Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulphide sampling and detection system and method for determination of the content of gaseous CO2 and/or H2S in a liquid, among other chemical compounds. In one embodiment, the detection system includes a membrane block having a liquid sample inlet port and a sample outlet port between which a sample flow path extends. The membrane block includes a first membrane unit and a second membrane unit. The first membrane unit includes a sample flow on the first side of a first permeable membrane element, and a carrier gas flow on the second side of the first permeable membrane element. The second membrane unit having a sample flow on the first side of a second permeable membrane element and a carrier gas flow on the second side of the second permeable membrane element.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are disclosed to detect a leak in a duct system or other closed loop systems. The system and methodologies use a light source to detect a leak in a duct system, e.g., the ductwork of a HVAC/R system.

Abstract: Methods of detecting pipeline weakening are described herein. The methods include creating a pressure wave in a fluid flowing in a pipeline using an input transducer located at a first position along the pipeline; measuring the pressure wave using an output transducer positioned at a second position along the pipeline that is spaced from the first position, and generating an output signal based on the pressure wave; analyzing the output signal to determine a stiffness of a sidewall of the pipeline positioned between the input transducer and output transducer; and determining if the sidewall includes a defect based on the stiffness of the sidewall, including analyzing a frequency response of the output signal to detect the defect.

Abstract: A method of determining vapor pressure of a fluid is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a meter (5) having meter electronics (20), the meter (5) being at least one of a flowmeter and a densitometer, and flowing a process fluid through the meter (5). A pressure of the process fluid is measured. The pressure of the process fluid is adjusted until a monophasic/biphasic boundary is reached. The flowing vapor pressure of the process fluid is determined at the monophasic/biphasic boundary.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for gas fingerprinting. The system includes multiple holders having a distinct gas-permeable membrane disposed of therewithin such that a confined space is created behind the membranes. The test gas is pressurized in a single gas reservoir and is allowed to permeate through the membranes into respective confined spaces. The accumulated pressure values behind the utilized membranes (in the confined spaces) at a given time, are simultaneously recorded using pressure sensors. The recorded gas accumulation data is processed by a computing device to determine a characteristic property for each test gas. The system ability to fingerprint gases is demonstrated by ten test gases including helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, and ethylene, and is also able to discriminate between closely related gases.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to automated slide processing apparatuses capable of dispensing liquids onto microscope slides. Additional aspects of the technology are directed to methods of replacing a reagent pipette in automated slide processing apparatuses. The apparatus can include, for example, a reagent pipette assembly including a reagent pipette moveable between at least one loading position for obtaining reagent from a reagent container at a filling station and at least one dispense position. The apparatus can also include a retainer for releasably securing the reagent pipette. In some embodiments, the reagent pipette assembly includes a locking mechanism for transitioning the retainer from an open configuration for receiving a pipette and a closed configuration for securing a pipette, in e.g., an aligned position within the retainer.

Abstract: An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: A densitometer in the present disclosure comprises a measurement module that is calibrated to estimate sample fluid density with high accuracy and minimized sensitivity to temperature of tube and clamp components in the densitometer. The densitometer measures sample fluid density by vibrating the sample fluid and measuring the resonant frequency of the sample fluid, then estimating the sample fluid density based on this resonant frequency. The measurement module is calibrated specific to dissimilar tube and clamp materials. The tube and the clamp of the densitometer have materials are chosen to be cost-effective based on the specifications of the densitometer system and to have coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) which reduce temperature dependence of the resonant frequency of the sample fluid inside of the densitometer.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for leak testing surgical conduit grafts or valved conduits such as aortic-valved conduits with a pressurized gas such as air. Air is non-destructive and especially useful for leak testing conduits that have coatings or sealants that may be functionally impacted when exposed to fluids such as water or saline. Open ends of the conduit are clamped and sealed, and a pressurized gas introduced into an inner lumen thereof. A change in mass flow rate is measured to quantify the leakage. One end of a tubular conduit may be clamped to a fixed manifold, and the opposite end to a manifold slidably mounted to accommodate any conduit elongation when pressurized. The clamping and sealing structure may be pneumatic and/or mechanical, and complementary contoured clamp members may be used to seal a scalloped external sealing ring of an aortic conduit.

Abstract: A fixture for flooding detection that includes a communication interface; a processor; and a computer-readable storage media coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a first sensor, a first signal indicative of a water level at a location within a facility, determining, based on the first signal, the water level at the location within the facility, determining a shut-off condition based on the water level at the location within the facility reaching a first predetermined height, and transmitting, via the communication interface, a shut-off signal to at least one water inlet at the location within the facility.

Abstract: An aircraft pneumatic system including a pneumatic actuator arranged to operate at a pressure value at least equal to a pressure threshold, a line fluidly connected between a pneumatic source and the pneumatic actuator, and a venturi disposed upstream of the line and downstream of the pneumatic source. The venturi is configured to receive a source flow from the source at a mass flow rate, the mass flow rate being between a lower, nominal flow rate value and a higher, graded flow rate value. The venturi is sized such that when the mass flow rate is at the nominal flow rate value, a line pressure inside the line corresponds to a source pressure upstream of the venturi, and when the mass flow rate to the venturi is at the graded flow rate value, the line pressure is less than the source pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods, systems and user interfaces for assessing reservoir management competency for a petroleum producing field. In one scenario, a computer system measures, using various hardware-based sensors positioned in a petroleum reservoir supplying the petroleum producing field, physical or geological characteristics of the petroleum reservoir. The computer system establishes a reservoir management competency scoring system that evaluates a specific set of objective criteria that reflect a level of reservoir management competency at the petroleum producing field, and automatically generates, according to the objective set of criteria of the reservoir management competency scoring system, a reservoir management rating for the petroleum reservoir based at least in part on data measured by the sensors placed in the petroleum reservoir.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and identifying states of a semiconductor device, the system including at least one acoustic sensor for sensing acoustic emission emitted by at least one semiconductor device operating at a voltage of less than or equal to 220 V, the at least one acoustic sensor outputting at least one acoustic emission signal and a signal processing unit for receiving the at least one acoustic emission signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and for analyzing the at least one acoustic emission signal, the signal processing unit providing an output based on the analyzing, the output being indicative at least of whether the at least one semiconductor device is in an abnormal operating state with respect to a normal operating state of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for detecting leaks in a pump. A compressed fluid, such as compressed CO2, is provided through a first channel formed within a pump head. The compressed fluid within the first channel is in contact with at least a portion of a pump piston, and the first channel is substantially sealed using a fluid seal positioned around a portion of the pump piston. A wash fluid is pumped into a second channel formed within a wash seal housing associated with the pump head using a fluid pump. The wash fluid within the second channel surrounds a portion of the pump piston and is separated from the first channel by the fluid seal. A flow rate of fluid exiting the wash seal housing via the second channel is measured, and the existence of a leak is determined based on the measured flow rate.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin simulator module provides flexible reconfiguration of transducer locations for evaluating acoustic performance in a vehicle design at a prototyping stage. A frame lattice defines a plurality of cavities around an interior space. A plurality of transducer assemblies are mounted in selected ones of the cavities, each assembly having a faceplate mounting a transducer for acoustic coupling with the interior space. Blank panels are mounted in other selected cavities to shutter the respective cavities. A covering liner is applied to an inner side of the frame lattice. Wiring is provided to interconnect the transducers with a signal processor. The frame lattice further defines a door section radially movable for enclosing the interior space at a closed position and for providing ingress and egress to the interior space at an open position.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly and related methods to facilitate dispensing of a fluid sample from a sample cylinder may include a sensor connected to one or more of conduits of the dispensing assembly and configured to provide indication of a leak in the conduits. A cap assembly may include a cap body and one or more cap conduits positioned to engage with a flush fluid source and provide fluid flow between the flush fluid source and a flush conduit. The cap assembly further may include a first quick connect coupler for connection and disconnection to a second quick connect coupler connected to a flush conduit. A pressure control device may be provided to prevent damage resulting from pressure to containers containing flush fluid. Inlet and outlet conduits connecting to the sample cylinder may configured to be flexible and align with corresponding connectors on the sample cylinder.

Abstract: A sample cartridge for a liquid chromatography device includes a microfluidic chip. A collector in the microfluidic chip includes a collector flow channel and a first window for acquisition of spectral data from a sample in the collector flow channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of determining the presence of a hydrocarbon in an aqueous medium used for secondary oil recovery. The method includes the step of introducing the aqueous medium into a subterranean hydrocarbon formation to displace hydrocarbons. The method includes the step of retrieving an aqueous sample from the aqueous medium introduced into the subterranean hydrocarbon formation. The method includes the step of cooling the aqueous sample such that the aqueous sample is in a solid state. The method includes the step of exposing the aqueous sample to an electromagnetic wave at a microwave frequency such that a scattering response is induced from the hydrocarbon included in the aqueous sample. The method includes the step of determining permittivity of the hydrocarbon based on the scattering response.

Abstract: An article storage apparatus includes a sensor device sensing gases included in air in a chamber where an article is stored; a concentrator concentrating the gases contained in the air; a filtering device filtering the gases contained in the air; and at least one processor. The at least one processor controls the concentrator to concentrate the gases contained in the air, and identifies a condition of the article based on a concentration level of a target gas related to the article measured by the sensor device when the target gas is extracted as gases desorbed from the concentrator pass the filtering device.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a base material includes deforming a base material. The base material includes a bent portion, and includes a first main surface, a second main surface, and an end surface to change a curvature of the bent portion. The method further includes evaluating a surface state of the first main surface of the base material.