Abstract: A pressure sensitive, toroidal magnetostrictive core wound with primary and secondary coils providing inputs to self-checking circuitry for analyzing operability status and providing redundant pressure measurement options is described. Pressure sensing assemblies are presented which are useful for measuring hydrostatic pressure or concentrated loads.

Abstract: A clinical instrument using a thermocouple probe for the measurement of pulse rate and body temperature using a single sensor. The variation in temperature due to heart beat found at the base of the tongue is detected with a fine wire thermocouple and timed. Pulse rate is calculated and displayed based on the time between beats. The DC component of the thermocouple output is digitized and displayed as body temperature.

Abstract: A torque measurement system for measuring shaft torque has two toothed wheels mounted in spaced apart relationship. Each of the wheels has a plurality of axially extending spaced teeth along its periphery extending into spaces between the teeth of the other, forming an interlaced array of teeth having tooth spacing interstices therebetween. A discontinuity is provided in the tooth pattern at at least one location around the periphery of the two wheels to serve as an index marker. A single detector such as a variable relunctance sensor is mounted proximate the wheels to provide output signals representative of circumferential widths of tooth spacing interstices and also representative of the index marker. The widths of the interstices change upon shaft torque deflection, and signals from the sensor are processed to produce a DC signal proportional to torque.

Abstract: A transducer arrangement for torque and/or angular displacement measurement, especially in power screwdrivers, operates in accordance with the eddy current principle. The transducer arrangement is constructed as a self-contained structural unit having its own transducer casing which is connected by appropriate coupling and connecting parts to the housing of the power screwdriver and to the driving and driven members of the screwdriver. A torsionally deformable member, especially shaft, is interposed between the driving and driven members, being connected thereto for joint rotation therewith. When torque is applied to the deformable member, its end portions are angularly displaced relative to one another. Two slotted members, especially sleeves, are respectively connected to the end portions of the deformable member for joint angular displacement therewith, and they influence the magnetic field in the vicinity of the deformable member in proportion to their relative angular displacement.

Abstract: Portable measuring instrument for measuring the clamping force between a pair of welding electrodes in spot welding. The instrument comprises a measuring cell (1) designed to be inserted between a pair of welding electrodes. The measuring cell contains a wire strain bridge for measuring the clamping force between the welding electrodes and a pair of electrodes (5) in a voltage detector for indicating the turning on of the welding current. The measuring cell is connected electrically to an electronic unit with optical indicating means (9), e.g. an LED stack, which indicates the magnitude of the clamping force when the welding current is turned on, and also the maximum clamping force attained during welding, and separately preserves the display of both of these values. The LED stack and the electronics are arranged in an apparatus casing (3).

Abstract: A probe (P) capable of sensing acoustic and hydrodynamic pressures in a heated flow field and an associated apparatus for acoustically exciting the heat flow (35), for positioning the probe (P) within the flow field and fro acquiring data. The probe (P) consists of a miniature microphone (10) mounted in an assembly which provides direct water cooling to the microphone body and which, by means of a bullet nosed extension (23, 24) with lateral ports (25), protects the microphone element (10) from direct impingement of the flow (35). Acoustic excitation of the flow (35) is introduced upstream of the nozzle (34) through a tube (37) from an externally mounted acoustic driver (36) which responds to the amplified output of a signal generator (38); the signal generator (38) and the amplifier (39) are adjusted to control the frequency and amplitude of the excitation. A traversing mechanism (32), capable of movement in three orthogonal directions is used to position the probe (P) within the flow (35).

Abstract: A force sensor comprising a field effect transistor (FET) structure formed on a substrate, having an insulating layer overlying the substrate adjacent to the channel region of the transistor structure. A layer of piezoelectric material overlies the insulating layer, the layer of piezoelectric material having a portion which extends beyond the insulating layer to form a cantilever structure overhanging a portion of the channel region. A control electrode overlies the cantilever structure. Forces acting on the cantilever structure modify the charge distribution in the underlaying channel region, thereby to cause the drain current of the transistor to vary with any variation of force on the cantilever structure.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer fits over and encompasses a rotatable shaft and has a primary or excitation magnetic assembly having a winding arrangement that is energized to provide a-c excitation for producing an alternating magnetic flux or field, adjacent to and within the shaft, which is modified as the shaft is torsionally stressed when torque is applied thereto. This stressing causes compression and tension in the shaft which alter the shaft permeability and thus vary the magnetic flux pattern in the shaft. The resulting or modified magnetic field is also a function of the shaft speed due to the shaft's armature reaction, eddy currents being generated in the shaft which develop a counter magnetic field that opposes and distorts the field produced by the primary winding arrangement. A pair of secondary or pick-up magnetic assemblies, having secondary windings, respond to the modified magnetic field and provide information signals relative to the torque and speed characteristics of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A radiator cap having an outer shell and a pressure vacuum valve assembly for closing the filler neck of a radiator includes a probe for detecting the coolant level in the radiator. The probe projects from the cap into the radiator interior and is electrically isolated from the radiator. An electrical connection is provided through the shell to connect the probe to a power source and indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of proving the calibration of meters, such as oil and water meters used in measuring fluid output of a producing oil well prior to the fluid reaching a stock tank. The method generally involves connecting a prover vessel, having an accurate volume reading sight glass, downstream of the meter to be tested, introducing a first volume of fluid into the prover vessel, degassing the fluid and pressurizing the vessel so as to establish a baseline reading. A preselected volume of fluid as registered by the meter is then introduced into the vessel, degassing and pressurizing are repeated and a second volume reading is obtained. The volume represented by the difference between the second and first volumes read at the prover vessel is divided by the volume registered by the meter to obtain a factor by which a meter reading may be multiplied to derive the true volume of fluid passing thereby. The volumes recorded may be temperature corrected to 15.degree. C.

Abstract: A marine speed log for providing an indication of the relative velocity of a vessel through water and an indication of the forward or reverse direction of travel. An output indication of total distance travelled can also be provided. The speed log is operable in both salt and fresh water without any change in calibration and incorporates a transducer having an air core. The speed log provides high sensitivity and high rejection of noise.

Abstract: The amplitudes of electrical signals generated by a transducer in an ultrasound scanning system are controlled by applying the electrical signals to an electrical filter whose frequency pass characteristics can be varied. As the ampltude and frequency of the generated electrical signals decrease due to passage through tissue, the low frequency of the filter is reduced. The control of the filter can be automatically implemented or can be manually implemented by the system operator.

Abstract: Slowly tapering the cone angle as a function of distance along the cone results in a horn transducer that has a sharp focus in the near field and a large depth of field. The horn is simulated by time delaying the excitation pulse sequence to an annular array. An ultrasonic imaging system, particularly for contact B-scanning, uses an annular array to simulate both a horn transmitter and a fixed-focus receiver. This device has good resolution over a large depth of field and is easy to implement.

Abstract: Force measuring equipment has a magnetoelastic transducer with an excitation winding supplied with alternating current, which generates a primary flux in a magnetic core of the transducer, and a measuring winding in which a signal voltage is induced, the signal voltage giving a measure of the force applied to the transducer core. The signal voltage is supplied to signal processing members which are arranged to form an output signal by phase-sensitive rectification of the signal voltage. Control members sense when the primary flux passes a positive and a negative reference level, and switch polarity reversing members at the times during each period of the AC supply when the primary flux with a certain sign of its time rate of change passes the positive reference level and with the opposite sign of its time rate of change passes the negative reference level.

Abstract: A sterile water collector of the type comprising a sample device (11) and a sample receptacle (1), and in which the sample receptacle is activated by means of a dropping plummit, which brings about opening of an inlet to the evacuated sample receptacle, which consists of a flexible wall structure (6) located between two rigid end bodies (2,3), whereby the rigid end bodies by means of a load are arranged to be pulled in a direction away from each other a certain distance when the sample device (11) is activated, whereby the sample water is sucked into the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of measuring the filterability of a fluid which includes a cold box having a temperature regulating mechanism connected thereto. Enclosed in the cold box is a filter holder connected between first and second cylinders. The filter holder has a housing divided into two parts which are joined together by a quick attachment and release mechanism. The mechanism permits a calibrated filter to be inserted into or to be removed from the filter holder quickly and easily. The filter holder also has an inlet and an outlet with the inlet connected to the first cylinder and the outlet connected to the second cylinder. The first cylinder contains a free piston which separates a quantity of fluid which is present in one section of the cylinder from a pressurized inert gas which is supplied to an opposite side of the piston. By allowing the pressurized inert gas to impinge on the piston, the fluid is urged from the first cylinder through the calibrated filter.