Abstract: An apparatus, system, and related methods for multi-bounce material property detection and signal amplification are provided. The apparatus has a first acoustic transducer positioned on an exterior sidewall of a pipe or container carrying or holding a quantity of fluid therein. An acoustic signal is transmitted by the first acoustic transducer into the sidewall of the pipe from an exterior surface thereof. With material detection, at least a portion of the acoustic signal reflects off an interior surface of the sidewall of the pipe. The reflected acoustic signal is received at the second acoustic transducer on the exterior sidewall of the pipe. The reflected acoustic signal provides an indication of a material property of the pipe or a material within the pipe. With signal amplification, the second acoustic transducer transmits a phase synchronized second acoustic signal to the first acoustic signal, where the second acoustic signal amplifies the first acoustic signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring temperature in a layered environment includes an ultrasound transducer positioned perpendicular to an exterior surface of a first layer. The ultrasound transducer is in communication with a computer processor, power source, and computer-readable memory. The processor is configured to: measure a thickness of the first layer; measure an exterior surface temperature of the first layer; calculate an impedance of the first layer based on the thickness and the exterior surface temperature; and calculate an interior surface temperature of the first layer based on the impedance and the exterior surface temperature of the first layer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and related devices are disclosed for determining a valve state and/or determining the presence of a material within a vessel. A vessel is holding or transporting a quantity of material. At least one valve is positioned within the vessel, the at least one valve controlling at least a portion of a flow of the quantity of material. At least one acoustic sensor is positioned on an exterior of the vessel. At least one computing device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the at least one computing device determines a flow rate of the quantity of material based on at least one acoustic signal transmitted from the at least one acoustic sensor. The processor determines a state of the at least one valve based, at least in part, on the determined flow rate of the quantity of material.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the detection of contents within a container includes a plurality of transducers mounted on an exterior surface of the container. A plurality of acoustic signals is transmitted into the container, and an echo is generated when the signals contact an object. The echo is received at a transducer and a processor analyzes the echo to detect the object. Similarly, two acoustic transducers can be used to angularly transmit the signal into a container. The signal reflects off a sediment surface and is received at another acoustic transducer. The reflection signal can be used to analyze a sediment surface within the container.

Abstract: Floating roof storage tank systems and related methods are disclosed. The disclosed systems include a storage tank, a floating roof, and a plurality of acoustic sensors. The storage tank has one or more walls defining an interior space and the floating roof is configured to move vertically within the interior space. The acoustic sensors are levelly mounted along a horizontal plane on the one or more walls of the storage tank. One or more signals received by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors are used to determine a tilt angle of the floating roof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-bounce acoustic signal material detection is provided. The apparatus includes a container containing a quantity of material therein, wherein the quantity of material has at least two segmented layers. First and second acoustic sensors are positioned on a sidewall of the container, wherein the first acoustic sensor is positioned at a different height along the sidewall than the second acoustic sensor. An acoustic signal is transmitted into the sidewall of the container from the first acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal reflects between an interior surface of the sidewall and an exterior surface of the sidewall until it is received at the second acoustic sensor. A border between the at least two segmented layers of the quantity of material is detectable based on the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A variable angle transducer interface block apparatus and related systems and methods are disclosed. The variable angle transducer interface block apparatus has an interface block having a mounting receiver. The interface block is positioned proximate to a material wall. A curved mounting structure is movably connected to the mounting receiver. A transducer is mounted on the curved mounting structure, wherein an angle of an acoustic signal transmitted by the transducer into the material wall is adjustable by movement of the curved mounting structure relative to the mounting receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a weight of a quantity of fluid, or a flow rate of the fluid by weight. An acoustic sensor positioned on an exterior wall of a vessel containing the fluid determines a fill level of the fluid. A computerized device calculates a weight of the quantity of fluid using a size of the vessel, the determined fill level, a temperature of the fluid, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. Flow rate of the fluid through a pipe is determined using two or more acoustic sensors positioned at different locations on a pipe, and a temperature sensor. A computer calculates a differential time of flight of the fluid based on readings of the acoustic sensor, a distance therebetween, the temperature sensor, the pipe volume, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. A flow by weight of the quantity of fluid is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a weight of a quantity of fluid, or a flow rate of the fluid by weight. An acoustic sensor positioned on an exterior wall of a vessel containing the fluid determines a fill level of the fluid. A computerized device calculates a weight of the quantity of fluid using a size of the vessel, the determined fill level, a temperature of the fluid, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. Flow rate of the fluid through a pipe is determined using two or more acoustic sensors positioned at different locations on a pipe, and a temperature sensor. A computer calculates a differential time of flight of the fluid based on readings of the acoustic sensor, a distance therebetween, the temperature sensor, the pipe volume, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. A flow by weight of the quantity of fluid is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a weight of a quantity of fluid, or a flow rate of the fluid by weight. An acoustic sensor positioned on an exterior wall of a vessel containing the fluid determines a fill level of the fluid. A computerized device calculates a weight of the quantity of fluid using a size of the vessel, the determined fill level, a temperature of the fluid, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. Flow rate of the fluid through a pipe is determined using two or more acoustic sensors positioned at different locations on a pipe, and a temperature sensor. A computer calculates a differential time of flight of the fluid based on readings of the acoustic sensor, a distance therebetween, the temperature sensor, the pipe volume, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. A flow by weight of the quantity of fluid is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a weight of a quantity of fluid, or a flow rate of the fluid by weight. An acoustic sensor positioned on an exterior wall of a vessel containing the fluid determines a fill level of the fluid. A computerized device calculates a weight of the quantity of fluid using a size of the vessel, the determined fill level, a temperature of the fluid, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. Flow rate of the fluid through a pipe is determined using two or more acoustic sensors positioned at different locations on a pipe, and a temperature sensor. A computer calculates a differential time of flight of the fluid based on readings of the acoustic sensor, a distance therebetween, the temperature sensor, the pipe volume, and the fluid identity and/or a fluid density. A flow by weight of the quantity of fluid is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A pump that includes a piston moveable along a first axis and an eccentric cam positioned about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The pump also includes an actuator positioned adjacent to the cam and configured to move the cam along the second axis. In addition, the pump further includes a cam-adjacent bearing positioned between the piston and the cam, wherein the cam-adjacent bearing remains positioned substantially along the first axis upon movement of the cam along the second axis.

Abstract: A piston cartridge having a piston chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a piston moveable between a first position and a second position. Also, the cartridge includes a first barrier positioned between the piston and the inlet port and a first sealing member moveable between the first barrier and the inlet port, wherein the first sealing member seals the inlet port when positioned adjacent to the inlet port but allows the fluid into the chamber when positioned adjacent to the first barrier. In addition, the cartridge also includes a second barrier positioned adjacent to the outlet port and a second sealing member moveable between the piston and the second barrier, wherein the second sealing member seals the outlet port when positioned adjacent thereto but allows the fluid to pass through the outlet port when positioned adjacent to the second barrier.

Abstract: A piston cartridge having a piston chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a piston moveable between a first position and a second position. Also, the cartridge includes a first barrier positioned between the piston and the inlet port and a first sealing member moveable between the first barrier and the inlet port, wherein the first sealing member seals the inlet port when positioned adjacent to the inlet port but allows the fluid into the chamber when positioned adjacent to the first barrier. In addition, the cartridge also includes a second barrier positioned adjacent to the outlet port and a second sealing member moveable between the piston and the second barrier, wherein the second sealing member seals the outlet port when positioned adjacent thereto but allows the fluid to pass through the outlet port when positioned adjacent to the second barrier.

Abstract: A pump that includes a piston moveable along a first axis and an eccentric cam positioned about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The pump also includes an actuator positioned adjacent to the cam and configured to move the cam along the second axis. In addition, the pump further includes a cam-adjacent bearing positioned between the piston and the cam, wherein the cam-adjacent bearing remains positioned substantially along the first axis upon movement of the cam along the second axis.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch in which an annulus of sound dampening material is sandwiched between an armature disc and a hub assembly, particularly a web portion thereof. The annulus and web coact to define a constrained-layer damping system for reducing noise when the armature disc is snapped into engagement with the rotor of the clutch, slipping prior to lockup, while the armature is magnetically locked to the rotor, and also during slipping and disengagement of the armature disc. The design provides a reduced axial-length package relative to prior armature assemblies incorporating constrained-layer techniques.