Abstract: A device and method for measuring the force or pressure required to break a score and bend a sheet of paperboard along a pre-formed score line. The device includes means for clamping one portion of the sheet between a pair of stationary plates, with another portion of the sheet extending beyond the plates, and a moveable plate co-planar with, but spaced a short distance from, one of the stationary plates and engageable with the other portion of the sheet. The device includes a mechanism for moving the moveable plate out of the plane of one of the stationary plates, to break the score and bend the sheet at the score line, and a gauge for measuring the force required to bend the paperboard sheet at the score line.

Abstract: An air flow rate meter for detecting an air flow rate in a wide operating temperature range. A heating temperature of a heat generating resistor for detecting an intake air flow rate is set on the basis of an intake air temperature or a current flowing through the heat generating resistor. The heating temperature of the heat generating resistor is kept at an optimum value determined from a look up table stored in a read only memory.

Abstract: A resonant strain gauge includes a silicon substrate, a polysilicon flexure beam fixed at both ends relative to the substrate, and a polysilicon rigid cover cooperating with the substrate to enclose the flexure beam within a sealed vacuum chamber. An upper bias electrode is formed on the cover, and a lower bias electrode is formed at the bottom of a trough in the substrate directly beneath the flexure beam. A drive electrode and a piezoresistive element are supported by the beam, formed over a silicon nitride thin film layer deposited onto the top surface of the flexure beam. A second silicon nitride layer covers the drive electrode and piezoresistor, cooperating with the first silicon nitride layer to dielectrically encapsulate the drive electrode and piezoresistor. The silicon nitride further extends outwardly of the beam to a location between the polysilicon layer that contains the beam, and the cover, to isolate the cover from the flexure beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing and evaluating the spray pattern of high pressure fuel injector elements for use in supplying fuel to combustion engines. Prior art fuel injector elements were normally tested by use of low pressure apparatuses which did not provide a purge to prevent mist from obscuring the injector element or to prevent frosting of the view windows; could utilize only one fluid during each test; and had their viewing ports positioned one hundred eighty (180.degree.) apart, thus preventing optimum use of laser diagnostics.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an object of interest in coaxial alignment relative to a rotatable shaft including a coupler having a post; a housing for rotatably supporting the coupler; and a sensor borne by the housing and is posed in sensing relation relative to the post.

Abstract: A method for determining engine load of a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of charging an ignition transformer to a maximum ignition charge and initiating an ignition discharge between electrodes of the spark plug. The ignition transformer is then charged to a predetermined diagnostic charge which is less than said maximum ignition charge. The diagnostic charge is discharged at a time of the combustion cycle where pressure in the combustion cylinder is dependent on engine load. The duration diagnostic discharge is then monitored and subsequently correlated to engine load. In this manner, the spark plug is used as a feedback element in determining engine load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the switching process of a coupling device for inlet or outlet valves. The valve is actuated by two transmission elements which can be coupled to one another by means of a coupling device and are driven by two cams with different cam elevations. The coupling device consists of a bolt which is guided, so as to be capable of moving by means of a pressure medium, in two bores which are arranged on the transmission elements and are placed flush. According to the invention, an evaluation device is provided with which it is monitored whether the bolt reaches the coupled position. For this purpose, the evaluation device detects the signal of a pressure sensor arranged in the control pressure line. In this process, whether the coupled position has been reached can be detected by the occurrence of a pressure surge in the control pressure line which is caused by the striking of the bolt against a stop.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve testing device is provided in a configuration to be utilized with a variety of motor vehicles. The portable device is adaptable, through a collection of interchangeable wiring harnesses, for connection to a wide variety of vehicles of various manufacture. A plurality of independent EGR solenoids may be selectively operated and tested by the selective operation of a plurality of switches incorporated in the invention. Operation of the invention also provides visual feedback of the position of the EGR solenoid pintle. The invention is also equipped with external signal outputs for operating external test devices.

Abstract: A pressure sensor including a plate-shaped metal substrate; a glass layer provided on a surface of the metal substrate and mainly containing a partially devitrified enamel composition; a resistor element which is provided on a surface of the glass layer and has an electric resistance changed in accordance with the degree of strain thereof; and a pair of electrodes connected to the resistor element. The resistor element is provided so as to receive a stress, a pressure, or a load applied perpendicularly to a surface thereof. Alternatively, both surfaces of the metal substrate are provided with glass layers, respectively, and the resistor element is provided on one of the glass layers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting leaky injection valves for an internal combustion engine. The method applies for the start operation under pregiven conditions wherein all cylinders are ignited, even those where there is no injection. A measurement of rpm and a monitoring takes place such that an rpm increase is clearly detected. This increase in rpm is caused by an additional firing in one cylinder. This method is processed in the control apparatus of the engine and can be adapted to various requirements and can be run through for each start or only for each m-th start. The activation of the method can be limited to specific engine temperatures or engine temperature curves.

Abstract: A multicomponent force and moment measuring arrangement wherein shear forces are converted into moments and transmitted via tensile-compressive forces onto piezoelectric rod elements, while axial compressive-tensile forces are transmitted directly onto the same piezoelectric rod elements. With appropriate arrangement of the piezoelectric rods and their signal evaluation, transducers and dynamometers of entirely new type can be constructed, in which the necessary electronics package can be located between the piezoelectric rod elements for certain applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically restraining a vehicle on a vehicle test stand having at least one pair of rollers rotatably mounted to a frame comprises a restraining device movably mounted relative to the test stand frame. A motor is drivably connected to the restraining device for, when actuated, moving the restraining device relative to the frame. An actuating device provides a first signal when it is desired to move the restraining device into an operative restraining position and a second signal when it is desired to move the restraining device out of the operative restraining position. A controller is connected to the motor and to the actuating device for controlling energization of the motor in response to the actuating device to move the restraining device automatically into or out of the operative restraining position.

Abstract: In order to determine the course of a varying internal pressure in the cylinder of a piston-type internal combustion engine using measurement sensors which are in interaction with the outside of the cylinder; an acceleration, velocity or displacement signal (X(t)) is produced and a transfer function (H(.omega.)) between the internal pressure (Y(t)) and the acceleration, velocity or displacement signal (X(t)) is determined once and thereafter an output signal representing the internal pressure is derived only from the acceleration, velocity or displacement signal X(t)) and the transfer function.

Abstract: A system for predicting cylinder air charge for a variable displacement internal combustion engine operating in a transition from a first number of activated cylinders to a second number of activated cylinders includes a throttle sensing system for determining the effective flow area of the air intake passage of the engine and for generating a signal corresponding to the area, an engine speed sensor for determining the speed of the engine and for generating a signal corresponding to the speed, an airflow sensor for determining the instantaneous mass airflow into the engine and for generating a signal corresponding to the airflow, and a controller for receiving the speed, flow area, and mass airflow signals and for calculating the mass of air admitted to each engine cylinder during its intake stroke, based upon the values of the signals.

Abstract: A force sensor and a force sensing method use crystal rods as both force responsive elements and light transmission media in combination with light input circuitry and processing circuitry to sense an applied force, such as oil or gas well pressure or fluid flow friction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for force-controlled fatigue testing of a specimen or material. A driver is used to generate a load force which is applied to the test specimen. Physical property changes of the test specimen are measured over time and a feedback signal is generated as a function of the measured physical property changes. A motion command signal is computed as a function of the feedback signal. A computer processes the feedback signal and emits the motion command signal to an actuator. The driver responds to the motion command signal and maintains the load force at an approximately constant magnitude during the physical property changes of the test specimen.

Abstract: A rock bolt load sensor assembly for use to determine the load on a nut screwed onto a bolt embedded in a rock face, the assembly comprising a plurality of spring washers arranged to be mounted on the bolt between the nut and a roof plate, and a sensor comprising an induction coil adapted to be, in use, placed around the washers, the sensor including an indicator coupled to the induction coil whereby in use, the spring washers define an air space which varies in dependence on the load on the bolt and the induction coil provides an electrical indication of variation of the air space and the indicator provides an indication of variation of the load on the bolt.

Abstract: The modulation depth of a fiber optic diaphragm sensor is increased by tapering the tip end of the optical fiber or fiber bundle. In a second embodiment, the modulation depth is increased by mechanically leveraging the diaphragm movement relative to the tip end of the optical fiber or fiber bundle. In either embodiment, the operating temperature of the tip end of the optical fiber or fiber bundle can be reduced relative to the operating temperature of the diaphragm. Thus, the diaphragm sensor can be directly exposed to combustion temperatures in an internal combustion engine and advantageously the sensor can be embodied in a spark plug adjacent the electrodes.

Abstract: The device comprises a tubular body portion (1) in which are fitted first and second jaws (2, 4) for holding a specimen (3) to be tested. A compression spring (5) or pressure chamber (29), are housed within the body portion (1) and act to urge the first jaw (2) outwards whilst the second jaw (4) is secured to the body portion thereby applying stress to the specimen (3). The device is sufficiently small to enable it to be used in confined spaces, such as the underside of a vehicle or within a vehicle engine compartment, so the tests can be carried out in real-life environments. If hydraulic actuation of the pressure chamber (29) is used, varying stresses can be applied to the specimen (3) which are also dependent upon real-life movements and/or stresses.

Abstract: A dynamometer for testing engine powered vehicles including an induction motor coupled directly to the vehicle engine or the driven wheels thereof. A computer in response to the engine or wheel speed and the torque applied to or received from the engine or wheels by the motor provides a desired torque signal to a motor power controller to similate the road load and/or vehicle inertial forces encountered by the vehicle during actual operation and to compensate for the parasitic losses of the dynamometer. The motor power controller in turn applies a d.c. voltage to the motor when the desired torque signal is negative to cause the motor to absorb power from the engine or driven wheels and applies an a.c. voltage to the motor when the desired torque signal is positive to cause the motor to supply power to the engine or driven wheels in accordance with the parasitic losses and the road load and/or inertial forces to be simulated by the induction motor.