Abstract: An improved roller 12 for a dynamometer 10 includes a plurality of equally spaced, congruent recesses 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller 12 and circumferentially positioned around the perimeter of the roller 12. The recesses 16 form a plurality of equally spaced, substantially planar, congruent surfaces 18 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller 12 and circumferentially positioned around the perimeter of the roller 12. The surfaces 18 engage the drive wheel of a vehicle and limit slippage and/or creepage between the drive wheel and the roller resulting in increased power transfer between the drive wheel and roller and increased dynamometer accuracy and repeatability.

Abstract: A liquid meter with a single jet of the type including a motor member transmitting its movement to a totalizer via a transmission mechanism constituted by an axle whose one end is secured in rotation to the motor member (1) and whose other end is engaged in a chamber, provided in a housing (2) enclosing a gear train and a drive axle of the totalizer, through an opening provided in the partition (6) of the housing (2), the end including a pinion coacting with a pinion mounted on the drive axle of the totalizer, and protective elements (10) for the axle (4). The protective elements are arranged to prevent the passage of solid particles contained in the liquid through the opening (5) toward the chamber (3) by defining a protected zone of least turbulence surrounding the axle (4) adjacent the opening (5) and promoting the fall by gravity of the particles which lose their initial kinetic energy during their movement toward the opening (5).

Abstract: A device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium has a measuring element disposed in a measurement fitting. A flow rectifier that is provided upstream of the measuring element has flow openings that are separated from one another by intermediary pieces. A wire lattice is fastened to a tube of the flow rectifier extending in the direction of the measuring element. The tube of the flow rectifier has a number of fixing elements disposed offset from one another at a predetermined distance in which wires of the wire lattice are secured so that the wire lattice has a fixed configuration in relation to the intermediary pieces of the flow openings of the flow rectifier.

Abstract: A rain sensor is described comprising a tray for the collection of rain water provided on top with evaporation and overflow side windows covered by a perforated cover. A finned float is housed in said tray so as to be able to move vertically as a function of the level of the water present in the tray. A permanent magnet supported by said float cooperates with an electric magneto-sensitive switch that is fixed to the tray in order to switch it between a first and a second electric state as a function of the vertical position of the float.

Abstract: Selective encapsulation of a micro electro-mechanical pressure sensor provides for protection of the wire bands (140) through encapsulation while permitting the pressure sensor diaphragm (121) to be exposed to ambient pressure without encumbrance or obstruction. Selective encapsulation is made possible by the construction of a protective dam (150) around the outer perimeter of a pressure sensor diaphragm (121) to form a wire bond cavity region between the protective dam (150) and the device housing (105). The wire bond cavity may be encapsulated with an encapsulation gel (160) or by a vent cap (170). Alternatively, the protective dam (150) may be formed by a glass frit pattern (152) bonding a cap wafer (151) to a device wafer (125) and then dicing the two-wafer combination into individual dies with protective dams attached.

Abstract: The present invention is to produce a piezoelectric device with which the number of production processes can be reduced and reliability can be improved. A piezoelectric device (40) comprises one or more piezoelectric thin film layers (43) and 2 or more electrode layers (42 and 44). Mixed layers (512, 523, and 534) where the components of adjacent layers are mixed are formed between the respective layers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for estimating evaporative fuel emission losses from a vehicle having a hydrocarbon-fueled engine operating under control of a microprocessor-based powertrain controller, a fuel tank with an evaporated fuel emission control system comprising a fuel vapor adsorbtion means connected to the tank and engine, and a diagnostic system that detects malfunctions in the vapor adsorbtion means. The process and apparatus measures temperature inside the vehicle passenger compartment at successive times when the engine is not running and determines the lowest temperature during partial diurnal and diurnal cooling cycles and uses such temperature along with any malfunction data to estimate evaporated fuel loss during a test period.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the actual torque (M_act) developed by an internal combustion engine by evaluating the trace of the rpm (n) of the crankshaft of the engine. The method is simple, operates rapidly and requires especially little computation power. An index (A) for the actual torque (M_act) can be determined from the rpm (n) in different ways. The actual torque (M_act), which is developed by the engine, is determined from the index (A). The index (A) can be determined in a work stroke of a cylinder of the engine from: (a) the difference of the areas (F1, F2) between the trace of the rpm (n) and the mean rpm (n_) or from the ratio of the areas (F1, F2); (b) the difference or the ratio of the extremes (E1, E2) of the maximum or minimum rpms (n) to each other; and (c) the difference or the ratio of the extremes (E1, E2) and the mean rpm (n_).

Abstract: A method for measuring multiple pressures and a pressure sensing system for accomplishing the same. The method for measuring a plurality of pressures includes, exposing each of a plurality of pressure sensors to a corresponding plurality of environments each having a corresponding pressure to be measured, determining how frequently to measure each of the plurality of pressures, determining a sequence for utilizing the pressure sensors to measure the corresponding plurality of pressures, the sequence being dependent upon the determined frequency for each of the plurality of pressures and selectively utilizing each of the plurality of pressure sensors according to the determined sequence to measure the pressure to which it is exposed.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter operating by the Coriolis principle and incorporating an essentially straight, moving-fluid-conducting Coriolis measuring tube, at least one oscillator associated with and exciting the Coriolis measuring tube, at least one detector associated with the Coriolis measuring tube and sensing the Coriolis forces and/or the Coriolis oscillations generated by Coriolis forces, and a compensating cylinder in which the Coriolis measuring tube is positioned, the Coriolis measuring tube and the compensating cylinder being connected to each other in which the oscillation-capable system composed of the Coriolis measuring tube and the compensating cylinder is at least to a large extent mass-equalized both for the excitation oscillation of the Coriolis measuring tube and for the Coriolis oscillation of the Coriolis measuring tube.

Abstract: A pick-up assembly for use in a liquid dispensing system utilizes a Hall-effect sensor integrated within a flowmeter to provide a measure of the rotational velocity of the rotor and hence the flow rate of liquid being transmitted through the liquid line. The rotor is modified to include at least one recessed area defined in its outer surface and which exhibits magnetic properties. The Hall-effect sensor includes a first and second Hall-effect element each generating a respective channel signal that is representative of the rotational velocity of the rotor. The Hall-effect sensor is suitably arranged with respect to the rotor so as to enable each one of the recessed areas to exert a characteristic magnetic influence upon the Hall-effect sensor during shaft rotation. The variable magnetic flux experienced by the Hall-effect sensor appears as a corresponding variation in the voltage signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: An improved clamp-on arrangement having a first sensor assembly (2, 2′) and a second sensor assembly (3, 3′) usable for different nominal diameters of pipes. The sensor assemblies can be positioned either along a single straight surface line (11) or along diametrically opposed straight surface lines (11′, 11″) of the pipe. The arrangement contains replaceable components, so that in the event of a malfunction, only faulty components need to be replaced. The assemblies (2, 2′; 3, 3′) are attached by means of pipe straps (4, 4′); (5, 5′) and wherein the assemblies are identical in construction. Each assembly has a flat bracket (6) adjacent to the pipe and having a longitudinal center line (61) and a tubular portion (62) integrally formed thereon. A sensor inset (63) is longitudinally guided in the tubular portion (62) and contains an ultrasonic transducer (64) with a transducer element (644).

Abstract: An air flow measuring apparatus, is of a type converting digital values Vadc having a non-linearity characteristic to a flow rate in air flow rate conversion processing. The apparatus, is provided with voltage output conversion processing, uses a QV map formed on a PROM, and is formed so as to obtain a voltage output signal Vout having a property equivalent to a signal Vin outputted from a sensor circuit by converting a smoothed signal Qaf into a voltage value having a non-linearity characteristic.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining whether a fuel sensor in a vehicle having a fuel tank, a fuel delivery system, electronic engine controller, air flow and air/fuel ratio sensors and an instrument panel is stuck in-range. First, the electronic engine controller from the information provided by the above sensors estimates an amount of fuel consumed. The estimate is then compared to the actual fuel consumed data from the fuel sensor. If the difference between the actual and estimated amounts exceeds a small predetermined constant, the determination is made that the fuel sensor is stuck in-range and a diagnostic code is sent to the instrument panel and stored for use by a service technician.

Abstract: A thermo-sensitive flow rate sensor that has a flow rate detecting device, in which a heating element constituted by thermo-sensitive resistor film, is formed on a top surface of a plate-like substrate and in which a diaphragm is formed by partially removing the plate-like substrate. This sensor further has a supporting element arranged in such a way as to have a top surface that is parallel to the direction of flow of a fluid to be measured. The flow rate detecting device is supported and fixed in a recess portion formed in the supporting element so that the top surface of the device is nearly flush with the top surface of the supporting element. Further, the thin-plate-like member is attached to the back surface of the flow rate detecting device in such a way as to close a cavity.

Abstract: The Dynamic Bendloss Measuring Device allows easy, repeatable determination of the bend sensitivity of a single-mode optical fiber by subjecting the fiber to dynamically changing bend angles under varying degrees of tension and bend diameters. It utilizes a swing arm capable of sweeping an arc subtending a range of angles at any given bend diameter and fiber tension and calculating the bendloss from the light attenuation at each degree of the range. The varying bend diameters are provided by pins of diverse diameters that are singly inserted into an adjustably-sized aperture while the variation in the applied tension can be effected by changing the input current setting in the tension assembly. With each new pin and tension setting, the swing arm sweeps through the pre-selected range of bend angles, resulting in varying degrees of attenuation of light.

Abstract: A sound pressure sensing device comprises a piezoelectric substrate, an input interdigital transducer, a first output interdigital transducer, a second output interdigital transducer, a diaphragm, a liquid tank, and a signal analyzer. All the input-, the first output-, and the second output interdigital transducers are formed on one end surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The liquid tank has a liquid in contact with the other end surface of the piezoelectric substrate and an inner surface of the diaphragm. If an input electric signal is applied to the input interdigital transducer, an elastic wave is excited in the piezoelectric substrate. A leaky component of the elastic wave is radiated effectively in the form of a longitudinal wave into the liquid. The longitudinal wave is reflected in the liquid by the diaphragm. A reflected longitudinal wave is detected at the first output interdigital transducer as a first delayed electric signal.

Abstract: An arrangement for isolating an energy transfer system while it is subjected to a test process for noise. The energy transfer system is of the type having an energy input and at least one energy output, and may be mechanical or electrical. The isolation arrangement has a base that supports the energy transfer system. An isolation support supporting the energy transfer system, yet affords multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the base. The energy transfer system is clamped in a manner that permits at least one degree of freedom with respect to the base, via an engagement arrangement that secures the energy transfer system to the isolation support. When mechanical or electrical energy is applied to the energy transfer system, acoustic energy in the form of sound and/or vibration is issued by the energy transfer system under test, which acoustic energy is monitored by an acoustic sensor that issues a corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: To attain an impact sensor designed compact and to be readily assembled. The impact sensor comprises main part 100 of sensor involving cavity 110, of which bottom surface serves as the fracture part 120; impact force transfer member 130 provided on said fracture part 120; weight 200 being confined in said cavity 110; and seal member 300 to close the cavity 110 with the weight 200 left confined therein, whereby the fracture part 120 is apt to be broken up by the weight 200, when an impact exceeding the predetermined value has been encountered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor component comprising a base body and a pressure connection element. The base body comprises a chip carrier, onto which a semiconductor chip with an integrated pressure sensor is mounted. Contact is made with the semiconductor chip by means of connection, which are routed laterally out from the base body. The base body is open on one side, and the opening is bounded by side parts of the chip carrier. The pressure connection element is placed onto the upper end regions of the side parts. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the filler, with which the inner space of the base body is filled and the semiconductor chip is covered, is simultaneously used to connect and seal the pressure connection element and the base body. The ends of the pressure connection element are preferably configured in such a way that the filler is drawn by capillary forces into the interspace between side parts and pressure connection element.