Abstract: An arrangement structure for a vicinity information detection sensor, the arrangement structure comprising: a vicinity information detection sensor provided on a roof of a fuel cell bus; and an obstruction portion provided between the vicinity information detection sensor and a hydrogen tank disposed on the roof, the obstruction portion obstructing the hydrogen tank from coming into contact with the vicinity information detection sensor.

Abstract: Within the scope of the invention, a device for monitoring the quality of a fuel stored in a fuel tank has been developed. The main field of application is diesel-operated vehicles. The fuel is therefore preferably diesel fuel. The device is defined by the fact that means for determining the boiling point of the fuel are provided. Furthermore, a method for monitoring the quality of a fuel stored in a fuel tank has also been developed within the scope of the invention. The main field of application is diesel-operated vehicles. The fuel is therefore preferably diesel fuel. The method is defined by the fact that the boiling point of the fuel or a deviation of this boiling point from a normal value is measured. During the analysis of real injection pumps which have failed it has been detected that an excessively low boiling point of the fuel can cause the fuel to outgas. As a result, bubbles in which the necessary lubrication is no longer provided locally form in the injection pump.

Abstract: A sprinkling or irrigation system includes a sprinkler controller that is capable of detecting a leak in one or more zones of the system. The system include a main valve and an adjustable valve in a bypass line around the main valve. The adjustable valve is set to a partially closed state such that a selected on of the zones produces a pressure at a selected proportion of the static pressure provided by the water source such as half the static pressure. A leak is detected when a zone, with the main valve closed and the adjustable valve in the partially closed state, produced a test pressure that is substantially lower than the selected proportion of the static pressure, as modified by a test factor.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for testing heat exchangers having mutually separate first and second flow paths. The apparatus provides a high pressure fluid source (10) to connect with a first pressure-sealed flow path of the heat exchanger under test. A volumetric sensor (VS) is connected to a selected pressure-sealed flow path, having a sensing chamber arranged to receive fluid from the selected flow path. The sensing chamber is connected to a further fluid source such as a compressed air reservoir (16) which provides a high pressure gas supply. Movement of a magnetic float within the sensing chamber is detected by an array of Hall effect sensors, enabling a CPU to calculate the rate of leakage between the two flow paths which may be signaled to a local display and/or alarm or remotely via an internet connection.

Abstract: An airplane fuel level optical sensor using one side-emitting plastic optical fiber (SPOF) and two fluorescent plastic optical fibers (FPOFs) to detect the airplane fuel level without using any electrically conductive component or element placed inside the fuel tank. This dual-FPOF sensor is capable of achieving high resolution and high accuracy with a one-time calibration in the actual airplane's fuel tank environment. One embodiment of the dual-FPOF sensor uses one SPOF and two FPOFs to detect fuel level change based on the optical signal output from the two FPOFs. The sensor design uses large-diameter (core and cladding), lightweight, low-cost and high-durability plastic optical fiber, which is very desirable for airplane installation.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for detecting a fluid level, includes providing a fluid container having a cavity and coupling a first sensor to the fluid container, the first sensor protected from a fluid in the cavity and positioned at a first vertical level of the fluid container. The method further includes causing movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container. The first sensor is used to detect the fluid level upon causing the movement of either the first sensor or the fluid container.

Abstract: A method for adaptive calibration of a fuel level indicator of a filling level of a liquid in a tank accompanying operations. A filling level of the liquid is detected with a sensor arrangement. A sensor signal of the arrangement is provided during a movement of the vehicle. In case that the course of the sensor signal is obtained in a respective defined time interval in which the sensor signal is provided several times, a constant value is assumed, an end stop is detected. The respective time intervals at which the end stops were detected and the respective associated constant values are stored. A minimum number of end stop is defined for the tank, and in the case that the minimum number of end stops is reached, a calibration phase is carried out.

Abstract: A plant-integrated measurement and monitoring system includes one or more sampling ports disposed throughout to provide fuel samples at key locations in the plant. Additional sampling ports are included to provide samples of water, lube oil or other fluids. Each fuel sample is analyzed in an automated analyzer that determines a presence of contaminants. Results of the analysis are interpreted by the plant control system to determine quality attributes of the fuel samples and identify locations and/or causes of identified anomalies. The control system further issues alerts or actions to limit an impact of the identified anomalies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for leak detection in a fluid compression system using a purge system are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method for detecting leaks includes determining, during a period of vacuum, a purge exhaust rate of non-condensables from a purge system integrated with a chiller unit. The method includes determining a differential pressure, the differential pressure based on a vacuum side pressure of the chiller unit, where the vacuum side pressure includes at least one of a pressure of a condenser and pressure of an evaporator. The method includes calculating, via a controller, the purge exhaust rate and the differential pressure to identify a leak size based at least in part on the purge exhaust rate.

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 liquid surface level sensor includes a housing, a float located on a liquid surface, a magnet that rotates in accordance with up-and-down movement of the float, an arm joined with the float and the magnet, and a circuit unit. The circuit unit includes a sensing element that detects rotation of the magnet, and a wireless communication circuit that outputs a liquid surface level detected by the sensing element to a device installed in a vehicle. The circuit unit includes generating element that generate electric power from a change in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the magnet, and a generation circuit that supplies electric power generated by the generating element to the sensing element and the wireless communication circuit as drive electric power. The circuit unit is included inside the housing in a state isolated from the outside.

Abstract: A phased array transducer apparatus includes a plurality of Phases Array Subassemblies (PASAs) that are arranged in three pairs in a single housing. The PASAs are each oriented at a compound angle with respect to a component under test in an environment such as a nuclear environment. The phased array transducer apparatus is carried into the environment by a tool, and the positioning of the PASAs on the phased array transducer apparatus results in the outputting of ultrasonic beams in various directions that avoids the need for the housing to be reoriented on the tool in order to complete an inspection of the object under test.

Abstract: The float liquid level meter indicator includes rotatable slats; a supporting metal fixture not obstructing rotation of the rotatable slats, the supporting metal fixture having an opening for observing a state of the rotatable slats and rotation shaft supporting hole pairs for supporting the rotation shafts provided on left and right of the rotatable slats, the hole pairs being disposed at equal intervals in an up-down direction, at least one side of the rotation shaft supporting hole pairs being of a cutout shape or an elongated hole shape in a front-rear direction; a housing for attaching to the float-liquid level meter, having a groove which prevents the rotatable slats inserted in the up-down direction and the supporting metal fixture from falling off in a front-rear direction, and having an opening for observing the state of the rotatable slats; and a lid for avoiding the supporting metal fixture from falling out from the housing.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity sensing device (1) is disclosed, along with a method for operation of the thermal conductivity sensing device and use of the thermal conductivity sensing device in a system for gas chromatography and a method of carrying out gas chromatography. The thermal conductivity sensing device is for use in sensing one or more gaseous components in a flowing gaseous environment. The device has a first sensor (4B) and a second sensor (4A) for exposure to the same flowing gaseous environment (G). The first sensor has an associated flow altering means (20) to affect gas flow at least at part of the surface of the first sensor, to be different to gas flow at the surface of the second sensor. Each sensor provides an output relating to heat transfer between a surface of the sensor and the gaseous environment. The device is operable to compare outputs of the first and second sensors. The sensor is able to reduce the effects of bulk convection of the flowing gas on thermal conductivity measurements.

Abstract: A device for picking and transporting nano-objects present in an aerosol for analyzing includes a porous sampling filter configured to trap the nano-objects. The device also includes a cassette having means for holding the filter in a cavity within the cassette, an inlet orifice configured to allow aspirated aerosol to pass through, and an outlet orifice configured to pass the filtered aerosol, rid of the nano-objects trapped upstream of the inlet orifice of the cassette. A module of the device is configured to collect, by inertial impaction, the particles of a size above a threshold value and to allow aerosol containing particles of a size smaller than the threshold value to pass. The module is further configured to reduce, during picking, emission noise of the aspiration means of the picking device on which the cassette is fixed.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a micro-rheometer (1) with a microchannel (2) and a sensor array arranged along the microchannel to measure rheological properties of a fluid. The sensor array comprises a plurality of pairs of electrodes (8, 8?), each pair being placed face to face to function as an electronic switch when the fluid flows through them. It further comprises a data acquisition system (10) with an electronic circuit in which each pair of electrodes is connected to an amplifier electronic circuit (11) to ensure an ultra-low electrical current flow through the short-circuit created by the fluid and the pair of electrodes, to avoid damaging the fluid. The invention may be used as a small portable device for medical diagnosis in diseases associated to changes in blood viscosity, operating in a wide range of shear rates.

Abstract: A mobile device includes an opening defining a fluid connection between a fluid channel in the mobile device and ambient air, and a sensor arranged in the fluid channel, configured to sense at least one component of the ambient air. The mobile device further includes a micropump configured to draw in the ambient air through the opening and to convey the same to the sensor. According to the invention, the sensor is arranged spaced apart from the opening, and the volume of the fluid channel between the sensor and the opening is less than 200 microliters.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an analytical sample by fusion. A mixture of a sample and flux material is heated and stirred, in a crucible, at a temperature sufficient to fuse the mixture and obtain a substantially homogeneous fused mixture; a first portion of heat radiation radiating from the crucible is reflected back to the crucible so as to provide additional heat to fuse the mixture, while heating and stirring the mixture; and the homogeneous fused mixture, is subsequently cooled, thereby forming the analytical sample.

Abstract: A testing apparatus employs an interface module removably attached to a filter testing device. The interface module includes a first flowpath communicating with an outlet of the testing device and a housing of the filter device, a first valve disposed in the first flowpath, a second flowpath communicating with the housing of the filter device and an exhaust, a second valve disposed in the second flowpath, and an enclosure enclosing the first flowpath, the first valve, the second flowpath, and the second valve. The interface module is cleanable and/or sterilizable, and replaceable. A filter integrity testing method uses an interface module to prevent contamination of the testing device and cross-contamination of different filter devices and avoid liquid ingress into the testing device.

Abstract: A composite-material pressure vessel (1) has a wall (4) with a reinforcing layer (11) containing one or more reinforcing fibers, wherein the reinforcing layer is an electrical conductor, wherein the wall (4) forms an electrical capacitor (13) having a first plate formed of the reinforcing layer (11), a second plate formed of an electrically conductive layer (15) overlapping the dielectric layer (11), a dielectric layer (14) interposed between the reinforcing layer (11) and the electrically conductive layer (15), as well as electrical terminals (19, 20) connected to the first and the second plates. The vessel control method and system perform electrical tests on the capacitor to derive information about the wall (4) structural condition.