Abstract: A testing device and method for determining the coefficient of restitution of a rebounding object, such as a ball, by comparison of the bounce periods of successive bounces of the ball. The ball is dropped onto the reaction plate from which it is permitted to rebound at least three times. A transducer such as a microphone is mounted near the reaction plate to detect the impacts on the reaction plate. An electronic circuit times the interval or bounce period between impacts, stores the bounce periods for comparison. The coefficient of restitution for the rebounded object is determined by comparing a subsequent bounce interval to a preceding bounce period as a ratio. The coefficient of restitution so determined is displayed on an LCD display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for circumferentially measuring tread wear on a tire. A laser probe sequentially scans each of the ribs of a tire, obtaining data respecting the tread depth at various points therealong. This data is employed for each rib to determine heel-to-toe irregular wear of the lugs thereof and to also determine a total wear index indicative of the degree of wear of the lugs. The method and apparatus is also adapted to laterally scan the tire sidewall to obtain data therefrom for the ascertaining of anomalies therein.

Abstract: A free piston shock tube/tunnel having a mechanism for stopping the piston or controlling the movement of the piston near the diaphragm end of the compression tube. The mechanism includes a generally annular protrusion positioned at the diaphragm end of the compression tube and extending upstream from the diaphragm to engage the piston at a point where the velocity of the piston is substantially at a minimum. The annular protrusion is spaced inwardly from the compression tube and has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the shock tube.

Abstract: An axial flow thermo-type air flow meter for internal combustion engines has a spider disposed in a main air passage formed in a body and having formed therein an auxiliary air flow passage including an axial auxiliary air flow passage portion accommodating a heat-generating resistor element for detecting a rate of engine intake air flow. The auxiliary air flow passage also includes more than one radial air flow passage portions which are connected to the axial air flow passage portion and curved and turned at their radially outer ends and then extend radially inwardly to outlet ends open to the main air passage, whereby the total length of the auxiliary air flow passage is increased to decrease the influence of pulsation of engine intake air flow on the air flow meter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the pressure within a fluid-conveying member of a mixture of a fluid and particulate solids comprises an outlet port in the fluid-conveying member, a buffer vessel having walls defining a buffer volume for containing a buffer medium, the buffer vessel having first and second end portions, and having a measuring outlet at the first end portion being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the fluid-conveying member. An impulse conduit has its first end in fluid communication with the second end portion of the buffer vessel and a fluid pressure measuring device is in fluid communication with the second end of the impulse conduit. A source of purging medium is in fluid communication with the second end portion of the buffer vessel. The flow of the purging medium is controlled to establish a back pressure in the buffer vessel sufficient to prevent particulate solids which flow into the buffer vessel from the fluid-conveying member from reaching the impulse conduit.

Abstract: A device for measuring force of bending of a head-flexure assembly including a load cell with a cell reference surface slidably mounted on a base having a reference surface, a shaft threaded into theload cell with a first thread and threaded into the base with a second thread so that by turning the shaft, the distance between the two reference surfaces can be very accurately adjusted providing that the device can be calibrated to an accuracy of less than ten milligrams.

Abstract: A control console for a gas die cylinder system which includes a plurality of gas die cylinders to which gas under pressure is provided wherein the control console comprises a body including an inlet for gas, a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet, a visual pressure gauge of the direct pressure type communicating with the chamber. An outlet extends from the chamber to the exterior of the body and a one way pressure control valve is provided between the outlet and the chamber and operable upon predetermined pressure in the outlet to modulate and maintain the pressure in the chamber at a predetermined pressure thereby minimizing oscillations and vibrations in the direct type pressure gauge.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the operating state of vehicle pneumatic tires (14) mounted on wheel rims (10) is provided with sensors (40, 42) for detecting the air pressure and the air temperature in each tire. Furthermore, it includes transmitting means comprising rim-side mounted rotor members (28) and bodywork-side mounted stator members (32) coupled thereto for transmitting the parameters detected by the sensor (40, 42) to an evaluating arrangement in the vehicle connected to the stator members. The pressure sensor (40) and the temperature sensor (42) of each tire (14) are coupled to a first transponder (44) which as reaction to an interrogation signal generated by the evaluating arrangement transmits the data supplied to it by the pressure sensor (40) and the temperature sensor (42) to the rotor members (28) of the transmitting means.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator includes an indicator main body having a first end adapted to be connected to an inflating valve member of a tire and a second end which provides a tire pressure reading. A light device has a rotatable support rotatably mounted on an appropriate location of the indicator main body, a light emitting device provided on the rotatable support, and a switch activated control circuit similarly provided on the rotatable support so as to control the operation of the light emitting device. The light device facilitates the connection of the tire pressure indicator to the inflating valve member of a tire and the viewing of the tire pressure reading under poor lighting conditions.

Abstract: A stable pressure transducer system is disclosed. The transducer system includes a variable capacitor having conductive plates with one of the conductive plates being associated with a diaphragm variable under pressure changes to vary the capacitance of the variable capacitor. The system also includes a reference capacitor. Circuitry for applying signals to the pressure variable and the fixed reference capacitor is used to obtain outputs from each of the capacitors with the output from the variable capacitor varying in amplitude with its capacitance. Circuitry for differentially combining the outputs from the variable and fixed capacitors provides an output voltage indicating the pressure applied to the diaphragm. In order to stabilize the output of the transducer, an isolating capacitor having a capacitance value at least several times greater than the capacitance of the variable and reference capacitors is coupled in series with one or both of the variable and reference capacitors.

Abstract: A dynamic fluid flow measurement apparatus is intended to be connected to a relative reference member, such as a marine vessel. The apparatus preferably includes a base member, a lever mechanism movable relative to the base member for transmitting force corresponding to direct dynamic fluid flow pressure applied to the lever mechanism, and a signal generator disposed in the base member for actuation by the lever mechanism. The signal generator generates an output signal corresponding to the force transmitted through the lever mechanism in response to fluid flow passed the relative reference member. In the preferred embodiment, the signal generator takes the form of a solid state pressure sensing transducer, such as a piezoresistive transducer sensor for sensing force transmitted through the lever mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a physical quantity, property or condition and for transmitting a code representing the measured physical quantity, property or condition. The method includes the steps of developing a first signal in response to a physical quantity, property or condition, sampling the first signal to produce an instantaneous first signal value, assigning a first code to the instantaneous first signal value, and transmitting the first code for reception by a receiver. The method and apparatus are explained in connection with a vehicle tire monitoring apparatus wherein plurality of tire units measure tire pressures and temperatures and transmit values representing pressure and temperature to a central receiver located in a cab portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure transducer including a first pressure crystal, a second temperature crystal, a third reference crystal and associated electronics. All three crystals resonate in the thickness-shear mode.

Abstract: A dual capacitor device for utilizing dependent capacitances for measurement purposes where an upper capacitor base member and a lower capacitance base member are arranged with parallel capacitor surfaces in horizontal planes and where the parallel capacitor surfaces are located on opposite sides relative to a vertical axis to define first and second capacitors. The lower capacitor base member has a centrally located section connected to an outer section of the lower capacitor base member by a torsion beam and the centrally located section is attached to the upper capacitor base member by a vertical arm member. The torsion beam means has a displacement axis normal to the central axis so that angular displacement of the torsion beam and the centrally located section about the displacement axis produces a capacitance change in the first and second capacitors.

Abstract: A footwear of the present invention is provided with tank chambers which are disposed to be in contact with an instep, sole and ankle of the user for applying pressure thereto to protect his foot from shocks. The tank chambers are filled with air and air pressure within the tank chambers can be adjusted. The footwear is further provided with a pressure sensor for measuring air pressure within the tank chambers to generate a pressure signal, and a pressure data displaying device for indicating pressure data on the basis of the pressure signal generated by the pressure sensor. Therefore, the user can make sure on the pressure data display device a pressure level at which the most suitable pressure for his foot is obtained. The user is also allowed to extremely easily adjust the air pressure at the above pressure level, watching an indication on the pressure data display device.

Abstract: An isolator for use in pressure transmitters for isolating the process fluid being sensed from a sensor, comprises an isolating diaphragm that is thin, and made of a suitable corrosion resistant metal, such as tantalum, and which must be anchored to an isolator housing made of a substantially different metal such as stainless steel. Tantalum is very resistant to corrosion, and is a high melting point metal, which is substantially higher than the material comprising the sensor housing so direct welding is virtually impossible. The present invention relates to securing a support ring of the same metal as the diaphragm surrounding the cavity formed for the isolator fluid, preforming a thin metal diaphragm made of the selected material, and then welding the diaphragm and a ring overlying the diaphragm directly to the support ring.

Abstract: The tire surveillance device of the invention includes a pressure measurement member, where the signal of the pressure measurement member is corrective dependent on the temperature and evaluation unit actuated by the resulting signal. The correction member (21, 34) is disposed such that it is exposed to the temperature prevailing outside of the tire (1). The disposition of the correction member avoids considering erroneous temperatures resulting for example from a heat stream generated by the braking device in the rim of the wheel.

Abstract: A composite torque transmitting power shaft is provided with built-in discrete sensible ferromagnetic elements. The composite shaft is formed of a non-ferromagnetic material so that the sensible elements, disposed interiorly of the shaft, can be sensed by a sensor element positioned outside of the shaft. Two groups of sensible elements are movable with respect to each other as the shaft twists under the application of torque. The elements can be sensed to provide an indication of the speed, torque or horsepower transmitted by the shaft. Further, the frequency and amplitude of torsional oscillations caused by pulsating power source or load characteristics can also be measured.

Abstract: A flow meter (10) employs phased arrays (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, and 20b) of ultrasonic transducers mounted on the exterior of a pipe (12) to transmit and receive sound directed through paths that pass through the pipe interior. The flow meter (10) determines the rate of fluid flow through the pipe (12) by comparing the sound-propagation times for sound traveling the same paths in opposite directions. By driving the transducers as phased arrays, the flow meter (10) can employ sound-propagation paths that form angles to the normal to the interior pipe wall that exceed those dictated by Snell's law as applied to the relative propagation speeds in the pipe wall and the fluid.

Abstract: Vehicle wheel tire inflation pressure, e.g. an aircraft undercarriage wheel tire, is measured in real time by a sensor assembly mounted on a rotary part of the wheel. The assembly includes a piezoresistive cell exposed to inflation gas pressure and an electronics module comprising an assembly of three printed circuit boards (PCB). A power signal transmitted from the vehicle to the electronics module via a rotary transformer is conditioned by PCB to provide an energising signal for the cell. Pressure and temperature signals output by the cell are received by the PCB and converted to digital form before being applied to address locations in a look-up table of PCB which holds pre-calibrated cell outputs. Data from the look-up table is processed to obtain a corrected real time pressure value which is transmitted to the vehicle. If desired, a temperature value may also be transmitted.