Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for diagnosing an abnormality in an internal combustion engine fuel temperature detection apparatus, by comparing fuel temperature detection values with other detection values for cooling water temperature and intake air temperature. The arrangement is such that when there are large changes in the detection values for the respective temperatures, diagnosis is interrupted, thus enabling the prevention of erroneous diagnosis at the time of hot start and the like when changes in the respective detection values are large.

Abstract: The process and device are for detecting combustion irregularities in an internal combustion engine. The process consists in measuring the time intervals between the angular positions of the crankshaft, in grouping these time differences in sets of samples corresponding to each combustion phase, in calculating from each set a critical parameter that is representative of the variation in the instantaneous speed at the moment of combustion, and in comparing this parameter with a fault threshold in order to make a combustion diagnosis. Diagnosis at medium and high speeds is thus possible.

Abstract: An automated micro-valve assembly injects a fixed fluid volume fluid into a destination stream. The fluid to be injected (inject fluid) is conducted into a chamber. Flow of inject fluid out of the chamber is prevented by sealing the ends of the chamber using valves or by application of pressure. A fixed volume of inject fluid is injected into the destination stream by pressurizing the inject fluid in the chamber and opening an inject valve which connects the chamber to the destination stream. The pressurization of the inject fluid in the chamber above the destination stream pressure is effected by a T-valve which controls the flow of a purge fluid into the chamber. The purge fluid emitted by the T-valve flows toward the inject valve, forming a fluid-lock which establishes the fixed-volume to be injected. During the injection, the inject fluid is driven by the purge fluid pressure to flow through the inject valve into a destination passage which communicates with the destination stream.

Abstract: The improved sample holder comprises a cylinder portion 5 having a center hole through which a test piece is inserted, a reciprocating ram rod 7 that is inserted into said hole and which is vertically slidable under hydraulic pressure to push down the test piece, and a test piece fixing plate 6 that is inserted under the cylinder portion 5 as it is slid horizontally from either right or left, with the thicker part of the test piece being held between the fixing plate 6 and the working end of the hydraulically operated pushing rod 7. The holder permits a fatigue test piece to be mounted and fixed on a testing machine by remote manipulation so that a fatigue test can be performed in either a hot vacuum or inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A loading assembly that permits a lateral force to be applied parallel to an axis of a vehicle spindle includes a support frame and a wheel adapter housing mounted to the vehicle spindle. A loading member is pivotally joined to the support frame at a position spaced apart from the wheel adapter housing on the axis of the spindle. A plurality of spaced apart struts connects the loading member to the wheel adapter housing. An actuator applies a selected force to the loading member, which is transferred as a lateral force to the vehicle spindle. In a first embodiment, an adjustable coupling is provided between the actuator and the loading member to emulate a rolling radius of a tire assembly mounted to the vehicle spindle. In a second embodiment, a second loading member is operably connected to the first-mentioned loading member. A second actuator applies a force to the second loading member to apply a selected moment to the vehicle spindle.

Abstract: A scanning electron microscope is used to scan the etched facet edge to produce digital data representative of its profile. A Fourier transform of the edge profile is produced and the resulting plurality of spatial frequency components can be used to generate a first low frequency waveform component indicative of lack of precise edge definition, a midrange frequency component indicative of poor liftoff samples, and a high frequency component indicative of metal grain size. A tilt adjustment feature of the electron microscope is optionally used to advantageously magnify the shape of the profile in the y direction.

Abstract: A scanning force microscope utilizes a probe consisting of a glass stylus, or probe, positioned and oriented by an optical trap. The probe is an optically transparent cylinder having at least one tip on its axis with an apex dimension less than one wavelength of the light used for the trap. An optical displacement sensor utilizing forward scatter or an optical interferometer detects the motion of the probe caused by the force between the tip and an object to be scanned. Mutual scanning displacement between the probe and the object is carried out by moving a support stage along x/y coordinates or by movement of the light beam forming the optical trap along these coordinates. Radiation forces due to the three-dimensional intensity distribution of the light in the optical trap allow the probe to be positioned with precise control and with a low spring constant, allowing resolution in the range of .lambda./100, with the probe being capable of measuring forces smaller than 0.1 pN.

Abstract: In a device for judging of misfire of an internal combustion engine from a variation of crankshaft rotational speed during combustion stroke of each cylinders, a measurement period for measurement of crankshaft rotational speed at a cylinder is set by counting a predetermined number of first signals indicative of a predetermined rotational angle of a crankshaft firstly on the basis of a second signal indicative of a reference position of a camshaft and secondly and onward on the basis of the first signals used for setting the previous measurement section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a robot to simulate driving of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is actually on a chassis dynamometer includes provision for quickly, automatically, and accurately determining an accelerator gain factor to be used by the robot in actuating the accelerator of the motor vehicle to achieve predetermined vehicle speeds and accelerations. As a result, the simulated driving of the motor vehicle can be achieved so that the vehicle may be tested according to a predetermined travel pattern. To determine the accelerator gain, a proportional gain is determined on the basis of differences in incremental accelerator openings and resulting accelerations's while the motor vehicle is in a selected transmission gear. A product of the gain multiplied by a coefficient based on the various transmission ratios available is used as the accelerator gain dependent upon the particular transmission ratio selected during a test sequence.

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor arrangement that has a mass air flow sensor fixedly mounted on a sensor mount which is connected to the low pressure region of a downstream venturi. The sensor mount has an isolation air flow conduit in which is received the sensing head of the mass air flow sensor. The air flow conduit of the sensor mount is disposed in the air filter housing of an internal combustion air intake system. The air flow conduit is located in a low flow region of the air filter housing and has its outlet end connected to the low pressure region of the venturi located downstream of the air filter housing. The venturi may be connected directly to the outlet port of the air filter housing or may be located further downstream.

Abstract: A control system for a chassis dynamometer for bench testing vehicular performance, comprises at least one roller rotatably coupled with a vehicular wheel said roller to be driven by driving torque transmitted from said vehicular wheel therefrom, at least one dynamometer coupled with the roller to be driven by driving torque transmitted through the roller, a first monitor for monitoring preselected control parameters for providing first chassis dynamometer control data, a second monitor for monitoring rotary components in a system associated with the dynamometer including the dynamometer per se, for providing second chassis dynamometer control data, and a control signal generator for receiving the first and second chassis dynamometer control parameters for deriving a dynamometer control signal generating a control signal to said dynamometer for providing a rolling resistance to said vehicular wheel at said roller simulating a predetermined vehicular driving condition.

Abstract: A test taking arrangement for several separate testing points, especially for ground water and ground air tests, the arrangement has a guiding tube insertable into a ground opening and having a wall which is gas and liquid permeable at least in regions of testing points, transverse walls arranged in the guiding tube between the regions of the testing points and provided with closeable openings for testing conduits and a cylinder-piston unit train, a cylinder-piston unit train having a plurality of coaxially arranged cylinder-piston units and piston rods, a joint drive device coupled with all the piston rods of all the cylinder-piston units of the cylinder-piston unit train, a plurality of suction conduits and pressure conduits, and an alternating valve to provide a connection of each cylinder chamber of the cylinder-piston unit train with a corresponding suction conduits ending in the region of a testing point and with a corresponding one of the pressure conduits leading to a corresponding sample taking point

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting leaks in a test object having chamber walls, having a first and a second side subject to differential pressure produced by production of a partial vacuum on the first side, the detection being carried out by use of a test gas present on the second side of said chamber walls. The apparatus has a vacuum pump for providing the partial vacuum, a detector for detecting the test gas, a connecting means for connecting the apparatus to the test object, and a plurality of primary control valves for controlling the leak detection process. The improvement comprises at least one of the primary control valves being actuated by a driving cylinder and a driving piston, where the piston is actuated via pneumatic actuation which is provided by the vacuum pump while the test object is connected to the apparatus.

Abstract: A porosity measuring MWD system utilizing a source and two detectors is set forth. The source and two detectors are preferably mounted in a stabilizer fin on a drill collar. A standoff measuring device is also included. Dependent on dynamically measured standoff, output pulses from the two detectors are input to storage counters; different counters are selected for different ranges of standoff. Porosity measurements are determined from the counts for variations in standoff measurements; this provides a near/far ratio for ranges of standoff; as the standoff range varies, the counts are directed to different counters. Near/far ratios are determined and represent the apparent porosity; a corrected value of porosity is then determined for each particular range of standoff.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for monitoring biofilm formation which comprises incorporating in an aquatic system, a sampler apparatus comprising a duct 1 having a port 5 in which is retained a stud 17 having a test surface 19 which lies flush with the wall of the duct. The invention can also be used to detect Legionellae bacteria.

Abstract: An integrated tip strain sensor is combination with a single axis atomic force microscope (AFM) for determining the profile of a surface in three dimensions. A cantilever beam carries an integrated tip stem on which is deposited a piezoelectric film strain sensor. A high-resolution direct electron beam (e-beam) deposition process is used to grow a sharp tip onto the silicon (Si) cantilever structure. The direct e-beam deposition process permits the controllable fabrication of high-aspect ratio, nanometer-scale tip structures. A piezoelectric jacket with four superimposed elements is deposited on the tip stem. The piezoelectric sensors function in a plane perpendicular to that of a probe in the AFM; that is, any tip contact with the linewidth surface will cause tip deflection with a corresponding proportional electrical signal output. This tip strain sensor, coupled to a standard single axis AFM tip, allows for three-dimensional metrology with a much simpler approach while avoiding catastrophic tip "crashes".

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for measuring pressure in a sealed well using a differential transducer. A differential transducer is employed in a number of applications to measure either the pressure in the upper portion of a well or the level of liquid contained in the well. In each application, the back side of the differential transducer is vented to the same pressure as is present in the upper portion of the well. In one embodiment, the present invention is used to determine information relating to the liquid level in a well during a soil vapor extraction procedure. The information is then used to control a pump which maintains a desired liquid level in the well. In another embodiment, the present invention is used to determine information relating to the liquid level in a well during a pneumatic slug test. The information is then used to determine how quickly the well can recover from changes in pressure.

Abstract: The proper operation of an NDIR toxic gas sensor can be checked by using a non-toxic gas that has an absorption band that overlaps the absorption band used for measuring the toxic gas. The NDIR sensor cannot distinguish which of the two gases is responsible for causing the observed absorption of radiation in the sensor. Since detectors of toxic gases typically operate at low concentration levels, the extent of overlap between the absorption band of the toxic gas and of the non-toxic gas may be relatively small, since a larger concentration of the non-toxic gas can be used with no ill effects. The method may be applied to sensors for detecting carbon monoxide or methane for example.

Abstract: A borehole tool having adjacently located fluid injection/withdrawal apparatus and an electromagnetic measurement apparatus is provided. The electromagnetic measurement apparatus can be an imaging apparatus for helping set the tool in desired locations for permeability testing via fluid injection or withdrawal. In a second mode, during fluid injection or withdrawal, and if desired, before and/or after injection or withdrawal, a plurality of electromagnetic measurements (images) are made. Based on the electromagnetic and hydraulic measurements, and a model which interrelates the measurements, determinations are made as to various characteristics of the formation, including effective permeabilities. Related methods for utilizing the tool and for treating the data in an integrated fashion are also set forth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and process for determining the vapor pressure of materials in a mixture at relatively low vapor pressures by a gas saturation procedure. The process comprises passing an inert gas over a sampled material at a controlled flow rate to create a vapor of the sampled materials that may be collected and analyzed. Of particular importance, this method and apparatus provides a means of collecting vaporized samples over an extended period of time and, therefore, allows even minor components of mixtures to be considered in the final vapor pressure analysis. The apparatus also includes a means for determining whether sampled material has progressed as vapor beyond the means of collecting the sampled material.