Abstract: A system for automatically locking a control laser in a Rydberg atomic sensor may comprise an atomic vapor cell, a probe laser configured to excite the atoms in the atomic vapor cell to an intermediate energy state, and a control laser configured to excite the one or more atoms in the atomic vapor cell from the intermediate energy state to a higher energy state. The light generated by the control laser may be dithered at a pre-determined frequency. The system further comprises a photodiode configured to convert light received from the vapor cell into an electrical signal, a lock-in amplifier configured to generate an error signal based on the electrical signal received from the photo diode and a received reference oscillation frequency, and a servo configured to receive the generated error signal from the lock-in amplifier and adjust a frequency of the control laser based on the received error signal.

Abstract: A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.

Abstract: A system for automatically locking a control laser in a Rydberg atomic sensor may comprise an atomic vapor cell, a probe laser configured to excite the atoms in the atomic vapor cell to an intermediate energy state, and a control laser configured to excite the one or more atoms in the atomic vapor cell from the intermediate energy state to a higher energy state. The light generated by the control laser may be dithered at a pre-determined frequency. The system further comprises a photodiode configured to convert light received from the vapor cell into an electrical signal, a lock-in amplifier configured to generate an error signal based on the electrical signal received from the photo diode and a received reference oscillation frequency, and a servo configured to receive the generated error signal from the lock-in amplifier and adjust a frequency of the control laser based on the received error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for spoiling banknotes (103) arranged in a block formation within a cassette (100). The apparatus (10) comprises a cassette (100) for carrying a block of banknotes (103), a main housing (20) in which is located at least one cartridge (31) containing a spoiling fluid, and first and second spray bars (61, 62) extending from the housing (20). The spray bars (61, 62) are in fluid communication with the at least one cartridge (31), and the main housing (20) further comprises a valve (40) configured to release the spoiling fluid from the at least one cartridge (31) and into the spray bars (61, 62). In use, the first spray bar (61) extends across the length and proximate a first end of the block of banknotes (103) within the cassette (100) and the second spray bar (62) extends across the length and proximate a second end of the block of banknotes (103) within the cassette (100).

Abstract: A hand-held lubrication device that allows for both one- and two-handed operation. The device utilizes a front-facing mounted trigger that actuates a rear-mounted plunger via two tie rods.

Abstract: A hand-held lubrication device that allows for both one- and two-handed operation. The device utilizes a front-facing mounted trigger that actuates a rear-mounted plunger via two tie rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, the pistons having respective control rods connected thereto. The apparatus also includes a plurality of transducers coupled to the liquid medium and means for causing the pistons of respective ones of the plurality of the pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of the plurality of transducers. The apparatus further includes means for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that the respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to excitation of hydrocarbons for catalytic type oxidation reactions, and more particularly, to treatment of excess methane emissions in a natural gas fueled engine to promote relatively more efficient catalytic methane oxidation reactions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to adjust pixel density based on a weight and an accumulated pixel count of a printer cartridge. According to an exemplary method, the weight and the accumulated pixel count of the printer cartridge are calculated to determine a pixel density of the printer cartridge, and then a toner output of an associated printing device is adjusted if the pixel density is outside of a predefined pixel density threshold.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for aligning a bias transfer roll are disclosed. For example, the method detects a position of a paper, determines a position of the bias transfer roll, calculates an offset between the position of the paper and the position of the bias transfer roll and moves the bias transfer roll laterally by an amount of the offset to align the bias transfer roll to the paper.

Abstract: An alignment metrology and resolution measurement system concurrently determines the alignment of an imaging array in six degrees of freedom relative to an external reference frame, and further determines the resolution of the imaging array. To achieve this, an image of at least three mask patterns is projected on the imaging array. First and second positions of the imaging array relative to first and second coordinate axis of the reference frame is obtained using pixel positions of the images along the first and second axis. A first rotational position of the imaging array about a third coordinate axis is obtained using pixel positions of the images along the first and second axes. The third position and the second and third rotational positions of the imaging array about the first and second coordinate axis are determined using feature widths of focus images of the patterns and distances between the mask patterns.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present.

Abstract: A method of operation of an electric turbocompounding system for a reciprocating engine comprises the steps of retrieving from the engine ECU data pertaining to engine condition, retrieving from a set of turbine efficiency data an optimum turbogenerator speed at the engine condition, setting a desired turbogenerator set speed based on the engine condition and on a speed at which turbine efficiency is deemed to be optimum, measuring an output voltage of the turbogenerator, comparing the measured voltage with a pre-determined voltage range and where the measured voltage falls outside of the pre-determined voltage range, adjusting the turbogenerator set speed to reduce or increase the output voltage to within the pre-determined voltage range.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.

Abstract: A method of operation of an electric turbocompounding system for a reciprocating engine comprises the steps of retrieving from the engine ECU data pertaining to engine condition, retrieving from a set of turbine efficiency data an optimum turbogenerator speed at the engine condition, setting a desired turbogenerator set speed based on the engine condition and on a speed at which turbine efficiency is deemed to be optimum, measuring an output voltage of the turbogenerator, comparing the measured voltage with a pre-determined voltage range and where the measured voltage falls outside of the pre-determined voltage range, adjusting the turbogenerator set speed to reduce or increase the output voltage to within the pre-determined voltage range.

Abstract: The disclosure features multiple degree-of-freedom interferometers (e.g., non-dispersive interferometers) for monitoring linear and angular (e.g., pitch and/or yaw) displacements of a measurement object with compensation for variations in the optical properties of a gas in the interferometer measurement (and/or reference) beam paths. The disclosure also features interferometry systems that feature an array of interferometers (e.g., including one or more multiple degree-of-freedom interferometer), each configured to provide different information about variations in the optical properties of the gas in the system. Multiple degree-of-freedom interferometers are also referred to as multi-axis interferometers.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a method that includes using an interferometry assembly to provide three different output beams, each output beam including an interferometric phase related to an optical path difference between a corresponding first beam and a corresponding second beam, each first beam contacting a measurement object at least once, monitoring the interferometric phases for each of the three different output beams, and deriving information about variations in the optical properties of a gas in the first beam paths from the three monitored phases.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system that includes a moveable stage, an interferometer configured to provide information about a first degree of freedom of the stage, an encoder configured to provide information about a second degree of freedom of the stage, and an electronic processor configured to monitor the position of the stage based on the information about the first and second degrees of freedom.