Abstract: Vortex radiometers (VRs) for cognitive antenna applications and fade prediction techniques are disclosed. A VR may act as an early warning system for communication antennas by of measuring: (1) when a fade causing interference with or complete loss of communication signal will occur; (2) how long the fade will persist; and/or (3) how intense the fade will be. This may be accomplished by measuring atmospheric noise temperature with concentric annular antenna beam patterns.

Abstract: The present invention is a temperature sensor for cryogenic systems using a fiber optic interrogation system that is capable of a large number of temperature readings across the cryogenic environment at high resolutions. The invention also includes a method of using such a system to measure temperatures in a cryogenic environment and a method of making such a system.

Abstract: A compact shock sensing system and method that employ a light sheet generator that can be used either as a solo aerodynamic shock detector or in a combination with a scanning mode shock sensor is disclosed. This shock sensing system and method can be used to detect and track unstable and travelling shocks in high speed aerodynamic flows, such as those found in supersonic inlets.

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring multi-point interferometric angle changes beginning with an interferometric device capable of measuring at least one main point and at least one reference point. The method includes recording interferometric intensity changes on two or more spots using the main point and the reference point, and determining a sequence having a plurality of peak, local maximas and a plurality of valley, local minimas. The method includes sampling a first, partial sequence and comparing it to a neighboring, partial sequence using a perturbation analysis and additional calculation(s) to compile all phase angle changes for all measured points. Also provided is a computer implemented method to enable nanometer resolution sensitivity in a noisy signal and for characterization of a material in an interferometric device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating and/or quantifying damage to wire strands of a wire caused during installation of a crimped wire connector, involves launching an ultrasonic wave having known characteristics into a wire at a location that is either the crimp or is adjacent the crimped wire connector, and detecting changes in the characteristics (e.g., amplitude and/or phase shift) of the wave as it is propagates along a length of the wire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a non-invasive bubble measuring instrument operable for detecting, distinguishing, and counting gaseous embolisms such as bubbles over a selectable range of bubble sizes of interest. A selected measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected is insonified by two distinct frequencies from a pump transducer and an image transducer, respectively. The image transducer frequency is much higher than the pump transducer frequency. The relatively low-frequency pump signal is used to excite bubbles to resonate at a frequency related to their diameter. The image transducer is operated in a pulse-echo mode at a controllable repetition rate that transmits bursts of high-frequency ultrasonic signal to the measurement volume in which bubbles may be detected and then receives the echo. From the echo or received signal, a beat signal related to the repetition rate may be extracted and used to indicate the presence or absence of a resonant bubble.

Abstract: The general purpose of the invention is to develop a high specific energy nickel electrode for a nickel based battery system. The invention discloses a method of producing a lightweight nickel electrode which can be cycled to deep depths of discharge (i.e., 40% or greater of electrode capacity). These deep depths of discharge can be accomplished by depositing the required amount of nickel hydroxide active material into a lightweight nickel fiber substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus unaffected by vibrational environments for obtaining measurements using Raman Doppler Velocimetry. Two laser beams, a pump beam 18 and a probe beam 22, are focused by a lens 21 to a point 25 in a flow 11. A lens 26 collimates the two beams. A beam splitter 27 dumps beam 18 and beam 22 is reflected by a corner cube 28 back to lens 26. Lens 26 then focuses the beam back to point 25. The reflected beam 22 and the backward and forward scattering at point 25 are detected by a detector 30 and processed by a boxcar averager 31. The lens 26 and corner cube 28 combination, called a retrometer 29, ensure that the measurements are unaffected by vibrations.