Abstract: A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions.

Abstract: A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid by way of an opening below the surface of the liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording operational events in an automotive radar system. The invention provides an Event Recording Apparatus (ERA) that records selectable vehicle performance, operational status, and/or environment information, including information useful for accident analysis and updated software for use by a system processor capable of reading data from the ERA. The preferred embodiment of the ERA comprises a non-volatile solid-state memory card, a memory card adapter located in a vehicle, and a microprocessor, either as part of the memory card or embedded in a system within the vehicle, for controlling the storage of data within the memory card.

Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance radar system using digital signal processing techniques including a transmit section that generates a two channel transmit frequency. An antenna both transmits the transmit signal and receives a reflected receive signal. A Schottky diode mixer generates a difference signal having a frequency equal to the transmit frequency minus the receive frequency. A signal switch in a front end electronics section time demultiplexes and samples the channel 1 and channel 2 signals. The samples are coupled to a two-channel analog to digital (A/D) converter. A digital electronics section receives the digital information and performs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on each channel of digital data to determine relative speed and range of a target based upon the frequency and the difference in phase of the two channels.

Abstract: An interference avoidance system used in conjunction with a vehicular target detection system. The microwave transceiver section of the vehicular target detection system, in which the present invention is incorporated, transmits and receives time-multiplexed microwave signals having at least two channels (frequencies) spaced about 250 kHz apart. The time-multiplexed transmit signal is transmitted and strikes objects (targets) in the environment, and a portion of the transmit signal is reflected back the antenna. A difference signal having a frequency equal to the difference between the frequency of the transmit and the received signal is generated, digitized, and a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is performed on the digitized difference signal. A microcontroller analyzes the energy spectrum to determine whether there is interference present. If such interference is present, the microcontroller causes the transmit frequency to change until a frequency is found which is relatively free of the interference.