Abstract: A support for utensils and napkins. This support has three sections with each able to hold at least one utensil without touching the eating surface. The individual sections are connected to each other along the long sides. There are two support walls attached at the outer ends. All three sections are raised from the surface resulting in no contact with dirty or wet surfaces. The side walls are angled slightly outward for easy gripping and to better support the stacking of devices. The napkin section is below the utensil sections. The device will have two basic product sizes, one for an individual user with single sized utensil holder and one to hold utensils for many people. The device can be made of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, or Styrofoam. When the device is made from glass or plastic, it can be made re-usable and dishwasher safe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the effective circumferential extent of an original an aircraft simulator mirror cell having a base support structure mounted to a movable platform, the base support structure being in generally the shape of a portion of a sphere of a predetermined radius and having a predetermined circumferential extent defined by original edges of the support structure configured to support a vacuum-shaped reflective film.

Abstract: A device for lifting and rotating containers in a clean room environment, includes a stationary support column, a mounting for receiving a container, and an articulated arm for connecting the mounting to the support column. The mounting may be moved up and down in relation to the support column and may be moved about a horizontal axis. At least one articulated arm is disposed between the mounting and the support column that pivots in relation to the support column about a horizontal axis away from an axis of rotation of the mounting.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling friction between a mouse and the surface upon which it is placed. Reduction of friction can be accomplished in several ways, including: making the feet of the mouse from various different materials, creating layers of air between the mouse and the surface, creating beveled edges for the feet of mouse, etc. In one embodiment, the feet of the mouse are made of a piezo-electric layer bonded to another layer made of a different material. Exciting the piezo-electric layer at certain frequencies makes the two layers shrink and expand differently, thus creating oscillations of the feet. In yet another embodiment, portions of the mouse feet are made of different materials with different coefficients of friction. These different portions of the feet can be pressed down onto the surface with varying amounts of pressure, thus altering the friction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a license plate vacuum mount for securing a license plate to a vehicle. The license plate vacuum mount may include a license plate frame and a vacuum base mount. The vacuum base mount may supply a suction force against an adjacent surface of a vehicle body that is sufficient to secure the license plate vacuum mount at a desired location on the vehicle. The license plate frame is configured for securing or attaching a license plate against the license plate vacuum mount through the use of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, magnets, or hook and loop material, among others. Alternatively, the license plate frame may have a pouch or envelope configuration that allows the license plate to be slid into the license plate frame from the top, bottom, or side of the license plate frame.

Abstract: A hardware fixture for doors, cabinets, drawers or other fixtures, has an interchangeable decorative or informational attachment. The hardware fixture includes a knob or pull body receiving the attachment, which can be shaped as a disc. The surface of the body may be recessed or surrounded by a rim that protects an edge of the decorative member against inadvertent dislodgment. The body includes a magnet or ferrous portion and the interchangeable decorative attachment similarly includes a magnet or ferrous portion that is attracted to the body. The magnetic surfaces abut only part way across the central portion of the knob body. The decorative attachment can be dislodged when desired by tipping it. Downward pressure on the decorative member over a gap with the knob lifts the opposite edge of the decorative attachment such that it can be grasped.

Abstract: A decorative utility rod assembly that may be attached to a wall or other support surface. The rod assembly has a base rod, a cross rod, a cover plate, a set screw, and a knob or end cap. The proximal (wall) end of the base rod is threaded on its exterior surface. The distal end of the base rod forms a threaded hole. The cover plate forms a threaded hole in a central portion thereof. The cover plate is screwed onto the proximal end of the base rod to hide the wall attachments. One end of set screw is screwed into the threaded hole in the distal end of the base rod. The end cap is screwed onto the other end of the set screw. The cover plate and end cap may be made of a multitude of materials, may have a multitude of surface configurations, may be formed into a multitude of shapes, and may contain indicial of a seasonal, a vanity, an interest of the use, advertising, or decorations to match interior decoration décor. Alternative embodiments include a towel ring, a toilet paper holder, a hook, and shelving.

Abstract: A single bolt deadend anchor clamp for gripping a cable includes a body having a clevis assembly at a first end and a sagging eye at an opposing second end. A middle body extends between the first and second ends, and includes a reinforcing rib. A pocket is adjacent the reinforcing rib for receiving a keeper inserted above the pocket. A biasing member is disposed between the pocket and the keeper for counterbalancing a load between the keeper and the retaining groove. The biasing member is preferably a spring including a cross bar and two sets of coils.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rail configured to be coupled to a support structure such as hospital bed, a carriage coupled to the rail for movement along the rail and a lock coupled to the carriage for selectively locking the carriage at one of a plurality of locations along the rail. The carriage is configured to support a patient care equipment rack such as an IV pole. The rail has a plurality of locking portions spaced therealong. The lock is movable between a locking position where a portion of the lock engages a selected one of the locking portions to block the carriage from moving along the rail and an unlocking position where the portion of the lock disengages from the selected one of the locking portions to allow the carriage to move along the rail.

Abstract: A horizontal mounted hanger holder is provided. Said mounted hanger holder includes a protective cover, an elongated member and a means for attaching therein, to a surface. Said elongated member within said protective cover, said elongated member, including a first and a second lip, said second lip contacting a second panel of a first and said second panel of said protective cover, mounted by a means, to said surface. Said horizontal mounted hanger holder provides for articles, including hangers, to be hung. Said hangers contact a channel of said elongated member, over said first lip, said hanger and said article are angled as to lie flat against a surface. Said protective cover, including a zipper, protects said articles from the outside environment.

Abstract: A compressed gas cylinder hanger having resiliently flexible engagement with the neck of the compressed gas cylinder to fix or resist rotation of the compressed gas cylinder hanger about neck.

Abstract: The notion of a unique ‘magnetic-cling’ PC-Mouse operating ergonomically in association with a special PC/Mouse-pad arranged at laterally-inboard angles of 23 to 95-degrees upward from the horizontal;—thereby facilitating drastic reduction in RMI-trama known by physio-therapists as CTS (carpal-tunnel syndrome)-disease, typically owing to stressfully torqued pronated hand/wrist orientation. The preferred-embodiment comprising a special ferrous-metal mouse-pad gliding-platen, in combination with a substantially conventional PC-mouse which bottom-side is provided with an optionally user-retrofitable PM/ferro-polymer glide-shoe.

Abstract: A mouse pad for supporting a mouse device in a computer system is provided with a bottom silicon rubber layer and a top abrasion resistant layer. The abrasion resistant layer is made of polyurethane (PU) material. The mouse pad is thin in structure and resistant to abrasion, and feels good to the touch.

Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism including multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotating about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions. The spindle is supported by a recess portion formed in a surface of the upper rail in an inwardly extending manner.

Abstract: OBJECT An object of the present invention is to provide such a seat slide apparatus employing substantially box-like shape in cross section, which is small size, light weight and a high strength without increasing the number of component parts and weight or the like. SOLVING MEANS There is employed such a constitution that a substantially box-like shape in cross section is formed by a base portion 11a and right and left vertical walls 11b of an upper rail 11, and a base portion 15d and right and left vertical walls 15e of a locking member 15; and further at the outer side thereof, a substantially box-like shape in cross section identical to conventional shape is formed with the upper rail 11 and the lower rail 12.

Abstract: In the case of a longitudinal adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with at least one first seat rail (5), at least one second seat rail (8) which is displaceable relative to the first seat rail (5) and is guided therein, at least one locking device (11) for locking the first seat rail (5) to the second seat rail (8), wherein a locking row (19) of the first seat rail (5) is assigned to the locking device (11), and a position recognition device (20) with a sensor (24), the sensor (24) interacts with the locking row (19).

Abstract: A laptop holder for an exercise apparatus is provided which includes a base having a generally planar front surface for receiving a laptop computer and a rear surface configured for engaging a generally planar surface of the exercise apparatus. At least one strap extends from the base and is configured to wrap around a portion of the exercise apparatus to form a loop with the base. Disposed on the base is a pocket defining a pocket opening for receiving a laptop computer.

Abstract: A book holder for holding a book in a position for substantially hands-free reading that is shaped as a character, such as an animal, human, hero or fantasy object, and adapted for allowing the reader to read the book while sitting or laying down. In the preferred embodiment, the book holder has a character body with upper appendages, which can be shaped like arms, and lower appendages, which can be shaped like legs. At least the upper appendages are flexible and adjustable to grasp the book and hold it in a upright, reading position towards the reader. The lower appendages support the book in this position. Preferably, the book holder has a book support holder to assist in holding the book open and one or more lights to illuminate the reading pages. The lights are electrically connected to a source of electrical power, such as one or more rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: An isolator/dissipator for interfacing between the ground and supporting structures comprising a supporting base fixable to the ground and supporting a contact base that can be associated, by way of a kinematic connection, with a lower portion of at least one supporting upright of a supporting structure; interface elements being provided between the contact base and the supporting base suitable to allow the contact base to move with respect to the supporting base at least along two directions that are parallel to the ground; and return elements, which act between the contact base and the supporting base and are adapted to control the relative movement between the supporting base and the contact base.

Abstract: A locking device for use with a concrete framing structure having a plurality of frame panels which form opposed first and second sides. The locking device includes first and second locking halves, each having a mounting member for rigidly holding one of the frame panels of the first and second sides, respectively, of the concrete forming structure. Each locking half also has a horizontal, U-shaped extension member mounted to the mounting member, with the extension member of the first locking half disposed within the second extension member channel. A clamp assembly includes a U-shaped clamp member having first and second arm segments extending downwardly from a saddle segment. Each of the arm segments has an opening for receiving the extension members. A bolt having a shaft threadably engaged in a threaded orifice in the clamp member saddle segment is torqued to lock the first mounting member at a predetermined distance from the second mounting member.

Abstract: An exemplary camera module includes a lens holder (10), a lens module (20), a position detecting mechanism (30), and an image pick-up module (40). The lens module includes a lens barrel (11) and one lens received in the lens barrel. The lens barrel is axially movable received in the lens holder. The position detecting mechanism includes a conductive strip (32) disposed on outer periphery of the lens barrel along an axial direction, a number of conductive terminals (36), a number of electrical sources (34), and a processor (38). The conductive terminals are securely arranged on an inner periphery of the lens holder parallel to each other. A cathode of each electrical source is electrically connected to a corresponding conductive terminal. The processor is electrically connected with an anode of each electrical source. The image pick-up module is arranged so as to receive the light from the lens module.

Abstract: A method of capturing a focused image of a continuously moving slide/objective arrangement is provided. A frame grabber device is triggered to capture an image of the slide through an objective at a first focus level as the slide continuously moves laterally relative to the objective. Alternatingly with triggering the frame grabber device, the objective is triggered to move to a second focus level after capture of the image of the slide. The objective moves in discrete steps, oscillating between minimum and maximum focus levels. The frame grabber device is triggered at a frequency as the slide continuously moves laterally relative to the objective so multiple images at different focus levels overlap, whereby a slide portion is common to each. The image having the maximum contrast value within overlapping images represents an optimum focus level for the slide portion, and thus the focused image. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Sensitivity is freely changeable to another one in correspondence to a photographing mode, and both still image photographing and moving image photographing for example which are largely different from each other in dosage of exposure to radiation and which are also different from each other in required sensitivity are carried out so as to meet that request. A source or drain electrode of a TFT 21 is connected to a signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14a and an IC 5. A source/drain of a TFT 23 is connected to the signal output circuit 3 through a signal line 14b and the IC 5. Thus, in each pixel 6, any one of the signal lines 14a and 14b is freely selectable when a signal is read out.

Abstract: In order to implement a solid-state imaging device with high photo-sensitivity that includes a light collecting part which can reduce undesired variations during manufacture and which has high light collection efficiency, the solid-state imaging device includes: a photodiode (8) which converts incident light (13) into electric charges; a convex lens layer (15) which is formed above the photodiode (8) and through which the incident light is transmitted; and a concavo-convex lens layer (11) which is formed on and around the lens layer (15) and which collects the incident light and outputs the incident light to the lens layer (15). A refractive index of the lens layer (15) is greater than a refractive index of the lens layer (11). A thickness and a width of the lens layer (15) are set to achieve a predetermined focal length for light of a predetermined wavelength range. The lens layer is made of one of boron phosphorous silicon glass, tetra ethoxy silane, benzocyclobutene, and polyimide resin.

Abstract: An image sensing device for receiving an incident light having an incident angle and photo signals formed thereby is provided. The image sensing device includes a micro prism and a micro lens for adjusting the incident angle and converging the incident light, respectively, a photo sensor for converting the photo signals into electronic signals, and an IC stacking layer for processing the electronic signals.

Abstract: A CMOS light sensor and the operation method thereof are disclosed. The CMOS light sensor has a plurality of light sensing lines and a plurality of capacitor lines. Each light sensing line has a plurality of light sensors such that the number of capacitors in each capacitor line is smaller than the number of light sensing cells in each light sensing line. The capacitors are used for holding a portion of the potentials produced by the light sensing cells due to illumination. The method of operating the CMOS light sensor includes transferring the data captured by the light sensing line to the capacitor line and reading out the data according to a pre-defined order so that the leakage of charges from the capacitor is reduced.

Abstract: A large-area CMOS flat X-ray detector is disclosed. The detector includes a plurality of CMOS detector chips, mounted on a substrate with a butt joint. Two alternative embodiments of the CMOS detector chips are described. In the first embodiment, drive elements and read elements are provided on two of four edges of the chip. If the connecting lines are routed to the first edge, this allows an embodiment in which more than four such CMOS detector chips are fitted alongside one another. In one alternative embodiment, all the drives and read operations can be carried out from a first edge so that at least six such CMOS detector chips can be adhesively bonded on the substrate alongside one another.

Abstract: The levels of the power supply and the ground are kept constant against a parasitic resistance by keeping the constant current of an amplifier irrespective of the size of a pixel signal and the gain of the amplifier in this case in an image signal reading circuit system having the amplifier arranged to each column. The amplifier has a limiter at an output terminal thereof which limits an output voltage of the amplifier to a range for keeping the constant consumption-current.

Abstract: The levels of the power supply and the ground are kept constant against a parasitic resistance by keeping the constant current of an amplifier irrespective of the size of a pixel signal and the gain of the amplifier in this case in an image signal reading circuit system having the amplifier arranged to each column. The amplifier has a limiter at an output terminal thereof which limits an output voltage of the amplifier to a range for keeping the constant consumption-current.

Abstract: A light screen safety curtain system including multiple light screens cascaded together to cooperatively protect an area or machine against unwanted intrusion. Such a system includes a plurality of independently operating light screens electrically connected to each other and to a control unit. When any one light screen detects an unwanted intrusion through a guarded opening, a stop or warning signal is generated by that light screen and is transmitted to the control unit. A method of configuring a light screen safety system without the need for an external programming device is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device mainly for sensing ground displacement, including the fiber Bragg grating sensored deflectometer and the signal interrogator/computer system. The device uses a segmented design that consists of a flexible tube (referred to as the flexible segment) and two rigid segments and thus referred to as the FBG segmented deflectometer (FBG-SD). For field installation, multiple FBG-SD units are connected together to form a string as it is inserted into a grouted-in-place inclinometer casing. The distortion of the inclinometer casing induced by ground movement causes relative rotation of the inserted FBG-SD. All of the FBG-SD units are connected to an FBG interrogator/computer system situated on ground surface. The FBG signals are recorded and analyzed by the interrogator/computer system.

Abstract: The present invention is a contactless connector that comprises a rotation-side light element that is provided on a rotating body of rotating about an axis of rotation and a fixed-side light element that is provided on a fixed body, data transmission and reception being contactlessly performed between the rotation-side light element and the fixed-side light element. The rotation-side light element and the fixed-side light element are provided on a disk face of the rotating body and a disk face of the fixed body respectively, which are substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation, and provided oblique with respect to the respective disk faces to form a light path that is oblique with respect to the axis of rotation. The contactless connector further comprises an aperture that allows light emitted from the rotation-side light element or the fixed-side light element to pass, between the rotating body and the fixed body.

Abstract: An absolute linear encoder includes a plurality of absolute scales aligned in the detection direction with absolute calibrations, a plurality of detectors for detecting the calibrations on the absolute scales, absolute position data generating portions of each scale for generating absolute position data of each detector, and a calculator for outputting an absolute position over the whole length of connected whole absolute scales adding the absolute position data of each detector and the distance between the detectors. The detectors are fixed at such intervals as to simultaneously detect the calibrations of the two absolute scales adjoining in a scale connecting section. Thus, the long absolute linear encoder which is easy to use is realized at low costs.

Abstract: Method and system for pumping a hyperthermal neutral beam source is described. The pumping system enables use of the hyperthermal neutral beam source for semiconductor processing applications, such as etching processes. An embodiment is described having a neutral beam source coupled to a processing chamber through a neutralizing grid. Control is provided by separately pumping the neutral beam source and the processing chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an optical trap with light directed through or above a semiconductor material. A preferred embodiment selected light-trapping wavelengths that have lower absorption by the semiconductor. A preferred embodiment provides for an optical trapping through semiconductor employing a thin silicon (Si) wafer as a substrate. Further embodiments of the invention provide for microchannel fabrication, force probe measurement, sorting, switching and other active manipulation and assembly using an optical trap.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to separation of ions based on their transport properties. More particularly, the invention relates to separation of ionic mixtures and characterization of ions in gases using higher-order differential ion mobility spectrometry (HODIMS) enabled by asymmetric waveforms of fundamentally new types. The invention discloses a method and apparatus for separation of ionic mixtures and characterization, identification, or quantification of ions in a gas based substantially on the terms of third or higher order in a series expansion of ion mobility as a function of electric field intensity. This is achieved using a periodic, time-dependent electric field with novel waveform profiles that cancel or substantially reduce the contributions to time-averaged ion motion of the leading n (where n?2) terms of that expansion, thereby achieving ion separations based substantially on the (n+1)th term.

Abstract: An ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer, which can perform accurate mass measurement of a product ion based on MS/MS and MSn has an ion source for ionizing a sample, an ion trap capable of temporarily trapping ions, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The ion source produces ions of the sample as a measurement target and ions of a reference sample each having a known mass value. A precursor ion is selected from among the ions of the measurement target sample, and the selected precursor ion is excited and fragmented in the ion trap to produce a product ion. The reference sample ions are introduced to and trapped in the ion trap. The trapped product ion and reference sample ions are expelled out of the ion trap and introduced to the time-of-flight mass spectrometer, thereby obtaining a mass spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying protein biomarkers directly in a specific region of interest of a tissue which comprises the identification of a mass of interest by analysis of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry results, followed by the identification of the protein represented by said mass of interest by direct elution from the specific region of interest of a tissue, fractionation and tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract: An ion resonance condition is corrected accurately in an ion trapping device. Measurements are repeated by alternately applying and not applying a resonance frequency voltage while spectral data is obtained continuously. Data obtained in the absence of the resonance frequency voltage is used as reference data to correct the set data of a resonance condition. As a result, calibration can be made while taking into consideration the variations in the amount of ions that are introduced into the ion trap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass spectrometry capable of high-efficiency and high-throughput ECD. An electron source and a two-dimensional combined ion trap in which a magnetic field along and generally parallel to a central axis is applied are used, thereby to achieve the foregoing object. First, precursor ions are trapped. By adopting the two-dimensional combined ion trap, it is possible to obtain a high ion trapping efficiency upon being injected and trapping. Subsequently, electrons are made incident thereon in such a manner as to be wound along the central axis to which no radio frequency is applied by using a magnetic field. For this reason, it is possible to allow energy-controlled electrons to reach the precursor ions. It is possible to implement a mass spectrometer capable of avoiding heating due to a radio frequency electric field, and effecting high-throughput/high-efficiency ECD.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a substrate processing system is provided. The system may include a chamber wall enclosing a chamber, a substrate support positioned within the chamber to support a substrate, an electromagnetic radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiation onto the substrate on the substrate support, the electromagnetic radiation causing photoelectrons to be emitted from a material on the substrate, an analyzer to capture the photoelectrons emitted from the substrate, and a magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field within the chamber and guide the photoelectrons from the substrate to the analyzer.

Abstract: Fabrication methods for contoured polyhedral cavities for particle acceleration are disclosed. The process may include: trimming flat sheets to a conformal shape; bending the sheets to form a contour that is axially curved and azimuthally flat; and joining the sheets to form a circumferentially polyhedral cavity that is configured to support a resonant electromagnetic field at cryogenic temperatures. The resulting cavity may have ductile or even brittle superconducting materials with an axially-oriented grain structure at each point on the circumference of the cavity. As part of the assembly process, the sheets may be bonded to a supporting substrate of thermally conductive material having integrated cooling passages. The supporting substrates may be configured to have electrical contact near the cavity openings while having a small gap near the equators of the cavity. Moreover, mode-coupling channels and waveguides may be provided to extract energy from undesired deflection modes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electron beam inspection with projection electron microscopy, is constructed so as to allow correction of changes in focus offsets due to changes in the electrically charged state particularly during inspection. The apparatus includes: a focus measure sensor unit; a focus measure calculation unit which calculates focus measure from the multiple image signals converted by the focus measure sensor unit; a focus position calculation unit which calculates the height of a confocal plane conjugate to the plane of convergence of a planar electron beam by an objective lens, on the basis of the calculated focus measure, and then calculates the focus position of the objective lens on the basis of the calculated height of the confocal plane; and a focus position correction unit which corrects the focus position of the objective lens according to the calculated focus position of the objective lens.

Abstract: A convergent electron beam is incident on an evaluation region of a crystalline material to obtain a HOLZ pattern formed by the convergent electron beam transmitted to the crystalline material (Steps S11 to S13), a split width of the HOLZ line of the obtained HOLZ pattern is computed (Step S14), and a stress in the evaluation region of the crystalline material is evaluated based on the split width of the HOLZ line (Step S15). Thus, the stress measuring method and system can measure with good precision a local lattice strain amount and stress value of the crystalline material, and a stress value of a stress source applying a stress to the crystalline material.

Abstract: Electrostatic printing processes utilize corona-charging units. When those units wear out or become faulty, they need to be replaced. This embodiment provides a tool that can be used to remove a faulty electrode wire assembly from the unit. This same tool when loaded with a new wire assembly can insert a new wire assembly into the emptied corona charging unit, sometimes referred to as a dicorotron unit. The tool, therefore, is used both to remove or insert a wire assembly from or into a dicorotron unit.

Abstract: A dicorotron unit and a wire assembly of a dicorotron unit where a wire electrode is strung between two insulator anchors. The anchors are held in place by flexible grippers. The grippers have flexible tabs that snap into the dicorotron housing and allow the grippers to remain in this housing when the wire assembly is removed from the dicorotron unit.

Abstract: Determination of steam quality by passing one or more laser beams through steam in a steam chamber and directly determining a total number of vapor molecules and a total number of water molecules based on absorption of radiation in the one or more laser beams by the water vapor phase and the liquid water phase in the steam. Specific volumes of water vapor phase and liquid water phase in the steam using the total numbers of water vapor and liquid water molecules are determined and the quality of the steam is calculated based on the specific volumes of the water vapor phase and the liquid water phase in steam. One embodiment comprises a narrow linewidth laser for measuring steam quality and another embodiment comprises multiple broadband lasers for measuring steam quality.

Abstract: Determination of steam quality by passing one or more laser beams through steam in a steam chamber and directly determining a total number of vapor molecules and a total number of water molecules based on absorption of radiation in the one or more laser beams by the water vapor phase and the liquid water phase in the steam. Specific volumes of water vapor phase and liquid water phase in the steam using the total numbers of water vapor and liquid water molecules are determined and the quality of the steam is calculated based on the specific volumes of the water vapor phase and the liquid water phase in steam. One embodiment comprises a narrow linewidth laser for measuring steam quality and another embodiment comprises multiple broadband lasers for measuring steam quality.

Abstract: A microbolometer IR FPA is provided with in-situ vacuum sensing capability by realizing that the IR sensor microbolometer pixel element itself may be used as a vacuum sensor. The application of an electrical signal to the resistive element heats the bolometer material thereby producing a variable resistance related to vacuum level. The degree of variability for a given material depends on the efficiency of heat transfer from the material to the surrounding environment. In a good vacuum, heat transfer is poor, and thus heat will be retained in the material to produce a relatively large temperature increase and the resistance variability will be large. In a poor vacuum, heat is readily transferred to the environment and the temperature rise will be relatively small and thus resistance variability will be small. Consequently, the variable resistance magnitude can be readout to determine the vacuum level.

Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.