Abstract: A movement skills assessment system without a confining field includes a wireless position tracker coupled to a personal computer and viewing monitor for the purpose of quantifying the ability of a player to move over sport specific distances and directions. The monitor displays a computer-generated virtual space which is a graphic representation of a defined physical space in which the player moves and the current position of the player. Interactive software displays a target destination distinct from the current position of the player. The player moves as rapidly as possible to the target destination. As the movement sequence is repeated, velocity vectors are measured for each movement leg, allowing a comparison of transit speeds in all directions as well as measurement of elapsed times or composite speeds. The system has applications in sports, commercial fitness and medical rehabilitation.

Abstract: A system for estimating a velocity of a stress wave induced in a log or tree stem is used to maximize the value of wood products produced. An accelerometer is placed against the log while the log is struck with a pneumatic hammer. By monitoring the signals received at the accelerometer, the velocity of stress wave can be determined. Based on the velocity, an estimate of the modulus of elasticity (MOE) for the wood in the log is made. A price table is selected that relates different sizes of lumber having the determined modulus of elasticity to a current market value. The log is then cut such that the value of the lumber produced is maximized.

Abstract: A method of determining bad travel distances during traveling of a motor vehicle having a fuel tank, includes the steps of providing a differential pressure sensor at the fuel tank, determining by the differential pressure sensor a filling level of the fuel tank and producing a filling level pressure signal, determining by the differential pressure sensor a gas pressure inside the fuel tank and producing a gas pressure signal, and determining a bad travel distance by evaluating fluctuations in at least one of the pressure signals.

Abstract: A rain deflector for use with a rain gauge comprises a base portion, at least one arm portion having an axis and extending upwardly from the base portion, and attachment means whereby the deflector can be secured to a rain gauge. The arm portion provides an obstruction to rain falling in a direction at an angle to the axis of the arm portion and deposits the rain obstructed into the rain gauge to thereby compensate for rain which would not otherwise be captured in the rain gauge as a result of the direction of the rainfall.

Abstract: A dynamometer includes a pair of vehicle wheel-engaging rolls coupled through a clutch to a passive power absorption unit which includes a flywheel and an eddy current brake. A lift between the rolls can raise the vehicle wheels out of engagement with the rolls without braking the rolls The lift cooperates with a frame for partially covering and protecting the access one of the vehicle rolls so that, when the lift is raised the vehicle can be driven off the dynamometer substantially without contact of the vehicle wheels with the access roll. The dynamometer is calibrated by using the vehicle wheels to accelerate and decelerate the rolls, with deceleration activating the clutch to decouple the flywheel, which is then used for a coast-down test.

Abstract: A method of measuring a horizontal average flow velocity at a plurality of depths using an ultrasonic beam to obtain the flowrate of a river comprises steps of emitting continuous ultrasonic beams along a selected flowrate measuring free crosssection from one skirt of a river and measuring a moving distance of paired ultrasonic receiving transducers spaced away in an interval from each other until the outputting voltages of the paired ultrasonic receiving transducers become equal to each other and then measuring a horizontal average flow velocity, in which the paired ultrasonic receiving transducers are electrically connected to differential amplifiers in order to measure the position at a moment that their outputting voltage differences becomes zero, and furthermore steps of testing and correcting an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A portable foam compression tester for the testing of compressive yield strengths of roofing foam on-site at the point of foam application. The portable foam compression tester system comprises of a foam compression fixture attached to a standard roofing pullout tester common in the industry. The foam compression fixture consists of four support feet which, at one end, fix the foam compression fixture to the standard roofing pullout tester. A lift bar is attached to the pulling mechanism of the standard roofing pullout tester and pulls a moving platen upward as the tester is operated. A foam sample is placed on the moving platen and the sample is compressed against a fixed platen. The force required for compression of the foam sample is indicated on the force readout of the standard roofing pullout tester.

Abstract: A pair of measuring electrodes (63, 64; 73, 74) are provided along the circumferential portion of a cylindrical measuring tube (62; 72) made of an insulating material. The flow rate of powder passing through the measuring tube is measured as a change in the electrostatic capacity between the pair of measuring electrodes.

Abstract: A torsional sensing load cell comprises a load sensing member having first and second deflecting portions. Force-receiving areas are defined on upper and lower surfaces of the deflecting portions for bearing a load and its corresponding reactive force. This imposes a torque on the load sensing member which is detected by transducers positioned to detect torsional stress. The transducers are coupled in a bridge circuit and are placed such that the output signal of the circuit is insensitive to the location of an applied load.

Abstract: A barometric and altitude bomb detector and midair explosion avoidance system has reinforced armored chamber for containing air travel passenger luggage which is capable of regulating the atmospheric pressure within the chamber. The present invention is designed to track and safely activate bombs that operate according to barometric and altimeter triggering systems by regulating the atmospheric pressure inside the chamber to a similar atmospheric pressure which exists at high altitude (or to air pressure which exist in intercontinental air travel or during climb up), such that the bomb's barometric or altimeter triggering device, which are sensitive to high altitude atmospheric pressures, will move a diaphragm which pushes a switch connected to a battery and which by electric charge blasts the cap and detonates the bomb.

Abstract: An article of performance enhancing footwear having a piezoelectric spring apparatus in the sole member. Walking or running applies a first force deforming a piezoelectric actuator, thereby generating electrical energy. An energy storage circuit stores electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator. Sensing means is provided to sense the release of a second force greater than the first force, which triggers the release of stored electrical energy back into the piezoelectric actuator. The resulting deformation of the piezoelectric actuator imparts a force into the bottom contact surface of the sole member.

Abstract: Global and semi-global raingage orifices are provided which are suitable for use in conjunction with widely accepted standard gages to more accurately measure the local accumulation of precipitation, regardless of wind direction and speed during rainfall. The gage may be installed with its orifice either at ground level or a short distance above the surface. The gage orifices can be mounted on top of standard raingages, and measurements derived according to existing standards. The gage orifices are simple in design, easy to operate, and inexpensive.

Abstract: For the purpose of testing deformable containers (2) for tightness, a negative pressure is generated in the container (2) and the internal pressure is then measured. The negative pressure is generated by deformation of the container (2). A sealing strip (6) is set on the container opening (8) in order to maintain the negative pressure in the container (2). In non-tight containers, the pressure increases relatively rapidly again to the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A measuring platform having three supporting units arranged in a triangle, fixed and fitted with force measuring sensors, and stabilized with each other via a baseplate so that it is also possible to measure simultaneous jump-off and/or landing forces for single and multiple jumps, regardless of the ground support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a golf ball test hitter used for testing the performance of a golf club after manufacture of the club, which comprises a first arm corresponding a man's arm, a second arm corresponding to a wrist, being supported at a free end of the first arm, clamping means provided in the second arm for clamping a golf club, first swivel means for swiveling and manipulating the first arm, second swivel means for swiveling and manipulating the second arm, changeover means for stopping power swivel of the second arm by the second swivel means at an arbitrary position, and changing over the second arm from power swivel to inertial swivel, and brake means for braking the second arm changed over to inertial swivel, whereby arbitrary and varied motions ranging from beginners to professional players can be obtained, and hence varied test results corresponding to various patterns (club swivel trajectories including the motion of the wrist) can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns and ultrasound flow rate measurement method by means of a measuring tube and at least two pairs of ultrasound transducers located on the measuring tube, in each case forming a measuring path, whereby the radial components of at least two measuring paths deviate from each other with respect to the axis of the measuring tube and in the case of which the measured value for the rate of flow of a flowing medium is determined from the velocity of the medium along at least two measuring paths. In accordance with the invention an ultrasound flow measuring method of this kind is further developed in that the eddy intensity in the medium is determined from the velocities of the medium along the measuring paths, the relation between angular momentum and axial momentum enters into the determination of the eddy intensity at least approximately, and the measured value for the rate of flow is corrected by means of the eddy intensity.

Abstract: An optical strain gauge for measuring strain and torque on a rotating member. The apparatus includes a plurality of electrically resistive torque sensing elements secured to a rotating shaft which generate an output signal to a light. The magnitude of the light varies in accordance with the torque or strain sensed by the sensing elements. The optical signal transmitted by the light is received by an optical transmitting element having a plurality of fiber optic strands. The fiber optic strands pick up the received light and transmit the light to a photo sensing element which then transmits the signal to an intensity meter. The intensity meter provides an indication of the magnitude of the optical signal, and thus the magnitude of the sensed torque or strain. The apparatus does not require conventional slip rings or other like devices and is not susceptible to electromagnetic interference or other objectionable electrical phenomena.

Abstract: A new apparatus and method for applying a biaxial load to a flat plate test specimen is disclosed. A rhombus-shaped four-bar linkage is attached at one vertex to a fixed attachment point and a uniaxial tensile force is applied to the opposite vertex. The test specimen is placed inside the four-bar linkage and is attached to the four bar linkage by load transfer members connected at one end to the links of the four bar linkage and at their other end to grips holding the test specimen. In one embodiment, load transfer members parallel to the applied uniaxial tensile force are attached to test specimen grips adjacent to the link attachment points of the load transfer members and perpendicular load transfer members are attached to test specimen grips opposite their link attachment points. Application of the uniaxial tensile force then produces a biaxial tensile force in the test specimen.

Abstract: A large diameter load monitor sheave is provided for measuring the tension n a cable. The sheave is rotatably mounted on a cantilevered, generally vertical, fixed axle. The cantilevered axle allows the cable to be looped over the sheave without having to thread the cable between axle supports. The lower end of the axle is attached to a plate which is bolted to a mating plate on a vertical rod. Slotted holes on the axle plate allow the tilt of the sheave to be adjusted. The length of the rod can be adjusted, thus adjusting the height of the sheave. The lower end of the rod is supported by a pin connection to a base plate. A collar surrounds the upper portion of the rod just below the plate connection and the collar is affixed to an upright member projecting from a mounting support. A tensile force on the cable is translated to a tensile force between the collar and the upright member which is measured by a load cell.

Abstract: A liquid level monitor using a pressure actuated sensor to replace the open bubble tube. Air flows down the supply tube as in the bubbler, but rather than being released into the water, the air enters a chamber that has one movable wall, such as a diaphragm, that is acted on from the inside by pressurized air and from the outside by the hydrostatic head of the water. When the water pressure exceeds the chamber air pressure, the movable wall is pressed against an air outlet and does not allow air in the chamber to escape through the air outlet. One embodiment uses a diaphragm disposed over the air outlet; however, the concept may be extended to several other movable members, such as a piston with low actuation force. When the air chamber pressure exceeds the water pressure, the movable member moves away from the air outlet, releasing air and causing the chamber pressure to drop down to the water pressure.