Abstract: An inhalation simulation system is provided for use with inhalers in particular breath-powered dry powder inhalers. The simulation system can recreate a patient's inhalation profile obtained with an inhaler adapted with a sensing and monitoring device for the detection of characteristic signals generated from the inhaler in use, which signals are transmitted to a computer with an algorithm which is configured to analyze the signals and generate new signals via a transmitter to actuate the inhalation simulation system component parts so that a subject's inhalation profile is replicated simultaneously or in real-time, or stored for later use. Methods of measuring the performance of inhalers are also provided.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a turbomachine includes a traverse actuator system having a carriage configured to move a probe into and out of the turbomachine. The traverse actuator system has a track with a plurality of linearly arranged teeth. The track is configured for operation with the carriage. A motor is operably connected with the carriage and track, and the motor is configured to engage the plurality of linearly arranged teeth so that operation of the motor forces the carriage to move along the track.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use in a test to measure the corrosivity of a high temperature hydrocarbon based fluid by determining areal mass density change from a metal layer deposited on a surface of a gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4) crystal. The device includes a blind flange according to ASME B 16.5 having a peripheral bolt portion and a central portion. Bolt holes are present in the peripheral bolt portion of the blind flange for attaching the blind flange to a vessel. A hole through the central portion of the blind flange is provided to which a tube is securely attached at a first end. A second end of the tube is capable of holding the GaPO4 crystal.

Abstract: Even when a strain sensor chip and an object to be measured are bonded to each other by using a metallic bonding material such as solder, the metallic bonding material shows the creep behavior when used under high temperature environment of, for example, 100° C. or higher, and therefore, the strain detected by the strain sensor chip is gradually reduced, and the strain is apparently reduced. In the strain sensor chip mounting structure which is one embodiment of the present application, a strain sensor chip is fixed onto a surface to be measured of the object to be measured via a metallic bonding material. And, the metallic bonding material is bonded to a metallic film that is formed on a side surface of the strain sensor chip. In this manner, temporal change in a measurement error can be suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates the camera from a mobile device (phone, iPad, etc.) to capture an image from a chemical test kit and process the image to provide chemical information. A simple user interface enables the automatic evaluation of the image, data entry, gps info, and maintain records from previous analyses.

Abstract: A gas detector includes a detecting element, a circuit board, a housing case having a gas introduction hole, and a metal member which covers the gas introduction hole. The detecting element is disposed under the metal member. The gas detector further includes a detecting element wiring fusing prevention member which is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to a grounding line of the circuit board. The detecting element wiring fusing prevention member is disposed at a position such that the shortest distance between the metal member and the detecting element wiring fusing prevention member is smaller than that between the metal member and the detecting element.

Abstract: A sample composed of a nickel-based metal is immersed in a corrosive solution (aqueous solution containing an acid and sodium chloride). The sample that has been immersed in the corrosive solution is exposed to a flame of engine oil, and further heated. By immersing the sample in the particular corrosive solution, a Ni-enriched phase which is deficient in additional elements and in which the Ni concentration increases is formed in a surface layer region of the sample. By exposing the sample having the Ni-enriched phase to the flame of the engine oil, components in the engine oil are activated and brought into contact with the sample to form a low-melting point phase in the surface layer region of the sample. By heating the sample having the low-melting point phase to melt the low-melting point phase and resolidifying the low-melting point phase, particles and the like can be formed depending on the type of material of the sample.

Abstract: A sensor able to detect shearing forces as well as simple pressure includes a substrate, a support secured to the substrate, and shear force sensing unit located at an exterior surface of the support facing away from the substrate. The support can be elastically deformed in proportion to the shearing force or pressure. The shear force sensing unit includes first piezoelectric films on outer opposing shoulders of each support, the first piezoelectric film being elastically deformed with the support and outputting a signal accordingly. The magnitude of simple pressure is recorded by similar deformation of a second piezoelectric film entirely covering its support.

Abstract: Collecting data includes generating a sensor signal from each of a plurality of sensors located on a sensing roll, wherein each signal is generated when each sensor enters a region of a nip between the sensing roll and mating roll during each rotation of the sensing roll; wherein a web of material travels through the nip and a continuous band contacts a region of the web of material upstream from or at the nip. A periodically occurring starting reference is generated associated with each rotation of the continuous band and the signal generated by each sensor is received so that the one of the plurality of sensors which generated this signal is determined and one of a plurality of tracking segments associated with the continuous band is identified. The signal is stored to associate the respective sensor signal with the identified one tracking segment.

Abstract: A tool for use in locating a pressure measurement device between a surface and a biasing member is provided. The tool includes a first indexing member configured to couple to a first side of the pressure measurement device, and a second indexing member configured to couple to a second opposing side of the pressure measurement device. The second indexing member includes an outer surface including a recess sized to receive at least a portion of the biasing member. The first and second indexing members are configured to be pressed between the biasing member and the surface such that the first and second indexing members compress against the pressure measurement device.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a turbomachine is provided. The method includes the steps of, attaching a gimbal mount to the turbomachine, inserting a probe into the turbomachine through the gimbal mount, and adjusting a position of the probe via the gimbal mount. A removing step removes the probe from the turbomachine. An attaching step attaches a traverse actuator system to the gimbal mount. The traverse actuator system is connected to the gimbal mount through a pressure isolation system. A reinserting step is used to reinsert the probe back into the turbomachine. An inspecting step is used to inspect or test the turbomachine.

Abstract: A system includes a platform for receiving a test device programmed to output a data signal. A shaft is spaced from the platform. A plurality of impact objects are disposed on the shaft and are configured to strike the platform. A motor is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate the shaft. A processor is programmed to identify an anomaly in the data signal as a result of the plurality of impact objects striking the platform.

Abstract: The present invention is one that can, with suppressing moisture from condensing, easily set a dilution ratio to that enabling measurement accuracy to be improved, and provided with a constant volume sampling part that samples mixed gas that is controlled to have a constant flow rate, wherein the constant volume sampling part is provided with: a main flow path that is connected with an exhaust gas flow path and a diluent gas flow path, and intended to flow the mixed gas that is a mixture of exhaust gas and diluent gas; a constant flow rate mechanism that is configured to control a flow rate of the mixed gas to the constant flow rate; and a moisture detecting part that is provided on an upstream side of the constant flow rate mechanism to detect moisture in the mixed gas or the diluent gas.

Abstract: A liquid level transducer includes a mounting head connectable to a tank, a probe assembly extending into the tank, and a hose connecting assembly positioned on the mounting head outside of the tank. The probe assembly can include liquid withdrawal and return tubes and a sensor tube for determining the level of liquid within the tank. Bores are formed in the mounting head in alignment with the liquid withdrawal, return, and sensor tubes. First retaining features at least partially surround the withdrawal/return bores. The hose connecting assembly includes hose connectors with bases that have second retaining features that cooperate with the first retaining features so that the hose connectors can be aligned with the bores and adjusted to different angular positions about the central axes of the bores during assembly.

Abstract: Containers for a fluid sample containing a radionuclide for measurement of radiation from the radionuclide include an outer shell having one or more ports between an interior and an exterior of the outer shell, and an inner shell secured to the outer shell. The inner shell includes a detector receptacle sized for at least partial insertion into the outer shell. The inner shell and outer shell together at least partially define a fluid sample space. The outer shell and inner shell are configured for maintaining an operating pressure within the fluid sample space of at least about 1000 psi. Systems for measuring radioactivity in a fluid include such a container and a radiation detector received at least partially within the detector receptacle. Methods of measuring radioactivity in a fluid sample include maintaining a pressure of a fluid sample within a Marinelli-type container at least at about 1000 psi.

Abstract: A graphene sensor and method for selective sensing of vapors, gases and biological agents are disclosed. The graphene sensor can include a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate; a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate; and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene. The method for detection of vapors, gases and biological objects with low frequency input as a sensing parameter can include exposing a graphene device to at least one vapor, gas, and/or biological object, the graphene device comprising: a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate, a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate, and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene; and measuring a change in a noise spectra of the graphene device.

Abstract: A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated.

Abstract: A housing of a liquid level detection device includes an inner case, which has a first wall portion, and a terminal, which has a projection that extends through the first wall portion and projects to an outside of the inner case. The first wall portion and the projection are covered with a covering portion. A first seal film, which connects between an outer peripheral surface of the projection and the first wall portion, is formed in an inside of the covering portion. A film thickness of the first seal film along an edge line of the terminal progressively increases toward the first wall portion.

Abstract: A drive-over tire tread depth measurement system is configured with environmental protection components for preventing or impeding environmental contaminates from falling through openings in a vehicle support surface or cover plate onto underlying components such as sensor optical windows and adjacent surfaces. The environmental protection components may include air discharge assemblies, movable shields, guards, wipers or deflectors such as drip edges, water-accumulating textured surfaces, flow diverters, and selectively placed flanges or fixed guards which operate cooperatively to displace accumulated contaminates, debris, or liquids from the optical windows and adjacent sensor surfaces. A portion of the vehicle support surface or cover plate is removable to permit access to underlying components.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a turbomachine is provided. The system includes a pressure isolation system configured to maintain a pressure resistant seal around a probe. The pressure isolation system has a probe bearing located adjacent to a pressure seal. The probe bearing is configured to facilitate back and forth movement of the probe by reducing friction. A gimbal mount is connected to the pressure isolation system. The pressure isolation system has a valve seal located between the gimbal mount and the pressure seal. The valve seal is configured to isolate the pressure seal from the gimbal mount when the probe is not in the valve seal. The system is configured to move the probe into and out of the turbomachine.