Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette, comprising a tip remover element which, upon moving it against a tip, disengages the tip. The remover element is operated with a mechanism, comprising a rotatable ramp member which is provided with a circle-forming ramp surface, including one or more segments within which the ramp surface has a high point and a low point, whereby the ramp surface, upon rotating through a single segment, forces the remover element first to move against the tip and then allows it to return.

Abstract: Techniques are described for estimating the propagation velocity through a surface acoustic wave sensor. In particular, techniques which measure and exploit a proper segment of phase frequency response of the surface acoustic wave sensor are described for use as a basis of bacterial detection by the sensor. As described, use of velocity estimation based on a proper segment of phase frequency response has advantages over conventional techniques that use phase shift as the basis for detection.

Abstract: The method for obtaining an image of a part to be inspected includes the steps of determining, by simulation, the ultrasonic field (s0) generated by the propagation of a wave in a flawless reference part; transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the part to be inspected; measuring the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected; subtracting from the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected an ultrasonic field (u0) obtained from a previous corresponding measurement on the reference part; calculating a variable related to the topological energy (ET) in the reference part on the basis of the field (s0) determined by simulation and of the field (um?u0) obtained by subtraction; and determining the image of the part to be inspected on the basis of the values for this variable.

Abstract: In a method and a device for the detection of at least one structure-borne acoustic vibration in a component of an agricultural harvesting machine, a timer is used to determine a transit-time difference of a structure-borne acoustic vibration that is received by at least a first structure-borne sound sensor and at least a second structure-borne sound sensor and, based on the transit-time difference, a source of the structure-borne acoustic vibration is determined, thereby enabling the location of the pulses triggering the structure-borne acoustic vibration to be identified.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a gas sampling system capable of taking discreet samples from a continuous flow of gas or fluid. Said apparatus offers a frame (1) and mounting components in the form of a fixed chuck (4) and a spring-loaded chuck with a sample container (5) mounted there between. The sampling container has self-sealing end cap valve assemblies (76) that automatically open when the sample container (5) communicates with the fixed chuck (4) and the spring loaded chuck (6) and the end cap valve assembly automatically closes when the sample container is removed. A value system allows the gas flow to be directed from one sample container to the other alternatively opening and closing a gas flow path. A sample extraction assembly (14) allows the efficient removal of samples from the sample containers.

Abstract: A synchronous signal processing circuit for a dual-axis vibratory rotation-rate sensor uses a hybrid analog/digital design to provide correction for parasitic quadrature errors by the addition of synthesized correction signals in the analog domain prior to digitization. Error correction, signal demodulation and data conversions are synchronized with a signal phase-locked to the measured motion of the vibratory mass. Similarly, cross-axis error correction signals are synthesized directly from the cross axis signals. Use of these precise phase references provides for various benefits in signal noise and error matching (tracking) over wide operation conditions.

Abstract: A method for testing a hydrocarbon sample. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sheath disposed about the hydrocarbon sample. The apparatus further comprises at least one set of acoustic sensors, wherein the at least one set of acoustic sensors is secured to the sheath, and further wherein at least one set of acoustic sensors produces an acoustic signal having a velocity through the hydrocarbon sample. In addition, the velocity is measured to provide information about the hydrocarbon sample. In other embodiments, the at least one set of acoustic sensors is disposed radially about the hydrocarbon sample.

Abstract: A system captures motion data in natural environments. A set of sources and a set of sensors are arranged on an object such as a human body. Each source emits ultrasonic signals detected by the sensors. A driver module is also arranged on the body. The driver module generates the ultrasonic signals for the set of sources and timing signals for the set of sensors. Distances between the set of sources and the set of sensors are measured based on a time of flight of the ultrasonic signals. Three dimensional locations of the set of sources and the set of sensors are determined from the distances. The distance measurements are refined using inertial components that provide rotation rates and accelerations. All these measurements together yield poses or configurations of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated measurement of properties related to a stack gas stream, flow velocity for example. A probe assembly (24) is introduced into a stack through a test port and operated by an automated mechanism mounted on the test port to position a sensing tip (28) at various locations within the gas stream at proper yaw angle. A framework (30, 32, 34, 36) of the automated mechanism provides bearing support for the probe assembly while allowing the probe assembly to translate on the framework along an axis but constraining the probe assembly from turning on the framework about the axis. With a gripper assembly (44) gripping the probe assembly and another gripper assembly (56) released, a linear actuator (40) can move the gripper assembly (44) along the axis to translate the probe assembly on the framework.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a valve, especially a check valve of a positive displacement pump, including at least one solid-borne sound sensor is provided. A first value of a parameter of a sound signal recorded in the closed state of the valve and a second value of a parameter of a sound signal recorded in the open state of a valve are determined essentially. A signal indicating a disturbance is issued if the deviation between the first value and the second value exceeds a predefined threshold value, resulting in particularly good insensitivity.

Abstract: A device and a method for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which is contained in one or more sample vessels are specified, a control unit and a temperature adjustment unit being provided, which acts on the liquid contained in the sample vessels. Furthermore, the control unit is operatively connected to the temperature adjustment unit. The liquid to be analyzed contains absorption elements in order to accelerate the temperature adjustment in the liquid to be analyzed.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, vibration sensor array includes at least two microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) vibration sensors formed on a substrate. The vibration element of the first vibration sensor is a different type than the vibration element of the second vibration sensor. For example, the at least two different vibration elements may be selected from a cantilever beam, a bridge beam, a membrane, and/or an annular diaphragm.

Abstract: A particle size sampler includes a cylindrical housing with an inlet end and an outlet end. A pump, connected to an outlet pipe at the outlet end, draws air through the particle size sampler. Aerosols or other particles are removed from the air during a series of filtering steps. The filtering steps include an impactor, a plurality of mesh screens, and a backup filter to remove any particles remaining after the previous filtering steps. The particle size sampler may operate for long periods of time providing a size distribution and concentration of small particles in the air.

Abstract: A contact inspection method and device in which a detection element which produces a detection output according to vibration of a rotating body is mounted on the rotating body to detect contact of an object with the rotating body, more particularly a method and device suitable for evaluating mechanical characteristics of a rotating magnetic disk (1) and a slider (2) in a magnetic disk device are provided. A detection element (12) which produces a detection output according to vibration is mounted on a rotating body (1). The detection output is transmitted to a stationary portion through a rotary transformer (33h). The rotating body (1) rotates based on the transmitted detection output. The rotary transformer has a sufficient impedance with which the detection element obtains a predetermined output in a portion of an effective sensitivity band of the detection element.

Abstract: A thermophoresis-resistant dilution apparatus for dilution of gas from an emission source, such as a combustion engine, for example a gasoline, diesel or natural gas engine. The apparatus is designed to simulate atmospheric dilution, mixing and cooling processes, enabling sampled emission gas and dilution air to thoroughly mix and cool to ambient temperature, allowing some volatile and semi-volatile gas-phase organics to nucleate, condense and coagulate to their usual aerosol phase. The apparatus is designed to resist thermophorectic forces acting on the particulate matter in the sampled emission gas, thereby preventing particulate matter losses. In addition, the apparatus evenly distributes the dilution air into the sampled gas for improved mixing.

Abstract: The inventive device comprises scaled vessels mounted on a vehicle and making it possible, while filling a liquid medium in the vessels, to recycle the vapors thereof through a circuit of casings beginning form he reading sights of the vessels and extending to an air-vent pipe provided wit a removable valve, wherein the bottom of each vessel is embodied such that it is inclined and is followed by a valve, a transparent dripping reference unit and a second valve open into a common tube and ending by an ultimate valve.

Abstract: A portable detector is described for monitoring a gas in an atmosphere. The detector comprises a housing, at least one gas sensor carried by the housing, and electrical connectors carried by the housing for establishing electrical connections to a calibration apparatus and a microprocessor carried by the housing. The microprocessor controls the calibration apparatus via signals provided to microprocessor through the connectors to initiate the supply of calibration gas to the detector at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring in-situ the acoustic attenuation obtained by a hearing protection device worn by a user, comprising: positioning the hearing protection device comprising a microphone oriented towards the user's ear canal at the user's ear; positioning a cup-like measuring device comprising a loudspeaker oriented towards to user's ear and a microphone oriented towards to user's ear at the user's ear in such a manner that a closed space surrounding the hearing protection device is created by the measuring device; providing a test signal via the loudspeaker, capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the closed space by the microphone of the measuring device and capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the user's ear canal by the microphone of the hearing protection device; processing the audio signals captured by the microphone of the measuring device and the audio signals captured by the microphone of the hearing protecti

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate and an array of vibration sensors formed on the substrate, the array comprising two or more vibration sensors, wherein each vibration sensor in the array has a different noise floor and a different operational frequency range than any of the other vibration sensors in the array. A process comprising forming an array of vibration sensors on a substrate, the array comprising two or more vibration sensors, wherein each of the two or more vibration sensors in the array has a different noise floor and a different operational frequency range than any of the other vibration sensors in the array. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.