Abstract: A roller system for flattening irregularly shaped pieces of scrap sheet metal comprises a pair of parallel, horizontally arranged large rollers forming a downwardly converging nip between them. Each roller is formed of curved steel sheets bent to form a cylindrical shape for the rollers. A series of curved, steel liner plates overlay and cover the surfaces of the cylinders. The plates are made of a harder material than the steel sheets. The liner plates on each cylinder are arranged end-to-end and are mechanically fastened to their respective rollers so that the opposite ends of the plates provide a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge of each plate is chamfered and is arranged against a generally radially directed, blunt edge surface of the leading end of the next plate to form a roughly triangularly shaped in cross-section groove extending longitudinally of the exterior surface of the rollers.

Abstract: A wire spring forming apparatus which can twist a direction of the wire material so as to coincide with a forming direction of the forming tools with a small moment of inertia by positioning a center point of gravity of the pressure feed rollers and a power transmitting means or transmitting a drive force to the pressure feed rollers near the axis of revolution, and has no deflection load in application of pressure to the pressure feed rollers, structured such that one pressure feed roller and a power transmitting means for the pressure feed roller are mounted to a main portion main frame of a revolving means rotatably supported to a main body frame, and another pressure feed roller is mounted to supporting arms swingably attached to a fulcrum shaft rotatably supported to the main frame in perpendicular to a pressure feeding direction of a wire, in the state that gears for driving the pressure feed rollers assembled with the respective pressure feed rollers are engaged together, and the pressure feed rollers

Abstract: A conduit modifier may be used to corrugate at least a portion of a conduit. The conduit modifier may include at least a first plurality of rollers arranged in a first pattern around a passageway. The first plurality of rollers may form ridges and grooves lengthwise along a conduit passing through the passageway. A second plurality of rollers arranged in a second pattern around the passageway may compress ridges formed by the first set of rollers. The ridges may be formed such that a distance from a central axis of the conduit to a highest portion of an outer surface of a ridge is substantially equal to a distance from the central axis of the conduit to an outer surface of the un-corrugated portion of the conduit. The corrugated portion of the modified conduit may be expandable.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved apparatus and method for prehemming and hemming is provided. More particularly, the improved apparatus and method is for folding an edge portion of a curved arcuate panel to create a hem in a single cycle of operation with a single hemming swing steel pressed only in the vertical direction. The apparatus and method use an anvil for supporting an associated assembly of the outer skin and the inner panel, an upper body, and a steel mounted to the upper body. The steel is moved between first and second operative positions and has a first angled surface for prehemming the assembly when the steel is in the first operative position and a second angled surface for fullhemming the assembly when the steel is in the second operative position.

Abstract: Assemblies are disclosed for articulating a crimp ring for crimping a fitting relative to an actuator for actuating the crimp ring. The crimp ring includes segments for engaging the fitting, and the actuator includes arms for actuating the segments. Embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies coupling between the actuator arms and crimp ring segments having multiple axes of articulation. Additional embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies that are insertable between the arms and segments, articulating assemblies having fixed angled arms of the actuator, articulating assemblies using ball and sockets between the arms and segments, and articulating assemblies used in an intermediate position between the arms and segments.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device to be mounted on a vehicle that is in a position to measure, by means of own equipment, different data which is important for the road safety on roads and runways for aircrafts. The device is among other factors equipped with a measuring cell from which it is possible to directly read the pressure that exerts against the wheel when it impinges on the roadway. It is further possible to read the velocity of the wheel, and the acceleration/retardation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring coefficient of restitution of an impact are disclosed. The apparatus includes a launching device, an enclosure, a second initially stationary object, and a plurality of speed sensors. The launching device causes a first object to be moved toward the second object and to impact the second object within the enclosure. The sensors are positioned within the enclosure to determine the velocity of the first object before impact, the velocity of the second object after impact and optionally the velocity of the first object after impact. Using these velocities, the coefficient of restitution of the impact can be determined. By using an enclosure and a second object that is initially stationary and is moved upon impact, the coefficient of restitution of the first object can be determined. The apparatus closely simulates a real-world golf ball/golf club collision.

Abstract: A device for measuring breath alcohol has a mouthpiece (1) for picking up the exhaled respiratory gas volume flow of a person to be measured. The mouthpiece has a flow diaphragm (3). A pressure sensor (4) is connected via a first gas line to the mouthpiece (1) upstream of the flow diaphragm (3). A breath alcohol sensor (10) is connected via a inlet channel (6) to the mouthpiece (1) downstream of the flow diaphragm (3) and via a second gas line (11) to a sampling system (7, 8, 9) for a respiratory gas sample from the respiratory gas volume flow. An evaluation and control unit (5) receives the measured signals of the pressure sensor (4) and of the breath alcohol sensor (10) and actuates the sampling system (7, 8, 9). The sampling system (7, 8, 9) is designed such that two respiratory gas samples are fed, in a time sequence, into the breath alcohol sensor (10), whereby the volume of the first respiratory gas sample is at most 40% of the volume of the second one.

Abstract: A non-resonance type knock sensor is provided which comprises a support member having a main body portion in the form of a hollow post and a radially outward flange portion at an axial end of the main body portion, the main body portion having an abutment at an outer circumferential periphery thereof, a piezoelectric element having a hole through which the main body portion extends and placed on the flange portion, a weight having a hole through which the main body portion extends and placed on the piezoelectric element, and an elastic device disposed between the abutment and the weight to produce an elastic force for pressing the weight and the piezoelectric element against the flange portion and thereby fixing the weight and the piezoelectric element to the support member.

Abstract: An earth electrode is formed on the brim surface of the plug insulator and on the outer surface of the middle portion of the plug insulator along the axial direction. The earth electrode connected with one side of the combustion pressure sensor is provided on a whole surface opposite to a combustion pressure signal electrode. The earth electrode works also a shield member for shielding the high frequency noise generated inside the insulator. A part of the outer side of the earth electrode is covered by an insulating layer for insulating the earth electrode from the combustion pressure signal electrode. The combustion pressure sensor held between the insulator brim and electrode brim is given a prescribed compression load by a metal cylindrical bolt which presses down the electrode brim of the toward the combustion pressure sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a leak between two circuits of a plate-type heat exchanger (1) provided with means for filling two circuits with fluid at a different pressure, characterized in that said device comprises automatic control means for the convergence of the pressure inside said circuits with respect to a given threshold, and means for signalling a leak when the automatic control means have detected the occurrence of said convergence.

Abstract: A probe assembly suited for use in a scanning probe microscope (SPM) system includes a cantilever have an attachment to a main body portion. A suitable tip disposed at the free end of the cantilever provides various functions. According to various embodiments of the invention, the tip and cantilever members have active components to produce kinetic action, thus facilitating the utility of the probe assembly in various SPM applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting characteristics of a microelectronic substrate. The microelectronic substrate can have a first surface with first topographical features, such as roughness elements, and a second surface facing opposite from the first surface and having second topographical features, such as protruding conductive structures. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a support member configured to carry the microelectronic substrate with a first portion of the first surface exposed and a second portion of the second surface exposed. The apparatus can further include a topographical feature detector positioned proximate to support member and aligned with the first portion of the first surface of the microelectronic substrate to detect characteristics, such as a roughness, of the first surface while the microelectronic substrate is carried by the support member.

Abstract: The pressure in a cylinder of a combustion engine is determined on the basis of vibrations in the engine which are generated during movement of the piston. A vibration signal (S) from a vibration sensor situated on a cylinder is filtered in the region about the piston top dead center position, at the transition from compression to expansion, in a special filter in which a half Hanning filter acts upon the vibration signal before and an exponential filter acts upon the vibration signal after the piston top dead center position. The filtered signal (U) is thereafter converted to a pressure signal (P) on the basis of an established relationship between vibration and pressure. The half Hanning filter has a significantly shorter time window (TH) than the exponential filter (TE). The filter cleans the vibration signal in an advantageous manner and makes more reliable pressure determination possible.

Abstract: A reset system for a watercraft outboard engine comprises: a control unit comprising a time summating portion for summating time for management of oil change time of an engine, a memory portion having a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM for memorizing the cumulative time when the engine remains off and a determining portion for determining whether the cumulative time exceeds a set time by comparing the stored cumulative time with the set time; a warning portion for giving warning based on the comparison result when the cumulative time exceeds the set time; and a reset information entry portion for permitting reset information for clearing memory of the cumulative time in the memory and setting it into the initial value. The reset system can make control of the watercraft outboard engine based on the cumulative time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring changes in temperature or strain, using fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The Method and apparatus is advantageously useful for the measurement under harsh conditions, such as by combustion turbines. The invention uses the wavelength shift which is caused by temperature or strain changes at the FBG and the changing of the refraction index of the fiber.

Abstract: A method of testing a friction component for a transmission that has first and second parts. The first part of the friction component is attached to a drive shaft and the second part is attached to a grounding element. The first part of the friction component is rotated until the drive shaft and the first part of the friction component rotate at a target sliding speed Vtarget. An actuation force is applied to the friction component at a time t0. Operation of the motor drive is continued to maintain the speed of rotation of the drive shaft at Vtarget until a predetermined level of engagement torque Tth is obtained. The motor torque is then reduced to a predetermined level Tm. The sliding speed of the drive shaft is then decreased and the test is terminated when the sliding speed falls to zero.

Abstract: An automatic control method is provided for a phenomenon in which a parameter Y varies as a function of a parameter X according to a course exhibiting a rise, an extremum and a fall, in which the value of the parameter X is automatically controlled to maintain the value of a parameter Y at an optimum value, including the following steps. Estimations or measurements (Xi, Yi) are determined for at least one pair of values in a coordinate system having an origin. Corresponding values are determined for the slope ?i of the straight line passing through the origin and through (Xi, Yi). Coefficients Ap are calculated by direct calculation or by a regression from a sufficient number of pairs with (?i, Xi) so as to model a variation curve ?i=f(Xi, Ap). A target value XTarget is calculated by using a predetermined Invariant “Invt”.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for airflow testing, especially for air testing of gas turbine components on an airflow test bench. Various embodiments of the present invention include the use of a measurement section downstream of the component being tested. The measurement section, in one embodiment, includes apparatus for measurement of gas properties at a plurality of spaced-apart radial locations and/or a plurality of spaced-apart circumferential locations. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for testing a component including a comparison of gas properties measured in both forward and reverse flow directions.

Abstract: Methods for estimating formation pressure from data taken during the drawdown cycle are presented. In one aspect, a method of determining a formation pressure during drawdown of a formation comprises sampling fluid from a formation using a downhole tool having a sample volume and a fluid sampling device. At least one time dependent parameter of interest related to the fluid is determined during the drawdown. The at least one time dependent parameter is analyzed using a plurality of calculation techniques to determine the formation pressure. The techniques include (i) a first pressure derivative technique; (ii) a second pressure derivative technique; (iii) a formation rate analysis technique; (iv) a dp/dt-ratio technique; and (v) a stepwise drawdown technique.

Abstract: A gas flowmeter capable of reducing a secular change comprises a silicon semiconductor substrate formed with a cavity and a heat element formed above the cavity of the semiconductor substrate by way of an insulating film. The heat element is a silicon (Si) semiconductor thin film impurity-doped at high concentration. Stoichiometrically stable silicon nitride (Si3N4) thin films as barrier layers which less permeate and less absorb hydrogen in the heat generating temperature range of the heat element are formed above and below the silicon (Si) semiconductor thin film.

Abstract: A microscale out-of-plane thermal sensor. A resistive heater is suspended over a substrate by supports raised with respect to the substrate to provide a clearance underneath the resistive heater for fluid flow. A preferred fabrication process for the thermal sensor uses surface micromachining and a three-dimensional assembly to raise the supports and lift the resistive heater over the substrate.

Abstract: A flow meter comprising a rotor assembly that is comprised of two rotors having axis of rotation offset from collinear where the two rotors define operating chambers that changing volume with respects to rotation and allow fluid to pass from an inlet port to an outlet port when the number of rotation is indicated the volumetric flow therethrough.

Abstract: A sensing assembly (10) senses liquid levels (14) in a reservoir (12) and creates a sensing signal (54) therefore. The sensing assembly (10) includes a first electrical conductor (22) extending into the reservoir (12). A second electrical conductor (24) also extends into the reservoir (12) and is disposed from the first electrical conductor (22) a predetermined distance. A first electrode (28) is electrically connected to the first electrical conductor (22). The first electrode (28) extends between a first conductor end (30) and a first distal end (32). A first electrode length (34) is defined therebetween. A second electrode (36) is electrically connected to the second electrode conductor (24). The second (36) electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode (28) and extends between a second conductor end (38) and a second distal end (40). A second electrode length (42) is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A flexible liquid level sensor board assembly for application with liquid level sending units is presented. The liquid level sending unit includes a stem, float, and a flexible sensor board assembly. The flexible sensor board assembly is a distinct component of the sending unit and as such is capable of repeated insertion and removal from the stem. The flexible sensor board assembly is therefore ideal for existing/retrofit applications and new installations alike.

Abstract: A process for balancing a vehicular driveline including a propeller shaft and an input shaft of a vehicle axle interconnected by a universal joint. First, the vehicle propeller shaft is balanced to a predetermined residual imbalance having an imbalance vector angle of 0° or 180° which lies inline with open set of cardan joint trunnions. The corrected residual imbalance is then visually marked. Next, the input shaft is balanced to a predetermined residual imbalance having an imbalance vector angle of 0° or 180° which lies inline with cross-holes in yoke ears. Again, the corrected residual imbalance on the input shaft is then visually marked. During the assembly of the vehicle, the assembly line operator couples the propeller shaft to the input shaft through a cardan joint cross by aligning the marks on the propeller shaft and the input shaft so that the marks are located opposite to each other.

Abstract: An angular motion measurement system disposed on a movable platform having a first and second section, the system comprising a first and second measurement arrangement and a processor arrangement. The first measurement arrangement provides a first output indicative of angular motion of the first section and has a bandwidth above 50 Hertz and at least one of, a bias above 5 degrees per second and a scale factor above 10%. The second measurement arrangement provides a second output indicative of angular motion of the second section and has a bandwidth below 50 Hertz, a bias below 5 degrees per second and a scale factor below 10%. The processor arrangement is responsive to a plurality of inputs, which include the first and second output, generating a corrected output having a bandwidth above 50 Hertz, a bias below 5 degrees per second and a scale factor below 10%.

Abstract: A capacitive-type acceleration sensor includes a sensor chip that forms a moving electrode and a fixed electrode. The electrodes face each other while maintaining a detection gap. The sensor chip is joined to a circuit chip integrally. The circuit chip is mounted on a package via a resin adhesive. The adhesive is mixed with a filler of a material having a Young's modulus higher than that of the resin.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor for detecting physical quantity includes a substrate having an opening; a beam protruding in the opening of the substrate and supported on the substrate; and a fixed electrode supported on the substrate. The beam is movable in a vertical direction of the substrate so that the physical quantity in the vertical direction is detectable. The sensor can be minimized, and has excellent output characteristics. Further, a manufacturing cost of the sensor is small.

Abstract: For a sensor whose sensor structure is implemented in a micromechanical structural component and which has parts which are movable in relation to the stationary substrate of the structural component, and which also includes an unsupported a seismic mass, a spring system having at least one spring, the seismic mass being connected to the substrate through the spring system, and an overload protection to limit the deflection of the spring system and the seismic mass in at least one direction, and an arrangement for detecting the deflections of the spring system and the seismic mass, whereby the impact forces may be reduced to prevent conchoidal breaks and resulting incipient damage to the sensor structure, as well as formation of particles. To that end, at least one two-dimensional stop for at least one moving part of the sensor structure is provided as overload protection.

Abstract: A device and system are provided for monitoring acoustic emissions from machinery to indicate levels of detected sound waves. Each incorporates an acoustic sensing device which incorporates a housing assembly constructed for removable attachment between a surface mounting region of the machinery and a measuring instrument to define a coupled state. An acoustic emissions sensor is disposed in the housing assembly's interior to detect sound waves propagating through the surface mounting region and to produce detection signals for processing by the measuring instrument. A methodology for monitoring acoustic emissions is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for detection, classification and densimetric quantification of grain-eating insects, of one or several families of insects simultaneously present, in stocks of cereals and the like, which includes detecting insects through noises and sound and/or infrasonic vibrations emitted by the insects. It also includes carrying out the following operations: recording the real noises in the stock, eliminating known spurious noises, detecting on the resulting envelope energy curve windows corresponding to energy peaks and determining therefrom the mean frequency, the spectral width and the global energy, comparing the mean frequency and the width of each of the windows to that of windows with similar known and listed characteristics, so as to operate a taxonomic classification, finally, comparing the mean frequency and the global energy of each of the windows, to those of windows with known and listed characteristics, to operate a densimetric quanitification.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting and calculating the residual strength of an aramid fiber rope driving an elevator to determine when such rope is in need of replacement. The apparatus comprises a transmitter for introducing an acoustic wave that will travel along the aramid fiber rope and a plurality of receivers for receiving the acoustic wave after its has traversed a designated section of the rope. The transmitter and receiver provide signals indicating the times the wave was sent by the transmitter and thereafter received by the receiver. From these signals, a program calculates the wave velocity, and the modulus and residual strength of the aramid rope.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitting and receiving apparatus capable of scanning an object to be inspected in high density and in a short time by using nondiffracting beams. The ultrasonic transmitting and receiving apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer array including ultrasonic transducers arranged in a matrix form; a waveform information setting unit for setting waveform information to be used for transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic beams, each of which is synthesized by ultrasonic signals having amplitude and phase characteristics represented by Bessel function, within a predetermined period; and a drive signal generating unit for respectively generating drive signals for driving the ultrasonic transducers included in the ultrasonic transducer array on the basis of the waveform information set by the waveform information setting unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for non-destructive testing of materials, in which at least two differently guided waves (modes) are produced in the solid body, each at at least one specified angle, the measured reflection values are placed in relation to a reference echo in order to obtain a relative reflection value, and the relative reflection values of the individual modes are again placed in relation to one another, thereby enabling the size and type of the defects to be determined.

Abstract: One aspect is a pressure transducer package comprising a housing, a diaphragm, a support disposed in the housing and a sensing element disposed in the housing between the diaphragm and the support so that the pressure from the environment acts on the diaphragm to compress the sensing element. The sensing element comprises at least one substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than 4 ppm/k. In another aspect, the sensing element comprises at least one substrate formed of a first material and an epitaxial layer of a second material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. In a further aspect, the support abuts the housing at a spherically-shaped interface to compensate for misalignment between the support and the sensing element to ensure that the sensing element is evenly loaded.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a silicon diaphragm having bottom and topside surfaces. The bottom surface has been formed using methods known to those skilled in the art. A first layer is formed and patterned on the topside surface of the diaphragm having an area larger than the diaphragm. A second layer is formed and patterned over the first layer, the second layer being larger in area than the first layer. Holes formed in the second layer are used to remove the first layer using methods known to those skilled in the art. A third layer is formed and patterned over the second layer. The third layer seals the holes in the second layer creating a sealed cavity with a reference pressure on the topside surface of the diaphragm. During operation, media is applied to the bottom surface of the diaphragm wherein the media pressure can be sensed by the pressure sensor in relation to the reference pressure sealed on the topside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An unbonded capping system for compression testing of concrete cylinders comprises first and second retaining cups comprising metal blocks each having opposite parallel planar surfaces. A first of the planar surfaces is engageable by a test apparatus, in use. A second of the planar surfaces has a cylindrical cavity of a first select diameter for receiving one end of the concrete cylinder. First and second cylindrical compression pads are each to be received in one of the retaining cup cavities to abut an end of the concrete cylinder, in use. The compression pads are of a second select diameter smaller than the first select diameter of the cavity to define a circumferential space therebetween. Nubs are provided for gripping the cavity to prevent the compression pads from falling out of the cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the spring rate of a torsion bar for an automotive vehicle includes a frame having two channels which cross between the ends of the frame. Each channel is configured to receive a torsion bar—one when a bar is to be twisted clockwise and the other when a bar is to be twisted counterclockwise. Mounted on the frame at its head end is an adjustable pneumatic cylinder having a piston which exerts a torque on the torsion bar through a long torque arm. At the tail end of the frame is a measuring unit against which a short torque arm that is connected to the opposite end of the bar bears, thus resisting the torque applied by the pneumatic cylinder and registering a force derived from the torque. A key engages the piston of the pneumatic cylinder to hold it in a predetermined extended position and the piston can be set to extend no farther than that position as well, all so that a known deflection corresponds to a force measured by the display.

Abstract: A fan powered by a controlled external energy source and a flow measurement device measure the airflow exiting or entering grilles/registers of an HVAC system without impeding the airflow being measured. A flow straightening element is preferably employed to overcome any effects of a non-uniform or swirled airflow profile on the fan. Preferably, the RPM of the fan is measured to determine the airflow. The RPM/flow calibration of the fan is insensitive to pressure differentials or the fan is a pressure-sensitive fan submitted to appropriate pressure differentials. Alternatively, the voltage or current supplied to the external energy source is used to determine the airflow. Finally, the pressure differential across the flow straightening element can be measured to determine airflow, eliminating the impact of pressure differential across the flow measurement device and fan.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow-measuring method measures the flow rate of a medium traveling through a measuring conduit by means of two ultrasound transducers which in the flow direction of the medium are offset relative to each other and both of which alternate in emitting ultrasonic pulses while the respective other ultrasound transducer receives the emitted ultrasonic pulses and the flow rate is determined as a function of the run times of the ultrasonic pulses received by the respective other ultrasound transducer. At least one correction parameter is established on the basis of the calculated sound propagation of the ultrasonic pulses traveling from one ultrasound transducer to the other, the calculation of the sound propagation of those pulses is made by taking into account a predefined frequency spectrum of the oscillations of the ultrasound transducers and the flow rate is calculated by applying the correction parameter established.

Abstract: A fluid-flow measuring ball valve includes a replaceable ball within a housing. The replaceable ball includes a flow restriction calibrated to the characteristics of the fluid. Pressure ports on either side of the ball provide for obtaining pressure readings which can be used to determine fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods for sampling and/or testing for the presence of whisker-like metallic particulates in data centers or computer rooms. For example, a method for discovering the presence of an undesired whisker-like metallic particulate in a data center is disclosed comprising providing a tool having a conductive adhesive portion wherein the conductive adhesive portion is capable of capturing and retaining the whisker-like metallic particulates in their fragile condition, locating a surface of the data center where metallic particulates may be present, extracting from the surface any whisker-like metallic particulates present in substantially their fragile condition using the tool, and confirming with an electron microscope whether or not any whisker-like metallic particulates are present on the conductive adhesive portion of the tool.

Abstract: A method for flushing gas pockets from a manifold that forms a part of a liquid sampling system that is compatible with a chemical-mechanical polishing system is described. A flushing liquid, e.g., ultra pure water, is introduced into, and expelled from, the manifold to expel gas pockets from the manifold. The method comprises the steps of opening a manifold vent, filling the manifold with the flushing liquid, and closing the vent to increase the velocity of the flushing liquid flowing through the manifold. The introduction of the flushing liquid is discontinued, and thereafter, resumed. The discontinuation and resumption steps are preferably repeated The manifold is thus flushed of gas pockets.

Abstract: An automatic wafer backside inspection may automatically inspect a backside of a semiconductor wafer to look for contamination, cracks, scratches and the like. An inspection apparatus may comprise a wafer cassette with slots to hold a plurality of wafers. A wafer transfer arm may be located near the wafer cassette. A wafer flip/aligner may be operable to flip and align wafers. A wafer inspecting unit may be located adjacent the wafer flip/aligner and be operable to inspect the backside of wafers flipped by the flipper aligner. A wafer buffer stage may be located between the wafer cassette and the wafer flip/aligner for temporarily holding a wafer. The wafer transfer arm may transfer wafers to/from or amongst at least two of the wafer cassette, the wafer flip/aligner, the wafer inspection unit and the wafer buffer stage.

Abstract: In an eddy current probe shaft, a sleeve encloses an inner core of length shorter than the sleeve causing the inner core to curl within sleeve. The inner core includes data cables that typically comprise coaxial cables to which the sleeve is attached at shaft lead and trail ends. The shaft is assembled by stretching the sleeve over the inner core and securing the stretched sleeve to the inner core, the sleeve causing the inner core to curl as the sleeve returns to its unstretched length. Slack thus produced in the inner core, and particularly in the coaxial cables, allows the probe to bend without stressing the coaxial cables and without two coaxial cables within the sleeve moving relative to each other therein eliminating signal drift phenomenon caused by a change in capacitance characteristics of the coaxial cables when insulation of the coaxial cables stretch upon bending.

Abstract: Data representing one or more characteristics of an input airflow (e.g., an airflow associated with a human being, such as breath or an airflow resulting from motion of the human being, or a wind tunnel airflow) is acquired and, if necessary or desirable, processed, then stored, transmitted to a remote location, and/or played back. Playback of acquired airflow data entails generating a display airflow corresponding to the input airflow. The characteristic of an airflow regarding which data is acquired is often the velocity of the airflow, though data regarding other airflow characteristics (e.g., direction, temperature, humidity, odor) can also be acquired in addition to, or instead of, airflow velocity.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus having an obstacle-detecting system comprises a plurality of detecting devices fastened on the object, an evaluation unit and an optical display device. For the purpose of displaying the surrounding situation more effectively, the fields of view of two neighbouring detecting devices intersect, the individual images of these detecting devices are combined to form an overall image, and the object can be projected on the display device into the overall image and can be displayed as part of the overall image.

Abstract: A surrogate for testing an effect of physical trauma on a whole or portion of a natural biological animal body where the surrogate has a surrogate bone or bones and material replicating the effect of flesh around such a bone or bones. Also disclosed are further parts of a natural body which are replicated with surrogate materials in a surrogate construction including skin, tendons, arteries, and joints between bones as well as sensors for measuring the effect of any trauma caused.

Abstract: A sensor probe assembly. The sensor probe assembly includes a sensor probe body having a probe head and an elongated cylindrical probe shaft for housing a sensing element. An adapter attaches the probe body to a sensor location while allowing the sensor probe body to rotate with respect to the adapter. In the preferred embodiment, at least one resilient seal is located between the probe head and the adapter to prevent entry of dirt, oil and grease.