Abstract: A characterization device, system, and method for characterizing reflective elements from the light beams reflected in it. The device has two variable-gain detectors on a common structure, which can be portable or fixed, and for capturing light beams reflected by a reflective element, and from at least one processor characterizing the quality of the reflected light beams and evaluating the quality of the reflective element from its reflective capacity. Each detector has a lens for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected beam or beams, a light sensor on which the beam or beams captured by the lens are focused, an automatic gain selection system associated with the optical sensor, and a data communication device associated with the device itself. A characterization system and a characterization method for characterizing reflective elements from the quality of the light beams reflected in at least one reflective element or heliostat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for measuring diameter of sucker rods during reworking of an oil well. Diameters are compared to known data tables to determine if a sucker rod should be replaced. If undue wear has occurred to the guides, the sucker rod will be replaced. If wear is excessive, additions guides will be added to the replacement sucker rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for measuring diameter of sucker rods during reworking of an oil well. Diameters are compared to known data tables to determine if a sucker rod should be replaced. If undue wear has occurred to the guides, the sucker rod will be replaced. If wear is excessive, additions guides will be added to the replacement sucker rod.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an upstream liquid handling structure to hold a first volume of liquid, a downstream liquid handling structure to hold a second volume of liquid smaller than the first volume and including a vent port. The upstream liquid handling structure is connected to a detection chamber, for supplying liquid to the detection chamber and the detection chamber is connected to the downstream liquid handling structure, for supplying liquid to the downstream liquid handling structure. The downstream liquid handling structure facilitates flow of an aqueous liquid through the detection chamber and into the downstream liquid handling structure by capillary action. The downstream liquid handling structure includes a flow-halting feature to halt the flow of the liquid by capillary action when the downstream liquid handling structure has filled with the second volume of liquid.

Abstract: A microfluidic liquid handling device is configured for rotation about an axis of rotation to drive liquid flow within the device. The device can include an upstream liquid handling structure, a metering structure and an overflow region. The metering structure is configured to receive liquid from the upstream liquid handling structure. The overflow region is separated from the metering structure by a wall. The wall has a first surface portion on the side of the overflow region which has an extent in a direction perpendicular to the direction of action of the centrifugal force, in a substantially tangential or circumferential direction, relative to the axis of rotation. The first surface portion faces radially outwards. Advantageously, the structure of the wall facilitates accurate metering.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of an imaging device that can include stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a plurality of focus values and capturing a plurality of images of the sample at each of the plurality of focus values as the sample flows through the field of view of the imaging device. In this way, image capture can proceed before a focus value has been determined and capture images that are in focus can be used for further processing subsequently.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of an imaging device that can include stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a plurality of focus values and capturing a plurality of images of the sample at each of the plurality of focus values as the sample flows through the field of view of the imaging device. In this way, image capture can proceed before a focus value has been determined and capture images that are in focus can be used for further processing subsequently.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of an imaging device that can include stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a plurality of focus values and capturing a plurality of images of the sample at each of the plurality of focus values as the sample flows through the field of view of the imaging device. In this way, image capture can proceed before a focus value has been determined and capture images that are in focus can be used for further processing subsequently.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample during flow is disclosed. One approach to obtaining images of the sample which are in focus is to carry out a focusing algorithm in order to focus an imaging device on the sample once the sample has started flowing. However, this typically takes dozens of seconds or even minutes. There is provided a method of capturing images of a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of an imaging device that comprises stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a plurality of focus values and capturing a plurality of images of the sample at each of the plurality of focus values as the sample flows through the field of view of the imaging device. In this way, image capture can proceed before a focus value has been determined and capture images that are in focus can be used for further processing subsequently.

Abstract: A filter used to reduce the emission of silica particles used in hydraulic fracturing. The silica reduction cover is a custom fit filter installed onto vent hatches of proppant storage trailers. Proppant storage trailers, or “frac sanders,” have a series of vent hatches that release air and fine particles into the atmosphere during material transfer operations. The silica reduction cover is comprised of filter material and permits the controlled release of high pressure air at each vent hatch while reducing sand particle loss. The silica reduction cover maintains proppant sand product in the trailer for production use while significantly reducing the emission of airborne sand particles in the immediate work and adjoining site areas. The silica reduction cover incorporates a viewing window so that workers may monitor proppant levels in the storage trailer while the silica reduction cover is installed.

Abstract: A high-concentration photovoltaic solar module is formed by a casing (1) that contains photovoltaic receivers (2) in the base (3) thereof, which are interconnected with one another, and in the upper part thereof has Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) in a plane parallel to that of the photovoltaic receivers (2), which close the casing in a leak-tight manner. Each of the Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) is arranged on one of the photovoltaic receivers (2). Furthermore, the module includes secondary optical elements (8), each arranged on the photovoltaic cell (5) of each photovoltaic receiver (2). The casing (1) is produced by injection-molding of plastic and incorporates cavities (9) in the base (3), each of the cavities housing a photovoltaic receiver (2), and metal laminar elements (10) for interconnecting the photovoltaic receivers (2).

Abstract: A filter used to reduce the emission of silica particles used in hydraulic fracturing. The silica reduction cover is a custom fit filter installed onto vent hatches of proppant storage trailers. Proppant storage trailers, or “frac sanders,” have a series of vent hatches that release air and fine particles into the atmosphere during material transfer operations. The silica reduction cover is comprised of filter material and permits the controlled release of high pressure air at each vent hatch while reducing sand particle loss. The silica reduction cover maintains proppant sand product in the trailer for production use while significantly reducing the emission of airborne sand particles in the immediate work and adjoining site areas. The silica reduction cover incorporates a viewing window so that workers may monitor proppant levels in the storage trailer while the silica reduction cover is installed.

Abstract: A high-concentration photovoltaic solar module is formed by a casing (1) that contains photovoltaic receivers (2) in the base (3) thereof, which are interconnected with one another, and in the upper part thereof has Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) in a plane parallel to that of the photovoltaic receivers (2), which close the casing in a leak-tight manner. Each of the Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) is arranged on one of the photovoltaic receivers (2). Furthermore, the module includes secondary optical elements (8), each arranged on the photovoltaic cell (5) of each photovoltaic receiver (2). The casing (1) is produced by injection-molding of plastic and incorporates cavities (9) in the base (3), each of the cavities housing a photovoltaic receiver (2), and metal laminar elements (10) for interconnecting the photovoltaic receivers (2).

Abstract: A modular system for, especially, dry basin fountain installations includes a housing having a water supply inlet, a drain outlet, an electrical supply inlet and electrical junction box, for removable and interchangeable installation of a variety of individual or multiple fountain components within each housing, including water jet assemblies, lighting assemblies, and audio speakers, for supplying water to and draining water from each housing to a water reservoir, and for controlling the operation of each fountain component. Water supply lines, drain lines, and electrical lines may be routed between all housings and a water reservoir and an electrical supply center, so that fountain components may be installed, removed, and exchanged without disturbing the surface in which the fountain is installed.

Abstract: A fuzzy inference engine (10) performs fuzzy logic operations with a high degree of accuracy in a minimal amount of time. The fuzzy inference engine (10) includes a fuzzification module (12) which decodes an input signal to access a memory location (18, 20). When accessed, the memory location provides a unary value to a rule evaluation module (26). The rule evaluation module (26) subsequently processes the unary value to indicate a relative strength of a fuzzy inference rule. Because the fuzzy logic operations use unary numbers, rather than more traditional binary numbers, the only time required to perform fuzzy logic operations is equal to only a time required for the signal to propagate through the logic gates (28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38) forming rule evaluation module (26).