Abstract: A waveguide assembly adapted for use with a time domain reflectrometry device for use in measuring the moisture content in soils and other mediums. A waveguide assembly comprised of a plurality of waveguide conductors (probes) for insertion into the soil are connected to a coaxial cable. An electronic stepped pulse travels through the coaxial cable and, due to an impedance mismatch where the coaxial cable and the waveguide assembly are joined, a downgoing beginning reference wave or reflection is produced. The beginning reference wave provides a starting point for measuring the accumulated time delay as the electronic pulse continues to travel through the waveguide assembly. An ending reflection wave is created as the electronic pulse reaches the end of the waveguide assembly and transmits into the surrounding soil.

Abstract: A digital phase detector composed of: a digitally controllable signal delay device having a signal input, a signal output and a control input, the delay device being operative for conducting a signal from the signal input to the signal output with a time delay having a duration determined by a control signal supplied to the control input, the signal input being connected to receive either an input signal or a digital local clock signal; a phase relation detector connected to receive a first input signal from the signal output of the signal delay device and a second input signal constituted by the one of the input signal and the digital local clock signal which is not received by the signal input of the signal delay device, for periodically comparing the phases of the first and second input signals and for producing a binary output signal composed of a succession of signal segments, each segment having a first value when the first input signal is leading the second input signal in phase and a second value when

Abstract: A computer-based method and apparatus for fastener hole inspection including a capacitive probe with a plurality of sensor elements, means for grounding the faster hole, and an electronics unit electrically connected to the probe for sequencially charging one of the plurality of sensor elements while applying a guard potential to the remaining sensor elements and adjacent electrical components to eliminate residual capactitances. A profile of the fastener hole is generated by evaluating, through a series resistor, the discharge waveforms of the plurality of sensor elements by converting the capacitance measurements obtained to distance measurements. A centering algorithm is employed to compensate for malalignment of the capacitive probe in the fastener hole.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for inducing an alternating electrical gradient into an impounded liquid media and including, directionally sensitive, sensing apparatus for monitoring gradients established in the liquid to detect leaks at a liquid impermeable membrane. A conductive electrode floated on the liquid directs an amplified square wave signal into the liquid at a 5 to 15 hertz frequency relative to a ground reference established outside the membrane. First and second recessed sensors in a portable, hollow tubular probe are manipulated within the liquid. A portable signal processor monitors a changing signal between the sensors as the probe is moved in the liquid. The sensed and source signals are snychronously sampled, integrated, subtracted in a positive correlation arrangement, and amplified to reject common mode signals within the liquid.

Abstract: The characteristics of an a.c. waveform are determined by measuring the time interval between the instant when the waveform crosses a first reference threshold and the instant when it crosses another threshold. The second threshold is varied to obtain a series of time interval measurements from which a point by point reconstruction of the waveform can be made. The technique has the advantage that it can be used to characterize waveforms whose arrival time is indeterminable.

Abstract: The circuit has a common measurement transducer together with individual measurement interfaces for each of the cells. Each interface has its own generator for defining a measurement signal relating to a characteristic of the associated cell, and each of the interfaces has its own measurement signal output that is connected to the measurement transducer of the circuit via a common single-wire link. Each interface also includes two ports, operable in alternation so that one constitutes an input for control pulses transmitted to the interface while the other acts as an output for relaying such pulses after they have been received. Each interface also includes means for forcing a signal to be emitted via its measurement signal output to the measurement transducer of the circuit in the event of a threshold being crossed by a measurement element that monitors a characteristic of the cell with which the interface is associated.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a dielectric sample for susceptibility to surface electrical failure due to tracking. The apparatus includes an enclosure continuously purged of air-borne contaminants, which eliminates external drafts, and a base disposed within the enclosure for supporting the dielectric sample. A pair of electrodes are operably interconnected with a variable voltage power supply and adapted to engage the dielectric sample on a first side with a mutual separation. A source of water and water borne contaminants intermittently discharges the water and water-borne contaminants in droplet form onto the dielectric test sample between the electrodes.

Abstract: An auto harness integrity tester the components of which are respectively a housing unit protectively holding three male prongs extending from holes in one end thereof adjacent a female socket pocket in this end of the housing unit with wiring running from the prongs, one at a time to one each of three resistors and wiring running from each resistor to one each of three light emitting diodes from each of which a wire leads to a common wire leading to the female socket pocket such that when the instant device is plugged into the end plug of an auto harness, current can run from the harness through the prongs to the diodes and via a prong in the end plug received by the female socket pocket to ground.

Abstract: In estimating the residual capacity of a battery according to the maximum output estimating process, a reference point is established in advance at the intersection of a plurality of current/voltage characteristic linear curves corresponding to various residual capacities of the battery or in an area in the vicinity of the intersections of the curves. A current/voltage characteristic linear curve is determined so as to pass through the reference point and a measured operating point of the battery which corresponds to the present discharging current and output voltage values measured when the battery is discharged. Then, a maximum transfer power value of the battery is determined from the current/voltage characteristic linear curve thus determined, and the present residual capacity of the battery is estimated from the maximum transfer power value.

Abstract: A method for detecting extent of cross-linking of a high impedance polymer material during a pre-cure state, the method including: placing an insulated ground plane adjacent to the polymer material and substantially parallel to a sensor; applying a test signal through a sensor to the material and through a reference resistance; determining a voltage difference between the test signal applied to the material and the reference resistance as the reference voltage; and correlating the voltage difference as a relative indicator of the extent of cross-linking which has occurred within the polymer material. Also disclosed is a device for implementing the subject method.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a process for use with automatic test equipment ("ATE") for determining a propagation delay in a semiconductor circuit is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the process comprises the steps of determining an expected delay time by interpolating a first simulation capacitance, a second simulation capacitance, and an ATE capacitance, with a first simulated delay time and a second simulated delay time, the simulated delay times corresponding to the first and second simulated capacitances respectively, testing the semiconductor circuit with the ATE to determine an ATE delay time, and comparing the ATE delay time with the expected delay time to determine whether the propagation delay is acceptable.

Abstract: The signals to be measured are transformed in the system to discrete time digital signals by synchronous sampling. These digital signals are then processed by a digital signal processor for vector detection and for computing digital feedback sent to the sampling gates. The analyzer has improved characteristics in the area of linearity, drift and test port signal injection because of its highly optimized architecture based on synchronous sampling with digital feedback. It possesses unique characteristics such as the ability to tune to a harmonic or a subharmonic of the excitation frequency and a good sensitivity in a high impedance environment.

Abstract: A misfire detector for an internal combustion engine is provided which, if any of a plurality of modification factors is replaced by a value out of the proper range, can prevent erroneous misfire detection from, continuing.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting seated condition for toilet seat which detects whether the change in input voltage of determining circuit, over predetermined time, in response to electrostatic capacity is existed or not. When the change is existed, the present apparatus computes and renews the set value 1 for detecting un-seated condition and the set value 2 for detecting seated condition based on the changed input potential.Accordingly, the present apparatus is the apparatus for detecting whether a human is seated or un-seated on a toilet seat using electrostatic capacity and the present invention can reduce the error in detection caused by the change in electrostatic capacity owing to a person, temperature and humidity.

Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Abstract: In a capacitive discharge ignition system there being a first circuit detecting the voltage across the storage capacitor marking the onset of discharge of the storage capacitor, a second circuit detecting the voltage across the storage capacitor marking the substantially complete discharge of the storage capacitor, a third circuit for measuring the time between the events marked by the first and second circuits, and a fourth circuit for analyzing the measured time to determine conditions in the ignition system.

Abstract: A passenger protection apparatus is provided with a plurality of squibs (activating elements). Transistors are respectively connected in series to these squibs. By switching on these transistors at predetermined differing timing, first monitor currents are conducted via current-controlling resistors to the respective squibs. First monitor currents can be independently conducted to the respective squibs with this structure. For this reason, the voltage levels generated at the squibs by the first monitor currents can be enlarged. Resistance values of the respective squibs can be calculated with high accuracy from these voltage values.

Abstract: An automatic self-calibration system for digital teraohmmeter wherein a built-in standard resistor is provided. The system is able to calibrate the values of the key components by taking the standard resistor as reference. The calibration procedure of the invention is controlled by a computer and executed automatically. The system is used to measure high-resistance standards up to 10.sup.15 .OMEGA. where the standard uncertainty does not exceed 100 ppm after a traceable calibration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting grain direction in wood by means of microwave radiation. A sample of timber is exposed to a polarized microwave beam emitted by a transmitter (11). A polarized receiver (12) evaluates the microwave energy that has been affected by the timber. The receiver and transmitter polarization planes are locked at either 0 or 90 degrees respect to each other. Both are rotated synchronously and the received energy is plotted versus angle. The energy maximum or minimum gives indication of the grain direction in the timber sample under evaluation.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the health and response of critical electromechanical control valves to detect the likelihood of future valve malfunction includes the use of Fourier transform decomposition and time-domain wavelets to selectively enhance portions of the valve response signal for comparison with a normal valve response signal.