Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to measure temperature and/or emissivity of a target. Emissivity of the target need not be known or assumed, and any temperature difference between a sensor and the target need not be zeroed or minimized. No particular bandpass filter is required. Devices can include one or two sensors viewing the same target as the target views different respective viewed temperatures. The respective viewed temperatures can be sensor temperatures, and a single sensor can be set to each of the respective viewed temperatures at different times. An analyzer can determine the temperature and/or emissivity of the target based on the respective viewed temperatures and on plural net heat fluxes detected by the sensors and corresponding to the respective viewed temperatures.

Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to measure temperature and/or emissivity of a target. Emissivity of the target need not be known or assumed, and any temperature difference between a sensor and the target need not be zeroed or minimized. No particular bandpass filter is required. Devices can include one or two sensors viewing the same target as the target views different respective viewed temperatures. The respective viewed temperatures can be sensor temperatures, and a single sensor can be set to each of the respective viewed temperatures at different times. An analyzer can determine the temperature and/or emissivity of the target based on the respective viewed temperatures and on plural net heat fluxes detected by the sensors and corresponding to the respective viewed temperatures.

It is disclosed a woven textile fabric comprising a first and a second electrically conductive layer (20; 30) of interwoven conductive yarns (22, 24; 32, 34) and a first intermediate pseudo-layer (40) of structural and insulating yarns (45) comprised between the first and the second electrically conductive layer and a plurality of binding yarns (47) interlacing the first and second conductive layers (20; 30) and the intermediate layer (40). The structural yarns (45) and the binding yarns (47) have piezoelectric properties.

A portable heating chamber system is adapted and configured for use in performing pyrometric proficiency testing. Within an enclosing structure is an array of thermocouples which function as temperature sensors. Heat is generated within the chamber by one or more electric resistive heat sources, and heated air is circulated by one or more electric fans. Outside the enclosing structure are a temperature controller and a data acquisition device, which applies correction factors to the temperature data and determines uncertainties to assess testing proficiency.

In one aspect, methods of detecting ice formation on an aircraft are described herein. In some implementations, a method of detecting ice formation on an aircraft comprises disposing an ice detector on an exterior surface of the aircraft, the ice detector comprising a probe surface and a pyroelectric material layer disposed on at least a portion of the probe surface. The method further comprises generating a charge on a surface of the pyroelectric material layer of the ice detector to increase the local freezing point of water on the surface of the pyroelectric material layer.

A portable heating chamber system is adapted and configured for use in performing pyrometric proficiency testing. Within an enclosing structure is an array of thermocouples which function as temperature sensors. Heat is generated within the chamber by one or more electric resistive heat sources, and heated air is circulated by one or more electric fans. Outside the enclosing structure are a temperature controller and a data acquisition device, which applies correction factors to the temperature data and determines uncertainties to assess testing proficiency.