Abstract: A method of inspecting an internal gas leak in a gas line includes providing an internal gas leak inspection device including a main valve and a pressure gauge in a main line between a first valve and a second valve in the gas line, forming an airtight space in the main line by shielding the main valve and the second valve, measuring a pressure variation of the airtight space using the pressure gauge, and determining whether or not the gas leak occurs, based on the measured pressure variation.

Abstract: A valve integrity manager is coupled with a servo or stepper motor to direct micro stroke testing of emergency shutdown valves. During testing, the system orders a closure of 20-25% of an emergency shutdown valve, providing data that either confirms the operability of the valve or a deficiency, while minimizing any effect on process variables.

Abstract: A sensor measures slump and rheological characteristics of the concrete and is connected to a system that adjusts the slump by monitoring the sensor within the interior surface of a concrete mixer and controlling liquid additions. Data is analyzed by a computer processing unit to determine the slump and rheological characteristics of the concrete, liquid required to meet the slump requirements. The measurement done by the sensor is more accurate then the existing methods because it brings into consideration the effect of the helix inside the mixer on the movement of the concrete mixture inside the mixer. Furthermore, this method also allows the operation of the sensor in “real” life situations where the rotation speed of the mixer can't be maintained at a fixed value. The fact that the sensor rotates with the drum and that the concrete mixture is pushed to the bottom of the mixing drum guaranties that all the concrete is “sampled” by comparing results collected from each revolution of the mixing drum.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a detection circuit to which first and second detection signals forming differential signals are input from a physical quantity transducer and a diagnosis circuit. The detection circuit includes first and second charge/voltage conversion circuits. The diagnosis circuit includes a first capacitor which is provided between a first node and a first input node to which the first detection signal is input and a second capacitor which is provided between the first node and a second input node to which the second detection signal is input and has a different capacitor value from the first capacitor. In a diagnosis mode, a diagnosis signal is input to the first node.

Abstract: A phase shifter, which carries out a ninety-degree phase shift of a sinusoidal input signal having an input frequency, at the same input frequency, envisages: a continuous-time all-pass filter stage, which receives the sinusoidal input signal and generates an output signal phase-shifted by 90° at a phase-shift frequency that is a function of a RC time constant of the all-pass filter stage; and a calibration stage, which is coupled to the all-pass filter stage and generates a calibration signal for the all-pass filter stage, such that the phase-shift frequency is equal to the input frequency of the sinusoidal input signal, irrespective of variations of the value of the input frequency and/or of the RC time constant with respect to a nominal value.

Abstract: A soil sampling apparatus consisting of a sample collection drum having a tapered probe for extracting soil plugs that are discharged by gravity into the drum. A row clearing apparatus may be disposed forward of the probe. As drum rotates, soil plugs are mixed and, when mixed, are discharged into a sample a removable container in a removable tray on a carousel. Prior to loading sample containers into the tray, a unique bar code is affixed thereto. A bar code reader tracks each container and information regarding each sample is stored by an electrical/electronic controller. GPS information from an onboard GPS system is included in the stored data. Stored data may be immediately transmitted or, alternately batch uploaded to a remote site. A communications controller typically provides cellular and Wi-Fi communications. The electrical/electronic controller is used to control all aspects of the soil sampler.

Abstract: The state of sediment can be estimated based on an initial power supply frequency at which a diaphragm resonates in an initial state in which sediment is not accumulated and a power supply frequency at which the diaphragm resonates after the sediment is accumulated, the state of the sediment can be estimated even in a stage in which the sediment is slightly accumulated on the diaphragm and a zero-point shift does not occur.

Abstract: A method of improving accuracy of measurements of at least one motion sensor included in an electronic device, including receiving a candidate measurement associated with the electronic device from the at least one motion sensor; detecting an electronic device state associated with the electronic device, the electronic device state including one from among a static state and a motion state; computing a compensation parameter based on the candidate measurement and the electronic device state; and correcting the candidate measurement based on the computed compensation parameter.

Abstract: An oil content measurement device includes a fluid device which mixes water to be treated containing oil content with a solvent and extracts the oil content into the solvent, a sensor unit which has a casing storing a quartz crystal oscillator therein with a ring-like spacer in between, a dispensing nozzle which is disposed above the oscillator at a predetermined gap there between and feeds a predetermined amount of the solvent after the oil content has been extracted on the oscillator, a sensor circuit which measures a resonance frequency of the oscillator, and controller which controls at least the fluid device and the sensor circuit. Provided is a arithmetic logical unit, based on a change amount of the received resonance frequency of the oscillator in the sensor unit to which the solvent after the oil content has been extracted has been fed, measures the oil content remaining on the oscillator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for extracting inertial information from nonlinear periodic signals. A system for determining an inertial parameter can include circuitry configured for receiving first and second analog signals from first and second sensors, each sensor responsive to motion of a proof mass. The system can include circuitry configured for determining a difference between the first and second analog signals, determining a plurality of timestamps corresponding to times at which the difference crosses a threshold, and determining a plurality of time intervals based on the timestamp. The system can include circuitry configured for determining a result of applying a trigonometric function to a quantity, the quantity based on the plurality of time intervals and determining the inertial parameter based on the result.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices, systems and methods that are configured to control flow of an explosive carrier gas in a sampling system. In some examples, a flow control device configured to provide release of explosive carrier gas in less than an explosive amount to void space in the sampling system is described. Systems and methods using the flow control device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a compensated flow and/or a compensated flow velocity, wherein the compensation of a flow related measurement error occurs in the context of a flow measurement with a two path measuring of an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, comprising: an arrangement of at least two ultrasonic transducers pairs on a tube, or pipe, wherein the ultrasonic transducers are in a 180°, two path, one traverse, or a 90°, two path, two traverse arrangement, by means of an evaluation unit of a flow measuring device and/or a computer, characterized by steps as follows: a) feeding information relative to the type of a flow influencing, tube, or pipe, element into the evaluation unit and/or into the computer; b) feeding information relative to distance (xa-xd) of the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer pairs from the flow influencing, tube, or pipe, element into the evaluation unit and/or into the computer; c) compensating a measurement error by means of a correction factor kD as a function of information

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for field-flow fractionation and to a method for separating samples by means of field-flow fractionation using this apparatus. The apparatuses of the invention comprise one or more reservoirs, a pump, a first flow volume splitting device, two valves for flow control, an injector, a separation channel having a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end or an AF4 separation channel having a first connector at a first end, a second connector at a second end and a third connector between the first and the second ends, optionally a second flow volume splitting device, a back-pressure element, one or more detector(s), a flow volume control device and one or more waste container(s).

Abstract: A method for determining scaling cation concentration may include introducing a first solution that includes a scaling cation, incrementally adding a portion of the first solution to a volume of a second solution comprising a counter scaling anion and a complexing agent, wherein the second solution comprises a fixed concentration of the counter scaling anion and the agent, to form a mixed solution, adding the first solution to the second solution until a precipitate of the scaling cation and the counter scaling anion forms, and determining the scaling cation concentration of the first solution.

Abstract: Provided are impactors for detecting biologics having an adjustable separation distance between an impact surface and the intake aperture, including the exit of the intake aperture. The impactor has a sampling head having at least one intake aperture and an exit, an impactor base comprising an impact surface, wherein the impact surface opposibly faces the sampling head exit and is separated from the exit by a separation distance. The separation distance is continuously adjustable between a minimum separation distance and a maximum separation distance and can accommodate impact surfaces having different heights by positioning the impact surface, irrespective of height of the impact surface, at an optimal separation distance from the sample intake aperture, such as by a rotation-type mechanism with a change in distance indication provided to a user by a separation distance step indicator.

Abstract: For diagnosing a proper functioning of an auxiliary heater in an air mass sensor in an engine system including an internal combustion engine, the auxiliary heater being used for preventing contamination of a sensor area, the air mass sensor communicating air mass information via a signal line during a sensor operating mode and, if a specified state on the signal line is detected, activating the auxiliary heater, the following are performed: setting the state of the signal line to the specified state for a predefined time period in an auxiliary heater operating mode; transmitting a first temperature information before the activation of the auxiliary heater operating mode and a second temperature information via the signal line after expiration of the predefined time period; and detecting the proper functioning of the auxiliary heater depending on the difference between the first temperature information and the second temperature information.

Abstract: A device for a gas chromatograph system includes an injector, a conduit assembly, a flow restrictor, and a pressure controller. The injector is connected to a carrier gas source and an auxiliary gas source. The conduit assembly surrounds the input end of an analytical column. A carrier gas is supplied at a constant pressure through a flow restrictor to the injector. A pressure controller is configured to control the pressure of an auxiliary gas supplied to the injector from the auxiliary source. The pressure controller is configured to operate in a first mode to provide a first auxiliary gas pressure sufficient to force a flow of the auxiliary gas and a sample onto the analytical column during an inject phase and to operate in a second mode to provide a second auxiliary gas pressure below a threshold necessary to flow auxiliary gas into the analytical column during a resolving phase.

Abstract: A container for containing generally flowable solid or liquid materials and capable of being hung in an inverted position is provided. The container includes a container body and a protruding hook-shaped handle, wherein the hook-shaped handle is arranged in L-shaped or inverted-hook configuration according to which a hooking space is formed oriented towards a top rim of the container. By hanging the container in an inverted position, the container is able to rapidly rinse and dry out after washing, while keeping the container top rim in the air and avoiding contamination of the container. The hook-shaped handle further allows the container to be conveniently and temporarily hung from a bowl sidewall, taking up no countertop or table space. The hook-shaped handle preferably protrudes from the base of the container to contribute to container stability when placed in an upright position.

Abstract: A blood measuring apparatus includes: a liquid supply source storing a sheath liquid and applying a pressure to supply the sheath liquid to first and second chambers, pressures of the sheath liquids to be supplied to the first and second chambers different from each other; a sheath flow generator sending a blood sample supplied to the first chamber, to the aperture while causing the blood sample to be converged by a sheath flow due to the sheath liquid supplied from the liquid supply source; and a swirling flow generator causing the blood sample in the second chamber, to be converged by a swirling flow due to the sheath liquid supplied from the liquid supply source, thereby allowing the blood sample to flow in a direction separating from the aperture.