude information, directional information, and turn coordinate information on a single screen simultaneously. In one embodiment, the first sensor module includes a plurality of rotational sensors made of piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric elements are made from a single sheet of piezoelectric material so that the elements possess uniform characteristics, and are arranged to reduce systematic drift and random noise normally present in a rotational rate sensor. The sensors can be configured on a single multi-sensor chip.

Abstract: Eddy current sensors and sensor arrays are used to characterize welds and the welding process schedule or parameters. A sensor or sensor array is placed in proximity to the test material, such as a lap joint or a butt weld, and translated over the weld region. Effective properties associated with the test material and sensor, such as an electrical conductivity or lift-off, are obtained for the weld region and the base material at a distant location from the weld region. The effective properties or features obtained from the effective property variation with position across the weld are used to assess the welding process parameters.

Abstract: Combined wound and micro-fabricated winding constructs are described for the inspection of materials and the detection and characterization of hidden features or flaws. These constructs can be configured as sensors or sensor arrays that are surface mounted or scanned over conducting and/or magnetizable test materials. The well-defined geometry obtained micro-fabricated windings and from carefully wound coils with known winding positions permits the use of model based inversions of sensed responses into material properties. In a preferred embodiment, the primary winding is a wound coil and the sense elements are etched or printed. The drive or sense windings can also be mounted under fasteners to improve sensitivity to hidden flaws. Ferrites and other means may be used to guide the magnetic flux and enhance the magnetic field in the test material.

Abstract: A light source module structure for a CIS module of a scanner, a multi-function printer (MFP) or a copy machine is provided. The light source module structure includes a housing having a first circuit board therein; a light-sensing element disposed on the first circuit board and electrically connected to the first circuit board; a lens disposed in the housing and being parallel to the light-sensing element; and at least one organic electro luminescent element integration disposed in the housing to provide a light source.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for use in medical applications that permits (1) affordable three-dimensional imaging of blood flow using a low-profile easily-attached transducer pad, (2) real-time blood-flow vector velocity, and (3) long-term unattended Doppler-ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad and associated processor collects and Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a three dimensional region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto and tracks the points in three-dimensional space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a three-dimensional map of blood vessels and provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection and for long term continuous and unattended blood flow monitoring.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tissue collection devices comprising biosensors that can be used for the detection of target analytes, such as nucleic acids and proteins, including antibodies and enzymes.

Abstract: A 1 ½ D probe is used in acoustic Doppler blood flow imaging to accurately determine the position of blood vessel in three dimensions. The 1 ½ D probe has closely spaced elements in the x direction and widely spaced elements in the y direction. Doppler power measurements are used to determine the y position of the blood vessel to an accuracy better than achieved by prior art techniques.

Abstract: A triaxial acceleration sensor comprises an inertial mass suspended in three orthogonal directions by support members in a statically determinate structure. Acceleration applied to the inertial mass generates loading forces that stress the support members either in tension or in compression. The stress levels are thus a measure of the applied acceleration. In an embodiment of this invention, the support members are force-sensitive resonators whose resonant frequencies of oscillation are related to the stresses in the members. The resonant frequencies are thus a measure of the complete three-dimensional vector of the applied acceleration.

Abstract: A sensor that characterizes welds in materials. The sensor includes a meandering drive winding with at least three extended portions and at least one sensing element placed between an adjacent pair of extended portions. A time varying electric current is passed through the extended portions to form a magnetic field. The sensor is placed in proximity to the test material and translated over the weld region. An electrical property of the weld region is measured for each sensing element location. The weld quality is determined using a feature of the electrical property measurement and location.

Abstract: An apparatus for the nondestructive measurements of materials. Eddy current sensing arrays are described which provide a capability for high resolution imaging of test materials and also a high probabilitity of detection for defects. These arrays incorporate layouts for the sensing elements which take advantage of microfabrication manufacturing capabilities for creating essentially identical sensor arrays, aligning sensing elements in proximity to the drive elements, and laying out conductive pathways that promote cancellation of undesired magnetic flux.

Abstract: A model based framework utilizing a vector of multiple material states integrates nondestructive evaluation methods that provide observability of precursor and damage states with health control actions to reduce sustainment costs and extend component lifetimes. This evaluation includes usage monitoring and onboard diagnostics to ensure damage state observability. With an adaptive damage tolerance model, a set of precursor and damage states are assumed. Monitoring of precursor states, early damage detection, and observable health control actions, combined with onboard diagnostics, permit reduced costs and ensure readiness.

Abstract: A system allows a user to create and process data forms using familiar word processing and data base computer programs. The invention allows for form creation without interfacing with custom form software, but instead uses a known word processing program interface. The user, therefore, can be more efficient and has the tools provided with the word processing program. The present system can extract data from completed forms. This is performed through a scanning operation and a template. The extracted data can then be placed in a commercially available database program for processing.

Abstract: Pressurized elastic support structures or balloons are used to press flexible sensors against the surface a material under test. Rigid support elements can also be incorporated into the inspection devices to maintain the basic shape of the inspection structure and to facilitate positioning of the sensors near the test material surface. The rigid supports can have the approximate shape of the test material surface or the pressurization of one or more balloons can be used to conform the sensor to the shape of the test material surface.

Abstract: A process control method is described which uses measurements from magnetic field sensors to monitor the condition of material, such as from a heat treatment process. The sensors can be single element sensors or sensor arrays, can be used to periodically inspect selected locations, mounted to the test material, or scanned over the test material to generate two-dimensional images of the material properties. The sensors can be exposed to the same process conditions as the material, such as elevated temperatures, or the shielding layers can be placed between the test material and the sensors to reduce sensor exposure to the processing conditions. Additional property measurements, such as sensor lift-off, can be used to ensure proper sensors operation.

Abstract: A vehicle gas emission analyzer assembly for a vehicle having a passenger compartment includes a gas analyzer system adapted to determine concentration and/or mass flow of at least one exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The analyzer may include a particular housing for the gas analyzer system. The gas analyzer system may include a hydrocarbon gas analyzer that is operated at a temperature that is sufficiently high to reduce deposits of hydrocarbon molecules present in the sample gas. The gas analyzer may include an ultraviolet source including a discharge lamp having a discrete emission line at an absorption frequency for a particular nitrogen-based gas.