Abstract: A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications.

Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting pathogens in an environment includes, during a first sampling period: triggering collection of a pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment by an air sampler; and tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection subsystem integrated within the air sampler, the first organic load representative of a first amount of organic matter present in the first pathogen sample. In response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment, the method further includes: interpreting presence of a set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and, in response to detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample, transmitting a notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment to a user associated with the environment.

Abstract: A leak detector is provided for leak-testing objects that are to be tested by spraying tracer gas, the leak detector including: a detection inlet configured to be connected to an object that is to be tested; a pumping device including a vacuum line connected to the detection inlet, a rough-vacuum pump connected to the vacuum line, and a turbomolecular vacuum pump connected to the vacuum line, a delivery of which is connected to the rough-vacuum pump; and a gas detector connected to the turbomolecular vacuum pump, the pumping device further including an ancillary pump connected to the rough-vacuum pump and being configured to lower an ultimate-vacuum pressure of tracer gas in the rough-vacuum pump. A leak detection method for leak-testing objects that are to be tested by spraying tracer gas is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a dart, a pressure sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor. The dart is disposed in a fluidic channel. The dart has a main body and a flange extending from the main body and has a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the fluidic channel. When the dart translates within the fluidic channel and passes a location of a variation in the fluidic channel, the flange creates a pressure pulse. The pressure sensor measures the pressure pulse within the fluidic channel created by the dart. The controller determines the location of the variation based on the measured pressure pulse.

Abstract: A fluid monitoring system includes a controller configured to determine that a value of at least one fluid property of a fluid is greater than a threshold value, and to control actuators to identify which fluid source has the fluid with the value of the at least one fluid property greater than the threshold value. Each actuator is configured to drive a respective crossover valve between a first position and a second position to direct the fluid from a respective first fluid source to a first manifold or a second manifold and to direct the fluid from a respective second fluid source to the first manifold or the second manifold. In addition, the first manifold is configured to direct the fluid to a first sensor assembly, and the second manifold is configured to direct the fluid to a second sensor assembly.

Abstract: A gas detection device is provided. The device includes a substrate and a dielectric material applied to the substrate. A sensor material is applied to the dielectric film. The sensor material has a bottom, a side, and a top surface. An electrode material is at least partially applied to the dielectric film and at least partially applied to a portion of the side of the sensor material and a portion of the top surface of the sensor material to pin a portion of the sensor material to the dielectric material. The electrode material forms a vapor barrier upon the sensor material to facilitate preventing delamination between the sensor material and the electrode material over portions of the sensor material where the sensor material is not pinned to the dielectric material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing flowability of a multiphase fluid are provided. The method includes agitating a sample of the multiphase fluid contained in a container while controlling an agitation force applied to the sample; pouring the sample, after it has been agitated, into a viscosity cup having an opening at its upper end and an orifice at its lower end and thereby causing the multiphase fluid to flow out of the viscosity cup through the orifice; weighing an amount of the multiphase fluid that has flowed through the orifice and into a receiving vessel over a period of time; and assessing flowability of the multiphase fluid sample using the weight of the multiphase fluid sample in the receiving vessel as a function of time.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an inlet, an outlet and an opening, and an insert removably insertable in the opening. The insert has a first side facing upwards and a second side facing downwards when positioned in the opening. The first side and the second side have a conduit positioned therebetween, and a control valve located at least partially within the conduit and movable between an open position and a closed position. The control valve in the closed position stops fluid from passing through the conduit. When the insert is inserted in the opening and the control valve is in the closed position, the insert substantially seals the inlet and stops fluid flowing to the outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining fill level of a substance in a container using a measuring device working according to the travel time principle. The measuring device transmits signals to the fill substance and, based on signal fractions reflected back in the container, ascertains an echo curve. The echo curve is transmitted to a superordinate control unit, and an envelope curve enveloping the echo curve is created and transmitted to the superordinate control unit. The echo curve and envelope curve are evaluated by the superordinate control unit. A wanted echo signal of the echo curve and envelope curve is identified. During the determining of the fill level the fill substance and the container are subjected to a current process. Based on information concerning the current process, plausibility of the wanted echo signal is checked and the evaluation is dynamically adapted to the current process.

Abstract: A flow inspection method includes: a flow step of making powder resin flow in a housing portion of a flow tank; a viscosity measurement step of measuring a viscosity of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion; and a judgment step of judging whether or not an estimate of a bulk density of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion is less than or equal to a bulk density permissible value, the estimate being obtainable from a correlation, calculated in advance, between the bulk density and a viscosity of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion, and a measured value of the viscosity obtained in the viscosity measurement step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a methodology for determination and prediction of heat exchanger fouling, such as polymer fouling in the circulation loop that forms part of the heat exchanger system. The buildup of a polymer or other undesired material deposit in the heat exchanger provides a distinctive temperature signature (thermal gradient) on the surface of the heat exchanger asset, which is visualized using a thermographic camera. Coupling images (thermograms) from the camera with a machine learning algorithm identifies fouling and, with knowledge of the historical data of the asset and operating and ambient conditions, enables prediction of future fouling. The thermal images provide several types, or orders, of temperature information that are indicative of locations vulnerable to fouling. In one case, the method uses machine learning applied to time-based temperature change/gradient information to detect hidden polymer fouling in areas that form part of the heat exchanger asset.

Abstract: A fluid leakage detection system has a detection space to which working oil leaked out through a rod seal is guided; the rod seal being configured to seal an annular gap between a piston rod and a cylinder head; a sensor unit configured to detect pressure in the detection space; and a controller configured to acquire detected result from the sensor unit, wherein the controller has: a calculation unit configured to calculate a pressure parameter representing a pressure fluctuation in the detection space; a determination unit configured to determine occurrence of leakage of the working oil based on the pressure parameter; and the pressure parameter includes an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the pressure fluctuation obtained from the detected result detected by the sensor unit within a predetermined detection period.

Abstract: An accelerated weathering device, system and method is provided for rapidly weather testing insulating glass units (IGUs). The accelerated weathering system can include an air sealed vessel that can removably house an IGU, an air flow system in fluid communication with a chamber in the vessel, the air flow system operable to increase or decrease a pressure in the chamber, an exchanger system in communication with the chamber and operable to increase or decrease one or both of a temperature and a humidity level of the chamber, one or more UV bulbs, and a computer system operable to control the air flow system and exchanger system to vary one or more of the following parameters in the chamber: temperature, relative humidity, and pressure.

Abstract: A method and a sampling tool for collecting particles from lubrication fluid of an engine are disclosed. The particles collected may be used to conduct analysis to diagnose a condition of the engine. The tool can be detachably connectable to a lubrication system of the engine. The tool comprises an inlet for receiving lubrication fluid from the lubrication system of the engine, a filter and a pump configured to induce a flow of the lubrication fluid through the filter.

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: A gas sensor system includes a sensing tube having an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a passage. A plurality of openings is formed through the outer surface and the inner surface. Each of the plurality of openings being no greater than 0.5 millimeters (mm) in diameter. A hydrophobic sealant layer covers the sensing tube. A protective layer covers the hydrophobic sealant layer. A sensor node is arranged along the sensing tube. The sensor node includes an inlet, an outlet, and an interior chamber arranged between the inlet and the outlet. A sensor element is arranged in the sensor node. The sensor element includes a first end and a second end. A sensor cable extends along the sensing tube. The sensor cable includes a first section connected to the first end of the sensor element and a second section connected to the second end of the sensor element.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a friction coefficient measuring device under the condition of material periodic deformation. The measuring device is mainly composed of a torque sensor, a sleeve system, an upper sample, a lower sample, a flexible fixture, an air bearing, a clamping system, a tension-compression sensor, a support rod, and a support table. A working module of a friction-wear testing machine is connected with the torque sensor and then connected with the sleeve system to fix the upper sample. A rotating module of the friction-wear testing machine is used for connecting the flexible fixture to fix the lower sample. The tension-compression sensor can accurately measure the radial force between the upper sample and the lower sample. The torque sensor can measure the load torque values of the upper sample and lower sample during testing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a comb sensor for measuring combing resistance, wherein the comb sensor comprises: a comb or brush comprising a handle, a head connected to the handle, and teeth connected to the head; and a bend sensor located on at least one of the teeth, to measure the bending of the one of the teeth. The present invention provides improved sensitivity and/or detailed measurement result.

Abstract: The method of handling fresh concrete generally includes the steps of receiving a viscosity value of the fresh concrete and a pressure value of a pressure exerted on a Theological probe moving in the fresh concrete; using a processor, accessing at least two calibration data sets, the at least two calibration data sets including combinations of different reference pressure values and associated reference workability values for a corresponding one of at least two reference viscosity values; determining a viscosity difference value by comparing the received viscosity value to the at least two reference viscosity values; and determining a workability value of the workability of the fresh concrete based on the reference workability values associated with reference pressure values corresponding to the received pressure value in the at least two calibration data sets and on the viscosity difference value; and handling the fresh concrete based on the determined workability value.

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.