Abstract: Ruggedized generators can operate using both medium and heavy fuels and output at least 5 kWe of power, yet are quiet, compact in size, and reliable.

Abstract: A first measured value is determined which is associated with the proximity of a target to an inductive sensor. A first voltage signal having a first amplitude is generated. The first voltage signal is provided as a driving signal to the inductive sensor. A sensor current signal is received as a return signal output from the inductive sensor. The sensor current signal has an amplitude proportional to a proximity of the target to the inductive sensor. The sensor current signal is converted to a corresponding second voltage signal having a second amplitude. A differential measuring technique is used to determine the first measured value in accordance with relative amplitudes of said first voltage signal and said second voltage signal.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly includes a multilayer printed wiring board proximity sensor, the proximity sensor being operable as either a variable-reluctance sensor or an eddy current loss sensor. The proximity sensor includes a plurality of layers configured to form at least one wound coil disposed about at least a portion of a core. The coils are electrically driven to generate an alternating magnetic field such that the inductance of the coils changes when a permeable or conductive object is moved in relation to the magnetic field. The change in inductance is recognized and used to detect the proximity and presence of an object relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A float switch system for limiting to desirable levels current and energy entering a tank of combustible liquid comprises: a float switch disposed within the tank; an interface circuit external to the tank and coupled through wiring to the float switch; a passive transient suppression circuit coupled to the wiring external and in proximity to the tank, and operative to limit current and energy entering the tank over the wiring to the desirable levels; and a control circuit coupled to the float switch through the transient suppression circuit and to the interface circuit, the control circuit operative to monitor the status of the float switch with current within the desirable current level and to energize the interface circuit based on the switch status.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multilayer wiring board proximity sensor includes forming a laminate, and fabricating a plurality of through-conductors through the layers of the laminate. The laminate has a plurality of layers including one or more core layers and a plurality of coil layers. Each core layer includes a core pattern formed of a permeable material, and each coil layer comprises at least one coil trace formed of a conducting material. Thus, the through-conductors may be fabricated through the layers of the laminate such that the coil traces are interconnected by the through-conductors to thereby form one or more coils disposed about at least a portion of the core patterns of the core layers.

Abstract: A multiplexing system is provided for a plurality of sensors disposed in a tank containing a potentially explosive environment and excited from a common excitation circuit outside of the tank through a corresponding plurality of signal lines that penetrate the tank. The multiplexing system comprises: a multiplexer switch for each sensor, each multiplexer switch disposed outside of the tank in series with the corresponding signal line between the common excitation circuit and the corresponding sensor in the tank.

Abstract: A method of protecting safe side wiring of a protective energy barrier against transferring fault energy into a potentially explosive environment comprises the steps of: enclosing the safe side wiring with at least one layer of shielding completely along the length thereof, the at least one layer of shielding capable of conducting the fault energy; connecting the safe side wiring at one end to circuitry of the protective energy barrier through a first connector having a housing which completely surrounds the safe side wiring prior to entering the protective energy barrier and is capable of conducting the fault energy; connecting the at least one layer of shielding of the safe side wiring to the housing of the first connector to conduct fault energy therebetween; connecting the safe side wiring at another end to circuitry within the potentially explosive environment through a second connector having a housing which completely surrounds the safe side wiring prior to entering the potentially explosive environmen

Abstract: A method of protecting safe side wiring of a protective energy barrier against transferring fault energy into a potentially explosive environment comprises the steps of: enclosing the safe side wiring with at least one layer of shielding completely along the length thereof, the at least one layer of shielding capable of conducting the fault energy; connecting the safe side wiring at one end to circuitry of the protective energy barrier through a first connector having a housing which completely surrounds the safe side wiring prior to entering the protective energy barrier and is capable of conducting the fault energy; connecting the at least one layer of shielding of the safe side wiring to the housing of the first connector to conduct fault energy therebetween; connecting the safe side wiring at another end to circuitry within the potentially explosive environment through a second connector having a housing which completely surrounds the safe side wiring prior to entering the potentially explosive environmen

Abstract: An active safety barrier circuit is disposable in series with an electrical conductor at a barrier between an adverse environment and an outside environment for passing an analog signal over the electrical conductor across the barrier while preventing potentially dangerous electrical threats from entering the adverse environment over the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An active safety barrier circuit is disposable in series with an electrical conductor at a barrier between an adverse environment and an outside environment for passing an analog signal over the electrical conductor across the barrier while preventing potentially dangerous electrical threats from entering the adverse environment over the electrical conductor.

Abstract: The present invention includes an aircraft fuel tank protective barrier which includes a transformer. The transformer has a first winding coupled to a fuel tank indicator through wiring which forms a threat side of the barrier, and has a second winding coupled to one or more sensors in a fuel tank which forms a protected side of the barrier. The transformer is operable to magnetically couple normal signals between the fuel tank indicator and the sensors in the fuel tank while limiting an amount of energy delivered to the fuel tank in the event of a fault experienced on the wiring.

Abstract: A system for processing a signal made up of at least one spectral component. The system includes a sampling circuit for periodically sampling the signal to obtain a sequence of discrete data samples representing the signal; and a computational circuit for computing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the sequence of discrete data samples to an extent which the FFT is computed using substantially exclusively non-complex arithmetic operations, and for using a resultant portion of the FFT to obtain a phase and amplitude of the at least one spectral component making up the signal.