Abstract: A method of preventing rapid on/off of a compressor in a unitary air conditioner comprises the steps of, when a unitary-capacity operation signal is inputted from a thermostat to start an outdoor unit, and a specific operation stage is continued for more than a predetermined period of time after the operation is started, changing the operation stage of the outdoor unit to an operation stage higher than the specific operation stage, and operating the outdoor unit in the changed operation stage, and, when the compressor is stopped according to a signal from the thermostat within a specific period of time after the operation stage is changed to an operation stage higher than the specific operation stage, starting the operation in the specific operation stage at the next operation, and still performing the operation in the specific operation stage although the operation state is continued for more than a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A unitary air conditioner comprises a 1-stage thermostat mounted in a room for generating an air conditioner ON/OFF signal, an indoor unit configured to operate based on a signal from the 1-stage thermostat, and a variable-capacity outdoor unit connected to the 1-stage thermostat and the indoor unit. The variable-capacity outdoor unit has variable operation stages, which are changed based on the previous operation state and the current operation state. When a unitary-capacity operation signal is inputted from the 1-stage thermostat, a start operation stage of an outdoor unit is determined based on the combination of the operation stage of the outdoor unit operated before the operation signal is inputted and the operation time in the stage, and the determined operation is performed. The 1-stage thermostat can be connected to the variable-capacity outdoor unit according to circumstances.

Abstract: A mass and heat exchanger includes at least one first substrate with a surface for supporting a continuous flow of a liquid thereon that either absorbs, desorbs, evaporates or condenses one or more gaseous species from or to a surrounding gas; and at least one second substrate operatively associated with the first substrate. The second substrate includes a surface for supporting the continuous flow of the liquid thereon and is adapted to carry a heat exchange fluid therethrough, wherein heat transfer occurs between the liquid and the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A heat pump air conditioner includes an outdoor unit for heating use only for supplementing heating capacity when additional heating capacity must be provided to the heating capacity of an outdoor unit for heating and cooling in a heating mode. Since the outdoor unit for heating use only is installed independent from the outdoor units for heating and cooling use, such that the outdoor unit for heating use only can supplement the heating capacity only when the additional heating capacity is required in addition to the heating capacity of the outdoor units for heating and cooling use in the heating mode, in order to correspond to the heating load in cold climes, there is no need to install an outdoor unit having larger heating capacity than the required heating capacity. Thus, costs for installation and management are reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling/heating air conditioner with a humidifying function. The cooling/heating air conditioner comprises a refrigeration cycle mechanism including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, expansion units, indoor heat exchangers, and a 4-way valve, to enable both cooling and heating operations, a condensed water collecting device to receive and store condensed water, which is produced in part of the outdoor heat exchanger and indoor heat exchangers serving as evaporators, a steam generating device to change the condensed water gathered via the condensed water collecting device into humidifying steam, and a humidifying spray device to supply the steam generated in the steam generating device to rooms. The cooling/heating air conditioner has the effect of realizing more pleasant air conditioning environment in a heated room that may be easily dried, and of achieving effective utilization of the condensed water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for handling a probe, in particular, for treating, examining, inserting or extracting a cryoprobe. According to the invention, said probe is surrounded by an ambient gas, during handling, and an air-conditioning device (33) cools, dries and/or at least partially replaces the ambient gas by a protective gas, in order to prevent deterioration of the probe by the ambient gas during handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and dispensing a chilled or partially frozen beverage and a base and an outer receptacle provided on the base. An inner receptacle for receiving a cooling agent is removably located within the outer receptacle. The inner and outer receptacle walls define a beverage compartment for receiving a beverage to be chilled or partially frozen. A dispensing valve is located in or near the outer receptacle bottom for dispensing beverage from within the compartment. A rotational paddle in the beverage compartment is rotational in a first directing for stirring a beverage in the compartment and in an opposite direction for moving the beverage towards the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator including a fresh food compartment and a door includes providing a fresh food evaporator to produce cool airflow for the fresh food compartment, providing a chiller compartment within the fresh food compartment, providing a duct member in flow communication with the fresh food evaporator and the chiller compartment, and channeling cool airflow to the chiller compartment via the duct member.

Abstract: A container and method for cooling beverages to an acceptable consumption temperature and then for maintaining that beverage temperature for a sufficient time so as to allow the beverage to be consumed is provided. The container includes a beverage chamber for receiving a beverage therein which is defined by an open top, a lid for reversibly sealing the open top, and a beverage chamber side wall. The beverage chamber side wall has an inner wall, an outer wall and a bottom portion. A reservoir side wall is disposed surroundingly at a spaced relationship to the beverage chamber side wall so as to define a reservoir therebetween. A phase change material is disposed in the reservoir.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for improving the production efficiency of dry ice of a simple structure, to be mounted easily to the conventional dry ice production apparatus main body, without the risk of choking the conduit or the nozzle with dry ice. This apparatus comprises a first heat exchanging means, a second heat exchanging means and a coolant, with the coolant including an antifreeze. The liquefied carbon dioxide is provided in a supercooled state by transporting cold energy to the coolant by the first heat exchanging means, supplying the liquefied carbon dioxide from the tank to the second heat exchanging means, and transporting the cold energy from the coolant to the liquefied carbon dioxide by the second heat exchanging means, and the liquefied carbon dioxide in the supercooled state is supplied to the nozzle.

Abstract: An operating system of a liquefied natural gas ship for performing sub-cooled liquefaction of boil-off gas includes a boil-off gas compressor, a cryogenic heat exchanger connected to a refrigerator system, and a first check valve and a first pressure control valve, installed in a pipe between a liquefied natural gas phase separator and a gas combustion unit, and a second check valve and a second pressure control valve, installed in a parallel pipe connected to the pipe in parallel. The parallel pipe is connected to a pipe between the boil-off gas compressor and the cryogenic heat exchanger such that boil-off gas is supplied to an upper vapor region of the liquefied natural gas phase separator. Thus, pressure and level of the liquefied natural gas phase separator are stably controlled. Power consumption is effectively reduced, and economical efficiency is achieved by stable operating pressure and level of the liquefied natural gas phase separator.

Abstract: The apparatus is used to produce a product by low-temperature separation of a gas mixture, in particular air. It includes a direct contact cooler (3) for cooling the feed mixture, a purification apparatus (4) for purifying the cooled feed mixture and a low-temperature part (7). The low-temperature part (7) includes a main heat exchanger (8a) for cooling the purified feed mixture to approximately dewpoint temperature and a distillation column (9a) for low-temperature separation of the feed mixture. The direct contact cooler (3), the purification apparatus (4) and the low-temperature part (7) are arranged on one line (101).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an earring comprising a body in the form of a hollow pipe ring, with both ends of the body scaled to form scaling parts; a joint having a pin pivotable therein and coupled to the sealing part formed at one end of the body; and a catch coupled to the sealing part formed at the other end of the body to receive the pin therein. Further, a method of manufacturing the earring comprises cutting off both ends of a hollow pipe of a predetermined length; pressing the ends of the hollow pipe to form sealing parts and curving the pipe to form a ring-shaped body; plating the body with a predetermined material; and fitting the sealing parts to the joint and the catch respectively to be coupled therewith.

Abstract: The system (SC) includes a first, vapour compression circuit (A), including a compressor (1) with its output connected to a condenser (2; 2?) followed by an expansion device (4) and an evaporator (5; 16) having its output connected to the intake of the compressor (1); a second, absorption circuit (B) with a hygroscopic solution flowing through it in operation and including a regenerator (11) with semipermeable membranes operable to allow the said solution to give up moisture (water) to a first airflow flowing in the regenerator (11) in operation, a dehumidifier (13) with semipermeable membranes arranged downstream of the regenerator (11) and operable to allow a second airflow to give up moisture to the hygroscopic solution, and a circulation pump (14). The first and second circuits (A, B) are connected by at least one heat exchanger (5) in which the hygroscopic solution flowing through the second circuit (B) gives up heat to the cooling fluid flowing through the first circuit (A).

Abstract: A yarn feeder includes a switching mechanism for switching the position of a yarn feeding port, the switching mechanism further including a push-in operation member switchingly operating the height position of the yarn feeding port in association with entraining means, and the push-in operation member includes a pressing operation panel setting a yarn feeding position where the yarn feeding port mostly nears the knitting needle and an intermediate position where the yarn feeding port is positioned above the yarn feeding position and nearest the movable knitting member, so that a withdrawal position where the yarn feeding port is not operated by the push-in operation member, the intermediate position, and the yarn feeding position are formed in that order from the top, and the lift of the yarn feeding port is drivingly connected with the forward and backward movements of the movable knitting member so that the movable knitting member is retracted to open the mouth, the yarn feeding port lowers to the yarn feed

Abstract: The invention relates to a textile product treating apparatus, in particular washing machine (1), drying apparatus or refreshing apparatus, comprising a main body (2) of the apparatus including a washing, drying and/or refreshment device; and a handheld ultrasonic cleaning device (10) comprising an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic wave emitting surface, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device is connected by a flexible hose (11) to the main body (2). According to the invention a treatment area (6) is provided covering at least a portion of the top unit (3) of the main body (2) and adapted to place a textile product (15) to be treated thereon.

Abstract: Clothes washing or drying machine comprising: means for setting and controlling the operating cycle of the machine, response and user information means, means for processing the commands received from said control and setting means. The control and setting means comprise: selection devices associated to specific control variables that can be selected independently from a plurality of different states, and said response means comprise a plurality of user-information display devices, each one of which is adapted to take a respective multiplicity of states, to each one of which there corresponds a particular combination of the states taken by said control variables. Each combination of said plurality of distinct states of said control variables is associated to a pre-determined set of instructions and programmes residing in said data storage means and adapted to act on respective operating devices of the machine.

Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance horizontally or vertically arranged relative to the first laundry appliance, and a cabinet module horizontally arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances.

Abstract: A washing machine with a drying function includes a water tub, a rotating tub mounted in the water tub so as to be rotatable, a driver rotating the rotating tub, a circulation passage defined so as to communicate with the water tub, a warm-air supply unit circularly supplying warm air through the circulation passage into the water tub and the rotating tub, a water-supply unit supplying water into the water tub, a control unit controlling the driver, the warm-air supply unit and the water-supply unit thereby to be capable of controlling wash, rinse, dehydration and drying steps, and a preheating unit executing a preheating operation in which warm air is supplied into the water tub and the rotating tub during rotation of the rotating tub before the wash step is executed.

Abstract: A door for a washing appliance is provided. The door includes an inner frame and an outer frame joined with the inner frame where one of the frames couples with a cabinet of the washing appliance. The door also has a glass door between the inner frame and the outer frame and a recess portion disposed in an inner circumferential surface of the outer frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking a container. The present disclosure relates to a lock mechanism which comprises a latch assembly having a rod and an extension including a latch aperture, wherein the extension extends from the rod to position the latch aperture away from the rod. The lock mechanism further comprises a door assembly having a door aperture. Additionally, a support assembly is adjustably coupled to the latch assembly wherein the support assembly includes at least one arm which supports the latch aperture in alignment with the door aperture. The method for locking the container comprises adjustably coupling the support assembly to the latch assembly and attaching the support assembly to mount assemblies which are releasably attached to internal walls of the container. The door is moved to a closed position to position the door aperture adjacent to the latch assembly wherein the extension is in alignment with the door aperture to receive a lock.

Abstract: A security check hanging lock structure including a lock housing, a first (private) lock mechanism, a second (common) lock mechanism, a first locking member and a second locking member. Each of the first and second locking members has a base end pivotally disposed in the lock housing and a free end extending to outer side of the lock housing. The free ends of the first and second locking members are connectable to form a hanging hook. The first and second lock mechanisms are disposed in the lock housing for drivingly controlling the movement of the first and second locking members. By means of unlocking the first and second lock mechanisms, the free ends of the first and second locking members can be respectively driven to displace away from each other so as to unlock the hanging lock in two manners.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism includes a rose escutcheon having a mounting plate and two positioning plates provided on a side thereof, a door handle rotatably extending through the rose escutcheon and the mounting plate, a spindle including a first end securely attached to the handle, and a return disc mounted to a second end of the spindle. The return disc includes an annular wall and a notch. A return spring is received in the annular wall and extends through the notch of the return disc, with two ends of the return spring being respectively attached to the positioning plates of the mounting plate of the rose escutcheon for returning the handle. Since the return spring is directly received in the annular wall of the return disc, a compact design is provided. The door lock mechanism further includes a restraining plate and a locking/unlocking control bar cooperating with the restraining plate.

Abstract: The locking device comprises a coupling element (5). It can be brought into a first and a second coupling condition in an electronically controlled manner by drive means moving the coupling element. A drive-off element (4) can be connected to locking means. In the first coupling condition, the rotor is decoupled from the drive-off element in the sense that no direct coupling via the coupling element or an other coupling means is present that would mean that the rotation of the rotor would cause a movement of the drive-off element. In the second coupling condition, the coupling element couples the drive-off element with the rotor (2), which may be operated by means of a key, door handle, door knob or similar means, or by an electrical actuation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel high nutrient containing organic fertilizer composition. More particularly, this invention relates to a high nutrient containing organic fertilizer which can be applied to vegetation in liquid form, for instance, in combination with water, by being sprayed through a hose-end type water sprayer. An organic fertilizer composition comprising: (a) a solid organic biomass which contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium; and (b) an osmotic attractant for water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating the temperature of a metal strip in a finishing train of a hot rolling mill. A target function is formed by comparing a desired temperature gradient with an actual temperature gradient. The target function measures deviations from desired indications positioned in various places on the finishing train. The speed of the strip and the flow of the cooling agent are adjusted by predicting with the aid of a method of non-linear optimization with auxiliary conditions and are regulated and controlled online by solving a quadratic optimization problem with linear auxiliary conditions, preferably with the aid of an active set strategy.

Abstract: An exemplary lubricated hot rolling method is provided which can use a lubricating oil containing, e.g., one or more kinds among an high-basic alkaline-earth metal phenate, high-basic alkaline-earth metal carboxylate, high-basic alkaline-earth salicylate, or high-basic alkaline-earth metal sulfonate having a basicity of 40 mgKOH/g or higher, and has a viscosity at 40° C. of 800 cSt or less. The rolling can be performed by granulating or atomizing the lubricating oil into particulates whose average size is less than 1 mm, supplying the lubricating oil to rolls by using a noncombustible gas whose flow rate is 2000 cm3 or more per minute per lubricating nozzle. The velocity of the oil may be 1 m or more per second. The amount supplied of the lubricating oil can be controlled to 0.01 cm3 or more and 20 cm3 or less per 1 m2 of a surface area of the rolls.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for forming pipe from helical convulsions of elongated sheet metal. A decoiler, rolling portion and pivot are mounted on a trailer, with a rigid frame extending from pivot and being laterally pivotable at the pivot in relation to the trailer. A forming head, cutoff saw, and dump table are mounted on the frame and pivotable therewith so that various diameters of pipe can be formed.

Abstract: A magnetic pulse forming process is performed by an apparatus and a method that causes the plasticity of a workpiece to be preliminarily increased to facilitate deformation to the desired shape. Initially, a mandrel having a surface and an electrically conductive member are provided. The workpiece is oriented between the surface of the mandrel and the electrically conductive member, and a first electrical current is caused to flow through the workpiece and the electrically conductive member so as to increase the plasticity of the workpiece. Then, a second electrical current is caused to flow through the electrically conductive member and the workpiece so as to cause to cause the workpiece to be deformed into engagement with the surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.

Abstract: A hot rolling mill and method for operating the hot rolling mill where the shape of the strip is controlled by localized cooling devices positioned at intervals along work rolls in at least three lateral zones, a central and two edge zones, and capable of separately cooling each zone to control the shape of the work rolls in that zone and inhibit the formation of shape defects occurring in the strip being rolled. Five zones may be provided across the work surface of the work rolls so that two intermediate zones can control for quarter buckles. The hot rolling mill has particular application in continuously casting thin strip. The method can be made automatic by sensing downstream of the hot mill the shape of the strip in each zone.

Abstract: The process comprises combining the operation of gauging by drawing with a stage of crack monitoring and a subsequent operation of mechanically machining the bar through the removal of turnings prior to cutting of the bars in such a way that the calibrated depth for crack detection has a value corresponding to the surface defects in the bar and slightly less than the machining depth in the subsequent stage of machining the bar, with the result that defective bars are automatically eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plurality of bent extruded profiles (4; 5) from a light metal or light metal alloy, which is characterized by the following steps: simultaneously extruding at least two extruded profiles (4; 5) that are mirror-symmetric with respect to their cross-sectional shape while using an extrusion device (1), said extrusion device comprising an extrusion die (2) with an extrusion matrix forming the at least two extruded profiles (4; 5); at the same time bending the at least two extruded profiles (4; 5), while bending, when viewing the direction of extrusion and in a horizontal plane of viewing including the direction of extrusion, at least one of the extruded profiles (4; 5) or the projection thereof into the plane of viewing with a curvature that has a sign opposite the sign of the curvature with which at least one additional extrusion profile (5) or the projection thereof into the plane of viewing is bent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing continuous extrusion of a metallic material, such as copper, so that the material to be extruded (1) is fed in the extrusion member (4) by means of a feed member (3) provided with a groove on its peripheral wall (2) and by an abutment (5) arranged in said groove, so that the groove (8) is protected against oxidation by arranging for at least part of the peripheral wall (2) of the feed member (3) a gas-protecting member (7). The invention also relates to said equipment.

Abstract: Continuous extrusion apparatus includes a rotatable wheel, the rotatable wheel including a circumferential groove. Continuous extrusion apparatus includes a shoe including an arcuate tooling bounding a radially outer portion of the groove provided with an exit aperture in a die body and an abutment displaced in the direction of rotation from the exit aperture. The shoe includes a heater body assembly including an electrical induction heating coil assembly arranged to be energisable to co-act with a magnetisable element to effect electrical induction heating thereof; and an element is provided to thermally induce movement of co-acting members for one of expanding and contracting to adjust clearances between the rotatable wheel and the abutment and the shoe within requisite limits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forging press of the hot-die type with an operating temperature above a temperature T, comprising two dies between two die support elements, a thermal insulation means being placed between each die and its support element. The press is characterized in that the said means comprises at least two superposed layers (A, B), a first layer (A) comprising a first material having mechanical and thermal properties suitable for operation at a temperature above the temperature T, a second layer (B) comprising a second material having mechanical and thermal properties suitable for operating at a temperature below the temperature T, the thermal conductivity of which is lower than that of the first material and is approximately equal to 0.2 W/m·K, with a tolerance of 10%. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to obtain an effective thermal insulation means of small thickness.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus for applying crimps about crimping targets in jewelry making and the like. The crimping apparatus folds multiple crimps of various shapes, sizes and materials.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.

Abstract: A battery powered hydraulic tool including a frame; a battery connected to the frame; a motor connected to the frame and adapted to be powered by the battery; and a hydraulic pump connected to the motor by a gear reduction transmission. The motor and gear reduction transmission are adapted to output a torque of the least about 160 oz-in with the gear reduction transmission being adapted to provide a gear reduction of between about 8:1 to about 15:1 or less, and the hydraulic pump being adapted to output at least about 6000 psi of pressure or more.

Abstract: A tool 10 and a method 50 for producing a tool 10 by laminatingly forming a pre-tool or undersized object 16 and then casting a second material 74 unto the pre-tool 16, thereby forming the tool 10 and allowing the tool to have the superior characteristics associated with the lamination strategy while concomitantly reducing, minimizing, and/or eliminating undesired finish surface features.

Abstract: The application describes a reversible and quick front clamping system for bending tools (P) that adopts a system of double front (01) and rear (02) bars. As the clamping has to be done over the front bar (01) for safety reasons, independently from the fact that the tool has to be turned to the front (P) or to the back (Pi), the clamping system includes some intermediate bars (03) with a thickness identical to that of the tool tang. These intermediate bars are set in an unbalanced way in relation to the screw (04). This way, the bars swing-up automatically by simply inserting/removing the bending tool from the clamping device.

Abstract: A testing module for use with a gas detector, includes a plurality of gas inlets and outlets, each outlet being in fluid connection with one of the inlets. Each of the outlets is adapted to mate with and form a fluid connection with one of the inlets of a second like testing module. Gases can then flow from the outlets of the testing module into the inlets of the second like testing module. A gas container module for use with a gas container, includes a plurality of gas inlets and outlets, each inlet being in fluid connection with one of the outlets. Each of the inlets is adapted to mate with and form a fluid connection with one of a the outlets on a second like gas container module. Gases can then flow from the outlets of the second like gas container module into the inlets of the gas container module.

Abstract: A technique for predicting the wear of at least one tire whose tread has pattern elements and which is fitted to a terrestrial motor vehicle, and a system for implementing the technique that enables a user, such as the vehicle's driver, to know reliably at any given moment the level of wear on the tire or on all the tires, or how long the residual wear will last, or even the remaining available running distance. Also, the piloting of drive-aid systems such as “ABS” (anti-block braking system) or “ESP” (electric programmed stability device) systems can be adapted as a function of the wear characteristics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a sensor device for determining particle emissions from exhaust gases of a combustion engine substantially during the use in an exhaust pipe system or a corresponding exhaust gas duct, in which method emitted particles contained in the exhaust gases are charged and the particle emissions are determined by measuring the electric charge carried by the emitted particles in the exhaust gas duct. The emitted particles are charged by varying the way of charging or the charging power with respect to time in such a manner that as a result of the charging, emitted particles brought into at least two different electrical charge states are present, wherein the charge of the emitted particles is further determined as a difference value/values measured from the emitted particles brought into said at least two different electrical charge states.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional separation system having parallel traps for effluent from prior separation dimension and parallel latter separation columns, the latter columns being coupled to the traps. At least one trap enriches components of effluent while at least one other trap is releasing trapped components to a detector, which may be a mass spectrometer. Internal standards may be provided, as in a release solvent, for the calibration of one of the chromatographic columns and the detection system. The system may comprise a multiple channel selector for multiple streams, wherein all of the streams flow at the same time.

Abstract: A modular system for monitoring a hydrogen-cooled generator includes a skid having a platform, a support attachable to said platform and attachable to a plurality of modules for monitoring the hydrogen-cooled generator, and at least one module for monitoring the hydrogen-cooled generator. The module may include a vibration monitoring module. The monitoring modules may allow monitoring the operation of the hydrogen-cooled generator and generating data such as an optimization factor regarding the performance of the hydrogen-cooled generator. The module may be connected via a communications link to a remote control center.

Abstract: Gap bulk density (GBD) of a support mat surrounding a catalyst substrate in a catalytic converter is calculated using an average gap width optically determined by a camera system. Mat weight determined at an assembly station is bar coded and placed in a bar code label attached to the converter under test. A programmable controller calculates an average gap width from a plurality of camera readings. GBD is then calculated using mat weight and dimensions, and the GBD is compared to an acceptable range to determine pass/failure of the converter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of large leaks in scaled articles. Apparatus for leak detection includes a first sealable chamber configured to receive a test piece containing a trace gas, a second sealable chamber, a first valve coupled between the first and second chambers, a leak detector having a test port, a trace gas permeable member coupled between the second chamber and the test port of the leak detector, a vacuum pump having an inlet, and a second valve coupled between the second chamber and the inlet of the vacuum pump. The permeable member may be quartz, which is permeable to helium when heated. The leak detector may be an ion pump or a helium mass spectrometer leak detector.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

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.