Abstract: Wing in ground effect vehicles operate near the surface to acquire benefits in aerodynamic performance. However, a lack of sufficient stability has been a frequent limitation for such vehicles. The disclosed invention is a wing in ground effect vehicle that comprises a plurality of mechanical devices to acquire stability in roll and height with respect to the surface. Each device comprises a pivotally mounted aerodynamic lifting surface, surface contacting element, and interconnecting structure. The disclosed arrangement of these components actively determines the angle of attack of the aerodynamic lifting surfaces and produces vehicle stability in roll and height with respect to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to carbon-carbon composites what are reinforced with PAN-based carbon fibers and which have an all pyrocarbon matrix deposited via chemical vapor infiltration and/or chemical vapor deposition. The uniquely low wear life of the C—C composites of this invention is achieved via a high initial heat treatment of the preforms made from PAN-based carbon fibers—providing a high modulus to the fibers, making them less abrasive—followed by CVI/CVD of the pyrocarbon matrix. No final heat treatment is needed to achieve the balance of hardness in the fiber and matrix. The composites of the present invention do not have pitch-based fibers or matrices nor do they have resin-based matrices.

Abstract: An exemplary morphable ceramic composite structure includes a flexible ceramic composite skin and a truss structure attached to the skin. The truss structure can morph shape of the skin from a first shape to a second shape that is different than the first shape. The flexible ceramic composite skin may include a single-layer of three-dimensional woven fabric fibers and a ceramic matrix composite. The truss structure may include at least one actuatable element or an actuator may move a portion of the truss structure from a first position to a second position. A cooling component may be disposed in thermal communication with the skin. The cooling component may include thermal insulation or a cooling system that circulates cooling fluid in thermal communication with the skin. The morphable ceramic composite structure may be incorporated into any of an air inlet, combustor, exhaust nozzle, or control surfaces of a hypersonic aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for deicing a surface of an aircraft includes a pair of adjacent movable surface elements that lie in a common plane and cover a portion of an aircraft. The pair of surface elements are connected to a reciprocating actuator through a bell crank for reciprocal movement and in opposite directions to one another. The apparatus also includes a tie bar at one end of the surface elements for maintaining the surface elements in a parallel relationship. In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a pair of coaxial, coplanar circular disc and a reciprocating actuator for rotating the disc in opposite directions relative to one another.

Abstract: A refueling drogue adapted to connect to a refueling hose extending from a refueling aircraft. The drogue may include an active stabilization system adapted to effectively stabilize the refueling drogue via control surfaces on the refueling drogue when the refueling drogue is placed in an airstream.

Abstract: A deployable structure is disclosed. The deployable structure may include one or more slit-tube longerons; and one or more flat sheets coupled with the one or more slit-tube longerons. The one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets may be stowed by rolling the one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets together into a roll. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more slit-tube longerons may be exposed when stowed. In another embodiment, the one or more slit-tube longerons may be manufactured from a shape memory material. These slit-tube longerons unroll into to a straight configuration when exposed to heat.

Abstract: Unlike conventional winglets that attempt to block out wingtip vortices, these winglets use multiple airfoils to recycle much of the energy of these vortices back into useful lift and thrust (drag reduction). This will improve the lift to drag ratio at high angles of attack. These airfoils extend outward in the plane of the wing from each wingtip and are specially shaped to make them easy to extend and retract. Not only can they function over a continuum of airspeeds and angles of attack, but they can also be fully retracted at very high speeds to avoid parasite drag penalties.

Abstract: A mission control grip mounted to a consol to provide a crew interface with a multitude of systems through a multitude of Multi-Functional Displays (MFDs). The mission control grip includes a fist-shaped grip movable about a first axis and a second axis, a thumb-operated control switch and a switch for each finger. Even while steering one system the crewmember may still move a cursor to interact with that system modes/menu controls such as changing focus or magnitude on the MFD selected for the sensor system—or perform other tasks on another MFD not related to the MFD upon which the current system field of view is displayed.

Abstract: A wing for use on a supersonic aircraft that includes an inboard section a central section of the wing outboard of the inboard portion, and an outboard section. The outboard section can be a winglet oriented anhedrally relative to a lateral axis of the supersonic aircraft. Leading edge segments on the inboard section, central section and outboard winglet may have mounted thereon leading-edge flaps. These flaps are adjusted by a control system operable to reposition the leading-edge flaps in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of the supersonic aircraft. This winglet promotes sonic boom minimization. Further, the wing tip anhedral allows greater inboard dihedral. This effectively pushes lift aft for sonic boom and control purposes while minimizing the movement of control surfaces.

Abstract: A device of the present invention for supporting a user's arms, head, and hands allowing the user to perform tasks requiring stability and fine motor movement, the device includes a base, at least two upright members operatively attached to the base, and support means operatively attached to each of the upright members.

Abstract: A support structure comprises a connecting element slidably disposed on a display device, and a support element joined to the connecting element allows adjustment of an inclined angle of the display device. When the support element is fixed to a predetermined position other than the display device, the display device is capable of moving up and down with respect to the position.

Abstract: A supporting device for a display unit for rotating a display screen to be oriented vertically. The supporting device includes a fixed member mounted on a base, an elevating member secured to the fixed member to be lifted or lowered, a pivot bracket rotatably coupled to an upper end of the elevating member while being secured to a rear surface of the display unit, an operating lever having an upper portion rotatably coupled to the upper end of the elevating member, a holder formed at the fixed member to allow the operating lever to be caught therein when being rotated rearward in a lifted state of the elevating member, a horizontally movable member secured to the upper end of the elevating member, and a cam portion formed at the pivot bracket.

Abstract: A vision measuring system includes a vision measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a first body mechanism, a carrying stage movably mounted in the first mechanism for supporting an article thereon, a second body mechanism spanning the first mechanism, a third body mechanism movably mounted on the second mechanism, and an imaging device movably mounted to the third mechanism for picking up images of the article. Adjusting structures are installed on the apparatus for ensuring the device to be movable relative to the article in three directions perpendicular to one another. The system further includes a motion controller for controlling movements of the stage, the third mechanism, and the device, an input unit, a computer system for converting operating orders from the input unit into electronic signals and sending the electronic signals to the controller, and analyzing image data from the device, and an output unit for displaying analyzing results.

Abstract: A monument fitting assembly for installing a monument in an aircraft. The fitting assembly is comprised of a ramp member and a fastening bracket member. The ramp member is attached to a floor of the aircraft. Further, the fastening bracket member is attached to a monument. The fastening bracket member is releasably attached to the ramp member and positions the monument a predetermined height above the floor in a predetermined position within the aircraft and supports the monument in a plurality of load-bearing directions.

Abstract: A self-leveling foot for an appliance of the type that comprises: a base (10) to be seated on a floor (P); a rod (15) affixed to the base (10) and projecting upwardly therefrom; an elastic element (20) having a lower end (20a) seated on the base (10); and a tubular sleeve (30), slidably mounted and guided around the rod (15), and having a lower portion (30b) seated on the upper end (20b) of the elastic element (20) and an upper portion (30a) to be mounted under a lower frame portion (1) of the appliance, so as to apply on the base (10), through the elastic element (20), a respective portion of the appliance weight. The foot of the present invention may further comprise a dampening means (50) mounted between the parts of rod (15) and tubular sleeve (30), so as to exert a braking force against the relative axial movement between said parts.

Abstract: A height adjusting device includes an attachment bolt, an adjuster, a female screw portion, and a circular groove. The adjuster includes a flange portion operable from an outside and is fixed to the attachment bolt so as to be rotatable integrally with the attachment bolt. The female screw portion is formed in a piece of furniture. The attachment bolt is screwable into the female screw portion. A circular groove is formed around the female screw portion. The adjuster includes a brake portion protruding from the flange portion in a rotation axis direction of the adjuster. When inserted into the circular groove, the brake portion abuts a wall surface of the circular groove and is at least partially deformed thereby to bias the wall surface, resulting in suppression of rotation of the adjuster.

Abstract: A flat panel mount for a plasma television having a back and a wall plate has an inner bracket, an outer bracket and a positioning assembly. The outer bracket covers the inner bracket inside and is pivotally mounted to the inner bracket. The positioning assembly is mounted between and abuts with the inner bracket and the outer bracket. Two outer brackets are mounted to the back of the plasma television and the inner brackets are mounted to the wall plate so that the plasma television is hung on a wall with two mounts with such an arrangement, to adjust the display angle of a plasma television is convenient.

Abstract: Flexible mounting devices for navigational/entertainment displays, especially for in-vehicle use, are described herein. In an embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible gooseneck, a magnetic base magnetically attached to a front end of the gooseneck for holding a display, and a windshield suction attached to a back end of the gooseneck for providing windshield support from the rear by suctioning to the windshield of a vehicle. In another embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible neck, which may be firmly attached to the dashboard of a vehicle with a sticky gel pad. The mounting device also comprises a counter weight attached to a back end of the flexible neck. The display is fixed to a front end of the flexible neck such that the display protrudes beyond the dashboard. The counter weight at the back end of the flexible neck counter balances the weight of the display at the front end, and thereby helps to provide a stable support.

Abstract: A sucking disc apparatus includes a body, a sucking disc, a pulling rod, a spring, and an operation element. The body includes a pressing part and a protruding part protruding from the top of the pressing part. The sucking disc is located at the bottom of the pressing part of the body. The pulling rod is located in the body and has a rectangular slot hole. The spring is located between the body and the sucking disc. The operation element includes an operation part and a cam part. The operation element is pivoted with the protruding part of the body via a pivoting shaft. Thereby, the rectangular slot hole is hidden in the sucking disc apparatus, the appearance of the sucking disc apparatus is not affected, and muck does not drop into the rectangular slot hole so that the movement of the sucking disc is smooth.

Abstract: A fastening system uses a plurality of clips for fastening a second component, e.g., a loud-speaker, to a first component, e.g., a vehicle door panel. The clips are mounted on the second component at pre-installation positions and are moved collectively from the pre-installation positions to installation positions at which the clips are retained by retaining elements projecting from the first component.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket for secure adhesive mounting onto an exposed edge of a substrate, wherein the mounting bracket is adapted for subsequently supporting a selected structure such as tubing, wire bundles, etc., relative to the substrate. The mounting bracket includes slidably interfitting, generally L-shaped bracket members which cooperatively define a slidably overlying pair of mounting plates and an associated pair of slidably separable clamp jaw plates having inboard faces carrying a selected bonding agent and adapted to seat firmly against opposed substrate edge surfaces. A resilient fixture pin is carried by the mounting plates and can be actuated to apply a positive force urging the clamp jaw plates against the opposed surfaces of the substrate edge of the duration of a bonding agent cure time, after which the fixture pin can be forcibly removed from the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A shelf support system is provided for supporting one or more shelves at selected elevations on a vertical surface. In one form of the system, a standard is provided with vertically spaced-apart slots which are concealed when the standard is viewed from the front. A shelf support is provided with an attachment portion for fitting into the slots of the standard. In another form of the system, a shelf support is adjustably mounted to a shelf retainer for clamping the shelf between the shelf support and shelf retainer, and the shelf retainer is in turn attached with screws to a hanger which includes an attachment portion for mounting to the slots in the standard on the wall. In another form of the system, the hanger is not used, and an attachment portion is provided at the rear end of the shelf support which is adjustably attached to the shelf retainer and which is mounted directly to the standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck having an operating console (14) and an adjustable mounting (20) for the operating console (14), the mounting (20) being fitted to a frame part (24) of the industrial truck by means of a joint arrangement (22) such that it can be pivoted about an inclination adjustment axis (26), so that it can be adjusted as desired into different pivoted positions in order to position the operating console (14) in various inclined settings, in addition at least one blockable gas spring (32) being provided between a frame part (24) of the industrial truck and the mounting (20) as a locking element for fixing the mounting (20) in a respective pivoted position, and this blockable gas spring (32) being provided with a triggering device (42) that can be operated in order to adjust the mounting (20) in order to release the gas spring (32) from its blocked state and to allow the gas spring (32) to engage in its blocked state.

Abstract: A device for fastening an exhaust manifold to an internal combustion engine is provided. The device includes two parts. A first part that has first elongated holes for a screw fastening to the engine and openings for a screw fastening of a second bracket part. The second bracket part is fork-shaped, angular, and has on the angle branch facing the first bracket part second elongated holes and on the other angle branch, third elongated holes. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the elongated holes are oriented perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: A clamping device includes a seat body, two clamping elements, at least one spring, a gear, a turning wheel, an impeding element, and a release button. The seat body has a front casing and a rear casing. Each clamping element has a clamping body with a rack. The spring is disposed between the seat body and one of the two clamping elements. The gear and the turning wheel are pivoted in the seat body together. The gear is engaged with the two racks, and the turning wheel has a contact surface formed therearound. The impeding element is pivoted in the seat body, wherein the impeding element has an impeding surface that contacts the contact surface. The release button is movably disposed on the seat body and connected with the impeding element. Hence the clamping device's whole structure is simple, and the cost of the clamping device is reduced.

Abstract: An axle mechanism capable of adjusting an elevation includes a support member, a lower hinge device at the bottom of the support member, an upper hinge device at the top of the support member, and a dual link rod module for connecting the upper and lower hinge devices. If the support member adjusts its elevation and front and rear distance, the turning radius of the dual link rod module is used as a moving range of the support member, such that two sets of pulling plates at the top produce a pushing action and an opposite pulling action to synchronously rotate the shaft rings on both sides of the top and drive the two movable rods to rotate without changing the original angle of the two upper support stands.

Abstract: A display comprises a seat, a panel and an assembly structure. The assembly structure disposed between the seat and the panel comprises a first element disposed on the seat and a second element disposed between the first element and the panel. The first element has a first reference position. The second element, rotatably moved between a first status and a second status with respect to the first element, comprises a first positioning portion moved between first and second positions, a second positioning portion moved between third and fourth positions. When the first positioning portion is moved from the first position to the second position and the second positioning portion is moved from the third position to the fourth position, the second element is moved from the first status to the second status, and a difference is formed between the first and second reference heights.

Abstract: An organizer, comprising: a strap made of a soft material; a strap securing device securing the strap to a surface; and an item securing device securing an item to the strap.

Abstract: The present invention concerns rustication forms or moldings having covering (overlay or wrapping) that alleviate problems associated with concrete slab curing. The present invention also concerns methods for forming rustication in concrete walls. The present invention comprises a rustication form substrate, wherein all or portions of the surface exposed to the curing concrete is covered with covering or layering, and only portions of surfaces not exposed to the curing concrete is covered.

Abstract: A method of assembling a metal shore post of a concrete forming assembly is disclosed. An outer telescoping tube is provided that has a main section with a first inside diameter and top portion with a section having a second inside diameter reduced relative to the first inside diameter of the outer tube. An inner telescoping tube is inserted for telescopic movement inside the outer tube. After assembly, a pair of pistons are inserted through access holes in the outer tube to provide a crushing force to the inner tube deforming it to create a region of increased diameter that is greater than that of the reduced diameter section but not so large as to prevent telescopic movement of the inner tube inside the outer tube. The increased dimension region thereby prevents accidental separation of the inner tube from the assembly, thereby improving safety and efficiency. Openings are provided in the inner tube in the region being crushed in order to control the region of deformation.

Abstract: A mold for concrete products includes a grid with a plurality of cavities that are open to both sides of the grid. The grid is bonded with polyurethane about its perimeter to the inner perimeter of a frame having a central opening therein. The grid may be formed of a single unitary piece or it may be formed from a plurality of sub-grids that are each bonded to the other with polyurethane.

Abstract: A stackable mold for making block ice is disclosed. The bottom edges of the sidewall of the mold have stacking lips and the top edges of the sidewall have stacking ledges. The stacking ledges of a lower mold mate with the stacking lips of an upper mold, thereby allowing multiple molds to be stacked on top of one another. Guide lips along the sidewalls of the mold prevent slipping and shifting of the stacked molds. The tapered property of the molds creates space between the bottom of an upper mold and the top of a lower mold to allow airflow through the lower mold. A reinforcing lip extends along the top of the long sides for reinforcement.

Abstract: An imaging device including a substrate having at least one photoelectric converting portion thereon, wherein the photoelectric converting portion contains at least one electrode, at least one organic dye and at least one inorganic material, the organic dye is arranged in contact with the inorganic material, and the electrode is an electrode that applies positive bias voltage to the inorganic material for 1 second or shorter in the time of image capturing, and an imaging method. Preferably the photoelectric converting portion is provided with a second electrode connected with the inorganic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an autofocus system for an optical instrument (1) that images a specimen (11), having an irradiation optical system (7) for generating an irradiation beam path that generates an autofocus pattern on the specimen (11), the irradiation beam path being directed onto the specimen by means of a deflection element (10), and having an autofocus analysis unit (19) to which is conveyed, by means of a deflection element (15), a detector beam path that encompasses radiation, reflected from the specimen (11), of the irradiation beam path, a micromirror array (20) having individually controllable and adjustable micromirrors being provided in combined fashion as a deflection element (10) for the irradiation beam path and as a deflection element (15) for the detector beam path.

Abstract: A technology capable of preventing generation of a problem due to saturation of an output value in an image pick-up section caused by a variation of illumination light from a light source.

Abstract: In order to reduce the exposure of a detector surface 180 of a photo-multiplier 160 to stray charged particles, an off-axis structure is interposed between the resonant structure and the detector surface of the photo-multiplier. By providing the off-axis structure with at least one reflective surface, photons are reflected toward the detector surface of the photo-multiplier while at the same time absorbing stray charged particles. Stray particles may be absorbed by the reflective surface or by any other part of the off-axis structure. The off-axis structure may additionally be provided with an electrical bias and/or an absorbing coating for absorbing stray charged particles.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for non-uniform illumination appearing in data obtained using one or more illumination sources from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the optical system. According to a specific embodiment, non-uniform illumination correction factors are derived during a calibration procedure by illuminating a surface having uniform optical properties with the non-uniform illumination source and imaging that illuminated surface onto the photo-sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for non-uniform illumination and/or effects of saturation appearing in data obtained using one or more artificial illumination sources. In an implementation, correction factors are derived using data from at least two images that have been captured with different illumination levels of the object scene and close in time to the capture of the image of interest. Typically, the image of interest is of higher resolution than at least one of the at least two images.

Abstract: An exemplary image sensor comprises a photodetector proximate to a pixel site, and a light meter proximate to the pixel site configured to approximate an initial charge acquired by the photodetector at the end of a first integration period of a frame exposure period. A reset circuit resets the photodetector if the approximated initial charge acquired by the photodetector exceeds a threshold. A readout circuit detects a final charge acquired by the photodetector at the end of a second integration period of the frame exposure period. If the photodetector was reset, the readout circuit adjusts the final exposure to account for exposure prior to the photodetector having been reset.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a first detector which amplifies a voltage obtained by charging and discharging a capacitance with a photocurrent flowing through a photo detecting element and then outputs it to a first data line, and a second detector which outputs an electric charge stored in the capacitance by the photocurrent, to a second data line. The pixel circuit operates in a first operation mode where the first detector is activated, a second operation mode where the second detector is activated and an initialization mode where the photo detecting element is initialized. With a first transistor turned on, the second detector outputs an electric charge stored in the capacitance in the second operation mode, and in the initialization mode a reset voltage set in the second data line is applied to the other end of the photo detecting element to initialize the photo detecting element.

Abstract: When light is made incident into antenna layers 11a, 11b, and 11c of a photodetector 1, specific wavelength components of light contained in the incident light combine with surface plasmons of the antenna layers 11a, 11b, and 11c, and surface plasmon resonance occurs. Thereby, near-field lights are outputted from through-holes 13 of the antenna layers 11a, 11b, and 11c. The near-field light outputted from each through-hole 13 reaches a light absorbing layer 4 via light receiving surfaces 4a, 4b, and 4c. The light absorbing layer 4 generates a charge of an amount according to the amount of received light. Since cycle intervals ?a, ?b, and ?c of convex portions 12 in the antenna layers 11a, 11b, and 11c are different from each other, the wavelength component of light that combines with a surface plasmon differs in each of the antenna layers 11a, 11b, and 11c. Consequently, a plurality of wavelength components of light can be detected.

Abstract: The invention is regarding to solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device consistent with the present invention includes, a plurality of unit cells on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, each unit cell including a photoelectric conversion unit comprising a photodiode having a diffusion layer of a second conductivity type and a signal scanning circuit unit; a trench isolation region for isolating the photoelectric conversion unit from the signal scanning circuit unit, the trench isolation region being formed in the semiconductor substrate; a first element-isolating diffusion layer of the first conductivity type formed under a bottom face of the trench isolation region down to a position deeper than the diffusion layer of the photodiode from the surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The invention is regarding to solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device consistent with the present invention includes, a plurality of unit cells on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, each unit cell including a photoelectric conversion unit comprising a photodiode having a diffusion layer of a second conductivity type and a signal scanning circuit unit; a trench isolation region for isolating the photoelectric conversion unit from the signal scanning circuit unit, the trench isolation region being formed in the semiconductor substrate; a first element-isolating diffusion layer of the first conductivity type formed under a bottom face of the trench isolation region down to a position deeper than the diffusion layer of the photodiode from the surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical sensing device having a light source and a photodetector device with at least one photosensitive element, said method comprising the steps of: (i) illuminating a surface portion with radiation by means of said light source; (ii) detecting radiation reflected from the illuminated surface portion with said at least one photosensitive element; (iii)while said surface portion is being illuminated, integrating an output signal of said at least one photosensitive element over time; (iv)comparing the output signal integration level with a first integration reference level during integration; (v) interrupting said integration step (iii) if said output signal integration level has reached said first integration reference level, or getting back to comparison step (iv) until a first integration period has elapsed if said output signal integration level has not reached said first integration reference level, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: (vi) comparing said outp

Abstract: An optical navigation system and method for reducing the power consumption of the system uses a surface quality value of a captured image frame of a target surface to selectively reduce the number of photosensitive pixel elements to be used to capture a subsequent image frame.

Abstract: Described is a fingerprinting device (1) with a translucent top layer (7) which forms a finger rest and on the side of which that is remote from the finger rest a layer, connected to an evaluation circuit (10), of light-sensitive elements (9) in a matrix arrangement and light-emitting elements (8) are provided. In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that on the side of the top layer (7) that is remote from the finger rest there be arranged a photoactive layer (2) based on organic semiconductors between two electrode layers (3, 4) consisting of intersecting strip conductors (5, 6), of which the strip conductors (5) between the photoactive layer (2) and the top layer (7) are translucent, and that the photoactive layer (2) form the light-sensitive and the light-emitting elements (8, 9) in the region of intersection of the strip conductors (5, 6) of the two electrode layers (3, 4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for projecting a linear optical marking onto at least one boundary of a room, such as floor surface for example, comprising a light source (12) that emits laser radiation along an optical axis (16) as well as a cuboid lens (14) connected in series with the light source, penetrated by the optical axis and reflecting as well as refracting the radiation. To facilitate fanning and reflecting of light originating from the light source through constructively simple means, the invention proposes that provided in the frontal surface (20) is a channel-shaped depression (40) and provided in the rear surface (22) is a projection (24), both of which are geometrically designed and arranged so that the radiation can be totally reflected and that totally reflected radiation striking the depression can be fanned out, where the optical marking runs to both transverse surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: An array of sensitive pixel elements is configured to generate signals representative of sensed light that is associated with writing being done by a user, and an optical system concentrates light from a light source across a section of the array of sensitive pixel elements, the signals being useful to compute a subpixel measurement of a position of the light source.

Abstract: A mechanism for mapping an anatomical characteristic of a patient includes a treatment bed having a top surface. A fiber Bragg grating channel is disposed along at least a portion of the treatment bed near the top surface and includes a fiber optic waveguide defining a plurality of spaced-apart Bragg-type gratings. A multi-wavelength light source generates a beam that is in optical communication with the fiber Bragg grating channel. A detector, in optical communication with the fiber Bragg grating channel, detects reflections of light from at least one of the Bragg-type gratings. A computer is programmed to calculate at least one anatomical characteristic based on a characteristic of at least one of the reflection of light.

Abstract: A soil moisture sensor uses a non-collimated light source and a photosensor, respectively, mounted at the foci of a transparent ellipsoidal plastic body. The dimensions of the body are such that emitted light rays are internally reflected toward the photosensor at the surface of the ellipsoid if the surface is dry, but refracted outwardly of the body when the surface is wet. The amount of light reflected onto the photosensor is thus a measure of the amount of moisture at the surface of the sensor. Direct illumination of the photosensor by the light source is prevented either by interposing opaque electronic components between them on a circuit board, or by taking advantage of light source characteristics to minimize the amount of transmitted light. If a circuit board is used, it is completely encapsulated against moisture penetration by fixing it in a carrier and molding the body around and onto the carrier to form a monolithic unit with the carrier and circuit board.