Abstract: A method of determining an inlet flow rate (Finlet) of a flowable material including passing an inlet stream of flowable material through a chamber (20) having an outlet aperture (100); measuring a first rate of change of quantity of material in the chamber (20) when the material is entering at said inlet flow rate; measuring a second rate of change of quantity if material in the chamber (20) when no material is entering the chamber (20); and calculating the inlet flow rate (Finlet) from said first and second rates, wherein both rate measurements are made while the whole of the outlet aperture (100) of the chamber (100) of the chamber (20) is occupied by the flowable material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for correcting the measurement signal of a mass flowmeter for flowing media of the type which works on the Coriolis principle and has at least one straight measuring tube conveying the flowing medium, at least one oscillation generator acting on the measuring tube, at least one measurement value sensor detecting Coriolis forces and/or Coriolis oscillations based on Coriolis forces and outputting a measurement signal and a supporting tube accommodating the measuring tube, the oscillation generator and the measurement value sensor, whereby the measuring tube and the supporting tube are connected to one another in a manner excluding relative axial movements and the axial spacing of the fixing points of the supporting tube on the measuring tube represents the oscillation length of the measuring tube.

Abstract: A float-type flowmeter measures the rate of a fluid flowing upwardly through a tube based on the position of a float movably disposed in the tube and including a magnetic material. A coil is wound around the tube such that the intervals gradually decrease in an axial direction. The coil is excited by an alternating current supplied from an inductance change detector. The inductance change detector detects a change in the inductance of the coil which is caused when the float moves in the axial direction, and generates a voltage. A voltage-to-position (flow rate) converter determines a flow rate from the voltage corresponding to the position of the float.

Abstract: In a rotary sensor according to the present invention, when a casing expands or contracts by changes in the external environment, relative sliding operation is performed between a rotator and a first elastic member in an axial direction of a drive shaft, so that a gap between the rotator and an insulating substrate need not change during expansion or contraction of the casing due to the external environment and/or during the movement of the drive shaft in the axial direction. Hence, the position of a sliding contact contacting a resistor pattern does not change so as to have excellent performances while when the drive shaft rapidly rotates, the first elastic member cannot be twisted, preventing the rotator from delaying the rotational transmission so as to have the excellent followingness of the rotator to the drive shaft.

Abstract: The transducer serves to generate a measurement signal corresponding to at least one physical parameter of a fluid flowing in a pipe. It comprises a flow tube of predeterminable lumen for conducting the fluid which communicates with the pipe at the inlet and outlet ends. In operation, an excitation assembly causes reactions, particularly reaction forces, in the fluid within the at least one flow tube in a non-invasive manner, which are sensed and converted into measurement signals representative thereof by means of a sensor arrangement. To obtain as axisymmetric a density distribution in the fluid as possible, means are provided in an inlet area of the transducer or at least in the vicinity thereof which cause a swirl in the entering fluid and, thus, a rotational motion in the fluid within the flow-tube lumen about an axis of rotation lying in the direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and device for obtaining an accurate flow rate measurement through a fluid flow system. A nozzle and gauge tapping combination is connected to a fluid flow system. Fluid enters the nozzle as turbulent flow. As the fluid passes through the nozzle, the turbulent flow is converted to laminar flow due to the shape of the nozzle. Once in laminar flow, the pressure at that point in the nozzle is constant, and therefore the pressure, and thus flow rate, can be measured with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A fluid flow measuring method and apparatus with high sensitivity, quick response, and a wide dynamic range measures the flow of a fluid based on a difference in radiation of heat at an upstream side and a downstream side of a heating member located in the flow of the fluid. The apparatus includes a heating member; an upstream temperature sensor located on the upstream side of the heating member for measuring a first temperature; a downstream temperature sensor located on the downstream side of the heating member for measuring a second temperature; and a circuit for controlling power supplied to the heating member to maintain an average temperature of the first temperature measured by the upstream temperature sensor and the second temperature measured by the downstream temperature sensor at a fixed temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the quantity of fluid discharged from a tank via a line system. To this end, the difference between the quantity of fluid contained inside the tank before fluid discharge and the quantity of fluid remaining inside the tank after fluid is discharged is calculated. In addition, a measuring device measures the quantity of fluid, which is contained inside the line system and which is taken into consideration when determining the discharged quantity of fluid.

Abstract: A mass flow measurement apparatus including a flow path defined by a tubular side wall, a probe extending through the side wall into the flow path so that a first portion of the probe is located in the flow path and a second portion of the probe, extends out of the side wall, a heater element secured to the probe, and a seal preventing fluid flowing through the flow path from contacting the heater element.

Abstract: A seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a buckle assembly having a housing for receiving a portion of a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The buckle assembly senses latching of the latch plate. The seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly also includes a tension sensing assembly disposed in the housing and cooperating with belt webbing of the seat restraint system for sensing a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enabling measurement of a selected fluid characteristic in fluid flowing through a conduit. The device includes a body connected in the conduit having an accelerator section and a flow conditioner section within which a measuring unit such as an averaging pitot is maintained. The flow conditioner section includes a straight, substantially constant diameter conduit length selected to provide a settling distance after the accelerator section and in advance of the measuring unit sufficient to provide stabilization and linearization of the flowing fluid prior to measurement. Utilizing the device, repeatable and accurate measurement of the characteristic (flow rate for example) may be conducted over an operating range characterized by up to at least about a 25 to 1 turndown in flow with a constant flow coefficient independent of fluid flow velocity or Reynolds number.

Abstract: A method of inflating a tire, or vehicle tire, that minimizes the amount of time needed for same is disclosed. The method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system includes introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid into the tire, ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow, terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount, and introducing pulsed fluid flow of the fluid into the tire.

Abstract: When a plane (PLN) which includes electrodes (2a, 2b) and is perpendicular to the direction of an axis (PAX) of a measuring pipe (1) is defined as a boundary in the measuring pipe (1), an exciting coil (3) applies asymmetrical magnetic fields to a fluid to be measured, which flows through the measuring pipe (1), on both sides of the plane (PLN) serving as the boundary in the measuring pipe (1). A signal conversion unit (5) obtains the phase difference between an exciting current supplied to the exciting coil (3) and an interelectrode electromotive force detected by the electrodes (2a, 2b). A flow rate output unit (6) calculates the flow rate of the fluid on the basis of the phase difference obtained by the signal conversion unit (5).

Abstract: A reciprocating-piston type meter for measuring liquid volume comprises a meter body 2 having a measuring chamber disposed therein. In a space 11 existing between the meter body 2 and the measuring chamber 7, the meter has means 13 for creating a swirling stream of liquid and means 14 for confining particles present in the liquid.

Abstract: A sensor chip having at least upstream from the sensor region, at least one potential surface that, by electrical interaction with the contaminants in the flowing medium, prevents precipitation in the sensor region.

Abstract: A pressure sensor that is particularly suitable inter alia for the food industry and the measuring accuracy of which is stable over a long time, having a diaphragm seal (3, 45) with a separating diaphragm (7, 53) on which a pressure (P) to be measured acts and having a ceramic measuring cell (9, 57) which is connected to the diaphragm seal (3, 45) exclusively by inorganic materials, is provided, in which sensor the separating diaphragm (7, 53) and all further sensor components coming into contact during measurement with a medium of which the pressure (P) is to be measured are metallic.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the joint of a composite structure includes a transmitting transceiver and a receiving transceiver, as well as a processing element. Typically, the composite structure includes first and second panels that are connected to define the joint, with the second panel extending outwardly from the first panel of the joint. Moreover, the composite structure includes a filler disposed at the joint. The transmitting transducer is disposed proximate an input side of the second panel and can transmit an ultrasonic signal into the second panel such that at least a portion of the signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits an output side of the second panel. A receiving transducer disposed proximate the output side of the second panel can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. And a processing element is capable of identifying a defect in the composite structure.

Abstract: A sensor chip exposed to a flowing medium is provided with an additional heater situated upstream and at a definite distance from the sensor area, resulting in the impurities in the flowing medium being deposited in the area of the additional heater, and in the impurities being unable to reach the sensor area.

Abstract: A device for detecting a mass of a flowing fluid is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a fluid sampling portion and a circuit cavity portion. The fluid sampling portion is positionable within a fluid carrying duct and includes a flow passage. A nozzle is in fluid communication with the flow passage, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle exit. An electrical element is disposed in the flow passage proximate to the nozzle exit. Further, a circuit module is in communication with the electrical element and disposed in the circuit cavity portion for detecting a change in an electrical property of the electrical element, wherein the detected change in the electrical property is used to determine the mass of the flowing fluid. Finally, a homogenous lead frame having a connector pin portion and an electrical attachment portion for providing an electrical path from the electrical element and circuit module to the connector pin portion is provided.

Abstract: A resistive bridge sensor circuit that includes a first resistive bridge circuit having a first variable resistance resistor and a second resistive bridge circuit having a second variable resistance resistor. The first and second resistive bridge circuits share at least a portion of a common reference leg that sets a resistance of a first and second variable resistors. The common reference leg or a portion of the common reference leg is alternately switchably connected to one of the first and second resistive bridge circuits.