Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens, and a solid-state image sensor for converting light which passes through the lens into an electric signal. A signal processing circuit serves to process the electric signal outputted from the solid-state image snesor. A Gray code counter serves to count pulses of a first clock signal and to generate Gray codes in response to the first clock signal. A latch device functions to feed a second clock signal and a synchronizing signal to the solid-state image sensor and the signal processing circuit in response to the Gray codes generated by the Gray code counter respectively.

Abstract: The rotation detecting device comprises m proximity detectors for detecting the passage of a mark fixed to a rotary element. Changes in the signals delivered by each of the detectors in a selected series of m-1 detectors are analyzed. Once a mark is detected at one of the sectors situated at an end of the series, a revolution counting index is incremented, a new series of m-1 detectors is selected excluding the detector which has just detected the passage of the mark, and criteria representative of changes in the signals are reinitialized for the forthcoming signals from the newly-selected series. An adaptive system is thus obtained applicable to detecting the rotation of a spinner in a water meter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid medium which flows upward through a substantially vertically mounted tube section having a suspended body in the tube section. The vertical position of the suspended body depends on the intensity of the flow. Movement of a magnet, movable with the suspended body, is sensed by a unit which includes a Hall sensor and an electronic evaluation circuit, responsive to the Hall sensor output, develops an output signal corresponding to the flow of the medium.

Abstract: A method for determining an image point in an object image composed of the steps of detecting an image signal made up of a series of image signal components representing respective picture elements in a radiation image, which includes an object image and which has been recorded on a recording medium. The center of gravity of the object on the recording medium is found from the image signal by weighting the respective picture elements with corresponding absolute values of differentiated values resulting from the carrying out of differentiation processing on the image signal values corresponding to the respective picture elements. A position, at which the center of gravity is located, is determined as the image point in the object image.

Abstract: A rotameter comprises a tapered flow passage, a magnetized float disposed in the tapered flow passage, and a plurality of float guides with guiding edges disposed parallel to and about the central axis of the tapered flow passage limiting the movements of the float in directions parallel tot he central axis of the flow passage, wherein at least one of the plurality of float guides includes an elongated cavity disposed closely following the guiding edge thereof, which elongated cavity accommodates a ferromagnetic rolling element of a round shape that follows the movement of the magnetized target in a rolling motion due to the magnetic attractive force therebetween, in which combination the rolling element functioning as a rolling electrical contact included in a potentiometric position sensor provides an electrical signal representing the position of the magnetized float relative to the tapered flow passage.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter comprises a vortex generating bluff body disposed across a flow passage, a first vortex sensing planar member disposed downstream of and parallel to the bluff body across a first half of the cross section of the flow passage, and a second vortex sensing planar member disposed downstream of and parallel to the bluff body across a second half of the cross section of the flow passage opposite to the first half thereof, wherein the leading edges of the first and second vortex sensing planar members are offset from one another by a distance generally equal to a half wave length of the sinuating streamlines created by the vortices generated by the bluff body; wherein two fluctuating electrical signals respectively generated by the first and second vortex sensing planar members are combined in such a way that the noise generated by the mechanical vibration of the flowmeter body is cancelled therebetween and an alternating output electrical signal representing the vortices is obtained.

Abstract: A device for measuring a flowing air quantity is proposed which comprises a sensor element which is exposed to the flowing air, is constructed in thick-film technology and contains a heating film resistor (R.sub.H), which is arranged on an insulating substrate (10) and through which current flows, and a sensor film resistor (R.sub.S) which is likewise arranged on the insulating substrate (10), serves to sense the temperature of the heating film resistor (R.sub.H) and is a component of a bridge circuit. The heating film resistor (R.sub.H) and the sensor film resistor (R.sub.S), separated from one another by an intermediate film (13) which is a good conductor of heat but is electrically insulating, are accommodated in a bubble (11) which is made of ceramic material, in particular of glass ceramic, and is arched on the insulating substrate (10). The thin diaphragm (14) made of a ceramic material ensures effective thermal uncoupling of the film resistors (R.sub.H, R.sub.S) from the insulating substrate (10).

Abstract: A transducer employs a beam with spaced, parallel end portions interconnected by a middle portion disposed at an angle of about 45.degree. with respect to the end portions. Strain gages are mounted on the middle portion of the beam. The transducer can be employed for measuring and monitoring forces acting on a shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for liquid flow detection especially adapted for use with an IV administration set includes an energy beam emitter device and an energy beam detector device. A drip chamber is connected in flow communication with a fluid reservoir of the IV administration set. Fluid flow is directed through a drop forming orifice into the drip chamber and thence into a supply tube for the IV administration set. The energy beam emitter device produces a pair of parallel spaced beams which are directed across the free fall path of the fluid drops and to the energy beam detector device. As the drops enter and exit the energy beams, signals are generated by the detector device as a function of time and are fed to a microprocessor. Using this data and relationships developed with conventional mathematics, the diameter of each drop can be extrapolated. From the drop diameter, the drop volume can then be calculated and used with the time measurements to provide extrapolated outputs of flow-rate and total volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring the rate of flow of storm water in an individual sewer. The apparatus comprises a collector bowl mountable beneath the storm sewer manhole cover and positioned to collect all water entering through the manhole cover. A flow pipe is mounted in the bowl and projects upwardly from the bottom thereof. Water collected in the bowl must rise to a level above the flow pipe before it will flow through the pipe and into the sewer. A flow meter sensitive to the water height above the flow pipe is positioned in the bowl and measures and records the rate of flow.

Abstract: A solid state imager of an amplifying type having an amplifying element for each photo receptor portion, wherein a noise cancelling unit is provided for the amplified output of each photo receptor portion at every vertical line so as to decrease noises, and further the solid state imager is configured to be the rear-illuminated structure, so that the sensitivity of the solid state imager can be improved due to the reduction of the noises and the numerical aperture thereof can be also improved.

Abstract: In an X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus including an X-ray tube for radiating an X-ray onto an object to be examined, an image intensifier for converting an X-ray image transmitted through the object into an optical image, a solid-state imaging device having an amorphous silicon layered type charge-coupled device for imaging the optical image through an optical system connected to an output of the image intensifier, and a display for displaying an output image signal from the solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device performs interlaced scanning in a frame storage mode in the odd-numbered field, and in a field storage mode in the even-numbered field.

Abstract: An improved resolution positive displacement flow meter of the type having a pair of meshed gears. A plurality of sensors are spaced to detect movement of the gear teeth as liquid flows through the flow meter. Where the gears each have n teeth and s sensors are used, the possible locations around the gear for each sensor relative to a reference point are determined by the formula ##EQU1## where K=0,1,2, . . . ,(s-1) and L=0,1,2, . . . ,(n-1). The outputs from the sensors are logically combined, for example, by an exclusive OR circuit or by an OR circuit, to produce s pulses each time the gear rotates through the angle between two adjacent gear teeth.

Abstract: A method and a circuit arrangement for measuring the air flow in the air intake passage of an internal combustion engine provide an output pulse signal which can be easily processed in digital control devices. The unbalance voltage of a measuring bridge, which is thermally coupled with a flow measuring member, is supplied to a voltage-to-frequency converter; a frequency which is proportional to the unbalance voltage of the bridge circuit is provided at the output of the voltage-to-frequency converter for further processing. At the same time, this frequency is used for triggering a monostable multivibrator which connects the flow measuring member with a voltage source in a timed manner.

Abstract: The mass flow rate of media moving through a conduit with two fixed extremities under a flexural vibration is determined as a function of ratio between two detected values of the flexural vibration of the conduit generated by a first motion detector detecting the flexural vibration of the conduit at a first section thereof respectively at two instants when detected value of the flexural vibration generated by a second motion detector detecting the flexural vibration of the conduit at a second section thereof vanishes and reaches a peak value, respectively.

Abstract: An assembly for accurately and easily positioning and aligning a sensor device relative to a fluid flow stream in a pipe, incorporates a threaded housing which is engageable with a standard pipe tee-fitting to provide a platform for linearly positioning the sensor relative to the axis of flow. A sensor unit subassembly is rotatably supported on the platform so that it may be rotated into proper radial alignment with the flow axis while it is supported on the platform at the proper linear position relative to the flow axis. A paddlewheel flowmeter having a single leg supporting the paddlewheel axle in cantilever fashion forms the sensing unit which exploits the improved alignment accuracy of this assembly to avoid build-up of sludge and debris which might affect free rotation of the paddlewheel. Separate and independent lock-nuts fix the housing in position relative to the tee-fitting, and fix the sensor sub-assembly in position relative to the housing.

Abstract: The electronic imaging apparatus comprises an imaging lens system for forming an image of an object at magnifications different between an x-z section and y-z section when the object is placed on a z-axis, an imaging optical system, an image sensor having a photoelectric converting surface substantially perpendicular to the z-axis for receiving the image of the object, and a video signal processing circuit capable of changing a difference in expansion/contraction ratio between a scanning direction and the direction perpendicular thereto for reproducing an image of object on the basis of output signals from the image sensor and is capable of generating video signals for displaying an image substantially similar to the object. This electronic imaging apparatus permits obtaining a very clear reproduced image which is substantially similar to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for calculating the flow rate through a pumping station that has at least one pump. For each pump and for each combination of pumps on oscillator circuit is provided of which the output frequency can be adjusted. The frequency of each such circuit is adjusted to represent the pump rate for the pump or combination of pumps to which that oscillator circuit corresponds. While operating the pumping station, a totalizing device has fed to it the output frequency of that oscillator circuit which corresponds to the pump or combination of pumps which is operating at any given time, and the total in the totalizer is incremented by a given amount for each pulse encountered. Thus, the totalizer is continuously updated.

Abstract: Torque wrench testing apparatus and method that includes holding a torque wrench, applying a predetermined torque load to one end of the wrench while limiting movement of the other end of the wrench, and measuring the actual torque applied, for comparison with the reading on the wrench gauge. The essential feature of the invention resides in the idea of limiting the movement of the other wrench end by a pylon that is pivotally mounted so that when it engages a pivotally mounted wrench handle, the handle will stay coaxial to the one end of the wrench to avoid a handle end from contacting the wrench beam, which would cause a change in the working length of the wrench beam and result in an incorrect calculation of torque.

Abstract: An automatic focus control device capable of obtaining an accurate in-focus state of a subject having less high-frequency components is provided. A luminance signal of the video signal of the subject is first differentiated by a combination of a delay circuit (27) and a difference forming circuit (26). The differentiated luminance signals are accumulated by an accumulator (31), and a clock pulses CL are counted by a counter (32) during the periods when the differentiated luminance signals exceed a predetermined value. The accumulated value is then divided by the clock count at a divider (33) to obain a focus control signal which is fed to a microcomputer (35). The microcomputer causes a lens (11) to move in accordance with this focus control signal so that an optimum in-focus state of the subject is obtained.