Abstract: An electrical junction block as used in an automobile electrical system has a pair of ports for removably receiving two separate connectors into connection with circuit traces of a printed circuit board contained within the junction block. The first port is configured to receive a wiring harness connector associated with one or more electrical devices into normal operating connection with the junction block. The second port is configured to removably receive a connector from a continuity tester such that terminals of the connector contact the circuit traces so as to be in electrical contact with the wiring harness connector. Accordingly, inserting the tester connector into the second port after the wiring harness connector is operatively installed in the first port puts the tester in connection with the electrical system via the circuit traces and allows the tester to perform a continuity check of the device without disconnecting the wiring harness connector.

Abstract: A chemical sensor comprising a gas detector having first and second printed wiring boards with opposed separated pairs of signal and grounded counter electrodes and processing electronics for processing ionic current signals derived from the signal and counter electrodes. A corona discharge source is provided that produces an ionized air stream containing a chemical that is to be detected. An insulating plate is disposed between the second printed wiring board of the gas detector and the corona discharge source that is used to electrically isolate the electrodes and processing electronics of the gas detector from the corona discharge source. An air flow passage is formed through the corona discharge source, the insulating plate, and the gas detector that allows the ionized air stream generated by the corona discharge source to flow past the signal and counter electrodes, so that the chemical may be detected.

Abstract: A defibrillator and electrode system that gives the user a visible and/or audible indication of the condition of the electrodes and other parts of the defibrillator system prior to deployment of the electrodes and use of the defibrillator. In a preferred embodiment of the method of this invention, a patient simulation and analyze circuit within the defibrillator periodically tests the condition of the system and provides the user with a visual indication of the system's condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the RMS value of an electrical signal. An electrical signal is converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is squared and low pass filtered to extract the DC component, the DC component being recognized as the mean-square of the signal. In use in a measurement device, the square root of the DC component is taken and displayed as the RMS value of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for auditing condition of a storage battery performs a battery test on the storage battery to obtain a test result. Test condition information is obtained related to conditions of the battery test. The battery test result and the test condition information is combined into a code. The code may be subsequently used to determine conditions during the battery test which lead to the particular test result.

Abstract: An electric field measurement system for precisely measuring low frequency electric fields includes a capacitive antenna having two parallel conductive plates (11, 12). The potential between the plates is a measure of the electric field present. A high impedance element (13) supplies the potential between the plates to an electro-optical converter (14) which converts the potential into an optical signal. The optical signal is coupled into an optical fiber (20) which transports the optical system to an optical-electrical converter (30), where the optical signal is converted into an electric signal, which is measured by a measurement device (31), e.g. a spectrum analyzer. The use of an optical fiber avoids disturbances of the field to be measured. The dimensions of the plates of the capacitive antenna, preferably, are only a few centimeters, thereby minimizing the influence of the antenna on the field to be measured.

Abstract: There are two coaxial cable test instruments, of which a primary instrument provides a rump circuit having a battery, a first electric signal device and two probes in series-connection with each other, of which the probes are in the form of the central conductor and surrounding shield parts of a typical coaxial cable connector. The other or secondary instrument provides a second electric signal device which is connected with two further probes in the form of the central conductor and surrounding shield parts of another coaxial cable connector. To test a cable component for a short-circuit, the primary instrument is connected with one of the end connectors of the cable. If the first signal device, for instance a light bulb, then lights up on closure of the rump circuit via the short-circuit bridge between the central conductor and surrounding shield of the cable, the lighted bulb will clearly indicate the short circuit in the cable.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus is provided for assembly with separable insulated connector components on power cables for power distribution systems. The coupling apparatus provides either direct or indirect coupling, e.g. to provide interconnection to the connector components or to provide a sensing point. In one illustrative embodiment, the coupling apparatus is installed in place of a conventional double-ended plug that is required to piggyback T-body elbows, i.e. where multiple elbows are to be connected. In one specific arrangement, the coupling apparatus includes a desired connector interface. In another specific arrangement, a sensed voltage output is provided using components such as capacitive coupling components, capacitors, resistors or transformers. In another embodiment, the coupling apparatus is used in place of a conventional insulating plug that is used to attach a T-body elbow to a bushing, e.g. on switchgear assemblies or the like.

Abstract: For determining the respective geometrical position, the displacement or angle of a body by capacitive sensing, a supply voltage applied to a voltage-distribution element is switched, and/or phase-shifted voltages are applied, in such a way that at least two different distribution patterns of the supply voltage, that follow each other in time, are obtained across the voltage divider.

Abstract: A capacitor bushing with a tap for a reduced voltage between its capacitor inserts is monitored with the method. The reduced voltage is supplied to a detection device that monitors the reduced voltage for any change. A change and its time interval from a further change are determined, and an error signal corresponding to the frequency of the change in the reduced voltage is generated. The method may be performed with the disclosed monitoring system.

Abstract: The stopping of a load suspended from a crane requires a swing control or, respectively, a swing damping. Upon employment of microwave measuring units, spacings between a carrying cable suspension and a load suspension point are determined on the basis of transit time measurements. The position of the load suspension point can be determined from the transit time measurements quickly and with high precision. Swinging motions are avoided by controlled opposing control of the carrying cable suspension.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring changes in denier, percent finish-on-yarn, interlacing of polymer fiber, and other fiber properties, in real time as the fiber is being manufactured. The device uses an electrode driven at a discrete voltage to induce a current which changes in amplitude and/or phase in response to changes in denier, finish-on-yarn and/or interlacing of a fiber. A sensing system samples the current and detects changes in the amplitude and/or phase. A computer, running an application program, quantifies the change and determines the applicable property.

Abstract: A defibrillator and electrode system that gives the user a visible and/or audible indication of the condition of the electrodes and other parts of the defibrillator system prior to deployment of the electrodes and use of the defibrillator. In a preferred embodiment of the method of this invention, a patient simulation and analyze circuit within the defibrillator periodically tests the condition of the system and provides the user with a visual indication of the system's condition.

Abstract: A bushing for an electrical high-frequency signal, with at least one conductive element carrying the electrical high-frequency signal, with at least one mechanical supporting element and with at least two insulating elements between the conductive element and the supporting element that perform different functions. The bushing for an electrical high-frequency signal is designed so that the impedances of the insulating elements are basically identical.

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves are driven in the pipe to be inspected in the piping system by a transmitting antenna of a transmitter, to be propagated in the pipe; while a receiving antenna of a receiver is moved outside the pipe along the pipe, to receive leaking electromagnetic waves for inspecting elements of the piping system, and the location concerned of each element of the piping system to be inspected is detected in reference to the location of the receiving antenna where the level of electromagnetic waves received by the receiver becomes a peak. The locations to be inspected are the damaged portions such as holes formed by corrosion, cracks, etc. in the pipes, and the locations of joints, etc. It is also possible to move the transmitting antenna outside along the pipe, while arranging the receiving antenna at proper place in the pipe. Furthermore, it is also possible to move both the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna in synchronization to effect the above inspection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for testing a telecommunications network between timed intervals to detect a fault in order to determine an approximate location of a fault. The method comprises measuring a change in capacitance of a line in the network and then determining from a known ratio of capacitance to length of line, a length of line that corresponds to that change. This length will give an approximate location of a fault from a subscriber's equipment located at premises remote from the measuring apparatus.

Abstract: A contactless process for detecting surface potential charge patterns in an electrophotographic imaging member including at least one photoconductive imaging layer having an imaging surface, providing a scanner including a capacitive probe having an outer shield electrode, maintaining the probe adjacent to and spaced from the imaging surface to form a parallel plate capacitor with a gas between the probe and the imaging surface, providing a probe amplifier optically coupled to the probe, establishing relative movement between the probe and the imaging surface, maintaining a substantially constant distance between the probe and the imaging surface, applying a constant voltage charge to the imaging surface prior to relative movement of the probe and the imaging surface past each other, synchronously biasing the probe to within about .+-.

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves are driven in the pipe to be inspected in the piping system by a transmitting antenna of a transmitter, to be propagated in the pipe; while a receiving antenna of a receiver is moved outside the pipe along the pipe, to receive leaking electromagnetic waves for inspecting elements of the piping system, and the location concerned of each element of the piping system to be inspected is detected in reference to the location of the receiving antenna where the level of electromagnetic waves received by the receiver becomes a peak. The locations to be inspected are the damaged portions such as holes formed by corrosion, cracks, etc. in the pipes, and the locations of joints, etc. It is also possible to move the transmitting antenna outside along the pipe, while arranging the receiving antenna at proper place in the pipe. Furthermore, it is also possible to move both the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna in synchronization to effect the above inspection.

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves are driven in the pipe to be inspected in the piping system by a transmitting antenna of a transmitter, to be propagated in the pipe; while a receiving antenna of a receiver is moved outside the pipe along the pipe, to receive leaking electromagnetic waves for inspecting elements of the piping system, and the location concerned of each element of the piping system to be inspected is detected in reference to the location of the receiving antenna where the level of electromagnetic waves received by the receiver becomes a peak. The locations to be inspected are the damaged portions such as holes formed by corrosion, cracks, etc. in the pipes, and the locations of joints, etc. It is also possible to move the transmitting antenna outside along the pipe, while arranging the receiving antenna at proper place in the pipe. Furthermore, it is also possible to move both the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna in synchronization to effect the above inspection.

Abstract: A system for determining the position of a piston moveable within a cylinder, or of an implement or joint, is disclosed herein. Electromagnetic (EM) bursts such as ultra-wideband or frequency pulses are generated and applied to a transmitter/receiver unit. The EM bursts are launched by the transmitter via a focusing antenna assembly from an end of the cylinder housing towards the piston. The fluid in the cylinder housing is in electrical communication with the piston such that a surface of the piston represents an electrical impedance discontinuity which causes the EM bursts to be reflected back to the receiver. The time for the EM bursts to travel from the transmitter to the piston and for the reflections to travel back to the receiver via the antenna assembly is determined and converted into a position signal representing the piston's position. A compensation signal can be used to compensate the position signal for variations in a parameter of the fluid within the cylinder.