Abstract: A system and method for capturing a sample gas for analysis is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an accumulator that has a variable volume. A volume of the sample gas is fed to the accumulator. The system also has an analyzer. An aliquot of the sample gas is withdrawn from the accumulator and fed to the analyzer. The analyzer analyzes a desired component of the sample gas.

Abstract: A leak detecting device comprising: a housing with gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one pressure gauge for measuring the gas pressure supplied to the tested system, at least one flow meter for measuring the flow of the gas from the device to the tested system, at least one flow control valve to vary the gas flow through the device, an operating valve for permitting the flow of the gas from the device into the system to be tested. When said device is utilized, the inlet is attached to a pressure generating apparatus, the outlet is attached to the system to be tested, said pressure gauge showing the system testing pressure, and the flow meter indicates the flow of the gas through the device and the system being tested, thereby indicating the existence of any leakage and quantifying the total size of the leakage.

Abstract: A rheometeris disclosed for determining flow characteristics of a fluid. The rheometer comprises a circuit in which the fluid is arranged to flow. The circuit comprises a duct and a plurality of flow elements, each comprising a flow environment arranged in fluid communication with the duct. The flow environment of each element is arranged to convey fluid from an up-stream position to a downstream position of the respective flow element. The rheometer further comprises pressure sensing means arranged to determine fluid pressure at the upstream position and the downstream position of each of the plurality of flow elements. At least two of the plurality of flow elements comprise different flow environments for the fluid such that the rheometer can determine the flow characteristics of the fluid at a particular instant in time.

Abstract: A housing sensor having a semiconductor element for measuring hydrogen concentration in an insulating fluid in equipment having a mounting flange on the equipment providing access to the interior of the equipment provided with a plurality of bolt receiving openings arranged on the mounting flange in a first pattern which includes a first flange having at least one or more openings and an outer periphery. The sensor also includes a tubular housing support member having one end received in one of the openings, a plurality of bolt receiving apertures arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first pattern within the outer periphery of the first flange. The sensor further includes at least one wire receiving opening extending through the housing body, a cover closing an end of the housing body distal from the one end, a first seal disposed between the first flange and the tubular housing support member, a second seal disposed on the first flange for engaging the mounting flange.

Abstract: One aspect of the inventive technology may be generally described as a method for determining test object deformation response that comprises the steps of moving a deformation force deliverer 1 to deliver deformation force 24 to a test object 3; adjusting a deformation force deliverer affecting input so as to meet at least one constraint while performing the step of moving the deformation force deliverer 1; deforming the test object 3 with the deformation force 24; and determining test object response to the deformation force. Corollary apparatus, in addition to other inventive apparatus and method aspects relating variously to test object deformation response determination are part of the inventive technology. Such aspects may relate to the use of a linear actuator 15 in a test object deformation and to identity of motion of a deformation force deliverer 3 and a force deliverer drive component 75, as herein described.

Abstract: The electronic component device includes an electronic component such as a pressure sensor for detecting pressure of fuel injected into an internal combustion engine, an insulating member made of an insulative resin and sealing the electronic component, and a shield member made of a conductive resin and surrounding the insulating member.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus that outputs an electrical signal responding to a physical quantity is provided. The sensor apparatus includes: a housing being screwed to a body and having an insertion hole; an electrical circuit section having an electrical component used for processing the electrical signal, being disposed at an one end side of the housing and integrated with the housing; and a plurality of pins inserted through the electrical circuit section, a first end of the pin being inserted into the insertion hole to be fixed therewith, a second end of the pin being protruded from the electrical circuit section to be capable of engaging with a jig. The jig is used to screw the housing to the body after the housing and the electrical circuit are integrated with each other.

Abstract: A sensor device where a jig is engaged to an engaging part formed in the housing, and the housing is rotated by the jig and screwed into the member to be mounted. A position in the rotating direction of the housing is configured to have a substantially constant position at the time the screw-fixing of the housing and the member to be mounted is completed. A shape of the engaging part when seen along a direction of a rotational axis X of the housing is formed into a non-regular polygon, and the engaging part and a mold IC are shifted and disposed to a side that has a margin in a space in the housing or around the mold IC so that the space around the sensor device is used effectively.

Abstract: A fan coupling device 1 connecting an internal combustion engine 31 to a cooling fan 21 comprises an input shaft 3 driven to rotate by the engine 31, a fluid coupling 12 that transmits torque from the input shaft 3 to the cooling fan 21 via a fluid, and a solenoid valve 13 having a valve main body 18 that adjusts a fluid amount in the fluid coupling 12. A determination as to whether or not the valve main body 18 is stuck in a lifted position on the basis of a rotation speed of the cooling fan 21, is started after the elapse of a predetermined time following output of a signal for returning the valve main body 18 to a closed position, The sticking determination can be performed with a high degree of precision without being affected by variation in the rotation speed of the input shaft 3.

Abstract: A passive RFID transponder sensor system includes a sensor assembly having a focused field transponder antenna with a highly magnetically permeable transponder antenna stem, and a reader antenna with an electrical reader coil generating a magnetic field having magnetic flux extending between the reader antenna and a sensor assembly. The electrical transponder coil and the electrical reader coil are coupled by the magnetic field, so that information can be transferred to and from the sensor assembly through the magnetic field by which the electrical transponder coil and the electrical reader coil are coupled.

Abstract: Apparatus for making measurements in boreholes comprising a sonde having a radial array of arms provided thereon; wherein the sonde is connectable to a cartridge containing electronic circuitry specific to a predetermined measurement to be made in the borehole, each arm is connectable to a sensor pad specific to the predetermined measurement; and the sonde provides electrical connectivity between the sensor pads and the cartridge that is substantially independent of the predetermined measurement.

Abstract: A gear measuring method allows multi-point continuous measurement using a touch probe and is capable of reducing measuring time compared with known methods. For example, a base action for moving a sensing element of a touch probe along an ideal tooth form line of a workpiece (gear; W) or a tooth form line determined by calculation by controlling the movement of the sensing element and the rotation of the workpiece (W) and, in addition, an oscillation action for receiving first signals (ON signals or OFF signals) from the touch probe by bringing the sensing element into contact with the tooth surface of the workpiece during the base action and subsequently for receiving second signals (OFF signals or ON signals) from the touch probe by moving the touch probe in a direction along which the sensing element is separated from the tooth surface of the workpiece are continuously performed.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for detecting wear of a pump are disclosed, which pump is controlled with a frequency converter providing rotational speed and torque estimates, characteristic curves of the pump being known. An exemplary method includes obtaining a value representing the operating point of the pump by measuring the flow (Qact) or the head (Hact) produced by the pump; estimating the operating point of the pump by using a calculation based on the characteristic curves of the pump, the estimated rotational speed (nest) of the pump, and the estimated torque (Test) of the pump; calculating an estimation error from the value representing the operating point and from the estimated operating point; repeating the above steps during the use of the pump; and detecting the wear of the pump from the amplitude of the estimation error.

Abstract: A powder dispenser useable as a golf accessory includes a body of flexible material for housing a quantity of powder and a cap for controlling discharge of the powder. The cap includes an orifice for discharging the powder and a gate controlled by rotating the cap relative to the body to provide selective fluid communication with the powder within the body.

Abstract: A thermal type air flow meter, which detects a flow rate of air flowing in an air passage, includes a sensor portion having a heating element in an air passage, a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit includes a first arm serially connecting a first resistive element and a heater temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of the heating element, a second arm serially connecting a second resistive element and an air temperature detection resistor which detects a temperature of air flowing in the air passage, and a voltage supply unit which supplies first and second voltages respectively to the first and second arms. The voltage supply unit includes a voltage adjusting portion which can adjust at least one of the first and second voltages such that the detection temperature difference between the heater temperature detection resistor and the air temperature detection resistor becomes constant.

Abstract: A rapid response relative humidity sensor based on nano-structured aluminum oxide thin film is disclosed. The main body of the sensor is an anodic aluminum oxide thin film of about 2-20 ?m thick formed from an Al substrate which serves as one electrode. A porous metal layer of about 20-200 nm thick is formed over the anodic aluminum oxide thin film and functions as a second electrode. The alumina thin film contains nano-sized channels of about 10-100 nm in diameter, serving as a capacitive relative humidity sensor having high sensitivity and short response time. Thermal annealing at elevated temperature improves the linearity of the capacitance versus humidity curve, giving a full range humidity sensing range. Hysteresis and degradation are negligible for the humidity sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a housing for a sensor having a semiconductor element for measuring hydrogen concentration in an insulating fluid in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment having a mounting flange on the equipment providing access to the interior of the equipment and provided with a plurality of bolt receiving openings arranged on the mounting flange in a first pattern, which includes a first flange having at least one or more openings for receiving one or more semiconductor hydrogen sensors and an outer periphery, a plurality of bolt receiving apertures arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first pattern within the outer periphery of the first flange, a second flange having a second plurality of bolt receiving apertures arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first pattern within the periphery of the second flange.

Abstract: A sensor module has an electrically conductive part, a first sensor element, and a second sensor element, the first sensor element being situated in a first accommodating area of the conductive part, and the second sensor element being situated in a second accommodating area of the conductive part, and the conductive part furthermore having a bent area situated between the first and the second accommodating areas so that the second accommodating area is oriented at an angle with respect to the first accommodating area.

Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor and a method for operating a yaw-rate sensor having a first Coriolis element and a second Coriolis element are proposed, the yaw-rate sensor having a substrate having a main plane of extension, the yaw-rate sensor having a first drive element for driving the first Coriolis element in parallel to a second axis, the yaw-rate sensor having a second drive element for driving the second Coriolis element in parallel to the second axis, the yaw-rate sensor having detection means for detecting deflections of the first Coriolis element and of the second Coriolis element in parallel to a first axis due to a Coriolis force, the second axis being situated perpendicularly to the first axis, the first and second axis being situated in parallel to the main plane of extension, the first and second drive elements being mechanically coupled to each other via a drive coupling element.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film structure includes a substrate, a silicon oxide film disposed on the substrate, a first aluminum oxide film disposed on the silicon oxide film, a lower electrode layer disposed on the first aluminum oxide film, a piezoelectric film layer disposed on the lower electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer disposed on the piezoelectric film layer.

Abstract: Provided is a pressed workpiece inspection apparatus. A main body of a finger mounted on a palletizer robot that transports a finished workpiece W to a palette includes the following components: two vacuum cups configured to attract the finished workpiece W, a vibrating mechanism configured to vibrate the finished workpiece W, a vibration detection sensor configured to detect a vibrational state of the finished workpiece W caused by the vibrating mechanism, a data logger configured to store and retain a detected signal from the vibration detection sensor, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the detected signal stored and retained in the data logger to an analyzer, and a rechargeable battery configured to drive the vibration detection sensor, the data logger, and the transmitter. The analyzer determines whether or not the finished workpiece W is non-defective, based on the detected signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: A method is provided that enables the identification of a region of a layered composite component that a test signal has passed through. The method comprises applying a label to the test signal as it passes through the region, such that the label applied to the test signal is indicative of the said region. The labelled signal can be identified by a sensor, even if the signal is of low strength and amongst a lot of noise, such as that caused by the multiple reflections and refractions that take place when an acoustic signal passes through a layered composite component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for damping the reflection wave at the open end (6) of a magnetostrictive sensor system, which has at least one magnet device (2), which can be moved relative to a measuring wire (1) that can be deflected mechanically and that experiences a deflection under the influence of a current pulse (3), which deflection can be processed by a signal device (5), wherein the system has at least one damping part (8) lying against the measuring wire (1) at the open end (6), said damping part having a tubular damping element (9), which can be clamped to the measuring wire (1) by means of a sleeve-like enclosure (11).

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring method and an ultrasonic measuring system use or include at least one actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set each consisting of a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor, for measuring the basis weight of an electrode paste, and a calibration ultrasonic sensor set consisting of a pair of first calibration ultrasonic sensor and second calibration ultrasonic sensor. The calibration ultrasonic sensor set performs calibration during measurement of the thickness of the electrode paste, and the actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set calculates the basis weight of the electrode paste, using a measurement condition value obtained by the calibration ultrasonic sensor set.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitting and receiving device is provided for measuring the transmission and/or reflection of ultrasonic waves on a thin material sheet, in particular on a foil sheet. The device may include a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters, a plurality of ultrasonic receivers, wherein the number of the ultrasonic transmitters corresponds to the number of the ultrasonic receivers, and one receiver electronics respectively for each of the ultrasonic receivers or each a group receiver electronics respectively for a predetermined number of ultrasonic receivers. A method is provided for ultrasonic absorption and/or transmission measurement, in which signals are emitted by multiple ultrasonic transmitters at the same time or nearly at the same time which are received by ultrasonic receivers and in which the received signals are evaluated in parallel.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing optical seismometers that detect seismic information based on optical interferometry. In one aspect, a device includes a first retroreflector attached to a mass of a seismometer, a second retroreflector attached to a member of a frame of the seismometer, the frame structured to suspend the mass, and optical components attached to the member of the frame and configured with the first and second retroreflectors to form an interferometer, in which a change in position of the mass is identified by detecting by a change in an optical path of a light beam generated by a light energy source transmitted to the interferometer.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure gauge which enables swinging and rotation with respect to a pressure gauge body capable of visually confirming the pressure indication of pressure to be measured. A tubular pressure introduction section 6 through which the pressure to be measured is introduced into the inside is inserted in a pressure introduction port 21 and adapted to be rotatable with respect to a pressure gauge body 2 capable of visually confirming the pressure indication of the pressure to be measured, enabling swinging. A rotating cap 11 rotatable in a circumferential direction is also adapted to be rotatable with respect to this pressure gauge body 2, which can rotate together with a liquid crystal indicator 100 on a substrate 10 attached to the rotating cap 11.

Abstract: A separating membrane for use particularly in pressure sensors, for separating between a process fluid and a pressure-transferring hydraulic oil, is described. The separating membrane is in the form of a thin foil covering an opening into a volume containing the oil, with the foil being fastened to the edges of the opening, and is characterized in that the separating membrane is fastened at the edges of the opening in such a manner that it, in at least one region of its area, exhibits a transition from a concave to convex bulging, whereby the membrane is able to accommodate a volume change of the oil through a non-energy requiring translation of the transition(s). Also described are a method of manufacturing the separating membrane as well as a pressure sensor comprising the separating membrane.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device has a sensor detecting pressure of a gas that is introduced from the outside, a heater for heating the sensor, a package containing the sensor and the heater, a circuit portion producing an output signal that represents the pressure of the gas based on the detection output detected by the sensor, and a circuit containing portion containing the circuit portion. The package and the circuit containing portion are structured from separate cases and are disposed separately with a connecting structural member interposed therebetween. The connecting structural member 90 includes electrode lead pins connecting between the sensor within the package and the circuit portion within the circuit containing portion, insulated pipes for covering the outer peripheries of the electrode lead pins, and coil springs covering the outer peripheries of the insulated pipes.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a supporting body which has an opening; a pressure detecting portion which includes a supporting film provided on the supporting body and having a diaphragm portion closing the opening, and a piezoelectric body provided on the diaphragm portion and deflecting to output an electric signal; a frame body which has, on the pressure detecting portion, a cylindrical cavity along a film thickness direction of the supporting film, and is formed, in plan view when viewed from the film thickness direction of the supporting film, at a position where a cylindrical inner peripheral wall of the cavity overlaps with the opening, or outside of the opening; a sealing film which closes the frame body; and a silicone oil which is filled in an inner space formed of the cylindrical inner peripheral wall of the cavity, the sealing film, and the pressure detecting portion.

Abstract: An absolute capacitive micro pressure sensor including a pressure sensor element with a mechanically fixed electrode and a deflectable pressure sensor membrane separated from the fixed electrode by a predetermined distance. A packaging defining a chamber is formed by a cover assembled to a base plate with an opening defined therein. The chamber is filed with a fluid and/or a gas at substantially constant pressure. Within, the chamber, the pressure sensor element is mounted to the base plate to define an open cavity therebetween substantially aligned with the opening defined in the base plate. A gel is disposed in the open cavity in contact with an exposed surface of the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A piezoresistive sensor device and method for making the same are disclosed. The device comprises a silicon wafer having piezoresistive elements and contacts in electrical communication with the elements. The device further comprises a contact glass coupled to the silicon wafer and having apertures aligned with the contacts. The device also comprises a non-conductive frit for mounting the contact glass to a header glass, and a conductive non-lead glass frit disposed in the apertures and in electrical communication with the contacts. The method for making the device comprises bonding a contact glass to a silicon wafer such that apertures in the glass line up with contacts on the wafer, and filling the apertures with a non-lead glass frit such that the frit is in electrical communication with the contacts. The use of a lead free glass frit prevents catastrophic failure of the device in ultra high temperature applications.

Abstract: A strain gage includes a strain sensitive element; and a temperature compensation element, wherein the strain sensitive element and temperature compensation element are monolithically formed. A method of manufacturing the strain gage includes: exposing and developing a strain sensitive element pattern and the temperature compensation element pattern; and etching the strain sensitive element pattern and the temperature compensation element pattern.

Abstract: A tension testing device for use in a tension test for evaluating the strength of bond between a body and a pin of an electronic device includes a base, a tensiometer, a hanger, and a clamp. The base includes a supporting member and a carrying member, wherein the tensiometer is carried by the carrying member and includes a pulling portion. The hanger is coupled to the pulling portion for underpinning the body and project the pin in the direction of the base. The clamp is disposed on the base, positioned beside the hanger, for clamping the pin. The tension testing device protects the electronic device against test-induced deformation, dispenses with an intricate step of the welding and unwelding of the pin and a test lead, precludes a tension test-induced component of force, manifests ease of use, ensures test stability, and enhances test efficiency and reliability.

Abstract: A method of testing metal samples is provided to simulate stretch flanging of trimmed surfaces. A sample having planar sides and a sidewall extending between the planar sides is placed in a fixture so that the planar sides are confined. The sidewall of the sample is bent about a curved surface while restricting buckling out of a planar area. One testing machine is disclosed in which a test specimen is clamped in a die with a nesting slot while a punch bends a sample against a forming surface that has a radius. In another testing machine, a mandrel and clamping element engage the planar sides of the sample while first and second bending members engage first and second end portions to bend one of the sidewalls of the sample about the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and system for electroless nickel plating of fluid flow measurement components used in oil and gas pipelines provides uniformly and consistently plating of all surfaces of the fluid flow components, including flow conditioners, with an electroless nickel plating that imparts the component with desirable characteristics related to hardness, smoothness, wear and abrasion resistance, and corrosion and oxidation resistance, such that the build up of contaminant deposits on the component is reduced and repeatable and accurately fluid flow measurements can be made.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filter inspection method which is excellent in sensitivity to detect defects of a filter and in operation efficiency. The filter inspection method includes a humidifying step of exposing a porous filter to moisture-containing air; and a detecting step of introducing water particles into the filter in a wet state through the humidifying step, to detect the water particles which pass through and flow out of the filter, thereby detecting defects of the filter.

Abstract: A flow meter is disclosed having a meter body that is enveloped by a compliant shroud that protects transducers and transducer cables. The shroud forms a chamber between the shroud and meter body, and includes a releasable portion to allow access into the chamber.

Abstract: Provided are multiple normal stress detection sensor units capable of detecting a normal stress, and a sheet layer portion. The sheet layer portion includes an exterior sheet layer portion, a force detection sheet layer portion incorporating normal stress detection units, and an intermediary layer sandwiched between the exterior sheet layer portion and the force detection sheet layer portion. The exterior sheet layer portion and the force detection sheet layer portion include multiple protrusions protruding in directions opposed to each other, and are disposed such that the protrusions engage each other with the intermediary layer interposed therebetween. Each normal stress detection sensor unit includes a central portion detection sensor device disposed immediately below a central portion of the protrusion provided on the force detection sheet portion, and at least two edge detection sensor devices disposed immediately below edge portions of the protrusion provided on the force detection sheet portion.

Abstract: An implantable active pressure transducer including a pressure sensing element and associated sensor circuitry together enclosed within an innermost glass packaging. The pressure sensing element is anodically bonded to the innermost packaging substantially aligned with an opening defined therein. An outermost biocornpatible metal packaging forms a cavity divided into first and second chambers by an intermediate partition. The innermost packaging is disposed within the first chamber without physically directly contacting or being fixed to the outermost packaging. A barrier plate is hermetically sealed to the intermediate partition to hermetically isolate the battery and communication circuitry from a pressure transmitting fluid. Inductive coupling is used to communicate data detected by the pressure sensing element internally within the implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a collision of a displaceable furniture part and an obstacle, comprising a controller (5) for a drive device for the displaceable furniture part, and a sensor (20) having a first sensor range (21) and a second sensor range (22), wherein a force and/or a relative motion arising between the first and second sensor parts (21, 22) can be detected.

Abstract: A clamping force sensor assembly for a transformer includes at least one sensor disposed within a casing. The design and configuration of the sensor assembly is such that it accurately measures clamping force values placed on the windings, without adversely impacting the operation of the transformer and with the ability to continue operating under electrical and thermal changes within the transformer. The sensor assembly can include loading members that distribute the pressure evenly over the casing that contains the sensor. The output of the sensor can indicate to an operator the extent of pressure changes experienced by the transformer windings. The output can be coupled with a process by which the damage to or the possibility of failure of the transformer is readily evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection.

Abstract: A material sorting system is disclosed. The system has an electrical charge device arranged to produce electrical charging conditions for substantially all particles of a material sample such that an electrical charge at least partially dependent on particle capacitance is imparted to one or more particles, and a particle delivery device operably connected to the electrical charge device and arranged to cause the one or more particles to move along a flowpath. The system also has a deflection device arranged to cause each particle to deviate from the flowpath an amount at least partially dependent on the electrical charge imparted to the particle, and a collection device in fluid communication with the deflection device. The collection device is arranged to collect the one or more particles at one or more locations corresponding to the amount of deviation of the one or more particles from the flowpath. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and its possible embodiments are presented for collecting airborne biological and non-biological agents and concentrating them into small amounts of liquid. Airborne particles are drawn into the sampler and by the action of an electrostatic field are deposited on the collection electrode covered with superhydrophobic substance (surface contact angle >150°). At the end of the sampling period a small liquid droplet (5-60 ?L) is injected at the top of the sampling chamber. Since the sampler is positioned at an angle to the horizontal, the droplet rolls-off of collection electrode's surface under the force of gravity and removes the deposited particles. The droplet is then collected by a liquid capture system. The particles concentrated in such small amounts of liquid facilitate sample analysis by various techniques. The suggested sampler's embodiments achieve sample concentration rates higher than 1×106/min which will allow detection of very low particle concentrations.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor is disclosed and comprises a vertical array of a plurality of impactor stages, and a vertical array of isolation stages, wherein the vertical array of the isolation stages comprises pairs of isolation stages between which impactor plates, removed from respective ones of the impactor stages are effectively sandwiched between each pair of isolation stages. Still further, each compactor stage is likewise sandwiched between and upper and a lower pair of the isolation stages.

Abstract: A system for sampling a fluid includes a conduit having an inner surface with a substantially constant, unobstructed diameter between upstream and downstream points. A sample line having an inlet and outlet provides fluid communication outside of the conduit. An inlet port in the sample line is radially inward from the upstream point and faces substantially upstream inside the conduit. A sensor is in fluid communication with the sample line. A method for sampling a fluid includes providing fluid communication through a sample line to a conduit having an inner surface with a substantially constant, unobstructed diameter between upstream and downstream points, wherein the sample line has an inlet port radially inward from an upstream point and facing substantially upstream inside the conduit. The method further includes flowing at least a portion of the fluid through a sensor in fluid communication with the sample line.

Abstract: An inhalation simulation system is provided for use with inhalers in particular breath-powered dry powder inhalers. The simulation system can recreate a patient's inhalation profile obtained with an inhaler adapted with a sensing and monitoring device for the detection of characteristic signals generated from the inhaler in use, which signals are transmitted to a computer with an algorithm which is configured to analyze the signals and generate new signals via a transmitter to actuate the inhalation simulation system component parts so that a subject's inhalation profile is replicated simultaneously or in real-time, or stored for later use. Methods of measuring the performance of inhalers are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor with aging function is provided wherein installation space for an apparatus to perform an aging process and the number of apparatuses can be reduced which enables easy and reliable aging processes and can improve measuring accuracy and enhance measuring reliability of the sensor. The sensor with aging function 10 is attached, through a bonding agent 15, to a high temperature measuring object 14, comprising a block body 12 constructed by integrally forming a sensor main body 11 and an electric heater 13 disposed in a manner to be close to the sensor main body 11 using a molding process, wherein a bonding surface on which the bonding agent 15 is applied is formed on the measuring object 14 side of the block body 12.

Abstract: A sensor and bonding agent for the sensor wherein thickness of the bonding agent interposed between the sensor and measuring object can be kept uniform to maintain uniform bonding force of the bonding agent and a peeling phenomenon of the bonding agent occurring due to a difference in thermal expansion between the measuring object and bonding agent and/or between the bonding agent and the sensor can be prevented. The sensor is attached, through the bonding agent, to a high-temperature measuring object, include a sensor main body having a detecting section, a block body constructed by integrally forming the sensor main body using a molding process. The block body is made of a ceramic-based bonding material that the same as a material forming the bonding agent and, on a side of the measuring object of the block body, a bonding surface of the bonding agent is formed.