Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sound sensor, an image sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyroscope sensor. The sound sensor includes a substrate defining a first cavity, a diaphragm positioned on the substrate and covering the first cavity, a back plate covering the diaphragm and positioned on the substrate, and a capacitance. A first electrode layer is coated on the diaphragm and faces the first cavity. A second cavity is defined between the diaphragm and the back plate. A second electrode layer is coated on the back plate and faces the second cavity. The capacitance is electrically connected between the first and second electrode layers. The image sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the gyroscope sensor are positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: For aspiration and dispensation of a metering fluid, a pipetting apparatus comprises a work fluid which differs from the former, the work fluid being accommodated in a work space with a variable volume which extends along a channel axis and, with reference to the latter, is formed by a piston-cylinder system at least along an axial section of the channel axis, having a cylinder which delimits the work space along a cylinder section in the radial direction and a piston which delimits the work space in a first axial direction, the cylinder and the piston being arranged so that they can move with respect to each other such that the piston-cylinder system has an axial longitudinal end region for metering, which is open for aspiration and dispensation, and an axial longitudinal end region for work which is closed by the piston, the piston being designed as an outer piston and surrounding the cylinder on the outside in the longitudinal end region for work of the piston-cylinder system.

Abstract: A method for testing a pressure sensor having a first node and a second node includes coupling the first node to a first input of an amplifier and coupling a reference voltage to a second input of the amplifier; applying a transfer function to an output of the amplifier to provide a first output voltage that is based on a difference in voltage between the first node and the reference voltage; coupling the reference voltage to the first input and coupling the second node to the second input; obtaining a second output voltage at the output of the amplifier; and determining, based on the first and second output voltages, whether the pressure sensor passed or failed. During normal operation, the first node is coupled to the first input and the second node to the second input, and a second transfer function is applied to the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A specimen analyzing apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting component information regarding a component in a specimen contained in each of analyzing containers, the analyzing containers comprising first and second analyzing containers; an analyzing part for analyzing the component information detected by the detector; a transporting device for transporting specimen containers each containing a specimen, the specimen containers comprising first and second specimen containers; an operation mode selector for selecting one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode; a first supplying device for supplying the specimen of a first amount; a second supplying device for supplying the specimen of a second amount grater than the first amount; and a supply controller for controlling the first and second supplying devices in accordance with an operation mode selected by the operation mode selector, is disclosed. A specimen analyzing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by detecting whether water vapor condensate may be present between the electrodes and if it is, then measuring resistance between the electrodes while subjecting the sensor to conditions sufficient to evaporate any water vapor condensate and diagnosing a validation that the sensor is in proper operating condition if resistance increases in a manner consistent with evaporation of condensate.

Abstract: An arrangement for quantifying a wafer bow. The arrangement is positioned within a plasma processing system is provided. The arrangement includes a support mechanism for holding a wafer. The arrangement also includes a first set of sensors, which is configured to collect a first set of measurement data for a plurality of data points on the wafer. The first set of measurement data indicates a minimum gap between the first set of sensors and the wafer. The first set of sensors is positioned in a first location, which is outside of a set of process modules of the plasma processing system.

Abstract: Embodiments for testing an acoustic property of an ultrasound probe including a plurality of transducer elements are disclosed. A Schlieren image of an ultrasound probe and a visualized acoustic field of an ultrasound signal generated when one of the transducer elements is excited are acquired. A preprocessing including noise removal and position calibration upon the Schlieren image is then carried out. An acoustic property of the ultrasound probe is tested based on the preprocessed Schlieren image.

Abstract: A matrix analyzer for determining the size and location of a conductive item placed thereon. The matrix analyzer includes plural row conductors and column conductors with a corresponding grid of conductive areas exposed on the surface of the matrix analyzer. When a conductive item, such as an ink droplet, is jetted onto the matrix analyzer, the intersection of various row conductors and column conductors exhibit a low resistance. The rows and columns of the matrix analyzer can be sequentially accessed to find those intersections where the low resistance exists. From such data, the size and location of the ink droplets can be determined.

Abstract: The method of calibrating a scale factor of an axially-symmetrical vibrating rate gyro operating by applying an amplitude control signal (CA) and a precession control signal (CP) to a vibrator member (1) set into vibration at a given frequency comprises a pre-calibration step consisting in calculating a reference gain ratio between a drive gain (Gmx) in a first direction and a drive gain (Gmy) in a second direction in modal quadrature with the first direction, and in storing the reference gain ratio, and a calibration step consisting in calculating a value for a measurable magnitude associated with the scale factor by a proportionality relationship including the reference gain ratio, and calculating a corrected scale factor on the basis of the value of the measurable magnitude and the stored reference gain ratio.

Abstract: A pressure type flow rate control reference allows the performance of flow rate calibrations of a flow rate controller on all types of gases, including corrosive gases, at low costs, and also has excellent flow rate control accuracy. The pressure type flow rate control reference includes a pressure controller for adjusting the pressure of a calibration gas from a calibration gas supply source, a first volume provided on the downstream side of a pressure controller, a first connection mouth of an uncalibrated flow rate controller provided on the downstream side of the first volume, a reference pressure type flow rate controller connected to a second connection mouth on the downstream side of the uncalibrated flow rate controller, a second volume provided on the downstream side of a reference pressure type flow rate controller, and an evacuation device provided on the downstream side of the second volume.

Abstract: A foreign matter detecting method of detecting foreign matter attached to a peripheral edge of a substrate, which makes it possible to accurately detect foreign matter attached to the peripheral edge of the substrate even if the foreign matter is of a minute size below the detection limit of an existing measuring instrument, and which is highly versatile and suitable for mass production of substrates. The substrate is cooled to condense moisture around the foreign matter attached to the peripheral edge of the substrate, and then the condensed moisture is iced to grow an ice crystal. Then, the foreign matter attached to the peripheral edge of the substrate, which is emphasized by the ice crystal, is detected.

Abstract: A sampling cylinder for LNG (liquefied natural gas) is provided. The sampling cylinder includes a piston cylinder arrangement having opposite end members closing the chamber inside the cylinder. Various porting arrangements are provided for allowing fluid to be fed into a chamber inside the cylinder on opposite sides of a piston. A sample chamber is provided at one end member of the cylinder. The end member containing the sample chamber is also provided with a heat exchanger that may be connected to a source of coolant and preferably the LNG to be sampled to effect cooling of the end member at least partially prior to the sample chamber having a sample of LNG injected thereinto.

Abstract: An apparatus to aid in the testing of smoke detectors comprises a rifle-shaped design which holds and dispenses aerosol cans of smoke and air is herein disclosed. The apparatus is approximately four (4) feet long and includes additional extension tubes approximately three (3) feet long. In such a manner the apparatus is capable of reaching smoke detectors that are seven (7) feet or more above the users head. In addition to dispensing smoke for testing and air for purging, the apparatus also includes a magnetic adapter for testing smoke detector switches, a mechanical probe attachment for smoke detector activation, and a holder for electronic devices such as barcode scanners. In such a manner the testing and maintenance of most smoke detectors can be performed safely from ground level without the use of ladders or other assistance.

Abstract: A device for use in a multi-channel pipetting system is provided. The device includes a body, a plurality of modules mounted to the body, a plurality of pistons mounted to a piston holder for simultaneous movement of the plurality of pistons in a first direction, and a guidance assembly. Each module includes an orifice connecting to an intake chamber. A piston extends into the intake chamber for movement in the first direction. The guidance assembly includes a first rotating element, a second rotating element, a shaft connecting the first rotating element to the second rotating element, and a first track and a second track extending parallel to the first direction. The shaft extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first rotating element is mounted to roll along the first track, and the second rotating element is mounted to roll along the second track simultaneously with the plurality of pistons.

Abstract: A portable multi-tube air sampler device for capturing samples of trace elements in a suspected contaminated environment which includes a plurality of sample tubes for collecting sample trace elements, parallel inlet and outlet manifolds which minimize the length of the sample inlet path while utilizing short straight sample tubes, a hinged retainer bar mechanism which allows for easy removal and replacement of the various sample tubes, and a removably attachable controller unit which can be installed on the exterior portion of the carrying case for controlling the operation of the sampling protocol. Other embodiments include heated inlet manifold and sample intake paths to prevent contamination accumulation and carryover, a clean cycle option with a filter valved into the inlet flow path to enhance the purging cycle, and a mechanism for converting the present device to a desorbing auto sampler configuration. The present system likewise incorporates a purging cycle prior to each sampling cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel aboard a spacecraft under weightless conditions utilize at least one orifice, at least one flow latch valve for the selection of an orifice to be used, and at least one control valve for releasing a stream of a pressurizing gas from at least one high-pressure tank in order to restore pressure in a fuel tank following a pressure reduction due to withdrawal of fuel. The amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank is determined based on the time required to restore fuel tank pressure by a flow of gas from the high pressure tank to the fuel tank, via the orifice.

Abstract: An exhaust sampling system includes a pre-fill gas source having a pre-fill gas. A sampling conduit is configured to collect exhaust gas and make-up gas. A sample bag is fluidly connected to the sampling conduit and the pre-fill gas source. A controller is programmed to run a test procedure in which a sample of exhaust gas and make-up gas is collected in the sample bag. The controller sends a command that fills the sample bag with pre-fill gas prior to the test procedure. The pre-fill gas remains in the sample bag during the test procedure. In one example, the amount of pre-fill gas is selected to prevent the sample from condensing in the sample bag during the test procedure. In another example, the amount of pre-fill gas is selected to provide a sufficient volume of gases for analysis during the test procedure.

Abstract: Preparation methods for introducing liquid samples to gas analysis instruments include 1) complete evaporation of a liquid sample in a sample chamber, and 2) allowing the sample vapor in the sample chamber to equilibrate for a predetermined time. An inert carrier gas (e.g., dry nitrogen or zero air) is also admitted to the sample chamber. After equilibration, the sample vapor is admitted as a conditioned sample to an analysis instrument. Preferably, the predetermined equilibration time is sufficiently long that the sample vapor in the sample chamber becomes substantially homogeneous with respect to both concentration and isotopic ratio. Vapor derived from a liquid calibration standard in this manner can be employed as an accurate gas-phase calibration reference.

Abstract: There is provided a fibrous particle generating apparatus and a test system. The fibrous particle generating apparatus includes a base material containing a fibrous material; a holding unit holding the base material; a fibrous particle generator generating fibrous particles by chafing the base material; and a movement unit moving the holding unit such that the base material held by holding unit is chafed against the fibrous particle generator. With this configuration, fibrous particles can be stably generated, and an evaluation of the object apparatus can be carried out on the basis of the generated fibrous particles.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensor interface or network of interfaces that utilizes high-temperature electronics to operate at elevated temperatures for applications that include but are not limited to aircraft and automobile engines, vehicle frames, refineries, nuclear and chemical production plants, and in downhole drilling for petroleum and natural gas. The interface or network provide connectors for a variety of sensors with analog and digital outputs, and can in turn provide data to an automated electronic control system or a monitor. Because the sensor interface may be placed in so-called “hot zones” nearer to the sensors being monitored than other systems that use conventional electronics, the sensor interface can increase noise immunity, increase reliability, decrease cost, reduce weight, and increase space.