Abstract:
An athermal fiber Bragg grating assembly (10). A platform (12) provides two attachment locations and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A stick (14) provides two ends (14a-b) and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. A fiber Bragg grating (16) provides two ends (16a-b) and has effective third coefficient of thermal expansion. One stick end is fixed to one grating end, the other stick end is fixed to one attachment location, and the other grating end is fixed to the other attachment location. The stick has a same cross-section area along its length that is equal to or less than the cross-section area of the grating. And the coefficients and lengths between respective locations and ends are such that the assembly exhibits an effective overall coefficient of thermal expansion approaching zero.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and products created by the methods that create a photo-magnetic image (102) of an object (112) in photo-magnetic stock (132). A source provides a data signal (118) that is representative of a digital image. The source may particularly include a lens (114) and digital sensor (116) in the manner of a digital camera, or may particularly include an interface (306) to receive the data signal from an external system where it has been captured, stored, or generated. A first coding unit (128, 502) then optically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock and a second coding unit (130) magnetically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock.
Abstract:
A hazard mitigation system (10) to detect intrusion by an object (16) into a track zone (12) at a train station platform. A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation (34) and a surface layer (30) that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located in the track zone. At least one sensor (22) is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit (402) receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a strain gage (22a) or pressure gage (22b), or a fiber optic sensor (22c). When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating (100).
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in rotational measurement. A rotational assembly is provided that is rotationally movable about a rotational axis. At least two interferometers are provided that are each able to receive a respective light beam, separate it into both reference and measuring beams and direct their respective measuring beam to and receive it back from the rotational assembly. The said rotational assembly includes a plurality of cube corners mounted so that at least one is able to receive from and reflect back to one of the interferometers its measuring beam as the rotational assembly rotates. The interferometers combine their reference and measuring beams into respective detection beams, wherein at least one such detection beam includes an interference signal that is process able to determine any rotational measurement of the rotational assembly and any work piece target attached to it.
Abstract:
A hazard mitigation system (10) to detect intrusion by an object (16) into a track zone (12) at a train station platform. A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation (34) and a surface layer (30) that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located in the track zone. At least one sensor (22) is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit (402) receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a strain gage (22a) or pressure gage (22b), or a fiber optic sensor (22c). When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating (100).
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and products created by the methods that create a photo-magnetic image (102) of an object (112) in photo-magnetic stock (132). A source provides a data signal (118) that is representative of a digital image. The source may particularly include a lens (114) and digital sensor (116) in the manner of a digital camera, or may particularly include an interface (306) to receive the data signal from an external system where it has been captured, stored, or generated. A first coding unit (128, 502) then optically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock and a second coding unit (130) magnetically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock.
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in rotational measurement. A rotational assembly is provided that is rotationally movable about a rotational axis. At least two interferometers are provided that are each able to receive a respective light beam, separate it into both reference and measuring beams and direct their respective measuring beam to and receive it back from the rotational assembly. The said rotational assembly includes a plurality of cube corners mounted so that at least one is able to receive from and reflect back to one of the interferometers its measuring beam as the rotational assembly rotates. The interferometers combine their reference and measuring beams into respective detection beams, wherein at least one such detection beam includes an interference signal that is process able to determine any rotational measurement of the rotational assembly and any work piece target attached to it.
Abstract:
A data distribution system (10) including an information card (12) and a reader (14). The information card (12) includes visible indicia (20) on its front and stripe zones (34) and a ring zone (36) on its back. The zones (34, 36) are suitable for magnetically recording data, and optional data identifiers. The reader (14) may be a linear reader (14a) or a rotary reader (14b), and optionally may act automatically in response to reading a data identifier. If the reader (14) is a rotary reader (14b) the information card (12) may be loaded into a cartridge (16) which is loaded into the rotary reader (14b).
Abstract:
A hazard mitigation system (10) to detect an object (22) in a highway-railway grade crossing (12). A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation (18b) and a surface layer (18a) that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located between tracks (16) at the crossing. At least one sensor (20) is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit (502) receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a pressure gage (20a) or strain gage (20b), or a fiber optic sensor (20c). When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating (100).
Abstract:
A hazard mitigation system (10) to detect an object (22) in a highway-railway grade crossing (12). A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation (18b) and a surface layer (18a) that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located between tracks (16) at the crossing. At least one sensor (20) is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit (502) receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a pressure gage (20a) or strain gage (20b), or a fiber optic sensor (20c). When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating (100).