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.

Abstract: Encapsulated devices that can adjust the damping level within are provided. In this regard, a representative encapsulated device, among others, comprises a bottom substrate, a middle substrate that is disposed above the bottom substrate, and a top substrate that is disposed above the middle substrate. The middle substrate comprises an outermost structure and at least one damping device. The at least one damping device is supported to the outermost structure. At least one top gap and a bottom gap are formed between the at least one damping device and the top and bottom substrates, respectively. The at least one top gap has at least one cavity depth that is adapted to adjust the damping level of the encapsulated device.

Abstract: A method of measuring a level of liquid cryogen, comprising the steps of immersing a liquid cryogen level probe in a liquid cryogen, applying a propagation current to the heater (26) to induce quench in at least an adjacent part of the superconductive material (22); removing the propagation current from the heater; applying a measurement current to the superconductive material; and measuring (30) a voltage across the superconductive material thereby to determine the level of the liquid cryogen. In articular, the method comprises the steps of monitoring (40) the voltage across the superconductive material while the propagation current is being applied; and ceasing application of the propagation current in response to the detection of a voltage across the superconductive material which exceeds a certain threshold level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic and instantaneous detection of movements of an object with respect to a housing containing or capable of containing this object chosen from the introductions of this object in this empty housing and the extractions of this object from its housing. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises a spring system (1) comprising two symmetrical blades (3, 3A) each formed by an upper wing (5, 5A) and of a lower wing (6, 6A) articulated between one another and forming at rest an obtuse angle, wherein these blades are positioned back to back at their articulation (4, 4A) in that the upper wings are configured to form a housing (7) for the object and in that the lower wings are connected to one another by a wire (8) forming a spring which cooperates with a push button (11) capable of moving perpendicularly to a pressure sensor (2) until it comes into contact with it or is freed from it.

Abstract: The invention provides a scanning probe microscope capable of performing highly accurate three-dimensional profile measurement in a state in which no sliding of the probe or deformation of the sample substantially occurs.

Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.

Abstract: A method for configuring an array of transducers in an ultrasonic test apparatus for detecting flaws in welds connecting the edges of metal bodies such as plates or pipelines. The method includes the steps of: providing geometrical data of the bevelled edges of the bodies before being welded; identifying different facets of the geometry of the edges; providing geometrical data of a reference plate including a reflector; selecting the angles; and the positions of the transducers in accordance with the geometry of the edges; mounting the transducers to a scanning mechanism in accordance with the selections made; connecting the transducers to at least one control unit for transmitting ultrasound and receiving echo signals by means of the transducers and subsequently calibrating by means of the reference plate the positions of the transducers relative to the scanning mechanism and calibrating gain and gate settings by means of the reference plate.

Abstract: Method for ascertaining an ethanol content of a fuel with the steps: ascertaining the vapor pressure of the fuel, ascertaining the temperature of the fuel and ascertaining the ethanol content of the fuel as a function of the vapor pressure and the temperature, which were ascertained.

Abstract: A particulate matter detector formed in an insulated device such as a spark plug. The insulated device has a center electrode having a first end and a second end. The first end of the center electrode passes through the insulated device and may be connected to a terminal. The second end of the electrode is formed to provide a greater surface area. The form may be a star, circle, series of S's or a helix to increase the surface area of the second end of the center electrode that may be exposed to the exhaust from an engine. The sensor may be used to measure particulate matter in the exhaust of an engine and permit a processor to regulate the operation of the engine.

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: A procedure for operating a particle sensor that is arranged downstream after a particle filter, at which an ash contamination can occur, and a device for implementing the procedure, are suggested. A remaining operating time determination determines the remaining operating time of the particle sensor related to an ash contamination. Alternatively or additionally the remaining operating time determination provides a correction signal, with which the sensitivity loss of the particle sensor caused by the ash contamination can be considered.

Abstract: A method to test for a leak in a fuel tank system of a motor vehicle includes a fuel tank is cut off during the overrun by means of at least one cutoff device, and the pressure, which builds up in the fuel tank within a specifiable time interval is acquired; if a specifiable maximum pressure or a specifiable vacuum threshold is not achieved, said cutoff device is opened and closed again after a specifiable time period, and a vacuum is produced and acquired in a subsequent vacuum phase, and a parameter, which characterizes the leak tightness, is determined and evaluated from the vacuum achieved within a specifiable time period and the overpressure, which is achieved, and the test for a leak is concluded; if the specifiable maximum pressure is achieved, a parameter characterizing the leak tightness is determined from the acquired overpressure and the specifiable overpressure threshold and is compared with a specifiable reference value and for the case that the determined parameter is smaller than the reference

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is configured such that: a piezoelectric element group is housed within a sealed container so as to be rotated and oscillated left and right about a center line that equally divides a plate surface of the piezoelectric element group; and the sealed container is filled with a liquid that serves as an acoustic medium, and in the sealed container there are provided an inlet hole for the liquid as well as an exhaust hole, to the inlet hole there is connected a flexible tube that functions as a diaphragm, and on the flexible tube and the exhaust hole there are respectively provided sealing lids. As a result, there is provided an ultrasonic probe that prevents an occurrence of air bubbles in a liquid that serves as an ultrasonic wave medium, and that realizes excellent ultrasonic characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas sensor made of field effect transistor based on ZnO nanowires (ZnO-FET) which operates according to the principle of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and has a charge carrier channel made of ZnO nanowires between source and drain. The gas sensor device disclosed in the present invention has three electrodes-gate, source and drain, so that it is different from the known gas sensor device which has only two electrodes-cathode and anode. The ZnO nanowires as charge channel in the gas sensor device of the present invention is an n-type semiconductor with high specific surface area, and its electric resistance can be controlled by the gate bias, so that the capability of the present device for sensing gas can be largely promoted.

Abstract: A cartridge for apparatus for analysing a sample comprising a fluid as a flow cell for receiving the sample. The cell is formed from a substantially rigid support surface (102), a sensor comprising an electrical mechanical transducer (92), for example a wafer of quartz crystal and adhesive means, such as double sided adhesive tape (100) attaching the sensor to the support surface. The support surface and sensor are spaced from each other by a membrane, which may form part of the double sides adhesive tape so as to define the flow cell between the support surface and the sensor. The flow cell also has an opening (for example, 111) through which, in use, the sample passes. The sensor, forming part of the flow cell, comes into contact with the sample to enable the sample to be analysed.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide inspection apparatus and method of being able to acquire electromagnetic wave response information of an inspection object at high speed as average information using an electromagnetic wave. An inspection apparatus using an electromagnetic wave 2 includes an electromagnetic wave generation and irradiation unit 9 which generates an electromagnetic wave and irradiates the electromagnetic wave on an inspection object 11, and an electromagnetic wave detection unit 10 having a plurality of detection units. The plurality of detection units is arranged so as to detect the electromagnetic wave which is irradiated by the electromagnetic wave generation and irradiation unit and is transmitted or reflected with interacting with different sites of the inspection object 11, and is constructed so as to detect the electromagnetic wave from the different sites in different detection time or detection frequencies respectively.

Abstract: Fluids such as saline solution that are disposed in containers such as contact lens packages can be detected by directing ultrasonic energy at the container and receiving a return reflection of the ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy and the return reflection can propagate through a shroud that substantially isolates the ultrasonic energy and the return reflection from air currents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular device for implementation in a biological fluid analysis system. It comprises functional modules, each comprising a support for supporting hydraulic components, the support including at least two plates having etched therein circuits that enable channels to be defined when the two plates are assembled side by side. According to the invention, said functional modules comprise at least a preparation first functional module for preparing a fluid for analysis and supporting at least one dilution vessel, and an injection second functional module for injecting the fluid prepared in said dilution vessel towards an analysis unit, said first and second modules being connected to one another.

Abstract: A density and viscosity sensor 1 for measuring density and viscosity of fluid F, the sensor 1 comprising a resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F, an actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B coupled to the resonating element, and a connector 7 for coupling to the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B. The sensor 1 further comprises a housing 2 defining a chamber 8A isolated from the fluid F, the housing 2 comprising an area of reduced thickness defining a membrane 9 separating the chamber 8A from the fluid F. The actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B is positioned within the chamber so as to be isolated from the fluid F and mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F is mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The membrane 9 has a thickness enabling transfer of mechanical vibration between the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B and the resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sampling system for fluid samples having sample receiving vessel for receiving the sample, which is sealed by a septum and holder for the sample receiving vessel for receiving and holding the sample receiving vessel and also a sample probe for dipping into a fluid volume and for taking a fluid sample from the fluid volume, the sample probe being configured as a hollow volume which, at one end, has a first opening for introducing the holder and the sample receiving vessel and, at another end, is sealed by a first valve which is provided with a hollow needle which projects into the interior of the sample probe said valve being able to be opened by contact with at least one of the group comprising the holder and the sample receiving vessel and then connecting the exterior of the sample probe to the inner volume of the hollow needle.