Abstract: A signal communication system is provided that may include signaling lamp assembly, a receiver device, and a communication device. The signaling lamp assembly may include a lamp generating light indicative of a status of a wayside device The lamp may generate the light responsive to receiving an activation signal. The receiver may receive timing signals from one or more remote signal sources and output a time indication based on the timing signals that are received. The receiver may output the time indication responsive to the lamp receiving the activation signal. The communication device may send a status signal responsive to the lamp receiving the activation signal, the status signal indicating the status of the wayside device and the time indication.

Abstract: A method for non-invasively measuring the impedance of a plasma discharge. Parallel anode and cathode electrodes are connected to a DC voltage source that ignites and sustains a plasma between the anode and cathode. A network analyzer applies a frequency-swept AC signal superimposed onto the DC voltage applied to the electrodes. The voltage of the AC signal reflected by the plasma is measured by the network analyzer through one of the electrodes used to sustain the plasma and is used to find the complex impedance of the plasma as a function of the applied AC frequency. Since the electrode serves dual purposes, the insertion of an additional physical probe that could introduce perturbations or contaminate the discharge is not necessary.

Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit assembly (PCA) including a printed circuit board and at least one electronic component integrated with the printed circuit board, and a support to which the PCA is securable. At least one of the PCA and the support includes engaging structure elements, and some engaging structure elements are configured to secure the PCA to the support while other engaging structure elements are configured to secure the support to a securing structure within a housing of an electronic device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing and a cover. The housing can include a surface to receive a terminal block to transmit power to an electrical component. A shroud to be inserted within the electrical component can extend away from the housing surface. The cover can have an end for hingedly attaching to the housing. The cover is pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover and the housing together form an enclosure for the terminal block.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing and a cover. The housing can include a surface to receive a terminal block to transmit power to an electrical component. A shroud to be inserted within the electrical component can extend away from the housing surface. The cover can have an end for hingedly attaching to the housing. The cover is pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover and the housing together form an enclosure for the terminal block.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and a cover. The housing can include a surface to receive a terminal block to transmit power to an electrical component. A shroud to be inserted within the electrical component can extend away from the housing surface. The cover can have an end for hingedly attaching to the housing. Another cover end can be configured to releasably lock to the housing. The housing and the cover can have notches. The cover is pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover and the housing together form an enclosure for the terminal block, and the notches of the housing and the cover cooperatively define passageways configured to receive external wires to connect to the terminal block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing and a cover. The housing can include a surface to receive a terminal block to transmit power to an electrical component. A shroud to be inserted within the electrical component can extend away from the housing surface. The cover can have an end for hingedly attaching to the housing. Another cover end can be configured to releasably lock to the housing. The housing and the cover can have notches. The cover is pivotable relative to the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cover and the housing together form an enclosure for the terminal block, and the notches of the housing and the cover cooperatively define passageways configured to receive external wires to connect to the terminal block.

Abstract: Methods and systems for structural and component health monitoring are provided. A system includes a plurality of sensor systems positioned about an object to be monitored and a processing system communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of sensor systems wherein the processing system includes an ontology and reasoning module configured to model the object to be monitored, reason about the received sensor data associated with the object to be monitored and reason about the relationships between the received sensor data to fuse the data into contextual information for the overall object to be monitored and a contextual analyzer configured to transmit the received sensor data to said ontology and reasoning module and to store the information into a contextual information database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for structural and component health monitoring are provided. A system includes a plurality of sensor systems positioned about an object to be monitored and a processing system communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of sensor systems wherein the processing system includes an ontology and reasoning module configured to model the object to be monitored, reason about the received sensor data associated with the object to be monitored and reason about the relationships between the received sensor data to fuse the data into contextual information for the overall object to be monitored and a contextual analyzer configured to transmit the received sensor data to said ontology and reasoning module and to store the information into a contextual information database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration management in an article of manufacture disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for documenting a configuration of an article of manufacture includes an identifier positioned on the article of manufacture. A local positioning system is used to determine a positional location of the identifier on the article of manufacture. A multifunction apparatus configured to interactively communicate with the identifier and the local positioning system is present that is operable to communicate configuration information to the identifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monolithic superheterodyne detector pixel operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at millimeter wavelength and produce a video output signal with many orders of improved sensitivity when compared with the prior art. This sensitivity improvement is achieved by translating the received RF signal to a intermediate frequency (IF) signal before detection of the video signal. At the lower frequency of the IF signal, monolithic amplification circuitry can be fabricated more easily to provide necessary gain than would be achievable if simple amplification of the RF signal were attempted. Detector pixels constructed in accordance with the invention each contain an antenna for receiving the RF signal. Local oscillator (LO) signal circuitry likewise apply an externally generated LO signal to the pixel. The RF signal and LO signal are then applied by interconnecting conductors to appropriate mixer means to produce the IF signal.