Abstract: A device for monitoring a vehicle pneumatic tire in-situ on a wheel rim comprising a probe to be sealably mounted to the rim with a hollow stem projecting through the rim into the air cavity of the tire. A temperature sensor mounted in the stem to be exposed to the temperature in the cavity, and the interior of the stem being in use in direct communication with the air cavity. A head at one end of the stem to be external attached to the rim for mounting the probe thereto, and respective conductor extending from the stem through the probe head to project therefrom in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the rim and to convey processable information relating to temperature and pressure conditions within the tire cavity.The probe head is interlockable with an anchor member secured to the wheel rim.The probe is used in conjunction with a terminal.

Abstract: An improved gas flow meter which measures the time of travel of a soap film through a fixed volume to compute gas flow rate. A portable meter includes infrared sensors which detect the passing of a soap film, a timing circuit to determine the time of travel between the beginning and end of the fixed volume and a method of blocking the infrared portion of ambient light to allow for use outdoors. The device has a unique method of generating the soap bubble and for breaking the soap bubble at the end of the fixed volume. The unique flow unit, including flow cell and fixed sensors, is calibrated to determine the fixed volume which is stored in a nonvolatile memory location as a part of the flow unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an on-board diagnostic system for detecting impaired fuel injectors in an internal combustion engine during engine operation. A fuel injector control means is provided for individually actuating fuel injectors Operatively connected to a fuel rail. Pressure sensor means are mounted to the fuel rail for sensing transient fuel pressure waves resulting from actuation of the individual fuel injectors. Signal processing means are provided for processing pressure signals from the pressure sensor means. The output signal from the signal processing means corresponds to the fuel flow rate through the fuel injectors. Such output signal can be used to alert an engine operator to an impaired fuel injector and/or can be provided to the fuel injector control means for adjusting the duration of injector actuation to achieve a desired fuel flow quantity per individual actuation.

Abstract: A multiple-access network communication system employs a single continuous-wave optical carrier which is successively modulated and multiplexed at a plurality of data access nodes. The data access nodes are cascaded along an optical propagation path, and at each such node, the optical carrier is impressed with an modulated electrical signal which corresponds to an electrical subcarrier having a subcarrier frequency which is uniquely responsive to its associated data access node. Local data at each such node is modulated electrically in accordance with a known modulation scheme, such as FSK modulation, the resulting modulated subcarrier being conducted to a respective optical modulator which impresses same upon the optical carrier. The optical carrier is periodically, with respect to the data access nodes, amplified by an optical amplifier, and ultimately conducted to a receiver where the optical carrier is detected and converted to a corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: A force detector capable of detecting force components in respective axial directions and moment components about respective axes in an XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system is provided. A displacement body (10) is comprised of a disk shaped flat plate (11) and a pillar body (12) in the form of a square post. On the upper surface of the displacement body (10), five displacement electrodes (D1 to D5) are formed. Further, on the four side surfaces of the pillar body (12), eight displacement electrodes (D6 to D13) are formed. This displacement body (10) is held in a hanging state within the fixed body (20). Within the fixed body (20), fixed electrodes (E1 to E13) are provided at positions opposite to the respective displacement electrodes (D1 to D13). Thus, capacitance elements (C1 to C13) are constituted by the respective opposite electrode pairs.

Abstract: An electronic fluid meter, such as a water meter, has a body through which the fluid flows, a rotor having magnetized blades and a sensor-transducer proximate the blades. The rotor is formed by injection-molding or sintering a mixture of a plastic resin and magnetizable particles, preferably strontium ferrite particles.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring angular rotation rates about three orthogonal axes is based upon sensing Coriolis acceleration forces with a pair of nearly-identical rotors coupled coaxialy by a torsion spring and counter-oscillating in rotation. The torsional oscillator is mounted within a case by means of radial vanes, each comprisig two piezoelectric ceramic plates bonded to a thin metal core responsive to drive signals and providing rotational vibration isolation. The arms of the rotors are designed as piezoelectric open loop accelerometers. Electrodes of selected configurations are mounted to the outer surfaces of the planar members to collect charge indicative of Coriolis accelerations proportional to the angular rotations about the orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A Coriolis-type fluid flow rate measuring system splits a fluid flow that is to be measured into two equal half flows and passes the same respectively through two physically similar conduits which are oscillated about respective parallel oscillation axes. Analog sinusoidal signals corresponding to relative velocity of motion between the two conduits are obtained at two locations, the analog signals a digitized, and a conventional microprocessor is used to apply a least-squares sine fit to the digitized data to determine to a very high degree of accuracy a phase shift between the signals. An empirical proportionality factor is determined for the system to relate phase shift to fluid flow rate and is used to determine the fluid flow rate. The least-squares sine fit provides an accurate, economically computed fluid flow rate, and the apparatus is highly insensitive to temperature induced effects, harmonic distortions, and the combined effects of noise and harmonic distortion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid flowmeter includes empty pipe detection circuitry. The empty pipe detection circuitry applies a common mode asynchronous signal into a pair of electrodes in the flowmeter. Impedance of fluid is determined by measuring the magnitude of the asynchronous signal between an electrode and electrical ground. Impedance is used to determine an empty pipe condition.

Abstract: A flush fluid flow control apparatus having an adjustable flow control valve and a flow measuring orifice combined in a block assembly. The flow control orifice is formed in a tube having a plurality of radial orifices and which can be axially turned to register with the flow channel for selecting flow ranges measurable by the orifice selected. Differential pressure is read across the orifice and communicated to act on a double headed piston which moves through the block proportionally to the differential pressure, the double headed piston compressing air in a chamber to an extent proportional with its movement, and a pressure gauge is installed into the chamber to correlate the movement of the double headed piston with the actual flow rate.

Abstract: An inertia force mass flowmeter comprises a conduit with two opposite extremities restrained from experiencing lateral movement including a first end section extending in over-hanging relationship from one of the two restrained extremities of the conduit, a second end section extending in over-hanging relationship from the other of the two restrained extremities of the conduit, and a looped midsection connecting the first and second end sections to one another, wherein a first elongated support extending from a restrained extremity thereof towards the first end section of the conduit supports the over-hanging extremity of the first end section of the conduit, and a second elongated support extending from a restrained extremity thereof towards the second end section of the conduit supports the over-hanging extremity of the second end section of the conduit; wherein an electromagnetic vibrator generates a relative flexural vibration between a combination of a first half of the conduit and the first elongated su

Abstract: A compact altitude and rate of descent instrument is combined with a visual indication device and attached directly as a self-contained unit to protective eye wear or headgear for the determination of critical altitudes while engaged in freefall skydiving without the need for head or hand movements. Such an instrument reduces potentially fatal lack of altitude awareness due to extraneous factors and allows for more complete concentration on maintaining eye contact with others when performing maneuvers in close proximity such as during freefall formation flying (relative work).

Abstract: A clamp-on structural strain-gage sensor that is mounted to dynamic load-bearing structures, such as sucker-rod type oil well pumps, to produce an electrical output proportional to the deflection of such structures. The apparatus uniquely includes an active electronic temperature correcting circuit to provide compensation for the erratic effects caused by uneven thermal heating of the load-bearing structure.

Abstract: A sap flow gauge (10) which can accommodate stem or other plant parts (S, S') of very small and/or varying cross-sectional configuration is provided which includes a generally U-shaped body (12) presenting a central bight portion (50), a pair of spaced, opposed legs (52, 54) and a stem-receiving passageway (56). The body (12) preferably includes a pair of spaced, endmost filler pads (16, 18) which support a bridging strip-type resistance heater (28). The heater (28) has one end thereof affixed to an adjacent filler pad (16), with the remaining end of the heater (28) thereof being free. A flux sensing thermopile (40), as well as spaced, temperature differential sensing thermocouple pairs (44, 46) are also supported by the central bight region of the body (12).

Abstract: A conduit having two substantially parallel, flexible and continuous flow tubes fixedly mounted at their ends to a centrally positioned housing The ends of each flow tube positioned proximal to one another and to the center of gravity formed by the shape of the flow tube. Each flow tube substantially forming a "B" shape having a first loop, a connecting portion and a second loop. The first and second loops being symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion and extending laterally from the center of gravity at a greater distance than the displacement of the connecting portion to the center of gravity. The flow tubes being oscillated in opposing modes at the connecting portion so as to produce a measurable Coriolis reaction force by the fluid on the flow tubes.

Abstract: The state of internal combustion engine inlet air dynamics is characterized in a substantially noise immune albeit rapid manner according to the degree by which a first set of criteria indicate a steady state condition in which engine inlet air rate substantially corresponds to cylinder inlet air rate or to the degree by which a second set of criteria indicate a transient condition in which engine inlet air rate does not substantially correspond to cylinder air rate. Cylinder inlet air rate may then be predicted in accord with the characterization.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for concurrently determining steam flow rate and quality, through a conduit which comprises an orifice plate positioned in series with a critical flow venturi in said conduit. Pressure sensing means in the conduit senses pressures therein for application in a formula to provide the desired steam values and provide a method for determining both the quality and the mass flow rate of steam flow passing through the conduit. The measurements are of particular value in the instance of steam flow where a minimal decrease in steam pressure across the measuring instrument is a relevant factor.

Abstract: A three-axis force measurement stylus includes a housing and a cartridge and an interface between the housing and the cartridge wherein the interface comprises a plurality of pressure sensitive sheets, preferably of variable resistance pressure sensitive Mylar films which sense the force between the cartridge and the housing. The cartridge and the housings are disposed at a skew angle relative to the axis of the stylus to be able to sense forces in three dimensions. In a specific embodiment, the cartridge forms a conical section which mates with a complimentary conical section of the housing. Membranes of the force sensitive material are provided along three fingers from an apex of the conical section. The cartridge is preloaded against the conical section by a spring between the housing and the cartridge. Alternatively to the force sensitive film, a sheet of a piezoelectric pressure-sensitive material may be substituted.

Abstract: The fluid flow meter includes a flexible membrane formed of a flexible material and containing an apparatus for providing the membrane with resilience for undulation. The membrane is mounted in the fluid flow path such that the pair of faces simultaneously define with the housing fluid impermeable seals at least two different locations along the flow path. The membrane flexes so as to permit passage of discrete quanta of fluid, each having a known volume. The flow meter generates electrical signals corresponding to flexure of the membrane, and the electrical signals are monitored for determining a fluid flow rate.

Abstract: The gravity flow of a liquid in an open pipe is metered during open channel flow, during surcharged flow, and during the transition between the two. A tubular venturi metering device is employed, and when during open channel flow, the liquid depth rises in the section of the pipe upstream from the device, the throat of the device fills with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section of the pipe, so that during the transition, the device continues to provide a flow determination.