Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: A method for forming a bicycle frame component made of thermoplastic composite laminates has: a shell forming step: manufacturing multiple shells by compression molding; an overlapping step: overlapping two corresponding connecting margins of each two of the multiple shells to form an overlapping section of the two of the multiple shells and deploying a supporting unit within the multiple shells for supporting; a hot compressing connection step: heating and compressing the multiple shells to diffuse polymers of the multiple shells and to turn the multiple overlapping sections into multiple fusion areas for connection; a supporting unit removal step: removing the supporting unit disposed within the bicycle frame component.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents lighting control systems and related methods. One such system comprises a light emitting device comprising a plurality of channels, each channel of the plurality of channels including one or more light emitting diodes configured to emit light at a respective predominant wavelength, and a plurality of direct current drivers, each direct current driver of the plurality of direct current drivers supplying power to a respective channel of the plurality of channels. The system further includes a router module that is configured to communicate with the light emitting device; and a graphical user interface configured to specify and control a plurality of parameters of each channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the plurality of parameters enable adjustment of a spectral content, intensity, and schedule of illumination, in addition to enabling a DC mode of operation or a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode of operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sensor displacement device. The sensor displacement device is engaged with an optical fiber sensor (or other suitable form of a sensor) and slows recover of the sensor when displaced (e.g., deformed) from a static state. In doing so, the sensor displacement tuning body serves to enable amplification of signal detection associated with a given instance of sensor displacement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods configured to produce and monitor signals that characterize activities corresponding to intruders (e.g., persons and/or animals) traversing a boundary that at least partially defines a designated area. Such activities can characterize one or more persons traversing a boundary or attempting to traverse a barrier that defines the boundary. Sensors within a substrate that extends along the boundary can be used for producing such signals. The substrate can be soil of which ground at the boundary is comprised, a manmade material located within such soil or a material from which a barrier along the boundary is constructed. The sensors can be fiber optic sensors that extend contiguously along a length of the boundary and/or can be fiber optic sensors that are located at discrete locations along the length of the boundary. The signals can cause one or more responsive actions to be implemented.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial turf (100, 200) that provides an infill layer including a water absorber layer (106) and a performance layer (104), where the performance layer is on top of the water absorber layer and shields the water absorber layer from sunlight, and where the water absorber layer is adapted to serve as water reservoir layer and includes a porous, water-absorbent material.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 processing

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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).