Abstract: Leak detection system. A rigid body is resiliently supported within an outer cage. Means are provided for detecting displacement of the rigid body with respect to the outer cage, the displacement indicating a leak when the rigid body is moved by a suction force generated by a local pressure gradient resulting from a leak within a pipe network. The invention allows a leak to be determined around the circumference of a pipe.

Abstract: A passive alignment structure is provided that includes at least one rigid post being coupled to a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one in-plane clamp is associated with a respective at least one rigid post. The at least one in-plane clamp receives a clamping force to lock the respective at least one rigid post. A plurality of pins allows the top surface to align to the bottom surface.

Abstract: An adjustment structure used in conjunction with an imprinting structure is provided. The adjustment structure includes a sample mount for mounting a sample. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the sample mount, the actuator mechanism producing actuated forces on a X-Y plane to produce movements on a sample mount. A plurality of bladed flexures are positioned on the sample mount. The bladed flexures controls the movements of the sample mount produced by the actuator mechanism so as to allow adjustments in angular alignment about the pitch-roll (?X-?Y) rotation axes or the X-Y plane relative to the sample mount so the imprinting structure can perform its operations on the sample.

Abstract: A method includes generating, using a sensor, a data signal. The data signal includes a first component based on a motion in a first direction of an actuator configured to provide motion between a sample and a probe in the first direction, the first direction substantially in the plane of the sample; and a second component based on at least one of topographic variations of the sample in a second direction, and a materials property of the sample. The method further includes generating, using a processor, a compensatory signal based on the first component of the data signal generated by the sensor; and providing the compensatory signal to the actuator.

Abstract: Acoustic system for leak detection. The system includes a disk-shaped probe for insertion into fluid flowing within a pipe. The probe has a convex front surface facing in the flow direction and a substantially flat rear surface. The probe further includes wheels to engage a pipe wall to maintain the probe's orientation within the pipe. At least one pressure sensor is embedded in the probe and is responsive to pressure changes resulting from a leak in the pipe wall. Data collection circuitry is disposed in the probe to receive probe location data and to receive an acoustic signal from the pressure sensor from which the pressure and location of a leak may be determined.

Abstract: System for pipeline rehabilitation. The system includes repairing a leak in a pipe using a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical parts connected through a compliant joint. When the parts are compressed, the semi-cylindrical parts form a cylinder whose outside diameter is less than the inside diameter of a pipe with a defect thereby allowing the cylinder to be inserted into the pipe at a location of a leak. Once in place, the parts engage the inside surface of the pipe when the compression is released thereby to seal the leak.

Abstract: Leak detection system. The system includes a structure sized to fit within a pipe for supporting at least one sensing element near an inside wall of the pipe, whereby a pressure gradient at a leak in the pipe will cause the sensing element to respond. Structure is provided for detecting movement or deformation of the sensing element, the movement or deformation indicating the presence of a leak. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes two spaced-apart rings for supporting the at least one sensing element. The sensing element is a diaphragm in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the sensing element is supported for movement with respect to the ring structure which includes sensing circuitry for detecting the movement to indicate a leak. Other embodiments employ different sensing elements that respond to pressure gradients near leaks.

Abstract: The system includes structure for supporting at least one tube within a pipe. The tube has one end disposed close to, or in contact with, a wall of the pipe. A sensor is disposed within the at least one tube to detect a pressure gradient or fluid movement within the tube. Such pressure gradient or fluid movement indicates a leak in the pipe adjacent to the tube location. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a ring sized to fit within the pipe and the ring supports a plurality of tubes. In another aspect, the tube includes a restriction to prevent flow and pressure is measured on each side of the restriction.

Abstract: The sensor includes a deformable diaphragm responsive to applied pressure and a rigid beam mounted to move as the diaphragm deforms. The rigid beam includes a mirrored surface for receiving light from and reflecting light into an optical fiber thereby forming a Fabry-Perot cavity to detect changes in the position of the rigid beam. The rigid beam further includes inter-digital fingers extending from the mirrored surface and moving with the rigid beam with respect to fixed inter-digital fingers to create a change in electrical charges in the fingers to detect changes in the position of the rigid beam thereby providing two measures of rigid beam displacement which are measures of pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber is a single mode optical fiber.

Abstract: A stamping structure for imprinting micro-sized features is provided. The stamping structure includes a flexure arrangement having one or more diaphragm flexures arranged in a series or parallel or hybrid configuration so as to manage load-capacity while still achieving adequate vertical and angular range of a sample supported on the one or more diaphragm flexures.

Abstract: A method includes generating, using a sensor, a data signal. The data signal includes a first component based on a motion in a first direction of an actuator configured to provide motion between a sample and a probe in the first direction, the first direction substantially in the plane of the sample; and a second component based on at least one of topographic variations of the sample in a second direction, and a materials property of the sample. The method further includes generating, using a processor, a compensatory signal based on the first component of the data signal generated by the sensor; and providing the compensatory signal to the actuator.

Abstract: A passive alignment structure is provided that includes at least one rigid post being coupled to a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one in-plane clamp is associated with a respective at least one rigid post. The at least one in-plane clamp receives a clamping force to lock the respective at least one rigid post. A plurality of pins allows the top surface to align to the bottom surface.

Abstract: Compliant mechanisms whose dominant modes of vibration match the desired kinematics for locomotion in a given environment are used to mimic motions of a living animal. Mechanisms are simple and mechanically robust. They may have as few as one actuator, which excites the compliant portion to vibrate in a natural mode that results in motion that mimics a living animal. Additional actuators may drive directional elements such as flippers. Models for compliant mechanism bodies were derived and used to identify actuator, material, and geometrical properties of the required mechanisms. The design and fabrication techniques of mechanisms implementing these ideas is also presented. Experiments found that important features of fish-swimming kinematics can be captured qualitatively by compliant mechanisms. The resulting mechanism swimming performance was ? of the real fish performance, comparable to current robotic fish.

Abstract: An adjustment structure used in conjunction with an imprinting structure is provided. The adjustment structure includes a sample mount for mounting a sample. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the sample mount, the actuator mechanism producing actuated forces on a X-Y plane to produce movements on a sample mount. A plurality of bladed flexures are positioned on the sample mount. The bladed flexures controls the movements of the sample mount produced by the actuator mechanism so as to allow adjustments in angular alignment about the pitch-roll (?X-?Y) rotation axes or the X-Y plane relative to the sample mount so the imprinting structure can perform its operations on the sample.

Abstract: A stamping structure for imprinting micro-sized features is provided. The stamping structure includes one or more optical flats. A flexure arrangement includes a plurality of beam flexures arranged in a symmetric configuration around the one or more optical flats so as to minimize the error yaw motion (?z) from thermal fluctuations associated with fixturing the one or more optical flats.

Abstract: A stamping structure for imprinting micro-sized features is provided. The stamping structure includes a flexure arrangement having one or more diaphragm flexures arranged in a series or parallel or hybrid configuration so as to manage load-capacity while still achieving adequate vertical and angular range of a sample supported on the one or more diaphragm flexures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spectroscopic methods and systems for collecting electromagnetic radiation from an object using a continuously-spinning wavelength-selecting (CSWS) device, e.g., an interference filter(s) or grating. One embodiment of the invention provides a spectroscopic system for collecting electromagnetic radiation from a target. The spectroscopic system has at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation that interacts with the target. The system includes a continuously spinning wavelength-selecting (CSWS) device, e.g., a continuously spinning interference filter/grating driven by a DC motor, in the path of the at least one beam. The device filters the radiation with regard to wavelength to produce filtered radiation. The system further includes at least one detector in the path of the at least one beam for detecting the filtered radiation.

Abstract: A dye applicator including a head with a cavity (reservoir) and a plurality of bristles in the form of pins each covered with a sponge sleeve extending into the cavity and moistened with a catalyzed dye in the cavity by capillary action. A handle is connected to the head and includes a first container for receiving a dye compound, a second container for receiving a catalyst compound, a pump for each container, and a mixing chamber with a threaded compartment connected to the head cavity on one end, connected to the first container on the other end, and connected to the second container by a manifold for distributing the catalyst throughout the threaded compartment of the mixing chamber. A solenoid is positioned to actuate both pumps to deliver the dye and the catalyst separately to the mixing chamber and to deliver the mixed catalyzed dye to the head cavity.

Abstract: A mechanism for calibrating a scanning probe microscope is presented. The calibration mechanism operates to apply an input signal to an actuator to cause acceleration of the actuator and to measure a value indicative of deflection of a cantilever attached to the actuator, as a result of the actuator acceleration. The measured deflection value is used to determine a corresponding value of actuator displacement.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a color image into a plurality of regions includes converting the image to a three-dimensional color space, generating a histogram for each dimension in the color space, using the histogram for each dimension to generate a plurality of connecting-boxes in the three-dimensional color space, and computing a normalized variance value of each connecting-box in order to form clusters of connecting-boxes corresponding to regions of the image. An illustrated application for the image segmentation method is in an object recognition system suitable for aligning a probe of an atomic force microscope with a feature of a sample.