Abstract: A droplet generator includes a chamber including an enclosed space filled with gas having vapor, a tube extending through the chamber, a gas flow channel inside the tube, and a heater in the chamber. The tube includes a sidewall having an outer surface exposed to the enclosed space of the chamber, and an inner surface. The tube contains liquid. The heater is operable to change a phase of the liquid contained in the tube to vapor such that the vapor is provided into the enclosed space. A pressure in the enclosed space is higher than a pressure in the gas flow channel such that the vapor in the enclosed space flows to the gas flow channel by passing through the tube.

Abstract: A method for classifying a response signal of acceleration data of a structure includes obtaining at least one signal feature of a response signal, inputting the at least one signal feature into an artificial neural network, and classifying, using the artificial neural network, the response signal as an impact event or a non-impact event. One or more signal features may be used, including a response length feature, a number of peaks feature, a spectral energy feature, a dominant frequency feature, a maximum response feature, a center of mass feature, a slope feature, an average peak power feature, a response symmetry feature, or combinations thereof. One or more artificial neural networks may be used. The artificial neural networks may be trained using different combinations of signal features.

Abstract: A method for collecting particles or gaseous chemicals is provided. The method includes providing liquid to a tube of a droplet generator, heating, with a heater of the droplet generator, the tube to provide vapor to a gas flow channel inside the tube, passing a gas flow containing the particles or gaseous chemicals through the gas flow channel inside the tube to obtain droplets including the particles or gaseous chemicals, and passing the droplets including the particles or gaseous chemicals to a wall of a collecting device such that the droplets including the particles or gaseous chemicals hit the wall. The temperature inside the gas flow channel is higher than a temperature inside the collecting device.

Abstract: A droplet generator includes a chamber including an enclosed space filled with gas having vapor, a tube extending through the chamber, a gas flow channel inside the tube, and a heater in the chamber. The tube includes a sidewall having an outer surface exposed to the enclosed space of the chamber, and an inner surface. The tube contains liquid. The heater is operable to change a phase of the liquid contained in the tube to vapor such that the vapor is provided into the enclosed space. A pressure in the enclosed space is higher than a pressure in the gas flow channel such that the vapor in the enclosed space flows to the gas flow channel by passing through the tube.

Abstract: A method for classifying a response signal of acceleration data of a structure includes obtaining at least one signal feature of a response signal, inputting the at least one signal feature into an artificial neural network, and classifying, using the artificial neural network, the response signal as an impact event or a non-impact event. One or more signal features may be used, including a response length feature, a number of peaks feature, a spectral energy feature, a dominant frequency feature, a maximum response feature, a center of mass feature, a slope feature, an average peak power feature, a response symmetry feature, or combinations thereof. One or more artificial neural networks may be used. The artificial neural networks may be trained using different combinations of signal features.

Abstract: A apparatus for sensing a surface of material in a storage container is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a motor assembly, a swing arm assembly, an optical assembly, a material surface detector, and an electronic control circuit. The motor assembly has a motor and a reel carrying a cable. The swing arm assembly has a swing arm with a magnet and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit monitors a magnetic flux to determine a surface detector position. The optical assembly has a measuring wheel, a code wheel, and an optical encoder circuit. The optical encoder circuit monitors rotation of the code wheel. When the surface detector is moved between first and second positions based upon input from the sensor circuit, the control circuit receives input from the optical encoder circuit based on the rotation of the code wheel. As such, the surface of the material is sensed.

Abstract: A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).

Abstract: A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).