Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying, quantifying and correcting turbine meter errors related to pulsation effects in a gas stream being measured. A turbine meter pulse rate output signal is monitored and abnormal pulse rate modulations in the signal are detected and used to indicate turbine meter measurement errors. The equation used to determine turbine error requires measurements of pulsation intensity over a desired frequency range. Because of the difficulty in measuring pulsation intensity at field sites, meter error is determined directly from rotor speed modulation data. Rotor speed modulation data is obtained and then quantitatively related to pulsation intensity using a rotor response model. Thus, meter error is determined directly from rotor speed modulation data, allowing on-site quantification and correction of errors.

Abstract: A torque delivering power tool for tightening threaded joints to a desired final pretension level, has a motor (11), a power transmission (12) with a reduction gearing (13) and an output shaft (14). A first torque transducer (19) associated with the power transmission (12) is exposed to torque magnitudes corresponding to delivered torque magnitudes up to the desired final pretension level, and an external second torque transducer (20) is arranged to be exposed to load magnitudes which correspond to torque output magnitudes up to a snug level only.

Abstract: Multiple, typically four, acoustic transducers of a time delay acoustic flowmeter are arrayed in a X-cross, crisscross, folded geometry so as to establish a lengthy multiple-leg, typically a two-leg, acoustic path within a compact volume. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from a transducer A to a transducer B, then electrically amplified and applied to a transducer C which retransmits the ultrasonic signal to a transducer D. The compact transducer configuration is particularly suitable for use during in-vivo blood flow measurement. The acoustic signal is maintained in amplitude from one leg to the next by amplification as an electrical signal.

Abstract: A post activation device to indicate that pressure the existed within a pressure vessel just prior to the opening of the pressure vessel and the resulting loss of pressurization, having a diaphragm, plug or piston (62, 130, 160, 330) capable of rupturing, moving or deforming in response to a pressure differential thereacross above one or more low limit values and for providing an indication of the pressure within the pressure vessel just prior to its being opened, and a support member (70), within the pressure vessel for supporting the diaphragm, plug or piston means.

Abstract: Temperature of the gas stream entering the end user's internal piping system has been found to be fairly stable (at about 50 degree F.) but still variable while the temperature of the end user's internal piping system (irrespective of total length) has been found to vary as a function of the ambient temperature exterior of the end user's internal piping system. Each of such temperatures can be used in association with a differential pressure leakage detection system that uses a piezoresistive pressure sensor which measures differential pressures between the natural gas and ambient air both entering the sensor to provide a pair of output signals with the difference between these signals being related to the occurrence of small leakage of natural gas within the internal piping network of the end-user, such flow being normalized so that any such flow is due only to leakage.

Abstract: The vibration of a belt or the like detected by a microphone is shaped into rectangular waveforms. The period of each cycle of waveform is held by a latch (8) and sequentially stored in a period memory (12). In a cycle comparison unit (14), waveforms in an expected allowable range of variations are extracted by comparison with the fiducial period. The series of the extracted waveforms are stored in a memory (16). A selection unit (18) selects a representative value from the series of extracted waveforms. A frequency calculating unit (19) calculates the frequency in accordance with the representative value. A tension calculating unit (20) assigns the calculated frequency (characteristic frequency) to a given formula to work out the tension of the belt or the like. It may be possible to calculate the frequency directly from the latched period and then execute the processes to follow.

Abstract: A capacitor device for utilizing dependent capacitances for measurement purposes wherein facing surfaces have pairs of capacitors constructed and arranged relative to a displacement axis so that a first pair of capacitors define measurement capcitors and a second pair of capacitors define reference capacitors and capacitance measurements from the capacitors can be combined to minimize effects of relative displacement in the facing surfaces.

Abstract: A pressure detection gage for a semiconductor pressure sensor includes a gage portion, a pair of lead out portions, and an isolation layer. The gage portion is formed on the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, has a predetermined sheet resistance, and serves as a piezoelectric region. The pair of lead out portions are formed as heavily doped semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to two ends of the gage portion. The isolation layer is formed from a lightly doped semiconductor region of the second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate to surround the lead out portions.

Abstract: A diaphragm-type sensor is disclosed which comprises a substrate including a cavity, a diaphragm formed on the cavity and supported by the substrate, a heater element arranged on the diaphragm, two sensor elements arranged on both sides of the heater means and slits between the heater means and the respective sensor means. The slits are effective in completely preventing the deformation of the diaphragm due to a heat propagated from the heater element, from influencing the sensor elements, whereby the diaphragm-type sensor exhibits stable output characteristics.

Abstract: A strain-gauge transducer comprises a strain gauge enclosed between pressure members which deform the strain gauge, the strain gauge comprising a plate-shaped substrate provided with strain-detection elements. At least one spring having a flexibility larger than that of the substrate is arranged between the strain gauge and at least one of the pressure members, said substrate and said spring being in contact with one another so as to be jointly subjected to deformations. The spring may be a blade spring, a helical spring, or a cylindrical buffer spring. The excursions of the pressure members can be limited by means of stops. In the case of a blade spring the contact between the substrate and the spring can be controlled by giving the substrate a toothed shape or by providing it with contact elements.

Abstract: The invention comprises a force measuring system for the dynamic determination especially of axle loads, speed, vehicle wheelbase and gross weight. The force measuring system is laid permanently in the roadway. It is of modular assembly, consisting of the amplifier (11), sensor (12) and terminal module (13). The individual modules may be coupled tightly by plug-and-socket connections, welding flanges or glued flanges. The sensor module (12) consists of a hollow section (1), in which piezo-elements (4) are fitted under elastic preload. The piezo-elements (4) are accommodated in the hollow section (1) at intervals of typically 5 to 10 cm, and they may be connected all together with only one electrically conductive foil (5) to the signal processing facility (19), or groupwise or even singly. According to this subdivision the road width can be sectioned as desired, in order to obtain a road loading diagram for instance.

Abstract: A fluid flow measuring device having a positive displacement piston in a precise bore glass flowtube, with flexible diaphragms at opposite ends of the flowtube, to seal the flowtube from the ambient environment. The flowtube is filled with a pure fluid or gas for uncontaminated operation of the piston. Movement of the piston within the sealed flowtube is controlled by controlling the movement of each diaphragm. The diaphragms are supported in a housing connected to each opposite end of the flowtube, with a plenum chamber in communication with each diaphragm, and with means for the ingress and egress of the fluid under flow measurement with the plenum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow of fluid comprising a tube through which the fluid to be measured may flow, including means for varying the temperature at a selected location on the tube. A plurality of temperature sensors are used to measure the temperature at locations on the in flow end, that is upstream of the means for varying the temperature, and at least one sensor is used for measuring the temperature downstream of the selected location. A plurality of separate sensors are used on the input end to provide information to determine the temperature gradient along the tube. When the gradient is used in connection with the temperature sensed at known locations at the upstream and downstream section of the tube relative to the selected location that temperature differential is used to determine the flow of fluid. The tube preferably is secured to, or embedded in, a layer of material adapted to transfer heat between sections of the tube.

Abstract: A vortex flowmeter comprises a vortex generating bluff body and a planar vortex sensor with leading edges of first and second halves thereof offset from one another by a distance equal to half wave length of sinuating streamlines created by vortices shed from the bluff body, wherein the planar vortex sensor is supported at the midsection thereof by a support member extending from the flowmeter body, and one extremity thereof is connected to a transducer while the other extremity is connected to the flowmeter body in an arrangement providing generally identical flexural vibration characteristics for the first and second halves of the planar vortex sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring wind speed and direction includes: a wind vane which has a permanent magnet, an anemometer which has a permanent magnet and a ferromagnetic member, and a stationary housing which has a radially mounted reed switch and an axially mounted reed switch. As the anemometer spins in the wind, the magnet in the anemometer closes the radially mounted reed switch, once per revolution. This produces a signal having a frequency proportional to wind speed. The magnet in the wind vane rotates around the stationary housing to a point determined by the direction of the wind. This magnet produces enough flux to keep the axially mounted reed switch closed. The ferromagnetic member is mounted in the anemometer so that it is interposed between the magnet in the wind vane and the axially mounted reed switch once per revolution. This draws flux away from the axially mounted reed switch, allowing it to open.

Abstract: A sonic-type fluid flow measuring system wherein reflections or echoes of a burst 103 of ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic acoustic emitter 9a are sensed and typically comprise a number of frequencies representative of a number of discrete velocities of flow in a volume of fluid. A receiver transducer 13a is gated to receive echoes from a selected volume of fluid 104 a selected distance from transducer 13a. Thereafter, this time domain signal sample is converted to a frequency domain sample whereby the presence and magnitude of each frequency component, or velocity component, is isolated, this being typically done by what is known as a Fast Fourier Transform unit 42a, obtaining a frequency domain waveform representative of average flow velocity.

Abstract: A heat-conductive stream pipe has an upstream side and a downstream side temperature-sensing element having resistance wires wound round the pipe at a certain distance there-between to assure that there will be no thermal influence with each other. A control means controls a bridge circuit including a ground point at one end and a connecting point at the other end of each of the temperature-sensing elements so as to keep the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side temperature-sensing elements at a constant level. An adjustable auxiliary heater is placed on the stream pipe at the downstream side near the downstream side temperature-sensing element. The mass flow of the fluid is determined by the voltage measured at the connecting point of the downstream side temperature-sensing element.

Abstract: A quantity flowmeter for measuring the volume of flow of a pulsating fluid stream has a conduit for a freely movable float which is biased against a stop and is moved away from the stop by successive pulses or droplets of the pulsating fluid stream. The float carries or includes a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the conduit is surrounded by a self-inductance coil with turns having a density which varies in or counter to the direction of movement of the float away from the stop. When a pulse causes the float to move away from the stop, voltage signals which are generated by the coil and indicate the speed of movements of the float are transmitted to an integrator which transmits integrated signals to a computer. The computer calculates the volume of flow of successive pulses.

Abstract: A portable basketball rim rebound testing device 10 is illustrated in two preferred embodiments for testing the rebound or energy absorption characteristics of a basketball rim 12 and its accompanying support to determine likely rebound or energy absorption charcteristics of the system. The apparatus 10 includes a depending frame 28 having a C-clamp 36 for releasably rigidly connecting the frame to the basketball rim 12. A glide weight 60 is mounted on a guide rod 52 permitting the weight 60 to be dropped against a calibrated spring 56 held on an abutment surface on the rod to generate for deflecting the basketball rim and then rebounding the weight upwardly. A photosensor 66 is mounted on the depending frame 28 to sense passage of reflective surfaces 75 on the weight to thereby obtain sufficient data to enable a processing means 26 to calculate the rebound velocity and relate it to an energy absorption percentage rate of the rim system 12. A readout is provided to display the energy absorption percentage.

Abstract: A force sensor monitors mutually orthogonal forces during a cutting process. A stationary cutting blade is configured to measure the shearing and perpendicular tearing forces directly during the cutting of web or sheet materials such as film. The blade is designed such that the two forces are decoupled by virtue of the internal relief geometry, and placement of electrical resistance strain gauges which are employed as the sensing elements.