Abstract: A shape measuring apparatus includes: an image pick-up section that captures an image of two reflection spot groups of a pattern reflected in a first surface M1 and a second surface of a transparent flat plate and generates an image containing two reflection images separated in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extending; a first surface reflection spot group estimating section that estimates from the image a first surface reflection spot group of the pattern generated by the first surface of the transparent flat plate; an inclination angle calculating section that calculates an inclination angle of the first surface of the transparent flat plate at an estimated position of the first surface reflection spot group; and a surface shape determining section that determines a shape of the first surface of the transparent flat plate based on the calculated inclination angle.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are generally provided for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. In one particular embodiment, the process includes: depositing a photovoltaic absorber layer on a glass substrate; heating the glass substrate to an anneal temperature; and quenching the glass substrate to cool the glass substrate to a quenched temperature in less than 10 seconds. The quenched temperature can be about 85° C. to about 200° C. less than the anneal temperature. The quenching atmosphere can have a quenching pressure of about 1 torr or more and can include an inert gas.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a glass substrate provided with an inorganic fine particle-containing silicon oxide film. (1) A process for producing a glass substrate provided with an inorganic fine particle-containing silicon oxide film, which comprises applying a coating liquid containing an organopolysiloxane having an exothermic peak temperature of at most 500° C. and inorganic fine particles to a glass substrate within a temperature range of from 400 to 650° C., or (2) a process for producing a glass substrate, comprising forming molten glass into a glass ribbon, annealing the glass ribbon and cutting it to produce a glass substrate, wherein a coating liquid containing an organopolysiloxane having an exothermic peak temperature of at most 500° C. and inorganic fine particles is applied to the glass ribbon at a position where the glass ribbon is within a temperature range of from 400 to 650° C.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a glass substrate provided with an aluminum oxide-containing silicon oxide film. (1) A process for producing a glass substrate provided with an aluminum oxide-containing silicon oxide film, which comprises applying a coating liquid containing an organopolysiloxane and an organic aluminum complex to a glass substrate within a temperature range of from 400 to 650° C. to form an aluminum oxide-containing silicon oxide film on the glass substrate, and (2) a process for producing a glass substrate comprising forming molten glass into a glass ribbon, annealing the glass ribbon and cutting it to produce a glass substrate, wherein a coating liquid containing an organopolysiloxane and an organic aluminum complex is applied to the glass ribbon at a position where the glass ribbon is within a temperature range of from 400 to 650° C. to form an aluminum oxide-containing silicon oxide film on the glass ribbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element manufacturing method including a first step of fixing an optical material by exerting a first weight different from a self weight of an upper die on the optical material positioned in a cavity between the upper die and a lower die, a second step of thereafter heating and softening the optical material by introducing a heated gas to an inside of the cavity, and a third step of thereafter molding an optical element by exerting a second weight larger than the first weight on the optical material within the cavity.

Abstract: A fused silica roll with a heating system internally built inside the roll for use in horizontal glass tempering furnaces or for thermal treatment of glass or other materials; made of a fused silica roll of heating, built in the shape of a cylinder with longitudinal circular tunnel of housing to the electrical resistance of heating, connected to the electrical terminals of the rotary contacts of mercury.

Abstract: A muffle tube inspection method inspects a muffle tube used for dehydrating and sintering a silica glass-based optical fiber preform, the muffle tube includes a sintering furnace provided with a furnace body covering a heater disposed around a periphery of the muffle tube. The method detects a crack generated at the muffle tube by measuring a pressure inside the furnace body while varying a pressure inside the muffle tube.

Abstract: The main objective of the present invention is to provide a sinker that can produce pile loops of different lengths. The sinker has a nib and a belly formed separately on one end thereof. A throat is formed between the nib and the belly. The nib has a bulge formed on a top edge thereof. The throat has a recess formed on a top edge of the belly. With the bulge and the recess, multiple vertical gaps of different lengths are provided. When yarns are placed at different relative positions, pile loops of different lengths are made by the same sinker. Thus, the sinker results in fabrics with variant appearances and good tactile impression.

Abstract: A one piece fine hosiery article in knee length, thigh length and/or panty hose wherein the uniqueness of this invention lies in the foot portion of nylon, or similar materials used in the prior art, being eliminated and replaced with a minimal slip, moisture wicking partial sock. The partial sock completely encompasses the upper and lower portions of the toe, the ball, sole, instep, outstep, and upper and lower portions of the heel of the foot leaving the upper portion of the foot from the toe joints upwards encased in nylon or similar materials used in the prior art, thereby establishing fit, form and comfort to the wearer of fine hosiery articles.

Abstract: A washing machine that calculates a temperature of a balancer to effectively control a motor and a method of controlling the washing machine are provided. The washing machine comprises a rotatable drum that receives laundry, a motor that rotates the drum, a balancer that is connected to the drum, the balancer changing a center of gravity of the drum, and a controller that rotates the motor at a constant rotational speed and then calculates a temperature of the balancer based on a period of a variation in rotational speed of the motor.

Abstract: A bra-washing device includes a shell with an interior, the shell includes two shell portions, each with a rim. A latch holds the two shell portions closed and the latch may be opened to access the interior of the shell. A hinge pivotally couples the two shell portions to each other. The hinge includes at least one hinge knuckle extending from the rim of each shell portion, the hinge knuckles of the two shell portions in axial alignment, an internal bore extending into the hinge knuckles on each shell portion, a hinge pin inserted into the internal bore of the hinge knuckles, and a fastener extending at least partially through the internal bore near one end of the hinge pin to block the hinge pin from sliding out of the internal bore.

Abstract: A cloth treating apparatus is disclosed, including a cabinet having a housing space for housing cloth, a water supply unit for supplying steam to the housing space selectively, and a water spray unit movably provided to one side of the cabinet to be connected to the water supply unit selectively for supplying the steam from the water supply unit to the cloth.

Abstract: A security device for attachment to an article to deter theft of the article has a housing containing an alarm system including. A cable has one end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a plug which is selectively inserted into and locked to the housing. The cable formed with an outer braided jacket that is difficult to cut and includes a conductor electrically connected to the alarm system when in the locked position. The audible alarm is activated if the integrity of the cable is compromised. An EAS tag located in the housing will actuate an alarm at a security gate and can actuate the audible alarm of the security device when the device is in proximity to a security gate. A magnetically attractable lock mechanism releasably secures the cable plug in the locked position.

Abstract: The invention describes an actuating lever which can be pivoted into a recess, and which, in the pivoted-in position, can be locked in place by means of a key-actuable lock, such as a cylinder lock, wherein the access opening for the key is provided with a cover, secured by means of a pin, wherein according to the invention the cover can be moved along the longitudinal extension of the actuating lever between two end positions, with said cover closing off the access opening in one end position and exposing the access opening in the other end position, and wherein the cover forms an undercut groove, which receives the head of a pin which is secured to the actuating lever.

Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism is provided for securing the lid of a container in a closed position wherein a mechanical advantage is employed to facilitate latching and unlatching of a latch plate of the rotary latch mechanism.

Abstract: A fertilizer composition wherein a nitrogen containing macronutrient is adsorbed on the surface of hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles. Said fertilizer composition slowly releases the nitrogen containing macronutrient to soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and plant for removing acid gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur containing compounds and nitrogen containing compounds from gas streams including high and low pressure gas streams. A solvent solution containing alkali carbonates absorbs the acid gases including carbon dioxide and either one or both of sulphur and/or nitrogen containing compounds. The bicarbonate is regenerated into a carbonate form to provide a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, and sulphur and/or nitrogen containing compounds are recovered.

Abstract: Measuring sheet material flatness includes projecting a bright and dark pattern P made up of bright parts and dark parts onto a sheet material surface S travelling in a lengthwise direction, picking up an image of pattern P with image pickup device to acquire a pattern image, with the pickup device having a field of view larger than a sheet material width. The acquired pattern image is analyzed, wherein a pattern P in which a bright part is disposed at a predetermined set pitch respectively in longitudinal and lateral directions is formed by an LED light at a predetermined pitch respectively in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The pattern P is projected onto the surface such that the longitudinal direction of the pattern P lies along a lengthwise direction of the sheet material, and the lateral direction of the pattern P lies along a width direction of the sheet material.

Abstract: In order to optimize the lubrication of a rolling rod in a process for hot-rolling metallic, elongate hollow bodies (21) by means of the rolling rod (2), which is arranged in the hollow body and to which lubricant is applied before the hot-rolling operation, the lubricant is applied to the rolling rod in solid form.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular member with portions having finished corners formed in a hydroforming operation by initially forming a pre-form that includes sharp corners. The pre-form includes bulges of the tube material between the sharp corners that flow toward the intended corner locations as the tubular member is hydroformed. The bulges may be external ribs or internal recesses.

Abstract: A bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece (T) has at least three bending rollers (2) that, being rotatable integrally with respective supporting shafts (3) with parallel axes (y), co-operate in bending the elongated workpiece (T). Each bending roller (2) is arranged to shift along its own supporting shaft (3) by way of a prismatic coupling for a limited stroke and to swing with respect to the axis of the supporting shaft (3) by way of a partially spherical body (8) forming a rotary coupling with the supporting shaft (3) in a limited amount of angular displacement according to an arc of meridian of the partially spherical body (8), so that each bending roller (2) is orientated coplanar to the elongated workpiece (T) that takes an inclined position on the basis of a desired helix pitch.

Abstract: A method for making a device includes providing a tubular member which will be formed into the device, masking at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material, selectively removing a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the inner surface of the tubular member. Ultrasonic energy could be applied to a workpiece which is being laser cut to prevent any generated slag from welding itself to an exposed surface of the workpiece. A compressed fluid or gas, such as air, could be used to clean the surface of the laser-cut workpiece to remove slag formation which adheres to the surface of the cut workpiece.

Abstract: Provided is a micro-drawing device using punch having groove structure. The micro-drawing device includes a first die base assembly, a second die base assembly and a punch. The first die base assembly includes a fixing part; a position of the second die base assembly is corresponding to a position of the first die base assembly, and the second die base assembly includes a die cavity part; and the punch includes a fixing end and a work piece processing end, wherein a position of the work piece processing end is corresponding to a position of the fixing end, the fixing end is used to be disposed at the fixing part, and the work piece processing end faces the die cavity part; wherein, a plurality of grooves is provided at a peripheral surface of the work piece processing end. The present invention also discloses a punch having groove structure.

Abstract: According to an implementation a method for manufacturing a pedal for a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprising inserting into a hollow profile a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member and subsequently applying one or more forces to an external surface of the hollow profile to induce a change in shape of the hollow profile from a first shape to a second shape. The substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the hollow profile as the one or more forces are applied to the external wall surface of the hollow profile so that the internal wall surface is substantially free of deformations upon the hollow profile assuming the second shape, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the applied one or more forces to accommodate a change in shape of the hollow profile from the first shape to the second shape.

Abstract: To provide a method for shaping an electric wire end and a mold for shaping electric wire end, capable of shaping a distal end with a rectangular shape in sectional view by smoothly pressing conductors of plural electric wires without causing a reduction in strength.

Abstract: A tool and method of hemming a panel wherein the tool engages a flange to apply a compressive force with a stop initially preventing a distal end of the flange from moving inwardly. The hemming tool bends the intermediate portion of the flange between the flange bend and the distal end toward the panel. The stop is withdrawn to allow the flange to be progressively formed toward the panel until the distal end is aligned with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A method for calibrating large fixed electronic scale is provided. The method applies an auxiliary verification device to calibrate the large fixed electronic scale without using a weight and includes following steps of: loading and unloading every supporting point on the scale table board of the scale by at least one self-locating loading and unloading mechanism; measuring and displaying a load that each loading and unloading mechanisms applies to the scale table board by at least one high accuracy load gauge; controlling a size of the load that each loading and unloading mechanisms applies to the scale table board by a constant load control device; and comparing a precise load displayed by the high accuracy load gauge with a gauge weighing display value of the scale to obtain a calibration error of the scale. The present method greatly improves working efficiency and safety and reduces costs.

Abstract: A tool for calibrating a non-contact tonometer (NCT) comprises a body having a mating feature configured for removably mounting the body on the nosepiece or on the measurement head of the NCT, a pressure sensor carried by the body and arranged to receive an air pulse discharged by the NCT to provide a pressure signal in response to the air pulse, and a radiation emitter carried by the body, wherein the radiation emitter provides a pseudo-applanation event when the pressure signal reaches a predetermined level that is detectable by the NCT as though an actual corneal applanation had taken place. In one embodiment, the mating feature includes a mounting orifice for receiving a portion of the nosepiece. In another embodiment, the mating feature includes a pair of mounting pins sized for receipt by a corresponding pair of mounting holes in the measurement head of the NCT.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sonic resonator system for use in testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials. Also disclosed herein are a method of calibrating the sonic resonator system to work with a particular composite bond joint, and a method of non-destructive testing the “pass-fail” of the bonded composite bond strength, based on a required bond strength.

Abstract: A test apparatus and methods of measuring wear of a material with a laser displacement measurement apparatus based upon displacement of a test sample of the material or the wear of a testing surface and a specimen. A lubricant test method and apparatus measures the thickness of a lubricant film between two test surfaces by comparing the location of the test surfaces at rest and dynamically.

Abstract: A process analytic instrument includes an analytical module configured to analyze a process fluid and a removable tube carrier coupled to the analytical module. The analytical module has a plurality of inlet ports in a sealing surface. The removable tube carrier has an end with a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of inlet ports of sealing surface of the analytical module. The removable tube carrier fluidically couples a plurality of tubes to the analytical module when the end of the removable tube carrier is biased into the sealing surface of the analytical module.

Abstract: Cantilever chemical vapor sensors that can be tailored to respond preferentially in frequency by controlling the location of deposition of an adsorbing layer. Cantilever chemical vapor sensor having a base, one or more legs and a tip are fabricated using a gold layer to promote deposition of a sorbing layer of a polymeric material in a desired location, and using a chromium layer to inhibit deposition of the sorbing layer in other locations. Sorbing layers having different glass temperatures Tg and their effects are described. The methods of making such cantilever chemical vapor sensors are described.

Abstract: The invention discloses a particle measurement device (1) having at least one particle concentration device (2a, 2b, 2c), having a particle detection device (8a, 10a, 8b, 10b, 8c, 10c), adapted to detect particles in a volume stream. The particle concentration device further comprises a detection device (36a, 36b, 36c) adapted to detect undesired particles. The particle concentration device further comprises a separation device (22a, 22b, 22c) adapted to separate undesired particles from the volume stream.

Abstract: A fuel vapor leak detecting device includes a pump, a housing having a pump passage connected to the pump, a switching valve, a pressure detector, and a control device detecting a shutoff pressure that corresponds to an interior pressure of the pump passage detected by the pressure detector when the pump is actuated while the switching valve is closed. The control device controls the switching valve to be opened at least once and to be closed at least once when the shutoff pressure is out of a specified range. The control device detects a fuel vapor leak when the shutoff pressure is in the specified range.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical transducer and test system is disclosed. One embodiment includes a body, a probe moveable relative to the body, and a micromachined comb drive. The micromachined comb drive includes a plurality of sensing capacitors forming a differential capacitive displacement sensor, each sensing capacitor comprising a plurality of comb capacitors and each configured to provide capacitance levels which, together, are representative of a position of the probe.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring an interaction force is disclosed. One embodiment includes providing a method of measuring an interaction force including providing a microelectromechanical transducer. The transducer includes a body, a probe moveable relative to the body, and a micromachined comb drive. The micromachined comb drive includes a differential capacitive displacement sensor to provide a sensor output signal representative of an interaction force on the probe. The probe is moved relative to a sample surface. An interaction force is determined between the probe and the sample surface using the sensor output, as the probe is moved relative to the sample surface.

Abstract: Provision is made for a catalyst that is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and has an oxidation function, downstream side temperature detection means that detects the temperature of an exhaust gas at a downstream side from the catalyst, and addition means that adds a reducing agent into the exhaust gas from an upstream side from the catalyst, wherein there are also provided correlation value calculation means that calculates a correlation value which is correlated with an amount of change of the temperature detected by the downstream side temperature detection means when the reducing agent is added by the addition means and when a transient operation of the internal combustion engine is carried out, and determination means that determines a deterioration of the catalyst by making a comparison between the correlation value and a threshold value which indicates the deterioration of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method and a device for simulating a body that is moved in a translational or rotational manner. The method includes detecting a force that acts on the body or a torque (MW), and assigning a reference mass or a reference moment of inertia (Jsoll) to the body. The force or the torque (Mw) and the reference mass or the reference moment of inertia (Jsoll) are used to determine a reference speed (?soll) for a speed control which controls an actual speed (?ist) using a control transmission function (G(s)), and the reference speed (?soll) is determined by means of a transmission element using a transmission function (P(s)) that is reciprocally proportional to the control transmission function (G(s)).

Abstract: A system and related method for improving tire uniformity includes identifying at least one candidate process effect and a corresponding process harmonic number for each process effect. A given uniformity parameter, such as radial or lateral run-out, balance, mass variation, radial lateral or tangential force variation, is measured for each tire in a test set, such that the measurements contain tire harmonics as well as a process harmonics corresponding to each candidate process effect. Rectangular coordinate coefficients are electronically constructed for each said process harmonic, after which point the rectangular coordinates corresponding to each process harmonic are solved for (e.g., by using regression-based analysis). The magnitude of each said process harmonic is estimated, and a final magnitude estimate for each process harmonic can be determined by summarizing (e.g., by taking the average or median value) the respectively estimated magnitudes for each process harmonic across all test tires.

Abstract: A method for detecting a tire having decreased air pressure based on wheel rotation information obtained from the tire attached to a vehicle in which there is a predetermined difference between front and rear wheel loads. The method includes the steps of acquiring wheel rotation information obtained from the tire, storing the wheel rotation information, acquiring a load sensitivity of a tire dynamic loaded radius due to load shift during turning, acquiring speed dependency of the load sensitivity, comparing load sensitivity of the tire dynamic loaded radius at a speed acquired based on the speed dependency with preliminarily stored load sensitivities of dynamic loaded radiuses of various tires, estimating decreased pressure sensitivity of the tire dynamic loaded radius based on a result of the comparison, and determining that the tire has a decreased air pressure based on a result of the estimation.

Abstract: The invention provides a probe for a flowmeter which can be employed in various flow measuring devices utilizing semiconductor or ceramic thermistors. The invention comprises an apparatus for determining the fluid flow rate of a liquid passing through a conduit made of a material having a low thermal conductivity, comprising a probe disposed at least partially inside the wall of the conduit, part of the probe being substantially aligned with an inner surface of the wall, the probe being operationally connected to a control and display unit. The probe comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) on which at least two thermistors are mounted; an upstream thermistor serving for baseline measurements and a spaced apart downstream self-heated thermistor. The control and display unit repeatedly measuring the electrical resistance of the thermistors to generate signals which are electronically processed by the control and display unit to indicate flow rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capacitive sensors for measuring humidity and moisture and to an improved process for making the same. The fabrication process for a capacitive sensor having a multi-layer electrodes for measuring humidity and moisture comprising disposing the multi-layer interdigitated electrodes in a multi-layer polyimides; providing a plurality of trenches on the surface of the electrode by lift off process; and covering the sensor with photosensitive negative polyimide.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provision of high-performance inertial sensor that can sustain SNR even in an environment where vibration disturbance exists. A vibration type inertial sensor comprises: two deadweights (2, 3); means (C1, C2, C3, C4, +vd, ?vd) for displacing the two dead weights in the anti-phase; two sets of electrodes (C5, C6, C7, C8) for detecting, as capacitance changes, the displacements of the two dead weights; and a C/V converting unit (53) for converting the capacitance changes of the electrodes to electric signals. In the vibration type inertial sensor, a set of electrodes (e.g., C5 and C8), which exhibit an increased electrostatic capacitance therebetween in the case where the two dead weights (2, 3) are displaced in the anti-phase, are electrically connected to each other, and a set of electrodes (e.g.

Abstract: A digital angular rate sensor system based on frequency modulation (FM) of the rotation rate. The new approach relies on tracking of the resonant frequencies of two high-Q mechanical modes of vibration in a MEMS vibratory gyroscope to produce an inherently digital measurement of the input angular rate. The disclosed system is enabled by a combination of a MEMS vibratory high-Q gyroscope and a new signal processing scheme which takes advantage of a previously ignored gyroscope dynamics effect. The FM nature of the system eliminates noise versus bandwidth and resolution versus dynamic range tradeoffs of conventional vibratory rate gyroscopes. The FM approach allows achieving superior signal-to-noise-ratio through the use of ultra-high Q (1 million) mechanical structure without limiting the measurement bandwidth. Stability of 1e-9 can be achieved in the FM system, providing a 1000 times improvement over the state-of-the-art conventional AM gyroscopes with capacitive pick-off.

Abstract: A piezoresistive micromechanical sensor component includes a substrate, a seismic mass, at least one piezoresistive bar, and a measuring device. The seismic mass is suspended from the substrate such that it can be deflected. The at least one piezoresistive bar is provided between the substrate and the seismic mass and is subject to a change in resistance when the seismic mass is deflected. The at least one piezoresistive bar has a lateral and/or upper and/or lower conductor track which at least partially covers the piezoresistive bar and extends into the region of the substrate. The measuring device is electrically connected to the substrate and to the conductor track and is configured to measure the change in resistance over a circuit path which runs from the substrate through the piezoresistive bar and from the piezoresistive bar through the lateral and/or upper and/or lower conductor track.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a sensor portion, a casing, and a vibration isolator. The casing includes a supporting portion with a supporting surface that is located to face an end surface of the sensor portion. The vibration isolator is located between the end surface of the sensor portion and the supporting surface of the casing to join the sensor portion to the casing. The vibration isolator reduces a relative vibration between the sensor portion and the casing.

Abstract: A method for accurately and speedy analyzing vibration property of head suspension including a piezoelectric element that moves a head according to voltage application. The method comprises a displacement obtaining step obtaining displacement of each node point of the piezoelectric element by voltage application to the piezoelectric element, a reaction force obtaining step eliminating the voltage application and applying the obtained displacement to each node point, a reaction force applying step eliminating the applied displacement and applying obtained reaction force to each node point, and an analyzing step performing the frequency response analysis by using mode superposition method.

Abstract: As a transmitting horn or a receiving horn attached to a transmission element or a reception element of an ultrasonic sensor, a horn enclosure with two acoustic horn bodies having a dimensional difference ?Lh of a quarter ?/4 of the wavelength ? of an ultrasonic wave U in the propagation direction X of the ultrasonic wave U or a reflection wave R is used. Then, the amplitude of a diffraction wave A1 and the amplitude of a diffraction wave A2 in opposite phase between a transmission side and a reception side are caused to match with each other so as to cancel out both the diffraction waves A1, A2 in a common sound space of the horn enclosure, which is not partitioned for each acoustic horn body by a screen, on a front of the reception element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.