Abstract: An active matrix surface pressure input panel comprises a flexible magnetic sheet stacked onto a circuit plate. The circuit plate includes an insulating base plate with first and second groups of intersecting electrode lines and a multiplicity of detection elements formed thereon. Each detection element includes a magnetic sensitive element coupled to the electrode lines and configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the distance between the magnetic sensitive elements and respective overlying portions of the magnetic sheet. The electrode lines are coupled to an electrical circuit that determines the relative location of each electrical signal to map an overall surface pressure distribution. With this configuration, the surface pressure input panel exhibits high definition over a relatively large detection area so that complicated surfaces, such as fingerprints, can be accurately detected and reproduced.

Abstract: An autoclave-enclosed sidestream model boiler is used to predict the onset of intergranular attack ("IGA") and stress corrosion cracking ("SCC") within tubing associated with a power generator. Power generator final feed water is fluid coupled to a pipe within the model boiler, which pipe is strain-gage monitored, preferably using welded fiber optic strain gage devices. The monitored pipe includes a crevice region that produces a water-starved region in which chemical impurities in the feed water become concentrated. A cylindrical heater, located within a portion of the monitored pipe, promotes the water-starved region. A cylindrical portion of the pipe wall preferably is thinned, generally in the region bounding the crevice. Thinning promotes the onset of IGA/SCC within the monitored pipe and also passively amplifies the effects of IGA/SCC to promote easier strain detection. To further promote stress, the monitored pipe is subjected to loading and unloading from an axial load.

Abstract: A detector system and method for accurately indicating over- and under pressurization conditions within the piping network owned by the end user, includes the steps of: (a) introducing the natural gas stream to a filter selected from a group that includes at least activated charcoal and impingement adsorbing and absorbing media whereby natural gas contaminants concentrated in the gas stream at sufficient levels to be a detection threat by aperiodic loading of such network in which contaminants become clumped into packets due to dampening effects of the compressor-driven equipment and multiple customer outlet usage that add to aperiodic loading of the natural gas stream coupled with surprising longevity of the in situ contaminant, is filtered from the gas stream and captured, (b) passing filtered sample of natural gas and a sample of ambient air to a pair of identical systems excepting the set point level of each is formulated to indicated the occurrence of either an over-pressurization condition or of an unde

Abstract: An improved industrial meter housing assembly includes a compactly designed metal housing having a central trefoil shaped chamber and minimal length inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the ports ending at inlet and outlet port faces on the housing outer surface oriented 90.degree.degrees from each other and 45.degree.degrees to the vertical with the housing in its upright position. The housing may be installed as original equipment in an industrial environment having upstream pipe connections provided to match those input and output port faces. However, the compactness of the housing may be utilized together with a pair of installations-specific inlet and outlet runner pipes to enable the combination meter housing/runners to be substituted for any existing original equipment industrial meter.

Abstract: A system for accurately determining the torque applied to threadable pipe members, such as casing, to be threaded together, comprising a torque wrench having a first end secured to one of the pipe members, and a second end forming an extendable handle portion, a cable secured to the handle portion for pulling in the direction to impart rotational force on the pipe members to complete the connection, and a plurality of wire strain gages embedded in the wall of a pin member inserted adjacent the distal end of the wrench for recording the torque applied to the pipe member by the torque wrench and the cable member.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A free piston shot tube tunnel having a high speed valve for releasing the piston to start the piston shot. A further feature of the present invention is a free piston shock tube/tunnel having a high speed valve for releasing pressure from the compression tube into the shock tube.

Abstract: A force sensor comprises a substrate having a movable unit which is displaceable in response to one of an applied force and acceleration; an electron emission unit having a cathode for emitting electrons in accordance with an applied potential; an electron absorption unit having an anode for capturing electrons emitted from the cathode, the electron emission unit and the electron absorption unit being formed on a surface of the substrate; and a control unit for, on the basis of the displacement of the movable unit, controlling the electron capturing efficiency of the anode with respect to electrons emitted from the cathode.

Abstract: An active matrix surface pressure input panel comprises a flexible pressure sheet stacked onto a circuit base plate. The pressure sheet includes a conductive layer and the circuit base plate comprises an insulating plate with first and second groups of intersecting electrode lines and a multiplicity of detection elements formed thereon. Each detection element includes a contact plate coupled to the electrode lines by a switch, such as a thin film transistor or diode, and configured to generate an electrical signal when the overlying portion of the conductive layer contacts the contact plate. The electrode lines are coupled to an electrical circuit that determines the relative location of each electrical signal to map an overall surface pressure distribution. With this configuration, the surface pressure input panel exhibits high definition over a relatively large detection area so that complicated surfaces, such as fingerprints, can be accurately detected and reproduced.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter with conventional orthogonal electrode and magnetic axes (x, y) intersecting the flowtube axis (z) has its electrodes constituted by two pairs (1, 2 and 3, 4) of electrodes mounted in insulating tubing (5) on each side of the flow passage through the tubing. Four conductors extend respectively from the four electrodes to enable the potential difference between the two electrodes on each side due to an axial component on each side of eddy current electric field in the liquid to be determined for self-calibration purposes in compensating automatically for any extraneous change in the magnetic field and the average potential of each pair of electrodes can also be determined to derive the velocity of flow of the liquid. One of the two pairs of electrodes can be replaced by a single electrode.

Abstract: A portable wind tunnel features a tubular test section which has a constant cross-sectional area. The smaller end of a diffuser, which resembles a funnel, is attached to one end of the test section. The other end of the diffuser has a larger cross-sectional area. A flow generator, such as a fan, creates an airflow through the test section. The flow generator has an air inlet and an air outlet. A flow straightener is situated upstream from the air inlet of the flow generator normal to the direction of the airflow. The smaller end of a constrictor, which also resembles a funnel, is attached to the other end of the test section. The other end of the constrictor has a larger cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A fixed substrate (10) having rigidity and a flexible substrate (20) having flexibility are arranged in such a manner that they are opposite to each other. Both the substrates are fixed at their peripheral portions by a detector casing (40). A working body (30) is connected onto the lower surface of the flexible substrate. Test electrodes (11t, 13t, 15t) are formed on the lower surface of the fixed substrate, and fixed electrodes (11, 13, 15) are further formed through an insulating layer (16). Displacement electrodes (21, 23, 25) are formed on the upper surface of the flexible substrate. When an acceleration is exerted on the working body, the flexible substrate is bent, so the distance between the fixed electrode and the displacement electrode is varied. By detecting the change of distance as a change of the electrostatic capacitance between both the electrodes, it is possible to detect an acceleration exerted.

Abstract: A pneumatic golf testing apparatus composes of an air cylinder, an accumulator, a barrel, a ball bucket, a ball cage, a golf head clamps and a frame. Air cylinder pumps compressed air into the accumulator and controls the opening and closing of a valve to allow the pressurized air discharging out of the accumulator and to eject the golf ball out of the barrel at a very high speed. The flying ball hits a golf head held by a golf head clamps disposed on a wall in the ball cage. The golf ball then drops in the ball cage for collection and reuse. The testing can be repetitively performed for testing the structural strength, base binding strength and lacquer density of the golf head. The testing is not destructive and can be done in short period of time without a complete set of a golf club.

Abstract: A device for measuring the force exerted by a spring of a supporting grid on a fuel rod passing through the grid has an elongate body connected by two flexible blades that are parallel to the long direction to two respective beams insertable in a cell. At least one of the beams carries a force sensor designed to be pressed against the spring. A unit is slidable in the body along the body between a position in which it moves the beams apart while keeping them parallel to give them a spacing that corresponds to the nominal diameter of a fuel rod, and a position in which it allows the flexible blades to move the beams towards each other. The unit is movable at will between the two positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive absolute pressure measurement sensor having a first element (2) in which is arranged a mobile electrode (4), a second element (6) in which is arranged a fixed electrode (8) situated facing and insulated from said mobile electrode (4), a connecting frame (10) interposed between the first element and the second element to define a chamber (12) insulated from the external environment and inside of which there is substantially zero pressure, and a reference volume (14) connected to the chamber. The first element (2) has the configuration of a membrane of substantially constant thickness and the reference volume (14) is arranged at least partially in the second element (6).

Abstract: A cushion unit is supported in a test sill for testing by a hydraulic ram tester. The test sill includes a horizontal sill member. A stop block having a receptacle for receiving a rod end of the cushion unit is attachable to the sill member at any of a plurality of positions to accommodate various sized cushion units. A coupler slider slidingly engages guide bars mounted on the sill member, and attaches to another end of the cushion unit. A spring return mechanism mounted to the sill member also attaches to the cushion unit. The cushion unit can be installed in and removed from the test sill without detaching the test sill from the hydraulic ram tester.

Abstract: A force sensor is provided which incorporates a piezoceramic element between first and second members that are moveable relative to each. The piezoceramic element is disposed within a cavity that is formed in the first member. The cavity extends between an opening and a wall within the first member. A second member is disposed within the cavity and slideably associated therewith. A spring is provided to permit the piezoceramic element to be preloaded without damaging it. First and second conductive elements are disposed on opposite sides of the piezoceramic element to facilitate electrical connection between the piezoceramic element and an external device.

Abstract: A tensiometer for measuring the tension in the individual strings of a tennis racquet featuring a pair of rods which stradle the string to be tested, the rods extending from a base, a lever disk rotably mounted on the base and coupled by a spring to the base so that when the lever disk is rotated, the magnitude of torque required to overcome the tension in the strting and turn the base relative to the lever disk is indicated on a scale. The device also features a construction for adjusting the lever disk relative to the base in order to eiminate effects of the thickness of the string on tension reading.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a u/s test device for nondestructive testing of a workpiece moving relative thereto by the pulse echo method, having a fluid coupling between the ultrasonic oscillator and the surface of the work material. At least two test heads are provided whose sound beam axes intersect at a point in the region of the workpiece and a travel path in the form of a chamber is provided for guiding the fluid medium. To reduce susceptibility to interference and to achieve high test performance, a separately guided travel path extending along a determined length of the chamber and forming a duct (12-20) is associated with each test head (1-9), the axes of the travel path being aligned with the respective sound beam axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of measuring instruments and, in particular to sensing apparatus capable of measuring displacement or deformation for the ultimate purpose of monitoring strain and/or stress. The vibrating wire measuring principle provides a very reliable method of measuring small deformations with high precision. Measurement apparatus utilizing this principle, however, tend to be limited in range to the elastic limit of the stretched wire. To increase the useful range of measurement of a vibrating wire monitor, a spring may be placed in series with the wire. In order to prevent the spring from vibrating during the resonancing of the wire and thereby delaying the determination of the wire's resonant frequency, the invention contemplates isolation of the spring from the wire in a vibrational sense. In one form of the invention, isolation is achieved by causing a nodal point to be formed on the spring side of the wire. The nodal point may be formed by pressing a fret against the wire.