Abstract: A SPD process includes deforming metal material in an apparatus which comprises a material flow-through channel which is arranged in a first direction, and a press. The method also involves feeding metal material in the first direction so that the material need not be in a state of extreme stress, and pressing the material reciprocatively by the press in at least one second direction which is crosswise relative to the first direction, and deforming grain size of the material smaller. An apparatus for deforming metal material to SPD material.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for extruding materials. In certain embodiments, one or more hollow billets are loaded onto an elongate mandrel bar and transported along the mandrel bar to a rotating die. The billets are transported through fluid clamps, which engage the mandrel bar and provide cooling fluid to the mandrel bar tip, and through mandrel grips, which engage the mandrel bar and prevent the mandrel bar from rotating. One or more press-rams advance the billets through a centering insert and into the rotating die. A quench assembly is provided at an extrusion end of the extrusion press to quench the extruded material. A programmable logic controller may be provided to control, at least in part, operations of the extrusion press system.

Abstract: Examples of tooling fixtures and methods for manufacturing computing devices are described. According to some examples, a computer component may be shaped using successive steps of forging after deep drawing. In some examples, certain components may be assembled to form sub-assemblies of computer components and the sub-assembly may then be machined to drive closer tolerances. According to other examples, a work holding tool is described which may include a first plurality of individually movable pins for supporting a first surface of a work piece, the tool also having a second plurality of individually movable pins for applying a restraining force over a second opposite surface of the work piece to retain the work piece in position while maintaining it in its natural state.

Abstract: A forging apparatus and method of uniformly heating, rheologically softening, and thermoplastically forming metallic glasses rapidly into a net shape using a rapid capacitor discharge forming (RCDF) tool are provided. The RCDF method utilizes the discharge of electrical energy stored in a capacitor to uniformly and rapidly heat a sample or charge of metallic glass alloy to a predetermined “process temperature” between the glass transition temperature of the amorphous material and the equilibrium melting point of the alloy in a time scale of several milliseconds or less. Once the sample is uniformly heated such that the entire sample block has a sufficiently low process viscosity it may be shaped into high quality amorphous bulk articles via forging in a time frame of less than 1 second.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual alloy member for joining two dissimilar materials includes selecting a first material and a second material that is different from the first material, metallurgically combining the first and second materials, forming the first and second materials into a preform using a hot work metal working process, shaping the preform into using another metal working process, and machining the perform to obtain a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A split idle station assembly for a transfer press assembly includes a track assembly, a first base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly and a second base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a support configuration with the first base assembly adjacent the second base assembly forming a work piece support assembly for supporting a work piece thereon between work stations of the transfer press assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a split configuration where the first base assembly is moved apart from the second base assembly along the track assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a device for performing degradation diagnosis of a downstream-side exhaust gas sensor. When a diagnosis condition is met, an intake-air quantity is successively accumulated to obtain an intake-air-quantity accumulation value, an intake-air-quantity average value is obtained as an average of the intake-air quantity from the start of diagnosis, and, on the basis of this intake-air-quantity average value, an intake-air-quantity accumulation threshold value is set. When the intake-air-quantity accumulation value reaches the intake-air-quantity accumulation threshold value, the diagnosis is terminated, and an output reversal number of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor during the diagnosis period is compared with a threshold value to judge whether the sensor is normal or degraded.

Abstract: In one aspect, a force platform includes indicators at known locations with respect to applied forces used during the calibration of the force platform, the indicators being usable by a spatial measurement system to determine the location of the indicators in a coordinate system external to the force platform.

Abstract: A rotational rate sensor is provided having a substrate and a Coriolis element, the rotational rate sensor having a drive means for exciting the Coriolis element to a Coriolis oscillation, and the rotational rate sensor having a detection device for producing a sensor signal as a function of a deflection of the Coriolis element relative to the substrate on the basis of a Coriolis force acting on the Coriolis element, and in addition the rotational rate sensor being configured to carry out a self-calibration when a rotational acceleration signal produced as a function of the sensor signal falls below a specified threshold value.

Abstract: A calibration method of air pressure for a mobile device, a calibration device and a mobile device, where the calibration method includes acquiring self-location data of the mobile device; acquiring air pressure information from a web site or a web service according to the self-location data; performing calibration of air pressure for the mobile device by using the air pressure information. Through the embodiments of the present invention, dynamic calibration of air pressure is performed; furthermore, another barometer is not needed in the mobile device.

Abstract: Provided are a method of reliably assembling a gas sensor. A plurality of annular mounting members are repeatedly subjected to following steps: bringing a sensor element into an upper-side held state in which the element is held such that an upper end thereof extends vertically with a lower end thereof being inserted into a recess; fitting a through hole of an annular mounting member with the upper end of the element brought in to the upper-side clamped state; and switching from the upper-side held state to a lower-side held state in which the element is held such that the lower end thereof extends vertically, to thereby cause the annular mounting member to reach a predetermined annularly mounting position. Then, the resultant intermediate assembly product is sandwiched by a centering device to minimize the outside diameter thereof, and thereafter, a tubular body is annularly mounted to the intermediate assembly product.

Abstract: A process analytic instrument and tube carrier are provided. The process analytic instrument includes an analytic module having a plurality of inlets and configured to analyze a process gas. The tube carrier is coupled to the analytic module and has a shell defining an interior therein. A plurality of tubes terminates in the tube carrier. At least one of the tubes has an integral flame-quenching pathway and the interior of the shell proximate the integral flame-quenching pathway is filled with a solid.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit also includes a relative humidity sensor on the substrate. The relative humidity sensor includes a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a humidity sensitive layer covering the first and second electrodes. The integrated circuit further includes a thermal conductivity based gas sensor on the substrate. The thermal conductivity based gas sensor has an electrically resistive sensor element located above the humidity sensitive layer.

Abstract: A curved gaseous particle detector includes a stack of two layers that are curved and maintained together by a frame formed of two spars defining a plane. The two spars are connected together by at least two curved bars outside of the plane and the frame being placed between the two layers of the stack.

Abstract: Secure areas, such as at airports or other security-critical facilities, are entered from freely accessible areas, often by means of access locks. This bottleneck, which is present in any case, is used to check for substances of concern, such as drugs or explosive materials. In the case of solids, as is known, particles extracted from the access lock and retained in a screen are vaporized and the vapor is examined. Several of the screens are arranged on rotatable carrying disks and undergo consecutively the steps of vaporization and analysis. The aim of the invention is to make known methods more efficient in order to increase the throughput through such access locks. The aim is achieved by a device for which available heating and extraction elements are assigned to multiple rotational positions of the carrying disks, whereby adjacent rotational positions lie apart from each other by only half the distance of two screens.

Abstract: A distributed relative humidity and temperature sensing system with optional gas assay functionality, comprising a sample head internally equipped with: 1) A relative humidity sensor; 2) A temperature sensor; 3) A gas sample port for the attachment of a gas assay device, or, an integral gas assay device; and, 4) A fan. The sample head is attached to a semi-rigid sample tube embedded in a stored mass of agricultural product and the aforementioned fan causes air from within the stored mass to be drawn through the sample head where its relative humidity, temperature, and optionally, chemical composition may be studied. An alternative embodiment allows for the deployment of a complex network of sample tubes so that samples may be drawn as required from a number of points within the stored mass.

Abstract: Various environmental systems are disclosed. In accordance with one of the systems, a first and second valve are provided. The valves provide a first air flow path from an air pump to a photo-ionization detector is provided through a pre-filter. The valves also provide a second air flow path from the air pump to the photo-ionization detector so that the pre-filter is isolated from its environmental surroundings. Various other arrangements of environmental monitoring systems with one or more pre-filters are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a diffusion cell for testing the permeation of a compound(s) across a membrane. Also, the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a diffusion cell. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of performing an assay using a diffusion cell.

Abstract: A method for determining a buffer effect of an activated carbon filter for a tank venting system of a fuel container for hydrocarbon-containing fuels involves feeding a defined quantity of hydrocarbon molecules to the activated carbon filter (320) via a tank connection (320—1) of the activated carbon filter (320) by a hydrocarbon feed system (310). A carrier gas flow is introduced into the activated carbon filter (320) via an air connection (320—2) of the activated carbon filter (320), and a defined volumetric flow is sucked out of the activated carbon filter (320) via an engine connection (320—3) of the activated carbon filter (320) by a hydrocarbon measuring device (340), and its content of hydrocarbon molecules is measured. The defined quantity of hydrocarbon molecules is made available by the hydrocarbon feed system (310) in the form of a thermodynamically isolated gas quantity.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location.

Abstract: Methods that extend the utility of standard rotational rheometers for accurate and sensitive viscoelastic characterization of small or small irregularly shaped or small anisotropic samples and systems to implement those methods.

Abstract: A measurement device for measuring water concentration in an oil water mixture has a transmitter that is used to transmit a designated spectrum of microwave frequencies to a transmitting antenna and then through the oil water mixture. A separate receiving antenna is used to detect the amplitude of each frequency of the transmitted spectrum after it has interacted with the oil water mixture. The detected signal from each microwave frequency that has interacted with the fluid mixture is digitized and sent to a processing unit. The processing unit receives the digitized frequencies and identifies the microwave frequency having the lowest amplitude, or amplitudinal nadir. The microwave frequency having the lowest amplitude is then used to calculate the percentage of water in the oil water mixture.

Abstract: Contaminant mass collection in saturated sedimentary environments for bioavailability determination. A casing includes a screen between the environment that is subject to sampling, such as a saturated sediment and the device itself. The casing includes a water intake zone, a pump, and sorptive media. The water intake zone, the pump, the screen and the sorptive media, are all operably linked in sequence. The screened casing is secured to form an in situ device; the screen is in fluid communication with the water intake zone and excludes endemic sediments and aquatic life. The in situ device is deployed in the saturated sedimentary environment. The pump operates to concentrate analytes from the selected environment in the sorptive media, where the concentrated analytes include the analyte mass of time-weighted fluid samples.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the absorbency of an absorbent article comprises the steps of: (i) providing an absorbent article comprising a topsheet and having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; (ii) disposing the absorbent article in a flat configuration in a plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the absorbent article; (iii) twisting the longitudinal ends in opposite directions in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; (iv) twisting the longitudinal ends in directions opposite that of step (iii); (v) applying artificial bodily fluid to the topsheet of said absorbent article during steps (iii) and/or (iv); and (vi) repeating steps (iii) and (iv) after the artificial bodily fluid is applied to the topsheet.

Abstract: A portable Brinell metal hardness tester has a test head mounted in a carriage, movable vertically along elevating screws, and includes an adjustable valve for relieving hydraulic pressure within the test head where the valve includes a stem, an interior member, and an intermediate member.

Abstract: A device for sensing a pressure, particularly in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The device has a housing and an adapter element, secured in the housing, for accommodating a sensor module. The sensor module includes a transmission element, a sensor element and a supporting element, the sensor module being supported by way of the transmission element on a compensation member which is joined to the adapter element, and by way of the supporting element on a fixing element. At an end face pointing toward the sensor module, the compensation member is provided with a circular recess, in which the transmission element is accommodated in centered fashion.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of fuel leaving an injector of a direct-injection diesel engine, the quantity of fuel supplying a cylinder of the engine in which a piston moves, the injection of fuel being performed by a pilot injection during which a first quantity of fuel is injected into the cylinder followed by a main injection during which a second quantity of fuel, greater than the first quantity of fuel, is injected into the cylinder, the method including the following steps: a) operating the engine at idle speed, b) determining the maximum pressure in the cylinder, and c) determining, from the maximum pressure, the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder during the pilot injection, by way of a predefined one-to-one relationship, at idle speed, between a maximum pressure value in the cylinder and a quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder during the pilot injection.

Abstract: Diesel electric hybrid powertrains and methods of operating and testing such powertrains are disclosed. Certain exemplary embodiments comprise test and certification methods in which a controller operates a diesel engine alone, an integrated motor/generator alone, or both the diesel engine and the motor/generator to provide brake torque at a common output shaft according to predetermined duty cycle criteria. Emissions are measured based upon criteria accounting for the effects of regenerative braking, engine shut off, and other operational modes unique to hybrid powertrains. Further exemplary embodiments comprise hybrid powertrain systems and methods of operating the same meeting performance and emissions requirements including respective limits on NOx, hydrocarbon, particulate matter, CO, and CO2 without reliance conventional emissions reduction devices or techniques.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus for testing lost circulation materials (LCMs) within a permeability plugging apparatus (PPA) is described. The apparatus may include a PPA cell cap and an elongated LCM receiver. At least one tubular member may provide fluid communication between the PPA cell cap and the elongated LCM receiver. The at least one tubular member may be sized to accommodate large particulate LCM testing within the PPA. The apparatus may also include a backpressure inlet through the elongated LCM receiver. Providing back pressure within the LCM receiver may extend the temperature and pressure ranges under which the large particulate LCMs may be tested.

Abstract: A method of testing a hydroelectric turbine before the turbine is installed and secured on the seabed, in order to ensure that the turbine is operating as expected, the method involving securing the turbine to a vessel and displacing the vessel through water in order to effect rotation while monitoring one or more operating parameters of the turbine.

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for detecting moisture may include a sensor housing, FBG cable, water-swellable bead(s), and retaining mechanism. The housing secures the FBG cable and water-swellable bead. The retaining mechanism, such as one or more wire(s), placed adjacent to the FBG cable may be utilized to minimize lateral displacement of the water-swellable bead(s). The water-swellable bead(s) may swell as they absorb water, thereby causing the FBG to be strained to allow the detection of liquid moisture.

Abstract: A piloting method of a laser system of an absolute gravimetric measurement device by atomic interferometry particularly suitable for on-site applications and advantageously usable in the geophysical field, including: generating cooling, entrapment, manipulation, thrust, and detection bands of a plurality of atoms; cooling the plurality of atoms; entrapping the plurality of cooled atoms in a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap; releasing the plurality of atoms in free fall in an ultra-vacuum system; performing an interferometric sequence; performing a detection; wherein the releasing includes quenching the three-dimensional magneto-optical trap through the contemporaneous extinction of the bands for producing a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap and a trap magnetic field.

Abstract: A dust-proof structure for a measuring tool, includes: a case provided with an opening formed through a surface opposed to a protection plate thereof; a solar panel accommodated in the case through the opening of the case; an intermediate panel pressing an outer circumferential portion of the solar panel against a bottom wall of the case; a display device disposed at an inward portion of the intermediate panel and opposed to the solar panel with a gap; a cover attached to close the opening of the case; a screw used to secure the cover and the intermediate panel to the case; and a temporary-fixing unit disposed between the intermediate panel and the case, the temporary-fixing unit temporarily fixing the intermediate panel to the case while the outer circumferential portion of the solar panel is pressed against the bottom wall of the case.

Abstract: The invention relates to gyroscope equipment.

Abstract: A tri-axis accelerometer includes a proof mass, at least four anchor points arranged in at least two opposite pairs, a first pair of anchor points being arranged opposite one another along a first axis, a second pair of anchor points being arranged opposite one another along a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to one another, and at least four spring units to connect the proof mass to the at least four anchor points, the spring units each including a pair of identical springs, each spring including a sensing unit.

Abstract: A substrate for an inertial sensor system includes a plurality of electrode arrangements, each electrode arrangement including an acceleration sensor electrode and a pair of quadrature adjusting electrodes on opposite sides of the acceleration sensor electrode, where each electrode arrangement is capable of being overlaid by a corresponding plate of a shuttle such that the plate completely overlays the acceleration sensor electrode and partially overlays the pair of quadrature adjusting electrodes on opposite sides of the acceleration sensor electrode such that capacitive coupling between the plate and each of the quadrature adjusting electrodes is dependent upon the rotational position of the at least one shuttle while capacitive coupling between the plate and the acceleration sensor electrodes is substantially independent of the rotational position of the at least one shuttle.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a circuit board with a recess that exposes a spring structure. The spring structure is formed from a material of the circuit board exposed by the recess and includes a vibrating element that is held in a resilient manner via at least one spring element. The sensor further includes a reference element connected rigidly to the circuit board and arranged at a distance from and opposite the vibrating element, an electrical circuit arranged on the vibrating element at a distance from the reference element, and at least one detection element. The circuit is configured to evaluate a signal that is configured to be influenced by a change in distance between the reference element and the at least one detection element in order to sense an acceleration of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: Accelerometers and associated techniques for detecting motion are described. For a resonant accelerometer, an externally-applied acceleration can cause a change in the electrical spring constant Ke of the electromechanical system. A resonant accelerometer can be driven to resonate in a bulk acoustic wave mode of vibration, which can have a high resonant frequency. Other accelerometers and associated techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: This application generally relates to systems and methods of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices to remotely analyze objects and structures, and more particularly, this application relates to systems and methods of using RFID devices to remotely analyze properties and conditions of a surface of objects and structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting the abrasive wear on components of water turbines, having a wearing body, and a measuring unit for detecting the wear on the wearing body. The invention is characterized in that the wearing body is arranged in the flow flowing through the water turbine, the wearing body is implemented as a sonotrode and is connected to an ultrasound generator, and the measuring unit is implemented to measure the resonant frequency of the sonotrode.

Abstract: A method for non-destructively evaluating a joined component includes inducing vibrations in the joined component within a range of frequencies, acquiring a resonance spectra from the joined component resulting from the induced vibrations, and analyzing the resonance spectra using Acoustic Sensor Testing (AST).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: The rotary transformer 5 includes a plate-shaped stator 51 having a coil arranged on one surface thereof, and a plate-shaped rotator 52 having a coil arranged on one surface thereof, in which the respective coil-arranged surfaces are disposed to face with each other so that signal transmission in a frequency range of 1 to 10 MHz is performed between the coils. The stator includes a substrate 512 on which a plurality of one-turn coils are formed into a concentric shape, and a supporting member 513. The rotator includes a substrate 522 on which one-turn coils 521 of same number are formed into a concentric shape, and a supporting member 523. Air or a material M which is an insulator and has a relative magnetic permeability substantially equal to 1 is lying between the substrate 512 and the supporting member 513, and between the substrate 522 and the supporting member 523.

Abstract: A standing wave amplification device for vibration signal collection includes a sensing rod (11) acting as standing wave transmission medium. A standing wave formation device includes two fixing support devices (12) distributed along the axial direction and connecting the sensing rod (11) to an operating arm (14). The two fixing support devices (12) respectively collect vibration waves and transmit them to the sensing rod (11) from two different locations of the operating arm (14). The vibration waves are superimposed to form a standing wave on the sensing rod (11). A vibration sensor (13) is connected to the sensing rod (11) and the vibration sensor (13) is between the two fixing support devices (12). A wave detected by the vibration sensor (13) is the standing wave. Compared with transverse wave or longitudinal wave transmitted in the transmission medium of prior art, the standing wave has advantages of larger amplitude and more obvious vibration effect.

Abstract: A probe configured to receive an acoustic wave from an object including an element having a cell structure, in which a vibration membrane having one of a pair of electrodes formed with a gap arranged therebetween is supported so that the vibration membrane can be vibrated by the acoustic wave; a light reflection layer provided at a position near the object with respect to the element and configured to reflect light; and a support layer provided between the element and the light reflection layer and configured to support the light reflection layer.

Abstract: The pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) alert system provides a method and apparatus for effectively locating a pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) as it traverses a pipeline. The method and apparatus incorporates hollow, empty tubes spaced along the length of the pipeline. The tubes are provided with lower ends that extend into the pipeline. The tubes are closed at their lower ends and connectable to respective pressure detection devices or the like at their upper ends. When a PIG passes through the pipeline, it contacts the lower end of the tube that extends into the pipeline, causing the tube to break, and thus opening the interior of the tube to the pressurized flow of the product flowing in the pipeline. The change in pressure is registered by the pressure detection device to indicate the passage of the PIG.

Abstract: A pressure measurement device adapted to measure a pressure of a liquid includes a flow channel having a flow channel resistance, a liquid containing chamber having a predetermined capacity and communicating with the flow channel, a pressure changing section adapted to change a pressure of the liquid containing chamber, a measurement section adapted to measure a period from when a pressure wave of the liquid in the liquid containing chamber becomes a predetermined value to next time the pressure wave becomes the predetermined value, the pressure wave occurring when the pressure changing section is in operation in a state in which the liquid is contained in the flow channel and the liquid containing chamber, and an acquisition section adapted to obtain the pressure based on the period measured by the measurement section.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with a torque-insensitive header assembly. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a sensor, from an aperture defined by a shell, an environmental condition, wherein the sensor is coupled to a header and the header is coupled to the shell such that the sensor is isolated from a torque stress applied to the shell; measuring, by the sensor, the environmental condition to determine an environmental condition signal; and outputting, from the sensor, the environmental condition signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor chip is provided with first and second retaining members. The peripheral edge portions of the first and second retaining members are bonded to face one face and another face of a diaphragm, respectively. An inner edge of the peripheral edge portion of the first retaining member is positioned further to the outside than an inner edge of the peripheral edge portion of the second retaining member.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with filter structures employed with sensors. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a first filter having a plurality of pores, a pressure, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; filtering, by the first filter, at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure; outputting, from the first filter, a filtered pressure; and wherein the filtered pressure is used to determine the dynamic pressure component.