Abstract: A device and method for detecting pressure changes in a pressurized vessel, such as a gas storage bottle of an inflator of a vehicle restraint system. At least two reference marks are positioned on an outside surface of the vessel for indicating the pressure in the vessel. The marks are spaced apart on the surface by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and correlated to determine changes in the pressure of the vessel. The references marks can be physical, i.e., paint or scratch marks, or magnetic, such as a magnetic bar or stripe. The physical marks can be read by an optical laser and the magnetic marks by a magnetic head, such as a floppy or hard disk drive, or a CD-ROM.

Abstract: A process and algorithms to determine and correct for the error in azimuth alignment and the errors in "North" and "East" Gyro Drift Rates in an inertial navigator which has been aligned via gyrocompassing, or via the "Stored Heading" technique, with the system "at rest". The process and algorithms may be implemented as an automatic sequence within the system computer to determine and correct the system errors thus determined. These actions make the inertial navigator more accurately represented by the model of an ideal navigation system with a pure and singular initial azimuth misalignment error. Thus the inertial navigator's inital azimuth misalignment error can be more accurately determined and corrected by the model.

Abstract: In a moisture sensor (1), the effective sensor field (4) is formed by two sensor elements (8a, 8b,) having interdigitating parallel tracks. These sensor elements consist of layers of a metal nitride compound, especially a chromium-nitrogen compound, deposited by means of magnetron cathode sputtering or glow discharge onto a dielectric substrate (2), the metal nitride layers being deposited onto the substrate surface which has first been cleaned by ion sputtering. These sensor element layers (8a, 8b) have a high hardness of about 2,000 on the Vickers scale, as a result of which the sensor elements (8a, 8b) are highly resistant to abrasive wear such as that caused by windshield wipers or scratching from ice. The moisture sensor can be produced with a low electrical surface resistivity of <100 ohms.quadrature. and is chemically stable with respect to environmental effects such as salt water and/or windshield cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A system and technique for a laser rangefinder which uses a low peak power aser, scanner, and beam scanning device with a linear detector where target range corresponds to individual detector elements to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and maximum target range.

Abstract: A calorimeter is disclosed comprising a sample chamber (12) adapted to enclose a sample, a thermally conductive reference surface (14) surrounding and insulated from the sample chamber (12) and a casing (16) surrounding and insulated from the reference surface. Temperature transducers, in communication with a micro-computer, record the temperatures of the sample chamber (VS) and reference surface (V1) at periodic intervals. The micro-computer is programmed to calculate the theoretical temperature (VT) of the sample chamber from the measured values of the temperature of the reference surface (V1) and estimated values of the thermal power of the sample (I), the thermal resistance from the sample to the sample chamber (RS) and the thermal capacity of the sample (CS), and to optimize the fit between the theoretical calculations (VT) and the corresponding measured values (VS) of the temperature of the sample chamber.

Abstract: A pressure gauge including an indicating element and a pressure sensing element. The indicating element includes an opaque screen and an indicator dial that are relatively movable, the screen and dial being relatively moved along a path of movement between first and second limits of movement in a progressive manner in response to a variation of pressure sensed by the sensing element. The screen is arranged to mask the dial from view and is provided with a window through which a portion of the dial can be viewed during the relative movement. The dial has two visibly distinct regions on its surface which is visible through the window, the visibly distinct regions being juxtaposed to one another along the path of movement.

Abstract: A system for flight inspection of radio navigation aids is disclosed in which a interferometric trajectory reconstruction technique (ITR) is employed. The ITR system combines data from a ground-based reference unit at a fixed location with data from a mobile unit on the aircraft. Single-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers in the units provide a sequence of measurement data for each navigation satellite in view. Additional data is collected from the aircraft's radio altimeter when the aircraft passes over the threshold of the runway. The aircraft's trajectory is determined at the end of the time interval under analysis, after all measurements have been received. ITR employs a unique procedure to establish the exact distance from the aircraft to each of several GNSS satellites using both pseudo-range and carrier signal information. The aircraft's position is determined from these distances using a least-squares adjustment procedure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a novel flow device having a fourth root pressure versus flow characteristic. The flow device includes an inlet, an orifice that focusses fluid pressure, a pair of parallel plates (or other surfaces which can be modeled as parallel plates), and an outlet. Preferably, the pair of parallel plates are a pair of two flat disks, one of which has a central aperture. When the device is used as a flow restrictor, the central aperture forms a seat against which the second plate (the impeder plate) is biased to restrict fluid flow. The orifice provides fluid pressure through the aperture, which forces the second plate away from the first plate, and against the bias. Fluid flow through the plates is directly proportional to displacement between the plates, and spent fluid escapes via a radial periphery of the second plate. Preferably, the second plate is mounted to a housing by a set of springs which also contain a strain gauge, such that displacement can be electronically measured.

Abstract: A method of processing signals in a system for the monitoring of the tires f a vehicle in which the time necessary in order to obtain a cold state of the tires as a function of the previously identified conditions of use of the vehicle before it was stopped is determined. The method allows verification of the natural losses and variations in climate of the tires of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hand-held navigation radio transceiver for voice communications is provided with dual CDI capability by which to display degrees off the radial in response to VOR signals and deviation from the localizer beam track in response to localizer signals. The display is a graphical representation corresponding to traditional deflecting-needle CDI meters.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer unit with an overload protection system to measure slight differential pressure in liquids and gases under high static compression loading, which unit can be connected by flanges to the differential-pressure lines. To avoid disturbing influences on the measuring element caused by radial tensions of the means of the overload protection system dependent on the absolute pressure, the measuring element is fasten in a cutout of the measuring-element housing so that it can oscillate and is free from tension. Each insulation plate is fitted with an eccentrically located measuring duct through which pressure-measuring agent flows, and which is connected at least indirectly to the measuring element.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor includes a diaphragm of an octagonal shape formed on a (110) silicon substrate by anisotropic etching. When a distance between two sides of the diaphragm, which are defined by intersecting lines of a (110) face and a (111) face of the silicon substrate, is represented as L1 and a length of a side of the diaphragm, which is defined by an intersecting line of the (110) face and a (100) face, is represented as L2, the diaphragm is formed so as to satisfy the following relationship:0.65<L2/L1<1.As a result, it is possible to eliminate substantially a non-linear component of the temperature characteristics of an offset voltage generated by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer comprising a first capacitor having a plate which is movable under the influence of pressure and a fixed plate, and a second capacitor having a pair of fixed plates, one plate of the second capacitor and the fixed plate of the first capacitor being fixed to a common support, a first structure for moving the movable plate, a support structure for a second plate of the second capacitor, masses of the support structure for the second plate and of the first structure for moving the movable plate being approximately equal.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure sensing apparatus that does not trap any fluid within its flow path and has a simple construction so that it can be manufactured at reduced cost and has a diaphragm that operates stably. Such a pressure sensing apparatus comprises a sensor holder 21 having a flow path 22 arranged therein and provided with a flat surface area 25 and a sensor receiving hole 23 cut from the outer periphery of the sensor holder to the flat surface area 25 of the flow path 25. The apparatus also comprises a diaphragm 24 that is level with the flat surface area 25 and has an even thickness. A pressure sensor 31 arranged in the sensor receiving hole 23. Since a pressure sensing apparatus having a configuration as described above does not have any recess that can trap fluid within the flow path 22, it does not degrade the purity and cleanliness of the fluid running therethrough, if it is connected to a piping system for fluid that requires purging.

Abstract: A pressure sensor including a housing having an interior surface forming a cavity, and a fill passageway communicating with the cavity. The fill passageway has opposite ends defining an axis extending between the ends, and one of ends defines a fill port spaced from the cavity. A pressure transducer is mounted on said interior surface. The pressure sensor also includes a sealing member moveable across the fill port in a direction transverse to the axis between a first position allowing fluid flow through the fill passageway and a second position closing the fill passageway such that the fluid is sheared off at the fill port to seal said cavity. Preferably, the fluid pressure within the cavity before sealing is substantially equal to the fluid pressure within the cavity after sealing.

Abstract: A pressure gauge structure that consists of a gauge frame with a graduated gauge face at the top of a lower base at the bottom. Protruding from the circumference of the lower base is an annular seat and a guide pipe that provides for gaseous flow. A diaphragm is positioned on the lower base and on the diaphragm is a coil spring topped by a shaft sleeve for a pivoting needle shaft in the tube mount protruding from the gauge face, with the needle shaft o the gauge meter positioned in a coil spring. A calibration rod extends laterally from the needle shaft, the upper end of which is secured in a pivotal state to the gauge face by a mounting base. Around the needle shaft is a spiral spring, one end mounted to the gauge frame and the other end attached to the needle shaft. Under the gauge frame is a hoop flange and the lower base has a guide pipe for gaseous flow. The diaphragm is constructed out of metal with corrugations formed on the surface.

Abstract: A sensing unit includes a re-usable portion which is isolated from system fluids and a disposable portion. The disposable portion includes an enclosure that defines an internal cavity with one wall of the enclosure being constituted by a flexible diaphragm that is exposed to operating pressure of the system. The re-usable portion has mounted therein a sensing array at a position adjacent to a non-system pressure side surface of the diaphragm. The sensing array includes a plurality of sensing elements which are arranged as radial inner and outer sets with each set being adapted to preferentially sense a deflection of a central portion of the diaphragm. An output signal representative of the fluid pressure in the fluid system is established based on a ratio of deflection signals from the sets of sensing elements. Preferably, the sensing elements constitute capacitive plates that have equally exposed surface areas.

Abstract: A pressure sensor having a disk-shaped sensor body which includes a pressure space for the medium to be measured. A bolt element in the pressure space forms a tubular pressure gap of small volume. The bolt element also forms a heat accumulator before the pressure transducer surface of the sensor body and acts on a temperature compensating element to narrow the temperature swings in the sensor due to temperature shocks. The new pressure sensor may be used for hot combustion gases and for fuels and other liquid or gaseous substances. In the application for monitoring internal combustion engines, the pressure sensor is fitted between the combustion chamber and the indicator valve instead of after the indicator valve, making possible periodic blowing-through and hence the removal of all combustion residues and calibration measurement any time.

Abstract: An aerodynamic tunnel particularly suited for entertainment purposes is disclosed. The aerodynamic tunnel includes a converging section and a diffuser system having one or more vertical diffusers all of which cooperate with each other to efficiently produce a vertical column of air that allows a person, positioned within the air column, to experience a state of weightlessness.

Abstract: The inventive method for measuring the mass of the gas component and the mass of the water vapor component of a gas/water vapor source stream flowing in a conduit under reduced pressure comprises storing a correlation of relative saturation of water in said gas and the output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor. Next, a correlation of the flow rate of the gas component of a flowing gas/water vapor reference stream and the output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor as a function of water vapor density is stored. A correlation of maximum water vapor saturation in the gas as a function of temperature also is stored. An electrical signal of a temperature sensor in contact with said source stream then is generated. An output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor in contact with said source stream also is generated. An output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor in contact with said source stream further is generated.