Abstract: A sonic monitor system for a tank is disclosed in which the system comprises a remote tank sensor device for installation in a bung opening of a storage tank for determining a level of fluid within the storage tank and for generating a signal indicative of the level of fluid within the storage tank, and a receiver device for receiving the signal indicative of the level of fluid within the storage tank, the receiver device having a display and a siren with the receiver device actuating the siren when the receiver device determines that the level of fluid within the tank is at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system for sensing partial-cut-width in a cold planar machine comprises a frame, a cutting system mounted to the frame comprising a cutting tool extending across a cutting path, sensors positioned across the cutting path, and a controller electronically coupled to the sensors to determine a partial-cut-width of material for the cutting tool. A method comprises sensing depth distances across a cut width of a cutting tool, determining a difference in depth distances, determining a location for the difference in depth distances, determining a portion of the cut width based on the determined location to determine a partial-cut-width.

Abstract: An echo measuring apparatus has: a transmission signal forming unit for forming a transmission signal by a pseudo noise sequence signal; a transmitting unit for transmitting the transmission signal as an ultrasonic wave into the water; a receiving unit for receiving an echo of the ultrasonic wave; and a correlator for discriminating the echo corresponding to the transmission signal by executing a correlating process to the echo by the pseudo noise sequence signal and measuring a distance to a measurement target on the basis of a time difference between the transmission signal and the echo, wherein assuming that a velocity of a sound wave in the water is equal to Vu and the distance to the measurement target is equal to D, a period of the transmission signal includes a case where it is equal to or less than (2D/Vu).

Abstract: A system for controlling a stability of a milling machine is disclosed. The system includes a frame having a first slope and a leg coupled to the frame. The leg extends and retracts along a length thereof with respect to the frame. The system includes a controller to determine the first slope and to actuate the leg if the first slope is greater than a first predetermined slope.

Abstract: A measurement instrument comprises a sensor circuit comprising a drive circuit for transmitting a pulse signal at a target of interest and a receive circuit receiving reflected echoes of the pulse signal and developing an analog signal representative of the reflected echoes. An analog processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit for receiving the analog signal and comprising a gate for selectively transferring the analog signal to a comparator that compares the gated analog signal to a select threshold level to develop a data signal representative of location of the target of interest. A programmed digital processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit and the analog processing circuit and comprises a measurement module to control the drive circuit and evaluate the data signal to determine material location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking objects in conduits, especially for tracking the movement of a pig in a pipeline, are disclosed. Distributed acoustic sensing is used to obtain signal returns from a plurality of discrete longitudinal sensing portions of a fibre optic cable which is laid along the length of the conduit. The method involves detecting an acoustic signature corresponding to the object moving in the conduit. The acoustic signature may comprise a series of pressure pulses caused by the object traversing joints etc. in the conduit. Preferably the method involves detecting pressure waves caused by the object as it moves through the conduit. Detecting the characteristic pressure wave signal provides discrimination of the object from other acoustic disturbances. In pipeline applications a pig can be tracked in real time, if the pig stops moving an alert can be generated and the location of the pig will be known.

Abstract: A measurement instrument comprises a sensor circuit comprising a drive circuit for transmitting a pulse signal at a target of interest and a receive circuit receiving reflected echoes of the pulse signal and developing an analog signal representative of the reflected echoes. An analog processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit for receiving the analog signal and comprising a gate for selectively transferring the analog signal to a comparator that compares the gated analog signal to a select threshold level to develop a data signal representative of location of the target of interest. A programmed digital processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit and the analog processing circuit and comprises a measurement module to control the drive circuit and evaluate the data signal to determine material location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radially cutting tubulars in a downhole environment by emitting acoustic energy into the jet, the acoustic energy having a wavelength selected such that the jet acts as a waveguide, detecting reflected acoustic energy in the jet, and determining the depth of cut from a travel time of the acoustic energy.

Abstract: A device and method of using the device for the detection of objects within structures or environments of interest is disclosed which utilizes ultrasonic signals and echoes for said detection.

Abstract: A method for generating an image of an anomaly may include generating a pulse wave into a structure being evaluated from each of a plurality of sensors and collecting any scattered wave data caused by the pulse wave impacting an anomaly. The scattered wave data may be collected by the same sensor that generated the pulse wave or by a different sensor. The method may also include identifying any backscattered wave data from a distal edge or border of any anomaly relative to a location of the sensor collecting the scattered wave data. The method may additionally include processing the backscattered wave data from each of the sensors collecting the scattered wave data to generate a two dimensional image of any anomaly. The method may further include presenting the two dimensional image of any anomaly.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly and measuring its size may include generating a wave signal into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front and back scattered wave data and any side scattered wave data caused by the wave signal impacting an anomaly. The method may also include processing the at least one front and back scattered wave data and side scattered wave data to measure a size, location, and shape of the anomaly.

Abstract: A reflector includes a first end surface, an opposing second end surface and a plurality of reflector surfaces. A first reflector surface extends from adjacent the first end surface toward the second end surface. A second reflector surface extends from adjacent the first reflector surface toward the second end surface. One or more of the plurality of reflector surfaces can include a plurality of facets or reflector zones. A gas spring assembly and suspension system using the reflector is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a level measuring device which can be made up from components. It comprises a sonic or ultrasonic transducer which is arranged in a first housing and forms a self-contained functional unit; the electrical circuit arranged in a further separate housing forms a second functional unit. The functional units are so constructed that they can be assembled from the various components to a complete level measuring device in accordance with the required use conditions by arrangement of a steel plate above the sonic or ultrasonic transducer, or by potting with a commercially usual potting composition, or the selection of two different similar housings for receiving the sonic or ultrasonic transducer or the arrangement of selectively different but dimensionally identical sonic or ultrasonic transducers, and the selective mounting by means of a loose flange on a container, or by means of a suspension bracket in the interior thereof or above a drain.

Abstract: A passive hydro-acoustic device for warning sea mammals away from shallow areas consisting of an anchor linearly arranged in front of a shallow area and a plurality of cables attached to the anchor at predefined intervals and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom and sonar reflecters affixed to each of the cables.

Abstract: A height control device for a fixture which comprises at least a pair of gauging devices each having an ultrasonic transceiver for gauging a certain distance. A signal generator is connected to both gauging devices for generating a signal representative of the change in the level height due to machining. A control device is also provided for elevating or lowering the machining fixture.

Abstract: A baffle for enlarging the field of view of and enhancing collection of radiation for a sensor apparatus having a transducer for receiving radiation within its field of view. The baffle includes a base securable proximate the transducer, and at least one blade element extending from the base outwardly from the transducer. The base element includes a proximal edge transecting the transducer to establish at least two apertures for the transducer for enlarging its field of view. The blade element is reflective for the radiation to enhance collection of the radiation from a periphery of the enlarged field of view.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rangefinder capable of detecting a distance between a vehicle and an object with high accuracy is shown. The measure of microphones for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is chosen so that detour waves are restricted.

Abstract: A distance detecting device having a transmitter for intermittently transmitting measuring waves toward an object, a pair of receivers provided so as to be spaced from each other by half the wave length of the waves in a direction of the object, each receiver receiving reflected waves from the object and transmitting a reception signal responsive to the amplitude of the reflected waves, an addition circuit for adding the reception signal from each of the pair of receivers and transmitting an addition signal, a peak detection circuit for detecting a peak of the addition signal and transmitting a reflected waves reach signal at the time of peak detection, and an operation device for calculating the distance to the object based on the return time from the time when the waves are transmitted to the time when the reflected waves reach signal is outputted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic rangefinder capable of detecting a distance between a vehicle and an object with high accuracy is shown. The measurements for microphones for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves are chosen so that detour waves are restricted.

Abstract: A forward look sonar system in which speed and direction of a sonar platform is obtained. Each acoustic transmission towards the target area over which the platform is traveling is comprised of a plurality of frequencies. A plurality of receiver beams is formed and each individual beam from one transmission is cross-correlated with its corresponding beam from a selected subsequent transmission to derive a delay value. The later received signal for each beam, for each frequency is divided into a plurality of small segments each of which is cross-correlated with a portion of the first return signal corresponding to the same frequency and beam. The cross-correlation functions for the plurality of frequencies for each particular segment are added together to obtain a more precise delay value. The correlation functions for each of the beams are added together and compared to derive a value for platform direction in the intercomparison period and the delay values are utilized to derive a velocity indication.

Abstract: An electronic detection system for detecting intruders employs a transmisn line as a sensing element. In one embodiment the transmission line is a modified surface-wave transmission line, for example, a Goubau line, which is positioned about the perimeter of the area to be protected. An intruder in the field of the line causes an RF reflection back toward the source, which reflection may be detected by Doppler range-gating techniques. In other embodiments of the invention, the transmission line is an insulated, twisted wire pair or a deformable transmission line. In some instances, the transmission line may be replaced with an active or passive pressure line.