Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber comprises setting a heating condition for heating a glass rod, which is a parent material of the optical fiber, and an elongating speed of the glass rod based on a prescribed numerical value which changes with a progress of elongation of the glass rod; heating and elongating the glass rod to generate a preform based on the heating condition and the elongating speed which are set by the setting; and drawing the preform to a filament-like form by further heating the preform to generate the optical fiber.

Abstract: A silica-water dispersion suitable for use as a sol for sol-gel fabrication is produced from a silica-water mixture with addition of alkaline agent. The agent functions to increase viscosity so as to improve dispersing efficiency during shear mixing.

Abstract: A yarn feeder for circular knitting machines includes a jutting section located on a yarn feeding section of the yarn feeder. The jutting section has a yarn directing surface to allow the yarn to either slide over the surface without forming floss, or to retain the floss on the jutting section. Thereby, the yarn maybe fed smoothly and effectively above the knitting needle without rupturing to allow the knitting needle to raise and pick up the yarn as the knitting operation proceeds.

Abstract: In a laundry drum, a liquid diverter includes a driver having a driver interior and a run-off ramp therein. The driver interior receives liquid scooped and lifted by the drum during rotation thereof. The driver discharges scooped liquid in its lifted position into the drum interior. The run-off ramp is oriented horizontally or has a descending gradient when the drum rotation axis is orientated in a direction deviating from horizontal and when the drum is in a rotary position in which the driver is in its highest position, and thereby, permits, in all of the drum's rotation directions, a flow of scooped liquid on the run-off ramp in a direction of a rising part of the rotation axis when in the driver's lifted position. The liquid is conducted into only part of the drivers in a case of low liquid level as a result of the inclination.

Abstract: A combination lock has a plug with a tube extending from the plug. Multiple combination ring assemblies are disposed around the tube, and each of the combination ring assemblies include a combination ring, a positioning ring, and an abutting ring. A bar is inserted with an end inside the tube and an opposed end mounted with a nut extending outside the tube. A cap having a chamber inside is received in a cover, and the nut is received in the chamber. When changing a combination number of the combination lock, a tool is used to turn the cap to separate the combination ring and the positioning ring thus allows the combination number to be changed, and when the changing is completed, the cap is turned to a original position and the combination ring and the positioning ring engages together automatically.

Abstract: A rotation restricted barrel lock and key includes a rotationally actuated barrel lock and a key for opening the lock. The key comprises a lock engaging portion rigidly attached to a handle, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the handle shaft. The sleeve may slide axially along the shaft within preset limits. Lock actuation is characterized by rotation of the lock engaging portion of the key relative to the lock. During actuation of the lock, a set of prongs on the sleeve engages a complementary set of notches on the barrel lock, thereby non-rotatably coupling the barrel lock to the sleeve. By grasping the sleeve, the user can prevent rotation of the lock while turning the key handle, and thus actuate the lock.

Abstract: An improved key fob and key combination allows the mechanical key to be removed from the key fob and given to a valet attendant. The key is provided with a mechanical latch which may be easily removed from the key fob. When the key is removed, secured areas on the vehicle are locked. Moreover, the vehicle has limited operation when the mechanical key is not received with the key fob. In a second feature of this invention, a locator function on the key fob provides an indication of an approximate direction to a vehicle in a parking area. The key fob relies upon RF transmissions from the vehicle to determine an approximate direction to the vehicle.

Abstract: A sheet fabrication machine is equipped with different servo motors for actuating its upper tool and its lower die. A direction converting mechanism is provided to each of the tool assembly and the die assembly so as to convert the non-vertical forces output by the servo motors into vertical forces that enable the tool and die to move relative to each other to effect work on a workpiece placed therebwtween. The sheet fabrication machine is moreover equipped with a system and logic for automatically measuring the length of the tool and for providing a setting from which the operation of the tool can be referenced. Additional features provisioned into the sheet fabrication machine include look ahead functions for optimizing the operational speed of the machine while minimizing the noise generated as a result of the operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydroforming multiple components simultaneously with a smaller capacity press than would be possible using conventional hydroforming methods and apparatus. Die pairs are positioned with multiple die cavities in series so that the separating force transmitted to a press holding the dies equals the force developed in a single die cavity, even though multiple components are being formed in the die cavities.

Abstract: According to the spinning processing method of the invention, a steel tube (4) as a work is rotated round its longitudinal axis (X). A plurality of forming rollers (23), which are arranged around the steel tube (4), are rotated round the steel tube axis (X) in the direction (&bgr;) opposite to the direction of rotation for the steel tube (4). The forming rollers 23 are further moved toward the steel tube axis (X) into pressure contact with the steel tube (4), while being moved relatively to the steel tube (4) in the axial direction (A-B) thereof, to draw the steel tube (4) to form a section of reduced diameter. The relative rotation of the steel tube (4) and the forming rollers (23) in the opposite directions (&agr;, &bgr;) increases the relative rotation speed between them and shortens the processing time.

Abstract: A cut off apparatus is provided to be in line with a roll-forming machine and sweep-forming apparatus, and is particularly adapted for adjustably receiving and perpendicularly cutting bumper-length segments from any elongated compound swept article. The cut off apparatus includes a frame having a base, support columns, an overhead support, and support braces. A movable carriage is mounted on the support columns for ascending and descending the support columns. A first arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage, and a second arm is pivotally mounted on the first arm. The first arm includes a stop block for engaging and carrying the second arm when the first arm pivots. A cutter housing is pivotally mounted on the second arm for receiving and cutting the elongated compound swept article. The carriage, first arm, second arm, and cutter housing are maintained in a substantially “weight free” state by a counterbalance means.

Abstract: In order to produce a metal bellows of a length of “Ls” for use in a heated atmosphere, the following steps take place. First, a blank of the bellows is prepared, which is a metal pipe having a plurality of bulges formed therearound. The blank has a length of “L” that is longer than the length “Ls”. Then, the blank is axially compressed by a length of “a”, so that the compressed blank has a length of “L−a” that is shorter than the length “Ls”. Then, the compressed blank is axially expanded so that the expanded blank has a length of “L−a+b” that is longer than the length “Ls”. Then, the force that has been applied to the blank is removed, and then the treated blank is left in room temperature until the time when the treated blank becomes to have the length of “Ls” due to the spring-back phenomenon.

Abstract: A container end is provided with a suitable stock thickness for necessary strength and pressure resistance over its selected areas of its central portion while employing a substantially thinner peripheral wall. A method of forming thins the peripheral wall by drawing and ironing in a single workstation using compound die that also shears the blank from sheet stock. Optionally, multi-layers or laminates form the central portion of a lid, with a reduced number of layers forming the peripheral wall. Alternatively, the peripheral wall is thinned by ironing, spinning, or roll forming after the blank is formed into a shell. A forming apparatus clamps a planar peripheral wall of a blank with a clamping element that includes a thining tool. The apparatus oppositely offsets the center of the blank from the peripheral wall to draw the peripheral wall over the thinning tool on the clamping element.

Abstract: A system for determining the energy and volume delivered by a flowing natural gas carried within a pipeline based on BTU content analysis of the natural gas using a micro-miniature gas chromatograph. By monitoring key parameters of the flowing natural gas, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and BTU content, the system 110 accurately determines the total energy and total volume delivered by the flowing natural gas over a programmable duration of time. Micro-miniature fabrication of the gas chromatograph imparts important advantages to the system 110, including small size, modular design, low power consumption, fast BTU analysis times, and low consumption of consumable carrier and reference gases.

Abstract: An aerosol lab-on-a-chip (ALOC) integrates one or more of a variety of aerosol collection, classification, concentration (enrichment), and characterization processes onto a single substrate or layered stack of such substrates. By taking advantage of modern micro-machining capabilities, an entire suite of discrete laboratory aerosol handling and characterization techniques can be combined in a single portable device that can provide a wealth of data on the aerosol being sampled. The ALOC offers parallel characterization techniques and close proximity of the various characterization modules helps ensure that the same aerosol is available to all devices (dramatically reducing sampling and transport errors). Micro-machine fabrication of the ALOC significantly reduces unit costs relative to existing technology, and enables the fabrication of small, portable ALOC devices, as well as the potential for rugged design to allow operation in harsh environments.

Abstract: In a method for continuous or discontinuous measurement of shear and strain viscosities of Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, in particular structurally viscous liquids such as polymer melts and solutions and elastomers as well as other structural liquids, the liquid is passed through a first capillary or capillary configuration and through a second capillary connected in series therewith, wherein the liquid in the first capillary or capillary configuration shears only within a defined shear velocity range and the shear viscosity is determined, and, subsequently, the liquid in the second capillary having the same or somewhat smaller shear velocity range, shears and is additionally subjected to a strain-flow so that its flow-through resistance comprises shear as well as strain resistances.

Abstract: A system and method for measurement and control of suspended solids in a fluid includes a sensor, dosage supervisor and logic module. The sensor includes a measurement chamber with a piston. A diverter valve controls introduction of sample fluid into the measurement chamber in coordination with position of the piston. A measurement cycle includes the diverter valve allowing sample fluid into the measurement chamber as the piston retracts from the measurement chamber. The diverter valve prevents sample fluid from leaving the measurement chamber as the piston extends into the measurement chamber to compress the sample fluid. After a certain time of compression, light is transmitted across a portion of the sample fluid. The light received by a light detector is used as a measurement of suspended solids concentration in the fluid. This measurement is used to control introduction of polymers into a fluid source.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for measuring the degree of stratified flow in a two-phase flow is disclosed. Alternate embodiments include a single transducer level detector and a multiple transducer level detector. Further, these level detectors may be either integrated into or used in conjunction with an ultrasonic flow meter, or may be used in conjunction with some other meter that determines speed of sound for the flowing gas.

Abstract: A method is described for determining an externally produced value, especially a momentum, accelerating or decelerating the vehicle, with the following steps: determination of the driving performance of the vehicle on the basis of a model, comparison of the model output values with the relative measuring values or values derived from this, and determination of the externally produced value according to the result of the comparison. The corresponding device includes a model of the driving performance of the vehicle, a comparator for model output values and measuring values or values derived from these and a device for determining the externally produced value according to the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary sensor, in which an engagement portion and a shaft portion are projectively formed on one side and on the other side respectively on the center of rotation of a rotator. The shaft portion is supported by a support portion on the bottom plate. And the engagement portion is movably supported on the support portion as a support point so as to be movable in an arbitrary direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A diagnostic routine is used for testing an oxygen sensor heater of an internal combustion engine. The oxygen sensor heater is preheated prior to testing. A voltage signal from the oxygen sensor is measured after a predetermined period of time. If the voltage signal is greater than a threshold value after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the oxygen sensor heater is considered to have failed the diagnostic routine. If the voltage signal is not greater than the threshold value after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the oxygen sensor is considered to have passed the diagnostic routine.

Abstract: A thermostat malfunction detecting system is provided for detecting a malfunction of a thermostat in a coolant circulating path based on an engine side coolant temperature. When an open-malfunction of the thermostat occurs, the coolant temperature becomes considerably different from that normally expected for times at which the thermostat is expected to be closed. When a closure-malfunction occurs, the coolant temperature becomes considerably different from that normally expected for times that which the thermostat is expected to be opened. As an alternative, the malfunction may be detected from the difference from the engine side coolant temperature and the radiator side coolant temperature.

Abstract: A sensor (210) for increasing signal time employs a resiliently deflectable member n(218) with a pressure sensitive signal element (216) and base member (222). The dampening effect of the elastic material provides a longer signal response time that allows sufficient time for a system to react without a need for additional signal conditioning circuitry. Sensor (10, 110) senses a selected path of movement for a moveable element (8) and establishes a signal indicative thereof. The limit sensor includes a resiliently deflectable member (18) for activating the signal at a predetermined station along the preselected path of movement and includes a base member (22) for supporting the resiliently deflectable member (18) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16). An actuator (20) receives the force (F) from the moveable element (8) and transfers the force (F) to the pressure sensitive signal element (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the depth of tread on a tire being buffed includes a sensing device, for example, a magnetic sensor, mounted to a reciprocating motion carrier. The carrier is driven by a drive wheel that is in contact with the tire being buffed. The carrier is movably mounted to float over the surface of the tire, that is, accommodate variations in the tire surface, with a guide wheel following the tire surface to maintain the sensor at a constant distance from the tire surface. The sensor on the carrier reciprocally traverses the crown of the tire as the tire rotates to obtain actual values for the thickness of the rubber above the belts over the whole surface of the crown.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for inspection of a tire for hidden irregularities and defects. The apparatus includes a remotely located control console to protect electronic components from contamination and debris associated with tire retreading and from mechanical vibration associated with handling and inspecting used tire casings. The apparatus includes a tire supporting and rotating assembly, a receiver control assembly, a moveable transmitter assembly for directing energy against a tire and a movable receiver assembly to receive energy passing through the tire. Components of the mechanical system used to control movement of the receiver assembly are spaced from components of the mechanical system which support and rotate the tire.

Abstract: A sample catcher comprises an inclined sampling screw conveyor which intercepts a continuous stream of drill cuttings from a shaker. A vaned metering rotor accepts a plurality of discrete samples from adjacent the conveyor's discharge. The vaned rotor is rotated at a lag rate proportional to the rate of penetration at the time the stream of cuttings with drilled. The plurality of discrete samples are discharged as a substantially continuous sample stream which is directed through a second conveyor to one or more analytical instruments. Further, the sample stream can be directed to a sample bag carousel which is index advanced for associating the bag contents with the drilling. The apparatus enables a method of analyzing cutting samples which correlate to the cuttings when drilled and in a process which is continuous.

Abstract: A method of measuring the z-directional tensile strength of a sample (2) of paper or board in a direction perpendicular to its surface by coating the sample (2) on the two opposite surfaces with double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′) so as to obtain a sandwich structured sample web (3); bringing, on each of the two opposite sides of the sample web (3), a tensile strength tester platen (10, 10′) in contact with the free surface of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′); fastening, on each of the two opposite sides of the sample web (3), the tensile strength tester platen (10, 10′) to the free surface of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′); pulling apart the tensile strength tester platens (10, 10′) by use of a tensile force; and measuring the tensile force necessary to break the sample (2) in a plane between its opposite surfaces; characterized in that a number of z-directional tensile strength tests may be performed at

Abstract: The present invention provides an peak chamber pressure measuring apparatus 1 for use with a regular firearm 2 using a given ammunition. The apparatus comprises: a piezoelectric accelerometer 3 for generating a recoil acceleration electrical output signal from recoil acceleration of the firearm upon discharge thereof, and provided with releasable mounting means 6 for rigidly securing the accelerometer 3 to the firearm 2 in proximity to its chamber 11. The accelerometer 3 has signal output means 12 coupled to a signal processing means 13. The signal processing means 13 converts said recoil acceleration electrical output signal which is representative of the peak chamber pressure, using a conversion relationship based on the mass of each of the firearm, and the projectile and the propellant components of the ammunition, and the firearm bore diameter, the signal processing means 13 having signal output means for connection to output signal display means 16.

Abstract: A multiple pipeline orientation water meter that includes a water meter arrangement having a water meter and a pipe connector. The water meter body coacts with the pipe connector to permit proper installation of the water meter in various piping orientations.

Abstract: A temperature regulator, circuit for an air-mass flow meter in which the temperature regulator circuit includes a bridge circuit one of whose bridge branches contains a temperature resistor of substantially higher resistance than a heating resistor in the other bridge branch. The resistance element of the temperature resistor normally requires a large amount of space on the sensor for this purpose. In order to reduce the size of the resistance element, a voltage divider is provided to reduce the input voltage applied to the temperature resistor. In order to maintain the bridge balance, additional circuit elements are provided in the other bridge branch containing the heating resistor.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis and a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly. A motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis to rotate the wheel/tire assembly is also included. The wheel balancer further includes a control circuit for controlling the application of current to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly at a plurality of sustainable speeds. The control circuit may also be adapted for determining from vibrations measured by the vibration sensor at least one weight placement position on the wheel/tire assembly to correct the vibrations.

Abstract: A micromechanical, dithered device comprising a substrate, a movable mass connected to the substrate by a suspension, a position sensor, a dither signal generator, a dither force transducer connected between the substrate and the movable mass, the input of the dither force transducer being connected to the output of the dither signal generator and a calculator taking as inputs at least the position sensor output and the dither signal generator output. In one embodiment of the invention, the dithered device includes an electrostatic force transducer for applying feedback. In this embodiment, dither force may be directly applied to the mechanical proof-mass utilizing electrostatic structures similar to electrostatic structures used for feedback. The electrostatic dithering structures provide good matching between the feedback and dither electrodes, enabling the use of simple logic for subtraction of the dither signal from the accelerometer output.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes: a board in the form of a flat plate; a rotational vibrator extended to the right and left from a central axis vertical to the board at the center of rotational vibration over the board and supported at the location of the central axis by rotational supporting beams so as to be rotationally vibrated; a first vibrator located on the left side of the rotational vibrator and supported by first supporting beams; a second vibrator located on the right side of the rotational vibrator and supported by second supporting beams; a rotational vibration generator for vibrating the second vibrator backward and forward when the first vibrator is vibrated forward and backward by giving rotational vibration to the rotational vibrator; a first displacement detector for detecting displacement of the first vibrator vibrated to the right and left when an angular velocity is applied around the central axis of the rotational vibrator in the state that rotational vibration is given to the rotatio

Abstract: An angular rate sensor comprises a determination circuit (30) for inputting an output signal of a full-wave rectifier circuit (22) and an output signal after amplified by a charge amplifier (25), and making a determination of abnormality, and an output clamping circuit (32) activated by an output signal of the determination circuit (30), if it makes a determination of abnormality, for clamping an output signal of a sensor output terminal at a level close to a power supply voltage or a grounding voltage.

Abstract: A monolithic miniature accelerometer machined in a plate of material, comprising a fixed part, two first mobile mass parts referred to as inertial masses, two hinge blades each having one end fastened to one of the two mobile mass parts, and two resonators each having one end fastened to one of the two mobile mass parts, a third mobile mass part fastened to the other end of each of the two resonators and of each of the two hinge blades, and a flexible stem situated between the first two mobile mass parts and connecting the third mobile mass part to the fixed part.

Abstract: A prodder with force feedback for detecting an object buried beneath the ground is disclosed. A probe is provided including a rod having a prodding end for prodding the object, there is also a transducer coupled to a non-prodding end of the rod for providing an acoustic wave to the object and for receiving acoustic waves reflected from the object. The housing has a first cavity containing a fluid and for supporting the probe such that the volume of the fluid within the first cavity is affected by the pressure applied to the prodding end of the rod. A force sensor is fluidly coupled to the first cavity for determining the change in pressure of a fluid within the first cavity. An electronics module is processing data related to the reflected waves, and to the change in the pressure of the fluid, and is providing data in order to compare the processed data with the stored value representing the characteristics of known materials.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting a void in backfill material such as soil surrounding a buried conduit such as a pipeline. The void is detected by monitoring an acoustic response from the conduit in response to acoustic excitation of the interior of the conduit. An analysis of changes in the acoustic response is then related to the presence or absence of a void in the backfill material.

Abstract: The invented apparatus includes at least one acoustic sensor, a mapping unit, a controller, and a transducer. The sensor is coupled to an object to be inspected for damage, and generates a sensed signal based on acoustic signal occurring in the object under an applied load, which signal may or may not be the sound of damage occurring in the object. The mapping unit is coupled to receive the sensed signal from the sensor, and generates damage data based thereon. The controller is coupled to receive the damage data from the mapping unit. Initially, the apparatus is in a passive mode in which the apparatus senses an acoustic signal from the object. If the damage data indicates that the object has incurred possible damage in the passive mode, the controller switches to active mode and outputs induced signal data. The transducer is coupled to the object as well as the controller, and induces acoustic signal in the object, based on the induced signal data.

Abstract: The method and apparatus according to the invention determines the acoustic spatial characteristics of an enclosure, particularly of a vehicle occupant compartment in a motor vehicle. A piece of equipment emits a useful sound together with a test sound. By analyzing a recorded analysis sound, the test sound is emitted in a psychoacoustic masking range of the useful sound. Advantageously, the covering range of the useful sound is determined in a useful-sound analysis block before the useful sound and the test sound are emitted.

Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the mechanical vibrations of an object. In order to simplify the electronic circuit necessary for the measurement chain and to reduce its costs, this method and this system are characterized in that they comprise the processing of an input signal, representative of an acceleration or of a velocity related to a mechanical vibration of said object, said input signal having a frequency spectrum comprising a so-called low frequency band, situated below a so-called transition frequency, and a so-called high frequency band, situated above said transition frequency, said method and system carrying out said processing of said input signal by means of an electronic circuit for producing an output signal which, in said low frequency band, corresponds to the mathematical integral over the time of said input signal, and, in said high frequency band, corresponds to said input signal.

Abstract: A step counting device includes a top casing, a bottom casing, a display, and two operating buttons. A circuit board is arranged in the space between the top casing and the bottom casing. An open area is formed on the edge of the circuit board and a ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is arranged on the circuit board. One end of the ceramic vibration detecting mechanism is a fixed point located on a fixed position and the other end is a cantilever point extended to the open area of the circuit board and a heavy mass is attached to the cantilever point. The step counting device is attached on a shoe, and the step counting device will be vibrated while a user wears the shoes walking or running. The ceramic vibration detecting mechanism will receive the vibration and a tiny voltage change will be produced to become an input signal to the control circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for contact-free optical displacement and/or vibration measurement of an object, in which the actual positions of the plurality of measurement points are selected and recorded. The display positions of the plurality of measurement points are displayed in the output unit based on a stored or video image of the object. Errors in congruency between the actual positions of the plurality of measurement points and the display positions of the plurality of measurement points are corrected.

Abstract: A lateral motion sensing assembly for sensing movement experienced by a structural member such as a support beam or driven pile. The sensing assembly is immersed within a casing which is mounted to the structural member. The sensing assembly includes a support body and an accelerometer mounted to the support body for measuring movement of the structural member. The accelerometer is aligned with an anticipated line of motion such that measurements can be made along this line of motion. A pair of lever arms are pivotally mounted to the support body for removably securing the support body within the casing. A spring is mounted between the support body and lever arms for continuously biasing the lever arms to a position perpendicular with the support body.

Abstract: A multi-depth deflectometer provides use and fabrication advantages. It is comprised of a head member that normally is disposed at the very mouth of a bore hole, an elongated tail member extending down through the bore hole. Displacement transducers are removably positioned within the head member which can be opened from the surface. The transducers can be easily placed in or removed by hand. The first trackings of subsurface deflections are done through mechanical deflection anchors located at desired measuring levels within the tail member. The deflection anchors have transverse-bite actuators and are each separately in vertical-actuation communication with one of the transducers. A method of implementing the MDD reflects the use and fabrication advantages also.

Abstract: In bending type or shearing type dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, a static stress adjuster adjusts static stress to zero in order to effectively eliminate static stress caused by influences such as warp caused by thermal expansion of a specimen or residual stress, for instance. Further, a static distortion adjuster adjusts a varying speed of static distortion to zero in order to suppress an increase of the static distortion and prevent the specimen from being excessively distorted even when the specimen is soft and has little restoring force. A dynamic viscoelasticity measuring system includes the static distortion adjuster for adjusting the static distortion of the specimen and the static stress adjuster for adjusting the static stress of the specimen, and measures the viscoelasticity of the specimen by selective operation or cooperation of the static distortion adjuster and the static stress adjuster depending upon quality change of the specimen being measured.

Abstract: A method for determining the pulsatile flow characteristics in fluid flow driven by a periodic pressure disturbance includes the step of evaluating the spectrum of a signal representative of the vortices generated by a vortex flowmeter. Because of the periodic pressure disturbance, the signal is an FM signal in which a carrier, having a frequency corresponding to the vortex-shedding frequency in the absence of pulsating flow, is modulated by the periodic pressure disturbance. The pulsation frequency and amplitude are then estimated on the basis of the separation between adjacent sidebands of the spectrum of the FM signal and the relative amplitudes of the sidebands.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow velocity measuring method comprises a phase difference flow velocity measuring method irrelevant to the change of the sound velocity, if a flow velocity is measured based on a phase difference method without transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic pulse in a river, an open sluice channel or a pile having a large inner diameter, including amplitude-modulating at least one continuous ultrasonic sine waves of a carrier frequench ƒC into signals of an amplitude-modulated frequench ƒM, if at least one phase difference &Dgr;&phgr;C transited and received in directions similar and contrary to the flow velocity is equal to n&pgr;+a&pgr;, obtaining n&pgr;, using the signal of the amplitude-modulation ƒM; and measuring a part of a&pgr;<&pgr;, obtaining the phase difference between the signals of the carrier frequench ƒC and obtaining the total phase differences &Dgr;&phgr;C precisely.

Abstract: A balance bar for a straight tube Coriolis flowmeter. The balance bar is preferably manufactured by process that provides an increased number of flowmeter elements integral to the balance bar. These integral elements comprise: brace bars at each end of the balance bar, rib elements on each side of the balance bar to raise the horizontal vibration frequency, a surface to facilitate the mounting of a driver to the balance bar and to a flow tube surrounded by the balance bar, surfaces to facilitate the mounting of sensors to the balance bar and flow tube, voids that lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar in a drive plane, and a cavity that makes the vibration amplitude of the balance bar less than that of the flow tube. These elements lower the resonant frequency of the balance bar to make the flowmeter calibration factor independent of density. The balance bar is ideally made by a casting process. The balance bar may also be fabricated by other processes including machining.

Abstract: A pump flow test system for accurately measuring the aggregate fluid flow from all pumps of a fire truck. The inventive device includes a reservoir structure for storing a volume of fluid, an intake manifold having a plurality of intake inlets extending into the reservoir structure, an elongate tube extending into the reservoir structure from the intake manifold, a pitot tube positioned within the elongate tube for measuring fluid flow, and a meter attached to the pitot tube for displaying the water flow through the elongate tube. The elongate tube preferably has a cap and a perforated portion for allowing even distribution of the incoming water into the reservoir structure. In use, an intake hose is positioned within the reservoir structure for drawing water into the pumps of the fire truck. A plurality of dispensing hoses are connected to the pump of the fire truck and to the intake inlets of the intake manifold for delivering the water from the pumps of the fire truck to the reservoir structure.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring flow rate within a fluid-bearing passageway include introducing heat fluctuations into the flow and then non-invasively monitoring the effects of the heat fluctuations propagating to or from one or more interrogation regions. In one embodiment, the non-invasive monitoring detects fluctuations in the refractive index of the flowing fluid as a result of variations in the temperature of the fluid. In another embodiment, electrical conductivity of the fluid is monitored. The heat fluctuations may be introduced using an optical heat generator, such as an infrared laser, or may be introduced using an electrical member, such as a heater coil. Determining the refractive index along the interrogation region may be achieved by monitoring characteristics on an interference pattern, but other optical arrangements may be utilized.