Abstract: An ultrasonic testing apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe disposed under an end portion of a pipe laid in the horizontal direction to face the pipe end portion. The probe transmits ultrasonic waves to the end portion of the pipe and receives the ultrasonic waves therefrom. A probe holder housing the probe includes a coupling medium reserver part which surrounds a space between the probe and the end portion of the pipe to contain a coupling medium W. The coupling medium reserver part includes a part body 21 into which the coupling medium is supplied; an annular bellows part, which is attached to the upper side of the part body to internally communicate with the part body, and an annular spacer 23 attached to the upper side of the bellows part, the upper surface of the annular spacer being a flat horizontal surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The microelectromechanical component has a semiconductor substrate (1), which has a cavity (2a) formed in the semiconductor substrate. The cavity is covered by a reversibly deformable membrane (2). A sensor (17) for detecting a deformation of the membrane (2) is formed within the region of the membrane (2). A test actuator (28, 29, 30) for deforming the membrane (2) for testing purposes is also arranged within the region of the membrane (2). Finally, the microelectromechanical component has an evaluation and activation unit (41) connected to the sensor (17) and the test actuator (28, 29, 30) for activating the test actuator (28, 29, 30) in order to deform the membrane (2) as a test and for evaluating a measurement signal of the sensor (17) as a sensor detection of a deformation of the membrane (2) as a result of the activation of the test actuator (28, 29, 30).

Abstract: A system for calibrating a wind indicator device of a wind turbine of the horizontal-axis type in which a shaft has a portion in a nacelle, the wind indicator device being on an exterior of the nacelle. The system comprises a shaft interface adapted to be positioned on the shaft of the wind turbine in a known manner relative to an orientation of the shaft. An extended body is connected to the shaft interface, the extended body projecting from the shaft interface positioned on the shaft to an exterior of the nacelle. An alignment device is connected to the extended body, the alignment device having a visual indicator at the exterior of the nacelle representative of an orientation of the shaft of the nacelle when the shaft interface is positioned on the shaft in the known manner, whereby a calibration of the wind indicator device is achieved using the visual indicator device. A method for calibrating the wind indicator device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for grading the quality of cullet. Some embodiments include methods for generating a statistically significant sample of material from a collection of cullet contaminated with waste. Other embodiments include methods for evaluating various qualities of the sample with relatively simple techniques. Yet other embodiments include a uniform and reasonably simple method for communicating the results of the evaluation among different parties.

Abstract: In operating a vibration testing system, a table is provided with a plurality of distinct regions, and each of the plurality of distinct regions is provided with at least one vibrator of the plurality of vibrators and at least one accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers. Target vibration strengths are set for each region, and the vibrators are operated. Local vibration strength is measured at each distinct region with the corresponding accelerometer(s) of the plurality of accelerometers. A signal corresponding to each of the measured local vibration strengths is provided to a controller. An individual vibrator control signal is calculated for each distinct region based on the corresponding measured local vibration strength and the corresponding target vibration strength. The individual control signals are provided from the controller to control the vibrator(s) of each distinct region to achieve the target vibration strength at each of the distinct table regions.

Abstract: A method for eliminating the horizontal offset of a traction force test device and traction force test device thereof, the device comprising a substrate (300), a first single-arm cantilever beam (100) and a second single-arm cantilever beam (100?) which have the same structure. By employing an inverse horizontal displacement offset compensation structure, the invention completely overcomes the horizontal offset of the free end of the un-fixed single-arm cantilever beam, and achieves still better effect by suspending the test tool with two sets of inversely-installed cantilever beams which have the same structure and are arranged in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A time correlated dual chronometric interpolated prover apparatus with temporal reconciliation assembly is operable for producing signals for selecting a corrected time interval B of the flowmeter output signal for comparison with the time interval A. The temporal reconciliation assembly being configured for detecting a plurality of frequencies of pulses of the flowmeter output signal, and being further configured for selecting the time interval B utilizing the plurality of frequencies. A possible non-limiting embodiment includes the temporal reconciliation assembly being operable for utilizing an anticipated frequency for locating a first pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method suitable for calibrating a phased array system configured to inspect square bars. A square bar is provided with an array of parallel linear notches across the full range of the testing surface of the square bar for this calibrating purpose. The square bar is passed through the probe in probe's passive direction during the calibration. The phased array system is adjusted and calibrated so that the echo amplitude for each inspection channel of the phased array probe received from each notch is substantially equal. Then a known flaw with a typically expected flaw's size and shape is created on the same testing surface so that the system's sensitivity is adjusted using the amplitude of the echo signal from the known flaw as a baseline.

Abstract: An inertial force sensor of the present invention includes a detection element, a detection circuit for detecting the amount of inertia corresponding to the inertial force applied to the detection element; a first low-pass filter connected to the output side of the detection circuit; and a correction circuit for correcting the output of the first low-pass filter. The correction circuit includes a correction amount generation unit connected to the output side of the first low-pass filter; a correction amount storage unit connected to the output side of the correction amount generation unit; and a correction unit connected to the output side of the first low-pass filter and to the output side of the correction amount storage unit. The correction unit corrects an output value of the first low-pass filter based on a correction amount stored in the correction amount storage unit.

Abstract: A method 2 of determining the location of deposits in a flowline comprises providing 4 a distributed vibration sensor along the flowline, measuring 6 vibrations along the flowline with the sensor and analyzing 8 the measured vibrations to determine the location of any deposits. The vibration measurements are made using a distributed fiber optic sensor provided on the flowline. The measurements are analyzed in real time to identify deposit formation and location within the flowline.

Abstract: A passive diffusion sampler and kit that includes a passive diffusion sample bag comprising a regenerated cellulose membrane to allow for sampling of a broad spectrum of contaminants and VOCs. The sample bag is disposed in a rigid housing which protects the bag from tearing and also allows the housing to be inverted to suspend the bag upside down and provide a user access to a fluid outlet means on the bag for withdrawing a sample from the bag without agitating the sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a changing, insufficiently defined or unknown shape (e.g., a variable radius or a noncircular radius caused by the use of soft tooling) at a rate that meets production requirements. The apparatus comprises a linear ultrasonic array (i.e., sensor) incorporated in a toppler, which in turn is slidably supported by an oscillating sensor mechanism carried by a traveling trailer vehicle. As a result of this arrangement, the sensor can undergo a back-and-forth sweeping motion coupled with motion along the spar radius. The sensor is further able to displace radially relative to a sweep pivot axis and rotate (hereinafter “topple”) about a topple pivot axis. In this manner, the orientation of the sensor can adjust to the contour of the inspected surface as the sensor scans.

Abstract: A dummy for simulating human physical behaviour during a test, comprising artificial human body elements that are mutually connected, the body elements having deformation properties, wherein a deformation property of a body element is actuatably variable. The dummy comprises an actuator for varying a deformation property. The actuator may comprise a fluidic driver.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inline sampling of a bulk material, such as a powder, are provided. The material's bulk density can be determined from samples drawn using methods and devices described herein. One embodiment of a method of sampling a material allows the material to flow through a sampling compartment, closes off the flow of material below the sampling compartment, builds up a column of material through the sampling compartment, shifts the sampling compartment to remove a slice of material in the column, and places the slice of material into a sample container. A device for sampling a material is provided in another embodiment. The device includes an inlet, an outlet aligned with the inlet, and a sample collector. The sample collector can include at least one through hole and be configured to move such that the at least one through hole can be moved into and out of alignment with the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An acting force is applied to a probe on the basis of a target speed serving as a probe speed in a stable copy scanning state of a target surface to be measured and a probe speed error serving as a difference between the target speed and a probe speed.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a test of a servo gauge by causing the servo gauge to attempt to move a displacer of the servo gauge, where the servo gauge uses a drum to move the displacer in a tank. The method also includes measuring a torque associated with the drum during or after the attempt to move the displacer and identifying a mechanical problem with the servo gauge based on the measured torque. For example, a stuck displacer can be identified when the measured torque exceeds an upper expected value. A lost displacer or a stuck drum can be identified when the measured torque is below a lower expected value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inline sampling of a bulk material, such as a powder, are provided. The material's bulk density can be determined from samples drawn using methods and devices described herein. One embodiment of a method of sampling a material allows the material to flow through a sampling compartment, closes off the flow of material below the sampling compartment, builds up a column of material through the sampling compartment, shifts the sampling compartment to remove a slice of material in the column, and places the slice of material into a sample container. A device for sampling a material is provided in another embodiment. The device includes an inlet, an outlet aligned with the inlet, and a sample collector. The sample collector can include at least one through hole and be configured to move such that the at least one through hole can be moved into and out of alignment with the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating and providing selections of recommended golf balls, golf ball constructions, and configurations of golf ball construction components are provided. Such methods may involve obtaining or measuring spin measurements against a plurality of golf clubs for each of a plurality of golf balls. A linear relationship may be used to determine a spin slope for each golf ball on the basis of the set of spin measurements associated with that golf ball. In turn, a selection of a recommended golf ball, golf ball construction, or configuration of a ball construction component may be made based upon which golf ball has the larger spin slope.