Abstract: Remote monitoring of operating parameters of equipment associated with renal treatments (e.g., hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis) may include using a processor and computer-readable medium operably connected to the equipment and capable of receiving and storing data related to the operating parameters of the equipment. The system may be configured to: translate the received data related to the operating parameters of the equipment; determine a risk of malfunction of the equipment based on a comparison of the translated data for a respective operating parameter of the equipment against a predetermined limit for the respective operating parameter; and generate a report indicating the operating parameters and the determined malfunction risks of the equipment. The equipment may be remotely accessible, e.g. over a network, for monitoring of the data related to the operating parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is an anatomy display method for radiographically obtained data. The anatomy display method comprises obtaining an anatomy dataset comprised of pixels, each of the pixels having a luminance, and the pixels being arranged in slices. A portion of the anatomy dataset is selected. A representative slice of the portion of the anatomy dataset is used to establish a threshold pixel luminance within the entire selected portion of the anatomical dataset. All pixels in the selected portion of the anatomy dataset below the threshold are set to zero luminance. A selected organ in the selected portion is isolated by volumetric analysis. A volumetric matrix of the pixels corresponding to the selected organ is saved. The matrix may be further manipulated for examination by rotating it, tracking it, rendering it transparent and enlarging subvolumes.

Abstract: Geophones are placed around pipelines to detect third parties, e.g., heavy construction vehicles. Associated computer equipment acquires data from the geophones and discriminates for the frequencies associated with heavy construction vehicles.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter element is inserted into a pipeline to provide a dry oil stream for analysis. A moisture sensing probe is inserted along the central axis of the centrifugal filter to sense the properties of the dry oil stream therein. A second probe is inserted into the pipeline to sense the properties of the undried oil. Comparison of the output of the two probes reveals the water content of the oil in the pipeline.

Abstract: The basic water and sediment (BS&W) system compares a wet stream to a dry stream of the same oil in two electrical capacitance cells. A numerical zero offset is employed in the comparison to compensate for voltage output differences between the cells. The dry cell builds a small increase in its inherent offset from the wet cell because of its lower flow rate, which buildup is swept away when the wet fluid is run through both cells at a higher flow rate to determine the zero offset. To cancel the zero offset, the present invention alternates the flow to the two cells so that each cell experiences the same sequence of events alternately.

Abstract: Capacitance cells comprising concentric tubes are maintained clean of sediment in the space between the inner and outer tubes where capacitance is measured by (1) suspending fibrous strands in the fluid flow outside the inner tube and/or (2) partially plugging the inner tube to increase flow outside the inner tube.

Abstract: Temperature variations of fluid streams within a BS&W recorder system are controlled by heat exchange and recycling through the pump to reduce waxing and capacitance measurement errors.

Abstract: A process is provided for measuring the water and sediment content of a wet stream which is predominantly non-aqueous. The process requires removing a sample of the wet stream, extracting a dry stream sample from the wet stream sample, and comparing the dielectric constants of the wet and dry streams. Leakage of any of the wet stream sample into the dry stream sample will adversely affect the comparison of dielectric constants. Accordingly, periodically the apparatus used for the process is checked for leakage by blocking conduits carrying the dry stream sample to a holding chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system is provided for accurately sensing and remotely controlling a tool-to-workpiece spatial relationship. A typical application of the system may include a saw being sensor controlled through the process of removing a reinforced concrete covering from and about an underwater pipe or other metallic object that must be protected.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a process for measuring BS&W in crude oil by centrifugal separation of dry oil from wet oil and comparison of the dielectric constants of the two, the improvement being the use of at least two seals separating a dry oil chamber from a wet oil chamber and means for flushing the space between the seals with dry oil.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for detecting leaks in a pipeline when the flow is in a transient or steady condition. A mathematical model of the pipeline is constructed and real pressures and real flows are compared at various locations in the pipeline with predicted pressures and flows of the model at such locations. Leaks in the pipeline are indicated when upstream of the leak real pressure decreases and real flow increases with respect to the model and downstream of the leak real pressure decreases and real flow decreases with respect to the model.

Abstract: Interfaces are detected in pipeline batching by means of a capacitance cell for determining dielectric constants. The batch fluid may be purified by a centrifugal filter to allow identification of the batch fluid by dielectric constant.

Abstract: To improve both the accuracy and reliability of capacitance-type basic sediment and water (BS&W) recorders, it is desirable to provide a clean, dry reference stream whose dielectric constant can be compared to that of a wet stream. This compensates for any variation in the physical composition of the fluid (e.g., pipeline crude oil) which might otherwise yield a false value for the BS&W content. In accordance with the present invention, the dry reference stream is provided by filtration and reverse centrifugation of part of the wet stream.

Abstract: Basic sediment and water content of crude oil flowing through a pipeline is measured by removing a representative sample of the crude oil, heating the sample, and centrifuging the sample to separate the water from the oil. The vapor pressure in the centrifuge is controlled to prevent the escape of any water which has been vaporized by the heating step. The water fraction is passed to a condenser to condense whatever water was vaporized during the heating. Following the condensing step, the water flows into a measuring vessel and is measured.