Abstract: A system and method for detecting leaks in substantially closed objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles, using an ultrasonic transmitter and one or more ultrasonic sensors or receivers supported on a frame. Ultrasonic amplitude readings obtained from the sensor or sensors are processed to determine if they are representative of a defective or leaking object. The position of the leak may be determined by examining the readings from individual sensors. The system is particularly well-adapted for use in detecting defects and leaks in automobiles on an assembly line without interrupting the assembly process or damaging the automobile.

Abstract: A sensor holder for a piston-cylinder unit with a cylinder and a piston rod which is movable relative to the latter comprises a holding element which carries out a synchronous movement with respect to the piston rod and has a first position measuring device. A second position measuring device is held by a holder so as to be axially stationary with respect to the cylinder, and there is a rotationally oriented installation position between the first position measuring device and second position measuring device. The cylinder-side holder and the holding element are rotatable relative to one another, and a magnetic force acting between the holder and the holding element brings about a rotational orientation of the two position measuring devices relative to one another.

Abstract: A bin monitoring system functions both as a device for lifting the bin and as a weighing system for monitoring or measuring the level of feed in a feed bin. Various embodiments having a suspended load cell and methods of retrofitting the bin monitoring system to existing bins are provided. Further, the accuracy provided by various embodiments enables one to accurately predict when the feed bin will be empty. Thus, the feed mill can be aware of anticipated needs days in advance, allowing the feed mill to better optimize its scheduling and deliveries.

Abstract: A device for collecting plant samples includes a punch and die mechanism for taking leaf plugs from plants. The punch itself includes a punch rod coaxially mounted inside a punch tube. In use, the punch tube has a distal end with two, diametrically opposed projections that interact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from a plant leaf. The punch rod then follows to remove a cut leaf plug from the formed aperture. Also included is a hydraulic subsystem for periodically delivering liquid on the punch and die mechanism to prevent plant debris from clogging the device.

Abstract: An electronic balance is provided, in which a tolerance resulting from temperature variation is variable and a frequency for sensitivity calibration corresponds to the tolerance. A load detecting portion 1 detects a load of an object to be weighed 12, a processing portion 2 converts a detecting signal from the load detecting portion 1 into a mass value, transmits the mass data to a display portion 3, and controls a sensitivity calibrating mechanism 6a to perform a sensitivity calibration by increasing or reducing internal weights 13 on the load detecting portion 1. An operation control program of the processing portion 2 is built with a tolerance input function 21, a sensitivity calibration execution condition calculating function 22, and a sensitivity calibration execution determining function 24. Whenever the temperature variation reaches or exceeds an allowable temperature variation ?T, a sensitivity calibration is performed.

Abstract: A self-calibrating laser accelerometer system that continuously removes bias errors from acceleration measurements under dynamic operating conditions has a frame with a pair of essentially identical mass modulated accelerometers positioned within the frame. Each accelerometer includes a proof mass mounted to the sensing element frame by a flexure suspension. The proof mass is arranged to rotate about an output axis in response to acceleration of the sensing element frame along an input axis. The first proof mass includes a secondary mass that is movable between a first stable position on a first side of the output axis and a second stable position on a second side of the output axis to provide mass modulation of the first proof mass and to provide a selectively reversible polarity to the input axis and to provide self-calibration of bias.

Abstract: A disk reversing/transporting mechanism for reversing a disk in transit of the disk from a first position to a second position has a rail, a movable table movable on the rail, and a cam plate having a cam surface provided along the rail and engaged with a roller or a pin and a groove provided on the cam surface and receiving the roller or the pin. A chucking mechanism is provided on the movable table. A crank is provided on the moving table and has a crank shaft and the roller or the pin as a crank pin and is connected to the chucking mechanism. The crank shaft is rotated by a dropping of the roller or the pin in the groove and a slipping out from the groove corresponding to a movement of said movable table to rotate the chucking mechanism to thereby reverse the disk.

Abstract: Encapsulated devices that can adjust the damping level within are provided. In this regard, a representative encapsulated device, among others, comprises a bottom substrate, a middle substrate that is disposed above the bottom substrate, and a top substrate that is disposed above the middle substrate. The middle substrate comprises an outermost structure and at least one damping device. The at least one damping device is supported to the outermost structure. At least one top gap and a bottom gap are formed between the at least one damping device and the top and bottom substrates, respectively. The at least one top gap has at least one cavity depth that is adapted to adjust the damping level of the encapsulated device.

Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.

Abstract: A method to test for a leak in a fuel tank system of a motor vehicle includes a fuel tank is cut off during the overrun by means of at least one cutoff device, and the pressure, which builds up in the fuel tank within a specifiable time interval is acquired; if a specifiable maximum pressure or a specifiable vacuum threshold is not achieved, said cutoff device is opened and closed again after a specifiable time period, and a vacuum is produced and acquired in a subsequent vacuum phase, and a parameter, which characterizes the leak tightness, is determined and evaluated from the vacuum achieved within a specifiable time period and the overpressure, which is achieved, and the test for a leak is concluded; if the specifiable maximum pressure is achieved, a parameter characterizing the leak tightness is determined from the acquired overpressure and the specifiable overpressure threshold and is compared with a specifiable reference value and for the case that the determined parameter is smaller than the reference

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sampling system for fluid samples having sample receiving vessel for receiving the sample, which is sealed by a septum and holder for the sample receiving vessel for receiving and holding the sample receiving vessel and also a sample probe for dipping into a fluid volume and for taking a fluid sample from the fluid volume, the sample probe being configured as a hollow volume which, at one end, has a first opening for introducing the holder and the sample receiving vessel and, at another end, is sealed by a first valve which is provided with a hollow needle which projects into the interior of the sample probe said valve being able to be opened by contact with at least one of the group comprising the holder and the sample receiving vessel and then connecting the exterior of the sample probe to the inner volume of the hollow needle.

Abstract: A system and method for sample preparation and/or sample enrichment are provided. The system comprises the following components: a first switch element with a switch element input and at least two mutually exclusive switch element outputs and a second corresponding switch element with at least two mutually exclusive switch element inputs and a switch element output, the first and second switch elements being connected to control means for opening and closing the switch element inputs and switch element outputs; a first distributor element with at least three ports and a second distributor element with at least three ports; as well as a first separation column and a second separation column, the components being in such fluidic communication with each other that by means of different positions of the switch elements it is possible to configure at least two different fluidic paths in the system, wherein said different positions are achievable through the control means.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for sample analysis. More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for continuous, constant, flow sample introduction of fluid samples of varying viscosity and composition. The invention further includes the option of the apparatus being associated with at least one fluid analyzer system. A temperature controlled environment may also be provided for the processing and analysis of a fluid sample.

Abstract: A sample station and method of using the station, which contains a removable receptacle for collecting fluid samples from tanks, pipelines or other receptacles. The removable receptacle has a valve at the bottom for easy emptying and cleaning. The sample station is vented so the sample receptacle can not be pressurized, and is meant to be piped to the container which holds the fluid to be sampled, so the sample can be collected without risk of splashing, and without risk of spilling.

Abstract: A humidity sensing device for determining the amount of humidity in at least one primary fluid stream that is passed to a fuel cell stack is provided. The sensing device includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing is positioned within at least one conduit such that the outer housing and the conduit coact with each other to generate at least one secondary fluid stream from the primary fluid stream. The inner housing is positioned within the outer housing such that the inner housing is configured to receive the secondary fluid stream and to measure an amount of water present in the secondary fluid stream to determine the amount of humidity in the primary fluid stream.

Abstract: A system for testing a mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunication device is provided, where the system comprises a pressure air regulator comprising: a receive unit comprising an inlet aperture and a first contact surface with at least one exit aperture connected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unit rotatably pivoted relative to the receive unit, the distribution unit comprising a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface and comprises at least two entrance apertures located at a rotational trajectory of the at least one exit aperture. The distribution unit further comprises at least two distribution apertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thus providing pressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exit aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting residues on a component and particularly on the surface of the component. In order to also allow the testing of surfaces which are difficult to access, without the apparatus outlay growing, the method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: producing a base solution and a reference solution from water, producing a washing solution by adding fresh solvent to the base solution, filling the component to be tested with the washing solution, wetting the entire inner surface of the component with the washing solution, draining the washing solution out of the component, producing a test solution by adding the washing solution to the base solution, comparing the test solution to the reference solution, and testing whether a turbidity occurs in the mixing zone between the washing solution and the base solution, as proof for lubricant on the surface of the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the monitoring of gas concentrations possible in very low ranges (i.e., low ppb and even ppt ranges) and especially use thereof in environmental monitoring, exposure assessment, bomb detection, and health studies. The invention can use a spatial and temporal assessment of gas concentrations that enables the sources of the gas in question to be located and identified which is useful in environmental and health field but can also be applied to other fields an example of which is detecting and locating explosives. This technology can uses small, light weight, and low power components that allow for the monitor to be portable and even worn on a person as a personal monitor. This technology can be used in a stationary monitors as well.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a liquid amount and/or quality of a liquid reagent held in a reagent holding portion are/is normal or not in a microchip that includes the steps of measuring each liquid reagent held in the reagent holding portion with a first measuring portion, mixing, at least, two or more types of measured liquid reagents in a first mixing portion, and evaluating the liquid amount and/or quality of obtained liquid mixture and determining, based on the evaluation, whether or not the liquid amount and/or quality of the liquid reagents are/is normal, as well as a liquid-reagent-containing microchip are provided. A method of easily determining whether a liquid amount and/or quality of liquid reagents in a microchip are/is normal or not and a microchip in which the method can be performed are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus relate to a glass reference plate panel; to a modular glass reference plate assembly; and to creation of the modular glass reference plate assembly, which may include providing a plurality of glass reference plate panels, arranging the plurality of glass reference plate panels into an array of adjoining glass reference plate panels, and adhering together the adjoining glass reference plate panels. One or more embodiments may include 6.8 mm-thick borosilicate glass, ground, and polished, with reference marks on a top side and a PVD aluminum coating on a bottom side, perforated with holes, arranged in a 4×4 array of 16 glass reference plate panels, each approximately 810 mm2 in size, abutting at interfaces formed by lap joints, and bonded together with a UV-curable adhesive into a contiguous piece.