Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a heat exchanger plate includes positioning the heat exchanger plate between a first fixture and a second fixture to create both a first sealed space between the heat exchanger plate and the first fixture and a second sealed space between the heat exchanger plate and the second fixture. The first sealed space is on one side of the heat exchanger plate and the second sealed space is on the other side of the heat exchanger plate. The method includes supplying an inert gas to the second sealed space, drawing a vacuum in the first sealed space, and detecting whether the first sealed space includes the inert gas. The presence of inert gas indicates the plate is not leak-tight.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed of monitoring performance of an incompressible fluid system. The system has a positive displacement pump and a high bandwidth pressure sensor. A method comprises sensing a pressure of the fluid with the pressure sensor, determining pump ripple frequency and hence the speed of the positive displacement pump, calculating the pump flow rate, determining a flow restriction of the fluid system based on the pressure and flow, and assessing or trending the fluid system flow restriction.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed herein for testing properties of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may comprise a dual-drive pulsatile flow tester with the ability to determine coaptation of valve leaflets of a prosthetic device. The testing apparatus may be able to test prosthetic heart valves and reproduce physiological conditions of a prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A sensor structure and a method for producing the sensor structure. A base material is applied to a transfer support. The transfer support is arranged on a sensor body, and at least parts of the base material are transferred from the transfer support to the sensor body via local energy input.

Abstract: A mold test apparatus includes a mold support plate having a top surface on which a mold is mounted, wherein the mold support plate includes a plurality of test suction pipes communicating with paths in the mold, vacuum pipes each having one end connected to one of the plurality of test suction pipes, a pump connected to the other end of the pipe, and at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the vacuum pipe, wherein the paths communicate with adsorption holes provided in a top surface of the mold, and wherein the at least one pressure sensor includes a determining unit configured to determine whether the adsorption holes are clogged by using the measured pressure.

Abstract: A sampling system is provided. The sampling system includes a housing. Mounted to the housing is a Hall effect sensor. A probe configured to contact a sample is inserted into the housing. The probe includes an elongated portion and a restorative spring inserted onto the elongated portion of the probe. The restorative spring provides sufficient restorative force to return the probe to a relaxed position. The Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a field strength generated by the proximity of the restorative spring of the probe in the extended position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for estimating the total base number of used oil in an engine. The systems and methods can involve characterizing the sulfur content and at least one other element content of the oil both before introduction into the engine and after passing through an engine cylinder during combustion. Depending on the aspect, a total base number of the oil prior to use can also be measured, or the total base number before use can be estimated based on the at least one element content.

Abstract: Provided is an aircraft 10 which has been configured for conducting airborne gravimetry surveys, comprising a gravimeter 14, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver 18 arranged in signal communication with the gravimeter 14, as well as a Doppler lidar system 20 arranged in signal communication with the gravimeter 14. The lidar system 20 is configured to determine a vertical velocity of the aircraft 10 at a predetermined time, with a time signal from the GNSS receiver 18 used to operatively synchronise both the gravimeter 14 and lidar system 20 measurements. In this manner, a gravitational acceleration measurement of the gravimeter 14 is differentially isolable from a kinematic acceleration derivable from the synchronous lidar measurement.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of bio/chemical sensing, assays and applications. Particularly, the present invention is related to collecting a small amount of a vapor condensate sample (e.g. the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from a subject of a volume as small as 10 fL (femto-Liter) in a single drop), preventing or significantly reducing an evaporation of the collected vapor condensate sample, analyzing the sample, analyzing the sample by mobile-phone, and performing such collection and analysis by a person without any professionals.

Abstract: A method evaluates a frequency spectrum representative of at least one time-dependent signal, the at least one time dependent signal being derived from an output from a measuring device under predetermined measuring device operating conditions. The time-dependent signal, includes a portion being representative of a wanted signal, and a portion being representative of noise. The method includes the steps of determining, based on the frequency spectrum of the signal, a value representative of the noise floor, identifying, based on the frequency spectrum of the signal derived under the predetermined operating condition, a peak component, and if the peak component satisfies a relative peak criterion determined on the basis of the determined value representative of the noise floor, determining the wanted signal by applying a predetermined algorithm. The invention further relates to a method for determining flow of a measuring device, and a sensor.

Abstract: Fluid flow systems can include one or more resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) in contact with the fluid flowing through the system. One or more RTDs can be operated in a heating mode and a measurement mode. Thermal behavior of the one or more RTDs can be analyzed to characterize a level of deposit formed on the RTD(s) from the fluid flowing through the system. Characterizations of deposition on RTDs operated at different temperatures can be used to establish a temperature-dependent deposition profile. The deposition profile can be used to determine if depositions are likely to form at certain locations in the fluid flow system, such as at a use device. Detected deposit conditions can initiate one or more corrective actions that can be taken to prevent or minimize deposit formation before deposits negatively impact operation of the fluid flow system.

Abstract: A portable device for determining whether a tennis ball is compliant with a stated deformation standard compresses a tennis ball by application of a pre-determined pre-load followed by a pre-determined force. A scale is provided for measuring the deformation of the tennis ball after it is compressed. The device includes several plate members disposed in parallel and relatively movable a controllable amount by a shifting mechanism.

Abstract: A flow meter prover with a piston assembly that is movable from a start position to a finish position and an actuator assembly with a carriage that moves between a first position and a second position. Preferably, the carriage is operable to releasably couple to the piston assembly, and the carriage is operable to move the piston assembly from the finish position to the start position as the carriage moves from the second position to the first position. The actuator assembly preferably includes a linear actuator that moves the carriage, and the carriage preferably includes an electromagnet that releasably couples to the piston assembly. The piston assembly preferably slides on a flag rod having first and second flags mounted thereon and two guide rods. A photoelectric sensor senses the flags as the piston assembly slides on the flag rod and generates signals when it senses the flags.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring hydrogen flux across the wall of a vessel or pipe, the system including a monitored volume for sealing an attachment to an outside surface of the wall of the vessel or pipe for collecting hydrogen escaping across the wall surface; a membrane selectively permeable to hydrogen in fluid communication with the monitored volume for permitting hydrogen to escape from the monitored volume in between the two at a defined rate such that hydrogen pressure equilibrium may be reached in the monitored volume for a given hydrogen flux across the wall surface of the vessel or pipe; a pressure measuring device in fluid communication with the monitored volume for measuring hydrogen pressure in the monitored volume; and a temperature measuring device in fluid communication with the monitored volume for measuring temperature in the monitored volume.

Abstract: Control system (200) for a strengthening glove (100) with fingers (101-105), comprising a force detecting sensor means (210) for detecting, at different measurement locations (211-218) on the palm side (106) of said glove fingers, a respective force between a finger (11-15) and a contact surface, further arranged to impart a force to respective glove fingers, bending them towards a gripping position, further arranged to read measurement values from the strengthening feedback loop based upon the measurement values. The invention is characterised in that a predetermined pattern is detected, comprising certain measurement values, in that, when the said pattern is not detected and the actuating means are controlled according to a first program, and further when the said pattern is detected, they are controlled according to a second program, which first and second programs are different.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method based on an acceleration sensor and a geomagnetic sensor for determining an angular velocity of an object includes: deriving a state variable and a variance of the state variable based on an error quaternion and converting a quaternion-based rotation matrix into an error quaternion-based rotation matrix; calculating an observation matrix and an output matrix of the Kalman filter based on the error quaternion-based rotation matrix; calculating a gain of the Kalman filter based on the transferred variance of the state variable and the observation matrix of the Kalman filter after transferring the state variable and the variance of the state variable through a discretized transfer matrix; calculating a quaternion-based on a calibrated state variable and an estimated quaternion after calibrating the state variable and the variance of the state variable through the gain of the Kalman filter; and calculating angular velocity based on the quaternion.

Abstract: A tank and liquid level indicator has first housing that holds a liquid and a second elongated housing in fluid communication with the first elongated housing so that a liquid level in the second housing is approximately equal to the level in the first housing. A float in the second housing cooperates with the circuitry to operate one or more light switches. A light-transmissive cover is disposed over the light source.

Abstract: An accelerometer device (100) comprises a former (118) and an optical fiber (120) wound around the former. The winding of optical fiber (120) has a sensing portion (126) that is free to move in relation to a direction of desired sensitivity (128). A movable element (106) is disposed opposite the sensing portion (126) of the optical fiber (120), the movable element (106) being translatable so as to urge against the sensing portion (126) of the optical fiber (120) from a position external to the winding of the optical fiber (120) in order to vary a length of the optical fiber (120). The variation in the length of the optical fiber (120) caused by the moveable element (106) is indicative of an acceleration in the direction of desired sensitivity (128).

Abstract: A vibration device for generating various vibration signatures or characteristics is provided. This various vibration signatures or characteristics allow a single vibration device to be used to test and replicate failures in a subject device across a broad range of vibration signatures or characteristics transferring to the subject device. The vibration devices includes a pair of spaced-apart plates, each defining a slot therein. An adjustable fastener connects the upper and lower plates and extends through the upper and lower elongated slots. A vibrator is fastened to the upper plate via the upper elongated slot. To enable the vibration signatures or characteristics to be varied, the fastener is adjustable in a vertical direction to alter the distance between the lower plate and the upper plate, and is adjustable in a horizontal direction along the upper and lower slots. The motor can also translate along the upper elongated slot.

Abstract: A container for collecting a biological specimen is provided that includes a peripheral wall extending from a base. The container further includes a longitudinal tower disposed within the container. The tower forms a partition within the container to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber therein, wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. In addition, the container includes an insert disposed within the container opposite the base, the insert comprising at least a first opening and a second opening. The second opening provides access to the second chamber and is further configured to engage a specimen collecting device to leave a portion of the specimen collecting device within the second chamber. The first opening provides access to the first chamber and is further configured to receive a syringe therein for accessing the biological specimen. Associated systems and methods are also provided.