Abstract: A core sample test apparatus applies pressure to the core sample and measures responsive longitudinal deformation with two sensors and lateral deformation with two orthogonal pairs of diametrically disposed sensors. The apparatus holds the core sample under test in a sleeve to which no or insignificant end torsional forces are applied during installation due to rotationally blocked washers used adjacent the ends of the sleeve. Concurrent acoustic testing can also be applied.

Abstract: The road friction is determined from the deviation of the estimated yaw rate under a standard condition from the actually measured yaw rate. The system for determining the road friction includes a parameter identification unit which determines a parameter of a variation term defined in the transfer function of the model for the vehicle response. The variation term may consist of a zero-th order or a first-order transfer function which would not cause any large computation load, and may not depend on the vehicle speed. The determined road friction may be used for controlling the rear wheel steering angle of a four wheel steering vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a condition of burning in an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug and an ignition coil. The ignition coil has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is connected to the spark plug. An ion current sensing resistor is connected to a low voltage side of the secondary winding of the ignition coil for sensing an ion current. A diode is connected in parallel with the primary winding of the ignition coil. A switching element is connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil. The switching element is movable into and out of an on state. A suitable device is operative for resisting a current flowing through the diode when the switching element is in the on state.

Abstract: A plurality of flow velocity sensors are vertically installed in line at different positions in the same cross section in a gas flow passage in a pipe. Detection signals from the flow velocity sensors are inputted to a mean flow velocity computing unit which calculates a mean value of flow velocity measurements. The mean flow rate calculated at the mean flow velocity computing unit is converted into a flow rate by a flow rate computing unit to be displayed by a display. Regardless of flow velocity distribution in the pipe, which may change due to differences in the pipe shape, flow rates are accurately measured. As a result, flow rates are accurately measured over a wide range.

Abstract: A tire pressure indicator includes a cylindrical connecter, a lamp cover combined with the connecter, and an electric conducting unit arranged in the lamp cover. The connecter has an air guide disc to press open an air valve of a tire to let air in the tire flow out into the connecter, If the air pressure in the tire is sufficient, a bellows in the connecter expands inward to push an inverted T-shaped disc inward, which then pushes inward a battery laterally put in an insulating ring so that the negative of the battery disconnected from a negative washer fitted on the inverted T-shaped disc, turning off an LED lamp fixed in the lamp cover. If the air pressure in the tire is insufficient, the bellows shrinks back, permitting the battery move back by elasticity of a spring and contact with the negative washer as to turn on the lamp.

Abstract: The present invention is a fluid level detector for providing a signal indicative of fluid level in a fluid container. The fluid level detector includes a first light conduit portion for providing light to fluid within the fluid container and a second light conduit portion for receiving light provided by the first light conduit portion. A light path extends from the first light conduit portion into the second light conduit portion. The light path has a light path length that varies with fluid level within the fluid container. The light path length variation produces light intensity variation at the second conduit portion which is indicative of fluid level in the fluid container.

Abstract: A knocking detecting sensor for detecting knocking generated in an internal combustion engine includes a vibration detecting element, a terminal, a terminal holder, a casing and a sealing member. The vibration detecting element detects vibrations due to knocking. The terminal having a first and a second ends, the first end being connected to the vibration detecting element so as to take out an output therefrom. The terminal holder integrated with the terminal so as to hold it. The casing houses the vibration detecting element and the terminal holder, the casing having a terminal through-hole for externally protruding the second end of the terminal. The sealing member is arranged so as to surround the terminal between said terminal holder and the casing to prevent fluid from leaking into the inside of the casing from the terminal through-hole. Such a sensor structure assures airtightness of the casing and easiness of wiring the detecting element to the terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus for the measurement of components of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine in a flame ionization chamber to which the exhaust gas, combustion gas and combustion air are supplied and in which the gas components in the exhaust gases are measured. The apparatus comprises three connection lines respectively for receiving the exhaust gas, combustion gas and combustion air for supplying these to the flame ionization detector. A separate control line is provided containing a pressure controller and an outlet nozzle body which opens to ambient atmosphere. The control line has a section between the pressure controller and the outlet nozzle body. Each connection line has inlet and outlet flow adjusters defining a respective section therebetween. At least two further lines connect the sections of two of the connection lines to the section of the control line.

Abstract: A piezoelectric pressure sensor for detecting pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a backing plate secured within a housing. The sensor also includes a resilient prestress plate stacked on the backing plate. The resilient plate is formed of silicone elastomer. A sensor element is stacked on the resilient plate. The sensor element is composed of a piezoelectric material formed from a mixture of lead titanate and lead zirconate. A thermally insulating plate is stacked on the sensor element and a diaphragm plate is stacked on the thermally insulating plate and also secured to the housing. The diaphragm plate is exposed to combustion atmosphere and is adapted to transmit a pressure being determined onto the sensor element.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive position sensing device is disclosed where a probe assembly surrounding a waveguide is anchored at one end to the bottom of a tank and terminates in a transducer assembly attached to the top of the tank. The probe assembly compensates for differential coupling between two sections of the probe assembly. The sensing device also includes one or more fluid level floats movably surrounding a portion of the probe.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter comprising a non-conductive body having a central channel, first and second diametrically opposed cavities extending from the channel, and third and fourth cavities positioned, relative to liquid flow through the central channel, upstream and downstream of the first and second cavities, respectively. First and second self-sealing measuring electrodes are respectively positioned in the first and second cavities, and third and fourth self-sealing grounding electrodes are respectively positioned in the third and fourth cavities. Each of the electrodes has a tip and a multiplicity of saw-tooth edges extending outwardly from the periphery of the electrode. Each of the saw-tooth edges has a crest, a face normal to a longitudinal axis of the electrode and extending from the crest to the periphery, and a face at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the electrode and extending from the crest to the periphery closer to the tip than where the normal face reaches the periphery.

Abstract: A method of monitoring efficiency of a catalytic converter in a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining if at least one predetermined condition is met for monitoring the efficiency of the catalytic converter and combining a square wave multiplier signal with a feedback multiplier signal if the at least one predetermined condition is met. The method includes counting a number of square wave edges of the combined signal for an upstream oxygen sensor positioned upstream of the catalytic converter and counting a number of switches of a signal across a predetermined switch point from a downstream oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the catalytic converter. The method also includes the steps of calculating a switching frequency ratio based on the count of square wave edges and oxygen sensor switches and using the switching frequency ratio to establish the efficiency level of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A method for measuring the water level of a reservoir, a larger river and an underground water and an apparatus thereof comprises a waveguide tube selected in a predetermined length, on the upper portion of which a sonic pulse generator is mounted, and a plurality of sonic receivers (first, second, third . . . nth), such as a microphone, arranged at an interval l from each another, in which the sonic pulse generator generates sonic impulses in a predetermined period, the receivers receive impulses divided into advancing waves and reflecting waves in turns, these impulses are amplified/wave-shaped to be applied to a microprocessor, and the microprocessor measures the time interval t.sub.1 between the advancing wave and the reflecting wave received by first sonic receiver and the time interval t.sub.n-1 between first sonic receiver and the n-1th sonic receiver located close to the water surface so as to calculate the water level L.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter for calculating the flow rate of a measuring fluid flowing through a flow path using ultrasonic signals subjected to changes in the propagation time due to Karman vortices, comprising a reference signal generating device for outputting a plurality of reference signals of different phases; a signal analyzing device for outputting an input status signal by determining the relationship between the phases of the ultrasonic signals and each reference signal; a plurality of phase detectors for outputting phase signals by detecting the phase difference between the ultrasonic signals and the reference signals; and a channel selector for selecting the optimum phase signal using the input status signal and for outputting the optimum phase signal as a selection signal, wherein the flow rate signals are computed and outputted using the selected phase signal. The vortices are thus stably detected even when a phase change due to the vortices in the vortex flowmeter is large.

Abstract: A system and method for delivery of cardioplegic solution to the heart of a patient incorporates novel venturi flow cells individually adapted for insertion in the blood and crystalloid solution lines together with transducers for measuring a pressure drop across each venturi flow cell and transmitting it to a microprocessor to calculate flow rate for display on a monitor. The novel self-venting and self-priming transducers and venturi flow cells are incorporated in a disposable cassette. The transducers in the disposable cassette are removably snap connected to a hand set or plug housing which communicates with the computer or microprocessor and monitor. A novel variable ratio valve permits infinitely variable ratios of blood and crystalloid solution.

Abstract: A tire air pressure measuring device comprised of a first housing adapted for coupling with a valve stem of a tire. A valve pressure indicator is secured within a second housing. The second cylindrical housing couples with the first cylindrical housing. The valve pressure indicator has a needle extending outwardly therefrom. The needle extends through the first cylindrical housing to engage a contact point of the valve stem of the tire. A battery is secured within a third housing. The third cylindrical housing couples with the second cylindrical housing. The battery has wiring extending outwardly therefrom to electrically couple with the valve pressure indicator. A transmitter is secured within a cylindrical housing. The fourth cylindrical housing couples with the third cylindrical housing. The transmitter has a pair of wires one of which extends outwardly therefrom to electrically couple with the battery and another wire coupling with the valve pressure indicator.

Abstract: A sensor element for detecting misfire in an internal combustion engine includes: a detecting unit including a piezoelectric film consisting essentially of a ceramic material, a first electrode coated onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode coated onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the piezoelectric film; a vibrating portion consisting essentially of a second ceramic material, the detecting unit being placed on the vibrating portion so that the second electrode is coated onto at least a portion of the vibrating portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the vibrating portion so that the vibrating portion may vibrate. In the misfire sensor, the piezoelectric film converts the sound of a combustion explosion into an electric signal. The misfire sensor is excellent in precise misfire detection and durability at low cost.

Abstract: A system for measuring fluid flow in a conduit having a gradual bend or arc, and a straight section. The system includes pressure transducers, one or more disposed in the conduit on the outside of the arc, and one disposed in the conduit in a straight section thereof. The pressure transducers measure the pressure of fluid in the conduit at the locations of the pressure transducers and this information is used by a computational device to calculate fluid flow rate in the conduit. For multi-phase fluid, the density of the fluid is measured by another pair of pressure transducers, one of which is located in the conduit elevationally above the other. The computation device then uses the density measurement along with the fluid pressure measurements, to calculate fluid flow.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided with a piezoelectric measuring element which is positioned between two force-transmitting supports and exhibits anisotropic thermal expansion and lateral extension behavior relative thereto in a plane normal to the direction of force application. The piezoelectric measuring element, or the end regions of the two supports adjacent to the piezoelectric measuring element, are divided into several rod-, roller-, or rib-shaped elements, the two supports and the piezoelectric measuring element exhibiting essentially the same thermal expansion or lateral extension in longitudinal direction of the rod-, roller-, or rib-shaped elements.

Abstract: A level detector or proximity detector for materials capable of sensing through plastic container walls or encapsulating materials is of the sensor. Thus, it can be used in corrosive environments, as well as in a wide variety of applications. An antenna has a characteristic impedance which depends on the materials in proximity to the antenna. An RF oscillator, which includes the antenna and is based on a single transistor in a Colpitt's configuration, produces an oscillating signal. A detector is coupled to the oscillator which signals changes in the oscillating signal caused by changes in the materials in proximity to the antenna. The oscillator is turned on and off at a pulse repetition frequency with a low duty cycle to conserve power. The antenna consists of a straight monopole about one-quarter wavelength long at the nominal frequency of the oscillator.