Abstract: An instrument cluster gauge includes a pointer assembly and a gauge movement. The gauge movement has a staff with a constant diameter. The pointer assembly includes a bushing intended to be placed over the staff when the pointer assembly is mounted on the gauge movement. The bushing has a bore having a lead-in portion providing radial clearance with the staff; a main contact portion with a slight interference with the staff; and a clearance portion providing radial clearance with the staff. The geometry just described facilitates the mounting of the pointer assembly on the gauge movement to a predetermined depth rather than to a predetermined force. Further, the assembly force is defined by design and is therefore more consistent than where a pointer assembly is mounted on a gauge movement staff to a target force. Also, the lead-in eases assembly of the pointer assembly onto the staff, facilitating flexible manufacturing. The bushing further has a face with a stippled surface.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal (TAn) responsive to the induction air temperature of an internal combustion engine. The signal (TAn) for the induction air temperature is determined from a signal (TMot) for the temperature of the internal combustion engine, from a signal (TU) for the ambient temperature, and from a correction factor K. Correction factor K is a function of a signal (mL) and/or a vehicular speed signal (v), signal (mL) representing either the induction air quantity or the air mass of the internal combustion engine. To enable the most accurate possible simulation of induction air temperature, even under changing operating conditions, the signal (TAn) for the induction air temperature is filtered, it being possible to variably select the time constant (ZK) of the filter in response to rising and falling induction air temperatures.

Abstract: In a device for photothermically testing a surface (1) of a moving test specimen (2), an excitation beam (5) may be applied to a test area (13). The excitation beam (5) passes through an aperture (12) in a collecting lens (11) that reproduces the thermal radiation generated in a measuring area (14), so that the collecting lens (11) may be adapted to a wavelength of the excitation beam (5) passed to a detector (20). A coupling mirror (9) mounted in the path of excitation beam (5) has practically total reflectivity for the wavelength of the excitation beam (5) and is arranged in such a way that it is very small near the focal area of the excitation beam (5), so that together with the aperture (12) of the collecting lens (11) it only masks a small part of the thermal radiation (17) passed to the detector (20).

Abstract: A loop transmitter is connected between a thermocouple and a loop detector circuit. The transmitter has a circuit mounted on an elongated circuit board within a cylindrical housing with thermocouple leads and output leads extending from opposite ends of the cylinder. The circuit is potted in high conductivity epoxy, with an adjustment screw left exposed. After amplifier offset adjustment, the housing is completely filled with a lower conductivity epoxy.

Abstract: A distributed pressure sensor is constructed such that a wire-like electrode member is arranged in the vertical (row) direction so that electrode surfaces alternately appear on the surface and the rear surface of a sheet-shaped pressure sensitive electrically conductive material, and moreover, a wire-like electrode is arranged also in the lateral (line) direction at right angles to the vertical (row) direction, and intersections defined by the electrode members arranged in the vertical direction and the lateral direction are located such that the pressure sensitive electrically conductive material is sandwiched from both the surfaces. The distributed pressure sensor has high flexibility and exhibits improved durability to repeated bending.

Abstract: A pop-up thermometer having an elongate housing formed with a longitudinally extending bore, first and second internal neck regions, a first internal cavity and a second internal cavity. An indicator rod slidably disposed in the cavity includes a front end portion, a first stem stretch extending from the front end portion and terminating in a raised portion, a second stem stretch extending from the raised portion and a rear end portion spaced from the front end portion. The front end portion and the first stem stretch are positioned in the first internal cavity while the second stem stretch is positioned in the second internal cavity. The first stem stretch has a lesser cross sectional diameter than the front end portion of the rod. A fusible material substantially fills the first internal cavity, engaging the front end portion and at least a portion of the first stem stretch to retain the indicator rod in the housing.

Abstract: A clinical thermometer registers the maximum temperature reached and uses as the thermometric fluid a non-toxic gallium/indium alloy which adheres to the walls of the thermometer measuring tube, the adhesive force being greater than the internal cohesive force of the thermometric liquid. A Gallium/indium/tin eutectic alloy is particularly useful in such applications and others.

Abstract: A system (10) for simultaneously measuring temperature and CO, CO.sub.2 and HC gas content of vehicle (11) exhaust detects and analyzes a beam of infrared electromagnetic radiation (21) projected through a plume (13) of vehicle exhaust to assess the concentration of CO, CO.sub.2, and HC in the vehicle exhaust and detects and analyzes infrared electromagnetic radiation (15) emitted by the plume (13) to assess the temperature of the plume (13) and, consequently, whether the vehicle's (11) catalytic converter is operating in the cold or hot mode. Essentially simultaneous measurement is taken by intermittently interrupting the beam (21) of projected infrared electromagnetic radiation and detecting and analyzing the emitted infrared radiation (15) during the intervals of interruption when the beam (21) is not projected through the plume (13). Intermittent projection of the beam (21) is accomplished by insertion of a chopper wheel (22) between an infrared beam projector (20) and the plume (13).

Abstract: An on demand useful life indicator (10) and method providing a uniform visual change. The indicator (10) attachable to goods or worn. This indicator includes a base (12); indicator material (14), impermeable adhesive (16), and a co-layered covering (18). The indicator material (14) provides a visual indication when exposed to a selected component of an ambient fluid.. The indicator material (14) is intimately fixed to one side of a second layer (22) of the covering (18) in a selected pattern. The adhesive layer (16) is applied in a selected pattern between the base member (12) and the covering material (18). A permeable second layer (22) of the covering (18) is adhered to the adhesive layer (16) allowing an impermeable first layer (20) to be selectively removed therefrom. The useful life indicator remains in a selected state of dormancy until removal of the first layer (2).

Abstract: A method of measuring thermal conductivity of a sample in both a machine direction and a transverse direction. The method is carried out with a probe having a electroconductive member in each of the above-mentioned directions. Upon application of a current to the probe, fluctuations in the voltage are received as a result of contact with the sample. This information is then used to generate a thermal conductivity ratio.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the thermal impedance of packaged semiconductor chips. The measuring apparatus includes a thermostatic bath filled with a dielectric liquid and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the bath. The semiconductor chip is subjected to a calibration step followed by a thermal response measurement step. Increasing the power pulse length allows measurement of the steady-state junction-to-case thermal resistance. The measuring apparatus and method is further used for tracing in-situ degradation of packaged semiconductor chips due to power cycling.

Abstract: A disposable cover for an infrared thermometer provides IR window isolation of handling and usage generated forces. The cover comprises a thin sidewall linked to the film window with a collar structure. The collar structure includes one or more characteristics that either isolate the film window from externally applied forces, or develops counter forces in a way that precludes film stretching and other transmission distorting effects. The cover of the present invention permits sanitary application of an infrared clinical thermometer without hindering reading accuracy or patient comfort.

Abstract: A thermometer includes a housing with a C-shaped window therein and a temperature scale adjacent to the window. A member within the housing has a colored or shaded region with a boundary visible through the window. The colored region is sufficiently large so that it fills the window from the lower side of the temperature scale up to the boundary. The boundary is moved relative to the temperature scale by a bimetal coil spring. The boundary and the colored region indicate the temperature being read by the thermometer. In one version of the invention, the window extends in an arc of about 180.degree., the member is a substantially planar disk, and the colored region is a semi-circular portion of the disk. The disk is mounted within the housing on a shaft, and the disk rotates relative to the shaft. The thermometer is easily readable under a variety of viewing conditions, especially adverse viewing conditions.

Abstract: A method is described for measuring localized operating temperatures and voltages on an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes an oscillator circuit with a frequency that varies with temperature and/or applied voltage. The frequency of the oscillator is then determined, using a constant voltage, for a number of temperatures to establish a known relationship between oscillation frequency and temperature. Once the relationship is known, a similar oscillator is included within or adjacent a second circuit of the integrated circuit. The operating temperature or operating voltage of the second circuit may then be determined by monitoring the frequency of the oscillator while the second circuit is operational.

Abstract: A temperature-time-pressure detecting device for a closed heat treatment zone consists of a sealed discoidal-shaped capsule of substantially transparent material adapted for placement within the zone in a generally vertical position. The capsule is formed of two opposed preferably symmetrical circular shell walls sealed around their common rim and defining therebetween a central core region containing a shaped mass of a fusible indicating material having a defined melting point at least as high as the temperature to be detected. The central core region is surrounded by an inner and an outer annular chamber which are concentric with the core region and with one another.

Abstract: A seal assembly is located at an entrance and/or an exit of a heat treatment furnace with a side plate for heat treating a continuously fed metallic strip. The furnace includes an elastic rotating roll which has a roll body and a roll shaft, and is engaged with an elastic pad fixed on a surface of a seal plate and the metallic strip to seal an inside of the furnace against outside air. The seal assembly includes at least two closely-set slip disks arranged in an axial direction of an end side of the roll body, and at least one elastic disk engaging the side plate of the furnace. The at least two slip disks and at least one elastic disk are fitted over the roll shaft between the side plate of the furnace on which the elastic rotating roll is rotatably mounted and the roll body of the elastic rotating roll such that the at least two slip disks and the at least one elastic disk are in surface contact with each other.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a structure such as a bridge has been severely damaged by an earthquake or other disturbance such as a flood. The method is designed to be carried out by unsophisticated persons immediately after such disturbance so that unnecessary delays will not be caused by the closing of bridges and the like which are not severely damaged. The method involves affixing a target to one portion of the structural member such as a span and affixing a pointer on another structural member such as a column. Preferably the target and pointer are positioned in such a way that a safe or unsafe determination can be easily made by the viewer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for accurately locating a train or a track repair vehicle along the track, or to locate accurately a track defect. When measuring track geometry, i.e. gage, cross level, warp, the measuring device moves foot by foot along the track and senses and stores a historical profile of various track geometry parameters. The historical profile is stored in a form usable in a processor in the geometry measuring equipment on a train or repair vehicle. The vehicle is run for a set distance to generate a real time profile which is correlated with the historical profile to get a match and a starting location. Then the vehicle proceeds foot by foot correlating the real time profile with the historical one so that an exact location on a specific track can be determined.

Abstract: A temperature sensor apparatus comprising: a capacitor with first and second conductors and a dielectric material between the conductors; a frequency generator coupled to the capacitor and providing an excitation signal thereto; a processor coupled to the capacitor, wherein the processor monitors a capacitance of the capacitor, converts the capacitance to a temperature signal, and alters a frequency of the excitation signal when the temperature signal passes a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Temperature of a body is determined by measuring the infrared radiation emitted by the body while simultaneously viewing the body. The body is viewed through a viewing cone with visible wavelength light conducted to the body from a remote source by optical fibers. Infrared radiation emitted by the body is collected by infrared-transmitting fibers which conduct the infrared energy to a remote sensor.