Abstract: A system using ultrasonic energy for detecting and quantifying air bubbles and/or particles in a liquid flowing in a tube by a non-invasive and non-destructive technique has an ultrasonic sensor having piezoelectric transmitter and receiver elements placed opposing on the outside of the tube wall and energy in the ultrasonic frequency range is transmitted from the transmitter element to the receiver element. The received ultrasonic energy is amplified and detected and preferably split into a steady state (DC) component and a varying or transient (AC) component respectively indicative of the absence and the presence of an air bubble or a particle in the liquid. The two components of the signal are applied to an A/D converter whose output is supplied to a microprocessor which uses the digital data that corresponds to the presence of the varying transient component to indicate the presence of an air bubble and/or a particle and to measure its characteristics.

Abstract: To provide a highly reliable apparatus for measuring mercury contained in the gaseous medium, in which the outlet port 3b of the reducing tube and the gas-liquid separator, both susceptible to deposition of stain, can be automatically cleaned to avoid reduction of the sensitivity of the measuring instrument, the apparatus for measuring mercury contained in the gaseous medium includes a reducing tube 3 for reducing divalent mercury contained in a gaseous medium to zerovalent mercury, a gas-liquid separator 4 for removing a liquid component (drain) from the gaseous medium that has passed through the reducing tube 3, a measuring instrument 6 for measuring the quantity of the mercury contained in the gaseous medium delivered from the gas-liquid separator 4, and a cleaning system 10 for running a cleaning liquid from an outlet port of the reducing tube 3 past the gas-liquid separator 4 to emerge outwardly of the gas-liquid separator 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for guiding the movement of a transducer of an ultrasonic probe in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for acquiring a 3-dimensional ultrasound image. A pair of guide rails is disposed near both side-ends of the transducer and is disposed apart therefrom by predetermined gaps. Slots are formed lengthwise at side surfaces of the guide rails. Each slot has a bottom wall and a side wall. Bearings coupled to the both side-ends of the transducer are received in the slots and roll on the bottom walls of the slots. First magnets are fixed to the both side-ends of the transducer and second magnets are fixed to the side walls of the slots along the overall length of the slots. The first magnets are received in the slots and are disposed opposite to the second magnets so that repulsive forces are generated therebetween.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a testing apparatus for testing material integrity of an object. The exemplary testing apparatus includes a phased array transducer, which is disposed external to the object. The phased array transducer is configured to transmit a first set of ultrasonic signals and to receive a second set of ultrasonic signals. The testing apparatus further includes logic circuitry coupled to the phased array transducer. The logic circuitry is configured to dynamically control apertures for transmitting the first set of ultrasonic signals and receiving the second set of ultrasonic signals based on a region of interest and a testing speed.

Abstract: The invention may be used for detecting fluid leaks in a fluid containment element having a primary element enclosed in a secondary element. A fluid container may have a reservoir with an upstanding test cylinder with a selected fluid volume. A device may be disposed in the test cylinder to determine the level of a test fluid. There may be a closure for a top opening and the closure may have a hole. A nonexpandable conduit may connected at a first end to the hole and at a second end to a pressurized gas supply. The fluid container may have an outlet port therein and a first end of an outlet nonexpandable conduit may be connected to the outlet port. A block valve may be disposed in the outlet nonexpandable conduit. The fluid container may be pressurized by the introduction of a gas from the pressurized gas supply.

Abstract: The moisture detector assembly includes a moisture detector having a probe extending into a housing bore to have fluid flow in contact with the probe and exiting through a housing bore orifice. A pressure regulator is mounted to the housing with its outlet opening to the housing bore. The regulator includes a cap closing the regulator bore opposite the outlet to provide a main chamber and has an inlet and a piston extending within the regulator bore to control fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. The regulator outlet is an orifice for limiting fluid flow from the regulator bore to the housing bore. The piston enlarged head and the opening of outlet toward the head provides a control chamber in the regulator bore with the pressure therein controlling the movement of the piston between fluid flow blocking and fluid flowing positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the level of a liquid cryogen. The invention provides for use of a current source (52), a length, or multiple lengths, of superconducting filament (40) situated within a cryostat (1) containing a cryogenic fluid (2) and a voltmeter (51) for measuring the voltage drop across the filament (40). The invention further provides a method for using said apparatus.

Abstract: A method for selecting trees for harvest according to a predetermined criterion is provided which includes at least the steps of applying a vibrative member to the tree, vibrating the vibrative member, determining the resonance properties of the vibrative member, calculating an observed quality factor associated with the vibrative member vibrations, and, comparing the observed quality factor with a predetermined relationship between the quality factor and the tree selection criterion. A portable tree probe, suitable for field use, is also provided.

Abstract: The depth of a cryogenic liquid in a Dewar may be ascertained by inserting a measurement probe into the container. The measurement probe includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and an open distal end, a heater operationally connected within the tube and positioned substantially adjacent the distal end, a pressure sensor operationally connected within the tube and positioned substantially adjacent the proximal end, and a microcontroller in electric communication with the heater and with the pressure sensor. The distal end of the measurement probe is placed against the bottom of the container, liquid from the container enters the tube, and is evaporated by the heater. The gas pressure in the tube between the heater and the pressure sensor is increased, until the gas pressure in the tube is equal to the pressure exerted by the liquid in the Dewar.

Abstract: A sensor element for electrically measuring the position of liquid levels, comprising a substrate (2) and a plurality of electrodes (3) that can be contacted individually and that are mounted on the substrate, characterized in that the electrodes comprise sensor-active partial electrodes (5) that are networked with electrical connections (7), with the partial electrodes of two respective electrodes always being positioned opposite one another, separated by a distance, as partial electrode pairs (11) and with the electrode pairs (8) thus formed recurring periodically over the length of the sensor. Quasi-digital measuring methods are derived from the behavior of the impedance of the electrode pairs, whereby the liquid level is measured by detecting a conductivity boundary in a capillary filling.

Abstract: A performance measuring system for a rotating shaft comprises a first annular support assembly to be coupled adjacent to a first end of a rotating shaft inwardly of associated shaft bearings. A second annular support assembly is to be coupled adjacent to a second end of a rotating shaft inwardly of associated shaft bearings. A third annular support assembly is to be coupled to the rotating shaft between the first and second support assemblies. A laser source is mounted on the first annular support assembly. A laser detector is mounted on the second annular support assembly. First and second magnetic sensors for detecting the Earth's magnetic field are mounted respectively on the first and second annular support assemblies. An accelerometer is mounted on the third annular support assembly for generating a fourth detection signal.

Abstract: A water depth measuring method comprises steps of making a bundle of reference water column pressure measuring tubes of a U character form of the number of n≧2 at a same length with a water depth measuring tube in order to compensate for a total error of a water depth measurement; filling an amount of water into the reference water column pressure measuring tubes to form water columns therein; measuring the water pressure in the reference water column pressure measuring tube by a pressure transducer before measuring a water depth; subtracting previously known water column pressure values derived from the measured water pressure values to calculate total error values; calculating a total error based on the total error values, in which the total error was generated upon measuring of the bubble generating pressure in the water column pressure measuring tubes; subtracting the total error from the bubble generating pressure, dividing the calculated water column pressures by the water column pressure in the refe

Abstract: A time-domain reflectometer (TDR) forms a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal directly on a transmission line, where the PWM width is proportional to range to a discontinuity on the transmission line. Two PWM detection methods can be used: (1) realtime, wherein the PWM signal is detected in realtime; and (2) expanded-time, wherein the PWM signal is time-expanded before detection for higher accuracy. Both methods convert the analog transmission-line PWM signal to a digital output PWM signal of identical duty-cycle for averaging, counting, or other processing to indicate range. In a preferred mode, a transmission line is sampled at a floating offset frequency relative to the transmission-line PWM frequency to form a PWM output having a floating time-expansion factor but a precise duty-cycle related to the location of the discontinuity. The essence of this TDR is low cost, precision and absolute simplicity. Applications include precision tank level sensing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accurately measuring an initial imbalance deviating from a predetermined imbalance, when the predetermined imbalance is to be left in a body of rotation. In the method and apparatus, data relating to the predetermined imbalance is stored in a memory 27 as dummy value information. The vibration of a crank shaft 1 during rotation is detected by vibration sensors 6L, 6R to obtain analogue vibration signals WDL, WDR. The rotational angle position of the crank shaft 1 is detected by a photo sensor 8 and, in response, the above described dummy value information is converted to analogue dummy signals DLX, DLY, DRX and DRY by multi D/A converters 12L, 12R, 13L and 13R. These analogue dummy signals are removed from the analogue vibration signals to obtain analogue initial imbalance signals WL, WR, which are converted by D/A converter to obtain the digital initial imbalance value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid meter comprising an outside wall of determined thickness to which a flange connected to a pipe is fixed via fixing members which penetrate into holes organized respectively in the thickness of said flange and in said outside wall in order to install said meter on said pipe, said meter having an opening for fluid feed which is organized in the outside wall and behind which there is provided a “feed” chamber into which the fluid coming from the feed opening flows, wherein the fluid meter also has studs disposed inside the feed chamber so as to modify the fluid flow, and in which internal perforations are provided in alignment with the holes for receiving portions of said fixing members.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for condition monitoring the integrity of a rivet 12 joint holding together sheets 14 and 16 of a structure 18 includes a substantially fluid impervious pad 20 for covering the heads of the rivets 12 and an adjacent surface 24 of the structure 18. The pad 20 has a first surface 26 for placement over the rivets 12 and the surface 24. An inner portion of the surface 26 is formed or otherwise configured to define a fluid flow region 28 between the pad 20 and the rivets 12/surface 24 across which fluid can flow. The region 28 is coupled to a constant vacuum source 30 via a conduit 32 and a series coupled high fluid flow impedance 34. A transducer 38 and display 44 coupled in parallel across the impedance 34 provides an indication of change in differential pressure across the high impedance which in turn provides an indication of the presence or development of a flaw in the rivets joint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detecting the presence of an analyte, such as for example, a lightweight device, including: a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port for the influx of the analyte; a fluid concentrator in flow communication with the sample chamber wherein the fluid concentrator has an absorbent material capable of absorbing the analyte and capable of desorbing a concentrated analyte; and an array of sensors in fluid communication with the concentrated analyte to be released from the fluid concentrator.

Abstract: The geometry of a cavity in a cast, molded or machined part is compared to that of a reference part. Measuring the amplitude or phase shift of an acoustic wave traveling through the sealed cavity, at a multiplicity of predetermined frequencies, forms an acoustic spectrum, unique to the geometry of the cavity. The acoustic spectrum of the part under test is compared to the acoustic spectrum obtained from the corresponding cavity in a reference part.

Abstract: Slurry useful for wire-saw slicing has viscosity adjusted to 400-700 mPa·second at a shear speed of 2/second and of 50-300 mPa·second at a shear speed of 380/second. The viscosity of slurry is measured using a cone and plate type viscometer which can measure viscosity at different shear speeds. Since the slurry sufficiently flows into inner parts of grooves formed in an ingot and consumed for wire-saw slicing due to the viscosity controlled in response to the shear speed, the ingot can be efficiently sliced to wafers or discs.

Abstract: A fuel gauge unit for a fuel tank which, when the gauge unit is attached to the fuel tank, is fixed in its rotational angle in a simple fashion, and in which the fuel scale is simple and easy to inspect visually. An indicator is provided which moves back and forth in a horizontal plane when a bearing connected to a float rotates. The position of the indicator corresponds to a fuel scale, so that the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank can be determined by inspecting the gauge. On the top of the gauge unit is a protruding rectangular portion with a transparent window. This protruding rectangular portion engages in a hole in the cover plate attached to the fuel tank. The protruding rectangular portion and its hole may have a rectangular or oblong surface which serves as a rotational position lock for the gauge unit.