Abstract: A mobile ultrasonic fuel detection system includes an ultrasonic sensor and a control unit. A control unit guard is included to protect the control unit from the external environment and to minimize tampering with the control unit. An activator arm may be included that permits a user to interact with the control unit from the exterior of the control unit guard. The system may also be configured to wirelessly provide measurement data from a remote location. Such data may be obtained manually or automatically according to a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for an optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device allowing for quick, accurate, and repeatable device calibration is described. In certain embodiments, the calibration apparatus may include a base, one or more calibration surfaces coupled to a top surface of the base, and an alignment collar coupled to the top surface of the base defining a window exposing the one or more calibration surfaces. By utilizing the mechanical structure of the alignment collar and base, the optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device may be accurately aligned with respect to the calibration surfaces, allowing for repeatable calibration measurements.

Abstract: A system for measuring the roughness of a target surface in a manufacturing line is disclosed. Particularly, in some embodiments, the system may include a manufacturing line configured to provide movement of the target surface through a manufacturing process, a non-contact optical surface roughness measurement device configured to measure the surface roughness of the target surface on the manufacturing line, and a control system communicatively coupled with the non-contact optical surface roughness measurement device configured to receive an indication of a measured surface roughness of the target surface.

Abstract: According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus for an optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device allowing for quick, accurate, and repeatable device calibration is described. In certain embodiments, the calibration apparatus may include a base, one or more calibration surfaces coupled to a top surface of the base, and an alignment collar coupled to the top surface of the base defining a window exposing the one or more calibration surfaces. By utilizing the mechanical structure of the alignment collar and base, the optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device may be accurately aligned with respect to the calibration surfaces, allowing for repeatable calibration measurements.

Abstract: According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is externally mountable to a tank. An ultrasonic emitter may generate an ultrasonic beam and receive an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface inside a tank. An acoustic lens is coupled to the ultrasonic emitter to shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. An acoustic coupler may be disposed between the acoustic lens and the tank wall to improve the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic emitter and the tank wall. The system determines a time-of-flight between generating the ultrasonic beam and receiving the echo. Using the time-of-flight and geometry of a tank, the system may calculate the liquid volume inside the tank. The time-of-flight may be transmitted via a satellite data link or a local data link. The local data link may further be used to configure and maintain the system.

Abstract: A liquid purification system operates an air flow generator to provide a high speed air flow. The air flow passes through a venturi and liquid introduced into the air flow passes through the venturi and is subjected to compression, heat, and shockwaves. The air flow generator may be computer controlled and automatically directed in response to sensed contaminants.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is externally mountable to a tank. An ultrasonic emitter may generate an ultrasonic beam and receive an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface inside a tank. An acoustic lens is coupled to the ultrasonic emitter to shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. An acoustic coupler may be disposed between the acoustic lens and the tank wall to improve the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic emitter and the tank wall. The system determines a time-of-flight between generating the ultrasonic beam and receiving the echo. Using the time-of-flight and geometry of a tank, the system may calculate the liquid volume inside the tank. The time-of-flight may be transmitted via a satellite data link or a local data link. The local data link may further be used to configure and maintain the system.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air.

Abstract: An airflow generator, coupled to a venturi, generates a high speed airflow to deliver air through a venturi. The air includes biological cells which are sterilized as the air passes through the venturi. Operation of the airflow generator may be controlled by a computer that responds to an indicated biological hazard.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air. An acoustic emission sensor receives the resonant frequencies generated by material passing through the airflow generator. The resonant frequencies reflect a material flow rate that is adjusted to avoid an overload situation. An automatic balancer system couples to an axel rotating the airflow generator to provide balance, improve efficiency, and eliminate cavitation.

Abstract: A liquid purification system operates an air flow generator to provide a high speed air flow. The air flow passes through a venturi and liquid introduced into the air flow passes through the venturi and is subjected to compression, heat, and shockwaves. The air flow generator may be computer controlled and automatically directed in response to sensed contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced system and method for compensating for load imbalances of rotating members. An imbalance compensator may have a balancing ring wirelessly controlled by a ring controller. The balancing ring may have a housing containing a plurality of actuators configured to exert force against a compensation ring within the housing. The actuators may move the compensation ring with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the imbalance. The actuators may directly contact the compensation ring, or may exert the force through the use of mechanical transfer devices that provide a selected mechanical advantage. Alternatively, a chamber containing a magnetic fluid may be used to provide a counterbalancing mass. Particles within the magnetic fluid maybe concentrated opposite the imbalance direction through the use of electromagnets or permanent magnets mounted on movable carts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced system and method for compensating for load imbalances of rotating members. An imbalance compensator may have a balancing ring wirelessly controlled by a ring controller. The balancing ring may have a housing containing a plurality of actuators configured to exert force against a compensation ring within the housing. The actuators may move the compensation ring with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the imbalance. The actuators may directly contact the compensation ring, or may exert the force through the use of mechanical transfer devices that provide a selected mechanical advantage. Alternatively, a chamber containing a magnetic fluid may be used to provide a counterbalancing mass. Particles within the magnetic fluid maybe concentrated opposite the imbalance direction through the use of electromagnets or permanent magnets mounted on movable carts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gage for measuring the nominal diameter of an elongated tubular member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially outwardly extending flutes. The gage includes a first gage part having a generally semi-circular segment with a flute engaging surface and a similar second gauge part including a generally semi-circular flute engaging surface. The first and second gage parts are joined together, preferably by a hinge, to form a generally circular ring adapted to fit about the tubular member. Each flute engaging surface includes a plurality of stepped arcuate flute engaging portions that are spaced at radii from the center of the ring corresponding to nominal diameters to be measured.

Abstract: A downhole tool for insertion in a drill stem includes elongated cylindrical half sleeve tool sections adapted to be non-rotatably supported on an elongated cylindrical body. The tool sections are mountable on and removable from the body without disconnecting either end of the tool from a drill stem. The half sleeve tool sections are provided with tapered axially extending flanges on their opposite ends which fit in corresponding tapered recesses formed on the tool body and the tool sections are retained on the body by a locknut threadedly engaged with the body and engageable with an axially movable retaining collar. The tool sections may be drivably engaged with axial keys formed on the body or the tool sections may be formed with flat surfaces on the sleeve inner sides cooperable with complementary flat surfaces formed on a reduced diameter portion of the body around which the tool sections are mounted.