Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing vehicular radiometric calibration systems and methods. In one example, a method includes capturing, by an array of infrared sensors mounted on a vehicle, a thermal image of a scene during navigation of the vehicle and/or while the vehicle is stationary. The thermal image comprises a plurality of pixel values. Each infrared sensor of the array is associated with a respective one of the plurality of pixel values. The method further includes determining temperature data associated with a portion of the scene, where the portion is associated with a subset of the plurality of pixel values. The method further includes generating a correction value based on the thermal image and the temperature data. Related systems, vehicles, and devices are also provided.

Abstract: Aspect ratio modifying imaging systems and methods are provided. In one example, an infrared imaging device includes at least one lens element configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation associated with a portion of a scene. The portion has a first aspect ratio. The electromagnetic radiation includes mid-wave and/or long-wave infrared light. The at least one lens element has a freeform surface having no translational symmetry and no rotational symmetry. The infrared imaging device further includes a detector array configured to receive image data associated with the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one lens element and generate, based on the image data, an image. The image data has a second aspect ratio different from the first aspect ratio. Each of the first and second aspect ratios is a ratio of a size along a first direction and a size along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a vehicle uses a seal-less piston LPG injunction pump which pumps fluid from a storage tank to an engine. The pump uses the vehicle's pneumatic air system, wherein the pressurized air of this system alternatingly drives an actuator magnetically coupled to a piston.

Abstract: A sliding vane, positive displacement pump is provided which uses a fixed disc configuration wherein a rotor includes a pair of discs affixed to opposite faces of the rotor so as to rotate with the rotor/shaft. Preferably, the discs each have an outer diameter proximate the outer diameter of the rotor and define an outer disc surface which faces radially outwardly towards an opposing, inside surface of the pump head or other casing structure. A dynamic seal is provided along the outside disc diameter which eliminates the formation of slip between end surfaces. The path of fluid traveling from the high pressure pump side near the outlet to the low pressure side of pump near the inlet is controlled with a radial clearance that is defined between the OD of each disc and the ID of the stationary head. This effectively eliminates direct slip paths extending radially across axially-directed end faces.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a vehicle uses a seal-less piston LPG injunction pump which pumps fluid from a storage tank to an engine. The pump uses the vehicle's pneumatic air system, wherein the pressurized air of this system alternatingly drives an actuator magnetically coupled to a piston.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a vehicle uses a multi-piston LPG injunction pump which pumps fluid from a storage tank to an engine. The multi-piston pump uses the vehicle's pneumatic air system, wherein the pressurized air of this system alternatingly drives at least two pistons of the piston pump. Each piston moves through a pumping stroke and a return stroke wherein one piston moves through a pumping stroke, while the opposite piston moves through a return stroke. The pump includes barrier fluid chambers surrounding each of the pistons wherein during a pumping stroke of one piston, a first barrier fluid chamber associated with the one piston decreases in volume as the piston displaces through its pumping stroke. This reduction in volume of the barrier chamber drives the barrier fluid out of the first barrier fluid chamber into a second barrier fluid chamber associated with the second piston.

Abstract: A method of using at least one computer system to execute a financial transaction includes: obtaining, by a computer system, individual economic subcomponents score(s) related to a financial benchmark or genus of equity positions; obtaining, typically by a computer system, an overall zero-baseline score by summation of each of the individual economic scoring subcomponents; determining (typically using a computer system), based upon the overall zero-baseline score, whether or not to purchase or sell a financial stake in a financial position chosen from the group consisting of: an equity; a set of equity stocks; a money market; one or more mutual funds; one or more bond funds; and one or more securities or any combination thereof; and purchasing securities having an equity component when the overall zero-baseline score is positive or selling securities having an equity component when the overall zero-baseline score is negative.

Abstract: A sliding vane, positive displacement pump is provided which uses a fixed disc configuration wherein a rotor includes a pair of discs affixed to opposite faces of the rotor so as to rotate with the rotor/shaft. Preferably, the discs each have an outer diameter proximate the outer diameter of the rotor and define an outer disc surface which faces radially outwardly towards an opposing, inside surface of the pump head or other casing structure. A dynamic seal is provided along the outside disc diameter which eliminates the formation of slip between end surfaces. The path of fluid traveling from the high pressure pump side near the outlet to the low pressure side of pump near the inlet is controlled with a radial clearance that is defined between the OD of each disc and the ID of the stationary head.

Abstract: A system (21) for monitoring the quantity of air in a liquid-state fuel stream discharged from a dispenser (20). The dispenser includes a pump (26) that draws the fuel from a storage tank (22). The fuel stream discharged from the pump is applied to an air separator (38) in which the air and vapor-state fluids are removed from the fuel stream. The gas-removed fuel stream is allowed to flow to nozzle (44) for dispensing. The gas stream created by the air separator is flowed to an air elimination chamber (41). The fuel in the gas stream separates from the air in the air elimination chamber and is returned to an input side of the pump. The air in the air elimination chamber is vented through a fixed opening to the ambient environment. The monitoring system (21) includes a transducer (48) that monitors the rate of air flow through the air elimination chamber. This monitoring may be performed by monitoring the air pressure in the chamber upstream of an orifice through which the air is vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A suction pump (22) suitable for use in a fuel dispensing system (20) or other fluid delivery system for volatile liquids. The suction pump includes a pump casing that defines a pump chamber (52) with inlet and outlet ports. A rotor (54) with vanes (58) is seated in the pump chamber. The vanes define fluid cavities (96a, 96b, 96c, . . . 96f) that rotate between the inlet and outlet ports. During each turn of the rotor, each fluid cavity passes through a section of the pump chamber in which it is isolated from both the inlet port and outlet port. A bleed duct (102) extends from the outlet port. A bleed port (104) extends from the bleed duct to the section of the pump chamber that defines the isolated position of the fluid cavities. During operation of the pump, pressurized fluid discharged from the outlet port flows through the bleed duct and bleed port into the isolated fluid cavity.

Abstract: A dispensing system (20) for drawing fuel from a storage tank (22) to a nozzle (44). The system includes an above-tank suction pump (26) which draws fuel from the tank. The fuel is discharged from the suction pump into a vertically aligned air separator (38) so as to produce a fuel stream that is substantially free of air. The fuel stream is discharged from the air separator to a flow meter (30) and the nozzle through a fuel shutoff valve (46). The open/closed state of the fuel shutoff valve is controlled by a control actuator (48) based on the differential processor across the air separator. Should this differential pressure drop below a given level, the fuel shutoff valve is closed to prevent the system from inadvertently supply a fuel stream with an unacceptably high air content. Gaseous fluid removed by the air separator is supplied to an air eliminator (40). The fuel components of this fluid stream are removed in the air eliminator and returned to the suction pump.

Abstract: An opaque shield is provided for integrated circuits and comprises reflective particles of titanium dioxide and light-absorbing particles of carbon black suspended in polyimide. The reflective particles increase the effective path length of light traversing the carrier so that a much lower concentration of carbon black is required to render the shield opaque. The concentration of carbon black can be low enough so that its conductivity does not impair operation of the integrated circuit. In addition to shielding the integrated circuit from light, the shield also protects the integrated circuit from contamination. A fluid precursor material is formed by mixing titanium dioxide and carbon black particles into a polyamic acid solution. This solution is diluted, filtered and vacuum distilled to yield a suspension free of over-sized particles. The resulting suspension can be applied and patterned using conventional semiconductor processing techniques.

Abstract: A solid state relay uses an optically controlled shunt and series enhancement circuit between a photodiode array and an output device to provide enhanced turn-off and transient immunity characteristics. A Faraday shield may be used to cover optically active components and to provide protection against false turn-on and turn-off caused by the transients.

Abstract: A solid state relay uses an optically controlled shunt and series enhancement circuit between a photodiode array and an output device to provide enhanced turn-off and transient immunity characteristics. A Faraday shield may be used to cover optically active components and to provide protection against false turn-on and turn-off caused by the transients.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled apparatus and method for testing communication lines including circuits serving multiple functions in the measurements of line electrical and noise characteristics. A current divider, an analog to digital converter, a constant current source, various filters and an RMS-to-DC converter are used to perform A.C. and D.C. voltage and current measurements, resistance measurement and noise measurement. Capacitance measurement circuits and method utilize a buffer for isolating the capacitance on the wire measured from other capacitance sources.