Abstract: A device for mounting rotors, in particular articulated shafts, in a balancing machine has a bearing frame and a frame upper part, which is mounted on the bearing frame so as to be able to oscillate via spring bars and includes a spindle for rotatable mounting of a rotor. The frame upper part is mounted on the bearing frame via groups of spring bars, the groups being arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation of the spindle and at a distance from one another, and the longitudinal axes of the spring bars forming the spring bar groups being oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindle. The spring bars forming the spring bar groups have an elongated, slender shape such that their rigidity in an axial direction is at least 100 times, in particular at least 300 times, greater than their radial flexural rigidity.

Abstract: A sample station and method of using the station, which contains a removable receptacle for collecting fluid samples from tanks, pipelines or other receptacles. The removable receptacle has a valve at the bottom for easy emptying and cleaning. The sample station is vented so the sample receptacle can not be pressurized, and is meant to be piped to the container which holds the fluid to be sampled, so the sample can be collected without risk of splashing, and without risk of spilling.

Abstract: A system for determining the type of hydraulic fluid employed in a transmission includes a translating valve, a valve position sensor, a hydraulic fluid temperature sensor, and a controller. The valve position sensor is operable to measure the actual time the valve takes to translate within the hydraulic fluid. The controller is operable to compare the actual time of valve translation to an expected time of valve translation. If the actual time of valve translation is different than the expected time of valve translation to a predetermined degree, the controller is operable to signal an operator of the motor vehicle or a service technician that the hydraulic fluid being used in the transmission is not meeting operating expectations.

Abstract: A gas sensor based on a field effect transistor (“FET”) evaluates both a change in work function of a gas-sensitive layer of the FET and a change in the capacitance of the layer. Thus, two physically independent signals are read from the gas-sensitive layer, each signal representing a sensitivity to a different gas. This reduces the effect of cross-sensitivities; that is, of one gas on the target gas. The underlying physical mechanisms, the first causing a change in the work function in a reaction with gases and the second causing a change in the capacitance of the sensitive layer, are widely different. Because of this, the two parameters demonstrate different gas sensitivities. If the reactions to both gases are known, the effect of the interfering gas on the sensor signal can be compensated for, and with this the concentration of the target gas can be determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting the first arrival wave packet of an acoustic signal in a structural health monitoring (SHM) system include receiving an acoustic signal transmitted between two transducers thereof. Electromagnetic cross-talk is removed from the signal. Signal amplitude threshold values used for picking out the first arrival wave packet are chosen based on signal characteristics or chosen adaptively as the value that leads to the minimum variance of the group velocity estimates of all the actuation-sensing transducer pairs. The group velocity is estimated as the known actuator-sensor distance divided by the propagation time of the first wave packet of which the envelope exceeds a candidate threshold value. The first arrival wave packet is determined as the signal segment where the signal envelope first exceeds the chosen amplitude threshold and the segment length exceeds a specified threshold of time width.

Abstract: An IMS system or the like has dopant contained in a way such that it is only released when needed. The dopant could be contained in a device (50) similar to an ink-jet printer and released as droplets (55) when required. Alternatively, the dopant could be trapped in material (156) of a molecular sieve (150) in such a way that it is not normally released into air flowing through the sieve but can be released by energising a heater (157) in the sieve.

Abstract: An analysis device is provided comprising a housing having at least two housing parts, a measuring unit and a processor provided therein for purposes of the functionality of the analysis device and generation of analysis data, wherein the device comprises a lock element for producing a generally fixed mechanical connection between the at least two housing parts. Providing such a lock element allows the analysis device to be checked for quality control and/or functionality purposes before the lock element is fitted to the housing, and if the device requires service or repair as a result of such checks then the housing can be reopened without damage to the housing or other aspects of the device. Once the lock element is fitted into a locked position for locking the housing together, subsequent reopening of the housing causes structural effects, including damage or destruction, to either or both of the lock element and the housing or housing parts, ensuring that such reopening becomes apparent to the user.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing-side calibration of a measuring device for capacitive fill level measurement of a medium, wherein at least one probe unit of the measuring device is activated with an electrical, alternating voltage of a predeterminable frequency. As a function of the frequency of the activating signal, a conductivity range is determined, within which the fill level measurement is essentially independent of a change of the electrical conductivity of the medium; for such conductivity range, at least a first reference matching between a predeterminable, first fill-level value and a first capacitance value belonging to the first fill-level value is produced; and the first reference matching between the first fill-level value and the first capacitance value is recorded. Additionally, the invention relates to a corresponding measuring device.

Abstract: A humidity sensing device for determining the amount of humidity in at least one primary fluid stream that is passed to a fuel cell stack is provided. The sensing device includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing is positioned within at least one conduit such that the outer housing and the conduit coact with each other to generate at least one secondary fluid stream from the primary fluid stream. The inner housing is positioned within the outer housing such that the inner housing is configured to receive the secondary fluid stream and to measure an amount of water present in the secondary fluid stream to determine the amount of humidity in the primary fluid stream.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a calibrated micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) matrix in communication with a controller. The MEMS matrix includes MEMS elements of various sizes which create a continuum of vibration-stress-resistant elements. The MEMS elements will flex in response to flexing of a printed circuit board due to mechanical vibration until failure occurs. The controller monitors the continuity of the MEMS matrix to determine which elements of the MEMS matrix have failed to accurately determine the accumulated vibration stress experienced by the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rheometric device which provides a direct visualization of the subject material. The device also determines the velocity and/or the strain field across the thickness and the morphology to be determined across the same gap. The invention relates both to a device and/or method that can be used in connection with current shearing rheometers, and similar apparatus. The present invention also relates to a process for making a shear rate measurement. The invention provides versatility by allowing multiple angles of visualization which properly characterizes the flow characteristics and shear rates involved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric cantilever sensor includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer, a portion of which is attached to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, one end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the end of piezoelectric layer to provide an overhang. The overhang piezoelectric cantilever sensor enables increased sensitivity allowing application of the device in more viscous environments, such as liquid media, as well as application in liquid media at higher flow rates than conventional piezoelectric cantilevers. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form the piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor is robust and exhibits excellent sensing characteristics in both gaseous and liquid media, even when subjected to relatively high flow rates.

Abstract: A system for testing a mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunication device is provided, where the system comprises a pressure air regulator comprising: a receive unit comprising an inlet aperture and a first contact surface with at least one exit aperture connected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unit rotatably pivoted relative to the receive unit, the distribution unit comprising a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface and comprises at least two entrance apertures located at a rotational trajectory of the at least one exit aperture. The distribution unit further comprises at least two distribution apertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thus providing pressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exit aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting residues on a component and particularly on the surface of the component. In order to also allow the testing of surfaces which are difficult to access, without the apparatus outlay growing, the method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: producing a base solution and a reference solution from water, producing a washing solution by adding fresh solvent to the base solution, filling the component to be tested with the washing solution, wetting the entire inner surface of the component with the washing solution, draining the washing solution out of the component, producing a test solution by adding the washing solution to the base solution, comparing the test solution to the reference solution, and testing whether a turbidity occurs in the mixing zone between the washing solution and the base solution, as proof for lubricant on the surface of the component.

Abstract: A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. The present invention includes a database of data, wherein a first set of data is used for comparison with a second set of data to determine the conditions of the material microstructure.

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: To provide a sheet material identifying apparatus for identifying the kind of a sheet material, including an adjusting assembly for dehumidifying or humidifying a predetermined region of the sheet material and adjusting the moisture content of the predetermined region, external force applying means for applying an external force to the predetermined region of the sheet material whose moisture content is adjusted and detecting means for detecting an external force propagated through the sheet while the external force is applied by the external force applying means; wherein an external force is applied to the predetermined region whose moisture content is adjusted through the adjusting assembly by the external force applying means and the kind of a sheet material is identified in accordance with the external force propagated through the sheet detected by the detecting means.

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 passive, remote sensor including an optical subsystem for receiving electromagnetic radiation scattered off a surface. A detector is responsive to electromagnetic radiation received by the optical subsystem and generates a composite signal comprising a DC current component and an AC current component. A filter extracts the DC current component from the composite signal. A light emitting device is driven by the DC current component. A detector is responsive to the light emitting device and is connected to the first detector to subtract at least a portion of the DC component from the composite signal producing a modified signal. An amplifier is responsive to the modified signal detects vibrations of the surface to be detected.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the speed of sound through a specimen comprises an ultrasound sending transducer, an ultrasound receiving transducer, a pair of laser distance sensors, a display device, a controller in communication with the ultrasound sending transducer, the ultrasound receiving transducer and the pair of laser distance sensors and the display device. The ultrasound sending transducer and one laser distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a first plane. The ultrasound receiving transducer and one last distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a second plane parallel with the first plane. A support for a specimen is provided between the first and second planes. The controller is programmed for gathering data from the ultrasound transducers and the laser distance sensors for calculating the speed of ultrasound in the specimen and displaying the results.