Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for the identification of one or more liquid and/or gaseous components in a fluid using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy with a wide range of frequencies. In the preferred embodiment the method of measuring the concentration and/or constituents of a sample including heavy metal ions, uses two or more frequency bands. The measurements from the first frequency band are combined with measurements in the second frequency band such that the concentration of a certain constituent is established in real time (or near real time). A-priori knowledge is used in the combination, and the a-priori knowledge is related to measurements of certain materials at earlier times.

Abstract: A system for sensing analyte in at least partly translucent material, including one or more radiation sources configured for successively providing radiation at a first and a second wavelength, respectively, two or more waveguides for simultaneously transmitting the radiation at each wavelength provided by the radiation source, a first waveguide being a reference waveguide and a second being a sensing waveguide; and measuring means for measuring a phase difference between the radiation waves from the reference waveguide and the measuring waveguide, resp. The present method can be used for measuring contaminants such as Fe, Sn, and/or Pb in oil related products, such as carburant or lubricant.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the elongation, or stretch, of a modular plastic conveyor belt. The belt-stretch measuring system measures stretch as the ratio less one of an actual belt travel distance or actual belt speed to an expected belt travel distance or expected belt speed for a new, unstretched belt. The actual belt travel distances or actual belt speeds are measured by sensors. The expected belt travel distances or expected belt speeds are calculated from the pulse outputs of encoders measuring the rotation of sprockets engaging the conveyor belt and from the known number of teeth on the sprockets. Actual belt pitch and catenary sag are also calculated.

Abstract: An integral weighing and sorting system that weighs articles on a roller belt and selectively actuates or deactuates belt rollers to divert selected articles. After an article is weighed on the roller belt, its weight is compared to a predetermined weight range. Out-of-range articles are directed to exit the belt via a different route from that of in-range articles by actuating the rollers to rotate in a direction transverse to the travel direction in a roller-actuation zone.

Abstract: A system for sensing analyte in at least partly translucent material, including one or more radiation sources configured for successively providing radiation at a first and a second wavelength, respectively, two or more waveguides for simultaneously transmitting the radiation at each wavelength provided by the radiation source, a first waveguide being a reference waveguide and a second being a sensing waveguide; and measuring means for measuring a phase difference between the radiation waves from the reference waveguide and the measuring waveguide, resp. The present method can be used for measuring contaminants such as Fe, Sn, and/or Pb in oil related products, such as carburant or lubricant.

Abstract: A sensor system for a conveyor belt comprising a sensor stage on the conveyor belt and a stationary drive and detection stage external to the conveyor belt in the belt carryway. In an exemplary version, the sensor stage includes a capacitor sensor whose capacitance varies with the weight of a load atop a pressure platform at the belt's conveying surface. An oscillator in the drive and detection stage drives the capacitor sensor through capacitors formed when plates in the sensor stage in the advancing conveyor belt overlap stationary plates in the drive and detection stage during the belt's passage along the carryway. The corresponding plates in the belt and the carryway have different longitudinal dimensions to ensure constant plate overlap area of longer duration and despite lateral belt-tracking offset. The drive and detection stage detects the capacitance of the sensor and converts it into a weight value.

Abstract: An integral weighing and sorting system that weighs articles on a roller belt and selectively actuates or deactuates belt rollers to divert selected articles. After an article is weighed on the roller belt, its weight is compared to a predetermined weight range. Out-of-range articles are directed to exit the belt via a different route from that of in-range articles by actuating the rollers to rotate in a direction transverse to the travel direction in a roller-actuation zone.

Abstract: A sensor system for a conveyor belt comprising a sensor stage on the conveyor belt and a stationary drive and detection stage external to the conveyor belt in the belt carryway. In an exemplary version, the sensor stage includes a capacitor sensor whose capacitance varies with the weight of a load atop a pressure platform at the belt's conveying surface. An oscillator in the drive and detection stage drives the capacitor sensor through capacitors formed when plates in the sensor stage in the advancing conveyor belt overlap stationary plates in the drive and detection stage during the belt's passage along the carryway. The corresponding plates in the belt and the carryway have different longitudinal dimensions to ensure constant plate overlap area of longer duration and despite lateral belt-tracking offset. The drive and detection stage detects the capacitance of the sensor and converts it into a weight value.

Abstract: A conveyor and a sensing system for sensing various conditions on an advancing conveying bodies of a conveyor. The conveyor includes an array of sensing elements embedded in the conveying bodies to measure belt conditions. The sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. The capacitor or the inductive coil can be a sensing element. Measuring circuits external to the belt are inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuits in the conveying bodies as they pass closely by. The sensing elements change the resonant frequency of their resonant circuits as a function of the sensed conditions. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a functionally related value used to determine a conveyor condition. Exemplary conditions include temperature, pressure, humidity, spillage, and product weight.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation conveying system conveys products on trays and measures the weight of the product without requiring removal of the product or tray. A track below the trays has magnetic levitation coils that generate a magnetic field when energized. The trays include magnets or other levitation elements that interact with the magnetic levitation coils to generate a propulsive levitating force on the tray. A sensor measures a parameter in the system to correlate the parameter with the weight of the conveyed product. The parameter can be a floating height of the tray above the track, an amount of energy necessary to maintain a particular floating height of the tray above the track, a force resulting from accelerating or decelerating the tray, a force required to maintain a desired curve radius when the tray moves around a curve, a force that counteracts an acceleration caused by an incline or other suitable indicator of weight.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a sensing system for sensing various conditions on a conveyor belt. The belt includes an array of sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure belt conditions. The sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. The capacitor or the inductive coil can be a sensing element. Measuring circuits external to the belt are inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuits in the belt as they pass closely by. The sensing elements change the resonant frequency of their resonant circuits as a function of the sensed conditions. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a functionally related value used to determine a belt condition. Exemplary conditions include temperature, pressure, humidity, spillage, and product weight.

Abstract: A conveyor and a sensing system for sensing various conditions on an advancing conveying bodies of a conveyor. The conveyor includes an array of sensing elements embedded in the conveying bodies to measure belt conditions. The sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. The capacitor or the inductive coil can be a sensing element. Measuring circuits external to the belt are inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuits in the conveying bodies as they pass closely by. The sensing elements change the resonant frequency of their resonant circuits as a function of the sensed conditions. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a functionally related value used to determine a conveyor condition. Exemplary conditions include temperature, pressure, humidity, spillage, and product weight.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a weighing system for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes an array of force-sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The force-sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. Either the capacitor or the inductive coil can be a force-sensitive element. Measuring circuits external to the belt include an oscillator having a coil that inductively couples to the resonant circuit in the belt as it passes closely by. A force applied to the belt at a force-sensitive element changes the resonant frequency of its resonant circuit, which also causes a change in the oscillator frequency. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a proportional force value used to compute the weights of conveyed articles on the fly.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a weighing system for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes an array of force-sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The force-sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. Either the capacitor or the inductive coil can be a force-sensitive element. Measuring circuits external to the belt include an oscillator having a coil that inductively couples to the resonant circuit in the belt as it passes closely by. A force applied to the belt at a force-sensitive element changes the resonant frequency of its resonant circuit, which also causes a change in the oscillator frequency. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a proportional force value used to compute the weights of conveyed articles on the fly.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a sensing system for sensing various conditions on a conveyor belt. The belt includes an array of sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure belt conditions. The sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. The capacitor or the inductive coil can be a sensing element. Measuring circuits external to the belt are inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuits in the belt as they pass closely by. The sensing elements change the resonant frequency of their resonant circuits as a function of the sensed conditions. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a functionally related value used to determine a belt condition. Exemplary conditions include temperature, pressure, humidity, spillage, and product weight.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and a weighing system for weighing articles conveyed on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes an array of force-sensing elements embedded in the belt to measure forces normal to the belt's conveying surface. The force-sensing elements form parts of passive resonant circuits that each include a capacitor and an inductive coil. Either the capacitor or the inductive coil can be a force-sensitive element. Measuring circuits external to the belt include an oscillator having a coil that inductively couples to the resonant circuit in the belt as it passes closely by. A force applied to the belt at a force-sensitive element changes the resonant frequency of its resonant circuit, which also causes a change in the oscillator frequency. Frequency detectors in the measuring circuits measure that frequency change and convert it into a proportional force value used to compute the weights of conveyed articles on the fly.