Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid flowmeter includes empty pipe detection circuitry. The empty pipe detection circuitry applies a common mode asynchronous signal into a pair of electrodes in the flowmeter. Impedance of fluid is determined by measuring the magnitude of the asynchronous signal between an electrode and electrical ground. Impedance is used to determine an empty pipe condition.

Abstract: A load cell formed with a single crystal beam and strain gages deposited thereon. The single crystal beam may be advantageously formed from sapphire. The beam is arranged in the load cell with a fixed portion and a free portion to which weight forces may be applied. At least one strain gage is deposited on the beam to provide signals responsive to the applied weight forces. The method for making the load cell includes growing the crystal, depositing a strain sensitive layer on the crystal substrate, foxing the strain sensitive layer into at least one strain sensitive element and attaching a plurality of electrical leads to the strain sensitive elements to form strain gages. A weighing device is formed of a base upon which a plurality of the load beams are arranged for supporting a weigh platform.

Abstract: A liquid flowmeter and method for determining the velocity of flow of fluid in a conduit, including a sensor adapted for mounting in the bottom of the conduit, and including acoustic energy transmitting and receiving devices, an in-phase reflected Doppler energy signal detector connected with the receiving device, an anti-alias low pass filter for producing from the in-phase reflected energy a filtered signal, a digital-to-analog converter for digitalizing the in-phase signal to produce a sampled array, an accumulator for storing a first number (M) of mean zeroed power spectra from the sampled array, a zeroing device for zeroing a second number (K) of the initial samples of the power spectra, thereby to produce a first modified spectra, a median filter of rank R for filtering the first modified spectra to produce a second modified spectra, a limiting device for limiting the second modified spectra to produce samples limited to the upper portion of a range of amplitudes, thereby to produce a third modified spe

Abstract: A method and device for acoustic flow measurement of the flow velocity of gases is disclosed. An acoustic signal is transmitted into the measurement pipe and, under ideal working conditions, the signals are detected both upstream and downstream by means of two sound detectors mounted at a certain distance from each other within the measurement pipe, the flow velocity of the gas in the measurement pipe being determined by means of correlation of the sound signals. A standardized sound speed in the medium at rest is stored in memory, and whenever one of either the upstream or downstream travel times cannot be measured due to a disturbance, the flow velocity is computed from a single travel time, either downstream or upstream, and by means of the sound speed at rest stored in memory.

Abstract: A weather monitoring device includes a wind force receiving body supported by a support member and a wind velocity and direction measuring arrangement. The wind velocity and direction measuring arrangement, preferably includes strain gauges mounted upon the support member and measures the magnitude and direction of flex in the support caused by wind acting upon the wind receiving body. Wind direction and velocity are calculated from the flex measured in the support. The velocity and direction measuring arrangement also includes features to compensate for strain gauge offsets and temperature drift. Additionally, a rain monitoring arrangement may be included in the weather monitoring device to provide rain measurements in addition to the wind measurements. The rain monitoring arrangement includes a rain collection surface and a rain volume measuring device. The rain collection surface is completely contained within the wind force receiving body and directs water to the rain volume measuring device.

Abstract: A unit and system for sensing fluid velocity which is particularly well suited for use in the control system of an HVAC unit. A salient feature of the system is the combination of heat generating structure, a plurality of thermally conductive elements, and thermal insulation between the heat generating structure and a fluid flow path. Each of the conductive elements is in thermal communication with the heat generating structure at one end and the fluid flow path at a second end. As a result, heat transfer to the fluid is channelled through the conductive elements. This achieves a distributed heat flow path which results in an efficient and accurate heat flow measurement.

Abstract: A vibrating beam force transducer is comprised of an oscillating sensing element having an output frequency indicative of the force applied to the sensing element. The sensing element has a variable electrical resistance which can vary in accordance with temperature fluctuations over the operating range of the transducer.A drive circuit utilizes an AC drive signal source that is electrically coupled to the sensing element to drive the sensing element at its resonant frequency which is a function of the force applied to the sensing element. The drive circuit has a DC compensation circuit that alters the electrical characteristics of the drive circuit in response to variations in the electrical resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: A torque measuring system can detect the magnitude of a torque applied to a torque sensing shaft and output a torque signal with respect to the torque. A torque sensor of the system has a measurement mode for producing torque signals and a correction mode for correction of its detection characteristics. An external signal for selection of one of the two modes is supplied to the torque sensor by a characteristic check device. The correction mode enables the correction of the torque sensor characteristics to be effected accurately and in a short time period without requiring manual labor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for collection of both dry and wet precipitation. The invention involves the use of a dynamic flowing fluid surface for the collection of precipitation for temporary storage and subsequent analysis. The use of a dynamic system prevents exposure of the collected precipitation to other meteorological conditions which may alter, volatilize or destroy the precipitation material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring and comparing actual and relative impact forces of an impact machine to determine the operating parameters of the machine wherein the apparatus includes a vessel containing a fluid, a vessel piston which moves into the vessel in a substantially frictionless manner upon impact by the impact machine to create a force on the fluid in the vessel and a measuring system to measure the forces applied to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and removing a sensor into and from a hot tap on a fluid conveying pipeline includes a pair of parallel threaded drive rods interconnecting a sensor plate and a mounting plate which are operatively connected to the sensor and the hot tap, respectively. The drive rods are interconnected by a sprocket and chain system which rotates the opposite drive rod in reaction to rotation of either drive rod. Load indicators are installed on the drive rods to assist the operator in correctly positioning and loading the sensor in the pressurized pipeline. The drive rods are connected to the sensor plate through moveable threaded sleeves which accommodate irregularities in the drive rod.

Abstract: A piston flow meter for measuring gas flow through the flow meter comprising a hollow precision bore flowtube in a vertical orientation, with a movable piston containing a valve assembly for movement in concert with the piston between opposite ends of the flowtube. The valve assembly contains a latching mechanism, preferably a magnetic latch, to provide a positive seal across the piston. The magnetic latch is opened when the piston strikes a spring-loaded stop at the top end of the piston stroke, and is closed at the bottom end of the piston stroke.

Abstract: Foot force sensor for measuring compressive force exerted by a foot. The foot force sensor is in the form of an insole made of layers of relatively thin, planar, flexible, resilient, dielectric material. Electrical contact means having first and second poles and electrical leads extending therefrom is interposed between the layers of the insole. An electrically resistive material is also interposed between the layers of the insole but displaced from the electrical contact means. An electrically conductive interconnecting means is connected between the electrical contact means and the electrically resistive material. The electrically conductive interconnecting means has a plurality of electrically isolated conductive paths laterally displaced from one another and extending through it.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a force or load comprising a vibratory beam which vibrates back and forth at a resonant frequency. The beam has first and second end nodal points and first and second ends adjacent to the first and second nodal points. The first end of the vibratory beam is coupled to the load for applying a stress to the vibratory beam that determines the resonant frequency at which the beam vibrates. In addition, masses are coupled to the beam intermediate of the first and second ends. The masses are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the beam and reciprocate at the resonant frequency. The reciprocatory masses are located at a position along the beam at which the greatest back and forth vibration of the beam at the resonant frequency occurs. Alternatively, a pair of vibratory beams are provided. The beams are coupled together at opposite ends to form a tuning fork, each beam having a portion which vibrates back and forth at a resonant frequency.

Abstract: There is disclosed a micromechanical transducer having only one moving or movable part (1) and a stator (2), the part (1) being movable in relation to the stator and in the form of a flat member which is connected by spring arrangements, such as springs (6), to the stator. The movable part is capable of three-dimensional movement to implement a deflection.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring a muscular force particularly suited for the re-education and/or development of a muscle belonging to an upper and/or lower limb of the human body. A linearly displaceable element is coupled to a displacement device operable to continuously reciprocate the element with adjustable speed and travel. The displacement element is mounted such that a part of the human body can exert a muscular force (F1) upon the element. For example the element can be formed with one or more impressions to create an artificial climbing grip. The displacement device is coupled to a control center capable of, displaying a force threshold corresponding to a force of defined and variable intensity, operating the displacement device if the intensity of the force exerted on the element (F1) is greater than or equal to the displayed threshold value, measuring the force supplied, measuring the displacement, speed and travel of the element, measuring the duration of the force (F1).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for connect each of a plurality of magnetic flow sensors to a single electronic evaluating unit. Each of the flow sensors includes a measuring tube through which a fluid flows, a coil arrangement, and two measuring electrodes. An electronic evaluating unit includes a processing unit for the potentials of the measuring electrodes, a subsequent digital calibrating and zero-balancing arrangement for generating calibration and zero-offset data, a memory for said data, and a generator circuit for generating the coil current. Through-switching is effected by means of a switching arrangement which includes an optotriac for each flow sensor and an analog multiplexer with double or triple switching paths. The multiplexer switches through the signals from the measuring electrodes. In three further variants, a processing unit is provided in the flow sensor, and a further-processing unit in the electronic evaluating unit.

Abstract: A surface pressure distribution matrix of detecting elements requires no positioning operation during a manufacturing process and does not vary in sensitivity depending on where surface pressure is applied to the matrix. A large number of transistors in a matrix form are formed on a single semiconductor substrate. A flexible film having a conductive coating is formed over the matrix of detecting elements. The collector electrodes of a plurality of transistors are commonly connected to each other to form rows in the matrix, each row being electrically isolated from the other rows. The base electrodes of the plurality of transistors are commonly connected to each other to form columns in the matrix, each column being electrically isolated from the other columns. When the flexible film receives a surface pressure from the ridges of a fingerprint, the depressed portions of the conductive coating on the film are brought into contact with the matrix of detecting elements.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic shock testing machine employs flexure plates attached to an anvil lying in a vertical plane of a supporting frame to apply pyrotechnic shock pulses to a test unit attached to the anvil when a hammer is dropped to strike the anvil. The dimensions of the flexure plates can be selected to control the lower frequencies of the shock pulse. The anvil materials and their coupling can be selected to control the higher frequencies of the shock pulse whereby shock pulses in the range of 100 to 10000 hertz and accelerations in the range of 50 to 10000 g's can be applied to a test unit in the x, y and z directions. The shock testing apparatus is compact and portable and without the need to have complex hammer raising and dropping mechanisms.

Abstract: A multi-axis force platform for determining forces and moments exerted on the platform along x, y and z axes includes at least one multi-axis spring. The multi-axis spring includes a block of rigid material through which a pattern of slots pass through to form a series of deflectable beams separated from each other by the slots. The deflectable beams surround an interior region of the spring and elastically couple the interior region of the spring to an outer region of the spring such that the interior region can deflect relative to the outer region along x, y and z axes when subjected to a load. One or more magnetic sensors are positioned within the interior region of the spring for sensing loads exerted on the spring.