Abstract: A system of measuring oxygen levels based on the intensity of a sensor material. Through use of intensity-based measurement techniques and improved light rejection, less excitation light and system gain are required as compared to certain conventional lifetime/phase shift techniques. One embodiment applies an intensity-based measuring system for taking measurements, and on an intermittent basis, using a lifetime/phase shift-type sensor in order to automatically calibrate the intensity-based measuring system in situ. A single sensing membrane may be provided while still allowing the system to be used in both the lifetime/phase-shift mode and the intensity mode. The system of the present invention may also include use of a variable thickness sensor for an oxygen sensing system, such as a portable handheld sensor and/or a sensor or controller at a fixed location.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor comprises an extension mechanism operable to couple to a plurality of impactor stages. The extension mechanism is operable to compress and separate impactor stages of the plurality of impactor stages via automation. The system provides a plurality of isolation stages operable to be automatically inserted between respective impactor stages when the impactor stages are separated by the extension mechanism. The system provides the plurality of isolation stages to be automatically compressed between impactor stages to isolate each impactor stage from at least one adjacent impactor stage. The plurality of isolation stages is operable to be automatically uncompressed and removed from between the impactor stages. The isolation stages allow automated extraction of particulate matter, cleaning and drying of interior surfaces of each impactor stage.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, the valve body also having a valve chamber extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, a pair of seals each being located on opposing ends of the valve chamber; and a reciprocating piston extending into the valve chamber and movable between a closed position extending through the pair of seals and an open position extending only through one of the pair of seals, wherein the inlet port is fluidly connected with the outlet port when the piston is in the open position. A method of using the valve assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of vapor sampling and its delivery to the porous sensory element(s) employed in chemical detectors/sensors for vapor(s) identification and quantification. The sampling and delivery system comprises a flow cell in which a sensory membrane is placed parallel to the flow, while an additional flow normal to the membrane is introduced using the Bernoulli effect. The bi-directional flow of vapors increases the interactions between the sensory material and vapor molecules, and enhances sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents in a plurality of reservoirs. Each reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to each of the reservoirs. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of each reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of analyzing a characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation and optionally correlating the characteristic to a property of the reservoirs' contents. The invention is particularly suited for assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs to allow for accuracy and control over the dispensing of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using an acceleration of a flow control system to determine the density of a fluid relative to the density of an in-line flow object.

Abstract: A multi-sensing device is provided which includes a first sensor for sensing a temperature of the fluid flowing through the filter element, a second sensor for sensing a pressure generated by the fluid flowing through the filter element; and an indicator for indicating a condition of the filter system, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first and second sensors.

Abstract: Methods are provided for verifying that water and other fluids cannot reach the internal components probes for ultrasound imaging systems.

Abstract: A sensor to detect particulate matter. The sensor includes a first rigid tube, a second rigid tube, a detection surface electrode, and a bias surface electrode. The second rigid tube is mounted substantially parallel to the first rigid tube. The detection surface electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the first rigid tube. The detection surface electrode is disposed to face the second rigid tube. The bias surface electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the second rigid tube. The bias surface electrode is disposed to face the detection surface electrode on the first rigid tube. An air gap exists between the detection surface electrode and the bias surface electrode to allow particulate matter within an exhaust stream to flow between the detection and bias surface electrodes.

Abstract: A process fluid level measurement system is configured to measure a level of at least one process fluid in a vessel. The vessel has a cage with at least one annular isolator located inside the cage. The at least one annular isolator has a band-shaped isolator diaphragm. A differential pressure transmitter is operably coupled to the annular isolators) and is configured to generate a level output based, at least in part, upon pressure measured relative to the annular isolator(s).

Abstract: Device for determining the density of a plasma, with of a probe (1) which can be immersed into the plasma, with a probe head (2) in form of a three-axis ellipsoid, and a handle (3) connected to the probe head (2), wherein the probe head (2) has a sheath (4) and a probe core (5, 5a) surrounded by the sheath (4), wherein the surface (8) of the probe core (5, 5a) has electrode areas (9, 10) of opposite polarity which are insulated from each other. The probe core consists of electrodes (6, 7), to which a signal is applied. The absorption of that signal is measured and evaluated as a function of the frequency. Based on a multipole expansion, a mathematical model is constructed with which the absorption spectrum of the probe can be unambiguously evaluated. For a particular design of the probe, the response can be restricted to a single resonance, from which the electron density of the plasma (to be inferred from the resonance frequency) can be found by an unambiguous evaluation algorithm.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a fluid coupler interfaced to a test head that includes: (a) a first ring having a top surface disposed in a first plane; (b) a first movable ring, the first movable ring being movable substantially normal to the first plane relative to the first ring; (c) a first flexible diaphragm attached to the first ring along a first attachment perimeter that encloses a first effective surface area, the first flexible diaphragm being attached to the first movable ring; (d) a second ring having a top surface disposed in a second plane; (e) a second movable ring, the second movable ring being movable substantially normal to the first plane; and (f) a second flexible diaphragm attached to the second ring along a second attachment perimeter that encloses a second effective surface area, the second flexible diaphragm being attached to the second movable ring; wherein: (i) the first flexible diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragm form a first channel for f

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for optical nanoindentation measurement, according to which respective measurement results are obtained by having an indenter tip apply load to a fixed portion of a thin film, having an indenter tip apply load to a non-fixed portion of a thin film, and having a vibrating component transmit the dynamic properties of the vibration to the thin film. By combining the above measurement results in calculations, the Young's modulus, the Poisson's ratio, and the density of the thin film can be obtained.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and method are directed to a sensing device, and to a pressure sensing system and method. An exemplary method includes supplying electromagnetic energy to a transducer which is configured to reflect the electromagnetic energy at a ring frequency determined by an inductance of the transducer, wherein the inductance changes in response to compression of the inductive element. The ring frequency of electromagnetic energy reflected by the transducer is correlated to a pressure value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a sensor chip and a structure housing the sensor chip. The structure is covered by a mold compound and is fabricated from a ceramic or a glass material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe performs non-destructive inspection of a corner radius of a part. According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic sensor array, and a shoe for holding the sensor array and moving the sensor array along the radius of the part. The shoe includes means for adjusting the sensor array so all ultrasonic beams from the sensor array have the same water path distance to a center of the radius, and for adjusting the sensor array so that all beams pass through the center of the radius.

Abstract: To provide a motor-operated valve diagnosing device capable of making a highly accurate diagnosis at a low cost. In a motor-operated valve diagnosing device for diagnosing a motor-operated valve having a motor-operated valve having a valve element driving part for opening and closing a valve element, and a spring cartridge which expands and contracts in proportion to a reaction force exerted thereon from the valve element driving part, a spring compression mechanism or a worm displacement measuring means is configured to be attached to the valve element driving part via an adapter. With this configuration, the spring compression mechanism and so on can be easily attached to and removed from the valve element driving part.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously drawing and mixing liquid samples originating from at least two different containers are described. The device comprises a mixing chamber, which is connected to each of the containers. The device is characterized in that it comprises, between the container and the mixing chamber, at least one intermediate sample chamber for each container, being connected in order to transfer all or a portion of the sampled liquid to the mixing chamber. The device has a vertical configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for obtaining downhole well pressure during wellbore operations. One method comprises providing a well intervention tool comprising a straddle sealing assembly having upper and lower annulus sealing elements and a fluid injection port positioned therebetween, the well intervention tool comprising a fluid injection bore having positioned therein a pressure measurement tool; placing the tool in straddle position about a wellbore region to be intervened, with the pressure measurement tool fluidly connected to a wellbore region below the lower annulus sealing element; and performing the wellbore intervention operation while communicating fluid from below the lower annulus sealing element to the pressure measurement tool, thus obtaining a pressure measurement below the lower annulus sealing element during the wellbore intervention operation. This abstract will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically inspecting components with wavy or uneven surfaces. A multi-element array ultrasonic transducer is operated with a substantial fluid layer, such as water, between the array transducer and the component surface. This fluid layer may be maintained by immersing the component in liquid or by using a captive couplant column between the probe and the component surface. The component is scanned, measuring the two dimensional surface profile using either a mechanical stylus, laser, or ultrasonic technique. Once an accurate surface profile of the component's surface has been obtained, data processing parameters are calculated for processing the ultrasonic signals reflected from the interior of the component that eliminate beam distortion effects and reflector mis-location that would otherwise occur due to the uneven surfaces.