Abstract: According to the method of this invention, a ski to be tested is supported at its mid-point and near its tip and tail respectively. It is clamped at the mid-point and just aft of the tip of the ski. The afterbody and the forebody of the ski are deflected through predetermined distances, whereupon the force necessary to produce the deflection is measured by a strain gauge. Similarly, the forces produced in the ski when the forebody of the ski is twisted by the application of a couple thereto to produce a predetermined torsional deflection are measured and recorded. The disclosure includes a suitable tip station, center station, and tail station mounted on an elongated base, which may comprise a pair of hollow metal cylinders that act as reservoirs for storage of compressed air for actuation of pneumatic means for application of forces to the ski.

Abstract: A slope monitoring device includes a cable anchored at one end to the sloped wall of an open pit mine, dump, or the like. The cable extends over an idler pulley at the top of the sloped wall and passes around a further pulley coupled to an optical shaft encoder which generates a digital signal corresponding to the angular position of the pulley. The cable is engaged by a clutch and is wound about a play-off reel, each secured to a weighted sleeve slidingly extending about a vertical post. The weighted sleeve maintains tension upon the cable, while the clutch allows additional cable to be played off of the reel when tension is increased due to movement of the wall. The shaft encoder information, along with the temperature, battery condition, and cable condition, are transmitted by radio to a remote location for processing.

Abstract: An electronic engine power control system is disclosed for a motor vehicle wherein a measuring arrangement is utilized for determining the position of an actuating element. The measuring arrangement is configured in such a manner that it has different resolutions in various ranges of the position of the actuating element. The open-loop or closed-loop control of the position of the engine power-determining element or of the actuating element in idle or near idle is undertaken in dependence upon the measurement signal of high resolution while, outside of the idle or near idle range, the control of the actuating element is undertaken in dependence upon measurement signals of low resolution or a straight open-loop control of the position of the actuating element.

Abstract: A dynamic strain measurement circuit includes a constant resistance conditioner. The constant resistance conditioner compensates for changes in lead wire resistance due to temperature. The conditioner includes adjustable resistance connected between a voltage supply and the strain gage. A potential difference is detected in the circuit and compared to a reference potential. Differences between the reference potential and the detected potential produce an error signal which is used to drive the control of the resistance value of the adjustable resistance in the measurement circuit.

Abstract: An idle position detection switch, in which a fixed contact, a terminal for transmitting an idle position signal to an external terminal, and a support disc firmly attaching both the fixed contact and the terminal are insert-molded into a connector made of a resin. As a result of the construction, not only the switch can be fabricated with less components and less cost, but also each contact portion has such an improved rigidity as to allow the incidence of false contacts to be reduced.

Abstract: A process for nondestructive testing of beam lead bonds in disclosed. A high pressure liquid jet is applied to the beam leads adjacent the bond pad such that a force is applied to the lead in the opposite direction of the bonding step. If the bond does not have sufficient strength, the lead is bent away from the bonding pad and can be detected either visually or electrically. If the bond does have sufficient strength to withstand the force, no degradation of the bond occurs.

Abstract: A capacative probe is provided which has reduced effective stray capacitance and is thus able to accurately detect probe contact with a conducting fluid with small fluid volumes. Effective stray capacitance is reduced by dividing stray capacitance sources into two or more sources, by reducing the capacitance value of each of the divided stray capacitance sources to a value which is substantially less than the capacitance difference which occurs as a result of probe contact with the fluid and by connecting at least selected ones of the divided stray capacitance sources in series to further reduce effective stray capacitance.

Abstract: Analog circuit of a thermal type intake air flow sensor for detecting a quantity of air drawn into an automotive engine is formed as a part of the input hardware of a microcomputer for control of the engine, and the analog circuit is used for operations which need to be performed at high speed, while adjustment, an output process, etc. are executed under the same operating system as is used for engine control.

Abstract: A rheological test apparatus and method using a helical screw rheometer. The screw in the rheometer is driven by a hydraulic motor controlled by a proportioning valve. A pressure transducer provides a pressure signal at the outlet of the rheometer, and a solenoid valve is used to close the outlet downstream from the pressure transducer. In a test, fluid is flowed into the rheometer. With the screw stopped and the discharge closed, a static pressure is measured by the pressure transducer, and a computer means resets this to a zero reference value. The screw in the rheometer is then rotated at a constant speed with the discharge closed, and the dynamic pressure at the outlet is measured by the pressure transducer. Because the static pressure was zeroed, the dynamic pressure value is substantially equal to the differential pressure across the rheometer. The test is repeated for different speeds.

Abstract: An over-loading detection system periodically samples a motor operating parameter, e.g. a revolution speed and an output torque at a predetermined relatively short sampling period. Based on the sampled motor operating parameter, a ratio of the output torque and a predetermined over-load rating torque is derived and stored. Over-load detection is performed with respect to a plurality of sampled ratios of the output torque and the over-load rating torque by deriving a running average and comparing the derived running average value with a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the determination of the filling capacity of tobacco and the hardness of cigarettes includes a container containing tobacco compressed by a test plunger driven in a pre-set manner by a motor, such that the force exerted on the tobacco is measured and passed to a computer. The length of the tobacco column is also measured. After the compression movement of the test plunger and while it rests in its end position for a relaxation period, the force acting on the tobacco is measured at pre-set time intervals and signals indicative thereof are passed on to the computer. The temperature and the moisture of the tobacco are determined, enabling the measured values to be adjusted to reflect standard conditions. The apparatus for determining the hardness of cigarettes differs from the apparatus for the determination of the filling capacity of tobacco only in the construction of the test plunger and the sample holder.

Abstract: An optical fiber (22) is tested for payout properties by supporting it on a payout support (24 ), preferably in the form of a hollow frustum of a cone, and attaching an unsupported end (26 ) of the optical fiber (22) to a projectile (42) that is thereafter propelled rapidly by expanding gas. The expanding gas is preferably generated explosively or by pressurizing the rearward end of the stationary projectile (42) and then releasing the projectile (42). A pneumatic gun (40) suitable for such testing has a barrel (44) sufficiently large to receive the projectile (42), a latching mechanism (60) that releasably engages the projectile (42), a closure (50) at the rearward end of the barrel (44) with a bore (58) therethrough concentric with the axis of the barrel (44) through which the optical fiber (22) passes and is drawn. The pneumatic gun (40) further includes a gas reservoir (48) that supplies a pressurized gas to the back side of the projectile (42).

Abstract: A pneumatic or hydraulic pressure sensor is connected in parallel with the vehicle braking system and the sensor is connected to a computer system which periodically samples the sensor output. Other sensors can be used to detect other quantities such as engine speed, vehicle speed, wheel rotation or transmission speed, and other brake units and their outputs can also be periodically sampled. Under control of the computer, the samples are stored on a magnetic disk. The computer can then be instructed to interrogate the samples stored on the disk to produce charts of various quantities versus time which objectively indicate driver performance. The device can also be used to synchronize individual brake units in a multiple brake vehicle by simultaneously displaying the brake pressures in each brake unit, thereby enabling the relative application timing of the brake units to be measured.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis device for an EGR control system detects a predetermined running condition of the engine, and includes a control device which inputs values of predetermined parameters signifying the running condition of the engine at first predetermined times. The control device calculates differences between preceding input values and current input values, accumulates the differences, and opens the EGR path after determining that the EGR control system is normal, i.e. when the accumulated value reaches or exceeds a predetermined value after a second predetermined time has elapsed from when the EGR path is forcibly closed. The control device determines that the EGR control system has failed and generates an alarm when the accumulated value is below the predetermined value when the second predetermined time has elapsed.

Abstract: Device for measuring the consumption of fuel in an internal combustion engine, the device being inserted in a feed system between a fuel tank and an injection group, wherein the device includes a cup provided with a lever sensor which controls the actuation of a suction pump communicating with the fuel tank and wherein the cup, fed by a pipe coming from the suction pump and by a return pipe coming from the injection group, is connected with the injection group by a delivery pipe, and the suction pump, being controlled by the level sensor, supplying the consumption data to a counter/totalizer device.

Abstract: A fuel measurement instrument and method of monitoring fuel flow. The system is primarily for diesel engines, and is specially designed to measure fuel consumption and interface to host devices such as Marine Global Navigation Systems, On-Board Computer Systems of Off-Highway Mining Vehicles, Class 8 Trucks, Buses, Locomotives, and all other on-board computer systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for diagnosing the presence or absence of a wire disconnection in a fuel injector drive circuit.When driving the solenoid of a fuel injector via a transistor by a drive pulse signal, the counter electromotive voltage used to turn off the transistor during a fall of a drive pulse signal is taken out and is charged to a capacitor included in the charge/discharge circuit. Also, the terminal voltage of the capacitor is determined during the rise of the drive pulse signal, and a wire disconnection is detected when the voltage is lower than a predetermined value. Further, a discharge of capacitor is started immediately after this determination, and a discharge of the capacitor is ended upon the fall of the drive pulse signal.

Abstract: A flow regulating apparatus for a porous hydrostatic bearing includes a measuring device for measuring a flow of injected gas through a bearing surface of the hydrostatic bearing to be regulated, a pattern member having a plurality of application pattern portions of different opening ratios on each of which a plurality of small holes are formed in a dispersive manner, and an application device for applying solvent on the bearing surface through the pattern member. A proper pattern portion is selected based on a flow measured by the measuring device, and the proper pattern portion and the application device are aligned with a portion of the bearing surface to which the solvent is to be applied. The solvent is then applied and this operation is repeated until the flow measured by the measuring device becomes a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes a hot-wire type air flow sensor 2 having a temperature dependent resistance. A counter 905d determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed from power ON or startup, and an upper limit is applied to the sensed average air flow quantity until the predetermined time has elapsed, thereby avoiding erroneous fuel injector pulse width calculations during a warmup period of the air flow sensor resistance.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio detecting combustion sensor. Combustion light signals of two given waveform bands are photoelectrically converted into corresponding electrical waveform signals. On the basis of phase difference in time points at which the two signals are generated, respectively, the air-fuel ratio is arithmetically determined.