Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for leak testing surgical conduit grafts or valved conduits such as aortic-valved conduits with a pressurized gas such as air. Air is non-destructive and especially useful for leak testing conduits that have coatings or sealants that may be functionally impacted when exposed to fluids such as water or saline. Open ends of the conduit are clamped and sealed, and a pressurized gas introduced into an inner lumen thereof. A change in mass flow rate is measured to quantify the leakage. One end of a tubular conduit may be clamped to a fixed manifold, and the opposite end to a manifold slidably mounted to accommodate any conduit elongation when pressurized. The clamping and sealing structure may be pneumatic and/or mechanical, and complementary contoured clamp members may be used to seal a scalloped external sealing ring of an aortic conduit.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for use with a rolling chassis of a vehicle. The monitoring system may include a tire sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a current tire condition of the rolling chassis, and a load sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an actual load placed on the rolling chassis. The monitoring system may also include a controller in communication with the tire sensor and the load sensor. The controller may be configured to determine based on the first signal a theoretical load that the rolling chassis is capable of supporting given the current tire condition. The controller may also be configured to make a first comparison of the actual load with the theoretical load, and to selectively generate a first alert based on the first comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining or monitoring the fill level of a fill substance located in a container in a process, comprising: a signal producing unit; an in-coupling/out-coupling unit an antenna unit; wherein the antenna unit has a hollow conductor and an antenna element widening toward the fill substance and the antenna unit transmits high-frequency measuring signals in the direction of the surface of the fill substance and receives echo signals reflected on the surface of the fill substance; and a control/evaluation unit, which ascertains the fill level of the fill substance in the container based on travel time of the measuring signals. In or on the antenna unit a process isolation is provided, which is at least approximately transparent for the high-frequency measuring signals and which protects the in-coupling/out-coupling unit against influences of the process.

Abstract: A MEMS pressure sensor device is provided that can provide both a linear output with regard to external pressure, and a differential capacitance output so as to improve the signal amplitude level. These benefits are provided through use of a rotating proof mass that generates capacitive output from electrodes configured at both ends of the rotating proof mass. Sensor output can then be generated using a difference between the capacitances generated from the ends of the rotating proof mass. An additional benefit of such a configuration is that the differential capacitance output changes in a more linear fashion with respect to external pressure changes than does a capacitive output from traditional MEMS pressure sensors.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a housing, a diaphragm wafer, and an isolator configured to absorb lateral stress. The diaphragm wafer includes a fully exposed diaphragm, a fluid contact surface, a sensing element, and a support portion, where the support portion and the contact surface define a cavity. The isolator extends laterally from the support portion to the housing. The pressure sensor is easily drainable, eliminating the buildup of particulates, and the diaphragm can be directly wire-bonded to printed circuit boards, eliminating the need for extensive electrical feedthrough.

Abstract: A road surface condition estimation device includes a tire side device and a vehicle side device. The tire side device includes a vibration detection unit attached to a back surface of a tire tread and outputting a detection signal indicating a tire vibration magnitude, a signal processing unit, and a transmitter. The signal processing unit extracts a ground contact duration during which a portion of the tread corresponding to an arrangement position of the vibration detection unit is in contact with a ground, and calculates a high frequency component level of the detection signal detected during the ground contact duration as road surface condition data. When the ground contact duration is ended, a transmission trigger is transmitted to the transmitter and the transmitter transmits the road surface condition data. The vehicle side device estimates a road surface condition of the travelling road based on the road surface condition data.

Abstract: A standing position evaluation apparatus includes a center-of-gravity position detection unit that detects a head-center-of-gravity position that is a position of a center of gravity of a head of a subject in a standing position projected onto a floor surface and a body-center-of-gravity position that is a position of a center of gravity of a body of the subject in the standing position projected onto the floor surface, and an evaluation unit that evaluates a standing position balance of the subject by using the detected head-center-of-gravity position and the detected body-center-of-gravity position.

Abstract: It should be enabled to transmit tire-pressure information also on a spare wheel to a tire-pressure notification device, while suppressing battery consumption. A transmission controller of a sensor unit makes a transmitter periodically transmit wheel information, when an acceleration Gx detected by an acceleration sensor is larger than a running-judgment threshold value 5G. The transmission controller accumulates a point P set up according to the acceleration Gx in a predetermined period when the acceleration Gx is not more than the running-judgment threshold value 5G, and makes the transmitter transmit the wheel information when an accumulated value of the point P accumulated in the predetermined period is larger than a running-track-record-judgment threshold value.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes a linear motion generator, an airbag, a plate, a platform, an anthropomorphic test device, and a crushable member. The airbag is spaced from the linear motion generator. The plate is moveable by the linear motion generator toward the airbag, and the platform is fixed relative to the plate. The anthropomorphic test device is adjacent the airbag and includes an end coupled to the platform. The crushable member is disposed between the plate and the platform, and the crushable member is deformable by the plate. During operation of the test apparatus, the linear motion generator moves the plate into the crushable member to slow movement of the anthropomorphic device toward the airbag. The crushable member crushes to simulate the forces on the anthropomorphic test device from a vehicle side impact.

Abstract: A fluid sample collection card assembly in one embodiment includes a case including a tray assembly receiving cavity accessible through a mouth portion of the case, and a tray assembly, the tray assembly including an absorbent layer supported by a base portion, the base portion including (i) a tray portion configured to be removably received within the tray assembly receiving cavity and (ii) a faceplate portion configured to at least substantially close the mouth when the tray portion is received within the tray assembly receiving cavity.

Abstract: A road surface condition estimation device includes a tire side device and a vehicle side device. The tire side device includes a vibration detection unit outputting a detection signal indicating a tire vibration magnitude, a signal processing unit, and a transmitter. The signal processing unit extracts a ground contact duration during which a portion of the tread corresponding to an arrangement position of the vibration detection unit is in contact with a ground, calculates a high frequency component level of the detection signal detected during the ground contact duration, counts cumulative rotation number of the tire, and corrects the level of the high frequency component based on the cumulative rotation number of the tire. The transmitter transmits corrected level of the high frequency component as road surface condition data. The vehicle side device estimates a road surface condition of the travelling road based on the received road surface condition data.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one pore-related parameter of a porous material is provided. The method includes supplying a volatile liquid into a chamber, placing a porous material within the chamber, spaced apart from and over the volatile liquid, determining an effective mass of the chamber over a period of time, and determining at least one pore-related parameter of the porous material based on the effective mass determined. An arrangement for determining at least one pore-related parameter of a porous material is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for detecting and evaluating grip by a user operating a handheld tool. In an embodiment, the tool includes a handle, one or more pressure sensors disposed in or on the handle, and an attachment arm. An output from the one or more sensors is generated while a user-assistive device is coupled to a distal end of an attachment arm of the tool. Logic of the tool calculates a grip metric based on the sensor output, and the tool transmits, based on the grip metric, a signal including medical diagnostic information. In another embodiment, the user-assistive device includes a utensil attachment or a personal hygiene attachment.

Abstract: A liquid-level sensing instrument for determining the level of a liquid in a container or vessel such as a laboratory tube in a rack or a well in a well plate with the container having an acoustically transparent top opening to direct ultrasonic signals to the liquid surface and receive reflected signals where the transceiver sensor instrument is constructed with a piezoelectric focusing sensor that has a concave focusing surface for focusing ultrasonic signals through the opening to the liquid surface in a selected container particularly a container in a group of containers and receiving reflected signals for processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving tire uniformity through identification of uniformity attributes, such as process harmonics are provided. More particularly, uniformity measurements acquired according to a non-uniform sampling pattern can be obtained and analyzed to estimate one or more process harmonics (e.g. the magnitude of the process harmonic). The non-uniform sampling pattern can specify the acquisition of uniformity measurements in a varying or irregular manner about one or more revolutions of the tire. For instance, the non-uniform sampling pattern can specify a random spacing between data points. The uniformity attributes estimated from the uniformity measurements can be used to modify the manufacture of tires to improve tire uniformity.

Abstract: A system for preparing samples for chemical analysis comprises at least one sample container, and a container receptacle apparatus for receiving the sample container. The sample container comprises an elongate tubular body having a crucible portion proximal to a closed end for receiving a sample therein, and an expansion portion proximal to an open end. The container receptacle apparatus comprising a housing having a heating compartment, a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment, and an insulating region located between the heating compartment and the cooling compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for a sensor assembly has a metal bush and a fastener. It is possible for the metal bush to be connected via the fastener to a vehicle body. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor module and an associated sensor assembly. The metal bush has a sleeve as a single-point fixing and a plate as a carrier unit for a carrier plate on which the at least one sensor module is arranged. The sleeve is led through a central through-passage in the carrier plate.

Abstract: A dynamic tire pressure sensor system for a bike comprises a dynamic tire pressure sensor device and a user receiving carrier wherein the dynamic tire pressure sensor device comprises at least a tire pressure sensor module, a processing module and a transmission module: the tire pressure sensor module transmits tire pressure change data to the processing module; the processing module either performs data operation independently or transmits tire pressure change data to the user receiving carrier from the transmission module for data operation in order to analyze pedaling cadences and pedaling forces during cycling and provide/display real-time sports information on the user receiving carrier.

Abstract: A method and a device for the measurement of fluid-mechanically effective parameters of a fluid, with a fluid pump which comprises a delivery element (2) which is mounted in a magnet bearing (10, 10a, 11, 11a), according to the invention, envisages the delivery element (2) of the fluid pump being excited into an oscillation by way of an excitation device (16, 44), wherein the oscillation parameters as well as, as the case may be, the oscillation behavior is measured, and parameters of the fluid are determined from this.