Abstract: In an automatic analyzer such as blood analyzer, it is important to observe whether the sample, such as a blood sample, is sucked correctly or not. In an apparatus for observing suction of a sample, comprising a sample suction tube, a luminous element for emitting light toward the sample suction tube being driven by a driving circuit, a photo sensor for receiving the light from the sample suction tube, and a judging circuit for judging the sample suction on the basis of the signal from the photo sensor, a controller is provided in order to drive the luminous element so that the output (Vp) of the photo sensor may be nearly the reference value (Vr) before a sample suction, and to drive the luminous element so as to hold the driving state during the sample suction. Thus, the sensitivity adjustment of the apparatus for observing suction of a sample may be automated, and the observing capability of the apparatus is enhanced.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet includes a superconducting coil, an inner tank for containing the coil, a shield plate for covering the inner tank, and an outer tank for accommodating the superconducting coil, the inner tank and the shield plate. The inner tank is supported on the outer tank by a load support member and the outer tank forms a vacuum vessel. At least one of the inner tank, the load support member, the shield plate and the outer tank includes a detection arrangement for detecting abnormality and/or deterioration of the inner tank, load support member, shield plate and outer tank associated with the respective detection arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the presence and/or concentration of one or more selected materials in a given stream or aggregation in a conduit or vessel, the apparatus comprising (a) a support member constructed from a thermally conductive material and having a first, internal end for inserting into the stream or aggregation when the apparatus is placed in service and a second end positioned externally of the conduit or vessel in use, wherein the support member defines a groove therein of which at least a portion extends into the stream or aggregation in use, (b) a conduit positioned and supported substantially wholly within at least that portion of the groove in the support member which extends into the stream or aggregation in use, and (c) a temperature monitoring device positioned within the support member, whereby the temperature of the conduit/stream or aggregation interface may be measured by thermal conduction from the supporting groove portion of the support member to the temperature monitoring

Abstract: In order to correctly detect whether an individually supplied part is actually mounted on a part-receptive member, a part detector is disposed at a position close to a part-holding member of a part-supply rod. Positionwise relationship between this part detector and the part-receptive member is predetermined in order that the part mounted on the part-receptive member can activate operation of the above-identified part detector to generate a signal for identifying presence of the delivered part while the part-supply rod retreats.

Abstract: A burn-in apparatus wherein products can be checked during burn-in to determine whether or not a respective product will fail completely during burn-in or whether the product will operate unstably during burn-in. The burn-in apparatus includes a burn-in chamber which burns in a product placed therein. A product carry-in automatic conveyer carries products into the burn-in chamber and a product carry-out automatic conveyor carries products out of the burn-in chamber. An air conditioning unit adjusts the temperature of air inside the burn-in chamber. A product testing section, extending between the outside and the inside of the burn-in chamber, holds and provides electrical power to a product during burn in. Testing equipment is provided outside the burn-in chamber and connects to a product held by the product testing section so that the product can be tested during burn in.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a multiple stylus probe attachment capable of attachment to a probing mechanism mounted to a turret tool station of a numerically controlled lathe for use in probing various surfaces of a workpiece. The probe attachment includes a base configured for attachment to the probing mechanism along a longitudinal axis of the probing mechanism. The probe attachment further includes a first stylus attached to the base with the distal end of the first stylus extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probing mechanism. A second stylus is attached to the base with its distal end extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probing mechanism. After the probe attachment is secured to the probing mechanism, the probe is calibrated by calibrating both styli. The probe may then be utilized to measure various surfaces of a workpiece while positioned in the workpiece holder of the lathe.

Abstract: A liquid sampler bottle is provided with a removable, disposable, plastic bag liner which is sealed closed, when manufactured, and which, when placed in use, has a narrow neck section a portion of which is removed to open the plastic bag, after which the neck section is folded down around the neck of the bottle and held releasably in place while being filled with liquid. After the bag is filled it is sealed closed, and the bottle, which is made from at least two different sections which are releasably connected to each other, is dismantled by removing one section from the other in order to permit the sealed bag containing the sample to be removed from the bottle and transported to a laboratory or the like. The bottle can then be reassembled and utilized with a different bag without requiring any washing of the bottle.

Abstract: A hollow bolt (10) contains first and second electrical contact elements (13, 16) which are moved apart when the bolt is subjected to a predetermined tensile lead. A carrier (14) for a first of the contact elements contains an inductor (18) connected electrically between the contact elements, the condition of the contact elements is ascertained by inductive coupling of test apparatus with the inductor.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection apparatus includes a pipeline pig which has a shaker for causing the pig to vibrate in one or more of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional senses. The vibrations are transmitted into the wall of a pipeline through which the pig is moved and the vibration response of the pipeline is measured by accelerometers in the pig for detecting one or more of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional motions of the pig. A data acquisition system and computer are used. For displaying and/or recording the measured data in a form which can be used to identify variations in the structural condition of the pipeline.

Abstract: A retrieving device for the assembly and disassembly of probes into process pipes and tanks comprising a hydraulically activated cylinder attached to a nipple and ball valve mounted on the wall of a pipe or tank and the cylinder may be operated by applying a suitable pump. A pair of pistons are inserted within the cylinder and these pistons are arranged in telescoping fashion. A piston rod attached to one of the pistons is constructed so that it can securely attach to a probe or other device. a fluid pressurizing means which includes a pair of hydraulic tubes are attached to the upper and lower ends of the hydraulic cylinder so that hydraulic pressure can be applied to extend the pistons and insert the probe or retract the pistons and remove the probe. The ball valve is closed and the retrieving device can then be removed from the valve to service and replace the probe. When the probe is inserted within the nipple a sealing device seals the probe against fluid leakage from the pipe or tank.

Abstract: An inertial sensor for measuring changes in rotational motion of a sensor support, having a flywheel rotationally movable in the plane of rotational motion relative to the sensor support and a measured value sensor picking up the rotational state of the flywheel relative to the sensor support. A torque coupler is provided between the sensor support and flywheel. The torque coupler has a torque curve that is a linear function of the relative angular velocity between the flywheel and the sensor support. The measured value sensor is designed as an angular position detector that taps off the rotational angle of the flywheel relative to the sensor support.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor comprises an upper semiconductor substrate having a rigid frame, four deformable beams connected with the rigid frame, and a weight portion supported by the plurality of deformable beams, a lower semiconductor substrate bonded to the rigid frame, a plurality of movable electrodes attached to the weight portion, and electrically isolated from one another, and a plurality of stationary electrodes attached to the second semiconductor substrate, and opposite to the plurality of movable electrodes for forming a plurality of variable capacitors, and the center of gravity of the weight portion is spaced from a common neutral surface of the four beams for allowing acceleration to produce bending moment exerted on the four beams, thereby causing the variable capacitors to independently change the capacitance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for measurement of the nip force and/or nip pressure in a nip (N) formed by a revolving roll or a band used in the manufacture of paper. In the method and in the device, a series of measurement detectors (20.sub.1 . . . 20.sub.n) is used, whose detectors (20) are placed across a considerable width of the paper web (W) in the transverse direction of the revolving roll (10) or the band. The measurement signals received from the different detectors (20) are passed to a switching unit (23), whose connectors (24.sub.l. . .24.sub.n) are controlled so that, through the switching unit (23), the signal of each measurement detector (20.sub.l. . .20.sub.n) is alternatingly connected to a telemeter transmitter (26) placed in connection with the revolving roll (10). By means of the telemeter transmitter (26), the series of measurement signals (V.sub.in l. . . V.sub.in n) are transmitted wirelessly to a stationary telemeter receiver (27) placed outside the revolving roll (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a dosing system and method for quickly and accurately indicating the proper volumetric dosage of a topical preparation. The container holding the topical preparation is provided with a pictorial representation of a measurement area which is equivalent to a known amount of the preparation when dispensed from the container to cover an equivalent area. A specialized instruction set is provided on the container which equates the represented area to dosage requirement such as age, weight, and/or effective application rate usually expressed as milliliters of topical preparation per square area of skin surface.

Abstract: An escalator combplate is equipped with a stop switch that will interrupt the power to the escalator when objects trapped between the stop treads and combplate impose a predetermined lifting force on the combplate. The necessary lifting force is determined by code requirements, and the combplate is subjected to an upward spring force which equals the code-dictated lifting force. While the combplate is being lifted by the spring force, the stop switch or switches are set so that they will actuate at the calibrated position of the combplate. The spring force is then removed to allow the combplate to settle back to its normal operating position.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an object to be inspected is scanned while being irradiated by a generated ultrasonic beam. Echo signals from the object are received and a plane image and a cross-sectional image formed from the received echo signals are displayed. A marker indicating the focus position of the ultrasonic beam and a marker indicating the setting range of a detection gate are synthesized and displayed on the cross-sectional image. The plane image of the portion assigned by the focus position and the depth range on the cross-sectional image is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting a test article or structure in a gravity environment for the purpose of testing the article in a simulated weightless condition includes at least one support assembly attached to the article for suspending the article from an overhead support. The support assembly includes three cables each having an end attached to the article. The cables are capable of being actuated to cooperatively maintain a constant resultant vertical force on the test article which is equal to the weight of the article. The system includes a controller which is capable of adjusting the force in each cable to continuously maintain the constant resultant force on the article as it moves from position to position. The controller can calculate the new position of the test article as it moves from position to position.

Abstract: A method of taking erosion/corrosion measurements of a piping system for logging a history of the piping system over time comprises the steps of: (a) Wrapping a template about the pipe component; (b) Aligning the template with a reference marking on the pipe component; (c) Taking a wall thickness measurement at each of the spaced holes; (d) Recording at least the wall thickness measurement at each of the spaced holes and the indicia of the spaced hole location. The template extends circumferentially about the pipe component and has a plurality of spaced holes arranged in a grid pattern which holes extend through the template for receiving a probe for measuring wall thickness of the pipe component. The template has indicia for identifying each of the spaced holes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an acceleration sensor device suitable for self-checking while a vehicle is being driven and a self-checking circuit therefor. An acceleration sensor device for self-checking while driving is comprised of a planar vibrator having a piezoelectric area and a non-piezoelectric area and a plurality of first electrodes provided on an upper face of the piezoelectric area of the planar vibrator. At least one second electrode is provided on an upper face of the non-piezoelectric area of the planar vibrator, and a third electrode is provided on the lower face of the planar vibrator. Inputs to the self-checking circuits provide an output that represents the operating state of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an acceleration sensor system having a self-checking operation of an air bag safety system while a vehicle is being driven. An acceleration sensor element suitable for self-checking while a vehicle is driven is obtained by a planar piezoelectric element supported so that it can vibrate, a detecting electrode provided on an upper face of the planar piezoelectric element, and an actuator to add vibrations at a predetermined frequency to the planar piezoelectric element. A sensitivity checking circuit generates a sensitivity checking signal representing sensitivity of an acceleration sensed from a detected signal. A signal processing circuit generates an acceleration signal representing the applied acceleration to the acceleration sensor from the detected signal.