Abstract: A gas sensor and a method for fabricating the same includes a semiconductor substrate, a supporting layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, the supporting layer being electrically insulative and having a pattern groove formed therein, a heater formed in the pattern groove, an electrically insulating layer formed on the heater and the supporting layer, an electrode formed on the insulating layer, and a sensing layer formed on the electrode and the insulating layer to detect a target gas of interest according to a measured change in electrical conductivity or resistance thereof.

Abstract: A downhole sensor sub is provided in the lower end of a drillstring, such sub having three orthogonally positioned accelerometers for measuring vibration of a drilling component such as the drill bit and/or the bottom hole assembly (BHA) along the X, Y and Z axes. The lateral acceleration is measured along either the X or Y axis and then analyzed in the frequency domain as to peak frequency and magnitude at such peak frequency. Backward whirling of the drilling component is indicated when the magnitude at the peak frequency exceeds a predetermined value. A low whirling frequency accompanied by a high acceleration magnitude based on empirically established values is associated with destructive vibration of the drilling component. One or more drilling parameters (weight on bit, rotary speed, etc.) is then altered to reduce or eliminate such destructive vibration.

Abstract: A nipple is provided downhole as part of a tubing (drill string or production) string. The nipple has an interior passage with recesses therein and a seat. A data probe attached to a wireline traverses inside of the tubing from the surface to the nipple. The probe has a seal that seats inside of the nipple. The probe shuts in the well to allow formation fluid pressure to build. A first latch deploys into one of the recesses to retain the seal in place against the pressure. A bypass around the seal is provided. The bypass is kept closed against the pressure by a second latch that deploys into the other nipple recess. When the probe is to be retrieved to the surface, the bypass is opened to allow the pressure across the seal to equalize. The bypass is opened by unlatching the second latch. The seal is unseated by unlatching the first latch. The first and second latches are connected in series so as to operate sequentially, with the first latch deploying before the second latch.

Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring a work cycle of a mobile machine on a land site. The mobile machine has a bucket and a body that is adapted to rotate about a fixed point of reference. The method includes the steps of determining an angular velocity of the body, determining the body is stopped based on the angular velocity, determining a duration of time the body is stopped, and determining the work cycle in response to the duration of time the body is stopped.

Abstract: A quality and/or flow meter employs a capacitance probe assembly for measuring the dielectric constant of flow stream, particularly a two-phase flow stream including liquid and gas components. The dielectric constant of the flow stream varies depending upon the volume ratios of its liquid and gas components, and capacitance measurements can therefore be employed to calculate the quality of the flow, which is defined as the volume ratio of liquid in the flow to the total volume ratio of gas and liquid in the flow. By using two spaced capacitance sensors, and cross-correlating the time varying capacitance values of each, the velocity of the flow stream can also be determined. A microcontroller-based processing circuit is employed to measure the capacitance of the probe sensors. The circuit employs high speed timer and counter circuits to provide a high resolution measurement of the time interval required to charge each capacitor in the probe assembly.

Abstract: A method for the early detection of electrochemical corrosion and coating degradation utilizing an inexpensive, in situ electrochemical metallic sensor for sensing coating and material degradation, particularly for materials such as aluminum 2024-T3, 7075, 6061, cold rolled steel samples, and coated metal structures such as automobiles, bridges, aircraft, and ships has been developed. The sensor utilizes AC Impedance or Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to acquire a precise, low-frequency impedance signature and is comprised of conductive ink deposited on a coating in the shape of the outline of a quadrilateral or other configuration. The resulting apparatus is comprised of a coated, metallic coupon used as a sensor, while a metallic grid electrode is deposited onto the steel coupon, thereby eliminating the need for a remote or counter electrode (i.e., reduction from a traditional, three-electrode system to a two-electrode system).

Abstract: A testing mechanism for testing the pressure at which a relief valve will open due to excessive pressure in a fluid system having fluid carrying conduits, the mechanism includes a stop member having a first position whereat the stop member exposes the relief valve to the fluid system and a second position whereat the stop member seals or isolates the relief valve from the fluid system during a test of the relief valve. A pressure gauge is positioned between the stop member and the relief valve for sensing the pressure of fluid engaging the relief valve when the stop member is in the second position. A pressure applying mechanism applies pressure to the relief valve when the stop member is in the second position. A barrier positioned between the pressure applying mechanism and the relief valve prevents fluids other than fluid within the fluid system from engaging the relief valve when the pressure applying mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: The present invention, a thrombo visco-elastogram (TVE), measures the changes in blood elastic and viscous properties in the magnitude and phase of the hydro-dynamic impedance of a tubular blood sample as the thrombus is formed. The present invention is an apparatus and method for assessment of visco-elasticity and shear adherence strength properties of blood clots. An apparatus for practicing the invention includes a tubular conduit connected to a fluid-filled cylindrical chamber and a fluid-filled reservoir, a piezo-electric bender attached to the fluid-filled cylindrical chamber, which creates a volume variation in the fluid-filled cylindrical chamber, a fluid source capable of injecting a fluid into the tubular conduit, a blood source capable of injecting blood into the tubular conduit, and a microprocessor to supply a sinusoidal wave form or limited band frequency content signal to the piezo-electric bender and record and analyze resulting pressure signals.

Abstract: In a low pressure gradient liquid chromatograph, two eluting liquids are transferred while they are being mixed with each other, whereby the mixing ratio thereof is changed with time. The mixing is performed by alternately opening and closing check valves provided in the liquid passages of the eluting liquids during a time period corresponding to the actual suction stroke of a plunger pump. The mixing ratio is determined by the time periods during which the check valves are opened, respectively. A detector is provided for detecting the pressure of the mixed liquid and the timing for opening and closing the check valves is changed in accordance with the detected pressure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a sensor for measuring an analyte in a medium comprising a piezoelectric resonator having a first side with an electroded region and a second opposing side having an electroded region that is different in size and/or shape of the first electrode. The piezoelectric resonator of the present invention is capable of measuring more than one parameter thereby providing a multi-information sensing device. The present invention also includes an apparatus and method for detecting and measuring an analyte in a medium which utilizes the piezoelectric resonator sensor of the present invention.

Abstract: Device can include an array of stators placed in a carousel which can hold the stators in the array apart from one another while precisely cooled by a suitable source. For example, the device can be provided with cooling in conjunction with an instrument having a highly circulated, cold liquid bath for temperature control such as by insertion of the stators in the carousel through housing of a versatile sensitive rotating viscometer instrument into its bath. The sample carousel has a lower base containing a plurality of stator accommodating orifices in a first array, and an upper base connected to the lower base. The upper base can have a plurality of rotor control pin accommodating orifices in a second array, and the upper base is mounted to the lower base such that the second array of orifices in the upper base is disposed in registry with the first array of orifices in the lower base.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking leakage of a test gas through a wheel. The apparatus comprises wheel recognition apparatus for generating a first signal indicative of selected parameters of a wheel, a test cell for applying a differential pressure of a test gas through a selected portion of the wheel, and detecting apparatus for determining a leak rate of the test gas through the selected portion of the wheel. The detecting apparatus generates a second signal indicative of the leak rate. The apparatus of the invention also includes a microprocessor operatively connected to the recognition apparatus for receiving and processing the first signal to determine the model of the wheel from among a group of preselected model wheels. The apparatus is also operatively connected to the test cell for controlling operation of the detecting apparatus according to the model of the wheel, and operatively connected to the detecting apparatus for receiving and processing the second signal to generate a record of the leak rate.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for a boiler leak system that (a) measures fluid input into the recovery boiler system, (b) measures fluid output from the recovery boiler system, and (c) calculates fluid leakage loss based on an average difference between the measured fluid input and output values. The improvement increases the accuracy and responsiveness of calculating and interpreting the difference between the input and output fluid flow of the boiler. One aspect of the invention is an improved method which includes (1) compensating for the effects of boiler drum swelling and shrinking; (2) using multiple time frames to calculate the average differences between input and output such that a balance is struck between a highly responsive leak indication (short time frame) and a highly accurate leak indication (longer time frame); and/or (3) indicating a leak only after a predetermined certain sequence of significant differences between input and output is reached.

Abstract: A method for determining the difference in enthalpy that occurs when a gas stream loaded with water vapor is cooled to a temperature below the dew point temperature, especially for determining its water vapor content (moisture measurement) is disclosed. The device preferably used to perform the method includes a gas cooler having an electrical cooling element and inlet and outlet ports through which a gas stream flows. Measuring devices are provided in the inlet and outlet ports to detect state parameters and through-flow values of the gas stream. The outputs from the measuring devices are evaluated by an evaluation device in connection with the electrical power draw of cooling element to determine the difference in enthalpy between the inlet and outlet ports and/or the water content of the gas stream.

Abstract: A gas sensing system is provided for the detection of gas concentrations in a flowable medium. The gas sensing system has a gas permeable membrane structure to separate the flowable medium from a chamber where a gas sensor is positioned for detecting the gas concentration in the chamber. The sensor has predetermined environmental operating ranges and the system has a heat drain with a heat sink to maintain the temperature of gas in the chamber within the operating ranges, together with gas nozzles leading into the chamber to purge gas in the chamber and to maintain the gas concentration from exceeding the sensor operating range.

Abstract: An apparatus which tests the internal integrity of, or isolates, a segment of pipe having an internal diameter. The apparatus comprises an annular body with opposite annular faces and defining on its outer perimeter, an annular recess, a pair of bosses, a pair of resilient annular members adapted to be respectively juxtaposed between an adjacent boss and annular face; means for urging the bosses respectively against the adjacent resilient annular member so as to urge the same in frictionally engage and to seal against the internal diameter of the selected pipe segment and, means communicating through the apparatus to that plenum now defined by said recess, the resilient annular members and the internal diameter of the pipe whereby the integrity of that pipe segment may be determined. The apparatus further includes a vent or passage through which the contents of the pipe upstream of the apparatus are allowed to pass.

Abstract: A humidity sensing device comprises a sensor unit including a humidity sensitive capacitor having a capacitance which changes as a function of relative humidity, an oscillator circuit including the humidity sensitive capacitor wherein the output frequency of the oscillator circuit is a function of capacitance, and a sensor memory unit having stored calibration data for said humidity sensitive capacitor. A data processing unit is coupled to the sensor unit and includes a data processing circuit coupled to an output of said oscillator circuit, wherein said data processing circuit provides an output indicative of relative humidity as modified by the calibration data received by and stored in another memory unit as associated with such data processing circuit.

Abstract: A phase difference measuring apparatus for precisely measuring a phase difference between two input signals having the same frequency sent from, for example, a Coriolis type mass flowmeter. A differential amplifier in the apparatus provides the sum or difference of the two input signals and a multiplexor sequentially selects and outputs to an A/D converter the two input signals and the output of the differential amplifier. The A/D converter converts the output of the multiplexor into digital data and a digital signal processor or a microcomputer calculates the phase difference between the two input signals based on the converted digital data. The apparatus may further comprise a function that an error caused by the difference of the transfer characteristics of a filter and the A/D converter is compensated using a reference signal which is selected from the two input signals.

Abstract: A measuring device which maximizes the surface area of a blade transducer, which is swingably coupled to a probe member, and utilizes the force of the medium, such as a slurry, flowing in an in-service pipeline to swingably align the blade transducer in a desired measuring position. The swingable coupling of the blade transducer to the probe member provides for the retraction from and insertion into the medium flowing in the in-service pipeline for repairs, replacement, or sanitization or other maintenance or servicing of such blade transducer, without shutting down the pipeline and related processes, without compromising the integrity of or disturbing the connection (sealed, flanged, welded or otherwise) between the measuring device and the transducer port in such pipeline and significantly minimizing the environmental exposure of the medium.

Abstract: A sensor has a voltage output circuit and a potentiometric resistor for dividing the voltage of the voltage output circuit. The resistance of the potentiometric resistor is regulated by trimming in order to regulate the output voltage of the sensor. A sensor has a voltage output circuit and a serial resistor connected in series with the voltage output circuit. The total resistance of the voltage output circuit and the serial resistor is regulated by trimming so as to have a certain relation with the output voltage of the voltage output circuit. The resistance of the potentiometric resistor or the serial resistor may be 100 times or more as much as the resistance of the voltage output circuit. The voltage output circuit may comprise a resistor having a positive resistance temperature coefficient, a semiconductor whose resistance changes in accordance with a gas concentration, or a piezoelectric element for converting a stress into a piezoelectric signal.