Abstract: A system and method of determining absence or presence of an illicit substance in a flowing mixture of requisite reagents by agglutination or lack thereof. A plurality of photodetectors are positioned over an illuminated read area oblique to a path of the flowing mixture. Signal samples of each of the detectors are processed individually. Successive samples are processed over a period time to detect differences or edges between relatively clear liquid and relatively opaque clusters in the flowing mixture. The illicit substance is determined in accordance with the number of variations in signal samples for a predetermined number of detectors.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helical antenna including four conductive helices having a common central axis, a common direction of turn about said axis, a common pitch, and a common length between opposite ends, the helices being uniformly spaced from each other by 90.degree., and a single dielectric helix concentric with the common axis, lying within and supporting the conductive helices at a nominal diameter. The dielectric helix has opposite ends, a plurality of turns having said common direction of turn, and a second pitch substantially greater than said common pitch. A casing contains the helices and is rotatably fixed to one end of the dielectric helix. A tuning device is fixed to the other end of the dielectric helix and rotatable relative to said casing, so that rotation of the tuning device twists the dielectric helix to alter the common pitch of the conductive helices without substantial variation from said nominal diameter.

Abstract: A classifier employing general frame wavelets for improving target recognition while decreasing computational intensity is disclosed. A wavelet selection means compares a portion of a time dependent input signal from a receiver with a set of sample wavelets, each wavelet being bandpass limited, locally supported, and mean zero, and selects a prototype wavelet resembling the input portion. A resolving means expands the prototype wavelet onto a basis of wavelet functions having variations in scale and delay, and resolves the input signal onto the basis of functions. A regionpass filter identifies a region from a grid of resolved coefficients that contains features of a target from the input signal and discards coefficients outside the region. A separability filter passes select coefficients from a scale band within the identified region where separability among known targets is high. A comparator compares the selected coefficients with an exemplar of known targets to indicate a recognition of the target.

Abstract: A preconcentrator is provided for use in a solid state mass spectrograph for analyzing a sample gas. The mass spectrograph is formed from a semiconductor substrate and has a cavity with an inlet, a gas ionizing section adjacent the inlet, a mass filter section adjacent the gas ionizing section and a detector section adjacent the mass filter section. The preconcentrator is provided in the mass spectrograph between the inlet and gas ionizing section. The preconcentrator includes an array of preconcentrating elements, each of which is built upon a semiconductor substrate upon which a dielectric membrane has been deposited. An absorber is provided on the membrane for collecting and concentrating the gas to be sampled. Heater means provided on the membrane releases the absorbed sample gas from the absorber.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit for detecting leakage currents between a DC power source and chassis of an automobile, includes a voltage sensor coupled to the DC power source, the voltage sensor including an analog reference and a chassis ground. A differential amplifier is coupled to the voltage sensor and detects variations in the analog reference and the chassis ground. A voltage comparator unit determines whether the variations detected in the differential amplifier is above a predetermined threshold value. A built-in test circuit tests whether the fault detection circuit is operating correctly.

Abstract: An infrared detector, having improved infrared absorptance and operating performance at or near ambient as well as the cryogenic temperature ranges. The infrared detector, in one embodiment includes a multi-filament HgCdTe detector region mounted upon a CdTe substrate, a metallic reflective region placed in front of, or behind, the HgCdTe detection region forming a resonant layer between the reflective region and HgCdTe. Electrical contacts operable to detect the change in resistance of the HgCdTe detector filaments are connected to the detector region. Embodiment for a back surface illuminated detector device is described for use in the 8 micron to 12 micron, longwave infrared (LWIR) range. Improved operation in the LWIR range at higher temperatures results in detector arrays having decreased cooling needs and infrared detector systems produced with a significant decrease in overall system weight.

Abstract: A frequency multiplier in which one or more varactors each include arrays of Schottky barrier diodes combined in rows of parallel-connected diodes and columns of series-connected diodes. The arrays are dispersed on a thermal substrate, or confined to a GaAs strip guide on a suitable substrate and in either case employed in various discrete-component or integrated circuit transmissions systems. These series-parallel arrays can be increased in size as desired for power handling capabilities or thermal dissipation and provide readily selectable impedance levels and breakdown voltages. These properties make the frequency multipliers useful in microwave and millimeter-wave systems, including those requiring high-power transmitters.

Abstract: A waveform flat-topping unit includes a signal generator for producing first, second and third reference signals and a normalizing unit for normalizing the first reference signal. A waveform generator produces a third harmonic waveform of the normalized first reference signal. A comparator compares a vector value, which is produced according to the first, second and third reference signals, to a predetermined threshold value, the predetermined threshold value being the largest realizable pure signal value. An adder in response to the comparison, adds zero to each of the first, second and third reference signals when the vector value is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value. The adder adds the third harmonic signal to each of the first, second and third reference signals when the vector value is greater than the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Capacitive angle sensor that changes capacitance as a function of angular rotation by employing a vertical cantilever beam capacitor.

Abstract: An easy to assemble transformer for use in an electronics module of an electric vehicle. The transformer can be assembled from the "top down," thus alleviating the need to build the transformer as a subassembly unit. During manufacture of the transformer, windings are wound onto a thermally conductive coil form. Next upper and lower E-shaped core members are inserted into openings in the top and bottom of the form so that the side legs and the center legs of the E's touch and are in alignment. The thermally conductive coil form has a portion that touches a cold plate when the transformer is mounted on the cold plate. The transformer is further secured to the cold plate by a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A large bandwidth communication system has a transmitter to transmit signals over a selectable frequency operating range and a receiver having a first mixer for mixing an LO1 signal with received transmit signals. The receiver has a first IF for processing signals received from the first mixer. A frequency synthesizer generates frequency signals for application to at least a transmit mixer in the transmitter and to at least the first mixer in the receiver.

Abstract: A pump is provided for use in a solid state mass-spectrograph for analyzing a sample gas. The spectrograph is formed from a semiconductor substrate having a cavity with an inlet, gas ionizing section adjacent the inlet, a mass filter section adjacent the gas ionizing section and a detector section adjacent the mass filter section. The pump is connected to each of the sections of said cavity and evacuates the cavity and draws the sample gas into the cavity. The pump includes at least one piezoelectrically-actuated diaphragm. Upon piezoelectrical actuation, the diaphragm accomplishes a suction stroke which evacuates the cavity and draws the sample gas into the cavity. Preferably, the diaphragm is formed from a pair of electrodes sandwiching a piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A solid state circuit breaker utilizing fast acting solid state relays which are made up of individual switching circuit modules using silicon metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors or silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. Depending on the power requirements, the individual modules may be arranged to provide heat dissipation while at the same time minimizing the total overall space occupied in the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of an input signal which divides the input signal into a plurality of divided signals of equal power, introduces a delay into a corresponding one of the plurality of divided signals, mixes together pairs of the plurality of delayed divided signals, and sums the mixed signals. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be employed in a signal detector to improve the sensitivity of the signal detector.

Abstract: A motor controller for a vehicle including an electric motor that drives the vehicle, a plurality of sensors and a vehicle power controller. The vehicle power controller receives signals from an accelerator sensor and a brake sensor, converts the signals for the accelerator sensor and the brake sensor into a torque value. The motor controller comprises three components. A first component receives the torque value from the vehicle power controller. A second component converts the torque value into a torque output; and a third component controls the motor in accordance with the torque output.

Abstract: A package for power semiconductor components permitting high thermal dissipation and current conductance and including a frame assembly bonded to a substrate on which a power semiconductor chip is mounted. The frame assembly has a wirebonding grid for connecting short, uniform length wirebonds to the surface of the chip. The grid is configured so as to have a portion overlaying and spaced from the chip a distance less than a distance required to connect a wirebond of optimal length to each anode cell of the chip. The package allows a high power semiconductor device to be used as a surface mount device or as a hockey puck.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating individual flat articles of random thickness from one end of a stack of such articles and delivering separated articles, on command, to a transport device. Included in the apparatus is a pick-off device having a friction surface drivable in a direction of article delivery and oriented to engage an exposed surface on one article at the one end of the stack and advance the one article in the direction of delivery, an anti-doubling device for restricting advancing movement of other articles by the pick-off device, a delivery device having a drivable friction nip for pulling a separated article from the pick-off device in the direction of article delivery, and a control system for operating the pick-off device and the delivery device to position each separated article in the friction nip in readiness for delivery, on command, to the transport device.

Abstract: A method of reducing turbine inlet temperature excursions during sudden load demand reductions on a steam turbine, the turbine being coupled to a controllable source of high pressure, high temperature steam, incorporates throttling of steam within the steam source in conjunction with steam throttling at the turbine so as to apportion temperature drops between the source and turbine. In one form, the method includes the steps of sensing a sudden drop in load demand on the steam turbine, operating the steam source to reduce exit pressure of the steam at the steam source and bypassing sufficient steam around the steam turbine to reduce steam flow through the turbine by an amount commensurate with the drop in load demand.

Abstract: A process for removing paint by high pressure waterjet blasting of painted surfaces wherein the waterjet comprises a ferrofluid or other liquid containing tiny magnetic particles suspended therein. The particles may be in colloidal suspension or be suspended by agitation and are preferably polymer coated. The liquid-magnetic particle mixture lends itself to electromagnetic process control, run-off maintenance and waste processing capabilities. Thereby, the process can employ process control and waste remediation options.