Abstract: An analyte sensing probe for attachment to a ferromagnetic surface, the probe comprising a flexible collector plate for placing against the surface, the collector plate having a hole in communication with one end of a capillary and defining when placed against the surface a gap through which air may flow from the periphery of the plate to the capillary, the air entraining any analyte passing through the surface for measurement by an instrument connected in use to the capillary, wherein, in order to cause the collector plate to conform to the surface, the probe further comprises a flexible magnetic assembly positioned on the side of the collector plate remote from the surface, the assembly being composed of a plurality of mutually articulated segments of which at least some are magnetically attracted to the surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sample testing system of the present invention generally include two internally threaded caps; an externally threaded outer tube having a tapered internal bore and external circumferential grooves proximate each end thereof; an O-ring seated in each groove; and a plurality of inner tube sections cooperatively arranged to form an externally tapered inner tube structure that is disposed within the outer tube; wherein each cap is sealingly attached to an end of the outer tube via threading engagement therewith. Various embodiments utilize at least one closed-ended cap and/or at least one cap having a port extending through an end thereof, which may also incorporate a piston cavity and a piston having two circumferentially disposed O-rings. Embodiments allow for inner tube structure removal and separation of the inner tube sections for cured sample recovery. Embodiments of a method of using the system to cure a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting changes in the vibrational mode spectra and/or elasticity of a pellicle without reliance upon visual inspection are provided. Embodiments include providing a pellicle, a lower surface of the pellicle attached to a photomask; directing light from a light source onto an upper surface of the pellicle at an angle to the upper surface; causing a deflection of the pellicle concurrently with the light being directed onto the pellicle; detecting light reflected off of the deflected pellicle; and characterizing a vibrational mode of the pellicle based on the detection.

Abstract: A calibration system has a calibration device which includes at least one calibration fluid receptacle, an electric and a fluidic interface for releasably connecting at least one sensor module to be calibrated, which is a unit constructionally separate from the calibration device and contains one or more sensors, and a controller which controls the flow of calibration fluid through the sensor module connected to the calibration device and which is electrically coupled with the connected sensor module via the electric interface and can collect measurement data from the sensor module. In the calibration system, in particular in the sensor module, calibration data are stored, so that the calibration device can calibrate various sensor modules which are coupled to the interface.

Abstract: A passive diffusion sampler and kit that includes a passive diffusion sample bag comprising a regenerated cellulose membrane to allow for sampling of a broad spectrum of contaminants and VOCs. The sample bag is disposed in a rigid housing which protects the bag from tearing and also allows the housing to be inverted to suspend the bag upside down and provide a user access to a fluid outlet means on the bag for withdrawing a sample from the bag without agitating the sample.

Abstract: Analytical instruments are provided that can include a sample inlet component with the sample inlet component including a first sampling port; a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and a first valve assembly in fluid communication with both the sampling port and the sample capturing assemblies. The instrument can further include a sample analysis component in fluid communication with the first valve assembly of the sample inlet component; and an instrument control component in controlling communication with both the sample inlet component and the analysis component. Instrumental analysis methods are provided that can include continuously providing sample to at least one of a plurality of sample capturing assemblies; and selectively analyzing the contents of at least one of the plurality of sample capturing assemblies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A sampling point for use with an aspirating particle detection system. The sampling point includes: a body; a plurality of apertures in the body for drawing an air sample from an ambient environment; an outlet for delivering the sampled air, at a predetermined sample flow rate, from the body into a sampling pipe of the network of sampling pipes; and a means for maintaining the predetermined sample flow rate regardless of the presence or absence of ambient flow of air about the body. A particle detection system, and air sampling system are also described.

Abstract: A gas sample extraction assembly for controllably accessing gas in a gas sample container includes a coupler body having a coupler bore and a coupler end for engaging the gas sample container; an upper member having an upper member bore; a biasing member disposed between the upper member and the coupler body; and a stem having a first portion coupled to the upper member bore and a second portion disposed in the coupler bore, the stem being movable relative to the coupler body between a first axial position and a second axial position, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the stem in the first axial position.

Abstract: A method for checking the function of a sensor for detecting soot is provided, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes situated on a substrate made of an electrically insulating material, and a heating element, the method including: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement at a first temperature to ascertain a first measured variable, carrying out a second current-voltage measurement at a second temperature to ascertain a second measured variable, and forming a difference between the first measured variable and the second measured variable.

Abstract: A system for conducting phased array testing on a vehicle hub includes a guide element having a first end and a second end, a pivot element extending from the second end to couple to the vehicle hub, and a slide element coupled to the guide element. The slide element is movable relative to the guide element between the first end of the guide element and the second end of the guide element. The slide element including an object-receiving aperture to receive a phased array probe element.

Abstract: In some implementations, a cement testing system includes an upper end module and a lower end module. Casing-emulating tubing couples to the upper end module and to the lower end module and emulates a wellbore casing. A plurality of intermediate well-wall-emulating modules is configured to couple end-to-end and to couple to the upper end module and the lower end module to form an annulus around the casing emulating tubing. Each of the plurality of intermediate well-wall emulating modules is configured to emulate one or more characteristics of a well wall.

Abstract: A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a rotational accelerometer. The method includes attaching a rotational accelerometer to be tested to a plate fitted with and second linear accelerometers and vibrating the plate. Angular acceleration measurements from the rotational accelerometer and linear acceleration measurements from the first and second linear accelerometers are obtained during the vibrating. The linear acceleration measurements are converted into angular acceleration values, and data representing, or usable for, a comparison of the angular acceleration measurements from the rotational accelerometer and the converted angular acceleration values is generated.

Abstract: A calibration rig (1), for calibrating a torque wrench (9), comprises a support structure (3) for supporting the torque wrench (9) during calibration. The support structure (3) comprises: a support member (7) which is free to move substantially vertically; means for applying a balance force (14, 15) to the support member (7), wherein the balance force acts counter to a force exerted by the weight of the torque wrench (9) when a handle of the torque wrench (9) is received by the support member (7); means for applying a measured torque (6) to the torque wrench (7); and means for resisting rotation (16) of the torque wrench (9) as a result of the applied torque.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held sampler for collection of aquatic biotic samples. A pump with an exhaust tube and a water intake tube is attached to a frame. A battery is attached to the frame and electrically connected to the pump. A handle is attached to the bottom of the frame for an operator to hold the sampler in one hand. A switch is electrically connected to the pump and to the battery and attached to the frame near the handle for the operator to control activation of the pump with the same single hand. A venturi tube assembly with a sample intake tube is attached to the exhaust tube. The pump draws water into the water intake tube and sample material into the sample intake tube and the venturi tube diverts the sample material away from the pump and into a sample collection reservoir to prevent damage to the sample material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: A sensor position control apparatus and method that includes a guide rail formed to be elongated along one direction set to a longitudinal direction thereof and a position control unit coupled to the guide rail and configured to slide along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. A sensor mount unit is connected to be moved together with the position control unit and has a sensor mounted on one surface thereof. In addition, an angle control unit is configured to change a direction which one surface of the sensor mounting unit faces and a position control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the position control unit. An angle control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the angle control unit.

Abstract: A method and system for locating subsurface ore bodies. Samples of near surface soil are collected over a predetermined geographical area. The samples are analysed to discover any chemical anomalies in the dust particles as a way of identifying possible subcropping mineralization. A tine (22) and collection tube (24) engage into subsurface soil and samples are drawn up the tube into a dust collection module (12). Sub 5 micron particles are captured on an electrostatically charged tape (40). Consecutive samples are indexed on the tape e.g. with a barcode. Collected dust samples are ablated by a laser ablation cell (72) and the ablated sample analysed by a mass spectrometer for presence of ions indicating presence of a resource body, such as a body of ore, minerals or hydrocarbons.