Abstract: A vibrating transducer for detecting the resonant frequency of a vibrating diaphragm and using that frequency to determine the pressure or density of a fluid contacting the diaphragm. The device includes a container having a diaphragm separating the cavity in the container into two chambers with the diaphragm preventing flow communication between the two chambers. A first fluid inlet in flow communication with the first chamber introduces fluid to the first chamber with that first chamber having an acoustic compliance less than the mechanical compliance of the diaphragm. The second fluid input is in flow communication with the second chamber and introduces fluid into the second chamber. By controlling the acoustic compliance of the chamber with respect to the diaphragm accurate measurements of the density or pressure of the fluid can be obtained.

Abstract: An RF shield, for use between a set of gradient coils and an RF coil, is hollow formed of a single conductor sheet divided into first and second opposed halves, each having a set of conductive streamline portions with a series of nonconductive cut lines formed therebetween. Each of the cut lines is parallel to the RF current and is of a generally oval shape. Each of the shield conductor loops is further separated into a "C"-shaped conductive portion, along at least one radial line, and the C portions are then connected so as to continue shielding the RF current, yet pass gradient magnetic fields in all three mutually orthogonal directions of a Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: First and second Hall-effect proximity sensors are arranged in combination with a magnet so that when the magnet is moved under the influence of an accelerative force or the like the output of one sensor increases while the other decreases. The magnitude of the difference between the two outputs is indicative of the force while the effects of temperature on the individual signals mutually offset one and other.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining, in the course of a single scan, NMR image data for a plurality of selected planes in an object, oriented at different angles, utilizes a slice pointer for outputting a signal indicating a particular plane to a multiplier and offset parameter RAM which provides multiplier and offset terms corresponding to the angle of the plane. A generator provides a generic gradient waveform to an arithmetic unit which combines this waveform with the multiplier and offset parameters from the RAM to create waveforms, which when applied to the gradient coils of an NMR apparatus, rotate the slice selector and the readout gradients, thereby permitting image data to be obtained in planes having different angles. A method in accordance with the apparatus of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus comprises a main probe coil adapted for transmission and reception of a high frequency to and from a large region of an object under examination or for transmission of the high frequency to the object, a local probe coil formed of a surface coil adapted for transmission and reception of a high frequency to and from a local region corresponding to a local portion of the object or for reception of the high frequency, and a main gradient coil adapted for application of a gradient magnetic field to a large region of the object. The local probe coil is used for measurement of the local region. The magnetic resonance apparatus is further provided with a relatively small-sized local gradient coil for producing a local gradient magnetic field in the sensitive region of the local probe coil and its vicinities only.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) is constituted by: device (3) for creating a homogeneous main magnetic static field (HO) orientated along a determined direction (Oz) in which static field there is placed the body (2) to be examined; devices for creating magnetic field gradients in a space of the body to be examined along three directions of the space; radio frequency excitation device (E) and a device (R) for the detection of the nuclear magnetic resonance signals produced by the body to be examined.

Abstract: A device for detecting the amount of intake air for an internal combustion engine, which comprises a detect control circuit provided on the outer periphery of a member which forms an intake air path and which detects the amount of the intaken air, the detect control circuit having a pressure sensor and a second waveform shaping circuit which shapes and produces a difference between the output signal of the pressure sensor and the output signal of a low-pass filter. A pressure take-out port of the pressure sensor is so located as to detect the pressure in the outer periphery of the member which forms an air path, and the member and the detect control circuit are contained in the air cleaner.

Abstract: An accelerometer is provided with a pendulum having a coil, a support for the pendulum to swing in a magnetic field, and a control circuit electrically connected to the coil and responsive to detection of a swing motion of the pendulum for supplying a control current to the coil to suppress the swing motion, wherein the value of the control current is taken as information representing the acceleration acted on the pendulum, wherein the coil is formed by a printing technique on a sheet member which constitutes part of the pendulum.

Abstract: A gas leakage detecting device for detecting leakage of a precharged gas from a gas-type accumulator which is connected to a hydraulic pump and which stores a pressurized hydraulic fluid delivered from the pump. The pump is turned on to initiate accumulation of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator when a pressure of the pressurized fluid falls below a lower limit, and turned off when the pressure rises to an upper limit. The detecting device detects an occurrence of leakage of the precharged gas from the accumulator, where a time duration between moments of activation and de-activation of the pump is less than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: For use in a measuring while drilling (MWD) apparatus, a variable drilling fluid flow orifice including circular valve seat and valve element in the fashion of a plug is disclosed. The plug is positioned on a stem which connects with a piston in a chamber, the chamber divided into two portions. Pressure is applied on both sides of the piston to provide a pressure balance. Moreover, the flow to the chamber is determined by a pump connected with a first valve means. The first valve means has two outlet lines which connect through first and second feed lines to the piston and chamber. The pump is isolated within a housing surrounded by an annular fluid flow path for drilling fluid. In the housing, a sealed chamber is included for hydraulic fluid for operation of the pump, and the first valve means is controlled by an electrical solenoid connected with a valve stem for moving valve elements of the first valve means to control fluid flow and thereby move the plug in the circular valve seat.

Abstract: First and second containers (R1; R2) are successively brought to a transvasation or decanting station (C) in which the samples are metered. For this purpose, a piston (17) is mounted so as to be able to penetrate each first container (R1), which can be lifted, when it enters the decanting station (C). The quantity of sample in the first container (R1) is greater than the quantity to be precisely metered which is poured into the second container (R2) by means of a pouring assembly (24 to 36) situated above it. A pouring member (40) may be placed between the second container and the pouring assembly.

Abstract: A volumetric test apparatus for entrained air contents of regular and lightweight fresh concrete comprises an outer container, an inner bowl, an upper tapered top section detachably securable to the outer container and a cover and rod for the top section. The concrete sample is placed in the bowl and rodded with the rod to eliminate any large entrapped air voids. The bowl is then placed in the outer container which is then filled with water and the top section is sealably locked in place upon the outer container and is also filled with water whereupon a cap is screw threadably engaged upon the cover. After manual agitation, the cap is removed allowing previously entrained air to escape and the top and container is then topped up with alcohol which is measured as it is poured into the apparatus. The volume of the entrained air may then be calculated readily and easily.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining oil saturation in sponge coring using solvents which dissolve substantially all of the oil but none of the sponge. Two classes of such solvents are specified. One is aprotic, and the resultant concentration of oil in it is measured by proton NMR spectroscopy. The other has no C--H bonds, and the resultant concentration of oil in it is measured by infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: In a scanning acoustic microscope of the reflection type, in which an object is insonified with a series of ultrasonic acoustic pulses in accordance with a preselected scanning pattern and reflected acoustic echo pulses are received and employed to generate an initial electrical signal comprising a sequence of electrical pulses having amplitudes and polarities representative of the magnitudes and phases of the echoes, a directly readable unified interpretative display image is produced from the entire electrical signal; that image includes the usual scanning position and depth information determined by timing of the electrical pulses, together with complete transition information regarding the nature of acoustic impedance changes, based on both the amplitudes and the polarities of those pulses. A compared dual integration method and system, with related gating and display enhancement techniques, comprises the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a volume selective magnetic resonance spectroscopy method. Volume selection is performed after excitation by means of three layer-selective 180.degree. rf pulses which excite the nuclear magnetization in three mutually perpendicular layers. The distance between the three selective 180.degree. rf pulses can be chosen to be as small as possible.

Abstract: A method and device for inspecting the internal cross-sectional shape of pipes, and particularly of sewer pipes. A mandrel is inserted into the pipe. The mandrel may include an elastomeric member providing a fluid seal engaging the internal pipe surface. The mandrel also has a retrieval chord attached thereto and trailing therebehind. A plug member is provided behind the mandrel, which may be inflatably expanded to define a second fluid seal with the pipe. The space between the pipe and the two fluid seals is pressurized, such as with compressed air, causing the mandrel to advance along the pipe, pulling the retrieval chord as it advances. The mandrel's advancement will be stopped by a sufficiently large deformation. Thereafter, the mandrel is retrieved by pulling on the retrieval chord.

Abstract: A sensor for continuous sensing of a quantity of paper related to its elastic modulus and stiffness including a paper support in the form of a segmented ring, and a free running wheel which depresses the paper in the center of the ring as the paper passes over it. Force transducers mounted to sense force exerted on the segments provides a measure of a characteristic of the paper related to its elastic modulus and bending stiffness. The segments are aligned so that separate determinations of machine direction and cross-direction characteristics are made. The outputs of this sensor, together with basis weight, thickness and paper velocity are used to determine the strength of the paper on a continuous basis. Separate values of machine direction and cross-direction strength can be determined, as can a burst pressure strength.

Abstract: A sample metering valve for both liquid samples and slurry samples with entrained gas bubbles. The sample metering valve for liquids is comprised of a piston with sample chambers formed in the side thereof said piston moving freely into and out of a cylinder having an aperture matching the size of the piston. Sealing is provided by a seal which has no dead volume which cold flows under a spring bias to maintain the seal under various operating conditions. The sample metering valve for slurry samples includes a syringe embodiment having separately moving piston and valve in a cylinder. The syringe valve sucks up sample with a piston, isolates the sample with the valve and compresses the entrained gas bubbles with the piston. Another embodiment uses three, three way valves which are coupled to a pump and a means to compress the sample.

Abstract: A method of predicting the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis after a surgical procedure comprises monitoring changes in the internal diameter of a blood vessel using a non-invasive ultrasound technique. The frequency and magnitude of changes in vessel diameter are used to predict whether deep vein thrombosis will occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the opening of the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises a throttle body constituting a portion of a suction passage, a valve shaft held to the throttle body, a throttle valve for controlling the flow of air inside the suction passage, and a sensor fixed to the throttle body. The sensor has a driving shaft one end of which is disposed outside the case of the sensor. A U-shaped engaging member having two legs is fixed to this one end of the driving shaft. A disklike engaging member having two grooves is fixed to one end of the valve shaft. The two legs are fitted in the two grooves.