Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance of 241 and $393 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Inventories, net Total inventories Inventories, net Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment, net Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures Investments, end of period Investments in foreign joint ventures Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and equity: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Accrued payroll and benefits Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses Billings in Excess of Cost, Current Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Notes Payable, Current Short-term notes payable Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long Term Notes Payable Notes payable Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent Deferred compensation Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock; $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 7,937,783 and 7,828,509 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings; including accumulated statutory reserves in equity method investments of $1,620 and $1,284 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders' equity Accounts receivable, allowance Accounts receivable-trade, discount Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Initial conversion of common stock, Number Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock; shares outstanding Retained Earnings, Appropriated Retained earnings; accumulated statutory reserves in equity method investments Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Revenue, net Revenue Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of sales Gross profit Gross profit Gross profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: General And Administrative Expense General and administrative Research And Development Expense Research and development Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Loss from operations Income (loss) from domestic operations Income (loss) from domestic operations Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Equity in earnings (loss) in 2012 Joint Venture Management Related Expenses Foreign joint ventures' operations related expenses Joint venture management related expenses. Net Equity Income from Foreign Joint Ventures Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Net equity income from foreign joint ventures. Income (Loss) from Domestic Operations and Net Equity Income from Foreign Joint Ventures Income (loss) from domestic operations and net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Income (loss) from domestic operations and net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations Income (loss) from domestic operations and net equity income from foreign joint ventures. Interest expense Interest expense and other, net Total other income (expense) Total other income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes Income taxes benefit Provision for (benefit from) income taxes Net Income Loss Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Net income (loss) before dividends on mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock Net Income (loss) Earnings (loss) per common share: Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding[Abstract] Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Weighted average basic shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Total weighted average diluted shares with assumed conversions Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Provision For Doubtful Accounts Provision for bad debt Inventory Write Down Allowance for obsolete inventory Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Stock Based Compensation Stock based compensation Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Compensation Expense Deferred compensation costs Deferred income tax (benefit) expense Deferred income tax provision (benefit) Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other, net Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Contract Receivables, Net Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Billing In Excess Of Cost Of Earnings Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments To Acquire Interest In Joint Venture Investment in joint venture Net cash used in investing activities Net cash provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from sale of common stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock Capital lease obligation payment Capital lease obligation payment Principal payments on short-term notes payable Principal payments on short-term notes payable Net cash used in financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest Paid Interest paid Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures Notes Payable [Abstract] Notes Payable [Text Block] Notes Payable Notes payable. Inventories [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Selected financial details regarding the Company's reportable segments Technical Products and Services [Member] Technical Products and Services [Member] Technical products and services. Electrical and Instrumentation Construction [Member] Electrical and Instrumentation Construction [Member] Electrical and instrumentation construction. American Access Technologies [Member] American Access Technologies [Member] American access technologies. Selected financial details regarding the Company's reportable segments Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] BOMAY [Member] BOMAY [Member] BOMAY. AAG [Member] AAG [Member] AAG. Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis] Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] MIEFE [Member] MIEFE [Member] MIEFE. Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Baoji Oilfield Machinery [Member] Baoji Oilfield Machinery [Member] Baoji oilfield machinery. AA Energies [Member] AA Energies [Member] AA energies. Oakwell Engineering [Member] Oakwell engineering. Oakwell Engineering [Member] LTDA [Member] Ltda [Member] LTDA. Interest in Joint Venture Interest in Joint Venture Interest in joint venture. Summary of activity in investment in foreign joint ventures Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract] Notes Payable (Textual) [Abstract] Notes payable. Notes Payable (Textual) [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage Commitment fee of the unused portion of the credit Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Revolving credit line Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Inventories Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross Raw materials Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventories Inventory, Work in Process, Gross Work-in-process Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross Finished goods Inventory, Gross Inventory, Gross Less: Allowance Inventory Adjustments Investment in joint ventures [Abstract] Investment in joint ventures: Investment in joint ventures. Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Income taxes. Income Tax Examination Deferred Income Tax Asset Decreased Reduction in deferred income tax asset Income tax examination deferred income tax asset decreased. Unallocated [Member] Corporate and other unallocated expenses [Member] Unallocated. Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets Total current assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets Total non-current assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets Total assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity or Capital Total joint ventures' equity Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue Revenue Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Earnings Equity Method Investments Undistributed Earnings Undistributed earnings Equity method investment undistributed earnings. Change in Equity Method Investment Foreign Currency Translation Foreign currency translation adjustment Change in equity method investment foreign currency translation. Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost Balance at December 31, 2011 Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Dividend distributions in 2012 Equity Method Investments Investment in joint ventures: Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract] Summary of financial information of foreign joint ventures Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Borrowed under the agreement Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Additional borrowings available based on the Company's borrowing Line of Credit Financial Covenants Amount Maximum amount for revolving line of credit Line of credit financial covenants amount. Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Revolving credit agreement maturity date Maximum Adjusted Net Income Maximum adjusted net income. Maximum adjusted net income Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Effective tax rate Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Segment Reporting Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total common stockholders' equity Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock - Series A, net of discount of $816 and $0 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011; $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012, none at December 31,2011 Redeemable convertible preferred stock. Selling Expense Selling and marketing Accounts receivable (including other and non-current contract retentions) Accounts receivable Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share Preferred Stock [Text Block] Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Deferred Income Taxes and Other Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock; 20,222 shares at cost Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation, net Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock, issued Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock, outstanding Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Net equity income from foreign joint ventures' operations: Equity Income from Bombay [Member] Equity income from BOMAY [Member] Equity income from Bombay. Equity Income (Loss) from Miefe [Member] Equity income (loss) from MIEFE [Member] Equity income (loss) from miefe. Equity Income (Loss) from Aag [Member] Equity income (loss) from AAG [Member] Equity income (loss) from AAG. Foreign Operations Expenses [Member] Foreign operations expenses [Member] Foreign operations expenses. Component of Investment in Joint Ventures [Abstract] Component of investment in joint ventures Component of investment in joint ventures. Miefe General Manager [Member] MIEFE's general manager [Member] Miefe general manager. Accumulated Statutory Reserves in Equity Method Investments Accumulated statutory reserves in equity method investments Accumulated statutory reserves in equity method investments. Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (1) Effect Dividend Tax Rate Effect dividend tax rate Effect dividend tax rate. Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends Dividends on mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Purchase of intangible assets Proceeds from sale of preferred stock and warrants-net Proceeds from sale of preferred stock and warrants Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Non-cash investing and financing activities: Stock Issued Common stock issuance to acquire intangible assets Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Convertibles and Bonds with Warrants Attached [Member] Common Stock Purchase Warrants Exercisable [Member] Securities Agreement Date Securities purchase agreement date Securities agreement date. Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Exercise Price Six [Member] Exercise Price Six. Exercise Price of $6.00 [Member] Exercise Price Seven [Member] Exercise Price Seven. Exercise Price of $7.00 [Member] Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Conversion price per share Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage Cumulative dividends at a rate Redemption Value Liquidation preference per share Redemption value. Interest on Redemption Value Payable Annual interest rate on redemption value payable Interest on redemption value payable. No. of Installments Number of Installments No. of Installments. Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, shares Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Policy Text Block] Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities Disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. Schedule of financial information of foreign joint ventures [Table Text Block] Schedule of financial information of foreign joint ventures Schedule of financial information of foreign joint ventures. Schedule of activity in investment in foreign joint ventures [Table Text Block] Schedule of activity in investment in foreign joint ventures Schedule of activity in investment in foreign joint ventures. Convertible Preferred Stock [Abstract] Convertible preferred stock Convertible preferred stock. Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock par value Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Treasury stock purchase, in accordance with the employee stock incentive plan Preferred Units, Issued Sale of series A convertible preferred stock, Number Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Sale of series A convertible preferred stock, Value Preferred Stock, Value Shares, Issued Common stock purchase warrants exercisable Completion Date of Issuance of Preferred Stock Completion date of issuance of series A convertible preferred stock Completion date of issuance of series A convertible preferred stock. Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock authorized Convertible Common Stock [Member] Convertible Common Stock [Member] Preferred Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Preferred stock. Convertible Preferred Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures (Textual) [Abstract] Investments In Foreign Joint Ventures (Textual) [Abstract] Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures. Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Dividends Received Proceeds from joint venture dividends Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Principal (payments on) advances from revolving credit facility Dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock Dividends, Preferred Stock, Stock Investment in Foreign Currency Translation Foreign currency translation Investment in foreign currency translation. Convertible Preferred Stock (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Convertible Preferred Stock (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Convertible preferred stock. Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity Consideration for the issuance of preferred stock and warrants Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Expected volatility of underlying stock Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Risk-free interest rate Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Dividend yield Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Expected life of warrants Stock and Warrants Issued During Period, Value, Preferred Stock and Warrants Warrants Value Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding Preferred stock Value Weighted Average Fair Value Of Warrants Weighted-average fair value of warrants. Weighted-average fair value of warrants Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Preferred stock and warrants calculated using the Black Scholes Merton pricing model Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Preferred stock and warrants calculated using the Black Scholes Merton pricing model Line of Credit Facility [Table] Notes Payable (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Notes payable. Notes Payable (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility Covenant Terms Profitability Test Letter of credit facility covenant terms profitability test. Net profitability test Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Leverage test of total liabilities to total net worth Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital Credit facility's interest rate, Description Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description Credit facility's interest rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Deferred Tax Assets Write Down Deferred tax assets write down. Write down of deferred tax assets Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate Effective tax rate Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Number of warrants Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Exercise price Fair Value Assumptions, Exercise Price Preferred Stock, Accretion of Redemption Discount Accretion amount Business Acquisition Initial Equity Interests Issuable Percentage Initial Equity Interests Issued Acquisition initial equity interests issuable percentage. Business Acquisition Equity Interests Issuable Period Equity Interests Issuable Period Business acquisition equity interests issuable period. Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid Cash payment for acquisition Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares shares payment for acquisition Business Acquisition, Share Price Common stock, per share Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Purchase price Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Transaction Costs Transaction cost Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Estimated useful life Amortization expense recognized Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Technology Equipment [Member] Technology Equipment [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Asset Acquisition [Text Block] Asset Acquisition Asset acquisition. Fair Value Assumption Warrant Risk Valuation [Table] Fair value assumption warrant risk valuation. Fair Value Assumption Warrant Risk Valuation [Line Items] Fair value assumption warrant risk valuation. Business Acquisition Equity Interests Issuable Percentage Annually Equity Interests Issuable annually Acquisition equity interests issuable percentage annually. Expiration Date of Warrants Expiration date Expiration date of warrants. Asset Acquisition (Textual) [Abstract] Asset Acquisition (Textual) [Abstract] Asset acquisition. Asset Acquisition [Abstract] Asset acquisition. Temporary Equity, Shares Authorized Mandatorily Redeemable convertible preferred stock, authorized Preferred Stock, Discount on Shares Discount on Issue of Preferred Stock Number of Reportable Segments Number of reportable segments Interest in Joint Venture Foreign Interest in joint venture foreign Interest in joint venture foreign. Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Segment information. Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract] Redumption Date Of Series Preffered Stock Redumption Date of Series A Preffered Stock Redumption date of series preffered stock. Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Schedule of Earning Per Share