Abstract: A partial dilution exhaust sampling system has an expanded ability to simultaneously perform two different evaluations on exhaust from a power source. Beyond testing for particulate matter production, the system may simultaneously evaluate exhaust for undesirable gaseous emissions such as NOx and carbon dioxide and/or concurrently evaluate particle size and distribution in the exhaust sample. After extracting sample flow from the exhaust stream of the power source and adding diluent to the sample flow, the diluted sample flow is divided into a first portion flow and a second portion flow. Depending upon whether the additional exhaust evaluation device is in parallel with the particulate measurement gravimetric filter or in series with the filter, a dilution flow actuator and/or an exit actuator may be adjusted to account for a fraction of diluted sample flow directed to the auxiliary exhaust evaluation device.

Abstract: Prostheses are fatigue tested using an apparatus under simulated physiological loading conditions. A fluid housing defines an entrance chamber having fluid outflow ports and an exit chamber having opposing fluid inflow ports and a central flow conduit in communication with the entrance chamber and the exit chamber. A plurality of housing tubes into which prosthesis are deployed may extend between the fluid outflow and inflow ports. Alternatively, tubular prostheses may be connected directly between the inflow and outflow ports. A reciprocating linear drive pump having a flexible diaphragm is provided to cyclically pressurize fluid through a common closed loop within the fluid housing and drive the pressurized fluid through the prosthesis being tested. The test system is capable of rotation independent of the motor drive for accurate diameter measurements of all test samples at elevated frequencies.

Abstract: In a method for production of a polycrystalline ceramic film on a substrate: a) the substrate is prepared with the substrate surface and preparation of at least one source for the ceramic particles of the ceramic film and b) a particle stream of the ceramic particles is generated from the source of ceramic particles in the direction of the substrate surface on the substrate, with deposition of the ceramic particles on the substrate surface on the substrate with formation of the ceramic film. At least one screen is arranged within the gap, for adjusting an average incidence angle of the ceramic particles relative to a plane normal of the substrate surface, such that the ceramic particles are deposited on the substrate surface at a preferred direction and a relative position of the substrate surface and the screen is altered while the gap remains essentially the same.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for filtering a fluid includes a filter element for filtering the fluid and an adhesive capillary structure for generating capillary forces. The adhesive capillary structure is attached to the filter element by using an adhesive property of the adhesive capillary structure. The adhesive capillary structure is preferentially made of a double-sided tape, which is adhesive on two sides. The filtering apparatus further includes a filtering location where the filter element is located, and a detection location where a property of the fluid is detectable. The capillary structure is formed such that the filtered fluid is guided from the filtering location to the detection location.

Abstract: A fill level switch (1) for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container (2), having a sensor element (3) for contacting the medium, a sender (4) for applying an electromagnetic emission signal to the sensor element (3) and an evaluation unit (5) for detecting a received signal from the sensor element (3). The sensor element (3) includes at least one cable (6) for guiding the emission signal. To provide a fill level switch, which is based on a sturdy measuring principle and which allows for reliable cleaning, the fill level switch uses a delay line as the cable (6) of the sensor element (3) and the sensor element (3) has a window (7) facing the medium in the mounted position of the fill level switch and at least a part of the cable (6) can be electrically influenced by the medium via the window (7).

Abstract: Provided is a device for use in locating the origin of a phenomenon of interest, including a sensor capable of detecting the presence of the phenomenon of interest and generating a detection signal in response thereto. The device also includes a phenomenon origin locator to monitor the detection signal and project light toward the origin when the detection signal satisfies a selected criteria level, thereby indicating the origin of the phenomenon of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving the accuracy of level measurement by reducing or eliminating receive circuit saturation in ultrasound level measurement apparatus. The method involves adjusting the transmit power in order to control echo amplitude, in particular to avoid saturation, when the surface being monitored is within a pre-defined distance from the ultrasound transducer. The particular advantage of the invention is that it may be implemented without change to the electronic circuitry embodied in the apparatus.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapor pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method by which quantities of water vapor passing through a measured object can be measured with high sensitivity and in a short time period. The apparatus and method measure water vapor permeability of the measured object based on a dew point temperature in a second space measured after introducing water vapor into a first space, wherein the first space and the second space are parted from each other by the measured object, and wherein the first space is maintained at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity under atmospheric pressure, and the second space is maintained in a dry state with a dew point temperature of ?70° C. or less under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.

Abstract: This device includes a stage for forming a gaseous flow from the sample, and a column for separation by selective retention of each gaseous constituent. It includes an oven for combustion of the gaseous flow in order to form a gaseous residue from each constituent, and a quantification unit for quantifying the content of each constituent to be analyzed in the gaseous flow. The quantification unit includes an optical measurement cell connected to an oven, and a mirror for introducing a laser incident optical signal into the cell. The quantification unit also measures a transmitted optical signal resulting from an interaction between the optical signal and each gaseous residue in the cell, and calculates the content on the basis of the transmitted optical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the unconfined yield strength and time unconfined yield strength of bulk granular materials and powders. A sample of bulk material is consolidated under controlled pressure in a sample cup with a hole or holes in the bottom. A moveable base smaller than the internal cup dimensions covers the hole(s) to prevent material from escaping the cup and to provide a base for removing the consolidated sample from the cup. After a predetermined time, the consolidated sample is removed from the cup by lifting the base relative to the cup walls through the hole(s) in the bottom of the cup. Once removed from the cup, the strength of the consolidated sample is measured by applying pressure to the top of the sample until the sample breaks. For time tests, the sample is consolidate with weights over predetermined time periods.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for calibrating a vacuum component of a phacoemulsification system at different elevations. The design comprises running a vacuum component to be calibrated at an elevation; determining a maximum vacuum pressure available at the elevation; determining a range of vacuum pressure available from running the vacuum component at the elevation; calibrating the vacuum component based at least in part on a the maximum vacuum pressure available and the range of vacuum pressure available. The design also comprises a to be calibrated vacuum component; a pressure delivery device; an altimeter configured to determine the elevation of the vacuum component; component reading hardware configured to read at least one measured value from the pressure sensing components of the vacuum component when exposed to at least one pressure value from the pressure delivery device; and a computer configured to correlate a plurality of measured values to the elevation.

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 calibration device according to embodiments of the disclosure is capable of being used with a non-invasive sensor. Certain embodiments of the calibration device simulate a human pulse by varying the volume of blood being measured by the optical sensor. Further, embodiments of the calibration device allow the generation of calibration curves or data for measured parameters over larger ranges of measured values compared to patient-based calibration.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks on a surface, such as a floor or a bottom of an equipment cabinet, includes a sound wave generator configured to generate sound waves, a tube having a first end coupled to the sound wave generator, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of openings formed in the tube, and a sound wave receiver coupled to the second end of the tube. The sound wave receiver is configured to detect sound waves generated by the sound wave generator that travel through the tube. The arrangement is such that sound waves are blocked from detection by the sound wave receiver when fluid enters the tube through the plurality of openings in the tube thereby indicating a fluid leak on the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a component failure within a thermal regenerator operates as follows. The burner control unit monitors at least one of a fuel pump characteristic for a fuel pump and an ignition system characteristic for an ignition system. The fuel pump is used to supply fuel to a fuel-fired burner and the ignition system is used to ignite fuel supplied to the fuel-fired burner. The fuel pump characteristic is communicated to the burner control unit which compares the fuel pump characteristic to a predetermined fuel pump criteria. The ignition system characteristic is communicated to the burner control unit which compares the ignition system characteristic to a predetermined ignition system criteria. The burner control unit identifies a fuel pump failure when the fuel pump characteristic does not meet the fuel pump criteria, and identifies an ignition system failure when the ignition system characteristic does not meet the ignition system criteria.