Abstract: A method of assisting tilt angle adjustment of a thermal camera comprises arranging the thermal camera at an initial tilt angle, acquiring at least one thermal image by the thermal camera, determining, from the at least one thermal image, a series of sharpness indicators of image parts corresponding to vertically spaced parts of the camera view, identifying a maximum in the series of sharpness indicators, based on the identified maximum, determining a target sharpness indicator as a predetermined fraction of the identified maximum, during tilt angle adjustment, assisting by providing a target signal for indicating a target tilt angle of the thermal camera in which a sharpness indicator of a lower part of the camera's field of view equals the determined target sharpness indicator.

Abstract: A method for temperature calibration and determination of a temperature in a scene. At each time point out of a plurality of time points in a first period of time, collecting an ambient temperature representing a temperature at a first part of the scene and collecting thermal image sensor signal values corresponding to the collected ambient temperatures and relating to the first part. Determine a calibration function based on the collected ambient temperatures and the thermal image sensor signal values corresponding to each of the collected ambient temperatures. In a second period of time, capturing a thermal image of the scene comprising thermal image sensor signal values relating to a second part of the scene and determine a temperature at the second part of the scene based on the calibration function and based on thermal image sensor signal values comprised in the thermal image.

Abstract: A method and a system for filtering thermal image data. The method comprises: capturing thermal image data by a thermal image detector; forming a signal distribution of intensity values; identifying a first part in the signal distribution of intensity values, the first part being a peak having an intensity width equal to or smaller than a predetermined intensity span being based on a resolution parameter of the thermal image detector; identifying a second part having an intensity width larger than the predetermined intensity span; determining an intensity range between the first part and the second part; and filtering, if the intensity range is larger than a predetermined minimum intensity range, the thermal image data by excluding thermal image data forming part of the first part.

Abstract: A method and an alert discriminator for converting alerts in a video monitoring operation. The method comprises: triggering a candidate alert, in response to detecting, in a stream of thermal images of a scene, a stationary foreground object in the scene; evaluating an intensity of the detected stationary foreground object in relation to a background intensity; and in response to the intensity of the detected stationary foreground object being above the background intensity, converting the candidate alert to an actual alert.

Abstract: A method of assisting tilt angle adjustment of a thermal camera comprises arranging the thermal camera at an initial tilt angle, acquiring at least one thermal image by the thermal camera, determining, from the at least one thermal image, a series of sharpness indicators of image parts corresponding to vertically spaced parts of the camera view, identifying a maximum in the series of sharpness indicators, based on the identified maximum, determining a target sharpness indicator as a predetermined fraction of the identified maximum, during tilt angle adjustment, assisting by providing a target signal for indicating a target tilt angle of the thermal camera in which a sharpness indicator of a lower part of the camera's field of view equals the determined target sharpness indicator.

Abstract: A method and an alert discriminator for converting alerts in a video monitoring operation. The method comprises: triggering a candidate alert, in response to detecting, in a stream of thermal images of a scene, a stationary foreground object in the scene; evaluating an intensity of the detected stationary foreground object in relation to a background intensity; and in response to the intensity of the detected stationary foreground object being above the background intensity, converting the candidate alert to an actual alert.

Abstract: A method and a system for filtering thermal image data. The method comprises: capturing thermal image data by a thermal image detector; forming a signal distribution of intensity values; identifying a first part in the signal distribution of intensity values, the first part being a peak having an intensity width equal to or smaller than a predetermined intensity span being based on a resolution parameter of the thermal image detector; identifying a second part having an intensity width larger than the predetermined intensity span; determining an intensity range between the first part and the second part; and filtering, if the intensity range is larger than a predetermined minimum intensity range, the thermal image data by excluding thermal image data forming part of the first part.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for distributing a solid, gel, powder or viscous test substance in an extraction fluid, the apparatus comprising a flow cell for holding the test substance and having an inlet and an outlet; an extraction chamber located between said inlet and outlet comprising a convergent nozzle; and a recirculating pump for driving extraction fluid: (i) into the flow cell via the inlet; (ii) through the extraction chamber; and (iii) back to the flow cell via the outlet, whereby a pressure differential is established across the extraction chamber such that the velocity of the extraction fluid is greater at the outlet than at the inlet; characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a tortuous path flow control valve (TPV) located at the outlet and configured to permit flow of extraction fluid and extracted test substance but to prevent or retard passage of said test substance through the outlet.

Abstract: Individual layers of a high gradient insulator (HGI) are first pre-cut to their final dimensions. The pre-cut layers are then stacked to form an assembly that is subsequently pressed into an HGI unit with the desired dimension. The individual layers are stacked, and alignment is maintained, using a sacrificial alignment tube that is removed after the stack is hot pressed. The HGI's are used as high voltage vacuum insulators in energy storage and transmission structures or devices, e.g. in particle accelerators and pulsed power systems.

Abstract: Individual layers of a high gradient insulator (HGI) are first pre-cut to their final dimensions. The pre-cut layers are then stacked to form an assembly that is subsequently pressed into an HGI unit with the desired dimension. The individual layers are stacked, and alignment is maintained, using a sacrificial alignment tube that is removed after the stack is hot pressed. The HGI's are used as high voltage vacuum insulators in energy storage and transmission structures or devices, e.g. in particle accelerators and pulsed power systems.

Abstract: An variable output pump is disclosed. The variable output pump having a rotatable first shaft, a first pumping element mounted to the rotatable first shaft, and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the first pumping element to the first shaft for rotation therewith in a first mode, and decouple the first pumping element from the rotatable first shaft in a second mode. A method for varying the output of a fluid pump is also disclosed. The method including rotating a first pumping element and a second pumping element; and preventing rotation of the first pumping element in response to an increase in fluid pressure, while continuing to rotate the second pumping element.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient cooling of produce directed to the cooling of freshly picked produce in containers on pallets. The apparatus has a first opening for the entrance of stacks of containers to be moved through cooling enclosure. The stacks of containers are moved through to a first cooling area wherein the containers are exposed to cooling air provided in a first direction. The stacks of containers are then moved through to a second cooling area wherein the containers are exposed to cooling air in a second direction. Isolation of the containers and routing of the air flow is supplemented with air inflatable seals which abut the containers. A method for the efficient cooling of produce utilizing an apparatus as described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a power adapter for coupling electrical power from a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) power coupling to one or more electronic devices. In one embodiment, the power adapter includes a plug connector adapted for receiving electrical power from the power coupling, a receptacle adapted for providing the electrical power to a slave cable (e.g., an inter-vehicular slave cable), and at least one terminal adapted for providing the electrical power to the electronic devices (e.g., a computer system). The power adapter is thus capable of maximizing the potential of the power coupling to provide electrical power for multiple simultaneous uses.

Abstract: A system for pre-lubricating an engine is disclosed. The system has an engine, a first pump driven by the engine to lubricate the engine, and a second pump configured to lubricate the engine. The system also has at least one component driven by the engine and fluidly connected downstream of the second pump and upstream of the engine. The system further has a sensor located at the engine to generate a signal indicative of an engine lubrication status. Starting of the engine is inhibited based on the engine lubrication status.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a power adapter for coupling electrical power from a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) power coupling to one or more electronic devices. In one embodiment, the power adapter includes a plug connector adapted for receiving electrical power from the power coupling, a receptacle adapted for providing the electrical power to a slave cable (e.g., an inter-vehicular slave cable), and at least one terminal adapted for providing the electrical power to the electronic devices (e.g., a computer system). The power adapter is thus capable of maximizing the potential of the power coupling to provide electrical power for multiple simultaneous uses.