Abstract: In order to prevent unnatural behavior of a calculated flow rate, provided is a fluid control device in which a fluid control valve and upstream and downstream pressure sensors are provided on a flow path. The device includes a calculation unit configured to calculate a flow rate based on measured pressures; and an output unit configured to output the calculated flow rate, and exhibit a zero output function of outputting a zero value regardless of the calculated flow rate when the valve is in a closed state. The device is further configured to switch between execution and stop of the zero output function, and when the valve is in an open state and a difference between the measured pressures of the pressure sensors is larger than a threshold, stop the zero output function and cause the flow rate output unit to output the calculated flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention is intended that diluted exhaust gas is supplied to a plurality of measurement instruments by a single exhaust gas dilution device to thereby reduce in size an exhaust gas measurement system incorporated with the exhaust gas dilution device and dilute exhaust gas with the same exhaust gas under the same dilution condition in the plurality of measurement instruments.

Abstract: A probe system, mixed primary reference probe for an aircraft, associated aircraft and measuring method are disclosed. In one aspect, the probe system includes a base designed to be fastened on the cockpit of an aircraft, a plurality of regularly spaced static pressure taps, arranged through the base and designed to be connected to a pressure measurement device. The system includes at least one optical window transparent to laser radiation and inserted into the base.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a modular fluid meter test system configured for testing the accuracy of fluid flow meters. The modular test system is configured with an input module, an output module and zero or more center modules. The system is configured to be shipped disassembled so that it can be installed inside a test facility without the need to modify the entrances of the structure to house the test system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow and/or pressure of a pressurized gas, and specifically to a tap for a pressurized-gas cylinder. The tap includes a body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet. The tap also includes a valve for closing the passage, as well as a pressure indicator downstream from the closing valve. The pressure indicator is translatably operated and includes just two stable positions, i.e. one that corresponds to the presence of pressure, and the other to the absence of pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for diagnosing poor performance of natural gas meter stations which utilize tube bundle flow conditioners upstream of orifice plates and methods for retrofitting the natural gas meter stations to improve accuracy of orifice measurements. Diagnostic methods include making measurements of decibels of sound upstream and downstream of the orifice plate, detecting intermittent sounds from a check valve downstream of the orifice plate, and visually inspecting the internal surface of the meter tube downstream of the orifice plate. Accuracy of orifice measurements is improved by replacing a tube bundle flow conditioner with a one-piece plate flow conditioner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for calibrating a vacuum component of a phacoemulsification system at different elevations. The design comprises running a vacuum component to be calibrated at an elevation; determining a maximum vacuum pressure available at the elevation; determining a range of vacuum pressure available from running the vacuum component at the elevation; calibrating the vacuum component based at least in part on a the maximum vacuum pressure available and the range of vacuum pressure available. The design also comprises a to be calibrated vacuum component; a pressure delivery device; an altimeter configured to determine the elevation of the vacuum component; component reading hardware configured to read at least one measured value from the pressure sensing components of the vacuum component when exposed to at least one pressure value from the pressure delivery device; and a computer configured to correlate a plurality of measured values to the elevation.

Abstract: A pressure type flow rate control reference allows the performance of flow rate calibrations of a flow rate controller on all types of gases, including corrosive gases, at low costs, and also has excellent flow rate control accuracy. The pressure type flow rate control reference includes a pressure controller for adjusting the pressure of a calibration gas from a calibration gas supply source, a first volume provided on the downstream side of a pressure controller, a first connection mouth of an uncalibrated flow rate controller provided on the downstream side of the first volume, a reference pressure type flow rate controller connected to a second connection mouth on the downstream side of the uncalibrated flow rate controller, a second volume provided on the downstream side of a reference pressure type flow rate controller, and an evacuation device provided on the downstream side of the second volume.

Abstract: A flow rate controller detects a clogged state of an orifice to prevent errors during flow rate measurement. The flow rate controller includes a differential pressure flow meter, with an orifice disposed between a pair of pressure sensors, that converts a pressure difference detected by the two pressure sensors into a flow rate, a flow-rate adjusting valve whose degree of opening is controlled such that the difference between a measured flow rate value and a preset flow rate value falls within a predetermined range, and a control unit that controls the degree of opening of the flow-rate adjusting valve upon receiving the pressure values detected by the pressure sensors. The control unit compares the preset flow rate value and the measured flow rate value and determines that there is a clog fault when a flow rate difference, as compared with a predetermined value, continues for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.

Abstract: A device is provided for checking a flow pressure measurement probe as well as a probe comprising the device. The probe includes an internal volume and at least one orifice for communication with the outside of the volume. The device includes: an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver that are intended to be connected to the internal volume so that the transmitter transmits an acoustic signal that propagates in the internal volume and so that the receiver picks up an observed acoustic signal; and, means for comparing the observed signal with a reference signal. The device may be a stand-alone device or may be integrated into the probe.

Abstract: A stocker 1 includes a storage FOUP 20, plural purge units 50, a measurement FOUP 30 and a stacker crane 60. The storage FOUP 20 stores a semiconductor wafer inside. The measurement FOUP 30 includes a flow meter inside. The purge unit 50 includes a purge shelf 51 having plural purge tables 54 for placing the storage FOUP 20, and a nitrogen gas is supplied into the storage FOUP 20 placed on the purge table 54. The stacker crane 60 transports the storage container 20 onto the purge table 54, and the measurement FOUP 30 is transported between the plural purge tables 54.

Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate as gas flows through a gas flow delivery system is provided. The method includes sending the gas through the gas flow delivery system into a gas conduit, wherein a section of the gas conduit is widened to form an orifice. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice of the gas conduit. The method further includes measuring upstream pressure of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes calculating the actual flow rate based on the upstream pressure of the orifice of the gas conduit.

Abstract: A method for making a reference leak includes the steps of: (a) preparing a substrate; (b) forming a patterned catalyst layer on the substrate, the patterned catalyst layer comprising one or more catalyst blocks; (c) forming one or more elongate nano-structures extending from the corresponding catalyst blocks by a chemical vapor deposition method; (d) forming a leak layer of one of a metallic material, a glass material, and a ceramic material on the substrate with the one or more elongate nano-structures partly or completely embedded therein; and (e) removing the one or more elongate nano-structures and the substrate to obtain a reference leak with one or more leak holes defined therein.

Abstract: A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.

Abstract: A system and method for determining functionality and accuracy of a sensor such that monitoring of a sensor is possible without the provision of redundant sensors. Briefly described, one embodiment is an anemometer operable to detect wind speed adjacent to the wind power installation, a calculating unit operable to calculate a calculated wind speed using data from an operating parameter of the wind power installation, and a comparison device operable to compare the detected wind speed with the calculated wind speed to determine the functionality of the anemometer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining if it is necessary to calibrate a liquid flow controller which is contained in a liquid distribution system, where the liquid distribution system supplies a fluid to a semiconductor processing tool. The determination is made while maintaining system as closed, such that fluid does not need to be removed from the liquid distribution system.

Abstract: A device and method for calibration of a mass flow sensor (14) employs a flow channel and a holder for the mass flow sensor in the flow channel. An adjustable throttle device is provided between the holder and a connection to a pump during a calibrating operation to operate on the basis of a predetermined time/displacement profile by means of a control device. During operation of the pump, the throttle device generates a supercritical flow with which a flowing medium has the speed of sound in the narrowest cross section of the throttle device.

Abstract: A servovalve assembly includes a motor having a flapper shaft. A flapper couples to a first end of the flapper shaft such that the flapper shaft orients the flapper between a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the servovalve assembly. An adjustment assembly adjusts a position of the flapper relative to the nozzles of the servovalve. The adjustment assembly enables a servovalve manufacturer to set the flapper of the servovalve at a null position without disassembling the servovalve. Rather, the manufacturer is capable of simply installing the adjustment assembly and deforming an arm portion of the adjustment assembly for proper null position calibration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for proportional sampling of particulate material present in the exhaust gas emitted from an engine, in order to measure the mass of particulate material present in the exhaust gas, utilizes a mixing chamber (18) for mixing a portion of the exhaust gas with a dilution gas. A flow control (20) controls the flow rate of the portion of the exhaust gas as a function of exhaust gas flow by activating individual ones of a parallel array of solenoid valves (30), each defining a flow restriction (34).

Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes delivering gas fay a gas flow delivery system controlled by a mass flow controller (MFC) to an orifice, which is located upstream from the reaction chamber. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice. The method further includes measuring a set of upstream pressure values of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes applying a calibration factor of a set of calibration factors to determine the actual flow rate. The calibration factor is a ratio of an average of the set of upstream pressure values to an average of a set of golden upstream pressure values, which is associated with an indicated flow rate for an MFC.

Abstract: The present invention provides restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of monitoring a sensor for sensing the flow speed of a medium. The invention further concerns an apparatus for carrying out that method. In order to be able to monitor the sensor, without providing redundant sensors, the flow speed of the medium, which is specified by the sensor, is correlated with at least one operating parameter of an installation operated with the medium. For that purpose the apparatus according to the invention includes a sensor for detecting the flow speed of a medium, an installation operated with the medium and a correlation device for correlating the flow speed of the medium, which is specified by the sensor, with at least one operating parameter of the installation.

Abstract: A servovalve assembly includes a motor having a flapper shaft. A flapper couples to a first end of the flapper shaft such that the flapper shaft orients the flapper between a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the servovalve assembly. An adjustment assembly adjusts a position of the flapper relative to the nozzles of the servovalve. The adjustment assembly enables a servovalve manufacturer to set the flapper of the servovalve at a null position without disassembling the servovalve. Rather, the manufacturer is capable of simply installing the adjustment assembly and deforming an arm portion of the adjustment assembly for proper null position calibration.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust measurement system is provided includes that a conduit having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet. A make-up air tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit inlet. The make-up air tube provides make-up air for mixing an exhaust gas. A mixed gas tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit outlet. The mixed gas tube conveys a mixture of make-up air and exhaust gas to analysis equipment. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust gas tube extends through an outer wall of the conduit. A mixing plate is arranged in either the conduit or the mixed gas tube with the exhaust gas tube extending to a position adjacent to the mixing plate. The exhaust gas tube conveys the exhaust gas to the mixing plate to mix the exhaust gas and the make-up air at the mixing plate.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust measurement system is provided includes that a conduit having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet. A make-up air tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit inlet. The make-up air tube provides make-up air for mixing an exhaust gas. A mixed gas tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit outlet. The mixed gas tube conveys a mixture of make-up air and exhaust gas to analysis equipment. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust gas tube extends through an outer wall of the conduit. A mixing plate is arranged in either the conduit or the mixed gas tube with the exhaust gas tube extending to a position adjacent to the mixing plate. The exhaust gas tube conveys the exhaust gas to the mixing plate to mix the exhaust gas and the make-up air at the mixing plate.

Abstract: A method for limiting the maximum allowable operating pressure at a cam-driven injection component, which component is actuatable by a magnet valve assembly. After assembly a magnet valve it is operated at a pressure source in the context of a function test, and at least one operating parameter defining a critical operating state is ascertained at which the valve just barely opens in response to a hydraulic force F3. The operating parameter ascertained is delivered to the respective magnet valve assembly and is written into a function control unit for individual triggering of each magnet valve assembly with its own operating parameter.

Abstract: A test leak unit (1) includes a supply of test gas, preferably helium, and an element (14) for determining leakage rates. The aim of the invention is to create a simple, robust and easily refilled test leak unit, especially for detecting packaging leaks. To this end, the test gas supply is stored under substantially atmospheric pressure in a resealable reservoir (2) including a closing part (3), such that when the reservoir (2) is closed, a test gas-impermeable seal is developed between the closing part (3) and the reservoir (2), and the leakage rate-determining element (14) forms part of the closing part (3).

Abstract: In a process and a device for measuring a throttle point, a fluid under pressure is applied to the throttle point by a pump, at least one operating parameter of the pump is acquired and stored, at least two reference operating parameters of two reference throttles are acquired and stored, and the operating parameters are compared with a reference operating parameters in an evaluating unit and a throttle magnitude is outputted.

Abstract: A pressure insensitive gas process device that includes a gas sensor and restrictions upstream and downstream of the gas sensor. The restrictions result in pressure drops upstream and downstream of the gas sensor which shield the gas sensor from upstream and downstream pressure changes, respectively, rendering the gas sensor and the entire gas process device insensitive to pressure changes. Gas process devices in which pressure insensitivity may be achieved include mass flow controllers as well as other types of devices.

Abstract: A drogue capable of being inserted into a water pipe and comprising a flexible bar in which are a pressure sensor, a battery pack, an electronics assembly and a magnetometer. The bar is surrounded by a bladder with an inlet valve at the front and an outlet valve at the rear. The drogue is attached to a suitable cable so that electrical signals can be conveyed to a computer to enable leaks within the water pipe to be identified and the position of the drogue identified. Also presented is a corresponding method which derives signals relating to volumetric flow for a series of locations in a conduit, in order to detect leakage and determine locations of such leakage, by measuring flow effects around a (moveable) large body and also measuring flow effects around a (moveable) small body at each location (the two bodies capable of being moved together thru the conduit at a set distance apart).