Patents Assigned to Astro
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Patent number: 11867964Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11867963Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11852885Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Publication number: 20230408305Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methods configured to monitoring activity and/or environmental conditions of an area surrounding a pipeline. Such systems and methods can utilize fiber optic sensors for monitoring vibrations and other signals in elongated tubular members making up the pipeline. Such fiber optic sensors can be strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of the pipeline thereby allowing monitoring of critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the pipeline and other signals indicative of adverse product flow conditions and pipeline operating conditions. Furthermore, one or more drones can be used for using one or more sensors thereof for monitoring and assessing activity within an area adjacent to the respective one of the drones (e.g., the area surrounding the pipeline) and environmental conditions of the area adjacent to the respective one of the drones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11845094Abstract: Machine for the surface processing of products (L) under controlled pressure conditions different than the ambient pressure, comprising • at least one sealed chamber (12, 13), provided with at least one opening (15, 16), that can be closed, for inserting and removing a plurality of products (L) to be processed, • a device (30) for adjusting the pressure inside said at least one chamber (12, 13), • in said at least one chamber (12, 13), a moving device (20) for vertically moving said products (L), so as to accumulate at least two said products on levels arranged over one another, • a horizontal moving device (19) for moving said products (L) from and towards said at least one opening (15, 16) when the products (L) are arranged at the same level of said at least one opening (15, 16) wherein, from an operational viewpoint, a plurality of said products (L) are inserted into said at least one chamber (12, 13), and at least two products of said plurality of products (L) are over one another for a span of processingType: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: ASTRO S.R.L.Inventor: Alessio Noe'
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Publication number: 20230400349Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods for detecting activities associated with theft of a substance flowing through the pipeline. Such activities are determined by correlating pipeline sensor signals to anomalistic reference signals characterizing activity(ies) known to be associated with theft of a substance flowing through a pipeline—e.g., formation of a hole within a tubular member of the pipeline, a liquid being pumped into the pipeline through a wall of a tubular member thereof, a metallic article (e.g., drill) coming into contact with a tubular member of the pipeline, and the like. Advantageously, fiber optic sensors are utilized for such monitoring of vibrations and other operating conditions in elongated tubular members making up the pipeline thereby enabling activities associated with theft of a substance from the pipeline to be effectively and inexpensively detected over extended lengths of pipelines.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Publication number: 20230221197Abstract: Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Publication number: 20230221196Abstract: Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11698291Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods configured to monitor vibrations and other signals in a pipeline to detect activities associated with theft of a substance flowing through the pipeline. To this end, such activities are determined by correlating pipeline sensor signals to anomalistic reference signals characterizing activity(ies) known to be associated with theft of a substance flowing through a pipeline—e.g., formation of a hole within a tubular member of the pipeline, a liquid being pumped into the pipeline through a wall of a tubular member thereof, a metallic article (e.g., drill) coming into contact with a tubular member of the pipeline, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11644371Abstract: Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: ASTRO TECHNOLOGY GROUP, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11639862Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David V Brower
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Publication number: 20230110793Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Publication number: 20230112072Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Publication number: 20230110009Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11603163Abstract: A motor mounting assembly of an electric bicycle has a motor-installation mount, a motor unit, and at least one adapting piece. The motor-installation mount has a mounting frame and a lateral cover. The mounting frame is annular and has a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a lateral opening disposed on the first lateral side. The lateral cover is assembled to the first lateral side and covers the lateral opening. The motor unit is received within the motor-installation mount. Each one of the at least one adapting piece has two fastening portions. One of the fastening portions of each adapting piece is connected to the motor unit. The other fastening portion is clamped between and is connected to the lateral cover and the mounting frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Astro Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheng-Lian Wang
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Publication number: 20230039794Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members within a subsea environment. To this end, such fiber optic sensors connected by lengths of optical fiber are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A viscous media is used for mitigating attenuation associated with exposure of optical fiber exposed to forces generated by pressure within the subsea environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11519802Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members within a subsea environment. To this end, such fiber optic sensors connected by lengths of optical fiber are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A viscous media is used for mitigating attenuation associated with exposure of optical fiber exposed to forces generated by pressure within the subsea environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David V Brower
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Patent number: 11422047Abstract: Systems, devices and methods enable generation and monitoring of support platform structural conditions in a manner that overcomes drawbacks associated with conventional approaches (e.g., load cells) for generating and monitoring similar operating condition information. In preferred embodiments, such systems, devices and methods utilize fiber optic strain gauges (i.e., fiber optic sensors) in place of (e.g., retrofit/data replacement) or in combination with conventional load cells. The fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations on one or more support bodies of a support platform. In preferred embodiments, the fiber optic strain gauges are placed in positions within a hull and/or one or more pontoons of an offshore platform. Such positions are selected whereby resulting operating condition data generated by the fiber optic strain gauges suitably replaces data received by conventionally constructed and located load cells of an offshore platform (e.g., a TLP).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLCInventor: David Verl Brower
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Patent number: 11357175Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an agile spectrum LED lighting fixture with a control. In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a plurality of sets of light emitting diodes, wherein each set of the plurality of sets of light emitting diodes includes one or more light emitting diodes. The light emitting device further includes a control device for controlling a light intensity of each set of light emitting diodes of the plurality of sets of light emitting diodes. Each set of the plurality of sets is controlled by a driver, such that there are a plurality of drivers, at least one for each set of the plurality of sets.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: ASTRO SPACE, LLCInventor: William F. Probasco
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Patent number: D997087Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Blink Astro, LLCInventors: Kevin Feld, Bill Doncaster, John Olds, Mark Schaffer, John Madigan, Megan Braun, Ben Merrel, Jeremy Young