Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an apparatus for imaging a volume of material contained inside a vessel. The apparatus includes a plurality of synchronized acoustic sensors positioned at a periphery of an inner volume of the vessel. A processor combines the outputs of the acoustic sensors to identify at least one ambient noise source of the industrial process generating a noise field that illuminates an internal volume of the vessel and to provide an image of the material by temporal and spatial coherent processing of the transmission and reflection of the noise field generated by the noise source.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fibre can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular, this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fibre while achieving fine spatial resolution. Advantages of this technique include a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.

Abstract: A fuel filter inspection method includes capturing an image of a fuel filter sample using an imaging device and sending the captured image to an image processor. The method further includes the image processor receiving the captured image, thresholding the captured image to generate a binary image, determining sizes for a plurality of particles present in the binary image, comparing the size of each of particle of the plurality of particles to a particle size threshold, and quantifying the number of particles of the plurality of plurality of particles with a size greater than the particle size threshold. The method further includes the image processor comparing the number of particles of the plurality of particles with a size greater than the particle size threshold to a particle count threshold, and modifying a graphical user interface to indicate a state of the fuel filter sample based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and/or method that uses a body posture of a user to determine and modulate a content mode of a virtual reality system. The content mode may define the manner in which virtual reality content is presented to the user and/or the manner in which the user interacts with the virtual reality content. The user's body posture and/or a change in body posture may cause the content mode and/or the virtual reality content to change accordingly. In some implementations, primary content may be presented to the user according to a first content mode in response to the user sitting. Secondary virtual reality content may be presented to the user according to the second content mode in response to the user standing. As such, a user may initiate a change in the virtual reality content and/or the content mode by standing from a sitting posture and/or sitting from a standing posture.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fibre. The present invention can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fibre while achieving fine spatial resolution. The present invention offers unique advantages in a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.

Abstract: An interferometer apparatus for an optical fibre system and method of use is described. The interferometer comprises an optical coupler and optical fibres which define first and second optical paths. Light propagating in the first and second optical paths is reflected back to the optical coupler to generate an interference signal. First, second and third interference signal components are directed towards respective first, second and third photodetectors. The third photodetector is connected to the coupler via a non-reciprocal optical device and is configured to measure the intensity of the third interference signal component directed back towards the input fibre. Methods of use in applications to monitoring acoustic perturbations and a calibration method are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fibre. The present invention can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. in particular this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fibre while achieving fine spatial resolution. The present invention offers unique advantages in a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a drinking vessel which includes a first valve portion having a fluid outlet and a second valve portion including a flexible diaphragm having a blocking portion movable from a closed sealing position to an open position with the second valve portion holding the flexible diaphragm relative to the first valve portion such that when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position the blocking portion seals the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to prevent fluid flow therethrough, the second valve portion further includes one or more apertures formed therein and spaced from the blocking portion such that a fluid flow path is formed from the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to at least one of the apertures of the second valve portion when the blocking portion is moved from the closed sealing position to the open position.

Abstract: An interferometer apparatus for an optical fiber system and method of use is described. The interferometer comprises an optical coupler and optical fibers which define first and second optical paths. Light propagating in the first and second optical paths is reflected back to the optical coupler to generate an interference signal. First, second and third interference signal components are directed towards respective first, second and third photodetectors. The third photodetector is connected to the coupler via a non-reciprocal optical device and is configured to measure the intensity of the third interference signal component directed back towards the input fiber. Methods of use in applications to monitoring acoustic perturbations and a calibration method are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fiber. The present invention can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fiber while achieving fine spatial resolution. The present invention offers unique advantages in a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.

Abstract: The sharing of video content published online is tracked enabling the generation of a share tracking report. A first client shares video content using a first identifier that associates the first client to the video content and sharing statistics are updated. A second client accesses the video content via the first identifier and is associated with a second identifier that can used to share the video content by the second client. The second identifier is also associated with the first identifier to create a chain of discovery. A subsequent client accesses the video content via the second identifier and the sharing statistics associated with the second identifier are updated, thus continuing to add to the chain of discovery. A report is generated comprising sharing information, which includes one or more of a chain of discovery and at least one sharing statistic.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a tick bite or other skin wound that may have been exposed to pathogens employs a syringe filled with antipathogen solution whereby the solution is applied under mild pressure directly to the wound site. The device employs spreader/retractor arms to open the wound for better access of the solution into the wound. The method of using the device to cleanse and disinfect a wound is described.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the cooling to a portion of a combustion liner of a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The combustion liner is cooled by supplying air through a plurality of cooling holes arranged in axially spaced rows in an upper and lower portion of the liner. The cooling holes are spaced accordingly so as to direct additional cooling flow to an area of the combustion liner not receiving sufficient flow due to maldistributions of air from the compressor discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fast quantitative measurement of perturbation of optical fields transmitted, reflected and/or scattered along a length of an optical fibre can be used for point sensors as well as distributed sensors or the combination of both. In particular, this technique can be applied to distributed sensors while extending dramatically the speed and sensitivity to allow the detection of acoustic perturbations anywhere along a length of an optical fibre while achieving fine spatial resolution. Advantages of this technique include a broad range of acoustic sensing and imaging applications. Typical uses are for monitoring oil and gas wells such as for distributed flow metering and/or imaging, seismic imaging, monitoring long cables and pipelines, imaging within large vessel as well as for security applications.

Abstract: Modifications to the lifting structure of prior art boat lifts permit the addition of support and drive rollers and associated drive mechanisms that may be used to displace the bow (or stern) of a raised boat over an adjacent barrier such as a sea wall, dock, or bulkhead.