Abstract: Real-time clock calibration is accomplished by generating a fast clock signal and a slow clock signal from an uncompensated clock signal; selectively, momentarily, replacing the uncompensated clock signal with the fast and slow clock signal to generate a compensated clock signal; generating from the compensated clock signal a calibration strobe and window trigger; responding to the window trigger to detect any uncompensated clock signal frequency error and responding to the calibration strobe to selectively, momentarily, replace the uncompensated clock signal with the fast or slow clock signal to reduce the clock signal frequency error.

Abstract: A plurality of series circuits each consisting of a current-carrying element and an element to be measured are provided between a power supply potential VDD and a ground potential VSS. The current-carrying elements are supplied with a test signal commonly, and corresponding selection signals, respectively. After a mode is set so that power consumption of a main circuit unit included in a semiconductor device is substantially zero or almost constant, the elements to be measured are energized sequentially and, in this state, a power supply current that flows through the semiconductor device is measured sequentially. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately know the power consumption of the element to be measured and it is also possible to know the characteristics of the element to be measured based thereon.

Abstract: A method for estimating an impedance of a material behind a casing wall in a borehole, the method comprises exciting the casing wall with an acoustic pulse, and measuring by means of a transducer an experimental acoustic waveform (W) reflected from the casing wall. The method further comprises initializing an impedance parameter (Zin), computing an inverse casing response (Rcas?1) as a function of the impedance parameter (Zin) and a casing thickness parameter (Casin), and deconvoluting the experimental acoustic waveform with the inverse casing response to obtain a transducer response (T). An iterative loop is performed, comprising the computing of an inverse casing response and the deconvoluting of the experimental acoustic waveform by varying the impedance parameter until the transducer response becomes compact in the time domain. The estimated impedance (Zcem) is obtained from the impedance parameter when the transducer response is compact.

Abstract: A method and computer program product of either preventing or minimizing pore pressure increase near the wellbore wall within argillaceous formations through which a borehole has been drilled. By interpreting relevant drilling experience data, the type, extent and time-dependency of wellbore instability mechanisms are determined. The impact of drilling mud designs on the time-dependent wellbore instability and hole enlargement is determined by back-analyzing observed drilling events. At least one field-based criterion relationship between net mud weight reduction percentage ratio and hole enlargement is determined. A maximum allowable percentage ratio(s) of net mud weight reduction and either breakout mud weight or mud weight used for the adopted maximum hole enlargement that the wellbore may experience during drilling is determined. Drilling mud salinity value and salt type to satisfy maximum allowable percentage ratio(s) is then determined.

Abstract: A system for reducing signal interference in modulated signal communication includes a measurement processor. The measurement processor measures amplitudes of noise components of a received amplitude modulated signal prior to demodulation. The measurement processor also identifies a frequency of a noise component having an amplitude larger than the amplitude of another noise component. A carrier frequency generator generates a carrier frequency substantially at a harmonic of the identified noise component. The carrier frequency is used to generate and demodulate the amplitude modulated signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A vortex detector comprises a generally cylindrical housing or body that defines a flow passage extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. A vortex generator disposed diametrically across the cylindrical housing near the upstream end of the cylindrical housing and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the flow passage generates a vortex street in a fluid flowing in the flow passage. The vortex street created by the vortex generator impacts a vane located downstream of the vortex generator and connected at one end to the cylindrical housing substantially spans the flow passage diametrically and substantially parallel to the vortex generator such that vibrations or motion are generated in the vane. The end of the vane connected to the housing includes an area of reduced thickness that acts as a resilient, elastic hinged joint for the motion of the vane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for measuring torque in a window regulator mechanism. Two facing discs on the drive shaft have encoding means, the differential in position between each disc's encoding means being a relative measure of torque between the two discs and, resultingly, a measure of the torque on the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a minimal flow pipeline with a Coriolis effect mass flowmeter. The flowmeter has a single flow tube with two loops. The loops are connected by a cross-over section. A driver oscillates the loops and the phase difference between the ends of the loops is measured. The measured phase difference is then used to find the flow rate of the fluid. The flow tube is fixedly attached to an anchor which is, in turn, attached to a housing. The anchor separate the vibrating, dynamic portion of the flowmeter from the non-vibrating portion of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A fixed substrate and a displacement substrate are disposed in parallel. The fixed substrate is secured to the inside of a cylindrical casing, and the displacement substrate is elastically supported at the periphery thereof by supporting means. A columnar weight body is secured to the lower surface of the displacement substrate, and a cylindrical inside electrode is formed on the periphery of the weight body. A cylindrical outside electrode is fixed by fixing means at the periphery of the inside electrode. A first capacitance element is constituted by a displacement electrode formed on the upper surface of the displacement substrate and a fixed electrode formed on the lower surface of the fixed substrate. By a change in the capacitance thereof, an acceleration based on longitudinal vibration is detected. In addition, a second capacitance element is constituted by the inside electrode and the outside electrode. By a change in the capacitance thereof, an acceleration based on transverse vibration is detected.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the wind speed experienced at a particular residential location includes a roof housing with a cup-type anemometer having three or four concave cups attached to a rotatable vertical shaft. The cups resist the wind, causing the cups and shaft to rotate at a rate proportional to the wind speed. Shaft is rotatably joined to a dynamo which converts the mechanical energy derived from rotation of the shaft into electricity. Voltage from the dynamo is then transferred to rechargeable batteries which power the system. An array of solar panels is also utilized to recharge the batteries. The shaft includes a mark detectable by a photomicrosensor through which the shaft extends, allowing the photomicrosensor to count the number of shaft revolutions. This data is sent at fixed time intervals to a logic circuit housed within a display unit. The logic circuit calculates wind speed according to the number of shaft revolutions detected within a fixed time interval.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and method for measuring a mass flow rate of a fluid flowing in conjunction with a surface of a Coriolis mass flow meter and a field-provable Coriolis mass flow meter. The apparatus includes: (1) a driver for creating a prescribed vibration in the surface, (2) a motion sensor for measuring a motion of the surface, (3) response characteristic determination circuitry, coupled to the motion sensor, for determining a response characteristic of the surface and (4) flow rate calculation circuitry, coupled to the response characteristic determination circuitry, for calculating a measured mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the motion and the response characteristic. The field-provable meter employs the response characteristic to monitor or compare meter performance without requiring a separate proving device.

Abstract: A densitometer (10) includes a gas sample plenum (40) that is connected to a gas supply pipe (26) via a flow-restricted inlet duct (42) to at least partially isolate and damp the sample plenum (40) from shocks and noises, turbulences, and abrupt pressure changes in the gas supply. A cantilevered vane (110) is positioned in the sample plenum (40) for gas density determinations on the principle that resonant frequency of the vane (110) is a function of the density of the gas in the sample plenum (40). The resonant frequency of the vane (110) in the gas is determined by applying a magnetic field generated by a driver assembly 120 against the vane (110) and detecting the resonant frequency with a vibration detector (117), which is connected to the driver assembly 120 in a phase locked loop.

Abstract: A flowmeter (M) measures fluid flow in a system and produces a train (Si) of digital pulses representing the measured flowrate. The frequency of the pulses is intended to be proportional to the flowrate. A preamplifier (10) controls generation of output pulses (Fn, Fq) of an output digital pulse train (So). The preamplifier first decodes the digital pulse train using a phase discriminator (14). Output pulses from the discriminator are counted (at 24 and 46) to count the number of pulses and their frequency of occurrence. A frequency multiplier (40) is responsive to the pulses and their occurrence to generate each pulse of the output pulse train. Generation of these pulses involves use of a scaling factor (Vcf) by which meter performance factors, drift, and the fluid flow environment are taken into account.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing apparatus, and related method, that utilizes a tuning fork assembly to detect the presence of not only a liquid or air at a particular location within a container, but also a solid material at that location. The tuning fork assembly includes an excitation transducer and a receiving transducer mechanically coupled to a pair of paddles that are exposed within the container, and a phase-locked loop control system applies an excitation signal to the excitation transducer having a frequency that is regulated to track the tuning fork's resonant frequency. A comparator compares that resonant frequency with a prescribed threshold, to determine whether the tuning fork assembly is disposed in air or a liquid. A failure of the phase-locked loop control system to lock the frequency of the excitation signal at any particular frequency indicates that the tuning fork assembly is over-damped and likely contacted by a solid material.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic layer is provided on a shaft for sensing torque carried by the shaft around a longitudinal axis. The layer includes first and second adjacent annular parts of a magnetically anisotropic material with circumferential easy axes. The parts are magnetically polarized in opposite circumferential directions when in a quiescent state, but produce helical magnetic fields with respective axial components when torque is carried by the shaft. First and second magnetic-field-guiding structures combine to provide shielding of the magnetoelastic layer from ambient external magnetic fields and to maximize coupling of the axial components from the magnetoelastic layer to one or more magnetic field detectors.

Abstract: An electronic distance measuring device that measures a distance from the electronic distance measuring device to an objective station. The electronic distance measuring device includes a radiation source for emitting frequency-modulated radiation towards a reflector disposed at the objective station, and a detector for detecting radiation reflected by the reflector. The distance of the objective station from the electronic distance measuring device is then calculated in accordance with the detected radiation. At least one radiation attenuating filter is positioned in a radiation path between the radiation source and the detector. The radiation attenuating filter is inclined with respect to a main axis of the radiation path so as to prevent incidence on the detector of an irregular reflection of the radiation by the attenuating filter.

Abstract: A motion sensor has a carrier which rotatably supports a shaft. One or more eccentric weights are mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The carrier is supported by pins which are normal to the shaft and rotatable on bearings. One of the pins carries a disk with marks in the form of lines, and a sensing device for the marks is disposed adjacent the disk. This pin further carries a transmission component which cooperates with a transmission component on the shaft. When an object on which the motion sensor is mounted is tilted about the axis of the shaft, the weights are displaced from an equilibrium position. The weights return to the equilibrium position under the action of gravity thereby rotating the shaft which, in turn, rotates the disk via the transmission components. If the object is tilted about the axes of the pins, inertia causes rotation of the disk. The rotation of the disk is detected by the sensing device which can trigger an alarm.

Abstract: A load calculated at the time of completion of cargo loading is detected and held to prevent a calculation output from being changed even when an output of load detection means changes due to a temperature change, thereby preventing the calculation output from being changed as far as a load weight is not changed. Further, at the time of reloading, the held calculation value is corrected according to the calculation value corresponding to a difference between the output value of the load detection means immediately before the reloading and the output value thereafter of the load detection means, thereby calculating the load weight at reloading while eliminating effects of temperature changes.

Abstract: A sensor head is configured by beam-welding a magnetostrictive sleeve made of a magnetostrictive material to an intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is longer than the magnetostrictive sleeve. The intermediate sleeve protrudes from both ends of the magnetostrictive sleeve by a length "L". For the sensor head, an annealing process is performed. The sensor head for which the annealing process is performed is installed to a shaft. At this time, the contact portion between both ends of the intermediate material and the shaft are beam-welded all around.