Abstract: A front vehicle mount assembly and system to mount to a vehicle grille for supporting a device. The front vehicle mount assembly including a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough. A cushioned pad is attached to the bottom surface of the plate. A plurality of rod-mounted claw hooks comprising a threaded fastener with a head and a hook member having a threaded bore engaging the threaded fastener extend through the plate openings. The hook members engage a back surface of the vehicle grille and the cushioned pad engages a front grille surface when the threaded fasteners are tightened. A ball mounted on a post is connected to the top surface of the plate and provides a mechanical means for mounting the device to the assembly.

Abstract: A releasable mounting system and method for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface, comprising a base assembly having a plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup (MASC) mounting assemblies connected to a base plate for semi-permanently attaching to the ferrous material surface. Each MASC mounting assembly has a suction cup and at least one magnet providing additional fixturing of the base assembly to the ferrous material surface. The system may include a rooftop assembly comprising a shell and a pivotally mounted mast assembly biased in an upright position. The rooftop assembly on a vehicle rooftop may include sensors providing information to a computer inside the vehicle, including information with respect to the orientation of the mast on top of the vehicle during a mobile survey. All of the data gathered from the rooftop assembly may be wirelessly communicated to the computer inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A magnetic-assisted suction cup mounting assembly and method for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface comprises a suction cup and at least one magnet spatially arranged with respect to the suction cup and providing additional fixturing of the suction cup to the ferrous material surface. One method for semi-permanently attaching the mounting assembly to the ferrous material surface comprises positioning a plurality of magnets in a raised position above a peripheral edge surface of a suction cup, positioning the suction cup on the ferrous material surface and drawing a vacuum between the suction cup and the ferrous material surface. Then repositioning the plurality of magnets to a lowered position in contact with the ferrous material surface.

Abstract: A releasable mounting system and method for semi-permanently attaching to a ferrous material surface, comprising a base assembly having a plurality of magnetic-assisted suction cup (MASC) mounting assemblies connected to a base plate for semi-permanently attaching to the ferrous material surface. Each MASC mounting assembly has a suction cup and at least one magnet providing additional fixturing of the base assembly to the ferrous material surface. The system may include a rooftop assembly comprising a shell and a pivotally mounted mast assembly biased in an upright position.

Abstract: A system for measuring a target gas via laser absorption spectroscopy in an open-air configuration, comprising a mid-infrared distributed feedback interband cascade laser (mid-IR DFB-ICL) having a wavelength selected to correspond with a spectral absorption line of the target gas and first electronic circuitry to control the laser temperature, current and modulation frequency. The mid-IR DFB-ICL is mounted to a heat sink. The system includes an optical component that projects a beam of the mid-IR DFB-ICL onto a distal backscattering directionally-reflective target and an optical receiver assembly that receives a fraction of the laser light that is backscattered from the directionally-reflective target and focuses the collected light onto an uncooled photodetector having a spectral bandwidth and optical configuration selected to optimize signal-to-noise response to received laser light.

Abstract: A method for detecting a buried non-conductive pipe includes transmitting, by a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, guided RF energy through one end of the non-conductive pipe, receiving, by a RF receiver, electromagnetic signals due to RF energy leaks in one or more locations along the non-conductive pipe, and processing, by one or more processors, the received signals to determine a location of the non-conductive pipe. A system for detecting a buried non-conductive pipe includes a RF transmitter configured to transmit guided RF energy through one end of the non-conductive pipe, a RF receiver configured to receive electromagnetic signals due to RF energy leaks in one or more locations along the non-conductive pipe, and one or more processors configured to process the received signals to determine a location of the non-conductive pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote laser-based detection of gas at levels exceeding natural background levels preferably utilizing wavelength modulated tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, background gas and noise are estimated using statistical moving average and variance calculations. Gas concentration length measurements resulting from the spectroscopy are preferably compared in real-time or near-real-time to the sum of the background and noise estimates and an alarm limit to detect gas presence of concern. Gas levels exceeding this detection threshold are preferably indicated by a prolonged output tone with a pitch indicative of the magnitude of the gas measurement, and gas levels below the detection threshold are preferably indicated by silence.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled system and method for automaticaly determining the rate of leakage from a fluid storage tank. The method includes four phases. In Phase #1 the operator manually enters into the system the phase setting, the tank type, the tank material, the tank diameter, the tank volume, and the type of product in the tank. In Phase #2 the operator manually enters into the system the API gravity and the API temperature of the product it the tank. In Phase #3 the microcontroller calculates the thermal coefficient of expansion of the product, and maintains the level of product in a stand tube and computes the product being put in and taken out of the stand tube.

Abstract: A fluid level maintenance sensor or use in a tank test system and which includes an upper sensor coil and a lower sensor coil mounted on a level sensing tube. A float carrying a ferromagnetic ring is operatively mounted in the level sensing tube which causes a fluid transfer signal to be generated when the float and ring are moved upwardly or downwardly to transfer fluid out or into the level sensing tube to maintain a selected fluid level in the tube.

Abstract: A microprocessor based fluid tank test management system and method, for measuring the tightness of fluid tanks for leakage. The system includes, an automatic temperature sensing apparatus to measure any temperature change in the fluid during a test period, apparatus for continuously circulating the fluid in the tank, apparatus for stabilizing the geometry of the tank, apparatus for automatically maintaining a constant fluid head in communication with the fluid in the tank and for measuring the fluid added to or removed from the fluid head to keep it constant during the test period, apparatus to determine the coefficient of expansion of the fluid in the tank, and apparatus for utilizing the values of the temperature change, the fluid measurement, and coefficient of expansion, to automatically calculate any fluid leak from the tank during the test period.

Abstract: A thermal probe for use in a tightness testing apparatus for an underground storage tank provided with a fill pipe extending from ground level down to the tank, and including a mechanical compression, ring-shaped seal which sealingly engages the outer periphery of the access or fill pipe of an underground storage tank and expands to form a leak tight connection therewith.

Abstract: A listening device for pinpointing water leakages, which includes a manually operated rod having a handle at one end for manually positioning of the listening device. An acoustic pick-up apparatus is mounted on the other end of the rod, and it comprises a ceramic audio tone transducer which is operatively connected to an amplifier-receiver which has a level meter on which visual leak signals may be seen. The acoustic pick-up apparatus is also connected to a head phone set to allow hearing of the leaks. The transducer includes a brass diaphragm directly attached to a threaded stud for mounting in the rod.

Abstract: A process for locating leaks in an underground protective conduit disposed about a carrier pipe, and comprising the insertion of a double tracer gas into the protective conduit for the purpose of detecting leaks in the protective conduit. The process comprises the use of a double tracer gas which includes about two and one-half (21/2) to ten (10) percent methane and about ninety (90) to ninety-seven and one-half (971/2) percent argon.