Abstract: A method for inspecting a fastened structure, the fastened structure having at least one structural member defining a bore therein and a mechanical fastener received in the bore, includes applying acoustic energy to the fastened structure, the acoustic energy being applied over a plurality of frequencies, measuring a response of the fastened structure across at least two frequencies of the plurality of frequencies, and comparing the response of the fastened structure at the at least two frequencies of the plurality of frequencies to predefined values for the at least two frequencies of the plurality of frequencies to determine whether an out-of-tolerance condition is present.

Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium include a sensor unit having a mechanically oscillatable unit, at least a first piezoelectric element, a temperature detection unit for determining and/or monitoring a temperature of the medium and an electronics unit. The device is embodied to excite the mechanically oscillatable unit by means of an excitation signal such that mechanical oscillations are executed, to receive mechanical oscillations of the oscillatable unit and convert them into a first received signal, to transmit a transmitted signal and to receive a second received signal. The electronics unit is embodied, based on the first and/or second received signal, to determine the at least one process variable and, based on a third received signal received from the temperature detection unit, to determine the temperature of the medium.

Abstract: An observation device includes a mixer, a detector, a variable attenuator, a calibration information setting module, and an observation data generating module. The mixer mixes an RF signal of an observation object with a local signal to generate an IF signal. The detector detects the IF signal to generate a detection signal. The variable attenuator is connected between the mixer and the detector to attenuate the IF signal. The calibration information setting module sets calibration information from a change of intensity of the detection signal according to a value of the variable attenuator. The observation data generator generates observation data of the RF signal by using the intensity of the detection signal obtained in a state where the value of the variable attenuator is fixed and the calibration information.

Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

Abstract: Implementations relate to breakage detection of a tension element for a counterbalance mechanism. In some implementations, a tension element breakage detection mechanism includes a tension element, a moveable detection element contacting the tension element, and an actuator. The moveable detection element is biased by the tension element toward a first configuration in a range of motion of the moveable detection element. The moveable detection element is biased toward a second configuration in the range of motion of the moveable detection element by a force generated by the actuator on the moveable detection element. The breakage detection mechanism includes a sensor of a change of the moveable detection element from the first configuration to the second configuration, the change being in response to breakage of the tension element.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensing apparatus with calibration function comprises a microelectromechanical sensor and an IC chip. The microelectromechanical sensor comprises a proof mass, a movable driving electrode and a movable sensing electrode disposed on the proof mass, and a stationary driving electrode and stationary sensing electrode disposed on a substrate, wherein the sensing electrodes output a sensing signal when the proof mass vibrates.

Abstract: A seal pack of a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system having a plurality of wash flow pathways fluidically connected to a central pathway that accommodates a sample needle, wherein a first wash flow pathway is vertically offset from a second wash flow pathway, such that a wash solution flows axially along an exterior surface of the sample needle in a vertical direction to wash the sample needle when flowing from the first wash flow pathway to the vertically offset second wash flow pathway, is provided. Furthermore, an autosampler and associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: System and method for optimizing bottling line performance based on data received from a bottle with sensors. The system provides a bottle with sensors in a bottling line or maintenance system, a network gateway, a human machine interface (HMI) device, and a platform server. The HMI device provides for local control of the bottling line while the platform server handles distribution of GUIs, as well as data processing, data storage, and data analysis.

Abstract: A measuring method in an embodiment includes detecting elastic waves generated in a structural object formed of a solid material in a non-contact manner and estimating a position of an occurrence source of the elastic waves on the basis of information regarding an intensity of a signal of the detected elastic waves.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of sludge generation in oil includes: a deteriorated oil generating step ST1; a RPVOT testing step ST2; a sludge amount measuring step ST2B; and a determining step ST3. The step ST1 generates deteriorated oil oxidized by immersing and rotating a pressurized container in a thermostatic bath having a predetermined temperature. The pressurized container is pressurized until the oxygen partial pressure reaches a predetermined pressure higher than the value under atmospheric pressure by adding oil and a copper catalyst, substituting with oxygen, or injecting oxygen or air. The step ST2A measures an RPVOT residual ratio of a portion of generated deteriorated oil by the RPVOT test. The step ST2B measures the amount of sludge for a portion of generated deteriorated oil. The step ST3 determines the ease of sludge generation from the relationship between the measured RPVOT residual ratio and the amount of sludge.

Abstract: A level sensor comprises an electrical-connection structure and a level-detection structure. The level-detection structure comprises a plurality of elongated electrodes, which include at least three measuring electrodes. The elongated electrodes extend at least partially in side-by-sidey positions in a length direction of the level-detection structure and each have a proximal end and a distal end relative to the electrical-connection structure. The level-detection structure is divided, in the length direction, into a succession of detection sections, each of which includes two effective portions of two respective measuring electrodes, the two effective portions extending to a prevalent extent substantially parallel and equidistant, at a first predetermined distance from each other, in the length direction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cranial rotation system, including a subject stage configured to support a subject; a cranial support configured to support a cranium of the subject and rotate relative to the subject stage; subject stage a motor configured to rotate the cranial support about a rotational axis; and a controller configured to operate the motor.

Abstract: A slip detecting device according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of contact parts having different slipping characteristics when an object (600) in contact with the plurality of regions is slipping; and a sensor that detects a pressure distribution of each of the plurality of contact parts. By employing the plurality of contact parts having different slipping characteristics when the object (600) in contact with the plurality of regions, a timing at which a whole slip occurs is different between the plurality of contact parts, and thus a state of a partial slip in which a part of the object (600) is slipping is able to be detected, so that it is possible to detect a slip of the object (600) with high accuracy.

Abstract: Distributed sensing systems and methods with spatial location correlation of a reflection produced along an electromagnetic (EM) waveguide. A distributed sensing system comprises an EM waveguide, a distributed sensing interrogator, and a processor. The distributed sensing interrogator comprises a transmitter coupled to the EM waveguide and generates an interrogation pulse through the EM waveguide. The distributed sensing interrogator also comprises a receiver coupled to the EM waveguide and responsive to backscattered EM waves propagating through the EM waveguide. The processor determines a spatial location associated with a reflection produced along the EM waveguide using a return signal generated from the reflection by the interrogator and an interrogation signal including the interrogation pulse.

Abstract: A breath alcohol device calibration system includes a computerized calibration module operable to calibrate a breath alcohol device, and an interface operable to couple the breath alcohol device to a remote server. The interface uses a connection employing a cryptographic function such that data stored on the breath alcohol device can be securely transferred from the breath alcohol device to the remote server using the calibration system. The interface is further operable to transfer data stored on the breath alcohol device from the breath alcohol device to the remote server directly without storing the data in nonvolatile storage on the calibration station.

Abstract: A triboelectric sensor comprises a substrate; at least one grid structure disposed in or on the substrate; and at least one electrode for collecting triboelectric charges that are generated by sliding of an object over a surface of the substrate; wherein the at least one grid structure is configured such that motion of the object is detectable from a signal generated by crossing of the object over at least part of the grid structure.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a diagnostic apparatus includes a sound-emitting unit, at least one measurement unit, and a processor. The sound-emitting unit includes a plurality of speakers arranged at equal angular intervals on a circumference of a circle, and is configured to emit a first vibration sound to a target by using the speakers. The at least one measurement unit is arranged on a central axis of the circle, and is configured to measure a vibration of the target generated in response to the first vibration sound, or a second vibration sound radiated from the target due to the vibration. The processor is configured to diagnose the target based on an output from the at least one measurement unit.

Abstract: According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: controlling one or more electroacoustic transducers of a device to create a standing wave having a displacement antinode at an expected location of a component of the device; receiving a signal representing sound generated by vibration of the component driven by the standing wave; causing analysis of the signal to determine whether there is a defect based on whether the signal represents a sound that would be expected to result from vibration of the component driven by the standing wave in the absence of a defect.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a sensor signal (SS) for evaluating a vehicle braking system, including: a first signal-path (SP) for outputting the SS to a first output-interface (OI) to a first converter-device (CD), the first SP having first electronic-components (EC), and is electrically connectable to an input-interface (II) to a vehicle sensor (VS); a first test-device (TD) for applying a first test-signal (TS) to the SS in the first SP, the first TD being electrically connectable to the first SP; a second SP for outputting the SS to a second OI to a second CD, the second SP having second EC, and is electrically connectable to the II to the VS; and a second TD for applying a second TS to the SS in the second SP, the second TD being electrically connectable to the second SP. Also described are a method, control unit, braking system, and computer readable medium.