Abstract: A turbo compressor includes a first impeller and a second impeller, which are spaced apart at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction of an axis and are fixed such that their backs face each other, in a rotation shaft which is rotatably supported around the axis. Two angular contact ball bearings are provided between the first impeller and the second impeller to rotatably support the rotation shaft around the axis. The two angular contact ball bearings are combined such that their fronts face each other. According to this turbo compressor, robustness can be improved against the inclination of the rotation shaft, any damage of the bearings can be prevented, and the lifespan thereof can be extended.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane is turnably installed about an axis line at a suction port into which a fluid is drawn by rotation of an impeller in order to adjust a suction amount and flow direction of the fluid, the inlet guide vane, and includes: a shaft that is turnably supported by inserting a round bar-shaped shaft main body portion thereof in a bearing sleeve; and a plate-shaped vane main body that is joined with the shaft and projects from an inner periphery surface of the suction port to a central portion of the suction port, the shaft including a flange portion that is provided at a distal end side in a direction of the axis line to join with the vane main body and that extends to an outside in a direction perpendicular to the axis line so as to be extended outward in a radial direction of the bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid machine (10) includes: a closed casing (11) having an oil reservoir (16) in its bottom portion; a main compression mechanism (3) supplied with oil contained in an upper portion (16a) of the oil reservoir; a rotation motor (8); a main compression mechanism side shaft (38) for coupling the main compression mechanism (3) and the rotation motor (8); a mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) disposed below the upper portion (16a) and recovering mechanical power from a working fluid; a sub-compression mechanism (2) disposed below the upper portion (16a); a mechanical power recovery shaft (16) for coupling the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) and the sub-compression mechanism (2); and a heat-insulating structure (80) located between the upper portion (16a) and the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) and restricting flow of oil between the upper portion (16a) of the oil reservoir (16) and a lower portion (16b) of the oil reservoir in which the mechanical power recovery mechanism (5) is provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration system that includes at least one semi-closed air-refrigerated chamber and an air-cycle refrigeration loop for drawing air from the refrigerated chamber(s), cools the air, and returns the now-cooled air to the refrigerated chamber(s). The refrigeration loop includes various compression, expansion and heat transfer stages for cooling the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s). The air within the refrigerated chamber and air infiltrating into the refrigerated chamber(s) will typically contain moisture. A positive-pressure cyclone separator located between a final expansion stage and the refrigerated chamber(s) removes snow created in the final expansion stage due to moisture in the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s).

Abstract: A jewelry ring and associated method includes a shank, and a cross member having ornamental elements which is received by the shank. The shank has two upwardly directed slots which accept the cross member and allow it to slide upward toward the ends of the shank. When the ring is worn the finger holds the cross member in the slots of the shank. The cross member includes ornamental elements which rotate around a rod. End members on the rod retain the ornamental elements, and prevent the rod from sliding transversely through the slots in the shank.

Abstract: Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.

Abstract: A method of strengthening glass plate is provided. A plasma treating process is performed on a glass plate so that a surface pore variation of the glass plate after the plasma treating process is reduced relative to the surface pore variation of the glass plate before the plasma treating process, wherein the surface pore variation is a variation degree of surface pores in different unit areas of the glass plate. In the mean time, a melted network crosslinking structure is formed on the surface of the glass plate. Based on the above-mentioned mechanisms, the glass plate is strengthened. The plasma treating process is conducive to strengthen the glass plate whether the plasma treating process is performed before or after the conventional chemical strengthening process.

Abstract: A laser assisted frit sealing method is described herein that is used to manufacture a glass package having a first glass plate (with a relatively high CTE of about 80-90×10?7° C.?1), a second glass plate, and a frit (with a CTE that is at least about 35×10?7° C.?1), where the frit forms a seal (e.g., hermetic seal) which connects the first glass plate to the second glass plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for glass substrate molding, which enables to produce a glass substrate having high flatness by a method for producing a glass substrate through press molding of molten glass. Also disclosed is a method for producing a glass substrate by using such a mold. Specifically disclosed is a mold comprising a lower mold having a first molding surface for pressing a molten glass supplied thereto, and an upper mold having a second molding surface for pressing the molten glass against the first molding surface. In the first molding surface, the surface roughness Ra of the peripheral portion which is in contact with the molten glass after pressing is higher than the surface roughness Ra of the central portion which is in contact with the molten glass before pressing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass substrate by a fusion process includes flowing fused glass into a fusion pipe, and gradually cooling and solidifying the fused glass by allowing the glass to flow downward from the fusion pipe. An asperity is formed on a surface of the glass substrate by fastening and pressing the glass toward a direction of thickness of the glass with a pair of transfer rollers while the glass is flowing down from the fusion pipe.

Abstract: Methods of producing a glass sheet comprise the step of fusion drawing a glass ribbon along a draw direction into a viscous zone downstream from a root of a forming wedge. The method further includes the steps of drawing the glass ribbon into a setting zone downstream from the viscous zone and an elastic zone downstream from the setting zone. The method also includes the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone. The method still further includes the steps of forming a score line along the lateral portion of the glass ribbon and breaking away a glass sheet from the glass ribbon along the score line while the entire lateral portion is forced against the anvil portion by the vacuum.

Abstract: A method of cutting glass that prevents uncontrolled crack propagation when high background stress is present, either in the form of thermal residual stress, external mechanical stress or a combination thereof. The method includes masking an edge of the glass by blocking the beam using highly reflective or absorptive material located near the glass surface, or deposited on the surface in a form of a thin film (or highly reflective paint) to prevent uncontrolled crack initiation and propagation starting from the glass edge. The initiation of the laser scoring is located at a predetermined distance from the glass edge. Yet another aspect of the invention embodies stopping propagation of the vent at the exiting end of the score line.

Abstract: Simple and small-sized equipment which continuously afford alternate twists to an optical fiber and a method using the apparatus are provided. The equipment includes: a guide roller for causing the fiber to roll; a roller supporting member for holding the roller in a manner allowing the roller to freely turn about an axial center X; and a driving unit to cause the roller to oscillate by making the supporting member to turn about an axial center Y that is inclined relative to the axial center X. The method includes: arranging a guide roller to intersect the fiber, the roller being held by a roller supporting member to freely turn about an axial center X; oscillating the roller by driving the supporting member to revolve about the axial center Y which is inclined relative to the axis center X; and causing the fiber to roll to afford alternate twists to the fiber.

Abstract: A known method for producing synthetic quartz glass comprises the method steps: (a) forming a cylindrical SiO2 soot body having an inner portion and at least one free cylinder jacket surface surrounding the inner portion; (b) thermally drying the porous soot body; and (c) vitrifying the dried soot body with formation of the cylinder from synthetic quartz glass.

Abstract: To provide a method for the inexpensive manufacture of a deposition burner with small manufacturing tolerances for use in the synthesis of quartz glass, and wherein moreover, when the deposition burner is used as intended, the risk of contamination of the quartz glass to be produced is low, the invention suggests the following method steps: (a) providing a start cylinder of quartz glass (40) which is mechanically provided with longitudinal bores (46, 47); (b) elongating the start cylinder with formation of a burner strand (42), the longitudinal bores being shaped as elongated channels extending in parallel with one another; (c) cutting the burner strand into pieces in the form of cylindrical quartz glass blocks (43), each being provided with passage lines extending in parallel with a central axis of the quartz glass block; and (d) manufacturing the deposition burner by using a respective one of such quartz glass blocks as burner head which has a proximal end and a distal end, the passage lines serving the sup

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for men's socks comprises a cylinder, cylinder needles, movement devices of the cylinder needles, sinkers (12), movement devices of the sinkers, a dial (14), a dial shaft, dial needles (18) mechanisms for moving the dial needles, selector mechanism able to selectively move the dial needles, a yarn-finger, dial needle selector mechanisms. The dial needle selector mechanisms comprise selector rods (30) limited in both directions radially to the respective dial needles.

Abstract: A motor controller includes a power converter energizing a motor based on a commutation signal, the motor including a rotor provided with a permanent magnet and a coil-wound stator; an estimator estimating rotor rotational speed and rotational position; a controller outputting the commutation signal to the power converter, the commutation signal taking a predetermined energization pattern based on a command rotational speed during startup, and being outputted based on the rotational position estimated by the estimator during position estimation; a current detector detecting current flowing in the coil winding; an input power calculator calculating input power of the motor by voltage applied to the coil winding and the current detected by the current detector; an output power calculator calculating output power of the motor by the rotational speed estimate; and a rotational abnormality determiner determining occurrence of rotational abnormality based on comparison of the input power with the output power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container lock, a method for locking a container with at least one door (2), and a container provided with a lock, said door (2) having a first frame edge portion (4), and said container having a second frame edge portion (5) positioned adjacent to said first frame edge portion (4) in a closed position of the door, wherein said container lock comprises: an interior blocking portion (6), having a body (20) adapted to extend over said first and second frame edge portions (4, 5), and an engaging abutment (7, 47, 87, 107) and an extension portion (8, 88, 108) extending out from said body (20) so that, when said interior portion (6) is arranged on the inside of said second frame edge portion (5), said engaging abutment (7, 47, 87, 107) and extension portion (8, 88, 108) provide interacting engagement of opposite side surfaces of said second frame edge portion (5), and said extension portion (8, 88, 108) extends from the interior of the container to the exterior of the container,

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock housing, a U-shaped lock hoop and a lock cylinder in order selectively to lock the lock hoop to the lock housing, wherein the lock cylinder has a cylinder axis and is secured to the lock housing by means of a securing element. The securing element is displaceably supported at the lock cylinder and is resiliently supported transversely to the cylinder axis, wherein the securing element engages into a securing opening at an inner side of the lock housing to secure the lock cylinder to the lock housing.

Abstract: A handle assembly, includes, but is not limited to a handle on one side of a vehicle tailgate liftglass. The handle is connected to a shaft member that passes through a hole in the liftglass. A motor pivots the assembly into either a closed position, in which the handle lies adjacent to the liftglass, or an open position, FIG. 2, in which a gap is left between the handle and the liftglass into which the user may place his hand in order to pull the handle or push the liftglass. Preferably there is a resilient element between the motor and the handle.

Abstract: A tamperproof power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate latch handle. The lock includes a power actuator, a rotating crank, a connecting rod and a lock bolt that locks the tailgate handle. The linear output motion of the actuator is transferred into rotation of the crank that is limited to rotate between two stops. An over center spring or friction keeps the crank or the lock bolt in either of the two stop positions. The rotation of the crank is transferred into linear motion of the locking bolt by the connecting rod. In the locked position the crank is up against one of the stops and the connecting rod past dead center. As a result the locking bolt cannot be pushed back forcibly in an attempt to defeat the lock.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a crank arm in a crank-arm press with a curved tool at the end of the crank arm being constrained to move so the curved tool makes rolling contact across a flat, stationary substrate. The crankshaft rotates about an axis, the crank arm is rotatably mounted at one end to the crankshaft, a curved tool is mounted at the other end of the crank arm, a line on the surface of the curved tool and parallel to the crankshaft axis of rotation is constrained to move perpendicular to a plane while the curved tool is in rolling contact with the substrate, said plane being the plane of the flat stationary substrate, the radius of curvature of the curved tool being greater than the length of the crank arm; and with the radius of the curved tool, the length of the crank arm, and the eccentric radius of rotation of the crankshaft being selected to maintain the contact line of the curved tool in the substrate plane during the rolling contact.

Abstract: A transfer turret assembly is provided for transferring can bodies between process stations in a can necking machine. The transfer turret assembly includes a rotatable transfer starwheel. A plurality of pockets is formed in the starwheel that can each receive a can body. The turret assembly includes a vacuum assembly having a first zone that is under vacuum and a second zone separated from the first region by a boundary. The first zone vacuum retention force to vacuum ports formed in the pockets to retain the can bodies within the pockets. The boundary between the first zone and the second zone is adjustable to correspondingly adjust the vacuum retention force according to desired starwheel rotation speed.

Abstract: A starting material to be extruded made of a high alloy comprising, in mass %, Cr: 20 to 30% and Ni: more than 22% and 60% or less is heated to a temperature predetermined according to the contents of Mo and W and is subjected to a hot-extrusion process, the heating temperature T (° C.) satisfying a relationship of Formula (1), (2), or (3), which is expressed in terms of the average cross-sectional area A (mm2) of the starting material to be extruded, the extrusion ratio EL (?), and the extrusion speed V (mm/s). As a result, a high-alloy seamless tube can be produced without generating cracking and/or seam flaws. When 0%?Mo+0.5W<4%: T?1343?0.001322×A?1.059×EL?0.129×V??(1) When 4%?Mo+0.5W<7%: T?1316?0.001322×A?1.059×EL?0.129×V??(2) When 7%?Mo+0.5W: T?1289?0.001322×A?1.059×EL?0.

Abstract: A method of producing an ultrathin-wall metal tube by a cold drawing method includes a diameter-expanding drawing method, in which an entry solid die, the diameter of which increases, remains constant or decreases from the engaging entry side toward the finishing exit side, and a delivery solid die, the diameter of which decreases at least in the vicinity of the engaging entry, are arranged in series and in an abutting relation on the same pass line. A tapered plug, the diameter of which increases from the engaging entry side toward the finishing exit side, floats along the pass line, whereby in the entry solid die region, the wall thickness is reduced while the mid-wall diameter of a hollow shell is being expanded between the solid die and the plug, and in the delivery solid die region, the tapered plug floats by performing reduction working of the outside diameter.

Abstract: A mechanical arrangement for processing sheet metal includes a sheet metal processing device, a transport device configured to position a sheet metal workpiece relative to the sheet metal processing device, the transport device including at least one workpiece carrier that is movable along a transport path that extends along a first transport line and a second transport line, and at least two X-guides and at least two Y-guides, the X-guides arranged parallel with the first transport line and the Y-guides arranged parallel with the second transport line. The at least two X-guides and the at least two Y-guides are configured to be coupled to each other by a transfer device to form a transport course, the workpiece carrier circulates along the X-guides and the Y-guides, and the transfer device is configured to move the workpiece carrier from one of the X-guides to one of the Y-guides.

Abstract: A device and method for forming notches in tubes or other parts includes a roller that travels along a non-linear path. The roller may include a component of motion away from the part to reduce bulging or other deformations in an outer surface of the part that could otherwise result from a straight roller path.

Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, while gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bending press or “press brake” for bending metal sheets, wherein the press includes at least one linking rod, which rod is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the movement direction, having one end that is fastened to the deformable portion of the second table and having its other end fastened to the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of dents from wind turbine masts uses a dent pushing tool. The dent pushing tool includes a self aligning ram assembly with a central ram cylinder and removable adjustable length arms. At the end of one arm is a curved base. At the end of the other arm is a dent pusher plate. Removal of the dent is caused by extension of the central ram cylinder.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a housing defining an inner chamber and a central opening for insertion and removal of product. A plurality of elongated compression dies are movably mounted for reciprocal movement within the inner chamber and define a central product receiving cavity coaxial with the axis of the central opening. Cam followers are affixed to the dies. First cam surfaces are affixed relative to the housing and second cam surfaces are movably mounted relative to the housing. Each cam follower engages a first cam surface to define a first position control constraint, and a second cam surface to define a second position control constraint. Each die has a position relative to each adjacent die and the coaxial central cavity that is controlled by the first position control constraint and the second position control constraint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crimping pliers designed and arranged for manually crimping a work piece. Such crimping pliers comprise two manually operated hand levers coupled by a transfer mechanism with two crimping jaws. A closing mechanism is designed and arranged for being operated independent on said hand levers. Upon activation of the closing mechanism the crimping jaws are moved from an open state in a partial movement in a further closed starting state. The crimping jaws are secured in the starting state against returning into said open state. Starting from said starting state the crimping jaws are movable in an additional partial movement towards each other upon manipulation of the hand levers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulically driven pressing device (1) comprising a piston (5) and a cylinder (4) for acting on pressing jaws (8, 8?, 8?), wherein the piston shaft (11) at any rate is connected to acting means (12). To further improve a pressing device of the type in question such that the same device can be used to carry out pressing operations requiring different levels of pressing power, it is proposed that an adjustable stop (33) be provided in the direction of displacement of the hydraulic piston (5) in order to achieve different end positions for the hydraulic piston (5) during the piston return stroke. A method of pressing a fitting with a tube is also described.

Abstract: A method for testing a pressure sensor having a first node and a second node includes coupling the first node to a first input of an amplifier and coupling a reference voltage to a second input of the amplifier; applying a transfer function to an output of the amplifier to provide a first output voltage that is based on a difference in voltage between the first node and the reference voltage; coupling the reference voltage to the first input and coupling the second node to the second input; obtaining a second output voltage at the output of the amplifier; and determining, based on the first and second output voltages, whether the pressure sensor passed or failed. During normal operation, the first node is coupled to the first input and the second node to the second input, and a second transfer function is applied to the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A system for determining a setpoint associated with a position of a pedal in an automobile of type that includes two sensors each measuring a value associated with the pedal position. The system includes a mechanism capable of switching between a first and second state on a predetermined switching position of the pedal, and a mechanism generating the setpoint on the basis of the measures from the two sensors and of a current state of the switching mechanism. The generation mechanism is capable of selecting the measure corresponding to the smallest of the pedal positions when the switching mechanism is in the first state, and selecting the measure corresponding to the largest of the pedal positions when the switching mechanism is in the second state.

Abstract: A system for remote detection of a chemical is disclosed. The system includes a sample collection module that collects a sample and produces a sample vapor at a first location; a sample delivery module that delivers the sample vapor from the first location to a second location; a sample storage and concentration module that collects the sample vapor at the second location; and a sample analysis module that analyzes the sample collected in the sample storage and concentration module.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a transport and storage system for a slurry comprising: a main container; and a test container, the main container and the test container being exposed to the same environmental conditions, the main container and the test container containing a slurry from the same batch, wherein the test container is designed to determine the viscosity of the slurry.

Abstract: A procedure and device for diagnosing the increasing speed and the dead time of an exhaust gas probe includes carrying out the diagnosis by comparing a modeled and a measured signal after a default change of a fuel air ratio of an air fuel mixture that is supplied to a combustion engine. The signal is an output signal of the exhaust gas probe or a modeled or measured signal that is derived from the output signal. The device for diagnosing the velocity and the dead time of an exhaust gas probe also includes a comparing unit for comparing the modeled signal with the measured signal for diagnosing the velocity and the dead time of the exhaust gas probe after a default change of a fuel air ratio of an air fuel mixture that is supplied to the combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for indicating a malfunctioning catalyst in a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system including an aftertreatment device utilizing a catalyst to convert NOx includes monitoring a NOx content entering the aftertreatment system, monitoring a NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, determining an actual conversion efficiency based upon the NOx content entering the aftertreatment system and the NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, monitoring factors affecting conversion efficiency within the aftertreatment device, determining a malfunction conversion efficiency indicative of the malfunctioning catalyst based upon the factors affecting conversion efficiency within the aftertreatment device, and indicating the malfunctioning catalyst based upon comparing the actual conversion efficiency to the malfunction conversion efficiency.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus includes: an air/fuel ratio control portion that performs a control of fluctuating the air/fuel ratio; a data acquisition portion that acquires, as data for detecting abnormality, a responsiveness parameter while output of the air/fuel ratio sensor changes between rich and lean peaks during the control; an abnormality determination portion that determines presence/absence of abnormality of the sensor by using the data; and a distribution width determination portion that finds a distribution width of the data acquired by performing a plurality of acquisitions of the data, in an increase/decrease direction of the data. On the basis of comparison between the distribution width and an abnormality criterion value, the abnormality determination portion determines that the sensor has abnormality if the distribution width is less than the criterion value, and determines that the sensor does not have abnormality if the distribution width is not less than the criterion value.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus includes: an air/fuel ratio control portion that controls of fluctuating the air/fuel ratio; a data acquisition portion that acquires a responsiveness parameter during change of output of the sensor between rich and lean peaks; and a abnormality determination portion that when the number of acquisitions reaches or exceeds a first set number, the presence/absence of sensor abnormality based on the average value and the criterion-value is determined, if the average value is not in a pending region; however, if the average value is in the pending region, the data acquisition is performed until the number of acquisitions performed during a large-amount-of-intake-air state of the engine reaches a second set number, and the presence/absence of sensor abnormality based on the average value of the data acquired by the second set number of acquisitions and the criterion-value is determined.

Abstract: A method for monitoring performance test stands having at least one load assembly, which is coupled to a test subject, such as an internal combustion engine, vehicle drive, or drive train, includes ascertaining multiple, possibly derived parameters, which characterize the current state of the test stand, and evaluating them automatically in regard to the stability of the operating state of the test stand. In order to allow reliable cognition of instabilities in performance test stands of greatly varying configurations in the typical control modes and the reliable online monitoring of the stability of the control circuits on performance test stands in real time with CPU use which conserves resources as much as possible, the standardized parameters are weighted and consolidated into a single index which is characteristic for the current state, and this index is provided for the display and/or as a control variable for the real-time test stand controller.

Abstract: A component having an acceleration sensor having at least one freely oscillatory mass, and a resonator having at least one resonating structure, in which the at least one freely oscillatory mass of the acceleration sensor and the at least one resonating structure of the resonator are disposed on and/or in one chip. A corresponding production method for a component is also described.

Abstract: A system and method facilitates the analysis and sampling of well fluid. A sampling and data collection device is used to detect well fluid properties in situ at a flowline installation. In an exemplary embodiment, the sampling and data collection device comprises a sample collection system having a probe adapted to selectively insert into and selectively retract from the flowline to collect a fluid sample, and a sensor system to determine PVT data in situ at the location where the probe is inserted into the flowline.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for preventing damage to a device as the result of a free fall. First a free fall of the device is identified, and a measure is then taken to protect the device from damage. The free fall is identified by detecting the ambient pressure. The device may have a hard disk in which the write/read head of the hard disk is parked and/or locked when the free fall is identified.

Abstract: A device and method for arranging a housing in a specified position relative to a reference object. For positioning and/or aligning a housing with respect to a reference object, a detachable positioning element is constructed on the housing. The positioning element comprises at least one stop element that is brought into contact with the reference object. The positioning element also comprises a carrier arm that connects the housing and the stop element, wherein the connection of the carrier arm to the housing is designed as a fracture point. After mounting the housing in the desired position, the positioning element is separated from the housing.

Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure sensor that uses a protective gel to protect the piezoresistive device is susceptible to lead wire failure by vibration-induced waves in the protective gel. Such waves can be reduced and the device made more robust by the use of three-dimensional structures in the gel, which are configured to reduce and/or re-direct vibration-induced pressure waves in the gel. The structures are referred to as “breakwaters” in that they protect lead wires and lead wire connections from wave fronts and the damage that wave-induced pressure on the lead wires causes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring acoustic emissions from machinery using one or more acoustic sensing devices each mounted to respective mounting regions of the machinery to expose them to progogating sound waves. Detection signals corresponding to the sound waves are transmitted to measuring instrumentation for display, as desired.

Abstract: Depth ambiguity artifact is addressed. The pulse repetition interval is periodically varied. This jitter in the interval causes variance in the artifact while maintaining actual tissue or signal. The variation of the artifact may be visually detected or automatically detected and reduced, such as by removal. By removing the information associated with the variation of the artifact, the constant or maintained information may be presented with fewer artifacts. The variation may result in greater blurring of the artifact thereby reducing the artifact.

Abstract: The bands and corners of rectangular or other geometric shapes for binary code symbols are used to measure non-linear and non-uniform strain in a material with an anomaly such as a crack in the area of strain measurement. In particular, they can be used to evaluate differential strains in the regions of the bands and corners; and the external and internal boundaries can be used to measure differentials in strain between the external boundaries and internal boundaries.