Abstract: A sensor system for determining the position of at least one edge of at least one web material traveling along a predetermined path. In one embodiment, the sensor system has at least one transmitter block having a plurality of transmitters capable of selectively transmitting ultrasonic signals and at least one receiver block having a plurality of receivers capable of generating receiver output signals in response to the receivers receiving at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the at least one transmitter block. The receiver block is spaced a distance from the transmitter block so as to define a sensor field of view therebetween whereby at least a portion of the at least one web material traveling along a predetermined travel path interferes with at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the at least one transmitter block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel for dissolution testing of a pharmaceutical delivery device, comprising: an inert vessel wall and an inert vessel bottom such that the vessel is able to hold a fluid medium; an inert retainer provided by or at the vessel wall or vessel bottom, for holding a pharmaceutical delivery device; and which retainer allows a passageway to the vessel bottom for a sampling tube. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such a vessel; a dissolution method using such a vessel and an apparatus comprising such a vessel.

Abstract: An elastic wave pulse is generated in a metal rod (1) by impacting an end surface (2) of the metal rod with each of two round, concentric projectiles (8, 10) from a double launch tube (4, 5) independently, and by impacting both projectiles simultaneously or at a prescribed time interval. An acceleration sensor (23) is provided on another end surface (22) of the metal rod to measure an acceleration of the other end surface arising when the elastic wave pulse generated by the impact of the projectiles reflects at the other end surface. The motion of the end surface is measured by a laser interferometer (24) or by a strain gauge (25) provided on a side surface of the metal rod, and the measured signals are calculated and corrected as appropriate. The dynamic linearity of the acceleration sensor is obtained by comparing in time domain and frequency domain the calculated results with the measured values of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe suited for testing the integrity of sheet metal surfaces around fastener openings is provided with means to center the probe over such openings. Both a mechanical centering rod and an electronic display assist the user in centering such probe. Once positioned within tolerance limits, phased array ultrasonic beams search for defects within the metal surfaces, allowing for residual offsets in the centering of the probe. Also described are test fixtures for calibrating the probe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection reference standard for a composite material includes a block comprising the composite material. The block further comprises a first plurality of parallel rectangular-shaped channels within the block and a second plurality of parallel rectangular-shaped channels within the block, wherein the second plurality of channels extend at about a ninety degree angle to the first plurality of channels and wherein the second plurality of channels is located on a separate plane as the first plurality of channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting articles of glassware at a plurality of angularly spaced inspection stations includes a conveyor that moves articles of glassware to and from inspection stations, a drive roller that rotates articles of glassware at at least one inspection station, and an inspection device spaced from an inspection station and adapted to inspect an article of glassware as it is moved by the conveyor and caused to pass by the inspection device.

Abstract: An installation for non-destructive inspection makes use simultaneously of sensors responsive to different physical characteristics. In an example, a sensor support, e.g. a kind of carriage having running wheels via which it comes into contact with the surface to be inspected, is fitted with two types of sensor, namely an eddy current sensor and at least one ultrasound sensor.

Abstract: A system incorporating a robot to inspect ferrous surfaces. Preferably, the robot is an articulated device having a tractor module for motive power and steering, a power module for electrical power and communications and additional motive power, and a third module for cleaning and inspection. The robot uses sensors and generates and transmits signals to a computer through a tether and receives direction from an operator via the computer and tether. The computer continuously monitors the location of the robot and supports the robot during deployment. In a specific application, the robot travels the interior of a tank on a set of magnetized wheels. Prior to inspection, the tank surface is cleaned of deposits by rotary cutters and rotary brushes on the third module. The robot obtains thickness measurements via onboard ultrasonic transducers that contact the cleaned surface. A method for implementing inspection of ferrous surfaces is also described.

Abstract: The drop impact measuring system has i) a plurality of bimorph-type acceleration sensor containing a plurality of free vibrating sections each of which has individual draw-out electrodes; ii) a switch section for selecting output from the bimorph-type acceleration sensors; iii) an amplifying circuit for amplifying a signal applied via the switch section from the acceleration sensors; and iv) a logic circuit for logically evaluating the output from the amplifying circuit and controlling the switch section according to the result acquired from the logical evaluation.

Abstract: A sound level monitor device has a microphone. A sound level measurement circuit is coupled to the microphone. The sound level measurement circuit takes sound signals monitored by the microphone and converts the sound signals to digital signals. A display is coupled to the sound level measurement circuit. The display will show the different measurement signal values. A single control button is coupled to the sound level measurement circuit. Pressing the control button a first time activates the sound level measurement circuit so a current measurement signal value is shown on the display. Pressing the single control button a second time causes a highest recorded measurement signal value, since the sound level measuring device has been presently activated, to be shown on the display. The highest recorded measurement signal value remains on the display until a higher recorded measurement signal is monitored.

Abstract: A method of detecting a convexity present on a surface of a belt-shaped member (belt) or a roll-shaped member (roller), includes frictionizing (abrading) a surface of the member with a plate, and detecting at least one of (1) a vibration generated on the plate or (2) a change of pressure applied to the plate, to detect the convexity on the surface of the member.

Abstract: A sample testing device has a buffer container that can hold buffer fluid, a filter with a securement for holding a test strip, the test strip, a test strip container having a receptacle to accommodate the filter, so that when the filter is held therein the test strip is disposed in the receptacle, and a sample collector for holding a sample. The sample collector receives the buffer container, and the sample collector has a piercing member which, when the buffer container is placed in the sample collector, pierces the buffer container. Buffer fluid in the buffer container then contacts the sample. As buffer fluid flows through the sample collector, the buffer fluid that has contacted the sample passes through the filter to the test strip.

Abstract: An engine lubrication system simulating device is provided, having a reservoir configured to contain engine oil. The simulating device may also include an agitation device configured to agitate oil in the reservoir. In addition, the simulating device may include a circulation system configured to circulate oil between the reservoir and a reserve tank of an oil consumption measuring device and maintain a constant level of oil in the reservoir. Further, the simulating device may include an output port configured to facilitate removal of oil from the reservoir at a known, controlled rate and transport it to a location separate from the reservoir and the oil consumption measuring device.

Abstract: An improved ultrasound probe includes a support member, a signal cable having a plurality of electrically conductive members and an ultrasound transducer array. Distal end portions of each of the conductive members may be separately embodied within and extend through the support member to a first side thereof. In turn, the ultrasound transducer array may be supportably mounted to the first side of the support member, wherein transducer elements comprising the ultrasound transducer array are electrically interconnected to different ones of the electrically conductive members. The support member preferably includes an acoustic dampening material. In one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer array may be defined by a piezoelectric layer having electrically conductive signal and ground layers on opposing sides thereof.

Abstract: A gas sampling system 36 capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines 16 under transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel 38, master and slave mass flow controllers 80,60 and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110 measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel 38. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.

Abstract: A sensor carrier for an in-tube inspection scraper has setting places for installation of monitoring sensors responsive to any diagnostic parameters of a pipeline being inspected. The carrier includes a set of kinematically interconnected sensor supports that are subjected to an elastic force in the radial direction from the carrier axis. The supports are made as elastic ring-shaped elements or as rows of interconnected elements adjoining the pipe wall or are fixed on elastic components such as rings or sectors of sleeves, and/or are connected to a housing capable of bending. Installed on the supports between the sensors and the internal surface of the pipeline are elastic gaskets. The carrier allows one to increase the efficiency of the flaw detection in pipelines having defects of geometry in the cross section.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring the thickness of one liquid layer overlying another liquid layer. The liquid thickness measuring device consists of a tubular casing, constructed of a transparent material, a resiliently biased valve member and a retaining member. The resiliently biased valve member is pivotally movable between open and closed positions to alternatively allow liquid to be sampled to enter the casing when in the open position and to seal the liquid sample when in the closed position. In operation, with the valve member disengaged from the bottom of the tubular casing, the measuring device is slowly lowered into the enclosed device. As a result, the liquid present in the enclosed structure is conductible through the opening of the tubular casing, to seek its level in the tubular member. The retaining member, which engages and holds the valve in an open position, is then released and the valve is allowed to move to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a funnel collector for use with a sample testing device. The funnel collector collects and holds a fluid sample in order to place the sample in immediate contact with a diagnostic test strip, which reacts with the sample in a known fashion.

Abstract: A sensor carrier is provided that has at least one oscillating element (32) that introduces ultrasonic waves into an area to be examined and/or receives ultrasonic waves coming from the area to be examined, whereby the oscillating element (32) is located in an oscillator carrier (33), and the oscillator carrier (33) has connecting means (36, 37, 38, 39) for connection with the electrode (31).

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor is provided that includes a frame, an oscillator and torsion bars that connect the oscillator to the frame. The frame, the oscillator and the torsion bar are formed integral with each other by etching a material substrate in the thickness direction of the substrate. The oscillator, configured in the form of an H, includes a support, two first arms and two second arms. These arms extend from the support in an arm-extending direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate. The oscillator includes a mounting surface that is provided with a piezoelectric driver for generating in-plane oscillation of the oscillator, and with a piezoelectric detector for detecting out-of-plane oscillation of the oscillator.