Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensing screw capable of providing synchronous both pre-drawing of fiber Bragg grating and pre-tightening of bolt with induced characteristics to detect feedback control of large scale public engineering structures or precise equipments to facilitate fabrication of precise elements to achieve more precise control and record fabrication processes. Through the sensing screw apparatus a precision system structure can be formed to meet expectation of improved product quality and comprehensive recording of complete production process and physical characteristics at important points of the production process. The invention can provide instant onsite status and accumulate data or make parameter pre-action to avoid error accumulation, thereby improve production yield or safety of large scale structures.

Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.

Abstract: A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of gases is described. The gas detection apparatus includes, a housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a duct of a particle detection system, and at least one gas detector sensitive to a target species arranged in fluid communication with the housing to detect the presence of the target species in at least part of the air sample flowing in a duct. In one form the gas detection apparatus forms part of a system for detecting a condition in an environment that includes, a particle detector; a duct system in fluid communication with the environment and the particle detector and an aspirator to draw an air sample flow from the environment to the particle detector.

Abstract: A fluid level sensor for determining an amount of first fluid in a system is provided including a first substantially transparent sight glass mounted outside and fluidly coupled to a portion of the system. A level of first fluid in the first sight glass is indicative of the amount of first fluid in the system. A second substantially transparent sight glass has an independent closed loop containing a second fluid. The second sight glass is positioned adjacent outside the system. A plane of the second sight glass is arranged adjacent to a pivot point of the first fluid within the system. A level of second fluid in the second sight glass is indicative of the amount of first fluid corresponding to normal operation of the system. A comparison of the level of first fluid in the first sight glass and the level of second fluid in the second sight glass indicates if the amount of first fluid in the system requires adjustment.

Abstract: There are provided Nano-Opto-Mechanical sensors for measuring concentration of a component in a gas flow, methods for their use and system comprising the same.

Abstract: A method for determining physical properties of combustion including: flowing a gas a critical nozzle and past a microthermal sensor wherein the mass flow of the gas through the critical nozzle is the same as the mass flow through the microthermal sensor; measuring the pressure drop in a reservoir of gas flowing to the nozzle; determining a first gas property factor based on the measured pressure drop; determining a second gas property factor based on a flow signal generated by the microthermal sensor; determining a thermal conductivity of the gas using the microthermal sensor; and determining a physical property of the combustion based on a correlation of the first and/or second gas property factors and the thermal conductivity.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one grip mechanism of a rework nozzle configured to grip an electrical component that is soldered to a printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one spring coupled to at least one grip mechanism, where the spring is configured to move beyond a minimum threshold in response to an initiation of a melt of a solder that attaches the electrical component to the printed circuit board. The apparatus includes at least one sensor coupled to at least one spring, where the sensor is configured to detect the move of at least one spring beyond the minimum threshold. At least one sensor is configured to communicate at least one activate signal in response to detection of the move of one or more springs beyond the minimum threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas sensor having a metal shell, a holder placed in the metal shell and a sensor element inserted through an axial insertion hole of the holder. The holder has a recessed portion recessed toward the rear from a front end face of the holder. The sensor element has, at a front end part thereof, a detection portion covered with a porous protection layer such that a rear end of the porous protection layer is situated within the recessed portion of the holder and is located at the rear side with respect to the front end face of the holder while maintaining a space between an inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion and an outer circumferential surface of the porous protection layer.

Abstract: A curved gaseous particle detector includes a stack of two layers that are curved and maintained together by a frame formed of two spars defining a plane. The two spars are connected together by at least two curved bars outside of the plane and the frame being placed between the two layers of the stack.

Abstract: A manipulation and force measuring device includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and at least one force sensor extending outwardly from the elongate body. A protective material surrounds the at least one force sensor. A first loop extends from the first end of the body and a second loop extends from the second end of the body. A processor is attached to the body, proximate to the first loop and is electronically connected to the at least one force sensor. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A manipulation and force measuring device includes a planar force sensing resistor, a protective material surrounding the resistor, and an outer material surrounding the protective material. A first strap extends outwardly from the outer material. The first strap has one of a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon. A second strap extends outwardly from the outer material, distal from the first strap. The second strap has the other of the hook and loop fastener disposed thereon. A processor is attached to one of the first strap and the second strap. The processor is electronically connected to the resistor. A loop extends outwardly from the outer material. The loop is located proximate to the first strap. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Non-contact magnetic, optical or RF control elements can be used to control various operational aspects, or parameters of a gas detector. The detector can be placed in a low current, or sleep, mode wherein the operational life-time is not reduced by the duration of the sleep mode. Instructions can be coupled to the detector magnetically, optically, or via RF to alter set points or other operating parameters. Information as to bump tests can also be coupled to the detector.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided for determining a distance of the measurement device from a medium and a flow speed of a medium by evaluating a transmission signal emitted by the fill level measurement device and reflected by the medium. The measurement device includes an antenna arrangement for emitting the transmission signal in two different directions. The flow speed of the medium can be determined using the Doppler shift of the transmission signal.

Abstract: A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A gas sensor (1) has a platelike detection element (5) extending in an axial direction and a ceramic member (67) having an element insertion hole (81) into which the detection element (5) is inserted. When the ceramic member (67) is viewed from the axial direction, the element insertion hole (81) has a main insertion hole (83) having a substantially quadrate shape surrounded by four sides, and relief holes (85), (86), (87) and (88), each of which is surrounded by an outline connecting ends of two adjacent sides of the four sides of the main insertion hole (83) and located radially outward of the main insertion hole (83) so as to communicate with the main insertion hole 83.

Abstract: Fixtures and methods are described herein to measure fastener stretch after fastener application. The measurement fixtures may include fastener contacting portions having contact plates that may move orbitally about a measurement shaft to allow contact plates to abut against non-parallel end surfaces of a fastener. The fixtures may also include datum assemblies that have datum plate mounted in fixed relation to the contacting portions that allow for measurements to be made between the datum plates. Adjustable dials may be included to transfer rotational movement of the dial to translation movement of the contacting portions. Measurement fixtures may further include a frame and mounting portions.

Abstract: An investment casting shell substrate sensor method and apparatus comprising a hollow probe 10 having an aperture 30, the aperture 30 covered by a water proof breathable membrane (WPBM) 20 that is constructed and arranged to repel liquid from entering the aperture 30, while remaining permeable so as to allow vapor and air to pass through the aperture 30, thereby creating a liquid free internal void 50 within the hollow probe 10 that receives a sensor 40 for measuring the conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity) within the internal void 50, which are accurately indicative of the conditions at the shell substrate at the aperture 30 location. The disclosed sensor assembly provides target specific information at selected substrates within the shell real time, during the shell building process.

Abstract: A sample chamber is configured to accommodate a target such that a portion of the target is removable as a sample. A carrier gas injection system is configured to introduce a carrier gas into the sample region from a first position and a second position within the sample chamber such that at least a portion of the sample is entrainable by the carrier gas within the sample region. A portion of the sample region is located between the first position and the second position. A sample transport conduit is configured to transport at least a portion of the sample entrained by the carrier gas to a location outside the sample chamber.