Abstract: A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.

Abstract: A particle acceleration system includes a particle accelerator and at least one beam-transparent stripper element. The particle accelerator is configured to accelerate charged particles along a trajectory. The beam-transparent stripper element(s) is/are positioned along the trajectory. Each beam-transparent stripper element has a surface normal to the trajectory, wherein said surface defines a plurality of apertures configured to cause a first plurality of charged particles that strike the surface to undergo a stripping process while a second plurality of charged particles pass through one or more of the plurality of apertures without undergoing the stripping process.

Abstract: A particle acceleration system includes a particle accelerator and at least one beam-transparent stripper element. The particle accelerator is configured to accelerate charged particles along a trajectory. The beam-transparent stripper element(s) is/are positioned along the trajectory. Each beam-transparent stripper element has a surface normal to the trajectory, wherein said surface defines a plurality of apertures configured to cause a first plurality of charged particles that strike the surface to undergo a stripping process while a second plurality of charged particles pass through one or more of the plurality of apertures without undergoing the stripping process.

Abstract: A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to receive a gas between the first and second electrodes, and a pulse generator configured to apply a voltage pulse, tuned to a particular constituent of the gas, to the first and second electrodes and create a non-thermal plasma between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator. The detection controller may be configured to determine an actual current between the first and second electrodes during application of the voltage pulse, and to determine a concentration of the constituent based on the actual current and an expected identity of the constituent.

Abstract: A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.

Abstract: A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode in fluid communication with a first gas and a second gas, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to contain the second gas between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a pulse generator configured to apply a series of voltage pulses to the first and second electrodes and create a plasma in the second gas. Each voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses may have an incrementally higher voltage amplitude than a preceding voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses. The gas monitoring system may further have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator. The detection controller may be configured to detect breakdown of the second gas during application of one of the series of voltage pulses, and based on a voltage amplitude of the one of the series of voltage pulses, determine a parameter of the first gas.

Abstract: Detecting particulate matter in an exhaust filter includes receiving data indicative of a time delay between transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy propagated through trapped particulate matter, and outputting a signal indicative of an amount of the trapped particulate matter responsive to the data.

Abstract: A method for removing matter from a filter is disclosed. The method may include measuring loading conditions of a filter media. The method may also include applying at least one voltage pulse between an electrode external to the filter media and a housing of the filter media to induce a plurality of shock waves directed toward the filter media, based on the loading conditions.

Abstract: Detecting particulate matter in an exhaust filter includes receiving data indicative of a time delay between transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy propagated through trapped particulate matter, and outputting a signal indicative of an amount of the trapped particulate matter responsive to the data.

Abstract: A method for removing matter from a filter is disclosed. The method may include measuring loading conditions of a filter media. The method may also include applying at least one voltage pulse between an electrode external to the filter media and a housing of the filter media to induce a plurality of shock waves directed toward the filter media, based on the loading conditions.

Abstract: A method for detecting soot in a gas is disclosed. The method may include applying a voltage pulse to electrodes exposed to the gas, wherein the voltage pulse has a higher voltage amplitude than a breakdown voltage of the gas. The method may also include detecting breakdown of the gas, and determining a time to breakdown of the gas since application of the voltage pulse. The method may additionally include determining a concentration of particulate matter entrained in the gas based on the time to breakdown.

Abstract: A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode in fluid communication with a first gas and a second gas, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to contain the second gas between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a pulse generator configured to apply a series of voltage pulses to the first and second electrodes and create a plasma in the second gas. Each voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses may have an incrementally higher voltage amplitude than a preceding voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses. The gas monitoring system may further have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a gas is disclosed. This method may include applying a voltage pulse to electrodes exposed to the gas, and determining an actual current between electrodes during application of the voltage pulse. The method may further include determining a concentration of a constituent in the gas based on the actual current and an expected identity of the constituent.

Abstract: A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to receive a gas between the first and second electrodes, and a pulse generator configured to apply a voltage pulse, tuned to a particular constituent of the gas, to the first and second electrodes and create a non-thermal plasma between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator. The detection controller may be configured to determine an actual current between the first and second electrodes during application of the voltage pulse, and to determine a concentration of the constituent based on the actual current and an expected identity of the constituent.

Abstract: A spark plug may include a first electrode, an insulator positioned radially outside the first electrode, and a housing positioned radially outside the insulator. The spark plug may also include a second electrode electrically coupled to the housing. The second electrode may form a spark gap with the first electrode. The spark plug may further include an ignition electrode coupled to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The ignition electrode may include fibers of Nb—Ti within a matrix material.

Abstract: A spark plug may include a first electrode, an insulator positioned radially outside the first electrode, and a housing positioned radially outside the insulator. The spark plug may also include a second electrode electrically coupled to the housing. The second electrode may form a spark gap with the first electrode. The spark plug may further include an ignition electrode coupled to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The ignition electrode may include fibers of Nb—Ti within a matrix material.

Abstract: A pulsed electric field system for inactivation of biological agents on a dielectric sheet material. The pulsed electric field (PEF) system includes a dielectric layer located between an active electrode and a ground electrode, wherein said dielectric layer has a uniform surface profile. A pulsed electric field is provided in a gap between the dielectric layer and the active electrode. A transport assembly moves the dielectric sheet material through the gap. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes sensors for sensing the position of the dielectric sheet material as it passes through the pulsed electric field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating charged particles. The charged particles accelerate as they travel through electric fields produced by a plurality of accelerating elements having first and second electrode plates. A magnetic field produced by a pair of magnets causes the charged particles to travel in a generally circular orbit.

Abstract: A device for transport of an electron beam from an accelerator to a product to be irradiated, comprised of a passive plasma channel for forming a low density plasma by ionizing gas molecules in a chamber under low pressure conditions. The device being adjustable in size such that the chamber formed by the device occupies a majority of the distance between the e-beam accelerator and the product to be irradiated.

Abstract: An emission cathode having a surface formed of carbon fiber and a layer of carbon nanotubes attached to the surface. The carbon nanotubes are generally parallel to each other and oriented longitudinally in a predetermined direction relative to the surface.