Abstract: A large volume preconcentrator device for concentrating analytes. A housing accepts an analyte vapor flow, and a plurality of collection surfaces are disposed within the housing. A selectively actuatable heater is disposed on each of the plurality of collection surfaces. At least one selectively actuatable damper is disposed within the housing for selectively restricting a collection flow.

Abstract: An interchangeable preconcentrator assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner housing defining a chamber. A biased urging member is held at least partially within the outer housing and slidably biased toward a surface of the inner housing. When the biased urging member is at least partially retracted, a space is defined between the urging member and the surface of the inner housing for accommodating at least one preconcentrator chip. A continuous fluid flow path is defined through the outer housing and through the space. The interchangeable preconcentrator assembly may further comprise at least one modular preconcentrator carriage.

Abstract: A large volume preconcentrator device for concentrating analytes. A housing accepts an analyte vapor flow, and a plurality of collection surfaces are disposed within the housing. A selectively actuatable heater is disposed on each of the plurality of collection surfaces. At least one selectively actuable damper is disposed within the housing for selectively restricting a collection flow.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided. The ADC includes a variable oscillator, a frequency divider, a clock circuit, and a counter. The variable oscillator is coupled to a sensor and configured to generate an oscillating signal based on a measurement generated by the sensor. The frequency divider is coupled to the variable oscillator and configured to divide a frequency of the oscillating signal. The clock circuit is configured to generate a clock signal at a defined frequency. The counter is coupled to the frequency divider and to the clock and is configured to generate a bit stream representative of a first number of periods of the clock signal during a second number of periods of the divided oscillating signal.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided. The ADC includes a variable oscillator, a frequency divider, a clock circuit, and a counter. The variable oscillator is coupled to a sensor and configured to generate an oscillating signal based on a measurement generated by the sensor. The frequency divider is coupled to the variable oscillator and configured to divide a frequency of the oscillating signal. The clock circuit is configured to generate a clock signal at a defined frequency. The counter is coupled to the frequency divider and to the clock and is configured to generate a bit stream representative of a first number of periods of the clock signal during a second number of periods of the divided oscillating signal.

Abstract: An interchangeable preconcentrator assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner housing defining a chamber. A biased urging member is held at least partially within the outer housing and slidably biased toward a surface of the inner housing. When the biased urging member is at least partially retracted, a space is defined between the urging member and the surface of the inner housing for accommodating at least one preconcentrator chip. A continuous fluid flow path is defined through the outer housing and through the space. The interchangeable preconcentrator assembly may further comprise at least one modular preconcentrator carriage.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a MEMS cantilever strain sensor. Capacitor plates in a MEMS device of the invention are carried on cantilevered opposing micro-scale plates separated by a micro-scale gap under an unstrained condition. At least one of the micro-scale plates may be attached to a substrate or forms a substrate, which may be part of a monitored system. When a load is applied to the substrate, distal ends of the opposing cantilevered micro-scale plates become further separated, resulting in a change of capacitance. The change of capacitance is proportional to a load and therefore is an indication of the strain. Electrodes may be integrated into the strain sensor to provide a connection to measurement circuitry, for example. Sensors of the invention also provide for telemetric communication using radio frequency (RF) energy and can be interrogated without a power supply to the sensor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a MEMS cantilever strain sensor. Capacitor plates in a MEMS device of the invention are carried on cantilevered opposing micro-scale plates separated by a micro-scale gap under an unstrained condition. At least one of the micro-scale plates may be attached to a substrate or forms a substrate, which may be part of a monitored system. When a load is applied to the substrate, distal ends of the opposing cantilevered micro-scale plates become further separated, resulting in a change of capacitance. The change of capacitance is proportional to a load and therefore is an indication of the strain. Electrodes may be integrated into the strain sensor to provide a connection to measurement circuitry, for example. Sensors of the invention also provide for telemetric communication using radio frequency (RF) energy and can be interrogated without a power supply to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system 10 for measuring and remotely monitoring strain in an element 1 having a strain sensor 20, a telemetry circuit 40 for transmitting strain data to a remote location, and a reader module 60 for transmitting energy to the telemetry circuit and receiving said data.

Abstract: A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strap is attached over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with the tip of one of the ribs of the umbrella. A securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strap lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is joined at its upper end with the strap. Strap and line are arranged to point upwind to counter wind forces so that the umbrella cannot be blown over.

Abstract: A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strut has a grommet fitted over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line. The securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the soft surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strut lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is shaped to engage one of the ribs such that the fabric panel is sandwiched between the rib and the flexible strut.

Abstract: A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strap is attached over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with the tip of one of the ribs of the umbrella. A securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strap lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is joined at its upper end with the strap. Strap and line are arranged to point upwind to counter wind forces so that the umbrella cannot be blown over.