Abstract: The analysis apparatus includes a standby section which is provided between a dispensing operation of an analysis item B? prior to an analysis item C and the sample analysis channel introduction. The sample analysis channel introduction is arranged prior to a data collection section of an analysis item A. The operation is started earlier but after a sample dispensing operation section of the analysis item A. A sample dispensing operation section of the analysis item C can be started earlier and the analysis time of the analysis item C can be moved to immediately after a sample analysis operation section of the analysis item B?. The analysis item A in a second cycle can be started earlier by the early start time of the analysis item C in a first cycle. A total processing time Tc can be shorter than a total processing time Tb.

Abstract: A combined MicroElectroMechanical structure (MEMS) includes a first piezoelectric membrane having one or more first electrodes, the first piezoelectric membrane being affixed between a first holder and a second holder; and a second piezoelectric membrane having an inertial mass and one or more second electrodes, the second piezoelectric membrane being affixed between the second holder and a third holder.

Abstract: A funnel control device is fixed on a shear box or respective cells in various soil mechanics/dynamics testing devices, and the funnel control device enables to produce soil samples to be tested by discharging a soil through a funnel into a sample preparation mold at a given axis and rate. The funnel control device includes at least one supporting body for being placed on the soil mechanics/dynamics testing device, at least one holder, wherein the at least one holder is provided on the at least one supporting body to be movable in vertical axis and the funnel is placed on the at least one holder, at least one driving member, wherein the at least one driving member is located in or on the at least one supporting body and is used for moving the at least one holder in the vertical axis.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods include a PMUT mechanically coupled to, and electrically isolated from, a receive sensor via a common flexible membrane. The receive sensor may be an optical sensor or a receive only PMUT providing a feedback signal based on a received waveform, VRO(t), to modify the drive voltage Vd(t) of the PMUT. The feedback signal may be used to modify the drive voltage Vd(t) of the PMUT to shorten the ring-down period and may be based on the received waveform, VRO(t), and a desired receive waveform, VROD(t), which may be selected to optimize one or more of Q, bandwidth, resonant frequency, and spectral content of the drive voltage Vd(t). The drive voltage Vd(t) may be modified to a minimize a difference between VRO(t), and a desired receive waveform, VROD(t), or a closed loop weighted (?, ?) sum of the energy of VRO (t) and the blind zone duration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a fluid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

Abstract: A multidimensional sample separation apparatus includes a first separation dimension for separating a fluidic sample, a second separation dimension for further separating the fluidic sample, a switching mechanism, and a control unit. The first separation dimension includes a first fluid drive unit and a first sample separation unit. The second separation dimension includes a second fluid drive unit for driving the separated fluidic sample, and second and third sample separation units each configured for further separating the separated fluidic sample. The switching mechanism is configured for selectively switching an outlet of the first separation dimension in fluid communication with a selected one of the second sample separation unit and/or the third sample separation unit. The control unit is configured for controlling a pressure at inlets of the second sample separation unit and the third sample separation unit to be substantially the same at least at the time of the switching.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank are described herein. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a crankshaft sensor, of the type including a crankshaft wheel and a sensitive element facing the latter, during replacement of the crankshaft sensor, includes the following steps: saving an old angular position of a camshaft sensor wheel relative to the crankshaft wheel, which is achieved using the old crankshaft sensor, replacing the old crankshaft sensor with a new crankshaft sensor, determining a new angular position of the same camshaft sensor wheel relative to the crankshaft wheel, which is achieved using the new crankshaft sensor, correcting the measurement of the crankshaft sensor by applying an offset equal to the difference between the new angular position and the old angular position.

Abstract: A numerical-control machine tool is provided that includes a tool-holder head which is provided with a tool-holder spindle and is capable of rotating/tilting the tool-holder spindle about two different rotation axes inclined to one another; a movable supporting structure that supports the tool-holder head; inclinometer microsensor(s) that are located on the movable supporting structure of the machine to measure/determine the tilt of the element on which the sensors are mounted; and an electronic control device that commands the moving members of the movable supporting structure and of the tool-holder head. The electronic control device is electronically connected to the inclinometer microsensor(s) controls the moving members of the movable supporting structure and of the tool-holder head based on signals arriving from the inclinometer microsensor(s), so as to correct the spatial position and/or the orientation of the tool-holder spindle.

Abstract: Kits, apparatuses, and methods are provided for measuring acoustic properties of a surface. In an implementation, a kit may be provided. The kit may comprise an elongated pin; a tube having first and second ends, the tube having at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes, the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes operable to support the elongated pin therethrough; a mass adapted to be received through the first and second ends of the tube; wherein placement of the elongated pin through a first pair of the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes may prevent movement of the mass through the tube; and wherein removal of the elongated pin through the first pair of the at least one pair of diametrically opposing holes may allow passage of the mass through the tube.

Abstract: A 3D spring array device includes: a fixed body having an internal space therein; a moving body positioned in a center of an x-y-z orthogonal coordinate system in the internal space, wherein the moving body is configured to be fastenable to the end effector of the mechanical impedance estimating robot; and a first spring, a second spring, a third spring, a fourth spring, a fifth spring, a sixth spring, a seventh spring, and an eighth spring and configured to connect the fixed body to the moving body in the internal space.

Abstract: An example inspection robot may include a drive module structured to engage a top tube of a vertically arranged layer of tubes, at least one telescoping pole, and a lowering mechanism operationally coupled to the at least one telescoping pole and structured to selectively extend or retract the at least one telescoping pole, thereby providing a selected vertical position of a sensor carriage assembly. The sensor carriage assembly may be coupled to the at least one telescoping pole, and structured to accept at least one of a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: In aspects, a system includes an on-board storage containing a synthetic quality control material, a plurality of sub-systems having a plurality of operating parameters and including a material analyzer, a database storing quality control results that include results of the material analyzer analyzing the synthetic quality control material over time, one or more processors, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to, automatically without user intervention: generate a control chart based on the quality control results, determine that a parameter of the plurality of operating parameters is out-of-tolerance based on the control chart, and adjust at least one of the plurality of sub-systems without user intervention to bring the out-of-tolerance parameter to within tolerance.

Abstract: A chromatography valve for use in fluid analysis and chromatography applications is provided. The valve includes a first body having passages extending therethrough and opening on a flat face of the first body at respective passage ports. The valve also includes a second body engaged with the first body in a sealed relationship, whereby one of the first and second bodies is movable relative to the other one between two or more positions for controlling fluid circulation through the passages. The second body includes at least one cartridge receiving cavity for receiving at least one cartridge removably provided therein. The cartridge has channel(s) for channeling fluid of pairs of the passage ports, depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body, thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Abstract: An inspection robot may include an inspection chassis and a drive module with magnetic wheels coupled to the inspection chassis. The drive module may further include a motor and a gear box located between the motor and a magnetic wheels. The gear box may include a flex spline cup which interacts with the ring gear. The inspection robot may further include a magnetic shielding assembly to shield the motor and an associated electromagnetic sensor from electromagnetic interference generated by the magnetic wheels.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fully soft self-powered vibration sensor mainly uses a laser carbonization technology to prepare a two-dimensional porous carbon electrode with an origami structure, and then transfers the two-dimensional porous carbon electrode to a three-dimensional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cavity through mold transfer; finally, a laser engraving technology is used to create microstructures on surfaces of the porous carbon electrode and a PDMS film. The sensor includes the PDMS film, a liquid metal droplet oscillator, a porous out-of-plane carbon electrode, and a 3D PDMS cavity assembled tightly from top to bottom.

Abstract: A system includes a phase behavior analysis unit having a housing, a heating system connected to the housing and arranged to heat an interior of the housing, a pressure cell positioned in the interior of the housing, and a three-way valve with one inlet fluidly connected to a chamber in the pressure cell and two outlets. The system also includes a gas chromatograph that is fluidly coupled to the chamber in the pressure cell via the three-way valve.

Abstract: Layered coating applications for sensing telemetry are provided.

Abstract: A vibration control system calculates a Kurtosis Response Spectrum (KRS) of a response waveform which characterizes non-Gaussianity in a random vibration test and is utilized for vibration control. The system compares a target KRS and the response KRS, and controls a characteristic of a phase used to generate a waveform for control such that the response KRS becomes equal to the target KRS. The waveform for control is generated by applying a random phase to each frequency component of an amplitude corresponding to Power Spectral Density (PSD). The system controls a characteristic of this phase (e.g., standard deviation) per frequency, controls the KRS, deforms the waveform for control on the basis of an equalization characteristic, and calculates a drive waveform. The system sequentially updates the equalization characteristic on the basis of the response waveform and the drive waveform. The calculated drive waveform is provided to a vibration generator.

Abstract: A method and a fluidic network for acquiring and injecting a chromatographic sample into a chromatography system flow include a metering pump module, a sample needle, a needle seal and an injection valve. The metering pump module includes a metering pump and a pressure transducer in serial fluidic communication. When the injection valve is in a first valve state, the injection valve is configured to fluidically terminate ports of the metering pump module. When the injection valve is in a second valve state, the injection valve is configured to fluidically couple a fluidic path that includes the metering pump module and sample needle into the system flow of a chromatography system without resulting in a substantial change in the pressure of the system flow.