Abstract: A system may include a pool of liquid and a control system associated with the pool of liquid and configured to, in concert with the pool of liquid, control one of more components of the system to simulate to a human in the pool of liquid performance of extravehicular activity in space.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing device configured to monitor a temperature includes: a first conductive line; a second conductive line, wherein the first and second conductive lines have respective different cross-sectional dimensions; a sensing circuit, coupled to the first and second conductive lines, and configured to determine a logic state of an output signal based on a difference between respective signal levels present on the first and second conductive lines; and a control circuit, coupled to the sensing circuit, and configured to determine whether the monitored temperature is above or below a pre-defined threshold temperature based on the determined logic state.

Abstract: A multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus includes a microcontroller, a measuring unit for measuring properties of the testing object, and a functional unit. The measuring unit is arranged to measure one of a combination of ultraviolet and infrared distributions of the testing object and a combination of thermal and electrical conductivities of the testing object. The microcontroller analyzes a result from the measuring unit to generate a test result of the testing object, wherein the microcontroller includes a communication unit for connecting with an electronic device to transmit the test result thereto. The functional unit includes a voice indicator that generates a voice indication signal of the test result.

Abstract: A method of monitoring smoke, fire, and temperature conditions includes transmitting light through a first fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable terminating at a node disposed to monitor a smoke or fire condition at one or more predetermined areas, transmitting light along a second fiber optic cable, the second fiber optic cable arranged to monitor a temperature condition at one or more predetermined areas, receiving scattered light from the first fiber optic cable and/or the second fiber optic cable at a control system, and analyzing the scattered light to determine at least one of the presence and magnitude of smoke, fire and/or a temperature condition along the fiber harness or at the node.

Abstract: A method for determining a parameter of a material of interest which includes: directing, using a radio frequency (RF) source, RF energy into a region of interest, the region of interest comprising the material, a known reference and a boundary between the material and the known reference; detecting, using an acoustic receiver, at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal generated in response to the RF energy; and determining, by the one or more processors, a parameter of the material as a function of the at least one thermoacoustic multi-polar signal and a transmitted power correction factor, wherein the transmitted power correction factor is based on an estimated thickness of the known reference and an attenuation coefficient of the known reference.

Abstract: A torque sensor mounted on a rotating element in a motor vehicle, including at least one strain gauge and emitting an electrical signal as a function of the torsion experienced by the rotating element, the torque sensor having a moving part intended to be driven in rotation with the rotating element and including the strain gauge and a fixed part including a first printed circuit board. The torque sensor also acts as an angular-position sensor, the moving part bearing angularly distributed targets passing in succession past a first annular sector borne by the first board including a secondary receiver winding generating a sine signal, a secondary receiver winding generating a cosine signal, and a primary emitter winding inducing a voltage in the receiver windings.

Abstract: A strain detecting device includes a sensor portion and a covering elastic deformation member. The elastic deformation member generates heat when compressed and absorbs heat when expanded, resulting in heat flux. The sensor portion includes first and second heat flux sensors, each of which has first and second sensor surfaces formed opposite to each other. Each sensor outputs a strain-indicating signal of a polarity when the heat flux passes through the sensor, from the first sensor surface to the second sensor surface, and outputs a strain-indicating signal of an opposite polarity when the heat flux passes through the sensor in reverse, from the second sensor surface to the first sensor surface. The first sensor surfaces are opposed to each other across a heat absorbing member interposed between the sensors. The sensor portion generates signals based on the heat flux generated by deformation of the elastic deformation member.

Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.

Abstract: In a physical quantity sensor, a first substrate has a recess depressed from a second surface to provide a thin film section adjacent to a first surface, and a second substrate has a first surface bonded to the first surface of the first substrate, and has a hollow depressed from the first surface and facing the recess. The recess and the hollow have such sizes that a projected line defined by projecting an end of a bottom surface in the recess to the first surface of the first substrate surrounds an open end of the hollow. When the thin film section is displaced toward the hollow, a maximum tensile stress is generated at a position on a rear surface of the thin film section intersecting an extended line along a normal direction to the first surface of the first substrate and passing through the open end of the hollow.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a wing box of an aircraft. The wing box includes at least one rib partitioning the wing box in to two bays and at least one stringer attached along an inner surface of the wing box, generally perpendicular to the rib, and extending through an aperture of the rib. The method includes: providing an inspection device on the stringer such that it is movable along the stringer and controlling the inspection device to pass along the stringer, including through the aperture between bays, to perform an inspection of the wing box.

Abstract: A heating system includes a power source connected to a heater to heat a workpiece via the heater and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the first temperature measurement signal, the first temperature measurement signal corresponding to a first temperature of the workpiece. The controller is to turn on the power source to activate the heater to heat the workpiece, receive the second temperature measurement signal in response to heating the workpiece, the second temperature measurement signal corresponding to a second temperature of the workpiece. The controller calculates a change in temperature of the workpiece based on the first and second temperatures, and determines a physical characteristic of the workpiece based on the change in temperature.

Abstract: A machine bearing disposed on a rotatable member, such as may be present on a vehicle, is described. A method for monitoring a state of health of the machine bearing includes monitoring, via a microphone, an acoustic signal, and coincidently determining a rotational speed of the rotatable member associated with the machine bearing. The sound spectrum is correlated to the rotational speed of the rotating member, and a time-frequency analysis is executed to determine a sound spectrum. The sound spectrum is transformed to a residual spectrum. A first feature associated with a first frequency band and a second feature associated with a second frequency band are extracted from the residual spectrum. The state of health associated with the machine bearing is detected based upon the first and second features, and is communicated to a second controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing an adiabatic power compensation differential scanning calorimeter to minimize a temperature difference between a sample and a reference. For instance, methods can include providing ramp-up heating power to heat a sample container and a reference container based on a preprogrammed temperature ramp rate; minimizing a temperature difference among the sample container, the reference container, and at least one furnace; providing compensating heat to the sample container and the reference container when a self-heating activity of the sample material is detected; providing container-only compensating heat to the sample container to block heat transfer from the sample material to the sample container once the self-heating activity of the sample material is detected; and providing compensating heat to the reference container to facilitate container-only compensating heat calculation and control.

Abstract: In a digital gyroscope, the rate signal (including the quadrature) and the displacement signal of the drive part are sampled with an ADC. This displacement signal has the same frequency and phase as the quadrature signal that gets sampled in the rate channels. The displacement signal is sampled with the same clock as the rate signal resulting in the displacement signal having the same close-in phase noise folded into the signal band as the sampled quadrature in the rate signal. The sampled drive signal is subtracted from the sampled rate signal to eliminate the clock jitter induced noise in the rate signal. This relaxes the close-in phase noise requirement of the PLL and allows for a low power PLL implementation.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a body, a temperature sensor connected to the body, a first claw connected to the body, and a button positioned in the body, the button being configured to move the first claw between an opened position and a closed position as the button moves between an outward position and an inward position, respectively.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a heat detection system includes a graphene conductor, a housing containing the graphene conductor; and, a signal wire connected in electrical communication with the graphene conductor, the signal wire having a length that extends from the housing.

Abstract: A method for measuring thermal diffusivity/conductivity of a microscale sample includes placing a metallic disk atop the sample, and disposing a nanomembrane over the sample and over the metallic disk so that the nanomembrane, so that the metallic disk, the nanomembrane and the sample are in thermal equilibrium with one another. A laser beam is directed to fall onto the nanomembrane over the sample, while a radiation sensor is operated to detect photoluminescent radiation emitted by the nanomembrane in response to the laser beam. A spectral shift in the detected photoluminescent radiation emitted by the nanomembrane is determined, and thermal diffusivity/conductivity is calculated from the determined spectral shift of the photoluminescence.

Abstract: A nondestructive multispectral vibrothermography inspection system includes a fixture to retain a component, an ultrasonic excitation source directed toward the component retained within the fixture, a laser Doppler vibrometer directed toward the component retained within the fixture, and a multispectral thermography system directed toward the component retained within the fixture. A method for nondestructive multispectral vibrothermography inspection of a component, includes generating ultrasonic excitations in a component over a broad range of frequencies; determining a spectral signature in the component from the excitations; comparing the spectral energy signature against database 270 of correlations between vibrational frequencies of a multiple of components and the spectral energy distribution thereof, and classifying the component based on the database data.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting events is provided. The sensor system includes a sensor and a read-out interface. The sensor includes a transducer and a memory device. The transducer detects an event and generates a sensor signal in response to the event. The memory device includes a floating-gate with a sensing interface coupled to the transducer. The sensing interface has an energy barrier that leaks electrons at a predetermined electron leakage rate through Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling. The sensor signal alters a geometry of the energy barrier to change the electron leakage rate. The read-out interface is communicatively coupled to the memory device and retrieves data stored on the memory device for analysis. The event and a timestamp of the event are identifiable from the stored data.

Abstract: An apparatus is described and in one embodiment includes a first portion comprising an inner diameter, a first outer diameter, and a first length and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are integrally connected together, the second portion comprising the inner diameter, at least one second outer diameter, and a second length. The embodiment further includes a flange comprising a contact surface, wherein the inner diameter of the first portion and the second portion provides a hollow pathway through the apparatus.