Abstract: An apparatus and related method for measuring the presence or degree of stratified flow in a two-phase flow is disclosed. A first speed of sound for the fluid flowing through the pipeline is measured for an ultrasonic signal that would reflect from stratified flow, if present. A second speed of sound is measured at a location that would not reflect off the stratified flow. A difference in these two measurements indicates the presence of stratified flow. The level of stratified flow can be determined based on the magnitude of the difference.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring volumes and areas using electromagnetic induction techniques. A current is generated and fed into one of two coil assemblies to induce voltage into another coil assembly to provide accurate values for volume or area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for checking the filling or content of pockets in a blister package in particular for pharmaceuticals which is filled with a powdery, solid, liquid or pasteous substance whereby the volume filled of the substance is detected by a sensor and the detected volume value is supplied to an evaluation unit in which a comparison of the detected volume value with a volume target value is carried out. The sensor can preferably be formed both as a line sensor as well as a matrix sensor.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the level of free-flowing particulate material in a storage bin comprises an electronic load cell fixedly positionable at the upper end of the storage bin and having a cable suspended therefrom in the storage bin. The lower end of the cable is adjacent the lower end of the storage bin so that the load of the cable alone causes of the electronic load cell to provide a first signal to a process controller indicative of an empty storage bin. The load of the cable plus the downward force of any particulate material in the storage bin on the cable causes the electronic load cell to provide a second output signal to the process controller proportional to the amount of particulate material in the storage bin.

Abstract: A fuel pump module is liquid-tightly mounted in an opening of a vehicle fuel tank. The fuel pump module includes a residual fuel detector provided near the fuel tank. The residual fuel detector includes a diaphragm having a first diaphragm for receiving fuel pressure Pg by a head and atmospheric pressure Po, and a diaphragm portion for receiving atmospheric pressure Po and internal pressure Pi. The residual fuel detector detects the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank on the basis of these kinds of pressure Po, Pg and Pi. At the same time, the residual fuel detector detects the in-tank pressure Pt of the fuel tank on the basis of Po and Pi.

Abstract: A direct and non-destructive method for measuring recess depth in a semiconductor wafer through use of a solvent, comprising: a) placing a recessed wafer into a track; b) pouring a solvent into the wafer; c) commencement of spinning the track-wafer-solvent to recess the solvent into the wafer trench solvent; d) subjecting the track-wafer-solvent from step c) to a subsequent spinning step to spin-off any remaining solvent on the surface of the wafer to leave the wafer trench filled with solvent; e) weighing the solvent-filled-trench wafer; f) subjecting the solvent-filled-trench wafer to heating to remove the solvent; and weighing the solvent-free wafer to determine the difference in weight, and using the density of the solvent together with the difference in weight to determine the recess depth.

Abstract: A monitor for remote reading of liquid volumes in pressurized tanks utilizes a hollow buoyant displacement probe extending downwardly from a load cell carried adjacent a top port in the tank. The buoyant probe is optionally formed in detachable segments so that it can be assembled on site at the time of installation. The load cell is suspended from a flange cover acting as a closure for the tank port so that the load cell is freely pivotable on perpendicular horizontal axes, insuring that it is always oriented horizontally. A temperature-reading string is positioned in the open hollow center of the probe and has three spaced temperature sensing units along its length.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for measuring the volume of liquid in a container having a lid in which an ultrasonic signal is emitted and received by a sensor subsystem located on the underside of the lid of the ultrasonic system. The ultrasonic system can measure the exact amount of liquid or the level of the liquid held in the container by processing the roundtrip time the ultrasonic signals took to travel from the sensor subsystem to the surface of the liquid where the ultrasonic signals are reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor subsystem. A solid state, three-phase SCR/diode bridge converts a three-phase alternating current (AC) to a direct current (DC) power source for heating the liquid in a boiler subsystem prior to its transport to the container. A second, triac controlled heater is powered by a single phase of the three phase power source, and is used to warm and maintain the liquid held within the container at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A system that performs content analysis on comestible products using volumetric determination with a single-chamber technique in a mass production environment. The content value determination system includes a conveyor system, a system for weighing the comestible products interposed along the path of the conveyor, a volumetric determination station that consists of a plurality of receiving chambers, and a control module. In this embodiment, each receiving chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor and a mechanical system for modifying the volume of the chamber. In addition, both the pressure sensors and the volume modification system of each receiving chamber are operably connected to the control module.

Abstract: A method of forming a color filter on a substrate having pixel driving elements. A substrate having a plurality of light-transmitting areas and active areas is provided. A pixel driving element is formed on the substrate in each active area, wherein an insulation layer is formed between each pixel driving element. A planarization layer is formed on the pixel driving elements and the insulation layer. Part of the planarization layer is removed to form contact holes and openings, wherein the contact holes expose part of the pixel driving elements, and the openings expose the insulation layer in the light-transmitting areas. Color pigment is filled into the openings to form a color filter on the substrate having the pixel driving elements. Transparent pixel electrodes are formed in the contact holes to electrically connect the pixel driving elements, wherein the transparent electrodes extend onto part of the color filter.

Abstract: A volume measurement system uses volume element counting in determining the amount of a liquid such as fuel in an irregularly-shaped container such as a fuel tank which can have changing orientation. The container is conceptually divided up into a plurality of volume elements. An orientation sensor determines the orientation of the container or of the liquid surface, which is approximated as a plane. A computational or optical processor uses orientation data to project vectors representing the volume elements onto a direction normal to the liquid interface plane. These projected distances are then arithmetically or optically compared to the location of the liquid interface plane.

Abstract: The volume measuring device has a reservoir of known volume attached to a measuring tube. The measuring tube is also attached to a container mount configured to sealably engage a container. Liquid partially fills the measuring tube and the volume of liquid contained therein can be measured by measuring its height. The measuring tube pivots between two measuring orientations. In the first measuring orientation, the volume of liquid in the measuring tube equals the total volume of liquid minus the volume of the reservoir. In the second measuring orientation, the volume of liquid in the measuring tube equals the total volume minus the volume of the container. Thus, the difference in the volume of liquid contained in the measuring tube in the two orientations equals the difference between the known volume of the reservoir and the unknown volume of the container, and the volume of the container can be calculated.

Abstract: A liquid-quantity monitoring apparatus includes: a piezoelectric device having a vibrating part capable of being exposed at least partly to a liquid-containing space, the piezoelectric device being capable of vibrating the vibrating part by a given drive signal and of generating a signal representing back electromotive force generated by vibration of the vibrating part; and a liquid-quantity determining unit for determining a quantity of liquid remaining in the liquid-containing space, to which the vibrating part is exposed, based on a resonance frequency of a residual vibration signal output from the piezoelectric device due to a residual vibration of the vibrating part after the vibrating part has been vibrated by the drive signal.

Abstract: A monitor for remote reading of liquid volumes in pressurized tanks utilizes a hollow buoyant displacement probe extending downwardly from a load cell carried adjacent a top port in the tank. The load cell is suspended from a flange cover acting as a closure for the tank port so that the load cell is freely pivotable on perpendicular horizontal axes, insuring that it is always oriented horizontally. A temperature-reading string is positioned in the open hollow center of the probe and has three spaced temperature sensing units along its length. Force data from the load cell, giving the apparent weight of the probe immersed in the liquid tank contents, and temperature data, from which volumetric data may be calculated, are fed to an external battery-operated microprocessor which periodically radios its data to a central computer which may be polled by phone lines from a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel-gauging system has flowmeters at the inlet and outlet of a fuel tank. The output of the flowmeters is used to compute the height and volume either of a localised elevated region above the inlet, where fuel flows into the tank, or of a localised depressed region above the outlet where fuel flows out of the tank. Where the gauging probes are located away from the region of the inlet or outlet, the volume derived from the probes is corrected by adding the volume of the elevated region or by subtracting the volume of the depressed region. Where the gauging probes are located in the region of the inlet or outlet, the height output of the probe is corrected either by subtracting the height of the elevated region or by adding the height of the depressed region. The volume is computed from these corrected heights and further corrected by adding the volume of the elevated region or by subtracting the volume of the depressed region.

Abstract: A monitor for remote reading of liquid volumes in pressured tanks utilizes a hollow buoyant displacement probe extending downwardly from a load cell carried adjacent a top port in the tank. The load cell is suspended from a flange cover acting as a closure for the tank port so that the load cell is freely pivotable on perpendicular horizontal axes, insuring that it is always oriented horizontally. A temperature-reading string is positioned in the open hollow center of the probe and has three spaced temperature sensing units along its length. Force data from the load cell, giving the apparent weight of the probe immersed in the liquid tank contents, and temperature data, from which volumetric data may be calculated, are fed to an external battery-operated microprocessor which periodically radios its data to a central computer which may be polled by phone lines from a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the level of free-flowing particulate material in a storage bin comprises an electronic load cell fixedly positionable at the upper end of the storage bin and having a cable suspended therefrom in the storage bin. The lower end of the cable is adjacent the lower end of the storage bin so that the load of the cable alone causes of the electronic load cell to provide a first signal to a process controller indicative of an empty storage bin. The load of the cable plus the downward force of any particulate material in the storage bin on the cable causes the electronic load cell to provide a second output signal to the process controller proportional to the amount of particulate material in the storage bin.

Abstract: In a method for measuring the injection quantity of injection systems (32, 33), in particular for motor vehicles and in particular in production testing, an injection system (32, 33) injects a testing fluid into a measuring chamber (45). A detection device (68) detects a movement of a piston (40), which at least partially defines the measuring chamber (45). This detection device (68) generates a corresponding measurement signal (sm). In order to increase the precision of the calculation of the injected testing fluid mass, the invention proposes that the pressure (p) of the testing fluid in the measuring chamber (45) be detected and that the measurement signal (sm) be processed (80) taking into account the detected pressure (p).

Abstract: Bottle (11) containing liquefiable gas stored under pressure is supplied to one or more appliances (12) via regulator (14) and condut (16). Sensing means (120) incudes sensor (20) and remote temperature sensor (40). Monitor (30) contains micro processor (300) and indication means (32) to have a number of modes including power-saving, stand-by, normal, amber, red/amber, mute, leak test and low battery.

Abstract: A device for determining a level of objects in a hopper comprises a hopper for storing and dispensing objects, a pair of sensors positioned within the hopper for sensing one or more of the objects within the hopper, and a processor connected to the pair of sensors for receiving signals indicative of the pair of sensors sensing one or more of the objects, the processor for determining the level of objects within the hopper based upon tracking a trend in the signals.

Abstract: A fluid volumetric pumping system has a fluid pump and capacitor plates disposed around a pump chamber of the fluid pump. The capacitance between the capacitor plates changes as the volume of fluid in the pump chamber changes. An electrical circuit measures a change in the capacitance between the plates and outputs a signal indicative of the volume of fluid in the pump chamber. The pump having the capacitance sensor of the present invention fluidly connects to a patient. In an embodiment, a peritoneal dialysis system provides dialysate to the patient via the pump, and the capacitance sensor measures the volume of dialysate supplied to and drained from a peritoneal cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A dose-measuring device designed to be inserted in the neck of a flask (1) includes a first metering compartment (A) and a second reserve compartment (B) communicating with the outlet of the measuring device and the metering compartment (A). The device also includes an outer tubular element (5) nested in the neck (2a) of the flask (1), closed at its lower end and open at its upper end and an inner tubular element (5) nested sealed in the outer tubular element (5), including an intermediate body (16), delimiting inwards, the metering compartment and a lower part forming a transfer conduit (23) extending downwards emerging into the metering compartment (A) and in the reserve compartment (B).

Abstract: A self calibration system is provided for a fuel tank in which a method is applied to dynamically determine the relationship between the remaining fuel in the tank and the measured depth of that remaining fuel. It is not necessary to provide the specific volume-to-depth relationship prior to operation of the marine vessel. Based on initial estimation of this relationship, which can be a linear estimation, the actual relationship is determined based on measured fuel depth changes and measured fuel consumptions which are contemporaneous with the measurement of the depth changes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating repeatable closure of a volume measurement chamber are provided. More particularly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a dual articulating hinge is used to affix a chamber door to a volume measurement chamber, providing repeatable closure of a chamber door. In another embodiment of the invention, a laterally compliant magnetic latch is used to fasten a chamber door to a volume measurement chamber. In a third embodiment, a chamber door lid is mounted to a hinge bar via a ball joint, allowing the chamber door lid to self center about the chamber opening.

Abstract: A volume measurement system uses volume element counting in determining the amount of a liquid such as fuel in an irregularly-shaped container such as a fuel tank which can have changing orientation. The container is conceptually divided up into a plurality of volume elements. An orientation sensor determines the orientation of the container or of the liquid surface, which is approximated as a plane. A computational or optical processor uses orientation data to project vectors representing the volume elements onto a direction normal to the liquid interface plane. These projected distances are then arithmetically or optically compared to the location of the liquid interface plane.

Abstract: A system for determining a level of a liquid present in a storage container in an automobile is disclosed. The system has a liquid level sensor for determining a preliminary liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage container, an ignition key position sensor for determining an ignition position, a vehicle speed sensor for determining the automobile's speed, a transmission gear selection sensor for determining a transmission gear position of a transmission of the automobile, and a processor. The processor receives input signals from the liquid level sensor, ignition key position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the transmission gear selection sensor for calculating the level of the liquid in the storage container.

Abstract: Traditional mechanical fuel gauges do not provide an accurate measurement of a vehicle's fuel capacity. As a result, vehicle manufacturer's incur considerable losses when delivering cars with unused fuel. The present invention, therefore, provides a method and system for accurately determining an amount of fuel required to transport a vehicle a known distance. This is achieved by utilizing a fuel measurement device (FMD) which can be inserted into a vehicles fuel tank. Upon removing the FMD from the fuel tank, one can then determine the amount of fuel that is required to travel a particular distance at a particular fuel consumption rate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the FMD is held by a holding device. The purpose of the holding device is to minimize the size of the FMD such that the FMD can be disposed of with minimal waste.

Abstract: A holder and/or a holder and cover for containing a dispenser of a consumable product, such as a cartridge containing pressurized gas for therapeutic use, and a method for selecting the optimum parameters for such holder are provided to allow sensitive determination of the amount product remaining in the dispenser. The holder has a curvilinear or partly curvilinear circumference, and holds the dispenser so that the center of mass of the dispenser and the product it contains is at a predetermined optimum location relative to the center of mass of the holder. Thus, when the holder is placed on a horizontal surface, the holder can roll along the curvilinear circumference, and the predetermined optimum relationship of the center of mass of the dispenser and the center of mass of the holder causes the holder to come to rest at adequately spaced unique locations on the circumference of the holder depending upon the combined mass of the dispenser and the product it contains.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the discharge of a liquid, in particular urine, from a patient. The apparatus includes a measuring container (1), means (H) for applying a first acoustic signal to the liquid-empty part of the measuring container (1), means (H) for recording a second acoustic signal generated in the measuring container (1) in response to the first signal, means (45) for determining a current liquid amount in the measuring container (1) on the basis of the second acoustic signal. The measuring container (1) has a measuring pipe (5) defining a liquid-empty resonance chamber for generating the second acoustic signal.

Abstract: A device for determining density of a material flowing in a conveying system includes a duct segment in fluid communication with the conveying system. The duct segment is coupled to the conveying system by isolation fittings, which allow the weight of the duct segment to be measured independent of the weight of adjacent portions of the conveying system. Further, a method for determining density of a material flowing in a conveying system includes weighing a duct segment having material free fluid flowing therein. The duct segment having a mixture of material and fluid flowing therein is also weighed. The difference of the two weights is used to determine a linear density of the material.

Abstract: Volume measuring apparatus is used in a closed space as in the case of volume measurement of liquid in a container placed on an orbit of an artificial satellite and permits the volume measurement in a state without mixture with gas, liquid, or solid. A volume measuring apparatus is an apparatus for measuring the volume of liquid or solid under microgravity, which has two or more containers coupled to each other by a pipe, a device for separating or fixing a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, a pressure fluctuation source, a pressure signal receiver, a pressure gage, and a thermometer, wherein the separating or fixing device, the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are placed in the containers and wherein the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are connected to a signal analyzing unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the volume of a fluid passing through a container comprises container motion detection means which detection means is operable to detect motion of the container, and processing means operable to determine the volume of fluid flowing through the container, based on output of the container motion detection means.

Abstract: A method for determining a volume of liquid is described, wherein the liquid is drawn from a vessel by means of a pipette or is delivered from a pipette into a vessel, respectively. In particular a method is described, wherein as the first step the volume of liquid contained in a vessel V1a is determined by a detector means. Then a volume of liquid V1act is drawn into a pipette and, subsequent thereto, the volume of liquid contained in the vessel V1e is determined again. Thereafter the volume of liquid actually drawn off V1act is calculated in accordance with the equation V1a−V1e=V1act. Subsequent thereto the difference between the volume of liquid actually drawn off V1act and a volume of liquid predetermined to be drawn off V1targ is calculated in accordance with the equation |V1act−V1targ|=V1diff. Then a comparison of the difference V1diff with a predetermined volume of liquid &egr;1 is conducted and an error message is displayed in case V1diff>&egr;1.

Abstract: The present invention includes tree crown volume measuring devices and measuring systems useful in determining the necessary amount of growth regulator product to be applied to trees near power lines. The present invention also includes measuring methods and processes using the devices of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for selecting proportions of aggregate for incorporation into concrete comprises several steps. First, a maximum aggregate size for a specific application is determined. A sample of the maximum size aggregate is loose poured into a container. The percentage voids in that sample is then calculated. An amount of smaller sized aggregate equal to approximately the volume of percentage voids calculated earlier is added to the sample until a reduced volume of voids in the mixed sample is achieved. Finally, the amounts of aggregate determined to have the reduced volume of voids in the mixed sample are used in a concrete mixture.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel-gauging system has flowmeters at the inlet and outlet of a fuel tank. The output of the flowmeters is used to compute the height and volume either of a localised elevated region above the inlet, where fuel flows into the tank, or of a localised depressed region above the outlet where fuel flows out of the tank. Where the gauging probes are located away from the region of the inlet or outlet, the volume derived from the probes is corrected by adding the volume of the elevated region or by subtracting the volume of the depressed region. Where the gauging probes are located in the region of the inlet or outlet, the height output of the probe is corrected either by subtracting the height of the elevated region or by adding the height of the depressed region. The volume is computed from these corrected heights and further corrected by adding the volume of the elevated region or by subtracting the volume of the depressed region.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring the volume of a contained fluid includes an exposure chamber adapted for exposure to head volume of a volume of the contained fluid. A displacement mechanism is connected to the exposure chamber such that the displacement mechanism is displaced in proportion to the amount of head volume in the contained fluid acting on the exposure chamber. A read mechanism is connected to the displacement mechanism. The read mechanism generates a signal corresponding to the amount of displacement of the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A volume measurement system uses volume element counting in determining the amount of a liquid such as fuel in an irregularly-shaped container such as a fuel tank which can have changing orientation. The container is conceptually divided up into a plurality of volume elements. An orientation sensor determines the orientation of the container or of the liquid surface, which is approximated as a plane. A computational or optical processor uses orientation data to project vectors representing the volume elements onto a direction normal to the liquid interface plane. These projected distances are then arithmetically or optically compared to the location of the liquid interface plane.

Abstract: A volume meter 1 for measuring the volume of cups in a printing device has a reservoir formed by an indentation 5 in a foil 3. In the reservoir there is a viscous substance 11 comprising grease mixed with a colorant. The volume meter 1 has an adhesive 17 for fastening to a screen. The foil is free over an area 18 of the adhesive 17. This area 18 is larger than the spot that the viscous substance 11 covers after the spreading in the cups with the help of a doctor blade. The size of this spot is a measure for the volume of the cups and can be read with the aid of a scale division present on the foil 3. The indentation 5 in the foil 3 has such a form that the foil 3 does not fold double if a doctor blade is passed along the indentation 5, and the foil 3 at the place of the indentation 5 is pushed against the screen with the doctor blade in order to push the viscous substance 11 out of the reservoir.

Abstract: A suspension support with volume indication for a LPG tank comprising a slidable upright pole, a securing rail having an opening as a sliding path, a retractable restoring device, a plurality of suspension hooks and a measuring device with a display capable of showing level indication is disclosed.

Abstract: Acoustic volume indicators of this invention comprise a resonator for causing a liquid container to vibrate, a detector for receiving vibration data from the liquid container, a frequency detector for converting the vibration data to frequency and comparing the frequency to stored frequency v. volume data to obtain the liquid volume, and an indicator for providing a desired output based on the liquid volume. The resonator can be provided in the form of an impactor that is actuated to strike the side of the liquid container to momentarily vibrate the tank, or in the form of a vibration generator that is operated to generate a sweep frequency signal in the tank. The detector is designed to respond to vibration signals provided from the tank wall, which signals will show a significant increase in amplitude at the resonant frequency of the tank and its contents. The detector can be in the form of an accelerometer designed to record the received signal.

Abstract: Volume measuring apparatus is used in a closed space as in the case of volume measurement of liquid in a container placed on an orbit of an artificial satellite and permits the volume measurement in a state without mixture with gas, liquid, or solid. A volume measuring apparatus is an apparatus for measuring the volume of liquid or solid under microgravity, which has two or more containers coupled to each other by a pipe, a device for separating or fixing a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, a pressure fluctuation source, a pressure signal receiver, a pressure gage, and a thermometer, wherein the separating or fixing device, the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are placed in the containers and wherein the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are connected to a signal analyzing unit.

Abstract: A liquid measuring device is described for carrying out the assay using a gas or vapor permeable but liquid impermeable membrane barrier to control the volume of liquid to be measured or transferred. The membrane may be used in any instance where a fixed volume of liquid needs to be measured.

Abstract: A holder and/or a holder and cover for containing a dispenser of a consumable product, such as a cartridge containing pressurized gas for therapeutic use, and a method for selecting the optimum parameters for such holder are provided to allow sensitive determination of the amount product remaining in the dispenser. The holder has a curvilinear or partly curvilinear circumference, and holds the dispenser so that the center of mass of the dispenser and the product it contains is at a predetermined optimum location relative to the center of mass of the holder. Thus, when the holder is placed on a horizontal surface, the holder can roll along the curvilinear circumference, and the predetermined optimum relationship of the center of mass of the dispenser and the center of mass of the holder causes the holder to come to rest at adequately spaced unique locations on the circumference of the holder depending upon the combined mass of the dispenser and the product it contains.

Abstract: A system for identifying the time remaining for a bottled gas supply to lapse. Such bottled gas supplies include those used for gas grilles, scuba, nitrogen for electron microscopes, and any other environment in which a bottled gas is used. The system reads the pressure and optionally the temperature of the gas container, the readings of which are read by a microprocessor, optionally first pre-processed in a conversion module, and converted into a display for the user identifying the time during which the gas contents remaining will last. In various systems, it may be desirable to program the microprocessor, such as with input from a keyboard and/or cd-rom, with parameters regards specifics of the gas or the container, or to simply processing by assuming a certain temperate correlation and thereby elinimate the need for a temperature transducer.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring and optionally controlling the absolute inventory of a dynamic fluid in a vessel having at least one agitator with a rotatable shaft extending in an essentially horizontal direction, wherein there is a resultant force acting on the agitator in an essentially vertical direction in relation to the shaft and a relationship exists between the absolute inventory and the force acting on the agitator in the essentially vertical direction. The method comprises determining a correlation between the vessel absolute inventory and resultant force, measuring the resultant force, and thereby determining a relative absolute inventory within the vessel. The determined absolute inventory value may then be used as a control variable for use in controlling the absolute inventory within the vessel.

Abstract: A process for evaluating the quality of a printing ink is provided, wherein a defined quantity of the printing ink is stirred; a force or torque to be applied during the stirring is measured, and a defined quantity of moistening agent is added to the ink at a defined point in time. A device for evaluating the quality of the printing ink is also provided with a container for the printing ink; a stirring device, with which an ink filled into the container can be stirred; a measuring device for measuring the force to be applied by the stirring device or the torque to be applied; a moistening agent supply and a control, which actuates the feed of moistening agent such that a predetermined quantity of moistening agent is introduced into the container at a defined point in time.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a test kit for performing this method for determining the volume of a sample of the liquid. In the method, a specific concentration of a chromophoric indicator is provided in this liquid, a sample is separated from the liquid, the optical absorption of the separated sample is measured, and the volume of the separated sample is determined by correlation of the measured optical absorption with the concentration of indicator in this liquid. Ions that generate a color in the sample by complexing with a specific ligand are used as the indicator to stain the liquid.

Abstract: A liquid-quantity monitoring apparatus includes: a piezoelectric device having a vibrating part capable of being exposed at least partly to a liquid-containing space, the piezoelectric device being capable of vibrating the vibrating part by a given drive signal and of generating a signal representing back electromotive force generated by vibration of the vibrating part; and a liquid-quantity determining unit for determining a quantity of liquid remaining in the liquid-containing space, to which the vibrating part is exposed, based on a resonance frequency of a residual vibration signal output from the piezoelectric device due to a residual vibration of the vibrating part after the vibrating part has been vibrated by the drive signal.

Abstract: A piston-type quantity meter including a metering chamber having a bottom, a cylindrical chamber shell, a cover, a central journal, a guide ring, two inlet opening formed, respectively, in the chamber bottom and the chamber cover, and a radial outlet opening formed in the chamber shell, an annular piston located in the chamber interior and having a cylindrical piston skirt, guide slot means formed in the piston skirt and corresponding to a width of separation wall located in the metering chamber for pinning the piston on the separation wall, and a radial outlet opening associated with the outlet opening formed in the chamber shell, and a seal strip for sealing at least one of a slit formed between the inner surface of the chamber shell and an outer surface of the annular piston, and a slit formed between the inner surface of the piston and the guide ring.