Eastman-Kodak Company

University of Dayton

United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

James Douglas Wolf

Robert E Kauffman

Michael Joseph Piatt

Costandy S Saba

David W Johnson

Phillip W Centers

Robert L Wright, Jr

A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A laser provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

Media-tracking system using marking laser

A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to form a hole through the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A light source illuminates a first side of the receiver medium, and a sensor located on a second side of the receiver medium senses light transmitted through the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting light transmitted through the hole through the receiver medium associated with the reference mark.

Media-tracking system using thermally-formed holes

A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a fluorescent agent in the receiver medium, thereby forming a reference mark characterized by a reduced level of fluorescence. A stimulating light source illuminates the receiver medium at a downstream position along the media path, the stimulating light source having a spectrum adapted to stimulate the fluorescent agent to fluoresce thereby producing emitted light. A sensor is used to sense the emitted light from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting the reduced level of fluorescence associated with the reference mark.

Media-tracking system using thermal fluoresence quenching

A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

Media-tracking system using marking heat source

A system for measuring light absorption levels includes a light source providing a light beam and a container for a liquid. The container includes an opening to provide access to the liquid. A prism is disposed over the opening and is operable to direct at least a first portion of the light beam toward the opening to the liquid such that the at least a portion of the first portion of the light beam is reflected back from the liquid forming an attenuated beam. A detector is operable to measure at least one of a portion of the attenuated beam and a second portion of the light beam. The detector is operable to produce at least one of a liquid measurement signal and a reference signal. A device is operable to compute a ratio of the liquid measurement signal to the reference signal to determine a signal ratio.

Method and system for diffusion attenuated total reflection based concentration sensing

A system for measuring light absorption levels for a liquid for use in a printing system includes a light source adapted to provide a divergent beam of light, a liquid container with a hole that acts as a focusing lens, and a prism disposed over the hole to split the divergent beam of light into a reference beam and a measurement beam. The systems include a measurement detector to measure the intensity of the focused beam to produce a liquid measurement signal. A reference detector measures the intensity of the reference beam for compensating the effects of temperature and light source variations on the system signals. A device calculates signal ratios and stores the ratios so that the signal ratios of subsequent colored liquids can be converted into colorant concentrations from a look-up table or through calculations using a signal ratio/colorant concentration.

The present invention is a compact apparatus and method that provides an efficient manner for monitoring the condition and level of a functional fluid directly in operating equipment. A sensor device is provided that includes a plurality of liquid sensors and a plurality of vapor sensors that when used in conjunction with one another at different temperatures, can provide a thorough evaluation of the oxidative degradation, liquid contamination and solid contamination of the fluid to detect the end of the useful life of the fluid. By providing liquid sensors and vapor sensors on the same device, the present invention allows for a compact, efficient, and economically feasible manner to monitor the condition of fluid as well as detecting abnormal operating conditions prior to further component damage and eventual equipment failure.

Sensor device for monitoring the condition of a fluid and a method of using the same

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the analysis of a fluid to determine the remaining useful life of the fluid and whether the fluid has become contaminated. The method can be performed either on-line or off-line, however, the on-line method is preferred. In the method, a sample of the fluid is contacted by a single electrode which is connected to the ground potential by means of the equipment in which the fluid is used. A current is applied to the sample through the electrode and the conductivity of the sample is measured. The conductivity measurement can then compared to known values for the fluid to determine the remaining useful life of the fluid and whether the fluid has become contaminated.

Single electrode conductivity technique

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which can be used to detect the abnormal operating condition of equipment, such as engines and machinery, the usefulness of the fluid, and the content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the fluid. The method comprises the steps of bringing at least two electrodes into contact with a sample of a fluid to be analyzed; applying a square voltage wave form to the electrodes at a predetermined scan range and scan rate to cause a current to flow between the electrodes; monitoring the current at the electrodes to determine a current output signal; using the current output signal to measure the conductivity of the fluid; and analyzing the sample to determine a content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the sample.

Tandem technique for fluid monitoring

System and method for temperature resolved molecular emission spectroscopy of solid, liquid or gaseous materials are described wherein a sample is vaporized and decomposed, and the vaporous sample is transported into a combustion flame; a spectrum of intensity of the optical emission from the flame at a selected wavelength versus temperature of the sample define molecular peaks which are characteristic of the sample material and allows both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the sample.

Temperature resolved molecular emission spectroscopy of materials

A method for the analysis of peroxide in hydrocarbon fuels such as jet fuels, diesel fuel, kerosene and gasoline is disclosed which can be performed both at remote locations as well as in a laboratory setting. A sample of the fuel to be tested is mixed with a solution containing a water-soluble salt and aqueous iodide solution to reduce the peroxide and produce free iodine. The sample is then subjected to a single sweep voltammetric analysis to measure the current through the sample as a function of the potential applied. The resulting peak of current on a current-potential plot can then be used to determine the amount of peroxide in solution.

Growing community of inventors

Kettering, OH, United States of America

James Douglas Wolf