Abstract: Differential outputs produced by twin thermoresistive sensors are used to determine the level and flow of a medium. Separate constant current sources supply power to each sensor so that one constant current source supplies sufficient current to cause significant self-heating of the sensor (hot sensor) and the other constant current source supplies relatively little current with insignificant self-heating of its corresponding sensor (cold sensor). Resistive changes in the sensors produced by level and flow changes of the medium produce measurable voltage changes, thereby providing a convenient parameter by which to determine level or flow. Level or flow is determined by dividing the difference in the voltages across the hot and cold sensors by the voltage across the cold sensor.

Abstract: A diaphragm type pressure measuring device including a conical diaphragm having a top and a peripheral bottom edge, a pressure probe raised from the top of the conical diaphragm, a guard connected to the peripheral bottom edge of the conical diaphragm and disposed around the pressure probe and having an upright top flange raised from the periphery of a top rim thereof, and a cover adapted for covering on the upright top flange of the guard, wherein when an air pressure is applied to the conical diaphragm, the pressure probe is forced by the conical diaphragm to to cause a movement subject to the value of the applied air pressure.

Abstract: Device for measuring a fill level of a container by means of a measuring sensor which is vertically adjustable contingent upon a surface level of liquid in the container, and which is connected to a travel-distance pickup, includes a source of compressed air directed towards the surface level and acting upon the measuring sensor so as to hold a lower end of the measuring sensor suspended at a defined distance above the surface level.

Abstract: Improved Coriolis mass flow sensor including a single connection and support structure having an in-line inlet and outlet and a one-piece, generally helical sensing tube structure wound in concentric fashion about the in-line axis of the support structure and supported relative thereto by tube ends affixed to ports formed in the support structure and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet flow paths. The tube extends through approximately 720.degree. as it wraps about the centerline axis, and carries actuator means at its 12 o'clock position and sensors at the quarter hour positions on opposite sides of the device centerline. A pair of node plates are disposed at spaced-apart locations on the tube side opposite the actuator and serve to couple the centermost loop section to the downstream tail and the centermost loop section to the upstream tail, respectively.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacity-type pressure sensor includes a diaphragm support body, first and second lids, a fixed electrode, a coupling member, an electrode support member, and a movable electrode. The diaphragm support body is formed into a tube shape. The first and second lids have thin diaphragm portions and thick fixing portions formed integrally with peripheral edge portions of the diaphragm portions and are arranged to face each other by bringing the fixing portions in tight contact with the two end portions of the diaphragm support body. The first and second lids separate the interior of the diaphragm support body from the outside by closing the two end portions of the diaphragm support body. The fixed electrode is formed on the inner surface of the fixing portion of at least one of the first and second lids. The coupling member has two ends respectively connected to the first and second lids to couple the diaphragm portions facing each other.

Abstract: The object location identification system includes a Receiving Module (RM), an Angular Measuring System (AMS) and a processor. The RM receives information specifying a user's location and provides RM output data in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude. The AMS is connectable to a pointing device for measuring the orientation of the pointing device and providing AMS output data in at least heading and depression angles. The processor processes the RM output data and the AMS output data and provides location data of an object being pointed at by the pointing device.

Abstract: A front removable gauge assembly including a case gauge housing for locking the assembly to an instrument panel. A printed circuit board is mounted within the case gauge housing in electrical contact with conductors of a connector shell which extends from the case gauge housing for electrically connecting elements on the printed circuit board to an instrument signal source. A front removable gauge unit is removably mounted within the case gauge housing and contains an instrument assembly which can be mounted for 90-degree or 255-degree pointer sweep. From the bottom of the front removable gauge unit, a connector stud and wiper contacts extend. The connector stud has a protruding key which engages the bottom surface of the printed circuit board upon clockwise rotation of the front removable gauge unit to thereby removably lock it to the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor pressure sensor having a glass base and a metal base bonded together satisfactorily so that a silicon diaphragm may not be affected by residual strain, and an intelligent differential pressure and pressure transmitting device employing the semiconductor pressure sensor.The semiconductor pressure sensor comprises a silicon diaphragm (1) provided with a strain-sensitive element, a glass or ceramic base (2) bonded to the silicon diaphragm (1), and a metal base (4) bonded to the glass or ceramic base (2) with a bonding glass (3). The thermal expansion coefficient of the metal base (4) at a temperature corresponding to the strain point of the bonding glass (3) is not greater than that of the glass or ceramic base (2).

Abstract: A central member of a sensor unit is inserted through a sensor unit mounting hole of a cylindrical body having a main passage and the sensor unit is assembled on the cylindrical body. The sensor unit comprises the central member which is provided at the center of the main passage and has internally a bypass passage, a flow sensor provided in the bypass passage, a rib which supports the central member, a mounting section which secures the rib to the cylindrical body, an electronic circuit assembled on the rib, and a connector section retaining terminals being connected electrically to the electronic circuit section. Positioning, mounting and securing of the flow sensor can be made simultaneously by a simple process to insert the sensor sensor unit through the hole. Turbulence, eccentricity and others in the upstream air are reduced so that the flow rate of a highly rectified fluid can be measured.

Abstract: A transmitter in a process control loop measures temperature. A calibrator includes a known calibration element which is connected to the transmitter. Software in the transmitter compares a measured value of the calibration element with the actual value of the calibration element and responsively calibrates the transmitter. The calibrator includes a temperature calibration sensor for coupling to a terminal block of the transmitter. The temperature calibration sensor provides an actual temperature input to the transmitter. The transmitter measures actual temperature of the terminal block and compares actual temperature with a temperature measured by an internal terminal block temperature sensor, and responsively calibrates the internal temperature sensor.

Abstract: Selective volatilization and collection method includes providing a substance, for example, solid and/or liquid, in a contained system; providing thermal energy to the system and substance, and a current, i.e., directed mass flow, from external to the system, such that, substantially without boiling, nor disturbing the substance surface, at least one component of the substance is volatilized. Volatilized substance component(s) are gently swept away from remaining substance by the current and collected. Apparatus useful in the method includes a generally enclosed vessel for holding the substance; gaseous matter entry port, with its exit end above the substance; and exit/collection port with a feature for collection of volatilized substance. An entry port wand having a throttle, porous ball, director channel(s) or other feature for tempering and/or directing incoming gaseous matter, which supplies the current in the method, may be in the apparatus.

Abstract: Pressure transducer circuitry accommodating pressure transducer variables for making pressure measurements in a living body. A microminiature piezoresistive pressure transducer has first and second variable resistive elements. The pressure transducer is characterized as having a pressure sensitivity ranging from 1.2 to 15 ohms per 1,000 ohms per 100 millimeters of mercury and a temperature characteristic greater than pressure sensitivity. Circuitry is coupled to the first and second variable resistive elements of the transducer including a known fixed resistive element. The known fixed resistive element is coupled to the first and second variable resistive elements for supplying a transducer excitation voltage through the known fixed resistive element to the first and second variable resistive elements. First and second amplifiers each having an input and an output are provided.

Abstract: A means of accurately measuring farm chemical during its application, through the use of load cell and a means of mounting this load cell to a sprayer apparatus is disclosed. The measurement of the chemical is accomplished by the use of a load cell which is mounted in a position below a keg of liquid farm chemical. The load cell measures the weight of the chemical keg and the liquid chemical contained therein. By knowing the specific gravity of the chemical being used and the weight of the keg itself, the operator can accurately compute the volume of chemical which has passed through the sprayer system and the rate of that passage. This gives the operator an accurate measure of the amount of the liquid chemical applied to each acre of crop land.

Abstract: An air flow sensing device comprised of rotatable spaced dampers, shafts to rotate the dampers, a counter-weight attached to a shaft biasing the dampers to a closed position with respect to air flow and pressure sensor means to determine the velocity of the air passing between and around the dampers when the dampers are in a closed position.

Abstract: In a pressure sensor, a metallic pressure introducing pipe is fit into the pressure receiving inlet formed in a metallic housing and fixed there by welding. The housing has a flange portion in its upper portion, and the flange portion is fixed to the outer wall of a tank which is an object to be measured so that the pressure sensor body is located inside the tank. A porous filter made of fluoroplastics is arranged adjacently to the atmospheric pressure introducing inlet. An adhesive tape which is removable is attached to the atmospheric pressure introducing inlet. The pressure sensor can realize stabilized maintenance and highly reliable airtightness for a sensor element, less limitation to sensor layout design in a small space and also can surely introduce air with no drop of water and dust into the sensor.

Abstract: The turbine flowmeter includes an axially movable rotatable impeller wheel (1) consisting of an impeller hub (3) and vanes (4) connected to it; a first fixed hub (5) on one side of the impeller wheel; a second fixed hub (6) on another side of the impeller wheel opposite from the side on which the first fixed hub (6) is located; bearing means (b) for rotatably mounting the impeller wheel (1) between the first fixed hub (5) and the second fixed hub (6) so that the impeller wheel (1) is axially movable; a first fluid coupling device including facing portions of the impeller hub (3) and the first fixed hub (5) and a second fluid coupling device including facing portions of the impeller hub (3) and of the second fixed hub (6). The facing portions of the impeller hub providing driving portions of the coupling devices and the facing portions of the fixed hub providing counterwheel portions.

Abstract: A method for collecting pressure data from a fuel tank in a motor vehicle is achieved by providing an analog pressure transducer in communication with a capacitor, at least one resistor in communication with the capacitor, and a gate to control the communication between the resistor and the capacitor. Software in a microprocessor controller compares the voltage across the resistor to a reference voltage as the capacitor discharges, determines the number of clock counts for which a predetermined relationship exists between the voltage across the resistor and the reference voltage, then consults a table to determine an absolute pressure based on the clock count. The microprocessor transmits the absolute pressure to the central vehicle computer via a multiplex data bus system.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting data related to the internal pressure of a fuel tank in a motor vehicle includes an analog pressure transducer that outputs a signal to charge a capacitor to a level proportional to the pressure in the fuel tank of the vehicle. A programmable microprocessor signals a gate to open a communication path between the capacitor and a discharge resistor, then monitors the number of clock counts that occur before the voltage across the discharge resistor drops below a reference voltage. The microprocessor uses the clock count to determine the absolute pressure within the fuel tank and transmits it to a central vehicle computer via a multiplexed data bus system.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm gauge protector constructed according to principles of this invention comprises a diaphragm housing formed from a upper housing body, a lower housing body, and a central housing body interconnected between the upper and lower housing bodies. A first diaphragm is disposed within the upper housing body forming an upper chamber therebetween and a liquid pressure-transfer medium is disposed within the upper chamber. The first diaphragm includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or downwardly facing bottom surface of the first diaphragm toward the lower housing body. A second diaphragm is disposed within the lower housing body forming a lower chamber therebetween. The second diaphragm also includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or upwardly facing top surface of the second diaphragm toward the first diaphragm. The transfer pads of the first and second diaphragms are positioned one on top of the other.

Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a base portion on which a cap is mounted, the base portion having a first indicating needle rotatably disposed to a center thereof, a frame disposed to the base portion and having two tubes extending therefrom, two activating bars and a second indicating needle mounted to the two tubes, each of the two activating bars having an extending plate pivotally connected thereto, the cap having a setting device disposed thereto so as to rotate the second indicating needle together with a higher extending plate, the lower extending plate together with the first indicating needle moved to a position where the lower extending plate is magnetically connected to the higher extending plate so as to stop an increment of a pressure.