Abstract: An autonomous vehicle collision/crossing warning system provides for simple, inexpensive and decentralized installation, operation and maintenance of a reliable vehicle collision/crossing warning system. The autonomous warning system preferably utilizes a single frequency TDM radio communication network with GPS clock synchronization, time slot arbitration and connectionless UDP protocol to broadcast messages among vehicles and components in the warning system. Adaptive localized mapping of components of interest within the warning system eliminates the need for centralized databases or coordination and control systems and enables new vehicles and warning systems to be easily added to the system in a decentralized manner. Preferably, stationary warning systems are deployed as multiple self-powered units each equipped to receive broadcast messages and to communicate with the other units by a low power RF channel in a redundant Master-Slave configuration.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle collision/crossing warning system provides for simple, inexpensive and decentralized installation, operation and maintenance of a reliable vehicle collision/crossing warning system. The autonomous warning system preferably utilizes a single frequency TDM radio communication network with GPS clock synchronization, time slot arbitration and connectionless UDP protocol to broadcast messages among vehicles and components in the warning system. Adaptive localized mapping of components of interest within the warning system eliminates the need for centralized databases or coordination and control systems and enables new vehicles and warning systems to be easily added to the system in a decentralized manner. Preferably, stationary warning systems are deployed as multiple self-powered units each equipped to receive broadcast messages and to communicate with the other units by a low power RF channel in a redundant Master-Slave configuration.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle collision/crossing warning system provides for simple, inexpensive and decentralized installation, operation and maintenance of a reliable vehicle collision/crossing warning system. The autonomous warning system preferably utilizes a single frequency TDM radio communication network with GPS clock synchronization, time slot arbitration and connectionless UDP protocol to broadcast messages among vehicles and components in the warning system. Adaptive localized mapping of components of interest within the warning system eliminates the need for centralized databases or coordination and control systems and enables new vehicles and warning systems to be easily added to the system in a decentralized manner. Preferably, stationary warning systems are deployed as multiple self-powered units each equipped to receive broadcast messages and to communicate with the other units by a low power RF channel in a redundant Master-Slave configuration.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mobile sign with a solar panel for warning motorists of highway problems. The mobile sign comprises support structure configured as a wheeled vehicle. In preferred embodiments, the sign panel comprises an enclosure or housing having a front transparent panel, a multiplicity of LED's in a matrixical arrangement for generating electronically changeable messages mounted in the enclosure and spaced from the front panel, and a pattern of opaque material, for example paint, applied on the exterior of the front transparent panel defining a plurality of windows for passing light therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the windows will be in a matrixical arrangement comprising a plurality of rows and columns of individual LED's or rows and columns of groupings of LEDs.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mobile sign with a solar panel for warning motorists of highway problems. The mobile sign comprises support structure configured as a wheeled vehicle. In preferred embodiments, the sign panel comprises an enclosure or housing having a front transparent panel, a multiplicity of LED's in a matrixical arrangement for generating electronically changeable messages mounted in the enclosure and spaced from the front panel, and a pattern of opaque material, for example paint, applied on the exterior of the front transparent panel defining a plurality of windows for passing light therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the windows will be in a matrixical arrangement comprising a plurality of rows and columns of individual LED's or rows and columns of groupings of LEDs.

Abstract: A changeable portable, solar powered message sign is disclosed which offers reduced power consumption and enhanced visibility to intended observers especially during the difficult hours about dawn and dusk. The system features character matrices and two independent types of pixel defining systems. The system also includes an automatic solar tracking and control system.

Abstract: A mobile sign with a solar panel for warning motorists of highway problems. The mobile sign comprises a wheeled vehicle, an electrically powered sign panel mounted on the wheeled vehicle, a chargeable battery for powering the sign panel, and a solar panel for charging the battery. The solar panel is rotatable and tiltable relative to the wheeled vehicle. The sign panel is independently rotatable relative to the wheeled vehicle. The sign panel has a low-glare, high-contrast display that also improves the lifetime of the display's electronic or mechanical components by reducing heating of the display due to the sun.

Abstract: A vacuum particle detector includes a cavity providing a passage for fluid flow, a laser diode and beam shaping optics to form a substantially rectangular beam spanning the chamber. Light sensing optics, including a pair of biconvex lenses, receive light scattered when the particles suspended in the fluid intersect the beam. At least some of the scattered light is transmitted through the lenses to a photodetector. The photodetector width is selected in concert with the focal lengths of the biconvex lenses, to provide a viewing depth of field commensurate with the complete span of the beam across the chamber, whereby the photodetector responds to particles that intersect the beam over the entire span. A cone and a surrounding sleeve, both concentric about an axis of the beam, absorb the laser energy beam to provide an effective beam stop.

Abstract: A particle flux counter apparatus utilizing light extinction. The apparatus utilizes two oppositely disposed cylindrical mirrors (21a, 21b) to bounce a beam back and forth between them, the beam traversing the length of the cylindrical mirrors (21a, 21b) in incremental steps. A plane mirror (22) is cooperatively located to reflect the beam back between the system to traverse the length of the cylindrical mirrors (21a, 21b) a second time in incremented steps. The two sets of steps interleaving such that the beam forms a sheet of light. A detector (60) monitors the intensity of the beam. As particles in a sample aerosol intersect the beam, the light is extinguished and the beam intensity changes. The detector (60) transmits a signal to a microprocessor (108) analyzation. The apparatus also utilizes a feedback circuit (300) to regulate the beam intensity and alternatively provides for modulating the beam to provide for higher peak power into the detector (60) and elimination of common mode noise.

Abstract: A non-imaging particle counter 10 utilizing one or more detectors 25 which directly collect light scattered by particles in a fluid traversing a sensing volume 63. The detectors 25, are non-imaging, non-focusing, optic-less light collection devices, such as large area photodiodes. The detectors 25 are arranged and configured proximate the sensing volume 63, but such that the beam of light 60 is not operatively incident thereon. The beam of light 60 is provided by a laser 50 and is shaped by a focusing/collimating lens 54. The beam of light 60 passes through several apertures 51-53 to reduce stray/background light in the system. The detectors 25 are oriented at an angle with respect to the plane formed by the longitudinal axis of the beam and the flow of fluid, wherein stray light 61 strikes the detectors 25 at an angle greater than the acceptance angle of the detectors 25, while scattered light strikes the detectors 25 at an angle less than the detectors' 25 acceptance angle.