Abstract: An electricity generating and air conditioning system with a dehumidifier. The system includes an engine, a generator connected to an output shaft of the engine to generate electricity, a heat pump type air conditioner, through which a refrigerant is circulated, the heat pump type air conditioner comprising a compressor, a directional valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor dehumidifying agent body to dehumidify indoor air, an indoor regeneration heater to regenerate the indoor dehumidifying agent body, and a waste heat recovering means to supply waste heat of the engine to the indoor regeneration heater, and thus, to allow the indoor regeneration heater to use the supplied waste heat as a heat source for the regeneration of the indoor dehumidifying agent body, or to supply the waste heat of the engine to the refrigerant of the heat pump type air conditioner, so that the system exhibits maximal efficiency.

Abstract: A cogeneration system including an engine, which drives a generator to generate electricity, a cooling/heating unit, which comprises at least one compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, to establish a heat pump type refrigerant cycle, and an exhaust heat consuming heating unit to supply heat of exhaust gas discharged from the engine to a heat exchanging zone of the indoor heat exchanger of the cooling/heating unit, and thus, to heat a confined space. Since waste heat generated from the engine is directly used in the cooling/heating unit, an enhancement in indoor heating efficiency is achieved.

Abstract: A cogeneration system including a heat pump type air conditioner including an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger bypass conduit, and a cogeneration unit including a second outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger bypass conduit, second outdoor heat exchanger connecting conduits, and second outdoor heat exchanger bypass conduit to cause the refrigerant to be evaporated in the second outdoor heat exchanger during a heating operation of the heat pump type air conditioner, and to cause the refrigerant to be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger during a cooling operation of the heat pump type air conditioner, so that the heat pump type air conditioner can provide a constant heating capacity irrespective of a variation in outdoor temperature during the heating operation thereof.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case including a case that defines a product display area adapted to support and display food product to be visible from the front of the case. The case includes a canopy positioned above the product display area with at least one display panel. A refrigeration system supplies refrigerated air to the product display area and is adapted to maintain the food product at a desired temperature. A light source supported by the case projects light along a first path of illumination directed toward the product display area adapted to brighten the food product and projects light along a second path of illumination directed toward the display panel. At least a portion of the light along the second path of illumination passes through the display panel to be visible from the front of the display panel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a liquid comprising a cavity (2) containing a refrigerating liquid capable of evaporation under the effect of a depression maintained by a pump. The cavity includes at least a first wall (21) in contact with the liquid to be cooled, the first wall (21) being substantially conical such that its cross-sectional surface tapers from the base towards the top, and at least a second wall (22) forming the base of the conical shape and incorporating communication (30) between the cavity (2) of the exchanger and the pump.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connecting package for a refrigerator compressor.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes a compressor for pumping a heat medium through a tubing device, a heat exchanger coupled to the compressor for receiving compressed heat medium from the compressor, a flowing control device coupled to the heat exchanger, another heat exchanger coupled to the flowing control device and arranged to have the flowing control device coupled between the heat exchangers, and an air conditioner coupled to the flowing control device. The flowing control device may selectively couple the heat exchangers to the air conditioner and to the compressor, or selectively couple the heat exchangers together and to selectively couple the air conditioner to the compressor.

Abstract: There is provided a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a blower fan is installed in a refrigerant body to blow a cold air, a barrier partitions an inner space of the refrigerator body into a freezing chamber and a chilling chamber, an ice machine is installed in the chilling chamber, a freezing air duct is connected with the ice machine for passing the cold air blown by the blower fan, a chilling air duct is connected with the chilling chamber for passing the cold air blown by the blower fan, and a cold air return duct is provided to pass the cold air discharged from the ice machine toward an evaporator where the cold air is cooled by exchanging heat with a refrigerant.

Abstract: A cold air path structure of a refrigerator is provided. The cold air path structure defines a passage from an ice machine installed in a freezing chamber to a chilling chamber in order to discharge an cold air used to freeze water of the ice machine to the chilling chamber, such that new cold air can be smoothly supplied to the ice machine, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ice machine. Further, an additional air passage is not required to supply the cold air to the chilling chamber, thereby simplifying the structure of the refrigerator and decreasing power consumption.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including an adiabatic space formed on an inner surface of a chilling chamber door and an ice machine disposed inside the adiabatic space, thereby enabling a more efficient usage of an inner space of the refrigerator. Also, the present invention provides a cooling air passage structure of a refrigerator for properly supplying cooling air for freezing to an inside of the refrigerator having an ice machine disposed on an inner surface of a chilling chamber door.

Abstract: A portable thermally-controlled container system includes an outer case providing a first inner chamber and configured to have an open position and a closed position, when in the open position the outer case is configured to receive items into the first inner chamber and when in the closed position the outer case is configured to inhibit heat transfer between the first inner chamber and a region external to the outer case, and an inner case configured to fit in the chamber provided by the outer case, the inner case including a first thermally-reflective layer and a first insulation layer disposed inwardly of the first thermally-reflective layer, the inner case providing a second inner chamber disposed inwardly of the first insulation layer.

Abstract: A carrier having a body with arcuate sidewall sections and an integrally formed base, the body being sufficiently rigid to support a plurality of individual canned or bottled beverages. The carrier also includes an internal coolant chamber, a durable handle, and an elastomeric, thermally insulative band that is releasably securable around the body to maintain the beverages in supported contact with the body until removed for consumption of the contained beverage. Upon removal of all beverage containers from the carrier, the band desirably contracts into engagement with the projecting portions of the body perimeter to reduce the overall volume defined by the carrier. Shoulders are preferably provided on the body of the carrier to assist in maintaining the elastomeric band in a preferred positional alignment relative to the body.

Abstract: A compact and efficient compressor is provided, based on using magnetic bearing technology, which can operate at high speed and comprises a reliable control system. The compressor of the present invention makes use of two separate compressors mounted on a single common motor, thus sharing a single drive. The balancing of the thrust at high RPM is improved by using a pair of electromagnetic bearings.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent includes capture segments including a first capture segment and a second capture segment. The first capture segment includes a first crown coupled to a first crown of the second capture segment and a second crown, where the second crown is spaced apart from an adjacent second crown of the second capture segment when the self-expanding stent is in a relaxed state, and further where the second crown of the first capture segment captures the adjacent second crown of the second capture segment when the self-expanding stent is in a radially compressed state.

Abstract: A flexible jewel pouch for holding a jewel, comprising a metal mesh dimensioned to hold the jewel therein, having a top opening and having a plurality of apertures, the largest aperture being smaller than the jewel; a mesh carrying arrangement slidingly attached to the mesh along the top opening, wherein when the jewel is placed in the mesh, the mesh suspends from the mesh carrying arrangement and the weight of the jewel causes the mesh carrying arrangement to at least partially close the top opening of the mesh thereby securing the jewel therein.

Abstract: The apparatus for producing glass beads of the present invention comprises a melting pot 2 for heating and melting glass, a nozzle 2A for dripping molten glass 4 in the melting pot 2, which is disposed at the bottom of the melting pot 2, and a liquid glass droplet receiver 11 filled with cooling solution 150 for cooling the liquid glass droplet 10 dripped from the nozzle 2A, which is disposed under the nozzle 2A, wherein the cooling solution 150 is made from a material that forms a bubble layer around the liquid glass droplet 10 as the cooling solution 150 is vaporized due to the heat of the liquid glass droplet 10 during a period when the liquid glass droplet 10 is cooled down to a temperature lower than the glass transfer temperature in the cooling solution 150.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping heat softened glass sheets includes an upper mold having a full surface press face with a shaping surface generally contoured to the desired curvature of the sheets; a support device to support the sheets below the upper mold; a shaping rail having an upper sheet supporting surface that supports selected peripheral portions of the sheets, the sheet supporting surface having a profile corresponding to desired elevational contours of the selected peripheral portions of the sheets and complimenting corresponding portions of the upper mold shaping surface; a chamber positioned below the sheets; a moving device for moving the upper mold and the shaping rail relative to each other so as to press at least a periphery of the sheets against the upper mold shaping surface, and a connector to direct pressurized gas into the chamber to urge the sheets towards the upper mold press face.

Abstract: In a process for pulverizing and granulating melts, especially oxidic slag, glass, or thermoplastic melts, in which the melts are heated with burner (6) in an antechamber (5) and ejected as a shroud surrounding a propellant stream into a granulating chamber (11), hot combustion gases from the antechamber (5) are mixed with the propellant stream.

Abstract: A knitted-in slide fastener in which a continuous fastener element row can be mounted stably in its dimensional meaning and firmly while breaking of a needle is prevented, so as to secure a smooth engagement of elements, wherein the continuous fastener element row is fixed and knitted-in by a fixing chain knitting yarn at the same time when a fastener tape is knitted, the fixing chain knitting yarn for the elements is knitted into plural wales of a fastener element attaching portion on one side edge of the fastener tape, warp knitting yarns to be knitted for reinforcement are entangled with a needle loop formed by a constituent yarn of at least one of wales in a foundation structure adjoining the plural wales through their needle loops but not entangled with a needle loop of the fixing chain knitting yarn through their needle loops.

Abstract: An elastic knitted fabric having a multilayer structure, made by binding separate front and back two-layer ground knitted fabrics together, wherein the above described two-layer ground knitted fabrics are bound together with only a bare string(s) of polyurethane based elastic fibers of 17 to 3000 decitexes.

Abstract: A slide latch assembly having a keyless toggle lock capability and capable of being unlocked by either a low level security key or a master key. When a user lifts up on the front grip piece or the rear grip piece of the latch assembly, a dual pawl rotary latch is opened so that the latch assemble can then be latched to a keeper. The lock cylinder can be provided with either a master annular ring on the front of the lock plug which can only be opened by a master key or a low level security annular ring which permits the lock cylinder to be opened by either the master key or the low level security key.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a garage door which utilizes a pair of actuators with one actuator being mounted at a side edge of the garage door and the other actuator mounted at the opposite side edge of the garage door. One actuator is mounted on a carrier gear which connects to a worm gear which is driven by an electric motor. Each operator connects with a locking bolt with there being a separate locking bolt for each actuator. Each locking bolt is to be movable in conjunction with the door jamb of the garage door to lock the garage door to the jamb. Both actuators pivot in the same direction. Both locking bolts are linearly slidable. A connecting member connects between the first actuator and the second actuator so that the actuators move in unison. One actuator has a back end which extends through a slot formed in a latch housing. This back end is manually accessible to cause the actuator to move manually if electricity fails.

Abstract: Master-keyed pin tumbler lock and relative master-key, where each pin has an inner window with an outer protuberance, which a spring acts upon and an inner projection, which the key acts upon, giving rise to the movement of the pin. The inner projections are at different heights and the pins are placed so that some move in one direction and others in the opposite direction, each pin having, in its inner window, a step placed on the opposite side to that of the inner projection. On one of the sides of the key there is a notch whose minimum width is the distance between the maximum level reached by the projections of the pins that move in one direction and the maximum level reached by those of the pins that move in the opposite direction; on the opposite side they have a double serration combined with the steps of the inner windows of the pins.

Abstract: A lock includes a cylinder, a cylinder plug and a locking pin assembly. The cylinder plug is rotatably mounted in the cylinder and has a dummy keyhole and a cylinder plug keyhole defined completely through the cylinder plug. The locking pin assembly has multiple locking pins that are slidably partially held in the cylinder plug keyhole. A two step method to open the lock with a key with serrations initially inserts the key serrations into and presses the key serrations completely through the dummy keyhole. Then the serrations are rotated, aligned with and pulled back into the cylinder plug keyhole. Conventional displacement of the locking pins allows the cylinder plug to be rotated, which opens the lock. Pressing the key completely through the lock removes any foreign objects such as toothpicks, chewing gun or pieces of paper and allows the lock to be opened.

Abstract: A device to facilitate manipulating a key by persons having restricted finger and/or hand use that includes a key holding unit with a socket in one end thereof and means to removably secure a key to such unit. The device also includes a hand tool that has a hand grippable body portion with a rounded outer surface in which there is located finger engageable indentations. The indentations are spaced apart from one another around an outer peripheral portion of the body to facilitate gripping and turning the same. A shaft projects outwardly from the body a terminating in a rounded bullet like free outer end that facilitates inserting the same into the socket in the key holding unit. The shaft has a portion proximate the rounded end that is non circular in outline cross sectional shape that is matingly insertable into the socket in the key holding unit. For those having limited hand movement there is provided a reversible ratchet between the hey holding unit and the hand tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending orthodontic wires has means for guiding and holding a wire. In order to prevent forces resulting from compressive or stretching strain during the bending process, one of these means does not apply any longitudinal forces onto the wire by design. In another implementation, the apparatus for bending orthodontic wires has a gimbal-mounted gripper for bending the wire. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for applying two bends at the same longitudinal wire location in two different directions.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide the partially reinforcing method and apparatus for reinforcing the required part of the metal material having good forming property and relatively low strength (hardness and yield stress) by the press processing. The partial reinforcing method is comprised of a first step and a second step. The first press step generates a plastic strain by a plastic flow of metal material on a front surface and a rear surface of the part to be reinforced, to form a front convex-concave surface and a rear convex-concave surface. The second press step further generates the plastic strain by the plastic flow on the front convex-concave surface and the rear convex-concave surface, to form a front plane surface and a rear plane surface.

Abstract: An auxiliary embosser for use with a mobile or stationary on or off-site roll forming apparatus which roll forms sheet material into objects such as a rain gutter or aluminum siding having complex cross section profiles. The auxiliary embosser includes a frame adapted to be aligned and attached adjacent to the apparatus in relation to a roll formed object discharge thereof. The frame includes closely spaced mating embossing rollers held for rotation in the frame about spaced rotational axes and aligned to receive one surface of a roll formed object discharging from the apparatus. The embossing rollers are formed having a profile of their mating surfaces configured to be substantially similar to a profile of the one surface of the object and further include a decorative design which is embossed into the one surface of the object while being moved through the embossing rollers as controlled by the apparatus.

Abstract: A press for forming a container with a bottom profile is provided. The press may have a profile pad that is secured within a base of the press or is secured to a die core riser that is axially movable up and down. The press may have one or more biasing members that accommodate expansion in certain tooling components during operation of the press. The press may have a tool pack of tool components located within a part of the fixed base wherein the tool pack is removable from a top surface of the base. The press may have a punch and a profile pad with an annular projection or an annular shoulder wherein the projection and the shoulder clamp material between the projection and the shoulder and allow the material to roll up a preselected height into the container to form the bottom profile of the container.

Abstract: A hybrid metal forming system includes a die cavity defined by a first die and a second die and a press adapted to apply a static pressure over the first die to deform a workpiece against the second die. The hybrid forming system also includes a dynamic loading system coupled to and positioned between, the press and the die cavity.

Abstract: A method for reducing bias error in a Vibrating Structure Gyroscope having a vibrating structure, a primary drive for putting the vibrating structure into carrier mode resonance, a primary pick-off device for sensing carrier mode motion, a secondary pick-off for sensing response mode vibration of the vibrating structure in response to applied rotation rate, a secondary drive for applying a force to control the response mode motion, closed loop primary control loops for maintaining a fixed amplitude of motion at the primary pick-off device, for maintaining the drive frequency at the resonance maximum, and secondary control loops for maintaining a null at the secondary pick-off device.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods that can provide a high g-force to a test specimen. An exemplary system of the present invention includes a beam, rigidly fixed at one or both ends, on which a test specimen can be mounted. A loading device is preferably provided that can load the beam by using a ceramic column positioned between the beam and the loading device. A flywheel that has a cutter that can be deployed on command while the flywheel is rotating to fracture the ceramic column is also provided. The present invention also provides systems and methods for controllably damping the oscillation of a loaded beam at some point after the load on the beam is released to produce a high g-force event. For example, a damping device of the present invention may be engaged after the completion of the high g-force event. Such damping can prevent subsequent ringing or oscillation of the beam without affecting the magnitude of the high g-force event.

Abstract: A system which enables the presentation of alternating gas samples to a gas sensor in a detection zone without substantial change of the sample pressure at the sensor in the zone, whereby pressure variations that can produce unwanted sensor signals are mitigated; along with apparatus for facilitating, and a method for implementing, the foregoing.

Abstract: A test-gas leak detector (1) includes a connection (27) for a device under test, a sniffer, or a leak detector chamber, a high-vacuum pump (2), a test-gas detector (5) that is connected on the intake side of said pumps, and a test-gas conduit (28) leading from the connection of the leak detector (27). The conduit is connected to at least one intermediate stage of the high-vacuum pump (2) in addition to the pre-vacuum zone of the high-vacuum pump (2) via conduit sections (31, 32, 35) and valves (33, 34, 36). A housing (9), in which at least some of the conduits and valves and the high-vacuum pump (2) are integrated, forms part of the leak detector (1) and a detachable slide-in module (51) forms part of the high-vacuum pump. The slide-in module has an external jacket construction (53) comprising passages (58, 61) and when the leak detector (1) is operational, is situated in a receiving opening (52) that is provided in the housing (9).

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method which allows to determine the wall friction profile along pipes transporting liquids, particularly petroleum industry liquids, by measuring the pressure transients induced by fast changes in the flow rate. This method is applicable to pipes in which the discharge pressure is greater then the bubble point of the transported liquid and, in any case, when free gas is absent in the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydrotesting a hollow component includes a generally cylindrical main body having a bore therethrough that defines first and second open ends, the bore including a central axis; first and second end plates fixed to the main body for closing the first and second open ends, the first end plate including a vent port and a pressure port that open into the bore radially distal from the central axis, the second end plate including a vent port and a pressure port; an alignment disc disposed in the bore and fixed atop the second end plate, the alignment disc including a vent port and a pressure port that open into the bore radially proximal the central axis, the vent port and the pressure port of the alignment disc being in fluid communication with the vent port and the pressure port, respectively, of the second end plate; and a movable sealing cap disposed in an opening in the first plate and movable along the central axis of the bore.

Abstract: A test method is described for comparing the relative affinity of products for a target substance using a substrate ordinarily and visibly sensitive to the products. The test method is useful in one embodiment for comparing the ability of harsh cleansers to remove fatty acids from the skin with mild cleansers that do not remove fatty acids to the same extent using a visually compelling substrate, such as a fresh cut flower.

Abstract: A rough road detection system includes a collection module, a statistical module, and a comparison module. The collection module collects samples from a vibration sensitive signal. The statistical module removes a periodic anomaly from the samples and removes a random anomaly from the samples with a filter having a filter coefficient based on an engine speed signal. In addition, the statistical module calculates a statistical signal based on the samples. The rough road detection system also includes a derivative module that calculates a first and second derivative based on a rate or time. The derivative module removes negative derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to the rate and positive derivatives when the derivatives are calculated with respect to time. The comparison module determines whether a rough road condition exists based on the statistical signal or the first and second derivatives.

Abstract: An optical microcantilever capable of reducing loss when propagating light. An optical microcantilever 10 comprises a support 1, an optical waveguide 2, a light-blocking film 3, a reflecting film 4, a pointed tip 5, a microscopic aperture 6 formed at the end of the tip 5, and a mirror 7 for reflecting propagating light H propagated from a light input/output end 8 of the optical waveguide 2 towards the microscopic aperture 6.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and apparatus for estimating the pneumatic pressure of a tire on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: receiving as an input a vehicle status sensor signal; estimating first parameter values of an adaptive filter based on a predetermined model on the vehicle status dependent on the vehicle status sensor signal; calculating, dependent on said first model parameter values, a first tire pressure indication value (?) being dependent on and indicative of the pneumatic pressure of the tire. Specifically, the vehicle status signal may be an input a wheel angular velocity signal (1) and a lateral movement indication signal; the adaptive filter is based on a predetermined model on lateral vehicle dynamics dependent on the angular velocity of said wheel and the lateral movement of said vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chucking tires to be tested in a tire testing apparatus. A lower chuck assembly or spindle includes a lower rim that is engageable with a bead region of the tire to be tested. An upper chuck assembly includes an upper rim that is engageable with an upper bead region of the tire to be tested. The upper rim is reciprocally movable towards and away from the lower rim. A plurality of sensors associated with the movable rim monitors the closing distance between the upper rim and the side wall of the tire that is being chucked, during the chucking process. A controller controls the movement of the upper rim in response to the distance data obtained from the sensors.

Abstract: An aerodynamic noise measurement system for a vehicle uses sound reflectors to determine the sound wave propagation of aerodynamic noise of the vehicle. The vehicle is placed within a test section of a wind tunnel. The air flow of the wind tunnel generates the aerodynamic noise as it passes over the vehicle. An array of sound reflectors is placed outside of the air flow of the wind tunnel. Microphone arrays receive the aerodynamic noise directly from the source and from the sound reflectors. An analyzer system forms an acoustic image of the vehicle based on the aerodynamic noise. A viewing device displays an image of the vehicle with an overlay of aerodynamic noise data in real-time.

Abstract: A test apparatus for the measurement of expansion and/or shrinkage of a cement test sample during curing under pressure and temperature conditions that simulate downhole oil well conditions isolates the test sample from a first fixed volume of incompressible pressurized liquid using a flexible barrier that forms a wall of a first chamber in a pressure vessel assembly. The first chamber is sealed by a movable piston. A second pressurizing medium is contained in a second chamber on the opposite side of the piston, and is in fluid communication with a pump, whereby the piston is pressure-balanced between the first and the second medium. The piston moves in a bore of the vessel assembly in response to changes in the volume of the test sample during curing and the amount of linear movement of the piston is detected by a sensor system that measures, correlates and transmits any change in the position of the piston as a change in the sample volume for display and recording.

Abstract: A formation fluid sample is exposed to a rigidly-supported semi-permeable membrane such as silicone rubber to permit diffusion of gases and vapors from the formation fluid into a vacuum chamber, while at the same time, blocking the passage of any liquids. The membrane-transmitted gas is analyzed in the vacuum chamber by a resonator that reacts with it. The resulting change in resonant frequency of the resonator indicates the presence of a gas that reacts with it. An ion pump or sorbent is associated with the evacuated chamber to maintain the vacuum. The ion pump or sorbent removes gases and vapors from the low-pressure chamber, which have diffused into it from the reservoir sample that is on the opposite (high-pressure) side of the semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluid properties such as flow velocity, flow rate, and fluid composition comprises positioning a heat exchange element with a temperature sensor, such as an optical fiber temperature sensor, arranged centrally inside the element in thermal contact with a fluid of interest, heating or cooling the heat exchange element to cause a temperature difference and exchange of thermal energy between the element and the fluid, using the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the heat exchange element during the exchange of thermal energy, and determining properties of the fluid from the temperature measurement. A second temperature sensor can be provided offset from the first sensor to provide additional measurements to improve accuracy, and a plurality of heat exchange elements with temperature sensors can be used together to determine fluid properties over a large region.

Abstract: A control unit 40 acquires acceleration ? sensed by an acceleration sensor 31, and if the control unit 40 determines that acceleration ? does not equal zero, the control unit 40 again acquires acceleration ?. In the event that the control unit 40 decides that acceleration ? equals zero, the control unit 40 acquires the weight M sensed by the weight sensor 30. The control unit 40 continues sampling of weight M until a predetermined sampling period has elapsed. Once the sampling period has elapsed, the control unit 40 calculates the average of weight M obtained through sampling, and uses the calculated average and a map to determine hydrogen amount.

Abstract: Described is a sensor for filling level measurement using a gravitational field analysis, comprising a first and a second gravimeter unit. The measurement is effected in a contactless manner, via the container wall and without input of energy into the filling good. Thus, there is no need for a source emitting measurement rays.

Abstract: A sensor stem supporting a sensor element comprising a metal plate having a shape defined by press, the metal plate include a dent portion formed on a first surface of the metal plate, a step portion formed on a second surface of the metal plate facing the first surface, and a projection formed on the step portion for resistance welding. It is thus possible to obtain an excellent hermetic sealing of the sensor stem and a cap, which protects an oscillator, a circuit board and the like. The sensor stem can prevent a short circuit and can be lowered in height thereof.

Abstract: Rate sensor having a plurality of generally planar masses, a drive axis in the planes of the masses, an input axis perpendicular to the drive axis, and sense axes perpendicular to the drive axis and the input axis. The masses are driven to oscillate about drive axes and are mounted for torsional movement about the sense axes in response to Coriolis forces produced by rotation of the messes about the input axis, with sensors responsive to the torsional movement about the sense axis for monitoring rate of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the early detection of the presence of micro-organisms in food, particularly in milk and derivatives thereof. One of the main advantages of the invention lies in the fact that the aforementioned detection method can be performed inside the commercial packaging thereof without the need for said packaging to be opened. The presence of micro-organism is detected, before they can produce drastic changes in the physical properties of the product, according to changes in the propagation of elastic waves (velocity, attenuation and harmonic distortion) through the product and, moreover, different types of micro-organisms can be distinguished. The inventive detection method is performed under dry conditions and requires an environment with controlled humidity and temperature.