Abstract: A fast and accurate pressure charge controller to inflate a tire or a pressure container to a desired pressure with an air or a gas compressor supplied pressure without regulation of the supplied pressure and without using a pressure gauge or any hand-held pressure measurement device to measure the charged pressure at the vicinity of the tire or the container, to stop charging and to send out either an audio or a visual signal when desired tire or the container's pressure is reached. The controller is also able to release over charged tires or pressure containers to desired pressure.

Abstract: The inventive fatigue-testing apparatus features a compact orbital mechan which rotates a bending force around a non-rotating test section and a stationary test bed. In addition to applying a bending force, some inventive embodiments apply an axial force and a torsional force, thereby accomplishing full-scale evaluation of test sections under three-dimensional loading; the inventive practice for applying bending, torsional and axial loads compares favorably with conventional practice in terms of reliability and cost. The inventive orbital mechanism increases the reliability of the entire inventive test apparatus by reducing the number of moving parts, component wear, maintenance and complexity. The invention also provides maximum access to the test section for instrumentation, inspection, maintenance and modification. The inventive benefits will permit evaluations of larger test sections and will afford extended evaluations to more accurately determine fatigue limitations of complex joints.

Abstract: An x-ray image intensifier tube includes at least an output section in which a borosilicate glass containing 0.01 to 5% by weight of cerium oxide is used as a glass substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for engine and rotary machine analysis provides a vibration sensor adapted to produce a plurality of superimposed waveforms corresponding to engine or machine operating parameters including rotational speed. The signals are transmitted by an RF transmitter/receiver system in analogue modulated form to a data capture and analytical function unit utilising a software sub-system in which a power spectral density plot is produced containing a signature characteristic of the engine or other machine under test. This signature is recognised by a signature detect algorithm which can recognise and trace the signature across the frequency spectrum covered by the apparatus so as to provide a continuous tachometric function not requiring the filtering-out or other removal of irrelevant data. A diagnostic function arises from detection of the presence of additional harmonic peaks within the signature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring interface properties of a composite test specimen includes a first jaw for gripping the specimen. The specimen has a fiber extending through a matrix forming a fiber-matrix interface with a portion of the fiber extending from the matrix. A second jaw grips the fiber extending from the matrix. A motor drive coupled to the first jaw rotates the fiber relative to the matrix. The torque transmitted through the fiber-matrix interface to the fiber is measured with a stationary torque transducer coupled to the second jaw with respect to the angular rotation of the fiber relative to the matrix. From the resulting torque-twist angle plot, composite interface properties such as interfacial fracture energy and frictional traction can be obtained.

Abstract: A behavior monitoring system for a rotary body is capable of monitoring displacement of the rotary body in a plurality of directions. The behavior monitoring system comprises an inclined surface formed on the rotary body and extending in oblique to a rotational axis, and a sensor means for detecting displacement of said inclined surface.

Abstract: A downhole formation test pump includes a progressive cavity pump having a helical rotor received in a helical cavity of a stator. The pump may be disengaged by withdrawing the rotor from the stator to provide a bypass position so that the downhole formation being tested can be allowed to flow freely if it is capable.