Abstract: One or more systems, devices and/or methods of use provided herein relate to a device that can facilitate a process to measure a pair of spectral sidebands and suppress one of common mode phase or amplitude noise. A device can comprise an interferometer device that can detect an interference of two spectral sidebands. The interferometer device can comprise a signal circuit that can detect at least one of a phase or an amplitude of a signal resulting from the interference of the two spectral sidebands, an IQ modulator that can generate the two spectral sidebands using a portion of a local oscillator (LO) microwave signal and a pair of signals at a same intermediate frequency, and/or a mixer that can interfere the two spectral sidebands having been output or reflected from a device under test, including mixing the two spectral sidebands with another portion of the LO microwave signal.

Abstract: A method and system of testing for package leaks by a test system is disclosed. The test system includes a vacuum source and a test chamber in which a package is received for testing. A package is placed in the test chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the test chamber by the vacuum source. A predetermined pressure level in the test system is detected, and based upon the detection of the predetermined pressure level, the test system determines when to stop drawing the vacuum. The test chamber is isolated from the vacuum source based upon the determination, and subsequently the test system detects the presence or absence of a leak in the package based on pressure measurements in the test chamber. A timer may be used to determine the delay in isolating the test chamber from the vacuum source after detection of the predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: A pressure step is applied to the interior of a compartment. A sensor which measures the pressure within compartment, in response of the prevailing pressure level, and the transient step response oscillation frequency is used to identify the gas or gas mixture present in the compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a vibrating member (402). The vibrating member (402) is for a vibrating densitometer (400). The vibrating member (402) includes one or more apertures (420). The one or more apertures (420) are sized and located in the vibrating member (402) to increase a frequency separation between a resonant frequency of a desired vibrational drive mode and a resonant frequency of one or more undesired vibrational modes.

Abstract: Vacuum pressure of a gas in a compartment (1) is measured. The vacuum pressure is established by a pump arrangement (3,5) with a pulsating pumping effect (g(t)). The shape of the resulting pulsation of the pressure (p(t)) in compartment (1) is exploited (15) as an indication of the operation status of the pump arrangement (3,5).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to verify the integrity of the confinement boundary of a spent nuclear fuel dry storage canister in operation. An external-convection blocking device is used to temporarily isolate the dry storage system or the dry storage canister from the ambient environment to form an isolated space. A gas sampling-and-analyzing device is connected to the isolated space to measure the leak rate or concentration of helium or radioactive gases which release from the dry storage canister. After the leak rate or concentration of helium or radioactive gases is measured, the integrity of the confinement boundary of the dry storage canister can be verified to further enhance the safety of the spent nuclear fuel dry storage.

Abstract: A fast response output signal circuit (10) for a cold cathode gauge is provided to produce a fast response output signal (48) in addition to a voltage output signal (40) that is representative of the pressure in the cold cathode gauge. The fast response output signal (48) is either on or off, thus can be used to trigger a closing of an isolation valve or other responsive action upon a change in pressure that attains or exceeds a certain set point threshold. The fast response output signal is produced and processed with analog circuits, but the set point is produced with a microprocessor. The voltage output signal can be produced as a logarithmic function of the pressure.

Abstract: An ionization vacuum gauge includes a cathode electrode, a gate electrode, and an ion collector. The cathode electrode includes a base and a field emission film disposed thereon. The gate electrode is disposed adjacent to the cathode electrode with a distance therebetween. The ion collector is disposed adjacent to the gate electrode with a distance therebetween. The field emission film of the cathode electrode includes carbon nanotubes, a low-melting-point glass, and conductive particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and orientation of a remote object relative to a reference coordinate frame includes providing a source having a plurality of field-generating elements, wherein the field-generating elements generate electromagnetic fields and have spatially independent components defining a source reference coordinate frame. A driver applies signals to the source to generate a plurality of electromagnetic fields which are distinguishable from one another and a remote sensor has a plurality of field-sensing elements which sense each of the generated electromagnetic fields. A processor processes the output of the sensor in a remote object position and orientation relative to the source reference coordinate frame. At least one of the field-generating elements of the source has at least one electrically conductive sheet and a planar coil including a plurality of coplanar concentric rings above the conductive sheet.

Abstract: A three dimensional digitizer is provided for determining and digitizing the coordinates of a three dimensional object. A hand-held stylus is used for tracing and determining points of interest on the surface of the object. A plurality of antennas for radiating electromagnetic energy are provided, the antennas being embedded in a table having a work surface upon which the object is placed. The radiating antennas have independent components which define a reference coordinate frame. A transmitter applies electrical signals to the radiating antennas which generate a plurality of distinguishable radio frequency electromagnetic fields. The stylus is provided with a projection for defining a point of contact between the stylus and the surface of the object of interest. A plurality of receiving antennas are disposed in the stylus. The receiving antennas have a known relationship with the projection and the point of contact on the object.

Abstract: The total pressure of pure tritium or the partial pressure of tritium or another radioactive isotope depending upon the calibration is measured utilizing a cylindrical positive electrode, an axial central thin negative electrode coaxial with the cylindrical electrode and a source having a voltage up to 200 V connected in circuits of these electrodes. The circuit also includes a picoampere meter or a high ohmic resistance whose voltage drop is monitored by a digital volt meter so that currents of the order of picoamperes in the circuit can be detected and with appropriate calibration of the unit can provide an output which represents the pressure.