Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A laser beam steering apparatus includes a beam steering cell with an adjustable shape, with the cell having opposing Fabry-Perot filters, and a steering mechanism coupled to the cell to adjust its shape so that the direction of a laser beam emitted from the cell is changed in response to a change in the cell shape.

Abstract: Provided is a prosthesis system for indirectly coupling a prosthesis to the skeletal structure of a person. The system includes a plurality of individual magnets and magnet sets attached to a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic device. The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. A second plurality of magnets is embedded within a residual limb of a person, mounted to or within a sub-dermal strut. In operation, the magnetic fields generated by the magnets of the prosthetic socket, which may be dynamic magnetic fields, interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets anchored beneath the skin of the person, to hold the prosthetic device in position during use. A power supply provides current to any electromagnets, and a controller alters any required magnetic fields based on input received from both load and position sensors in the sub-dermal strut.

Abstract: Provided is a prosthesis system for indirectly coupling a prosthesis to the skeletal structure of a person. The system includes a plurality of individual magnets and magnet sets attached to a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic device. The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. A second plurality of magnets is embedded within a residual limb of a person, mounted to or within a sub-dermal strut. In operation, the magnetic fields generated by the magnets of the prosthetic socket, which may be dynamic magnetic fields, interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnets anchored beneath the skin of the person, to hold the prosthetic device in position during use. A power supply provides current to any electromagnets, and a controller alters any required magnetic fields based on input received from both load and position sensors in the sub-dermal strut.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: A real-time timing correction system for high speed control of hot glue dispensing uses a thermal-infrared detector and a feedback control loop distinguishing dispensed hot glue from a substrate by heat emissions.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: A laser beam steering apparatus includes a beam steering cell with an adjustable shape, with the cell having opposing Fabry-Perot filters, and a steering mechanism coupled to the cell to adjust its shape so that the direction of a laser beam emitted from the cell is changed in response to a change in the cell shape.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring multiple operating parameters of a rotating shaft with a sensor. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a sensor in close proximity to a matched pair of thumbnail depressions on the surface of a rotating shaft body. The thumbnail depressions enable the sensor to detect axial displacement and rotational speed of the shaft in addition to detecting radial displacement of the shaft body. Signal processing circuitry analyzes the sensor output data and computes separate values for the axial displacement, speed and radial displacement parameters. Additional filtering and signal processing techniques can be used to ascertain peak axial displacement, to reduce noise, and to compute other parameters, such as acceleration and power spectral density.

Abstract: An acousto-micro-optic deflector (AMOD) is provided. This device uses a special combination of an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) and a micro-optic deflector (MOD) to provide agile gimballess beam steering over large angles. The combination is driven such that the entire field of regard of the device is accessible, and continuous contact with the target point is maintained.

Abstract: An acousto-micro-optic deflector (AMOD) is provided. This device uses a special combination of an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) and a micro-optic deflector (MOD) to provide agile gimballess beam steering over large angles. The combination is driven such that the entire field of regard of the device is accessible, and continuous contact with the target point is maintained.

Abstract: A self contained device for harvesting electrical energy from linear and rotary motion has a sensor with amplifiers for tensile stretching of a piezoelectric body with magnification of the applied force. The piezoelectric body is a monolithic plate with surface electrodes covering its top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A piezoelectric translator has a flat ribbon geometry and a large translation length perpendicular to the surface of the bridge. The translator includes a platform supporting the optic or micro-optic element and a slender piezo actuation system for displacing the platform. A position sensing system provides feedback to the actuation system regarding displacement of the platform. The actuation system includes a plurality of bridge actuators wherein each actuator includes a flat piezoelectric ribbon and leaf spring cap bonded to the ribbon, in single- or double-sided geometry. A stacked bridge geometry is also provided and allows increased displacement for a given applied voltage. Two collinearly placed single span bridge actuators or two-span bridge actuators can be used to provide linear translations with micro-rotation control.

Abstract: An automotive rear view mirror system comprises passive optical elements (which may include lenses, but must include one or an odd number of mirrors) configured to provide a wide field of view with a negative optical element having a small width dimension mounted externally and close to the body of the vehicle. In a basic embodiment, a small negative optical element, such as a convex mirror, is mounted outside the vehicle, and a larger positive optical element, such as a convex lens, is placed inside the vehicle. The optical elements are positioned to be substantially confocal, with the distance between them equal to the difference in their focal lengths, so as to cancel the curvature of field generated by the external element. The internal element magnifies the image to a size comparable to that obtained with a standard external flat mirror.