An environment detection system includes a sound wave transmitter, a sound wave receiver, and a control unit. The sound wave transmitter transmits a detection sound wave to a target space. The sound wave receiver receives the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter. The control unit controls the sound wave transmitter. The environment detection system detects at least either a temperature distribution or an air velocity distribution in the target space. The control unit executes a first control to regulate at least either a volume or a frequency of the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter so that a volume of the detection sound wave received by the sound wave receiver is higher than or equal to a predetermined reference reception volume.

A system for collecting atmospheric data includes a frame and sensors to include a sonic anemometer for measuring wind data samples in each of three dimensions, and motion sensors for measuring angles of roll motion, pitch motion and yaw motion of the sonic anemometer. A tether is coupled to a cable payout/retriever, a lighter-than-air balloon, and the frame such that the payout/retriever and balloon control movement of the frame through a region of an atmosphere. A processor receives the wind data samples and the sensed angles, and maps the wind data samples to a fixed local horizontal reference plane of the sonic anemometer that is normal to a local gravitational vector at the region of the atmosphere to generate samples of compensated data. The processor averages samples of compensated data to generate averaged compensated data that is indicative of wind speed and wind direction in the region of the atmosphere.

A system for collecting atmospheric data includes a frame and sensors to include a sonic anemometer for measuring wind data samples in each of three dimensions, and motion sensors for measuring angles of roll motion, pitch motion and yaw motion of the sonic anemometer. A tether is coupled to a cable payout/retriever, a lighter-than-air balloon, and the frame such that the payout/retriever and balloon control movement of the frame through a region of an atmosphere. A processor receives the wind data samples and the sensed angles, and maps the wind data samples to a fixed local horizontal reference plane of the sonic anemometer that is normal to a local gravitational vector at the region of the atmosphere to generate samples of compensated data. The processor averages samples of compensated data to generate averaged compensated data that is indicative of wind speed and wind direction in the region of the atmosphere.

A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter includes pairs of ultrasonic transducers arranged on an exterior of a pipeline, and an electronic measuring/operating circuit for operating the transducers and for registering and evaluating measurement signals and for providing measured values of volume flow or flow velocity. The pairs are implemented as 1-traverse or 2-traverse pairs. One-traverse pairs are arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline, and 2-traverse pairs are arranged on a same side of the pipeline. At least three pairs are arranged on the pipeline and are distributed peripherally. Adjoining pairs of a number of pairs have an inner angle down to a minimum inner angle (MIA) between one another measured about a pipeline axis, which minimum inner angle obeys the following relationship:

MIA=360°/(T*N*F(T,N))

with T as number of traverses and F(T,N)=0.38+0.62*T+(0.048−0.01*T{circumflex over ( )}2)*(N−2){circumflex over ( )}2.

A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter includes pairs of ultrasonic transducers arranged on an exterior of a pipeline, and an electronic measuring/operating circuit for operating the transducers and for registering and evaluating measurement signals and for providing measured values of volume flow or flow velocity. The pairs are implemented as 1-traverse or 2-traverse pairs. One-traverse pairs are arranged on opposite sides of the pipeline, and 2-traverse pairs are arranged on a same side of the pipeline. At least three pairs are arranged on the pipeline and are distributed peripherally. Adjoining pairs of a number of pairs have an inner angle down to a minimum inner angle (MIA) between one another measured about a pipeline axis, which minimum inner angle obeys the following relationship:

MIA=360°/(T*N*F(T,N))

with T as number of traverses and F(T,N)=0.38+0.62*T+(0.048−0.01*T{circumflex over ( )}2)*(N−2){circumflex over ( )}2.

A method determines a measured quantity relating to the flow of a fluid through a measuring tube, in two propagation directions, and a receive signal is captured. A transit time difference is determined depending on the position of the main maximum of a cross-correlation of the receive signals. Whereupon the measured quantity is determined depending on the transit time difference, and the transmitting ultrasonic transducer is controlled in each case with an excitation signal. The excitation signal has a fixed carrier frequency. The excitation signal has a phase shift and/or an envelope with a plurality of temporally spaced maxima, and/or, if a trigger condition is fulfilled, the fulfilment of which depends on the height of the main maximum and/or of at least one secondary maximum of the cross-correlation. The determination of the measured quantity is modified compared with a normal operating mode and/or a message is output.

A rain gauge for measurement of rain fall. The rain gauge includes: a measurement chamber having an inlet port at one end and a drainage port at the other end, the drainage port being closed by a valve and programmable to be opened at predefined events to release water collected in measurement chamber; a funnel or collector adapted to receive rain fall opens into the inlet port; and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals into measurement chamber. The ultrasonic transducer is programmable to determine the water level in measurement chamber. An automatic weather station including the rain gauge is also provided.

Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.

In one illustrative configuration, an air quality monitoring system may enable wide-scale deployment of multiple air quality monitors with high-confidence and actionable data is provided. Further, the air quality monitoring system may enable identifying a target emission from a plurality of potential sources at a site based on simulating plume models. The simulation of plume models may take into consideration various simulation parameters including wind speed and direction. Further, methods of determining a plume flux of a plume of emissions at a site, and methods of transmitting data from an air quality monitor are disclosed.

A system and method of monitoring a tubular structure is provided. The method includes: a) sensing one or more parameters relating to the tubular structure at spaced apart positions along the length of the tubular structure using a sensor module array having a plurality of sensor modules disposed in a cable attached to the tubular structure, the plurality of sensor modules producing communication signals representative of the sensed parameter at each position along the length of the tubular structure; and b) using a control unit to communicate with the sensor modules in the array, including receiving communication signals representative of the sensed parameter at each position along the length of the tubular structure, and processing the communications signals to produce information relating to the sensed parameter at the positions along the length of the tubular structure.