Abstract: A method and system for controlling the shape and separation of an arrangement of streamers towed behind a survey vessel. Each streamer is steered laterally by lateral steering devices positioned along its length at specific nodes. Each streamer is driven by its lateral steering devices to achieve a specified separation from a neighboring streamer. One of these actual streamers, used as a reference by the other actual streamers, is steered to achieve a specified separation from an imaginary, or ghost, streamer virtually towed with the actual streamers.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device, including electrode materials carried by fabric substrates, is provided for monitoring relative movement of an expanding and/or contracting structure, such as the mammalian chest and/or torso, corresponding to a performance parameter related, for example, to respiratory function. Some embodiments include non-woven fabric substrates comprising compliant portions configured to stretch only in a selected direction and non-compliant portions upon which electrode materials are disposed. In some embodiments, layers of fabric substrates, carrying corresponding first and second electrode materials, are configured to cooperate to form a parallel plate capacitive sensor having a variable capacitance corresponding to a relative motion of the fabric substrates.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. In other embodiments, the mote may time-stamp the crack indicator for indicating a time when the crack was detected. Additionally, the mote may associate other information with the crack indicator such as temperature and acceleration information.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing flexible electronics are described. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a conductive ink is applied to a nonwoven substrate. More particularly, the exemplary embodiment provides a nonwoven substrate with a general depth in the z-direction and a conductive ink carried by the nonwoven substrate on the surface of the substrate and at least partially but no more than 50% within the nonwoven substrate in the z-direction.

Abstract: A dual-container package includes a closure having a body with a first annular wall extending from the body, a second annular wall extending from the body within the first annular wall, a first dispensing opening extending through the body from between the first and second annular walls, and a second dispensing opening extending through the body from within the second annular wall. A first container is mounted to the closure by the first annular wall, and a second container is disposed within the first container and mounted to the closure by the second annular wall. The containers and the annular walls have structure for holding the containers in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other. In the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, this structure includes internal beads on the annular walls received by snap fit within external channels on the neck finishes of the containers.

Abstract: A compression adjustable fabric and/or garment, system, and/or method can include a compression element (a) integrated into a fabric structure, (b) having a compressive pressure capability independent from compressive pressure capabilities inherent in the fabric structure, and (c) adjustable to provide various compressive pressures. In such a garment, the compressive pressure provided by the garment can be adjusted in all or part of the garment while the garment is being worn. The compressive pressures in different parts of the garment may be independently adjustable. The compression element can further comprise an inflatable tube and/or an electrically stimulatable yarn. The compression element can be integrated into the fabric structure by being knit into, or laid in, the fabric structure.

Abstract: A health monitoring and management device, system, and/or method can include a sensor adapted to detect changes in one or more health indicators and transmit data related to the health indicators. The system can further include an interventional element adapted to receive a health intervention command and provide a health intervention related to the health indicators. The system can further include a microprocessor adapted to receive and analyze the health indicator data transmitted by the sensor, formulate the health intervention command related to the health indicator data according to pre-determined parameters, and transmit the health intervention command to the interventional element. The health intervention command can be transmitted to the interventional element within a clinically relevant time period.

Abstract: A vehicle racing card game according to embodiments of the invention includes a number of track cards that can be arranged by the players to form a race course. A vehicle racing card game also includes a number of vehicle cards to be played by the players. In some embodiments, players advance along the race course by playing their vehicle cards one at a time, and by scoring points depending, for example, on how closely certain graphical elements of a players vehicle card matches corresponding graphical elements of the track card corresponding to their position along the race course.

Abstract: A dual-container package includes a closure having a body with a first annular wall extending from the body, a second annular wall extending from the body within the first annular wall, a first dispensing opening extending through the body from between the first and second annular walls, and a second dispensing opening extending through the body from within the second annular wall. A first container is mounted to the closure by the first annular wall, and a second container is disposed within the first container and mounted to the closure by the second annular wall. The containers and the annular walls have structure for holding the containers in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other. In the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, this structure includes internal beads on the annular walls received by snap fit within external channels on the neck finishes of the containers.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device, including electrode materials carried by fabric substrates, is provided for monitoring relative movement of an expanding and/or contracting structure, such as the mammalian chest and/or torso, corresponding to a performance parameter related, for example, to respiratory function. Some embodiments include non-woven fabric substrates comprising compliant portions configured to stretch only in a selected direction and non-compliant portions upon which electrode materials are disposed. In some embodiments, layers of fabric substrates, carrying corresponding first and second electrode materials, are configured to cooperate to form a parallel plate capacitive sensor having a variable capacitance corresponding to a relative motion of the fabric substrates.

Abstract: A plastic closure for receipt on a container includes a plastic ring having an internal recess adapted to be received by snap fit over an external crown or bead on the container neck finish such that the ring is retained against axial movement on the container neck finish. A plastic lid is coupled by a hinge to the ring, with the ring, the lid and the hinge being of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. The lid has a skirt that is adapted releasably to be snapped to the ring in a closed position of the lid over the ring. The lid skirt may have an external bead that is adapted to be received by snap-fit within an internal channel on the ring in the closed position of the lid over the ring, and a conical internal surface on the ring may be provided to guide the bead on the lid into the channel on the ring.

Abstract: A plastic closure assembly for receipt on a container includes a plastic fitment having a skirt adapted to be received by snap fit over an external bead on the container neck finish, a plurality of angularly spaced internal lugs on the skirt for receipt in recesses on the finish bead to prevent rotation of the fitment on the finish, and at least one external thread segment. A plastic closure has a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for engagement with the at least one external thread segment on the fitment. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the external thread segment may be disposed on an outer surface of the fitment skirt or on the external surface of a tubular spout on the fitment. The fitment skirt preferably has an internal retention element received by snap fit over the external bead on the container finish.

Abstract: A plastic closure for receipt on a container includes a plastic ring having an internal recess adapted to be received by snap fit over an external crown or bead on the container finish such that the ring lies at or below the end of the finish and is retained against axial movement on the container finish. A plastic lid is coupled by a hinge to the ring, with the ring, the lid and the hinge being of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. The lid has a skirt that is adapted releasably to be snapped to the ring in a closed position of the lid over the ring. The lid skirt preferably has an external bead that is adapted to be received by snap-fit within an internal channel on the ring in the closed position of the lid over the ring, and a conical internal surface on the ring preferably is provided to guide the bead on the lid into the channel on the ring.

Abstract: An insert for a measuring tube of an inductive flowmeter is disclosed, having a middle section and two end sections, in which at least one end section is of resilient construction and the middle section is of rigid construction. A flange constituting an earthing electrode is provided in a section B2B comprising electrically conductive elastomer. Integrally-formed electrodes 12 and 13 are also formed by electrically conductive elastomer.

Abstract: An insert for a measuring tube of an inductive flowmeter is disclosed, having a middle section and two end sections, in which at least one end section is of resilient construction and the middle section is of rigid construction.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus adapted for locomotion in an enclosed space such as a pipe includes a combination of articulated gripping and locomotive modules. Each gripping module includes an actuator mechanically linked to gripping members such that axial forces produced by the actuator are translated to radial forces in the gripping members, whereby the gripping members are caused to alternately hold and release the engagement of the robotic apparatus with surfaces of the enclosed space. Each locomotive module includes one or more actuators adapted to alternatively expand and contract the length of the locomotive module. The sequence of operations of the gripping and locomotive modules can be controlled such that the robotic apparatus can crawl through the enclosed space in an inchworm-like fashion and is capable of navigating turns and traversing inclines.