Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with economizer vapor injection and liquid injection functions. As is known, the economizer function enhances performance of the refrigerant system. The liquid injection lowers the discharge temperature of the refrigerant to provide reliable compressor/system operation. The liquid injection and economizer vapor injection functions are selectively provided through distinct fluid passages leading to separate compression pockets. Single or dual pocket injection scheme could be utilized in conjunction with either function. The location of the liquid injection is preferably downstream in the compression process in relation to the economizer vapor injection. In this manner, a refrigerant system designer can select the optimal location of injection for each of the two refrigerant flows. The refrigerant system can consists of a single compressor or multiple compressors either connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and a system for extracting carbon dioxide and/or sulfur dioxide from methane or fumes resulting from hydrocarbon combustion. The system according to the present invention comprises a refrigerating device with integrated cascade which cools the methane or the fumes under a pressure that ensures circulation of the methane or the fumes and at a temperature such that the carbon dioxide and/or the sulfur dioxide pass directly over from the vapor state into the solid state via an anti-sublimation process.

Abstract: A process for separating hydrocarbons from an LNG, including the steps of: distilling a feed LNG in a first distillation column to separate it into a fraction enriched with methane and a fraction enriched with components heavier than methane; distilling the fraction enriched with components heavier than methane in a second distillation column to separate it into a fraction enriched with ethane and a fraction enriched with components heavier than ethane; recovering the cryogenic heat of the feed LNG to be fed into the first distillation column or of the liquid inside the first distillation column by using a heat transfer medium; and cooling the overhead gas of the second distillation column by using the heat transfer medium which has recovered the cryogenic heat to condense at least part of the overhead gas of the second distillation column. An apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cryogenic distillation of air. In a system of air separation columns, all the air is taken to a high pressure which is 5 to 10 bar greater than a medium pressure. A portion of air, between 10% and 50% of the high pressure air stream, is boosted in a cold booster. This boosted air is then sent to an exchanger and a portion of it liquefies at the cold end of the exchanger. Part of the air is sent to one column of the column system, and another fraction is partly expanded in a Claude turbine. After expansion in the turbine, the air is sent to a medium pressure column, and a liquid stream is withdrawn for one of the columns of the system. The withdrawn stream is pressurized and vaporizes in the exchange line. The cold booster is coupled to either an expansion turbine, an electric motor, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: The links (1) are formed by a set of parts (3, 4, 6, 9, 15) including at least two caps (3, 4) including, on the one hand, means for assembling (13, 14, 15) their feet (3b, 4b) to hold, between their heads (3a, 4a) a decorative casing element (9), and on the other hand, locking means (6, 16) at the junction of their feet (3b, 4b) for immobilising each link (1) on the connecting member. The preferred embodiment includes a rigid tube (15) assembling the feet (3b, 4b) and holding a deformable insert locking the connecting member.

Abstract: A rotatable mechanism for jewelry and decorative pieces where the a plurality of ball-bearings are used to connect decorative pieces together with a main fixed piece, allowing the easy rotation and spinning of said decorative pieces, as compared to prior art construction for moveable decorative pieces that are directly linked to the main fixed piece, resulting in more friction being present when the spinning/rotation is to happen. Present invention helps to increase the aesthetic value of jewelry or decorative piece when the freedom of rotation/spinning is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: The gas cushion serves to support a preheated glass sheet and is produced by a chamber, which is connected to a source (21) of compressed gas. The upper wall (10) of the chamber is adapted to the shape of the glass sheet and has a plurality of apertures for the passage of gas in the form of nozzles (14), which comprise an entry bore (22) and, following thereupon, a progressively widening exit hole (16) with a nozzle exit area (15). The upper wall (10) of the chamber has a greater degree of perforation (sum of the nozzle exit areas (15) in relation to the total area of the respective zone) in its edge zone (12, 13) than in its central zone (11). The nozzles ensure that no jet marks can arise. The gas of the gas cushion can also low out undisturbed at the side, so that no cooling edges are present and the occurrence of cooling shadows is accordingly avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a nursing garment from a circular knitted fabric tube, where the nursing garment comprises a back portion and a front portion comprising breast cups completely or partly formed from at least a double layer of fabric, forming inner and outer breast cups, wherein said double layer of fabric is knitted integrally in one piece and used in an open or closed loop form, allowing knitting to be continued downwards from below the breasts. The present invention furthermore relates to a garment, preferably for use when nursing, produced by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A novel latch needle has a sawslot (11) which is provided with facets or surfaces (22, 25) both at its frontal and its rearward end surfaces (18, 19). The surfaces (22, 25) are preferably parallel to one another and are oriented perpendicularly to the direction of length (L) of the shank. By virtue of this arrangement the surfaces are so oriented that the latch (6), as it opens or closes, pushes any dirt past the respective surfaces through the sawslot (11) and thus an accumulation and compacting of dirt cushions on the noted surfaces is avoided. Generally stated, the sawslot (11), particularly in the region of its end surfaces (18, 19) is thus void of any surface regions which represent an obstacle to the opening or closing latch (6).

Abstract: Methods are described for forming unitary fabric elements for use in engineered thermal fabric articles, including, but not limited to, thermal fabric garments, thermal fabric home textiles, and thermal fabric upholstery covers, and for forming these engineered thermal fabric articles, having predetermined discrete regions of contrasting insulative capacity positioned about the thermal fabric article in correlation to insulative requirements of a user's body.

Abstract: A spacer-fabric sweatband, for, and incorporated into headwear which has an inner, skin-contact fabric layer, and an outer, headwear-facing fabric layer connected by a multiplicity of hydrophobic monofilament-pile spacing elements. The pile spacing elements function like thousands of miniature springs to maintain the fabric layers in uniform spaced parallel relation while creating substantial, pile-supported airspace between the fabric layers to facilitate the movement of ventilating airflow. The headwear-facing fabric layer is mesh-like for enhanced air circulation. The skin-contact layer is composed of solid skin-friendly fabric. The pile segments block sweat from migrating from the inner to the outer fabric layers by virtue of their hydrophobic composition.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing knit hats includes primarily adding a textile fiber (more than 50%) and a polyurethane elastic fiber into a same feeder of knitting machine (flat knitting machine) to weave into a yarn which forms a hat felt that is larger than a preset size. Next, the hat felt is heated and steamed by vapor or other heat sources at 50° C.-80° C. for 1-15 seconds, so as to shrink it to the preset size. Finally, the knit hat is formed by sewing and finishing. According to the aforementioned method, as the knit hat is added with the polyurethane elastic fiber, it can be quickly shrunk to be shaped after being blown and steamed through the vapor or other heat sources; therefore the knit hat formed can have a larger flexibility in the range of sizes to meet the requirements of users with different head circumferences.

Abstract: A laundry detergent system comprising a highly concentrated liquid laundry detergent and a device connected to a water supply feed, that provides the injection pressure of the detergent composition being greater than water flow pressure at the junction of the detergent composition and the water flow and water flow rate at the junction of greater than 0.25 m/sec; wherein the flow rate ratio of the detergent composition to the water flow is in the range of from about 0.0001 to about 0.5.

Abstract: An actuating device for a door or hatch of a vehicle includes a carrier for moving a slide between a locking position and a release position for locking a turret to be inserted into an opening of the carrier in a desired inserted position. The slide is provided on its front side in the pull-out direction with a lobe which includes a radially outer surface pointing away from the inserted turret. The turret has an opposing lobe facing the insertion direction, wherein the opposing lobe is arranged at a radial distance from the adjacent circumferential zone of the turret and includes a radially inner surface facing the turret. When the turret is moved into the locking position, the lobe travels into a radial distance from the slide and is moved behind the opposing lobe where the lobe rests with its radially outer surface on the radially inner surface of the opposing lobe.

Abstract: A utility meter clamping ring is locked to the meter by a locking device that locks the free ends of the ring together automatically without the use of a separate plunger device. A latch is spring loaded in the locking device housing in a normally biased lock position. The lock device is secured to one free end of the clamping ring. An apertured blade is attached to the other free end of the clamping ring. The ring is placed about the flanges of the meter cover and base flanges and the blade is then inserted into the locking device housing where its aperture is engaged automatically by the spring loaded latch and locked to the housing upon insertion. A conventional plunger key may optionally be used to unlock the latch and release the blade from the locked position to free the ends for removal of the meter cover via an optional bore in the latch engaged by the key. The latch may be optionally permanently locked to the blade so that either the locking device or the ring has to be destroyed.

Abstract: A keying system includes a cylinder body. A plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body includes a plug body and a carrier sub-assembly disposed adjacent the plug body. The carrier sub-assembly is moveable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder body between a first position and a second position. The plug assembly includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of racks for selectively engaging the plurality of pins. Each rack of the plurality of racks has a first locking bar-receiving groove along a neutral axis and at least a second locking bar-receiving groove spaced from the neutral axis, wherein a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of a first rack of the plurality of racks is different from a spacing of the second locking bar-receiving groove from the neutral axis of at least one other of the plurality of racks.

Abstract: A can body manufacturing method, in which a bottomed cylindrical long cup is shaped from a metal material, in which a printed decoration is then applied to the outer face of a cylindrical trunk portion of the long cup, and in which one of the end sides of the long cup is then shaped into a sloped shoulder portion which is diametrically reduced toward the leading end side: wherein the printed decoration is printed on the outer face of the cylindrical trunk portion of the long cup to the portion to be shaped into the shoulder portion at a subsequent treatment, and wherein the pattern or letter of the printed decoration applied to the portion to be shaped into the shoulder portion is distorted to be wider in the upward direction, in comparison with a final desired figure.

Abstract: According to the hydroforming method by the invention, when slots with the aspect ratio of 3 or more are pierced onto the bulge-formed portion made by the hydroforming, even the piercing can be carried out within a series of processing steps in the hydroforming, thereby eliminating the piercing operation by means of the cumbersome machining process such as milling and ensuring an excellent slot configuration. Thus, the hydroformed parts by the invention are best suited for the automobile parts etc. where various piercing operations are required, and the mold used for the hydroforming method by the invention can be widely employed for processing the automobile parts etc., whereby the invention can be applied for processing the parts in automobiles and industrial machineries as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of a leveler that may be controlled by a computer are provided. The leveler may include a top frame that has at least a first set of rolls mounted thereon. The top frame includes a plurality of operatively associated ball screw assemblies that enable movement of the top frame with respect to a bottom frame of the leveler. The bottom frame has at least a second set of rolls mounted thereon. The leveler may further include at least one motor operatively associated with the plurality of ball screw assemblies. The motor is designed to drive the plurality of ball screw assemblies to move the top frame. The motor may also have at least one operatively associated encoder configured for monitoring or communicating data associated with rotation of the ball screw assemblies. The leveler may also include at least one position transmitter configured for monitoring a position of at least a portion of the top frame relative to a position of at least a portion of the bottom frame.

Abstract: A computer controlled roll-forming apparatus is adapted to provide a repeating pattern of different longitudinal shapes to a continuous beam “on the fly” during the roll-forming process. A sweep station on the apparatus includes a primary bending roller tangentially engaging the continuous beam along the line level and an armature for biasing the continuous beam against the primary bending roller for a distance partially around a downstream side of the primary bending roller to form a sweep. Further, actuators adjustably move the armature at least partially around the downstream side of the primary bending roller between at least first and second positions for imparting multiple different longitudinal shapes into the continuous beam. In one form, the apparatus also includes a coordinated cut-off, so that when separated into bumper beam segments, the ends of the individual beam segments have a greater sweep than their center sections.

Abstract: A shearing method for a thin plate including forming a protruded product part having a first sagging part when the thin plate with a thickness of up to approximately 5mm is performed with a half die cutting by pressing the half die cutting punch slightly larger than the half die cutting hole to form a shallow recessed part, fixing the product part by a fixing member, forming a second sagging part at an edge portion of the thin plate by pressurizing a scrap part by moving a pressure punch which is provided with a gap between the fixing member and the pressure punch and by being bent between the scrap part and the product part, and then separating the scrap part from the product part.

Abstract: A press and tooling apparatus for forming a preheated blank includes a heated upper tool and an opposing heated lower tool mounted within the press for relative closing movement to press the preheated blank there between. A binder ring assembly surrounds the lower tool and is mounted on the press for movement relative to the lower tool so at to bind the preheated blank to the upper tool in air tight sealing relationship in readiness for closure of the tools and application of pressurized gas to force the blank into contact with the upper tools. The binder ring assembly includes an upper ring that is heated so as to prevent the cooling of the preheated blank, and a lower ring that supports the upper ring and is fixedly connected to the upper ring by spaced apart connectors so as to minimize the heat transfer path from the heated upper ring to the lower ring.

Abstract: A water cooled panel is comprised by a continuous coil having a plurality of straight pipe sections and “U” shaped 180° elbow sections that are integral part of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an exterior part of a camera is disclosed. The exterior part has an arcuate recess for finger gripping during photography and an arcuately bent portion. The method of fabricating the exterior part includes laminating a plastic protective layer to a surface of a substantially flat stainless steel sheet. An arcuate recess is then formed in the laminated sheet to create a finger grip area. Next, a peripheral flange is formed along a part of the periphery of the sheet, leaving an end portion of the sheet unflanged. The unflanged end portion is manually bent to form an arcuately curved portion with a preliminary curvature. A press die is used to impart a sharper curvature to the curved surface and to perform flanging on the unflanged end portion so as to extend the existing flange along the periphery of the sheet. The extended flange is then ironed to remove any wrinkle.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure formed with precision fold technology includes a first sheet section having a first edge formed with a first joinder structure proximate the first edge, a second sheet section having a second edge formed with a second joinder structure proximate the second edge for interlocking engagement with said first joinder structure, and a plurality of folding structures formed in the sheet of material along a plurality of desired fold lines which divide the sheet of material into said first and second sheet sections, the folding structures being formed to produce sufficiently precise folding of the sheet of material along the fold lines to position the first and second edges together such that said first and second joinder structures interengage with one another and retain the sheet of material in a folded condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a sheet metal lid. At least one projection (20,21a,21b) is formed twice. Firstly for shaping a pre-form (20*) of the projection out of a panel (10) of said sheet metal lid, said pre-form being located near an attaching portion (31) of a tab (30), but at a distance from said mounting place (11). Secondly for re-forming at least a front edge (20?,21b?) of said pre-form (20*) of said at least one projection. No score line (16) is provided in said panel, neither during shaping, nor during re-forming. An improved blocking for an outer edge portion (31c) of the attaching portion is thus obtained, said outer edge portion being associated with said front edge.

Abstract: An identification attachment is provided for a compression tool of the character having a pair of jawarms pivotally mounted between a pair of side plates by pivot pins having outer ends including pin retainers for maintaining the jawarms and side plates in assembled relationship. The jawarms have opposite sides, inner and outer edges and front and rear ends, respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the side plates, and the identification attachment is removably mountable on the tool independent of any mounting openings for the attachment extending through the jawarms. The attachment may, for example, interengage with opposite sides of a jawarm or be captured on the tool by the pin retainers or the side plates.

Abstract: An improved tubing bender of the type having a mounting base, a mandrel mounted upon the mounting base and having a tube recess, and a tube retainer mounted upon the mounting base. It is improved by the tube retainer being mounted upon the mounting base by a snap-lock journal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an improved handheld crimping tool for crimping a wire. The handheld crimping tool includes a head portion having a crimping device positioned adjacent a first end thereof. The crimping device may have an adjustable die cavity to facilitate crimping wires of various diameters. The crimping tool further includes a handle portion having a gripping portion suitably configured to be manually grasped. In one embodiment, the head portion is operable to be rotated relative to the handle portion to position the crimping device in a selected orientation and may be maintained in the selected orientation by a biasing mechanism. The crimping tool further includes a drive mechanism operable to actuate the crimping device. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism may be operable to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion that generates a linear crimping motion in the crimping device.

Abstract: Press brake tools suitable for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments are a press brake tool and a press brake tool holder, in combination. Methods of using press brake tools are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool has a mechanism for locating and/or seating, such as a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving the tool parallel to a pressing axis of a tool holder on which the tool is to be used.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor that outputs a sensor signal used for the feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is provided. It is determined whether an element crack is present by applying a reverse voltage to the air-fuel ratio sensor. The value of the sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor is corrected during a time period “A”. The time period “A” consists of a reverse-voltage application time period in which the reverse voltage is applied, and a return time period “T” after application of the reverse voltage ends. The return time period “T” is set based on sensor impedance correlated with the internal resistance of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The return time period “T” decreases as the sensor impedance decreases.

Abstract: A characterizer for determining the shape of a probe tip for an atomic force microscope and methods of fabricating and using the characterizer. The characterizer includes a micromachined crystalline structure with opposed edges separated by a width suitable for characterizing a dimension of the probe tip. At least one of the opposed edges overhangs an undercut region of the micromachined crystalline structure by an overhang distance that is greater than one third of the width. The probe tip is scanned across the edges of the characterizer for shape determination. The characterizer is formed by serially deep reactive ion etching and anisotropic etching (100) single crystal silicon. The opposed edges may be oxidation sharpened for use in profiling an end or side of the probe tip.

Abstract: Surface testing friction apparatus comprises a trolley and an inclined ramp. The trolley and ramp are arranged such that a slider on the trolley comes into contact with the surface during a test run over a surface, the friction coefficient of which is to be determined, the mass of the trolley length and a height of the ramp are selected such that for a slider of given properties, materials and dimensions the critical film thickness for a wet surface is approximately 2 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus is for detecting the presence of selected gaseous compounds indicative of a medical condition includes a probe having one or more sensor elements having a conductivity which is responsive to the presence of selected gaseous compounds, at least one sensor element containing a transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of WO3, beta-MoO3 and UO2; and means for measuring the conductivity of each said sensor element.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for testing packaging and/or materials (e.g., package integrity and/or seal strength testing) wherein one or more coatings are applied to the one or more surfaces of the packaging and/or materials prior to testing. In one aspect of the present invention, when applied to a permeable package or a portion thereof, the coating transforms the package, or portion thereof, to an impermeable package or a package having impermeable portions thereof. After such transformation, a wider variety of testing methods including quantitative test methods may be used to test such permeable packages including standard burst seal strength, dye seal integrity, and package integrity tests. Furthermore, application of one or more coatings to the permeable package and/or material prior to testing enhances the sensitivity and repeatability of the test methods allowing for more reliable seal strength measurements and consistent detection of small defects (e.g., pinholes).

Abstract: A redundant vacuum-generating source system and method for generating and/or maintaining a vacuum level in a secondarily contained fuel-handling component that is monitored for leaks. The vacuum-generating source is coupled to upstream fuel-handling components to draw a vacuum level in their interstitial spaces. Other downstream fuel-handling components are drawn under a vacuum by tapping off of the upstream fuel-handling component's interstitial spaces for convenience. A series of valves control which upstream fuel-handling component's interstitial spaces are coupled to a downstream fuel-handling component interstitial space. In the event that an upstream fuel-handling component contains a leak, a control system can control the valves to switch the vacuum generation of a downstream fuel-handling component to another upstream fuel-handling component that does not contain a leak so that a sufficient vacuum level can be generated in downstream fuel-handling component(s) to monitor it for leaks.

Abstract: A multi-sensor apparatus for monitoring a fluid is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor is configured to be exposed to a fluid, and includes at least one membrane that covers the plurality of sensors. A mechanical member or a heating element can be used to selectively expose a particular sensor to the fluid leaving another of the sensors unexposed to the fluid.

Abstract: A viscosity sensor system for measuring the viscosity of a liquid and at least one additional property of the liquid using a piezoelectric viscosity sensor device that is situated completely in the liquid that is to be measured, and that has: electrical contact points for an electrical controlling of volume oscillations on its surface, these contact points being resistant in relation to the liquid; first electrical supply lines that are resistant in relation to the liquid and that are connected on the one hand with a control/evaluation electronics unit situated outside the liquid and on the other hand with the contact points on the surface of the viscosity sensor device; and a second sensor device for acquiring the at least one additional property of the liquid, this second device being provided on the surface of the viscosity sensor device and having electrical contact points on the surface of the viscosity sensor device for an electrical controlling, these electrical contact points being resistant in relati

Abstract: A method and system for determining properties of a fluid involves interacting the fluid with a standing wave in a first state to establish the standing wave in a second state, analyzing an electric signal associated with the standing wave to determine a characteristic associated with the second state, and determining the property of the fluid by comparing the characteristic with a function that associates a plurality of properties with a corresponding plurality of characteristics. The characteristic can include a maximum phase slope, a phase slope associated with a resonant frequency, a maximum magnitude associated with the resonant frequency, the value of the resonant frequency, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which accurately quantifies the percolation rate of soils, or other materials. This invention unlike prior arts measures the time elapsed for water to drop in a percolation test hole between two fixed points. The elevation of the water is electronically detected which provides signaling to control circuitry that starts and stops an electronic timer and other peripheral circuitry to automate testing. The information gathered is typically used for the design of wastewater and storm water disposal systems.

Abstract: It is desired that highly efficient and highly sensitive sensors being extremely small size is provided in desired position, desired shape and size for a micro structure that causes the elastic deformation at least a part thereof. Moreover, it is also required that facilitating to assemble and adjust the components, miniaturizing and simplifying the detection circuit, and measuring a local displacement of a fine part of the micro structure. The disclosing micro structure is cantilever 1 which beam part 14 causes the elastic deformation. This cantilever 1 is provided with a sensor 12 detecting elastic deformation of beam part 14 by tunneling effect.

Abstract: A method for continuous measurement of the dynamic fluid consumption of a consumer by means of a two-way flow sensor, particularly the measurement of gaseous or liquid fuel, and possibly a conditioning device, whereby the pressure is reduced to a constant exit pressure downstream from the flow sensor. A minimum quantity of fluid is fed through the pressure regulator (8) at any desired time whereby fluid is continuously returned in variable quantities from the region of constant exit pressure to the region between the flow sensor (6) and the pressure regulator (8) to make possible a continuous, accurate and timely highly defined consumption measurement with controlled exit pressure for the fluids be means of an open system, which is able even at highly dynamic consumption changes to maintain pressures in the entire line system and which does not allow the formation of a multiphase flow.

Abstract: To realize a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a heating resistor type air flow rate measuring apparatus which can effectively remove salinity adhered to the heating resistor. Salt adheres not only to the heating portion of a heating resistor but also to lead members and supporting members. When a certain time period is passed after the current supply to the heating resistor is stopped, the salt adhered thereto absorbs moisture in the air by deliquescence, and becomes salt water near the heating resistor and the support members etc. Then, suction air flows through an auxiliary air passage by the cranking of the engine to disperse the salt water adhered not only to the support member parts but also to the heating resistor. Thus, even if the heating resistor is supplied with current after the dissipation, salt components do not remain on the heating resistor.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine, e.g., of a motor vehicle, may permit a most accurate possible determination of a value for the flow-through area, e.g., the effective flow-through area, of a component arranged in a gas channel. The internal combustion engine has an adjustable component through which a gas flows and by whose setting the gas flowing through is influenced. At least one first value representative of a flow-area of the component, e.g., the effective flow-through area, is determined in accordance with a first model as a function of a triggering signal of the component. At least one second value representative of the flow-through area of the component, e.g., the effective flow-through area, is determined in accordance with a second model as a function of at least one performance quantity of the internal combustion engine different from the triggering signal. A resulting value is formed for the flow-through area, e.g.

Abstract: A sensor assembly (10) for measuring a speed of a movable member. The sensor assembly (10) includes an enclosure (28) defining a cavity (30). The cavity (30) is defined by a blind hole extending into the enclosure (28). The enclosure (28) is positioned so as to be substantially stationary relative to the movable member. A sensor element (36) is received within the cavity (30) and is disposed to sense movement of the movable member. When the sensor element (36) is received within the cavity (30), a portion of the enclosure (28) is interposed between the sensor element (36) and the movable member. A seal (38) is operatively coupled to the sensor element (36) for substantially excluding contaminants from the cavity (30).

Abstract: A fuel level sensor for sensing and monitoring the level of remaining fluid in a container such as a fuel tank for a motorized vehicle is disclosed. The fuel level sensor incorporates an improved float and pivot arm member attached to a hub that rotates about a pivot base. The conventional resistor card technology, commonly found in automotive applications for translating the position of the float into an electrical signal, is replaced by a more reliable non-contact magnetic flux sensing circuit. The fuel level sensor incorporates a magnetic sensor and magnetic circuit in a commonly known and practiced rotational position sensor configuration for determining the angular position of a hub relative to its pivot base, where the hub is attached to a conventional float-arm member and the base remains stationary relative to the fuel container. The preferred embodiment includes a magnetic flux sensor positioned between two movable magnets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing tire performance by generating accurate, timely tire-to-surface slippage information under any operational/environmental conditions and on any road and/or off-road surface without requiring instrumentation of the roadway. The approach is capable of storing generated tire-to-surface slippage information for later retrieval and analysis and/or capable of supporting dynamic, real-time collection and dissemination of generated data. One exemplary embodiment generates and disseminates tire-to-surface slippage information in real-time that is compatible with and may be formatted for use by any consumer vehicle control system as well as external test and analysis equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure gauge including a body forming an inlet, an outlet, and a shunt hole. A pressure meter is provided to the shunt hole. An inlet duct in connection with an inflation device is provided to the inlet. A check valve is arranged in the inlet duct. An outlet duct is connected to the outlet and is prepared with an inflation mouth for coupling with an intake nozzle of an object to be inflated. When an inflation device is operated to charge air into an object for inflation through the inlet duct, the body, and the outlet duct, a pressure measuring process can be performed concurrently.

Abstract: A multi-function detecting pen is described. The multi-function detecting pen includes a head module, a detecting chips module, a power module, a lighting module, and a control module. The head module is disposed at a front portion of the pen and the detecting chips module is followed. The detecting chips module may include at least one pressure detecting chip for measuring a pressure, e.g. tire pressure, and/or a gas detecting chip for measuring a gas concentration, e.g. alcohol concentration. The detecting chips module may further include a temperature detecting chip for measuring a temperature, e.g. ambient temperature or tympanum temperature. The head module may further include a switchable or a replaceable adapter for coupling to the corresponding object and keeping the head module clean.

Abstract: A heating resistor type flow measuring device comprising a housing having a support part provided between a frame body and a connector and connected to the mounting part of a fluid passage, a flow rate detection element held on the frame body side of the housing, and an electronic circuit held on the housing and connected electrically to the flow rate detection element and the connector, wherein the electronic circuit is held on the frame body side of the housing and positioned in the fluid passage, a member with the rigidity higher than the material of the main structural member of the housing is formed integrally with the support part, the housing is fixed to the fluid passage through the member with high rigidity. A metal plate is inserted into the support part so as to increase rigidity.