Abstract: A thermal flow sensor can adjust the temperature of a heating element in a highly precise and reliable manner with the use of simple circuits, devices and process steps. The sensor includes an amplifier section (7) that amplifies a voltage across opposite ends of at least one of resistors (3, 4, 5) that constitute a bridge circuit, a current control section (9) that is controlled based on an output voltage of the amplifier section (7), and an output terminal (14) that is connected to one end of a heating element (1) that is controlled to be energized by the current control section (9). The amplifier section (7) includes an amplification factor control section for controlling an amplification factor by an electric signal from a computer, and uses an output voltage which has been amplified and impressed to an input voltage to an operational amplifier (8).

Abstract: A thermal flow sensor can adjust the temperature of a heating element in a highly precise and reliable manner with the use of simple circuits, devices and process steps. The sensor includes an amplifier section (7) that amplifies a voltage across opposite ends of at least one of resistors (3, 4, 5) that constitute a bridge circuit, a current control section (9) that is controlled based on an output voltage of the amplifier section (7), and an output terminal (14) that is connected to one end of a heating element (1) that is controlled to be energized by the current control section (9). The amplifier section (7) includes an amplification factor control section for controlling an amplification factor by an electric signal from a computer, and uses an output voltage which has been amplified and impressed to an input voltage to an operational amplifier (8).

Abstract: A container with functions of level, crud and temperature detections, comprises: a hollow casing having a receiving space at an upper side thereof; the casing being formed with a hollow space; a vent hole being formed at a bottom side of the casing for communicating the hollow space and exterior of the casing, an electric heating source installed in the hollow space of the casing and being tightly adhered to a wall of the hollow space below the receiving space; and a sensing and control circuit installed at a lower outer side of the casing; the sensing and control circuit including a microcontroller, an analog/digital converter, a gain amplifier, and a trigger circuit; and the wall of the casing being installed with at least one over level detection point, at least one level alarm detection point, at least one safety level detection point, at least one liquid temperature detection point, and at least one crud detection point.

Abstract: The liquid depth sensing and identification system determines both the pressure head or depth, and therefore the quantity, of a liquid in a tank, as well as determining the characteristics of the liquid at the bottom of the probe. Two principles of operation are disclosed herein. The system may use a gas bubble collector about the outlet end of the purge tube, with the difference in height of the collector and purge tube mouths defining the very small difference in pressure head required to resolve the bubble emission characteristics produced in different liquids. Alternatively, the system incorporates a mass flow sensor capable of detecting minute changes in mass flow as bubbles are emitted from the purge tube in order to determine the type and characteristics of the liquid. The system operates using an open loop principle of operation, with no feedback provided to control the purge pump.

Abstract: A module operable to be mounted onto a surface of a board. The module includes a linear accelerometer to provide a first measurement output corresponding to a measurement of linear acceleration in at least one axis, and a first rotation sensor operable to provide a second measurement output corresponding to a measurement of rotation about at least one axis. The accelerometer and the first rotation sensor are formed on a first substrate. The module further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to receive both the first measurement output from the linear accelerometer and the second measurement output from the first rotation sensor. The ASIC includes an analog-to-digital converter and is implemented on a second substrate. The first substrate is vertically bonded to the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a force rebalance control system and method using an automatic gain control loop, which are configured to perform the force rebalance feedback control of a vibratory gyroscope using the automatic gain control loop for controlling the velocity signal of a mass body. Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in that a conventional digital circuit, which is complicated and sensitive to noise, can be implemented using a simple analog circuit, and the present invention can be extended and applied to general-purpose vibratory gyroscopes or various sensor fields, such as those of an inertial sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor, as well as micro-gyroscopes. Further, a force rebalance control system using an automatic gain control loop according to the present invention is applied to various sensors, thus improving performance, such as the dynamic range, bandwidth, and linearity of the sensors.

Abstract: An inertial force sensor is provided in which each of switches is connected in parallel with each of resistors of low-pass filter and high-pass filter, respectively, and capacitor of high-pass filter can be boost charged by making switches on without mediate resistors.

Abstract: A vibration gyro made of a single crystal piezoelectric material includes: a base; a plurality of resonating arms extending from the base; an excitation electrode formed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of resonating arms so as to vibrate at least the one of the plurality of resonating arms; and a piezoelectric element detecting a vibration component due to a Coriolis force acting perpendicularly to a vibrating direction of the plurality of resonating arms being vibrated by the excitation electrode, the piezoelectric element being mounted on a surface of at least one of the plurality of resonating arms and the base.

Abstract: A tuning-fork-type bimorph piezoelectric vibrator includes two piezoelectric bodies that are bonded together and have opposite polarization directions. An intermediate metal layer is disposed between bonding surfaces of the piezoelectric bodies. A first slit is arranged to define legs and a base of the tuning fork structure. Second slits are provided in a first principal surface having a front metal layer to define driving/detecting electrodes. The tuning-fork-type bimorph piezoelectric vibrator provides improved temperature characteristics of a detuning frequency by not including a back metal layer on a second principal surface at least in an area in which greater than a predetermined level of stress is applied during operation.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope includes a tuning-fork vibrator having a base and legs. The vibrator is joined to a support plate by conductive adhesive members. The support plate includes an outer frame portion in which a joining portion is provided at a location near a longitudinal end of the outer frame portion. The joining portion is supported by a first support portion in the air gap portion. The width of the first support portion is less than the width of the joining portion. The vibrator is joined to the joining portion of the support plate.

Abstract: An accelerometer that lies generally in a plane, for detecting acceleration along an input axis. There is a substrate, a generally planar Servo Member (SM) flexibly coupled to the substrate such that it is capable of oscillatory motion about a servo axis that lies in the plane, a generally planar Torque Summing Member (TSM) coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the SM such that the TSM is capable of rotary motion relative to the SM about an output axis that is in the plane and orthogonal to the servo axis, wherein the TSM is mass-imbalanced relative to the output axis, and a generally planar rotor coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the TSM such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the TSM about a rotor axis that is orthogonal to the plane of the members. There are drives for oscillating the rotor about the rotor axis and for oscillating the SM about the servo axis. Output sensors detect oscillation of the rotor about the rotor axis and of the SM about the servo axis.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer a first part containing a first set of capacitor plates and a second part relatively movable in a plane to the first part. The second part contains a second set of capacitor plates. Both sets of capacitor plates are built on a substrate, wherein the capacitor plates form a plurality of capacitors. The second part is relatively movable in all six degrees of freedom. One set of the plurality of capacitors measures displacements in a plane and a second set of the plurality capacitors measures displacements perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A capacitive acceleration sensor is provided in which sticking of a mass body, made of silicon, to a first sealing substrate or a second sealing substrate, made of glass, is prevented.

Abstract: The acoustic chamber for the detection of insects provides for the acoustic detection of insects living within the trunk of a tree. The chamber includes an annular shell disposed around the trunk of the tree to define an annular acoustic or sound chamber. Acoustic sensors are mounted in the shell walls. The acoustic sensors may be microphones that extend from the shell to be in direct contact with the tree trunk, or microphones spaced apart from the tree trunk, or other suitable acoustic transducers. The acoustic sensors are connected to data processing equipment for analyzing sounds picked up by the sensors for acoustic signals indicative of insect infestation.

Abstract: A method for calculating material properties of a material includes determining a dilatational wavespeed and a shear wave speed. The dilatational wavespeed is determined by conducting vertical vibration tests of two specimens of the material, one specimen being twice as thick as the other. Transfer functions are obtained from these tests and used to calculate the dilatational wavespeed. The shear wavespeed is determined by conducting horizontal vibration tests of two specimens with one specimen being twice as thick as the other. The shear wavespeed can be calculated from transfer functions obtained from these tests and the dilatational wavespeed. Other material properties can be calculated from the dilatational and shear wavespeeds. Frequency dependence of the properties can be determined by conducting the tests at different frequencies.

Abstract: Kits and methods for building devices for analyzing or suppressing vibrations in equipment are provided. An electrical-mechanical transducer is configured to be placed in operative contact with the equipment. The transducer may be directly mounted to a base plate that is configured for being mounted to the equipment. A first device (e.g., a printed circuit board) carrying electronic componentry is configured for transmitting vibration drive signals to the electrical-mechanical transducer. A second device (e.g., a printed circuit board) carrying electronic componentry is configured for receiving vibration sensing signals from the electrical-mechanical transducer. The first and second devices can be interchangeably mounted within a housing that can be mounted to the base plate. The housing may comprise an aperture for receiving the electrical-mechanical transducer.

Abstract: A seismic sensor, having a body which incorporates means for detecting and/or measuring waves, and, in the extension of said body, a tip for insertion into the ground, said tip extending between an upper end and a lower end, wherein said tip has at least two wings which together give said tip a V-shaped profile, said wings having between them at least one cavity which extends from said upper end to close to said lower end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a shear modulus within a body is disclosed. A method for imaging a shear modulus in accordance with the present invention includes generating an elastic wave inside an object to be measured; detecting the elastic wave ongoing inside the object to be measured; calculating a shear modulus of the inside of the object to be measured, based on a value obtained by differentiating the detected elastic wave one time; and imaging the inside of the object to be measured, based on the calculated shear modulus.

Abstract: A condition or detecting a change in the condition of an optical element of a laser arrangement is detected. An ultrasonic signal is coupled into an optical element such that the ultrasonic signal travels along a path within the optical element, and a transit time or a change in transit time for the ultrasonic signal to travel along the path within the optical element is detected.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically determining the properties of the contents of one or more reservoirs in a plurality of reservoirs. Each reservoir is adapted to contain a fluid. An acoustic radiation generator can be positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to each of the reservoirs. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through each reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of analyzing a characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation and optionally correlating the characteristic to a property of the reservoirs' contents. Properties that may be determined include volume, temperature, and composition. The invention is particularly suited to determining the properties of the contents of a plurality of reservoirs to allow for accuracy and control over the dispensing of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: Present invention provides an improved ultrasonic receiving unit for ultrasonic distance measurement. The ultrasonic receiving features a high peak detection unit 120, a low peak detection unit 125, an arrival time adjustment unit 130. With those features, detection error caused by single threshold could be eliminated.

Abstract: The measurement of a flaw height in a thick welded portion of a stainless steel specimen, which is difficult to perform by the TOFD method, can be conducted with more ease, with higher accuracy and in a shorter time than in the case of using tip echo techniques. In addition, it is possible to reduce variations in measurement results among individual inspectors. An ultrasonic wave 21 is launched by a transmitting probe 1 into a specimen 20 in a direction oblique to a flaw 24 to generate diffracted waves at the tip 25 of the flaw 24, then a diffracted wave 22 propagating upward directly from the flaw 24 and a diffracted wave 23 propagating upwardly of the flaw 24 after once reflected off the back 27 are received by a receiving probe 2 disposed above the flaw 24, and the height of the tip of the flaw 24 from the back 27 is measured from the propagation time difference between the received diffracted waves.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a wireless pressure sensor includes providing a first substrate. A portion of the first substrate is controllably displaced to form a cavity. A conducting material is patterned on the first substrate to form a first capacitor plate and a first inductor. A second substrate is provided. A conducting material is patterned on the second substrate to form a second capacitor plate. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate to seal the cavity such that at least a portion of the second substrate is movable with respect to the first substrate within the cavity in response to a change in an external condition. A hermetically sealed capacitive pressure sensor may reside in the cavity between the first substrate and second substrate.

Abstract: A high pressure transducer has an H shaped cross-section with a center arm of the H having a top and bottom surface with the top surface of the H accommodating four strain gauges. Two strain gauges are located at the center of the top portion of the center arm of the H and are positive strain gauges, while two strain gauges are located near the periphery of the center arm of the gauge. The bottom surface of the center arm of the gauge has an active area of a smaller diameter than the circular diameter of the center arm portion of the transducer. The smaller active area is surrounded by a thicker stepped area which surrounds an active area on the pressure side of the H shaped member.

Abstract: A gauge pressure sensor apparatus and a method of forming the same. A constraint wafer can be partially etched to set the diaphragm size, followed by bonding to a top wafer. The thickness of the top wafer is either the desired diaphragm thickness or is thinned to the desired thickness after bonding. The bonding of top wafer and constraint wafer enables electrochemical etch stopping. This allows the media conduit to be etched through the back of the constraint wafer and an electrical signal produced when the etching reaches the diaphragm. The process prevents the diaphragm from being over-etched. The invention allows the die size to be smaller than die where the diaphragm size is set by etching from the back side.

Abstract: A high pressure transducer has an H shaped cross-section with a center arm of the H having a top and bottom surface with the top surface of the H accommodating four strain gauges. Two strain gauges are located at the center of the top portion of the center arm of the H and are positive strain gauges, while two strain gauges are located near the periphery of the center arm of the gauge. The bottom surface of the center arm of the gauge has an active area of a smaller diameter than the circular diameter of the center arm portion of the transducer. The smaller active area is surrounded by a thicker stepped area which surrounds an active area on the pressure side of the H shaped member.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure detection device capable of easy installation and removal of a sensor in/from a diaphragm, measurement of a pressure in a wide rage, and manufacture at a low cost while reducing a size. A sensor part (A) has: a magnet (12) being applied with a load produced by pressing of a diaphragm (8); and a magnet cap (11) covering the magnet (12). The diaphragm (8) has an intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) buried therein. The intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) has a protrusion part protruding from the diaphragm (8) so as to be in contact with the magnet (12). The magnet cap (11) has an opening part enabling the protrusion part of the intra-diaphragm magnetic body (9) and the magnet (12) to be joined together.

Abstract: A joystick apparatus employs a hermetically sealed load cell having strain gauges placed on flexible beams formed on the load cell. All of the strain gauges are on the same surface of the load cell and therefore wiring is performed on a single side of the load cell. The strain gauges are enclosed in hermetically sealed cavity. The sensing diaphragm consists of a concentric thick inner and outer section joined by thinner diametrically opposed beam elements. The thin beam elements are compliant members which can deflect. Each beam includes strain gauges or sensor elements and the load cell is coupled to a joystick which when moved causes the beams to deflect to cause the sensor elements to produce an electrical output proportional to the force and direction of the joystick. The sensor can yield an output proportional to any angle over the 360° movement of the joystick to provide outputs proportional to the X and Y positions of said joystick.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain gauge and methods of making such wherein the gauge contains a doped polymeric fluid suitable for measuring elongations of more than 10%.

Abstract: An apparatus structure and measurement method are provided to retain high precision and high reliability of a semiconductor mechanical quantity measuring apparatus which senses a mechanical quantity and transmits measured information wirelessly. As to a silicon substrate of the semiconductor mechanical quantity measuring apparatus, for example, a ratio of a substrate thickness to a substrate length along a measurement direction is set small, and a ratio of a substrate thickness to a substrate length along a direction perpendicular to the measurement direction is set small. The apparatus upper surface is covered with a protective member. It is possible to measure a strain along a particular direction and realize mechanical quantity measurement with less error and high precision. An impact resistance and environment resistance of the apparatus itself can be improved.

Abstract: A device for mounting on a structure surface includes a component, a circuit, a moisture barrier, and a protective cover. The moisture barrier is within the protective cover. The component and the circuit are within the moisture barrier. The component is for bonding to the structure surface with a bond susceptible to damage from moisture. The circuit includes a radio frequency transmitter. The circuit is for providing data derived from the component to the radio frequency transmitter for external transmission.

Abstract: A damage sensor comprises a probe track, a sense track, and a signal generator operable to input a probe signal to the probe track. The probe track and the sense track are electromagnetically coupled by a structure on which they are provided, such that the probe signal induces, in dependence on the degree of electromagnetic coupling between the probe track and the sense track, a sensed signal in the sense track. The magnitude, phase and frequency of the sensed signal can be analysed in order to determine whether and where damage has occurred to the structure.

Abstract: A material testing machine is provided, in which a motor is used as a driving source of a loading mechanism, and the material testing machine can always perform a material test accurately, without requiring skilled operators, trial and error, or a longer time when setting control gains. A ratio K(t) of an inspection value F(t) of a control quantity to a displacement ?(t) of a motor 21 is calculated sequentially, and a value proportional to a value obtained by dividing a deviation {FD(t)?F(t)} by the calculated ratio K(t) is taken as a rotation angle command and supplied to a servo amplifier 36. The servo amplifier 36 supplies a current to the motor 21. Therefore, as the test proceeds, appropriate gains are automatically calculated and set, a gain setting operation before test is not necessary, and the material test can be always performed accurately.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a method that is as accurate and reliable as possible for metrologically determining the end of a test interval (PI) which is to be maintained to perform a periodical test on pressure vessels (1) subject to load variations within operating cycles (AZ). Said aim is achieved by a method in which the maximum working pressure (p) actually reached inside the pressure vessel (1) per working cycle (AZ) is measured by means of a pressure sensor (2), a load variable (BG) is determined per working cycle (AZ) based on the working pressure (p) measured per working cycle (AZ), a resulting load value (BW) is determined for several successive working cycles (AZ) based on the respective load variables (BG) determined per working cycle (AZ), and the resulting load value (BW) is compared to a predefined comparative value (VG)).

Abstract: A creep tester for a precise and accurate creep test includes a movable actuator capable of loading corresponding to change in length of a specimen, a cam actuator operated in association with the movable actuator, and a self weight actuator. The movable actuator includes upper and lower spherical adjusting seats to hold upper and lower portions of the specimen, a spring disposed on the upper spherical adjusting seat to correspond to a minute deformation of the specimen, upper and lower movable tables respectively contacting the spring and the lower spherical adjusting seat, a load cell and a stationary table disposed on the upper movable table, and a movable loading table disposed below the lower movable table to apply a predetermined load to the specimen. The creep tester can perform a precise creep test by continuously applying a constant load without supplementation of hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A test coupon has a waisted central section from which respective load introduction sections extend, each load introduction section having a pair of divergent load introduction surfaces extending from a respective curved surface of the central section. Test apparatus includes a test coupon as described above and a plurality of angled pivotable load introduction blocks such that the test coupon may self-align during application of a load.

Abstract: A method of determining deterioration of pressurizing performance of a spot welding, the method having: obtaining reference data that reflect a dynamic state of a servo motor in a case where a movable side electrode tip is operated normally and a wok piece is pressurized by a specified pressurizing force; performing data processing on the reference data to extract a reference characteristic value; obtaining diagnostic data that reflect a dynamic state of the servo motor in a case where a operational state of the movable side electrode tip changes and the work piece is no longer pressurized by a specified pressurizing force; performing data processing on the diagnostic data to extract a diagnostic characteristic value; and determining deterioration of pressurizing performance of the spot welding gun based on the reference characteristic value and the diagnostic characteristic value.

Abstract: System comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer (3) outside a room like a tube or vessel. The transducer is fit for transmitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic beam (6) into respectively from the interior of said room through the room's wall (2). The system comprises a matching element (5) at the interior's side of the wall, fit for matching the acoustic impedance and/or the sound speed of the wall material (2) and the those of the medium residing (1) within said room. The matching element may be mounted within a cavity in said wall, and may have a shape, at the side of the room, conforming to the room's inside shape. The matching element may have, at the side of the transducer, an arbitrarily curved shape, designed to obtain a certain desired beam directivity and/or to compensate for diffraction effects.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel injector 3 supplies gaseous fuel from a compressed gas cylinder 1 into a measuring portion thin tube 5 and pressure change in the tube is measured by a pressure measuring device 4 through a small hole provided in the thin tube 5. An extension thin tube 6 for removing the influence of reflected waves is provided on the downstream side of the measuring portion thin tube 5. There is provided at the downstream side end of the extension thin tube a back pressure valve 13 for uniformly increasing the pressure in the tube and for bringing the pressure close to the actual environment in the engine cylinder. Also, a tapered-shape nozzle is arranged in the measuring portion thin tube 5. Pressure measured by the pressure measuring device 4 is transduced into mass flow rate in the thin tube according to a predetermined calculation formula. Accordingly, it is possible to measure instantaneous mass flow rate of gaseous fuel injected from the gaseous fuel injector.

Abstract: On a strain generation body 31 of a strain gauge type sensor 1, a strain gauge G is disposed for detecting a force externally applied, and a conductive first land 71b is formed. A conductive second land 81b is formed near an end of a flexible substrate 41 laid over a surface of the strain generation body 31 on which the strain gauge G is disposed. A substrate end portion of the flexible substrate 41 near the second land 81b is disposed above the first land 71b of the strain generation body 31. The first land 71b, the second land 81b, and a lead wire L are fixed to each other by soldering so that the lead wire L is electrically connected to the strain gauge G.

Abstract: A sensor device is capable of identifying any components of a mechanical force applied to a movable object. The sensor device includes a movable object including at least one magnetically encoded region having a magnetic field; a plurality of magnetic field detectors being placed around the at least one magnetically encoded region of the movable object at regular intervals; and a signal processing unit being connected to the plurality of magnetic field detectors. The plurality of magnetic field detectors are set up to convert changes in the magnetic field of the at least one magnetically encoded region caused by each component of the mechanical force applied to the movable object into corresponding electrical signals. The signal processing unit receives the corresponding electrical signals being representative for the respective components of the mechanical force applied to the movable object.

Abstract: The driving force produced by the linear drive on a motor with a rotational drive and with a linear drive can be registered in a quantified fashion by virtue of the fact that deformation of a motor element (top disc 22) which connects a rotor (30) of the linear drive to an output shaft (24) is measured. A corresponding signal can then be assigned to a measured value for the axial force, either on the basis of a known linear relationship or on the basis of standardization. Strain measuring gauges (DMS1 to DMS4) are used to measure the deformation.

Abstract: A novel multi-gas passive sampler is described, whereby different collection media are packed into one passive sampler to collect a variety of air pollutants (or groups of air pollutants) at the same time. By comparison with known commercially available passive samplers—in which only a single collection medium is used to collect a single air pollutant of or group of air pollutants—the MGPS is more cost effective, convenient to use and more environment-friendly.

Abstract: A method for in situ sampling and monitoring of a fluid flowing in a flow path, whereby the fluid is to be directed to a chamber a first valve may provide a connection the flow path and a second valve may provide a connection between an outlet from the chamber and the flow path, comprising the following steps: a) opening the first valve and the second valve to let the incoming fluid flow through the inlet to the chamber and from the chamber through the outlet into the continuation of the fluid path, thereby allowing fluid to circulate through the chamber for a certain time, b) trapping the fluid in the chamber by closing the second valve and thereafter closing the first valve, c) opening a valve 9 for reducing pressure, to obtain a pressure in the chamber suitable for monitoring the fluid, d) opening an access valve 11 and leading the fluid trapped in the chamber into a monitor system wherein the fluid is analyzed, and thereby providing the data representing the fluid characteristics, e) providing exit for th

Abstract: A pipette holder for retaining a pipette at a plurality of angles relative to the holder includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion wherein the second housing portion supports the pipette. The pipette device also includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for lumping together a plurality of pipette tips using a collar that will provide structural rigidity to the loose plurality of pipette tips; and the method of incorporating such an apparatus. Such rigidity created by the collar apparatus will allow for an innovative method of connecting the plurality of pipette tips to their respective pipettors that will reduce the amount of downward axial force required to impinge a plurality of pipette tips using the traditional connection method.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: An active sampler for detecting contaminants in liquids comprises an inlet, an outlet and a sampling unit positioned such that the liquid flows along a path from the inlet, through the sampling unit, to the outlet. The sampling unit has a plurality of sampling chambers that are substantially fluidly sealed relative to one another, wherein one of the sampling chambers is selectively positioned in the flow path. The active sampler also comprises an actuator, which relatively moves the sampling unit and the inlet and outlet such that one sampling chamber is positioned out of the flow path while another of the sampling chambers is positioned in the flow path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for a fluid enclosure. The device includes a sensing device that responds to a change in distance relative to a fluid enclosure. The change in distance is a function of at least one dimension of the fluid enclosure.

Abstract: A wireless sensor probe for use in environmental monitoring and control includes a separable probe body and sensor mast. The probe body includes a void configured to house the sensor mast including one or more sensor devices for sensing a soil property surrounding the probe body when the probe body is inserted partially into the ground. The probe body includes a probe top part for encapsulating the probe body and the sensor mast. The sensor mast is inserted into the probe body to form the sensor probe. In another embodiment, a wireless sensor probe includes a housing containing one or more sensor devices. The probe further includes a collar situated near a top portion of the housing being used to anchor the housing to the top of the ground and a gasket formed on the outside perimeter of the housing for securing the housing in the ground.