Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, a transmitter for configured to supply a signal to the ultrasonic probe and forming an ultrasonic beam, a receiver configured to receive a reception signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam to an object, a signal processor configured to form an ultrasonic image on the basis of the reception signal, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, and a control unit configured to control the transmitter, the receiver, the signal processor and the display unit, comprising a setting unit configured to set an operation mode of the transmitter to a low power consumption operation mode or a high spatial resolution operation mode.

Abstract: An inspection device in the form of an acoustic transducer with a number of transducer elements that are arranged in a circumferential array around substantially the whole circumference of the device, to transmit and receive acoustic signals around substantially the whole circumference of the device, typically at substantially the same time, allowing assessment of the inspected object from different perspectives without requiring moving parts on the inspection device. In some embodiments, the transducer elements are circumferentially offset to improve the resolution, and can be axially stacked along the device. Circumferential arrangement of the transducer elements in the device allows the device to transmit and receive signals around substantially its whole circumference, and thereby allows it to inspect whole pipe planar sections in real time, and without requiring rotation of the transducers, thereby avoiding moving parts.

Abstract: An ultrasound time-of-flight diffraction reference block has a plurality of notches that extend into the block to simulate cracks, wherein the notches have a normal and transverse orientation with respect to a test path formed on the block.

Abstract: An absolute displacement sensor 1 includes a sensor housing 2 serving as a detection object; a mass body 3 having a mass m which is movably supported by the sensor housing 2 with a spring coefficient k and a damping coefficient c; a detecting means 4 which electrically detects a relative velocity of the sensor housing 2 with respect to the mass body 3; a feedback control means 5 which controls the absolute displacement of the mass body 3 attributable to the absolute displacement of the sensor housing 2 by positively feeding back the relative displacement and by negatively feeding back a relative acceleration obtained by primarily differentiating the relative velocity, respectively; and a phase lag compensation means 6 which performs phase lag compensation with respect to the relative displacement.

Abstract: An integrated transducer device includes an optical transducer and an acoustic transducer integrally joined with the optical transducer. The acoustic transducer includes a membrane responsive to acoustic signals, the membrane being aligned with the optical transducer such that optical signals emitted or received by the optical transducer pass through the membrane. A propagation direction of the acoustic signals emitted or received by the acoustic transducer is collinear with a propagation direction of the optical signals emitted or received by the optical transducer.

Abstract: A pressure compensator is configured to compensate for volume variations of an insulation medium of a subsea installation. The pressure compensator includes a first bellows chamber having walls and a first bellows part. The first bellows chamber is in flow connection with an insulation medium chamber of the subsea installation, and the walls of the first bellows chamber are configured to separate the insulating medium from surroundings. The first bellows chamber is surrounded by a second bellows chamber having walls and a second bellows part. The second bellows chamber is configured to form a closed intermediate space around the first bellows chamber. The walls of the second bellows chamber are configured to separate at least the bellows parts of the first bellows chamber from the surrounding sea water. The second bellows chamber is further filled with an intermediate medium.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a hydraulic path filled with a pressure transfer liquid and a pressure transducer having a pressure sensitive deformation body. The hydraulic path includes a channel which extends from a pressure input opening at least to the deformation body, wherein the pressure input opening is spaced a separation distance from the deformation body, and wherein pressure on the deformation body deviates from pressure at the pressure input opening by the difference of the hydrostatic pressure of the pressure transfer liquid between the pressure input opening and the deformation body.

Abstract: A pressure transducer comprising a corrosion resistant metal diaphragm, having an active region, and capable of deflecting when a force is applied to the diaphragm; and a piezoresistive silicon-on-insulator sensor array disposed on a single substrate, the substrate secured to the diaphragm, the sensor array having a first outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a first location and on the active region, a second outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a second location and on the active region, and at least one center sensor substantially overlying a center of the diaphragm, the sensors connected in a bridge array to provide an output voltage proportional to the force applied to the diaphragm. The sensors are dielectrically isolated from the substrate.

Abstract: A gauge for a pressure measuring device, the gauge includes a gauge body disposed at the front of the pressure measuring device. The gauge body having a graduated circle, a range display window formed on a graduated circle and a pointer to indicate a scale on the graduated circle corresponding to a measured pressure by the pressure measuring device. A base plate disposed at the rear of the gauge main body and viewed through the range display window, and first and second gauge fans rotatably disposed on the base plate to set the pressure range of an upper limit value and a lower limit value on the graduated circle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at providing a numerical analysis method to determine the damage sustained on a structure based upon the physical dimensions of a the structure, the structure's design wind speed and the forces applied during an event such as a hurricane or man made event. The method includes the steps of creating a timeline by which event forces can be plotted and compared to an ultimate load of the structure, individual loads placed upon the structure as well as a sum of the individual loads placed upon the structure. By using this method, the user is able to identify the time at which the ultimate load of the structure was exceeded and the maximum individual and total loads occurred. The method further identifies the time when the structural failure likely initiated and the time by which the structural failure was likely complete.

Abstract: Rheometer, also usable for stress-strain-investigations, with at least one bearing (28; 35) having an adjustable stiffness in a direction normal to the bearing surfaces (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27). The instrument further includes a system (31, 32, 33, 34; 36, 37) for controlling a parameter for adjusting the stiffness of the at least one bearing (28; 35); a system (10) for determining a value of a quantity associated with a second force exerted between the rotor (8, 5, 6,7) and the stator (2) and opposing the force associated with the quantity to be determined; and a data processing system for correcting the determined value of the quantity associated with the second force by a bias value, obtained using a mapping having as a parameter a variable representative of the parameter for adjusting the stiffness.

Abstract: A device for measuring torsions, bendings, and the like, of a target component includes a metallic substrate, an insulating layer, and a sensing layer in the form of a gauge system. The device is configured to be fixed to the target component via a fixed connection.

Abstract: Method and apparatus enable direct measurement of at least one flow velocity for one or more phases within a multiphase fluid mixture flowing in a conduit. Some embodiments provide determination of actual individual phase flow rates for three phases (e.g., oil, water and gas) that are distinct from one another within the fluid mixture. A multiphase flowmeter according to embodiments of the invention includes at least two optical sensors spatially distributed along a length of the conduit and designed to detect light interactions with the fluid mixture unique to the phases such that detected time-varying signals can be processed via cross-correlation or an array processing algorithm to provide desired individual phase flow velocity for oil, water and/or gas phases. This flow velocity can be applied to phase fraction measurements, which can be obtained utilizing the same flowmeter or another separate device, to calculate the flow rates for the phases.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter associated with a fluid flowing within a pipe includes a single sheet of piezoelectric film material wrapped around at least a portion of the pipe and an array of sensors disposed at different locations on the film material. Each of the sensors provides a signal indicative of pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial and/or circumferential location of the pipe. The sensors are selectively configurable to provide the pressure signals. The signals are processed to determine the parameter. The array of sensors is configurable in response to different criteria. The criteria includes at least one of the parameter of the fluid to be output, an input signal specifying sensors to be selected, a predetermined configuration based on the parameter to be determined, and in response to a previously determined parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a signal processing apparatus with which, even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, even when air bubbles are mixed into the fluid, to be measured, or even when the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from gas to liquid, measurement may be always performed with constant precision and phase and density measurements may be performed with a small computing amount.

Abstract: A signal processing method, a signal processing apparatus, and a Coriolis flowmeter are capable of always performing measurement with constant precision and performing phase measurement with high filtering performance and a small amount of computation even when a temperature of a fluid to be measured changes, air bubbles are mixed into the fluid to be measured, or the fluid to be measured rapidly changes from a gas to a liquid. The Coriolis flowmeter detects at least one of a phase difference and a vibration frequency proportional to a Coriolis force acting on at least one flow tube or a pair of flow tubes.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device includes a first conversion layer and a second conversion layer, an electrically conductive element between the first and second conversion layers, and a pair of electrically conductive yarns connected to the electrically conductive element, wherein the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for testing an aircraft pedal system (12) comprises a pedal actuation device (14) for actuating an aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), a force sensor (26) for sensing an actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) upon actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) and for providing a signal indicative of the actuation force, a deflection sensing device (28, 30) for sensing an angular deflection of a device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), and a control unit (32) adapted to process the signals of the force sensor (26) and the deflection sensing device (28, 30) so as to generate an output indicating the angular deflection of the device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) in dependence on the actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?).

Abstract: Methods and devices for inline sampling of a bulk material, such as a powder, are provided. The material's bulk density can be determined from samples drawn using methods and devices described herein. One embodiment of a method of sampling a material allows the material to flow through a sampling compartment, closes off the flow of material below the sampling compartment, builds up a column of material through the sampling compartment, shifts the sampling compartment to remove a slice of material in the column, and places the slice of material into a sample container. A device for sampling a material is provided in another embodiment. The device includes an inlet, an outlet aligned with the inlet, and a sample collector. The sample collector can include at least one through hole and be configured to move such that the at least one through hole can be moved into and out of alignment with the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A sampling device having an elongate member positioned in the connecting section of a swing type auger is provided. The member has a channel facing into a flow of particulate matter passing through the connecting section and an open end. The member is attached to a rotating shaft. When the auger system is in operation and particulate matter is flowing through the connecting section, the arm rotates perpendicularly through the flow of particulate material and a portion of this particulate material is collected in the channel of the rotating member. The rotation of the member causes the collected particulate material to move along the length of the rotating member until it is thrown out the open end of the member, where a sample can be collected through an aperture in the side of the connecting section.

Abstract: A sonde, inline sonde, or inline sonde and carrier, configuration for use in troubleshooting a pipe and providing precise location of the problem includes a sonde carrier having a first end adapted to attach to a line and a second opposite end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device. A sonde transmitter having a hollow core is mounted over a line or hose or inline with the sonde carrier between the first and second ends. The sonde carrier includes means for coupling first and second body portions of the carrier together and to a high pressure water line and cleaning nozzle. Means for generating power may be included within the sonde carrier or transmitter for electrically supporting operation of the sonde transmitter. Electrical storage means may also be included to allow for operation of the sonde transmitter hardware during a non-water flow event.

Abstract: Vibrational apparatus capable of providing a vibrational output, said apparatus comprising or including an assembly having a shuttle capable of shuttling between complementary structures, at least one of which complementary structures provides the vibrational output, the arrangement being characterised in that there is a drive to rotate the shuttle and there are magnetic interactions between the rotating shuttle and the complementary structures such that interactions with each complementary structure, and the phasing of the complementary structures relative to the shuttle, alternating magnetic results in the shuttling movement of the shuttle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a step actuator. The step actuator includes a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor including a magnet provided radially inward of the stator and a nut member inserted into the magnet and protruding through one side of the housing, a bearing rotatably supporting the nut member, a screw member coupled with the nut member to linearly move as the rotor rotates, and a mounting member supported on one side of the housing to support the screw member in such a manner that the screw member is linearly movable. The nut member includes an end portion passing through the bearing and a coupling portion extending from the end portion to couple with the bearing.

Abstract: A gear for use in a power transmission arrangement which has a plurality of split teeth projecting outwardly from a body. Each tooth has a first part and a second part which each project outwardly from the body, each tooth defining a gap between the first part and the second part. Each tooth part includes an interlock formation which corresponds with the interlock formation of the other tooth part to limit relative movement of the tooth parts in use. The invention provides a power transmission arrangement in which backlash is eliminated or reduced, so that the power transmission arrangement operates more quietly than conventional arrangements.

Abstract: A divided toothed wheel is provided having two toothed wheel halves in tension in relation to each other, the wheel occupies only a minimum amount of space from the axial direction and the two halves are permanently connected together by a securing element designed as an elastically shapeable annular ring disk. The first toothed wheel half includes a hollow cylindrical collar, to which the second toothed wheel half is secured by the annular ring disk. The annular ring disk includes slots distributed over the periphery and extending radially outwards from a central opening forming spring tongues between the slots. The free ends of the spring tongues have edges that sit on the outer circumference of a component arranged in the central opening, in a form-fitting manner, as the spring tongues spring back after the annular ring disk has pressed against the second toothed wheel half.

Abstract: A tractor, which comprises a boom and a bucket being coupled with each other in series and having the same rotating direction, and a control lever for operating both the boom and the bucket, wherein: a control button is equipped in the control lever, and the control lever can operate either a boom or a bucket after either the boom or the bucket is selected by pressing the control button.

Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle, an electric machine and an axle which is drivable by the electric machine. A disengageable mechanical coupling is provided between the drivable axle and the electric machine. This coupling is designed as a shiftable freewheel coupling.

Abstract: A multiplexed electromechanical shift mechanism includes a single linear actuator with multiple independently selectable linkages actuating a clutch and multiple gears for use in motor vehicle transmissions such as a dual clutch transmission. The linear actuator may be a ball screw, a planetary roller screw or hydraulic or pneumatic operator capable of controlling bi-directional linear motion of an output member. A plurality of linear clutches selectively couple the output member to one of a plurality of linkages adapted to transfer the bi-directional motion of the output member. One of the linkages is coupled to and engages an input (main) clutch of the transmission and the remaining linkages are coupled to and bi-directionally translate shift forks and synchronizer clutches which achieve gear selection and engagement.

Abstract: A process turning disc connectable to an output shaft of a motor configured to rotate the process turning disc about a first center axis of the process turning disc. The process turning disc being configured to guide a cable or hose. A first flange is connectable to an end part of a robot arm. A second flange is connectable to a tool element. The flanges are spaced apart from each other by an intermediate connecting member. The connecting member is connected to the flanges. The connecting member provides a passage between the flanges. The passage is configured to receive and guide the cable/hose. The passage has an inlet side for the cable/hose and an outlet side for the cable/hose. A robot arm including the process turning disc, a robot including the robot arm and a method that utilizes the process turning disc.

Abstract: A spring for assisting a tilt adjustment operation can be easily and rapidly attached to a fixed bracket and a movable bracket. Each of two flanges of a fixed bracket has a tilted flange plate and a locking piece. The locking piece has a guiding edge, a locking recess, an insertion recess, and a fixing hole. In a spring member, a first locking shaft portion is formed on the rear side of two coil portions, and a second locking shaft portion is formed rearward from the distal end of the first locking shaft portion. The first locking shaft portion is engaged with the locking recess, and the second locking shaft portion is engaged with the fixing hole. The distance between the first locking shaft portions of the spring member is less that the distance between the two guiding edges.

Abstract: A bicycle shifter includes a base having an annular space and first teeth and second teeth defined in the annular space. A tube is fixed to a center of the base. A first rotation member and a second rotation member are installed in the tube and respectively have a first recess and a second recess. An elastic member is restricted in a space defined between the first and second recesses. The elastic member includes two opposite first and second elastic portions which protrude out from the first and second rotation members. The first and second elastic portions are engaged with the first and second teeth, respectively. When rotating the handle connected with the first rotation member, the first elastic portion moves over the first teeth, the second elastic portion simultaneously moves over the second teeth.

Abstract: A braking assembly includes a depressible brake pedal. The brake pedal remains in a neutral position when not depressed. A link arm is mechanically linked with the brake pedal. The link arm moves as a function of a position of the brake pedal. A bell crank is mechanically linked with the link arm. The bell crank moves as a function of a position of the link arm. A stop member moves with the bell crank. The stop member abuts against the link arm to prevent the brake pedal from over-travelling beyond a predetermined distance past the neutral position after the depressed brake pedal is released.

Abstract: A one-piece spring detent has a head portion having an external thread and a drive element at a first end. A coil spring portion of the one-piece spring detent has a first end integrally formed on a second end of the head. The coil spring portion extends away from the second end of the head. A detent element is integrally formed on a second end of the coil spring portion. The detent element has an outer surface for contacting a stop surface on a moving part adjacent the detent.

Abstract: A cam apparatus of a suspended cam type includes a cam driver 2 having a sliding surface 9; a cam slide 3 which is moved with its sliding surface 28 in contact with the sliding surface 9 of the cam driver 2; a cam-slide supporting means 4 for supporting the cam slide 3 movably in an A direction; and a returning mechanism 5 for returning the cam slide 3 to its rear initial position in the A direction of that cam slide 3.

Abstract: A releasable pedal mounting system having a pedal adapter that is adapted to engage a pedal and a pedal support member that is engageable to an apparatus, the support member including pedal adapter retention means that is adapted to allow mounting of the pedal adapter to the pedal support member when the pedal adapter retention means is in a first position and slideable engagement of the pedal adapter retention means to the pedal adapter retention region when in a second position, whereby the pedal adapter is secured to the pedal support member in a locked position.

Abstract: A transmission is provided in which gears (31 to 34) of a first gear group provided on a first auxiliary input shaft (13) to which driving force of a main input shaft (12) is transmitted via a first clutch (24) and gears (37 to 39) of a second gear group provided on a second auxiliary input shaft (14) to which the driving force of the main input shaft (12) is transmitted via an idle gear (17 to 19) and a second clutch (25) use in common gears (43 to 46) of a third gear group provided on an output shaft (16), whereby it becomes possible to cut the number of components and reduce the dimensions of the transmission.

Abstract: A starter control apparatus is provided which is used with a starter equipped with a pinion engageable with a ring gear coupled to an output shaft of an engine and a motor operable to rotate the pinion to crank the engine. The starter control apparatus works to determine whether the engine has been placed to continue to run by itself after cranked by the motor or not. When such a condition is encountered, the starter control apparatus releases the engagement of the pinion with the ring gear while keeping the pinion rotated by the motor, thereby decreasing the torque exerted by the ring gear on the pinion to minimize the wear of the pinion.

Abstract: There is provided an oil temperature correction device for an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission having a torque converter and a transmission mechanism to which an output torque of a driving power source is inputted through the torque converter. The oil temperature correction device has an oil temperature sensor that detects a temperature of hydraulic oil in an oil pan of the transmission mechanism; and an oil temperature correction section that, when the temperature of the hydraulic oil detected by the oil temperature sensor is lower than a first threshold value, performs a sensor detection temperature correction process to correct the detected temperature of the hydraulic oil based on a heat generation amount of the torque converter.

Abstract: A method for smelting steel scrap in a furnace is described, a working gas being blown into the furnace via a flow channel in order to supply melting energy and being guided through at least one electrodeless plasma torch, the plasma being produced by at least one inductive heating coil that coaxially encloses the flow channel and forms a heating zone. Further a melting furnace with at least one heating device that extends through a wall of the furnace is described, for supplying melting energy. The heating device has a tubular body which encloses a flow channel. A longitudinal section of the tubular body is configured as an electrodeless plasma torch, said torch having an inductive heating coil that coaxially encloses the flow channel and forms a heating zone.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of loads or residues of non-ferrous metals and their alloys includes the steps of loading of scraps or dross to be processed and heating the load and melting the metal. The process additionally includes revolving the heated load, tapping the molten metal and emptying a cavity of the furnace. Heating of the load or residues to a temperature above the melting temperature of the metal or non-ferrous alloy to be recovered is carried out by means of a free burning convective arc which is independent from the supply of external gas to the process, and which may dispense with the use of melting salts.

Abstract: Hydrophobic metal nanoparticles are prepared by reducing a metal precursor in a non-polar or low polar organic solvent with or without volume expansion by adding CO2.

Abstract: A method of suppressing slag foaming that can grasp a state of slag foaming in the continuous melting furnace and accurately suppress the slag foaming so as to enable continuous production of molten metal in a stable state. This method includes charging of a suppressor into slag in the furnace, measuring a flow rate of a flue gas discharged from the continuous melting furnace during blowing of the slag over time, increasing a charging speed rate of the suppressor if the flue gas flow rate has an increasing tendency and decreasing the charging speed rate of the suppressor if the flue gas flow rate has a decreasing tendency.

Abstract: Devices for re-edging a blade of an ice skate are provided. In some embodiments, these devices include: a handle body; a pair of prongs that is arranged with a V shape at one end of the handle body and that is configured to sharpen the blade; and a honing stone attached to the handle body.

Abstract: A magnetic nail punch includes a proximal end and a distal end. A shoulder is arranged between, the proximal and distal ends and protects the user from injury. Magnetic material is arranged substantially near the distal end to hold a nail during installation of the nail.

Abstract: A shingle removal shovel is disclosed that comprises of a rectangular blade with slots and teeth on its front and back edges. This shingle popper has a special blade structure having elongated protrusions on its bottom side. Said protrusions provide a front and a back pivoting points so that the popper can be properly levered for easy removal of shingles and nails. The present shingle popper also has a slanted top surface to push shingles up while the shovel is moved under the shingle. It also has foot pedestals to allow an operator to use his/her foot to push the blade underneath a shingle.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench for high-torque tightening/loosening which has two separate: the first function provides a manual wrench for performing tightening/loosening approximations; through the blocking of the bearing wrench regarding the piston, the whole set becoming rigid as it was one single body; the second function consists of the hydraulic wrench tool performing high-torque tightening and loosening.

Abstract: A bearing wrench comprising a casing as main support, with at least one piston coupling hole, a synchronizing device, and closing caps, power cylinder, a cylinder thrust spring and a connection screw between the boxes, wherein the synchronizing device with the help of the cylinders exert force on the bolts for the securing thereof and with the advantage of being able to releasing by the same synchronizing device housed in the nut driving wrench which may be hydraulically and manually used.

Abstract: A locking tool is provided that comprises an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the jaws, and the clamping force exerted by the jaws on a workpiece, using the same hand that grips the handles of the tool. A locking tool is also provided where the tool can be locked by moving the handles toward one another. Once locked, the pliers can be unlocked and the jaws opened by squeezing the handles toward one another in the same manner, in the same direction and using the same hand as was done to lock the pliers. As a result the pliers can be locked and unlocked using one-hand and using the same hand movement to both lock and unlock the pliers.

Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.

Abstract: A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.