Abstract: A nonintrusive method for determining the magnitudes and spatial and temporal origins of individual dynamic (time varying) torsion loads acting in superposition on a rotating shaft or system of shafts includes combining the measurements of said shaft's inertial response to the dynamic torsion loads with the measurements of discrete relative angular displacement parameters at causally connected space-time points. Changes in the shaft's characteristics, such as those due to change in its temperature or degradation of its structural integrity, can be monitored to provide updated torque determinations that maintain accuracy by taking these changes into account and to provide information on the onset and location of shaft fractures. Apparatus based on the method of this invention is self calibrating.

Abstract: A method for the controlled generation and amplification of electromagnetic waves and systems utilizing these waves are disclosed. An incident electromagnetic wave of a given frequency stimulates a beam of moving charged particles to radiate in a polarizable medium. The resulting electromagnetic radiation is emitted intensively in highly directional shock waves of narrow-frequency bands about controllable frequencies that are in general substantially different from that of the incident wave. The energy of the radiation so produced can be substantially greater than that of the incident wave. The additional energy is supplied by the moving chaged-particle beam. The method leads to new and novel frequency-transferred wave sources and radiation amplifiers applicable to communication systems, to more efficient laser pumping systems, and to new laser systems, called frequency transducers.