Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and method for detecting wood-boring species of insects in a structure (16), involving one or more primary (14) and reference (18) sensors and a signal conditioning and acquisition device (22) capable of being coupled to the sensors (14, 18). The system (10) also includes a processor (24) capable of being coupled to a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium that includes program logic for execution by the processor (24). The program logic includes a logic module that receives signals originating from the sensors (14, 18) and discriminates between noise generated by any wood boring species in the structure and extraneous noise unrelated to the wood boring species of insects. The extraction of signal features based on pulse duration, signal spectra and signal envelope spectra can be used for insect pulse discrimination.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing system and method includes at least one cluster of acoustic sensors in communication with a computing device. The computing device is configured to process received acoustic signals, and provide at least one of detection of the acoustic source presence; determination of direction of arrival of an acoustic wave emitted by an acoustic source; and classification of the acoustic source as to its nature. The cluster may include at least two sensors and the computing device may be configured to process the received acoustic signals and provide localization of the acoustic source in three dimensions. The cluster of acoustic sensors may comprise at least one seismic wave sensor.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing system and method includes at least one cluster of acoustic sensors in communication with a computing device. The computing device is configured to process received acoustic signals, and provide at least one of detection of the acoustic source presence; determination of direction of arrival of an acoustic wave emitted by an acoustic source; and classification of the acoustic source as to its nature. The cluster may include at least two sensors and the computing device may be configured to process the received acoustic signals and provide localization of the acoustic source in three dimensions. The cluster of acoustic sensors may comprise at least one seismic wave sensor.

Abstract: A portable threat detection apparatus and method is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of acoustic emission sensors arranged in a cluster, forming a polygon defining at least two axes of alignment between respective pairs of acoustic emission sensors; a computing device in cooperation with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for performing: receiving a first signal produced by a first acoustic emission sensor within a respective pair of acoustic emission sensors, in response to the first acoustic emission sensor detecting an acoustic emission from a source, and receiving a second signal produced by a second acoustic emission sensor within the respective pair of acoustic emission sensors, in response to the second acoustic emission sensor detecting the acoustic emission; determining a cross-correlation factor between the first signal and the second signal; and, determining a bearing to the source based on the cross correlation factor.

Abstract: An acoustic vector sensor mounted in a housing is provided for measuring ultra low frequency acoustic wave particle velocities in a liquid, comprising a horn for amplifying the acoustic wave particle velocities, and a neutrally buoyant object supported in a liquid contained in the horn. The neutrally buoyant object, in reacting to the amplified acoustic wave particle velocities, produces displacements that are sensitively measured.

Abstract: A portable threat detection apparatus and method is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of acoustic emission sensors arranged in a cluster, forming a polygon defining at least two axes of alignment between respective pairs of acoustic emission sensors; a computing device in cooperation with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions for performing: receiving a first signal produced by a first acoustic emission sensor within a respective pair of acoustic emission sensors, in response to the first acoustic emission sensor detecting an acoustic emission from a source, and receiving a second signal produced by a second acoustic emission sensor within the respective pair of acoustic emission sensors, in response to the second acoustic emission sensor detecting the acoustic emission; determining a cross-correlation factor between the first signal and the second signal; and, determining a bearing to the source based on the cross correlation factor.

Abstract: A device for accelerating the loss of regional body fat tissue in an exercising person, which includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for emitting ultrasound, and an implement for containing the transducers which is positioned proximate to the regional body fat tissue in the exercising person. The device includes means for controlling the transducers, whereby said ultrasound enhances the loss of the regional body fat tissue in the exercising person when the device is positioned proximate the regional body fat tissue and ultrasound is admitted thereto.

Abstract: An acoustic vector sensor mounted in a housing is provided for measuring ultra low frequency acoustic wave particle velocities in a liquid, comprising a horn for amplifying the acoustic wave particle velocities, and a neutrally buoyant object supported in a liquid contained in the horn. The neutrally buoyant object, in reacting to the amplified acoustic wave particle velocities, produces displacements that are sensitively measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which employs phase or amplitude modulated electromagnetic probing waves (in optical or microwave frequency ranges or both) emitted toward a vibrating object. The optical and/or microwave probing signals remotely irradiate an object of interest. The object reflects and/or scatters the probing wave toward to a receiver. The reflected/scattered modulated signal is received with a remote sensor (receiver). Vibration causes additional phase modulation to the probing wave. At the receiving end, the signal is demodulated to extract and analyze the vibration waveform. The present invention can be utilized for nondestructive testing, monitoring of technological processes, structural integrity, noise and vibration control, mine detection, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is provided which employs phase or amplitude modulated electromagnetic probing waves (20) (in optical or microwave frequency ranges or both) emitted toward a vibrating object (8). The optical and/or microwave probing signals (20) remotely irradiate an object (8) of interest. The object (8) reflects and/or scatters the probing wave (20) toward a receiver (22). The reflected/scattered modulated signal (24) is received with a remote sensor (receiver) (22). Vibration causes additional phase modulation to the probing wave (20). At the receiving end, the signal is demodulated to extract and analyze the vibration waveform (26,28). The present invention can be utilized for nondestructive testing, monitoring of technological processes, structural integrity, noise and vibration control, mine detection, etc.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of insects in a structure utilize a plurality of transceivers, each of which generates separate and distinct microwave signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure being tested. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of insects in the structure. If most or all of the transceivers receive positive signals indicative of the possible presence of insects in the structure, which is a false indication of the presence of insects, the microprocessor distinguishes this false indication from an actual indication of the presence of insects, thereby enabling the detection of insects despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-insect motion.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of insects in a structure utilize a plurality of transceivers, each of which generates separate and distinct microwave signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure being tested. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of insects in the structure. If most or all of the transceivers receive positive signals indicative of the possible presence of insects in the structure, which is a false indication of the presence of insects, the microprocessor distinguishes this false indication from an actual indication of the presence of insects, thereby enabling the detection of insects despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-insect motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for nondestructive testing and evaluation of wood and wooden structures for insects using microwave radiation. The apparatus includes a microwave generator, a receiver, an antenna for sending and receiving signals, a signal processor for processing the received signals and a display. The detection method includes generating and sending a microwave signal, receiving a reflected signal, and processing and evaluating the received signal. The evaluation method includes sweeping the frequency of the generated signal to determine the maximum received signal, and comparing the maximum received signal to a standard deviation between the maximum received signal and the standard indicates damage and extent of the deviation indicates the extent of the damage. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and the method includes moving the apparatus about a structure to be tested.