Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for sampling of gases to determine information regarding leaks are disclosed. Balanced sampling can be achieved by application of an inlet having a gas permeable membrane covering the opening. Extending the opening for a length can provide additional coverage for gas sampling. Connection of gas sampling instruments with analysis systems can determine leak information for use in remedying leaks, for example, from industrial equipment such as pipelines.

Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls a pressure of the fluid and/or the further fluid during injecting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of fluid conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of fluid conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of fluid conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of fluid conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and a passive fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold where at least one of the plurality of fluid conduits is compliant.

Abstract: A continuous flow mixer for use in a chromatography system includes a first channel structure located between a mixer inlet and a mixer outlet. The first channel structure includes a first inlet branch, a second inlet branch, a plurality of outlet branches including at least a first outlet branch and a second outlet branch, a first plurality of branches splitting from the first inlet branch, each branch of the first plurality of branches connected to a different of the plurality of outlet branches, and a second plurality of branches splitting from the second inlet branch, each branch of the second plurality of branches connected to a different of the plurality of outlet branches. At least two branches of the first and second plurality of branches that are connected to the first outlet branch are offset in fluid residence time through the at least two branches.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for use in liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and an active fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold. Liquid chromatography systems and methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A locking apparatus and locking method for a tire pressure monitoring device. The apparatus comprises a base (1); an electrical appliance control module disposed in the base; a feeder, a pushing assembly (6), a shielding box module (7) and a discharging port (8) arranged on the base (1) in an entering-leaving order of the target tire pressure monitoring device to be locked in the locking process, wherein the shielding box module (7) includes a stepping motor, a lower shielding box (7-1) and an upper shielding box (7-2); the stepping motor is connected to the lower shielding box (7-1) by a screw lifting mechanism; a housing (9) matched with the base (1) is arranged at the upper part of the apparatus; the housing (9) is provided with a control computer; the control computer is connected with an industrial control programmable logic controller PLC.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring rod rotation in a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors that reside on the rod string of the rod lift system. The sensor is configured via a processor to generate a signal indicative of radial position of the sensor relative to an external frame of reference. The signal may be sent to a wireless I/O module, with the signals being indicative of at least partial rotation or, alternatively, a lack of rotation, of the rod-string. The processor is configured to generate an alarm if an absence of rod rotation is detected while the rod lift system is running and transmit this signal to the nearby wireless I/O module. A method for monitoring a reciprocating rod lift system is also provided.

Abstract: A gas sensor element in which oxidation of electrodes and a heater occurring with continued use is suppressed is provided. The gas sensor element includes a plurality of solid electrolyte layers stacked one over another, and includes an electrochemical cell including a pair of electrodes and a portion of the plurality of solid electrolyte layers existing between the pair of electrodes; a heater part capable of heating the gas sensor element; and a gettering layer located between the plurality of solid electrolyte layers and between the plurality of solid electrolyte layers and each of the pair of electrodes, and gettering impurities in a metal component of the electrodes and the heater part during driving of the gas sensor element.

Abstract: A measurement method of simply and quickly measuring platelet aggregation, is provided. The measurement method is a platelet aggregation analysis method, including: a step of adding a platelet-inducing substance and a calcium salt to a platelet-containing specimen; a step of stirring the platelet-containing specimen; and a step of acquiring measurement data of an electrical characteristic and/or viscoelasticity of the platelet-containing specimen.

Abstract: A system includes a fluid conduit, a fluid chamber in communication with the fluid conduit, a rheology sensor in communication with the fluid chamber, and an electric temperature controller in communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is cooled or heated in response to a first control signal from the electric temperature controller.

Abstract: A autonomous vehicle comprising a sensor for sensing a physical property indicative of snow slipperiness; and a processor communicatively connected to the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the snow slipperiness, to process the signal and to generate an estimated instantaneous coefficient of friction between a tire of the vehicle and a snow-covered roadway.

Abstract: An electronic unit suitable for being positioned on an internal face of a tread of a tire with a view to measuring operating parameters of a vehicle wheel equipped with the tire. The electronic unit includes: a body, configured to be embedded into the thickness of the tire, in a housing provided for this purpose, and includes sensors dedicated to measuring operating parameters of the wheel, a head, arranged at one end of the body, including a circuit board for managing information output from the sensors of the body and a way of communicating with a central unit installed in the vehicle; a way for connecting the elements with which the body is equipped and the elements with which the head is equipped; and a way to supply the electronic unit with power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and an apparatus for quantitatively analyzing a gaseous process stream, in particular a stream from a process for producing ethylene carbonate and/or ethylene glycol, in particular where such stream comprises gaseous organic iodides.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling gas lift in at least one production well, which determine a quadratic function that relates flow rate or value of oil produced from a production well to gas flow rate for gas injected into the production well based on flow rate measurements for gas injected into the production well and corresponding flow rate measurements of oil produced from the production well. The quadratic function is used to determine an optimal flow rate for gas injected into the production well. The optimal flow rate for gas injected into the production well is used to control the flow rate of gas injected into the production well, and an oil flow rate produced from the production well is measured at the optimal gas flow rate for iterative processing to refine the quadratic function and determination of optimal gas flow rate if need be.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of testing an inhaler based on performing an optical analysis of a dry powder medicament plume discharged from the inhaler upon actuation. More particularly, embodiments of the invention comprise illuminating the dry powder plume with a source of electromagnetic radiation and capturing one or more images of a pattern of radiation reflected or diffracted by the illuminated plume. The images are subsequently processed to determine and/or analyse one or more geometric and/or dynamic characteristics of the plume.

Abstract: Sealing adapters, pressure testing systems, pressure testing system kits, and associated methods. A sealing adapter comprises an adapter body and a mounting flange extending radially away from the adapter body. The adapter body includes a first end with a first sealing surface, a second end, and a fluid passageway. The mounting flange defines a plurality of stud receivers configured to receive mounting studs of a device under test (DUT). A pressure testing system may comprise a frame, a clamp structure with at least one sealing adapter, and a pressurizing assembly for delivering a pressurized fluid to the DUT. A method of pressure testing a DUT may comprise operatively coupling the DUT to the pressure testing system and delivering the pressurized fluid to the DUT.

Abstract: Described is a metering pump that may be used to meter volumes of sample in a chromatography system. The metering pump has a modular configuration that allows for separation of a head pod from a drive assembly for easy serviceability. The head pod includes a pump head, cartridge housing, seal wash housing and plunger. The drive assembly can be implemented in an inline drive configuration. Alternatively, the drive assembly can be implemented in an offset drive configuration in which a stepper motor is displaced laterally from other drive assembly components but is coupled through a belt and pulley system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables vehicle tire wear prediction based on minimal input data points. Information is aggregated in a hierarchical data structure regarding historical tread values for multiple tires, and respective values associated with the historical tread values for each of multiple parameters that are hierarchically defined from highest to lowest levels. A current tire tread value is provided from a sensor associated with a first tire, and respective values associated with the current tire tread value are provided for each of the multiple hierarchically defined parameters. The current tire tread value is matched with information from the hierarchical data structure corresponding to matching values for one or more of the hierarchically defined parameters having at least a predetermined threshold number of available tread values, and a tire wear rate is predicted for the first tire based at least in part on the matched information from the hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: A method and a system for analyzing a physical characteristic of a film sample are described herein. The system includes a material holder system configured to hold the film sample; and a tear analysis device configured to tear the film sample and measure a characteristic of the tear. The movable system is configured to move the film sample in the material holder system to the tear analysis device.

Abstract: A sensor retaining system for a vehicle tire is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending from a respective bead area to a tread, which is formed with a plurality of tread elements. A sensor unit is mounted to the tire and includes a pair of electrical contacts. A tread wear sensor extends into one of the tread elements and includes a wire. The wire includes proximal ends, each one of which contacts a sensor unit electrical contact to create an electrical circuit. A flexible container is mounted to an innerliner of the tire. A cup includes a base and a sidewall that cooperate to form a cavity, and a bottom of the tread wear sensor and the sensor unit are received in the cavity. The cup maintains a connection between the electrical contacts and the wire proximal ends, and is disposed in the flexible container.