Abstract: A method of working metal in which the microstructure of metal body is rendered fine to thereby enhance the strength, ductility or homogeneity thereof; a metal body obtained by the metal working method; and a metal-containing ceramic body obtained by the metal working method. In this metal working method, the deformation resistance of metal body or metal-containing ceramic body (hereinafter referred to simply as “metal body”) is lowered locally to thereby form low deformation resistance regions in the metal body, and shear deformation of the low deformation resistance regions is effected so as to fine the microstructure of metal body. In particular, the metal body is formed in unidirectionally drawn configuration so as to produce low deformation resistance regions crossing the metal body.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the section and sizing of rolling mill products for wire rod comprises a first finishing monoblock (10) made up of a plurality of rolling stands (G1-Gn) arranged in sequence suitable for forming a rolling line and a second monoblock (20) suitable for giving the product a round section with narrow tolerances. According to the invention, said second monoblock (20) comprises a sequence of stands (S1-S4) of the type with grooves configured so as to give a round-oval-round-round section to the product.

Abstract: A process for reducing residual tensile stresses in high nickel-chromium alloy nozzle safe-end welds of pressurized water reactor nuclear pressure vessels such as are found at the reactor vessel inlet and outlet nozzles and the pressurizes surge, spray, safety and relief nozzles. The process involves the application of radial compression on the outside surface of the nozzle's safe-end and/or connecting coolant piping, to reduce the outside diameter at the mid-point of the piping element to which the load is applied to between about 0.2% and about 3%. The radially compressive load applied by this process is imparted using a mechanical device that can be employed at the vessel manufacturer's facility or at a nuclear power plant after welding of the nozzle safe-end to the coolant piping or before either after plant commissioning of operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for attaching components to strips of material to form assemblies, e.g., a system for fastening pre-sharpened razor blades to individual support strips on a continuous band of material, such as a metal, to form discrete blade assemblies.

Abstract: A press working apparatus is provided that can prevent interference between the die and the punch and thus obtain a good sheared surface of a product. One embodiment is a press working apparatus comprising a lower mold frame on which a die is mounted, a sheet material being laid on the die; an upper mold frame movable toward and away from the lower mold frame; and a punch mounted on the upper mold frame for carrying out a predetermined press working on the sheet material laid on the die when the upper mold frame approaches proximately to the lower mold frame. Either the die or the punch can be freely displaced in its horizontal plane, and the press working apparatus further comprises a positioning apparatus for setting the relative position of the die and the punch.

Abstract: When a standard specimen including a given reference component is analyzed after a separation condition is changed, a data processing section (31) acquires an actual measurement value of a peak of a reference component that appears in a chromatogram obtained by the analysis, and estimates a deviation of the retention time of a peak of an intended component on the basis of the actual measurement value and information on the retention time of the reference component before the separation condition stored in an analysis condition information storing section (34) is changed, to correct a measurement time range of the respective ion sets of an SIM measurement parameter which is stored in an analysis condition information storing section (34). An SIM measurement is conducted according to the parameter that is corrected when analyzing the intended specimen, to thereby make it possible to conduct a desired measurement by an operator.

Abstract: An analysis method for a substrate processing apparatus capable of accurately detecting a state in a housing chamber. Emission intensities of processing gas before being introduced into the chamber and processing gas having passed therethrough are measured before an inter-chamber part is replaced. If an emission intensity measured after the replacement coincides with that measured before the replacement, an emission intensity of the processing gas having passed through the chamber is measured, and a variation between the emission intensities of the processing gas having passed through the chamber measured before and after the replacement is calculated. After start of plasma processing on wafers, an emission intensity of the processing gas having passed through the chamber is measured and the variation is removed therefrom to calculate an emission intensity really representing a state in the chamber, thus detecting an end point of plasma processing therefrom.

Abstract: In a method for checking the lambda value ? indicated by a binary lambda probe, the lambda probe being situated in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine and provided downstream from a catalyst having oxygen storage capacity, the invention provides that the time progression of the voltage signal U? is plotted in the range of the lambda value ?actual of 1.0 indicated by the lambda probe until a first inflection point W1 and a second inflection point W2 of the voltage signal U? have been detected, the time derivative dU?/dt of the voltage signal is generated, the jumps S1, S2 in the time derivative dU?/dt which occur at the inflection points W1, W2 are compared to one another, and based on the comparison of the jumps S1, S2 the indicated lambda value ?actual of 1.0 is checked. According to the invention, the actual lambda value ?target of 1.

Abstract: A torque transducer unit for in-line calibration measurement of the output torque of a power wrench (S) includes a torque transferring spindle provided with a torque sensing device, two constant velocity universal joints, for instance Rzeppa-type couplings, and two coupling members for connecting the spindle at one end to the output shaft of a power wrench (S) and at the opposite end to a test joint. The spindle and the torque sensing device are protected from bending and friction related forces by the universal joints such that occurring misalignments between the power wrench (S) and the test joint do not jeopardize an accurate and reliable torque measurement.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an analog sensor used in a digital measurement system is provided. The design comprises generating a precise pressure value set at multiple calibration points and supplying said precise pressure value set to an uncalibrated pressure sensor, detecting sensor changes for the uncalibrated pressure sensor based on each precise pressure value generated, polling an actual pressure reading associated with a sensor change for the uncalibrated pressure sensor for each calibration point, and establishing a mathematical relationship between measured value readings and actual pressure for the uncalibrated sensor. Establishing the mathematical relationship converts the uncalibrated sensor to a newly calibrated sensor. A known good sensor may be employed to enhance calibration reliability.

Abstract: A method of simulating dropping of a box on an impact specimen is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing an impact head simulating a corner of a box, providing an impact specimen, causing impact of the impact head with the impact specimen and examining the impact specimen. A method of simulating dropping of a box on an impact specimen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus monitors a pressure difference detection apparatus that detects the pressure difference across an engine exhaust gas cleansing device in an exhaust gas system, with the diagnostic apparatus recognizing a condition of impeded transfer of gas between the pressure difference detection apparatus and the exhaust gas system, based upon a manner of convergence of successive detected pressure difference values that are produced by the pressure difference detection apparatus following a change in the exhaust gas flow rate.

Abstract: A cylinder deviation of an actual air-fuel ratio before an air-fuel-ratio dither control is obtained based on a variation of an actual air-fuel ratio by the dither control, a variation amount of detected air-fuel ratio, and a cylinder deviation of detected air-fuel ratio before the dither control A cylinder deviation of actual air-fuel ratio of each cylinder is accurately estimated. When the number of times in which the cylinder deviation of air-fuel ratio exceeds a decision value is greater than a predetermined number, it is determined that an abnormality occurs in the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the efficiency of a vaporizer in a decontamination system, having a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of the concentration of a decontaminating chemical in a liquid decontaminate before vaporization by a vaporizer, and a second sensor for generating a second signal indicative of the concentration of vaporized decontaminate after vaporization by said vaporizer, and means for determining efficiency in accordance with said first and second signal.

Abstract: A selective gas sensor comprises a semiconducting substrate, a radiation source that directs narrowband radiation to the semiconducting substrate; and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the semiconducting substrate, whereby a gas is selectively sensed. A method of selectively sensing a gas comprises the steps of contacting the semiconducting substrate with a gas, directing narrowband radiation to the semiconducting substrate and sensing the resistance of the semiconducting substrate, thereby selectively sensing the gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a dielectric function in an object. The apparatus comprises one transmit antenna (42) for transmitting microwave radiation through said object, and one receive antenna (43) for receiving the transmitted microwave radiation, one ultrasound transmitter for emitting ultrasound radiation through said object to generate a density variation in the object, means to analyse the microwave radiation transmitted through the density variation to determine the acousto-electric interaction ? in the object, and means to calculate the dielectric function in the object from the acousto-electric interaction. The invention also relates to a method for determining the dielectric function in an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid recirculation based integrity testing of porous material and to an apparatus and system for performing the same.

Abstract: A pipeline configuration for the transport of a liquid, especially petroleum, contains a pipeline laid above ground, beneath which is disposed a sensor line for detection of a leak, extending along the pipeline in its longitudinal direction. The sensor line is disposed in a catchment container, fixed to the pipeline and likewise extending along it, at its lowest point. The catchment container has side edges running in the longitudinal direction and have a spacing from the outer surface of the pipeline. Inside the catchment container a device is disposed to reduce an air flow moving between the catchment container and the outer surface of the pipeline transversely to its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method that includes providing a cavity defined by at least a portion of a mold and a closure member attached to the portion of the mold, the portion of the mold being oriented vertically and having a top and a bottom, and a sealing material being positioned near the bottom and attached to the closure member; puncturing the sealing material and the closure member with an instrument near the bottom, the puncturing creating an opening in the sealing material; and introducing a polymerizable composition into the cavity through the instrument. A method useful in testing sealing materials. Other methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a capillary rheometer cleaning and packing device comprising: (a) a linear motion device for creating controlled linear motion in a linear motion rod, wherein the linear motion rod is adapted to receive a cleaning/packing rod; (b) a housing securing means wherein the securing means is adapted to secure an existing capillary rheometer housing to the cleaning and packing device such that a barrel mounted concentrically within the capillary rheometer housing is positioned coaxially below the linear motion rod; and (c) a means of attaching the capillary rheometer cleaning and packing apparatus to an existing capillary rheometer.

Abstract: A sensor is provided which is configured to detect the presence of multiple analytes, for example chemical or biological compounds, through the measurement of induced resonance shifts in a coupled array of microelectromechanical or micromechanical resonators.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope scans the surface of a sample while making a cantilever to which an exploratory needle is attached oscillate near its resonance point, and collects information on the surface of the sample based on the change of oscillation due to the interaction between the surface of the sample and the exploratory needle. The scanning probe microscope includes a plurality of oscillators attached to the cantilever for oscillating the cantilever, and an oscillator drive device connected to the oscillators for selectively applying an alternating voltage for excitation to the plurality of oscillators.

Abstract: In a method for characterizing a road surface beneath a moving vehicle whose powertrain includes a torque converter coupling the engine to a driven wheel, a set of successive values for the torque converter's slip error rate is generated using filtered values for engine speed and torque converter turbine speed. The road surface characteristic is identified based on the set of slip error rate values, as through a comparison of the set with a plurality of case statements, wherein each case statement corresponds with a different road characteristic and/or general surface type. Weighted average values are calculated based on subsets of the values within the set, for use in identifying transitions from one type of surface to another, or one surface characteristic to another. Indicated slip error rates generated in response to changes in an engine torque demand request are also identified to avoid a false indication.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for monitoring tire pressure of a vehicle, involving a sensor having a structure for carrying a primary current to generate a primary electromagnetic field; and a pressure target module having a structure for inducing a secondary current to generate a secondary electromagnetic field when disposed in a vicinity of the sensor during a revolutionary incident.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a jig for identifying a type of wheel nut and mounting the wheel nut, comprising a base plate provided with a plurality of sets of temporary assembly pins, wherein the plurality of sets of temporary assembly pins are classified depending on the kind of a vehicle.

Abstract: A combination valve stem extension hose and pressure indicator is disclosed. The extension is threaded onto a standard valve stem. The extension tube is available in a variety of lengths to accommodate filling inside dually tires. The extension tube also is available with various bend angles. A pressure indicating piston is provided to give visual status of the pressure within the tire in a static filled condition and while air is being added to the tire. The construction of the pressure indicator allows for threading or welding of the sight glass. Improvements in the pressure indicator include locating, aligning and positioning features to improve operation and longevity of the gauge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a substance in formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit entrained with drilled earth formation cuttings, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole, the method including the following steps: waiting for any of the substance that is dissolved in the drilling fluid to be substantially in equilibrium with any of the substance in the earth formation cuttings; and then measuring, downhole, the substance dissolved in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A dual channel inflight ice detection system to detect ice accretion on an aircraft surface by illuminating an ice collecting surface mounted on an aircraft with linear polarized light. The backscattered light is acquired in two light conductors one with polarization sensitivity aligned to the transmitted light and the second with polarization sensitivity orthogonal to the first. The presence of ice is determined by the change in the ratio of light intensities in the two light conductors.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for tanks and the like, comprising detecting means (4; 506) to detect the filling level of a tank, detecting means (5, 106; 206) to detect the opened and closed states of opening/closing means (6) of said tank, and gathering and processing means (106) to gather and process the detected data, characterized in that said processing means (106) are integrated with an RFID unit (116) which can communicate said data with at least one appropriate remote transceiver unit (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a level meter which comprises a tank (1) which can at least be partially filled with a medium and has a bottom (12). The level meter further comprises a first measuring device (2) having a float (23) in the interior (14) of the tank (1) for indicating the level of the medium inside the tank (1). Said measuring system is disposed in the top section of the tank (1) and in parallel to a path of displacement of the float (23). An aligning unit 94) comprises at least one fixing element (41; 43; 45; 47) for fixing at least one lower section (32) of the meter tube (30) on the bottom (12) in relation to the path of displacement of the float (23) and at least one medium passage (42; 44; 46; 48) for allowing the medium to flow between the interior (14) of the tank (1) and the interior of the meter tube (30).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel that detects an interface between air and fuel without using a contact and a float in order to measuring the amount of fuel in a fuel tank. The apparatus for measuring the amount of fuel includes a step pole plate unit, an oscillator unit, a rectifier circuit, a comparator circuit, and a CPU. The step pole plate unit includes pairs of first and second plates and a plurality of steps for detecting dielectric constants of materials between the first and second plates. The oscillator unit generates frequencies corresponding to the dielectric constants detected by the plurality of steps. The rectifier circuit or an F-V circuit converts the frequencies output from the oscillator unit into DC voltages corresponding to the frequencies.

Abstract: A system for measuring differential gravity at two points is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the system uses a pair of graspers which each repeatedly grasp, raise, and drop a test mass. The accelerations of the two free-falling test masses are monitored using optical interferometry. An output signal is provided that is based on a differential acceleration of the two test masses.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor unit is provided which can judge failure in both of two angular velocity sensors. It has a first angular velocity sensor (12) and a second angular velocity sensor (13), each including an oscillator having a shaft portion and an oscillatory portion. Each of the angular velocity sensors (12, 13) is arranged such that its shaft portion is not in parallel with an XY-plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis of three orthogonal axes. The failure of the second angular velocity sensor is judged based on whether or not a detection value of an angular velocity about a Z-axis lies outside a tolerance range of a detection value of the angular velocity about the Z-axis by the other angular velocity sensor, and the failure of the first angular velocity sensor is judged by comparison with a pseudo-calculated angular velocity.

Abstract: First and second detection frames are supported by a substrate to be rotatable about first and second torsion axes. A first link beam is connected to the first detection frame on an axis located at a position moved from a position of the first torsion axis in a first direction crossing the first torsion axis and directed to one end side of the first detection frame. A second link beam is connected to the second detection frame on an axis located at a position shifted from a position of the second torsion axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An inertia mass body is displaceable in a thickness direction of the substrate by being linked with the first and second detection frames by the first and second link beams, respectively. This constitution makes it possible to obtain a highly precise acceleration sensor hardly influenced by disturbances.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: A device for the destruction-free testing of components, in particular of concrete components with ultrasound is suggested, which comprises at least one sensor module with several ultrasonic testing heads functioning as transmitters and/or receivers. The sensor module is provided with a device for producing transmitter impulses for the ultrasonic radiation and with a device for acquiring the readings. Several sensor modules for forming an array are mechanically connected to one another. Furthermore, a control- and evaluation device for activating the sensor modules with their ultrasonic heads and for evaluation of the readings delivered by the sensor modules is provided, which via a bus system is connected with control- and data leads to the sensor modules.

Abstract: A projector for automatically adjusting images projected onto a screen comprises a detecting module for detecting the propagation time for the emitted ultrasonic wave sent by the projector to be echoed back by the screen as the reflected ultrasonic wave and received by the projector, a processing module for calculating a distance between the projector and the screen based on the propagation time, and outputting control signals, and an adjusting module for adjusting optical parameters of an optical module according to the control signals.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a circuit carrier for mounting components of a pressure sensing circuit, circuit carrier formed thereby, an apparatus for housing a pressure sensor circuit carrier to form a pressure sensing apparatus and a pressure sensing system using the pressure sensing apparatus and a coupler for coupling the pressure sensing apparatus to a pressurized system. A housing has provisions for aligning and urging a circuit carrier to sealingly position a pressure sensor adjacent an opening in a wall extending through of housing. The wall defines a pressure sensing chamber operable to cooperate with a pressure coupler having a profile that sealingly engages the wall.

Abstract: An integrated sensor includes a pressure sensor integrated with a temperature sensor. When the sensor is attached to an object of attachment at a mounting position at an angle of ?rq degrees with respect to an ideal attachment position, in which a central axis of at sensor body element of the temperature sensor element is disposed perpendicular to a direction in which a gas to be measured passes through the object of attachment, an inclination angle ?pos at which the central axis of the sensor body element is inclined at the mounting position with respect to a position of the central axis of the main body element at the ideal attachment position is set according to the following equation: (?rq??allow)??pos?(?rq+?allow) wherein ?allow represents an allowable angle at which an allowable response speed of the temperature sensor element is obtained.

Abstract: Introduced is a method for the production of a diaphragm vacuum measuring cell, wherein on the one side of the diaphragm (2) at a spacing a first housing plate (1) is disposed sealing in the margin region with a joining means (3), and that on the other side of the diaphragm (2) at a spacing a second housing plate (4) is disposed sealing in the margin region with a joining means (3), and that the second housing plate (4) has an opening at which a connection means (5) is disposed sealing with joining means (3) for the connection of the measuring cell (8) with the medium to be measured, wherein the diaphragm (2) and the two housing plates (1, 4) are comprised of a metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention provides for a capacitance sensing circuit for a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a compensation membrane. The circuit includes a controller arranged in signal communication with a charge amplifier, a charge injector and two switches. The charge amplifier is connected to the switches via a sensor capacitor in parallel with a reference capacitor in parallel with a parasitic capacitance to ground. The charge injector and charge amplifier are arranged in parallel connection between the capacitors and the controller. The controller operates the circuit to determine a charge imbalance indicative of a pressure difference between the sensor and compensation membranes.

Abstract: A preformed sensor housing including a conduit having an inside; a plug disposed within the conduit; and a deposit covering a portion of the plug and a portion of the conduit. A method is also disclosed for creating a thin film diaphragm on a housing including the step of inserting a sacrificial element into the housing; depositing a diaphragm material onto the sacrificial element and the housing; and removing the sacrificial element.

Abstract: An apparatus for mating a base unit with a transmitter unit has a first face provided with a plurality of bores that spatially conform to a pattern of the mounting elements of the base unit and a second face that has a plurality of bores that spatially conform to the pattern of the mounting elements of the transmitter unit. To hydraulically connect the flow bores of the base unit and the transmitter unit, the plate includes a plurality of fluid conduits. Each flow conduit hydraulically connects a flow bore of the base unit to an associated flow bore of the transmitter unit.

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus and a pressure sensor housing are provided that are capable of preventing the occurrence of frozen moisture, swelling of a gel-like coating member and damage of a pressure sensor element without accumulating moisture, oil, gasoline or the like on a protective wall even when the pressure sensor apparatus is disposed obliquely. The protective wall prevents entry of foreign matter into the pressure detection chamber, or a pressure sensor housing of the pressure sensor apparatus. The protective wall has an inclined surface that is provided with an angle ?8a in which a second angle ?2 is acquired between a horizontal line HL and the inclined surface that slopes downward when the pressure sensor apparatus is disposed obliquely by a first angle ?1 with respect to the horizontal line HL.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring material properties such as the relaxation modulus of a material in situ and a method of measuring material properties of a material are disclosed. The sensor may be substantially embedded in the material, and includes a deformable driver. When actuated, the deformable driver may create a stress in the adjacent material. The movement or deformation of the driver may be measured with a sensing device, for example a strain gage mounted on a surface thereof. The stress in the adjacent material may be measured with a second sensing device, for example a pressure sensor. The measured movement and stress over a predetermined period of time may he used to determine the relaxation modulus of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a gap between a first mating surface of a first component and a second mating surface of a second component has a substrate. A plurality of capacitive sensors is coupled to the substrate. A controller is coupled to the plurality of capacitive sensors. The controller is used to select each individual capacitive sensor to measure the gap between the first mating surface of the first component and the second mating surface of the second component.

Abstract: A handheld wet slurry thickness gauge and method for its use. The thickness gauge includes a distance displacement measurement gauge, a skirt, a platen and support legs. The distance displacement measurement gauge includes a case, a vertical stem, and a vertical spindle. The stem extends from the case. The spindle is slidably supported to move in an axial direction within the stem. The case body has a display for indicating a linear displacement of the spindle. The skirt has a central through-hole for receiving the stem of the gauge and retaining the stem in an upright position. The measuring platen has a platen base and a platen shaft extending upwardly from the platen base and attached to the spindle. The support legs extend downwardly from the skirt. The platen is below the skirt.