Abstract: In one aspect, a method for aligning a component into a wind direction is provided. The component comprises a sensor which is located such that at least part of the sensor is exposed to the wind. A signal is measured based on the force acting on the sensor due to the wind, and the component is rotated depending on the measured signal. Additionally a sensor for determining misalignment of a component relative to a wind direction is provided.

Abstract: A vortex angle system includes one or more vortex angle sensors disposed on one or more wingtips of an aircraft. A summing circuit and computer compare signals from each sensor to provide a signal, which is indicative of the average vortex angle of the aircraft.

Abstract: A loading probe includes an elongated solid first body portion (1) shaped from a first material and capable of simulating the normal acoustic impedance presented to a transducer to be tested by a medium in which the transducer is to operate and a second elongated solid body portion (2) made from an acoustically absorbent material having acoustic impedance characteristics substantially matched with those of the first material from which the first body portion (1) is made. The material from which the second body portion (2) is made is chosen so as to be mouldable to the first body portion (1) to form the second body portion (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a force-based instrument that measures local flow angle. The preferred embodiment of the invention has a low aspect ratio airfoil member connected to a mounting base. Using a series of strain gauges located at the connecting portion of the probe, aerodynamic forces on the airfoil member can be converted to strain, which in turn can be converted to local air flow measurements. The present invention has no moving parts and is well suited for measuring flow in a transonic and supersonic regime.

Abstract: A method for calibrating ultrasound equipment and ultrasound contrast agents are provided that utilize polystyrene microspheres as a broad-band in vitro calibration tool. In accordance with the method a suspension of polystyrene microspheres is provided in a liquid environment in a container having an acoustic aperture. The suspension of microspheres is continuously agitated during measurement of the backscatter from the suspension of microspheres and the ultrasound equipment or contrast agent is then calibrated or adjusted to a selected backscatter setting.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems for calibrating a first position measuring component on an imaging or scanning transducer with respect to the scanning plane. Calibrations are performed by using a calibrating device including an additional or second position measuring component, such that during the calibration process, the relative position of betweenn these position measuring components can be calculated. Calibrations are also performed by viewing targets on the scanning plane that are at a known position with respect to the second position measuring component. Calibrations are also performed based on the scanning plane and position measuring components on a guided device, such as a needle, that typically is used in conjunction with the imaging or scanning transducer. Methods for these calibrations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic accelerometer detects the sharp lateral rocking movements of an unbalanced spinning tub of a washing machine. The accelerometer has a fixed and a movable magnet that are disposed at a rest position in spaced, magnetic attraction to each other. The movable magnet breaks away from the stationary magnet in response to vibration forces of a predetermined magnitude and frequency. When the magnet breaks away, it presses against an actuator button of a miniature switch and therefore signals an alarm condition. When the vibration forces are reduced below the trigger level, the movable magnet is pulled back to its rest position by magnetic attraction with the stationary magnet. The magnetic attraction of the stationary and movable magnets can be adjusted and the break away point can be set by applying an external magnetic field to the magnets.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the intensity of ultrasonic waves generated by a diaphragm including a plurality of vibrators in a cleaning tank is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having bars corresponding to each side of a hexahedron, and a plurality of aluminum foils spaced a predetermined interval apart from each other and perpendicular to four parallel bars of the frame. The apparatus for measuring the intensity of ultrasonic waves can be used for cleaning a shadow mask during manufacture of a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A method of testing frequency characteristics of a laser displacement/vibration meter by the use of a novel method which can cope with a broader frequency range and finer micro-level displacements to enhance the reliability of the displacement/vibration meter. Upon applying impact on one end face of a round metal rod, an elastic wave pulse which propagates through the metal rod generates a stepwise dynamic displacement of the other end face of the rod when reflected there. This dynamic displacement is measured simultaneously by a reference laser interferometer with a reference laser beam and a laser displacement/vibration meter with unknown frequency response characteristics, followed by comparison of measurement data over a frequency range to determine the frequency response characteristics of the unknown laser displacement/vibration meter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic material constant measuring system comprising a reference unit, an examination unit, at least a case equipped in at least the examination unit, and a signal processing unit. The reference unit consists of at least an input ultrasonic transducer T.sub.o and at least an output ultrasonic transducer R.sub.o. The examination unit consists of at least an input ultrasonic transducer T.sub.s and at least an output ultrasonic transducer R.sub.s. The case is placed between the ultrasonic transducers T.sub.s and R.sub.s. The signal processing unit is connected with output terminals of the ultrasonic transducers R.sub.o and R.sub.s. When electric signals are applied to the ultrasonic transducers T.sub.o and T.sub.s, ultrasounds are emitted in air from the ultrasonic transducers T.sub.o and T.sub.s, respectively, and then received by the ultrasonic transducers R.sub.o and R.sub.s, respectively. If at least a sheet of paper is placed in case 1, the ultrasound emitted from ultrasonic transducer T.sub.

Abstract: A process is provided for ultrasonic testing the internal soundness of cathode sputtering targets including an active part made of very pure aluminum or of very pure aluminum alloy. In particular, this process, after the choice of an ultrasound sensor functioning at an operating frequency greater than 5 MHZ, and preferably between 10 and 50 MHZ, and adjustment of the appropriate measurement sequence, using a target immersed in a liquid and having certain artificial defects simulating the decohesions in the target, consists of taking a count in terms of size and number of the internal decohesions per unit volume and of selecting the targets with a decohesion density of .ltoreq.0.1 decohesion larger than 0.1 mm per cm.sup.3 of active metal of the targets, and preferably less than 0.1 decohesion larger than 0.04 mm per cm.sup.3 of active metal. The process also pertains to selecting precursors of the cathode sputtering targets, containing less than 0.1 internal decohesion larger than 0.04 mm per cm.sup.3.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test standard is formed by a metal block having a unique shape incorporating an arcuate surface and a series of reflectors that enable discreet instrument measurement verifications in a relatively small area. This calibration block, though relatively small and light in weight, will perform all of the functions of a standard IIW (International Institute of Welding) type block and additional functions.

Abstract: A system for measuring fluid parameters of one or more liquids by an ultrasonic method comprises a voltage controlled oscillator; an ultrasonic resonator comprising one or more resonator cells, each of the resonator cells comprising an electro-acoustical transmitting transducer, an electro-acoustical receiving transducer, and a sample cavity between the transducers, wherein the transmitting transducer is connected to the output terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator; and a phase locked loop circuit comprising one of the resonator cells.

Abstract: A yaw sensor for automotive controls has a microstructure vibrating ring excited by a driving circuit. The driving circuit comprises an amplitude control loop which delivers voltage pulses at the resonant frequency of the ring. A compensation signal is derived from a comparison of a sensed vibration amplitude to a desired vibration amplitude. Failure of vibration is detected by comparing the compensation signal to a threshold which is higher than a normal compensation signal. Alternatively, vibration failure is detected by comparing the sensed vibration to a threshold lower than the desired vibration amplitude. Upon such failure, the yaw output signal is replaced by ground potential.

Abstract: A dynamic fluid flow measurement apparatus is intended to be connected to a relative reference member, such as a marine vessel. The apparatus preferably includes a base member, a lever mechanism movable relative to the base member for transmitting force corresponding to direct dynamic fluid flow pressure applied to the lever mechanism, and a signal generator disposed in the base member for actuation by the lever mechanism. The signal generator generates an output signal corresponding to the force transmitted through the lever mechanism in response to fluid flow passed the relative reference member. In the preferred embodiment, the signal generator takes the form of a solid state pressure sensing transducer, such as a piezoresistive transducer sensor for sensing force transmitted through the lever mechanism.

Abstract: Angular momentum and banking indicator and acceleration-deceleration and grade indicator for use on trucks, cranes, airplanes, and boats as a multipurpose sensor. A cylinder with a damping fluid includes four symmetrically spaced coils centered radially about a centrally located powered coil in a base of the cylinder and a pendulum suspended from a top of the cylinder which swings over the coils. Coils connected to a signal processing system which provides an angular momentum and banking signal and an acceleration and deceleration or grade indicator signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting the nature of fluid flow. Specifically, an omnidirectional aerodynamic sensor is disclosed comprising an omnidirectional aerodynamic drag force inducing probe, a force transducer and a signal processor. The force transducer is illustratively an array of strain gauges which detect forces in each of three orthogonal directions. Such forces are initially detected by the probe and then transmitted to the transducer. The transducer outputs electrical signals which the signal processor processes in order to determine, for example, aircraft angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip as well as wind speed and direction. The invention is especially useful in the field of aviation.

Abstract: An improved aerodynamic vane is used for sensing the angle of attack of an aircraft during yawed flight. Left and right sensors are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and rotate in the air flow to a position indicative of the angle of attack of the aircraft. Each sensor consists of an arm rotatably attached at one end to the aircraft with a vane at the other end of the arm, which vane is canted at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the arm. The vanes on the sensors on the opposite sides of the aircraft are both canted down or up as to cause the sensors to take similar angular positions during yawed flight.

Abstract: A trolling speed indicator adapted to be mounted to the gunnel of a boat along either a vertical or horizontal surface. The indicator measures the speed of the boat during trolling so that a fisherman can utilize the optimum lure size and weight. The indicator generally comprises a L-shaped flange which is mounted to the boat gunnel, a pointer fixedly secured to the flange and indicating means rotatably secured to the flange. The indicating means comprises a velocity scale attached to an annular disk. A tubular rod is attached at its first end to the annular disk while the second end of the rod is submerged in the water and is influenced by the force of the water as the boat moves across the water. The mounting means permits simple removal of the device and a clip, which is also mounted to the gunnel, allows the tubular rod to be stored out of the water.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for surface mounting of marine instruments and the like through a constant diameter opening in a marine vessel surface and the like; including a cylindrical mount housing having a tapered annular end; an adapter member having a central frusto-conical opening; an enlarged diameter inwardly tapered end; and an opposite end having a reduced diameter flat annular surface and an outwardly tapered annular surface joining the extremity of the inwardly tapered end.