Abstract: A pneumatic press with high slide acceleration and velocity is equipped with an arrangement trigger mechanism for holding the slide, upper die, and punch in place until air pressure force in tons is exerted against slide opposite the upper die and punch. When the trigger mechanism releases the slide, upper die, and punch in a short travel the velocity is very high. This will permit the punch to enter the part material at the strain rate of the material, thus eliminating burrs, reducing fatigue initiation sites on the part material surface where the punch goes through the material. Also will permit forming parts of uniform thickness, impact powder titanium to form sheet, and stamp parts against flat sheet of polyurethane with punch having the shape of the part.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: A hand tool, such as a duct seamer. The hand tool may include a first handle; a second handle connected to the first handle for pivoting movement about a handle pivot point; a first jaw operably connected to the first handle and having a first inner surface; a second jaw operably connected to the second handle and having a second inner surface; a first groove and a second groove on each of the first inner surface and the second inner surface; and a first shoulder created by the first groove and a second shoulder created by the second groove on each of the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the first shoulders providing a first stop and the second shoulders providing a second stop for the work-piece. The jaws may provide the shoulders at a distance of ? inch and 1 inch from a front of the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for instrumentation quality control and methods of use thereof. In particular, sets of peptides or other molecules are provided for evaluating the performance of instruments with mass spectrometry (MS) and/or liquid chromatography (LC) functionalities.

Abstract: Calibration and accuracy check systems for a chemical sniffer, such as a breath alcohol tester, which utilize the dispensing of droplets with determinable concentration of alcohol and/or other liquids in a determinable number either directly to a reaction chamber, or into a carrier gas which can be sampled. The systems generally provide for accurate sample concentration being provided to the breath tester while also providing for a simplified system which can be easier to move, and require less operational complexity, than prior wet or dry calibrating systems.

Abstract: A method for correcting offset drift effects of a thermal measurement device (10) which comprises at least one temperature sensor (15a, 15b) arranged at a defined distance from a heating device (12) for a fluid to be measured, for measuring at least one measurement variable describing the temperature and/or temperature profile during operation of the heating device (12), in which a reference measured value (35) is measured at a reference time in a first measurement of the measurement variable with the heating device (12) turned off, in which a drift measured value (36) is measured at at least one later time in a second measurement of the measurement variable with the heating device (12) turned off, and in which a drift correction is carried out during the measurement by using the heating device (12) on the basis of a difference between the drift measured value (36) and the reference measured value (35).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an accelerometer sensor system. The system includes a sensor comprising a proofmass and electrodes and being configured to generate acceleration feedback signals based on control signals applied to the electrodes in response to an input acceleration. The system also includes an acceleration component configured to measure the input acceleration based on the acceleration feedback signals. The system further includes an acceleration controller configured to generate the control signals to define a first scale-factor range associated with the sensor and to define a second scale-factor range associated with the sensor. The control system includes a calibration component configured to calibrate the accelerometer sensor system with respect to range-dependent bias error based on a difference between the measured input acceleration at each of the first scale-factor range and the second scale-factor range.

Abstract: A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/?0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively.

Abstract: A cleanliness measuring carriage includes a cleanliness measuring device for measuring cleanliness within a semiconductor manufacturing room, a holding unit for holding the cleanliness measuring device, and a conveying unit for conveying the cleanliness measuring device along a substrate container transport lane.

Abstract: A device for measuring the particle concentration in an aerosol using a flow tube includes a cavity in which there is a sleeve, the cavity branching off from the flow tube. The sleeve includes, at its end facing away from the flow tube, a collar. The collar encircles the periphery of the sleeve and is fastened at the periphery of the cavity. There is one or more inflow openings in the collar. At least one outflow opening is in an end of the sleeve, which end extends into the flow tube. A measuring chamber is also included in the cavity on the side of the sleeve facing away from the flow tube.

Abstract: A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of metal strips having different thicknesses. A first metal strip with the least thickness is first employed to provide sensitive corrosion detection. After an exposed portion of the first metal strip is consumed, a second metal strip having a second least thickness can be employed to provide continued sensitive corrosion detection employing a remaining un-corroded portion of the second metal strip. The plurality of metal strips can be sequentially employed as exposed portions of thinner metal strips become unusable through complete corrosion and un-corroded exposed portions of thicker metal strips become thin enough to provide sensitive corrosion detection.

Abstract: The electronic device is provided with an automatic leak detection means, notably for a gas leak, in the case of the device. The automatic leak detection means includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a calculation unit connected to the pressure sensor and to the temperature sensor. The calculation unit, which is a microcontroller, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are arranged inside the case. In operation, the microcontroller checks, based on measurements performed by the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor over time, whether the variation in pressure in the case is within a defined margin proportional to the variation in temperature to determine whether or not the case has a sufficient degree of sealing.

Abstract: The electronic device (1) is provided with an automatic leak detection means, notably for a gas leak, in the case (2) of the device. The automatic leak detection means includes an internal pressure sensor (3), an external pressure sensor (4) and a calculation unit (5) connected to the internal pressure sensor and to the external pressure sensor. The calculation unit, which is a microcontroller, and the internal pressure sensor are arranged inside the case, whereas the external pressure sensor is arranged on an external surface of the case. The microcontroller (5) checks, based on measurements performed by the pressure sensors over time, whether the pressure variation inside the case is different from the pressure variation outside the case to determine whether or not the case has a sufficient degree of sealing.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a capillary viscometer is disclosed that includes a source of fluid pressure, a pressure transducer responsive to the source of fluid pressure, and a first capillary tube having an inside volume that is hydraulically responsive to the source of fluid pressure. A two-dimensional array of optical detectors is positioned proximate the first capillary tube with a first plurality of its detectors optically responsive to the inside volume of the first capillary tube and including an image data output. An acquisition driver circuit is responsive to the image data output of the two-dimensional array to acquire a series of successive images of the inside volume of the first capillary tube. Viscosity computation logic is responsive to the acquisition driver circuit and the pressure transducer, and operative to compute the viscosity of the fluid from pressure values received from the pressure transducer and the succession of images of the inside volume of the first capillary tube.

Abstract: A mixing device for use in a chromatography system, the device includes an exterior housing having a first end and a second end and a hydraulic flow connector at the first end of the exterior housing. A cartridge including a chamber is enclosed within the exterior housing. The chamber has at least one wall defining an interior volume having a shape, wherein the shape of the interior volume creates a turbulent flow condition to mix at least two fluids and provide flow through the cartridge during operation of the chromatography system. The chamber also retains the sample, thereby ensuring that the sample is focused in the chamber such that a more narrow bolus of sample enters the chromatography column.

Abstract: A portable Brinell metal hardness tester has a test head mounted in a carriage, movable vertically along elevating screws, and includes an adjustable valve for relieving hydraulic pressure within the test head where the valve includes a stem, an interior member, and an intermediate member.

Abstract: A diagnostics method and system for a power plant including at least one low-pressure turbocompressor and at least one high-pressure turbocompressor, the turbocompressors being staged and supplying an internal combustion engine, the power plant being fitted to a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a mode of operation of the power plant, determining a power of the high-pressure turbine based on a first set of data and based on the mode of operation, determining the power of the high-pressure turbine based on a second set of data, determining a failure criterion as being the ratio between the power of the high-pressure turbine dependent on the first set of data and the power of the high-pressure turbine dependent on the second set of data, and comparing the failure criterion against stored values to determine whether there is a failure.

Abstract: A fuel injection feedback system comprises a light source disposed inside a fuel injector, an optical sensor disposed inside the fuel injector, and a computing device electronically connected to the optical sensor. The light source is a device configured to emit light capable of being reflected by cavitation. The light source could be disposed on or within the needle or nozzle of the fuel injector, or at a variety of other locations inside the fuel injector. The optical sensor is configured to detect an intensity of light caused by receiving light reflected from cavitation occurring inside the fuel injector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting the filtering state of a filter, such as a particulate filter. Some embodiments include one or more capacitive sensors that provide a signal corresponding to the filtered state of the filter with a change in measured capacitance. A novel ECT based sensing technique for soot load estimation in a diesel particulate filter is presented. The sensing technology is based on principle that deposited soot thickness inside DPF causes a variation in the dielectric constant which has a direct impact on the capacitance of ECT system and its output voltage. The sensor can be built into the DPF outer shell as indicated in the design. The simulation results demonstrate that there is a direct relationship between the amount of soot load in the DPF and the output voltage of the ECT system which can be used to estimate the soot load.

Abstract: A method for determining a rack force for a steering apparatus of a vehicle, in which the rack force is determined as a function of a steering angle variable which characterizes an actual wheel steering angle or a set point of the wheel steering angle. In order to specify a method for determining a rack force, with which a target steering torque can be generated such that a comfortable steering feel is imparted to the driver and the steering apparatus nevertheless gives the driver feedback that is as realistic as possible regarding the motion state of the vehicle, the method comprises: determining a variable which characterizes a lateral force on a shaft of the steering apparatus, and determining the rack force as a function of the lateral force, wherein the determination of the rack force comprises a filtering by means of a signal processing element having a proportional-differential transfer function.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus includes: a lower rim that is formed with a lower through hole, and a rim-side inclined surface that increases in diameter in a downward direction of an inner peripheral surface of a lower end portion of the lower through hole; an upper rim that is held to face the lower rim; an insertion part capable of being inserted through the lower through hole; and an apparatus-side inclined surface that is provided at a lower end portion of the insertion part, increases in diameter from an outer peripheral surface of the insertion part in the downward direction, and is capable of coming into contact with the rim-side inclined surface.

Abstract: In a tire uniformity measurement, accurate tire uniformity is obtained from a measurement waveform immediately after a rotation of a tire is switched from a normal rotation direction to a reverse rotation direction. A tire uniformity testing device of the present invention includes a measurement unit 108 that obtains a force variation from a uniformity waveform corrected by a correction unit 109 that corrects the uniformity waveform so as to eliminate a shift gradient ? existing in the uniformity waveform measured after a rotation of a tire T1 is reversed, and further includes an air-outflow regulation member 220 that regulates an from flowing into a tire T2 when a drum 205 retreats or advances.

Abstract: A system and method to obtain an acoustic signal from a borehole penetrating the earth are described. The system includes a modulated single frequency incoherent light source to output a modulated light signal. The system also includes two or more optical fibers to split the modulated light signal for transmission to an optical sensor in the borehole, at least one of the two or more optical fibers including a delay, two or more photodetectors to receive respective resultant signals resulting from the two or more optical fibers transmitting the modulated light signal to the optical sensor, and a processor to obtain the acoustic signal based on the resultant signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use of an electronic pressure gauge at high temperatures is presented. An electronic pressure sensor is exposed to wellbore pressure at a location having high-temperatures. A pressurized fluid, preferably a refrigerant, is flowed into a chamber proximate the pressure sensor and cools it sufficiently to preclude damage from the high wellbore temperatures. Preferably, the pressurized fluid is expanded, from liquid to gaseous phase, in the chamber. In another method, an electronic pressure gauge is positioned uphole, where temperature is not expected to damage the sensor, and a pressure chamber is positioned downhole at a location where pressure is to be sensed. The pressure chamber communicates downhole pressure to the uphole pressure gauge by way of a pressure conduit filled with pressurized fluid, such as an inert gas. The system is isolated from pressure during run-in by a temporary pressure isolation device such as a rupture disk.

Abstract: System and/or methods for removing noise from measurement data are disclosed. For example, pressure measurements may be used to identify a flow regime using the derivative of each of the pressure measurements. A time window may be defined about each pressure measurement and numerous or even all pressure measurements within the time window may be used to calculate the pressure derivative of each pressure measurement. A least-squares method or a least-absolute-deviations method may be used to compute a pressure-derivative curve. The iteratively-reweighted least-squares method may be used to solve least-absolute-deviation problems to compute a pressure-derivative curve with enhanced smoothing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an angle measurement probe on board an aircraft, which comprises a fin, which can move in rotation about an axis, at least one first optical encoder and one second optical encoder, each comprising at least one disk, each disk being fixed at right angles to the central axis and being provided with at least two circular tracks, each track being provided with alternate opaque and transparent zones, means for processing the output signal from each encoder.

Abstract: The flow meter for one of a liquid and a gaseous medium comprises a casing and a measuring insert which is insertable into said casing. The measuring insert as a structural unit includes at least one first sound transducer for emitting a first sound signal into a measuring path through which the medium flows during operation and a second sound transducer for receiving the first sound signal after passing through the measuring path, the measuring path through which the medium flows during operation when the measuring insert is inserted, at least one end plate which seals a casing opening of the casing into which the measuring insert is insertable in such a way as to prevent an escape of the medium and which is provided with at least one of the two sound transducers, and at least one outer transducer cover which covers at least one of the two sound transducers on an outside of the end plate remote from the medium. A seal is arranged between the transducer cover and the end plate.

Abstract: The flow meter for one of a liquid and a gaseous medium comprises a casing and a measuring insert which is insertable into said casing. The measuring insert as a structural unit includes at least one first sound transducer for emitting a first sound signal into a measuring path through which the medium flows during operation and a second sound transducer for receiving the first sound signal after passing through the measuring path, and the measuring path through which the medium flows during operation when the measuring insert is inserted. The measuring path has an actual measuring channel comprising a measuring channel inlet opening for the medium, a measuring channel outlet opening for the medium and at least one measuring channel wall, wherein the measuring channel wall at least partly surrounds the measuring path in the direction of flow, and the casing has a casing wall, and a constriction is provided in an intermediate region between the measuring channel wall and the casing wall.

Abstract: A device for measuring the level of a liquid within a container, in particular the level of liquid gas, comprises a housing and a piezoelectric element adapted for generating vibrations when energized. A coupling pad is provided which is bonded to the piezoelectric element for transmitting the vibrations to a surface of the container. Further, a non-tilting element is provided which surrounds the coupling pad. A method for measuring the level of liquid within a container uses a piezoelectric element for generating vibrations which are transmitted into the shell of the container. An analyzing strategy is used which distinguishes between normal post-pulse oscillations of the piezoelectric element after a measurement was triggered, and extended post-pulse oscillations which are the result of echoed oscillations in the shell of the container.

Abstract: A two-wire system for monitoring fluid level and temperature including a pair of electrical interconnect wires bridged by a fluid level switch and a thermal sensing element. One of the fluid level switch or the thermal sensing element bypasses the other during a trigger event.

Abstract: A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level of liquid stored in a container may comprise a discharging unit, a first storing space, and an electrode unit. The discharging unit may be configured to discharge the liquid compressed by a pump. The pump may be configured to suck the liquid stored in the container and feed the liquid toward a liquid usage device by pressure. The first storing space may be located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit. The electrode unit may be disposed in the first storing space and comprising a first pair of electrodes configured to measure the liquid level of the liquid within the first storing space. The electrode unit may compose at least a part of a wall surface defining the first storing space.

Abstract: A sensor having a metal housing that encloses a sensing device. An end of the housing is crimped, and an overmolding covers the crimped edge and extends from the crimped edge away from the housing.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a body accommodating a microelectromechanical structure; and a cap bonded to the body and electrically coupled to the microelectromechanical structure through conductive bonding regions. The cap including a selection module, which has first selection terminals coupled to the microelectromechanical structure, second selection terminals, and at least one control terminal, and which can be controlled through the control terminal to couple the second selection terminals to respective first selection terminals according, selectively, to one of a plurality of coupling configurations corresponding to respective operating conditions.

Abstract: Micromachined gyroscopes, such as those based upon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have the potential to dominate the rate-sensor market mainly due to their small size, low power and low cost. As MEMS gyroscopes are resonant devices requiring active excitation it would be beneficial to improve the resonator Q-factor reducing the electrical drive power requirements for the excitation circuitry. Further, many prior art MEMS gyroscope designs have multiple resonances arising from design and manufacturing considerations which require additional frequency tuning and control circuitry together with the excitation/sense circuitry. It would therefore be beneficial to enhance the bandwidth of the resonators to remove the requirement for such circuitry. Further, to address the relatively large dimensions of MEMS gyroscopes it would be beneficial for the MEMS gyroscopes to be fabricated directly above the CMOS electronics thereby reducing the die dimensions and lowering per die cost.

Abstract: An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with: a die, having a substrate and a frame, defining inside it a detection region and having a first side extending along a first axis; a driving mass, anchored to the substrate, set in the detection region, and designed to be rotated in a plane with a movement of actuation about a vertical axis; and a first pair and a second pair of first sensing masses, suspended inside the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect thereto in the movement of actuation and so as to perform a detection movement of rotation out of the plane in response to a first angular velocity; wherein the first sensing masses of the first pair and the first sensing masses of the second pair are aligned in respective directions, having non-zero inclinations of opposite sign with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: A spring system (74) links a pair of drive masses (30, 32) of a MEMS device (72). The spring system (74) includes stiff beams (76, 78, 80, 82) oriented to form a parallelogram arrangement (84). The beams are oriented diagonal to a drive direction (56) of the masses (30, 32). Diagonally opposing corners (86, 88) of the parallelogram arrangement (84) are coupled to the drive masses (30, 32). A spring (90) is coupled to a corner (94) and a spring (92) is coupled to a diagonally opposing corner (96) of the parallelogram arrangement. The springs (90, 92) are interconnected with a sense frame (34) surrounding the drive masses. The beams and side springs are stiff to substantially prevent in-phase motion (66) of the drive masses. However, rotationally compliant flexures (102, 104, 106, 108), allow the arrangement (84) to collapse and expand to enable anti-phase motion (60) of the drive masses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectro-mechanical structure (MEMS), and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of compensating effect of thermo-mechanical stress on a micro-machined accelerometer by incorporating and adjusting elastic elements to couple corresponding sensing electrodes. The sensing electrodes comprise moveable electrodes and stationary electrodes that are respectively coupled on a proof mass and a substrate. At least one elastic element is incorporated into a coupling structure that couples two stationary electrodes or couples a stationary electrode to at least one anchor. More than one elastic element may be incorporated. The number, locations, configurations and geometries of the elastic elements are adjusted to compensate an output offset and a sensitivity drift that are induced by the thermo-mechanical stress accumulated in the MEMS device.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor circuit 1 of the invention includes an acceleration sensor 11 having a first capacitor C1 whose capacitance changes according to a position of a first movable electrode and a second capacitor C2 whose capacitance changes as opposed to the first capacitor according to a position of a second movable electrode moved together with the first movable electrode, a first circuit 15A for generating a sinusoidal AC signal of a predetermined frequency, a second circuit 12 for generating a signal according to the positions of the movable electrodes, and an arithmetic circuit 14 for analyzing data in which a signal generated by the second circuit 12 is encoded and outputting data of acceleration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for potted shock isolation are provided. In once embodiment a shock isolation system comprises an isolator comprising an outer ring for mounting to an external housing, and an inner ring connected to the outer ring via an isolating element; and an inertial sensing assembly comprising: at least one circuit board secured to the inner ring of the isolator, the at least one circuit board further comprising a triad of gyroscopes and a triad of accelerometers; and a low durometer highly dampened supporting material encapsulating a first surface of the at least one circuit board.

Abstract: A method for monitoring movement of an element such as a cable is carried out by providing a pair of conductive elements each extending along an extent of the cable or other element to be monitored. A DC potential difference is applied between the conductive elements. The conductive elements are provided with an intervening material therebetween, which can be a continuous dielectric or can be other insulating material which varies in spacing and capacitance value along its length, such that the movement causes a change in capacitive coupling between the conductive elements at points or areas where the movement occurs so as to generate a changing voltage therebetween. The changing voltage as an amplified and filtered variable electrical signal is analyzed for monitoring the changing voltage for perturbations caused by the movement of the element.

Abstract: For ultrasonic measurement of pipe seam peaking, optionally with simultaneous ultrasonic wall thickness measurement using ultrasonic probes mounted on sensor holders on a sensor mount, it is proposed to use a sensor mount with sensor holders mounted on movable skids, which are pressed outward by spring elements and bear against the internal pipe surface, and skids having a large skid breadth greater than the seam peak breadth measured in the pipe's circumferential direction in the region of a measured seam peak, and sensor holders equipped with sensors only in a measuring region situated half way between two skid contact surfaces, wherein the measuring region breadth is less or equal to half of the skid breadth such that the stand off deviation of the sensors resulting in the seam peak region remains below a threshold value.

Abstract: The rotor of the turbine is monitored by sensors of the rotor vibrations arranged in at least one plane of measuring perpendicular to the axis of the rotor and by sensors of the absolute vibrations of the bearings. When using this method of processing, synchronically digitalized signals of the sensors of rotor vibrations, first the arithmetic mean of the individual harmonic bands in full spectrum in the frequency domain is calculated, by which means the information about the subharmonic components and their multiples in the full spectrum of these signals is transferred into the frequency band ?1X to 1X, at the same time is by the calculation of the median estimated the level of the signal noise, with which individual frequency bands of the full spectrum are encumbered, and which is subtracted from the amplitudes in the individual frequency bands of full spectrum of the signals of the sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test equipment includes: a signal generating mechanism that generates a voltage waveform; an ultrasonic transmitting mechanism that excites ultrasonic vibrations having a lower frequency than a predetermined frequency to an object to be tested; an ultrasonic receiving mechanism that receives an ultrasonic response from the object to be tested; an AD converting mechanism that digitizes the received ultrasonic waveform; an analyzing mechanism that performs frequency analysis of the digital ultrasonic waveform digitized by the AD converting mechanism; an evaluating mechanism that extracts a variation of a nonlinear ultrasonic component from a frequency component of the digital ultrasonic wave obtained by the frequency analysis, compares the variation with defect data information in a defect information database, identifies a physical quantity of defect information of the object to be tested, and evaluates a defect in the object to be tested; and a control mechanism that partly or entirely controls

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting underwater sounds is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a substrate with a vacuum-sealed cavity. A support structure and an acoustic pressure sensor are situated on the substrate. The support structure of the apparatus may include a first oxide layer situated on the substrate, a silicon layer situated on the first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer situated on the silicon layer. The acoustic pressure sensor of the apparatus includes a first electrode layer situated on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer situated on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer situated on the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, the surface area of the second electrode layer is between about 70 to 90 percent of the surface area of the piezoelectric layer. In various embodiments, the support structure is thicker than the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes the steps of directing a laser beam to the surface at a predetermined location and capturing for the predetermined location a) data relating to an acoustic response induced by interaction of the laser with the surface, b) data relating to the optical reflectivity of the surface at the predetermined location, and c) data relating to the spectrographic response of a plume generated by interaction of the laser with the surface.

Abstract: A structure comprising: a base; a diaphragm; a peripheral wall member of which one end surface is attached to a circumferential edge part of the diaphragm and the other end surface is attached on the top surface of the base to form an internal space together with the base and the diaphragm; a protruding part that protrudes from the top surface of the base; and a communicatively connecting path that extends from a bottom surface side of the base toward the diaphragm, and communicatively connects the internal space and the outside to each other to flow fluid, wherein on an outer lateral surface of the protruding part, an opening is formed in a part intersecting with an inner lateral surface of the communicatively connecting path, and a part of a fore end inner surface of the communicatively connecting path is formed in the protruding part.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a piezoelectric apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, a method for fabricating a piezoelectric device may include etching a series of vertical trenches in a top substrate portion, depositing a first continuous conductive layer over the trenches and substrate, depositing a continuous piezoelectric layer over the first continuous conductive layer such that the piezoelectric material has trenches and sidewalls, depositing a second continuous conductive layer over the continuous piezoelectric layer, etching through the vertical trenches of the first continuous conductive layer, continuous piezoelectric layer, second continuous conductive layer, and top substrate portion into a bottom substrate portion, etching a series of horizontal trenches in the bottom substrate portion such that the horizontal trenches and vertical trenches occupy a continuous free space and allow movement of a piezoelectric MEMS device created by the above method in three dimensions.

Abstract: A fusion bead testing device is provided for testing the strength of a fusion bead removed from a pipe joint. The testing device comprises a first pressing means for exerting a force against the fusion bead. If the fusion bead splits as a result of the applied force then the fusion bead fails a quality control test and the fusion bead and consequently the pipe joint from which the bead was removed are deemed too weak. The fusion bead testing apparatus comprises an automatic split detection device for detecting a split in the bead.

Abstract: A tubular insertion device includes a tubular insertion portion including a flexible portion in a predetermined part, bending sensors distributed and arranged in the flexible portion, and an operation support information calculating unit. The operation support information calculating unit extracts operation support information including at least first external force information regarding an external force applied to the tubular insertion portion by a combinational calculation based on detection information from the bending sensors.

Abstract: Shear force and pressure on a structure are simultaneously monitored using signals received from antennas on the structure. The shear force on the structure is monitored using a signal received from a patch antenna on the structure, and the pressure on the structure is monitored using a signal received from a loop antenna on the structure.