Abstract: Embodiments of solid-state stress sensors are presented herein. A sensor system may include a substrate, a first layer of sensing material disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and at least three electrodes forming a first and second electrode pair. The at least three electrodes may include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The first electrode may be disposed in a first plane and the second electrode and the third electrode may be disposed in a second plane, the first and second planes associated with a first direction parallel to the first surface. The first and second electrodes may be at least partially offset in the first direction. The first and third electrodes may be at least partially offset in the first direction. The sensor system may be configured to generate an output signal in response to a shear stress within the sensing material.

Abstract: A multi-purpose camera stand includes a lower tube, an upper tube sheathed on the lower tube, a multi-stage telescopic rod installed into the lower tube, and a mounting stand fixed to the multi-stage telescopic rod. A camera equipment is installed onto the mounting stand, and three legs are hinged to the bottom of the lower tube. After the three legs are folded, a first accommodating space for accommodating the multi-stage telescopic rod is formed, and a second accommodating space for accommodating the stand is formed in the upper tube. When the camera stand is folded, the telescopic rod is accommodated into the first accommodating space, and the mounting stand is accommodated into the second accommodating space to reduce the storage volume of the camera stand and facilitate storage and carry. In addition, the mounting stand can be rotated in different directions to fit the use of different occasions.

Abstract: A removable portable wireless fluid sensor system for use in hydrocarbon wells having a sensor assembly with a guided wave radar level and interface transmitter, a single flex probe with a sensor wire, a top tank mounting system for supporting the single flex probe, at least one turbulence breaker, and a secondary wireless controller in communication with a primary wireless controller. The secondary wireless controller communicates with the single flex probe, the guided wave radar level and interface transmitter, and the primary wireless controller. The removable portable wireless fluid sensor system is configured for detecting fluid levels in tanks accurately as levels change due to coiled tubing operations in completions of hydrocarbon wells, snubbing operations in completions of hydrocarbons wells, water transfer operations during fracturing of a hydrocarbon well, and flow back fluid measurement and well testing procedures for hydrocarbon wells.

Abstract: A camera attachment apparatus for attaching to a mobile computing device having an integrated camera includes a house, a slide plate, an aperture, and an illumination system. The housing has a shape to mount on the mobile computing device. The slide plate is disposed within the housing and has a stowed position and a deployed position. The aperture is disposed in the slide plate. The illumination system is disposed on the slide plate. The slide plate is configured to align the aperture over the integrated camera when moved to the deployed position and does not obstruct the integrated camera in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method includes operating a downhole acquisition tool including a guard probe and a sample probe in a wellbore that contains a fluid that includes a native reservoir fluid and a contaminant. The method also includes receiving a first portion of fluid into the guard probe and a second portion of fluid into the sample probe, estimating a contamination level of the first or second portions based on a fluid property of the respective first and second portions, determining an initial guard flow rate of the first portion, determining an initial sample flow rate of the second portion, using a processor to adjust a guard flow rate of the second portion over pump time after the contamination level of the first portion is at or below a contamination level threshold, and adjust a sample flow rate of the first portion based on the adjusted guard flow rate and total flowrate.

Abstract: A camera stabilization system that is configured to stabilize a plurality of cameras mounted and positioned for virtual reality video recording. The system includes a support apparatus designed to accept and secure a variety of cameras with each camera in the support apparatus optimally orientated for recording still or moving images which can thereafter be processed to create a seamless, 360-degree image suitable for viewing with commercially available virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD). Stabilization of the apparatus is provided by means of stabilization system attached to the apparatus and which stabilization system includes a sensor, processor, controller and motors designed to receive indications about the horizon and dynamically stabilize motion along one or more of the X, Y, and/or Z axis of the apparatus, thereby allowing an operator to record steady, stabilized virtual reality images while moving the apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasonic displacement measurement system for hydraulic accumulators (3) has a movable separating element (5) separating two media chambers (9, 11) from each other in a media-tight manner within a housing (7). One media chamber (9) holds a compressible fluid or an incompressible fluid. The other media chamber (11) holds a compressible working gas. The particular position of the movable separating element (5) within the housing (7) can be detected by an ultrasonic sensor (13) that performs the position detection of the separating element (5) on the side of the media chamber (11) having the compressible fluid. A method for ultrasonic displacement measurement uses that system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprising a coupling element and a piezo element, wherein a metal disk is arranged between the coupling element and the piezo element, wherein the metal disk is connected with the piezo element or with the coupling element by means of an adhesive layer, characterized in that the adhesive layer is producible, at least in certain regions, by means of a photochemically curable adhesive.

Abstract: A microstructured optical fiber comprises a doped core region embedded in a cladding layer, and a plurality of longitudinal tubes, wherein a radial cross-section of the optical fiber comprises a central hexagonal portion comprising a plurality of holes arranged according to a hexagonal grid surrounding a core section. Each hole corresponds to a respective tube, within a hexagonal boundary of the grid, and the plurality of holes comprises holes of first and second types arranged in a biaxial mirror-symmetric configuration. The holes of the first type are arranged in two side holey structures comprising distinct sub-grids of the hexagonal grid, defined by respective outer boundaries corresponding to portions of the hexagonal boundary of the grid and respective inner boundaries. Outer tangential lines to the respective inner boundaries cross each other at the opposed side of the core with respect to the side of the respective side holey structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to differential pressure transducers. The teachings thereof may be embodied in diaphragm-beam configurations for measuring small values of differential pressure and/or a bridge circuit for converting mechanical strains into an electric output signal. For example, a diaphragm-beam structure for measuring differential pressure may include: a frame; a paddle; a resilient beam member; a diaphragm; and a gap defined between the paddle and the frame. The diaphragm flexes under pressure on one surface. The resilient beam member anchors the paddle to the frame. The second surface of the diaphragm is mounted to the first surface of the paddle and the frame to bridge the gap. The paddle moves due to flexure of the diaphragm. The resilient beam member bends due to movement of the paddle. The thickness of the diaphragm is less than 50 micrometers.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for in-line testing and surface analysis of test material with participation of Raman spectroscopy wherein the apparatus has a column with a plurality of test units at least one of which is a wear test unit and another is a Raman spectrometer. The sample is located on a rotary table under the test units. By sequentially removing the material of the sample to a predetermined depth and then conducting the surface analysis with the use of the Raman spectrometer, it becomes possible to analyze distribution of the material components in the depth direction from the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A method of packing a chromatography column, including: dispersing chromatographic media particles in a slurry solution to form a slurry, filling a chromatography column with the chromatographic media particles by introducing the slurry to the column and applying a pressure to pack the chromatographic media particles in the chromatography column. The slurry solution is preferably aqueous based slurry solution. The pressure is preferably applied and held substantially constant for a first period at a first pressure and is applied and held substantially constant for a second period, following the first period, at a second pressure higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: A camera slider assembly for supporting a camera thereon including a frame with a pair of rails and a carriage body that rolls longitudinally along the rails upon which a camera can be supported. A flywheel is supported on the carriage body for rotation relative to the carriage body about a flywheel axis which is movable with the carriage body in the longitudinal direction relative to the frame. A pulley cable is connected between the flywheel and one of the wheels of the carriage body to rotate the flywheel responsive to rolling of the wheels of the carriage body along the rails. A brake member on the carriage body is pivotal on the carriage body between braking and released positions about the same axis as the flywheel. The flywheel can accordingly be rotatably supported upon the brake member to support the flywheel on the carriage body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a dynamic tensile stress and/or tensile strain response of a material such as an elastic material and/or a ductile material. The apparatus may include a striker bar, a stretcher bar, and a drive assembly configured to propel the striker bar toward the stretcher bar. The apparatus may further include a stationary specimen mount and a movable specimen mount that receive a test sample. The striker bar and the stretcher bar of the apparatus may provide a continuous stress on the test sample and an accurate tensile stress/strain measurement.

Abstract: A camera includes a camera housing with a housing wall demarcating the interior of the camera housing, an optical aperture and a lenslet aperture extending through the housing wall, and an opaque blocking wall adjoined to and extending inwardly from the housing wall and circumscribing the lenslet aperture; a lenslet in the lenslet aperture aligned with an on-camera light source; a lens contained within the camera housing and aligned with the optical aperture to receive light entering the camera housing through the optical aperture; an imager within the camera housing and aligned with the lens to capture light passing through the lens; and circuitry contained within the camera housing communicative with the imager and operable to operate the camera. The circuitry includes a printed circuit board that abuts the opaque blocking wall and on which is mounted a light source positioned to be circumscribed by the opaque blocking wall.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the degree of deterioration of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine and oxidizes or adsorbs a target gas, including at least one of a hydrocarbon gas and a carbon monoxide gas in an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, is adapted to determine whether deterioration exceeding an acceptable level of a catalyst occurs or not by comparing the concentration of a target gas detected downstream from the catalyst in the exhaust path when a diagnosis-gas atmosphere containing a target gas higher in concentration than a target gas during a steady-operation state of the internal combustion engine is intentionally produced and introduced into the catalyst with a threshold value corresponding to the temperature of a catalyst at the timing which the diagnosis-gas atmosphere is introduced.

Abstract: A two-piece mounting system for a trail camera has a support with a fitting that is placed high in a tree on a tree branch. The support with an auger anchor is driven into the tree branch with an extension pole equipped with a companion fitting. The auger has a releasable spring-loaded turn-to-lock capture means to capture and hold a utility bar. The utility bar, like the auger support, is placed and attached to the support with the extension pole. The utility bar receives a universal camera mount attached to the bar through a swivel. The camera mount and swivel have an adjustment bar that has a fitting that can be received by the extension pole fitting, so once placed in the tree, the camera angle can be adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Some UAVs include a vertically-mounted printed circuit board (PCB). The UAVs have yaw, pitch, and roll axes. The UAVs comprise a plurality of propellers, each of the plurality of propellers configured to rotate about a respective one of a plurality of axes of rotation; a base assembly coupled to each of the plurality of propellers; and a PCB coupled to the base assembly. A surface of the PCB lies in a plane defined by the yaw axis and the roll axis, and no portion of the PCB intersects any axis of rotation of any propeller of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The PCB may have a non-rectangular shape, such as the shape of a shark. Some UAVs include a PCB comprising a mechanical feature configured to engage with a peripheral or a peripheral subassembly.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided relating to improved mounting platforms for supporting a payload on a movable object. In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting a payload comprises: a first support member coupled to the payload and configured to rotate the payload; a second support member coupled to the first support member and configured to rotate the first support member relative to the second support member; and a flexible member electrically coupling the first and second support members, wherein a length of the flexible member winds around a portion of the first support member or second support member, such that the length winds up around the portion when the first support member is rotated in a first direction and unwinds from the portion when the first support member is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a top member adapted to be removably coupled to a bottom member to enclose the electronic device. A first back engagement feature is disposed on an inside surface of a perimeter wall portion of the bottom member, and the first back engagement feature is adapted to engage a first front engagement feature disposed on an inner perimeter wall of the top member to removably secure the top member to the bottom member. A second back engagement feature is disposed on an outside surface of the perimeter wall portion of the bottom member, and the second back engagement feature is adapted to engage a second front engagement feature disposed on an outer perimeter wall of the top member to further removably secure the top member to the bottom member.