Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wear detection probe in which the deflection of a folded portion of an electric detection wire is suppressed so as to be able to cut the folded portion of the wire in a secure position. A truncated cone is formed at the edge part of a retention member, and a groove extending in a diametric direction is cut at the edge part. A supporting protrusion is formed by traversing the groove, and the electric detection wire is retained in a position in which the folded portion is securely mounted on the supporting protrusion which extends from both openings from which the electric wire extends. The wire is sandwiched by both side walls of the groove and the side walls operate as regulating walls so that when the folded portion of the electric wire begins to be exposed and contacts a brake drum, the folded portion will not be pulled out by a deflecting force in a sidewards direction.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting misfires of an engine that reduces on board computer memory loss and shortens the time to process routines to detect misfires. Teeth are installed in a flywheel connected to a crank shaft, and analog signals that are generated by a difference between a tooth and a bottom of a tooth space are detected by a magnetic pickup. The analog signals are transformed into digital signals by a digital circuit, and the number of HIGH values of the digital signals and time between the top dead centers (TDCs) are detected by a timer and counter. An angular acceleration of the flywheel is then found by an electric control unit (ECU). A magnitude of frequency components of the angular acceleration is found performing a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on the angular acceleration with respect to a Walsh function as a basis function, and the magnitude of the frequency components are compared with a predetermined reference value to detect a misfire of the engine.

Abstract: A bushing holder unit includes a cap holder unit including a cap holder in which a cap portion of a spark plug connector is fit, and a magnetizable portion by which the cap holder unit may be magnetically fixed. A magnetic fixing mechanism magnetically fixes and releases the magnetizable portion of the cap holder unit, and includes a shift guide that provides free axial movement of a bushing stem of a spark plug connector. An axial guide prevents lateral movement of a bushing of a spark plug connector but provides free axial movement of the bushing along the axial direction. A bushing holder receives the bushing, and includes a threshold plate with a measuring threshold surface that receives a connecting rim of the bushing. A thrust mechanism moves the cap holder unit along the axial direction, so that the connecting rim of the bushing contacts the measuring threshold surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable cylinder contribution tester for an electronic diesel engine, the diesel engine including a plurality of cylinders. The tester comprises a plurality of switches, each of the plurality of switches coupled to and for controlling one of the plurality of cylinders and a case for mounting the plurality of switches. When an abnormal diesel engine operation is detected each of the plurality of switches can be activated. When one of the plurality of switches is activated and the diesel engine does not decrease in performance it is indicated that the associated cylinder is malfunctioning. Existing test equipment for most electronic diesel engines is PC based and available to franchised dealers only, as well as not being portable for drive testing. Through the use of a cylinder contribution tester in accordance with the present invention, these type of repairs could be available to many independently owned non-franchised facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement of measuring devices on a semitrailer motor vehicle having a tractive unit, a semitrailer unit and a fifth wheel fastened to the tractive unit. An intermediate plate is disposed between the fifth wheel, the tractive unit and the semitrailer and is connected to the semitrailer. Measuring devices are disposed on the intermediate plate for measuring acceleration, tractive or braking forces and for measuring the weight of the semitrailer. The measured values are used to influence and improve the driving behavior of the semitrailer motor vehicle.

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed in which strain is measured exclusively by shear strain gages mounted on L or T-shaped legs. Each such leg has at least two arms which are orthogonal to one another. That is, the arms of the L or T each have a lengthwise or longitudinal axis, and two of these longitudinal axes are oriented at approximately 90.degree. with respect to one another. Each leg also has at least two shear strain gages mounted on orthogonal arms to measure forces in orthogonal directions. Three or more of these L or T shaped legs are integrated in a generally cylindrical and hollow body defining the force sensor. The shear strain gage outputs from the arms of this structure are sent to a digital signal processor which determines the magnitude and direction of any force/moment applied to the cylindrical body. Further, the shear strain gages are mounted in pockets sized to hold the strain gages and provide increased sensitivity to shear strain.

Abstract: A transducer circuit which includes a Wheatstone bridge balanced by negative integral feedback. The bridge includes responsive elements formed on a thin resilent diaphragm. When subjected to a force, the diaphragm deflects and unbalances the bridge. The unbalanced bridge produces an output voltage which drives an integrator having an output voltage that is an integral of the bridge output voltage. The integrator output voltage is applied to the bridge as negative feedback to rebalance the bridge. The integrator includes a capacitor which introduces a time delay to assure that the feedback is always negative. The negative feedback provides stability for the circuit. The integrator output voltage drives indicating and/or auxiliary devices. The complete transducer circuit may be disposed within a sealed module having the diaphragm as a surface.

Abstract: The quantity of fuel in a fuel tank 1 is measured by determining the displacement of a membrane 19 and pressure values from a sensor 13. The displacement values of the membrane are representative of volume changes in a gas chamber in the tank 1 while the pressure values in the sensor 13 are representative of the pressure of the gas chamber. With these values, the fuel content in the gas tank can be determined from the general equation of state of an ideal gas. In order to displace the membrane 19, an electric motor 20 drives a step down transmission 25 which in turn drives a spindle mechanism 22 which is coupled to the membrane 19.

Abstract: In its simplest sense the invention is an expansion chamber device that allows a sample to be purged and trapped for analysis without removal of the sample from the common field sample vial (VOA vial) storing the sample. The expansion chamber generally comprises an expansion chamber tube of transparent material having a top end adapted for gas tight fit in a compression fitting of a host purge and trap instrument, a bottom end including an external flange, and a central passage for fluid communication between a sample vial top opening and a host purge and trap instrument. A connector cap has a bottom end having internal threads for mating with external threads on a sample vial and a top end having an internal flange for bearing down on the expansion chamber tube bottom end external flange. An inert gasket forms a positive pressure seal between the expansion chamber tube bottom end and the sample vial.

Abstract: The scanning force microscope includes integrated optics for viewing the optical lever arm, probe and sample to be examined. The scanning force microscope includes an improved mount for the probe, which is magnetically secured to the body of the scanning force microscope, to improve ease of handling and mounting the probe assembly. In one preferred embodiment the scanning force microscope, also includes a base portion with a fluid cell for receiving a sample in a sealed gas or liquid environment.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a fluid flow line which extends at one end from a fluid source at a pressure to be measured comprised of fluids contained within a well borehole, and the fluid flow line has a "J" shaped component to trap debris and trash to prevent it from flowing the full length of the fluid flow line and contacting a pressure transducer. The flow line is further defined by the threaded connection of two structural components making up the sonde wherein the components thread together and threads are sufficiently spaced apart to form an elongate helix as part of the flow path.