Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for checking the surface condition of materials. The disclosed device is essentially comprised of an adherence measuring sensor whose sensitive element is set in contact with the surface of the material, in relative motion with respect with said surface, and an associated computer which provides for the comparative measurement, the display and the possible piloting of the surface treatment or production apparatus. The sensor comprises two wheels (1 and 2) mounted on fluid bearings (3) and rolling on the material (4) of which the surface condition is to be controlled and devices (5 and 6) for measuring the speed differential, of the wheels (1 and 2) and providing for the progressive braking of one of the wheels (2).

Abstract: A tachometric generator comprises an input shaft which can be connected to a drive take-off from the vehicle, a main shaft connected to this input shaft by means of a ball joint resilient coupling torsionally coupled to an output shaft which can be connected to an external mechanical transmission. The speed of rotation of these shafts is detected by a magneto-electric sensor facing a magnetic disc fitted onto the output shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the resolution and accuracy of flow measurements made by vortex flowmeters. A signal conditioning circuit connected to a vortex sensor generates a vortex signal having a period that varies with the frequency of the vortex street. The period of this vortex signal is measured by a period sampling circuit, which generates a vortex period signal. When a programmable control circuit determines that the change in the frequency indicated by successive values of the vortex period signal is relatively small, the displayed flow value is based on the current frequency of the vortex signal; when the change in frequency indicated by successive values of the vortex period signal is relatively large, the displayed flow value is based on the running average frequency of the vortex signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement and non-destructive material testing of laid pipelines in the form of a scraper moved through the pipeline and guided on the inner wall thereof, has at least one circular support with sensors arranged on the circumference thereof and at least one pressure-tight casing, which has devices for processing and recording the measured values and the power supply. In order to ensure that the sensors are always at the minimum constant distance and with a constant angular position with respect to the pipe wall, the support is constructed as a cylindrical sleeve made from a rubber elastic material and is provided with an axially, radially and circumferentially regular profile, whose protuberances are located on a cylindrical envelope surface with a somewhat larger external diameter than the internal diameter of the pipeline and in whose depressions the sensors are arranged on a surface concentric to the envelope surface.

Abstract: This invention discloses a three-in-one flowmeter that measures volume flow rate, mass flow rate and the density of the fluid, which flowmeter comprises a vortex generator of an elongated shape having a blunt upstream side disposed across a first cross section of the flow passage, a vortex sensor having the shape of a wing disposed across a second cross section of the flow passage and a transducer converting the alternating lift forces exerted on the vortex sensor by the vortices generated by the vortex generator to an alternating electric signal, wherein the wing sensor is connected to a force receiving member extending from the transducer by a mechanical coupling. The volume flow rate is determined from the frequency of the signals as the fluid velocity is proportional to the frequency at which the vortices are generated by the vortex generator.

Abstract: In the test of a casing enclosed shaft and impeller for structural integrity against defects such as loose bolts or cracks, an apparatus and process is disclosed which enables in-situ testing to occur within a casing. A model of the shaft and impeller, such as a spare part, is suspended so as to simulate the in casing boundary conditions and is then vibrated. Vibration or "ringing" occurs through a normally exposed end of the shaft far removed from suspected defects. A cap can be used to suspend the shaft and impeller or rotor. Vibration is imparted to the remote end of the shaft, sometimes on the cap, with an instrumented hammer blow of specific duration and known energy. Measurement and resolution of the resultant vibrations and energy dissipating damping occurs by mounting accelerometers to the remote normally exposed shaft end and recording and playing back the vibrations from the mounted accelerometers through a spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a transducer probe having a plurality of transducer elements, an impedance converter provided in the transducer probe, a signal processor, and a signal cable connected between the signal processor and the transducer elements via the impedance converter. The impedance converter is a transistor emitter follower having an emitter resistor. The emitter resistor is not provided within the probe, but connected between the output terminal of the signal cable and the input terminal of the signal processor.

Abstract: An accelerometer is provided by a sample mass suspended in a central area of a support by pairs of resonating arms. One pair of arms lies on one axis through the sample mass. Another pair of arms lies on a second axis through the sample mass perpendicular to the one axis. Acceleration of the mass and support is detected by a measured change in resonant frequency of the arms of a pair. The measured change in resonant frequency is the magnitude of the acceleration and the axis along which the pair of arms lies provides the direction of the acceleration. Orthogonal components of acceleration are simultaneously measured by the pairs of arms lying on perpendicular axes. Electrostatic force-rebalance techniques and other known techniques for measuring acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the pairs of arms are readily incorporated to provide a third direction measurement of acceleration. The accelerometer is fabricated in a monolithic process which employs micromachining techniques.

Abstract: This invention discloses a vortex shedding flowmeter comprising a vortex generator-detector constructed into an integrated assembly wherein the vortex shedding frequencies are detected by a pressure detector including at least one panel of extended surface area, which are pivotably or flexibly confined within a planar cavity included in the bluff body that generates a series of vortices shed from the two sides thereof in an alternating pattern at frequencies substantially proportional to the velocity of the fluid stream wherein the bluff body is immersed. The two opposite planar walls of the planar cavity confining a pressure detector panel respectively include a plurality of small holes open to each of the two sides of the bluff body.

Abstract: An accelerometer comprising a frame having an input axis (y) and a cross axis (x) orthogonal to and co-planar with the input axis. The accelerometer has a flexible beam coupled to a proofmass. The beam is supported at a pivot location. A rotator coupled to the frame provides a restoring force having a first or second polarity to the beam. The restoring force is applied in a direction parallel to the input axis (y) to restore the proofmass to a reference position in response to an absence of acceleration along the input axis. A position signal sensor provides an error signal proportional to the displacement of the proofmass from the reference position. A servo responds to the error signal by applying a drive signal to the rotator which applies a restoring force to the flexible beam to restore the proofmass to its reference position.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rate of turn employing a vibrating tuning fork type sensor in which the tynes vibrate in a coaxial manner. This arrangement eliminates reaction torques and forces at the base of the tuning fork which allows the tynes to freely deflect into an elliptical pattern during an input turn rate. Sensors are employed which monitor the shape of this elliptical pattern, this shape being proportional to angular turn rate.

Abstract: A device for sealing and isolating analyzer gas sample flows in an aspirated sampling system is provided with a drainage channel surrounding the gas sample inlet to isolate the inlet in the plane of the sealing surface from a pressurized air supply channel in the sealing surface and intercept leakage from the air supply channel. The drainage channel is connected to a cavity via a constricted flow path to reduce leakage pressure and the cavity is vented to the environment.

Abstract: An acceleromter having a test weight movable in relation to a frame includes three pairs of mutually electrically orthogonal conducting parallel faces (1-6). Electrodes connected to the frame form capacitors with faces of the test weight. The six faces form two sets of three faces (1-3) and (4-6). The faces of a set form a first conductor insulated from the faces of the second set which form a second conductor. Position sensing voltages are applied to first and second conductors through very flexible leads (7 and 8). Position control voltages derived from the position sensing voltages are applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for determining silicon mass 28 beam purity prior to implanting gallium arsenide by implanting silicon in a silicon monitor wafer and analyzing the damage created by the implantation.

Abstract: An improved flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a fluid path is described. In the preferred embodiment, the flowmeter includes a housing having a longitudinal bore therein. A turbine assembly is supported for rotation in the longitudinal bore and includes one or more conductive blades. An inductor coil is supported adjacent the longitudinal bore, and an oscillator is coupled to the inductor coil for generating a signal of predetermined RF frequency in the inductor coil to induce a magnetic field in the bore. In operation, when the fluid is directed through the longitudinal bore, the blades of the turbine assembly are rotated at a speed proportional to flow rate to generate a sensed signal in the inductor coil. The sensed signal includes a low frequency amplitude-modulated signal component proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in measuring fluid density comprises a fluid carrying helical sample tube 50 made of a conductive material for passing current therethrough. A cylindrical coil fixing sleeve 58 form surrounds the helical sample tube and engages the tube to prevent relative movement of the turns. A high flux permanent magnet 60 is carried on one post 54 and is aligned along the axis of the tube. The magnetic field established by magnet 60 and the pole extension 64 will subject each current-carrying length element of the sample tube to an axial force, the sum of these forces resulting in a bodily axial movement of the sample tube. The sample tube is excited to spring resonance by passing current through the sample tube. The resonant frequency is measured and is indicative of the mass of the fluid contained in the coil and thereby of the fluid density.

Abstract: A bottle cap removal torque sensor including a rotate motor for rotating a chuck engageable with the cap of a bottle, a support for fixing the bottle with respect to the axis of the chuck, an axial pressure supply mechanism for pressing said chuck against the bottle cap, and a torque sensor for measuring the torque applied by the motor to the bottle cap.

Abstract: The damping of vibrations in a mechanical structure is accomplished while minimizing the impact on the design and operation of the structure through the use of a plurality of attachable vibration damping elements. Each vibration damping element contains: an accelerometer, an integrator, mixer, power amplifier, and a force actuator. The accelerometer measures the motion of the vibration in the structure at its attachment point and produces an acceleration measurement signal. The integrator integrates the acceleration measurement signal to produce a velocity measurement signal. The mixer produces a composite motion signal by mixing the acceleration measurement signal with the velocity measurement signal. The power amplifier adjusts the phase and amplitude of the composite motion signal to drive the force actuator to damp the sensed vibration along one dimension at the attachment point of the force actuator.

Abstract: A device for periodically obtaining samples of particulate material from a moving belt comprising a sample cutter provided with an opening at one end, and means for moving said sample cutter across the moving belt and minimizing the effects resulting from disturbance of said material on the belt and maximizing the effective opening of the sample cutter by minimizing the amount of particulate material accumulating in front of the sample cutter as it moves across the moving belt, and means for minimizing the accumulation of particulate material on the side of the sample cutter positioned upstream of the movement of the particulate material on said moving belt.

Abstract: An inertial sensing device with a movable sensing element is provided with a conductive path for bleeding excess electric charge from the sensing element. The path may extend from the sensing element to a control circuit or other predetermined portion of the device and preferably includes an electrical component having a preselected impedance. In a specific embodiment, the electrical component is a block of semiconductive material and has a time constant smaller than the time constant associated with the build-up of charge on the sensing element.