Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that provides detection, characterization, and intuitive dissemination of targets. This disclosure combines improvements to ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing and machine target characterization with a means to convey data in a format that is quickly and readily understood by practitioners of the technology. The invention is well suited for Situational Awareness (SA) support in areas that are occluded by rain, fog, dust, darkness, distance, foliage, building walls, and any material that can be penetrated by ultra-wideband RF signals. Sense Through The Wall (STTW) performance parameters including target range, stand-off distance, and probability of detection are improved herein by combining a dynamically positioned sliding windowing function with orthogonal feature vectors that include but are not limited to time amplitude decay, spectral composition, and propagation time position in the return signal data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mass impact claw bar are disclosed which may be used as a pry bar or as a tool to separate articles such as trim board from wallboard. The device has a substantially vertical claw at one end and a substantially horizontal claw at the other end. Force is applied to either claw by moving a slidable mass slidably affixed to the claw bar.

Abstract: Embodiments of an automatic self-centering duct robot are disclosed which may be used as a tool platform for cleaning and maintenance of HVAC conduits and ducts. The robot includes sensors and a control system such that it is self-centering and automatically moves along the centerline of a conduit or duct.

Abstract: Embodiments of a apparatus for evenly applying liquids to interior surfaces are disclosed. The apparatus may be used to apply liquids or chemicals to the interior surfaces of a duct or conduit using a rotating sprayer. The speed of rotation of the sprayer may be adjusted such that the liquid or chemical is evenly applied to all interior surfaces of the duct regardless of the cross sectional shape of the duct.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mass impact claw bar are disclosed which may be used as a pry bar or as a tool to separate articles such as trim board from wallboard. The device has a substantially vertical claw at one end and a substantially horizontal claw at the other end. Force is applied to either claw by moving a slidable mass slidably affixed to the claw bar.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that provides detection, characterization, and intuitive dissemination of targets. This disclosure combines improvements to ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing and machine target characterization with a means to convey data in a format that is quickly and readily understood by practitioners of the technology. The invention is well suited for Situational Awareness (SA) support in areas that are occluded by rain, fog, dust, darkness, distance, foliage, building walls, and any material that can be penetrated by ultra-wideband RF signals. Sense Through The Wall (STTW) performance parameters including target range, stand-off distance, and probability of detection are improved herein by combining a dynamically positioned sliding windowing function with orthogonal feature vectors that include but are not limited to time amplitude decay, spectral composition, and propagation time position in the return signal data.

Abstract: An economically attractive method to tap low-level electric power from any power line is disclosed. The invention captures power for low consumption electronic components such as communication repeaters and remote sensors. The device snaps onto any power line and functions as a parasitic current transformer. It captures the dynamic magnetic energy that is created by electric current as it flows through the power line and concentrates the resulting magnetic flux into a region where the energy is converted to electricity in a pick-up coil. The difference between the disclosed device and a conventional transformer is that the magnetic flux that is set up in the low-reluctance material of the former originates from alternating current on a power line phase and not from a primary transformer winding as in the latter.

Abstract: A method to present easily understood images that represent targets that are detected through walls or other opaque barriers is disclosed. This method is particularly well suited for sense-through-the-wall radar systems. One of the main challenges of evolving STTW systems is that the practitioners of the technology are generally presented with complicated images to represent the gain adjusted amplitude of signals that are detected by the radar. Interpretation of images from prior art, which can be in the form of the radar speckle, target blob, wiggle plot, and horizontal amplitude intensity displays, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, requires high levels of skill, focus, and time. Naturally, the foregoing places military and law-enforcement customers of the technology at considerable risk during hostile missions. This invention discloses a method that converts a typical radar signal into an image that is easily understood by a practitioner of STTW technology.

Abstract: A low-cost high performance ultra wideband antenna that combines coax-shielded cables with properly selected and carefully positioned load balancing components to form a novel closed loop dipole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closed-loop broadband antenna circuit that may be comprised of single or multiple conductive radiating elements that are electrically connected to one another at the flare-end of each antenna leaf by at least one shielded conductor in one or more shielded cables of any type. The shielded cable portion of the closed loop circuit is interrupted by load impedance tapered regions that are positioned in an area that does not interfere or interferes minimally with antenna performance. The closed-loop broadband antenna circuit and the feed-point connections may be grounded by a separate path within the device. The disclosed approach simultaneously mitigates known problems of parasitic side lobes, antenna ringing, and RF coupling that commonly plague prior art.

Abstract: A low-cost high performance ultra wideband antenna that can be machine replicated is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inner closed-loop broadband antenna circuit that may be comprised of single or multiple conductive sheets that are electrically connected by conductive or impedance tapered regions that are positioned in an area that does not interfere or interferes minimally with antenna performance. Two continuous sheets of dielectric material cover the back reflector shield area, which leaves only the antenna elements exposed. The dielectric materials are subsequently enclosed by inner and outer conductive shields that are electrically connected to common ground and side shields that may be used to improve directivity. The closed-loop broadband antenna circuit and the feed-point connections may be grounded by a separate path within the device. The resulting stack of materials is easily machine assembled into an antenna apparatus by employing stamping, folding, injection, or other methods.

Abstract: An economically attractive method to provide multiuse broadband connectivity to the edge of legacy telecommunication and emerging networks is disclosed. The invention utilizes a multi-phase common signal return coupling scheme that passes signals onto the step-down side of power transformers. This invention enables the transformer to serve as an economically attractive distribution point that transfers external payload signals from service providers to customer network access points on the load side of the transformer. The resulting power line network will permit remote control of utilization and access to any legacy or emerging network payload such as ITU and IETF that is present at any type of electric power transformer.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is disclosed that provides a secure, tamperproof, and cordless installation to securely and reliably couple any electronic device directly onto any standard power outlet. The installation is easy, certification free, and does not need to reduce the number of available power outlets. The apparatus also enables reliable and effective signal coupling for power line control and communication devices including X.10, HomePlug, and other proprietary power line based physical layers. For these types of systems the apparatus may provide life line support using a battery or any other form of energy storage. The device is optimally installed directly onto a standard wall outlet by replacing the current face plug with a housing that can be affixed directly onto the duplex outlet with screws that attach to any existing threaded hole used by conventional or other mounting devices within a wall box.

Abstract: A novel approach is disclosed that mitigates flare-end ringing induced distortion of impulse signals that are transmitted from an electromagnetic radiator. Conventional tapering suppresses energy in the return path by impedance loading the antenna element at the expense of reduced radiation efficiency. This disclosure presents a method that balances the trade-off between radiation efficiency and return path energy suppression while it simultaneously minimizes taper induced signal distortion effects on the front edge of the transmitted impulse. The balance between radiation efficiency, end-fire ringing, and impulse distortion is achieved by placing impedance loading at only at or near the second half of the antenna element. Recent disclosures show the advantage of determining the position of each band through mathematical calculation and by subsequently removing select bands near the feed point to move the reflected pulse away from the front-edge of the transmitted impulse.