Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for tagging and acoustically characterizing containers.

Acoustic transducers generate and receive acoustic signals at multiple locations along a surface of rigid structure, wherein longitudinal spacing between transducer locations define measurement zones. Acoustic signals with chosen amplitude-time-frequency characteristics excite multiple vibration modes in the structure within each zone. Small mechanical changes in inspection zones lead to scattering and attenuation of broadband acoustic signals, which are detectable as changes in received signal characteristics as part of a through-transmission technique. Additional use of short, narrowband pulse acoustic signals as part of a pulse-echo technique allows determination of the relative location of the mechanical change within each zone based on the differential delay profiles. For accurate acoustic modeling and simulation, the mesh size, time step, time delay, and time-window size are optimized. Frequency normalization of the Short-Time Fourier Transform of acoustic response output improves experiment-simulation cross-validation. Applications of the method to structures with arbitrarily complex geometries are also demonstrated.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for growing marijuana plants, particularly for regulated purposes, for example medical purposes or in some jurisdictions recreational purposes, have automated subsystems with sensors to provide feedback information about system, apparatus and plant growth parameters to one or more controllers so that the one or more controllers can alter one or more parameters to provide optimal conditions for the growing and harvesting of the marijuana plants. In particular aspects, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide for control of odors produced during the growing of marijuana, root management of the marijuana plants and control over important levels of chemicals provided to the plants, for example enzymes and flavor additives.

Disclosed herein is a system for determining discontinuities in a blister pack. The system includes a blister pack and a discontinuity sensing apparatus coupled to the blister pack. The blister pack includes a tray with a plurality of cells and a seal layer arranged to seal the cells. The discontinuity sensing apparatus includes a signal generation element and a signal receiving element. In one embodiment, the signal generation element is arranged to transmit an acoustic pulse. In another embodiment, the signal generation element is arranged to transmit a swept acoustic signal. In one embodiment, the discontinuity sensing apparatus is coupled to the blister pack such that each of the plurality of cells is positioned at a unique distance from the discontinuity sensing apparatus. The determinations on discontinuities can be made in part from information from the time domain and/or in part from information from the frequency domain.

A method of detecting corrosion in a conduit or container comprises measuring the thickness of a wall of the conduit or container with one or more pulse-echo ultrasound devices, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (i) receiving signals indicative of A-scan data from the one or more pulse-echo ultrasound devices, wherein the A-scan data comprises a plurality of A-scan spectra; (ii) determining which of the A-scan spectra have a distorted waveform such that a reliable wall thickness measurement cannot be determined; (iii) analysing the A-scan spectra identified in step (ii) as having a distorted waveform to determine one or more A-scan spectral characteristics of each spectrum that are causing the distortion; (iv) resolving the waveform characteristics based on the determined spectral characteristics causing the waveform distortion so as to produce modified A-scan spectra; (v) determining thickness measurements of the wall based on the modified A-scan spectra; and (vi) determining the extent to which the wall has been corroded based on the thickness measurements determined in step (v) and additional thickness determined from A-scan spectra.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

The present invention relates to a device for detecting and/or analyzing an object or a material, wherein the device comprises a receiver configured to detect a first signal, the first signal being generated, at least in part, by vibrations of at least a part of the material or the object, and the device configured to communicate with a remote component, and to send a signal based, at least in part, on the first signal to the remote component. The present invention also relates to a remote component configured to communicate with a device, wherein the remote component is configured to at least receive data from the device and, based thereon, to determine data related to a material or an object, a system comprising the device and the remote component, a corresponding method, and a use of the system and method to detect and/or analyze the object or the material of a container.

A method and apparatuses to extend the time interval between out-of-service, in-tank inspections while insuring structural integrity using a risk-based, Bayesian statistical approach comprised of a passing leak detection test, determining that the tank is not leaking, estimating a thickness of the tank floor to estimate a corrosion rate, and conducting a risk assessment using the result of the leak detection test, the corrosion rate and thickness of the tank floor, and statistical data of tank failures.

Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a fluid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank are described herein. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.