Abstract: A device for measuring electromagnetic radiation absorption of a test surface includes an electromagnetic transceiver, an x-y axis positioning mechanism, and a z axis positioning mechanism. The x-y axis positioning mechanism facilitates mapping of electromagnetic radiation absorption at different locations upon the test surface and the z axis positioning mechanism enhances the accuracy of electromagnetic radiation measurements by facilitating phase matching of electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the electromagnetic transceiver with electromagnetic radiation received thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the moisture content measurement of compressible materials using pressure to firmly hold surface probes against the material to be measured. The apparatus uses moisture measurement circuitry employed in frequency domain impedance or time domain reflectometry devices to obtain moisture content readings from materials. These moisture content readings are based on the apparent dielectric constant of the measured material. Subsurface air voids or gaps found in loose, layered materials undesirably influence moisture measurement readings by reducing the apparent dielectric constant of the measured material. Pressure is supplied through the apparatus to the material in the proximity of the surface probes, thereby reducing air voids to enhance measurement accuracy. The apparatus and method are especially useful for compressible organic materials such as forest duff, hay and soil.

Abstract: A circuit and method are presented for making differential voltage measurements when one or both measurement points are at voltages that exceed those allowed by a typical differential amplifier, and is particular useful for monitoring the individual cell voltages of a number of series-connected cells that make up a rechargeable battery in which some cell voltages must be measured in the presence of a high common mode voltage. Each measurement point is connected to an input of a respective voltage divider, with all the divider outputs connected to a multiplexer having two outputs. The two multiplexer outputs are connected to a differential amplifier. When the voltage dividers are "closely matched," the output of the differential amplifier is directly proportional to the differential voltage between the pair of points to which the dividers are connected, and the differential voltage between those two points is accurately determined.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for calibrating a plurality of electrical circuits used to charge and test a plurality of battery cells. An improved cell rack module includes at least one movable platen having a plurality of pin assemblies removably secured thereto. The movable platen is slidably movable within the cell rack module between an extended position or a retracted position. Extension mechanisms are used to force the movable platen into the extended position during calibration, charging and testing procedures, and retraction mechanisms return the platen to the retracted position when the extension mechanisms are not actuated. When the movable platen is in the extended position, the pin assemblies are maintained in electrical contact with either the battery cells associated with a conventional cell tray or contact plates associated with a calibration tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for use in tracing a cable; the apparatus and method allows a cable to be identified at any point along its length. The apparatus includes a transmitter for applying a unique waveform to a cable of interest, a line terminator for forming a cable loop through which current can flow, and a detector which is capable of detecting both voltage (electric field) and current (magnetic field). The unique waveform induces both a magnetic and an electric field in specifically identifiable patterns.

Abstract: Any voids in the divider walls of multichamber packages, and in particular, multichamber tubes, can be detected by applying a potential difference across the divider walls of the package. If there is a void, there will be an arcing of current from one electrode to another with a measurable difference in the potential difference between the electrodes. There also may be a visual and/or audible indication. This change in potential difference can be used to determine the integrity of the divider walls of the package. In a preferred mode, the electrodes also are the mandrel mold sections that are used for the compression molding of the shoulder and nozzle onto the body of a tube package. In this embodiment the integrity of the divider walls can be determined prior to the forming of the shoulder and nozzle onto the tube body or after the shoulder and nozzle is formed onto the tube body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the variable wave impedance generator (VWIF) which is used for the electric field intensity measuring instructor calibration, the magnetic field intensity measuring instructor calibration, the antenna calibration, and the unnecessary electronic wave interference and tolerance (EMI/EMS) measurement of the electric and electronic equipment using the features to generate the low impedance electronic wave (or, magnetic field) at the point meeting in phase, and the high impedance electronic wave (or electric wave) at the point meeting out of phase, when the power transmits in the coupled transmission line inside in the opposite direction from each other.

Abstract: This invention is an inexpensive probe apparatus operating at high precision that can be used for both low-frequency and high-frequency measurements. A line with a first and second conductor is extended from a probe connected to a circuit component. A low-frequency or high-frequency device is alternately connected to the line. A third common conductor runs parallel to the aforementioned line and a resistor and capacitor is connected between the probe end of the aforementioned second conductor and the aforementioned common conductor.

Abstract: In the prior art multiple calibration standards are required to calibrate multiple measurement ranges in an impedance measuring apparatus and calibration is time-consuming. An impedance measuring apparatus incorporating the invention is provided with a reference resistor part and the relative error among the measurement ranges is corrected automatically using the reference resistor. A single range is calibrated using a single impedance standard so that absolute calibration is carried out for all of the ranges. When correcting the relative error for the various ranges via the reference resistor, measurement takes place at a value smaller than for the full scale of the range and errors caused by resolution, linearity and the S/N ratio are propagated throughout the ranges and accumulate. To prevent this, a signal normalizing part is placed on the front section of an A-D converter and another signal normalizing part is placed on the front section of a frequency converter.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for separating AC and DC components of a composite waveform, and an inductive device capable of performing the method. The present invention also includes a ground fault condition monitoring system containing an inductive device of the present invention, and an electrical distribution system containing such a ground fault condition monitoring system, such as one for a lighting system.

Abstract: A test device for testing for the presence of voltage on an electrical power cable has a manually graspable handle and a probe mounted on the handle for projecting forwardly for engaging the power cable. The housing contains an electronic detection circuit responsive to signals from the probe for detecting presence of voltage on the cable and an indicator light for providing a warning indication in response to the detection of a voltage. The probe has a v-shaped mouth for surrounding the cable and a central rod for engaging into the cable. The mouth is retracted by pressure to expose the rod. The rod engages between the exposed neutral wires of one type of cable or into a punched hole in a cable of the type having a jacket.

Abstract: An improved local oscillator for use in a digital step sweep is capable of minimizing dynamic spurious which is an inverse of the unit step time T.sub.step. The local oscillator includes a random clock delay 12 which provides a random clock 12.sub.rndclk to the DDS 40 to modify a time length of the unit step time T.sub.step for sweeping the local oscillator to be random.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for sensing and measuring the flow of dry particulate materials including a sensing device (20C) connected to a remote measuring device by a coaxial cable (25). The sensing device (20C) has a probe (24) defining an electrode which may be positioned within a flow line (18). Particles passing over the probe (24) produce a measurable electrical charge to the probe (24) due to the triboflow effect which may be transmitted to a remote measuring device by a coaxial cable (25). A shield (40) envelopes the probe (24) in a telescoping relation and comprises a wire mesh screen, which permits the flow of dry particulate material over the probe (24) while restricting stray electrical interference and electromagnetic radiation to the probe (24).

Abstract: In a fuel dielectric constant detecting apparatus, a high frequency signal is applied to an element for subjecting the high frequency voltage signal to resonance corresponding to the dielectric constant of the fuel. A DC voltage is applied to the subjecting element so that the duty of the high frequency signal be 50%, and the high frequency signals are so controlled that the phase shift between the signals provided at both ends of the resistor be a predetermined value. Alternatively, in the apparatus, the high frequency signal applying member includes a high frequency signal applying section and a reference high frequency signal applying section.

Abstract: A method for measuring capacitance in a power conversion system by measuring the time rate of discharge of the capacitance means and computing the value of capacitance corresponding to the measured discharge rate and a method for verifying that a filter in the power conversion system is effective for suppressing preselected frequencies corresponding to signalling frequencies used in a transit system. In this latter form, the system periodically initiates a self-test function in which the preselected frequency is injected into the system for verifying that the system will detect signals at the preselected frequency.

Abstract: In a system for measuring a surface potential of a sample, a probe is located above. A surface of the sample with a small gap and is vibrated by a piezoelectronic element which is energized by a oscillator. A potential of the distal end of the probe is changed and is converted into an electrical signal. The surface potential is obtained from the electrical signal.

Abstract: The ignition device of an internal combustion engine has at least one ignition coil in an ignition coil assembly and a secondary side device for ignition testing by detection of a secondary voltage signal from a secondary side from the ignition coils. The device for detecting the secondary voltage signals includes a standard measuring point device (13) at the outer periphery (P) of each ignition coil assembly, comprising advantageously a capacitive electrode, for capacitive read out of the secondary voltage signal from the secondary side of each of the ignition coils (1) in each of the ignition coil assemblies. A conductor (12) is connected electrically with the measuring point device (13) and capacitively to another conductor (8) connected to the secondary side of the ignition coil to transmit the secondary voltage signal from the secondary coil of each ignition coil (1) to the measuring point device (13).

Abstract: A thermal conductivity cell in the form of a bridge is used as one of the resistors in a Wheatstone bridge network. The output of the thermal conductivity cell is applied to the input of a low noise amplifier, the output of which is differentiated by an R-C coupling network having a time constant selected to pass a substantial portion of the output signal from the thermal conductivity cell with minimum attentuation. The R-C differentiating coupling network effectively reduces DC errors due to drift and offset and shapes the output signal improving the signal-to-noise ratio enabling trace amounts of materials to be analyzed.

Abstract: A Moire measurement system uses spectral analysis to characterize the moire effect on a television signal introduced by a particular device. A known television signal is processed by the particular device, such as a video tape recorder, and the output is input to a spectral analyzer, such a windowed fast Fourier transform. The spectral analyzer includes input gating to select a portion of the known television signal from the particular device. The frequency of the desired component of the known television signal, together with the rms values of all the other components introduced by the Moire effect, give the X- and Y-coordinates of a point on an output display. The window is moved across the test signal, giving a family of X- and Y-coordinates that characterize the Moire effect as a function of amplitude, frequency or video pedestal. The Moire characteristics of the particular device then may be used to correct the output of the particular device.

Abstract: Method for determining the susceptibility of a protective device protected electronic assembly to electrostatic discharge events. The protective component is subjected to an electrostatic discharge event and the amount of kinetic energy transferred to the protective component during the electrostatic discharge event is determined. The susceptibility of the assembly to electrostatic discharge events is then determined based upon the amount of kinetic energy transferred to the protective component during the electrostatic discharge event.