Abstract: An improved system and apparatus for testing thermal fluids in which the condition of a heat transfer fluid is measured. The system includes a sample vessel with a sample inlet for receiving a sample of heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer system and a sample outlet for returning the sample of heat transfer fluid to the heat transfer system, a heat transfer fluid condition monitor in fluid contact with the sample vessel measures one or more physical parameters of the heat transfer fluid and a control system which controls operation of the condition monitor and the sample vessel and which analyses the measured physical parameters of the heat transfer fluid. The system provides for predictive maintenance which is significantly more cost effective than preventative maintenance. It also ensures, as far as possible, that preventative maintenance can also be carried out while the system is running in normal production mode.

Abstract: A robotic assistant comprises a plurality of sensors in a compact and unobtrusive form. One or more sensors may be emplaced upon a mast that may be selectively raised and lowered. The mast allows the robotic assistant to acquire images or other sensor data from a greater height, without substantially increasing the bulk of the robotic assistant. For ease of transport from one floor to another or from one building to another, the robotic assistant may deploy a handhold that a human may use to pick up and carry the robotic assistant. Floor characterization sensors may be used to determine characteristics of the floor such as if the floor is wet or dry. The robotic assistant may be used to provide a user with access to network services, to monitor a facility, provide telepresence services, and so forth.

Abstract: An extensible mast device allows a payload to be supported at a controllable distance from a supporting device. A motor driving a flexible strip provides a force through the flexible strip to extend the mast. The extended strip may have a curved cross section that provides some rigidity. A set of telescoping sections may enclose the strip. One or more of the sections may be flexible. In the event of an impact between the extensible mast and an object, such as a user, the flexible section and the strip yield to the impact and collapse. The extensible mast may be easily reset by lifting it back to a vertical position, with the flexible strip reasserting the curved cross section and the flexible sections resuming substantially the same shape as before the impact. A robot may use the extensible mast to elevate cameras or other sensors to a higher vantage point.

Abstract: A pile guide for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprises: a base frame having a planar substrate-engaging surface; and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame, the pile guide member being configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate. The pile guide member is pivotally mounted on the base frame, with pivotal movement of the pile guide member varying the predetermined direction relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface of the base frame.

Abstract: A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile (16) having a laterally protruding coupling (20) for a tether; and a pile guide (10) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame (12) and a pile guide member (14) mounted on the base frame (12), the pile guide member (14) having in its periphery a slot (24) which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling (20) to pass therealong as the pile (16) passes through the pile guide; wherein the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles (52, 86) which are configured to resist gaping in the slot (24) of the pile guide member (14) as the pile (16) is driven therethrough into the substrate.

Abstract: A closure assembly of an opening in a building has at least two mutually pivoted panels mounted with the pivot axis at least substantially vertical. The panels are movable between a closed condition whereby the panels provide at least a partial closure of the opening in or substantially parallel to the plane of the opening, and an opened condition whereby the panels, mutually disaligned by having pivoted towards each other, are substantially clear of the plane. A proximate panel is pivoted by a vertical pivot axis substantially in the plane of the opening adjacent a vertical periphery of the opening. The distal region of the distal panel is supported by a supporting runner. The supporting runner is guided by a support track which is skewed with respect to the plane of the opening and which spaces the supporting runner out of the plane of the opening at the vertical periphery.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprises a pile guide (11) having a base frame (12) with a guide member (14) mounted thereon, the guide member configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. The base frame (12) defines a substantially rectangular platform (16) for carrying a device for driving a pile into a substrate, and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, during deployment. Once deployed, a pile (50) is positioned in the guide member (14) and the device (2) is lifted onto the pile (50). The power supply (30) drives the device (2) as the pile (50) is driven into the substrate.

Abstract: A system for aligning a pile during pile driving, comprising: a pile (16) having a laterally protruding coupling (20) for a tether; and a pile guide (10) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising a base frame (12) and a pile guide member (14) mounted on the base frame (12), the pile guide member (14) having in its periphery a slot (24) which is configured to allow the laterally protruding coupling (20) to pass therealong as the pile (16) passes through the pile guide; wherein the pile and pile guide member comprise two pairs of slidably interfitting profiles (52, 86) which are configured to resist gaping in the slot (24) of the pile guide member (14) as the pile (16) is driven therethrough into the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprises a pile guide (11) having abase frame (12) with a guide member (14) mounted thereon, the guide member configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon. The base frame (12) defines a substantially rectangular platform (16) for carrying a device for driving a pile into a substrate, and a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, during deployment. Once deployed, a pile (50) is positioned in the guide member (14) and the device (2) is lifted onto the pile (50). The power supply (30) drives the device (2) as the pile (50) is driven into the substrate.

Abstract: A data encoding device has a serial data input and an encoded serial data output. The serial input is supplied to an encoding unit which combines each input bit with a plurality of additional encoding bits, to derive an encoded output bit and a plurality of updated encoding bits. The function performed by the encoding unit is selected such that over time the encoded output bit stream comprises substantially white noise. The output has constant and flat frequency response, so that the output of the encoding device is merely noise in the absence of an appropriate decoding device.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling calls for packet switched networks, each network including at least two local area networks (50, 60) and a connecting network (70). The method comprises the steps of determining an acceptable packet loss rate for a call to be established between two of the local area networks, comparing actual packet loss rate to the acceptable packet loss rate, and dropping the call if the actual packet loss rate is greater than the acceptable packet loss rate. determining for how long a period the actual packet loss rate has been happening and utilising that period in deciding to drop the call. A recorded announcement may be played when the call is to be dropped. Alternatively, the priority of the transmission of the continuous stream of data can be changed when the actual packet loss rate is not acceptable and the above steps are repeated. Ideally, data relating to dropped calls is stored for future use.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling call admission for packet switched networks, each network including at least two local area networks (50, 60) and a connecting network (70). The method comprises transmitting a burst 5 of trial data of the same size as the packet to be transmitted from a first node (52, 54) in a first local area network (50) to a second node (62, 64) in a second local area network (60) via the connecting network (70). The connecting network (70) comprises a plurality of routing nodes (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for routing the burst of trial data of the same size as the packet to be transmitted from a first node (52, 54) in a first local area network (50) to second node (62, 64) in a second local area network (60) via the connecting network (70). The connecting network (70) comprises a plurality of routing nodes (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for routing the burst of trial data to the second node in the second local area network along a particular path.

Abstract: A system for controlling pile orientation comprises a pile (14) and a pile guide (20) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, the pile guide comprising a base frame (10) and a pile guide member (22) mounted on the base frame. The pile (14) and the pile guide member (22) have slidaby interengaging profiles (30, 40) comprising first and second parts (32, 42), which are configured to axially rotate the pile to correct any misorientation relative to the pile guide as the parts slide past each other, and third and fourth parts (34, 44), which are configured to maintain a predetermined orientation of the pile relative to the pile guide once any misorientation has been corrected by interengagement of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A system for controlling pile orientation comprises a pile (14) and a pile guide (20) for supporting the pile as it is driven into a substrate, the pile guide comprising a base frame (10) and a pile guide member (22) mounted on the base frame. The pile (14) and the pile guide member (22) have slidaby interengaging profiles (30, 40) comprising first and second parts (32, 42), which are configured to axially rotate the pile to correct any misorientation relative to the pile guide as the parts slide past each other, and third and fourth parts (34, 44), which are configured to maintain a predetermined orientation of the pile relative to the pile guide once any misorientation has been corrected by interengagement of the first and second parts.

Abstract: A pile guide, for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, has a base frame and a pile guide member mounted on the base frame. The base frame comprises one or more substrate-engaging supports, moveable between an inoperative position and an operative position, with movement of the or each substrate-engaging support into the operative position resulting in an increase in the area of the base frame which, in use, rests on the substrate.

Abstract: Various methods of determining ion implant dosage are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of processing a semiconductor workpiece that has a device region and an inactive region is provided. A first mask is formed on a first portion of the inactive region. A first implant of ions is performed on the device region and the first mask. A secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of the first portion of the first mask is performed to determine a composition thereof relative to a standard composition. A dose for the first implant is determined based upon the secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of the first portion of the first mask. The first implant dose is compared with a prescribed dose for the first implant to determine if a second implant is necessary to achieve the prescribed dose, and if so, an appropriate make-up dose for the second implant.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing desulfurized hydroprocessed products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is disclosed. The process involves isolating and desulfurizing a methane-rich stream from a natural gas source in a first separation zone and a desulfurization zone. The methane-rich stream is converted to syngas and subjected to a hydrocarbon synthesis step, for example, a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis step. The products from the hydrocarbon synthesis step typically include a C4− fraction, a C5-20 fraction, and a C20+ wax fraction. These fractions are isolated in a second separation zone, typically via fractional distillation. The C4− fraction can be recycled through the first separation zone to provide a second methane-rich fraction for conversion to synthesis gas. The C4− fraction can optionally be treated, for example, with hydrotreatment or hydroisomerization catalysts and conditions before or after passage through the first separation zone.