Abstract: A leak alarm system for a petroleum pipeline includes one or more detectors installed in the ground adjacent to a pipeline, each detector having a tubular enclosure with a diode light source and photosensor located at the opposed end of the tube. The tubular enclosure is fabricated of a microporous material that has microfiltration properties: it is hydrophobic, so that soil water will not enter the enclosure, but also oleophilic to enable petroleum and related substances migrate through the material of the tubular enclosure and accumulate therein. The petroleum-like materials scatter the beam and diminish the sensor signal, causing a leak alarm signal to be generated.

Abstract: A method for identifying, measuring, and monitoring metal loss through corrosion ferromagnetic piping includes drive coils secured to the pipe and driven to emit a magnetic field which is transmitted through the object by magnetic domains in the object. Response coils detect the magnetic domains and generate a response signal. Response coils may be saddle or loop coils, or printed coils on flexible substrates that are applied to conform to the pipe peripheral surface. The system operates reiteratively over an extended period of time to detect loss of magnetic domains which is an important indicator of corrosion and deterioration of the object.

Abstract: A method for identifying, measuring, and monitoring metal loss through corrosion ferromagnetic piping includes drive coils secured to the pipe and driven to emit a magnetic field which is transmitted through the object by magnetic domains in the object. Response coils detect the magnetic domains and generate a response signal. Response coils may be saddle or loop coils, or printed coils on flexible substrates that are applied to conform to the pipe peripheral surface. The system operates reiteratively over an extended period of time to detect loss of magnetic domains which is an important indicator of corrosion and deterioration of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying, measuring, and monitoring metal loss through corrosion or other deleterious factors in ferromagnetic piping and ferromagnetic objects. Drive coils secured to the object are driven to emit a magnetic field which is transmitted through the object by magnetic domains in the object. Response coils detect the magnetic domains and generate a response signal. The drive and response signals can penetrate insulating materials and non-ferromagnetic metallic coverings of the piping and vessels. The system operates reiteratively over an extended period of time, e.g., months or years, to detect loss of magnetic domains which is an important indicator of corrosion and deterioration of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying, measuring, and monitoring metal loss through corrosion or other deleterious factors in ferromagnetic piping and ferromagnetic objects. Drive coils secured to the object are driven to emit a magnetic field which is transmitted through the object by magnetic domains in the object. Response coils detect the magnetic domains and generate a response signal. The drive and response signals can penetrate insulating materials and non-ferromagnetic metallic coverings of the piping and vessels. The system operates reiteratively over an extended period of time, e.g., months or years, to detect loss of magnetic domains which is an important indicator of corrosion and deterioration of the object.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3D map of the surface contours of an object includes projecting a variety of patterns onto the object, and imaging the patterns as they fall on the object to encode the topographic features of the object. In one embodiment a three dimensional image is taken in a single flash to avoid blurring due to motion of the object. Thereafter a secondary pattern is projected to detect changes in the initial image. The images are processed in a computer program in a manner such that a complete 3D map of the surface of the object is obtained in digital form. Reiteration of the method can detect motional variation such as a breathing human, flexure of a complex mechanical structure, or a stress-strain testing of an airplane, vehicle, beam, bridge, or other structure.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3D map of the surface contours of an object includes projecting a variety of patterns onto the object, and imaging the patterns as they fall on the object to encode the topographic features of the object. The images are processed in a computer program in a manner such that a complete 3D map of the surface of the object is obtained in digital form. Reiteration of the method can detect motional variation such as a breathing human, flexure of a complex mechanical structure, or a stress-strain testing of an airplane, vehicle, beam, bridge, or other structure.

Abstract: A device for non-contact, non-invasive measurement of current or power in a wire, cable or conductor includes a small coil having multiple turns and no ferromagnetic core. The coil may be secured to a wand or housing adapted to be used to place the coil in close proximity to the wire, cable or conductor, whereby a voltage is induced in the coil. An amplifier may be utilized to increase sensitivity. A readout indicates the magnitude of the induced voltage, and a scaling device renders the readout display indicative of the current or power in the wire, cable, or conductor. To measure direct current flow, the coil may be vibrated or rotated adjacent to the conductor to cause the magnetic field to induce a voltage in the coil. The readout may comprise a digital display, a series of light emitting devices, or a flashing light emitting device having a flash rate proportional to the magnitude of the voltage. The device may be constructed in a wand or pen-like fashion, with the coil incorporated into the wand.

Abstract: A device for non-contact, non-invasive measurement of current or power in a wire, cable or conductor includes a small coil having multiple turns with a thin ferromagnetic strip. The coil may be secured to a wand or housing adapted to be used to place the coil in close proximity to the wire, cable or conductor, whereby a voltage is induced in the coil. An amplifier and or an analog or digital signal processor is utilized to increase sensitivity. A readout indicates the magnitude of the induced voltage, and a scaling device renders the readout display indicative of the current or power in the wire, cable, or conductor. The readout may comprise a digital display, a series of light emitting devices, an oscilloscope, a digital computer display system, or a flashing light emitting device having a flash rate proportional to the magnitude of the voltage. The device may be constructed in a wand or pen-like fashion, with the coil and strip incorporated into the wand.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing non-contacting measurements of the voltage, current and power levels of conductive elements such as wires, cables and the like includes an arrangement of capacitive sensors for generating a first current in response to variation in voltage of a conductive element. Each sensor is positioned in an electric field of the conductive element, and is thereby coupled to the conductive element through a coupling capacitance. A reference source drives the capacitive sensor arrangement at a reference frequency so as to induce the flow of a reference current therethrough. A measurement network is disposed to calculate the coupling capacitance based on a measurement of the reference current, and to then determine the voltage in the conductive element based on the first current and the coupling capacitance.

Abstract: An imaging system generates images of the interior of an object using radiation which is attenuated and scattered by the interior of the object. The object is radiated at a number of points near the exterior of the object, and the radiation emerging from the object is measured at an array of exit points near the exterior of the object. The interior of the object is modelled as an array of volume elements called voxels. Each voxel is modelled as having scattering and attenuation properties, represented by numerical coefficients. The system computes the intensity of radiation that would emerge from the object at the exit points if the interior of the object were characterized by a currently assigned set of values for the scattering and attenuation coefficients. Then, the differences between the measured intensities and the computer intensities are used to compute an error function relates to the magnitude of the errors in the reconstruction.

Abstract: An imaging NMR scanner generates multi-dimensional NMR spin echo responses from selected sub-volumes of an object. 90.degree. and 180.degree. r.f. nutation pulses are used together with a variable amplitude gradient between these nutation pulses to phase encode a second dimension in the spin echo response which is already phase-encoded in a first dimension by use of a magnetic gradient during signal readout. Two-dimensional Fourier transforms or multiple angle projection reconstruction processes are then used to generate an array of pixel value data signals representing a visual image of the point-by-point spatial distribution of nutated nuclei within the object. Image artifacts potentially caused by relatively moving elements of the object are avoided by selecting the spin echo generating sub-volumes to avoid the moving elements. High resolution images of sub-volumes of interest can be obtained by selection of a sub-volume of interest in conjunction with these reconstruction techniques.

Abstract: Flow rates across a flat panel are determined in a non-intrusive manner by a novel technique involving the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). NMR signals requiring two or more time-spaced nuclear spin excitations are generated in a selective manner, whereby at least two of the excitations are confined to preselected tomographic regions which are non-coextensive in the direction of flow, i.e., at least a portion of each region lies outside the other. The relative positions of the volumes ranges from a partial overlap to a complete separation with a gap in between. Flow detection is derived from signals reflecting movement from one such region to the other during the interval of time between the excitations. Quantitative or qualitative flow data may be obtained, including full range velocity distributions for systems where a range of velocities is present. The process is readily combined with known NMR imaging techniques to provide a two-dimensional array of flow data.

Abstract: Quantitative volumetric flow rates within highly defined regions are determined by a novel technique in which nuclear magnetic resonance is used to determine the fill time for the region of interest. The technique involves the combination of a depolarization pulse (or series of pulses) and a signal generating pulse (or series of pulses), both applied to a specific tomographic region and separated from each other by a time interval of varying length. The pulses are designed to cancel each other out in terms of signal generation, and the signal detected is therefore attributable to matter flowing into the region during the interval between the pulses. The fill time is determined from a plot of signal intensity vs. interval length. The process is readily combined with known NMR imaging techniques to provide a two-dimensional array of flow data.

Abstract: An imaging NMR scanner obtains plural spin echo signals during each of successive measurement cycles permitting determination of the T2 parameter for each display pixel after but a single measurement sequence. The amplitude of the NMR spin echo responses is dependent on an "a" machine parameter (the elapsed time between initiation of a given measurement cycle and the occurrence of the NMR response) and upon a "b" machine parameter (the elapsed time between initiation of successive measurement cycles). These a and b machine time parameters are selectively controlled to enhance resultant image contrast between different types of tissue or other internal structures of an object under examination. Special phase control circuits ensure the repeatability of relative phasing between successive NMR responses from the same measured volume and/or of reference RF signals utilized to frequency translate and synchronously demodulate the NMR responses in the successive measurement cycles of a complete measurement sequence.