Abstract: An apparatus (402) and method for measuring a surface energy of a test surface (12), which includes a viscoelastic polymer layer (20), disposed on a moveable component (34), that is compressed against the test surface (12) with a compressive force. The moveable component (34) is then moved relative to the test surface (12) at a predetermined velocity, and a drive force applied to the moveable component (34) is measured. The surface energy of the test surface (12) is then determined based at least in part on the compressive force, the predetermined velocity, and the measured drive force.

Abstract: A method for determining the life cycle of a power station component is provided. The method includes the following steps: definition of a first characteristic for the life cycle of a power station component at a constant output, definition of a second characteristic for the life cycle of the power station component at a variable output, definition of a first equivalence rule as a function from an actual time parameter, definition of a second equivalence rule wherein the pre-defined operation of the power station component at the variable output in accordance with a plurality of second characteristics is depicted, determination of the numbers of first and second characteristics that are generated during the actual operation of the power station, determination of the sum of the numbers of first and second characteristics, and assessment of the life cycle of the power station component using the determined sum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a malfunction diagnosing apparatus for an engine which enables selection of a fuel to be supplied to a tank from fuels having different properties. The apparatus includes a determining unit determining whether fuel has been supplied to the tank, a sensor detecting a property of the fuel supplied from the tank to an injection valve, an air-fuel ratio control unit determining an air-fuel ratio correction amount according to a difference between a target air-fuel ratio and an actual air-fuel ratio and according to the property of the fuel sensed by the sensor to correct a fuel injection quantity using the air-fuel ratio correction amount, and a diagnosing unit that definitively diagnoses malfunctions of the determining unit, the sensor, and a fuel system, based on a combination of a determination by the determining unit, detection by the sensor, and the air-fuel ratio correction amount or the difference.

Abstract: A method to determine hydrocarbon slip in a compression ignition engine equipped with an electronic control unit having memory and coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system having a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter, a selective catalyst reducer and a clean up diesel oxidation catalyst

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device (10, 56) and to a measuring method for determining the position of a piston (12), which is arranged in a movable manner in a cylinder housing (14), of a cylinder (16). The measuring device (10, 56) comprises a device (22) for generating a reference voltage, an application device (24) for applying the reference voltage, a pick-off device (36) for picking off a measurement voltage, and an evaluation device (40). It is proposed according to the invention that the reference voltage can be applied to the cylinder (16) at a first and at a second position (30, 32) by means of the application device (24). The first position (30) is arranged at a distance from the second position (32) in relation to the movement direction (34) of the piston (12). The measurement voltage can be picked off at a third position (38) of the cylinder (16) by means of the pick-off device (36). The reference voltage and the measurement voltage can be supplied to the evaluation device (40).

Abstract: Provided is a method for testing adhesion. The method includes forming thin films on a substrate; attaching an elastic plate to the substrate, wherein the elastic plate has a larger elastic coefficient than the substrate; and performing an adhesion test on the thin films using an adhesion test apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use multiple sensors to measure downhole fluid properties are described. An example method of measuring a property of a downhole fluid involves obtaining a plurality of measurements for each of a plurality of sensors. Each of the measurements corresponds to a same property of the downhole fluid, and each of the sensors is differently configured to measure the property. Additionally, the example method involves obtaining a plurality of weighting values, each of which corresponds to one of the sensors. The example method also involves applying the weighting values to the respective measurements obtained by each of the corresponding sensors to generate a weight-corrected measurement for each of the sensors. Further still, the example method involves generating a value representative of a measurement of the property of the downhole fluid based on the weight-corrected measurements and outputting the value representative of the measurement of the property.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for a well casing inspection tool, comprising a main shaft having an extension shaft extending therefrom. An instrument head is supported on bearings proximate one end of the main shaft. The rotating instrument head, which includes sensors for measuring wall thickness and caliper of the well casing, provides continuous 360 degree scanning of the interior of the well casing to obtain detailed measurements of the well casing. A motor drives the rotating instrument head through a gear train. A mandrel supported by the main shaft includes exciter coils for wall thickness, caliper, and permeability measurements. A capacitive slip ring couples signals between the rotating instrument head and stationary circuits in the instrument assembly.

Abstract: A wind speed detecting circuit includes a heating unit, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a control unit and a driving unit. The first temperature sensor detects a first temperature of an internal portion of an electronic device, thereby generating a first detecting signal. The second temperature sensor detects a second temperature of the heating unit, thereby generating a second detecting signal. The control unit generates a modulation signal according to the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal. In response to the modulation signal, the driving unit generates a driving signal to control operations of the heating unit, so that a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is maintained constant. A specified relation between the wind speed and the modulation signal facilitates discriminating whether a dust-proof element of the electronic device needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A measurement device (3) and a method for determination regarding the liquid level in a container (1) with a wall (2) is described. A force is applied in a point on the wall on the outside of the container (1) and the resulting impulse response is measured and calculated. From the impulse response a determination is made regarding the liquid level in the container.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for measuring the position of the bed and surface of a river, in which the device comprises a support (2) along which a plurality of measurement areas (5) and means (3, 5) suitable for determining the local heat dissipation in each measurement area (5) are defined; the present invention also concerns a method for determining the position of such interfaces, in which a device (1) according to the present invention is arranged so that it intersects the interface, ensuring that one or more measurement areas (5) are immersed in each of the means constituting the interface and finding the value of the power dissipated in the measurement areas (5) from the temperature measured at said means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage apparatus for a measurement probe for use with a coordinate positioning machine. The storage apparatus has at least one receptacle for a measurement probe. At least one receptacle connector is provided for electrical connection with at least one probe connector on a measurement probe located in the receptacle. The at least one receptacle connector is configured such that it can be displaced so as to disconnect it from the probe connector of a measurement probe located in the receptacle.

Abstract: A PLL circuit is provided with an AD converter, a DA converter to which output from the AD converter is inputted, a filter circuit filtering an output signal of the DA converter, a voltage control oscillator outputting a signal of a different frequency in accordance with an output signal from the filter circuit and a frequency divider dividing a signal which the voltage control oscillator outputs. The AD converter operates by a timing signal from the voltage control oscillator and the DA converter outputs an analog signal corresponding to a value which the AD converter outputs by the timing signal outputted from the frequency divider.

Abstract: A speed meter having pedometric function comprises a casing provided with a liquid crystal screen, a gravity sensor provided in electric connection in the casing, a circuit board, and a microprocessor. A changeover switch is respectively connected with the gravity sensor and the microprocessor. Thereby, the forward speed of a vehicle can be obtained by the detection of the gravity sensor and the calculation of the microprocessor when the vehicle is driven. After the changeover switch is switched into a status of walking or running, the step count of a user can be obtained by the detection of the gravity sensor and the calculation of the microprocessor and shown on the liquid crystal screen.

Abstract: A drive frequency tunable MEMS sensor in one embodiment includes a mass, a mass drive component configured to drive the mass within a plane, a plurality of non-linear springs supporting the mass a first tuner operably connected to the plurality of non-linear springs for modifying the stress condition of the plurality of non-linear springs in response to a trim voltage, and a trim circuit electrically coupled with the first tuner for providing the trim voltage.

Abstract: A micromechanical component may include fixed electrodes and a seismic mass, the seismic mass being connected via a suspension element to a carrier substrate and being movable with respect to it. The seismic mass may include counterelectrodes, which are interconnected via a first electrically conductive connection. The fixed electrodes may include measuring electrodes and decoupled electrodes, the measuring electrodes being provided to function for an electrical evaluation, and the counterelectrodes situated across from the decoupled electrodes being provided to function as a frequency band-altering mechanical element.

Abstract: An angular velocity detecting device includes a semiconductor substrate (2); an oscillator (3) formed on the semiconductor substrate (2); and a control circuit (4) which is formed on the semiconductor substrate (2) and controls the oscillator (3).

Abstract: There is provided an oscillation drive device that forms an oscillation loop with a vibrator for exciting a driving vibration on the vibrator.

Abstract: A composite sensor includes: a package including a container and a lid; a plurality of spaces that is partitioned by at least the container and the lid, and has different pressures, the plurality of the spaces including a first space sealed at around an atmospheric pressure and a second space sealed at a depressurized state; an acceleration sensor element disposed in the first space; and a vibration type angular velocity sensor element disposed in the second space. In the sensor, the first space has a volume smaller than a volume of the second space.

Abstract: A sensor element is provided for sensing accelerations in three spatial directions, which furnishes reliable measurement results and moreover can be implemented economically and with a small configuration. The sensor element encompasses at least one seismic mass deflectable in three spatial directions, a diaphragm structure that functions as a suspension mount for the seismic mass, and at least one stationary counterelectrode for capacitive sensing of the deflections of the diaphragm structure. According to the exemplary embodiments and/or exemplary methods of the present invention, the diaphragm structure encompasses at least four electrode regions, electrically separated from one another, that are mechanically coupled via the seismic mass.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler for isolating noise and vibration transmitted from a drive source on a six-axles CNC gearset testing machine used to test degrees of noise and vibration is provided. The magnetic coupler for isolating noise and vibration transmitted from a drive source on a six-axles CNC gearset testing machine includes a drive source, a drive shaft, a transmission member for operatively interconnecting the drive shaft and the drive source, and a gearbox having an input shaft; a magnetic coupler comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder adapted to dispose in the outer cylinder and space therefrom; a first chuck adapted to couple the inner cylinder and the input shaft of the gearbox to be tested together, and a second chuck adapted to couple the outer cylinder and the drive shaft together. From the above, noise and vibration would not transmitted from the drive source to the gearbox (e.g., motorcycle gearbox) during the test.

Abstract: Provided is a method of predicting failure in geotechnical structures using an AE method instead of a conventional displacement or stress measuring method, which belongs to a field of rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The method is a measurement technology for identifying signs of failure in geotechnical structures using Acoustic Emission (AE) signals generated by damage in the geotechnical structure and also providing management standard for failure prediction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the state of a microbiological or animal cell culture, or other bioprocess wherein the attenuation and in some embodiments, the speed of an ultrasonic wave passed through the culture is used to determine viscous and viscoelastic properties of the culture medium.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for structural health monitoring are provided. In this regard, a representative array system includes: a component to be monitored; and an array system mounted to the component, the array system has multiple array components exhibiting spatial periodicity, the array components being operative to produce waves with frequency dependent directional characteristics, which propagate through the component, responsive to simultaneous activation of the array components.

Abstract: Ultrasonic testing apparatus comprising a base member having an aperture formed therein and a search member arranged to be rotatably received in the aperture of the base member and having at least one array aperture arranged to receive an ultrasonic array holder.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic inspection device, an ultrasonic inspection method, and an atomic power plant nondestructive inspection method that are capable of efficiently generating ultrasonic waves having a sufficient intensity and that are capable of carrying out preferable inspection in a wide range. Provided is an ultrasonic inspection device including a laser device that emits output-adjusted laser light and a volumetric inspection ultrasonic-wave transmitting unit having a transmitting diaphragm that generates ultrasonic waves upon being irradiated with the laser light emitted by the laser device, inspection being carried out by radiating the ultrasonic waves generated by the transmitting diaphragm of the volumetric inspection ultrasonic-wave transmitting unit on a structural member, wherein the transmitting diaphragm is formed of titanium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the vibration of a mirror in a vehicle.

Abstract: A single wire interface for a transducer transmits the transducer output as a frequency modulated signal over one single wire during one interval. During a second interval a reference signal is transmitted as a frequency modulated signal. Both the transducer output and the reference signal output are processed by the same circuitry during the respective intervals to provide both frequency modulated signals. The frequencies of the two signals are measured and then the ratio of the two periods which is the reciprocal of the two frequencies is calculated. This ratio is the direct measure of the output of the transducer and when provided eliminates sources of errors.

Abstract: In a sensor, a joint is provided with a sensor module, and the sensor module is accommodated in a housing. The housing is provided with a terminal, and a flexible circuit board electrically connects a diaphragm of the sensor module with the terminal. The joint is also provided with a cap-shaped base, and the top of the base is provided with an opening through which the diaphragm is exposed. A lateral surface of the base, which is crosswise with the top where the opening is provided, is provided with a part of the flexible circuit board, and the part is provided with an electronic component. With this arrangement, no plate-shaped circuit board for mounting the electronic component is required, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Moreover, since the electronic component is provided on the lateral surfaces of the base, the base and the electronic component are horizontally arranged.

Abstract: A negative pressure gauge includes a body and a multi-stage positioning means. The body is provided with an airflow passage. The multi-stage positioning means includes a rotary piece and a cover plate. The rotary piece is pivotally connected to the body and is provided with positioning recesses and venting troughs. The cover plate covers the rotary piece and is fixedly connected to the body. The cover plate extends to form a positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning recesses. When the rotary piece rotates with respect to the cover plate, the positioning recesses allow the positioning protrusion to be selectively positioned therein and control the communication or obstruction between the venting troughs and the airflow passage.

Abstract: A negative pressure gauge includes a body, a positioning means, a display model, a power-supplying unit and a switch. The positioning means has a rotary piece pivotally connected to the body. The rotary piece is formed with a trigger protrusion. The display model is fixed to the body. The power-supplying unit is fixed to the body and electrically connected to the display model via an electrical line. The switch is mounted in the body and arranged to correspond to the trigger protrusion of the rotary piece. The switch is mounted on the electrical line. In normal state, the switch generates a broken circuit between the display model and the power-supplying unit. When the rotary piece rotates with respect to the body, the switch will be triggered by the trigger protrusion, so that the power-supplying unit and the display model are electrically connected to each other. Via this arrangement, the display model can be turned on or off selectively to save the electricity.

Abstract: A mechanochromic material includes a polymer having a backbone containing a mechanophore.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing a post installed anchor rod to determine the stresses on the anchor rod. The method comprises the steps of providing a linear hydraulic actuator comprising a cylinder, a piston slideable therein in response to a change in hydraulic pressure, and a longitudinal opening formed in the piston for receiving the anchor rod, positioning the anchor rod in the opening, releasably securing a fastener onto the anchor rod to a position in contact with the piston, actuating the linear hydraulic actuator to induce a force on the fastener and thereby a tensional stress on the anchor rod, and measuring elongation of the anchor rod resulting from the tensional stress.

Abstract: A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring components of a point force includes a first rigid member having an outer surface to receive the point force to be measured, and three spherical force transmitting elements, each of spherical or partial-spherical configuration, projecting from its inner surface, and a second rigid member having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first member and formed with three sockets for receiving the three spherical force transmitting elements, each of the sockets includes two planar walls diverging in the direction towards the inner surface of the second member so as to be engaged by the respective spherical force transmitting element of the first member at two contact points, and to space apart the inner surfaces of the first and second members.

Abstract: A temperature compensated force detection element is provided with a substrate, an insulation layer disposed above the substrate, and a p-type semiconductor layer disposed above the insulation layer, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed apart from each other above the p-type semiconductor layer. A gauge portion being electrically connected to the positive electrode and having a higher impurity concentration than the p-type semiconductor layer, and an n-type region electrically connected to the negative electrode are formed in the p-type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Arrangements for withdrawing carefully controlled samples from an active flue gas source are disclosed. A testing assembly is provided for connection to downstream processing equipment to obtain a sample from a gas stream. Included is a probe, a flexible sample line and a coupler joining the probe and the flexible sample line. At least one externally controlled or self-regulating heating cable is put in heating communication with the flexible line. A receptacle engaging the coupler is also provided for positioning the probe with respect to the flue gas source.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for concentrating a target substance in a liquid has been invented. The apparatus comprises a first reservoir with inlet openings for introducing a fluid comprising a target substance into the first reservoir and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by a partition permeable to permit the fluid to traverse the partition while retaining the target substance in the first reservoir.

Abstract: A system for monitoring fluid quality within a fluid flow in real time, is disclosed. The system comprises (a) a fluid filter incorporated into the fluid flow; the filter is adapted for filtering the fluid flow; (b) sensor means adapted for measuring a difference between an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure of the fluid flow; and (c) control means. The control means is adapted for estimating the fluid quality on a base of measuring a time period of rise in the pressure difference at the filter over a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a physiologic sampling pump (PSP) which uses at least one valve placed near the sampling medium to modulate air sampling to follow a person's inhalation rate and to obviate the sluggishness inherent in prior art PSPs caused by varying pump speed and by the propagation time through an air tube that connects the collection medium to prior art pumps thereby also obviating limitations inherent in system response, functionality, and accuracy. Moreover, by maintaining an essentially constant air flow through a cyclone at all times and through the collection medium while sampling, the present invention operates at known collection efficiencies, and is therefore capable of size-selective sampling of particulates as opposed to prior art PSPs that by varying the magnitude of air flow, make the separation efficiencies of pre-collection devices indeterminate and the samples worthless.

Abstract: A closed loop system for obtaining a sample of a fluid from a source of fluid is disclosed, the system including a collection vessel having a fluid chamber disposed therein. A valve assembly is disposed within the collection vessel and adapted to selectively open and close a fluid communication path between the fluid chamber and an associated fluid receptacle. An inlet provides a fluid communication path between the source of fluid and the fluid chamber, and an outlet provides a fluid communication path between the fluid chamber and a fluid recovery system.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer metrology technique which corrects for the effect of electrostatic forces on an atmospheric buoyancy compensated weight force measurement of a semiconductor wafer. In one aspect a wafer is weighed in a faraday cage whose is measured independently. A change in the measured weight of the faraday cage can be used to correct the measure weight the wafer. In another aspect a direct electrostatic measurement can be converted into a weight correction using a predetermined correlation between an electrostatic charge measured by the charge meter and a weight error force. In another aspect the electrostatic measurement may be indirect, e.g. derived from varying the distance between the wafer and a grounded plate parallel to the wafer to effect a change in an electrostatic force between the grounded plate and the wafer.

Abstract: A handpiece for removably attaching one of a plurality of probes including a housing, an actuation assembly arranged on the housing, a linkage assembly arranged on the housing and adapted to couple motion of the actuation assembly to actuation of the probe and an alignment feature arranged on the housing and adapted to control the orientation of a connected probe. Several probes are also disclosed in addition to method of performing a procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for operating power take-off (PTO) systems aboard hybrid and electric systems and vehicles is disclosed. The PTO system includes an energy storage device configured to supply electrical power and at least one electrical drive system electrically connected to the energy storage device to receive the electrical power, with each of the at least one electrical drive systems configured to convert the electrical power to a desired mechanical power. The PTO system also includes at least one PTO shaft mechanically connected to each of the at least one electrical drive systems that is driven by the mechanical power to generate a mechanical output, with the mechanical output of each of the at least one PTO shafts being independently controllable from the mechanical output of other PTO shafts.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a modulized structure that allows at least a transmission unit, an actuation unit, and a power device of the linear actuator to be combined integrally. The actuator is advantaged by its reduced manufacturing and fabricating costs, simplified and compact structure, as well as expanded application scope.

Abstract: A linear actuator with a dustproof mechanism provides reliable dustproof capability over the entire stroke of the actuator. A linear actuator 100 with a dustproof mechanism includes a ball screw, a movable stage 4 including a ball screw nut that engages the ball screw, the movable stage capable of making linear reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the ball screw in response to rotary motion of the ball screw, a housing member 2 disposed to cover at least the ball screw, openings 27, 28 formed in the housing member 2 along the path along which the movable stage 4 travels, and dustproof belts 29, 30 disposed inside the housing member 2 to block the openings 27, 28. The linear actuator 100 with a dustproof mechanism further includes end plate covers 105a, 105b that cover both ends of the housing member 2 and hence has high dustproof performance.

Abstract: Linear actuator device, comprising a housing (2), an externally threaded screw (5) mounted to a piston (9), an internally threaded extended nut (7) and a motor (16) comprising a stator (33) and a rotor element (30) positioned around the extended nut (7), wherein a plurality of first magnets (31) of the rotor element (30) are positioned in relation to the stator (33) such that the stator (33) lies between the extended nut (7) and the first magnets (31) of the rotor element (30). The advantage of the invention is that linear actuators with a high energy density can be manufactured in an easy and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A linear motion device has a first assembly and a second assembly which is linearly movable relative to the first assembly; a row of rolling elements that may circulate endlessly is located between the first and second assemblies, the first assembly including a rotatable threaded spindle that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction, and that is engaged in a screw-type manner with a threaded nut, the threaded nut being a component of the second assembly; the first assembly also includes an electric motor that is connected to the threaded spindle in a rotationally driving manner, and the rotational axis of which extends parallel to the threaded spindle; the first assembly includes a single-pieced, first body.

Abstract: A double clutch transmission with two clutches connected to a drive shaft and to one of two transmission input shafts. Fixed gears are coupled to the input shafts and engage idler gears. Several coupling devices connect the idler gears to a countershaft which have an output gear that couple gears of an output shaft such that at least seven power shift forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be shifted, and four gear wheel planes are arranged in such a way that at least one power shift winding-path gear can be shifted via the shifting device, such that at least seven power shift forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be shifted, and five gear planes are positioned in such a way that at least one power shift winding-path gear can be shifted via a shifting device.

Abstract: A double clutch transmission with two clutches connected to a drive shaft and to one of two transmission input shafts. Fixed gears are coupled to the input shafts and engage idler gears. Several coupling devices connect the idler gears to a countershaft which have an output gear that couple gears of an output shaft such power shift forward gears and a reverse gear can be shifted. Three dual gear planes each comprising one fixed gear which is supported by an input shaft and two idler gears which are supported by a respective countershaft. In each dual gear plane at least one idler gear wheel can be used for at least two gears such that at least one winding-path gear is engaged by engagement of a disengaged output coupling device assigned to one of the output gear wheels.