Abstract: A pipette device, comprising a housing, an actuating element projecting from the upper end of this housing, a cylinder, a hollow piston moveable in this cylinder for displacing an air volume, a rod connecting this piston to this actuating element which is depressed against spring force to displace this piston, and an adapter cone for receiving replaceable pipette tips communicating with this cylinder. According to the invention the hollow piston comprises an outer tubular shell and an inner support which is preferably made of plastic material and to which the actuating element is connected by a coupling. The invention particularly refers to providing a variety of shells made of different materials which can be easily replaced.

Abstract: A device for mounting a position detecting sensor for detecting a stroke of a cylinder. It has such an arrangement that a rotary angle of a magnetic sensor (1) is regulated to within .+-.5 degrees by a slit (9) formed in a housing (2) mounted thereon with the magnetic sensor (1) and a rotation-locker (7) mounted on a cover (6), the slit (9) allows the housing (2) and the cover (6) to slide on each other, but does not allow the both members to fall off each other, and the cover (6) and a head (4) are aligned with each other by a knock pin (10). With this arrangement, assembling work and highly accurate positioning can be easily performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test-piece manipulator and an appropriate cylindrical test-piece with standard defects for setting ultrasonic test equipment. The test-piece manipulator is connected at its end region to a flange which is axially inserted in the test-piece, shares an axis therewith and has a coaxial axially accessible cone section. The test-piece manipulator has a clamping flange which can rotate about a rotation axis and a counter-cone section arranged concentrically with the rotation axis corresponding to the cone section which is axially accessible.

Abstract: A deployable probe has pressure ports positioned radially around a longitudinal probe axis. The probe mounts within a pressure chamber such that it can reciprocate from a retracted position where the pressure ports are contained within the pressure chamber for measuring static pressure to a deployed position where air flows generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the probe and into the pressure ports such that differential pressures in oppositely facing pressure ports can be sensed for measuring relative flow magnitude and flow angles.

Abstract: A vibrating sensor comprises an elongated element arranged to vibrate at a frequency dependent upon an external stress applied to the sensor, and an optical fiber for coupling light into an end of the element to excite it into vibration. A light-absorbing layer is provided on a longitudinal surface of the element such that the element will change its configuration, e.g. by bending, as the layer absorbs light and heats that side of the element, this alteration in configuration causing a reduction of radiation which is absorbed so that the element restores. The element may define a Fabry-Perot interferometer between its opposite ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining, through an interposed medium, the mechanical properties of a solid comprised of more than one material, the solid having a surface.

Abstract: Dilution stack sampling apparatus, for analyzing gaseous components of a gas stream from a stack containing particulate material of varying size therein. A passageway has a first end communicating at an angle with the probe intermediate its ends to receive a sample of gas and to change its flow direction to inertially remove most of the particulate material. An eductor connected to the second end of the passageway mixes dilution air with the sample of gas to provide a diluted sample. A filter upstream of the second end of the passageway removes remaining particulate material from the sample of gas which is not the inertially separated. Instrument air can be provided in a back-flow direction at the upstream side of the filter to periodically remove particulate material from the filter. The diluted sample and the dilution gas are supplied to gas analyzer, and the mass flow rate of the dilution gas and diluted gas are measured.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of a well borehole and the formation around the borehole. The system includes a sealed tubing at the lower end of which is mounted a fiberoptic telemetry module which receives various sensor modules for transmissions of sensed information to the surface. The modular telemetry link and sensor include fluid passageways through which fluid pumped from the surface down the sealed tubing may pass to create a region of optically clear and/or acoustically homogenous fluid in the borehole in the vicinity of the modular telemetry link and sensor. The passage of fluid through the passageways in the modular equipment may also serve to cool the circuits thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to hand-held instruments such as moisture meters (1). An extruded aluminum channel is cut to form a housing blank (2). This blank has inwardly directed ribs (20, 21) which form grooves so that a circuit (22) may be easily slid into the housing, as may a backing plate (27). End caps (5, 14) are secured to the ends of the blank (2) using self-tapping screws (5(a), 5(b)) which engage the ends of ribs (20, 21). The instrument is of extremely rigid construction and does not distort easily and secondly, the method of production is extremely simple and versatile. Versatility is achieved, for example, by the fact that the backing plate may include any different type of sensor and the front of the instrument may be configured according to a label which is secured to the housing blank which may cover apertures which are not needed for switches. Thus, the same housing blank may be used for all instruments and the same manufacturing techniques may also be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an industrial machine safety system that allows the machine to begin operation only when a plurality of safety push buttons have all been depressed, and that stops the machine's operation when any safety push button is released. The apparatus includes an artificial hand that can depress and, upon command, release one of the safety push buttons, and has a release detector for detecting the release of the artificial hand. The release detector operates optically. A lamp directs a light beam along a path that is blocked by a plunger when releasing the safety push button and not blocked when depressing the safety push button. A photodetector detects interruption of this light beam. Thus release of the safety push button is detected upon detection of interruption of the light beam. The machine begins to stop upon release of the safety push button. A motion detector detects the stoppage of the machine.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope in which a probe tip is oscillated at a resonant frequency and at amplitude setpoint and scanned across the surface of a sample in contact with the sample, so that the amplitude of oscillation of the probe is changed in relation to the topography of the surface of the sample. The setpoint amplitude of oscillation of the probe is greater than 10 nm to assure that the energy in the lever arm is much higher than that lost in each cycle by striking the sample surface, thereby to avoid sticking of the probe tip to the sample surface. Data is obtained based either on a control signal produced to maintain the established setpoint or directly as a function of changes in the amplitude of oscillation of the probe.

Abstract: An ambient air sampler is pivotally mounted to a tether of a balloon-borne sampling device. The air sampler includes an inlet for receiving atmospheric gas samples and a pump for moving samples to one of a number of sample bags. A remotely-controlled valve is used to selectively determine which of the sample bags receives the sample. A pivotal mounting of the air sampler with respect to the tether includes an axle which is stationarily positioned on the tether and bearings which rotatably connect to the axle mounted to a mounting plate onto which the air sampler is secured.

Abstract: A probe washing apparatus including a probe having a tip and a wash collar having a bore coaxially aligned with the probe, the wash collar including ports for applying a vacuum and a wash liquid to the wash collar bore. The probe may be displaced vertically with respect to the wash collar to aspirate and dispense liquids, and the wash collar and probe are displaced together laterally. The steps of washing the probe tip include raising the probe to a position with the probe tip within the bore, applying vacuum to the bore, flushing the interior of the probe, and flushing the exterior of the probe.

Abstract: A fixture for testing a circumferentially compliant bioprosthetic valve. The fixture comprises a silicone rubber simulated aorta which approximates the geometry of a healthy human aorta and a cradle for the aorta. The compliance characteristics of the aorta can be selected by varying the proportions of ingredients in the silicone rubber, so that simulated aortas of different compliance but identical geometries can be provided. The compliant valve is disposed inside the aorta and held in place by suturing or the like. In one embodiment, the aorta and valve are supported by means of a cylindrical cradle, with the inflow and outflow ends of the aorta being folded over cylindrical rims on the respective inflow and outflow ends of the cradle. End caps are then fitted in place over the folded-over ends of the aorta, the end caps having holes therein to allow flow through the aorta and valve.

Abstract: A method and a device for collecting a dialysate sample for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of all the dialysate collected during replacement therapy for renal failure. In a preferred embodiment, the device (10) comprises a buffer receptacle (20) consisting of a cylindrical container on a separator (30). The separator (30) has a collecting chamber (36) with a number of calibrated ducts (39 and 42) formed at its periphery. Calibrated ducts (39) open into a flow channel (38) and the dialysate conveyed by the ducts passes into a discharge duct (34), whereas calibrated ducts (42) lead to a collector (41) communicating with a duct (35). The dialysate collected at the outlet of duct (34) is analyzed. This device allows the dialysate generated during a dialysis process to be sampled continuously and the composition of this sample represents that of all the dialysate produced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the compaction of soil material in a defined region include hammer structure for impacting soil material in the defined region, a sensor for disposition at the bottom of the defined region the includes a transducer for developing an electric signal in response to energy transmitted through soil material from the hammer structure, and a control module responsive to electric signals from the sensor for providing an indication of the quality of compaction of soil material in the defined region.

Abstract: A velocity sensor for detecting velocity even in a low velocity range has a velocity detecting element including a movable micromember, a deviation amount detecting device, a holding device and a velocity signal calculating device. The movable micromember is rotatably supported around a center of gravity for generating a frictional force or a dynamical pressure that is proportional to a velocity of a fluid. The deviation amount detecting device detects a deviation amount around the center of gravity of the movable micromember to generate an output voltage, which is proportional to the detected deviation amount. The holding device provides a holding force, which is proportional to the output voltage of the deviation amount detecting device, to the movable micromember and holds the movable micromember to a position around the center of gravity. The velocity signal calculating device calculates a velocity signal from the output of the deviation amount detecting device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a way for subjective, graphical measurement of picture sharpness/picture quality. Measuring and assessing picture quality have so far been a time-consuming chore for laboratory engineers having access to expensive and complicated electro-optical measuring equipments. The way described enables an unknown text object to be measured with respect to objective and subjective picture quality using for example a series of previously measured paper pictures in a simple and reliable way.

Abstract: A method of operating an atomic force microscope having a probe tip attached to a free end of a lever which is fixed at its other, wherein the probe tip is scanned in forward and reverse directions in a common scanline across the surface of a sample and either the deflection of the lever or the height of the sample is detected during the forward and reverse scans. The difference between the deflection of the lever or the sample height in the forward and reverse scans is determined as a relative measure of friction. A signal relating to the normal force applied to the sample, can be determined and based thereon, a coefficient of friction of the simple is determined. The signal relating to normal force is derived either from a force curve, or by scanning the probe at different force setpoints. To enhance accuracy of topographical data, the scanning angle is varied in order to minimize differences between the probe deflection (or sample height) during scanning in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: There is provided a counting apparatus which is designed to be located in any position in series with a fluid flow line. The apparatus has a first magnet in an air chamber of the body of the counter. As the fluid passes through the air chamber, the first magnet is forced down the air chamber by the fluid flow. The magnetic field of the first magnet passes through a magnetic field of a second magnet located in the mechanical counter causing the counter to mechanically change the number. When the fluid flow is stopped, a spring returns the first magnet to its original position again passing by the second magnet in the counter allowing the counter to reset for the counting of the next cycle.