Abstract: A measurement apparatus for weight measuring composite sheet including a sheet material having a second material thereon as a coating and/or as embedded particles therein. The apparatus includes an x-ray sensor for providing an x-ray signal from x-ray irradiating the composite sheet and an infrared (IR) sensor for providing an IR signal from IR irradiating the composite sheet. A computing device is coupled to receive the x-ray signal and the IR signal that includes a processor having an associated memory for implementing an algorithm, where the algorithm uses the x-ray signal and the IR signal to compute a plurality of weights selected from a weight of the sheet material, a weight of the second material, and a total weight of the composite sheet.

Abstract: A dual-optical displacement sensor system includes a scanner including a first and second scanner head including optical displacement sensors providing a first and second beam having a first optical axis (OA) and a second OA. A computing device or programmed circuit is coupled to receive time versus position data from measurements involving alignment target(s) including at least one knife edge pair including a first and second knife edge oriented in a first plane of the alignment target that is essentially perpendicular to the OAs positioned between the scanner heads for interacting with the beams, and implement at least one equation to analyze the data for determining a degree of alignment of the first and second OA. Using the degree of alignment, an algorithm is for automatic alignment of the OAs or assist instructions for a user alignment of the OAs that provides guiding steps for the user for the alignment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a beta gauge for generating a first sensor response signal from a composite sheet including a sheet material having a coating thereon including a high-z material or the sheet material has particles including the high-z material embedded in the sheet material. A second sensor being an x-ray or an infrared (IR) sensor provides a second sensor response signal from the composite sheet. A computing device is coupled to receive the first and the second sensor response signal that includes a processor having an associated memory for implementing an algorithm that uses the first and the second sensor response signal to simultaneously compute two or more weight measures selected from (i) a weight per unit area of the high-z material, (ii) a weight per unit area of the sheet material, and (iii) a total weight per unit area of the composite sheet.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free-standing sheets detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface and scanning the laser beam through a selected wavelength range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Alternatively, the intensity of an interference pattern formed from the superposition of radiation that is directly transmitted through the web and radiation that is transmitted through the web after internal reflections from the internal surfaces of the web. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring amounts of submerged solid consumable. A GWR (Guided Wave Radar) component can provide a measurement of a reflection at a fixed position in a particle bed. The reflection represents aggregate dielectric properties in a vessel. The measurement includes hydrocarbon and solid consumable properties of a mixture in the vessel, wherein a measurement value is indicative of a greater amount of the solid consumable in the mixture in the vessel. If data is measured by the GWR component indicating that the measurement value is approaching the measurement value of the hydrocarbon, this data is indicative that the material (e.g., solid consumable such as salt) in the vessel should be replenished.

Abstract: A dual-optical displacement sensor system includes a scanner including a first and second scanner head including optical displacement sensors providing a first and second beam having a first optical axis (OA) and a second OA. A computing device or programmed circuit is coupled to receive time versus position data from measurements involving alignment target(s) including at least one knife edge pair including a first and second knife edge oriented in a first plane of the alignment target that is essentially perpendicular to the OAs positioned between the scanner heads for interacting with the beams, and implement at least one equation to analyze the data for determining a degree of alignment of the first and second OA. Using the degree of alignment, an algorithm is for automatic alignment of the OAs or assist instructions for a user alignment of the OAs that provides guiding steps for the user for the alignment.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an eddy current sensor including at least one coil with excitation electronics coupled across the coil. An optical displacement sensor is secured to the eddy current sensor so that a vertical distance between the sensors is fixed. The optical displacement sensor is located on top of and concentric with the coil so that a measurement axis of the optical displacement sensor is collinear with an axis of symmetry of the coil. A computing device including a processor and memory is coupled to receive sensor data from the eddy current sensor and the optical displacement sensor that is adapted for analyzing the sensor data obtained from measuring a coated substrate including a coating layer on at least one side of a metal substrate to determine at least a thickness of the coating layer.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a first sensor, scanner head, and computing device coupled to the first sensor that stores relative signal level ranges at selected spectral marker region(s) compared to a common region each corresponding to a composite sheet material grade and an associated sensor calibration. The computing device measures a first signal in the spectral marker region and a second signal in the common region of a composite sheet including a sheet material and a high-z material, determining a current relative signal level comparing a current signal level of the first and second signal, and identifying a current composite sheet material grade for the composite sheet from the composite material grades using the current relative signal level. Based on the current composite material grade a current sensor calibration is chosen from the sensor calibrations, and ?1 physical parameter for the composite sheet is determined from the current sensor calibration.

Abstract: A non-contact thickness measurement system includes a first optical displacement sensor in a first scanner head and a second optical displacement sensor in a second scanner head on opposite sides of a sheet material. The displacement sensors measure a plurality of distances to a first line in a first direction along the top of the material and plurality of distances to a second line in a second direction along a bottom of the material. An x,y position sensor determines x,y position data. A z-position sensor measures a sensor-to-sensor distance. A computing device determines a projected intersection point of the first and second lines, and using the projected intersection point selects a first distance from the distances from first displacement sensor and a second distance from the distances from the second displacement sensor, and for calculating a sheet material thickness using the first distance, second distance, and the sensor-to-sensor distance.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a first sensor, scanner head, and computing device coupled to the first sensor that stores relative signal level ranges at selected spectral marker region(s) compared to a common region each corresponding to a composite sheet material grade and an associated sensor calibration. The computing device measures a first signal in the spectral marker region and a second signal in the common region of a composite sheet including a sheet material and a high-z material, determining a current relative signal level comparing a current signal level of the first and second signal, and identifying a current composite sheet material grade for the composite sheet from the composite material grades using the current relative signal level. Based on the current composite material grade a current sensor calibration is chosen from the sensor calibrations, and ?1 physical parameter for the composite sheet is determined from the current sensor calibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a beta gauge for generating a first sensor response signal from a composite sheet including a sheet material having a coating thereon including a high-z material or the sheet material has particles including the high-z material embedded in the sheet material. A second sensor being an x-ray or an infrared (IR) sensor provides a second sensor response signal from the composite sheet. A computing device is coupled to receive the first and the second sensor response signal that includes a processor having an associated memory for implementing an algorithm that uses the first and the second sensor response signal to simultaneously compute two or more weight measures selected from (i) a weight per unit area of the high-z material, (ii) a weight per unit area of the sheet material, and (iii) a total weight per unit area of the composite sheet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.

Abstract: A method and system for seal failure annunciation comprises a process connector connected to a probe used to measure a product level in a tank. A pulse generation module generates a pulse that is propagated through a voided space in the process connector and a detector module configured to receive the echo curve from the interrogation pulse. A logic module is used to evaluate the received echo curve to determine if a seal in the process connector has failed. When the logic module indicates seal failure, an alarm module initiates an alarm indicating said seal in said process connector has failed.

Abstract: A guided wave radar (GWR)-based method of measuring steam pressure includes transmitting at least a first microwave pulse signal from a GWR sensor system having a pulsed radar gauge (PRG) implementing a steam measurement algorithm coupled to a transceiver that is coupled to a GWR probe in a steam boiler tank having a reference reflector (RR) providing an impedance discontinuity. The transmitting the first microwave pulse signal is with water and steam in the steam boiler tank. An echo emanating from the RR is received responsive to the first microwave pulse signal generates that respective time of flight (TOF) measurement data. A refractive index value for the steam is determined from the TOF measurement data and a reference TOF value representing a TOF measurement without the steam in the steam boiler tank. A physical property of the steam is determined from the refractive index value, such as the pressure.

Abstract: A sheet material measurement system includes an optical system for identifying at least a first area of a moving sheet material suspected of including at least one defect. A terahertz (THz) system includes a THz generator for generating a THz beam and a THz detector and a scanner including a scanner head for positioning the THz system over the first area. A computing device is coupled to receive signals sensed by the THz detector after interacting with the first area. The computing device determines whether the first area is a metal-contaminated area including metal particles.

Abstract: A sheet material measurement system includes an optical system for identifying at least a first area of a moving sheet material suspected of including at least one defect. A terahertz (THz) system includes a THz generator for generating a THz beam and a THz detector and a scanner including a scanner head for positioning the THz system over the first area. A computing device is coupled to receive signals sensed by the THz detector after interacting with the first area. The computing device determines whether the first area is a metal-contaminated area including metal particles.

Abstract: A non-contact thickness measurement system includes a first optical displacement sensor in a first scanner head and a second optical displacement sensor in a second scanner head on opposite sides of a sheet material. The displacement sensors measure a plurality of distances to a first line in a first direction along the top of the material and plurality of distances to a second line in a second direction along a bottom of the material. An x,y position sensor determines x,y position data. A z-position sensor measures a sensor-to-sensor distance. A computing device determines a projected intersection point of the first and second lines, and using the projected intersection point selects a first distance from the distances from first displacement sensor and a second distance from the distances from the second displacement sensor, and for calculating a sheet material thickness using the first distance, second distance, and the sensor-to-sensor distance.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an eddy current sensor including at least one coil with excitation electronics coupled across the coil. An optical displacement sensor is secured to the eddy current sensor so that a vertical distance between the sensors is fixed. The optical displacement sensor is located on top of and concentric with the coil so that a measurement axis of the optical displacement sensor is collinear with an axis of symmetry of the coil. A computing device including a processor and memory is coupled to receive sensor data from the eddy current sensor and the optical displacement sensor that is adapted for analyzing the sensor data obtained from measuring a coated substrate including a coating layer on at least one side of a metal substrate to determine at least a thickness of the coating layer.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for weight measuring composite sheet including a sheet material having a second material thereon as a coating and/or as embedded particles therein. The apparatus includes an x-ray sensor for providing an x-ray signal from x-ray irradiating the composite sheet and an infrared (IR) sensor for providing an IR signal from IR irradiating the composite sheet. A computing device is coupled to receive the x-ray signal and the IR signal that includes a processor having an associated memory for implementing an algorithm, where the algorithm uses the x-ray signal and the IR signal to compute a plurality of weights selected from a weight of the sheet material, a weight of the second material, and a total weight of the composite sheet.