A self-weighing container for transporting delivery items includes a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weight of a delivery item that is placed inside the container; a microcontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device; and a display that is connected to the microcontroller. When a delivery item is placed in the container, the weight-sensing device produces a signal that corresponds to the weight of the delivery item and the microcontroller receives the signal and determines the weight of the delivery item based on the signal. The microcontroller may transmit an indication of the weight to the display, which displays the weight based on the indication of the weight, or the microcontroller may transmit the weight to a smart phone for display.

A lightning protection system can include a storage battery comprising at least one tank, a pressure control valve coupled to the storage battery, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storage battery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates the vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

A lightning protection system can include a storage battery comprising at least one tank, a pressure control valve coupled to the storage battery, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storage battery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates the vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

A method for detecting an object in a housing, includes: determining a first scene inside the housing using a time of flight sensor, wherein the housing is empty during determination of the first scene; determining, by a processor, a second scene inside the housing using the time of flight sensor; comparing, by the processor, the first scene with the second scene; and determining, by the processor, a presence or an absence of the object in the housing based on a result of comparing the first scene with the second scene.

A method for detecting an object in a housing, includes: determining a first scene inside the housing using a time of flight sensor, wherein the housing is empty during determination of the first scene; determining, by a processor, a second scene inside the housing using the time of flight sensor; comparing, by the processor, the first scene with the second scene; and determining, by the processor, a presence or an absence of the object in the housing based on a result of comparing the first scene with the second scene.

An apparatus, storage bin and method for determining fullness of the bin. The bin (1) is provided with an apparatus (6) comprising a sensing device (8). The sensing device sends sensing signals (10a) towards mechanical components (2) stored inside a storage space (5) of the bin and receives reflected sensing signals (10b). Bin level (11) is calculated on the basis of the sent and received signals and their time of travel. When the detected bin level is below a preset reordering point, a refill order is generated in the system for replenishing the bin.

An apparatus, storage bin and method for determining fullness of the bin. The bin (1) is provided with an apparatus (6) comprising a sensing device (8). The sensing device sends sensing signals (10a) towards mechanical components (2) stored inside a storage space (5) of the bin and receives reflected sensing signals (10b). Bin level (11) is calculated on the basis of the sent and received signals and their time of travel. When the detected bin level is below a preset reordering point, a refill order is generated in the system for replenishing the bin.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate flow control operations.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. A metering conveyor is positioned between a blender tub and a proppant motive mechanism, such as a conveyor or wash system that receives discharge direct from proppant containers of the type normally used to transport sand in support of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The metering conveyor is fitted with equipment including an intermediate surge hopper with a vibration system and a knife-edge gate that may be used to facilitate the operational movement of sand.

Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.