Abstract: The present invention includes a method of detecting contamination in a fluid sample includes bringing a fluid sample into contact with a pair of spaced apart electrodes and applying a plurality of voltages across the electrodes, wherein the plurality of voltages vary in magnitude between a first and second voltage level. The current is then measured between the electrodes at the plurality of voltages and a contamination level is determined using the measured currents. The present invention also includes a system for determining a particulate contamination level in a fluid sample. The system includes a sensor including a pair of spaced apart electrodes, wherein the fluid sample is brought into contact with the electrodes for detection of the level of particulate contamination therein, and a voltage application means for applying a voltage across the spaced apart electrodes. The system also further includes a current sensor coupled to one of the electrodes.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry for preventing or substantially reducing electrical arcing at the muzzle of an electromagnetic projectile launcher. The circuitry provides a plurality of switches which interconnect portions of the rails of the launcher so that a unidirectional current flows through, the armature of the launcher is a first direction when the armature is in a first section of the launcher and a second section of the launcher. The switches, also cause a current, in a direction opposite the direction of the first direction, to flow through the armature of the launcher when the armature is in the second section of the launcher.

Abstract: A muzzle switch connected to the rails of an electromagnetic launcher to divert post-launch rail current into a dump resistor or other load and to prevent arcing at the muzzle. The switch includes shorting members electrically connected to the launcher rails together with a flexible washer-like ring which surrounds the rails and is in close proximity to the shorting members. Part of the rail current is diverted through the ring and when a current carrying armature which propels a payload along the rails passes the switch the interaction of the magnetic field produced by the rail current and current in the ring forces the ring against the shorting members, thus closing the switch as the armature leaves the rails.

Abstract: A plasma confinement apparatus, wherein multiple magnetic mirror cells are linked by magnetic field lines inside of a solenoid with the mirroring regions for adjacent magnetic mirror cells each formed by a separate mirror coil inside of the solenoid. The magnetic mirror cells may be field reversed.