Abstract: A twin-disc tribometer assembly includes a first sample drive shaft arranged to receive a first sample disc and a second sample drive shaft arranged to receive a second sample disc; a first drive motor configured to rotate the first drive shaft and a second motor arranged to rotate the second drive shaft. The first and second drive shafts are configured to be positioned relative to each other such that a sample disc mounted on the first drive shaft will make a point contact with a sample disc on the second drive shaft as the drive shafts rotate. The assembly is configured to allow the shafts to rotate relative to each other in a non-continuous reciprocating motion or a non-collinear motion where one sample disc is tilted with respect to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an autosampler. The autosampler includes a sampling needle, a swing arm, a main shaft, a synchronous rotating pulley, and a rotating shaft sleeve. One end of the swing arm is fixed to the main shaft, and the other end thereof is fixed with the sampling needle for supplying a sample. The rotating shaft sleeve is installed in the synchronous rotating pulley, and the rotating shaft sleeve is mounted on the main shaft. The main shaft can rotate around the central axis of the main shaft in synchronization with the rotating shaft sleeve, and can move up and down in the direction of the central axis with respect to the rotating shaft sleeve. The autosampler is characterized in that it further includes a contact member. The contact member penetrates the synchronous rotating pulley and the rotating shaft sleeve from one side of the synchronous rotating pulley in the radial direction thereof until it comes into contact with the main shaft.

Abstract: In an example, a sample collection apparatus to collect sample from a detection subject includes a circumferential ring tubing surrounding an interior and configured to be moved between bottom ring tubing position and top ring tubing position. The circumferential ring tubing includes air nozzles along a circumferential length of the ring tubing to direct air flow toward the interior as the ring tubing is moved from the top ring tubing position to the bottom ring tubing position, to blow air toward the detection subject in a sample collection zone in the interior and to push a sample of the detection subject via an air flow toward a platform on which the detection subject is positioned. The sample includes particles and/or vapor of the detection subject. A receptacle is disposed below the platform to collect the sample carried by the air flow through collection openings of the platform to the receptacle.

Abstract: An aerosol distributor for filter leakage detection in a gas filtration system, said aerosol distributor being configured to be positioned in a gas stream upstream of the filter, said aerosol distributor comprising: a rotatable distributor housing comprising a hub in fluid connection with two or more radial chambers evenly distributed around said hub, the distributor housing having an inlet for admitting a test aerosol from an aerosol source via the hub into the radial chambers, each radial chamber being elongated, sealed at a distal end, and provided with a plurality of outlet holes distributed along the length thereof for releasing the aerosol from the radial chamber into a gas stream surrounding the aerosol distributor, and wherein said aerosol distributor further comprises an actuator configured to rotate the distributor housing around a central axis thereof.

Abstract: A system for testing the closure integrity of a sealed container at a cryogenic temperature is provided. The system includes a sealed container containing helium having an opening sealed by a closure, a cryogenic storage vessel at least partially filled with a cryogenic fluid at the cryogenic temperature, a hollow tube extending through an opening of the cryogenic storage vessel, a fixture configured to engage the sealed container, and a leak detection unit connected to the hollow tube. The hollow tube has a first end positioned outside of the cryogenic storage vessel and an opposing second end positioned inside the cryogenic storage vessel. The fixture is configured to be removably inserted within the hollow tube through an opening at the first end of the hollow tube, such that the sealed container is positioned at or proximate the second end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A system for sensing the volume and/or viscosity of a slurry (e.g., like concrete) contained in a rotating container or drum, having a sensor and a signal processor. The sensor is configured to attach inside a rotating container or drum having a known geometry, sense angular positions of the sensor and also sense associated entry and exit points when the sensor enters and exits the slurry, including concrete, contained in the rotating container or drum, and provide signaling containing information about the angular positions and the associated entry and exit points. The signal processor receives the signaling, and determines corresponding signaling containing information about a volumetric amount, or a viscosity, or both, of the slurry in the rotating container or drum, based upon the signaling received.

Abstract: A dustproof test device includes a test box and a dust supply apparatus, where the test box includes a sample cabin, where the dust supply apparatus is connected to the test box through a dust tube, and where the dust supply apparatus is configured to transport dust into the sample cabin under the action of compressed air.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for determining a liquid front position of a liquid on a surface of an assay test strip placing a liquid on the surface of the test strip; and acquiring one or more signals from the surface of the test strip at one or more times, comparing the one or more acquired signals to a threshold, wherein the liquid front position is a position on the surface of the test strip where a signal is greater than or less than a threshold (e.g., fixed or dynamic threshold). Such methods may be used to determine the liquid front velocity of a liquid on a surface of an assay test strip and the transit time of a liquid sample to traverse the one or more positions on the surface of the assay test strip.

Abstract: A method for testing an optical assembly (1) which has an optical microstructure (3) integrated with a substrate (2). The optical microstructure (3) is positioned to form an external optical interaction area (4) on a part of a surface (5) of the substrate (2). A cover cap (6) seals at least a part of the surface (5) of the substrate (2) adjacent to the optical microstructure (3) to obtain a sealed cavity (9). An optical feedthrough (10) is integrated in the substrate (2) to form an external communication path from within the sealed cavity (9). The optical feedthrough (10) allows communication of a physical parameter value which is measured inside the sealed cavity (9) to outside the sealed cavity (9). The physical parameter value is associated with a measure of hermeticity of the sealed cavity (9).

Abstract: A tribological testing simulator includes a base having a pair of catchers that clamp onto a specimen, a punch that is drawn through the specimen, and a plurality of sensors that take measurements of respective regions of the specimen. The sensors measure their respective regions of the specimen as it is drawn from an un-deformed state to a deformed state, and facilitate conducting a tensile strip friction test. In some embodiments, the catchers have flat inserts that facilitate conducting a strip stretch or draw test simultaneously with a tensile strip friction test. In other embodiments, the catchers include drawbead inserts that facilitate conducting a drawbead friction test simultaneously with a tensile strip friction test.

Abstract: A gas sensing device is adapted to detect a concentration of a target gas. The gas sensing device comprises a dielectric layer, a reference sensing portion, a target sensing portion, and a controller. The dielectric layer is disposed on a surface. The reference sensing portion and the target sensing portion are respectively disposed on a supporting side of the dielectric layer, with said supporting side facing away from the surface. The reference sensing portion includes a first conductive layer and a first sensing layer with low sensitivity to the target gas. The target sensing portion includes a second conductive layer and a second sensing layer with high sensitivity to the target gas. The controller obtains the immittance values of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and calculates a concentration value of the target gas according to the immittance values and a correlation function.

Abstract: In an example, a thermal extraction apparatus includes: a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet to receive a gas flow through the housing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, and a side opening to receive a sample collector, having a sample collector adsorbent containing a vapor sample, into a sample collector location; a pump to generate the gas flow; a heater to heat the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector to a temperature sufficient to release the vapor sample; a thermal desorption (TD) tube connected with the gas outlet of the housing to receive the gas flow downstream of the sample collector and collect the vapor sample released from the sample collector adsorbent of the sample collector; and a cooling member in heat exchange with the TD tube to cool the TD tube.

Abstract: Lubricity of a sample of lubricant may be determined by precisely measuring temperature from friction generated between two or more moving parts in contact under force. For example, to carry this out, a rotatable pin and vee block test apparatus set forth in ASTM D2760-95 (Reapproved 2010) can be provided, and modified to provide its rotating pin with a hole longitudinally along an axis of the pin about which the pin rotates during testing. The hole is configured to receive, and for the testing receives, a thermocouple to measure temperature during the testing.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a simple, tool-less, and automated connection between a transfer probe and a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment in a hospital or laboratory setting. Advantageously, a single user connection is required: a fitting that is used to attach fluid tubing of the transfer arm to a probe, resulting in a mechanical, fluid, and electrical connection between the probe and the transfer arm. A PCA comprises a plurality of spring-loaded pins and capacitive liquid level detection circuity. A probe comprises a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces. The fitting secures the probe within a transfer arm and establishes the connection between the PCA and the probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contain identification fibers. The identification fibers can comprise one or more chemical markers, or taggants, which may vary among the fibers or be incorporated throughout all of the fibers. The disclosure also relates to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying chemical markers and correlating the chemical markers and a taggant chemical marker amounts of at least one of the chemical markers to manufacturer-specific taggants to determine supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Abstract: Example computer systems, computer apparatuses, computer methods, and computer program products are disclosed for testing an ultrasonic gas leak detection device. An example method includes determining a rotary position of a rotary selector of the handheld ultrasonic testing device. The method further includes determining whether the rotary position of the rotary selector corresponds to a first testing mode for testing the ultrasonic gas leak detection device or a second testing mode for testing the ultrasonic gas leak detection device. The method further includes generating a first ultrasonic signal for testing the ultrasonic gas leak detection device in response to determining that the rotary position of the rotary selector corresponds to the first testing mode. The method further includes generating a second ultrasonic signal for testing the ultrasonic gas leak detection device in response to determining that the rotary position of the rotary selector corresponds to the second testing mode.

Abstract: An improved liquefied natural gas vaporization system is provided for converting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to vapor so that it can be measured for integrity. The liquefied natural gas vaporization system of the present invention makes use of a sample probe that uses a cryogenic check valve to allow the vaporization process to begin early, and, due to design and incorporation with heated regulation, reduces the need for an accumulator, which is often used in other systems. By eliminating the need for an accumulator, a more real-time and authentic measurement of the LNG sample may be taken. After the probe takes the sample, the sample is sent to a sampling system and subsequently to an analytical measuring system, where the sample is measured.

Abstract: A test cell may include a base frame including a test slot; a pressure-generating insert positioned on a pedestal within the test slot; an impermeable protective layer in contact with the base frame; a sorbent layer positioned between the pressure-generating insert and the impermeable protective layer; a complex protective material swatch in contact with the sorbent layer, the complex protective material swatch having a contaminant applied thereon; a locking frame in contact with the impermeable protective layer, wherein the locking frame secures the impermeable protective layer to the base frame; a sealing gasket in contact with at least the locking frame and the complex protective material swatch; a gasket compression frame in contact with the sealing gasket; a cover in contact with the stability plate; and weights in contact with the cover. The test cell may be included in methods for measuring permeation of contaminants through complex protective material swatches.

Abstract: A sniffer probe is provided for a leak detector for checking the leak-tightness of gat object to be tested by means of a tracer gas. The sniffer probe includes a sniffer end piece that is configured to be connected to a pumping device of the leak detector, and a handle bearing the sniffer end piece, a capacitive proximity sensor including at least one handling detection electrode that is arranged in a grip portion of the handle, the capacitive proximity sensor being configured to send a handling detection signal that is associated with the at least one handling detection electrode to a processing unit of the leak detector in order to control the suction into the sniffer end piece according to the handling detection signal. A leak detector and a leak detection method for checking the leak-tightness of an object to be tested by means of a tracer gas are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for detecting a boiler leakage, in which the automation system of the recovery boiler receives an indication of a need to start the automatic sequence and starts an automatic sequence with the following functions: stopping the dosing of the tracer into the boiler water, stopping the exhaust purge flow of the boiler water, monitoring a property of the boiler water over the duration of the inspection period and drawing a conclusion regarding the leakage on the basis of said monitoring.