Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A wireless network comprises nodes, including routers having a tree-shaped communication topology and end devices, communicate in accordance a network protocol, wherein the routers transmit beacons in respective timeslots within a periodic beaconing interval, passively scan for messages, and, in response to receiving a message, transmit an acknowledgement thereof the received message. An end device that has a message that is pending transmission, passively scans for beacons transmitted from any router; and in response thereto, transmits the message, and passively scans for an acknowledgement, repeating those steps if no acknowledgement is received. This provides responsivity in an environment having rapidly changing propagation paths. To reduce power consumption, the end devices do not passively scan for beacons except when they have a message that is pending transmission, and also at predetermined times for reception of a downstream message.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor unit mountable on a rotatable element on a platform that is itself movable, and includes an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.

Abstract: A temperature controller for a heater for a container for use in hazardous areas and a method of programming such a temperature controller. The method of programming such a temperature controller comprises the steps of writing identification data and parameter data to a memory of a portable token in an area remote from the hazardous area; transporting the token to a position in proximity to the temperature controller in the hazardous area; transmitting, by means of near field communication, the identification data and parameter data stored in the memory of the portable token to a receiver in the temperature controller; comparing the identification data received by the temperature controller with identification data stored in a memory of the temperature controller; and if said comparison of identification data is positive, and updating parameter data stored in the memory of the temperature controller with the parameter data received by the receiver.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A system is provided with memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store data representative of a multi-valued decision diagram (MDD). The processor is in communication with the memory and is programmed to receive a current selection of one or more of the features, and to determine a feature state for each of the one or more features, based on the current selection and the possible configurations defined by the MDD. The processor is further programmed to calculate an availability bitset indicative of which features as available for further selection, consistent with the valid configurations and without violating existing constraints of the current selection.

Abstract: A system is provided with a memory device and a processor. The memory device is adapted to store data representative of a multi-valued decision diagram (MDD) specifying a buildable space of all possible configurations of a vehicle. The processor is in communication with the memory and is programmed to identify an invalid configuration, and to generate a restricted buildable space, including to determine an edit distance of each complete path indicative of a number of features to change the invalid configuration of that path to one of the valid configurations, identify a minimum of the edit distances, and remove configurations having edit distances larger than the minimum. The processor is further programmed to identify at least one feature to change the invalid configuration to at least one valid configuration based on the restricted buildable space; and to generate output indicative of the at least one feature to change.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A temperature controller for a heater for a container for use in hazardous areas and a method of programming such a temperature controller. The method of programming such a temperature controller comprises the steps of writing identification data and parameter data to a memory of a portable token in an area remote from the hazardous area; transporting the token to a position in proximity to the temperature controller in the hazardous area; transmitting, by means of near field communication, the identification data and parameter data stored in the memory of the portable token to a receiver in the temperature controller; comparing the identification data received by the temperature controller with identification data stored in a memory of the temperature controller; and if said comparison of identification data is positive, and updating parameter data stored in the memory of the temperature controller with the parameter data received by the receiver.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A system is provided with memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store data representative of a multi-valued decision diagram (MDD). The processor is in communication with the memory and is programmed to receive a current selection of one or more of the features, and to determine a feature state for each of the one or more features, based on the current selection and the possible valid configurations defined by the MDD. The processor is further programmed to calculate an availability bitset indicative of which features as available for further selection, consistent with the valid configurations and without violating existing constraints of the current selection.