Abstract: The present invention discloses an auxiliary calibration device. The auxiliary calibration device may be configured to mount one or more calibration apparatuses. The auxiliary calibration device includes: a supporting frame; a guide rail, where the guide rail is mounted on the supporting frame; and a slider, where the slider is mounted on the guide rail, movable along the guide rail, and disposed to fasten a calibration apparatus used for calibration. The present invention may be applied to the field of auxiliary calibration devices of vehicles. By disposing a guide rail and a slider structure, the calibration apparatus required by calibration can be conveniently moved to a required position, thereby facilitating calibration for sensors of different types or sensors of a same type in different models of vehicles. Therefore, the auxiliary calibration device has a good commonality and is conveniently used.

Abstract: A system for use in spectral analysis procedures can include a slide and a holder for carrying the slide. The slide includes a substrate forming a plurality of wells that are recessed relative to a surface of the substrate. Each of the wells forms a sample region that is recessed by a sample depth from the surface and a trough region that is recessed by a trough depth from the surface, the trough depth being greater than the sample depth. The holder includes a body defining a cavity between a first side and a second side of the body, a port for receiving the slide into the cavity, one or more first fenestrations on the first side, and one or more second fenestrations on the second side.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to demarcation templates for demarcating a test area on a test surface and for providing visual guidance to a user to precisely and accurately swab the test surface in order to determine the presence and/or concentration of an analyte of interest on the test surface. In one aspect, the analyte of interest is a hazardous contaminant. Some templates can include alignment markings around the border demarcating the test area to provide such guidance to users, and can include graphical use instructions on a removable central portion of the template. The template can be adhesive to be securely fixed to the test surface for accurate demarcation of the test area throughout sampling.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography sample organizer includes a first chamber, a plurality of stacked sample organizer shelves mounted within the first chamber each individually configured to store a sample-vial carrier including a sample, and a shelf magnet affixed to a surface of each of the plurality of stacked sample organizer shelves. A portion of the first chamber is configured to be located adjacent to, and open to, a sample manager configured to inject liquid chromatography samples into a chromatographic flow stream. Disclosed further is a liquid chromatography system having the sample organizer, a sample drawer, and a method of transferring samples between a sample manager and the sample organizer.

Abstract: A sensing element (10) for an intrinsic gravity gradiometer (IGG) for use in sensing variation in a gravity field at a location. The sensing element (10) is flexible, elongate and has unfixed opposed ends (12, 14) when part of the gravity gradiometer. The sensing element can be a metallic ribbon, and can be mounted by a number e.g. 3 or 5, pivot points or axes 30-40 at each of the opposed sides along the sensing element, with the opposed ends of the sensing element free to move. The pivot points or axes can include pins, preferably cylindrical pins (48) or the sensing element may be etched within the side wall and remain joined to the remainder of the side wall by connections. The sensing element (10) can form part of one or more resonant cavities or wave guide (44, 52-66), such as a side or dividing wall (46) or part thereof. A dual phase bridge (61,612) arrangement can be provided. Electrical current (I) can be injected into the sensing element.

Abstract: A device that tests the chronometric precision of a watch movement or a watch includes a control device controlling a predefined cycle of motions passing through standard chronometric test positions, and a fine control device including a sequencer arranged to control the changes of chronometric test position of this movement, or respectively of this watch, in a multi-position sequence, after each measurement per position, and to start another multi-position sequence as soon as the preceding sequence finishes and which observes the predefined total duration of one cycle of several successive multi-position sequences. This sequencer is also arranged to manage the rate stabilisation durations, durations of measurement per position, and multi-position sequence durations.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a movable flat plate having a plurality of openings passing therethrough that is swingable around an axis of rotation, a support substrate linked to the flat plate via a column to suspend the movable flat plate over the support substrate via a gap, and a protrusion protruding toward the movable element. In a plan view, the openings are excluded from a D/2-width annular range surrounding the outer circumference of the protrusion, where D is the maximum outer diametrical dimension of the protrusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to real time characterization of material recovered from a subterranean formation, based on magnetic properties. A system comprises an enclosure comprising electromagnetic shielding; an optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) disposed within the enclosure; and a sample conduit extending into the enclosure, the sample conduit configured to receive a subterranean material recovered from a wellbore, the OPM configured to detect a magnetic response of the subterranean material.

Abstract: A device determines the weight of a hydraulic accumulator (10) during its operation in a hydraulic facility. A pressurised liquid is introduced into a pressure vessel at least partially filled with a gas. The pressurised liquid compresses the gas and is stored in such a way that when it leaves the accumulator (10) hydraulic energy is emitted to the facility. The respective current weight of the hydraulic accumulator (10) is detected by a weighing device (14) applied to the hydraulic accumulator (10).

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a container that includes a storage space and a bottom plate that configures an inner bottom surface of the storage space; a sensor element that is attached to the inner bottom surface; a circuit element that is attached to a surface of the sensor element on the opposite side of the inner bottom surface, and is electrically connected with the sensor element; and a ground plane that is provided on the bottom plate. The ground GND plane is provided apart from the inner bottom surface.

Abstract: A MEMS device comprising a substrate comprising a die and a plurality of side-walls disposed upon the MEMS die, a proof-mass coupled to the substrate, the proof-mass is configured to be displaced within a first plane that is parallel to the die, wherein the proof-mass is configured to contact at least a sidewall, wherein the proof-mass is configured to adhere to the side-wall as a result of stiction forces, a driving circuit configured to provide a driving voltage in response to a driving signal indicating that the proof-mass is adhered to the side-wall, and an actuator coupled to the driving circuit disposed upon the side-wall, wherein the actuator is configured to receive a driving voltage and to provide an actuator force to the proof mass within the first plane in a direction away from the side-wall in response to the driving voltage, wherein the actuator force exceeds the stiction forces.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the automated non-destructive inspection of wind turbine blades. In one embodiment, the automated apparatus includes: a cart comprising a cart frame, a multiplicity of wheels, and a cart motor for driving rotation of at least one wheel; a multiplicity of cables depending from the cart; a multiplicity of crawler vehicles respectively attached to the multiplicity of cables, each crawler vehicle comprising a crawler vehicle frame and a set of wheels; and a multiplicity of maintenance tools respectively coupled to the crawler vehicle frames of the multiplicity of crawler vehicles. The crawler vehicles are equipped with suction devices to enable adherence to the surface and may be configured for holonomic motion during such adherence.

Abstract: The present invention includes: connecting a pressure varying device to a sample gas introduction port and a gas discharge port of a gas analysis apparatus; depressurizing or pressurizing the sample gas introduction port and the gas discharge port by the pressure varying device; introducing calibration gas from a calibration gas introduction port of the gas analysis apparatus in a depressurized or pressurized state; and calculating a pressure correction factor for the gas analysis apparatus with use of a measurement result of the calibration gas by the gas analysis apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automated column sparging of preconcentration columns for analytic testing. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a selection valve fluidically coupled with a gas source and with an eluent source, the selection valve including a mixing portion to mix gas from the gas source and eluent from the eluent source to provide a bubbled eluent stream; and a preconcentration column in fluid communication with the selection valve, the preconcentration column configured to receive the bubbled eluent stream from the selection valve and direct the bubbled eluent stream into an interior of the preconcentration column.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) configured to reject quadrature motion are described. Quadrature motion arises for example when the drive motion of a gyroscope couples to the sense motion of a gyroscope even in the absence of an angular motion. In some circumstances, quadrature motion may result from the fact that the springs used in a gyroscope have slanted sidewall, which can impart torque in the mechanics of the gyroscope. MEMS gyroscope of the type described herein may be configured to reject quadrature motion by using only springs oriented substantially parallel to the drive direction. One such spring includes only beams parallel the drive directions, and optionally. These MEMS gyroscopes may be used to sense, among others, roll and pitch angular rates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for assessing the condition of at least a portion of a pipeline to predict the possibility of occurrence of leakage from the pipeline. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one portion of the pipeline to be assessed, undertaking an assessment of the wall of the portion to identify defects located thereon and the assessment includes identifying the depth, width and length of identified defects and including reference to a value for the pressure of the fluid passing through the pipeline portion. This allows the condition of the pipeline at the portions of the same which are most critical to be identified and this is used to provide an indication of the pipeline as a whole without the need to investigate the entire pipeline.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for simulating human manual input for devices using capacitive touchscreens. In one embodiment, the system comprises a test fixture, wherein the test fixture comprises a matrix of tubes, each tube being coated with a conductive coating; and a camera located under the matrix and configured to record the capacitive touchscreen of the device under test. The system further includes a tablet to receive images from the camera and display a visual representation of the capacitive touchscreen of the device under test, wherein the tablet is configured to receive a plurality of touch events; update the visual representation of the capacitive touchscreen of the device under test in response to the plurality of touch events; and generate a simulation of touch events, the simulation representing interaction with the device under test.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for performing an automated inspection operation across a surface of a workpiece is disclosed. The inspection apparatus may include a positioning apparatus, a platen fabricated from a magnetic material and having a platen surface, with the platen being mounted on the positioning apparatus and the positioning apparatus being operational to move the platen relative to the surface of the workpiece, and an inspection module disposed on the platen surface and having an inspection end effector. The inspection module may generate a magnetic field that biases the inspection module toward the platen, and may be operable to generate a magnetic flux to control movement of the inspection module over the platen surface to perform the automated inspection operation across the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A sensor control apparatus includes a current control section, a first condition judgment section, a second condition judgment section, a deterioration detection energization section, and a deterioration voltage detection section. The current control section controls pump current such that electromotive force cell voltage becomes equal to a control target voltage. The first condition judgment section judges whether or not a first deterioration detection condition is satisfied. The second condition judgment section judges whether or not a second deterioration detection condition is satisfied when the first deterioration detection condition is satisfied. The deterioration detection energization section supplies deterioration detection current to the oxygen concentration detection cell when the second deterioration detection condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator apparatus includes a resonator member having an annulus shape, and at least one anchor structure coupling the resonator member to a substrate. A perimeter of the resonator member is at least partially defined by respective sidewalls that are slanted at an angle relative to a plane defined by a surface of the resonator member. The surface of the resonator member may be defined by a (100) crystal plane, and the angle of the respective sidewalls may be defined by a (111) crystal plane. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.