Abstract: A method and system for testing a test object, such as a satellite, is disclosed. High energy acoustic testing is performed on the object by assembling an acoustical system about the test object rather than transporting the test object to a specially configured acoustic chamber. The acoustic system of the present invention preferably provides and directs acoustic energy directly to the surfaces of the test object rather than providing the test object in a high energy acoustic environment where a substantial amount of the acoustic energy is randomly directed within a chamber having the test object. Additionally, the present invention further provides for mechanical vibration tests concurrently or serially with acoustic testing, wherein the object is not required to be transported.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting an internal arc in a metal-clad electrical link, wherein the rising edge of the internal pressure surge generated by the arc and propagating inside the cladding is detected at a fixed location along the cladding. The invention also relates to a device comprising at least one one-way detection unit constituted by a pressure sensor disposed outside the cladding and connected to the inside the cladding via a horn-shaped duct which slopes relative to the axis of the cladding, which has its mouth opening out in the cladding, and which has its tip connected to the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A low-power, inexpensive acoustic apparatus for levitation and/or concentration of aerosols and small liquid/solid samples having particulates up to several millimeters in diameter in air or other fluids is described. It is constructed from a commercially available, hollow cylindrical piezoelectric crystal which has been modified to tune the resonance frequency of the breathing mode resonance of the crystal to that of the interior cavity of the cylinder. When the resonance frequency of the interior cylindrical cavity is matched to the breathing mode resonance of the cylindrical piezoelectric transducer, the acoustic efficiency for establishing a standing wave pattern in the cavity is high. The cylinder does not require accurate alignment of a resonant cavity. Water droplets having diameters greater than 1 mm have been levitated against the force of gravity using; less than 1 W of input electrical power. Concentration of aerosol particles in air is also demonstrated.

Abstract: A method for calculating underground storage tank (UST) buoyancy and buoyancy safety factors defines boundaries of side areas such that the boundaries do not overlap for multiple tank installations. Installation plan information may be input over a medium such as the Internet. The computer calculates the buoyancy and buoyancy safety factor and returns this information to the requesting party over the same medium. This technique allows installers to verify the adequacy of installation plans quickly. Records of the information provided by the installer may be kept so the recipient of the information (typically the UST manufacturer) can reconcile differences between the actual installation and the installation plan in the event of UST flotation. The information may be provided on a paper form supplied by the installer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system and a device for determining the wrap angle &agr; of a strip of rolled material over a rotating measuring roll in a system for measuring flatness of the strip by means of said measuring roll, which is having a number of measuring devices for force/pressure registration. Said devices generate measurement output signals Upi depending on the contact between the strip and the measuring roll and each signal Upi comprises a force signal component UFi. The device (90) determines the wrap angle &agr; from at least one of the measurement signals UFi characteristic values. The present invention also provides a computer program product, a computer data signal and a flatness determination signal for accomplishing said objects of the invention.

Abstract: a control system of a factory automation facility for a seatbelt retractor assembly comprising a factory automation facility and a control portion for controlling the operating of all parts in the factory automation facility, integrally, to enable the mass-production of a seatbelt retractor assembly, in which the factory automation facility comprises a webbing throwing-in portion for throwing-in a webbing of a strip type thereinto by a first webbing supplying portion; first and second webbing position determining devices for guiding the webbing to pass through the hole of a retractor spool, a webbing withdrawing portion including a second webbing supplying portion and a case to withdraw the webbing and store it for a while, first and second part supplying portions for assembling a tongue, a guide ring and a ring mount on the withdrawn webbing, a stopper fixing portion including a third webbing supplying portion for carrying the webbing to a webbing folding portion, upper and lower stopper suppliers for supply

Abstract: A method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys is disclosed. The sensor comprises a substrate material, a flexible diaphragm provided on the substrate material and a thin film SMA material deposited on the flexible diaphragm. The thin film SMA material is capable of undergoing a phase transformation in response to a physical stimulus being applied thereto. During such a phase transformation, a change occurs in the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material. By measuring the value of the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material immediately before and after the thin film SMA material undergoes a phase transformation, the difference in the value of the electrical resistance can be determined and utilized to determine the magnitude of the physical stimulus that was applied to the thin film SMA material causing it to undergo a phase transformation.

Abstract: A step counting device includes a top casing, a bottom casing, a display, and two operating buttons. A circuit board is arranged in the space between the top casing and the bottom casing. An open area is formed on the edge of the circuit board and a ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is arranged on the circuit board. One end of the ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is a fixed point located on a fixed position and the other end is a cantilever point extended to the open area of the circuit board and a heavy mass is attached to the cantilever point. The step counting device is attached on a shoe, and the step counting device will be vibrated while a user wears the shoes walking or running. The ceramic vibration detecting mechanism will receive the vibration and a tiny voltage change will be produced to become an input signal to the control circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: A dynamic test fixture has a support frame (3) whose dimensions (31) in the direction of a transverse axis (y) are smaller than a distance between the wheels of a vehicle (8). Via a first unit (71a, 71b, 71c) of a controllable adjusting device (7), the support frame (3) is displaced approximately vertically underneath the vehicle (8) so that the vehicle (8) is moved into a raised testing position. A second unit of the controllable adjusting device (7) acts on the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8) is moved into at least one position (Nx, Ny) that deviates from the horizontal position. A third unit (73) influences the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8), which it is situated in the raised testing position, is briefly rotated about a vertical axis (z). The test fixture is advantageously used to test a stabilizing system (ESP device) of the vehicle (8).

Abstract: Triboelectric sensors which generate electrical signals in response to mechanical disturbances creating relative motion of conducting and dielectric components of the sensor are fabricated from thin metal foil which is plastic-coated on one side and which can be formed into elongated, cable-like sensors having a variety of other shapes and sizes. The foil encloses one or more wire-like inner electrical conductors which, may be sealed within the envelope formed by the outer foil by heat-sealing the plastic-coated foil. A technique similar to welding may be used in which electrodes are placed in contact with opposing faces of the metal foil and an electrical current is passed though the foil. Local heating of the foil and of the plastic coating near the point of contact of one or both electrodes can cause the plastic to melt and the opposing plastic faces to bond together.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted soil sampler is provided. The soil sampler is designed to be mounted inside the vehicle proximal the operator. A mounting plate secures the soil sampler to the interior of the vehicle. A opening is provided in the floorboard underneath the soil sampler to permit the soil sampler to leave the vehicle, take a sample, and return to the vehicle with the sample. The soil sampler includes a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor. The first hydraulic motor is operates a chain drive which moves a guide member in an upward or downward fashion. The guide member is affixed to the auger assembly. The auger assembly includes an auger, a second hydraulic motor which rotates the auger as well as a sample chamber. The operator will drive the vehicle to a location where a soil sample is desired to be taken. The first hydraulic motor is actuated, lowering the auger assembly through the floor of the vehicle to the soil surface.

Abstract: A procedure and tools for quantifying surface cleanliness are described. Cleanliness of a target surface is quantified by wiping a prescribed area of the surface with a flexible, bright white cloth swatch, preferably mounted on a special tool. The cloth picks up a substantial amount of any particulate surface contamination. The amount of contamination is determined by measuring the reflectivity loss of the cloth before and after wiping on the contaminated system and comparing that loss to a previous calibration with similar contamination. In the alternative, a visual comparison of the contaminated cloth to a contamination key provides an indication of the surface cleanliness.

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for assessing the solderability of electronic component leads and adjacent mounting surfaces. The apparatus and method enables assessment of solderability of fine pitch surface mount components that may be “leadless” or have such small leads that other methods are unable to make measurements required for assessing solderability. The invention also provides a reliable automated test technology for electronic component solderability. It is based on the use of measurements of the distinctive changes in the IR radiation signal of a wetted soldered connection during the solder reflow process, resulting from rapid changes in emissivity of the materials. This is accomplished through the use of an IR camera connected to a computer, and a substrate heater controlled by the computer to achieve a predetermined temperature profile at the component leads.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining a relative position of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The sensor system has a sensing element and receiver element affixed to the vehicle seat. An enabler is disposed adjacent the vehicle floor. The enabler has at least one activation zone for causing the sensing element to communicate with the at least one receiver element and at least one deactivation zone is provided for preventing the sensing element from communicating with the at least one receiver element. The at least one activation zone defines at least one position of the vehicle seat and the at least one deactivation zone defines at least one other position of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for the chassis measurement of vehicles such as motor vehicles, wherein the apparatus includes a vehicle lift platform with which a chassis to be measured can be reversibly lifted and an axle measurement lifting device with which an axle measuring unit can be reversibly lifted. The axle measurement lifting device has at least two lifting stages which are actuable reversibly independently of each other.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring a bearing arrangement, having at least one bearing, in a mounting element of a roller journal bearing of a roller in a stand of a rolling mill train are designed to initiate upkeep or repair work on the bearing arrangement at the correct time. The method involves measuring a process quantity at the bearing or in an area adjoining the bearing, providing an evaluation device with the measured value of the process quantity, comparing the measured value with a stored preset value, and triggering a signal as soon as the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring a bearing arrangement, having at least one bearing, in a housing of a roller journal bearing of a roller in a continuous casting installation are designed to initiate upkeep or repair work on the bearing arrangement at the correct time. The method involves measuring a value of a process quantity at the bearing or in an area adjoining the bearing, providing an evaluation device with the measured value of the process quantity, comparing the measured value with a stored preset value, and triggering a signal as soon as the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.

Abstract: A method for determining crook potential of wood is described. One embodiment comprises nondestructively obtaining lengthwise shrinkage rates (from a third party or by direct measurement) of wood and then determining crook potential of the wood based on the lengthwise shrinkage rates. Where the wood comprises lumber, lengthwise shrinkage rate measurements typically are made on at least one major planar surface of the lumber. The method typically comprises determining lengthwise shrinkage rates two or more measuring points separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the lumber. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine lengthwise shrinkage rates using infrared radiation, microwave radiation, electricity, ultrasound energy, and combinations thereof Working embodiments of the method use ultrasound energy to determine lengthwise shrinkage rates.

Abstract: A method for determining twist potential of wood is described. One embodiment of the method comprises nondestructively obtaining a grain angle of wood, such as trees or lumber, and then determining twist potential of the wood based on the grain angle. Where the wood comprises lumber, grain angle determinations typically are made on at least one major surface of the lumber. The method typically comprises determining grain angle at at least two measuring locations separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the board. The method also can further comprise obtaining at least one fiber dive angle. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine grain angle using infrared radiation, microwave radiation, light energy (such as by using a laser), electricity, ultrasound energy, and combinations thereof. Working embodiments of the method used light energy and ultrasound energy to determine grain angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing the design of a product or component by subjecting the product or component to multiple stimuli, such as temperature, vibration, pressure, ultraviolet radiation, chemical exposure, humidity, mechanical cycling, and mechanical loading, is described. Also described is a method for determining design maturity, technological limits, technological design maturity, predicted technological design maturity, and system target limits of products, components, and systems, respectively.

Abstract: Digital data are transmitted from a measurement station to an air bag control unit in a motor vehicle. A direct signal of the air bag control unit which serves the purpose of supplying energy to the measurement station is current-modulated and thereby varied in accordance with the data to be transmitted. The variations in the current are controlled such that they cancel one another on average over time.

Abstract: A leader attachment tool for use securing a wire leader within a fishing rig that includes a bent wire member including a handle portion, a right angle offset portion, an axis portion, a connecting hook with a tapered insertion end, an attachment eyelet, and a plastic sleeve handle.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one of the coefficient of lift and the coefficient of drag of a golf ball for a given range of velocities and a given range of spin rates from launch. A method is also described for simulating the flight of a golf ball in a computer. A ball is launched at a selected velocity, spin rate and launch angle. Calculations are made of the x and y coordinates of the ball during flight and the coefficients of lift and/or drag are calculated mathematically in dependence on the launch velocity, spin rate, angle and calculated x and y coordinates. Repeated launchings are made to obtain a plurality of mathematically calculated values of the coefficient(s). Thereafter, an aerodynamic model for the flight of the ball is mathematically determined in dependence upon the mathematically calculated values of at least one of the coefficients relative to the velocity and spin rate.