Abstract: Switching member SW20 which receives detection signals for detecting capacitance outputted from a control part 35, controls each of switches so as to measure capacitance between electrodes positioned adjacently (an electrode TE1 and an electrode TE2, and so on) before measuring capacitance of measuring object. Capacitance initially measured between the adjacent electrodes are stored in a storing circuit 30. The initial capacitance are averaged to calculate an averaged initial value. Upon calculating the averaged initial value, correction values which represent difference between the averaged initial value and the initial capacitance are calculated. Actual measured values are corrected using the correction values when level of measuring object is measured. It is therefore possible to measure level of measuring object without influence of floating items or the like with stability, because level measurement is conducted by utilizing capacitance measured between adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: A fluid level detector according to the invention comprises a substrate formed of a heat-insulative material and one or more thermoresistive sensor elements located on the substrate that is adapted to be immersed in a fluid. A current source is connected to the sensor element for producing a current through the sensor element during a predetermined time period. The current heats the sensor element and causes a change in voltage across the sensor element at least during the time period. The amount of change in voltage during the time period is reflective of the fluid level, since the fluid serves as a heat sink for the sensor element. The voltage is measured across the sensor element and a voltage slope is determined. The determined voltage slope is indicative of fluid level.

Abstract: A float-type liquid level gauge is provided for measuring the level of a liquid such as LPG within a horizontally oriented cylindrical tank (228). The gauge includes a movable pivot arm (212) supporting a float arm assembly (225) and coupled by gears (207, 214) to a magnet shaft (206, 208) and magnet (210) mounted in a rigid support arm (204) through a sideways-securing shaft channel(209). The support arm is connected to the lower side of a gauge head (202) and the magnet extends into a passage (52) in the gauge head so as to be magnetically coupled to a level indicating dial (226) provided on the upper side of the gauge head. The lower portion (302) of the support arm is angled and offset with respect to a longitudinal axis (265) such that a high ratio can be obtained between the gears while still permitting the components of the gauge to pass through the opening of a standard pressure fitting (234).

Abstract: An accessory is provided for mounting flags, typically favorite team pennants or insignia, on the rooftops of vehicles provided upwardly extending bars such as luggage racks by means of a clamping mechanism that orients a flagstaff vertically a predetermined distance above the rooftop, and thus provide high visibility without interfering with driver vision or damaging the exterior surface of the automobile. The flag vertically extends at a height that serves as a car finding signal in crowded stadium parking lots.

Abstract: A system for measuring level of material in a vessel that includes a transmission line probe adapted to be positioned for contact with material in the vessel. Electronics are coupled to the transmission line probe for launching microwave radiation along the probe and detecting radiation reflected by the electrical impedance discontinuity presented at the air/material interface in the vessel. Level of the air/material interface within the vessel is determined employing time domain reflectometry techniques, and is displayed as a continuous function over a predetermined range. The system range is calibrated by means of a target selectively manually positionable along the probe rod while the probe is disposed outside of the vessel. First and second signals are selectively stored in the system electronics with the target disposed at positions along the probe rod corresponding to the ends of the material level measurement range.

Abstract: A method of remotely measuring the temperature of a body, such as a semiconductor wafer, whose transparency varies with both wavelength and temperature and is characterized by an optical absorption edge. The body is illuminated at wavelengths on either side of the optical absorption edge. Based on the measured reflectivity at wavelengths shorter than the optical absorption edge, the direct reflectivity at wavelengths longer than the optical absorption edge is predicted and used to estimate the component of total reflectivity, at wavelengths longer than the optical absorption edge, which corresponds to propagation through the body and reflection back through the body. Light reflected from the body, measured in an "active" channel, is distinguished from light emitted passively by the body and measured in a "passive" channel. In the case of an opaque body, this allows the estimation of the emissivity of the body, and a temperature estimate based on Planck's law.

Abstract: A pair of resilient clamps hold L-shaped terminals which extend from a self-luminescent indicator. An insulator disk holds a flexible conductive coil member and has slots which accommodate an end of the coil member and the resilient clamps in compressive state so that resilient force of the resilient clamps provide stable electric connection between the L-shaped terminals and the end of the coil member automatically when the clamp members are inserted into the slots. A pair of stationary catch members hold the other end of the coil member and connect it to an electric source. The connection between the other end of the coil member and the catch members is carried by hot punching to form thermo-compression bonding layer. The connecting portions of the catch members and the coil member are plated with tin or solder beforehand for this purpose.

Abstract: The energy of the sound radiation caused by the impact of the coin to be analyzed upon a hard surface is split into different frequency bands, the energy of every such band is obtained and the ratios between them are then worked out, obtaining parameters that are then compared against values representing valid coins. The device includes a bank of filters (6, 7 and 8), integrators (9, 10 and 11) connected to the outlet of the filters and capable of being activated from a microprocessor (17) and an analogue-digital converter to which the output of the various integrators is then connected through a multiplexer.

Abstract: A system for aiding emergency evacuation of people from a building, comprising a plurality of rails (51) with each rail (51) being associated with a direction indicator (54) comprising a tactile portion (66) which indicates the direction a person must move in to find an exit.

Abstract: A method for measuring temperature and electrolyte level of a molten electrolysis bath in a cell for production of aluminum by electrolysis of alumina includes the steps of: (a) piercing the crust of a solidified bath with a crust breaker and immersing into the electrolyte, an extremity of a temperature probe to a sufficient depth until an initial temperature reading of at least 850.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring a yarn (1), which is moving in its longitudinal direction, using a measuring head and an evaluation unit (7) which is spatially separate from and connected to the measuring head. To enable optimum use of measuring heads operating according to different physical principles without unduly increasing the outlay, the measuring head includes a first part (2) operating according to a first measuring principle and having a connection (5) to a first part (6) of the evaluation unit for making an evaluation according to the first measuring principle. The measuring head then comprises a further part (9) operating according to a further measuring principle and having a releasable connection (8, 10) to the first part. In addition, the evaluation unit likewise comprises a further part connected by a releasable connection for the evaluation according to the further measuring principle.

Abstract: The present invention is for a conductivity metering device. The invention is primarily for conductivity meters which are used for level gauging of fouled liquids where the fouling materials may cause functioning problems of the metering probe. The probe is intended for metering of the conductivity between the probe body 1 and a tube 14, made from metallic material, in order to determine if there is liquid inside the tube. The probe body 1 is the outer tip of a piston 6 and it may be made as one piece with the piston or as a separate part which is mounted onto the piston. The piston 6 and parts connected thereto are movably mounted in the cover part 15 and the cap 8 by sealing slide bearings 4, 7. When metering does not take place the tube 14 is mostly filled with water at a certain overpressure relative to its surroundings. As the metering piston 6 is kept retracted by an active overpressure between the sealings 4 and 7 liquid is prevented from leaking in.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive liquid level probe in a double-walled liquid container develops liquid level data and external sensors in the space between the walls respond to the presence of liquid leaked into the space from inside or outside the container. Other sensors external of the liquid level probe may sense other conditions. The probe electronics determines binary states of the external sensors and digitally encodes the states for inclusion in data transmission of the liquid level information to a remote controller via a two-wire transmission line. One embodiment develops pulses spaced as a digital function of the sensor states and includes liquid level data between the pulses for transmission. The pulse space is measured at the remote controller and decoded to determine the external sensor states, while the liquid level data is analyzed to determine the contents of the container.

Abstract: An improved new wheel (10) is disclosed which has an integral air pressure gauge (24, 100, 200). A passage (34) extends from the rim surface (22) exposed to the tire interior directly to the tire gauge (24, 100, 200) mounted within a recess (26) within the wheel hub portion (12). An adjustable numericaless colored scale (32) is adjusted to indicate proper inflation at the position of the indicator needle (30) when the tire is first inflated to the proper pressure to calibrate the scale. The tire gauge (200) can be precalibrated at the factory by positioning the dial scale (202) in a predetermined orientation to the case so that, at the desired predetermined pressure, the indicator needle (30) is aligned in the area (116) of proper inflation along the center line (104).

Abstract: Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container having arbitrary dimension and shape. By generating a flexural acoustic wave in the container shell and measuring the phase difference of the detected flexural wave from that of the originally generated wave a small distance from the generated wave, while moving the generation and detection means through the liquid/vapor interface, this interface can be detected. Both the wave generation and wave detection may be achieved by transducers on the surface of the container. A change in the phase difference over the outer surface of the vessel signifies that a liquid/vapor interface has been crossed, while the magnitude of the phase difference can be related to fluid density immediately opposite the measurement position on the surface of the vessel.

Abstract: A continuous measurement of the level of contents in a container is effected by a level measuring device functionong in accordance with the transit time principle by means of waves transmitted from a position located above the highest possible contents level onto the surface of the material in the container. A measuring circuit determines the contents level from the transit time of the useful echo reflected from the material surface. In addition, one or more limit sensors are located at the container, each of which furnishes a signal indicating whether the contents level is above or below a level to be monitored by the limit sensor and which is situated between the minimum and maximum contents levels of the container. The measuring circuit receives the output signals of all limit sensors and uses these output signals to check and eventually to correct the contents level measured value determined by the level measuring device.

Abstract: A float-type liquid level gauge is provided for measuring the level within a tank of liquids such as liquified petroleum gases. The liquid level gauge includes a movable float arm (30) coupled by gears (46, 48) to a magnet shaft (26) and magnet (28) mounted in a rigid support arm (24) through a side-accessible shaft passage (110). The support arm is connected to the lower side of a gauge head (22) and the magnet extends into a passage (52) in the gauge head so as to be magnetically coupled to a level indicating dial (34) provided on the upper side of the gauge head.

Abstract: An aerial lift balloon and signaling components attached thereto are stored within a closure member held assembled with a breakaway housing to form a package storing an inflating device for the balloon. Removal of the closure member initiates inflation of the balloon and operation of the signaling components, while removal of an end cover of the package permits separation of the breakaway housing enabling the positioning of the inflating device by a flotation collar portion of the package for aerial launching of the balloon. A stroboscopic light suspended between the floatation collar and the aerial lift balloon provides enhanced visibility of the signal device.

Abstract: A container of coolant used in a NIKON.TM. stepper is utilizing a transparent duct mounted on a side of the container of coolant to check a liquid level. The container of coolant can be conventional or other similar container of coolant.

Abstract: This invention includes a combustion engine fuel level indication system operable at 10 mA or lower and without any contact resistance buildup. The present system utilizes a noble metal ink formulation for both contacts of resistive path and a conductive path. The resistive and conductive paths each having angled conductor lines which reduce the overall volume requirement for the noble metal ink composition used to make the paths. The invention also includes a wiper contact having spaced apart parallel tangs or fingers positioned so that a first finger engages a first conductor line along the conductive path and a second finger engages an adjacent conductor line along the conductive path to improve the make brake contact.