Artium Technologies, Inc.

Aerometrics, Inc.

Other

Islet Technology, Inc.

William D Bachalo

Khalid M Ibrahim

Gregory Allan Payne

Michael J Fidrich

Chad M Sipperley

Subramanian V Sankar

Julien Manin

Adam Isakovic

Andrew S Inenaga

Methods and apparatuses to image particles are described. A plurality of illuminating light beams propagating on multiple optical paths through a particle field are generated. The plurality of illuminating light beams converge at a measurement volume. A shadow image of a particle passing through a portion of the measurement volume at a focal plane of a digital camera is imaged. Shadow images of other particles in the particle field are removed using the plurality of illuminating light beams.

Multiple beam and convergent light illumination crossed-beam imaging

An apparatus to detect contaminants in a fuel comprises an input to receive a fuel flow. A light scattering system is coupled to the input. An imaging system is coupled to the light scattering system. A memory is coupled to the imaging system. A processor is coupled to the memory. Output signals from the imaging and light scattering systems are transferred to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the light scattering system to monitor the light scattering intensity from the contaminants in the fuel flow. The processor is configured to cause the light scattering system to measure a light scattering intensity signal from the contaminants in the fuel flow. The processor is configured to generate a trigger signal to turn on the imaging system when the light scattering intensity is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Fuel contamination monitor

Methods and apparatuses to detect particles in dense particle fields are described. A time varying signal is partitioned into a plurality of segments. Parameters are determined from the segments. The time varying signal is parsed into a plurality of individual particle signal components based on the plurality of parameters.

Enhanced detection through parsing records into signal components

An apparatus to provide multi-beam imaging of particles includes a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) configured to generate a plurality of light beams that converge with each other to form a measurement volume within a particle field. The plurality of the VCSELs are configured to provide uniformity in a background illumination of the measurement volume. An imaging optics is coupled to at least one of the plurality of VCSELs. A digital camera is coupled to the imaging optics to obtain a shadow image of a particle passing through the measurement volume at a focal plane of the digital camera. A processor is coupled to the digital camera.

Particle field imaging and characterization using VCSEL lasers for convergent multi-beam illumination

Machine-implemented methods and apparatuses to automatically set-up a signal processing system are described. The signal processing system is set to a first bandwidth. A sampling frequency of the signal processing system is set to a first sampling frequency. Next, first samples of first signals are received at the first bandwidth and the first sampling frequency. First parameters of the first signals based on the first samples are determined. Next, a second sampling frequency is determined based on the first parameters to sample second samples. The first parameters of the first signals may be a mean transit time, a minimum transit time, a mean frequency of the signals, and a standard deviation of the frequency of the signals. Next, a mixer frequency is determined based on the first parameters. A low pass filter is set based on the mixer frequency.

Automatic set-up for instrument functions

Methods and apparatuses for validating signals to determine sizes and velocities of spherical objects are described. Light is scattered from a spherical object to form an interference fringe pattern. Portions of the interference fringe pattern are received by photodetectors. In response, the photodetectors generate time varying electrical signals. At least one of the time varying signals is partitioned into timing segments. The timing segments are processed to determine one or more timing parameters. A timing parameter consistency between at least two of the timing segments is verified. At least one of the time varying signals is validated based on the timing parameter consistency. The time varying electrical signal is accepted if a timing parameter difference is less or equal to a predetermined timing parameter error threshold. The time varying electrical signal is rejected if the timing parameter difference is larger than the predetermined timing parameter error threshold.

Means and methods for signal validation for sizing spherical objects

Capsules, entrained in a fluid medium, are directed into a channel deflection system designed to enable evaluation and separation of successfully encapsulated cellular material from the blanks and other debris. Preferably, the fluid media with the capsule is introduced into a first or main channel and the capsules first pass one or more windows in the main channel for evaluation that is conducted by electromagnetic and/or optical means. Preferably, the evaluation results in the selection of acceptable capsules and subsequent removal of the blank capsules from the medium through the use of multiple jets that gently redirect the acceptable capsules into an alternate channel. Preferably, fluid is also introduced into the alternate channel and the main channel and the alternate channel are arranged such that there is a window defined between the two channels where the fluid flow between the two channel is directly adjacent and the jet deflection system can selectively deflect capsules across this window between the two channels with a minimum amount of force and a minimum of turbulence created in either channel.

System for analysis and selection of encapsulated cellular materials

A compact computer-controlled fully-packaged apparatus providing reliable multi-dimensional characterization of spherical objects in a field environment is disclosed. The apparatus has a rugged, free-space, integrated optical system with up to three lasers that generate at a laser-specific wavelength the coherent light with substantially high pointing stability. The apparatus also has a receiver. Each laser generates a pair of beams crossing each other at a predetermined laser specific angle to form a sample volume such that beams from all lasers coincide in the same spot. The receiver has photodetectors to sense the light scattered from a spherical object. Three photodetectors measure a size and one of the three photodetectors measures a first velocity component, a fourth photodetector measures a second velocity component, and a fifth photodetector measures a third velocity component of the spherical object. The velocity components are orthogonal to each other.

Compact apparatus providing multi-dimensional characterization of spherical objects using coherent light

The system and method of the present invention generates high resolution phase measurements without the high processing and memory overhead requirements found in prior art circuits and methods. Each signal sample (of N samples) is divided further into J segments each segment having K samples. The frequency is computed with respect to one J segment and is used in the phase measurement computations performed for the remaining segments. The phase measurements performed with respect to each J segment are then averaged to compute a high resolution phase measurement for the corresponding N segment.

Method and apparatus for low signal to noise ratio instantaneous phase

A direct backscatter technique provides for the detection of precipitation in a measuring volume. A source light beam is projected into the measuring volume. Light in the volume, including source light scattered from any precipitation within the volume, is collected and detected. A signal is generated corresponding to the detected light. This signal is used to determine whether precipitation is present in the measuring volume. The light scattered from precipitation within the measuring volume may also be used to differentiate between types of particles. Rain and snow, for example, can be differentiated based on whether the transmitted light changed from its original polarization state.

Method and apparatus for precipitation detection and differentiation

Pressure sensors positioned at strategic points on a floating vessel below the surface of the water provide depth information to a shore based control computer via wireless telemetry. The pressure sensors provide continuous information regarding the draft and inclination of the vessel as it is being loaded. The depth information produced by the pressure signals is telemetered to the control computer via transmitting units positioned on the floating vessel and a shore based receiver. The control computer compares the information from the pressure sensors to desired loading characteristics for the vessel and controls the loading process by sending control signals to a loader controller to adjust the point of loading. The point of loading is maintained so as to keep the vessel within desired trim and draft limits. Loading ceases when a desired amount of material has been delivered into the barge or when the barge is at the desired draft in a level state.

Method and apparatus for continuously determining the inclination and

A laser tracking device for the warning of vehicle weaving and steering assistance of vehicles, includes a laser generation apparatus for generating and transmitting a laser beam. A mirror is provided for sweeping the laser beam across a roadway surface. The mirror also receives a reflection of the laser beam back from a roadway marker located on the roadway surface and directs it to a receiver. A master clock is coupled to the mirror for generating a first timing signal when the laser beam starts to sweep across the roadway surface. The receiver generates a second timing signal when the reflected laser beam is incident on it. A processor is coupled to the receiver and the master clock. The processor compares the first timing signal with the second timing signal. The processor uses the results of that comparison to calculate the distance between the vehicle and the roadway marker. That information can be used to control the direction and steering of the vehicle in order to prevent weaving, unintentional lane changes as well as other problems leading to accidents and collisions.

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos Hills, CA, United States of America

William D Bachalo