Abstract: An apparatus, system, and methods for measuring environmental parameters are disclosed. The apparatus, system and methods can be used for a variety of applications, including HVAC air balancing and building commissioning. The system includes a variety of wireless sensing modules and wearable modules for control. display, and storage. Parameters measured include air and water temperature, pressure. velocity, and flow. Also included are sensors for light intensity, CO concentrations, and CO2 concentrations.

Abstract: A fibre optic accessory for attachment to the end of an optical fibre is described, the fibre optic accessory comprising a plurality of grooves extending longitudinally along a portion of its outer surface. Using this accessory, an optical fibre to which this accessory is affixed may be installed in an installation tube with the use of a source of compressed air. A kit of parts for such an installation, an optical fibre and a method of installation are also described.

Abstract: Implementations of airflow capture hoods may include a central support coupled with a plurality of ribs configured to support a bottom end of a capture hood in an open position. The central support may be coupled with a plurality of poles configured to support an upper end of a capture hood in an open position.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an oscillatory signal from an oscillating device includes filtering the oscillatory signal to within a desired frequency band to provide a filtered signal and extracting an amplitude from the filtered signal. The method further includes switching control of the oscillating device when the amplitude exceeds a predetermined amplitude requirement for a predetermined duration. An oscillatory signal monitor includes a first controller and a second controller each configured to independently control an oscillating device. An oscillatory signal based on a position of the oscillating device is filtered to a desired frequency band, and an amplitude is extracted from the filtered signal. A switch is provided for switching control of the oscillatory device from the first controller to the second controller when the amplitude exceeds a predetermined amplitude requirement for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: Implementations of an airflow capture hood flow control ring may include a flexible ring including a toroidal shape configured to couple around a base of an airflow capture hood. The ring may be configured to permit an airflow sensor coupled to the airflow capture hood coupled to an inlet to measure a flow of air into the inlet with at least 90% accuracy.

Abstract: Implementations of an airflow capture hood plate may include a plate including a plurality of openings therethrough. The plate may be configured to couple to a hood to guide airflow through the hood when the hood is placed over a diffuser of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and the plurality of openings in the plate may be configured to align with a plurality of ribs of a grid in the hood.

Abstract: A fibre optic accessory for attachment to the end of an optical fibre is described, the fibre optic accessory comprising a plurality of grooves extending longitudinally along a portion of its outer surface. Using this accessory, an optical fibre to which this accessory is affixed may be installed in an installation tube with the use of a source of compressed air. A kit of parts for such an installation, an optical fibre and a method of installation are also described.

Abstract: Implementations of airflow capture hoods may include a central support coupled with a plurality of ribs configured to support a bottom end of a capture hood in an open position. The central support may be coupled with a plurality of poles configured to support an upper end of a capture hood in an open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of allocating execution loads to execution components are disclosed. The systems and methods select one of the execution components and one of the execution loads based on selection criteria. The systems and methods then determine whether the selected execution load may be allocated to the selected execution component. If the selected execution load may be allocated to the selected execution component, the systems and methods allocate the execution load accordingly. If the selected execution load may not be allocated to the selected execution component, the systems and methods select another one of the execution components and another one of the execution loads for attempted allocation.

Abstract: An actuator hardover monitor for a control surface includes an actuator sensor for detecting an actuator position, a command model of an expected position of the actuator based on an input command, and a monitor to determine whether a difference between the actuator position and the expected position exceeds a threshold for a predetermined duration. A method of preventing a hardover event for a control surface includes commanding an actuator valve to a commanded position, determining continuously when the commanded position, or an actuator valve position, or a control-surface position, or a modeled actuator valve position exceeds a predetermined limit to provide an exceedance. The method may further include filtering a signal of the exceedance based on a time constant to provide a filtered exceedance, and switching to a backup control-surface actuator when the filtered exceedance exceeds the predetermined limit for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A goggles system includes an inner frame dimensioned and contoured for positioning against a wearer's face with a plurality of interchangeable lens assemblies, where each lens assembly is removably attachable to the inner frame by an engagement mechanism that includes at least one tongue and groove attachment and at least one magnetic attachment. The lens(es) of each interchangeable lens assembly may be the same as or different from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method to determine airspeed for aircraft include determining critical air data parameters without the use of pitot-static systems. Airspeed may be determined by iteratively repeating the method until converging on a stable airspeed value that differs from a previous airspeed value by less than a predetermined threshold. Airspeed may be determined by modeling aircraft lift and repeatedly updating dynamic pressure to converge on an airspeed based on the balance between aircraft lift and weight. Airspeed may be determined based on predetermined relationships between a horizontal control surface position and dynamic pressure. A voting logic method validates or invalidates airspeeds from dissimilar sources, including airspeeds determined using the methods described herein and conventional pitot-static systems.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for aircraft weight estimation is provided that includes determining a weight signal based on a dynamic pressure signal, a calibrated angle of attack signal, a lift coefficient signal, a load factor signal, and a wing surface area. In another embodiment, a method to estimate aircraft weight is provided that includes determining a weight based on historical flight data relating horizontal control surface position to dynamic pressure. In another embodiment, a system for continuously estimating aircraft weight during flight is provided that includes a pitot-static subsystem, an angle of attack indicator, an accelerometer, a controller configured to provide a weight signal, and a signal filter for filtering the weight signal to determine a stable aircraft weight.

Abstract: A goggles system includes an inner frame dimensioned and contoured for positioning against a wearer's face with a plurality of interchangeable lens assemblies, where each lens assembly is removably attachable to the inner frame by an engagement mechanism that includes at least one tongue and groove attachment and at least one magnetic attachment. The lens(es) of each interchangeable lens assembly may be the same as or different from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods of allocating execution loads to execution components are disclosed. The systems and methods select one of the execution components and one of the execution loads based on selection criteria. The systems and methods then determine whether the selected execution load may be allocated to the selected execution component. If the selected execution load may be allocated to the selected execution component, the systems and methods allocate the execution load accordingly. If the selected execution load may not be allocated to the selected execution component, the systems and methods select another one of the execution components and another one of the execution loads for attempted allocation.

Abstract: An actuator hardover monitor for a control surface includes an actuator sensor for detecting an actuator position, a command model of an expected position of the actuator based on an input command, and a monitor to determine whether a difference between the actuator position and the expected position exceeds a threshold for a predetermined duration. A method of preventing a hardover event for a control surface includes commanding an actuator valve to a commanded position, determining continuously when the commanded position, or an actuator valve position, or a control-surface position, or a modeled actuator valve position exceeds a predetermined limit to provide an exceedance. The method may further include filtering a signal of the exceedance based on a time constant to provide a filtered exceedance, and switching to a backup control-surface actuator when the filtered exceedance exceeds the predetermined limit for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for aircraft weight estimation is provided that includes determining a weight signal based on a dynamic pressure signal, a calibrated angle of attack signal, a lift coefficient signal, a load factor signal, and a wing surface area. In another embodiment, a method to estimate aircraft weight is provided that includes determining a weight based on historical flight data relating horizontal control surface position to dynamic pressure. In another embodiment, a system for continuously estimating aircraft weight during flight is provided that includes a pitot-static subsystem, an angle of attack indicator, an accelerometer, a controller configured to provide a weight signal, and a signal filter for filtering the weight signal to determine a stable aircraft weight.

Abstract: A magnet assembly has a number of axially-aligned coils, the radial mid-point of each coil being axially-aligned with a portion of a radial extent of an adjacent coil in the assembly. Compression blocks are provided between adjacent coils at circumferential intervals, to retain the coils in fixed relative positions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering bitumen from a bitumen reserve. The method includes recovering bitumen from an alternative pay region in the bitumen reserve via gravity drainage using an inclined horizontally drilled well drilled from a drainage pit upwardly into the bitumen reserve. The drainage pit has been excavated into an area of an underlying formation that is, at least in part, adjacent to and underlying the bitumen reserve. The alternative pay region includes a region unsuitable for recovering bitumen by surface mining or by in situ recovery using wells that produce bitumen to ground level above the alternative pay region.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering bitumen from a bitumen reserve. The method includes recovering bitumen from an alternative pay region in the bitumen reserve via gravity drainage using an inclined horizontally drilled well drilled from a drainage pit upwardly into the bitumen reserve. The drainage pit has been excavated into an area of an underlying formation that is, at least in part, adjacent to and underlying the bitumen reserve. The alternative pay region includes a region unsuitable for recovering bitumen by surface mining or by in situ recovery using wells that produce bitumen to ground level above the alternative pay region.