Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising injecting electrically conductive or electromagnetic fibers into the subterranean formation during hydraulic fracturing is provided. Suitable metallic materials, organic polymers, and organic polymers coated with or containing conductive or electromagnetic materials are described. The treatment is followed by measurement of resistivity and/or electromagnetic properties, optionally by a crosswell technique.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting a failure in a three-phase alternator connected to a three-phase rectifier bridge. The method comprises the following steps — rectifying (70) the voltages generated by the three-phase alternator; — adding (76) the rectified voltages taken at the first and second phases in order to obtain a voltage sum; — subtracting (78), from said voltage sum, twice the rectified voltage taken at the third phase, in order to obtain a voltage difference; — comparing (80) the voltage difference to a high threshold and a low threshold; — detecting (82) a failure when the voltage difference is less than said low threshold or when the voltage difference is greater than said high threshold. The invention also concerns a device for detecting failures and an associated computer programme.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for identifying or determining spatially resolved properties in indirect bandgap semiconductor devices such as solar cells are described. In one embodiment, spatially resolved properties of an indirect bandgap semiconductor device are determined by externally exciting the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to cause the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to emit luminescence (110), capturing images of luminescence emitted from the indirect bandgap semiconductor device in response to the external excitation (120), and determining spatially resolved properties of the indirect bandgap semiconductor device based on a comparison of relative intensities of regions in one or more of the luminescence images (130).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing electromagnetic noise pick up in a Liquid Metal Cleanliness Analyzer (LiMCA), used to detect and measure particles in molten metal. A first electrode inserted in the molten metal is electrically insulated from second and third electrodes, also inserted in the molten metal. Molten metal and particles pass between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes through a passage in the electrical insulation. The second and third electrodes have a configuration with respect to the first electrode sufficient to establish symmetrical current loops between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes when a current is supplied to the second and third electrodes. The current is supplied from an ultra-capacitor. Electromagnetic noise in the symmetrical current loops is detected and is added in opposition to reduce the amplitude of the electromagnetic noise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test socket adaptable for testing different Integrated Circuit (IC) pad size during an IC testing. The test socket comprising a molded socket having an inner space and a plurality of through-apertures disposed on its surface; and a plurality of contact elements disposed within the inner space of the molded socket, each contact element has a pin contact edge and a pin-end; wherein each pin contact edge extends through the through-apertures of the molded socket; wherein each pin contact edge provides a linear surface area for contact with the DUT's lead; and wherein each pin contact edge provides a large contact area for various DUT's lead size.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, an electronic device includes a direct current (DC) voltage source coupled to a DC interface. The electronic device includes a receiver sense circuit configured to detect a connection of the electronic device to a sink device via a connector without consuming power from the DC voltage source. The electronic device further includes a controller coupled to a hot plug detect (HPD) interface. The controller is configured to receive a detection signal from the receiver sense circuit, selectively control a switch to enable and disable the DC voltage source based on the detection signal, detect an HPD signal at the HPD interface after enabling the DC voltage source, and disable the receiver sense circuit in response to detecting the HPD signal.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including at least one electrode line having an electrode pole, an electrode feed line, a counter electrode to the at least one electrode line, and an insulation sleeve. The insulation sleeve surrounds the electrode feed line and provides insulation between the electrode feed line and an electrolyte formed by bodily fluid. The electrode feed line and the electrode pole(s) include different materials, wherein the materials are different based on electrochemical series. The implantable medical device includes an insulation test unit having a DC voltage detector arranged between the electrode pole and the counter electrode, in order to detect an electrochemical voltage produced in the event of an insulation fault of the insulation sleeve due to defective contact between the electrolyte and the electrode feed line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar for the electrical contacting of an electrically conductive substrate in the form of a thin, electrically conducting and resilient contact. The bar comprises a current-collecting bar on which a plurality of contact fingers is fitted. The invention is distinguished by the contact fingers being configured resiliently in the direction of the contact to be produced.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dynamic multi-mode radiometer system and method for automated calibration of the system. In an embodiment, the system comprises a radiometer channel including an input selective low noise amplifier (LNA) and radiometer receiver. The LNA comprises a first input and second input and an output coupled to the radiometer receiver. The system includes an antenna coupled to the first input and a reference load selectively connected to the second input, the reference load configured to produce a first signal representative of a reference temperature. The system includes an internal calibrated noise generator selectively connected to the second input of the LNA and includes an internal noise source for producing a second signal representative of an injected noise temperature. The generator is configured to calibrate the radiometer receiver as a function of the injected noise temperature equalized to the reference temperature.

Abstract: A problem related to a known eyewear-type electro-oculogram measuring apparatus which detects the eye potential using a pair of electrodes positioned outside both the eyes of a user and a pair of electrodes respectively positioned above and below one eye is that the two pairs of electrodes have had an impact on the skins of users, and discomfort on them. Besides, the electrodes are not excellent in design. The present invention provides eyewear including: a frame; a pair of nose pads; and a first electrode and a second electrode respectively provided on the surface of the pair of nose pads, the first electrode and the second electrode detecting eye potential.

Abstract: Device to monitor the voltage of battery cells. The device includes a control device, voltage taps configured to tap the voltages of the battery cells, a holding plate having a first holding plate part and a second holding plate part, and a stamped-out circuit having measuring lines configured to electrically connect the control device to the voltage taps, the stamped-out circuit being arranged in cut-outs of the first holding plate part and the cut-outs being covered by the second holding plate such that the measuring lines are fixedly positioned in the cut-outs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described to perform, by a capacitance-sensing circuit, capacitance sensing of an electrode of a capacitive sense array of electrodes. Performing the capacitance sensing includes integrating, on a passive integrator circuit, charge from a sensed capacitance of the electrode of the capacitive sense array. The passive integrator circuit integrates the charge on a self-capacitance of the electrode as part of the integrating. The capacitance-sensing circuit converts the charge from the sensed capacitance of the electrode into a digital value representing the sensed capacitance of the electrode.

Abstract: A system for testing a magnetic sensor according to one embodiment includes a discharge circuit to cause a discharge event on a magnetic sensor; a bias generation circuit to apply at least one first bias current to the sensor and at least one second bias current to the sensor, the second bias current being different than the first bias current; a resistance determination circuit to determine a resistance of the magnetic sensor at each of the applied bias currents; and a damage determination circuit to determine whether the magnetic sensor is damaged and/or was fixed by a discharge event based on the resistances.

Abstract: A steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna.

Abstract: An examples includes a substrate, including a conductive trace and a layer disposed on top of the conductive trace, the layer defining at least one cavity extending to the conductive trace and an electrical probe disposed in the cavity, with solder coupling the electrical probe to the conductive trace. The electrical probe can include a high yield strength wire core including a refractory metal and a thin oxidation protection layer concentrically disposed around high yield strength wire core and providing an outside surface of the electrical probe, the thin oxidation protection layer including predominantly one or more materials selected from gold, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, chromium, and combinations thereof, wherein the solder fills the cavity and is coupled to the electrical probe inside the cavity, disposed between the electrical probe and the layer.

Abstract: A duty cycle detecting circuit for pulse width modulation (PWM). The circuit includes a clock generating circuit, a sampling circuit and a calculation circuit. The clock generating circuit is for generating a clock signal. The sampling circuit receives a PWM signal and the clock signal, samples the PWM signal based on the clock signal, and generates a sampling signal. The calculation circuit is for calculating the duty cycle of the PWM signal based on the sampling signal.

Abstract: A probing device includes a circuit board, a reinforcing plate, at least one space transformer and at least one probe assembly. The reinforcing plate is disposed on the circuit board, and the reinforcing plate has a plurality of inner conductive wires electrically connecting to those of the circuit board. The reinforcing plate defines a plurality of receiving space therein. The space transformer is disposed on the reinforcing plate, and the space transformer has a plurality of inner conductive wires electrically connecting to those of the reinforcing plate via a plurality of first solder balls. The probe assembly is disposed on the space transformer, and the probe assembly includes a plurality of probes. The first solder balls are disposed in the receiving spaces, and the reinforcing plate abuts against the space transformer.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the composition of the contents of a container. The device includes a transmitter/receiver with an electromagnetic field having at least several frequencies in a determined frequency range, a container support for a container (R) whose contents are to be analyzed. The support is adapted to ensure precise relative positioning between the transmitter/receiver and the container (R). A measuring unit measures the complex impedance of the transmitter/receiver influenced by the load constituted by the container (R) and its contents. A spectral analyzer analyzes the contents of the container for measuring the absorption of waves by the container and its contents. An information providing unit provides information relative to the nature of the contents of the container (R) as a function of the complex measured impedance and of the absorption measuring.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes an electric supply line to be buried in the block of building material, to convey signals and to be AC supplied so as to generate voltage and current stationary waveforms. The device also includes primary inductors coupled to the electric supply line at positions corresponding to peaks of at least one of the voltage and current stationary waveforms. The device also includes integrated monitoring circuits to be buried in the block of building material, with each integrated monitoring circuit including an integrated sensor to sense at least one physical characteristic, and a secondary inductor magnetically coupled to a respective primary inductor to supply the integrated sensor, and communicate through the electric supply line.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining a circuit element parameter in a ground fault circuit interrupter circuit. An electrical signal provided to a first node is used to generate another electrical signal at a second node. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with a modulation signal to generate a modulated signal that is then filtered and converted into a digital representation of a portion of the circuit element parameter. The electrical signal at the second node is multiplexed with the modulation signal after it has been phase shifted to produce a modulated signal that is filter and converted into a digital representation of another portion of the circuit element parameter. In another aspect, a slope based solenoid self-test method is used for self-testing in a GFCI circuit. Alternatively, a method for determining a wiring fault is provided using a digital filter.