Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining water content in a bulk heterogeneous material using electromagnetic radiation. A radiation source and a radiation receiver are positioned such that the material to be measured is located between them. As the radiation signal is transmitted from the source to the receiver, the signal experiences a path loss due, at least in part to the presence of the material located between the source and the receiver. The path loss in the transmitted signal, when recorded over time may be used to determine the water content of the material.

Abstract: A system for controlling and measuring a power source switches between a first source and a second source in rapid succession to help maintain function of a load. In particular, a primary source may be replaced or augmented by an auxiliary source. Fast switching is achieved by delivering current to the output load through a nonlinear device. A record of conditions when the power sources switch modes is maintained in memory. The record is used to anticipate subsequent mode switching events.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor having an MR stack biased by high anisotropy hard bias elements thereby reducing distortion in sensor operation and improving head to head operational values. The high anisotropy hard bias elements are formed from a hard magnetic material deposited in a thin film having a substantially axial preferred direction of magnetic anisotropy prior to application of a setting field. The magnetic anisotropy in the hard magnetic material is formed by oblique deposition in a direction approximately normal to the preferred direction of anisotropy in the resulting hard bias element.

Abstract: A single analog filter structure within a partial response channel combines an antialias low pass filter and a time domain waveform shaping equalizer upstream of a digital sampler. The filter also improves latencies associated with timing acquisition of a sampler clock generator loop by removing the latency of a separate equalization filter. The filter also provides a method for adapting a combination of internal filter state voltages and currents in real time for optimizing pole locations of the analog filter structure, during both data and timing recovery operations of the channel.

Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.

Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.

Abstract: A system for determining the proper instant of time to launch an object, h as a target or torpedo, from an aircraft to cause the object to impact a water surface at a predetermined nose-down angle, thereby preventing structural damage due to high impact forces. The system utilizes signals produced by instrumentation representative of the aircraft pitch and angular rate of pitch. The desired launch altitude and predetermined impact angle are physically set into the system by means of adjustable voltage sources. These parameters are processed in the system such that the system forms a complete electronic analogy to the physical laws which govern the motion of the free falling object. In operation, the system continuously computes the predicted impact angle based on the instantaneous inputs of the aircraft's altitude, pitch angle and pitch rate. It then compares the predicted impact angle with the predetermined impact angle.