An environmental condition may be measured with a sensor (10) including a wire (20) having an ultrasonic signal transmission characteristic that varies in response to the environmental condition by sensing ultrasonic energy propagated through the wire using multiple types of propagation, and separating an effect of temperature on the wire from an effect of strain on the wire using the sensed ultrasonic energy propagated through the wire using the multiple types of propagation. A positive feedback loop may be used to excite the wire such that strain in the wire is based upon a sensed resonant frequency, while a square wave with a controlled duty cycle may be used to excite the wire at multiple excitation frequencies. A phase matched cone (200, 210) may be used to couple ultrasonic energy between a waveguide wire (202, 212) and a transducer (204, 214).

A microphone-speaker device includes a speaker, a microphone configured to capture sound and output an audio data signal and a housing configured to contain the microphone and the speaker. The device also includes an electronic circuit having audio electronics coupled to the speaker, an Ethernet interface configured to connect the electronic circuit for communication with a security system through an Ethernet connection, a power extractor for extracting power from the Ethernet connection for powering the electronic circuit and the microphone, and processing electronics configured to process the audio data signal from the microphone.

A microphone-speaker device includes a speaker, a microphone configured to capture sound and output an audio data signal and a housing configured to contain the microphone and the speaker. The device also includes an electronic circuit having audio electronics coupled to the speaker, an Ethernet interface configured to connect the electronic circuit for communication with a security system through an Ethernet connection, a power extractor for extracting power from the Ethernet connection for powering the electronic circuit and the microphone, and processing electronics configured to process the audio data signal from the microphone.

A vibration transducer module for detecting a vibratory signal, comprising a base, a spring connected to the base at a first location, a mass mechanically coupled to the spring at a second location remote from the first location, and a wall configured to position a first wall electrode and a second wall electrode a selected distance from the first location, the conductive element positioned and sized to contact the first wall electrode and the second wall electrode. The mass comprises a conductive element, and an energy harvester to provide a first voltage signal. The energy harvester may comprise a piezoelectric material or be construct as a SAW device. The module may be combined with a rectifier and an oscillator to form a vibration sensor.

Techniques are disclosed to use existing vehicle speakers alone or in conjunction with other sensors (e.g. SRS sensors and/or microphones) that may already be implemented as part of the vehicle to identify acoustic signatures. Suitable low-cost and widely available hardware components (e.g., relays) may be used to modify the vehicle's existing speakers for a bi-directional mode of operation. Moreover, the vehicle's existing of audio amplifiers may be used to amplify signals collected by the speakers when operating in reverse, and process these collected signals to determine vehicle state information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method including receiving first impact data. The method includes receiving second impact data. The method includes applying a first filter to both the first impact data and the second impact data. The method includes applying a second filter to both the first impact data and the second impact data. Filtering includes time and frequency based discriminating filter to isolate specific signatures that representatively indicate impact signatures generated by the sand on the interrogator. The method includes comparing the first impact data and the second impact data for corresponding signatures. The method includes identifying a corresponding signature in both the first impact data and the second impact data. The method includes determining the corresponding signature meets a threshold criterion. The method includes determining one or more particulate properties based at least in part on the corresponding peak.

A vibration sensor having a moveable mass adapted to move in response to vibrations or accelerations. The sensor includes a damping arrangement that includes a damping fluid or gel. The moveable mass is arranged to interact directly or indirectly with the damping fluid or gel in order to reduce a mechanical resonance peak of the vibration sensor. The damping fluid or gel has a viscosity between 1000 cP and 100000 Cp and damping properties that are substantially stable over time.

A vibration sensor having a moveable mass adapted to move in response to vibrations or accelerations. The sensor includes a damping arrangement that includes a damping fluid or gel. The moveable mass is arranged to interact directly or indirectly with the damping fluid or gel in order to reduce a mechanical resonance peak of the vibration sensor. The damping fluid or gel has a viscosity between 1000 cP and 100000 Cp and damping properties that are substantially stable over time.

A system including a rig site with at least one pollution control system located on the rig site. The pollution control system is configured to modify an output of light, noise, or vibrations from the rig site to an environment surrounding the rig site. Additionally, the pollution control system may include at least one active noise cancellation device, at least one active vibration cancellation device, and/or at least one active light control system to modify the light, noise, or vibrations.

A system including a rig site with at least one pollution control system located on the rig site. The pollution control system is configured to modify an output of light, noise, or vibrations from the rig site to an environment surrounding the rig site. Additionally, the pollution control system may include at least one active noise cancellation device, at least one active vibration cancellation device, and/or at least one active light control system to modify the light, noise, or vibrations.