Abstract: A method for determining a health indicator parameter of a fluid are described. The method can include contacting at least one first functionalized electrode included in a plurality of functionalized electrodes of a sensing unit with a fluid. The method can also include generating a first electrical signal within the fluid by the at least one first functionalized electrode. The method can further include receiving, by at least one second functionalized electrode included in the plurality of functionalized electrodes of the sensing unit, a second electrical signal in response to the first electrical signal. The sensing unit can determine a health indicator parameter of the fluid based on the second electrical signal. The health indicator parameter can be associated with an electrochemical response signal included in the second electrical signal. The sensing unit can provide the health indicator parameter to a computing device communicably coupled to the sensing unit.

Abstract: A sensor having a sensor head including a unibody construction, a first electrode, and at least one second electrode is provided. The first electrode can include a first pair of sensing elements coupled to each over via at least one bridge element extending from a first sensing element to a second sensing element. The at least one second electrode can include a second pair of sensing elements interleaved with the first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements can be coupled to each other via at least one second bridge element extending from a third sensing element to a fourth sensing element. A method of manufacturing the sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A sensor having a sensor head including a unibody construction, a first electrode, and at least one second electrode is provided. The first electrode can include a first pair of sensing elements coupled to each over via at least one bridge element extending from a first sensing element to a second sensing element. The at least one second electrode can include a second pair of sensing elements interleaved with the first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements can be coupled to each other via at least one second bridge element extending from a third sensing element to a fourth sensing element. A method of manufacturing the sensor is also provided.

Abstract: Sensor circuitry utilizing feedback to balance sensor output data is provided. An apparatus can include a primary coil and a first secondary coil outputting a first voltage. The apparatus can also include a second secondary coil outputting a second voltage. The apparatus can further include circuitry coupled to the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil. The circuitry can be configured to receive the first voltage from the first secondary coil and the second voltage from the second secondary coil. The circuitry can also be configured to determine a feedback voltage based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. The feedback voltage can correct the difference. The circuitry can also modify a third voltage that can be output by the circuitry to be zero based on the feedback voltage.

Abstract: Sensor circuitry utilizing feedback to balance sensor output data is provided. An apparatus can include a primary coil and a first secondary coil outputting a first voltage. The apparatus can also include a second secondary coil outputting a second voltage. The apparatus can further include circuitry coupled to the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil. The circuitry can be configured to receive the first voltage from the first secondary coil and the second voltage from the second secondary coil. The circuitry can also be configured to determine a feedback voltage based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. The feedback voltage can correct the difference. The circuitry can also modify a third voltage that can be output by the circuitry to be zero based on the feedback voltage.

Abstract: A system including a sensor arranged on a machine and configured to measure one or more properties of a lubricant within the machine, a data hub communicatively connected to the sensor and configured to collect and store the measured one or more properties of the lubricant from the sensor, and a data processor communicatively connected to the data hub and configured to: calculate a maintenance threshold value based on the one or more properties of the lubricant from the sensor; compare the calculated maintenance threshold value to a maintenance threshold range; and output an alert when the calculated maintenance threshold value falls outside of the maintenance threshold range.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a sensor assembly and a cable assembly. The arrangement includes a signal wire. The arrangement includes a transversely-extending insulating barrier. The signal wire extends through the insulating barrier. The arrangement includes a shield wire that is configured to provide at least part of a grounding pathway. The shield wire extends through the insulating barrier at a location spaced from the signal wire. The arrangement includes at least one conductive layer that is located upon the insulating barrier. The at least one conductive layer is spaced away from the signal wire and is in electrical contact with the shield wire. At least a portion of the insulating barrier has a non-linear profile. At least a portion of the at least one conductive layer that is located upon the at least a portion of the insulating barrier has the non-linear profile.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a sensor assembly and a cable assembly. The arrangement includes a signal wire. The arrangement includes a transversely-extending insulating barrier. The signal wire extends through the insulating barrier. The arrangement includes a shield wire that is configured to provide at least part of a grounding pathway. The shield wire extends through the insulating barrier at a location spaced from the signal wire. The arrangement includes at least one conductive layer that is located upon the insulating barrier. The at least one conductive layer is spaced away from the signal wire and is in electrical contact with the shield wire. At least a portion of the insulating barrier has a non-linear profile. At least a portion of the at least one conductive layer that is located upon the at least a portion of the insulating barrier has the non-linear profile.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first shield tube surrounding a signal wire and a second shield tube surrounding the signal wire. The seal assembly includes an electrically insulating barrier positioned between the first shield tube and the second shield tube and through which the signal wire extends. The insulating barrier includes a first conductive layer on a first side of the insulating barrier and a second conductive layer on an opposing second side of the insulating barrier. The first shield tube is electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second shield tube is electrically connected to the second conductive layer such that the first shield tube, first conductive layer, second shield tube, and second conductive layer are electrically insulated from the signal wire.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first shield tube surrounding a signal wire and a second shield tube surrounding the signal wire. The seal assembly includes an electrically insulating barrier positioned between the first shield tube and the second shield tube and through which the signal wire extends. The insulating barrier includes a first conductive layer on a first side of the insulating barrier and a second conductive layer on an opposing second side of the insulating barrier. The first shield tube is electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second shield tube is electrically connected to the second conductive layer such that the first shield tube, first conductive layer, second shield tube, and second conductive layer are electrically insulated from the signal wire.

Abstract: A method of removing a hydrocarbon compound from boron powder for a physical intermixture. A boron powder and hydrocarbon compound physical intermixture is provided. The physical intermixture is placed onto an inert container of one of quartz or ceramic, and placing such into an enclosed space. The environment of the space is altered to create an oxygen-lessened atmosphere and then heated to an elevated temperature of between 350° C. and 600° C. The method includes vaporizing at least some the hydrocarbon compound as a physical removal of the hydrocarbon compound from the boron powder at the elevated temperature and within the oxygen-lessened atmosphere. In one example, the remaining hydrocarbon compound is not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: A processing system and associated method for milling boron with impurity contamination avoidance. The system includes a jet mill for reducing the particle size of a boron feed stock, and a feed stock inlet for delivering the boron feed stock toward the jet mill. The system includes at least one inlet for delivering at least one gas into the jet mill. The gas and the boron feed stock comingle within the jet mill during milling reduction of boron particle size. The system includes a source of the at least one gas operatively connected to the at least one inlet, with the at least one gas being a gas that avoids transferring impurity during milling reduction of boron particle size.

Abstract: A method for providing a boron-lined neutron detector. The method includes providing a boron-containing material and providing water. The method includes mixing the boron-containing material into the water to create a water-based liquid mixture and providing a substrate of a cathode of the neutron detector. The method includes applying the water-based liquid mixture to the substrate of the cathode and removing water from the water-based liquid applied to the substrate to leave a boron-containing layer upon the substrate that is sensitive to neutron impingement. The step of providing a boron-containing material may be to provide the material to include B-10.

Abstract: A neutron detector includes an exterior shell bounding an interior volume. The neutron detector includes at least a wall portion serving as a cathode. In one example the wall portion has microfeatures. The neutron detector includes a central structure located within the interior volume and serving as an anode. The neutron detector includes a boron coating on the wall portion. In on example, the boron coating is applied by an electrostatic spray process. In one example, the boron coating conforms to the microfeatures on the wall portion. In one example, the wall portion has a thickness of between 2 to 5 microns. The neutron detector includes an electrical connector operatively connected to the central structure for transmission of a signal collected by the central structure. An associated method provides for depositing the boron coating.

Abstract: Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder include providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder onto an inert container and placing the inert container and the contaminated boron powder into an enclosed space. The enclosed space environment is altered to create an oxygen deficient atmosphere. A heat source is provided to heat the contaminated boron powder to an elevated temperature. The method includes vaporizing the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: A neutron detector includes a shell bounding an interior volume. A portion of the neutron detector serves as a cathode. The detector includes a central structure located within the interior volume and serving as an anode. The detector includes a boron coating on the interior of the wall wherein at least some of the boron coating is heat diffused into the wall from a boron-containing powder to form the boron coating which is sensitive to neutrons. The detector includes an electrical connector operatively connected to the central structure for transmission of a signal collected by the central structure. An associated method of heat diffusing the boron includes subjecting boron-containing powder to an elevated temperature so that a quantity of the boron-containing powder heat diffuses.

Abstract: An optimized boron powder is provided. The quantity of a soluble residue comingled with the optimized boron powder is less than 7.00×10?4 grams of soluble residue per gram of boron. In further examples, the optimized boron powder includes crystalline boron particles created by jet milling a boron feed stock. The boron powder includes more than about 75% of the particles having a diameter less than about 1 micron, more than about 95% of the particles having a diameter less than about 3 microns, and essentially all of the particles having a diameter less than about 15 microns.

Abstract: Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder are provided. One method includes providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith onto an inert container. The method includes placing the inert container, the contaminated boron powder, and the organic contaminant comingled therewith, into an enclosed space. A heat source is provided in the enclosed space. The method also includes heating the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith to an elevated temperature. The method includes altering the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing anode and cathode electrical separation in detectors. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is presented for providing a neutron detector tube. The method may include applying a conductive layer to at least a portion of an inner surface of a non-conductive cathode tube associated with a neutron detector; applying a neutron sensitive cathode coating to at least a portion of the conductive layer; sealing a first portion of the neutron detector tube with a cathode cap; and sealing a second portion of the neutron detection tube with an anode cap.

Abstract: A neutron detector includes an exterior shell bounding an interior volume. The neutron detector includes at least a wall portion serving as a cathode. In one example the wall portion has microfeatures. The neutron detector includes a central structure located within the interior volume and serving as an anode. The neutron detector includes a boron coating on the wall portion. In on example, the boron coating is applied by an electrostatic spray process. In one example, the boron coating conforms to the microfeatures on the wall portion. In one example, the wall portion has a thickness of between 2 to 5 microns. The neutron detector includes an electrical connector operatively connected to the central structure for transmission of a signal collected by the central structure. An associated method provides for depositing the boron coating.