Abstract: A wireless damper include a register, a controller regulating the amount of air flow provided by the register, and a radio frequency communications circuit. The radio frequency communications circuit provides a signal to the controller to adjust the air flow. A register regulation mechanism opens and closes the register in response to a signal from the controller to regulate air flow through the damper. The register regulation mechanism can be a variable switch, that adjusts the amount of air flow through the damper or a magnetic latch. A battery supplies power to the controller, the register regulation mechanism, and the radio frequency communications circuit.

Abstract: In a heat-pump water heater, an ECU sets a target temperature difference between water flowing into a water heat exchanger and refrigerant flowing out from the water heat exchanger, and controls a valve opening degree of an expansion valve so that the target temperature difference is obtained. When a refrigerant temperature discharged from a compressor is higher than a predetermined value, the target temperature difference is increased until the refrigerant temperature discharged from the compressor becomes lower than the predetermined value. Further, when water-heating capacity is decreased due to the increase of the target temperature difference, a rotation speed of the compressor is increased.

Abstract: A water heating apparatus having structure for recovering sensible and latent heat from flue gases generated in a heater thereof and transferring the heat to water to be heated. The apparatus has a closed circuit for liquid, such as water, in which are positioned two heat exchangers. One of the heat exchangers is positioned in the heater of the apparatus for transferring heat from a burner of the heater to liquid in the closed circuit. The other heat exchanger is positioned in a water pass-through system to heat the water therein. The apparatus has an air pass-through system for carrying flue gases from the heater out an exhaust pipe. The flue gases travel through a third heat exchanger positioned in the water pass-through system whereby sensible and latent heat from the flue gases are transferred to water in the water pass-through system, further heating the water therein.

Abstract: A method for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities using a structure that may include a plurality of center pans (10) and side pans (14) arranged in end to end relation. The pans (10, 14) are formed of a plastic material, preferably high density polyethylene. Each pan (10, 14) has a vertical drain pipe (54, 78) which fits within an elastomeric sleeve (60) about an upper drain opening (34) in a transverse drain conduit (28) positioned between a pair of crossties beneath the pans (10, 14). Each center pan (10) has a resilient upwardly inclined side flange or lip (44). For installation, the center pan (10) is preferably installed by first inserting one resilient side flange (44) beneath the head (16) of an adjacent rail (12) and then lowering the bottom (40) of the pan (10) onto the upper surface of the crossties (24) with drain pipe (54) received in sealing relation within the aligned elastomeric seal (60).

Abstract: A playing field for cars guided by hand. The playing field consists of a plurality of rectangular plates (1) on which drive tracks (2) recessed like grooves are delimited by areal sections (3) not intended for driving and in which the plates are designed for mating engagement at their sides for joining the individual plates (1) together to form a larger travel course. The plates (1) can also be arranged one over the top of another plant by means of spacing holders (7). Insertion holes (6) for additional toys are provided on the plate (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection valve which is characterized in that it possesses a multilayer swirl valve (30) downstream from a valve seat (15) shaped onto a valve seat element (13), at least these two components being installed from the inflow direction into a passthrough opening (10) of a valve seat support (9). The valve seat support (9) has a lower base region (17) that provides for a reduction in the cross section of the passthrough opening (10) downstream from the valve seat (15).

Abstract: An atomizing injector includes a metering set having a swirl chamber, a spray orifice and one or more feed slots etched in a thin plate. The swirl chamber is etched in a first side of the plate and the spray orifice is etched through a second side to the center of the swirl chamber. Fuel feed slots extend non-radially to the swirl chamber. The injector also includes integral swirler structure. The swirler structure includes a cylindrical air swirler passage, also shaped by etching, through at least one other thin plate. The cylindrical air swirler passage is located in co-axial relation to the spray orifice of the plate of the fuel metering set such that fuel directed through the spray orifice passes through the air swirler passage and swirling air is imparted to the fuel such that the fuel has a swirling component of motion. At least one air feed slot is provided in fluid communication with the air swirler passage and extends in non-radial relation thereto.

Abstract: A chemical infeed system for a sprinkler or irrigation system including a water carrying element or supply line such as a pipe or tube for the flow of water to one or more sprinkler heads or other outlets or openings, the infeed system including at least one receptacle or container for receiving and holding a quantity of a desired chemical; a pump having an inlet or suction side for pumping or drawing the chemical from the receptacle and a discharge or outlet side connected in liquid communication with the water carrying element or supply line for pumping the chemical into the water flow therethrough. The pump of the present chemical infeed system can be powered by conventional line current, such as 110 volt household current, and can be actuated by a relay or other device which connects the pump to a power source when a power signal is received from a controller of the sprinkler or irrigation system. The power signal may be the same voltage or a different voltage than the power source for the pump.

Abstract: In the case of a headlamp (2) having a housing (3), a headlamp cleaning system (5) is integrated in the housing (3). By this means, the outlay during installation can be substantially reduced and at the same time the headlamp cleaning system (5) optimally matched to a lens (17) of the headlamp (2). At the same time, the housing (3) can optionally be fitted with or without the headlamp cleaning system (5), so that the installation procedure can be standardized. Moreover, retrofitting of the housing cleaning system (5) by simple exchange of the housing (3) is also possible.

Abstract: A method for providing an alternative periodic cover material for landfills by separating materials in a salvage operation. A non-sorted material stream including metallic and non-metallic components, which preferably includes automobile scrap, is fed to a shredder. After shredding, the non-sorted material stream is separated. The non-sorted material stream is first separated into two streams, namely, a heavy material stream and a light material stream. The heavy material stream is conveyed to a magnetic separator where ferrous metals are separated from non-ferrous materials. The light material stream is passed under a cross belt magnetic separator where the light ferrous metals are separated. The remaining light material stream is conveyed to a rotary trommel which separates the light material stream into two fractions based on size, with the fine material becoming relatively inert through processing and being used as a cover material for landfills.

Abstract: A back-pressure responsive, self-reversing, control valve is coupled to a water powered waste disposal unit. The control valve includes first and second bi-directional valves which operate cooperatively to direct fluid from an inlet to a respective first and second opening, and facilitate drainage of fluid from one of the respective first and second openings to an outlet. A back-pressure responsive actuator is operatively coupled to the first and second valves to operate the first and second valves cooperatively in response to back-pressure at the first and second openings. A hysteretic actuator can be used to operate the first and second valves rapidly between the first and second positions upon a predetermined amount of back-pressure at either the first or second openings.

Abstract: A supplying inlet is placed at a position where materials to be crushed supplying direction is out of position on the forward direction side of a rotating direction against the rotating center of the rotation wing on the supplying side and

Abstract: A device for activating a seat belt pretensioner comprising a piston that can be driven by a propellant gas in a tubular piston guide. A pressure chamber, in which the propellant gas acts upon the piston and a weak point provided in an opening in a wall of the piston, which ruptures under excess working pressure in the pressure chamber. The weak point is a plastic deformable membrane, which is deformed into a dome shape under excess pressure in the pressure chamber and ruptures in the region of the dome-shaped deformation. The seat belt pretensioner has a belt reel associated with blocking teeth, and a blocking pawl. The time required for the membrane to be deformed and rupture is sufficient for the blocking pawl to securely engage the blocking teeth thereby blocking the belt reel against rotation in a direction of belt extraction.

Abstract: A take-up reel for winding and storing an elongate hose or electrical cable comprises a reel supported by a stationary support shaft and urged in a first direction by a torsional spring. A viscous clutch assembly comprising multiple disks housed in a chamber filled with a viscous fluid is coupled to the reel to provide a retarding force that is proportional to velocity. The velocity proportional retarding force causes the rewind velocity of the reel to stabilize at a constant velocity. A unidirectional clutch is provided to decouple the viscous clutch from the reel when the hose or cable is being payed-out thereby permitting the hose or cable to be payed-out without resistance from the viscous clutch. By providing a unidirectional viscous clutch that acts to retard only the take-up velocity of the hose reel, it is possible to provide an apparatus that permits the hose to be payed-out at any speed while providing the substantial safety benefits of a viscous speed governor during take-up.

Abstract: A cable guide is mounted into a cable reel structure, so as to form an inner enclosure and an outer enclosure. The cable guide is divided into at least two guide portions, so that, when the guides are assembled, the guides form at least two reverse path channels. At least one flat cable is spiraled in the inner enclosure in a first direction, passed through the reverse path channels, and spiraled in the outer enclosure in a second direction inverse to the first direction. In such a reverse-type cable reel structure, the flat cables can easily be passed through the reverse path channels, when the spiraling direction of the flat cable is reversed in the outer enclosure with respect to that in the inner enclosure.

Abstract: Arranged in the area between the winding heads (25), located closest to the winding machine (3) on one creel side, and the winding machine, is at least one thread tension sensor (9) for each thread group with the same running length (L1, L2), at which the ACTUAL value of the thread tension of a thread can be permanently measured. The ACTUAL value can be compared in a comparator device (30, 30′) with a SPECIFIED value. In the event of a deviation being determined between the ACTUAL value and the SPECIFIED value, a drive motor (20, 21) can be actuated, by means of which the thread brakes (18) of a thread group can be adjusted. The arrangement allows for the maintaining of a constant thread tension in a control circuit.

Abstract: Sensor arrangements are provided to detect whether initial and final wire leads were properly terminated to tang terminals of dynamo-electric machine components. The sensor arrangements may detect whether excess wire from the termination of the initial wire lead is present on a first side of a wire gripper. The sensor arrangements may detect whether excess wire from the termination of the final wire lead is present on a second side of a wire gripper. The sensor arrangements can include two sensors or a single sensor to detect the presence of the excess wire. Beam sensors, vision sensors, or tactile sensors may be used to detect the presence of the excess wire. A plunger device is provided to facilitate the tearing of thin initial and final wire leads to a tang terminal of a commutator.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a receptacle with side elements and a front wall or a panel. The latter extends upwardly, short of an upper part of the receptacle, and provides a loading opening adaptable for supplying rolls, one by one into the receptacle. The front wall or panel extends, as well, downwardly, short of a lower part of the receptacle, and provides a withdrawal opening for removing a roll which is located at the bottom of the receptacle. A dispensing device is located in front of the withdrawal opening at the lower part of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of attaching acoustic panels to aircraft structures without loss of acoustic area due to the attachment means. The invention comprises the uses of high-shear blind fasteners in combination with acoustic panels having backside laminate and ply build-up area increased in thickness to retain the blind fastener, react the bearing loads and provide adequate stiffness for bending. The present structure and method reduces acoustic panel installation cycle time by an estimated 50% while providing noise reduction.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear includes a sealed cylinder divided by a cylinder head to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The lower chamber is further divided by a piston having a piston rod passing in a sealed manner through the lower cylinder end. The cylinder head includes one or more orifices, the opening of each containing an electromagnetic coil configured to control the viscosity of the magneto-rheological oil passing therethrough. The electrical current through the electromagnetic coil is continually controlled by a microcomputer with attached sensors for piston position and pressure between the desired piston and the cylinder head, such that the pressure between the piston and the cylinder head decelerates the aircraft evenly throughout the desired piston stroke. The pressure also is limited to a desired maximum level so that, in a severe crash, the shock absorber will absorb significant energy before it fails structurally.

Abstract: A flying drone includes a flight control computer, a parachute system with a parachute, a power supply system, a propulsion system, and an actuating drive system, without any of these systems being redundantly duplicated. To prevent uncontrolled crashing of the drone due to a critical error of any subsystem, signals or data are supplied from the power supply system, the propulsion system, and the actuating drive system, to an error detection or recognition device, which detects defined errors or error combinations in the provided signals or data and then supplies a deployment signal to the parachute system, which responsively generates a control signal that triggers an ejection mechanism to eject the parachute.

Abstract: A method for developing and utilizing a Space Cruiser vehicle efficiently combines resources from relevant end users in industry and the military. The preferred vehicle has an elongated conical shell with an elliptical transverse cross section. The cabin of the vehicle preferably has a circular transverse cross section, leaving space between the cabin and the shell to store vehicle fuel. The cabin is insulated and capable of supporting occupants in a shirt-sleeve, air-breathing environment whether in the Earth's atmosphere or in outerspace. The vehicle is capable of being launched from conventional aircraft, and also being stored in and launched from a space shuttle or orbiting space station.

Abstract: A novel means of stability for a lifting platform utilizing toroidal vortex airflow through air guide means. A toroidal vortex created by the airflow means efficiently maintains a raised air pressure zone beneath the lifting platform or body. Airflow is directed downwards by means of air guides, which serve to produce lift and control rotational motion of the lifting platform to achieve stability of the body during operation. The system can also be easily modified to function as an attractor device. Overall, the present invention explores the uses of vortex airflow towards maintaining rotational stability.

Abstract: A bracket insulator is designed to provide support for wires carrying electrical current to repel birds. Each bracket is configured for receiving a wire in a slotted hole. There are five such slotted holes in the preferred embodiment. Thus the bracket provides for holding up to five parallel wires in spaced relation. The spacing is selected to provide a high likelihood of shocking birds that land on the wires. The brackets provide additional slots for alternative wire mounting as well as a variety of holes for still other wire supporting paths. Bracket mounting holes are also provided.

Abstract: A bag holder for suspending a bag thereat with an opening portion of the bag directed upward, comprising a pair or arm members respectively provided with holding members for engaging and holding an opening edge portion of the bag, a pair crossing means that intersect with each other being extended downward from end portions of the arm members and make the pair of arm members freely open/close around a fulcrum portion, and a pair of grounding members being extended from lower ends of the pair of crossing members as to oppose the pair of arm members. Attaching/detaching of the bag can be easily performed since the bag might simply be hung against or detached from a pair of holding means. Further, since bags can be held in a suspend manner, the external appearance thereof can be made attractive and cleaning of the floor can be easily performed.

Abstract: A shelf dolly comprises a caster-footed pedestal base and a lifting sleeve slidably connected to the pedestal base. A shelf-leg coupling adapter, provided for removably coupling the lifting sleeve to a shelf leg, is connected to the lifting sleeve. Additionally, the shelf dolly is equipped with a jack for raising and lowering the lifting sleeve with respect to the pedestal base. To raise a shelf leg, the shelf dolly is positioned next to the leg. The lifting sleeve portion of the shelf dolly is coupled to the shelf leg using the shelf-leg coupling adapter. Subsequently, the shelf dolly's jack is operated, causing the lifting sleeve to move upwards, and the shelf leg, coupled to the lifting sleeve, to lift off the ground. To move a shelf, a shelf dolly is attached to each shelf leg.

Abstract: A light fixture mount capable of securing an outdoor light to a support surface. The device includes a first support that is adapted to co-act with a second support so as to hold the light fixture in a stable and supported position until the light fixture is secured to the support surface in a permanent relationship. This is accomplished by providing on one of the supports at least one catch that engages the opposing support so as to support the weight of the fixture in a stable position while fasteners are installed to secure the fixture to the support surface.

Abstract: A bracket for coupling a rail having an upper slot and a lower slot to a shelf edge having an upper groove and a lower groove. The bracket comprises a central body portion, an upper flange extending generally upwardly from the body portion, a lower flange extending generally downwardly from the body portion, and a plate. The plate is received between the upper and the lower flanges such that as the plate is moved toward the body, the plate urges the upper flange and the lower flange into the upper and lower groove, respectively, to couple the bracket to the shelf edge. The bracket further comprises a first upper tang extending generally upwardly from the body portion and a first lower tang extending generally downwardly from the body portion, the upper tang and lower tang being shaped to be received in the upper and lower slot, respectively. At least one of the tangs has at least one tang groove therein to facilitate the attachment of the bracket to the rail.

Abstract: A motor-driven adjustment device for a vehicle seat, the device comprising a motor provided with a casing having two projecting endpieces and a support to which the casing of which motor is fixed. The two endpieces of the casing are received in viscoelastic sleeves which are elastically engaged in respective cradles formed in support so as to prevent from rotating relative thereto, the casing being connected to the support solely by means of the sleeves.

Abstract: A portable easel assembly includes a tripod assembly and a paint/sketch box. A lid is connected to a base of the paint/sketch box by a hinge assembly and a slide bar assembly having a slide bar slidably interconnected to the base and lid and secured in position with clamps. The tripod assembly includes an attachment plate having an aperture configured to receive a bolt therethrough. A first leg is pivotally attached to the attachment plate so as to be moveable between an extended supportive position and a folded position. Second and third legs are associated with the attachment plate in such a manner so as to be rotatable and pivoted between supportive and folded positions. The first, second and third legs are adjustable in length.

Abstract: A beach umbrella is supported with a stand having a lower shaft and an upper shaft, with the upper shaft supporting a beach umbrella mast. Before attaching the umbrella mast, the tubular upper shaft serves as an impact tool against a protuberance on the lower shaft, allowing hammering of the lower shaft into composite earth. The upper shaft telescopes onto the lower shaft securing a tray in place against the protuberance after hammering is completed.

Abstract: A component attaching device for attaching a component to an attaching member is formed of a first attaching section to be attached to the attaching member, and a second attaching section connected to the first attaching section to be attached to the component. A releasing section is formed near the first or second attaching section for releasing an attached condition of the attaching member with the first attaching section or an attached condition of the component with the second attaching section. The attached conditions is released when a force of relatively moving the attaching member and the component exceeds a predetermined value. Also, a holding section is formed near the releasing section such that the attaching member and the component are relatively moved.

Abstract: As a conventional mounting structure, it was provided an auxiliary machine mounting structure for an engine such that a plural mounting portions formed integrally on the outer circumferential surface of an auxiliary machine and a bracket (a portion to be mounted) formed on engine were fastened by bolts. In such structure, as the mounting portions extended in the tangential direction of the machine, they protrude far in the radial direction of the main body of the machine. And it was requested that the structure enables to mount the machine to the bracket, whatever structure of the bracket is.

Abstract: A light beam is emitted by the light source. The optical system separates the light beam into a main-portion and a sub-portion, and guides the main-portion of the light beam to an information storage medium. The monitor detector receives the sub-portion of the light beam and outputs a detection signal. Then, the controller controls the output power of the light beam emitted by the light source based on the detection signal. Thus, the light beam of the sub-portion, which is not generally used as a light beam to be irradiated on a storage medium, can be efficiently used, and hence the output power of the light beam from the light source may be controlled with high accuracy.

Abstract: An electronic device is described which comprises a functional element chip having a photofunctional element formed thereon, a wiring member electrically connected to a terminal of the functional element chip, and an encapsulant for fixing the functional element chip and the wiring member, wherein a light blocking member with an opening portion is provided on a front face side of the wiring member, and wherein an end of the opening portion is located more inside than an inner end of the wiring member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image sensor with matrix readout including a matrix of elementary photodetectors (P) connected through at least a bus (Bpel) to a remote integrator (I) which converts the signal of each elementary photodetector into a voltage, characterized in that it includes, between the end of the bus and the input of the integrator, an impedance matching device (D) with low output capacitance, delivering at its output, during the time for converting a photodetector signal, a variation of charge which corresponds to an affine function of the charge present at the input of said matching device, wherein this charge variation is determined by: 1 ∫ t = 0 t = Tconv ⁢ Iinj ⁢ ( t ) · ⅆ t = ∫ t = 0 t = Tconv ⁢ I ⁢   ⁢ int ⁢ ( t ) · ⅆ t

Abstract: Described is a method of adjusting the sensitivity of an optronic fuse, using an intelligent optronic fuse having a digitally programmable amplification device which is loaded with a basic operating software to set a medium gain factor. The optronic fuse is then set in operation for the adjustment procedure. In that situation the sensitivity achieved is measured. The ideal reference gain of the amplification device is calculated from the measured sensitivity value. The amplification device is then programmed with the appropriate reference gain.

Abstract: A photo receiver branches a data signal obtained by photoelectric conversion and supplies the signal to a signal cutoff detector. Depending on the degree of an autocorrelation of a data signal obtained by an autocorrelation detector, the signal cutoff detector detects abnormality/normality. Depending on a level of a control signal to a VCO contained in a frequency phase-locked loop for use in clock generation, an out-of-synchronization detector makes determination of abnormality/normality. Outputs of both the detectors are ORed at an alarm processor and when at least one of the detectors detects abnormality, the detector generates an alarm.

Abstract: A probe opening forming apparatus 139 comprising: light detecting means 140 for detecting a quantity of a light transmitted from a tip portion of the probe through a light of the source 116, which is on contact with the tip portion of the probe; storage means 142 for previously storing information about relation of the quantity of the light transmitted from the tip portion of the probe and the size of the opening; calculating means 144 for obtaining the value of the light quantity for obtaining an opening having a desirable size based on the information stored in the storage means 142; and pressing control means 126 for controlling the press of the tip portion of the probe against the light detecting means through the pressing means 114 such that a light quantity detected by the light detecting means 140 is equal to the light quantity calculated from the calculating means 144.

Abstract: A method of processing documents of value.

Abstract: A photodetector device comprising a photosensitive detector (12; 96) and one or more interfaces (20′, 20″, 28, 98) between dissimilar media is configured so that a light beam (LB) for detection will pass through the interface(s) along a beam axis that is not normal to the interface(s). The deviation (&thgr;) from the normal will be such that polarization dependent transmission introduced at the interface(s) will compensate for inherent polarization dependency of the detector (12; 96). The deviation may be achieved by inclining the interface(s) relative to a predetermined direction along which the light beam will be incident. Where the photosensitive detector is in a housing (84) with a window (20) through which the light beam enters the housing, the housing can be tilted. In such as case, there are three interfaces, one (28; 98) at the surface of the detector (12; 96), and one at each surface (20′, 20″) of the window (20).

Abstract: An arrangement for determining measured values, in particular measured pressure values, strain values, or temperature value, using a plurality of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors. The optical fiber Bragg grating sensors are combined to form various arrays of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors that are arranged one behind the other, are connected by fiber optics, and exhibit different frequency selectivities. Delay elements are assigned to these arrays. The Bragg grating sensors receive a uniform query signal representing a time-differentiated, frequency-selective light. The frequency-selective Bragg grating sensors of the various arrays generate partial signals. The partial signals, separated temporally from one another by the delay elements, form a sequence of partial signals.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The sensor includes an optical fiber having a free extremity on which a polymer layer is deposited normal to the longitudinal axis. A light source injects a analytical light beam in the fiber, which is reflected by the polymer layer. The reflected beam is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer, which determines the thickness of the polymer layer based on the Fabry-Perot effect. This thickness is related to a substance to be detected. An optical nose made from a plurality of such sensors is also provided, and may be used to detected a variety of substances.

Abstract: In a detector apparatus, voltage signals of phase A and phase B are mixed, the mixed signal is divided to obtain a low-voltage signal, and the low-voltage signal is integrally smoothed. The integrally smoothed low-voltage signal is added to each of the voltages obtained by smoothing the voltage signals of the phase A and phase B. The results are used as threshold voltages of comparators constituting a wave-shaping circuit. The threshold voltages change in accordance with the voltage signals of phase A and phase B, achieving a high accuracy of binarization even when the voltage signals Sa and Sb have variations.

Abstract: An apparatus for ion attachment mass spectrometry provided with a reaction chamber for causing positively charged metal ions to attach to a gas to be detected; a mass spectrometer for mass separation and detection of the detection gas; an analysis chamber in which the mass spectrometer is placed; differential evacuation chambers for connecting the reaction chamber and analysis chamber; a data processor for receiving and processing the mass signal from the mass spectrometer; and vacuum gauges for measuring the total pressure of the reduced pressure atmosphere of the reduced pressure atmosphere reaction chamber, a differential evacuation chamber, and an analysis chamber. The total pressure signal from the vacuum gauge measured during the measurement is input to one of the data processor, introduction mechanism, and evacuation mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particle beam apparatus, comprising

Abstract: It is so adapted that a sample is mounted on three-dimensional stages through a sample holder and a beam light emitted from a beam light oscillator is applied to a sample surface through a polarizing element different from polarization of the beam light or directly. An image of a foreign-matter on the sample surface scattered by the beam light is displayed on a monitor through a polarizing element different from the beam light, through a CCD camera mounted on an optical microscope. As a method of bringing the beam light until it is applied to the sample surface, there are a method of using an optical fiber for the beam light and a method of using an optical part such as a mirror.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods employing fiberoptic evanescent wave Fourier transform infrared (FEW-FTLI) spectroscopy using fiberoptic sensors operated in the attenuated total reflection (ATR) regime in the middle infrared (MIR) region of the spectrum (850 to 4000 cm−1). The apparatus and method claimed is applied to diagnostics and characterization of noninvasive and rapid (seconds) direct measurements of spectra (in real time) of normal and pathological tissues in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. The aim of our invention is testing mid monitoring of normal skin and various skin tumor tissues at the early stages of their development. Furthermore the apparatus and method is suitable for fluid diagnostics, as well as endoscopic and biopsy applications. Specifically the remote diagnostics of normal skin and malignant tissue on the skin surface (directly on patient) can distinguish between normal and malignant skin.

Abstract: A method for determining the composition of a target includes the steps of sensing radiation in the short wave infrared range scattered by the target, measuring the polarization of the sensed radiation and determining, from the polarization of the sensed radiation, the presence of at least one of water and ice particles in the target area.

Abstract: A method non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas analysis, which can be carried out by a gas analyser comprising a cell (10) containing of gas, a sender (30) of IR waves and at least a receiver (40) of such waves. The transmission of IR waves and/or the reception of IR waves after the passage of the gas occur directly in the cell (10) same wherein the gas is fed. The analyser has a body (11) defining the cell (10), a sender (30) of IR waves and at least a receiver (40) of such waves, that are located opposite to each other with respect to the cell (10). The IR sender (30) and the receiver (40) are both arranged in the cell (10) at its end (13,14). The body (11) has inlet (15) and outlet (16) channels for the gas and a cavity (17), which can be metal coated inside and that defines the optical path (80) for the IR waves.