Abstract:
This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
Abstract:
A system for use in wirelessly monitoring a pipeline such as a natural gas pipe. The system includes a locator configured to wirelessly transmit power and a subsoil sensor marker located adjacent the pipe and configured to wirelessly communicate with the locator. The sensor marker includes a microcontroller, a memory module, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a gas, and a power module. The power module is configured to harvest a sufficient amount of the power wirelessly transmitted from the locator in order to operate the microcontroller to take a measurement via the sensor, save the measurement in the memory module, and wirelessly transmit the measurement to the locator.
Abstract:
Gradient permittivity films are described. In particular, gradient permittivity films including a plurality of layers each having a thickness where at least one layer is perforated and has a different air volume fraction from another of the plurality of layers by at least 0.05. Such films may be useful in improving the signal to noise ratio for transmitting and receiving units operating between 20 GHz and 300 GHz behind a protective cover.
Abstract:
Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.
Abstract:
A pathway article that includes a radar reflective structure with a large radar cross section (RCS) in a compact planar structure. The radar reflective structure may include a plurality of elements that act as antennae and may be spaced appropriately on a planar surface creating a radar reflecting surface. The antenna may be a reflecting surface of a stepped triangular slot. Selecting the spacing between the antennae may cause constructive interference and reflection substantially opposite the direction of the incident radar radiation. Pathway articles may also include at least one additional feature that may be detected by other sensors. Examples of other features include retroreflective features detectable by the human eye, visible camera and similar sensors. This redundancy in the detectable features of the pathway article may enable use of sensor fusion to provide greater confidence of detection of the pathway article under a wide range of conditions.
Abstract:
A pathway article that includes a radar reflective structure with a large radar cross section (RCS) in a compact planar structure. The radar reflective structure may include a plurality of elements that act as antennae and may be spaced appropriately on a planar surface creating a radar reflecting surface. The antennae may be slots in a conductive sheet, or conductive strips. Selecting the spacing between the antennae may cause constructive interference and reflection substantially opposite the direction of the incident radar radiation. Pathway articles may also include at least one additional feature that may be detected by other sensors. Examples of other features include retroreflective features detectable by the human eye, visible camera and similar sensors. This redundancy in the detectable features of the pathway article may enable use of sensor fusion to provide greater confidence of detection of the pathway article under a wide range of conditions.
Abstract:
A pathway article that includes a radar reflective structure with a large radar cross section (RCS) in a compact planar structure. The radar reflective structure may include a plurality of elements that act as antennae and may be spaced appropriately on a planar surface creating a radar reflecting surface. The antennae may be slots in a conductive sheet, or conductive strips. Selecting the spacing between the antennae may cause constructive interference and reflection substantially opposite the direction of the incident radar radiation. Pathway articles may also include at least one additional feature that may be detected by other sensors. Examples of other features include retroreflective features detectable by the human eye, visible camera and similar sensors. This redundancy in the detectable features of the pathway article may enable use of sensor fusion to provide greater confidence of detection of the pathway article under a wide range of conditions.
Abstract:
A gradient permittivity film comprises (a) a first permittivity layer comprising a first continuous matrix of a first material having a first relative permittivity (ε r1 ) and a second component having a second relative permittivity (ε r2 ) dispersed in the first continuous matrix, the first permittivity layer having a first effective layer relative permittivity (ε 1 ) and a thickness (T 1 ); and (b) a second permittivity layer having a second effective layer relative permittivity (ε 2 ) and a thickness (T 2 ) disposed on the first permittivity layer T 1 = 0.8(t 1 ) to 1.2(t 1 ), where t 1 = (I); T 2 =0.8(t 2 ) to 1.2 (T 2 ), where T 2 = (II).
Abstract:
Radar standing wave dampening systems and components are described. In particular, systems and components including an absorber composite including at least one of ceramic filler, magnetic filler, or conductive filler materials are described. Such components can reduce the intensity of standing waves and may also be combined in systems with one or more gradient permittivity tapes or films.
Abstract:
A remote terminal unit for use in monitoring a metallic pipeline can take an electrical measurement at the pipe and transmit the measurement in a modulated signal to a main measurement unit located along the pipe and distant from the remote terminal unit. The electrical measurement is taken at regular time intervals between a reference electrode electrically connected to the pipe and a coupon composed of a sacrificial corrosion material in order to monitor the pipe for possible corrosion. The electrical measurement is modulated with a low frequency carrier signal for transmission along the pipe, eliminating the need to take the measurements directly at physical locations along the pipe.