ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the designs of four novel measurement systems. The first is a sensitive microdegree polarimeter used to measure the concentration of optically active d-glucose-glucose used in bioreactors to grow cells. The second system was designed to measure and locate partial discharges caused by insulation faults on coaxial, high-voltage (HV) power cables. In the process of aging, the insulation of HV, underground, coaxial power cables may develop physical defects such as water trees and other cavities. The third example of instrument system design is a closed-loop, constant-phase, pulsed Laser velocity and range finder system (LAVERA). It has novel design in its use of a voltage-to-period converter-controlled oscillator. The LAVERA system provides simultaneous target range and velocity output information. The fourth example illustrates the use of feedback to automatically null systems used to measure very small changes in object capacitance.
