QINETIQ LIMITED Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150316360 | SHAPED CHARGE AND METHOD OF MODIFYING A SHAPED CHARGE - Some embodiments are directed to a shaped charge liner including an apex end and a base end and defining a main liner axis that passes through the apex and base ends, the liner being rotationally symmetric about the main liner axis wherein the liner has discrete rotational symmetry about the main liner axis. | 11-05-2015 |
20150184983 | Barbed Tape Stack and Apparatus for Deploying Barbed Tape Stack - Some embodiments can include a barbed tape stack formed from a planar strip of flexible material and comprising a plurality of barbs disposed therealong, said barbs being sufficiently resilient so as to impede, by entanglement with or otherwise, the passage of an object therepast. The tape is folded in concertina-like folds to form a stack. Apparatus for deployment of barbed tape stacks is also disclosed. | 07-02-2015 |
20150113877 | Access Point Security Unit - Some embodiments relate to an access point security unit which, when deployed, provides a hindrance for passing through an access point. Such a unit includes a deployment apparatus and a plurality of lengths of barbed strip material which can be moved between a stowed position, in which the access point is not obstructed by barbed strip material and a deployed position, in which the plurality of lengths of barbed strip material lie across the access point. In the deployed position, the barbed strip material is, in some embodiments, fully enclosed unless the access point is breached. | 04-30-2015 |
20140254000 | Infrared Transparent Film - The invention relates to a thermal infrared transparent polymer film suitable for use in an identification device, said film comprising an infrared transparent polymer matrix with a pigment dispersed therein, wherein the thickness of the polymer film is greater than 30 micron and wherein the polymer film has an average transmission in the thermal infrared of greater than or equal to 0.5. Preferably, the pigment comprises an inorganic material. There is further provided a thin film, thermally reflective material ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140240159 | Electromagnetic Radiation Absorber - A radiation absorber comprising multiple layers has a conducting base layer, and at least first and second further layers, each separated by a dielectric material, the first and second layers having patches thereon of highly conducting material, and defining resonant cavities in cooperation with the dielectric material, wherein the resonant cavities formed on adjacent layers differ in frequency. Characteristics of the patch, such as size or shape may vary on each layer to provide different resonant frequencies, and/or dielectric or magnetic properties of the dielectric material, and/or separation distance of the patches may be varied. In some embodiments, complex dielectrics may have their loss factors adapted to tune a resonant frequency, or to adapt its resonant bandwidth. | 08-28-2014 |
20140140903 | Improvements in Hydrogen Generators - A pyrolytic hydrogen generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a plurality of cardboard receptacles for the thermally decomposable hydrogen generating material and an associated ignition system. Also, a modular pellet tray assembly for use in the generator comprises a plurality of trays having pellet holders and associated igniters and held in a stack by support rods that also provide electrical connectivity to the trays. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139730 | CASING - Casings and housings for use in high speed airflow (for example for mounting on a high speed vehicle) are described. In one embodiment, a housing for imaging equipment is described. The housing has a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that it tapers in the form of a wedge with two substantially planar regions. At least one substantially planar region includes an aperture formed of optically transparent material. | 05-22-2014 |
20140042558 | METHOD OF FABRICATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - The invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including: providing a stacked semiconductor structure having a substrate, a buffer layer and one or more device layers; depositing a layer of AlSb on one or more regions of the upper surface of the stacked structure; and oxidising the AlSb layer in the presence of water to form a layer of aluminium oxide on the one or more regions of the upper surface. The semiconductor device is preferably a field effect transistor, and the method preferably includes the additional step of depositing source, drain and/or gate electrodes. In preferred embodiments, the method is controlled so as to avoid exposing the intermediate AlSb structure to the atmosphere and/or the oxidation step is conducted at a temperature between 100° and 300° C. | 02-13-2014 |
20140014856 | Biosensor - Optical sensors comprising a fluidic channel through which fluid carrying magnetised beads may be passed, an optical source for illuminating fluid as is passes through the channel, a sensor for detecting fluorescence emitted by the beads when illuminated by the optical source, and magnet means arranged to temporarily capture and retain the magnetic beads at an assay point in the fluidic channel illuminated by the optical source and monitored by the sensor. Methods and further apparatus relating to the same. | 01-16-2014 |
20140011625 | GEAR REDUCTION MECHANISM - A gear reduction mechanism, particularly for use in an offset final drive unit for vehicular applications, has an input gear meshing directly with the output gear and two additional gear trains between the input and output gears. Three separate load paths therefore exist for the transmission of torque from the input gear to the output gear which means that the face widths of all the gears can be substantially reduced in comparison with a conventional single-mesh arrangement and the overall mechanism can therefore be of reduced width. | 01-09-2014 |
20130311130 | PROXIMITY SENSOR SYSTEM - A sensor system includes a sensor and processing means adapted to process the signals from the sensor, and to provide a distance measurement or estimate from the sensor to a metallic object of interest, such as a turbine blade. The sensor, typically an eddy current sensor, provides a signal to which the processing means fits a curve, and parameters including pulse width and height are taken from the fitted curve and used in calculating the distance measurement or estimate. Look-up tables may be used to produce the measurement or estimate. Average values of the parameters may calculated to reduce random noise effects and may be subsequently used to produce correction factors to correct instantaneous measurements. | 11-21-2013 |
20130251145 | QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - Methods and apparatus for quantum key distribution are described, in particular including methods and networks | 09-26-2013 |
20130243577 | MONITORING OF CLEARANCE - The clearance between a stationary object (such as a gas turbine engine casing) and one or more moving objects (such as the blades of a rotating turbine) is measured using a pair of electrical proximity sensors mounted on the stationary object with their sensitive fields directed towards the path of the moving object(s) and at angle to each other. The clearance is calculated by deriving a time interval between interceptions of the respective moving object with the sensitive fields of the two sensors and from the geometry of the set up. | 09-19-2013 |
20130180523 | RESPIRATORY PROTECTION EQUIPMENT - A respirator has one or more electrodes of e.g. conductive elastomer disposed on the surface of a face sealing member opposite to the surface which seals against the user's face. In use the integrity of the seal formed between the sealing member and the user's face is monitored by monitoring the electrical capacitance across that member between the electrode(s) and the user's face. | 07-18-2013 |
20130129253 | ALIGNMENT OF SYNTHETIC APERTURE IMAGES - A method for the alignment of pairs of complex images of a region, such as may be produced by separate passes of a synthetic aperture radar, is disclosed. The method selects a subset of each image in the form of a plurality of tiles, and calculates a correlation value between corresponding pairs of tiles. Shifts in x and y for each pair where the correlation value exceeds a threshold are then used to calculate values for overall shift, stretch and shear to be applied to one of the images to align it with the other. An iterative least squares approach may be used. As both phase and amplitude information is used in the correlation the technique is suitable for aligning images having little intensity variation. The invention may be used to align images prior to coherent change detection analysis of the images. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126238 | Oil Well Perforators - An oil and gas well shaped charge perforator capable of providing an exothermic reaction after detonation is provided, comprising a housing ( | 05-23-2013 |
20130120908 | Preparation of Electrode Compositions - The invention relates to processes for the preparation of electrode compositions, especially those intended for use in supercapacitors. A process is provided for preparing lithium sulphite comprising the steps of:—a) introducing H | 05-16-2013 |
20130112205 | One-Way Valve - A one-way valve for use in the inhalation and/or exhalation flowpath of respiratory protection equipment comprises a housing | 05-09-2013 |
20130081670 | PHOTOCELL - An improved photocell offering efficient power generation from broadband incident radiation, the photocell includes a first diode formed in single crystal silicon and one or more further diodes each formed in a single crystal Group II-VI semiconductor. In a preferred embodiment, a tandem photocell is provided that incorporates a first diode formed in single crystal silicon, a second diode formed in a Group II-VI semiconductor, an optional buffer layer and a highly doped layer of silicon acting as an optional tunnel junction between the two diodes. The device can additionally include a layer of silicon deposited at the rear of the structure to maximise current collection of longer wavelength light, and top and bottom (front and back) electrical contacts. In use, light impinges on the top (front) surface of the photocell and is absorbed (in turn) by diodes. | 04-04-2013 |
20130077098 | MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method of measuring the reflectivity of a region of an article to electromagnetic radiation, in particular for the characterisation of the radio-frequency (RF) properties of wind turbine blades. The article ( | 03-28-2013 |
20130073843 | Network Security Content Checking - Methods, apparatus, and programs for a computer for network security content checking: in particular ones which simplify the critical element of a content checker so it can be trusted and implemented in logic. | 03-21-2013 |
20130068410 | Production of Flake Particles - The invention enables thin film particles of a controlled shape and size to be generated directly upon release of a thin film coating from a textured Substrate upon which they are grown directly. The substrate comprises an array of discrete, steep sided plateaus of a selected size and shape, from which discrete particles of a corresponding shape and size are releasable usually by means of an intermediate release layer coating on the plateaus. The process is readily scalable for high volume production and permits monomodal or multimodal particle size distributions. Such particles may be used as specialised pigments in the security, anti-counterfeiting, defence and cosmetics industries. | 03-21-2013 |
20130067584 | Content-Checking of Embedded Content in Digitally Encoded Documents - Methods and apparatus for network security content-checking, in particular simplifying the critical element of a content-checker so that it can be trusted and implemented in hardware logic. A method comprises determining whether a digitally encoded document contains any embedded documents; content-checking, by means of at least one hard-ware-implemented content-checker, at least one of the embedded documents separately from those parts of the digitally encoded document within which it was embedded; and releasing a version of the digitally encoded document responsive to the content-checking. | 03-14-2013 |
20130055880 | ROV TERRAIN DISRUPTOR - A terrain disruption device includes an air or gas flow generation device mounted on a remote operated vehicle having an extendible arm, wherein the air or gas flow generation device includes an elongate (optionally detachable) ducting arrangement to direct the air or gas flow and an optional nozzle. The air or gas flow generation device and/or the elongate ducting arrangement may be mounted on the extendible arm. Preferably, the air or gas flow generation device is powered by a fan, more preferably an electric ducted fan. | 03-07-2013 |
20130042782 | CONTROLLABLE OUTPUT WARHEAD - This invention relates to a novel munition ( | 02-21-2013 |
20130029205 | Thin Electrochemical Cell - The invention relates to devices incorporating thin, lightweight electrochemical cells and their method of manufacture, whereby a thin flexible pouch-type cell ( | 01-31-2013 |
20130025315 | EVAPORATIVE STRUCTURES, PARTICULARLY FOR BODY COOLING - A generally planar, conformable evaporative structure, particularly for incorporation in a garment or an item of personal protective equipment as part of a system to cool the wearer's body, includes an envelope of substantially impermeable, flexible material containing: a layer of flexible wick material disposed adjacent to a major face of the envelope and adapted to hold a working fluid in liquid phase for evaporation by heat conducted through the envelope; a layer of flexible, breathable fabric in parallel with the layer of wick material; and an array of flexible ribs such as open helical coils within the layer of breathable fabric adapted to maintain pathways for the flow of working fluid in vapour phase towards a condensation zone. | 01-31-2013 |
20130021194 | SYSTEM FOR THE DETECTION OF INCOMING MUNITIONS - A system for detecting munitions in flight comprises a radar transmitter, receiver, and associated antennas, wherein the antennas are oriented to include ground level coverage, and where a receive antenna is arranged to provide a plurality of receive beams. The system further incorporates a Doppler filter arranged to reject targets that have velocity profiles that do not match those expected of targets of interest. If a target of interest is detected then an indication is provided, preferably in the form of an audible alert, allowing those nearby time to take cover. The system provides a simple munitions detection capability that may operate in CW mode to allow rapid detection, and may also have means such as switchable FMCW, and elevation measurement to allow estimation of possible landing areas of the target. | 01-24-2013 |
20130019084 | ProcessorAANM Orchard; David ArthurAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Orchard; David Arthur Malvern GBAANM Wilson; Rebecca AnneAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Wilson; Rebecca Anne Malvern GBAANM Pritchard; Jonathan Alexander SkoylesAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Pritchard; Jonathan Alexander Skoyles Malvern GBAANM Cooper; Martin JamesAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Cooper; Martin James Malvern GBAANM Shepherd; Terence JohnAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Shepherd; Terence John Malvern GBAANM Lewin; Andrew CharlesAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Lewin; Andrew Charles Malvern GBAANM Tapster; Paul RichardAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Tapster; Paul Richard Malvern GBAANM Bennett; Charlotte Rachel HelenAACI MalvernAACO GBAAGP Bennett; Charlotte Rachel Helen Malvern GB - Apparatus ( | 01-17-2013 |
20130010097 | EYE TRACKING APPARATUS - An eye tracking apparatus for monitoring a user's eye, for use in conjunction with secondary optical apparatus such as binoculars or night vision goggles. An optical assembly is adapted directly to image the eye from within the user's field of vision, and relay the image to a sensing element, which can be located outside the field of vision. Additionally the scene is imaged, also optionally from within the user's field of vision, which allows for scene imaging through the secondary optical apparatus. The optical assembly typically extends across the eyepiece of for example binoculars, and can be provided in a small form factor so as to interfere minimally with the view through the eyepiece. Both eye image and scene image can be relayed through the optical assembly, resulting in further space efficiencies. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008334 | MEMS DETONATOR - This invention relates to a MEMS detonator, in particular the production of MEMS scale detonators via the use of a microreactor ( | 01-10-2013 |
20120301072 | OPTICAL FIBRE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - An optical fibre sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals ( | 11-29-2012 |
20120300489 | Light Generator - A structured light generator for illuminating a scene comprising a light source and a light guide comprising a tube having a longitudinal axis and having substantially reflective sides arranged to project an array of distinct images of the light source towards the scene in the manner of a kaleidoscope, wherein including a light deflection element to redirect light so that the projection axis and the light guide axis are angled with respect to one another. In this way the light guide, which is typically an elongate structure, can be ‘folded’ away from the direction of light projection, which offers advantages in terms of packaging of the light generator where thickness in the direction of projection is desirably minimised. | 11-29-2012 |
20120293806 | OPTICAL FIBRE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - An optical fibre sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals ( | 11-22-2012 |
20120280117 | Fibre Optic Distributed Sensing - The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fibre sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching at least first and second pulse pairs into an optical fibre, the first and second pulse pairs having the same frequency configuration as one another and being generated such that the phase relationship of the pulses of the first pulse pair has a predetermined relative phase difference to the phase relationship of the pulses of the second pulse pair. In one embodiment there is a frequency difference between the pulses in a pulse pair which is related to the launch rate of the pulse pairs. In another embodiment the phase difference between the pulses in a pair is varied between successive launches. In this way an analytic version of the backscatter interference signal can be generated within the baseband of the sensor. | 11-08-2012 |
20120278043 | Fibre Optic Distributed Sensing - The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fibre sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching interrogating radiation in to an optical fibre and sampling radiation backscattered from within said fibre at a rate so as to acquire a plurality of samples corresponding to each sensing portion of interest. The plurality of samples are divided into separate processing channels and processed to determine a phase value for that channel. A quality metric is then applied to the processed phase data and the data combined to provide an overall phase value for the sensing portion based on the quality metric. The quality metric may be a measure of the degree of similarity of the processed data from the channels. The interrogating radiation may comprise two relatively narrow pulses separated by a relatively wide gap and the sampling rate may be set such that a plurality of substantially independent diversity samples are acquired. | 11-01-2012 |
20120266669 | Sensor Arrangement - The present invention relates to an improved sensor arrangement, a system and method for determining the rate of ice formation and how close conditions are to those at which ice will form on a surface, and to an improved sensor arrangement for use therein. The sensor arrangement comprises a means ( | 10-25-2012 |
20120251237 | Load-Limiting Devices - A load-limiting device is formed from a length of wire with a coil at each end defining eyes by which the device can be connected into a system adapted to be loaded in tension. The coils are of different diameter and the larger diameter coil is adapted to unwind by plastic deformation of the wire when the device is subject to a tensile load of a predetermined magnitude. The use of such devices in a system for deploying a vehicle arresting device across a roadway is also described. | 10-04-2012 |
20120236288 | Range Based Sensing - Ranging apparatus capable of projecting patterns of structured light tailored for use at particular ranges or depth regimes. Detected light points in a scene can be compared to pre-determined pattern templates to provide a simple and low cost gesture recognition system, for example as an interface to a smartphone or PDA. A structured light generator can be adapted to switch back and forth between said first and second structured patterns, either automatically according to a timing control, or adaptively in response to sensed information from the illuminated scene. Alternatively the structured light generator can be adapted to project the first and second patterns simultaneously. Separate light generators may be employed for the different patterns, or alternatively components can be shared. | 09-20-2012 |
20120230547 | EYE TRACKING - An eye tracking apparatus and method of eye monitoring, comprising a target display adapted to project a moveable image of a target into a user's field of vision, an illumination source adapted to project a reference point onto a user's eye, a sensor adapted to monitor a user's eye, and a processor adapted to determine the position of a feature of a user's eye relative to the reference point, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that said determined position provides a direct indication of eye direction relative to the target direction. | 09-13-2012 |
20120226917 | Data Content Checking - A data content checker arrangement for protecting communication between a sensitive computer system ( | 09-06-2012 |
20120226914 | Checking Data Content - A system for automated checking of data content includes content checkers ( | 09-06-2012 |
20120217845 | TRANSDUCER - A multistage flextensional transducer includes at least one inner elongate driver member within and mechanically coupled to an inner shell that is nested within an outer shell; the inner shell comprising a pair of contact portions abutting the driver member and a pair of transmission portions on opposite sides of the inner shell between the contact portions; the outer shell being arranged so that the transmission portions act as bridging driver members between the said inner and outer shells, flexure of the outer shell being driven, on actuation of the transducer, by movement of the bridging driver members. The transducer may act as a push or pull actuator or sensor, may magnify displacement and may employ smart materials as driver members. Also cylindrical modules containing thin flextensional actuators may provide axial displacement in a downhole environment and may move a device axially along a downhole pipe or close a valve opening or inch along the pipe. | 08-30-2012 |
20120207612 | WIND TURBINE BLADES - A wind turbine blade includes a multilayer composite structure including a first reflective layer, and a second layer including a plurality of resistive circuit analogue (CA) elements. The CA elements are tuned so as to interact with said first layer to provide absorption of electromagnetic (EM) energy over a desired frequency range. The parameters of the CA elements can be varied to provide for frequency tuning and to maintain absorption at a specific frequency range despite varying layer separation, while at the same time ensuring that the mechanical properties of the CA layer are compatible with integration into the turbine blade. | 08-16-2012 |
20120188533 | Phase Based Sensing - A method of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) whereby the derivative or rate of change of a signal backscatted from a fibre is measured. The change, or derivative of the phase measured in this way has a much smaller amplitude than the signal itself if the difference between the two times at which the signal is measured is much less than the period of the signal being measured, resulting in lower sensitivity. Frequency shifts can be applied to temporally displaced return signals to compare the rate of change, for example by employing an output interferometer arranged to modulate the signal in each arm by a different frequency shift. | 07-26-2012 |
20120182605 | Identification Device - The invention relates generally to passive infrared markers and especially to markers which are reflective in the thermal and/or near infrared wavebands. A thermal infrared marker device is provided taking the form of a truncated pyramid, preferably a hollow truncated pyramid, said device comprising n side facets, where n≧3, and a top facet ( | 07-19-2012 |
20120177201 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - Methods and apparatus for use in quantum key distribution (QKD) are described. A quantum QKD signal is generated at a source and transmitted through a fibre optic network to an endpoint, a key being agreed with communication over a classical QKD channel. The classical QKD channel contains additional information relevant to a network over which keys are distributed, and may be processed at nodes intermediate between the source and the endpoint. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176810 | LASER ILLUMINATOR - A long range laser illuminator is disclosed that is suitable for providing illumination for camera systems at ranges up to approximately 20 km. The illuminator incorporates a diverger that allows for a compact, low F-number optical arrangement that improves eye safety by reducing the power density across a primary optical element, such as a spherical or parabolic mirror. The diverger may be located at an end of an optical fibre feed, or between a pair of optical fibres. The diverger may incorporate a diffuser, such as a “top hat” diffuser. The optical fibre feeds may be highly multi mode, to provide for a more even illumination. The illuminator incorporates means for altering a focus of the output light beam, to allow an illuminated spot size to be altered. The illuminator is particularly suitable for use at night, where it may be used alongside a camera system. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175677 | PHOTOCELL - A photocell which operates at multiple wavelengths for efficient power generation from broadband incident radiation. According to a preferred embodiment, the photocell is a multi-layer device that includes a first outer layer, a middle layer and an inner layer disposed on a substrate. All three layers are formed from II-VI semiconductor layers. The device is arranged such that the outer layer has a high band gap, the middle layer has a band gap which is less than half the band gap of the outer layer and the inner layer has a band gap which is less than half that of the substrate. Thus, there is a step change in band gap between various layers. | 07-12-2012 |
20120137781 | Fibre Optic Acoustic Sensing - This invention relates to the fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing to detect P and S waves in a solid medium. Distributed acoustic sensing can be achieved using an unmodified fibre optic by launching optical pulses into the fibre and detecting radiation which is Rayleigh backscattered there from. By analysing the returns in analysis bins, acoustic disturbances can be detected in a plurality of discrete longitudinal sections of the fibre. The present invention extends such fibre distributed acoustic sensing to detection of S and P waves. | 06-07-2012 |
20120111560 | Fracture Monitoring - This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring hydraulic fracturing during oil/gas well formation. A fibre optic cable ( | 05-10-2012 |
20120074943 | Apparatus and Method for Ferromagnetic Object Detector - An apparatus is provided for compensating for the effect of a moving door on a nearby ferromagnetic object detector. The ferromagnetic object detector is of a type to produce a main sensor signal indicative of the presence of a ferromagnetic object in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic object detector. Furthermore, the door is arranged relative to the ferromagnetic object detector such that movement of the door is liable to introduce an undesirable interference signal into the main sensor signal. The apparatus comprises an input ( | 03-29-2012 |
20120063267 | Well Monitoring by Means of Distributed Sensing Means - Methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring are provided by interrogating an unmodified optic fibre ( | 03-15-2012 |
20120057432 | Well Monitoring by Means of Distributed Sensing Means - This application describes methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring in real-time. The method involves interrogating an unmodified optic fibre ( | 03-08-2012 |
20120057129 | EYE TRACKING APPARATUS - An eye tracking apparatus for monitoring the movement of a user's eye, the apparatus including: a display for displaying an image; an eye imaging sensor for monitoring the user's eye and for providing an output indicative of the user's point of regard in the user's field of vision; an optical combiner arranged, in use, in optical communication with the display, the eye imaging sensor and the user's eye: said optical combiner arranged to receive the displayed image from the display, to project said image into the user's field of vision, to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the user's eye and to pass said reflected radiation to the eye imaging sensor; wherein the optical combiner is adapted to substantially correct for aberrations in the reflected radiation introduced therein by the optical combiner. | 03-08-2012 |
20120032675 | Apparatus and Method for Ferromagnetic Object Detector - An apparatus is provided for compensating for the effect of a stray ferromagnetic object moving past but not through a sensing region of a ferromagnetic object detector. The ferromagnetic object detector is of a type to produce a plurality of sensor signals, each sensor signal being influenced by the presence of a genuine ferromagnetic object moving through the sensing region but also liable to be influenced by the presence of the stray object. The apparatus comprises: an input for receiving the plurality of sensor signals and first means for analysing the received signals to determine whether there is a substantially same time-varying component present in each of the signals. The apparatus also comprises second means for determining whether the plurality of signals without the contribution of that time-varying component are each or collectively below a predetermined level of significance. The apparatus also comprises third means for indicating, if the respective determinations from the first and second means are both positive, that the received signals are likely to relate to a stray object and not to a genuine ferromagnetic object moving through the sensing region. | 02-09-2012 |
20120025170 | P-TYPE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor device comprises an active layer above a first confinement layer. The active layer comprises a layer of α-Sn less than 20 nm thick. The first confinement layer is formed of material with a wider band gap than α-Sn, wherein the band gap offset between α-Sn and this material allows confinement of charge carriers in the active layer so that the active layer acts as a quantum well. A similar second confinement layer may be formed over the active layer. This semiconductor device may be a p-FET. A method of fabricating such a semiconductor device is described. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025168 | STRAIN CONTROL IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor device comprises the following elements: an active layer comprising a quantum well structure and a buffer layer beneath the active layer adapted to form a confinement layer for charge carriers in the active layer. The buffer layer is adapted so as not to increase an overall strain in the active layer. The active layer is already strained as a result of a lattice mismatch between the active layer and the buffer layer. Strain in the buffer layer may be controlled by use of a strain control buffer layer and by appropriate choices of material and composition for the buffer layer and for a substrate on which the buffer layer is grown. | 02-02-2012 |
20120018704 | UNIAXIAL TENSILE STRAIN IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A semiconductor device structure comprises an active layer and a buffer layer. The active layer is a quantum well structure. There is a lattice mismatch between the buffer layer and the active layer which places the active layer under biaxial compressive strain. Uniaxial tensile strain is applied to the active layer to reduce compressive strain on the active layer in a second direction but not in a first direction. This favours hole and electron mobility in the first direction, rendering the semiconductor device structure suitable for the formation of both p-channel and n-channel devices. | 01-26-2012 |
20120017687 | Remote Sensing - A plurality of sensors output information into a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system via acousto-mechanical signals. The sensors are coupled to the optic fibre at the centre of the DAS system indirectly, the acousto-mechanical signal being transmitted via an intermediary body, such as the ground or a conduit. | 01-26-2012 |
20110299733 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING RADAR IMAGERY - The present invention relates to a system and method for processing imagery, such as may be derived from a coherent imaging system e.g. a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The system processes sequences of SAR images of a region taken in at least two different passes and generates Coherent Change Detection (CCD) base images from corresponding images of each pass. A reference image is formed from one or more of the CCD base images images, and an incoherent change detection image formed by comparison between a given CCD base image and the reference image. The technique is able to detect targets from tracks left in soft ground, or from shadow areas caused by vehicles, and so does not rely on a reflection directly from the target itself. The technique may be implemented on data recorded in real time, or may be done in post-processing on a suitable computer system. | 12-08-2011 |
20110291887 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM INTEGRITY - A method for modelling integrity of a filtered global navigation satellite system, by calculating component navigation system error distributions for a set of fault conditions and a fault free condition, and determining overall navigation error distribution by forming a mixture distribution from these component navigation system error distributions. The mixture distribution may be determined by weighted summation of navigation system error (NSE) distributions with weightings determined according to prior probabilities for the fault conditions. Once the overall NSE mixture distribution is determined in this way, it can be used to derive one or more statistical quantities relevant to the integrity of the navigation system such as the probability of exceeding given alert limits in a desired coordinate geometry. | 12-01-2011 |
20110277445 | ELECTRIC PROPULSION - An electric propulsion system comprising a plasma chamber having first and second apertures for producing ion beams. Respective first and second coils are arranged about the chamber to produce an electromagnetic field in regions adjacent to the apertures, and are driven differentially by a radio frequency (RF) drive module. By driving the coils differentially, the electric field in the region of the two apertures can be differentially controlled, and a variation of output thrusts at the two apertures is possible. In this way a net thrust can be produced, which net thrust is varied by controlling the drive to the two coils. | 11-17-2011 |
20110274369 | COMPOSITE EVALUATION - A method of evaluating a composite structure in which a portion of the structure is imaged and subsequently transformed to provide a 2D output of the angular distribution of features, eg a 2D FFT. A weighting function is applied to the output to compensate for variation in the angular density of pixel population. The weighted output is then used to provide an angular distribution of feature intensity. The structure can be imaged in two or more intersecting planes to allow a 3D determination of feature direction to be obtained. | 11-10-2011 |
20110261369 | Surface shape measurement apparatus and method - Apparatus for indicating the departure of a shape of an object ( | 10-27-2011 |
20110260908 | METHOD FOR MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLUTTER AND INTERFERENCE ON A RADAR SYSTEM - A method for mitigating against a clutter source or other interferer in a high precision radar is disclosed. The clutter source or interferer may be a wind farm. The method includes positioning a plurality of relatively low resolution radars, such as low cost marine navigation radars, in or about the interferer, and fusing data from them together, to produce object positional data of increased accuracy. One or more of the radars may be adapted to have a radiation beam pattern directed more towards the vertical, and such adapted radars may advantageously be located more centrally within the interfering region. Data from the individual radars may be fused in any suitable manner, and other information, such as ADS-B broadcasts may be included. Data relating to aircraft may be supplied to operators to supplement air traffic control, and air defence radars, and data relating to shipping around sea based wind farms supplied to vessel traffic system radar operators. | 10-27-2011 |
20110256455 | Multifunctional Composite - A multi-functional, laminated composite comprises a plurality of cloth layers ( | 10-20-2011 |
20110252473 | Protection of Computer System - Protection of a computer system ( | 10-13-2011 |
20110235049 | Wavefront Sensing Method and Apparatus - Wavefront sensing apparatus comprises a beam splitter ( | 09-29-2011 |
20110231665 | METHOD OF PERFORMING AUTHENTICATION BETWEEN NETWORK NODES - A method of authentication between first (QNodeX) and second (QNodeY) network nodes within a network suitable for implementing quantum cryptography comprises steps in which the first and second nodes each generate a cryptographic hash ([MXY]AI, [MYX]AJ) of a message ([MXY], [MYX]) using respective authentication keys (AI, AJ) shared with a third network node (QNodeW). The messages may be those exchanged between the first and second nodes during agreement of a quantum key to be used between the nodes. An authentication key to be shared by the first and second nodes may be established using the quantum key. The invention therefore allows an authentication key to be established and shared between the first and second network nodes without direct physical intervention. Networks having large numbers of network nodes may be re-keyed following replacement or maintenance of a network node much more quickly and easily than is the case where re-keying is achieved by physically supplying shared authentication keys. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228937 | METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A QUANTUM KEY FOR USE BETWEEN NETWORK NODES - A method of establishing a quantum key for use between a first network node (QNode | 09-22-2011 |
20110228895 | OPTICALLY DIVERSE CODED APERTURE IMAGING - Optically diverse coded aperture imaging (CAI) includes imaging a scene which is multi-spectrally diverse or polarimetrically diverse. A CAI system allows light rays from a scene to pass to a detector array through a coded aperture mask within an optical stop. The mask has multiple apertures, and produces overlapping coded images of the scene on the detector array. Detector array pixels receive and sum intensity contributions from each coded image. The detector array provides output data for processing to reconstruct an image. The mask provides for multi-spectral information to become encoded in the data. A linear integral equation incorporating explicit wavelength dependence relates the imaged scene to the data. This equation is solved by Landweber iteration to derive a multi-spectral image. An image with multiple polarisation states (polarimetric diversity) may be derived similarly with a linear integral equation incorporating explicit polarisation dependence. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228380 | NON-LINEAR OPTICAL DEVICE - A non-linear optical device includes a frequency-conversion waveguide and first and second input waveguides. The longitudinal axes of the input waveguides are inclined to that of the frequency-conversion waveguide such a first transverse mode is excited in the latter at the input frequency in operation of the device. The frequency-conversion waveguide supports a second transverse mode at an output frequency of the device, such that the phase velocity of the second transverse mode at the output frequency is substantially equal to that of the first transverse mode at the input frequency, thus providing phase-matching by balancing the effects of chromatic and modal dispersion. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228379 | Optical Tag - An optical tag ( | 09-22-2011 |
20110227784 | SYSTEM EMPLOYING A DIRECT DIGITAL SYNTHESISER - A DDS based system, such as a radar, includes means for generating a plurality of transmission signals using a DDS, and means for integrating signals derived therefrom, such as received signals. The system further includes means for varying the relative starting phase of the plurality of transmission signals, or adjusting the DDS input clock whilst maintaining similar primary output frequency characteristics of the transmission signals. The approach has the effect of changing the location of unwanted frequency spurs in each of the transmission signals, and hence the effects of these are decreased in the integration process. An improvement in the sensitivity of the system results. Although primarily suited to radar applications the invention may find utility in other systems such as sonar or lidar systems. | 09-22-2011 |
20110218743 | COMPOSITE EVALUATION - A method for evaluating a composite structure includes providing a model of said structure and locally varying a material property to determine complex reflection and transmission coefficients at said locality. From these coefficients at least one ultrasonic response characteristic for said material property can be found and compared to a measured ultrasonic response of a sample to determine a local measure of the material property. This method exploits the fact that certain material properties contribute to the ultrasonic frequency response substantially independently of one another. The frequency response of a region of porosity and of a thick resin layer in particular are evaluated. In one embodiment, the modelled responses are used to provide frequency domain basis functions for material properties, which can in turn be used in a decomposition method. | 09-08-2011 |
20110215076 | LASER ABLATION TECHNIQUE - A method of manufacturing a shaped part, the method including: (I) providing a partially consolidated porous part that has been made from a powder; (II) permeating the porous part with a volatile liquid (e.g. water, ethanol), so that the liquid is present in the pores of the porous part; and (V) forming the shaped part by applying a laser beam to a spot on the surface of the liquid-permeated part to cause the volatile liquid to heat in the spot region, causing the powder particles to separate in the spot region, so that a portion of the part is ablated in the spot region. The porous part may be made from metallic or ceramic powder and has been partially consolidated for integrity, but is ablated by this lower energy, liquid-assisted laser process, prior to further strengthening. The method allows bespoke, complex shaped parts such as aerospace parts or medical implants to be made inexpensively, especially shaped titanium parts. | 09-08-2011 |
20110213979 | QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for Quantum key distribution. Such methods including authenticating a first node in a communications network with a remote node in the communications network. The authentication may include connecting an authentication device to the first node, agreeing a quantum key between the first node and the remote node based on a quantum signal transmitted or received by the first node and performing an authentication step between the authentication device and the remote node on an encrypted channel. Authentication between the authentication device and remote node may be taken as authentication of the first node. | 09-01-2011 |
20110205731 | Identification Device - The invention relates generally to an electro-optic identification device, particularly to a helmet-mounted identification device. An identification device suitable for mounting on an object comprises a support structure having a plurality of electro-optic emitters positioned thereon, wherein the support structure conforms, in use, to the shape of said object. Preferably, the support structure takes the form of a plurality of emitter arms radiating from a hub, each arm comprising one or more electro-optic emitters. The electro-optic emitters may include visible emitters and/or infrared emitters, and are more preferably selected from the group consisting of near infrared emitters, medium wave thermal infrared emitters and long wave thermal infrared emitters, or any combination thereof. The invention has particular utility in military applications. | 08-25-2011 |
20110171095 | Synthesis of Metal Compounds - A method is provided for the synthesis of a mesoporous lithium transition metal compound, the method comprising the steps of (i) reacting a lithium salt with one or more transition metal salts in the presence of a surfactant, the surfactant being present in an amount sufficient to form a liquid crystal phase in the reaction mixture (ii) heating the reaction mixture so as to form a sol-gel and (iii) removing the surfactant to leave a mesoporous product. The mesoporous product can be an oxide, a phosphate, a borate or a silicate and optionally, an additional phosphate, borate or silicate reagent can be added at step (i). The reaction mixture can comprise an optional chelating agent and preferably, the reaction conditions at steps (i) and (ii) are controlled so as to prevent destabilisation of the liquid crystal phase. The invention is particularly suitable for producing mesoporous lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate. The method can be used to synthesise mesoporous lithium cobalt oxide having a specific surface area in excess of 10 m | 07-14-2011 |
20110164845 | Optical routing device comprising hollow waveguides and MEMS reflective elements - An optical routing device is described that comprises a semiconductor substrate ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110163890 | DOWN-HOLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Apparatus for the wireless transmission of data, and preferably also of power, across a space between a length of production tubing and a surrounding casing in a petrochemical well, includes a pair of inductively-coupled coils, a first of which is located on the exterior of the production tubing generally coaxially therewith, and the second of which is located on the interior of the casing generally coaxially therewith. This may be used in particular as part of a system for transmitting power and data to/from a sensor monitoring the pressure and/or other environmental conditions within the “B” annulus B of a sub-sea well. | 07-07-2011 |
20110149688 | Conduit Monitoring - A method for monitoring a fluid carrying conduit by introducing an acoustic pulse into the conduit, and interrogating an optic fibre positioned along the path of said conduit to provide distributed acoustic sensing. By measuring the response at each of a plurality of locations, a conduit condition profile can be derived. A condition profile can be obtained quickly and easily with minimum disruption to the pipeline infrastructure and contained flow. Existing optic fibres running along the path of a pipe can be employed for sensing purposes, allowing relatively long spans of pipeline to be monitored with only limited access to the pipe. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149363 | Lidar Mean Power Reduction - A laser radar device adapted to ensure that the output from the laser is eye-safe. A means for applying spatial dither to the output of the laser source, such as a moveable optical arrangement. This causes the point of focus of the transmitted beam to traverse a target area by small amounts, reducing the overall radiation exposure at any particular point of focus, but having negligible impact on wind speed measurement for example. Alternative arrangements for ensuring eye-safety include periodically reducing the laser power density, gating the output or altering the focussing of the transmitted beam. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149295 | Phased Based Sensing - Interrogation of a phase based transducer is performed by temporally overlapping and interfering a single pulse output from the transducer to determine the rate of change with time of the measurand represented as a phase change. The rate of change, or derivative of the phase change typically has a much smaller amplitude than the signal itself, and the derivative measurement therefore has reduced sensitivity. In this way, large amplitude signals which might otherwise be subject to overscaling effects can be measured more effectively. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149081 | Sensor with obscurant detection - A sensor having a detector array is provided with means for determining whether the normal field of view of the sensor has been obscured. The image output from the detector array is compared by a processor to an image of the normal filed of view, previously acquired and stored in a memory. Where there are significant differences between the images the processor activates an alarm. The location of high spatial frequency detail in the image may be compared and the absence of such detail used to give an indication that the sensor may be masked. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147369 | Thermally Emissive Apparatus - A thermally emissive apparatus ( | 06-23-2011 |
20110139538 | Tracking Objects in Conduits - Methods and apparatus for tracking objects in conduits, especially for tracking the movement of a pig in a pipeline, are disclosed. Distributed acoustic sensing is used to obtain signal returns from a plurality of discrete longitudinal sensing portions of a fibre optic cable which is laid along the length of the conduit. The method involves detecting an acoustic signature corresponding to the object moving in the conduit. The acoustic signature may comprise a series of pressure pulses caused by the object traversing joints etc. in the conduit. Preferably the method involves detecting pressure waves caused by the object as it moves through the conduit. Detecting the characteristic pressure wave signal provides discrimination of the object from other acoustic disturbances. In pipeline applications a pig can be tracked in real time, if the pig stops moving an alert can be generated and the location of the pig will be known. | 06-16-2011 |
20110129054 | PROCESSING FOR CODED APERTURE IMAGING - A method of reconstructing an image of a scene ( | 06-02-2011 |
20110116687 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECT CLASSIFICATION - A method of classifying an object, in particular of classifying a vehicle by evaluating the degree of correlation between an image data set corresponding to an image of at least part of the vehicle and each of a plurality of reference data sets each of which corresponds to a reference image of a vehicle comprises the steps of establishing the vehicle's aspect and selecting the plurality of reference data sets from a larger group of such data sets on the basis of the vehicle's aspect. By selecting from the larger group only those reference data sets which correspond to the vehicle's aspect, faster classification is achieved for a given level of processing resources. Alternatively, for a given processing or classification rate, the level of processing resources may be reduced compared to the prior art. | 05-19-2011 |
20110085666 | QUANTUM KEY DEVICE - The present invention relates to an improved quantum key device for use in quantum key distribution, which device comprises a quantum detector unit for detecting a quantum signal and a plurality of logic units operably connected to the quantum detector unit wherein each logic unit is arranged to derive a separate quantum key from the quantum signal detected. In this way, a single quantum key distribution (QKD) receiver can generate separate quantum keys for separate users. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085274 | CIRCUIT BREAKER - An electronic circuit breaker including a two stage detection mechanism; an instantaneous trip operating at a first threshold and a delayed trip such operating at a second lower threshold. This is advantageous in maintaining operation during very short transient load peaks, which do not warrant isolation from the supply. The breaker can be line powered, can be reset remotely by controlling the line power, and can be implemented entirely in solid state electronics. As such it requires little or no service or maintenance. | 04-14-2011 |
20110069972 | MULTIPLEXED QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - The present invention relates to an improved quantum signal transmitter, which has a plurality of quantum output channels having at least one optical source and at least one optical splitter acting on the output of said at least one source. Such a transmitter can easily be used with existing passive optical network (PON) systems and can be a compact piece of equipment | 03-24-2011 |
20110064516 | Vehicle Arresting Device - A vehicle arresting device comprises a net intended to be laid flat on the ground in the path of an oncoming vehicle to be arrested. Two rows of barbed spikes are attached to the net along its leading edge. When a vehicle runs over the device the spikes lodge in its front tires and the net is caused to wrap around the front wheels, eventually being pulled tight under the vehicle so that the tension in the net prevents further rotation of the wheels and the vehicle is brought to a stop. The net is manufactured such that in its deployed condition it has sufficient lateral stretch to allow it to become fully wrapped around the front wheels before the tension builds up to a level at which there might otherwise be a risk of the spikes being pulled from the tires. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064222 | QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION INVOLVING MOVEABLE KEY DEVICE - A method of key distribution from a first entity to a second entity including the first entity communicating with a moveable key device so as to share a secret data with said moveable key device, relocating said moveable key device to a location having a quantum link with said second entity, transmitting a quantum signal from said moveable key device to said second entity on said quantum link, the quantum signal being based on said secret data; and said first entity and said second entity undertaking key agreement based on the quantum signal received by the second entity. Such a method allows the principles of quantum key distribution to be applied even in the absence of a suitable quantum communications link between the first and second entities. | 03-17-2011 |
20110024778 | Optoelectronic device - This invention relates to optoelectronic devices of improved efficiency. In particular it relates to light emitting diodes, photodiodes and photovoltaics. By careful design of periodic microstructures, e.g. gratings, associated with such devices more efficient light generation or detection is achieved. | 02-03-2011 |
20110002029 | OPTICAL CLOCK - An optical clock for generating a series of optical clock pulses, comprises a laser source for generating output having a plurality of spectral components λ | 01-06-2011 |
20100329459 | MULTI-COMMUNITY NETWORK WITH QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - This invention relates to an optical star network in which different communities of users, such as different businesses, are provided through use of quantum key distribution (QKD). At least one QKD device is located at the central hub of the star network and communicates with QKD devices at the endpoints to establish a separate quantum key, i.e. a cryptographic key established by QKD, with each endpoint. A separate key manager is provided for each different community and each key manager is arranged to use the appropriate quantum keys for endpoints within that community to deliver the same community key to each endpoint. This community key can be used by for encrypting network traffic between members of the same community with security. Traffic passing through the network switch is encrypted, but the community keys are not delivered via the switch and hence the switch an error in the switch does not compromise security. | 12-30-2010 |
20100329289 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OPTICAL BEATS - Apparatus comprising an optical fibre laser having at least two laser cores and means arranged to combine laser output from the at least two laser cores at a first end of the optical fibre laser to produce a combined laser output having one or more beat signals. | 12-30-2010 |
20100320870 | TEMPERATURE COMPENSATING FLEXTENSIONAL TRANSDUCER - A flextensional transducer that can be stored at room temperature and activated and operated at an elevated temperature in excess of 200° C., comprises (i) an elongate driver, (ii) a flextensional housing shell containing the elongate driver, comprising a pair of contact portions located on opposite sides of the housing shell and in mechanical contact with the ends of the driver, and having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the driver, and (iii) thermal compensating members; the flextensional housing shell moving by flexing on actuation, the thermal compensating members being located in, or on, parts of the housing shell that move on actuation, and comprising a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of surrounding parts of the housing shell, such that as the temperature increases up to the said elevated temperature the thermal compensating members expand more or less than the said surrounding parts of the housing shell, causing the housing shell to flex so as to urge the contact portions of the housing shell towards each other to compensate for the greater thermal expansion of the housing relative to that of the driver member. | 12-23-2010 |
20100308689 | TRANSDUCER - A multistage flextensional transducer includes at least one inner elongate driver member within and mechanically coupled to an inner shell that is nested within an outer shell; the inner shell comprising a pair of contact portions abutting the driver member and a pair of transmission portions on opposite sides of the inner shell between the contact portions; the outer shell being arranged so that the transmission portions act as bridging driver members between the said inner and outer shells, flexure of the outer shell being driven, on actuation of the transducer, by movement of the bridging driver members. The transducer may act as a push or pull actuator or sensor, may magnify displacement and may employ smart materials as driver members. Also cylindrical modules containing thin flextensional actuators may provide axial displacement in a downhole environment and may move a device axially along a downhole pipe or close a valve opening or inch along the pipe. | 12-09-2010 |
20100299526 | NETWORK HAVING QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - A method of performing quantum key distribution across a network. The method involves a first node first agreeing a quantum key with a first intermediate node in the path. Next the intermediate node exchanges a quantum signal with the next node in the path—which is a targeted node. The intermediate node communicates with the first node using the previous established quantum key details of the quantum signal sent or received by the intermediate node. The first node then performs a key agreement step to agree a quantum key directly with the targeted node. Having established a quantum key with the current targeted node the method can be repeated but with the next node in the network path as the targeted node until a destination node is reached. The final quantum key agreed with the destination node can then be used for encrypting communication between those nodes across the network. | 11-25-2010 |
20100293380 | QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY APPARATUS - The method involves exchange of a quantum signal between a first quantum node and a second quantum node as is usual in known quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme. The first quantum node communicates details of the quantum signal it sent or received with a first remote node. The first remote node thus has all the information to required to take the place of the first quantum node in the key agreement step with the second quantum node. The first quantum node may be arranged to transmit the quantum signal to the second quantum node, in which ease the invention provides a distributed quantum transmitter with the control logic in the first remote node being distributed remotely from the actual quantum transmitter in the first quantum node. Communications between the first remote node and first quantum node may comprise or be protected by a quantum key derived by conventional QKD. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290626 | OPTICAL TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS FOR QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION - An optical receiver for a quantum key distribution system comprises a plurality of optical components mounted or formed in a substrate and optically coupled by one or more hollow core waveguides formed in the substrate. | 11-18-2010 |
20100269580 | MOORING FAILURE DETECTION - A mooring failure detector, for attachment to a mooring chain or wire rope, includes a power source, which is activated by the rupture of a rupture element, caused by a change in depth and hence pressure of the device. Activation of the power QC source provides power to a transmitter to signal the failure, either by acoustic or radio frequency means. The device can operate on an inclined mooring such that failure above or below the point of attachment results in a failure signal being transmitted. | 10-28-2010 |
20100265491 | RANGE-FINDING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Range-finding apparatus comprises a source of pulsed radiation of variable repetition rate and a beam-splitter for dividing the pulsed radiation into two portions which are directed respectively to a local retro-reflector and to a retro-reflector co-located with a remote target the range of which is to be determined. The source, beam-splitter and retro-reflectors are arranged in the form of Michelson interferometer together with a detector. The repetition rate of the source is tuned to frequencies f such that round-trip distance to the remote target is mc/f where m is an integer, this condition being detected by observing a heterodyne signal at the detector. Two such frequencies enable range to be determined. The precision with which range is determined may be increased by carrying out interferometry using the two portions. The accuracy of the method does not depend on absolute range (as with triangulation) and is not limited by the speed of timing electronics, as is the case for time-of-flight techniques. | 10-21-2010 |
20100263433 | VALVE TESTING - Testing of a safety valve is described in relation to a valve stem biased relative to a valve body, and comprising a rotor mounted helically on said valve stem, and a driver adapted to rotate the rotor. Rotation of the rotor causes an axial force between the valve stem and the rotor and allows the rotor to be moved into and out of engagement. When engaged the rotor can apply a pre-load to the stem, and may provide sufficient force to achieve valve lift. Alternatively a two stage actuator system may be employed, the second stage providing lift after application of the pre-load. | 10-21-2010 |
20100252690 | AIRCRAFT - An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the form of a “tail sitter” flying wing adapted for vertical take off and landing and transitions between flight as a helicopter and wing-borne flight. The vehicle is electrically powered from onboard batteries and equipped with rotors on miniature helicopter rotor heads at the tips of the wing for both lift, during take off and landing, and forward thrust. In planform the wing comprises, to each side of its longitudinal axis, an inner section with swept back leading and trailing edges, and an outer section with a leading edge more perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, being only mildly swept back or substantially unswept, and a swept forward trailing edge. | 10-07-2010 |
20100250185 | Method for detection of gravitational anomalies - A method and system for detecting gravitational anomalies comprises measuring surface structures, measuring gravitational field characteristics, and estimating the effect of the surface structures on the gravitational measurements. The estimations are then used to derive a representation of nearby non visible features such as changes in rock density, voids, or oil and gas deposits. The surface structures may be measured by a video camera, with the video sequence being processed to estimate 3D positions of structures relative to the measurement point. Other methods may be used, such as lidar or acoustic techniques as appropriate. The method may be applied above ground and also has efficacy in borehole and sewer surveying applications. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247425 | In Hydrogen Generators - A pyrolytic hydrogen generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a plurality of cardboard receptacles for the thermally decomposable hydrogen generating material and an associated ignition system. Also, a modular pellet tray assembly for use in the generator comprises a plurality of trays having pellet holders and associated igniters and held in a stack by support rods that also provide electrical connectivity to the trays. Also, a pellet tray assembly comprises a plurality of pellet holders, wherein some of more outwardly disposed pellet holders contain only outwardly facing vents and are fired first. Also, the generator has an array of hydrogen generating elements arranged side by side and separated from one another into cells by partitioning provided with directional venting that only permits laterally exiting gases to vent outwardly. Alternatively, the elements can be separated into cells by a baffle system comprising gas confining and gas venting elements, which may be heat conductive. | 09-30-2010 |
20100236443 | INSENSITIVE MUNITION - This invention relates to a novel insensitive munition comprising one warhead and also munitions comprising one or more warheads. In particular, the invention lies in the field of insensitive munition warheads. There are further provided methods of preparing the warheads of the invention, methods of controllably detonating the warheads and a kit suitable for preparing such a warhead. The warhead comprises at least two portions of high explosive separated by a non-detonative material, wherein each portion has a cross section below its critical detonation cross section, and wherein the at least two portions are arranged such that the total cross section of the at least two portions exceeds the critical detonation cross section of said high explosive, such that in use only simultaneous detonation of the at least two high explosives causes detonation to occur. | 09-23-2010 |
20100236319 | VALVE TESTING - Apparatus for testing a safety valve by applying a force to the valve stem and detecting the resultant motion of the valve. The actuator used is generally a hollow cylinder of piezoelectric material or other solid state actuator, which is adapted to locate concentrically about the valve stem. The concentric placement and lack of moving parts creates reliability and even force distribution while maintaining a small overall size. | 09-23-2010 |
20100225467 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN SURGICAL GLOVES - Apparatus for detecting failure of a protective barrier between a first object and a second object is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter assembly for transmitting an alternating electrical signal through the first object and a receiver assembly, wherein the receiver assembly is configured to receive the alternating electrical signal through the second object upon breach of the protective barrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first object is a patient undergoing surgery and/or medical treatment, the second object is a healthcare worker such as a surgeon and the protective barrier is a glove such as a surgical glove. The transmitter and/or receiver assemblies typically include transmitter or receiver electronics and signal connections, and optionally, the electronics and connections can together form integral transmitter and/or receiver assemblies. A return path can be provided for the transmitted signal. | 09-09-2010 |
20100214176 | RADIATION ATTENUATION - A device for attenuating electromagnetic radiation in a desired transmission frequency band. The device includes a generally planar substrate, and a resistive pattern arranged on the substrate adapted to reflect a proportion of incident radiation in the transmission band. The resistive pattern may be screen printed using carbon based ink. This provides a simple, cheap and easy to fabricate device which can quickly and easily be affixed to the exterior of an antenna or antenna housing to attenuate the power of radiation in the transmission band, resulting in reduced range or sensitivity. | 08-26-2010 |
20100207804 | RADAR METHOD AND APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR USE IN MULTIPATH ENVIRONMENTS - A method and system for locating objects in a region having a high degree of multipath susceptibility comprises a plurality of transducers, each being a transmit or receive antenna, and being arranged about the region in known locations, to form a bistatic or multistatic radar, with some embodiments being MIMO systems. Signals transmitted by the transmit antenna(s) are received at each receive antenna and processed to form a set of channel impulse responses, or power delay profiles, representative of the region at a given time. A second set is formed at a different time, and the difference between the two sets is calculated, the difference containing information on movement within the region. The difference may be processed to localise the moving object(s) by graphical means, e.g. by generating an x-y image representative of the region, and accumulating at each pixel appropriate values of the profile difference selected according to the propagation delay between a transmit-receive antenna pair via a region point represented by the pixel. | 08-19-2010 |
20100189302 | DATA RECORDER - A head mounted data storage device comprising an audio receiver for receiving audio signals, a solid state memory for storing received signals, and a power source for providing power to said device. The unit is self contained and adapted to be mounted about the head of a user, typically on a headset or integrated within the shell of a helmet. | 07-29-2010 |
20100184550 | DRIVE CONFIGURATION FOR SKID STEERED VEHICLES - A drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle comprises a pair of electric motors for propulsion of the vehicle, one each coupled to drive a respective track on a respective side of the vehicle, and one or more electric steer motors coupled through a differential gear mechanism to impose a speed difference between the tracks. An associated control system controls the current to each motor so that substantial contributions to the differential torque to turn the vehicle are made both by the steer motors and by the propulsion motors, in variable proportions preferably as a function of the vehicle speed. | 07-22-2010 |
20100171491 | EDDY CURRENT SENSORS - An eddy current sensor for use as a dynamic proximity sensor, particularly for monitoring of blade tip timing and clearance in turbomachinery, has a common coil for use in both generating a magnetic field in a proximate region and detecting the effect of eddy currents generated by said field in electrically conductive objects passing through that region. The coil is wound on a rectangular or other elongate former so that the coil is itself elongate in section. This can improve the resolution of the device when used for sensing the passage of objects of elongate section (such as a turbine blade tip when the sensor coil is oriented with its shorter cross-sectional dimension aligned with the shorter cross-sectional dimension of the respective object. Also described is a method of processing a signal wave form from such devices to derive ‘trigger’ points for blade tip timing. | 07-08-2010 |
20100171130 | Semiconductor device and fabrication method - A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of regions of semiconductor material forming a junction at an interface there-between, the junction including a depletion region having a width which varies spatially in at least one direction along the depletion region. Without limitation, the spatial variation in depletion region width is provided by ionised dopants having a concentration which varies spatially along said at least one direction. Alternatively, or in addition, the spatial variation in depletion region width is achieved by varying the thickness of the region(s) of semiconductor spatially along said at least one direction, for example by creating a plurality of cells within said region(s) devoid of said semiconductor material. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the step of varying the width of the depletion region spatially there-within in at least one direction along the depletion region. | 07-08-2010 |
20100166044 | PHASE BASED MEASUREMENT CORRECTIONS - A method for providing correction values for phase based measurements. Where averaging techniques are employed for exploiting redundancy in multiple measurements, by constraining the phase ambiguity in a correction value to be an integer multiple of the carrier wavelength, carrier phase based measurements can be used. | 07-01-2010 |
20100163684 | SELF OPENING HINGES - A self opening hinge comprises a tubular member with a set of circumferentially spaced blades extending longitudinally between opposite end portions. It can be folded by bending the blades to bring the end portions together and when released will naturally return to the straight condition under the spring action of the blades. The blade which will be located on the inside of the fold when the member is in its folded condition is configured with a convex circumferential curvature as viewed from the axis of the member when in its unfolded condition, namely reversed in curvature as compared with the other blades. In this way the stress on the inside blade when the member is folded is reduced as compared with a conventional hinge where all the blades follow a circular tube profile and are concave as viewed from the central axis. | 07-01-2010 |
20100157298 | POLARIMETRIC IMAGING APPARATUS - A polarimetric imaging apparatus ( | 06-24-2010 |
20100156703 | RADAR COORDINATE REGISTRATION - Integration of ionospheric models in over the horizon radars (OTHR) is achieved with very little or substantially no change to existing coordinate registration systems or software by specifying a virtual transponder at a target location and generating a signal which appears to have emanated from a transponder at that location. A return path to said virtual transponder is ray-traced through the ionospheric model to produce propagation parameters; and an appropriately delayed virtual transponder signal is inserted into the receiver. The result produced at the receiver is used to perform coordinate registration for further received signals. | 06-24-2010 |
20100124397 | Multiple core optical fibre - A multicore optical fibre includes a microstructured cladding material formed from a plurality of cladding elements arranged in an array and each cladding element comprising at least two different materials each having different refractive indices, and a plurality of core elements formed within interstitial regions between adjacent cladding elements. A fibre so formed may have a large number of cores per unit cross-sectional area as compared with prior art fibres, and thus allows the fibre to have relatively short distances between adjacent cores for a given required inter-core isolation. A fibre so formed has utility in many areas requiring high core density, such as inter-chip optical communication, or optical communication between circuit boards. | 05-20-2010 |
20100105511 | CONTROLLED DIFFERENTIAL - A controlled differential, particularly for exercising steering control of skid steered vehicles, having a compound planetary gear set coupling two shafts. Respective ring gears turn with the shafts and mesh with a compound planet gear in a planet carrier, the ratios of the number of gear teeth between each ring gear and the respective gear of the compound planet being unequal so that when the planet carrier is stationary the two shafts are coupled through the differential to turn together in the same sense but with a speed difference, and controlled rotation of the planet carrier varies the speed difference between the shafts in accordance with the sense and speed of rotation of the planet carrier. | 04-29-2010 |
20100090886 | LOW NOISE GENERATOR FOR FREQUENCY SWEPT SIGNALS - A signal generation system suitable for use in a radar system comprises a local oscillator (LO) and an intermediate frequency (IF) oscillator, wherein the IF oscillator is a Direct Digital Synthesiser (DDS), and the LO is a free running oscillator not itself locked to another oscillator but which acts as a clock reference for the DDS and is the highest frequency oscillator in the system. The LO may also act as a reference for a receive chain digitiser. The invention exploits phase noise advantages of a free running oscillator at some distance from the carrier whilst maintaining coherency with other system components. The system typically finds application in FMCW radars. | 04-15-2010 |
20100085761 | REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY AND BEAM FORMING APPARATUS - A reflector assembly for use with a paraboidal reflector comprises a generally-cylindrical body ( | 04-08-2010 |
20100074776 | Subsea Chemical Injection System and Pumps Therefor - A high pressure pump for use in the injection of liquid chemicals into subsea oil or gas wells, and intended to be positioned in the subsea environment adjacent to the wellhead, comprises a piezoelectric actuator ( | 03-25-2010 |
20100058880 | VALVE TEST METHOD AND APPARATUS - The biasing spring of a valve is excited and the response detected to determine valve characteristics. Excitation is typically longitudinal oscillation applied by a vibrator connected in series with the spring. By performing a frequency sweep, resonance can be detected, and excitation can usefully be applied at the resonant frequency to produce valve lift. Testing can be performed in-situ, and maintenance of a plurality of valves is possible by collecting characteristic data for each valve and comparing against stored values. | 03-11-2010 |
20100040380 | OPTICAL CORRELATION APPARATUS - An optical correlation apparatus is described which forms first and second parallel optical signals in response to a serial input data stream. The first parallel optical signal is arranged to have bright pulses represent binary 1 and the second parallel optical signal is arranged to have bright pulses represent binary 0. A channel select means, such as an optical switch or amplitude modulators deselects or blocks channels in the first parallel optical signal which correspond to binary 1 in a reference data string and also deselects or blocks channels in the second parallel optical signal which correspond to binary 0 in the reference data string. The remaining optical signals are combined at one or more detectors. Where the input data matches the reference data string each bright pulse in the first and second parallel optical signals is deselected and the detector registers zero intensity. However when there is any mismatch at least one channel will pass a bright pulse to the detector. An instance of zero intensity can therefore be used as an indication of pattern match. | 02-18-2010 |
20100028079 | FASCINES - Inflatable members for incorporation into a fascine are linked together at their ends by chains or other such flexible tension members, the tension in which is such as to cause at least local compression and flattening of the inflatable members where they are in contact with adjacent members. The forces so generated between adjacent members can prevent their tendency to rotate under the action of traffic crossing the fascine. | 02-04-2010 |
20100027087 | IMPROVEMENTS TO OPTICAL CORRELATION APPARATUS - An optical correlation apparatus is taught which provides a parallel optical signal having a phase modulation representing input data to which a parallel phase modulation based on reference data is applied. In the event of correlation the resulting wavefront is planar and can be interferometrically coupled to give a high intensity signal. The invention involves use of parallel amplitude modulation means for selectively blocking the optical signal in one or more of the channels of the parallel optical signal which allows different sized reference data strings to be searched more easily and also aids in calibration. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026563 | ANTENNA SYSTEM AND RADAR SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME - An antenna system comprising an array of antenna elements, the array comprising a plurality of groups of antenna elements wherein each group comprises one or more antenna elements arranged in series, and wherein the system further comprises first phase-control means for performing the function of introducing respective phase-shifts to transmitted or received signals passed to or received from each of said groups to provide beamforming and second phase-control means for performing said function with respect to a sub-set of said groups. An antenna system of the invention allows two radar beam patterns having different spatial characteristics to be generated using a single antenna system. The invention also provides a radar system incorporating an antenna system of the invention. | 02-04-2010 |
20100002942 | TARGET ORIENTATION - A method of target recognition performs a 3D comparison of target and reference data. Translation invariant signatures are derived from the two data sets, and an estimate of the orientation of the target with respect to the reference is obtained. Rotational alignment and comparison can then be achieved. The 3D data sets can be represented on an axi-symmetric surface such as a sphere and rotational convolution, over a discrete set of selected rotation angles can be performed. Optic flow can be used to derive the estimate of orientation or the target relative to the reference, in terms of a displacement field. | 01-07-2010 |
20100002281 | OPTICAL CLOCK - An optical clock comprises a laser oscillator and modulating means arranged to cooperate with the laser oscillator to produce a series a series of phase-modulated optical pulses. The optical clock further comprises an optical fibre arranged to provide compression of the optical pulses, and may also comprise a step-recovery diode arranged to pulse-pick pulses output from the fibre to produce a series of optical clock pulses, depending on the mode of operation of the modulating means. Phase-modulation is carried out a frequency which provides sufficient linewidth broadening to inhibit stimulated Brillouin scattering within the optical fibre. An optical clock of the invention provides a robust and reliable alternative to clocks based on modelocked lasers, and may be assembled from inexpensive, commonly-available components. The repetition rate of a clock of the invention may easily be adjusted by electronic means. Unlike many modelocked lasers, a clock of the invention does not require precise optical alignment. | 01-07-2010 |
20100001895 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING DME REPLY EFFICIENCY - This invention relates to a method for determining the reply efficiency of a DME navigation beacon and to an apparatus for performing the method. The invention involves locating an RF receiver nearby a DME beacon to be tested. The RF receiver analyses all signals received on the interrogation frequency of that beacon to determine pulse pairs which correspond to a valid interrogation of that beacon. Other pulse events of interest may also be detected. The RF receiver also records all signals on the reply frequency of the beacon and detects all replies sent by the beacon. Particular interrogations can then be correlated with replies and the reply efficiency of the beacon determined. Several RF receivers may be located round the beacon to better provide correlation between particular interrogations and responses. | 01-07-2010 |
20090317185 | VEHICLE ARRESTING DEVICE - A vehicle arresting device comprises a net intended to be laid flat on the ground in the path of a target vehicle with an array of upwardly-directed spikes attached to the net along a leading portion, so that when a vehicle runs over the device some of the spikes engage in its front tires and the net is caused to wrap around the front wheels, being pulled tight under the vehicle to prevent further rotation of those wheels. There are two rows of spikes, with the spikes in the second row being substantially longer than the spikes in the leading row. The gauge of the netting also varies, with the leading strip which includes the shorter spikes and back towards the longer spikes being of a thinner gauge, the portion from the longer spikes back to approximately the mid length of the net being of a thicker gauge, and the trailing portion reverting to the thinner gauge. These measures help to ensure that the net is capable of arresting a wide range of vehicles, from passenger cars to trucks. | 12-24-2009 |
20090309737 | READER APPARATUS - Reader apparatus for receiving data from a transponder in the body of a patient, for example a femoral nail. The apparatus includes an antenna which can be varied in size and shape to fit patients, the size and shape of whose bodies vary significantly. A variable impedance unit is included to maximise power matching between the antenna and a reader unit for a given antenna configuration. | 12-17-2009 |
20090308049 | ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM - An electric propulsion system including a plasma chamber having a first output aperture having first acceleration and screen grids, and a second output aperture having second acceleration and screen grids. The screen grids are maintained at a constant positive potential. In use, ions are expelled from the two apertures in anti-parallel directions. By independently controlling the potentials of the acceleration grids to adjust the rates of ion extraction from the output apertures, small resultant thrusts at the μN level may be obtained and the resultant thrust maybe continuously reduced to zero. By closing off apertures of one of the screen grids, thrust at the mN may be obtained with sub-μN accuracy. The system therefore provides functionality previously achievable only with plural types of electric propulsion system, providing weight and complexity savings for satellites or space-probes comprising such systems. | 12-17-2009 |
20090282484 | COMPUTER SECURITY - Method and apparatus for mitigating the effects of security threat involving malicious code concealed in computer files (for example computer viruses, etc.). The method operates by inserting additional strings of arbitrary length within computer files of known type which may contain such security threats. The strings are chosen to have no substantial effect on the files in normal operation, but potentially disrupt attack code located in the file. Inserted sequences may incorporate a character sequence which, if interpreted as code, halts execution of that program. Alternatively, or in addition, character sequences may be deleted or reordered provided that they have no effect on normal interpretation of the file. As a result, the effect of malicious code operating successfully as intended by an attacker may be mitigated. The methods do not require prior knowledge of the nature of a specific threat and so provide threat mitigation for previously unidentified threats. | 11-12-2009 |
20090279948 | VEHICLE CONTROL BARRIER - A barrier adapted to be set up for temporary traffic control comprises a man-portable unit placed on the ground from which a boom, preferably in the form of a reelable tube, can be withdrawn. The boom extends at an oblique angle to the ground in its “down” position and a motor within the ground-standing unit can raise and lower it between that position and an “up” position at a greater angle to the ground in which traffic can pass. | 11-12-2009 |
20090279737 | PROCESSING METHOD FOR CODED APERTURE SENSOR - A method of processing for a coded aperture imaging apparatus which is useful for target identification and tracking. The method uses a statistical scene model and, preferably using several frames of data, determines a likelihood of the position and/or velocity of one or more targets assumed to be in the scene. The method preferably applies a recursive Bayesian filter or Bayesian batch filter to determine a probability distribution of likely state parameters. The method acts upon the acquired data directly without requiring any processing to form an image. | 11-12-2009 |
20090267406 | BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND ACTUATORS - A self-energising brake assembly, particularly for braking a drive shaft of a heavy tracked vehicle such as a tank, has a pair of discs carrying friction pads borne to rotate with the shaft. These friction discs are located to either side of a central non-rotating water-cooled disc assembly. A control brake disc is also borne to rotate with the shaft but capable of turning relative to the same via a ball screw assembly. To apply the brake the control disc is retarded relative to the shaft by means of an associated caliper, which causes relative axial movement between the inner and outer rings of the ball screw. This movement drives the friction disc axially along the shaft, on a ball spline, towards the friction disc, thus clamping the non-rotating disc between the two friction discs and braking the shaft. | 10-29-2009 |
20090252982 | Indentification device - A sheet of thermally reflective material ( | 10-08-2009 |
20090236542 | OPTICAL INSPECTION - This invention relates to methods of determining physical characteristics of and identifying and locating defects in substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, optical thin films, display screens and the like. The method involve use of PC scanners to image the substrate. In particular PC scanners used in transmission mode imaging allow information about the volume of the substrate to be determined. The method allows determination of characteristics such as layer thickness, curvature and optical constants through use of interferometery techniques and bifrefringence and strain through use of polarised imaging. The methods also relate to stimulating luminescence in the substrate, for example photoluminescence and electroluminescence and scanning the stimulated substrate for luminescence mapping. | 09-24-2009 |
20090211336 | HEATER DEVICE - Isopotential heaters used in the preconcentration stage of sample detection systems are described. The heaters have at least two electrically conducting paths of which the resistances of the electrically conducting baths are substantially equal such that in use uniform heat distribution is achieved. | 08-27-2009 |
20090185906 | CENTRIFUGAL IMPELLER - A low noise centrifugal fan impeller has a multi cellular form of construction comprising a multiplicity of individual radial flow channels disposed in a circumferential and longitudinal array with respect to the axis of rotation. This increases the “blade passing frequency” as compared to a conventional impeller and since higher frequencies have lower energy for a given flow output the total amplitude of the noise generated can be reduced. Each channel extends from a respective channel inlet to a respective channel outlet which is offset from the respective inlet in the longitudinal direction of the impeller, and involves an increase in the internal dimension of the respective channel in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation, thus assisting deceleration and compression of the air or other medium being conveyed as it flows through the channels. | 07-23-2009 |
20090179790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGERY FROM SYNTHETIC APERTURE SYSTEMS - A method of processing a temporal sequence of base images from a synthetic aperture system such as a synthetic aperture radar is provided that simplifies the task of identifying moving objects. The method comprises the steps of firstly temporally filtering a plurality of the base images to form a reference image, and secondly normalising the reference image with a base image to form a change detection image. The change detection image has the property that all moving objects are emphasised. Further processing can optionally be performed on the change detection image to remove false targets based on characteristics of the highlighted areas or on a temporal track taken over a plurality of change detection images. The invention allows detection of moving objects without requiring a Doppler return from a target. The invention extends to a system adapted to implement the method, and a computer program. | 07-16-2009 |
20090123281 | AXIAL FLOW IMPELLER - A low noise axial flow impeller has a multi cellular form of construction comprising a multiplicity of individual axial flow channels disposed in a circumferential and radial array with respect to the axis of rotation. This increases the “blade passing frequency” as compared to a conventional impeller and since higher frequencies have lower energy for a given flow output the total amplitude of the noise generated can be reduced. For high total flow area coupled with low structural weight the channels are arranged in tessellating rings of equal numbers of channels, with channel cross sections based on hexagons (or truncated hexagons in the case of the channels in the innermost and outermost rings). In another embodiment each channel also extends from a respective channel inlet to a respective channel outlet which is offset from the respective inlet in the radial direction of the impeller, and involves an increase in the internal dimension of the respective channel in the direction radial to the axis of rotation, thus assisting deceleration and compression of the air or other medium being conveyed as it flows through the channels. | 05-14-2009 |
20090117579 | Relating To The Handling Of DNA - A variety of methods are provided which use a silicon or silicon dioxide channel to extract DNA from a sample and then release it at a later point. The extraction channels are simple to manufacture and reliable in use. Prior art problems with entrainment of gas, liquid and solid material within channels are addressed. The techniques provide a convenient way of controlling the amount or concentration of DNA in the eluant. | 05-07-2009 |
20090102713 | Geolocation Methods and Apparatus - Methods and associated apparatus and programs for computers for operating geolocation devices are provided. The methods include determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active, responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval. The estimates of cost and benefit may be determined in response to user-selected parameters where by the end-user may effect a trade-off between battery life and receiver sensitivity. The methods also include varying the maximum duration of each listening period whereby to conserve battery power. | 04-23-2009 |
20090090868 | CODED APERTURE IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM - In coded aperture imaging knowledge of the coded array pattern and its positional relation to the detector array is needed in order to be able to reconstruct the scene image. Usually a theoretical model of the coded array is used and the actual array needs to be aligned accurately with respect to the detector. The present invention uses a coded aperture imager to image a reference object in the scene and uses the intensity pattern on the detector array to determine the decoding pattern corresponding to the coded aperture array. The reference object may be a point source in which case the pattern on the detector array may be used directly as the decoding pattern or it may be used to correct a theoretical pattern for any misalignment. | 04-09-2009 |
20090052008 | OPTICAL MODULATOR - A micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) electro optical modulator ( | 02-26-2009 |
20090028451 | PROCESSING METHODS FOR CODED APERTURE IMAGING - The present invention relates to processing of coded aperture images. Multiple frames of data acquired by the coded aperture imaging system, each with a different coded aperture array, are processed to form an image. The processing incorporates the constraints that the image solution must be positive and that the solution should be zero outside an expected image region. In one embodiment image enhancement may involve dividing the processed image into image regions having a spatially invariant point spread function and solving an inverse problem for each image region to reduce image blurring. | 01-29-2009 |
20090022410 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CODED APERTURE IMAGING - Methods for coded aperture imaging, and processing the data from coded aperture imaging are taught. Several snapshots of an image are acquired, each using a different coded aperture array. The several snapshots are combined together with appropriate weightings to form a single equivalent frame as are the aperture functions for the coded aperture arrays used. Combining several frames of data can improve the signal to noise ratio of the decode image and increase the resolution of the image. Preferably a balanced weighting system is used and image reconstruction is performed by inverting the covariance matrix formed by the covariance of the signals from a number of estimated trial points. Using a balanced weighting system reduces the covariance matrix to a diagonal or near diagonal matrix with a corresponding reduction in computational load. The techniques also reduces additive noise. Various technique for compensating for camera motion and identifying motion in the scene are also taught along with suitable apparatus for performing the invention. | 01-22-2009 |
20090020714 | IMAGING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to an imaging system which employs the same principles as coded aperture imaging. High angular resolution coded aperture imagers require a small aperture size and relatively large spacing between the coded aperture array and the detector. At such high resolutions diffraction effects can start to dominate and can degrade image quality. The present invention provides a detector array which receives radiation from a scene via a coded diffractive mask. The coded diffractive mask is designed such that its diffraction pattern at the waveband of interest is a well conditioned coded intensity pattern having a strong autocorrelation function with low sidelobes. Thus radiation reaching the detector array is diffracted by the diffractive mask but in a defined way and it is the diffraction pattern of the mask which provides the coding. The scene image can then be reconstructed using the same techniques as for conventional coded aperture imaging but using the diffraction pattern of the mask as the aperture function. The coded diffractive mask may be a binary or greyscale mask, may operate in reflection or transmission and may be an amplitude or phase modulating mask. | 01-22-2009 |
20090016481 | CODED APERTURE IMAGING SYSTEM - This invention relates to a coded aperture imaging system wherein a detector array is arranged to receive radiation from a scene via a coded aperture mask. The coded aperture mask provides a plurality of uncorrelated coded aperture arrays at different positions on the mask. Each distinct coded aperture array therefore passes coded information to the detector array. The intensity pattern at the detector array, which is a summation of the intensity patterns from each of the distinct coded aperture arrays, can be decoded separately for each coded aperture array to reconstruct a separate image associated with each coded aperture array. In this way the present invention teaches a coded aperture array means with multiple, simultaneous fields of view. The different fields of view can be different sizes and/or resolutions. Preferably the coded aperture mask is reconfigurable. | 01-15-2009 |
20090002617 | Bistable nematic liquid crystal device - A liquid crystal device comprises a layer ( | 01-01-2009 |
20080300080 | Compound Planet Steer Differential - A drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle incorporates a controlled differential for use in exercising steering control of the vehicle, comprising a compound planetary gear set ( | 12-04-2008 |
20080277941 | Generation of Electrical Power From Fluid Flows - A device for the generation of electrical power from a fluid flow, and more particularly for harvesting power from flows downhole in oil or gas wells, comprises a cylinder or other blunt body ( | 11-13-2008 |
20080274359 | Surface for promoting droplet formation - A surface ( | 11-06-2008 |
20080271124 | Secure Computer Use System - Methods and apparatus for ensuring the computer security of users of a computer system are described. A user is allocated a security grading relating to how secure their computer system ( | 10-30-2008 |
20080251733 | Multiple waveband millimetre and sub-millimetre wave detection system - A detection system operable at millimetre or sub-millimetre wavelengths includes detection means adapted to detect radiation at two distinct wavebands, wherein a first waveband is chosen such that it has a relatively high atmospheric absorbency to electromagnetic radiation, and the second waveband is chosen to have a relatively low atmospheric absorbency to electromagnetic radiation. The system is further adapted to take measurements from at least two different regions on a target, and to process the measurements to give an indication that the target contains an object of interest. The processing may comprise comparing measurement differences at a given waveband to reference data obtained from test measurements, or from computer models of targets. The detection system provides the ability to detect objects of interest without the need to provide a millimetric or sub-millimetric image of the target. | 10-16-2008 |