Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a load cell, disposed between a base and a litter, that is configured to generate an output representative of a load acting on the patient support surface. The load cell is associated with a calibration reference symbol assigned to the load cell to define a calibration value for a parameter of the load cell. A user interface is configured to receive user input of a virtual symbol corresponding to the calibration reference symbol. A controller is configured to store a plurality of calibration reference symbols and a plurality of representative calibration values each associated with one of the plurality of calibration reference symbols, initiate a calibration procedure, determine a representative calibration value for each calibration reference symbol, calibrate the parameter of the load cell based on the representative calibration value determined based on the virtual symbol, and determine weight acting on the litter.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining a weight of one or more objects disposed about an area of the weight measurement device using a single force sensor to accurately measure a force generated by the one or more objects. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a housing, a receiving tray, a lever assembly configured to receive a weight force from the receiving tray and generate a collective lever force corresponding to the weight force, the lever assembly comprising a plurality of levers, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers being at least substantially fixed to the housing at a first lever location and configured to receive a partial weight force from the receiving tray at a second lever location, and a force sensor configured to define a fulcrum point along each of the plurality of levers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water extinguishing system with a fluid supply for providing an extinguishing fluid, a pump which is configured to pump the extinguishing fluid from the fluid supply into a supply line of a pipe system of the water extinguishing system, a test line which branches off from the supply line of the pipe system and is configured to conduct the extinguishing fluid pumped by the pump away from the pipe system, and a fluid bypass line with a cross section reduced in comparison to the cross section of the test line, where the fluid bypass line is configured to conduct a predefined portion of the extinguishing fluid around an opening element of the test line away from the pipe system, where the water extinguishing system further comprises at least one control device which is configured to determine at least one parameter indicative of the cross-section of the fluid bypass line, and to control the pump test run of the pump on the basis of that parameter.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting leakage of a fluid through a defect (4) in a wall of a pipe (2), comprising the steps: introducing a loss control medium (30) into a first portion of a pipe (2); conveying the loss control medium (30) along the pipe from the first portion to a second portion of the pipe, wherein the second portion is embedded in a porous medium and has a defect (4) through which fluid conveyed by the pipe during normal use leaks into the porous medium; and applying a pressure to the loss control medium (30) such that at least a portion of the loss control medium (30) is expelled from the pipe through the defect (4) into the porous medium thereby causing the loss control medium to accumulate within the porous medium in the vicinity of the defect which inhibits flow of a liquid through the defect into the porous medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of performing subsurface imaging of embedded structures in a substrate underneath a substrate surface, the method comprising the steps of applying, using a signal application actuator, an acoustic input signal to the substrate, detecting, using a vibration sensor, a return signal from the substrate and analyzing the return signal for obtaining information on the embedded structures, for enabling imaging thereof wherein the step of applying the acoustic input signal comprises applying a discontinuous signal of an acoustic signal component to the substrate, the acoustic signal component having a frequency above 1 gigahertz, such that the return signal includes a scattered fraction of the discontinuous signal scattered from the embedded structures. The invention further relates to a system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a magneto-inductive flowmeter, wherein the magneto-inductive flowmeter has a measuring tube for conducting a flowable medium, at least two measurement electrodes for detecting a flow speed-based measurement voltage induced in the medium, and a magnetic field-generating device for generating a magnetic field which passes through the measuring tube, said magnetic field generating device having a coil. The method has the steps of applying a control voltage to the coil in order to generate a change in the coil current over time, and determining the change in the coil current over time in a change-over region, wherein the coil current is changed in the change-over region until a target coil current target is reached.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments may provide a collective insulating sleeve for a plurality of chromatography columns or may provide separate insulating sleeve for each of the chromatography columns in a plurality. As a result, column ovens are not needed, and pre-heaters may not be required for each chromatography column in some exemplary embodiments. Thus, parallel column arrangements in the exemplary embodiments may be more compact than conventional arrangements.

Abstract: A gas detection device includes a flow path in which a gas flows in a predetermined direction, at least one first-type gas sensor that includes a heater for heating the gas, and at least one second-type gas sensor that does not include a heater for heating the gas. The first-type gas sensor is positioned upstream of the second-type gas sensor in the flow path.

Abstract: Robots and sensor systems having a compliant member for maintaining the position of a sensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot includes a rigid surface, one or more compliant members attached to the rigid surface, and a sensor device. The sensor device includes an inflatable diaphragm operable to be disposed around the one or more compliant members, the inflatable diaphragm having a port, and a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the port and operable to detect a pressure within the inflatable diaphragm. The one or more compliant members prevent lateral movement and rotational movement of the sensor device.

Abstract: A sensing system comprises a mechanical component that is subject to an applied force. The mechanical component has an outer surface with bores. A concentrator is connected to the mechanical component via fasteners that pass through openings that align with the bores. The concentrator comprises a central neck portion with an elevated pedestal, a first extremity region extending outwardly away from the central neck portion and a second extremity region opposite the first extremity region. The second extremity region extends outwardly away from the central neck portion. A strain sensor is mounted on or coupled to the concentrator to transmit the applied force from the mechanical component via or through the concentrator to the mechanical component.

Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor device, including a substrate, at least one first counter-electrode, at least one first electrode adjustably situated on a side of the at least one first counter-electrode facing away from the substrate, and a capacitor sealing structure, which seals gas-tight an interior volume, including the at least one first counter-electrode present therein and the at least one first electrode present therein. The at least one first counter-electrode is fastened directly or indirectly to a frame structure fastened directly or indirectly to the substrate, and the frame structure framing a cavity, and the at least one first counter-electrode at least partially spanning the cavity in such a way that at least one gas is transferable between the cavity and the interior volume via at least one opening formed at and/or in the at least one first counter-electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device is fabricated on a dielectric substrate. The capacitive sensor device may include multiple diaphragms that differ in shape and/or size. Each of the diaphragms is paired to upper and lower electrodes in included upper and lower electrode layers, respectively. The lower layer is on the dielectric substrate and couples the lower electrodes to a lower electrode terminal in parallel. The upper electrode layer is separated from the lower electrode layer by a gap defined by a removed sacrificial layer and couples the upper electrodes in parallel to an upper electrode terminal.

Abstract: A measurement system (100) determines gas concentrations in a gas mixture of a gas sample by utilizing thermal conductivities and paramagnetic effects of thermal conductivities in the gas mixture involving data sets (203). A circuit arrangement provides measured values with an AC signal component and with a DC signal component to a calculation and control unit (200). An oxygen concentration in the gas mixture of the gas sample is determined based on the standardized AC signal components and a concentration of another gas in the gas mixture of the gas sample is determined based on the standardized DC voltage signal components. Output signals are generated by the calculation and control unit, which indicate the determined oxygen concentration and the determined concentration of another gas in the gas mixture of the gas sample.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a digital scale includes the steps of: (101) acquiring a first AD conversion value by the digital scale, the first AD conversion value corresponding to a weight of a reference object gathered before calibration; (102) acquiring a second AD conversion value by the digital scale, the second AD conversion value corresponding to a value when the digital scale has a weight reading of 0; (103) acquiring a target weight of a reference object; and (104) ascertaining a target AD conversion value per unit weight by reference to the first AD conversion value, the second AD conversion value and the target weight of the reference object, the target AD conversion value per unit weight being arranged to measure a weight of an object by the digital scale after calibration.

Abstract: Combinations of multiple analytic techniques may be used to identify changes to a structure based on changes in characteristics of acoustic signals traveling along the structure. Acoustic signals traveling along the structure may be monitored to detect changes in characteristics of the acoustic signal from baseline signal characteristics. The changes in characteristics of the acoustic signals may be processed using multiple analytic techniques to provide analyses of the change in time-domain, in frequency-domain, and in mixed time-frequency-domain. The change to the structure may be identified based on a combination of the results of the analysis in time-domain, in frequency-domain, and in mixed time-frequency-domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling preparation of a liquid mixture comprising an acid and its conjugate base or a base and its conjugate acid. The method comprises obtaining (S11) a composition for the liquid mixture to be prepared and determining (S12) a plurality of settings for controlling a preparation of the liquid mixture in one or more automated processes. The plurality of settings are provided (S13) to one or more control systems of the one or more automated processes. The present invention also relates to a buffer tool configured to perform the computer-implemented method, a buffer management system comprising the buffer tool, and a computer readable storage medium (25), having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed in a buffer tool, causes execution of the computer-implemented method.

Abstract: A fine-particle sampling device for sampling fine particles in a liquid includes a tubular first electrode whose both ends in an axial direction thereof are open; a second electrode extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and disposed in the inside of the first electrode to be spaced from an inner surface of the first electrode; a supplier that supplies a liquid to the inside of the first electrode and causes the liquid to be stored at a portion of the inner surface in a direction around an axis B of the first electrode; a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; a driver that rotates the first electrode around a rotational axis extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and passing through the inside of the first electrode; and a retriever that retrieves the stored liquid.

Abstract: A tension measuring device for a holding mechanism such as a ratchet or tie down strap. In one embodiment, a tension measuring device comprises a two-part frame, comprising a movable frame part and a stationary frame part. The movable frame part comprises a first connection portion, one or more biasing element rods, a biasing element lock plate with indicator needle, and one or more rod bolt caps. The stationary frame part comprises a second connection portion, a biasing element chamber, and one or more biasing element rod apertures. Further, the tension measuring device comprises one or more biasing elements and a housing.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit, which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors, Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus performs the test by rotating a tire while the tire is in contact with a drum. A plurality of sensors are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drum and are arranged side by side along a widthwise direction of the drum, thereby measuring the ground contact forces at the ground contact position with the tire. A calculation unit obtains, based on the ground contact forces measured by the sensors, a displacement amount Dy of the ground contact position in the widthwise direction and a change amount ?Fy of the ground contact force Fy in the widthwise direction which corresponds to the displacement amount Dy, thereby calculating the lateral stiffness sharing rate Ky rib on the basis of the displacement amount Dy and the change amount ?Fy.