Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plate inorganic nonmetal material by using a molten slag by introducing the molten slag into a pool for preserving heat and modifying, wherein a temperature of the molten slag is 1450° C.-1600° C., and modifying a viscosity and/or a color of the molten slag according to requirements of the product manufactured. The modified molten slag is introduced into a float process furnace using tin or tin alloy carrier forming a plate of inorganic nonmetal material which is discharged at 1000-1300° C. The plate is maintained at 600° C.-900° C. for 0.5-2 hours in a non-reducing atmosphere, and then cooled to a room temperature within 1-2 hours. An energy-saving and efficient method for comprehensively utilizing the blast furnace slag is provided. The produced plate inorganic nonmetal material has such characteristics as stable color quality, abrasion resistance, pressure resistance, strong adhesiveness, low coefficient of expansion and low shrinkage ratio.

Abstract: A method by which recovered glass from waste steams can be used to create a closed cell foam glass in the 9 to 13 lbs/ft3 density range using a single-step foaming process. The waste glass is mixed with foaming agents and the boron content is adjusted and maintained between 7 to 14% of the mixture. The mixture is formed into a charge and fired at a temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 250° C. above the softening point of the waste glass for a controlled period of time. The waste glass can be obtained from commercial waste streams of high borosilicate glass to common container glass from recycling sources. The glass is ground to an appropriate size and mixed with fluxes, enhancers, and foaming agents which are then properly dispersed within the mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided of refurbishing a quartz glass component which has been contaminated and eroded due to continuous use in a plasma process apparatus for semiconductor manufacturing. In the method, a surface deposit on the quartz glass component is removed by an appropriate cleaning method which is determined depending on the contamination status, and presence or absence of residual deposit on the cleaned component is carefully inspected through irradiating with light of a predetermined wavelength to cause fluorescence effect. Then the eroded portion of the quartz glass component is restored to the original state by flame treatment and precision machining. As a result, the refurbishment method can increase the mechanical strength of the quartz glass component, enhance the productivity and yield ratio through efficient use of the remaining materials of the quartz glass.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling bubble size and bubble decay rate of glass foams formed during submerged combustion melting. Flowing a molten mass of foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus has a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. The foamed glass has glass foam of glass foam bubbles on its top surface, and the downstream apparatus defines a space for a gaseous atmosphere above and in contact with the glass foam. The downstream apparatus includes heating components to heat or maintain temperature of the foamed glass. Adjusting composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam, and/or contacting the foam with a liquid or solid composition controls bubble size of the glass foam bubbles, and/or foam decay rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pulling roll for drawing glass sheet in a down-draw process includes a shaft member and a compliant cover assembly positioned on the shaft member. The compliant cover assembly includes at least one traction disk and at least one deflection limiting disk positioned on the shaft member. The at least one traction disk includes an annular hub and a plurality of spring elements integrally formed with the annular hub. The at least one deflection limiting disk includes at least one deflection limiting element positioned on each deflection limiting disk. The at least one deflection limiting element engages at least a portion of at least one traction disk upon a predetermined amount of inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements, thereby limiting the inward radial deflection of the plurality of spring elements.

Abstract: Arnold (13) includes a recessed portion (21) for receiving a melt (2). The recessed portion (21) is constituted by an inner wall surface (29) for converting the melt (2) into a solidified portion when the inner wall surface (29) contacts the melt (2), and opens in a withdrawal direction (D1) of the solidified portion. A curved line formed by a first contour (23p) and a second contour (25p) has a cusp at a position of start points (43 and 45). The distance between the first contour (23p) and the second contour (25p) in a width direction (D2) increases continuously from an upstream side to a downstream side of the withdrawal direction (D1). The shape of the inner wall surface (29) of the recessed portion (21) is determined so that a cast rod (3) can be rotationally displaced clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis passing through a first end point (33) or a second end point (35) and perpendicular to a section of the mold 13.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) wherein an ozone generator (4) that generates ozone gas is used for increasing the washing performance and providing sanitation. The ozone gas generated by the ozone generator (4) is delivered directly onto the clothes inside the tub (2) without mixing with the wash water and hence without dissolving in the wash water, and furthermore the ozone generator (4) that gets overheated due to operation at high voltage is cooled by the water used in the washing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a tub (2), a cylindrical drum (3) having a rear wall (7) wherein the items to be washed are emplaced, disposed coaxially inside the tub (2), one or more ribs (4) arranged on the inner periphery of the drum (3) and forming protrusions into the drum (3), a shaft (8) housed in the tub (2) that transfers the movement to the drum (3) and a bearing (9) situated at the center of the tub (2) rear wall (7), remaining stationary together with the tub (3), wherein the shaft (8) is housed, extending towards the center of the drum (3) and at least one water feeding line (10) situated inside the bearing (9) having an inlet connected to the mains water supply and an outlet opening outside the bearing (9).

Abstract: A washing machine (1) has a washing tub (5) containing a rotary perforated drum (6), and a washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser (8), fluidly connectable to a water source. The liquid dispenser includes a housing (9) and a drawer (10), removably associated to the housing (9), provided with one or more compartments (11a, 11b) adapted to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products. A water line (13) fluidly connects the washing/rinsing-liquid dispenser (8) and the tub (5). The water line (13) has one or more single-piece elements (13, 13a. 13b) including a first conduit (25), fluidly connecting the one or more compartments (11a, 11b) and the tub (5), and a second conduit (27), fluidly separated from the first conduit (25), fluidly connectable, upstream, with the water source, and fluidly connected, downstream, with the tub (5)). The first and second conduits (25, 27) are provided in a single-piece construction.

Abstract: The present description relates to a household appliance for treating soft goods, in particular a laundry washing or washing/drying machine of the electronically controlled type fitted with an electronic control system (17). The household appliance comprises an oscillating assembly connected to the frame by means of a suspension system comprising at least one damper (1). The damper (1) comprises two elements (3, 4) adapted to move reciprocally, at least one magnetic element, preferably a permanent magnet (9), and an electronic module (6) provided with at least one magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall element (12). The magnetic element (9) and the magnetic sensor (12) are housed in the damper (1) so as to detect the reciprocal motion of the two elements (3, 4).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of increasing a frictional force between an outer diameter of a rotary shaft and an inner race of a bearing to prevent the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing due to a gap between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing, thereby preventing creep noise from the rotary shaft. The washing machine includes at least one elastic member disposed between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing to prevent noise due to the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.

Abstract: A security apparatus for a ratchet type gunlock that has a ratchet for locking the gunlock. The security apparatus prevents the gunlock from being shimmed using shimming techniques well known in the art. A star-shaped cogwheel having asymmetrical teeth prevents the shim from reaching the locked ratchet. The security apparatus also provides an extended ratchet latching assembly that features a pivot and a unique shoe-shaped latch that attaches to a plunger via a ball head such that the connections provided between the three elements of the latching assembly enable the latching assembly to remain locked despite severe impact, wrenching or shaking, yet can be easily opened even once the forces being applied to the gunlock ceases even when the deformation to the gunlock is irreversible.

Abstract: A burglarproof device for electronic device including a fastener, a control unit, and a lock core is provided. The fastener includes a plurality of lever arms surrounding a virtual axis. The control unit moves relative to the fastener and drives ends of the lever arms to move toward each other when approaching the fastener; the ends of the lever arms move away from each other when the control unit leaves the fastener. The lock core in an unlocked status permits the movement of the control unit relative to the fastener while the lock core in a locked status restricts the control unit from moving relative to the fastener.

Abstract: A storm grate locking device and method of use with a lock body. The lock body has at least one hook arm engaged with a latch assembly, a security flange nut engaged with the latch assembly, and a deep well socket. When the lock body is placed into the recessed area of a storm grate; and the hook arm engaged with the latch assembly may be extended to extend under the storm grate thereby preventing removal of the storm grate by rotating the security flange nut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handle device (1) for a lock unit of a vehicle, comprising a handle part (10) which is movably mounted relative to a door (11) of the vehicle and which can be displaced between a rest position and an operating position, the handle part (10) being flush with the exterior of the door (11) in the rest position and projecting from the exterior of the door (11) in the operating position. The handle part (10) can be manually actuated to open the door (11) when in the operating position. An actuating unit (12) is used to transfer the handle part (10) at least from the rest position to the operating position. According to the invention, the handle device further comprises a lock cylinder (14) which is arranged in the handle device (1) such that the actuating unit (12) covers the lock cylinder (14) towards the exterior of the door (11) and at least partially releases the lock cylinder (14) when manually actuated.

Abstract: An outer shell member positioning device includes a mounting base member mounted at an outer shell member, a bracket pivotally coupled to the mounting base member and biasable between a first position where constraint bars of the bracket are engaged in a locating hole of an inner shell member to stop the inner shell member in place and a second position where the inner shell member is released from the constraint of the constraint bars and movable out of the outer shell member, a sliding hook member mounted in one end of the bracket and hookable to the mounting base member to secure the bracket in the first position, and a locking device mounted in the bracket and operable to lock the sliding hook member to the mounting base member.

Abstract: A tube bender is provided. The rotatable member is pivoted to a pivot portion of a base and defines an inner space, and the rotatable member has a gear portion, a first arched groove and a holding portion. The gear portion archedly extends around the pivot portion. The first arched groove archedly extends around the pivot portion on an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable member, and the holding portion has a holding recess. The abutting assembly includes an abutting chunk assembled to the base and an arm member connected with the abutting chunk. A gear assembly includes a driving portion pivoted to the arm member and a gear connected and synchronously-movable with the driving portion. The gear engaged with the gear portion in the inner space.

Abstract: A roll forming method including a roll forming step performed by a plurality of roll formers and a bending step performed by a round bender provided with a plurality of bending roll units is disclosed. After a concave surface is formed at a surface of a shaped beam sequentially bent so as to have a closed section at the roll forming step, the concave surface is disposed so as to face toward an inward of a curvature of the shaped beam in the round bender and the shaped beam is formed to have the curvature through multiple steps at the bending step.

Abstract: A roll stand has two working rollers capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two intermediate rollers, two bearing rollers, and at least one side bearing unit capable of laterally supporting the working rollers. At least one camber block for cambering the intermediate rollers is capable of vertical movement relative to the posts of the roll stand and of supporting the side bearing unit.

Abstract: A sealing plate for a prismatic secondary battery includes a pair of mouths for attaching a negative and positive electrode terminals, one mouth being formed near one end in a longitudinal direction of the sealing plate, and the other mouth being formed near the other end, coining areas used for positioning of an insulating member and formed around the pair of mouths on a front face of the sealing plate, a gas release valve and an electrolyte pour hole formed between the pair of mouths, and grooves formed between the respective coining areas and the long side edge of the sealing plate. The groove has a smaller depth near the gas release valve than the depth near the coining area. Even when the sealing plate is produced through forging, the front face has good flatness and the coining areas are unlikely to have a sink mark or a shear drop.

Abstract: A self-contained analysis system operable to assess gas to oil ratio (GOR), shrinkage of reservoir fluid, and composition of pressurized reservoir fluids. The analysis system can be used for extended compositional analysis of rich flashed gas and lean gas samples as well as flashed equilibrium liquids, condensates, and black oils. Analysis of the various samples is achieved without cross contamination, for example, between rich flashed gases and lean gases or between extended natural gas and liquids (e.g., black oils and condensates). The system yields accurate results up to and including C20 for gas samples and up to and including C36+ for liquid samples, and entrained water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valproic acid biosensor. In some embodiments, the valproic acid biosensor may comprise a microcantilever, a self-assembly monolayer, and a valproic acid antibody layer. The self-assembly monolayer may immobilize on the microcantilever surface. The valproic acid antibody layer may immobilize on the self-assembly monolayer. The valproic acid antibody layer may be used to bind with valproic acid drug samples. The present disclosure further relates to methods for measuring the concentration of valproic acid drug samples.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for testing membranes and membrane-based systems by introducing particles into a feed liquid passing across the surface of a membrane wherein the particles have a size larger than the nominal cut-off of the membrane, and measuring the presence of the particles within a permeate solution which passes through the membrane. In one embodiment, the particles are selected from those which dissolve within the permeate solution after being measured. In another embodiment, the particles are selected from inorganic salts. Many additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A reconfigurable leak testing system is provided that includes a leak testing station and at least one off-shuttle cart removably attachable to the leak testing station. A fixture cartridge is translatable between the off-shuttle cart and the leak testing station. The fixture cartridge is configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station. The fixture cartridge includes an upper fixture, a lower fixture, and an actuatable testing feature. The fixture cartridge is configured to receive a part between the upper fixture and lower fixture. The actuatable testing feature is configured to contact the part. A closed volume is defined at least partially by the actuatable testing feature and the part.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises the steps of inserting, the plunger having in the side wall thereof a lower open end and an oil recycling hole in the side wall thereof and provided with a seal member, supplying pressurized air to the plunger through a port formed in the top end of the plunger, testing the internal air tightness of the sealed lash adjuster with the lower end of the plunger and with the oil recycling hole closed when the plunger is inserted in the body, opening the oil recycling hole and further inserting the plunger in the body if the seal member is verified to have satisfactory sealability; and testing the internal air tightness of the lash adjuster to test the sealability of the seal member with the seal member and with the oil recycling hole positioned not to reach the seal member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable digital reader for urinalysis. The portable digital reader for reading an analysis target chip including a plurality of test areas, comprises: a main body including a light emitting section having light emitting elements for radiating light, an integral optical splitter for uniformly distributing the light from the light emitting section to each test area of the analysis target chip, a light receiving section for receiving light reflected from the each test area so as to convert the same to electric signals, and a measuring section for measuring concentration according to the electric signals obtained from the light receiving section; a main supporting body having the analysis target chip and assembled with the main body; and an auxiliary supporting body assembled between the analysis target chip and the main supporting body, including a groove for assembling the analysis target chip, and assembled with the main supporting body to be exchanged after use.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing samples for analyte testing. The sample preparation system can include a freestanding receptacle. The method can include providing a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent, and positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir defined by the freestanding receptacle. The method can further include filtering the liquid composition to form a filtrate comprising an analyte of interest, removing at least a portion of the filtrate from the sample preparation system to form a sample, and analyzing the sample for the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A resonance frequency shift amount ?f and a peak level change amount ?P are measured using a microwave resonator, V1 and V2 are obtained based on V1=(?f·??2/Kf??P·??2/Kp)/(??1·??2???1·??2), and V2=(?f·??1/Kf??P·??1/Kp)/(??1·??2???1·??2), and an absolute dry basis weight and a moisture amount are obtained based on absolute dry basis weight=?·V1, and moisture amount=?·V2. For the constants Kf, Kp, ??1, ??2, ??1 and ??2, the constants ??1, ??2, ??1 and ??2 are determined so that the variance values of Kf and Kp are smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include methods for monitoring a gas turbine component. In some cases, a method includes: analyzing a gas turbomachine component to detect at least one of a void or a porosity of the gas turbomachine component while maintaining a structural integrity of the gas turbomachine component during the analyzing; and providing instructions to perform a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process on the gas turbomachine component in response to at least one of detecting the void or detecting that the porosity exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A device for detecting a fault in a low-pressure fuel pump of a turbojet. The pump is driven by an accessory gearbox including a gear for mechanically driving the accessories. The device measures the vibration frequencies of the accessory gearbox and detects, from among the frequencies, at least one vibration frequency of the low-pressure fuel pump. The device allows a fault in the low-pressure fuel pump to be detected as soon as it occurs.

Abstract: A method for testing a supercharger actuator for a supercharger of a supercharged internal combustion engine, including adjusting the supercharger actuator from a first position to a second position, determining a rotational speed change information, which is a function of the change of the rotational speed of the supercharger resulting from the adjustment, and establishing a malfunction of the supercharger actuator as a function of the rotational speed change information.

Abstract: A testing device for checking the quality of a paint or lacquer layer includes at least one friction element moving device. To prevent an impression on a test region, the friction element moving device is configured to (i) initially move at least one friction element in frictional contact along a defined path, e.g., a circular path, over a test region of a paint or lacquer layer, and (ii) subsequently eliminate the frictional contact between the friction element and the test region during the movement of the friction element.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises: a probe assembly configured to seal a region of a wall of the borehole; a perforator configured to penetrate a portion of the sealed region of the borehole wall by projecting through the probe assembly; a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and a pump configured to inject the fluid from the fluid chamber into the formation through the perforator.

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 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: An angular velocity sensor includes a support body, a retaining portion connected to the support body, first to fourth weights, first to fourth arms, a drive unit for driving the first to fourth arms, and a monitor unit for detecting displacements of the first to fourth arms. An X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other are defined. The detector unit is symmetrical with respect to both an axis parallel to the X-axis and an axis parallel to the Y-axis. This angular velocity sensor can cancel an undesired signal caused by external disturbances, such as acceleration or impact, thus detecting an angular velocity accurately.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope has a base and a resonator. The resonator includes a body of generally cylindrical shape terminating in a face. The resonator is capable of vibrating according to a first vibration mode having antinodes distributed on n axes, and a second vibration mode having antinodes distributed on n other axes. The face of the resonator has two piezoelectric assemblies on each axis of the first and of the second vibration modes. Each piezoelectric assembly has at least one piezoelectric element capable of exciting the resonator in vibration and at least one piezoelectric element capable of detecting vibrations of the resonator at the same time.

Abstract: A gyroscope comprising: a frame; a tuning fork comprising a base and first and second prongs, wherein the base has proximal and distal ends, and wherein the proximal end is coupled to the frame and the distal end is coupled to the first and second prongs; first and second drivers configured to drive the first and second prongs respectively to oscillate with respect to the frame in a first direction, such that the prongs oscillate at their respective resonant frequencies and 180° out of phase with each other; and at least two digital position triggers operatively coupled to the frame and to the tuning fork, wherein each position trigger is configured to experience at least two trigger events during each oscillation of the tuning fork in a second direction, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A motion sensing transducer includes an electrically conductive substrate having a major surface that defines a substrate plane, and a first compliant structure including a piezoelectric material and having greater compliance to inertial forces oriented out of the substrate plane than to inertial forces oriented in the substrate plane. The first compliant structure includes a piezoelectric material. The motion sensing transducer includes a second compliant structure having greater compliance to inertial forces oriented in the substrate plane than to inertial forces oriented out of the substrate plane. The second compliant structure includes a first surface that is electrically isolated from the substrate. The first surface faces a surface of the substrate. The motion sensing transducer includes a first electrically conductive lead that is electrically connected to the first surface, and a second electrically conductive lead that is electrically connected to the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: According to a displacement amount monitoring electrode arrangement, there are a linear change region in which the change amount of capacitance changes linearly with the displacement of the movable electrode in the predetermined axis direction, and a nonlinear change region in which the change amount of the capacitance changes nonlinearly with the displacement of the movable electrode in the predetermined axis direction. The nonlinear change region includes a characteristic in which a change sensitivity of the change amount of the capacitance with respect to the displacement amount of the movable electrode in the predetermined axis direction is greater than that in the linear change region, and a target capacitance change amount of the capacitance when the displacement of the movable electrode in the predetermined axis direction reaches a target displacement amount corresponding to the target amplitude is set in the nonlinear change region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a microelectromechanical system may include a chip, a substrate, a signal generator, and a fixing structure configured to fix the chip to the substrate. The chip may be fixed in such a way that, upon an acceleration of the microelectromechanical system, the chip is moved relative to the substrate. Furthermore, a signal may be generated by the movement of the chip by means of the signal generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamp (10) which is used mainly in a vibroacoustic diagnosis tool during an automobile maintenance or after-sales assistance opération, including two hinged arms (11, 12), each comprising a jaw (13, 14) at one end and a handle (15, 16) at the other end. A pad (20) is mounted on each jaw (13, 14) via a ball-and-socket joint (21), such that the pad (20) ensures effective contact between the clamp (10) and the part being tested, and séparâtes the body of the clamp from the listening part. The invention is useful in the field of motor vehicles. The invention is also useful in the vibroacoustic diagnosis of motor vehicles or motor vehicle subunits.

Abstract: A grammage detection sensor which detects a grammage of a recording medium using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave and a receiving unit including a first vibration member configured to receive the ultrasonic wave that is transmitted from the transmitting unit and passes through the recording medium. The receiving unit includes a guide member configured to guide the ultrasonic wave that passes through the recording medium to the first vibration member. A length from a surface of the first vibration member to a plane including an end plane of the guide member along a line that passes through a center of the first vibration member and is perpendicular to the first vibration member is approximately n times of one-half wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitting unit where n is an integer of one or greater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the speed of a signal species, such as an acoustic signal, in a multilayered medium is described. The multilayer medium, generally, has a first and second layer (e.g. oil and water), whereby first and second signals are transmitted across particular distances in the medium such that a second distance differs from a first distance, and whereby the time of flight of each signal can be used in order to determine the speed of the signals species in one or both of the first and second layer. In other words, in some cases, the speed of sound can be determined in oil and/or water, or the like.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe system includes a main body portion, an ultrasound observation portion transmitting ultrasound in a side surface direction of the main body portion and receiving a reflected wave, a distal-end portion provided such that a proximal-end face, on a proximal-end side is adjacent to a distal-end in an axial direction of the main body portion, a sheath portion housing the main body portion inside to be capable of advancing and retracting in the axial direction, a distal-end face arranged at a distal-end of the sheath portion and facing the proximal-end face, a specimen collecting portion provided on the proximal-end face and/or the distal-end face, the specimen collecting portion being formed at an acute angle to separate a specimen from a subject, and an edge portion arranged on the proximal-end face or the distal-end face to cross the entire circumference of the specimen collecting portion to cut the specimen.

Abstract: An inspection arrangement and an associated method for inspecting an elongate object. The arrangement includes a housing providing an interior space. The housing has an entrance and exit that are aligned. The arrangement includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensor arrays disposed to direct ultrasonic sensory pluses. Each sensor array has a plurality of ultrasonic sensors with each ultrasonic sensor positioned to direct a respective ultrasonic sensory pulse in a respective direction. The arrangement includes a fluid delivery device that delivers a coupling fluid into the interior space. The coupling fluid transmits the ultrasonic sensory pluses to the elongate object. The arrangement includes a plurality of redirecting elements associated with the plurality of ultrasonic sensor arrays. Each redirecting element is positioned such that ultrasonic sensory pluses from the respective ultrasonic sensor array proceed through the respective redirecting element and are redirected along a different direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: A pseudo rock includes a housing, a strain sensor, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a vibration generator and a controller. The housing has an average shape and size of rocks. The strain sensor detects a stress acting in positive and negative directions of each axis with respect to three-dimensional coordinates using the center of the housing as the origin. The three-axis acceleration sensor detects acceleration acting in each axis of the three-dimensional coordinates. The vibration generator produces vibration in a specific direction with respect to the three-dimensional coordinates. The controller converts respective detected values of the strain sensor and the three-axis acceleration sensor into vibration pulses of specific patterns and outputting the vibration pulses to the vibration generator.

Abstract: An acoustic wave measuring apparatus includes a light source for radiating a light having a wavelength component in wavelength areas, light filters arranged in a light path from the light source to a subject and each to shut off or transmit the light in one of the wavelength areas, a detector for detecting an acoustic wave generated by the radiation, a controller for generating conditions having different combinations of the wavelength components contained in the light, and a signal processor for calculating an optical absorption coefficient of the subject for the light in each wavelength area based on a pressure of the acoustic wave detected under each of the conditions and a strength of the radiated light for each wavelength area under conditions.