Abstract: A self-calibrating laser accelerometer system that continuously removes bias errors from acceleration measurements under dynamic operating conditions has a frame with a pair of essentially identical mass modulated accelerometers positioned within the frame. Each accelerometer includes a proof mass mounted to the sensing element frame by a flexure suspension. The proof mass is arranged to rotate about an output axis in response to acceleration of the sensing element frame along an input axis. The first proof mass includes a secondary mass that is movable between a first stable position on a first side of the output axis and a second stable position on a second side of the output axis to provide mass modulation of the first proof mass and to provide a selectively reversible polarity to the input axis and to provide self-calibration of bias.

Abstract: An electronic balance is provided, in which a tolerance resulting from temperature variation is variable and a frequency for sensitivity calibration corresponds to the tolerance. A load detecting portion 1 detects a load of an object to be weighed 12, a processing portion 2 converts a detecting signal from the load detecting portion 1 into a mass value, transmits the mass data to a display portion 3, and controls a sensitivity calibrating mechanism 6a to perform a sensitivity calibration by increasing or reducing internal weights 13 on the load detecting portion 1. An operation control program of the processing portion 2 is built with a tolerance input function 21, a sensitivity calibration execution condition calculating function 22, and a sensitivity calibration execution determining function 24. Whenever the temperature variation reaches or exceeds an allowable temperature variation ?T, a sensitivity calibration is performed.

Abstract: A bottomless measuring cup system having a tubular container with a hollow interior and opposite open ends and a plunger having a base adapted to slidingly fit within the hollow interior of the container.

Abstract: The leak and contamination detection micro-submarine includes an “electronic ear” and an “electronic nose” for detecting both leaks and chemicals within a pipe which may be leaking. The submarine includes an on-board electric motor which is radio remote controlled and may operate, or swim, in a manner similar to a fish using piezoelectric micro-motors and the like. Contamination, leak and other related data is stored in on-board memory and summary reports may be transmitted via RF signals.

Abstract: A sniffer leak detector comprising a detector with a quartz window, the window being selectively permeable to a tracer gas. The quartz window is located in a suction chamber that is connected to a vacuum pump. To reduce the response time, a gas guidance plate is situated in the suction chamber, the guidance plate and quartz window together delimiting a narrow gas guidance chamber.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope having a microstructure that includes a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable according to a first axis and the second mass is constrained to the first mass so as to be drawn along by the first mass according to the first axis and to oscillate according to a second axis, in response to a rotation of the microstructure, a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at the driving frequency, and a reading device that detects displacements of the second mass according to the second axis. The gyroscope is provided with a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass for applying an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass according to the second axis.

Abstract: A device for collecting plant samples includes a punch and die mechanism for taking leaf plugs from plants. The punch itself includes a punch rod coaxially mounted inside a punch tube. In use, the punch tube has a distal end with two, diametrically opposed projections that interact with the formed aperture to cut a plug from a plant leaf. The punch rod then follows to remove a cut leaf plug from the formed aperture. Also included is a hydraulic subsystem for periodically delivering liquid on the punch and die mechanism to prevent plant debris from clogging the device.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator including a pair of first piezoelectric elements having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and polarized in opposite directions; and a pair of second piezoelectric elements, having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and respectively attached to a face of the first piezoelectric element, and polarized in the same direction. In the piezoelectric vibrator the first piezoelectric elements are longer than the second piezoelectric elements, and the first piezoelectric elements vibrate in a longitudinal direction and the second piezoelectric elements vibrate in a bending direction when electrical signals are inputted.

Abstract: A transportable system and method for determining erodibility of a surface such as that of an earthen embankment. Select embodiments deploy an instrumented portable bottomless open channel test enclosure, either a manifold or an inlet to a flume, and sufficient piping and valves to provide a fluid flow over a surface of interest. Select embodiments use mounts, such as spikes, affixed to the bottom edges of the open channel to position the channel flush against the surface, thus reducing or preventing fluid leakage along the periphery. Select embodiments emulate a hydraulic open channel having smooth vertical sides as may be found in a civil engineering laboratory. Select embodiments incorporate an external pump, gauges for taking measurements while fluid flows through the channel, an inlet and an outlet and a re-cycling sub-system from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously measuring longitudinal and shear wave speeds in materials under load via echo or transmission is described. The apparatus comprises a housing with an open end, a closed end opposite the open end with a hole in the closed end, and a housing exit port. A spacer resides inside the housing, the spacer having a spacer specimen side and a spacer transducer side. A load transferring body having a transducer hole fits inside the housing and contacts an interior surface of the housing. An ultrasonic transducer fits inside the transducer hole of the load transferring body. A transducer depressing mechanism secures the ultrasonic transducer against the spacer transducer side, whereby users can simultaneously measure longitudinal and shear wave speeds of specimens inserted into the hole in the closed end of the housing and contacting the spacer.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the size of small particles for a condensation particle counter, in which method a particle containing aerosol flow is divided into a sample flow and a sheath flow. The sheath flow is filtered, saturated with vapor and formed to a vortex flow in a saturator which vortex-flow continues in a condenser. The sample flow is introduced to the center of the vortex flow of the saturated sheath flow in the condenser for causing the vapor in the saturated sheath flow to condense on the particles in the sample flow thus increasing the size of the particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a gas sensor comprising a flow channel, a concentration modulator positioned in the flow channel, a gas generator in contact with the flow channel, one or more gas detectors positioned downstream of the concentration modulator and gas generator and a pump.

Abstract: There is provided an inspection method of an oxygen sensor, which includes a sensing portion having a reference electrode, a sensing electrode and an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer arranged between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode. The inspection method contains the steps of reading a first output value of the oxygen sensor under a condition that the sensing portion of the oxygen sensor is subjected to a first inspection gas and then a second output value of the oxygen sensor under a condition that the sensing portion of the oxygen sensor is subjected to a second inspection gas different in oxygen concentration from the first inspection gas and judging the oxygen sensor to be defective or nondefective based on the first and second output values.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor of a horizontally located type, which can easily remove the translational acceleration influence thereto from the lateral direction, is provided. It includes a fixed portion fixed to the surface of a sensor element supporting portion of a casing, an upper detection arm and a lower detection arm, each of them being connected to the fixed portion on sides opposite to each other and extending along a plane parallel to the surface place of the sensor element supporting portion, and a pair of upper vibration arms connected to the fixed portion in such a manner as to form a pair of arms with the upper detection arm in between and extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the upper detection arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

Abstract: A disk reversing/transporting mechanism for reversing a disk in transit of the disk from a first position to a second position has a rail, a movable table movable on the rail, and a cam plate having a cam surface provided along the rail and engaged with a roller or a pin and a groove provided on the cam surface and receiving the roller or the pin. A chucking mechanism is provided on the movable table. A crank is provided on the moving table and has a crank shaft and the roller or the pin as a crank pin and is connected to the chucking mechanism. The crank shaft is rotated by a dropping of the roller or the pin in the groove and a slipping out from the groove corresponding to a movement of said movable table to rotate the chucking mechanism to thereby reverse the disk.

Abstract: A method of testing an elongate wooden element includes injecting an input acoustic signal into the element, detecting a return acoustic signal at a surface of the element, and determining a spectral profile for the return signal. In at least a predetermined range in the spectral profile, each resonance peak is detected whose amplitude exceeds a first predetermined value, and from the resonance peaks so detected the number of higher peaks is determined whose amplitude exceeds 3 dB. For each of said higher peaks a quality factor Q is calculated, a mean quality value Qm is determined, and Qm is then compared with a predetermined value to provide an indication of the presence or absence of external decay of the element. A ratio R of the number of higher peaks to the number of resonance peaks detected, and the statistical spread S of the average Q for the spectral profile, are calculated and compared with a predetermined boundary function Fn(R,S) to determine acceptability or unacceptability of the pole.

Abstract: Devices and methods facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.