Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a suspect chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity, for use with safety systems. A vapor concentrator amplifies a suspect chemical vapor concentration to a detectible level, for use with an infrared detector. Compensation is provided for environmental variations that may influence the passive measurement of the chemical vapor sensor. Environmental variations may include extrinsic vapors in the surrounding air, or air currents that divert the sample vapor as it drifts from the suspect vapor source to a sampling intake. In an example, ethanol vapor is measured and carbon dioxide tracer measurements are used to calculate an ethanol vapor measurement that is adjusted for environmental variations. In an aspect, a time artifact filter sets the output of the carbon dioxide sensor to match the time dependence of the ethanol sensor, to calculate blood alcohol concentration.

Abstract: A dissolved air flotation system and method for purifying fresh water. The system is self-contained within a standard shipping container, with all components disposed in-line within the shipping container. Float is removed from the flotation tank with a skimmer that drives float downstream onto a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt conveys float away from the flotation tank, in the downstream direction, and deposits the float in a collection tank. Clean water may be drawn from the flotation tank continuously, while float may be removed periodically.

Abstract: A pivot ring arrangement for a stage of variable stator vanes (VSVs) (38) in a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of segments (12) secured in a segment carrier (22). The segments are injection moulded from self-lubricating material, obviating the need for separate bushes for the VSV spindles (36).

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is measured, and sufficient sensitivity is provided to passively detect a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. The sensor can be situated in an inconspicuous vehicle cabin location and operate independently without requiring active involvement by a driver. A vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, in comparison to conventional chemical sensors, the sensitivity of detection of ethanol vapor is increased by a factor of about 1,000. Further, a single channel of infrared detection is utilized avoiding spurious infrared absorption and making the chemical vapor sensor less costly to implement.

Abstract: A method and system for providing centralized deployment and coordination of field assessment activities. In accordance with one embodiment, an emergency management data processing system includes a field assessment database for storing and processing layered geospatial visual portrayal data and field surveillance attribute data. The emergency management data processing system includes an event setup data input interface for receiving an event identifier associated with an emergency event, a location identifier identifying a portion of the layered geospatial visual portrayal data corresponding to a region affected by the emergency event, and a field surveillance attribute category identifier specifying a category of the stored field surveillance attribute data. The event identifier is then associated with the region data and the specified field surveillance attribute data to generate an event-specific field assessment record.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a plasma cutting system including a plasma cutting power source and a plasma torch operationally connected to the plasma cutting power source. A processing unit is disposed within the plasma torch and is configured to control the plasma cutting power source during a plasma cutting process based on operational feedback gathered of the plasma cutting process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic conferencing systems that support audio conversations between local and remote participants. Further disclosed herein are conferencing systems that include multiple pods each having a speaker and at least one microphone. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic conferencing systems that support audio conversations between local and remote participants. Further disclosed herein are methods for selecting microphones to gate on and multi-pod systems that utilize those methods. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic conferencing systems that support audio conversations between local and remote participants. Further disclosed herein are methods for providing common control of a multi-pod electronic conferencing system. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic conferencing systems that support audio conversations between local and remote participants. Further disclosed herein are methods for combining several microphones to form virtual microphones and conference pods that utilize those methods. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.

Abstract: An infrared sensor including an absorber for absorbing incident infrared power to produce a signal representing the temperature of a target object, a frame supporting a membrane which carries the absorber, the frame including a plurality of reflecting surfaces disposed about the circumference of an opening over which the membrane spans for reflecting incident infrared power toward the absorber. By concentrating incident infrared power through reflection, the temperature difference between the absorber and the surrounding frame is increased, thereby producing an increased electrical output from the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a plasma cutting system including a plasma cutting power source and a plasma torch operationally connected to the plasma cutting power source. A processing unit is disposed within the plasma torch and is configured to control the plasma cutting power source during a plasma cutting process based on operational feedback gathered of the plasma cutting process.

Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.

Abstract: A thermocouple structure capable of providing a more compact thermopile-based thermal sensor. The thermocouple structure has a stacked configuration that includes a plurality of first conductors on a surface, a dielectric layer on each of the first conductors, and a plurality of second conductors on the dielectric layer and formed of a different material than the first conductors. Each first conductor has first and second ends, and each second conductor has a first end overlying and contacting the first end of one of the first conductors, and a second end overlying but separated from the second end of the first conductor by the dielectric layer. A plurality of third conductors electrically interconnect one of the second ends of the second conductors with one of the second ends of the first conductors. Each third conductors is thicker than the second conductors to promote the robustness of the connection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an algorithm for enhancing the transit time measurement of an ultrasonic wave through a fluid, and criteria for evaluating the suitability for various waveforms with regard to noise rejection. The transit time calculation provides a greater noise immunity and accuracy than techniques used in the prior art, and allows a measure of weighting of dispersed signals with different arrival times. The transit time calculation utilizes either the transmitted signal or the measurement of a reference system, the calculation of the squared convolution of this signal with the received signal, and the calculation of the transit time from the time-weighted squared convolution signal over a suitable interval defined by the minimums of the squared convolution signal. In the case of dispersion where the arrival times are symmetrically displaced around a mean transit time, or if asymmetric dispersion is suitably within the main lobe, the calculation properly weights the composite signal.

Abstract: A method and system for providing centralized deployment and coordination of field assessment activities. In accordance with one embodiment, an emergency management data processing system includes a field assessment database for storing and processing layered geospatial visual portrayal data and field surveillance attribute data. The emergency management data processing system includes an event setup data input interface for receiving an event identifier associated with an emergency event, a location identifier identifying a portion of the layered geospatial visual portrayal data corresponding to a region affected by the emergency event, and a field surveillance attribute category identifier specifying a category of the stored field surveillance attribute data. The event identifier is then associated with the region data and the specified field surveillance attribute data to generate an event-specific field assessment record.

Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.

Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.

Abstract: A system for automating the gathering of field information that describes the condition of specific geographical locations at specific times via a field information recording device having a GPS receiver for the recording and assignment of the space-time coordinates as information is gathered. The information and space-time coordinates are transmitted to a management center for processing over a communication network. Upon receipt, the field information is integrated into a geographic database such that the information generates a template showing the current state or condition of the identified geographical location on an automated basis. The template and the associated geographical portion of the geographical database are distributed to users via the Internet, intranet or other communication means.