Abstract: An apparatus for measuring insulation thermal performance is provided, particularly between ambient and cryogenic temperatures. A warm-temperature boundary has a continuous sample contact surface that is divided into a metered central zone and a boundary guard zone. Each zone is independently heated, and the power necessary to maintain the central zone at constant temperature is directly equated to heat flux through the insulation at the temperature boundary conditions. Methods for measuring insulation thermal performance are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a gas/liquid interface of a fluid in a tank having a probe and a controller. The probe has silicon diodes arranged linearly on a substrate. The controller applies power to each of the silicon diodes to make a determination of whether a fluid in which the silicon diode is immersed is a liquid or a gas based on a rate of transfer of heat from the silicon diode to the fluid. A method for determining the phase of a fluid in which a sensor is immersed includes the steps of immersing the sensor in a fluid and increasing power applied to the sensor. The value of a thermal transient of the sensor is then measured and the phase of the fluid is determined based on the measured value of the thermal transient.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes apparatus for distinguishing between single sheets and multiple sheets in a sheet path. The apparatus includes radiation emitters (14, 34) and radiation detectors (20, 40, 42). The radiation emitters are operated to emit radiation at periodic intervals. Signal conditioners (50) receive signals from the radiation detectors and generate outputs responsive to the intensities sensed by the detectors substantially only during the periodic intervals. The outputs are combined, weighed and/or compared to thresholds to distinguish single and multiple sheets. The apparatus enables reliable operation in noisy electrical environments and with a wide variety of sheet properties.

Abstract: An method and article of manufacture for reducing noise detected by a magnetic read head. In particular it relates to reducing magnetic interference at a magnetic read head by dynamically positioning a piece of highly permeable nickel-copper alloy near the magnetic read head thereby shunting the interfering magnetic radiation away from the read head.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes apparatus for distinguishing between single sheets and multiple sheets in a sheet path. The apparatus includes radiation emitters (14, 34) and radiation detectors (20, 40, 42). The radiation emitters are operated to emit radiation at periodic intervals. Signal conditioners (50) receive signals from the radiation detectors and generate outputs responsive to the intensities sensed by the detectors substantially only during the periodic intervals. The outputs are combined, weighed and/or compared to thresholds to distinguish single and multiple sheets. The apparatus enables reliable operation in noisy electrical environments and with a wide variety of sheet properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for reducing noise detected by a magnetic read head. In particular it relates to reducing magnetic interference at a magnetic read head by dynamically positioning a piece of highly permeable nickel-copper alloy near the magnetic read head thereby shunting the interfering magnetic radiation away from the read head.