Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigerating fluid cycle comprising the standard compressor, condenser, liquid/gas separating reservoir, expansion device and evaporator. The invention is characterized in that a pre-expansion device is placed between the condenser and the reservoir, so as to reduce the fluid pressure until it reaches its saturation vapor pressure. The reservoir can thus contain a variable amount of liquid to compensate the fluid losses in the cycle by maintaining the sub-cooling temperature constant thereby enabling the heat load to be absorbed by the condenser.

Abstract: In the process according to the invention for fractionating substances, particularly paraffins, oils, fats and waxes, which, when crystallized, have poor adhesion to the substantially vertical crystallization surfaces (39) of a crystallizer, screen-like supporting structures, e.g. perforated metal sheets (31) bent in a zig-zag, are disposed between the crystallization surfaces (39) of a crystallizer. The crystals (51) becoming detached from the crystallization surfaces (39) during the sweating phase are left suspended in horizontal strips in the triangular zones (41) on the perforated sheet (31) and remain in thermal contact with the crystallization surface (39) and sweat out the liquid phase (55). The mother liquor (55) drips off, in some cases also between the crystals (51) and the crystallization surface (39), with the result that drip channels are melted by the heated mother liquor and thus opened.

Abstract: A uniquely mating jewelry item includes a first stand-alone jewelry piece including a first gem part which has been cut along a separation line from a gemstone, the first gem part having a first outer surface with one-of-kind, naturally occurring markings thereon and a first mating surface different from the first outer surface and extending along and to one side of the separation line, and a first jewelry holder secured with the first gem part for holding the first jewelry piece on a support such that the first outer surface and the first mating surface are exposed and visible; a second stand-alone jewelry piece including a second gem part which has been cut from the same gemstone, the second gem part having a second outer surface with one-of-kind, naturally occurring markings thereon and a second mating surface different from the second outer surface and extending along and to an opposite side of the separation line, and a second jewelry holder secured with the second gem part for holding the second jewelry

Abstract: Sol-gel process conducted under an inert gas in a solvent at a temperature up to the boiling points of the solvent and by-products by reacting a chalcogen source, a glass network former-intermediate metal in the form of an alkoxide or a non-alkoxide and a catalyst to form a homogeneous product having average particle size of below 100 nm with catalyst, if the catalyst is a catalyst dopant, uniformly dispersed in the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of vitrifying waste and for lowering the melting point of glass forming systems by including lithia formers in the glass forming composition in significant amounts, typically from about 0.16 wt % to about 11 wt %, based on the total glass forming oxides. The lithia is typically included as a replacement for alkali oxide glass formers that would normally be present in a particular glass forming system. Replacement can occur on a mole percent or weight percent basis, and typically results in a composition wherein lithia forms about 10 wt % to about 100 wt % of the alkali oxide glass formers present in the composition. The present invention also relates to the high lithia glass compositions formed by these methods.

Abstract: Proposed is an improvement in the VAD process for the preparation of a porous silica glass preform for double-core optical fibers by using three oxyhydrogen flame burners installed one above the other in a flame hydrolysis chamber in which a porous silica glass body consisting of the center core portion formed by the lowermost burner, side core portion formed by the middle burner and the cladding layer formed by the uppermost burner is gradually pulled up as it grows under rotation. Different from conventional procedures in which the extension of the nozzle axis of each of the burners intersects with the rotation axis of the growing body, the extension of the nozzle axis of the middle burner for the side core is displaced in a horizontal direction by a limited distance not to intersect nor to be in parallel with the rotation axis in the invention. By this means, an improvement is obtained in the uniformity of distribution of the refractive index in the side core which otherwise is remarkably disordered.

Abstract: The deposition rate of MCVD processes is enhanced by applying at least a first and a second independently controlled heat source to a plurality of reactants which are used to form deposited particulate matter. The first heat source is adjusted so as to provide at least a specified rate of reaction for the reactants, and the second source is adjusted so as to provide at least a specified deposition rate for the particulate matter.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine is provided and includes a cylinder, a gear ring supporting and rotating the cylinder, a cam holder, a cam ring supporting the cam holder and a bed supporting the cam ring and the gear ring, and further including an oil collection system for controlling and collecting leaked oil to prevent the oil from staining the fabric being knit. The oil collection system includes a protrusion-free lower surface on said gear ring that is inclined outwardly and downwardly, a chamber in said bed for containing machine parts, an oil collecting cavity in the bed underneath the inclined surface of the gear ring and a reclamation pipe for reclaiming collected oil.

Abstract: A thread supplying device with intermittent thread consumption has at least one thread supplying unit including a rotatable thread supplying drum and a thread supplying device. The thread supplying drum has a first and a second peripheral portion forming corresponding friction surfaces for a thread to be supplied. The thread supplying device has an inlet element associated with the first peripheral portion and an outlet element associated with the second peripheral portion, and also has two movable guiding elements for the thread and associated with the peripheral portions. The thread is guided by the guiding elements between the inlet and the outlet element and cooperates successively with the first and the second peripheral portion and placed on an associated one of the peripheral portions in a supplying position of the guiding elements along a greater peripheral angle than in a non supplying position of the guiding elements.

Abstract: A composite structure manufactured on a knit stitch machine and including a pair of preformed substrates joined together by a knitted yarn system while being separated by portions of the yarn system. Preferably the yarn is bulked after knitting and defines a plurality of supports between the substrates. The composite is produced by feeding the substrates through a knit stitch machine, on opposite sides of a spacer bar and developing the knit stitches of the yarn system through and about the substrates while located on opposite sides of the spacer bar. After the composite is produced it preferably is subjected to heat to cause yarn of the yarn system to bulk and form supports between the substrates. The composites may be enclosed in sealed polymeric envelopes to form a cushioning pad, or may be used for filtration, insulation or other uses. The process of producing the composite and the spacer bar are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to Jacquard selection in a textile machine characterized by a selection jack (1) provided with a spring (M1) by which, after the preselection phase in which the jacks are guided by a cam inside the cylinder, they move out under the pressure of the spring, thus modifying the path or the functions; or remain contained and/or retained in the cylinder by a selector and/or other member disposed frontally which prevents their moving out. According to circumstances, the selector, even if fixed, can move vertically, horizontally and also radially, with minimum time and space, without lateral impact on the incoming butts and/or jacks. Finally, the actuators, together with the cams of the jacks and/or needles, are incorporated in a modular support to modify the type of selection and/or for textile operations other than the Jacquard type.

Abstract: A washing machine having a sub-pulsator, the washing machine including a pulsator rotating in the left/right directions by a driving source during the washing process and guide duct mounted in a wash/spin-dry tub for guiding the washing water agitated by left/right rotations of the pulsator to the upper side of the wash/spin-dry tub, wherein the washing machine comprises:a hydraulic turbine disposed in the guide duct; anda sub-pulsator arranged in the wash/spin-dry tub to mesh with the hydraulic turbine, such that a side water current is formed at an intermediate section of the wash/spin-dry tub without recourse to input of separately added power to thereby improve the washing performance.

Abstract: A Z-bar security system, one which is provided with a key and a secured latch, is combined with an electronic alarm and monitoring system. This combination provides the maximum degree of both mechanical and electronic security. In a preferred embodiment, a Z-bar latch assembly has a three-position rotatable cylinder which is operable by a key from outside of the door. These three positions correspond, respectively, to "open", "viewing" and "closed" positions of the door.

Abstract: A lever-action slam latch includes a pair of opposing, nested slides so that a single latch can be mounted in either left-handed or right-handed door. The locking mechanism is difficult to circumvent, and permits the key to remain in the lock while the latch is opened.

Abstract: A door lock assembly which includes an electronic card reader is provided whereby when the clutch assembly is in the activated position, rotational movement of the outside handle is transmitted by way of a spindle through the mortise and through the clutch assembly to a clutch disk disposed between the mortise and clutch assemblies and the inside housing. The clutch disk is disposed inside the door. Rotational movement of the clutch disk is then imparted back towards the door through a drive disk and hub drive to the mortise latch hub which is disposed in the mortise housing disposed inside the door structure. As a result, the clutch disk and clutch assembly can be disposed between the inside housing and the inside door surface and the electronic components of the card reader and clutch assembly can be conveniently housed in the inside housing assembly.

Abstract: A door lock system has a closing mechanism for bringing an ajar condition of a door into a fully closed condition. The fully closed condition of the door is locked for the sake of safety by the locking operation of a locking-and-unlocking mechanism. The locked condition of the door is released by an unlocking operation of the locking-and-unlocking mechanism. Moreover, by actuating a double lock mechanism, the door under the locked condition is further brought into a double-looked condition under which the unlocking operation of the locking-and-unlocking mechanism cannot be established. The closing mechanism, the locking and-unlocking mechanism, and the double lock mechanism are driven by a common electric motor thus allowing the door lock mechanism to be reduced in size and manufactured less expensively.

Abstract: Various enhancements are provided to a pushbutton lock to enhance its security. One is the provision of button tips that are mounted on the ends of the button assemblies and spring-loaded to protrude from the face of the lock, regardless of whether the underlying button is "in" or "out." By this arrangement, a bystander cannot readily see the button combination by the pattern of depressed buttons. This arrangement also reduces tactile feedback between the underlying button assembly and the externally available button tips, increasing resistance to pick attacks. A further enhancement is the provision of button bars between adjacent pairs of button tips. Whenever any of the button tips is manually depressed, the corresponding button bar is pressed into engagement with, and prevents movement of, a member that must be moved in order to unlock the lock.

Abstract: A dual-function lock in accordance with the invention has an axis-defining lock sub-assembly including first and second axially aligned rotator members having confronting first end faces and oppositely facing second end faces. The sub-assembly has a lost-motion recess and an anchor recess on one confronting face and one recess-engaging member extending from another confronting face to permit lock function selection by placing the recess-engaging member into a particular recess. Alternative dual-function lock sub-assemblies include a unitary rotator bolt and a companion actuator. The rotator bolt has a release-mechanism-engaging portion and an actuator-engaging portion. While a first section of the actuator-engaging portion permits limited lost-motion between the rotator bolt and a companion actuator, a second section prevents lost-motion. The lock function can be selectively determined by placing the companion actuator into the desired first or second section of the actuator-engaging portion.

Abstract: A flat key for a tumbler-containing locking cylinder of a locking apparatus, with a key grip and, attached thereto, a key shank for locking grooves cut into the shank towards the end surface, the shank having a basic profile exhibiting an essentially T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, of which the T-bar forms a guide bar with guiding surfaces, and of which the T-stem extending in the longitudinal mid-plane provides the end surface and has wide side surfaces for the provision of profile ribs that have curvilinear cross-sectional contours.

Abstract: An auxiliary lock includes an exterior lock assembly having a knob and an actuating plate that is connected to the knob to rotate therewith. A casing is mounted inside a door for rotatably supporting a knob that is also connected to the actuating plate to rotate therewith. A control plate is mounted in the casing and includes a first end extended beyond the casing for manual operation. A second end of the control plate includes a notch releasably engaged with one of a number of teeth of an engaging wheel mounted in the casing. The control plate is movable vertically and retained in place by a positioning element. The engaging wheel is connected to the actuating plate to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A device for forming a cutting blade for prints is disclosed. The device of this invention forms cutting blades by appropriately bending and cutting a metal strip into desired blades through integrated work regardless of a difference in the size of metal strips. The device is also provided with changeable jigs, thus being capable of forming bridge notches having different intervals, widths and configurations. The device has one vertically movable bending pin and one swing cutter. The bending pin is capable of quickly bending a metal strip into a desired configuration, while the swing cutter finely and precisely cuts the metal strip into cutting blades. The device also quickly produces high precision cutting blades, thus improving productivity and reducing the cost of the cutting blades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rivet setting device having an electric drive motor, at lease one rivet setting means driven by drive motor, at least one rechargeable battery for supplying power to the drive motor, and a circuit for controlling the power supply to the drive motor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing metal balls from a cylindrical strand material, with two rolling jaws which are displaceable relative to one another and of which each forms a shaping groove which extends in a direction of displacement, wherein the jaws are located displaceably relative to one another such that U-grooves, which are located opposite one another on the opening side, form a shaping channel, a blank being rolled, as a result of displacement of the channel walls relative to one another, on its passage through said shaping channel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of a cooking vessel, such as a frying pan (12) or a kettle from a metal blank. The vessel is manufactured by roll forming techniques by using a lower tool (3) that rotates around its axis (2), the form face (6, 7) of the lower tool being designed so that it corresponds to the outer surface of the thus created vessel, and an upper tool (5) that rotates around its axis (4), the surface (9, 10) of the upper tool having a profile that corresponds to the inner surface formed to the vessel. The blank is placed on the form face of the lower tool and the tools (3, 5) are then made to rotate so that the blank rotates along with the lower tool (3), and the surface of the upper tool (5) is in linear roll contact with the blank, whereby the metal is formed in the slot between the tools, spreading out into the desired form of the vessel. A vertical wall on the lower tool adjacent the blank may prevent the blank from becoming dislocated on the lower tool.

Abstract: Forming machine for metal strips, in particular for the manufacture of plates for electric accumulators, comprising moving means (2, 3) designed to convey a continuous strip (10) through an incision zone (8) associated with forming means (7) provided with a plurality of teeth (9) operationally actuated by actuator means (11) so as to make incisions in the strip (10) so as to form a continuous mesh (12). The actuator means (11) move the forming means (7) in accordance with a law of motion having a component oriented in the direction of feeding (A) of the strip (10) and a component oriented in a direction (B) substantially perpendicular to the direction of feeding (A) of the strip (10). The first component allows the teeth (9) to advance substantially in synchronism with the strip (10), while the second component allows the teeth (9) to make incisions in and expand the strip (10) during an incision step of the machine (1). For this purpose, the strip is fed continuously by the moving means (2, 3).

Abstract: Large slabs are processed into memory free strip or plate. The large slabs are rolled into strip or plate on a rolling mill with a finishing temperature of above 1340.degree. F. The strip or plate is cooled inline to a temperature in the range of 900.degree.-650.degree. F. with the strip or plate laid out on a flat cooling conveyor. The speed of the strip or plate is slowed to speeds typical of cut-to-length lines. The strip or plate is side trimmed and cut to length and the strip or plate is subsequently stacked.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a recess portion having an predetermined shape on one side of a metal plate without giving the metal plate any remarkable stress while forming the other side flat, which is suitable for a package for electronic parts such as an integrated circuit, etc. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that a recess portion having an predetermined shape is formed by plastically deforming a metal plate having a predetermined thickness by means of a press, etc. so as to form the recess portion having a depth smaller than the thickness on one side thereof and to form at the same time a protruding portion protruding on the other side of the metal plate. In the steps of plastically deforming the metal plate, metal corresponding to the recess portion is displaced to the protruding portion.

Abstract: Damage to the dies due to a die collision caused by an input error of bending data etc. is avoided without use of a specialized device for pressure detection. A die interference checking mode is provided for setting the pressure of the ram, which supports the movable die, to a value that does not cause damage in the event that the movable die and the fixed die interfere with each other and for driving the ram so as to create the set pressure. A die interference determining step is further provided in which it is determined whether the movable die and the fixed die have interfered with each other in the die interference checking step, and if it is determined that the dies have interfered, the movement of the ram is stopped, and if it is determined that the dies have not interfered, the die interference checking step is cancelled and the operation of the press brake proceeds to an ordinary bending step.

Abstract: An adjustable gage block for a press brake comprises a base attachable to the press brake and a body pivotally carried by the base for pivoting movement about a vertical axis. The body carries a first guide member, and a second guide member is pivotally carried by the body for pivoting movement about said vertical axis with respect to the first guide member. One or both of the guide members have upwardly-facing guide surfaces laying in a horizontal plane to support a workpiece, and each guide member has a vertical guide surface, with the vertical guide surfaces laying in convergent planes. Adjustment means are provided for adjusting the angle between the vertical guide surfaces of the guide members to accommodate the shape of a workpiece. Desirably, a workpiece support is mounted to the press brake spaced from the gage block, the workpiece support having an edge guide surface positioned to engage an edge of the workpiece and to orient the workpiece with respect to the gage block.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for calibrating a rotary encoder including a rotatable disk including at least two index points located along a circumferentially extending row. These index points contain information specifying an angular position of the index point. This allows the rotary encoder to be calibrated by turning it through a sufficient angular displacement to ensure that an index point passes over a sensor. This sufficient angular displacement is less than a complete revolution because there are multiple index points along the circumference of the disk. This design allows a rotary encoder to be calibrated without turning it through a complete revolution. This is advantageous where turning the rotary encoder through a complete rotation is not possible or is inconvenient, for example in applications such as a wind direction indicator, a rudder position indicator or a joystick.

Abstract: A gauge assembly 10 having improved accuracy due to its correction of certain errors. The assembly 10 includes a controller 12 which is communicatively coupled to at least one sensor 14 and a gauge driver 16 by use of a communications path or bus 28. Gauge driver 16 selectively and rotatably moves a staff 18 and pointer 26 within a gauge display 22 in response to the certain error compensated data received from controller 12.

Abstract: A machine for testing material wear and lubrication properties between a bearing pin and opposing bearing blocks includes a wear-test loading apparatus comprising a guide mounted to the frame of the machine, a pair of bearing block holders slidably mounted to the guide, and a low-friction actuator such as a piston-type pneumatic mounted to the bearing block holders for movement there with and independently of the frame. The actuator piston rod is connected to the bearing block holder on one side of the pin adjacent the actuator, and the actuator housing is connected to the bearing block holder on the other side of the pin. When the actuator is pressurized, the piston and housing tend to separate under equal and opposite force due to the pressure in the actuator. This separation causes the bearing block holders to simultaneously slide on the guide and be drawn inwardly toward one another, and thus toward and into bearing contact with the pin, with equal and opposite force.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a substrate preferably made of beryllium oxide which is both an electrical insulator and thermal conductor, the substrate having thereon at least one heating element for the substrate, at lease one gas-sensitive active material deposited on the substrate and a set of at least two space electrodes in contact with the active material. The thermal conductivity of the substrate as arranged together with the heating element cooperate and assists to ensure that the substrate achieves a desired thermal gradient while the sensor establishes a near-uniform temperature throughout substantially the entire sensor, thus enabling the operating temperature of the active material to be maintained substantially constant throughout its entire volume.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for monitoring impurities in wet chemicals in semiconductor wafer processing comprising a silicon sensor (12) that is electrically connected to a potentiometer (22), a reference electrode (14) electrically connected to the potentiometer (22), wherein a comparison in the potential between the silicon sensor (12) and the reference electrode (14) to a predetermined baseline is used to measure wet chemical impurities, is disclosed.

Abstract: The food viscometer of the present invention includes a microprocessor controlled fluid viscometer assembly contained in a housing configured for easy mounting on the upper edge of a glass or other conventional drinking utensil. Projecting from the housing of the food viscometer is a probe that is placed in the liquid contained in the liquid container. The housing adjustably engages a base assembly that permits raising and lowering of the housing to ensure that the probe is placed a predetermined depth into the liquid. The base assembly also securely engages the upper edge of the liquid container to ensure the generally vertical positioning of the probe within the liquid, and also to ensure that the probe is spaced a predetermined minimum distance from the edges of the liquid container.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for determining resonant frequencies for a cantilever used to measure tip-to-sample distances on a scanning force microscope. The process uses a non-linear equation and does not require knowledge of the shape of the cantilever to obtain the measured forces. As the tip-to-sample distance varies, the resonant frequency of the cantilever changes. Instead of measuring the positions of the tip and sample and the spring constant (k) of the cantilever, the present invention measures the resonant frequency at each data point. The shifts in frequencies contain the information necessary to reconstruct the force-distance curve.

Abstract: A timing device for locking a fly wheel of an engine in place for timing purposes comprising a bushing with a threaded portion at one end that engages a threaded aperture in the bell housing of a diesel engine. A timing or locking pin is disposed within the bushing and is movable longitudinally therein. A washer is disposed between the locking pin and the bushing. A spring is attached at either end to the washer. The spring may be used to bias the locking pin into engagement with a detent in the flywheel. Removal of the spring from the locking pin allows the pin to be removed from the detent in the flywheel.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the size of a print medium. A hollow tube is positioned adjacent the paper or print medium. An ultrasonic transducer apparatus launches pulses of ultrasonic energy into the tube, and is responsive to ultrasonic echoes of the pulses to convert echo pulse energy into electrical detected signals. A flag positioning apparatus selectively positions a blocking flag within the tube at a location spaced from the transducer apparatus which is indicative of a print medium size. A controller responds to the electrical detected signals to determine a print medium size. The flag positioning apparatus can provide a single flag movable along a longitudinal extent of the tube, or a set of flags spaced along the longitudinal extent, one or more of which are selectably deflected by the print medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balance correcting method for scanning optical apparatus for deflection-scanning a light beam in such an arrangement that a drive motor is of an inner rotor type in which a rotary body having a drive magnet is disposed inside a stator and a rotary polygon mirror is mounted on the rotary body so as to enable deflection scanning of the light beam, wherein a mechanical part having the rotary body is arranged as separable from an electric circuit part having the stator, the mechanical part having the rotary body is separated from the electric circuit part upon balance correction, only the mechanical part is then mounted on a balance corrector, the mechanical part is rotated by a stator as a rotating device preliminarily provided in the balance corrector, and an amount of unbalance is measured and adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates particularly to sensing devices and techniques which may be used to provide measurement data to aid an inertial navigation system, or attitude and heading reference system, and so bound the growth of errors which increase with time in such systems when operating autonomously. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of determining the path length along a borehole from a known reference point to a probe or tool which progresses through a drillpipe or tubular string, to provide data to aid an inertial navigation system. A sensing device 15 is used to detect joints 11 between sections of drillpipe or tubular string within the borehole and the path length is determined from the number of joints detected and a known length of each section of drillpipe or tubular string. In another aspect, a flow measuring device, such as an impeller, is used to measure the velocity of the probe or tool through the drillpipe or tubular string.

Abstract: An in-line skate wheel assembly for a skate mounted speedometer or odometer that includes a signal processor and display housing mounted on the skate toe with a sensor mounted under the toe very close to the forward wheel. A field producing sensing element is fixed in the elastomeric portion of the forward wheel where it passes in close proximity to the sensor as the wheel rotates. The display housing is connected to the sensor by a flat conductor and the three are quickly removable as a unit from the skate.

Abstract: An integrated sensor package formed using low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly techniques and method for manufacturing same.

Abstract: Disturbances of a periodic nature, such as those occurring in a rotating device can be attenuated by a cancellation function. A cancellation signal is produced by extracting one or more frequency components (harmonics) from a disturbance. A set of weighting coefficients are generated by an artificial neural network based on information derived from the selected frequency components of the periodic disturbance signal. The artificial neural network algorithm adapts in real time to shifts in the magnitude and phase of the disturbance frequencies selected for attenuation at the sensor location. In turn, these coefficients are applied to a function of a similar number of components and applied to the rotating device. Over a period of time, feedback and adaptation will attenuate the disturbance at the selected frequencies.

Abstract: A method for measuring damping characteristics of a friction member include: relatively pressing a first member as a friction member to be measured against a second member, for relatively sliding with respect to a second member and vibrating, measuring vibration states of the pressed first and second members, and measuring variations in the vibration states of the pressed first and second members and measuring damping characteristics of the friction member to be measured against vibrations by comparing damped amounts based on the variations in the vibration states of the first and second members. The above method and an apparatus therefor enable detailed evaluations of friction member having high performance.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring high pressures, the sensor being adapted to act externally on a measuring element, the measuring element having a central cavity and being composed of two parts which are sealingly joined in order to form the cavity, and comprising sensor means for measuring the mechanical stress condition of the measuring element. The two parts of the measuring element are manufactured in planar technology form silicium or quartz and have a substantially larger length than lateral dimensions, the cavity being oriented in a longitudinal direction, and the sensor means being piezo-resistive elements lying adjacent to the external or internal surface of the measuring element.

Abstract: A guard electrode is formed on a frontside surface of a semiconductor substrate and a fixed electrode is formed on the guard electrode via an insulating layer. A cavity is formed on the fixed electrode by a diaphragm and a moving electrode is formed between the layers of the diaphragm. A substrate through hole directing from a backside surface of the substrate and reaching the cavity is formed. An operational amplifier which drives the guard electrode so as to equalize an electric potential of the guard electrode with that of the fixed electrode is provided. A change in the capacitance between the fixed electrode and a moving electrode is converted into a voltage directly concerned with a displacement of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A construction and a method for measuring the clamping force exerted by a fastener securing together two bodies. The construction includes a piece of material the same as that of a first of the bodies and a stack of at least two pieces of the same material as the second body. The overall height of the stack is equal to the thickness of the second body. A fastener secures all the pieces together. By measuring the force required to move a piece of the stack relative to the other pieces of the stack, an indication of the force exerted by the fastener is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air flow test apparatus for determining the amount of air moving through vents in a turning ventilated rotor. The air flow test apparatus includes an elongated cylindrical shaft journalled for rotation in spaced apart bearing blocks mounted in a frame. A conventional belt drive couples the shaft to a variable speed motor for rotation. An adapter is mounted to the shaft and a work piece is mounted to the adapter end for rotation with the shaft. The work piece includes a hub secured to the adapter for receiving a plurality of different sized rotors, and a ventilated rotor mounted to the hub. The work piece may also include other vehicle components such as the caliper, a wheel, even an entire corner portion of a vehicle for simulation purposes. A pressure gauge is disposed adjacent the rotor, near the vents, to measure the air pressure near the turning rotor.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic torque sensor for providing an output signal indicative of the torque applied to a member about an axially extending axis of the member, comprising, a first magnetoelastically active region in the member, the region being magnetically polarized in a single circumferential direction and possessing sufficient magnetic anisotropy to return the magnetization in the region, following the application of torque to the member, to the single cirumferential direction when the applied torque is reduced to zero, whereby the magnetoelastically active region produces a magnetic field varying with the torque. Magnetic field sensors are mounted proximate to the magnetoelastically active region and oriented with respect thereto to sense the magnitude of the magnetic field at the sensors and provide the output signal in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for supporting a fluid sampling device in an opening below a manhole cover. The apparatus contains a triangular shaped assembly of three tubular members joined together at a common juncture. At least one of the tubular members has an extending member to adapt the triangular shaped assembly to be connected beneath a manhole cover of varying sizes for different sized openings in a street.