Abstract: The auto-sampler for chromatographs includes a needle for sampling configured to move while a tip end thereof faces vertically downward; a switching valve having a plurality of ports to which channels constituting a chromatograph are connected, the switching valve switching between port connecting conditions to switch between channel configurations; and an injection port including an opening at an upper surface thereof through which a tip end of the needle is inserted to make the needle fluidically communicate with a pipe connected to one port of the switching valve, and a needle seal configured to get into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tip end portion to make the needle fluidically communicate with the pipe in a liquid-tight manner when the tip end of the needle is inserted through the opening.

Abstract: A method for classifying a glass object via acoustic analysis by a classifying apparatus is provided. The method including: receiving, by a processor, sound data of a knock sound generated by applying a knocking operation on the glass object; determining, by the processor, a type of the glass object by performing a knock-sound analysis to the sound data, wherein the type of the glass object includes an organic glass and an inorganic glass; if the type of the glass object is determined as the inorganic glass, receiving, by the processor, echo data of an echo induced by applying an ultrasonic-echo operation on the glass object; and determining, by the processor, a further type of the glass object by performing an echo-decay analysis to the echo data, wherein the further type of the glass object includes a crystal glass, a borosilicate glass and a soda-lime glass.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a geometric feature of consistent molded parts takes into account the different stages of cooling due to different durations of transport of the individual removed molded parts to the inspection system. Both the geometric feature and the temperature of each molded part is measured. The detected geometric features are corrected using a calibration function taking into account the measured temperatures.

Abstract: A sample-handling-module (10) and an apparatus (1) for calibrating a multi-channel liquid handling device are disclosed. The sample-handling-module cooperates with a weighing balance (11) with a load receiver (16). The sample-handling module has a holding device (20) with holders (22), arranged sequentially and equally spaced apart, configured to receive receptacles (26). A supporting device (30) has an array of tines (32) to laterally support the holders when the holders dismount from the load receiver. An actuating device (44) is operatively connected to the holders through the array of tines. The actuating device mounts the holders onto the load receiver, one at a time, by disengaging the corresponding tines. A system and a method of operating the actuating device are also disclosed. The sample-handling-module of the present invention is modular and compact thus making it easier to manufacture, operate, repair, and service.

Abstract: A system and a method for analyzing the motions of a mechanical structure. The System includes (a) accelerometers provided as standard accelerometers to measurement-points of the mechanical structure, (b) at least three accelerometers provided as reference accelerometers to measurement-points of the mechanical structure, (c) at least one shaker being attached to the mechanical structure for moving the structure periodically within a first frequency range, and at least one data processing system being configured to: (d) receiving measurements from the accelerometers at the measurement-points when periodically moving the structure within the first frequency range by the at least one shaker.

Abstract: A vibration-centrifugation composite test apparatus and a control method thereof, the apparatus comprises: a centrifuge, an air-cooled electric vibration table and a control electrical cabinet the air-cooled electric vibration table comprises a vibration table main machine and a fan; a central axis of the moving coil in the vibration table main machine is on the same straight line as a horizontal center line of the rotation arm in the centrifuge; the fan is a horizontal fan and disposed above the center of the rotation arm, and a fan cover cabinet is mounted outside the horizontal fan; the control electrical cabinet is mounted above the fan cover cabinet, a power supply line of the control electrical cabinet is connected to a power supply through the conductive slip ring, and a vibration feedback signal line of the vibration table main machine is directly connected to the control electrical cabinet.

Abstract: A liquid monitoring system includes a remote measurement device located at a location of the fire hydrant that is in contact with water provided by a water main. The remote measurement device has sensors that measure characteristics of the water and a communication interface that transmits measured information to a communication network device that may be located elsewhere on the fire hydrant. The communication network device communicates with a communication network.

Abstract: A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deep rock in situ environment reconstruction and integrated three-dimensional mechanical-thermo-acousto-seismic-flow testing method, which comprises: preparing a cubic sample; placing the cubic sample in a sample holder; extending the 6 indenters to butt with the sample holder; butting 6 butting indenters with the 6 indenters; butting each of 6 hydraulic actuators with one of the butting indenters, performing stress loading on the cubic sample by the hydraulic actuator, filling a fluid medium into the cubic sample by a percolation medium channel, and dynamically measuring related parameters. The present application can achieve three-way multi-parameter synchronous monitoring and acquisition of deformation, acoustic emission, ultrasonic wave, temperature field, percolation field and heat flow field.

Abstract: A method and sensor system for monitoring in time a geometric property of a gasket (32, 34) that sealingly interconnects two structural members (20, 21) of a subterraneous or immersed tunnel (10). The system includes a sensor (42) for measuring position indications for surface portions (48) of the gasket relative to a reference (26, 27, 47) associated with one or both structural members, and a processor (44) that is coupled with the sensor to receive the position indications. The processor is configured to derive indications of displacement (?Y) for each of the gasket surface portions based on the measured indications of position, to compare the indications of displacement for each of the gasket surface portions with at least one threshold value (Ty), and to generate a warning message for an operator if at least one of the indications of displacement transgresses the at least one threshold value.

Abstract: A blade tip measurement system includes a case and a blade that rotates within the case, the blade having an outer blade tip surface that has a clearance distance from an inner surface of the case. A light source emits light along an optical path that is directed toward the outer blade tip surface by a lens, and the outer blade tip surface reflects the light back along the optical path. An optical interferometer generates an interference pattern using the reflected light, and a photoreceiver receives the interference pattern. A complex logic device determines the clearance distance of the blade tip surface from the inner surface of the case based on the interference pattern. The interferometer may be a Fabry-Perot optical interferometer formed using a window positioned between the lens and the blade tip surface, or a Michelson interferometer formed using a reference optical path. The system may alternatively include an optical time of flight measurement of the blade tip clearance.

Abstract: A mobile device (10) for measuring out at least one ingredient associated with a predetermined mass comprising: means (105) for guiding into position opposite at least one reservoir comprising an ingredient to be measured out, means (110) for reading an identifier of an ingredient on the reservoir comprising said ingredient, motorized means (115) for delivering the ingredient to be measured out from the reservoir, means (120) for acquiring a mass measurement of the ingredient, control means (125), configured to activate the motorized means when the reservoir of the ingredient to be measured out is identified by the means for reading an identifier and the device is positioned opposite the reservoir, until the mass of the ingredient acquired by the acquisition means is equal to the predetermined mass for the ingredient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the direction and the amplitude of a force applied to a system (IO) comprising a stationary portion (13) and a mobile portion (12) which can deform when exposed to said force. Mechanical deformations applied to the mobile portion when exposed to said force are measured by measuring a distance between the stationary portion and the mobile portion in the direction of application of the force, and the distance measurements are processed in order to determine the amplitude and the direction of the force.

Abstract: A sensing assembly includes a magnet assembly configured to be coupled to a first component and a pair of hall-effect sensors configured to be coupled to a second component. The pair of hall-effect sensors are configured to generate substantially identical signal changes in response to a first relative motion in a first direction between the magnet assembly and the pair of hall-effect sensors, and to generate substantially equal but opposite signal changes in response to a second relative motion in a second direction between the magnet assembly and the pair of sensors. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: The auto-sampler for chromatographs includes a sampling needle, a pipe, a pump portion, and a connecting mechanism configured to connect the sampling needle and the pipe. The connecting mechanism includes a first component fixed to the sampling needle, a second component fixed to the pipe, a fixing component, and a packing. The fixing component fixes the first component and the second component using screwing of screws while the end surface of the sampling needle and the end surface of the pipe are in contact with the packing. As a result, dead volume at the connecting portion between the sampling needle and the pipe is reduced.

Abstract: A method for determining an axle load on a vehicle axle of a tractor includes providing a power lift and a payload coupled thereto, driving the power lift by a hydraulic pump, setting a pump pressure of the hydraulic pump as a function of the coupled payload, detecting the pump pressure by a sensor, and determining the axle load as a function of the detected pump pressure from characteristic data which represents a relationship between the pump pressure and the weight of the payload.

Abstract: A leak detection system including a sensor having a first state having a first condition when dry and a second condition when wet, and a second state adapted to monitor the operability of the sensor; a communication device operatively connected to the sensor; and an attachment element adapted to attach the leak detection system to a fluid component for monitoring fluid leakage.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.

Abstract: A method and test apparatus determines a volume of a droplet of liquid. The test apparatus deposits a drop of liquid to be measured on a surface that provides a known contact angle with the liquid under the deposition conditions used, thereby establishing one of: (i) an advancing, (ii) a receding, and (iii) an intermediate contact angle. The test apparatus images the drop. The test apparatus measures a dimension of height or diameter of the drop. In one embodiment, the test apparatus calculates a volume of the drop of liquid from the relationship of the contact angle to one or more parameters selected from the maximum height, the diameter of the contact patch, the radius of curvature, or the cross sectional area of the drop.

Abstract: A system for determining the temperature of a supercritical fluid that involves determining the speed of sound in the supercritical fluid.