Abstract: A vision-cued random-access LIDAR system and method which determines the location and/or navigation path of a moving platform. A vision system on a moving platform identifies a region of interest. The system classifies objects within the region of interest, and directs random-access LIDAR to ping one or more of the classified objects. The platform is located in three dimensions using data from the vision system and LIDAR. The steps of classifying, directing, and locating are preferably performed continuously while the platform is moving and/or the vision system's field-of-view (FOV) is changing. Objects are preferably classified using at least one smart-vision algorithm, such as a machine-learning algorithm.

Abstract: A vision-cued random-access LIDAR system and method which determines the location and/or navigation path of a moving platform. A vision system on a moving platform identifies a region of interest. The system classifies objects within the region of interest, and directs random-access LIDAR to ping one or more of the classified objects. The platform is located in three dimensions using data from the vision system and LIDAR. The steps of classifying, directing, and locating are preferably performed continuously while the platform is moving and/or the vision system's field-of-view (FOV) is changing. Objects are preferably classified using at least one smart-vision algorithm, such as a machine-learning algorithm.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating root hair production and stress responses in plants are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating root hair production and stress responses in plants are provided.

Abstract: A non-volatile, absolute rotation sensor employs a radial guide and spiral guide rotating with respect to each other to move a marker element continuously along the radial guide so that a distance of the marker element along the radial guide provides an indication of shaft movement over multiple turns. A sensor system senses the distance of the marker element along the radial guide to provide an electric output.

Abstract: A nonvolatile, absolute multi-turn rotation sensor employs a magnetic particle that is indexed around a serpentine channel with successive passes of a magnet caused by rotation of the rotation sensor shaft. Sensors at regular locations around the track allow determination of the position of the magnetic particle and thus the total number of revolutions of the shaft.

Abstract: A moving object command link system includes a transmitter which outputs a EM beam and a steering mechanism which directs the beam toward one or more objects, at least one of which is moving. The system may include a variable attenuator which modulates the average output power of the beam, and/or a divergence controller to maintain a desired beam size. The beam may be polarized, and the system may include a polarization modulator which changes the beam's polarization in accordance with a predetermined sequence and schedule. The system may include a 1×2 switch to selectively provide the beam to one of first and second outputs. A tiltable dichroic beam splitter may be used to couple beams received from first and second objects to track cameras having respective boresights that are offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: A moving platform roll sensor system comprises an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting a polarized beam within the detector's line-of-sight, and measuring the beam's polarization state, such that the polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The ellipsometric detector comprises a venetian blind component through which the polarized beam passes, arranged such that the intensity of the exiting beam varies with its incident angle with respect to the moving platform, a polarizing beamsplitter which splits the exiting beam into components having orthogonal circular polarizations, the relative intensities of which vary with the relative polarization vector of the beam, and first and second detectors which receive the first and second orthogonal circular components and generate respective outputs that vary with the intensities of their received components.

Abstract: A non-volatile, absolute rotation sensor employs a radial guide and spiral guide rotating with respect to each other to move a marker element continuously along the radial guide so that a distance of the marker element along the radial guide provides an indication of shaft movement over multiple turns. A sensor system senses the distance of the marker element along the radial guide to provide an electric output.

Abstract: A nonvolatile, absolute multi-turn rotation sensor employs a magnetic particle that is indexed around a serpentine channel with successive passes of a magnet caused by rotation of the rotation sensor shaft. Sensors at regular locations around the track allow determination of the position of the magnetic particle and thus the total number of revolutions of the shaft.

Abstract: A moving platform roll sensor system comprises an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting a polarized beam within the detector's line-of-sight, and measuring the beam's polarization state, such that the polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The ellipsometric detector comprises a venetian blind component through which the polarized beam passes, arranged such that the intensity of the exiting beam varies with its incident angle with respect to the moving platform, a polarizing beamsplitter which splits the exiting beam into components having orthogonal circular polarizations, the relative intensities of which vary with the relative polarization vector of the beam, and first and second detectors which receive the first and second orthogonal circular components and generate respective outputs that vary with the intensities of their received components.

Abstract: A moving object command link system includes a transmitter which outputs a EM beam and a steering mechanism which directs the beam toward one or more objects, at least one of which is moving. The system may include a variable attenuator which modulates the average output power of the beam, and/or a divergence controller to maintain a desired beam size. The beam may be polarized, and the system may include a polarization modulator which changes the beam's polarization in accordance with a predetermined sequence and schedule. The system may include a 1×2 switch to selectively provide the beam to one of first and second outputs. A tiltable dichroic beam splitter may be used to couple beams received from first and second objects to track cameras having respective boresights that are offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: A cable insertion tool for installing thermally compensated superconducting and cryo-resistive cables is disclosed. The cable insertion tool includes a guide tube adapted to engage a pipe and to prevent a cable positioned therein from buckling, a cross-bar adapted to move along the guide tube and engage an end of the cable positioned therein, and a cable drive apparatus operably connected to the cross-bar. The cable drive apparatus is adapted to move the cross-bar such that the cable positioned in the guide tube is forced into the pipe.

Abstract: A method of compensating for thermal contraction of superconducting and cryo-resistive cables. The method includes the steps of determining a compensation length for a cable such that when the cable is subjected to an operating temperature, the cable is in or near a stress-free state, and installing the cable into a pipe such that portions of the cable extend outwardly past ends of the pipe. The method further includes the steps of marking each end of the cable such that the determined compensation length is visibly shown, forcing the cable into the pipe at an ambient installation temperature such that a cable pattern is formed therein, and maintaining the cable in the pipe to prevent the cable from being pushed out of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of compensating for thermal contraction of superconducting and cryo-resistive cables. The method includes the steps of determining a compensation length for a cable such that when the cable is subjected to an operating temperature, the cable is in or near a stress-free state, and installing the cable into a pipe such that portions of the cable extend outwardly past ends of the pipe. The method further includes the steps of marking each end of the cable such that the determined compensation length is visibly shown, forcing the cable into the pipe at an ambient installation temperature such that a cable pattern is formed therein, and maintaining the cable in the pipe to prevent the cable from being pushed out of the pipe.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection test link and system is disclosed to detect partial discharge of a power cable accessory. The power cable accessory includes a first accessory component and a second accessory component connected to each other. The partial discharge detection test link is a permanent or temporary substitute for a conventional service link, connects directly across the power cable accessory and includes a conductor member and a partial discharge sensor. The conductor member has an electrically conductive element and an insulation surrounding and extending along the electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element is electrically connected directly between the first and second accessory components. The partial discharge sensor is disposed about the conductor member and has the electrically conductive element as a primary winding and a secondary winding with the insulation positioned between the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection test link and system is disclosed to detect partial discharge of a power cable accessory. The power cable accessory includes a first accessory component and a second accessory component connected to each other. The partial discharge detection test link is a permanent or temporary substitute for a conventional service link, connects directly across the power cable accessory and includes a conductor member and a partial discharge sensor. The conductor member has an electrically conductive element and an insulation surrounding and extending along the electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element is electrically connected directly between the first and second accessory components. The partial discharge sensor is disposed about the conductor member and has the electrically conductive element as a primary winding and a secondary winding with the insulation positioned between the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection test link and system is disclosed to detect partial discharge of a power cable accessory. The power cable accessory includes a first accessory component and a second accessory component connected to each other. The partial discharge detection test link is a permanent or temporary substitute for a conventional service link, connects directly across the power cable accessory and includes a conductor member and a partial discharge sensor. The conductor member has an electrically conductive element and an insulation surrounding and extending along the electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element is electrically connected directly between the first and second accessory components. The partial discharge sensor is disposed about the conductor member and has the electrically conductive element as a primary winding and a secondary winding with the insulation positioned between the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection test link (20) and system detect partial discharge of a power cable at a power cable accessory (6). The power cable accessory includes a first accessory component and a second accessory component connected to each other. The partial discharge detection test link (20) is a permanent or temporary substitute for a conventional service link, connects directly across the power cable accessory and includes a conductor member (22) and a partial discharge sensor (24). The conductor member (22) has an electrically conductive element (26) and an insulation (28) surrounding and extending along the electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element (26) is electrically connected directly between the first and second accessory components.

Abstract: An automatic data mining tool that characterizes the relationships between different database fields from both structured and unstructured data. It extracts a data model, identifies and categorizes all the data fields, performs pre-processing to deal with unstructured data effectively, and processes the data without human intervention to automatically explore how the fields are related to one another. Prior to the commencement of user-controlled data mining, the present invention goes through all the fields in a database table space in order to establish meaningful relationships between various fields using whatever computer resources are available (i.e. by using “cycle stealing”). This allows the present invention to run in the background and establish relationships between fields even before data mining (DM) begins, and determine redundant, useless, and/or trivial fields without any external guidance.