Abstract: An active molecule delivery system whereby active molecules can be released on demand and/or a variety of different active molecules can be delivered from the same system and/or different concentrations of active molecules can be delivered from the same system. The invention is well-suited for delivering pharmaceuticals to patients transdermally. In some embodiments, the system includes two separate reservoirs and a mixing area thereby allowing precursors to be mixed immediately before transdermal delivery.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for downhole evaluation using a sensor assembly that includes a sensor plate, wherein a surface of the sensor plate forms a portion of a surface of a downhole tool. Methods include bringing the surface of the sensor plate into contact with downhole fluid; generating a guided wave that propagates in the sensor plate by activating the sensor assembly at at least one frequency configured to excite both a symmetric mode and an anti-symmetric mode; making at least one first attenuation measurement of the symmetric mode of the guided wave; making at least one second attenuation measurement of the anti-symmetric mode of the guided wave; and using the at least one first attenuation measurement and the at least one second attenuation measurement to estimate at least one parameter of interest of the fluid. Methods may include submerging the surface of the sensor plate in a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A particle sensing apparatus is provided for determining particle concentration in a fluid, e.g. air. The apparatus is based on fluid-flow passageway having an upstream inlet to receive the fluid and a downstream outlet to exhaust the fluid. It also includes a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the fluid-flow passageway. Between them, the fluid-flow passageway and the recirculation passageway define a recirculation loop. A first particle sensor is located in the recirculation loop, and other sensors may also be present at other options. A force applicator is included in the fluid-flow passageway to apply a force to the particles entrained in the fluid. The force is used to direct some or all of the particles into the recirculation loop. This provides a choice between increasing the detection limit or the detection range. A processor determines the concentration of particles in the fluid based on the concentration of particles detected at the first particle sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor generates an electrical output according to a fluid pressure in a detection space applied to a diaphragm. The diaphragm is flexibly deformable in a thickness direction. The pressure sensor includes a pressure receiving recess defining the detection space and a protection film covering the pressure receiving recess. The protection film has a corner portion provided in an inner corner area of the pressure receiving recess and a thin film portion having a uniform thickness. The corner portion is located outside the diaphragm in an in-plane direction orthogonal to the thickness direction.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting air, a related system, and a related method are provided. The circuit for detecting air includes a receiver connection and an air-detection circuit. The receiver connection is configured to provide a receiver signal. The air-detection circuit is in operative communication with the receiver connection to process the receiver signal to generate a processed signal corresponding to detected air. The air-detection circuit includes one or more active-rectifying elements configured to actively rectify the receiver signal to provide the processed signal.

Abstract: Ultrasonic flowmeter for measuring the flowrate of a fluid based on transit times of opposite propagating ultrasonic wave packets, including two ultrasonic transducers arranged at a flow tube for transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic wave packets through a fluid; a control circuit configured for operating the ultrasonic transducers to transmit and receive co-propagating and counter-propagating ultrasonic wave packets, and to determine transit times between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave packets; wherein the control circuit is further configured to continuously determine the flowrate of the fluid based on sequential application of separate flow measurement sequences and flow estimation sequences, the flow measurement sequence including transmitting and receiving a co-propagating wave packet and a counter-propagating wave packet, determining a transit time difference between the co-propagating and the counter-propagating wave packets, determining the speed of sound in the fluid, and calcu

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining physical properties of a material in contact with an external surface of a casing disposed in a borehole including inducing, with a transducer, a first shear horizontal (SH) wave in the casing at a first SH order, measuring, with a sensor disposed on the casing, an attenuation of the first SH wave to generate a first measurement, inducing a second SH wave in the casing at a second SH order that is different from the first SH order, measuring an attenuation of the second SH wave to generate a second measurement, and extracting a physical properties of the material in contact with the external surface of the casing from the first and second measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna. The apparatus may include a body configured to contain an ionic fluid, an acoustic transducer coupled to the body, and a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is configured to drive the acoustic transducer in accordance with at least one frequency. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for providing an ionic fluid antenna used in secure communications, comprising: a body configured to contain an ionic fluid, an acoustic transducer coupled to the body, and a power supply coupled to the acoustic transducer that is con figured to drive the acoustic transducer based on an encryption of data using polarized photons for quantum key distribution.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for sensing species in fluids. In accordance with some embodiments, methods comprise activities such as diverting of the fluid into an analytics spool. These methods also comprise causing the fluid to separate into layers. Furthermore, they comprise sensing the type of fluid flowing at a position where water is likely to flow. Some methods further comprise sensing a pressure, a temperature, and a total dissolved solids concentration in the fluid. Moreover, such methods can comprise comparing those conditions to precipitation curves for a plurality of species. These methods can also comprise determining whether a particular species might be precipitating from the fluid. Some methods comprise sensing a carbon dioxide and an oxygen concentration in the fluid. Moreover, such methods can comprise determining whether a ratio between the carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations has changed.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a fluid contained within a tank. The system including an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to output a ultrasonic pulse into the fluid, receive an echo of the ultrasonic pulse, and output a signal based on the received echo. The temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the fluid and output a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid. The controller is configured to determine a time-of-flight based on the output of the ultrasonic pulse and the received echo of the ultrasonic pulse, receive the temperature signal, determine a characteristic of the fluid based on the time-of-flight and the temperature signal, compare the characteristic of the fluid to a baseline characteristic, and output a signal based on the comparison between the characteristic of the fluid and the baseline characteristic.

Abstract: Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when divers rise to the surface exposing the body to sudden changes in pressure, generating nitrogen bubbles in tissues, causing serious bodily injury and even death. Therefore, the present invention allows prevention of DCS with a method that detects the presence of bubbles in real time. The invention proposes a new method for bubble detection with a piezoelectric ring (PZT) and pill microphones (PM) placed around a divers thigh. The electrical signals from the piezoelectric ring (PZT) and microphones (PM) are the inputs to a pattern recognition algorithm used for determining the presence, amount and size of bubbles.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: A system for detecting bubbles within a liquid flowing in an interior of a pipe. The system includes a transmitter emitting directed light through the liquid flowing through the pipe and a receiver for receiving the emitted directed light from the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver are affixed on opposite sides of the pipe. The system also includes a microcontroller having a modulator. The microcontroller communicates with the transmitter and receiver. The microcontroller sends a modulation protocol for emitting the directed light with a specified modulation protocol to the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter emits the directed light as modulated light based upon the modulation protocol and the receiver filters out all unmodulated light, correlates information on modulated light received from the transmitter and sends correlated light information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller determines a presence of bubbles in the liquid based on the light information received from the receiver.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: Submersible technology capable of sampling and evaluating suspended particulate materials, including living and dead organisms, is disclosed herein. In addition to fluorescent imaging and analysis, the invention provides automated cell staining, cell sorting, particulate concentration, and organism recovery and preservation. These new technologies may be incorporated into a traditional “fully vertical flow path” cytometer configuration most suitable for anchored or suspended stationary embodiments, or in a novel modularized “low relief” configuration, suitable for integration into or on a submersible aquatic vehicle or in other low clearance installations, where it is important to limit the vertical height of the device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a vibration plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode. The first electrode is laminated on the vibration plate, that has a length along a surface of the vibration plate in a first direction, and that has a width Wbe along the surface of the vibration plate in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The width Wbe is not more than the length. The piezoelectric body is laminated on the first electrode and has a width Wpz in the second direction. The second electrode is laminated on the piezoelectric body. A ratio Wbe/Wpz between the width Wbe of the first electrode and the width Wpz of the piezoelectric body is not less than 0.1 and not more than 0.8.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor includes a gas distributor, a tapered section above the gas distributor, and an expanded head above the tapered section. The gas distributor defines a plurality of inlets surrounding a product withdrawal tube, which extends away from the fluidized bed reactor. The fluidized bed reactor is useful in a process for fluidizing relatively large particles, such as Geldart Group B particles and/or Geldart Group D particles, where said particles are in a bubbling fluidized bed residing, in whole or in part, in the tapered section. The fluidized bed reactor and process may be used for manufacturing polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining fluid pressure inside a conduit. The method includes positioning a conduit in a surgical system. The conduit having an external surface, and the surgical system having a pair of sensors. The conduit is positioned in the surgical system such that the external surface of the conduit applies a force on the pair of sensors when the conduit expands. The method includes a step of generating one or more electrical signals with the pair of sensors. The one or more electrical signals corresponding to the force on the pair of sensors. The method includes a step of determining the fluid pressure inside the conduit by converting the one or more electrical signals into a fluid pressure value through a controller.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus that transmits an acoustic wave to an object, and receives and analyzes the reflected acoustic wave to acquire internal information of the object, comprises a probe that transmits and receives the acoustic wave; a holding member disposed between the object and the probe to hold the object; and an air bubble detection unit that detects an air bubble present between the object and the holding member on the basis of an intensity of the acoustic wave received after a first time from the transmission by the probe, the first time being calculated on the basis of a time when the acoustic wave reaches a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A QCM sensor for detecting a physical quantity of a sample includes a quartz crystal vibrator for measurement, a quartz crystal vibrator for reference, and a housing accommodating the quartz crystal vibrator for measurement and the quartz crystal vibrator for reference. The quartz crystal vibrator for measurement has a first electrode that is contacted by a measurement sample to be detected, and a first quartz substrate provided with a surface on which the first electrode is formed. The quartz crystal vibrator for reference has a second electrode that is contacted by a reference sample as a reference when detecting a physical quantity of the measurement sample, and a second quartz substrate provided with a surface on which the second electrode is formed. A confining portion connects to the housing to confine the reference sample in a state of contacting the second electrode.

Abstract: A sensor operable to sense a characteristic of a fluid. The sensor includes a sensing area, a filter, and a transducer. The sensing area is configured to contain the fluid. The filter covers the sensing area. The filter is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the sensing area. The transducer is operable to output a pulse of sound through the liquid portion of the fluid contained within the sensing area, receive the reflected pulse of sound, and output a characteristic of the fluid based on the received pulse of sound.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a sensing area, a sensing element and a mesh. The sensing element is configured to sense a characteristic of fluid located within the sensing area. The mesh is positioned around the sensing area. The mesh is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter and exit the sensing area, and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for down hole gas separation from the multiphase fluid flowing in a wellbore or a pipe, for determining the quantities of the individual components of the liquid and the flow rate of the liquid, and for remixing the component parts of the fluid after which the gas volume may be measured, without affecting the flow stream, are described. Acoustic radiation force is employed to separate gas from the liquid, thereby permitting measurements to be separately made for these two components; the liquid (oil/water) composition is determined from ultrasonic resonances; and the gas volume is determined from capacitance measurements. Since the fluid flows around and through the component parts of the apparatus, there is little pressure difference, and no protection is required from high pressure differentials.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is configured to perform a solution process by supplying a processing solution from a processing solution supply source to the substrate held on a substrate holder via a flow path member and a nozzle at a flow rate equal to or less than 1 mL/sec. The apparatus includes a solution transfer unit configured to transfer the processing solution to the nozzle, and mounted to the flow path member, and an ultrasonic flowmeter mounted to the flow path member at a downstream side from the solution transfer unit. In this embodiment, a lower limit of a flow rate range which is measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or less than 1 mL/sec.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a housing, a movable member and a vision sensor. The housing has an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The movable member is disposed in the housing and configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid. The vision sensor is configured to detect the movement of the movable member.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of a fluid. The fluid sensor includes a sensing area, a sensing element and a mesh. The sensing element is configured to sense a characteristic of fluid located within the sensing area. The mesh is positioned around the sensing area. The mesh is configured to allow a liquid portion of the fluid to enter and exit the sensing area, and substantially prohibit a gas portion of the fluid to enter the channel.

Abstract: An air bubble sensor has a holder at which at least one ultrasonic sensor is arranged to detect air bubbles and/or gas bubbles in a flowing liquid, wherein a flow passage which has connection pieces is integrated into the holder.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about a radiation impedance of a piston vibrating a process medium, including a fluid or slurry; and determine a speed of sound or density measurement related to the process medium, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module may determine a speed of sound measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the density of the process medium, including where the density of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module, or determine a density measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the speed at which sound travels in the process medium, including where the speed of sound of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting of components in a sample fluid includes a first chamber having a sample fluid and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber, wherein the second chamber has a reference fluid. The system includes a modulated light source for emitting a modulated light beam to the sample fluid and the reference fluid, to generate a first acoustic signal in the first chamber and a second acoustic signal in the second chamber. The system further includes a pressure sensor disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, for detecting a difference between the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal. The system includes a processor based module communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to receive a signal representative of the difference and determine at least one of a component and the concentration of the component in the sample fluid.

Abstract: A method for detecting of components in a fluid includes emitting a modulated light beam from a modulated light source to the fluid in a chamber, wherein the fluid comprises a liquid and a component in the liquid. The method includes producing an acoustic signal in response to the emitted modulated light beam and detecting the acoustic signal via a pressure sensor disposed in the chamber. The method in one example also includes transmitting the acoustic signal from the pressure sensor to a processor based module and determining at least one of a component and a concentration of the component in the fluid via the processor based module, based on the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting at least one condition of interest relating to a tube, e.g. the presence of an air bubble. In some embodiments, the sensor includes antennas, a split-ring resonator, a frequency generator capable of generating frequencies in the microwave range, and a detection component. The detection component may estimate at least one parameter of received microwave energy in order to determine if a condition of interest exists.

Abstract: The subject invention provides improved means to measure mass collected on a sample collection surface in real time. A resonant structure is used as the “scale” to determine the mass in real time. The invention employs a membrane, or collection substrate, on the end of a resonant structure resonating in the longitudinal direction. A structure resonating in the longitudinal mode offers a considerably higher resonant frequency than the same structure in the bending mode. The higher the resonant frequency, the more resolution in the frequency of oscillation is available to determine the mass of the collection surface or membrane. The present invention implements this attribute in connection with such a structure.

Abstract: A universal air bubble detector allows for use with a variety of sizes and types of tubing. The detector maintains proper alignment of a sensor emitter and receiver with different sizes of tubing. The detector may be mounted on existing equipment or may be used to monitor a tubing at any position along the tubing, and may operate in a stand alone mode or in combination with existing equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bubble sensing device (1) for sensing gas bubbles in a liquid. In order to provide a reliable detection of inadmissible gas bubbles at minimum cost and required installation space, the invention provides that the gas bubble sensing device (1) comprises two ultrasonic emitters (2, 3), which are both connected to one ultrasonic signal generator (10) in a signal transmitting manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer and to a gas bubble sensing device with two ultrasonic transducers. In order to be able to detect gas bubbles with different sizes reliably, at least one of the ultrasonic transducers comprises a plurality of segments that can be operated independent of each other.

Abstract: An air bubble sensor has a holder at which at least one ultrasonic sensor is arranged to detect air bubbles and/or gas bubbles in a flowing liquid, wherein a flow passage which has connection pieces is integrated into the holder.

Abstract: A method of determining the void rate in a biphase gas/liquid medium, corresponding to the volume fraction of gas corresponding to the presence of bubbles in the liquid medium in a total volume of gas and liquid, comprises: deployment of a bulk elastic wave resonator in contact and coupled acoustically with the biphase medium; measurement by nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy of the biphase medium comprising the scanning in terms of frequencies and amplitudes in a given range of frequencies and in a given range of amplitudes, of bulk elastic waves emitted and detected at said resonator placed in said medium and leading a set of resonance curves exhibiting maxima; determination of a straight line defined by the set of maxima of said curves and of the slope of said straight line; determination of the void rate on the basis of said slope. The method may be applied to a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A dissolved nitrogen concentration monitoring method is used for monitoring a dissolved nitrogen concentration of a cleaning liquid when an ultrasonic wave is irradiated onto the cleaning liquid in which a substrate is dipped. The method includes measuring an amount of increase of a dissolved oxygen concentration of the cleaning liquid resulting from an oxygen molecule generated from a water molecule as a result of a radical reaction caused by ultrasonic wave irradiation. A dissolved nitrogen concentration of the cleaning liquid is calculated from the measured amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration based on a predetermined relationship between a dissolved nitrogen concentration and an amount of increase of dissolved oxygen concentration.

Abstract: Air bubbles may be characterized by an air bubble detector by choosing an optimum set of frequencies and then comparing a return signal from a sensor receiving those frequencies against an internal reference. The number of pulses that exceed the internal reference represents a width and may be counted. The width, as counted, may be correlated to bubble characteristics including volume.

Abstract: A technique related to a fermentation process; where a signal processor receives a signal containing information about an amount of entrained air in a mixture forming part of a fermentation process in a tank; and determines a level of foam in the tank based at least partly on the amount of entrained air in the mixture. The signal processor may also provide a control signal for controlling an amount of defoamer (or antiforming agent) added to the mixture in the tank so as to control the production of foam within the tank by controlling the amount of defoamer added to the mixture in the tank.

Abstract: An automated calibration device that comprises a tube for trapping a multiphase sample between three ultrasound (US) transducer pairs, wherein each of the three transducer pairs is positioned to measure a different fraction of the multiphase sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods to monitor pump cavitation are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a pressure parameter and a vibration parameter associated with an asset in an operating process unit. The example method includes calculating a manipulated pressure value based on the pressure parameter. The example method includes calculating a manipulated vibration value based on the vibration parameter. The example method includes determining a state of cavitation associated with the asset based on at least one of the manipulated pressure value or the manipulated vibration value.

Abstract: A dialysis system that includes a dialysis machine, a tube connected to the dialysis machine, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a head having a slot configured to receive the tube and a plurality of sensors secured to the head adjacent the slot. At least one of the plurality of sensors includes a light emitting element configured to transmit light through the tube when the tube is disposed in the slot and a light receiving element configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element after the light passes trough the tube.

Abstract: A low tare weight filter system is disclosed. The low weight makes the system especially advantageous for use in inertial microbalance instrumentation where small variations in mass must be accounted for to deliver accurate results. Moreover, the assembly is constructed to permit the filter collector to flex and stretch over a complimentary body incorporated in a filter support base and securely fasten to the same. Such use offers further advantages for instrument performance. It insures consistent apposition and long-term stability in the contact between the filter media and its reference surface.

Abstract: This invention discloses a modular system having a base module, a mid-section control module, and a display module for preparing and administering a gas-enriched bodily fluid. Gas-enrichment is achieved by a gas-enriching device which can be in the form of a disposable cartridge. During operation, the gas-enrichment device is placed in an enclosure within the control module. An electronic controller manages the various aspects of the system such as the production of gas-enriched fluid, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down. The system includes a combination bubble detector/flow meter that uses a single ultrasonic probe for measuring both bubbles and fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A method of determining the void rate in a biphase gas/liquid medium, corresponding to the volume fraction of gas corresponding to the presence of bubbles in the liquid medium in a total volume of gas and liquid, comprises: deployment of a bulk elastic wave resonator in contact and coupled acoustically with the biphase medium; measurement by nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy of the biphase medium comprising the scanning in terms of frequencies and amplitudes in a given range of frequencies and in a given range of amplitudes, of bulk elastic waves emitted and detected at said resonator placed in said medium and leading a set of resonance curves exhibiting maxima; determination of a straight line defined by the set of maxima of said curves and of the slope of said straight line; determination of the void rate on the basis of said slope. The method may be applied to a nuclear reactor.