Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a process variable of fluid at a first location including a variable resonator disposed at the first location having a resonant frequency which varies in response to the process variable of the fluid and responsively provides a resonant acoustic signal at the resonant frequency indicative of the process variable. An acoustic sensor disposed at a second location which is spaced apart from the variable resonator is configured to receive the resonant acoustic signal transmitted from the variable resonator. Measurement circuitry coupled to the acoustic sensor configured to provide a process variable output related to the process variable of the fluid in response to the received resonant acoustic signal.

Abstract: Intrinsically calibrated friction mensuration device has a drive unit with controllable motive member, configured to receive a controllable propulsion force, and to apply tractive force by a Class 1 lever to a weighted test piece. A force engine couples to the motive member, and applies the controllable propulsion force. The device includes a controller imposing a propulsion control signal actuating the force engine to produce the propulsion force. A force sensor joins drive unit and test piece, producing a force signal responsive to a sensed force between drive unit and test piece. The sensed force includes hydroplaning SCOF and hydroplaning DCOF. A method includes applying an increasing tractive force to a test piece at rest; measuring the tractive force; identifying the maximum tractive force applied at incipient motion; identifying the transition between the resting test piece and incipient motion; determining the hydroplaning SCOF; continuing motion; and determining the hydroplaning DCOF.

Abstract: A method for operating a pressure sensor, which includes a measuring membrane, at least one platform and a capacitive transducer having two pressure dependent capacitances between electrodes on the measuring membrane. The measuring membrane divides a volume pressure-tightly into two volume portions, wherein the second volume portion is enclosed in a measuring chamber between the measuring membrane and the platform. A deflection of the measuring membrane depends on a pressure measurement variable p, which is a difference between a first pressure p1 and second pressure p2 in the volume portions. The pressure measurement variable p follows from both capacitances, wherein, for an intact pressure sensor, the second capacitance is a predetermined function of the first capacitance and, in given cases, the temperature.

Abstract: A method, comprising: adjusting an evaporative emissions leak test parameter based on a ratio of cylinder run time of a deactivatable cylinder of an engine, to vehicle run time; and indicating degradation based on the adjusted parameter. The adjusted parameter may thus more accurately reflect the state of a vehicle configured to run with one or more cylinders deactivated. In this way, the evaporative emissions leak test may realize improved robustness and performance metrics, thus reducing warranty costs associated with poor test metrics.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a fixed portion; a fixed electrode portion; and a movable body that includes a support portion disposed around the fixed portion in plan view, a movable electrode portion supported by the support portion, extending along a first axis, and arranged to face the fixed electrode portion, and a coupling portion coupling the fixed portion with the support portion, and is displaceable along a second axis crossing the first axis.

Abstract: A salt-based method to monitor and log the time periods a data center air's relative humidity goes above a predefined limit. The choice of the salt is such that its deliquescent relative humidity is equal to the desired limit, so that above the desired limit, the salt gets wet and therefore electrically conductive. An alarm can then give notice that relative humidity levels are above acceptable levels so that remedial action may be taken before problems such as electronic malfunction develop.

Abstract: A leak sensor for sensing fluid flow through the bearings and seals about a shaft extending from a prover. Any leakage of fluid through the bearings and seals will migrate into the annular cavity within a housing and surrounding the shaft. A conduit or passageway in fluid communication with the annular cavity conveys the leaking fluid into a collection chamber. A float within the collection chamber will trigger an electrical or mechanical signal when the float rises a preset distance. If electrical, the signal is transmitted to an alarm unit to trigger a warning indicative of the amount of fluid in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for flexible fuel ethanol concentration and hardware malfunction detection compares a current hardware reference value learned based on an air-fuel ratio detected during a pre-fuel mix period with a previous hardware reference value from a previous vehicle driving cycle, and detects a hardware malfunction when a difference between current and previous hardware reference values exceeds a predetermined threshold. The system and method also monitors the air-fuel ratio during a post-fuel mix period, and detects a hardware malfunction when the air-fuel ratio changes by more than a predetermined threshold during the post-fuel mix period. The system and method also compares an observed slope of the air-fuel ratio detected during a fuel mixing period over an amount of fuel consumed with an expected slope when a cold-start is detected, and detects a hardware malfunction when a difference between observed and expected slopes exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A leak detecting device for water filled vessel such as a swimming pool. An annular resilient seal having a central opening contacts the surface of the vessel under water and creates a seal between the resilient seal and the vessel. A rigid housing open in its interior is coupled to the resilient seal and has an opening for an inlet to deliver fluid into the interior of the housing, or couple a flow meter thereto to measure the fluid flow, or deliver a dye into the housing and through the central opening of the resilient seal.

Abstract: In a single-cylinder internal combustion engine fitted with a knock sensor, a temperature increase of the knock sensor is suppressed and prevented, and the reliability of the knock sensor is improved. The engine includes a crankcase, a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, a cylinder head connected to the cylinder block, a sensor mounting boss provided on the cylinder block, and a knock sensor mounted to the boss. Fins are provided on the cylinder block and the cylinder head. A heat insulation member is provided between the boss and the knock sensor.

Abstract: A method for real-time and in-situ monitoring of freeze-thaw damage to concrete, comprising embedding pairs of gradient electrical resistance probes into a surface of concrete being monitored at a depth of 0-50 mm, the paired gradient electrical resistance probes having an anti-corrosion metal bar, with the buried depth gradient of different pairs of electrical resistance probes being in the range of 1 mm to 20 mm, and the buried depth gradient of the pair of electrical resistance probes nearest to the surface being less than 5 mm; transmitting an impedance value of the concrete measured by the paired gradient electrical resistance probes to a monitoring center for processing; and evaluating a spalling status of freeze-thaw damage to the concrete based on changes in impedance value which may be abrupt. Real-time in-situ monitoring of the freeze-thaw damage of concrete can be achieved by the electrical resistance probes and monitoring center of this invention.

Abstract: A pump casing has two external communication holes communicating with an outside. A partition member partitioning an interior of the pump casing into a first space and a second space. The first space communicates with the two external communication holes. The partition member have two internal communication holes communicating the first space with the second space. A first rotor member is rotatably accommodated in the first space. A second rotor member is rotatably accommodated in the second space. A torque switching unit is configured to switch between transmission of a running torque selectively to the first rotor member and transmission of the running torque to both the first rotor member and the second rotor member.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method for measuring an extract (1000) released from a product sample (330) in vitro. The apparatus (100) comprising an in vitro environment which simulates an in vivo environment. The apparatus (100) contains a product sample (330) with the product sample (330) exposed to the in vitro environment. An extract (1000) is produced from the product sample (330) when the product sample (330) is subjected to the in vitro environment. The extract (1000) is analyzed to determine the amount of at least one element in the extract and the rate of release of at least one element in the product sample (330). The product sample is a smokeless tobacco product. An element analyzed for is nicotine.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating a compound in a sample by chromatography. The method includes determining an analytical gradient of an analytical system; performing an analytical run using the analytical gradient; identifying a target compound in the sample and determining an analytical retention time of the target compound using chromatographic results of the analytical run; determining an elution point of the target compound using the analytical retention time, the analytical gradient and characteristics of the analytical system; determining automatically a focusing gradient of a preparative system, including a slope segment; and performing a preparative run using the focusing gradient to separate the target compound from the sample. The slope segment includes a slope determining a concentration of solvent in a solvent mixture, which linearly increases from a first offset below the elution point of the target compound to a second offset above the elution point of the target compound.

Abstract: A round-robin sensing device is disclosed. The round-robin sensing device comprises a MEMS device, wherein the MEMS device includes first and second sense electrodes. The round-robin sensing device also comprises a multiplexer coupled to the first and second sense electrodes, at least one sense amplifier coupled to the multiplexer, a demodulator coupled to the at least one sense amplifier, and an integrate and dump circuit coupled to the demodulator. Finally, the round-robin sensing device comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the de-multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer, the at least one sense amplifier and the demodulator provide a continuous time sense path during amplification that is resettable and wherein the integrate and dump circuit and the ADC provide a discrete time processing path.

Abstract: A fluid supply system configured for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions, including a plurality of solvent supply lines, a pumping unit configured for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines and for supplying a pressurized mixture, a proportioning valve configured for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines with the inlet of the pumping unit, a sensor configured for sensing process information in the fluid supply system, an analysis entity configured for analyzing the process information for determining reciprocating element related information at a beginning of fluid intake, and a control unit configured for switching the proportioning valve to sequentially couple selected ones of the solvent supply lines to the inlet of the pumping unit at one or more switching points based on the given metering scheme and based on the reciprocating element related information.

Abstract: A method for testing a flexible container includes arranging the flexible container on a winding core that can be rotated about a winding axis W and forms an internal support. The method continues by winding the flexible container around the winding axis W arranging an external support around the wound container and connecting at least one container opening of the container to a fluid source. The method proceeds by filling the container with a fluid from the fluid source to generate a predetermined positive pressure P1 in the flexible container at a first time T1 and determining whether the container is sufficiently leaktight.

Abstract: A water absorption property of a concrete surface of an actual structure is measured in situ for clarification and evaluation of causative factors and so forth related to densification of surface layer concrete. An apparatus for a water absorption test has a position-fixing device, a detecting device and a measuring device. A device for water absorption test having vent means is positionally fixed on the concrete surface by the position-fixing device, with use of negative pressure or a mechanical connection. The detecting device detects an amount of water held in a chamber, and results detected by the detecting device are input into the measuring device. A water absorption rate is measured by the detecting device and the measuring device. On the basis of the water absorption rate measured at predetermined elapsed time, identification or comparison of causative or evaluative factors related to densification of the surface layer concrete is carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method for measuring moisture in building structures. A tubular body part (100) may be embedded in a material during its casting. Hole(s) (106) provided in the body part (100) lets moisture inside a space separated by the body part (100). Measuring element including electronics (102) and a sensor (104) functionally connected to the body part (100) is used to measure the separated space 108. With a reading device (234), the results may then be read from above surface due to a provided wireless link between the measuring element (102) and (104) and the reading device (234).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a body accommodating a microelectromechanical structure; and a cap bonded to the body and electrically coupled to the microelectromechanical structure through conductive bonding regions. The cap including a selection module, which has first selection terminals coupled to the microelectromechanical structure, second selection terminals, and at least one control terminal, and which can be controlled through the control terminal to couple the second selection terminals to respective first selection terminals according, selectively, to one of a plurality of coupling configurations corresponding to respective operating conditions.