A method comprises emitting detection radiation into a container; receiving a reflection of the emitted radiation from contents of the container; interpreting the received reflection to determine the contents of the container.

Liquid-gauging systems for estimating amounts of liquid within collapsible bladders. In some embodiments, a liquid-gauging system of this disclosure includes one or more liquid-gauging sensors that each output a signal relating to an amount of liquid within a corresponding collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, each liquid-gauging sensor comprises a variable capacitor having capacitor plates located so that the spacing between the capacitor plates changes with changing amounts of liquid within the collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, each liquid-gauging sensor comprises a pressure sensor for measuring forces, such as gravitational forces, that change with changing amounts of liquid within the collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, a liquid-gauging system is configured for an aircraft or other moving vehicle and includes one or more additional sensors to adjust the estimating process to account for changes in attitude of the vehicle during use. Corresponding methods, liquid-storage systems, and collapsible bladders are also disclosed.

Liquid-gauging systems for estimating amounts of liquid within collapsible bladders. In some embodiments, a liquid-gauging system of this disclosure includes one or more liquid-gauging sensors that each output a signal relating to an amount of liquid within a corresponding collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, each liquid-gauging sensor comprises a variable capacitor having capacitor plates located so that the spacing between the capacitor plates changes with changing amounts of liquid within the collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, each liquid-gauging sensor comprises a pressure sensor for measuring forces, such as gravitational forces, that change with changing amounts of liquid within the collapsible bladder. In some embodiments, a liquid-gauging system is configured for an aircraft or other moving vehicle and includes one or more additional sensors to adjust the estimating process to account for changes in attitude of the vehicle during use. Corresponding methods, liquid-storage systems, and collapsible bladders are also disclosed.

A sand separation system and method for operating a sand separation system, in which the method includes separating sand from a fluid using a separator. The method includes, signaling for a blowdown unit to blowdown the separator, opening one or more blowdown valves of the blowdown unit coupled to the separator in response to the signaling, so as to blowdown the separator, and receiving the sand from the separator into a sand disposal unit. The sand passes through the one or more blowdown valves that are opened. The method includes measuring a weight of at least some of the sand that was separated in the separator using a load cell of the separator, a load cell of the sand disposal unit, or both, and determining a blowdown interval for subsequent blowdown operations of the separator based in part on the weight of the sand.

A fixture for flooding detection that includes a communication interface; a processor; and a computer-readable storage media coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a first sensor, a first signal indicative of a water level at a location within a facility, determining, based on the first signal, the water level at the location within the facility, determining a shut-off condition based on the water level at the location within the facility reaching a first predetermined height, and transmitting, via the communication interface, a shut-off signal to at least one water inlet at the location within the facility.

A fixture for flooding detection that includes a communication interface; a processor; and a computer-readable storage media coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a first sensor, a first signal indicative of a water level at a location within a facility, determining, based on the first signal, the water level at the location within the facility, determining a shut-off condition based on the water level at the location within the facility reaching a first predetermined height, and transmitting, via the communication interface, a shut-off signal to at least one water inlet at the location within the facility.

A system includes a beverage sensor to distinguish one or more beverage states and to communicate the distinguished one or more beverage states to a processor as gameplay control inputs to the game.

The system can include: a container 110, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

The disclosure discloses an apparatus for online volumetrically detecting grain yield based on weight calibration comprising left volumetric granary, right volumetric granary and push board. The left volumetric granary is provided on its bottom with first weighing sensor, and in its side with unload grain port opening and first closing door, the right volumetric granary is provided on its bottom with second weighing sensor, and in its side with unload grain port opening and second closing door, the left volumetric granary and the right volumetric granary are provided on their tops with the push board, the push board is a hollow box structure with a top side and a bottom side both opened, and is slidably mounted to a top of the left volumetric granary and the right volumetric granary through a slide driving mechanism.

An automated sand separator discharge system includes a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead, an inlet conduit for transporting a process stream to the sand separator, a fluid outlet conduit for transporting a liquid and gas stream from the sand separator, a sand discharge conduit for removing sand from the sand separator, first, second, and third valves disposed along the sand discharge conduit, a first transducer connected between the first and second valves and operative to measure pressure in a portion of the sand discharge conduit and to produce a pressure reading, and a control panel operatively connected to the first, second, and third valves and the first transducer, the control panel being programmed to initiate and terminate discharge of sand from the sand separator, and to determine if the first and second valves are sealing completely when closed.