Abstract: A float-type flowmeter has a flow detecting surface, such as a fin, for pointing its inlet opening, which receives a portion of the flow to be measured, into the flow. Preferably the flowmeter, its inlet opening, and its fin, are all mounted to rotate as a unit, and the flowmeter is designed for measuring wind velocity on sailboats. This flowmeter is designed to be mounted on, and rotated around, a mast supporting wire, such as a shroud. The flowmeter should have counterweight so that gravity will not tend to prevent it from rotating around its wire when that wire is tilted. Similarly the inlet opening should be relatively small compared to the cross section of the float chamber, so that as the flowmeter tilts, the area of the inlet opening projected into a horizontal wind flow will decrease wind flow into the flowmeter, so as to compensate for the tilt. Preferably the flowmeter is designed so its float will not be visually obscured from upwind by the elongated structure around which it rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining wind characteristics, including compass direction and inclination to the horizontal, includes a hemispherical frame on which a plurality of resonant chambers are mounted, defined by tubes with axes passing through the center of curvature of the hemisphere. One end of each tube is closed, and the end toward the center of curvature is open. Wind blowing across openings appropriately orientated will cause air within the chamber to resonate and create a sound. Each tube has a sound detecting unit for producing a signal when the chamber is resonating, and a computer receives the signals and determines from them the direction of the wind.

Abstract: Pressure variation produced in a conduit is transmitted through two pressure conduits to two pairs of pressure chambers, the pressure chambers in each pair being partitioned by a diaphragm having a bridge circuit which provides an output related to a deformation of the diaphragm, so that deformations of the diaphragms produce outputs which are opposite in phase and have magnitudes of the same absolute value and which are summed for vortex pressure detection and subtracted for other pressure.

Abstract: A device is for determining the functional push/pull capability of a human subject. The device includes a fixed walking surface for the subject. The push/pull bar for the subject extends horizontally and transversely of the walking surface and is disposed thereabove. The push/pull bar is mounted for selective horizontal movement along the walking surface by the subject. There is included selectively variable resistance to the horizontal movement of the push/pull bar. The device includes the ability to evaluate the horizontal movement as a function of the resistance to the horizontal movement. There is also included a method for determining the functional push/pull capability of a human subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring the condition of a DC motor operated valve and/or valve operator by monitoring at a remote location, such as the Motor Control Center ("MCC"), the output torque of the DC motor which drives the valve operator comprises method and apparatus for monitoring the armature circuit of the DC motor at the remote location (I.E.

Abstract: In a stationary traffic monitoring device a housing is fixedly installed at a place of operation. An insert having a recording camera and control and evaluation unit is adapted to be optionally inserted into the housing. The data specific for the operation site, for example identification sign of the operation site, switch-off times or the delay times required for the operation site, are memorized in a housing-fixed memory and are automatically transferred to the control and evaluation unit when the insert is inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A system for displaying trouble in an electronic control system such as an anti-skid brake system of a motor vehicle. The system has a detector for detecting failure in a wheel speed sensor, and a warning lamp for displaying a detected failure. When a failure in the sensor is displayed on the lamp, an inspector depresses a brake pedal of the vehicle in accordance with a predetermined pattern to intermittently turn on a brake pedal switch to produce a failure signal representing the nature of the detected failure. In response to the failure signal, the warning lamp intermittently lights up in accordance with a predetermined pattern representing the nature of the failure.

Abstract: A blood flow monitoring system employing a disposable sensor for directing a flow of blood through an electromagnetic field to generate a voltage proportional to the flow of blood through the electromagnetic field. The flow detection system employs a disposable sensor having a lumen with a constricted cross-sectional area adapted to interact with an electromagnetic field to detect blood flow and in an enhanced variation includes an electromagnetic field focusing device for enhancing the electromagnetic field to focus the electromagnetic field across the path of blood flow through the constricted section of the lumen to intensify the voltage generated by the blood flow through the intensified electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An improved tennis racket string tension tester of enhanced accuracy and convenient adaptability to rackets of varying configuration and string spacing. To provide for strings of varying diameter and grid spacing, a series of interchangeable washers are provided which exactly fit a centrally disposed interstice and a string grid defined by two horizontal and two transversely extending strings. Deflection of a known type strain gauge is indicated by a liquid crystal readout.

Abstract: A new type of pressure sensor is disclosed here. The sensor is composed of a pair of glass substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal which is interposed between the substrates and exhibits piezoelectric effect. Because of crystalline property in liquid phase, the piezoelectric medium can be easily disposed and aligned between the substrates in light of the orientation of the surface contiguous to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a fluid such as a gas, having a by-pass passage, a measurement passage, a cantilever-shaped pressure-receiving plate in the measurement passage and a deflection detector for measuring an amount of deflection of the pressure-receiving plate.

Abstract: A system for metering the flow rate of air through a duct in which gates are pivotally mounted and connected together to vary the area of the duct. The gates are balanced so as to be effectively weightless. The forces on and the position of the gates correspond to the pressure and the flow rate in the duct thereby avoiding the need for air pressure transducers exposed to the pressure in the duct. The forces due to the pressure in the duct are amplified by the gates so that the pressure measurement as a function of the forces on the gates is a much more sensitive function of the flow rate through the duct than is obtainable directly in response to the pressure in the duct (for example, the velocity pressure of air as measured by pressure transducers responsive directly to the velocity pressure in the duct).

Abstract: A magnetoelastic torque transducer comprises a shaft, three stationary coils connected in series to magnetize the shaft and three coils to sense moment transmitted in the shaft, and a magnetic casing surrounding the coils. The shaft has three parallel annular zones provided with such anisotropy that the magnetic field in the shaft is deflected by an angle .alpha. relative to a generatrix to the shaft in the outer zones and is deflected by an angle .alpha. to a generatrix to the shaft in the middle zone, the axial extension of both outer zones being substantially half that of the intermediate zone. The angle .alpha. should be at least 45.degree. in order to obtain good sensitivity in the transducer. The excitation coils are arranged concentrically to the shaft, each being located outside an annular zone and the outer excitation coils being wound with substantially half as many turns as the central excitation coil.

Abstract: A mechanical quantity sensor element making use of stress-magneto effect of noncrystalline magnetic alloy. Compression strain is preliminarily given to a thin belt made of noncrystalline magnetic alloy by carrying out treatment of applying an external force onto a surface of the thin belt. Suitable methods for applying the external force include; surface grinding by means of abrasive cloth or paper, shot-peening in which spherical fine grains are impinged onto a surface of a thin belt, stroking work in which a surface of a thin belt is scrubbed by means of a scrubber piece made of synthetic resin, rubber or other material, and the like.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a car radio having a theft module, which renders the car radio inoperative when the radio is slid out of its installation recess in the vehicle, is provided by a joint housing for a power supply and anti-theft protection plug connection elements, as well as for a change-over switch controlling the theft module. The housing is fastened via the plug connection elements at the rear wall of the car radio such that the change-over switch is inevitably actuated by the frame of the installation recess during the sliding-out of the radio.

Abstract: A flowmeter with an optical pick-off includes a turbine and a swirl generating impeller having magnets mounted on their periphery. Positioned on the exterior of the flowmeter housing in line with the magnets are monolithic Faraday effect optical switches. Each time the magnets pass by its associated Faraday switch the switch is actuated to produce an output pulse.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring the areal distribution of compressive forces which act substantially vertically with respect to a deformable measuring surface. A matrix arrangement of force sensors is provided, each of which is formed as a capacitance at crossings of substantially perpendicular conductor paths. The conductor paths are fixed on the opposed surfaces of an elastically deformable area-type dielectric and adapted to be connected by conductive elements to evaluator electronics. The conductor paths are printed on plastic substrate films.

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor having a tubular probe body located within and aligned with a venturi passageway. The probe body has a channel therethrough connecting openings located at high and low pressure regions in the venturi passageway. The openings are configured to cause at least a 90 degree change in direction of air flowing therethrough from the venturi passageway to protect a fragile flow sensor in the channel from damage by suspended contaminants.

Abstract: A torque sensor for a cylindrical shaft subject to torque employs an electrically conductive loop on the shaft, which loop exhibits changing electrical impedance with changing stress and strain as the shaft is torqued. In another embodiment, a pair of loops exhibit oppositely changing electrical impedance as the shaft is torqued. In another embodiment, a magneto-elastic electrically conductive loop on the shaft exhibits changing magnetic permeability and changing electrical impedance with changing stress and strain as the shaft is torqued.

Abstract: An automobile light cluster, particularly a rear light cluster, formed from a central unit and two side units, where the central unit (12) comprises a base (16) having a structure in the form of cells aligned along a substantially horizontal axis (22), with at least one central cell (18) arranged to house at least one number plate light, and with at least one pair of flanking cells (19 and 20) forming the reversing and rear fog lights. The central unit (12) comprising for the base (16) a cover (15) formed from a single semitransparent sheet which is coupled with suitably colored inner walls (28), at least in correspondence with the central cell (18).