Abstract: A suspended element etched in a silicon substrate whcih is deflected in linear proportion to an applied force. A pair of flexing member symmetrically positioned around the suspended element provides rectilinear movement of the suspended element in response to the applied force. In one embodiment of the invention, the flexing member is formed in a single etchant step by concurrently etching nearly identical recesses into opposing planar surfaces of the silicon substrate. In this embodiment, the portions of silicon remaining between the recesses and planar surfaces define the flexing member.

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 specific gravity detector includes an electromechanical vibrator having a central axis and capable of vibrating about the central axis, a transmission shaft having one end thereof connected coaxially to the vibrator, and a detector member connected coaxially to the other end of the transmission shaft. The detector member is immersed in liquid, the specific gravity of which is to be measured and vibrated about the central axis of the vibrator within the liquid by the vibration of the vibrator transmitted through the transmission shaft to measure the specific gravity of the liquid based on a variation in the resonance frequency of the vibrator corresponding to the moment of inertia of the liquid.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a parallelogram frame (50) including two accelerometer support surfaces (24, 26) on which are mounted two accelerometers (20 and 22) having their sensitive axes in parallel alignment. The accelerometer support surfaces are connected to opposite ends of a flex member (52), which includes six flexures (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) having parallel bending axes. Two of the flexures (34, 38) are disposed at opposite ends of one side of each flexure member, and have a "long" axis that is substantially parallel to the sensitive axes of the accelerometers and aligned with a line connecting their centers of percussion. The centers of mass of the accelerometers and their associated supporting surfaces are coincident with the centers of percussion, and are rigidly connected by the two flexures and by one side (30) of each flex member. This solid metal path between the centers of percussion minimizes common mode errors.

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 flow sensor comprises a body (4) formed with a through bore (5), at least one fluid inlet (6, 7) and one fluid outlet (7,6) for permitting ingress and egress of fluid to and from the sensor, and a spool (8) slidably mounted within the bore and having at least one shaped end (38) past which fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet, characterized in that the spool (8) also has resilient means (26) mounted internally thereof and acting against and between two spaced abutments (27, 28) which are connected to the interior of the spool in such a way that they move with the spool in one direction of movement thereof and slide relative to the spool in the opposite direction of movement thereof, the spool being arranged to close the outlet in the null position of the spool when no fluid takes place, and being movable against the action of the resilient means when fluid flow is present, to open the outlet, the extent of movement being representative of the rate of flow of the fluid and being sensed by sensor means (3

Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting the homogeneity correctors of the magnetic field created by a magnet. In the invention an analytic expression of the field is calculated in the form of a breakdown into spherical harmonics. Similar breakdowns into spherical harmonics are also calculated but relative to the field created by each of the correction means available for correcting this field. Then an algebraic combination is made of the analytic expressions of the correction means so as to produce a correction analytic expression which, added to the analytic expression of the real field, transforms it into an analytic expression corresponding to an ideal magnetic field. Then the correction means are adjusted as a function of the parameters of the algebraic combination.

Abstract: A probe apparatus is disclosed, in which, when performing a predetermined processing on an object having a pattern recurring at a predetermined pitch by moving the object at a pitch equal to the predetermined pitch, the difference between the pitch of actual movement of the object and the pitch of the recurrence of pattern is detected by pattern recognition, and the pitch of movement of the object is corrected according to the detected difference.

Abstract: An electron spin resonance spectrometer comprises a resonator containing a sample and arranged in a magnetic field of constant strength and high homogeneity. A microwave bridge can be supplied with microwave energy in the form of an intermittent signal. Measuring signals emitted by the resonator are supplied to a detector and a signal evaluation stage. A line provided between a microwave source and the microwave bridge is subdivided into parallel pulse-shaping channels, one of them containing a phase shifter, an attenuator and a switch for the signal passing through the pulse-shaping channels. In order to be able to set, if possible, an unlimited plurality of pulse sequences for experiments of all kinds, the pulse-shaping channels are supplied in equal proportions from the line by means of a divider. All pulse-shaping channels are provided with a phase shifter and an attenuator. The pulse-shaping channels are re-united by means of a combiner arranged before the input of a common microwave power amplifier.

Abstract: A single rotating NMR .pi. pulse provides simultaneous spatially-selective inversion or spin-echo refocussing of nuclear pins in two orthogonal dimensions. The two-dimensional spatially-selective pulse utilizes a single RF pulse, with either a square of an amplitude-modulated or a frequency-modulated envelope, and applied in the presence of an amplitude-modulated magnetic field gradient which reorients through the desired dimensions in which selection is desired while the RF pulse is present. These rotating, or ".rho.", pulses are useful for reduction of aliasing signal artifacts is restricted field-of-view high-resolution NMR imaging and, when combined with one-dimensional-localized chemical shift spectroscpoy techniques (such as those employing surface detection coils) is especially useful for the production of three-dimensionally localized NMR spectra.

Abstract: A viscosity detector includes an electromechanical vibrator having a central axis and capable of vibrating about the central axis, a transmission shaft having one end thereof connected coaxially to the vibrator, and a detector member connected coaxially to the other end of the transmission shaft. The detector member is immersed in liquid the viscosity of which is to be measured, and is vibrated about the central axis of the vibrator within the liquid by the vibration of the vibrator transmitted through the transmission shaft to detect the viscous resistance of the liquid at a circumferential surface of the detector member. The vibrator converts the detected viscous resistance into an electric signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for inspecting the degradation of a gas nozzle. The nozzle is of the type that can produce a whistle when a gas is blown through the nozzle. The method comprises the steps of detecting an acoustic signal emitted by the nozzle when the gas is blown through the nozzle, the gas having a pressure selected to produce an acoustic resonance at a certain frequency; generating an electrical signal responsive to the detected acoustic signal; band pass filtering the electrical signal at the frequency; and detecting the amplitude of the electrical signal at the frequency. The method also comprises the steps of comparing the amplitude of the electrical signal with a reference amplitude corresponding to a reference nozzle; and displaying a signal indicative of the degradation of the nozzle according to the signal resulting from the comparing step.

Abstract: In order to obtain a sufficiently precise indication of the content of a tank, in particular of a fuel tank, fixed on a vehicle, the tank is supported at one end so as to be swingable around a horizontal spindle, and in the region of its other end acts on a torque-receiving member with a force-measuring element whose output signal is evaluated for determination of the prevailing weight of the filled tank as a measure for the tank content.

Abstract: Sampler apparatus and method are provided and include both closed and open tube samplers, and selector valve operable to select therebetween for sample supply to automated sample analysis apparatus. A shear valve divides the samples into separate sample quantities for independent sample quantity analysis by multi-channel analysis apparatus. A pressure equilibration chamber prevents vacuum build-up in the closed tube sampler to insure the supply of consistent sample quantitites therefrom. A source of a pressurized rinse solution is provided; and is operatively connected to the sampler apparatus in such manner as to insure the particularly thorough rinsing and cleansing of all relevant sampler components to remove sample residue therefrom between sampling operations, thereby reducing sample carryover to levels below those of clinical significance.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising a surface coil, the circuit in which the surface coil is included is interrupted by means of a PIN diode in the non-active state of the coil. In addition to the PIN diode in the resonant circuit of the surface coil, PIN diodes are included in all supply leads of the resonant circuit. An advantage thereof consists in that no RF currents will flow in the supply leads and that the induction voltages generated in the surface coil in the active state of the transmitter coil of the device are actually rectified by the diodes and themselves form a blocking voltage for the PIN diodes included in the circuit. As a result, the biasing of the PIN diodes is increased, so that they remain blocked.

Abstract: A removable leak testing device for pressure vessels is disclosed. The leak testing device has a base member which overlies the open top of the inlet of the pressure vessel and has a pair of pivotally mounted latches which are mounted on opposite sides of the base member. Each of the latches has at least one finger engagement member which is designed to engage the underside of an out-turned peripheral rim of the inlet of the pressure vessel. A hollow stem is slideably disposed within a central aperture of the base member where the hollow stem has a resilient seal member on one of its ends for engaging an interior seat within the inlet of the pressure vessel. A compression spring is placed between the base member and the resilient seal and surrounds the stem while a nut is bottomed on the base member which enables compression of the spring by rotation of the latches causing the fingers to pull the base member toward the neck to compress the spring and load the seal on the seat of the inlet opening.

Abstract: Ultrasonic leak detection apparatus which includes a cycloidal transfer mechanism for sequentially feeding a plurality of workpieces to a test station. An elevator at the test station alternately lifts workpieces in sequence to an elevated position to a test chamber and lowers workpieces from the test chamber to the transfer mechanism. An enclosure cooperates with the elevator to form the test chamber in which the workpiece is pressurized and microphones detect any leakage of air through cracks or the like. A reject station downstream of the test station includes facility for removing defective workpieces from the transfer line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting insects detects insects by detecting ultrasonic signals which are generated by mechanical disturbances in material on which insects are feeding caused by the insects feeding on the material.

Abstract: A signal source from a transmitter is down-converted by being mixed with a locally generated signal so that a desired adjacent channel band is converted to base band and the adjacent channel power measured after filtering by a low pass filter. To eliminate the notch in the filter characteristics that occurs when the power is measured by a.c coupled means, the locally generated signal is modulated or swept around the center of the adjacent channel band.

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.