A system for infrared analysis of a target surface region of a subject includes a reservoir containing a medium at a predetermined temperature and a conduit defining a channel for transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region. The conduit may have a first end that is attached to an outlet of the reservoir and a second end that is flexibly conformable to a shape corresponding to a perimeter of the target surface region. The system may further include an infrared camera(s) operable to capture infrared image data of the target surface region and one or more processors operable to produce a representation of the captured infrared image data at a plurality of timings relative to the transmission of the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region. Adjunctive reflective surfaces may ensure that IR signals from target geometric surfaces can be captured for analysis.

The invention relates to a method and device for orienting an umbilicated fruit, in which, during a first orientation phase (22), the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II), then the fruit is driven (24) in spinning rotation about a first axis of rotation at an angular amplitude of between 5° and 45°, and then the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one subsequent image (IU). If at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II) and no longer detected in each subsequent image (IU), the first orientation phase is stopped and the method is continued.

The automatic analysis device includes: a reagent tank that holds a reagent container that contains a reagent; and a lid opening/closing device including a lid opening/closing member configured to be movable in a first direction parallel to a vertical direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The lid opening/closing member having a first member for opening a lid of the reagent container and a second member for closing the lid and configured to be movable between a first position and a second position, the first position located above the reagent container and the second position located below the first position in the first direction such that the bottom surface of the lid opening/closing member comes into contact with the reagent container and configured to be movable between the second position and a third position that is away from the second position in the second direction.

An umbilicus-driven centrifuge includes a yoke configured to orbit a midsection of the umbilicus around a rotational axis at a first speed so as to cause a separation chamber associated with the umbilicus to rotate about the rotational axis at a second speed that is approximately double the first speed. An optical monitoring system directly monitors the separation chamber, with a light source oriented to emit light toward the separation chamber and a light detector oriented to receive at least a portion of the light after the light has passed through the separation chamber. A controller receives a plurality of signals from the light detector, then compares the period or frequency of the signals to an expected period or frequency. The controller determines that the umbilicus is experiencing an irregularity when the period or frequency is different from the expected period or frequency.

A process conducted in a rocking bioreactor is monitored using a flexible bag fitted with an in-situ probe. The probe includes a disposable bag insert or patch and a reusable probe module. The patch is secured to a wall of the bag, and the probe module is a detachable part that can be mated to the bag patch, then disassembled for future use, for example. The patch is secured to the bag, defining a sample gap, and the probe module is inserted or mated with the patch. The probe module includes one or more source elements and one or more detector element. Light is transmitted from the source elements, through the sample gap, to the detector element(s), which detect the light after interaction with contents of the bag.

A full-automatic rock specimen image acquisition device and method, the device includes a central controller and a lighting system, a rock mass attitude control system, a dust system and an image acquisition system connected to the central controller respectively; the lighting system includes a lighting chamber and light sources with adjustable light intensities, and the light sources with adjustable light intensities are uniformly arranged in the lighting chamber; the rock mass attitude control system includes a rotating stage disposed in the lighting chamber for carrying the rock, a rock holder disposed on the stage, and a rotating gripper disposed above the stage for turning over the rock; and the dust system is connected to the lighting chamber, and can diffuse the dust into the lighting chamber through an air compressor and control the dust concentration in the lighting chamber through an electrostatic precipitator.

An integral system for automated and non-intrusive of cleaning and non-destructive inspection (ultrasonic volumetric testing and visual testing) to detect, characterize and monitor with precision the level of internal and external damage (Cracks, deformations, corrosion, erosion, etc.) that may be present in coke drums throughout their life cycle is disclosed. Embodiments are disclosed that enable a condition of a coke drum to be estimated in a reliable manner for their fitness for service from the results obtained from the automated inspection with the non-destructive methods of ultrasound and visual testing.

An integral system for automated and non-intrusive of cleaning and non-destructive inspection (ultrasonic volumetric testing and visual testing) to detect, characterize and monitor with precision the level of internal and external damage (Cracks, deformations, corrosion, erosion, etc.) that may be present in coke drums throughout their life cycle is disclosed. Embodiments are disclosed that enable a condition of a coke drum to be estimated in a reliable manner for their fitness for service from the results obtained from the automated inspection with the non-destructive methods of ultrasound and visual testing.

The invention relates to a method and device for orienting an umbilicated fruit, in which, during a first orientation phase (22), the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II), then the fruit is driven (24) in spinning rotation about a first axis of rotation at an angular amplitude of between 5° and 45°, and then the presence of at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one subsequent image (IU). If at least a portion of an umbilicus is detected in at least one initial image (II) and no longer detected in each subsequent image (IU), the first orientation phase is stopped and the method is continued,

A flipper apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein includes: a Y-axis flipper unit configured to hold an object in a Y-axis direction and rotate the object about a Y-axis; an X-axis flipper unit configured to hold the object in an X-axis direction and rotate the object about an X-axis; and a Z-axis elevation unit supporting the Y-axis flipper unit and the X-axis flipper unit and configured to move the Y-axis flipper unit and the X-axis flipper unit up and down in a Z-axis direction.