Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.

Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and having a plurality of sensor elements to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a radial motion. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate in the radial motion. At least one vibration sensor senses the radial motion of the sensor element assembly. Controlling electronics measure at least one parameter of a fluid based on said radial motion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed. An example electromagnetic transducer may be provided for a fluid parameter meter. The example electromagnetic transducer may include at least one permanent magnet, a first armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet, and a second armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet. The first and the second armatures are arranged to interact with a third armature in magnetic cooperation with the first armature and the second armature. The example electromagnetic transducer may also include at least one electric coil mounted in cooperation with the magnetic field so that electric current through the electric coil to vary the vibratory forces. The example electromagnetic transducer may include an electronic module to control electric current and vibratory forces on a vibrating element of the fluid parameter meter.

Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.

Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.

Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and has at least one straight uniform sensor element with an open interior to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate. At least one vibration sensor senses the vibration of the sensor element assembly.

Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit, A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and having a plurality of sensor elements to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a radial motion. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate in the radial motion. At least one vibration sensor senses the radial motion of the sensor element assembly. Controlling electronics measure at least one parameter of a fluid based on said radial motion.

Abstract: A process meter and method for measurement of volume fraction of a slurry mixture. An example process meter includes a first viscosity meter configured to measure a first viscosity of the fluid and to generate a first viscosity signal proportionally related to the first viscosity. The example process meter also includes a second viscosity meter configured to measure a second viscosity of the slurry mixture and to generate a second viscosity signal proportionally related to the second viscosity. The example process meter also includes control electronics configured to receive the first viscosity signal and the second viscosity signal, and to calculate a volume fraction of the solid particles in the slurry mixture based on the first viscosity signal and the second viscosity signal. The control electronics is configured to create an output signal from the process meter proportionally related to the volume fraction, and to measure the volume fraction.

Abstract: A vibrating element type process meter is disclosed, to measure slurry mass flow rate, density and viscosity, and the mass and volume fraction of particles in a slurry. An example may implement a vibrating element type sensor to measure the apparent mass flow rate and density and viscosity of a slurry, and by using slurry particle properties including particle size and shape and density, the true mass flow rate and slurry density may be determined. An algorithm may be applied to compensate the apparent mass flow rate and density by using the measured slurry viscosity and particle property data to derive a true slurry density.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed. An example electromagnetic transducer may be provided for a fluid parameter meter. The example electromagnetic transducer may include at least one permanent magnet, a first armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet, and a second armature mounted in magnetic cooperation with the permanent magnet. The first and the second armatures are arranged to interact with a third armature in magnetic cooperation with the first armature and the second armature. The example electromagnetic transducer may also include at least one electric coil mounted in cooperation with the magnetic field so that electric current through the electric coil to vary the vibratory forces. The example electromagnetic transducer may include an electronic module to control electric current and vibratory forces on a vibrating element of the fluid parameter meter.

Abstract: An example fluid parameter sensor and meter is disclosed to measure at least one parameter of a fluid. In an example, the fluid parameter meter includes an outer conduit. A sensor element assembly is disposed in the outer conduit and has at least one straight uniform sensor element with an open interior to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly. At least one mounting flexure is fixedly attached to the sensor element assembly and to the outer conduit. The at least one mounting flexure is configured to enable the sensor element assembly to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration. At least one vibration driver causes the sensor element assembly to vibrate. At least one vibration sensor senses the vibration of the sensor element assembly.

Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.

Abstract: A tape drive having a reel release sensing procedure and system is provided. In one example, the tape drive includes a motor coupled to a reel driver for driving a reel of a storage device, a sensor for detecting movement associated with the reel driver, and a controller. The controller operates to activate the motor to rotate the reel driver prior to coupling the tape to a drive leader. The controller further determines if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the tape to be loaded into the drive if the reel moved (or moved more than a predetermined amount/distance). For example, the controller may determine the reel is released if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor and is not released otherwise.

Abstract: A tape drive having a reel release sensing procedure and system is provided. In one example, the tape drive includes a motor coupled to a reel driver for driving a reel of a storage device, a sensor for detecting movement associated with the reel driver, and a controller. The controller operates to activate the motor to rotate the reel driver prior to coupling the tape to a drive leader. The controller further determines if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor based on a signal from the sensor, and causes the tape to be loaded into the drive if the reel moved (or moved more than a predetermined amount/distance). For example, the controller may determine the reel is released if the reel driver moved in response to activating the motor and is not released otherwise.

Abstract: In one example, a tape drive system including a buckler system having a hook member is provided. The tape drive system includes a take-up leader and a buckler, the buckler for selectively retaining the drive leader, the buckler comprising a hook member for extending through an aperture of the take-up leader, the aperture having an area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of a proximate portion of the hook member. In another example, a length of a proximate portion of the hook member along a longitudinal direction of the take-up leader is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the aperture in the take-up leader.