Abstract: A method for measuring and/or acquiring layer thicknesses and voids of one or more layers of a temporary bonded wafer stack on a plurality of measuring points is provided. A sequence of the method includes an arrangement of a measurement means for measuring and/or acquiring the layer thicknesses and voids of the layers of the wafer stack at the measuring points relative to a flat side of the wafer stack. The sequence further includes an emission of signals in the form of electromagnetic waves by a transmitter of the measurement means, and a receiving the signals which have been reflected by the wafer stack by a receiver of the measurement means. The sequence also includes an evaluation of the signals which have been received by the receiver by an evaluation unit.

Abstract: A dust sampling system including a dust sampler and a vehicle on which the dust sampler is placed. The dust sampler has a suction unit, a cyclone, a dust collection container, and an air intake conduit. The suction unit draws in air containing dust particles. The cyclone centrifugally separates the dust particles from the drawn-in air. The cyclone has an air input port, a particle discharge end, and an air output port connected to the suction unit. A dust collection container is positioned underneath the cyclone to receive the separated dust particles from the cyclone. The air intake conduit has an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the air input port of the cyclone. The suction unit draws in the air containing the dust particles into the air inlet of the air intake conduit while the vehicle moves to collect samples of fugitive dust from a road.

Abstract: A self-contained portable device for performing multiple tests on samples of hot asphalt mix and providing an analysis of the aggregate mixture of those samples, comprising an external housing which contains the other components, a test chamber into which samples are placed for analysis, a plurality of sieves located within the test chamber for separating and sorting aggregates, a drive shaft for rotating the sieves, guide rails for directing the rotation of the sieves in a multidirectional tilt pattern, a weighing component for weighing the samples, a wash component for directing water or other liquids into the test chamber and onto the samples, a heating component for raising the temperature of the test chamber, a pressure control component to lower the pressure within the test chamber, a controller to operate the various components, and a computer and computer software to process the results of the various tests and to prepare an analysis therefrom.

Abstract: A gas sensor including coating layers (64) and (69) of fluorine or a fluorine compound formed on the surface of a separator (60), including a front separator (61) and a rear separator (66), disposed inside a sheath (30). The coating layers (64) and (69) have water impermeability and water repellency. Even in the case where moisture contained in the atmosphere within a sheath (30) forms dew on the surface of the separator (60), the coating layers (64) and (69) prevent soaking of moisture into the separator (60), to thereby secure the insulation property of the separator (60). Also, the coating layers (64) and (69) having water repellency prevent a water droplet from spreading on the surface of the separator (60) with resultant formation of a film of water, to thereby prevent flow of leakage current via a film of water.

Abstract: Provided is a method of testing rubber wear in which a wear phenomenon occurred in a tire can be precisely reproduced in a sample, and a method of calculating the rubber index of a tire using the method of testing rubber wear. Also provided is a test method for predicting the anti-wear properties of a tire by using a test piece of the same rubber as that of a tire tread, which is a method of testing rubber wear in which, while a disk-shaped sample 3 and a disk-shaped grinding wheel 1 are rotated at individually predetermined numbers of rotations, the sample 3 is pressed on the outer periphery of the grinding wheel 1. A pressing load is applied to the sample 3 such that a contact pressure when the sample is pressed on the outer periphery of the grinding wheel 1 and a contact pressure at a site related to the evaluation of rubber wear of tread are the same.

Abstract: The micro-mechanical device includes a substrate with an internal cavity, a first surface, and an opposing second surface. A first trench is formed from the first surface of the substrate into the internal cavity. The first trench at least partially defines flexures. A second trench is formed from the second surface of the substrate into the internal cavity and at least partially defines a suspended mass. The suspended mass is connected by the flexures to the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of providing a sensor, in a transducer subassembly, having a backing (1) coupled to a housing (7) without bonding the sensor to the housing such that the sensor is effectively mechanically decoupled from the housing except for longitudinal waves traveling through the front face of the transducer subassembly. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing including a first and a second bearing element that are movable relative to one another, a lubricant arranged between the first and the second bearing element for reducing the friction between the first and the second bearing element, at least one transmitter for exciting acoustic waves in the first or the second bearing element, the transmitter being arranged on the first or the second bearing element; at least one receiver for receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter, the receiver being arranged on the first or the second bearing element, wherein information related to properties of the lubricant can be determined using a signal generated by the receiver upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter. The invention is also related to a method for determining properties of a lubricant in a bearing.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a leak in a Stage II vapor recovery system is disclosed. The system may monitor the Stage II vapor recovery system for the occurrence of quiet times and record pressure data during those quiet times. The system may make a determination of a leak based on the evaluation of the pressure data from a plurality of the quiet times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for humidity, etc. which has high precision, very small electrical power consumption and simplified composition, and a management system therefor. The sensor and the management system therefor according to the present invention are also economical. The sensor according to the present invention comprises two electrode pads and an absorption layer for absorbing moisture, etc. between them, and detects a capacitance variation and a resistance variation between the electrode pads, measuring humidity, etc. in real time. In the sensor, one or both of the electrode pads can be made by printing or coating a conductive material on a paper pad or a fabric pad in a mesh shape of fine lines. Or the electrode pads can be fabrics with fine thread of a mesh-type electric conductor coated by an absorptive material having an insulating property.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for protecting bearings operating in dirty environments. The system may include a reservoir of lubricant, a bearing, and a regulator. The bearing may border on both the dirty environment and the reservoir. Accordingly, the bearing may be exposed to the solid particles carried by the fluid within the environment, as well as the lubricant of the reservoir. The regulator may ensure that the pressure within the reservoir is greater than the pressure of the dirty environment. Due to the higher pressure within the reservoir, the bearing may be preferentially filled with lubricant rather than dirty fluid from the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for verifying the leakproofness of a container used for accommodating preferably liquid media as well as a plastic container that is composed of several segments (22a, 24). The invention further relates to a method for producing a container from several segments and a container comprising a closed barrier layer. The disclosed container is composed of at least two segments (22a, 24) which are joined together circumferentially at the edges of the faces thereof by means of one respective welded connection (16, 17) such that an enclosed space is formed. An inner pressure that is different from the ambient pressure is applied within the enclosed space while a change in pressure is monitored.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis, an input connector configured for attachment to a shifter assembly of a vehicle and a clamp configured for attachment to a linkage support bracket of the vehicle. The measurement device measures the linear displacement of a linkage interconnecting the shifter assembly and a transmission of the vehicle in response to movement of the shifter assembly between a first position and a second position. A scale is attached to the input connector and slideably supported by the clamp. A scale reader is attached to the base for measuring linear movement of the scale in response to movement of the shifter assembly between the first and second positions. Preferably, the scale and the scale reader comprise a digital measuring unit having a digital display for displaying the measured linear movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting ultrasonic flaw detection of an object processes an echo signal received from the object being tested in at least three signal channels, wherein the echo signal is scaled to different degrees along each channel to increase and extend the dynamic range of an associated A/D converter system, in a manner which dispenses with the need for using numerous analog high pass and low pass filters and a variable gain amplifier. This reduces complexity and avoids performance limitations. The digital to analog converters sample the differently scaled input signal and a selection circuit selects the output of the digital output obtained from that analog to digital converter which has the highest gain, but which has not overflowed. The digital outputs are seamlessly merged to produce an output that can be displayed as a scan display which shows the location of faults.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention include a rotary steerable steering tool having a sensor arrangement for measuring downhole dynamic conditions. Rotary steerable tools in accordance with this invention include a rotation rate measurement device disposed to measure a difference in rotation rates between a drive shaft and an outer, substantially non-rotating housing. A controller is configured to determine a stick/slip parameter from the rotation rate measurements. Exemplary embodiments may also optionally include a tri-axial accelerometer arrangement deployed in the housing for measuring lateral vibrations and bit bounce. Downhole measurement of stick/slip and other vibration components during drilling advantageously enables corrective measures to be implemented when dangerous dynamic conditions are encountered.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a valve having a valve element movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position includes pressurizing fluid directed to the valve, increasing a current directed to the valve for controlling a position of the valve element, and sensing a pressure of the fluid. The method for calibrating the valve also includes determining if a time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time, and determining a cracking point current command directed to the valve. The cracking point current command is directed to the valve when the time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: There is provided a condition detection apparatus for detecting a present operating condition of a linear rolling motion guide apparatus, and the condition detection apparatus includes an AE sensor 1 for detecting a waveform elastically generated at least due to rolling of balls included in the linear rolling motion guide apparatus and mutual collision of the balls and generating an electric detection signal corresponding the detected waveform, a waveform shaping unit 2, an A/D converter 3, and a signal processing unit 4 judging a content of the operation condition in response to the generated detected signal Sae.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing elemental analysis of a formation fluid downhole. The present invention provides elemental analysis of a formation fluid downhole using breakdown spectroscopy. In one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for performing laser induced breakdown on a formation fluid sample is provided. In another aspect of the invention a method and apparatus are provided for performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. Plasma is induced in a fluid under test downhole. Emissions from the plasma are analyzed to determine the elemental composition of the fluid under test. Emissions include but are not limited to light in the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared regions of the spectrum. A spectrometer is provided for elemental analysis of a fluid downhole. Elemental analysis yields information about the fluid and the formation from which the fluid originated.

Abstract: A micro fluid analyzer that may be highly sensitive, fast and very compact. The analyzer may use sufficiently low power per analysis to be easily implemented with an equivalently small battery pack or other portable power source. There may be energy conservation features in the analyzer, such as optimal adsorber film thicknesses in the pre-concentrator, concentrator and chromatographic separators. There may be special timing of the phased heating elements in the concentrators and separators to further reduce energy consumption. Various kinds of detectors and sensors may be incorporated in the analyzer for achieving low probability for false positives and detection versatility. There may be a controller that provides data acquisition and analyses, drive signals for control, management of wireless signal transmission and reception, processing, and other operational uses of the micro analyzer.