Abstract: An instrument used to control fluid flow. The instrument has a flow restrictor between an inlet and an outlet. First and second multisensor have sensing surfaces in the inlet and outlet that sense pressures and temperatures of the fluid flow. A circuit generates a mass flow output based on a difference between the pressure in the inlet and the pressure in the outlet. The mass flow output including a temperature correction as a function of at least one of the sensed temperatures in the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an ultrasonic flow meter to accurately estimate the average flow velocity in a pipe when the meter has at least one failed chord and one non-failed chord. The method partitions the velocity range into a number of consecutive, non-overlapping “bins,” where separate bins are maintained for each chord and each flow direction. Each bin stores a chord proportion value and, in some embodiments, a chord velocity value. The bins are initialized with pre-selected values and, during normal operation, updated, or trained, based on the measured velocities. When a chord fails, and there is at least one non-failed chord, an estimated proportion value for each non-failed chord is generated using the values stored in the bins. The estimated average flow velocity is then calculated by dividing the summation of the measured flow velocities, from the non-failed chords, by the summation of the estimated proportions.

Abstract: A library of materials is screened for mechanical properties such as strength, tack or other properties. A library of materials is provided. A stimulus such as a stress or force is provided to each member of the library. A response (e.g., a strain) of each of the materials due to the stimulus is measured and the response, the stimulus or both are recorded and related to provide data. Thereafter, the data is analyzed to reach conclusions regarding properties of the material samples.

Abstract: A magnetoinductive flow measuring method for measuring the flow rate of a medium flowing through a measuring tube is described that incorporates two measuring electrodes positioned along a connecting line extending in an essentially perpendicular direction relative to the measuring-tube axis, whereby a magnetic field is generated that extends at least in an essentially perpendicular direction relative to the measuring-tube axis and to the connecting line of the measuring electrodes and whereby the flow rate of the medium moving through the measuring tube is determined by measuring the voltage, respectively collected at one or both measuring electrodes, in comparison with a reference voltage potential. According to the method, the flow measuring operation is initiated as soon as an increase in the flow rate is detected, thus permitting the precise measurement even of very rapid draw-off processes.

Abstract: A gas velocity and temperature sensor system comprising a first thermistor driven at a constant temperature and configured to output a flow signal representative of the power dissipated as a function of the gas velocity and a temperature signal representative of the temperature of the first thermistor, a second thermistor configured to output a gas temperature signal representative of the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, and a processor responsive to the flow signal and the temperature signals, the processor configured to calculate gas velocity using an empirically derived equation in which gas flow velocity is function of a constant and the ratio of the power dissipated to the temperature difference between the temperature of the first thermistor and the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, the processor deriving a signal representing the gas velocity.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic flowmeter, a fluid to be measured flows through a measuring pipe. An electrode in the measuring pipe detects an electromotive force generated by a magnetic field applied to the fluid and flow of the fluid. A first exciting coil applies a first magnetic field having a first frequency to the fluid. A second exciting coil applies, to the fluid, a second magnetic field obtained by amplitude-modulating a carrier having the first frequency by a modulated wave having a second frequency. A power supply section supplies an exciting current to the first and second exciting coils. A signal conversion section separates the component of the first frequency from the electromotive force to obtain an amplitude, separates one of the components of sum and difference frequencies of the first and second frequencies from the electromotive force to obtain an amplitude, and obtains an amplitude ratio. A flow rate output section calculates the flow rate of the fluid on the basis of the amplitude ratio.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a flowing fluid composition comprising at least two different components, while the fluid composition is flowing through a duct or channel, which flow meter comprises: at least one sensor (2, 3) in the shape of a cavity resonator through which at least a portion of the fluid composition passes; at least one electronic circuit (4) comprising a transmitting means (11) adapted to transmit an electronic signal (9) into the flowing fluid via a probe (7, 11); at least one receiving means adapted to receive a signal which has traveled through the flowing fluid composition; and at least one signal processing unit (12) adapted to deduce fluid specific signals from the received signals. An oscillator included in the electronic unit (4) may, in a preferred embodiment, be phase locked to the resonant frequency of the sensor (2, 3) (in a so-called FSA (feedback self-oscillating amplification) method).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the flow of fluid in the conduit, giving the example of oil in a well bore (12). A heat exchanger such as a cooling station (66) is placed in the well bore (12) and caused to create a slug of cooled oil whose passage, through the well (12) can be monitored by a temperature sensor in the form of a continuous fiber optic loop (62). Knowledge of the movement of the cooled slug of oil and of the free cross-section of the conduit (54) wherein the oil is flowing permits the volume flow-rate of oil to be calculated. Cooling stations (66) are cooled by Joule-Thompson cooling employing high pressure nitrogen gas. Cooling stations (66) may be placed at plural locations within the well bore (12) to monitor individual flows (68) from multiple flow sources.

Abstract: A torque sensor for magnetically detecting torque transmitted to a rotatable shaft without directly contacting the shaft comprises a magnetic alloy and one or more sensing elements about the magnetic alloy to measure a magnetic field emanating from the magnetic alloy without being affected by anomalies in magnetic alloy.

Abstract: Method and housing (2) for reducing particulate build-up on a surface of a device (5) contained in a recess (4) defined by the housing (2) when attached to a conduit. The method includes introducing gas into the recess (4) at a high volume and low velocity so that the gas flows in a laminar manner across the surface of the device (5). The volume lies in a range from 80 to 300 liters/minute and the velocity lies in a range from 0.2 to 3.6 meters/second. The method and housing (2) are particularly useful for preventing the build up of coal dust on the face of an ultrasonic transducer (5) used to measure the mass flow rate of coal being pneumatically transferred in the conduit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for obtaining flow rate measurements including a sensor assembly and a housing. The sensor assembly includes a body defining a first fluid flow passage having an inlet, an outlet, a flow restricting element in the first fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, an upstream fluid pressure sensor, a downstream fluid pressure sensor, an upstream signal contact connected to the upstream fluid pressure sensor, and a downstream signal contact connected to the downstream fluid pressure sensor. The housing has an upstream portion defining an upstream port, a downstream portion defining a downstream port, and a probe access port configured to provide access of a probe to at least one of the upstream signal contact and downstream signal contact. The housing can also define a second fluid flow passage in parallel with the first fluid flow passage. The device can be disposable.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning a gas flow to improve a measurement of rate of pressure change associated with the gas flow includes a measurement chamber having an interior portion characterized by an internal volume, and an inlet port for receiving the gas flow. The apparatus includes a pressure sensor and a signal processor. The signal processor receives and samples the pressure signal from the sensor, and calculates a time derivative of the pressure signal. The apparatus also includes an inlet damper disposed at the inlet port, so that the gas flow passes through the inlet damper prior to passing into the measurement chamber. The inlet damper modifies the gas flow according to a damper transfer function. The chamber volume and the damper transfer function are selected so as to the frequencies associated with variations of the pressure in the measurement chamber to a predetermined fraction of the sampling frequency.

Abstract: For acquiring characteristic data of a pack (10), in particular of a cigarette pack, the latter is compressed between a pressure plate (26) and a bearing plate (27). The latter is connected to a load cell (28) in order to determine the applied force as a function of the distance traveled. The characteristic deformation data or change in force at a precise, constant downward movement of the pressure plate (26) yield a reproducible, characteristic image of the pack (10) in question.

Abstract: A method of measuring the adhesive strength of polymer materials that are arranged in a combinatorial library which involves providing a lens array having a plurality of individual lens elements on a surface thereof and a substrate. A pattern of different polymer materials, processing variables or environmental conditions is applied to either the individual lens elements of the lens array or to the substrate. The individual lens elements of the lens array are brought into contact with the substrate and, as the lens array and substrate are separated from one another, changes in contact area of the individual lens elements with the substrate are monitored and used to calculate the adhesive strength of the polymer.

Abstract: A mass flow meter operating by the Coriolis principle, with a measuring tube through which flows a medium, at least one exciter associated with and exciting the measuring tube, and at least one sensor associated with the measuring tube for capturing the Coriolis forces and/or the Coriolis-force-induced oscillations. The measuring tube is designed as a thin shell. A thin shell is understood to be characterized by a wall thickness h much smaller than its radius R, and a length L of the same order of magnitude of the radius R. The mass flow meter according to the invention uses vibration modes with more than one circumferential wave. Thus, a mass flow meter with high sensitivity and low pressure drop is achieved.

Abstract: A load cell alignment apparatus for aligning a load cell during an axial tension test of a brake cable. The apparatus includes a mounting structure, an alignment structure, a biasing device, and the load cell. The alignment structure is connected between the mounting structure and the biasing device. The biasing device is connected to the load cell and applies a tension preload to the load cell, and the alignment structure, in response to the tension preload, properly aligns the load cell with an axis for subsequent measurement of applied tension on the brake cable. The alignment structure permits only linear axial tension to be applied to the load cell in response to application of a further tension load on the load cell.

Abstract: For the purpose of solving the above problems, the present invention includes: transmission/reception means provided in a flow path for performing transmission/reception using a state change of fluid; repetition means for repeating the transmission/reception; time measurement means for measuring a time of propagation repeated by the repetition means; flow rate detection means for detecting a flow rate based on a value of the time measurement means; and number-of-times change means for changing to a predetermined number of repetition times. With such a structure, an influence caused by a variation of a flow can be suppressed by changing the number of repetition times so as to be suitable for a variation. As a result, reliable flow rate measurement with a high accuracy can be achieved.

Abstract: A dust shield for fitting around and removably engaging an air pressure gauge apparatus fitted to a tire valve stem protruding from and in fluid communication with the interior of a tire, the pressure gauge apparatus including a tubular gauge housing substantially coaxial with the valve stem and having a gauge housing connected end secured to the valve stem and a gauge housing free end opposite the gauge housing connected end, the dust shield including a shield tubular body having an open longitudinal shield entry end which receives and passes the gauge housing as the dust shield is slid over the pressure gauge apparatus and sealingly abuts the tire valve stem and an open longitudinal shield exposing end through which the gauge housing free end slides out of the dust shield and is exposed for viewing and which sealingly abuts the gauge housing.

Abstract: A high temperature anemometer includes a pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a plurality of electrodes on a facing surface, while the other of the substrates has a sensor cavity on a facing surface. A sensor is received in the sensor cavity, wherein the sensor has a plurality of bondpads, and wherein the bond pads contact the plurality of electrodes when the facing surfaces are mated with one another. The anemometer further includes a plurality of plug-in pins, wherein the substrate with the cavity has a plurality of trenches with each one receiving a plurality of plug-in pins. The plurality of plug-in pins contact the plurality of electrodes when the substrates are mated with one another. The sensor cavity is at an end of one of the substrates such that the sensor partially extends from the substrate. The sensor and the substrates are preferably made of silicon carbide.

Abstract: A ring load cell configured to measure force, moment, and temperature components in an orthogonal three-axis coordinate system. The ring-load-cell structure consists of two annular flanges having a common central axis through which a shaft may be disposed. The annular flanges are interconnected by a plurality of filleted posts configured to enhance strain distribution and which are disposed parallel to the common central axis, equally spaced about the circumference of the annular flanges. A plurality of strain gauges is disposed either on the posts or on fillets, and a plurality of temperature sensors is disposed either on the posts or on the inner surfaces of the annular flanges. Signals from the strain gauges and temperature sensors are processed to provide thermally compensated strain measurements of the applied forces and moments on the ring-load-cell structure in the orthogonal three-axis coordinate system.