Abstract: A distribution manifold includes a main trunk line at a first end of the manifold proximate a boost pump, two branch lines at a downstream end of the main trunk line, a first Y-connector coupling upstream ends of the two branch lines to the downstream end of the main trunk line, two sub-branch lines at a downstream end of each of the two branch lines, and two second Y-connectors coupling upstream ends of the four sub-branch lines to the downstream ends of the two respective branch lines. A sum of cross-sectional areas of downstream ends of the four sub-branch lines is equal to the cross-sectional area of the upstream end of the main trunk line.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for lowering a suction manifold from an operational position with respect to pump fluid end to a transit and service position includes a linkage base plate configured to be fixedly coupled with a vehicle trailer, a linkage arm pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the suction manifold, a primary damper pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the linkage arm, a secondary damper pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the suction manifold, and a mechanical stop removably coupled with the secondary damper and configured to maintain the secondary damper at a fixed length while the mechanical stop is coupled with the secondary damper.

Abstract: A machine health monitoring method may include receiving vibration data indicating vibration of a machine or a component of the machine, determining damage to the machine or the component for each of a plurality of load cycles based on the vibration data, determining the time rate of change of the damage to the machine or the component over the plurality of load cycles, and determining a damage rate based on the time rate of change of the damage to the machine or the component relative to a baseline damage rate.

Abstract: A distribution manifold includes a main trunk line at a first end of the manifold proximate a boost pump, two branch lines at a downstream end of the main trunk line, a first Y-connector coupling upstream ends of the two branch lines to the downstream end of the main trunk line, two sub-branch lines at a downstream end of each of the two branch lines, and two second Y-connectors coupling upstream ends of the four sub-branch lines to the downstream ends of the two respective branch lines.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for lowering a suction manifold from an operational position with respect to pump fluid end to a transit and service position includes a linkage base plate configured to be fixedly coupled with a vehicle trailer, a linkage arm pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the suction manifold, a primary damper pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the linkage arm, a secondary damper pivotally coupled with the linkage base plate and the suction manifold, and a mechanical stop removably coupled with the secondary damper and configured to maintain the secondary damper at a fixed length while the mechanical stop is coupled with the secondary damper.

Abstract: A suction manifold for providing fluid flow to a pump for hydraulic fracturing includes an input port configured to receive a flow of fluid from a source, a plurality of output ports configured to direct the flow of fluid to a plurality of corresponding cylinders of the pump, and a chamber configured to direct the flow of fluid from the input port to the output ports. The input port is configured to direct the flow of fluid in a direction parallel to a direction in which the output ports direct the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A wireless edge device is operable in a wireless network and configured to communicate with other wireless devices in the wireless network. The wireless edge device includes a processor configured to receive an input to switch from a low power consumption normal operation mode to a site survey mode, a transceiver configured to (i) transmit data packets periodically or asynchronously to a wireless device of the wireless network, and (ii) receive the data packets returned by the wireless device, and a visual indicator. The processor is further configured to evaluate quality and/or reliability of the received data packets, to provide a signal to the visual indicator indicative of signal strength at the wireless edge device based on the evaluation of quality and/or reliability of the received data packets, and to switch from the site survey mode to the low power consumption normal operation mode after a predetermined time.

Abstract: A machine health monitoring method may include receiving vibration data indicating vibration of a machine or a component of the machine, determining damage to the machine or the component for each of a plurality of load cycles based on the vibration data, determining the time rate of change of the damage to the machine or the component over the plurality of load cycles, and determining a damage rate based on the time rate of change of the damage to the machine or the component relative to a baseline damage rate.

Abstract: A sensor may include a base, an accelerometer rigidly coupled with the base and centered over said base, a circuit arrangement electrically coupled with the accelerometer, and a battery rigidly held in contact with the circuit arrangement and centered over said accelerometer and said base. The base is configured to be secured to a host structure, and the circuit arrangement is configured to receive signals from the accelerometer.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including an antenna, an antenna cable, a bendable structure, a housing interface, a first protection section and a second protection section. The bendable structure is a malleable material that remains in a bent position when bent. The first protection section covers the antenna and provides a weatherproof cover over the antenna. The housing interface mounts to a housing and covers the antenna cable in an area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing and the housing interface prior to entrance providing a weatherproof cover over the area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing. The second protection section is overmolded over a portion of the housing interface, the antenna cable, the bendable structure and a portion of the first protection. The second protection section is a flexible material.

Abstract: A wireless edge device is operable in a wireless network and configured to communicate with other wireless devices in the wireless network. The wireless edge device includes a processor configured to receive an input to switch from a low power consumption normal operation mode to a site survey mode, a transceiver configured to (i) transmit data packets periodically or asynchronously to a wireless device of the wireless network, and (ii) receive the data packets returned by the wireless device, and a visual indicator. The processor is further configured to evaluate quality and/or reliability of the received data packets, to provide a signal to the visual indicator indicative of signal strength at the wireless edge device based on the evaluation of quality and/or reliability of the received data packets, and to switch from the site survey mode to the low power consumption normal operation mode after a predetermined time.

Abstract: Flow sensor includes a housing having a chamber and a tube extending therefrom. Static and stagnation pressure ports are located along the tube and open in different directions about a periphery. A first conduit fluidly couples the static pressure port to the chamber, and a first pressure sensor senses the fluid pressure in the chamber. A differential pressure sensor has a first port and a second port in the chamber. The first port senses the fluid pressure in the chamber, and a second conduit fluidly couples the stagnation pressure port with the second port. The second port is more exposed to fluid flow through the pipe relative to the first port. Fluid flow rate through the pipe is determinable based on static fluid pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor, differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor, density of fluid in the pipe, and diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: A flow sensor may include a housing including a body portion and a tube extending from the body portion. The body portion includes a chamber. A first, static pressure port and a second, stagnation pressure port are located along the tube. The first and second ports open in different directions about a periphery of the tube. A first, static pressure conduit fluidly couples the first, static pressure port of the tube to the chamber, and a first pressure sensor is configured to sense the fluid pressure in the chamber. A second, differential pressure sensor has a first port and a second port in the chamber. The first port of the second pressure sensor is configured to sense the fluid pressure in the chamber, and a second, stagnation pressure conduit fluidly couples the second, stagnation pressure port of the tube with the second port of the second pressure sensor.

Abstract: A sensor may include a base, an accelerometer rigidly coupled with the base and centered over said base, a circuit arrangement electrically coupled with the accelerometer, and a battery rigidly held in contact with the circuit arrangement and centered over said accelerometer and said base. The base is configured to be secured to a host structure, and the circuit arrangement is configured to receive signals from the accelerometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a hydraulic amplifier mechanically coupled with a generator. The hydraulic amplifier may include an input member configured to receive an input motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic amplifier is configured to amplify the input motion of the input member to a greater output motion. The generator is configured to convert mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to one of an electrical load and an electrical storage reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a piston configured to receive an input motion and provide an output motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load and a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a hydraulic amplifier mechanically coupled with a generator. The hydraulic amplifier may include an input member configured to receive an input motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic amplifier is configured to amplify the input motion of the input member to a greater output motion. The generator is configured to convert mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to one of an electrical load and an electrical storage reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a piston configured to receive an input motion and provide an output motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load and a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor.

Abstract: A position sensing system including a flexible tether and at least one sensor at least partially embedded within a portion of the flexible tether is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted to detect a sensor position factor. The system also includes a communication device adapted to transmit the sensor position factor from the sensor, and a signal processor adapted to receive the sensor position factor. The signal processor is also adapted to calculate at least one of the shape or orientation of the flexible tether from the sensor position factor. The sensor position factor may be relative orientation, relative depth, relative pressure, presence of a magnetic field, presence of an electric field, acceleration, or relative rate of rotation. The system may also include a probe connected to the flexible tether, and the signal processor may calculate the orientation of the probe from the sensor position factor.

Abstract: A position sensing system including a flexible tether and at least one sensor at least partially embedded within a portion of the flexible tether is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted to detect a sensor position factor. The system also includes a communication device adapted to transmit the sensor position factor from the sensor, and a signal processor adapted to receive the sensor position factor. The signal processor is also adapted to calculate at least one of the shape or orientation of the flexible tether from the sensor position factor. The sensor position factor may be relative orientation, relative depth, relative pressure, presence of a magnetic field, presence of an electric field, acceleration, or relative rate of rotation. The system may also include a probe connected to the flexible tether, and the signal processor may calculate the orientation of the probe from the sensor position factor.