Abstract: A method for non-invasively monitoring a pressure of a compressed gas inside a closed container includes: forming a magnetic circuit through a portion of the outside wall of the container; detecting magnetic flux amplitude changes in the magnetic circuit created by a transient stress in the outside wall of the container; producing data representing the magnetic flux amplitude changes; and monitoring pressure changes from a nominal pressure by evaluating the data representing the magnetic flux amplitude changes.

Abstract: A combustion state-detecting system for internal combustion engines has a crank angle sensor which generates a crank angle signal with a predetermined period shorter than the firing period of the engine whenever the crankshaft rotates through a predetermined angle. A value of the rotational speed of the engine is detected whenever the crank angle signal is generated. An average value of the detected engine rotational speed is calculated over every period of one rotation of the crankshaft. A difference amount between a newest value of the average value of the detected engine rotational speed and a value of the average value calculated a predetermined number of firing periods earlier is calculated. The combustion state of the engine is detected based on the difference amount.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic vortex fluid flowmeter (10) includes a sensor housing (12) having a slip-on yoke portion which removably mates with a bluff body conduit connector (14) permanently installed in a fluid conduit to be monitored. An ultrasonic transmitter (22) and receiver (24) are respectively positioned within the legs of the yoke so as pass an ultrasonic wave through vortices (42) shed by the fluid as it flows by a bluff body (36). The slip-on yoke eliminates both the need to shut down fluid flow during meter servicing, and the potential for external contaminants entering the fluid. Control and processing circuitry (100) is disposed within a remotely located circuit housing (38) to improve overall isolation of the sensor from the fluid conduit being monitored. An Exclusive Or gate (44) is used in combination with an optimal phase range detecting means (108) for triggering a 90 degree phase shift whenever the phase difference between the transmitted wave and the received wave approaches 0 or 180 degrees.

Abstract: A multiple parameter sensor is disclosed having a preferred application in a turbine used in an auxiliary power unit. The multiple parameter sensor includes a first part (12) for rotation with a rotating member (14) having a speed of rotation to be measured; a second part (20) mounted in a fixed position adjacent the first part to respond to the speed of rotation of the first part to produce a first periodic signal (22), the second part in response to the first periodic signal producing a second signal representing the speed of rotation of the rotating member and comprising electrical winding (26) in which the first periodic signal is magnetically induced by rotation of the first part with the rotating member; and wherein the second part produces at least one additional signal with each additional signal representing one additional parameter of operation of the device associated with the rotating member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, determining the clearance between wear surfaces of a reciprocating piston engine and the surrounding cylindrical bore of the engine block, without need for physical contact with the piston. As particularly distinguished from the prior art, the present invention employs an energy wave source, collimated to impinge against selectable portions of the piston head either during its reciprocation, or at rest, in the so-called combustion or compression chamber between the moving piston and the engine cylinder. The energy source may be optical, electro-optical, acoustico-optical, or electromagnetic, generating continuous waves or high frequency pulses, or which are capable of reflecting such energy back to a plurality of detectors Such detectors are capable of measuring exceptionally high frequency (short wave lengths) signals to measure time (and hence distance) from the source to the piston head back to the detector.

Abstract: In order to obtain a rapid response of resistor elements having a hot film in a sensor carrier of a hot film anemometer, the resistor elements are inserted into a drawer-like recess at one end of the sensor carrier. The resistor elements rest with one end on a three point contact and are held fast on the three point contact through tension by means of contact springs in the connection area of contact clamps. Heat transfer which is detrimental to exact measurements can be avoided by means of the three point contact.

Abstract: A system for transporting a sheet of material including an actuator, a position sensing system, and a tactile sensor system. The actuator imparts a known force to a sheet, moving it through to the position sensing system, which measures the sheet velocity at various points. Afterward, the sheet moves through the tactile sensor system, which determines the coefficient of friction of the sheet. Given these quantities, a controller can determine the mass of the sheet, which can be used alter the performance of the sheet transport system.

Abstract: A float device is disclosed with an improved external surface having an outwardly concave curvature and a plurality of elongated grooves spirally formed on the concave surface. The concave surface provides improved clearance between the float device and the walls of the pipe that it is disposed in. Therefore, the float device is less subject to being lodged or stuck especially in highly viscous liquids. The spiral grooves provide additional passageway and stability by imparting rotational torque to the floating device when measuring flow rates in moving fluids in pipes. In another embodiment, the float device is annular in shape having an inner surface with a curvature and spiral grooves. Same improved effects are obtained as the float device rides up and down a column like a collar in measuring the fluid level or fluid flow rates.

Abstract: A real time maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) processor employs a table look-up mechanism to eliminate the MLE computation complexity. The real time MLE processor can be implemented with digital signal processing (DSP) chips in a personal computer. Optimally accurate estimates of mean wind velocity are obtained at all signals and noise ratios (SNR) using fast software algorithms.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided with an insert member that reduces the dead space of a fluid conduit used to provide fluid communication between a pressure sensitive component and a cavity within which a volume is contained. The insert member is provided with a channel formed in its outer surface so that continued fluid communication can be maintained between the fluid whose pressure is to be monitored and a pressure sensitive component disposed within the structure of the pressure sensor. The use of the insert member significantly facilitates the manufacture of the pressure sensor and reduces the need to utilize pins of excessively small cross sectional area during the molding process.

Abstract: A throttle valve switch unit for use with a throttle valve situated in an internal combustion engine. A mobile contact is drivingly connected to the throttle valve for movement with rotation of the throttle valve. The mobile contact is engageable with at least two fixed contacts. The first fixed contact is placed for engagement with the mobile contact when the throttle valve occupies a first predetermined position. The second fixed contact is placed for engagement with the mobile contact when the throttle valve occupies a second predetermined position. The first fixed contact is connected through a first resistance element to one of a first terminal for connection to the ground and a second terminal for connection with a source, of voltage. The second fixed contact is connected to the one terminal through a second resistance element having a resistance value different from that of the first resistance element. The mobile contact is connected to the other terminal through a third resistance element.

Abstract: An electric lamp which exhibits a pink color when energized and which comprises a vitreous, light transmissive envelope and enclosing a filament within and a coating on a surface of said envelope. The coating comprises about 42.5 w% calcined kaolin clay; about 42.5 w% synthetic precipitated silica; about 5 w% titanium dioxide; about 7 w% of chrome tin pink sphene; and about 3 w% red iron oxide.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring brake performance and updating information relating to brake performance while a train is in motion. A computer on the train is provided with inputs for grade information, axle speed, brakepipe pressure, and locomotive tractive effort. During brake applications when the train is in motion, calculations are made by the computer to update parameters which relate to braking performance, and to generate signals representing those parameters.

Abstract: The electric reflector lamp has a reflector body with a neck. A lamp vessel containing an electric element is secured in the reflector body, held by a mounting member which has a securing portion. A lamp base is secured around the neck. The mounting member has a circumferential wall which surrounds the neck and which has relief cooperating with relief of the neck so as to couple the circumferential wall to the neck. Elastic elements of the circumferential wall seize in the recesses in the ceramic lamp base so as to secure the base. The reflector lamp is readily assembled using a small number of components.

Abstract: The specification describes a test procedure for evaluating the susceptibility of electronic and photonic device packages to degradation effects caused by ambient hydrogen in the device package during the service life of the packaged device. The test procedure uses a hydrogen soak in which the subassembly parts are immersed in high concentrations of hydrogen gas at moderately elevated temperatures. The hydrogen gas is preferably diluted with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon for safety in handling and processing. The test procedure can be used to screen components once their susceptibility to hydrogen attack has been established.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of an air flow meter is disclosed. The flow meter is disposed in an air intake passage of an engine to detect an actual rate of air flowing through the air intake passage. The intake passage has a throttle valve with a variable opening size to control the actual flow rate of the air flowing through the air intake passage. The throttle valve adjusts the actual flow rate of the air according to an engine speed when the opening size is in a first range, and regardless of the engine speed when the opening size is in a second range. A throttle sensor detects the opening size of the throttle valve. An ECU computes a target rate of the air flowing in the air intake passage based on the detected opening size of the throttle valve, and a marginal range for allowing a deviation of the actual rate of the air flow from the target rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for single-axis examinations of micro samples in a tensile testing machine having opposite pull rods between which the apparatus is mounted for the application of tensile forces to a micro-sample includes a load frame for the connection to the pull rods which load frame comprises two parallel spring frame structures in the form of serially arranged cantilever beams defining multiple S structures interconnecting a bottom and a top frame part, sample mounting means mounted on one of the parts, a force measuring element mounted on the other frame part and including hydraulic sample mounting means and flexible means which bend depending on the pulling force applied thereto and which have tension measuring means to measure the bending extent and means for sensing the movement of the second mounting means relative to the one frame part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an aircraft engine testing tool which facilitates the visual inspection of aircraft internal engine blades by permitting the automatic repositioning of the internal engine blades to an inspection orientation. The aircraft engine testing tool includes a power driver structured to selectively and in a precisely controlled manner turn internal engine and which includes a gear down assembly that produces substantial amounts of low speed torque, and a gear spline connected to the gear down assembly and structured to rotate at substantially low speeds in accordance with the low speed torque produced by the gear down assembly. A mounting plate secures the gear spline operatively within an aircraft engine gear socket such that the low speed rotation of the gear spline results in a corresponding rotation of a plurality of the internal engine gears of an aircraft engine's constant speed drive and therefore the internal engine blades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring a parameter of a vehicle tire. In one embodiment, a detector unit disposed within the tire communicates with a central receiver unit over an electromagnetic path comprising one or more conductive components of the vehicle. Other embodiments of the invention include additional communications links for receiving information from and controlling the detector unit and the receiver.

Abstract: A method for measuring the flow rate in a fluid flow, particularly a two-phase flow comprising oil, water and gas from an offshore well, in which a temporary transitory shut-off of the fluid flow by means of a valve is performed, and the fluid pressure at a location immediately upstream of the valve is recorded from a moment of time when the valve starts closing to a selected moment of time after the valve is fully closed. Subsequently, the valve is opened to reestablish the fluid flow, and the fluid mass flux G is determined as a function of fluid density, friction factor, pipe diameter, selected moment of time after closure of the valve, friction loss recorded at the selected moment after closure and a pressure surge pressure.