Abstract: A supporting device for an image capturing device on a bioreactor, a bioreactor, and a method of use are provided. The supporting device for an image capturing device includes a window and a holder. The window has a transparent element that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The holder is configured to hold the image capturing device. The supporting device is held at least partially in a through-opening of a feedthrough of a container for holding fluid media containing biological material. The window seals the through-opening.

Abstract: A fuel sensing system utilizes a fiber optic sensor comprising a membrane made of a direct band gap semiconductor material (such as gallium arsenide) that forms an optical cavity with an optical fiber inside a hermetically sealed sensor package located at the bottom of a fuel tank. The optical fiber inside the fuel tank is not exposed to the fuel. The optical cavity formed by the bottom surface of the membrane and the surface of the distal end of the internal optical fiber is capable of behaving as a Fabry-Pérot interferometer. Multiple light sources operating at different wavelengths and multiple spectrometers can be coupled to the confronting surface of the membrane via the optical fiber inside the fuel tank, a hermetically sealed fiber optic connector that passes through the wall of the fuel tank, and a fiber optic coupler located outside the fuel tank.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine has a housing (12) in which a plurality of elements (18, 44) are arranged. An optical duct (24) is formed in the housing (12) and is assigned to at least one of the elements (18). The optical duct (24) is assigned an infrared detector (28) that is designed to detect infrared radiation (30) from the at least one element (18) through the optical duct (24) to determine a temperature (T) of the at least one element (18).

Abstract: A fuel injection feedback system comprises a light source disposed inside a fuel injector, an optical sensor disposed inside the fuel injector, and a computing device electronically connected to the optical sensor. The light source is a device configured to emit light capable of being reflected by cavitation. The light source could be disposed on or within the needle or nozzle of the fuel injector, or at a variety of other locations inside the fuel injector. The optical sensor is configured to detect an intensity of light caused by receiving light reflected from cavitation occurring inside the fuel injector.

Abstract: An observation plug 102 includes a spark plug body 50, an objective optical system 10, and a set of light conduction paths 16. The spark plug body 50 ignites gas in a combustion chamber by an electric discharge in a discharge gap 60, and has an observation hole 4 penetrating in an axial direction at a location dislocated from the discharge gap 60. The objective optical system 10, which is provided in the observation hole 4 to be exposed into the combustion chamber, bends a course of light received from an incident surface 10a facing toward the discharge gap included in an observation area, and forms an image of the observation area within the observation hole 4. The set of light conduction paths 16 is provided in the observation hole 4, and divides the image of the observation area into a plurality of portions to be transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: A combustion system includes an electrodynamic combustion control system that provided for electrical control of a combustion reaction. Energy is received wirelessly, and electrical energy is generated from the wirelessly received energy. The electrical energy is applied to the combustion reaction in order to control or regulate operation of first and/or second electrodes configured to apply the energy to the combustion reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling engine performance that includes obtaining at least one optical wavelength-dependent measurement from at least one combustion event in at least one combustion chamber. The method further includes analyzing the optical wavelength-dependent measurement for determining adjustments to the at least one combustion event. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the at least one combustion event or at least a next combustion event by changing at least one physical parameter, at least one constituent parameter, or at least one physical parameter and at least one constituent parameter to control the engine performance. The engine can include steady-flow engines or periodic flow engines, and the engine performance can be selected by an engine user.