Abstract: A roller guiding system for thin strips (20) at a rolling system outlet which allows a safe guiding without take-off and consequent tipping/folding of the head of the strip and without cobbles even at high feeding speeds. The system of the invention prevents the strip from impacting or sliding on the upper containment devices (8) or on the rollers (4?) by its upwards or downwards movement, thus avoiding possible damages to the surface, such as scratches or lines. Furthermore, such a guiding system acts on the mechanical-aerodynamic phenomenon which causes instability in the head moving by making a self-centering guiding system which is thus suitable for improving the winding quality of the coil itself.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in a medical procedure. In one form, a system includes an insulated fabric that is used to grasp and bend a heated elongate member. The elongated member is heated to its glass transition temperature (Tg) using a heating element. The insulated fabric may be lined with a non-stick coating to prevent adhesion of the heated elongate member to the insulated fabric. In another form, a PEEK rod is heated using a sheath. The inner surface of the sheath is lined with Teflon to prevent adhesion as stated above. The sheath includes a plurality of semi-rigid coils to assist in bending the rod and to prevent the rod from being crushed during the bending process. The heating element may be included in the semi-rigid coils in this form.

Abstract: A steel part with regions of different ductility is made by first loading the part onto a heatable rack and then heating the rack with the part on it in a furnace to a temperature above the AC3 point of the part. The part is then removed from the rack and loaded while still above the AC3 point into a press where it is shaped and hardened. In the press the part is engaged by tools that deform it and that cool it quickly to well below the AC3 point. Finally, before the rack has cooled substantially, the shaped and hardened part is taken out of the press and placed on the rack with predetermined regions of the part in heat-conducting engagement with the rack such that the ductility of the predetermined regions is increased by transfer of the residual heat from the rack to the predetermined regions.

Abstract: A folding device is provided for the processing of workpieces and includes, but is not limited to a holding device for the holding of a workpiece in a processing position in a holding plane and a folding slide for the folding over of an edge of the workpiece into a folding position. The folding slide at least includes, but is not limited to a first folding surface and a second folding surface. The first folding surface with the second folding surface forms an angle ?, the first folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?1 and the second folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?2 and the first folding surface and the second folding surface are intended for pressing onto the workpiece during the folding over of an edge.

Abstract: A dynamic centering apparatus, suitable for centering a workpiece on a work surface, comprising a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to individual cells of a hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine having an improved movement transmission to a bending die comprises a body (1) and a head (2). Housed in the body (1) is a motor (3) having an output shaft (4) supporting a driving gear wheel (5), which is located in the machine head (2). Located in the same machine head (2) is a driven gear wheel (8), which is connected to a pipe bending die (6). A couple of intermediate gear wheels (9, 10) engage both the driving gear wheel (5) and the driven gear wheel (8).

Abstract: An apparatus (7) for monitoring particles flowing in a stack (6), comprises: an electrical-interaction monitor (1) operable to provide a signal (300) resulting from electrical interaction of the particles with the monitor (1). a scattered-light monitor (10) operable to provide a signal (310) resulting from detection of light scattered from the particles, and a controller (320) arranged to alter the calibration of the electrical-interaction monitor 1 in response to changes in the relative magnitude of the electrical-interaction (signal 300) and the scattered-light signal (310).

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a chemical sample and modulating the chemical sample at a frequency greater than a drift frequency of a sensor. The method also includes determining at least one of a presence and a concentration of the analyte within the modulated chemical sample using the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could include alternately absorbing at least some of the analyte into a sorbent material and releasing at least some of the analyte from the sorbent material. Modulating the chemical sample could also include heating the sorbent material, absorbing part of the analyte into the sorbent material, and passing a remaining portion of the analyte into the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could further include stopping the heating of the sorbent material, releasing the part of the analyte from the sorbent material, and passing the sample with the released part of the analyte into the sensor.

Abstract: Testing of engine particulate matter production during a transient is made more accurate by selecting an appropriate sized opening for a test probe of the sampling system located in the exhaust line upstream from a particulate trap. By examining the pressure signature at the test probe location and utilizing that information in conjunction with a desired volumetric flow rate into the sampling system, a flow opening size for the test probe can be selected that reduces potential oversampling which may be otherwise induced due to the back pressure increases in the exhaust line caused by the presence of the particulate trap. The flow opening into the test probe of the sampling system behaves relative unrestricted when pressure differentials at the test probe location are relatively low, such as during steady state operating conditions, but restricts flow into the sampling system when pressure differentials are relatively high, such as at a pressure during a transient event.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas concentration detection apparatus that is capable of forming an accurate activity judgment when a gas concentration detection cell begins to detect gas concentration with high accuracy. When warm-up begins at time t0 in a NOx concentration detection apparatus that achieves NOx concentration detection with a NOx sensor cell after excess oxygen is discharged by an oxygen pump cell, a NOx sensor cell output begins to rise at time t1. Subsequently, at time t2, an oxygen pump cell output begins to rise. An inflection point appearing in the NOx sensor cell output is then located. At time t5 at which the inflection point appears, an activity judgment about the NOx sensor cell is formed.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph-combustion apparatus and method are disclosed in which the carrier gas type and flow rate is continuously exchanged to facilitate high speed, high sensitivity compound specific isotope analysis. Samples are injected into a gas chromatograph that uses H2 as the carrier gas. The gas stream exiting the gas chromatograph is passed through a combustion system in which H2 and the samples are combusted, simultaneously and totally, to oxidize the sample to CO2 and/or N2 gas, and to convert H2 gas to water vapor. Water vapor is removed using a water separator. Therefore, combustion serves the dual purpose of preparing the samples for isotopic analysis and converting H2 to water vapor, which can be easily separated out. A second carrier gas may be used to convey the CO2 and N2 to a mass spectrometer where the isotopic composition (e.g. 14C or 15N) is determined.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detector is presented having the following structure: a first and a second light source (1a, b) for providing light of the same intensity while retaining the same spectral distribution; a first beam path allocated to the first light source (1a) and at least one second beam path allocated to the at least one second light source (1b), wherein a different absorption of light can occur in the first and second beam paths in selected wavelength ranges; means (4) for alternately guiding light from the first and from the at least one second beam path into a photoacoustic measuring cell (6), the intensity of the light sources being constant in such a way that the temporal change thereof cannot generate a photoacoustic signal that distorts the measurement.

Abstract: An odorant addition device for adding odorant to fuel gas in a gas system that consumes the fuel gas, the device including: an addition unit for adding the odorant to fuel gas to be consumed by the gas system; an environmental condition detection unit for detecting in the gas system an environmental condition regarding diffusion of odorant in fuel gas; and an addition adjustment unit for adjusting mode of odorant addition by the addition unit based on the environmental condition detected by the environmental condition detection unit. In this way, it is possible to detect leakage of fuel gas more reliably and improve safety dramatically, in a gas system that consumes the fuel gas as fuel.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a state of liquid contained in a container comprising an outer tubular electrode made of an electrically conductive material, an inner electrode made of an electrically conductive material and disposed concentrically within the outer tubular electrode, a base end support member supporting base end portions of the outer tubular electrode and the inner electrode in a way as to provide insulation therebetween, and a leading end support member elastically supporting a leading end portion of the inner electrode on an inside of a leading end portion of the outer tubular electrode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for multiforce high throughput screening are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter includes a high throughput screening system that includes a multiforce plate having a plurality of field forming poles where each field forming pole is positioned on the multiforce plate at a location corresponding to a well in a multiwell plate. The system also includes an exciter assembly with excitation poles positioned at locations corresponding to the field forming poles. The excitation poles are utilized for electrically or magnetically coupling to the field forming poles and for delivering at least one of an electric and magnetic field in the vicinity of the field forming poles. The coupled field forming poles apply force via the field(s) to probes located in the wells of the multiforce plate in order to move the probes and test mechanical properties of specimens in the wells.

Abstract: A system for measuring the concentration of magnetic ballast in a moving slurry including a detection conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial detection coils configured to receive the moving slurry, a reference conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial coils, an AC power source for establishing a magnetic field in one of the detection coils and one of the reference coils, and a measurement subsystem for measuring the differential induced voltage between one of the set of coaxial detection coils and one of the set of coaxial reference coils to determine the concentration of the magnetic ballast in the moving slurry.

Abstract: There is provided a method for troubleshooting noise/vibration issues of rotating components, the method comprising: receiving an audio signal of the rotating components in operation; generating a frequency spectrum corresponding to the audio signal; selecting a frequency ?m in the frequency spectrum corresponding to a maximum amplitude; and comparing the frequency ?m to a set of predetermined rotational speeds of the rotating components to find a match; thereby identifying a potentially defective component.

Abstract: A purge gas concentration estimation apparatus has a canister having a casing that is filled with adsorbent which adsorbs and desorbs evaporated fuel and a heat capacity detection device that is disposed in the casing. The heat capacity detection device detects a heat capacity of an inside of the casing. An adsorption amount of the evaporated fuel that is adsorbed in the casing is detected from the heat capacity of the inside of the casing detected by the heat capacity detection device, and a purge gas concentration is estimated from the detected adsorption amount of the evaporated fuel.

Abstract: An engine starter motor tester applies power to a motor under test at the level normally applied while that motor is installed in a vehicle and monitors the ripple in the driving current. The ripple rate, scaled by the number of windings used in the construction of the motor, provides a direct reading of the shaft speed of the unloaded motor. This number allows a valid inference concerning the state of health of the motor, and is more certain than an estimate for an unloaded motor based on operator experience and motor “sound”. A complete test apparatus includes a stored lookup table, allowing the user to key in a product brand and model number and read directly both the RPM and the test apparatus's rating of the motor under test, expressed in terms such as percentage of life remaining.

Abstract: A combustion state detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: an ignition plug (2) for generating a spark discharge for igniting an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber; an ignition coil (1) for supplying a high voltage to cause the ignition plug (2) to generate the spark discharge; and an ECU (3) for feeding a driving signal for driving the ignition coil (1). An electromotive force (secondary voltage) due to electromagnetic induction when a primary current is caused to flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil (1) in response to the driving signal from the ECU (3) is applied to the ignition plug (2) to detect an ion current generated in the combustion chamber to detect a combustion state in the ignition plug based thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a nitrogen oxide purifying catalyst using an NOx sensor, the method including: calculating a detection integrated value by integrating corresponding values corresponding to the NOx sensor output signal obtained until a first predetermined detection period has elapsed after the NOx sensor begins to generate an output signal and subtracting a variation integrated value. The variation integrated value is calculated by integrating corresponding values obtained until a predetermined second detection period has elapsed after the NOx sensor beings to generate an output signal when driven in a gas atmosphere having a constant nitrogen oxide concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbofan propulsion simulator means, in particular for a turbofan of an aircraft or spacecraft, wherein the turbofan propulsion simulator means comprises a modular configuration, wherein the turbofan propulsion simulator means comprises a module, wherein the module is a turbine means to drive the turbofan of the turbofan propulsion simulator means, wherein the turbine means can be coupled with at least two fan means, characterized in that, the at least two fan means to be connected with the turbofan propulsion simulator means comprises almost or essentially the same mass and/or almost or essentially the same barycentre.

Abstract: A valve stem cap to be coupled with the inlet/outlet end of a tire valve stem includes a connecting seat having a closed end fitted with a sealing washer and an open end having a threaded hole for coupling with the tire valve stem. An external thread is formed on an outer tubular surface of the connecting seat near the closed end for coupling threadingly with a threaded hole of a light penetrable cover and thereby enclosing a light-emitting unit in the light penetrable cover. The light-emitting unit includes first and second conductive plates electrically connected by a conducting element and at least one battery. When the tire valve stem, coupled with the valve stem cap, leaks, a light-emitting diode on a top surface of the first conductive plate emits light as an alert. Meanwhile, the valve stem cap stops the leak so as to maintain an acceptable tire pressure.

Abstract: A device for determining the amount of a substance in a container includes an amount sensor disposed within the container, a transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to transmit an output thereof, and an electrical power source powering the sensor and the transmitter.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for extraction of a defined sample volume from a larger sample volume. The device includes a body having a reference surface and a measuring cavity extending from a part of the reference surface into the body, thereby forming at least one opening plane substantially uniform with the reference surface, the body being adapted for reception of an excess sample volume at the cavity and elimination of sample above the reference surface to leave in the cavity a measured sample volume having the defined volume. An information carrier is applied to or arranged for distribution with the device, having direct or indirect volume information about the defined volume established for the cavity.

Abstract: A cased hole pressure test tool is used to determine the integrity of cement between two points in a borehole in terms of permeability or transmissibility. The test tool drills at least one probe hole through the casing up to the cement. In one embodiment, two probes are set and the dissipation of a pressure pulse through the cement initiated by the first probe is observed by the second probe. In another embodiment, one probe hole is in hydraulic communication with the borehole fluid and a single offset probe is set in another probe hole. Fluid (water) is then added to the borehole to cause a pressure increase in the borehole fluid. Detection of the pressure increase through the cement by the offset probe is indicative of a loss of hydraulic isolation. Packers may be used to isolate the portion of the borehole under test. A mechanism for generating a pressure pulse of known magnitude is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving the accuracy of level measurement by reducing or eliminating receive circuit saturation in ultrasound level measurement apparatus. The method involves adjusting the transmit power in order to control echo amplitude, in particular to avoid saturation, when the surface being monitored is within a pre-defined distance from the ultrasound transducer. The particular advantage of the invention is that it may be implemented without change to the electronic circuitry embodied in the apparatus.

Abstract: A quadrupole responder for an OQR-type gravity gradiometer comprises a housing, and a mass quadrupole positioned within the housing. The mass quadrupole has a pair of sides, and also has a center of mass between the sides. The quadruple responder further comprises at least two torsion spring flexures. The torsion spring flexures are provided by pins connecting each side of the mass quadrupole to the housing. The torsion spring flexures provide an axis of rotation which passes through the center of mass of the mass quadrupole and through both torsion spring flexures.

Abstract: A quadrupole responder for an OQR-type gravity gradiometer comprises a housing, and a mass quadrupole positioned within the housing. The mass quadrupole has a pair of sides, and also has a center of mass between the sides. At least a pair of torsion spring flexures are provided by pins connecting said side of said mass quadrupole to the housing. The torsion spring flexures provide an axis of rotation which passes through the center of mass of the mass quadrupole and through both spring flexures. The pins are integral with the mass quadrupole.

Abstract: In a method for operating a sensor system including a substrate having a main plane of extension and an oscillating structure which is movable relative to the substrate, drive elements excite the oscillating structure to a torsional oscillation about an axis of oscillation running essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, first detection elements detect a first tilting movement of the oscillating structure about a first tilting axis essentially parallel to the main plane of extension, and further detection elements detect an angular acceleration of the substrate superposed to the torsional oscillation essentially about the axis of oscillation.

Abstract: The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate; a supporting portion provided on one surface of the substrate; a beam, supported by the supporting portion, having a movable portion opposed to the surface of the substrate through a space; a resistive conductor formed on at least the movable portion of the beam; a weight arranged on a side of the beam opposite to the substrate; and a coupling portion, made of a metallic material, coupling the beam and the weight with each other.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor has a semiconductor acceleration sensor chip and a case. The semiconductor acceleration sensor chip has a fixed portion, a plummet portion surrounding the fixed portion without contacting the fixed portion, and a beam portion connecting the fixed portion and the plummet portion, the thickness of the beam portion being thinner than the thickness of the fixed portion. The case has a cavity housing the semiconductor acceleration sensor chip, and a projection portion formed on the bottom face of the cavity, the bottom face of the fixed portion being fixed to the top face of the projection portion.

Abstract: The present invention has a structure capable of detecting the scattered-type penetrator having oxides each with the size of several ?m sparsely and widely dispersed. Specifically, the structure includes a wave transmission unit 6 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the welded surface of the welded portion 2 in a pipe axial direction of the pipe 1 such that the beam width of a transmission beam 8 is brought into a range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and a wave reception unit 7 for receiving at least a portion of the reflection wave (reception beam 9) at the welded surface. The wave transmission unit 6 and the wave reception unit 7 include transmission/reception units formed of different groups of transducer elements on at least one or more array probes 5 arranged in the circumferential direction of the pipe.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for measuring vibration includes multiple spatially separated detectors coupled to a differential signal analyzer and a light source. The light source generates a coherent light beam onto a target that is reflected as backscattered light. The differential signal analyzer receives signals from each of the detectors indicative of backscattered light from the target. The differential signal analyzer then applies a phase shift to a subset of the received signals and combines the phase shifted signals with signals from other detectors to form a differential signal representative of physical vibration of the target.

Abstract: A blade for a wind turbine is provided. The blade includes a blade surface and a pressure gauge device for providing a pressure value being used for stall detection. The pressure gauge device is located at the blade surface such that a pressure of a fluid flowing along the blade surface is measured by the pressure gauge device.

Abstract: A capacitively-coupled strain sensor and methods are presented in which the strain on a structure is measured by the varying capacitance created by the displacement of one or more boards attached to the structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the mean flow velocity of an electrically conductive medium while applying a magnetic field to the measurement volume put through and decoupling an electric signal induced in the measurement volume. The fluctuating part of the electric signal, which is based on stochastic fluctuations of the flow velocity due to turbulent motion, is captured as a time-dependent wanted signal. By the weighted integration of the wanted signal the mean flow velocity over predefined time intervals is determined.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter is described having a pressure containing vessel or conduit through which the fluid to be metered is passed. The pressure containing vessel is formed of first and second sections which are made of respective materials having first and second magnetic permeabilities, such as stainless steel and carbon steel. A single magnetic field generating coil is provided adjacent the first section for generating a magnetic field across the pressure containing vessel.

Abstract: An airflow sensor apparatus for measuring flow rate includes a pitot tube with a bypass channel wherein the pitot tube extends halfway into a flow channel in order to reduce a pressure drop. One or more upstream taps can be spaced along the pitot tube facing into a direction of a flow stream which directs the fiow to the bypass channel. At least one or more downstream taps can be located to face perpendicular to the direction of flow, such that the fluid after passing over a flow sensor passes through the downstream tap(s). The upstream tap senses stagnation pressure and the down stream tap senses static pressure which is exerted in all directions in the flow channel in order to determine a velocity pressure based on a difference between pressures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring at least one flow parameter of a medium, which medium flows through a measuring tube, wherein the measuring tube is contacted by at least two transducer elements, by means of which the measuring tube is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations and by means of which mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube are receivable. Each of the at least two transducer elements is applied, offset in time, alternately, for exciting the measuring tube to execute mechanical oscillations and for receiving the mechanical oscillations of the measuring tube.

Abstract: A torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between a driving structure rotating about a first axis and a driven structure rotating about a second axis. The torque monitoring apparatus includes a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is received in an aperture defined by the cylinder. At least one of the piston and the cylinder is operable for connection to one of the driving structure and the driven structure and rectilinearly moveable along the first axis or the second axis. The aperture is centered on the axis of rectilinear movement.

Abstract: A method of monitoring strain on a helicopter rotor blade that has several structural components comprises locating at least three strain sensors 2a, 2b, 2c on one of the structural components of the rotor blade, the positions of the strain sensors defining a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade and resolving strain signals from the three strain sensors into strain measurements in two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor that detects a torque of a rotating shaft and/or a stationary shaft by using a magnetostriction inverse effect that occurs on a shaft surface, the magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a first detection coil, a second detection coil, a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, a first direction magnetic permeability detector, a second direction magnetic permeability detector, and a torque detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and equipment for preparing an analysis sample (2) for a continuous on-line analysis. According to the invention, a sample material (5) is taken by means of a sampling arrangement (4) from a material flow (24) that contains solid matter and liquid, whereby the sample material (5) is fed into a chamber (6); a layer of material (10), which contains coarse solid matter, depositing in the lower part of the chamber, and a layer of material (8), which contains liquid and fine solids, being separated from the sample material in the upper part of the chamber, whereby at least part of the material (8), which contains fine solids, is moved to the lower part (9) of the chamber (6), from where the analysis sample (2) that has a higher solids content than the sample material (5) is removed.

Abstract: A sampling pipe suitable for sampling materials in a channel is disclosed. The sampling pipe includes a hollow body and a plurality of openings. The hollow body has a plurality of sampling sections, and these sampling sections are suitable for being disposed in the channel. The openings penetrate through the outer wall of the hollow body and locate in the sampling sections. Wherein, there is at least one opening in each sampling section, and flux of materials flowing into each sampling section is the same.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of measuring units, each of which measures a sample; a sample conveyance unit for conveying a sample to at least one of the plurality of measurement units; a display unit; and a display controller for controlling the display unit to display an analysis result of a sample which the analysis result has been obtained based on the measurement by at least one of the plurality of measurement units, and controlling the display unit to display conveyance status information indicating a conveyance status of the sample which analysis result has not been obtained yet based on the measurement by at least one of the plurality of measurement units, is disclosed. A sample information display apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample collecting device is provided. The sample collecting device comprises an enclosure for enclosing a collected sample therein. A connecting mechanism movable connects a sample collecting head for collecting the sample to the enclosure. The connecting mechanism holds the sample collecting head in a sampling position outside the enclosure and holds the sample collecting head in a storage position inside the enclosure. In an embodiment the sample collecting device comprises a sample access port disposed in a wall of the enclosure for enabling access to the collected sample and the enclosure is shaped such that a plurality of sample collecting devices form one of a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional array suitable for use with an automated processing machine. The sample collecting device further comprises an identifier for providing identification data to the automated processing machine.

Abstract: Gimbal power systems and methods are operable to provide power to a device attached to the gimbal. An exemplary embodiment is configured to rotate a rotational member of the gimbal system about an axis, wherein a stator of a rotary power transformer affixed to the rotational member rotates about the axis, and wherein an end of an electrical connection coupled to a power connector of a rotor winding of the rotary power transformer remains substantially stationary as the stator of the rotary power transformer rotates about the axis.

Abstract: A displacement member can be displaced in a direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of a translation member that is held on a base member so as to reciprocatingly move thereon linearly, and an elastic mechanism secured to the base member accumulates and releases elastic energy in accordance with the distance to the displacement member. Protruding members of the translation member are pressed against a transmission member by generated force provided by the energy release from the elastic mechanism; thus, a distance adjusting operation between coupling mechanisms coupling the transmission member and the displacement member is controlled by a control device so that the relative position and relative angle between the displacement member and the transmission member are changed.

Abstract: A spindle driving mechanism 5 for a machine tool includes a screw shaft 11 formed with a spiral thread groove 11a in the outer peripheral surface thereof; a ball screw nut 12 that is provided with a spiral nut groove corresponding to the thread groove 11a in the inner surface thereof, and that is configured so as to perform reciprocating motion in the axis direction of the screw shaft 11 with the rotational motion of the screw shaft 11 around the axis; a hollow motor 21 including a cylindrical inner rotor 22 fixedly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ball screw nut 12 to serve as a field flux producing source, and a cylindrical outer stator 23 for generating a rotating magnetic field for giving a rotational driving force to the inner rotor 22; a cylindrical casing 31 on one end side of which the outer stator 23 is fixedly provided and on the other end side of which a spindle 51 for the machine tool is fixedly provided; and an outer cylinder 41 for guiding the reciprocating motion of the casing 31