Niitek, Inc.

Other

James F Clodfelter

Mark Hibbard

An apparatus for detecting objects on or beneath a surface of a medium having a reach-in arm, the base of the reach in arm connected to a platform, and the distal end of the reach-in arm connected to a sensor. The sensor detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium and is capable of monitoring the distance of the sensor from objects in the path of the sensor. Motor controllers are connected to the reach-in arm and the sensor for controlling the movements of the reach-in arm and sensor. A computer is in communication with the reach-in arm, the sensor, and the motor controllers. The computer detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium; determines the location of the reach-in arm and sensor relative to objects in their paths; and controls the movement of the reach-in arm and sensor either automatically using pre-programmed software or according to user inputted commands.

Apparatus for detecting subsurface objects with a reach-in arm

A damage control system for a vehicle-mounted sensor comprises at least one sensor frame. At least one sliding mechanism is coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to provide a path for the sensor frame to move forwards or backwards, or both. At least one height-adjustment mechanism is coupled to the sliding mechanism and configured to raise, lower, or both, the sensor frame.

Damage control system and method for a vehicle-based sensor

A radar array linearly traverses an area of ground. Additional radar elements fore and aft of the array detect changes in elevation and orientation of the array. These elements act as a preview for the height changes due to ground variation. Any variation in height that is not detected by these fore and aft-mounted elements is thus due to variation in radar elevation and/or orientation and can be subtracted from the resulting data without introducing distortion. Correction factors are applied to the range data returned from each element in the array, which normalizes the data and makes it appear as if the array did not change orientation or elevation.

Leading and lagging aperture for linear ground penetrating radar array

An apparatus and method for detecting surface and subsurface objects is provided. A sweeping mechanism comprising a sensor is connected to a mounting frame. The mounting frame is connected to a motorized host platform. The sweeping mechanism sweeps the sensor according to a predetermined footprint when the motorized host platform either pulls or pushes the mounting frame. A signaling mechanism connected to the sensor produces a signal when the sensor senses an object beneath the surface.

Sensor sweeper for detecting surface and subsurface objects

A land mine pressure fuse avoidance system has a base. A tread on the base contacts the ground around a land mine and independently distributes pressures around the ground. The tread has plural independent closed cell foam rubber elements. Each element is separated from adjacent elements for independently supporting only a portion of a load on the base, while other similarly independent elements support remaining portion of the load. The base is a cylindrical tire, a continuous track, a shoe sole attachment or a robotic foot, and the tread is conformed to and extends outward from the base. The independent elements of the tread are made of closed cell foam rubber formed as a tread on the base with notches between adjacent elements of the tread. Notches extend longitudinally along the tread, and notches extend across the tread, forming block shaped elements extending from the base. The notches extend into the tread for distances greater than heights above ground of clutter and of partially buried mines or fuses. In one form the tread has independent radially extending elements constructed of closed cell foam.

Land mine overpass tread design

An outlet mounted light fixture adapted to overlie and completely cover an existing wall outlet. The outlet fixture includes a flat front panel and a flat back panel parallel to the flat front panel. There are a plurality of prongs extending from the back panel for entering and electrically connecting to the existing wall outlet. The cover is designed for visual pleasure and is relatively strong to support electrical outlets mounted on the flat front panel to receive electrical conductors. The fixture also has side electrical outlets mounted on either side panel. The fixture adds one or more hollow elongated stems which extend from the top panel. These stems or poles can be rigid or flexible. The stems receive the light bulbs and have the wiring and on/off switch connecting the bulbs to the outlet. The fixture can be placed in any outlet and the lights can illuminate an area for reading or for generally lighting the area. The fixture eliminates the need for a free standing light and the attached power cord.

Outlet mounted light fixture

A spoken word-producing detector identifies objects by comparing signatures of detected objects with stored signatures of known objects. When the signatures compare, the detector produces stored word sounds associated with the detected object identifications. An annunciator produces the words from pre-digitized human voice sounds. A screen displays the words.

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Sterling, VA, United States of America

James F Clodfelter