71 results about "Thermal signature" patented technology

A system and method for determining the track of a projectile use a thermal signature of the projectile. Sequential infrared image frames are acquired from a sensor at a given position. A set of frames containing spots with characteristics consistent with a projectile in flight are identified. A possible projectile track solution for said spots is identified. A thermal signature value for each pixel of each spot of the possible solution is determined. The determined thermal signature is then compared to an actual thermal signature for a substantially similar projectile track to ascertain whether the determined thermal signature substantially matches the actual thermal signature, which indicates that the possible projectile track solution is the correct solution.

A route examination system includes a thermographic camera configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route. The thermographic camera is also configured to sense infrared radiation emitted or reflected from the route and to generate a sensed thermal signature representative of the infrared radiation that is sensed. The system also includes a computer readable memory device configured to store a designated thermal signature representative of infrared radiation emitted from a segment of the route that is not damaged. The system also includes an analysis processor configured to determine a condition of a first portion of the route relative to other portions of the route at least in part by comparing the sensed thermal signature and the designated thermal signature.

A system for cooling a structure or mechanism through transpiration processes. Generally a porous structural material may be used to form a hot wall surface of a high temperature or high heat flux environment component, typically used in combustion type devices. Coolant pressurized on the “cold” or cooler side of the wall is bled, “sweated”, or otherwise transpired to the “hot” wall surface in an effort to control the hot wall surface temperature by shielding the surface with a coolant layer at the surface and by removing heat via coolant flow past the surface. This may be done to manage the hot wall temperature for structural purposes, more effectively manage high heat fluxes, or to hide thermal signatures. The porous material can be selectively made such that the coolant material flows substantially in one direction only through the porous material to transfer thermal energy only away from the structure rather than towards the structure.

A system and method for masking a hardware boot sequence are provided. With the system and method, one of the processors of a multiprocessor system is chosen to be a boot processor. The other processors of the multiprocessor system execute masking code that generates electromagnetic and / or thermal signatures that mask the electromagnetic and / or thermal signatures of the actual boot processor. Such masking may involve running the same boot code as the boot processor but without obtaining access to security information, such as the security key for accessing the system. The electromagnetic and / or thermal signatures generated by the execution of the masking code preferably approximate the electromagnetic and / or thermal signatures of the actual boot code executing on the boot processor. In this way, it is difficult to distinguish which processor is the actual boot processor.

A watercraft with a propulsion engine includes at least one hull having an underside. A dual exhaust system includes a first exhaust conduit defining a first exhaust flow path leading to the underside (e.g., a step in a planing surface on the underside) and a second exhaust conduit defining a second exhaust flow path to atmosphere. One embodiment is self proportioning. In another embodiment, an onboard proportioning system varies first and second proportions of the exhaust flowing through respective ones of the first and second exhaust conduits according to exhaust back pressure. First and second valve mechanisms selectively restrict the first and second exhaust flow paths under computer or manual control according to pressure sensed by a back-pressure-sensing component in order to thereby direct the exhaust in desired proportions for enhanced operating characteristics and reduced thermal signature.

A watercraft with at least one onboard propulsion engine includes at least two hulls and a wing-like deck structure spanning the two hulls (a floating wing). Port and starboard skirts combine with the deck structure to form port and starboard planing channels. The deck structure includes an upwardly facing surface that slopes downwardly toward an aft end of the deck structure in order to provide aerodynamic lift. Preferably, a speed-responsive exhaust proportioning system vents exhaust at vertical steps in planing surfaces on the hulls to reduce drag, increase lift, and reduce thermal signature. One embodiment includes hinged laterally extending deck extensions that an operator can raise to reduce vessel breadth during docking, upwardly extending barriers on the deck extensions that reduce the escape of wind laterally, and hinged flap structures disposed rearwardly that enable an operator to adjust vessel trim.