Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting open flames in an outdoor environment. Structurally, the outdoor flame detector includes both an ultra-violet (UV) detector and a Radio Frequency (RF) detector. While operating within predetermined parameters, these detectors respectively create an event signal(s) and a cancel signal(s). In detail, the UV detector will output an event signal whenever UV radiation with a fluence above a predetermined value is incident on the UV detector. On the other hand, the RF detector will output a cancel signal whenever it receives an RF component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge having an intensity above a predetermined threshold. The event signal and the cancel signal are then individually and collectively evaluated by a computer to distinguish between an actual open flame and a non-flame event, such as an electric arc discharge (e.g. lightening, electric motors and arc welding).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting open flames in an outdoor environment. Structurally, the outdoor flame detector includes both an ultra-violet (UV) detector and a Radio Frequency (RF) detector. While operating within predetermined parameters, these detectors respectively create an event signal(s) and a cancel signal(s). In detail, the UV detector will output an event signal whenever UV radiation with a fluence above a predetermined value is incident on the UV detector. On the other hand, the RF detector will output a cancel signal whenever it receives an RF component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge having an intensity above a predetermined threshold. The event signal and the cancel signal are then individually and collectively evaluated by a computer to distinguish between an actual open flame and a non-flame event, such as an electric arc discharge (e.g. lightening, electric motors and arc welding).

Abstract: An availability analysis software tool for estimating the downtime and cost of downtime in an information technology network. The tool can create a computer element model of software and hardware components in the network. The elements are combinable into logical group models and element and group models are further combinable into a model tree to simulate the network. Each element is assigned a workload and the sum of element workloads determine group and model workloads. Simulated element failures reduce workload in the group and model tree. Cost per unit workload lost during an element failure are assignable, wherein the estimated cost of downtime caused by element failures is determined by multiplying the amount of workload that is lost from the simulated element failures by the cost per unit workload.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus which act as a retroreflector of circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation over a broad range of incident angles. The apparatus includes dipole antenna pairs which are orthogonally disposed in relation to one another about a central point to create antennas which consist, for example, of crossed dipoles but can be other circular polarization sensitive antennas. Antenna pairs are then arranged symmetrically in an array and interconnected by means which control the circular polarization of the returned signals to provide retroreflection of impinging signals while maintaining the same sense of polarization. The array thereby provides enhancement of the radar cross-section of a target when circularly polarized radar is employed. Conversely, the array can be connected so as to enhance opposite-polarization returns should there be any desire to do so.

Abstract: An electrostatic projectile accelerator apparatus and related method for accelerating an electrostatic projectile charged to a first polarity through a plurality of pairs of split plates. The pairs of split plates are alternately charged to the first polarity and a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A first ion generator neutralizes the polarity of the projectile or charges the projectile to the second polarity as the projectile passes through the first pair of split plates. A second ion generator recharges the projectile to the first polarity as the projectile passes through the second pair of split plates.

Abstract: A device for intercepting and decoding spread-spectrum frequency-hopped signals. A bank of frequency domain filters contains a filter for each expected bandwidth in the frequency-hopped signal. Each detector of a bank of detectors detects a pulse and noise in the bandwidth of the pulse from a corresponding filter. A bank of thresholding devices differentiates a pulse from the surrounding noise in accordance with a power level threshold value. The device achieves an improvement of approximately the square root of n, where n is the number of frequency domain filters in the apparatus.