Abstract: Calibrating weather stations using maximum allowed altitude errors. Particular embodiments described herein include machines that determine a maximum allowed pressure calibration error for a weather station in a network of weather stations, determine a temperature variation associated with an environment in which the weather station resides, determine a maximum allowed altitude error for the weather station using the maximum allowed pressure calibration error and the temperature variation, and use the maximum allowed altitude error to determine if a first maximum possible altitude error associated with a first approach for estimating an altitude of the weather station exceeds the maximum allowed altitude error. If the first maximum possible altitude error associated with the first approach does not exceed the maximum allowed altitude error, the first approach is used to estimate an altitude of the weather station for use in calibrating a pressure sensor of the weather station.

Abstract: In a method for determining the low-temperature properties of a paraffin-containing fuel, the fuel is conducted from a storage chamber through a measuring cell provided with a sieve, the measuring cell is cooled by means of a cooling device, the temperature of the fuel in the measuring cell is measured, and a fluid pressure representing the flow resistance occurring on the sieve is measured, and the temperature occurring at a defined fluid pressure set point is determined and output as a result of the method, wherein, for the pressure measurement, a defined sample amount of the fuel is abruptly delivered from the storage chamber in order to obtain a pressure pulse.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an oil sample includes: flowing a first sample containing an oil through a microfluidic device that has a microfluidic filter while controlling the temperature of the first sample such that it is above wax appearance temperature for the oil and measuring and analyzing pressure difference across the filter over time to detect the presence of fines in the oil. The method further includes: flowing a second sample containing the oil through the microfluidic device while controlling the temperature of the second sample such that the temperature of the second sample is lower than wax appearance temperature for the oil and measuring and analyzing pressure difference across the filter over time as the second sample is filtered to detect the presence of wax in the oil.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a platform system for in vitro cell co-cultivation with automatic trapping function. The platform system aims to develop a bio-chip applied in cell culture systems, and has several features. The first feature is that this co-cultivation platform can construct a micro environment suitable for culture of various cells. The second feature is dynamic perfusion. The microfluidic system is used to dynamically replace the culture medium, in order to maintain an appropriate environment for the growth of cells. The third feature is the automatic trapping. The cells to be cultured can be trapped in a suitable location according to the flow resistance, so that the damaged on the cell caused by manual operation can be minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the temperature control of a component within a storage system wherein the storage system includes a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the component to control the temperature of the component. One method includes: generating a flow of heat transfer fluid through the heat exchanger to transfer heat to or from the heat exchanger; receiving a set point signal indicative of the desired temperature of the component in the storage system; receiving temperature data regarding the component and the heat transfer fluid, and generating an output signal to control the flow of heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be a gas or liquid.

Abstract: A moisture flow meter is provided in the air at negative pressures in the drying of transformers by means of a vacuum process for water extraction, causing a differential of pressure through a device of orifice plate and the continuous measurement of the dewpoint. The meter includes a pipeline, a continuous dewpoint meter able to support negative pressure, as well as the use of a orifice plate and two vacuum meters (vacuum meters) capable of measuring the pressure of condensable steam as well as a orifice which, allow a pressure drop. The signals on both sides of the orifice plate and the one from the dewpoint temperature are sent to a data acquisition card, which allows to measure, with the help of an algorithm, the amount of water in weight that flows per time unit.

Abstract: A moisture flow meter is provided in the air at negative pressures in the drying of transformers by means of a vacuum process for water extraction, causing a differential of pressure through a device of orifice plate and the continuous measurement of the dewpoint. The meter includes a pipeline, a continuous dewpoint meter able to support negative pressure, as well as the use of a orifice plate and two vacuum meters (vacuum meters) capable of measuring the pressure of condensable steam as well as a orifice which, allow a pressure drop. The signals on both sides of the orifice plate and the one from the dewpoint temperature are sent to a data acquisition card, which allows to measure, with the help of an algorithm, the amount of water in weight that flows per time unit.

Abstract: Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface.

Abstract: Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface.

Abstract: A thermal anemometer that separates sensor heating from sensor temperature measurement through a switched sampling technique. This approach demonstrates several advantages over the more typical circuitry employing a bridge, which simultaneously heats the sensor and senses the ambient and velocity sensor temperature. In a thermal anemometer in accordance with the present invention, sensor temperature is determined by sampled measurement of its resistance. Sensor temperature is controlled by varying the voltage applied to the sensor with an error value determined by the difference between actual sensor resistance and the desired resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the crystallization point of high pressure fluids comprising brine are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a temperature probe and an optical fiber probe to determine the temperature of formation and dissolution of crystals during cooling and warming cycles. The apparatus further comprises a pressurization source, preferably a positive displacement pump or connection to a positive displacement pump for pressurizing the sample. The apparatus further preferably includes a jacket for circulating coolant or heat transfer fluid to facilitate cooling of the sample. The method of the invention uses the apparatus of the invention to determine crystallization point of fluid samples.

Abstract: A liquid/gas phase detector system employing a sensor to detect fluid phase, flow rate, and temperature. A flow conditioner in the form of a pipe segment with an inverted V-shaped section forming a weir is adapted for coupling in a horizontal conduit downstream from a source of liquid flow. When a thermal dispersion technology sensor is used, heated and non-heated temperature sensitive elements extend within the pipe segment on the upstream side of the weir. Fluid flow changes encountering the sensing elements cause temperature changes which produce an output signal relating to fluid phase (gas or liquid) and flow rate. Several different embodiments for the flow conditioner are provided.

Abstract: A bus analyzer used in a multiprocessor computer system having a common system bus includes a bus tester for storing test data used to test the system bus and internal data paths of the bus analyzer. The test data is output to the system bus to initiate a testing operation. A trace memory sequentially receives and stores the test data provided from the system bus. A memory controller controls the trace memory to store the test data received from the system bus in response to a trace signal and interrupt storage of the test data in response to a trigger signal. A test controller generates the trace signal and the trigger signal output to the memory controller, reads the test data stored in the trace memory, and compares the test data read from the trace memory with the test data stored in the bus tester. The bus analyzer of the present invention is capable of independently testing its own internal data paths without signals provided from an external source or additional apparatus.

Abstract: An electrically heated vacuum furnace is provided with special lead-through devices for transmitting current to the heating elements. In order to recognize gas discharges which can occur between a lead-through and a tank wall, the insulation of the lead-through is surrounded by an auxiliary electrode. A thermocouple can also be used instead of an auxiliary electrode. A signal derived from the auxiliary electrode can be used to shut off the furnace power to avoid damage thereto.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the melting point of a material having light reflective properties by determining changes in the reflective properties of the material while under pressure as it is being heated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for estimating the pour point of a hydrocarbon oil. The pour point of hydrocarbon oil gives an indication of its low temperature properties, and is determined according to the time-consuming procedures set out in the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) test D-97. The present invention generally provides a convenient means to estimate the pour point of a hydrocarbon oil, by directing a flow of pressurized gas towards a sample of the oil, and determining the warmest temperature at which the gas flow does not cause a substantial surface wave on the oil surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic sensor for quench detection and location in a superconductor, and particularly a superconductor used to form an inductor or a magnet. The sensor consists of an insulating tube (1) adjacent to and preferably co-wound with the super conductor (2) and filled with a supercooled working fluid (3). When joule heating occurs in the superconducting conductor as a result of a portion of it becoming normal, the heat is transferred directly to the corresponding portion of the adjacent tube (1). This heat causes the vapor pressure of the working fluid (3) at that point in the tube to change. This change in pressure propagates in both directions at the speed of sound in the working fluid. By detecting with sensors (6,7) when a change in pressure arrives at the ends (5,6) of the tube (1) and calculating the difference between the arrival times, not only can a quench be detected, but the exact location of the quench initiation region can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for the determination of the water status of living and nonliving materials capable of measuring the vapor pressure of water in the material at thermodynamic equilibrium by matching a solution of known vapor pressure with that of the water in the material, detected by observing the thermocouple output comprising a plurality of spiral loop thermocouples, a recording means for observing the thermocouple output, switches for connecting the thermocouples to the recording means one at a time using latching relays, a pair of contacts for each relay, each contact comprised of layers of dissimilar metals so that the current flowing under a thermalvoltage at the thermocouple in proceeding through the contacts flows through a sequence of metals across the first contact and an exact reverse sequence of metals across the opposing contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the thawing point of jet fuels by first cooling a sample of the fuel until crystals appear and then heating the sample until the crystals disappear, detecting the point at which the crystals appear both thermally and optically, detecting the point at which the crystals disappear both thermally and optically and correlating the resulting measurements to obtain an indication of the thawing point.

Abstract: A method of sensing the no-flow temperature of a liquid comprising the steps of varying the temperature of the liquid, sensing the temperature of the liquid, supplying pressure pulses to the liquid and sensing the resistance of the liquid to the flow of the pressure pulses as an indication of the ability of the liquid to flow.

Abstract: The pressure of a heated fluid is reduced in a test chamber. A small vent in the upper portion of the test chamber receives a stream of liquid from the chamber and yields a steady hiss when the fluid in the test chamber is under sufficient pressure to maintain the fluid solely in the liquid phase and it yields a sputtering hiss sound when the pressure in the test chamber is reduced sufficiently to permit steam and/or gases to coexist with the liquid in the chamber thus permitting liquid plus vapor to enter the vent. The change in sound may be used to alert an operator and/or pressure fluctuations in the test chamber may be automatically monitored to produce an output signal or a feedback signal for automatic control.