Abstract: A self-contained portable device for performing multiple tests on samples of hot asphalt mix and providing an analysis of the aggregate mixture of those samples, comprising an external housing which contains the other components, a test chamber into which samples are placed for analysis, a plurality of sieves located within the test chamber for separating and sorting aggregates, a drive shaft for rotating the sieves, guide rails for directing the rotation of the sieves in a multidirectional tilt pattern, a weighing component for weighing the samples, a wash component for directing water or other liquids into the test chamber and onto the samples, a heating component for raising the temperature of the test chamber, a pressure control component to lower the pressure within the test chamber, a controller to operate the various components, and a computer and computer software to process the results of the various tests and to prepare an analysis therefrom.

Abstract: A detection system for identifying an unknown substance includes a detector assembly configured to receive a particulate or vapor and determine a substance contained within the collected vapor or particulate sample, and at least one heater element operatively coupled in flow communication with the detector assembly. The heater element is configured to attract an airborne vapor when the detection system is in a vapor mode, and desorb at least a portion of the attracted particulate when the detection system is in a particulate mode.

Abstract: A downhole fluid property estimating apparatus includes an interface in communication with a fluid in a first pressure zone, a collector in communication with the interface, the collector having a second pressure zone, wherein a second pressure zone pressure is less than a first pressure zone pressure, and a gas chromatograph coupled to the collector. A method includes establishing a first pressure zone having a fluid in communication with an interface, establishing a second pressure zone in a collector in communication with the interface, wherein a second pressure zone pressure is less than a first pressure zone pressure, collecting a fluid sample of the fluid in the first pressure zone using the collector, and estimating the downhole fluid property in-situ using a gas chromatograph coupled to the collector.

Abstract: A contamination analysis unit and method for inspecting pollutants remaining on a target side of an inspection object such as a reticle after cleaning the object is provided. After steeping the target side in a solution, a sampling liquid may be abstracted therefrom after a predetermined time and may be analyzed.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems and methods for measuring the bowing parameters and the bowed string dynamics of a player playing a bowed string instrument. A system for measuring the bowing parameters and the bowed string dynamics may comprise a computer, a bow system and a base component. The bow system may comprise a force sensing mechanism and a bow board. The bow board may comprise an acceleration and angular velocity sensing mechanism, a position and speed sensing mechanism, a data communication module, and a power module. The base component may comprise an acceleration and angular velocity sensing mechanism, a position and speed sensing mechanism, a data communication module, and a power module.

Abstract: An air displacement liquid delivery system including a liquid delivery device, one or more sensors, a control unit, and a preprogrammable computing device, and a method for using the air displacement liquid delivery system. The one or more sensors are capable of obtaining information regarding conditions within and external to the liquid delivery device and sending this information to the control unit and/or the computing device. In turn, the control unit and/or computing device are capable of using this information to calculate one or more properties of gas contained within, and the air external to, the liquid delivery device, and one or more properties of a liquid that is to be aspirated or dispensed by the liquid delivery device. The system may optimally control the performance of the liquid delivery device based upon any one or more of these calculated properties.

Abstract: A procedure for operating a collecting particle sensor, which is provided with measuring phases, during which particles that are contained in an off-gas stream accumulate on a measuring route, and a device for implementing this procedure are submitted. Protection phases are provided, during which at least one measure for diminishing the accumulation of particles on the measuring route is adopted. The measure according to this invention prevents a decrease of the sensitivity of the particle sensor over a long period of time.

Abstract: The device is used for the automatic determination of characteristics on textile test material such as yarns, rovings, and slivers. A path is provided for the test material, through which path the test material is moved in its longitudinal direction. At least one measuring element for measuring a parameter of the test material is arranged along the path. In order to reduce the depositing of loose fibers, dust, or dirt particles, a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged along the path and spaced apart from one another, are provided and generate a vacuum, by means of which the undesired particles are sucked from the path.

Abstract: A system for determining produced drill solids volume including a receiving vessel for receiving drill solids and a pressure vessel coupled to the receiving vessel. The receiving vessel has an isolation valve system to control the flow of drill solids between the receiving vessel and the pressure vessel, and the pressure vessel is adapted to allow a compressed gas to convey drill solids from the pressure vessel to a discharge line. The system also includes a skid having a plurality of weight sensors for weighing the drill solids in the pressure vessel, wherein the pressure vessel is disposed on the plurality of weight sensors and a programmable logic controller operatively couples to at least the plurality of weight sensors for calculating the weight of the drill solids in the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A conduit system comprising: a conduit formed by a surface extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the conduit is configured to channel a mixture stream from the first end to the second end; and a plurality of fluid delivery features disposed along the conduit between the first end and the second end, wherein each fluid delivery feature is configured to deliver a conditioning fluid into the conduit in an annular formation in a direction angled towards the second end in the same direction as the flow of the mixture stream, thereby providing a sheath of conditioning fluid between the conduit surface and the mixture stream.

Abstract: A convective accelerometer capable of measuring linear or angular acceleration, velocity, or angle of inclination is provided. The accelerometer comprises sensing elements that are sensitive to convection located inside a sealed housing containing a liquid agent. Applied external acceleration causes forced convection of the liquid agent, which produces variations in an electric current produced by the sensing elements that are proportional to the applied acceleration or angle of inclination. The accelerometer has a small size, extremely wide frequency and dynamic ranges, high sensitivity, simple design and is suitable for mass production. The device has a wide range of application, such as stabilization and control systems, homeland security, and oil exploration.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluid sampling in a test that is used to determine physical and chemical characteristics of the fluids in a subterranean reservoir. The method reconstructs the entire pressure history of the fluid parcel that is captured in the fluid samplers during a test. Using this reconstructed pressure history of the samples, the quality of the samples, particularly, whether there is a phase change in the samples during the test, can be accurately quantified.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic sensor, a first receiving device is configured to be sendable and receivable an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave sent from the first receiving device is transmitted through a vibration-reducing member disposed between the first receiving device and a second receiving device, and the second receiving device detects the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic sensor self diagnoses whether the second receiving device is operated without malfunction based on a detection signal of the second receiving device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a fiber optic seismic sensing system for permanent downhole installation. In one aspect, the present invention includes a multi-station, multi-component system for conducting seismic reservoir imaging and monitoring in a well. Permanent seismic surveys may be conducted with embodiments of the present invention, including time-lapse (4D) vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and extended micro-seismic monitoring. Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to map fluid contacts in the reservoir using 4D VSP and to correlate micro-seismic events to gas injection and production activity.

Abstract: A SAW-based humidity sensor apparatus with integrated signal conditioning on the same substrate. A micro-electronic circuit can be processed at a silicon substrate to obtain on-chip signal conditioning internally and the silicon substrate can be covered with a protective layer of, for example, silicon nitride. Surface acoustic wave media (e.g., a ZnO film) can be coated on top of the protective layer. A humidity sensitive film and two sets of interdigital transducers can then be deposited on the surface acoustic wave media. The humidity sensitive film absorbs moisture and changes the receiving frequency at the two sets of interdigital transducers. The output from the two sets of interdigital transducers can be processed by the micro-electronic circuit, which eliminates common mode noise and generates an output signal proportional to the humidity value tested.

Abstract: A gas sorption sample chamber contains a plurality of thin-film substrates and fluidly couple said substrates to a Sieverts' device or other gas sorption analyzer. The thin-film substrates are held in proximity to each other in the sample chamber in a columnar arrangement, either in a stacked or slightly spaced configuration, to reduce free-gas volume in the sample chamber, thereby improving sorption test accuracy. The interior geometry of the chamber is configured to provide a minimal clearance between the thin-film substrates and the internal surfaces of the chamber, so that essentially all of the chamber volume is occupied by thin-film sample material and inactive substrate material. To facilitate use in a glove box, the chamber may be configured with a removable sample cartridge in which thin-film substrates are placed so that all substrates may be loaded and unloaded as a group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method.

Abstract: A cap member for covering a sensor unit such as a rotational speed sensor is composed of a cylindrical wall, a thin bottom wall and an open end to be closed with a closing member. The cap member is formed by molding a resin material. Molten resin is injected into a cavity formed by an inner die and an outer die. After the injected resin is cooled, the inner die is separated from the molded cap member. If the molded cap member adheres to the inner die, it would be difficult to separate the inner die from the cap member by pulling out the inner die in the axial direction. A structure anchoring the cap member to the outer die is formed on an outer surface of the cylindrical wall. The anchoring structure may be formed in a shape of a ring or rings surrounding the center axis of the cap member. Alternatively, the anchoring structure may be formed in a shape of a depressed groove or grooves.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor system consisting of video, radar, ultrasonic or laser sensors, oriented to obtain a 360 degree view around the vehicle for the purpose of developing a situation or scene awareness. The sensors may or may not have overlapping field of views, or support the same applications, but data will be shared by all. Orientation of the sensor to the vehicle body coordinates is critical in order to accurately assess threat and respond. This system describes methods based on measuring force and rotation on each sensor and computing a dynamic alignment to first each other, then second to the vehicle.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer and acceleration sensing methods. A MEMS accelerometer includes a proof mass, a planar coil on the proof mass, a magnet, a first pole piece positioned proximate a first side of the proof mass, and a second pole piece positioned proximate a second side of the proof mass. A magnetic flux field passes from the magnet, through the first pole piece, through the planar coil at an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees relative to the coil plane, and into the second pole piece. The first pole piece may extend into a first recessed area of a first housing layer and the second pole piece may extend into a second recessed area of a second housing layer. A method includes sensing a capacitance of a pickoff in the MEMS accelerometer and rebalancing the MEMS accelerometer by sending a current through the planar coil.