Abstract: A living body detection device (1) includes: an image acquisition unit (171), a determination unit (173) and a detection unit (174). The image acquisition unit (171) acquires a first image in which a subject irradiated by light in a first wavelength range is imaged, and a second image in which the subject irradiated by light in a second wavelength range is imaged, the second wavelength range being different from the first wavelength range. The determination unit (173) determines whether a relation expressed by luminance of the subject imaged in the first image and luminance of the subject imaged in the second image is a relation exhibited by a living body. The detection unit (174) detects that the subject is a living body in a case where the determination unit (173) has determined that it is the relation exhibited by the living body.

Abstract: A split detection device includes: a detection unit, which includes a detection casing and a sensor that is mounted inside the detection casing; a processing unit, which includes a processing casing and a processor that is mounted inside the processing casing; a connection unit, which is electrically connected between the sensor of the detection unit and the processor of the processing unit; and a transmission unit, which is electrically connected between the processor of the processing unit and an external device. By setting up the sensor and the processor inside different casings to be separate from each other, influence of the processor on the sensor can be reduced to thereby improve accuracy of detection.

Abstract: An improved Pirani sensor uses a measuring element disposed within a fluid between a base plate and a cover. The measuring element is held by suspension members that are connected to the base plate. A heating element is thermally conductively connected to the suspension members. Using the sensor the characteristic of the fluid is determined by evaluating the heat transfer from the thermal element through the fluid into the cover when heating power is applied to measuring element. Parasitic conductive heat loss from the measuring element into the suspension members is compensated by applying power to the heating element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for monitoring properties of building structures (e.g., monitoring the strength and humidity of concrete structures) using sensor devices embedded in the building structures. The sensor devices collect sensor data and wirelessly transmit the data to portable computer devices operated by users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring an integrity of electrical connectivity between a repair patch and a parent structure include providing the repair patch with an embedded sensor configured to detect electrical conductivity. The repair patch includes a ply of conductive material that overlaps a portion of a conductive layer of the parent structure. A baseline set of sensor data is acquired from the sensor indicative of an electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure. One or more additional sets of data may be obtained from the sensor and compared to the baseline set of data to determine an integrity of the electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure.

Abstract: A control device of an exhaust sensor comprises a cell temperature detecting part detecting a temperature of the electrochemical cell, a heater control part controlling the heater so that a temperature of the electrochemical cell becomes the target temperature, and a judging part judging whether a water repellency of the protective layer is falling. The judging part judges that the water repellency of the protective layer is falling if a condition for judging abnormality is satisfied. The condition for judging abnormality includes a temperature of the electrochemical cell detected by the cell temperature detecting part falling from the target temperature and a speed of fall of the temperature being faster than a speed of fall of the temperature of the electrochemical cell when the heater is turned off.

Abstract: A test equipment arrangement includes a superheat controller configured for connection to a unit under test, and further configured to test at least one operational parameter of the unit under test.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relate to a method for calculating a wind sensitivity score. In some aspects, a method of implementing the technology can include steps for receiving wind speed information for a first geographic location over a first time period, receiving resource consumption data for each of a plurality of similar consumption locations in the first geographic location over the first time period; and generating a wind sensitivity model based on the wind speed information and the resource consumption data for each of the plurality of similar consumption locations. In some aspects, the method may further include steps for computing a wind sensitivity score for each of the similar consumption locations using the wind sensitivity model.

Abstract: A cooling-abnormality detecting system in which a heat generating component and a cooling component contact each other via a contact section, and the cooling component cools the heat generating component. The cooling-abnormality detecting system includes: a heat-generating-component-temperature detecting sensor, a heat-generating-component-power-consumption detecting sensor, a cooling-component-temperature detecting sensor, and a processor that calculates a heat resistance value of the contact section between the heat generating component and the cooling component and determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the contact section.

Abstract: A measuring device is embedded in a section of concrete at a location at a construction site, the measuring device being adapted to obtain a measurement of a first characteristic of the section of concrete and transmit the measurement via wireless transmission. The first characteristic may include temperature, humidity, conductivity, impedance, salinity, etc. A local wireless gateway receives the measurement data and transmits the data to a processor. Alternatively, an airborne drone flying above the construction site receives the measurement data and transmits the data to the processor. The processor generates a predicted second characteristic of the section of concrete based on the measurement data. For example, the second characteristic may include strength, slump, age, maturity, etc., of the concrete.

Abstract: System and method that identify atypical behavior of a user. One embodiment of the system includes an eye tracker to perform tracking of a user's gaze while viewing items, an inward-facing head-mounted thermal camera to take thermal measurements of a region of interest on the face (THROI) of the user, and a computer. The computer generates feature values based on THROI and the tracking, and utilizes a model to identify atypical behavior of the user based on the feature values. The model may be trained based on previous tracking and previous THROI of the user, taken while viewing other items.

Abstract: A data storage device may have increased signal-to-noise ratio contact detection by employing a transducing head assembly separated from a data storage medium by an air bearing with the transducing head assembly receiving an alternating current as directed from a controller. The alternating current can be configured to induce random transducing head motion when the air bearing has a greater than zero size and a cyclical transducing head motion when the air bearing has a zero size.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for on-chip control of thermal cycling in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first circuit is configured on the IC for adjusting a first voltage being applied to a first part of the IC. A first temperature of the first part is measured at a first time. A determination is made that the first temperature is outside a temperature range defined by an upper temperature threshold and a lower temperature threshold. The first voltage is adjusted by reducing the first voltage when the first temperature exceeds the upper temperature threshold and by increasing the first voltage when the first temperature is below the lower temperature threshold, thereby causing the first temperature of the first part to attain a value within the temperature range.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a power source unit; a game control device; a reporting device; a first temperature sensor provided to the power source unit, which monitors whether the temperature of the power source unit is at or higher than a first threshold temperature; a second temperature sensor provided to the power source unit, which monitors whether the temperature of the power source unit is at or higher than a second threshold temperature higher than the first threshold temperature; and a power control device which performs an abnormal-situation process which causes the reporting device to inform the occurrence of an abnormal situation, when the temperature of the power source unit is at or higher than the first threshold temperature, and perform a power-supply stopping process which stops power supply to the devices, when the temperature of the power source unit is at or higher than the second threshold temperature.

Abstract: Often the physiological and emotional state of a person can be associated with certain cortical activity that can cause certain thermal patterns on the person's forehead. Thus, thermal measurements of the forehead may be used to differentiate between user states. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one inward-facing head-mounted thermal camera (CAM) that takes thermal measurements of at least first and second regions on the right side of a user's forehead (THR1 and THR2, respectively), and thermal measurements of at least third and fourth regions on the left side of the forehead (THL1 and THL2, respectively). The middles of the first and third regions are at least 1 cm above the middles of the second and fourth regions, respectively. The system also includes a computer that determines, based on THR1, THR2, THL1, and THL2, whether the user is in a normal state or an abnormal state.

Abstract: Manifestation of some physiological responses (e.g., stress, mental workload, or a headache) may involve the emergence of asymmetric thermal patterns on the face. Thus, thermal measurements of the face that are indicative of thermal asymmetry can be useful to detect such physiological responses. In one embodiment, a system includes first and second inward-facing head-mounted thermal cameras (CAM1 and CAM2, respectively) that are located less than 15 cm from the user's face, which take thermal measurements of regions on the right and left sides of the face (THROI1 and THROI2, respectively) of the user. The symmetric overlapping between the regions on the right and left sides (ROI1 and ROI2, respectively) is above 60%, and CAM1 and CAM2 do not occlude ROI1 and ROI2. Optionally, the system includes a computer that detects a physiological response based on thermal asymmetry between THROI1 and THROI2.

Abstract: In a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle, a closed loop control device and/or open loop control device is switchable into multiple warning stages such that: if at least one temperature value measured by a temperature sensor exceeds a first defined threshold value, the closed loop control device and/or open loop control device switches into a first warning stage in which it is indicated to the driver to stop the vehicle within a defined period of time and/or within a defined section of road and/or that the driver is not to exceed a defined speed value. If the measured temperature value exceeds a second defined threshold value, greater than the first threshold value, the closed loop control device and/or open loop control device switches into a second warning stage in which it is indicated to the driver that the driver is to stop the vehicle immediately.

Abstract: An electrode plate, method for manufacturing an electrode plate, and method of testing an electrode plate enable efficient production of robust flowing electrolyte batteries. The method of testing an electrode plate includes forming a frangible portion in the electrode plate; providing a seal around a periphery of the electrode plate, wherein the periphery extends across the frangible portion; applying a gas adjacent a surface on a first side of the electrode plate; and detecting whether there is a presence of the gas adjacent a surface on a second side of the electrode plate, if the electrode plate passes testing, the frangible portion is removed from the electrode plate to define a cut-away region. The electrode plate is then positioned in a battery cell stack including a plurality of other electrode plates. A manifold is then attached to the cell stack adjacent the cut-away region of the electrode plate.

Abstract: Blood flow beneath a user's skin, for example, in a user's face may be visually rendered. In some aspects, a plurality of differences is determined in the intensity of pixels of a first image and the corresponding pixels of a subsequent second image. In some aspects, this plurality of differences is enhanced to accentuate a characteristic associated with the first image and the second image. The enhanced plurality of differences is visually rendered for each subsequent comparison of pixel intensity values.

Abstract: Wearable devices for taking symmetric thermal measurements. One device includes first and second thermal cameras physically coupled to a frame worn on a user's head. The first thermal camera takes thermal measurements of a first region of interest that covers at least a portion of the right side of the user's forehead. The second thermal camera takes thermal measurements of a second ROI that covers at least a portion of the left side of the user's forehead. Wherein the first and second thermal cameras are not in physical contact with their corresponding ROIs, and as a result of being coupled to the frame, the thermal cameras remain pointed at their corresponding ROIs when the user's head makes angular movements.

Abstract: Sheet media jams are detected along a media transport path by one or more vibration sensors that capture mechanical movements of components along the path that interact with the sheet media for driving or guiding the sheet media along the transport path. The detected vibrations during the advancing of the sheets are analyzed for distinguishing between detected vibrations associated with normal handling of the sheets and detected vibrations associated with abnormal handling of the sheets. An error condition can be signaled to a control system in response to distinguishing the detected vibrations associated with the abnormal handling of the sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved structural health monitoring, particularly to structural health monitoring of fiber reinforced polymer composites, more particularly at bonded joints and methods thereof. There is provided a method of structural health monitoring a composite structure (12), wherein said structure (12) comprises at least one non-reinforcing thermal element (18), such as electrically conductive fibers, comprising the steps of applying a stimulus to cause heating of said thermal element (18), removing the stimulus, and measuring the electrical resistance of said element (18) as a function of time, to provide a thermal decay profile (41, 42) indicating whether damage has occurred in the composite structure (12).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting thermal sealing defects of a container during its transportation along a process line. The method is particularly suitable for containers caped with a cap liner and sealed with an inner seal. The method makes use of a high frequency heat (e.g. by a high frequency heat induction unit) to cause eddy current in the inner seal after which there is sensing by an IR imager of radiation emitted from the conductive innerseal to generate sensed IR image data indicative of the sensed radiation. The sensing is characterized by at least one of (i) a time window of a sensing session of between 50 msec to 300 msec during which said container is being transported through the FOV; and (ii) a sensing range of a wavelength spectrum region from 2 ?m to 6 ?m. The IR data is then processed so as to generate output data indicative of the presence or absence of at least one defect in the sealing of the container by said innerseal.

Abstract: A natural gas hydrate drilling simulation device, includes a hydrate rock core simulation system, a drilling system, a drilling fluid injection system and a drilling fluid treatment system. The hydrate rock core simulation system includes a hydrate formation simulation wellbore, an artificial rock core, a water bath jacket and low temperature water bath. The drilling system includes a bracket, a high pressure rotary connecting device, a hydraulic device and a drilling device. The drilling fluid injection system includes a mud tank, a drilling fluid flowmeter, mud pumps and an overflow valve. The drilling fluid treatment system includes a high pressure sand remover, a back pressure and overflow control system, a gas-liquid separator, a dyer, a gas flowmeter, a liquid flowmeter and a mud treatment tank. This natural gas hydrate drilling simulation device performs simulation experiments under a variety of downhole working condition environments.

Abstract: A passive carbon nanotube transducer is provided. The passive carbon nanotube transducer includes shells as protective walls for the top and bottom housing of the transducer with carbon nanotube sheets affixed between the shells. The shells act as acoustic windows that match the surrounding acoustic medium. A gasket encloses the shells and carbon nanotube sheets of the transducer. Each carbon nanotube sheet has an electrode at both ends. Multiple carbon nanotube sheets are capable of sensing sound induced environment temperature deviations and converting electric voltage or current for passive acoustic detection.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting defects in a laminate of uncured, compacted composite sheets. After a number of plies of composite sheets are arranged and compacted, a burst of heat energy is applied to a top surface of the laminate and a digital thermographic camera captures images of the top surface. A computer processor measures heat characteristics of the top surface to identify regions of the top surface with different heat characteristics. Such different areas are identified as regions that include a defect. The defect regions can be repaired by applying additional compaction and/or by removing at least a portion of some layers, removing any foreign object debris, replacing the layers, and compacting the replaced layers. After any defects are addressed, the laminate is cured.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses and systems are directed to battery-charging applications. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments discussed herein, a charging current for charging a battery is modulated, and the frequency of the modulated charging current is set based upon an impedance of the battery. Temperature of the battery is estimated based upon the impedance exhibited by the battery, while the battery is charged with the modulated charging current. In various implementations, the battery charging rate is controlled based on the estimated temperature.

Abstract: A test involves iterations over a series of laser powers of a heat-assisted read/write head. The iterations involve writing to a recording medium at the selected laser power for a sufficient duration to ensure thermal equilibrium of the read/write head at an end of the write. A clearance-control heater of the read/write head is transitioned from a pre-write power before a start of the write to a steady-state write power. The iterations further involve measuring a temperature of the read/write head during the write and adjusting the steady-state write power to achieve a predefined difference between the temperature at the start of the write and the end of the write. The adjusted steady state write power is stored for each iteration. A write-induced protrusion is determined based on the iterations and used for calibration of the read/write head.

Abstract: Blood flow beneath a user's skin, for example, in a user's face may be visually rendered. In some aspects, a plurality of differences is determined in the intensity of pixels of a first image and the corresponding pixels of a subsequent second image. In some aspects, this plurality of differences is enhanced to accentuate a characteristic associated with the first image and the second image. The enhanced plurality of differences is visually rendered for each subsequent comparison of pixel intensity values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing materials for testing materials using infrared spectrometry. Calibration of an infrared spectrometer for use in testing materials including the steps of: selecting variables which have the potential to influence the physical characteristics of a composite used in the aerospace industry, selecting values for each variable and inputting the variable and values into a design of experiments model, thereby obtaining a sample test matrix.

Abstract: An airfoil has an of internal cooling channel, and cooling holes extending from the internal cooling channel to an outer skin. Air is injected into the cooling channel, and then into an inlet of the cooling hole. The exit of the air from an outlet of the cooling hole at the outer skin is monitored to determine whether the outlet is blocked. A location of the inlet of the cooling hole is determined by utilizing the determined location of the outlet, in combination with a known angle through which the cooling hole extends.

Abstract: A dynamic data acquisition system is disclosed for continuously recording, measuring and analyzing test cycle data of dimensional changes of a work piece before, during and after climatic changes. An optional climate chamber with an environmentally encapsulated camera system may be used to control the climate during the test cycle. A method of operating the dynamic data acquisition system is disclosed, as well as a business method for the new business model created by utilizing the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calculating a thermal protection factor, wherein the method comprises the steps of: applying heat to a first area coated with a thermal protection material, and a second area not coated with the thermal protection material; measuring the respective saturation temperatures of the first area and second area; calculating a first energy by dividing the energy corresponding to the heat applied to the first area by the saturation temperature of the first area; calculating a second energy by dividing the energy corresponding to the heat applied to the second area by the saturation temperature of the second area; and calculating the thermal protection factor of a thermal protection material by dividing the first energy by the second energy or dividing the difference between the first energy and the second energy by the first energy.

Abstract: A system may include a thermal camera and a computing device configured to receive master image data representative of a geometry and thermal response of at least one of a theoretical component, a fabricated gold standard component, or an average of a plurality of components; receive, from the thermal camera, thermographic image data representative of a thermal response of a tested component; morph the thermographic image data to substantially align with the three-dimensional image data and produce morphed thermographic image data; and output a representation based on the morphed thermographic image data for display.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip having a current source coupled between a first potential and an electrical node, a detection circuit having an input coupled to the electrical node, and a first active component coupled in series with the current source and further coupled between the electrical node and a second potential, wherein the first active component is coupled to the electrical node via a first conductive interconnect.

Abstract: This invention refers to a fuel composition identification system and method (2) for an automotive vehicle combustion engine.

Abstract: A system may include a source of dry ice, a thermal camera, and a computing device. The computing device may be configured to control the source of dry ice to cause dry ice to be introduced into an internal passage of a tested component. The tested component may include debris within the internal passage, and the dry ice may remove at least some of the debris from the internal passage. The computing device also may be configured to receive, from the thermal camera, thermographic image data representative of the thermal response of the tested component and output a representation based on the thermographic image data.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a replaceable sensor module and an assembly housing. The assembly housing contains an assembly housing processor and an electrical connector connected to the processor. The replaceable sensor module has an enclosure adapted to be mounted in a position to sense a process variable, a process variable transducer positioned in said enclosure so as to be exposed to the process variable, and a non-volatile memory having stored therein specific profiling data for the sensor module. The assembly housing processor has data representing a desired sensor assembly output characteristic, and is responsive to receipt of specific profiling data and to the data representing the desired sensor assembly output characteristic to calibrate the sensor assembly to provide the desired sensor assembly output characteristic when connected to the sensor module having the specified profiling data. Radial and axial seals are provided for the openings in the assembly housing.

Abstract: The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus including a plurality of light irradiators irradiating light from a light source to an object; an intensity modulator modulating intensity of the irradiated light for each light irradiator; a plurality of acoustic detectors detecting an acoustic wave generated from the object; and an information processor producing internal characteristic information of the object by using the acoustic wave, wherein the information processor controls a weight of each acoustic detector in production of the characteristic information, based on the intensity of light in each light irradiator.

Abstract: A loaded wheel tester for testing asphalt mixtures comprises a loaded wheel tester having additional means for attachment to specimens under test to provide a measurement of tensile strain and for attachment between a frame of the loaded wheel tester and the loaded wheel to determine position of the loaded wheel over time. Output results demonstrate that viscoelastic and fatigue properties of asphalt mixtures are obtained in equivalent or improved format using a modified loaded wheel tester when compared with known pavement test apparatus and methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improved membrane-based microcalorimeters are disclosed. The sample mixing speed or “temporal addenda” of the calorimeter can be improved using membranes with patterned hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, oscillating droplet squeezing methods, and textured membrane surfaces with ridges designed to facilitate rapid mixing. The thermal coupling between the membranes and the other calorimetric addenda can be minimized by exposing the back side of the calorimetric membrane to a vacuum, while keeping the front side exposed to a humidified environmental chamber. Specially shaped, membrane associated heat-transfer-elements can help the system accurately monitor substantial portions of the sample. These elements, in conjunction with the position of the edge of the sample, can be designed to minimize inaccuracy due to edge evaporation effects.

Abstract: A computer-aided simulation method for an atomic-resolution scanning Seebeck microscope (SSM) image is provided. In the computer-aided simulation method, a computer may calculate a local thermoelectric voltage for a position of a voltage probe, to acquire an SSM image corresponding to the position.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for determining flame blow-off conditions are disclosed. These methods provide efficient and reliable tools for determining the lean blow-off conditions for a variety of combustion system. By utilizing localized characteristics within a flame-holding region a user is enabled to assess the likelihood of flame blow-off with fine granularity within a combustor. The flame blow-out determination may be carried out with the aid of an output representation that provides a contour of likely blow-off cells within a combustor region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preventing freezing of relays in electrical components operated in specific atmospheric conditions. One such method described herein comprises monitoring a temperature of a relay with a thermocouple located on a contact of the relay while monitoring ambient temperature within the relay. Operation of the electrical component is simulated in a sub-zero temperature and high humidity condition. A freeze potential of the relay is determined by plotting a temperature cross-over curve, wherein both the ambient temperature and the contact temperature are plotted during the operation and cool down period. If the high freeze potential is determined, one or both of the relay and the electrical component are modified with a modification configured to decrease the high freeze potential.

Abstract: A PVT system for evaluating foamy heavy and extra-heavy hydrocarbons, including a cell having a wall defining an inner space; a floating piston slidable in the inner space; a stirring mechanism slidable into the inner space and operative to mix a hydrocarbon sample in the inner space; a volumetric pump associated with the cell for selectively increasing and decreasing pressure on the floating piston, and communicated with the inner space to control pressure in the space; an oven for heating the cell, wherein the cell is mounted within the oven; an inversion mechanism for inverting the cell at least about 180°; and a frame supporting the oven, wherein the wall of the cell and the oven have corresponding elongated transparent sections arranged to allow visual inspection of fluid in the inner space along an entire longitudinal extent of the inner space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the integrity of an overhead power connector are disclosed. The systems and methods may include applying a temperature sensitive material to at least a portion of an overhead power connector and/or an overhead power conductor. The integrity of the overhead connector may be monitored or diagnosed by monitoring the properties of the temperature sensitive material to determine if the overhead connector experienced any high temperature excursions.

Abstract: A clothing dryer capable of effectively drying a small amount of substance, and a control method thereof by changing an algorithm of a sensor-dry course, which is configured to control an operation rate, a degree of drying or a temperature of drying, to be adapted to the small load of substance in a case where the substance to be dried has a small load when compared to the entire volume of the clothing dryer, so that the drying efficiency is enhanced regardless of the load of the substance, and a separate option button is provided for a sensor-dry course, so that a small load of substance is dried adaptively to the material characteristic of the substance for a respective dry course, thereby enhancing the drying efficiency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting defects in the composite materials of a wind turbine blade or similar type of structure using an infrared (IR) camera. The temperature of the wind turbine blade is changed in such a way as to produce IR intensity changes in the region of the defect that can be visually detected or detected using a computer and signal processing algorithms. The same approach will work on other composite structures such as those found on aircraft.

Abstract: A method of measuring and controlling a temperature distribution at a member is disclosed. A probe is placed proximate the member. The probe has a plurality of longitudinally-spaced reflective elements. An ultrasonic pulse is generated at a selected location of the probe so as to propagate along the probe. Reflected pulses are received at the selected location from the plurality of longitudinally-spaced reflective elements. The distribution of temperature at the member is determined from the reflected pulses. The determined distribution of temperature may be used in controlling the temperature of the member. The member may be a solid or fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating temperature measurement devices, such as pyrometers, in thermal processing chambers are disclosed. According to the present invention, the system includes a calibrating light source that emits light energy onto a substrate contained in the thermal processing chamber. A light detector then detects the amount of light that is being transmitted through the substrate. The amount of detected light energy is then used to calibrate a temperature measurement device that is used in the system.