Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for measuring rheological properties of a fluid including a vessel with a shape defined by the following proportionality: x?C ×y{circumflex over (?)}((1/n)) wherein the symbol ? refers to proportionality, and the variables x and y are coordinates on an x-y cartesian coordinate plane, where x is length and y is height; 2?n?4; and C is a constant with dimensions of length, and the vessel includes a hole at or near the y-coordinate minimum; a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor wherein the temperature sensor and pressure sensor are configured to transmit temperature and pressure information to a mobile display device, tablet, or computer, the mobile display device, tablet, or computer comprising memory and a processor and a software application configured to perform processing operations including accepting two input numerical values including density and viscosity measured by the vessel and outputting industry standard dial readings of a conventional rotational rheometer.

Abstract: A container box, having: a container controller for controlling the container box, one or more pressure transducers disposed within the container box, the one or more pressure transduces operatively connected to the container box, wherein the container box is configured for monitoring pressure within the container box with the pressure transducers, the container box configured to perform an airtightness test, including: pressurizing the container box until pressure in the container box is above a first threshold; monitoring pressure in the container box to determine when pressure in the container box is proximate the first threshold; monitoring a first duration during which pressure in the contain box drops from the first threshold to a second threshold; determining whether the first duration is within an acceptable range, and when the duration is outside the acceptable range, communicating an alert to a container box monitoring implement.

Abstract: A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications.

Abstract: A gas-detecting apparatus, having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, for detecting a false alarm is disclosed. The gas-detecting apparatus comprises a control module, a sensor module, and an air chamber. In an example embodiment, the sensor module is electrically connected with the control module. The sensor module has a sensor inlet and a sensor outlet. The sensor inlet is fluidly coupled to the gas inlet of the gas-detecting apparatus. The air chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air inlet is fluidly coupled to the gas inlet of the gas-detecting apparatus and the air outlet is fluidly coupled to the gas outlet. The control module is configured to receive a first sensing signal for a first level of gas from the sensor module and determine whether magnitude of the first sensing signal is higher than a first threshold value.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.

Abstract: A sensor enclosure comprises a cover and a structure. The structure can be encased by the cover. The structure comprises a frame, a ring, and one or more anchoring posts. The frame can be configured to mount one or more sensors. The ring, disposed peripherally to the frame, can be operatively coupled to the cover. The ring can include a drainage ring plate that drains rainwater accumulated on the cover away from the sensor enclosure. The one or more anchoring posts, disposed underneath the frame and the ring, can be used to anchor the sensor enclosure to a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting leakage of a hollow component, comprising the steps of sealing said hollow component (1, 31), creating a pressure difference P1 and P2 between said hollow component interior and an adjacent compartment/enclosure (2, 32), putting a tracer gas in one of the hollow component or said compartment/enclosure, waiting for an enriching time T and then carrying out a step of transferring, via a non-selective or selective restriction (6, 7; 49), the content of said hollow component or said compartment/enclosure (2; 32) into which tracer gas has not been put, in order to concentrate, in a volume downstream of said restriction (6, 7; 49), the tracer gas that said content may possibly contain, and then in looking for the presence of tracer gas in said volume. The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to rheometric fixtures for making rheological measurements of yield stress fluids. In some embodiments, the fixture can be an improvement of a typical vane by having the ability to create a more homogeneous shear profile in a test material, e.g., a yield stress fluid. These vane fixtures having fractal-like cross-sectional structures enable robust rheological measurements of the properties of yield stress fluids due to several outer contact edges that lead to increased kinematic homogeneity at the point of yielding and beyond. The branching structure of the fractal-like fixtures can alter the shape of a wetted perimeter of the fixture while minimizing an area thereof to allow the fixture to be inserted into fluids with less disturbance. In some embodiments, a cup with a ribbed inner surface can be used to hold the sample fluid and disassembles for ease of cleaning following completion of the measurement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filter testing for use within an air handling system. The air handling system may include one or more scan assemblies. The scan assembly may include a track system using one or more magnetic arrays.

Abstract: Described are a method and device for controlling a temperature of a sample. The sample may be a rheometer sample. A thermal control system comprising a geometry element, heat conductor element, heater element, cooling device and thermal resistance layer is used. The cooling device may be a Peltier element. The heat conductor element is disposed adjacent to and in thermal communication with the geometry element. The heater element is in thermal contact with the heat conductor element. The thermal resistance layer is disposed between and in thermal contact with an element surface of the heat conductor element and a cooling surface of the cooling device. The heater element is operated to cause heat to flow to the geometry element and the cooling device is operated to cool the cooling surface to a temperature that is less than a temperature of the element surface.

Abstract: The method for calculating concentration ratio includes: (a) heating a gas sensor element to a temperature at which both of two gas components introduced in a gas sensor element react, and maintaining the temperature for a predetermined period to measure an electrical resistance value of the gas sensor element; (b) heating the gas sensor element to a temperature at which only any of the two gas components reacts, and maintaining the temperature for a predetermined period to measure an electrical resistance value of the gas sensor element; and (c) calculating a concentration ratio of the two gas components based on a combination of the electrical resistance value in (a) and the electrical resistance value in (b).

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for isolating a sample at a valve prior to introduction to an analysis system, such as sample analysis via ICP-MS. A system embodiment can include, but is not limited to, a valve system including a first valve in fluid communication with a sample reservoir and a second valve configured to permit and block access of a vacuum source to the first valve; a sensor system configured to detect presence or absence of a fluid at the first valve; and a controller configured to control operation of the second valve to block access of the vacuum source to the first valve upon detection of the fluid at the first valve to isolate the fluid within the sample reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement (100) for obtaining a quantity related to a temperature along a part of an optical fibre (110). The arrangement comprises a light emitter (120) arranged to emit light into the optical fibre (110). The optical fibre is at at least one location along said part of the optical fibre provided with a Fibre Bragg Gratings, FBGs (111, 112, 113), wherein the FBGs are arranged to reflect light within a predetermined wavelength range. The arrangement further comprises a detector (160) arranged to receive and detect the reflected light, a first optical shutter (130) arranged in the optical path after the light emitter. The first optical shutter is arranged to be opened and closed in order to let the emitted light through and into the optical fibre (110), a second optical shutter (150) arranged to be opened and closed in order to let the reflected light through, and an optical circulator (140) having a first, a second and a third port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for collecting liquid and a smart toilet comprising the same. The device comprises a fixing support, a swinging mechanism, a suction tube assembly and a pump body mechanism; the suction tube assembly (9) comprises a slide rail component and a retractable suction tube component disposed therein, one end of the slide rail component is connected to the swinging mechanism; the suction tube component comprises a suction tube internally provided with a cavity and an opening disposed above the cavity, and a first conduit disposed in the suction tube one end of the first conduit is inserted in the cavity, the other end of the first conduit is connected to the pump body mechanism. The fixing support is fixedly connected to the toilet body; the suction tube component swings towards the center of the toilet under the effect of the swinging mechanism, the suction tube component is used for receiving the urine.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a light detector, a gas-tight support structure enclosing the light detector, a window positioned in said support structure, and a light source mounted to the support structure. A sample area is positioned in the support structure to receive a gas to be tested. The light source is aligned with the window, sample area, and the light detector to pass light from the light source through the gas in the sample area to the light detector. The sensor can be provided in a breadth sampling apparatus that has deflects gas to a bypass route so that only a portion of gas reaches the sensor.

Abstract: A method for processing friction data for vehicle tires on road segments, implemented by a processing system including at least one computer and an interface for remote communication with a plurality of vehicles, the method including: acquiring, from the plurality of vehicles, friction data for tires of the vehicles on a plurality of road segments, each friction datum including at least: a maximum coefficient of friction available to the vehicle on the road segment, and information relating to the road segment; establishing, for each road segment, a distribution of the friction data obtained from the plurality of vehicles for the road segment; and determining a plurality of road types, each road type comprising a set of road segments, from a measurement of similarity between the distributions of friction data obtained for each road segment.

Abstract: A process for aging gas lift valves utilizing a controlled decompression to prevent damage to seals of the gas lift valves. The process includes pressuring one or more gas lift valves to a predetermined pressure (e.g., 5000 psig) and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time (e.g. five minutes). After this time period, decompression is performed in discrete steps. For instance, the pressure of the pressure vessel may be reduced in predetermined pressure increments (i.e. reductions). After each pressure reduction, the reduced pressure is maintained for a predetermined time. This allows gasses and fluids within the elastomeric O-rings time to dissipate without causing damage to the seals.

Abstract: An accelerated life testing (ALT) system for the pressurization of corrosive media, such as seawater, at high pressures and at elevated temperatures (up to about 70° C.) for extended periods of time. The interior of a pressure vessel is coated in an inert ceramic/epoxy coating that provides adequate corrosion protection from the corrosive media. A fabric reinforced nitrile diaphragm separates the corrosive media from hydraulic actuating media, such as oil. The hydraulic actuating media is pressurized, which deforms the diaphragm into the corrosive media, thereby increasing the pressure. The diaphragm and supplementary flouroelastomer seals isolate the corrosive media from pressure generating, monitoring, and safety equipment. The temperature of the entire vessel and contents is maintained by complete immersion in a heated, filtered water bath. The system is particularly useful for ALT experiments on components intended for sea floor and long term deep ocean environment operations at about 6000 psi (41.4 MPa).

Abstract: A detection method includes calibration mode of calibrating sensor with low-concentration gas being caused to flow along direction from the sensor toward an adsorption part, first detection mode of, after the calibration mode, detecting chemical substance with sample gas being caused to flow along the direction from the sensor toward the adsorption part, first adsorption mode of adsorbing, by the adsorption part, the chemical substance during an execution time period including time period overlapping at least part of an execution time period of the first detection mode, second adsorption mode of, after the first adsorption mode, adsorbing, by the adsorption part, the chemical substance with the sample gas being caused to flow along direction from the adsorption part toward the sensor, and second detection mode of desorbing, from the adsorption part, the chemical substance adsorbed in the first and second adsorption modes and detecting the chemical substance by the sensor.

Abstract: A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. A portion of the filter material is impregnated with a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material the following occurs: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material.