Abstract: The invention relates to a built-in safety device comprising a housing (3) and a rotor (4) mounted therein. Tumblers (8) are mounted in the housing (3) and in the rotor (4). The maximal length (A) of the built-in safety device (1) is approximately 40 mm, and the effective part (2c) of the key (2) is essentially as long as the rotor (4). In addition, the rotor (4) is constructed as one piece and can be operated from both sides thereof. The inventive built in safety device can be installed in a mortise lock more easily than a cross-key bit safety device and permits the production of a locking system.

Abstract: A detachable lock core has a housing. The housing has an opening, a ridge longitudinally formed thereon a plurality of first apertures defined through the ridge, a plurality of upper pins and resilient members respectively received in the first apertures, and at least one channel longitudinal defined in an inner wall thereof. The body is received in the housing. When a correct key is inserted in the key hole in the body to turn the body, the protrusion is received in the channel to enable the body to be detached from the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for clamping at least two tool parts movable relative to each other for processing carriers for electronic components in a press. The invention also relates to a press adapted for co-action with the clamping device. The invention also describes a tool part and a tool assembled from tool parts and adapted for co-action with the clamping device. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for mounting a tool in a press.

Abstract: A process of mechanical hydroforming, in which a hollow tube is caused to expand against the interior surface of a die that surrounds the tube by hydraulic pressure applied to a liquid that fills the interior of the tube, is improved by coating the part of the exterior surface of the tube that comes into contact with the die surface against which it expands with a wax that is solid at normal room temperature but can be maintained fully melted and in contact with air, without showing any visible evidence of decomposition, at a temperature that is at least 75 degrees C. Preferably, the wax is applied to the surface to be hydroformed by spraying from melt onto the surface while the latter is maintained above the melt temperature of the wax. Shortly after the wax has been thus applied to the surface, the wax is cooled until it solidifies.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed wherein seal units sealingly connect a hydroforming fluid pressure source with the ends of a part to be hydroformed while the part is outside an intended die cavity and wherein the seal units are then conditioned with a relatively low sealing pressure capacity. The part is prefilled through the seal units with hydroforming fluid at a relatively low pressure sufficient to prevent later pinching, buckling, splitting and cracking of the part in the die cavity during hydroforming. The prefilled part, with the seal units remaining sealingly connected, is then enclosed in the die cavity and the seal units are conditioned with a relatively high pressure sealing capacity sufficient for the continued supply of hydroforming fluid to the part through the seal units at the considerably higher pressures required for hydroforming the part.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming sheet material into contoured parts. The invention method includes these steps: A die is fashioned having an outside surface corresponding to the inside surface of the desired part. A plastically deformable sheet of material is clamped to the die so that the material is tangent to the die at a tangent area. A forming path is defined that follows the part's outside surface definition beginning at a point adjacent to the tangent area and tracing around the tangent area in circuits that incrementally offset away from the tangent area until all of the outside surface of the part is traced. A forming tool is then moved along the forming path as the die and the sheet of material remain stationary so that the end of the forming tool presses the sheet material against the die thereby gradually forming the sheet material against the die to produce a finished formed part.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use as a back-up roller for work rolls. The roller assembly comprises an axle, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the axle and roller, and at least one bushing which is eccentric to the axle and which is fixedly mounted on the axle. The eccentric bushing is rotatable for translating the roller in a radial direction thereof. In order to rotate the bushing in one of opposite circumferential directions, preferably, force is applied to a respective one of a pair of terminal ends of a groove which extends circumferentially in a radially outer surface of the eccentric bushing. Each of the axle and roller, which serve as inner and outer races respectively, preferably has a thickness radially of at least about 1 inch to provide high bearing capacity.

Abstract: A portable sheet bending brake has a support frame with spaced longitudinally extending rails and a plurality of frame sections interconnecting the rails. A clamp member is carried by the lower arms of the frame sections, and an anvil member is carried by arms pivotally coupled to the upper arms of the frame sections. A bend member is pivotally mounted to the clamp member for bending over the anvil member sheet material clamped between the anvil and base members. A pair of longitudinally spaced handles are pivotally mounted to the bend member for pivoting into a channel on the bend member out of position to facilitate transport and storage of the brake. A shaft extends between bearings on the frame section arms, and has diametrically opposed longitudinally extending channels.

Abstract: Tool or adaptor for receiving a tool for securing in a mounting head, including a fork-shaped mounting lug which projects in the direction of displacement and has an enlarged retaining opening starting from a smaller insertion opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the positioning accuracy of an element (13) which is movably arranged relative to a stator (10). At least two sensors (11, 12) are provided in the stator (10), a first sensor (11) and a second sensor (12), which are arranged at a distance (a) from one another in the stator (10), with respect to the movement direction (P) of the movably arranged element (13). The element (13) which is arranged such that it can move relative to the stator (10) is provided with encoders (130) which can move together with the movable element (13) and, when the element (13) carries out a movement relative to the stator (10), firstly produce a sensor signal (S11) in the first sensor (11) and then, as the movement of the element progresses, produce a sensor signal (S12) in the second sensor (12). First of all, in a calibration run, the movable element (13) is moved over the entire possible range of movement.

Abstract: A method of compensating a MOS gas sensor is described and which includes using a MOS gas sensor to provide a signal indicative of gas concentration of a target gas in an ambient; providing a signal representative of dew point of the ambient; and modifying the signal from the MOS gas sensor using the signal representative of dew point to simultaneously compensate for the effects of both temperature and relative humidity on the MOS gas sensor.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the emission control in motor vehicles but also in ships, airplanes and diesel locomotives. The control system may either be fitted into new vehicles by the manufacturer or be retrofitted by the driver in older vehicles. An adsorption system serves to reduce the vehicle emissions during the cold-start period, in case of malfunctions in the engine or in the exhaust gas after-treatment system and in times of high quantities of pollutants in the atmosphere. To regenerate the adsorbent masses, the pollutants will be desorbed, introduced into the combustion chamber and burned.

Abstract: A system for monitoring concentrations of sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, within a sterilization apparatus, includes a self-contained, sterilant monitoring assembly that is freely positionable within the sterilization apparatus. The assembly includes a gas-detecting sensor and associated temperature sensor mounted on a portable structure, as well as a suitable data collection circuit for receiving output signals from the sensors. The assembly also includes signals connectors, such as a physical data port or a remote transmitter, or both. Signals can be transmitted concurrently with data collection, or an electronic memory may be provided for subsequent transfer of the collected data. Collected data is transferred to a remote communication unit positioned exteriorly of the sterilization apparatus.

Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve mountable directly or indirectly on a component which causes vibrations, a sensor element which is held radially outwardly on the pressure sleeve with an axial pre-tensioning and is electrically contactable, a spring element holding the sensor element on the pressure sleeve with the axial pre-tensioning, the spring element including at least one ring-shaped spring which is held on an outer wall of the pressure sleeve so that an inner periphery of the spring abuts directly or indirectly on the pressure sleeve over at least three regions with a mechanical tensioning.

Abstract: A method of substrate temperature control for plasma processing apparatus in which a substrate which is being held on a substrate holder in a process chamber is being processed, and He gas is passed through the gap between the substrate and the substrate mounting surface during the processing of the substrate, the substrate temperature is controlled by the thermal transfer characteristics of the gas and the substrate is cooled to the prescribed temperature, and the pressure of the He gas is preset by a pressure setting part 50a, the actual pressure is measured with a pressure gauge 49, and the gas flow rate is controlled in such a way that the measured pressure becomes equal to the set pressure by a pressure control valve 46. Furthermore, the substrate temperature controllability is assessed by monitoring the gas flow rate with a substrate temperature controllability assessment part 50b.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the barrier properties of porous materials particularly at low flow rates through the porous materials with the capability to separate flow through a test sample from flow through a particle counting means. The invention approximates real world situations and provides significant advantages in time and cost, especially in medical applications.

Abstract: Instruments for measuring the gas flow permeability of a fiber sample, particularly a cotton fiber sample; and apparatus and methods employing multiple volumetric compressions to acquire data products for determining “micronaire,” “maturity” and “fineness” of the fiber sample. A gas flow permeability testing instrument includes sensors in a gas flow stream enabling the determination of fiber mass delivered to a testing chamber, and a computer outputting a control signal to terminate delivery of fibers to the testing chamber when a predetermined mass set point is reached. A multiple-compression fiber gas flow permeability testing device includes a testing chamber into which a fiber sample of known mass is delivered. A movable chamber wall is driven in a substantially continuous manner so as to compress the fiber sample, while a gas flow system determines permeability.

Abstract: A system for in-situ and on-line monitoring of a preform layup process for liquid composite molding allows for gathering of permeability measurements of a fabric preform for use in a liquid composite molding process after situation of the preform within the mold wherein the molding process is to occur. The system uses a plurality of pressure sensors located within one of the mold sections of the liquid composite molding process mold. The sensors take pressure measurements which are processed to obtain a permeability profile of the preform. From such data, any local permeability variations that are caused from defects in the preform, deformation of the preform, or from mold misfit can be noted and acted upon before resin flow. The system is relatively simple to use and is easy to implement.

Abstract: A method of using an aircraft pressurization test apparatus to perform diagnostic tests on an aircraft while the aircraft is at a first region of a ground site, such as an aircraft hanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the location of a gas leak source. The apparatus includes a gas detector for detecting the presence of gas and a wind direction indicator. The method traces a gas leak source location using the apparatus including the gas detector, arranged to detect the presence or absence of a gas, and the wind direction indicator.

Abstract: A flowmeter for accurately measuring the flowrate of fluids in high pressure chromatography systems. The flowmeter is a porous bed of a material, the porous bed having a porosity in the range of about 0.1 to 0.6 and a pore size in the range of about 50 nm to 1 &mgr;m, disposed between a high pressure pumping means and a chromatography column. The flowmeter is provided with pressure measuring means at both the inlet and outlet of the porous bed for measuring the pressure drop through the porous bed. This flowmeter system provides not only the ability to measure accurately flowrates in the range of &mgr;L/min to nL/min but also to provide a signal that can be used for a servo loop or feedback control system for high pressure pumping systems.

Abstract: A detection assembly for detecting moisture within an unsaturated permeable soil or soil-like medium is disclosed which includes a funnel 11 having a surface inclined in use to the vertical for distorting the flow streamlines within the medium to cause an increase in fluid content and saturation at points in the permeable medium; a cup 13 beneath the funnel for collecting free fluid from the saturated permeable medium; a sensor 14 for detecting the presence of free fluid formed upon saturation within the permeable medium, and a vent 16 for venting air from said collection means.

Abstract: An on-line moisture analyzer and method of analyzing the moisture content of an ore concentrate. A sample conveyor moves a sample of the concentrate to be analyzed to an aluminum pan that receives and holds the sample of the concentrate. A horizontal linear slide having a pneumatic vertical lift mounted to rotary arm is detachably connected to the aluminum pan by gripping fingers that detachably engage the pan. A scale is accessible by the conveyance member for weighing the sample. An oven also accessible by the conveyance member has a door that has a complimentary shape relative to a cross section of the sample container and conveyance member is used for heating the sample. A programmable logic controller controls the conveyance member and the oven door. A data processing unit receives data from the scale and determines a moisture content based on the data.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope including a cantilever, a transferring device and a displacement detecting device is used for conducting a material test of a test member based on a load amount and a displacement amount. The test member may be fixed to the cantilever or may be entirely replaced with the cantilever. The transferring device, which is normally used for transferring the cantilever or the sample in accordance with a shape of the sample, constitutes a load applying device for applying a load to the test member, and a displacement of the test member is detected by the displacement detecting device. The load applying device can apply slight displacement and load to the test member, so that the material test for the small material can be conducted.

Abstract: A novel scanning microscope is described that uses near-field evanescent electromagnetic waves to probe sample properties. The novel microscope is capable of high resolution imaging and quantitative measurements of the electrical properties of the sample. The inventive scanning evanescent wave electromagnetic microscope (SEMM) can map dielectric constant, tangent loss, conductivity, complex electrical impedance, and other electrical parameters of materials. The quantitative map corresponds to the imaged detail. The novel microscope can be used to measure electrical properties of both dielectric and electrically conducting materials.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine has a pipeline leading from the internal combustion engine to a radiator, a return pipeline from the radiator to the internal combustion engine, a bypass line connecting the pipeline and the return pipeline, and a thermostat valve, through which the coolant is passed from the internal combustion engine through the bypass line and/or through the radiator back to the internal combustion engine, depending on the operating conditions. At least one temperature sensor is provided in the cooling system, and an output signal is supplied to a control unit.

Abstract: In a thermostat failure diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which a failure diagnosis of a thermostat can be effectively made, in the case where, after starting of the engine, an intake air quantity of the engine or a parameter related to the intake air quantity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than an intake air temperature (outside air temperature), on the basis of a time in which a rising quantity in the cooling water temperature at an upstream side of the thermostat reaches a predetermined value, or a time in which the cooling water temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, the failure of the thermostat is judged.

Abstract: Monitoring equipment comprising a part which defines a cavity, and input device to input fluid under pressure into the cavity. Mounting devices are provided on the part to enable an engine fuel injector valve or other fluid release device to be connected to the part and to release fluid from the cavity intermittently when the system is in use. Controls are connected to issue a triggering signal to the fluid release device to cause the latter to release fluid from the cavity. A pressure sensor is coupled to the cavity to provide a measure of the pressure within the cavity. The equipment further comprises pressure signal modifying device connected to receive signals from the pressure sensor and the controls and constructed to provide an output signal which is a measure of the pressure of fluid within the cavity at the time the controls issues such a triggering signal, while the effect of signals from the pressure sensor received by the modifying device on the output signal therefrom at other times is obviated.

Abstract: A drive belt, such as a toothed belt such as for an automotive or other engine timing belt or a V-belt for driving machinery comprises a belt with a thin conductive wire or strip embedded in the belt material in the form of a closed loop. Such a wire tends to exhibit damage typically some time before belt failure is imminent. First and second coils are coupled by mutual inductance to the closed loop formed by embedded wire which functions as a link coupling between the first and second coils. In one embodiment, an ac current is passed through the first coil and the current in the second coil is monitored for a drop in amplitude when the embedded wire is broken and the closed loop is interrupted.

Abstract: A method for indoor wear testing tires includes the steps of characterizing a vehicle and a wear test course and combining the characterized data to create input data for an indoor wear test machine. The input data allows the indoor wear test machine to accurately simulate an outdoor wear test course for the characterized vehicle. The method allows multiple wear test courses to be used with a single characterized vehicle and allows a single wear test course to be used with multiple characterized vehicles. The method allows tires to be wear tested in relatively short time periods in the controlled environment of the indoor laboratory. In addition, the method is relatively easy to set up and perform.

Abstract: Described is a method of optimizing tire pressures in order to obtain maximum tire tread life and performance. The method involves calculation of the live and dead loads on each individual tire of the vehicle. Grown diameter of the tires in use is obtained from published data sheets. The grown diameter is then multiplied by an empirically derived tread length determining factor to obtain an optimum tread length in contact with the road surface. In turn the tread length is multiplied by effective tread width to obtain a footprint area for the tires. Finally, the load carried by the individual tires is divided by the footprint area to obtain an optimum inflation pressure.

Abstract: During the determination of a fill level of liquid in a container, a measuring chamber, in which there is initially the same fill level as in the container, is completely filled with liquid. The time required for completely filling the measuring chamber is measured and compared with previously determined values. The fill level in the container is then determined by comparison of the measured values with the known values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting water loss from a swimming pool includes a first container having an upper end, a lower end, an inner cavity and at least one opening allowing swimming pool water to flow in and out of said inner cavity; a substantially waterproof load cell positioned within the inner cavity of said first container, for measuring weight bearing thereon; and a second container having an upper end, a lower end, and an inner cavity closed to water flow, said second container positioned within the inner cavity of said first container having its lower end upon said load cell so as to bear weight thereon.

Abstract: An improved fluid level verification apparatus which may be manufactured or otherwise fabricated as a kit and assembled at a remote location for use on liquid filled containers and configured to reduce inherent mechanical stresses on the inspection tube and resists leakage due to environmental, chemical, thermal or mechanical expansion cycles by using internal grooves and entrapped o-rings.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope includes a substrate, a vibrator and supporting members fixed in proximity to the node points on both principal planes of said vibrator. The supporting members include first portions extending in a direction parallel to the substrate from the principal planes of the vibrator, and second portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the substrate, the second portions being fixed to the substrate.

Abstract: An integral bimorph angular rate sensor is formed by directly bonding two tuning fork members in the thickness direction to enhance the detecting sensitivity of the angular velocity sensor. The individual tuning fork members are formed from a single crystalline piezoelectric material such as quartz and are bonded in the crystal axis direction as to establish a piezoelectric phenomenon wherein the piezoelectric materials of the bonded tuning fork members have inverse polarities in their width or thickness directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining a vibrational characteristic of a golf club shaft. The apparatus includes a table having a clamping structure for clamping the golf club shaft thereto. A multi-dimensional accelerometer is coupled to a tip end of the golf club shaft. The multi-dimensional accelerometer is also coupled to a computer. When the golf club shaft is vibrated, the multi-dimensional accelerometer converts the vibrational signal into an electrical signal which is transmitted to the computer. The computer conditions the electrical signal and outputs a signal indicative of the frequency of vibration of the golf club shaft. The stiffness of the golf club shaft is determined from the vibrational frequency of the golf club shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging system for harmonic imaging of an object in a medium. The system comprises a transducer formed of a single crystal of a piezoelectric material, a transmitter for transmitting waves into the medium, a receiver for receiving echoed waves from the medium, and a control system electrically connected to the transmitter and the receiver which is used control the operation of the transmitter and interpret signals received by the receiver. In a preferred embodiment, the single crystal of piezoelectric material comprises a PMN-PT material or a PZN-PT material. Through use of this material, −6 dB bandwidths of at least approximately 95% are obtainable.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image process and system for accurately evaluating the quality of a weld using ultrasonic responses and operator entered data to enhance the quality of weld inspection. Ultrasonic responses useful in accurately indicating the actual location of the weldment, detecting the actual component thickness and the location and characteristic of any other relevant ultrasonic reflectors located in or near the weld heat effected zone are input to a composite image of a weldment for the purpose of enhancing the quality and the ease of detecting, evaluating and sizing of weld defects. Through the superposition of ultrasonic image data from additional complimentary sensors and operator inputs based on prior known data, useful images can be formed to improve the decision making in weldment inspection and evaluation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the physical properties of a sample, for example, the grain size in a polycrystalline material. An ultrasound field is generated in a local region of the sample with a non-contact source, such as a pulsed laser, such that the generated ultrasound diffuses away from said local region. After waiting until the generated ultrasound field has reached a diffusion regime, the resulting ultrasound field is measured with a non-contact detector. Parameters are adjusted in a mathematical model describing the predicted behaviour of the ultrasound field in the diffusion regime to fit the detected ultrasound field to the mathematical model. In this way, parameters dependent on the physical properties of the sample, such as the diffusion coefficient and absorption coefficient, can be derived. The grain size, for example, can be estimated from these parameters preferably by calibrating the diffusion coefficient to grain size.

Abstract: A pressure responsive mechanically resonant sensor device is provided that comprises a torsion pendulum driven at resonance. The pressure sensor includes a rigid frame to which is affixed a torsion pendulum comprising a hollow tube and a resonant mass as well as optimal means for applying energy to drive the torsion pendulum at resonance. The interior of the hollow tube portion of the torsion pendulum communicates through a pressure port in the rigid frame with the fluid whose pressure is to be sensed. The input pressure affects the torsion constant of the hollow tube and therefor changes the resonant frequency of the torsion pendulum, which frequency is converted into an indication of the sensed pressure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) transducer has at least one insulative layer made of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C). The ta-C layer is formed by filtered cathodic arc deposition, has an essentially zero concentration of hydrogen and can serve as a read gap for the transducer. The hydrogen-free t-aC read gap has high thermal conductivity, keeping an adjoining MR sensor from overheating during operation. This extends sensor lifetimes and/or improves sensor performance. The read gap also has low defects and porosity, preventing unwanted electrical conduction or shorting between a sensor and a shield. The high hardness of the read gap resists plasma and chemical etching processes such as ion milling that are used to form the sensor. The increased hardness and reduced defects and porosity allow the read gaps to be made thinner without risking electrical shorting. Other hydrogen-free t-aC layers are employed for other sensor elements where electrical insulation and reduced thickness are important.

Abstract: A capacitive strain sensor comprises a substrate (119) and a pair of interdigital electrode capacitors (209, 209A) formed on the substrate. A dielectric thick film (129) having a uniform thickness and made of a material the dielectric constant of which varies with strain is provided on an elastic body having a flat or curved surface on the substrate (119). A block (318) for preventing strain from being produced is secured to one end of the substrate (119); a weight (329) is secured to the other end. The capacitors (209, 209A) are formed by interdigitally arranging a pair of electrodes being parallel linear electrodes of linear conductors on the substrate.

Abstract: Focusing on the application of a predetermined relationship between the length of a fatigue damage detection sensor having a width of a specified shape and a required sensitivity or sensing accuracy (crack propagation rate), the present invention provides a fatigue damage detection sensor for structural materials and mounting method thereof, wherein when the length between a pair of fixing portions for fixing to a surface of a structural material M, both ends of a sensor body (2) sandwiching a notched portion (5) is defined as 2H, the length of a crack C that can propagate from a tip (5A) of the notched portion (5) is defined as (a), the number of times that a working load acts on the material is defined as N, and the crack propagation rate is defined as da/dN, the length 2H between said fixing portions is set so as to obtain a required sensitivity with which da/dN is proportional to H0.5m (m is a constant determined by a material).

Abstract: The invention is a kind of measuring device for the gas-liquid flow rate of multiphase fluids. The device includes a means for generating static slug flow and a means for measuring the flow rate by cross-correlation. These means are mounted on the pipe through which the multiphase fluids such as gas liquid flow. The device includes a multiphase fluid regulating means and a multiphase fluid fraction measuring means. These means are mounted on the pipe through which the multiphase fluids such as gas liquid flow by cross-correlation orderly. Said multiphase fluid regulating means lies in the downstream of said measuring means or said multiphase fluid fractions measuring means lies in the upstream of said generating means for static slug flow. The device also includes a means for data acquisition and data procession. The means is used for acquiring and processing the measuring data.

Abstract: A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter has a pair of ultrasonic transmitting-receiving devices. Each device is composed of a ultrasonic propagating element in the form of wedge having a bottom surface and a slanting surface extending from one edge of the bottom surface at an acute angle, and a ultrasonic transducer attached on the slanting surface. The ultrasonic propagating element is composed of a plurality of sheet units in which each sheet unit is composed of plural high modulus fibers aligned in parallel in resinous material, whereby propagating ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic transducer onto the bottom surface at an angle perpendicular to the slanting surface.

Abstract: A meter includes a casing (1) with a fluid passage (2), in which two transducer mountings (3, 4) arranged at a distance (Lb) from each other support two transducers (5, 6) which are acoustically opposed to each other. Between the transducers (5, 6) there is a distance (Lu) over which they transmit and receive sound pulses through a fluid which in a direction (a) flows through the fluid passage (2). On the basis of the transit times of the sound pulses over the distance (Lu) both countercurrently with and countercurrently to the direction of flow (a), e.g. the velocity of the flow of the fluid is then calculated. A compensating device (8, 9) is arranged between at least one of the transducers (5, 6) and one of the transducer mounts (3, 4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining an estimate of flow stability, in addition to providing a measurement of flow velocity distribution. To this end, monitoring is provided of the changes over time of flow measurements from a plurality of spaced apart measuring points. An indication of the reliability of the flow velocity distribution measurement is produced based on the estimate of stability.

Abstract: A repairable high-payload six-axis load sensor includes a table, a base, and at least three shear-pin load transducers removably mounted between the table and the base. Removable mounting permits easy replacement of damaged shear pins. Preferably, the shear-pin load transducers are responsive to shear forces imparted along the two axes perpendicular to an axis of minimum sensitivity characteristic of the transducer. Responsive to an applied shear force, each shear-pin load transducer can produce an electrical signal proportional to the reaction force. The load sensor can further include a structure for receiving the proportional electrical signals and computing the applied load corresponding to the proportional electrical signals. The computed load can be expressed in terms of a three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.