Abstract: Improved instrument encasing systems may solve a variety of problems associated with existing systems. In one aspect, an improved instrument encasing system may include a suspension bracket and back plate that enable tool-less mounting and/or disassembly and/or security in mobile installations. Optionally, the system suspension bracket also may provide a template for easy alignment and selection of a mounting position and/or installation thereto. In some embodiments, the back plate may be temporarily reduced in diameter to enable quick and easy access to instruments mounted on an inner housing, or for access to the dial face for personalization. In another aspect, an inner housing of the instrument encasing system may provide one or more spring blades that receive instrument mounting sub-assemblies that provide for easy mounting and replacement of instruments.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to sense presence and motion in a monitored space is presented. The apparatus includes a dual-element assembly with a first thermal sensing element and a second thermal sensing element configured to produce a direct current output that is sustained at a level substantially proportional to an amount of thermal energy being received at the thermal sensing elements. A lens array (or equivalent optics) is coupled to the elements, having a plurality of lenses directing incident thermal energy from a plurality of optically-defined spatial zones onto the sensing elements. An electronic circuitry is configured to read a resulting signal of the dual-element assembly and an individual output signal of each the first thermal sensing element and the second thermal sensing element.

Abstract: An expansion tank which comprises a tank having a predetermined volume capacity; an expandable elastomeric bladder in the tank, partitioning tank volume into a liquid-containing portion for holding liquid and a gas-containing portion for holding a gas under a pressure that defines a normal pressurized gas volume when the liquid-containing portion holds a predetermined liquid volume; and a proximity sensor mounted to the tank at the gas-containing portion thereof and adapted to emit an alarm signal when volume of the gas-containing portion is reduced.

Abstract: Measuring apparatus-calibration device for calibrating a measuring apparatus-temperature sensor of a, in particular optical, measuring apparatus, wherein the measuring apparatus-calibration device comprises a, preferably measuring apparatus-external, calibration-temperature sensor, which is traceably calibratable itself, for determining a calibration temperature in the region of a measuring surface of the measuring apparatus and a determination unit which is adapted for determining an information which is indicative for a discrepancy between a measuring apparatus-temperature which is captured by the measuring apparatus-temperature sensor in the region of the measuring surface and the calibration temperature, on whose basis the measuring apparatus-temperature sensor is calibratable.

Abstract: An apparatus for repetitive use in automotive testing includes a body. The body includes a torso and a pair of legs. Each leg includes an upper portion and a lower portion pivotably connected to each other. An upper drive pivotably drives the upper portion of each of the pair of legs about a first pivot point disposed on a bottom portion of the torso. A lower drive pivotably drives the upper portion with respect to a corresponding lower portion of the leg. The upper drive and lower drive working in concert to articulate the upper and lower portions of the leg to replicate a pedaling motion.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system may include a strain sensor configured on the component, an electrical field scanner for analyzing the strain sensor, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value across the strain sensor along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis to obtain a data point set. The processor may further be operable for assembling a field profile of the strain sensor based on the data point set. Methods of using the system are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a local acceleration of gravity includes releasing a ferrous rod having a regular alternating pattern of reflective and non-reflective portions on a surface thereof from an electromagnetic holder so that the rod falls with a substantially vertical acceleration and substantially no angular velocity about a center of mass of the rod. The falling rod is illuminated with a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit infrared (IR) light, and IR light emitted by the LED and reflected by the falling rod is detected with a photodiode. A two-state signal is generated corresponding to an illumination state of the photodiode by the reflected IR light. Times of transitions between the two states in the generated signal are calculated to determine kinematic data, and the kinematic data is fitted to a predetermined curve to calculate a local acceleration of gravity.

Abstract: Improvements in an emergency inflatable signal locator is disclosed the emergency inflatable signal locator is a portable self-contained emergency inflatable illuminated signal location indicator generally provides a carrying case defining an interior volume carrying a container of compressed helium and an inflatable balloon having a reflective exterior surface and carrying a light source, the inflatable balloon connected to one end of a length of tether. The tether having a second end portion securely fastened to a reel that is securely interconnected to the interior of the carrying case allowing the inflated balloon to be retracted if necessary.

Abstract: An adjustable tool configured to facilitate mounting an electromechanical device relative to a tester is contemplated. The adjustable tool may be operable to facilitate adjustably mounting a belt tensioner, pulley or other rotating element of the electromechanical device relative to a belt drive or other rotatable testing element included on the tester in a manner sufficient to enable adjusting tensioning and/or positioning therebetween.

Abstract: Described is a dispensing needle for a fraction collector. The dispensing needle includes a conduit having a fluid channel to conduct a chromatographic flow, an interior wall that defines the fluid channel, an exterior surface and an endface through which the chromatographic flow is dispensed. The dispensing needle also includes a coating of a hydrocarbon material or a fluorocarbon material that is bonded to the endface. The coating is also bonded to at least a portion of the exterior surface that is adjacent to the endface and at least a portion of the interior wall that is adjacent to the endface. The coating operates to reduce a droplet volume of a liquid dispensed from the endface that may remain at the tip of the dispensing needle. Consequently, the concentration variation in a collected fraction due to a missing droplet or extra droplet is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for providing flexible and repairable testing capabilities for systems that generate or absorb heat such as energy storage systems. One embodiment can include a temperature bath structure adapted to contain and maintain a fluid bath at a predetermined temperature, an outer containment structure adapted to insert into the temperature bath structure, heat sinks, thermal sensor assemblies, and an internal containment structure where the thermal sensor assemblies and heat sinks removably attach to different sections of the inner containment structure so as to measure heat flow into or out of the inner containment structure's different sections. Embodiments of the invention enable rapid insertion/removal of samples as well as replacement of sections of the system including embodiments or parts of thermal sensor assemblies as well as enabling separate thermal measurements associated with different sections of a sample under test within the inner containment structure.

Abstract: A crystal self-test circuit is used to self-test either an acoustic emission crystal or a vibration crystal installed onto one of a bearing, a bearing housing, and a machine. A crystal self-test circuit includes a multiplexer IC, which toggles between a pulse injection configuration and a signal collection configuration. In the pulse injection configuration, the multiplexer IC provides signal communication between a crystal self-test input and the sensing emission crystal. In the signal collection configuration, the multiplexer IC provides signal communication between the sensing emission crystal and a signal analyzer. In operation, the multiplexer IC applies a waveform (preferably a square wave) to the sensing emission crystal over a predetermined time period. The multiplexer IC then toggles to collect the output waveform from the sensing emission crystal and forwards the output waveform to the signal analyzer. The output signal can be amplified by a signal amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring airflow through a diffuser of an HVAC system includes a hood for being positioned adjacent the diffuser so that airflow discharged from the diffuser is directed into the hood. The hood is configured to divide and direct the airflow through a plurality of discharge channels. Sensor probes measure the airflow through each discharge channel.

Abstract: To provide a highly accurate temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit includes a first constant current circuit; a first diode in which a first voltage reflecting the temperature of an object to be detected is generated between an anode and a cathode in accordance with a first current supplied from the first constant current circuit; a second constant current circuit; a second diode which includes an oxide semiconductor and in which a second voltage is generated between an anode and a cathode in accordance with a second current supplied from the second constant current circuit; and an amplifier circuit which amplifies a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: A sensor element, comprising first and second measuring paths, wherein the first measuring path extends via a first segment of a first material and the second measuring path at least partially extends via this first segment of the first material, wherein the second measuring path extends additionally via a second segment, which is composed of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A particle separation system for separating particles in an airflow upstream of a detection chamber in an aspirating smoke detector is disclosed. The particle separation system includes an airflow path for directing the airflow from an inlet to an outlet. The airflow path includes a first airflow path section in a first direction and a second airflow path section in a second direction, the first and second directions being different relative to each other. The airflow path also includes at least one electrically charged surface such that the airflow undergoes electrostatic precipitation as it traverses the airflow path. A method of separating particles in an airflow upstream of a detection chamber in an aspirating smoke detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube pressure gauge includes: a Bourdon tube; a rotary piece rotatably attached to a first shaft arranged near a tip of the Bourdon tube; a pointer including a second shaft arranged on a side facing an outer periphery of the fan-shaped portion of the rotary piece; a first permanent magnet provided on an outer peripheral surface side of a fan-shaped portion of the rotary piece; a second permanent magnet provided at the second shaft. An outer peripheral surface of the first permanent magnet and an outer peripheral surface of the second permanent magnet each has N pole and S pole alternately magnetized at equal pitches. A magnetic member configured to relax force by which the second permanent magnet is attracted to the first permanent magnet is provided across the second permanent magnet from the first permanent magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal element comprising a shaft and a test prod arranged on one end of the shaft. The thermal element comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, which are manufactured from different conductor materials and which are in electrical contact on one contact point provided in the region of the test prod. The first conductor and the second conductor are embedded at least in sections in a material of the shaft. The contact point is additionally or alternatively to the shaft material shielded with respect to the outside space at least in sections by means of a shield formed by a shielding material, wherein the shielding material has a lower diffusion coefficient and/or a higher thermal conductivity than the shaft material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test bench (10) for testing a test specimen (14), comprising a load device for generating a load for the test specimen, a test specimen holder (16) for holding the test specimen and for introducing the load onto the test specimen, and a cooling gas inflow device (32) for cooling the test specimen by means of a cooling gas stream exiting an outlet opening (48) of the cooling gas inflow device. In this case, the cooling gas inflow device is designed such that the cooling gas flow inside the cooling gas inflow device is divided into at least two part cooling gas streams in at least one section of the cooling gas inflow device.

Abstract: A force sensor includes: a base; a first movable portion arranged to face the base; a second movable portion arranged to face the first movable portion; a support that is provided on the base and rockably supports the first movable portion and the second movable portion; a joint that is provided to the support and rotatably supports the second movable portion; and a first detection unit that can detect a force component causing the first movable portion and the second movable portion to rock and a second detection unit that can detect a force component causing the second movable portion to rotate, when external force is applied to at least one of the first movable portion and the second movable portion.