Abstract: In a method of detecting and eliminating foreign bodies in tobacco, a flow of tobacco advances first through a preparation zone where it is gathered into a continuous ribbon of tobacco filler, then through a forming station at which the filler is used to fashion a continuous cigarette rod, and finally through a cutter device that divides the rod into cigarette sticks; the advancing flow is directed at a given point through a detection device and exposed to electromagnetic radiation of microwave frequency emitted and received in such a way as to generate output signals reflecting any variations in moisture content along the flow of tobacco, caused by the inclusion of foreign bodies and associated with given portions of the flow each coinciding with a singly identifiable cigarette stick.

Abstract: A portable circuit interrupter shutoff testing device and method, including a high current switch controlled by a timing circuit that allows current to flow through the switch and a small series resistance (in order to trip the instantaneous-trip function of the interrupter, as opposed to the overload-trip) for a short time period relative to the sine wave of the electrical power. A button activates the timing circuit which in turn activates the switch and current flows limited by the internal resistor of the device. By limiting the on time of the device to one of a few half cycles, the user can test if the circuit interrupter responds as quickly as specified by the manufacturer. A method includes receiving a stimulation indication, and selectively connecting an electrical load is sufficient to trigger the instantaneous-trip function of the circuit-interrupter.

Abstract: A technique for determining inductive and resistive components of power line impedance. A measurement circuit switches a burden or drain resistor between power line conductors to cause a droop or sag in a voltage waveform. The voltage waveform is sampled prior to inclusion of the resistor in the circuit, as well as after to identify the droop. The short circuit between the power lines is then removed by opening the circuit and a capacitor in the test circuitry causes a resonant ring due to the inductive component of the power line impedance. Based upon the period or frequency of the resonant ring, and upon the voltage measurements with and without the resistor in the circuit, the inductive and resistive components of power line impedance can be computed.

Abstract: A coplanar waveguide (CPW) probe includes at least one center probe element, each having a respective center probe contact point and at least one peripheral probe element, each having a respective peripheral contact point. The pitch between the at least one center contact point and the at least one peripheral contact point is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a function of the first parameter and the second parameter.

Abstract: An implantable energy supply system having at least two cells is disclosed. The system may have a switch with a first state in which the cells are electrically connected to a load, and a second state in which each cell is electrically connected with its own charger. A measurer may be electrically connected to a cell to provide an indication of the charge on the cell.

Abstract: A technique for calibrating a second electronic device using a first electronic device having a reference characteristic is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for calibrating a second electronic device using a first electronic device, wherein the first electronic device has a reference characteristic, wherein the second electronic device has an adjustable element, and wherein the first electronic device and the second electronic device are interconnected via one or more signal lines. The method comprises generating a first value based at least in part upon the reference characteristic, and providing the first value to the second electronic device via one of the one or more signal lines. The method also comprises generating a second value, based at least in part upon the first value, using the adjustable element.

Abstract: In one form, tester for an electrical system, such as for a vehicle, develops repetitively applied, short duration, control current pulses for reducing load current pulses through the electrical system. An operator connects a pair of input contacts across a fuse holder. A circuit between the input contacts is closed momentarily and repetitively to produce repetitive current pulses from the electricity source through the system. A perceptible alert is produced when the magnitude of the current pulse exceeds that of a prescribed reference current value. In another form, a tester for an electrical system is designed to plug into the fuse terminals in a fuse box. The tester can include a plurality of interchangeable circuit breaker modules to allow the tester to be used on circuits having differing current ratings.

Abstract: A current is injected in the vicinity of a liquid-containment facility of interest to create a measurable electrical potential field in the ground underlying the site. Voltage is measured at each of a plurality of electrodes and plotted as a function of time. The rate of change of the voltages measured at each electrode was found to be proportional to the flow rate of any leak from the facility. Accordingly, the monitoring system is calibrated with artificially imposed leaks flowing at various rates and the resulting information is used to estimate the flow rate of actual leaks on the basis of the slope of the potential plot recorded by any given electrode over time. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow rates so calculated are averaged to produce an estimate of the rate of leakage.

Abstract: A digital time domain reflectometer system is provided for performing a measurement process that is useful for calculating a cable length. The measurement process starts with a launch controller periodically generating a sync signal for turning a duration signal on. After a known delay time, the launch controller launches a signal on a cable, and if a reflected signal is detected, a detection circuit turns the duration signal off. A counter counts the number of clock pulses in the duration signal. This system is made more accurate by performing the measurement process multiple times and averaging the results. Using the averaged results, and compensating for the added known delay time, the cable length is calculated. An adaptive threshold may be used to enhance measurement accuracy.

Abstract: A surface shape recognition sensor includes capacitive detection elements, support electrode, protective film, and projections. The detection elements are formed from lower electrodes and a deformable plate-like upper electrode made of a metal. The lower electrodes are insulated and isolated from each other and stationarily laid out on a single plane of an interlevel dielectric formed on a semiconductor substrate. The upper electrode is laid out above the lower electrodes at a predetermined interval and has opening portions. The support electrode is laid out around the lower electrodes while being insulated and isolated from the lower electrodes, and formed to be higher than the lower electrodes to support the upper electrode. The protective film is formed on the upper electrode to close the opening portions. The projections per one pixel are laid out in a region of the protective film above the capacitive detection element.

Abstract: A circuit board testing apparatus for testing continuity and/or short-circuit of wirings formed on a circuit board, includes an electromagnetic wave irradiator which irradiates first terminals of the wirings with an electromagnetic wave so that electrons are discharged from the first terminals by photoelectric effect. Discharged electrons are trapped by an electrode which is electrically biased to have a higher potential than that of the second terminals of the wirings, thereby causing an electric current to flow through the wirings via the electrode. Existence of open-circuit and/or short-circuit of the wirings is judged based on the current flowing the wirings.

Abstract: An apparatus for contactless measurement of sheet charge density and mobility includes a microwave source, waveguide, first, second and third detectors, and an eccentric bore mount for adjusting the sample. A circular waveguide, carrying the TE11 mode, terminates by the sample behind which a short is located. A magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the plane of the sample, and an incident TE11 wave causes an ordinary reflected wave and a reflected wave caused by the Hall effect. A first detector measures the ordinary reflected wave, which has the same polarization as the incident wave. A seperate probe measures the reflected wave caused by the Hall effect, whose polarization is perpendicular to the former. This reflected wave is detected, and the output combined with an attenuated; phase shifted, portion of the forward power at a single detector, to eliminate by destructive interference any spurious incident signal at said detector.

Abstract: A method for locating objects enclosed in a medium, according to which a detection signal is generated by at least one capacitive sensor device, the detection signal penetrating the medium that is to be analyzed in such a way that information is obtained about an object that is enclosed in the medium by evaluating the detection signal, particularly by measuring impedance, wherein, to obtain depth information about the object that is enclosed in the medium, an algorithm is used to evaluate the detection signal that calculates a compensation for drift effects of the capacitive sensor device that is generating the detection signal.

Abstract: An electrode, in the form of a spike, for insertion into a sample, has a large-area jacket adapted for applying an excitation current to the sample and a small-area tip electrically decoupled from the jacket, at which a potential measurement is made.

Abstract: A measurement technique which allows the error components of the testing process to be eliminated by performing a differential-style measurement of the programmable termination resistor network. Since for any given DUT pin which is to be tested, there are multiple possible resistances to be measured, the test process provides that two or more resistance measurements are taken on the same pin. Once those values containing the error components are obtained, they are compared to generate a differential resistance measurement which contains only the actual on-chip DUT resistance with the error components completely removed. The differential value can then be tested against previously defined test limits that are set to guarantee the conformance of the on-chip resistance to the processing specifications. The technique can be applied at either the wafer sort or package test phase of device testing, with the different error components associated with either phase being eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit pattern inspection apparatus for inspecting a conductive pattern of a circuit board which includes first and second comb-shaped conductive patterns (15a, 15b) each having a plurality of terminal portions arranged substantially parallel to each other and a base portion connecting respective anchor ends of the terminal portions together, wherein the terminal portions of the first comb-shaped conductive pattern are alternately arranged with respect to the terminal portions of said second comb-shaped conductive pattern, and the first second comb-shaped conductive patterns (15a, 15b) are adapted, respectively, to be supplied with an AC inspection signal, and grounded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a non-linear device stimulates the device with a repetitive digital signal and uses relative phase measurements made with a vector network analyzer to measure the device response to the digital stimulus.

Abstract: A non-contact capacitive sensor including: a sensor plate configured to be displaced from a surface and to measure a capacitance of a gap between the surface and sensor plate; an active shield plate over the sensor plate and insulated from said sensor plate, wherein a high frequency input signal is applied to the active shield plate and sensor plate; an effective ground shield plate connected through a first resistor to a ground, over the active shield plate to sandwich the active shield plate between the ground shield plate and the sensor plate, and the ground shield plate is insulated from the active shield plate, and a second resistor connected between the ground shield plate and the active shield plate to provide a direct current (dc) path through the sensor.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the linearity of a differential capacitive sensor as a function of beam displacement. An ac-modulated feedback connection from a sensor output terminal to a movable beam electrode is provided through a fix-up capacitor. The output terminal signal is inverted in the feedback connection so that the fix-up capacitor reduces the capacitance from the fixed electrodes to the beam electrode. When the fix-up capacitor value is chosen approximately equal to the fixed capacitance of the differential capacitor, the feedback circuit compensates for the effect of this fixed capacitance. The linearity of the output as a function of the displacement of the beam is improved. Thus, the signal-to-noise ratio of devices such as accelerometers may be increased by allowing sensors to employ a large displacement range. The invention may be used in differential accelerometers and in other types of differential capacitive sensors.