Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems

Dale Robert Sebok

Thomas J Sebok

H John Tatko

Joseph P Kolp

Michael Eugene Cryder

A tribological debris analysis system includes a general purpose computer; and a tribological sensor system for generating data. The sensor system includes an optical flow cell a pump for pumping a fluid through the optical flow cell, a laser for illuminating the fluid flowing through the optical flow cell, and an imaging device for detecting any debris in the fluid illuminated by the laser. The imaging device sends the object information&#x2014;in either the form of object elements or objection segments&#x2014;representative of the debris to the general purpose computer for analysis. The general purpose computer classifies the debris according to size, any trends associated with the size of the debris, generating shape features of the imaged debris and identifying a type of object wear based upon the shape features.

Tribological debris analysis system

A system for enhancing the dynamic range of an imaging signal includes a sensor for viewing a scene having a wide dynamic range and generating a digital image signal of the scene which is received by an attenuator for selectively attenuating the digital image signal. A demultiplexer is included in the system for receiving the digital image signal into at least a first gain signal and a second gain signal wherein a combiner receives the first and second gain signals and produces a composite image signal with minimal saturation. A normalizer may also be provided for receiving the composite image signal and adjusting it to a viewable range dynamic video output signal.

Dynamic range enhancement for imaging sensors

An apparatus for viewing dimly illuminated and rapidly changing scenes includes a sensor assembly which generates a video signal. The apparatus further includes a controller which receives the video signal for comparison to a desired average video value whereupon the controller adjusts at least one adjustable variable contained within the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a lens which has an adjustable iris and an image intensification tube which includes a photocathode and a micro-channel plate. The photocathode has an adjustable photocathode gate pulsewidth and the micro-channel plate has an adjustable micro-channel plate gain. A strobe is also provided to illuminate the scene viewed by the sensor assembly wherein the strobe is connected to a processor which is also connected to the controller. The controller determines what the ambient light level is to be at the next illuminated or non-illuminated scene and adjusts the adjustable variables accordingly.

Automatic exposure and gain control for a sensor using video feedback

An optical flow detection system is employed in conjunction with a target cuer system, which includes a sensor carried on a platform, for the purpose of either removing undesirable sensor motion or for the purpose of removing undesirable background motion so that targets may be more easily identified. The optical flow detection system includes an optical flow estimator which receives a plurality of pixels and generates therefrom an instantaneous pixel velocity value and a predicted pixel velocity value. The instantaneous pixel velocity values and predicted pixel velocity values are then manipulated to remove undesirable features included in the image sequence generated by the sensor. Methods for operating the optical flow detection system are also provided.

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Tallmadge, OH, United States of America

Dale Robert Sebok