Abstract: A fluid sampling probe is provided. The probe comprises an elongate main tube having: an inlet end, an outlet end, and a fluid-sampling bore disposed within the elongate main tube and extending from the inlet end and to the outlet end; at least three elongate helical fins which are adapted to prevent or reduce probe damage caused by vortex-induced vibration. The elongate helical fins overlap along a length of the elongate main tube; and the fluid-sampling bore is open at or adjacent to the inlet end, and is adapted to receive a fluid-sample extracted from a fluid flowing past the fluid sampling probe. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A sorbent tube apparatus (10) for high-pressure fluid sample analysis, the sorbent tube apparatus (10) comprising a pressurisable housing (32) having first and second fluid ports (48a, 48b) and defining a fluid chamber (34) therein; and a sorbent tube (12) mountable within the pressurisable housing (32), the sorbent tube (12) extending from one of the first and second fluid ports (48a) and spaced apart from the other of the first and second fluid ports (48b) to be in fluid communication with the fluid chamber (34), thereby enabling in use pressure equalisation between the sorbent tube (12) and fluid chamber (34). A method of analysing high-pressure fluid, an analytic probe apparatus, a further sorbent tube apparatus and method of preventing or limiting damage to a sorbent tube during high-pressure fluid sampling are also provided.

Abstract: An inspection system may include an optical component configured to deliver inspection light to a subject and a detector configured to obtain an image of the subject based on the inspection light delivered to the subject. The inspection system may also include a processor in communication with the optical component and the detector. The processor may be configured to: measure an aberration of the optical component based on the image of the subject obtained by the detector; and adjust the optical component to compensate for a change in the aberration.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing containers. The dispensing system includes a storage chamber configured to hold the containers available for dispensing. A release device is coupled to the storage chamber to release the containers therefrom. An input device is configured to receive an order to dispense specific containers from the containers stored within the storage chamber, where the specific containers include at least two individual containers having different shapes. A tray receives the specific containers released from the storage, where the specific containers when released form a nested stack on the tray, and where the nested stack has a stacked height. A control system is operative coupled to the input device and the release device, where the control system determines a sequence for dispensing the specific containers from the order so as to minimize the stacked height of the nested stack on the tray.

Abstract: An insertion-type probe main body for insertion into a pipe transporting gas and a method for making such an insertion-type probe main body are provided. The probe main body includes: an elongate upper tubular portion; an elongate lower tubular portion which is integral with and having a diameter smaller than the upper tubular portion; a bore which extends between the upper and lower tubular portions; and helical fins integrally formed on the lower tubular portion and which wind along and around an outer surface of the lower tubular portion and which overlap each other. A radial extension of the lower tubular portion plus helical fins corresponds to an external radius of the upper tubular portion, so that the helical fins extend in a streamline fashion from the upper tubular portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring system (10) is suitable for the monitoring of liquefied natural gas in a pipe section (12), via insertion of a fluid-monitoring probe(14) into a port (16). The fluid-monitoring probe (14) is at least partially covered by a support structure (18), and a fluid-directing baffle (20) is mounted thereon to redirect fluid flow from the main liquefied gas flow to a secondary passage through the support structure.

Abstract: A method of vapourising a sample of liquefied natural gas so as to retain the proportions of components of the liquefied natural gas on vapourisation, the method comprising the steps of: introducing liquefied natural gas into a liquid inlet (112) of a liquefied natural gas vapouriser (110); vapourising the liquefied natural gas at a vapourisation element (134) of the liquid inlet (112); and directing vapourised liquefied natural gas into a vapourisation conduit portion (120) directly after the liquid inlet, the vapourisation conduit portion (120) having a fall, thereby encouraging vapourised liquid natural gas to be directed against a flow direction of liquid or liquid-gas phase natural gas in the vapourisation conduit portion to encourage remixing of the vapourised liquid natural gas and liquid or liquid-gas phase natural gas A liquefied natural gas vapouriser (110) suitable for the above method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for an artificial intelligence system. In one aspect, a system includes multiple artificial intelligence skill agents that have each been trained to perform different actions in a telecommunications system. The system also includes an orchestrator agent that interacts with each of the artificial intelligence skill agents and coordinates which of the artificial intelligence agents performs actions in response to user inputs. The orchestrator agent receives a user input and determines an intent expressed by the user input. The orchestrator agent transmits an instruction to an artificial intelligence skill agent to perform an action that provides a response to the intent. In response to receiving the instruction from the orchestrator agent, the artificial intelligence skill agent performs the action when the artificial intelligence skill agent is capable of carrying out the action.

Abstract: In one example, a cover plate may include a face plate with at least one outlet aperture, a back plate abutting the back of the face plate, an electric load between the face plate and the back plate, and at least one prong that extends from the face plate to a free end. The prong may be configured to interface with a terminal on the side of an outlet receptacle body and may include any or all of the following: an insulated portion and/or an electrical contact. The prong may resiliently deflects outward when interfacing with the terminal and may deflect with a first resistance prior to contacting a wall and with a second resistance that is greater than the first resistance when the prong contacts the wall. The cover play may also include at least one conductor electrically connecting the prong to the electric load.

Abstract: An insertion-type probe main body for insertion into a pipe transporting gas and a method for making such an insertion-type probe main body are provided. The probe main body includes: an elongate upper tubular portion; an elongate lower tubular portion which is integral with and having a diameter smaller than the upper tubular portion; a bore which extends between the upper and lower tubular portions; and helical fins integrally formed on the lower tubular portion and which wind along and around an outer surface of the lower tubular portion and which overlap each other. A radial extension of the lower tubular portion plus helical fins corresponds to an external radius of the upper tubular portion, so that the helical fins extend in a streamline fashion from the upper tubular portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A sorbent tube apparatus (10) for high-pressure fluid sample analysis, the sorbent tube apparatus (10) comprising a pressurisable housing (32) having first and second fluid ports (48a, 48b) and defining a fluid chamber (34) therein; and a sorbent tube (12) mountable within the pressurisable housing (32), the sorbent tube (12) extending from one of the first and second fluid ports (48a) and spaced apart from the other of the first and second fluid ports (48b) to be in fluid communication with the fluid chamber (34), thereby enabling in use pressure equalisation between the sorbent tube (12) and fluid chamber (34). A method of analysing high-pressure fluid, an analytic probe apparatus, a further sorbent tube apparatus and method of preventing or limiting damage to a sorbent tube during high-pressure fluid sampling are also provided.

Abstract: A sorbent tube holder (100) for securing a sorbent tube (10) in position in a fluid-flow system, the sorbent tube holder (100) comprising: an mounting element (126) having first and second opposed ends (126a, 126b) which define a tube mounting axis (A-A); at least one fastener (128) in communication with the mounting element (126) for providing a releasable tube retaining force; at least one sorbent tube (10) engaged with the mounting element (126); and a holder frame (130) to which the mounting element (126) is attached to prevent or limit movement of the mounting element (126) perpendicular to the tube mounting axis. A method of preventing or limiting unintentional damage to a sorbent tube, and a portable tube holder are also provided.

Abstract: An insertion-type probe main body for insertion into a pipe transporting gas and a method for making such an insertion-type probe main body are provided. The probe main body includes: an elongate upper tubular portion; an elongate lower tubular portion which is integral with and having a diameter smaller than the upper tubular portion; a bore which extends between the upper and lower tubular portions; and helical fins integrally formed on the lower tubular portion and which wind along and around an outer surface of the lower tubular portion and which overlap each other. A radial extension of the lower tubular portion plus helical fins corresponds to an external radius of the upper tubular portion, so that the helical fins extend in a streamline fashion from the upper tubular portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An insertion-type probe main body for insertion into a pipe transporting gas and a method for making such an insertion-type probe main body are provided. The probe main body includes: an elongate upper tubular portion; an elongate lower tubular portion which is integral with and having a diameter smaller than the upper tubular portion; a bore which extends between the upper and lower tubular portions; and helical fins integrally formed on the lower tubular portion and which wind along and around an outer surface of the lower tubular portion and which overlap each other. A radial extension of the lower tubular portion plus helical fins corresponds to an external radius of the upper tubular portion, so that the helical fins extend in a streamline fashion from the upper tubular portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An insertion-type probe main body for insertion into a pipe transporting gas and a method for making such an insertion-type probe main body are provided. The probe main body includes: an elongate upper tubular portion; an elongate lower tubular portion which is integral with and having a diameter smaller than the upper tubular portion; a bore which extends between the upper and lower tubular portions; and helical fins integrally formed on the lower tubular portion and which wind along and around an outer surface of the lower tubular portion and which overlap each other. A radial extension of the lower tubular portion plus helical fins corresponds to an external radius of the upper tubular portion, so that the helical fins extend in a streamline fashion from the upper tubular portion. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A sampling device comprises a mounting body connectable to a fluid container for housing a fluid requiring sampling. The mounting body has a fluid-sample flow passage opening into a connector recess; a sample-tube connector engaged with the connector recess; and a sample tube which extends from a distal end of the sample-tube connector and tightly engages with the fluid-sample flow passage. A cavity thus defined by the connector recess and the distal end of the sample-tube connector is bridged by the sample tube. The bridging prevents or limits contamination of a fluid sample extracted from a fluid flow in a fluid container to which the device is attached.

Abstract: A gas sampling probe is provided that includes an elongate member having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a sampling passage disposed within the member. The sampling passage extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inlet end comprises a curved outer surface. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A gas sampling probe is provided that includes an elongate member having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a sampling passage disposed within the member. The sampling passage extends from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inlet end comprises a curved outer surface. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A thermowell or gas sampling probe comprising an elongated tube with one or more helical fins wound longitudinally along and around at least part of the outer surface of said tube where the width of the fin is in the range 0.005 D to 0.2D; and the depth of the fin is in the range 0.05D to 0.5D; where D is the external diameter or width of the tube. The gas sampling probe comprising an elongate main tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end and a sampling tube housed within said main tubular member extending from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Abstract: A thermowell or gas sampling probe comprising an elongated tube with one or more helical fins wound longitudinally along and around at least part of the outer surface of said tube where the width of the fin is in the range 0.005 D to 0.2 D; and the depth of the fin is in the range 0.05 D to 0.5 D; where D is the external diameter or width of the tube. The gas sampling probe comprising an elongate main tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end and a sampling tube housed within said main tubular member extending from the inlet end to the outlet end.