Abstract: An assembly is provided for determining a parametric design of a large eddy breakup device in which the assembly comprises a water tunnel turbulent pipe flow section; a large eddy breakup device ring disposed within the pipe flow section; and a wall pressure sensor array operable to detect wall pressure in the turbulent pipe flow section. Energy in a wavenumber frequency spectra of wall pressure fluctuations is redistributed via changes to the parametric design in order to minimize turbulent wall pressure fluctuations with the result of reduced flow noise and drag.

Abstract: An acoustic array hose is provided for towing behind a marine vessel. The acoustic array includes acoustic sensors, a hydraulic fill-fluid circumferentially surrounding the acoustic sensors, and an array hose wall of polyurethane with single wall carbon nanotubes embedded therein. The hose wall circumferentially surrounds the hydraulic fill fluid along a length of the array hose. When an electrical current is applied to the towed array, the nanotubes align with the hose wall with the effect of strengthening the hose wall of the towed array.

Abstract: A system is provided that employs a programmable computer on which a graphical user interface provides parametric design and analysis of pressure sensor arrays used in aero- or hydroacoustic investigations. Use of the system allows for scientific and parametric investigations of turbulent boundary layer physics, as well as iterative array design optimization. Additionally, the system including the graphical user interface facilitates comparison of the results of current models for wall pressure with past theoretical or experimental wall pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to directly measure the flow noise characteristics of both acoustic sensors and accelerometers mounted in a towed array hose. Sensors can be mounted in a full-scale diameter array module test apparatus and can be subjected to high Reynolds number flow fields that have the physical features of at-sea towing conditions. Additionally, rapid re-design of sensor mountings, hose materials, and actual sensors can be accomplished and evaluated. The parameters of internal tension and flow speed can vary independently in order to determine their importance.

Abstract: A RF wireless sensor interface (20) interfaces one or more of a variety of sensors (12, 13) to a RF wireless network (11). A power converter (30) of the interface (20) converts a primary power (PPRM) into a DC power (PDC) that is supplied to the sensor(s) (12, 13). A microcontroller (60) of the interface (20) receives sensor detection information (SDI) from the sensor(s) (12, 13) in response to the sensor(s) (12, 13) receiving the DC power (PDC) from the power converter (30). A RF transmitter/transceiver (50) of the interface (20) executes a sensor detection information RF transmission (SDIRF) and/or a sensor control signal RF transmission (SCSRF) to the RF wireless network (11) in response to the microcontroller (60) receiving the sensor detection information (SDI). The power converter (30), the microcontroller (60) and the RF transmitter/transceiver (50) are located within a modular housing (80).

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a towed acoustic array includes providing a towed array having a length, diameter, frequency range and tow speed. The relationship between tension in the towed array and wall pressure fluctuation spectral levels is determined. Wall pressure fluctuation spectral levels are related to the noise in the array. An optimal towed array tension is calculated using the determined relationship. Tension is increased to the optimal towed array tension by either provided additional towed array hose or a drogue at the end of the towed array.

Abstract: A lighting commissioning device and method including a lighting commissioning device for commissioning of a lighting device in a lighting system, the lighting commissioning device including an indication detector 142 responsive to indication from the lighting device and generating a lighting device indication signal 148, a change detector 144 responsive to the lighting device indication signal 148 and generating an indication detected signal 150, and a control unit 146 receiving the indication detected signal 150 and being operably connected to the lighting system.

Abstract: A towed array is provided with hot-film sensors and anemometer circuitry to calculate the angle of inclination of the towed array in real time during deployment of the towed array in a sea water environment. The hot-film sensors are arranged in pairs along the length of the towed array to increase the sensitivity of the inclination angle determinations and are located flush with an exterior surface of the towed array to minimize interference with the operation of the towed array. The pairs of hot-film sensors determine the local shear stresses on the towed array, and these measurements are converted to inclination angles using an empirically derived look-up table.

Abstract: A towed array is provided with hot-film sensors and anemometer circuitry to calculate the angle of inclination of the towed array in real time during deployment of the towed array in a sea water environment. The hot-film sensors are arranged in pairs along the length of the towed array to increase the sensitivity of the inclination angle determinations and are located flush with an exterior surface of the towed array to minimize interference with the operation of the towed array. The pairs of hot-film sensors determine the local shear stresses on the towed array, and these measurements are converted to inclination angles using an empirically derived look-up table.

Abstract: A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cell 28 responsive to control light 46 from the light source and generating control charging power 44; a capacitor storing the control charging power 44 and generating control supply power 42; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 powered by control supply power 42 and generating a communications signal 40 to the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 monitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control light 46 when the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.

Abstract: A towed array is provided with hot-film sensors and anemometer circuitry to calculate the angle of inclination of the towed array in real time during deployment of the towed array in a sea water environment. The hot-film sensors are arranged in pairs along the length of the towed array to increase the sensitivity of the inclination angle determinations and are located flush with an exterior surface of the towed array to minimize interference with the operation of the towed array. The pairs of hot-film sensors determine the local sheer stresses on the towed array, and these measurements are converted to inclination angles using an empirically derived look-up table.

Abstract: A towed array is provided with hot-film sensors and anemometer circuitry to calculate the angle of inclination of the towed array in real time during deployment of the towed array in a sea water environment. The hot-film sensors are arranged in pairs along the length of the towed array to increase the sensitivity of the inclination angle determinations and are located flush with an exterior surface of the towed array to minimize interference with the operation of the towed array. The pairs of hot-film sensors determine the local sheer stresses on the towed array, and these measurements are converted to inclination angles using an empirically derived look-up table.

Abstract: The electronic ballast with lamp type determination for an electronic ballast providing power to a lamp filament 208 includes a filament current sensing circuit 220 operably connected to the lamp filament 208 and generating a sensed filament current signal, and a microprocessor U2 receiving the sensed filament current signal and operably connected to control the power to the lamp filament 208. The microprocessor U2 is programmed to heat the lamp filament by applying the power at a first frequency, measure the filament characteristics, and determine lamp type from the measured filament characteristics. The microprocessor U2 can also be programmed to update operating parameters for the electronic ballast to suit the determined lamp type.

Abstract: An electronic ballast with transformer interface communicating between an external control system and the electronic ballast comprises an outboard circuit (160) operably connected to the external control system and communicating with the external control system by an external signal (140); a transformer (162) being operably connected to the outboard circuit (160) and communicating with the outboard circuit (160) by an outboard signal (166); and an inboard circuit (164) being operably connected to the transformer (162), communicating with the transformer (162) by an inboard signal (168), and communicating with a micro-processor (128) by an internal signal (150). The external signal (140) can use the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocol. The in board signal (168) can have a lower duty cycle and a higher duty cycle on the primary winding to generate a lower voltage and a higher voltage, respectively, for the outboard signal (166) on the secondary winding.

Abstract: A network (20) employs a wireless network topology (30), a wireless network manager (40). Network (20) further employs a wireless device (70) and wireless device manager (80) pairing and/or a wireless system (90) and a wireless system manager (100) pairing. Managers (40, 80) cooperatively control an operating profile and monitor an operational status of the device (70). Managers (40, 100) cooperatively control an operating profile and monitor an operational status of system (90). Manager (40) can be installed on a computer (150, 170) and wirelessly communicate within network (20) via a wireless control device (160, 180) employing a port connector (161, 181) that can be plugged into a port (151, 171) of the computer (150, 170). Device (70) or system (90) can implement a digital ballast (120) that determines an average power consumption of the digital ballast (120) drawn by a power interface (121) of digital ballast (120).

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes open circuit voltage regulation comprises an filament current sensing circuit 224 operably connected to an output of the electronic ballast and generating a sensed output voltage signal, and a regulating pulse width modulator U3 receiving the sensed output voltage signal and operably connected to control voltage at the output of the electronic ballast, the regulating pulse width modulator U3 having an output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 limits the voltage at the output of the electronic ballast when the sensed output voltage signal exceeds the output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 can limit the output voltage by limiting the pulse width to the high voltage driver and the resonant half bridge. The filament current sensing circuit 224 can sense the output voltage indirectly, such as by sensing tank current, or can sense the output voltage directly.

Abstract: A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cell 28 responsive to control light 46 from the light source and generating control charging power 44; a capacitor storing the control charging power 44 and generating control supply power 42; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 powered by control supply power 42 and generating a communications signal 40 to the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 monitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control light 46 when the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.

Abstract: A RF wireless sensor interface (20) interfaces one or more of a variety of sensors (12, 13) to a RF wireless network (11). A power converter (30) of the interface (20) converts a primary power (PPRM) into a DC power (PDC) that is supplied to the sensor(s) (12, 13). A microcontroller (60) of the interface (20) receives sensor detection information (SDI) from the sensor(s) (12, 13) in response to the sensor(s) (12, 13) receiving the DC power (PDC) from the power converter (30). A RF transmitter/transceiver (50) of the interface (20) executes a sensor detection information RF transmission (SDIRF) and/or a sensor control signal RF transmission (SCSRF) to the RF wireless network (11) in response to the microcontroller (60) receiving the sensor detection information (SDI). The power converter (30), the microcontroller (60) and the RF transmitter/transceiver (50) are located within a modular housing (80).

Abstract: The electronic ballast with lamp type determination for an electronic ballast providing power to a lamp filament 208 includes a filament current sensing circuit 220 operably connected to the lamp filament 208 and generating a sensed filament current signal, and a microprocessor U2 receiving the sensed filament current signal and operably connected to control the power to the lamp filament 208. The microprocessor U2 is programmed to heat the lamp filament by applying the power at a first frequency, measure the filament characteristics, and determine lamp type from the measured filament characteristics. The microprocessor U2 can also be programmed to update operating parameters for the electronic ballast to suit the determined lamp type.

Abstract: A lighting commissioning device and method including a lighting commissioning device for commissioning of a lighting device in a lighting system, the lighting commissioning device including an indication detector 142 responsive to indication from the lighting device and generating a lighting device indication signal 148, a change detector 144 responsive to the lighting device indication signal 148 and generating an indication detected signal 150, and a control unit 146 receiving the indication detected signal 150 and being operably connected to the lighting system.