Abstract: A detection system includes a first sensor configured to send a first ultrasonic pulse toward an object in a blowout prevention system. The first ultrasonic pulse has a first parameter. The detection system also includes a second sensor spaced from the first sensor and configured to send a second ultrasonic pulse toward the object. The second ultrasonic pulse has a second parameter that is different from the first parameter of the first ultrasonic pulse. The first parameter and the second parameter are one of an amplitude, a frequency, a duration, an emission time, and an excitation code. The second sensor is further configured to receive the first ultrasonic pulse after the first ultrasonic pulse interacts with the object. The detection system is configured to determine that the first ultrasonic pulse received by the second sensor was sent by the first sensor.

Abstract: An illustrative method of estimating a temperature for at least one of a plurality of sites based on temperature information from at least one of a plurality of temperature measurement stations includes several steps. The sites are clustered into a plurality of clusters. Respective centroids for the clusters are determined. The centroids are associated with respective measurement stations. One of a preselected plurality of estimating techniques is respectively assigned to the measurement stations. The assigned estimating technique provides a temperature estimate at the measurement station that is more accurate than others of the preselected plurality of estimating techniques. A temperature at the at least one of the plurality of sites is estimated using the estimating technique assigned to the measurement station associated with the centroid of the cluster that includes the site of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus includes processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The processor is configured to receive total energy usage information that is related to a thermostatically controlled appliance and receive ambient temperature information related to the thermostatically controlled appliance. The processor derives a physical model for the thermostatically controlled appliance and other than the thermostatically controlled appliance, the physical model dependent on ambient temperature. The processor solves a Hidden Markov Model based on the total energy usage information and the physical model to obtain an energy usage model for the thermostatically controlled appliance and other than the thermostatically controlled appliance. Based on the total energy usage information, ambient temperature information, and the energy usage model, the processor determines energy use by the thermostatically controlled appliance.