Abstract: A system for compaction measurement, including at least two compaction measurement systems for determining the compaction state of various portions of a material region at a worksite and a display system for displaying aggregated data from the compaction measurement systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes micromechanical devices and methods for using such devices for characterizing a material's strength. The micromechanical devices include an anchor pad, a top shuttle platform, a nanoindenter in movable contact with the top shuttle platform and at least two sample stage shuttles. The nanoindenter applies a compression force to the top shuttle platform, and the at least two sample stage shuttles move apart in response to the compression force. Each of the at least two sample stage shuttles is connected to the top shuttle platform and to the anchor pad by at least one inclined beam. Methods for using the devices include connecting a sample between the at least two sample stage shuttles and applying a compression force to the top shuttle platform. Application of the compression force to the top shuttle platform results in a tensile force being applied to the sample. Measuring a tip displacement of the nanoindenter is correlated with the sample's strength.

Abstract: Methods of assessing three dimensional fabric feel are useful for identifying fabric care actives.

Abstract: This homogenized, multilayer sandwich structure has a total bending stiffness. The structure has two external skins each of a material having a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The structure also has a core of a foam material sandwiched between the two external skins, wherein the core has a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The external skins are fixed to the core, the strength of the structure being dependent on the core thickness via cubic power, as well as on the placement of the layers within the structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for monitoring the soft water conducted in a main flow, which includes a hardness measuring cell, a first secondary flow line branching off from the main flow and leading to the hardness measuring cell, and a second secondary flow line leading away from the hardness measuring cell and feeding into the main flow, wherein the two secondary flow lines and the hardness measuring cell are connected to a multiway valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting demonstrations of the softness properties of consumer products and other materials, plus a method for conducting such demonstrations, is provided. A sample of paper towels, toilet tissue, or facial tissue, or other consumer products is placed in the apparatus. The apparatus drops an egg or other fragile object onto the sample, or the egg may be dropped from an operator's hand into the apparatus and onto the sample. By displaying the egg or fragile object as it either lands safely on a sample or is destroyed on impact, the operator can visually demonstrate to an average consumer either the softness properties of the sample, or the lack thereof. A method of preparing samples in a consistent manner is also provided to ensure that results are as fair, uniform and repeatable as possible.

Abstract: A method of testing a sleep support member, the method including: identifying the sleep support member; determining a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and determining whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member. An apparatus for testing a sleep support member, the apparatus including: an identification unit configured to identify the sleep support member; a comfort/support testing unit configured to determine a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and an analysis unit configured to determine whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member.

Abstract: A terminal is tested for its robustness. The terminal is for a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is put on a frame unit and is connected with a load unit. The present invention reduces human errors, improves test accuracy and achieves easy operation.

Abstract: A stiffness detector transmits acoustic waves to a paper sheet at a predetermined angle to excite Lamb waves. The stiffness detector receives leaky waves of the Lamb waves propagated through the paper sheet at different angles with respect to the paper sheet by a plurality of reception sensors. The stiffness detector is configured to specify a maximum leak angle at which a leak amount of the acoustic waves from the paper sheet becomes maximum based on outputs from the plurality of reception sensors in the reception module and to judge a degree of fatigue of the paper sheet based on the specified maximum leak angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of reaction between a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in a reaction cell. The reaction cell is capable of measuring the small changes in pressure that occur due to osmotic pressure shifts during a catalytic or binding reaction at species concentrations down to approximately 10?7 M.

Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the hardness of concrete includes a body adapted to receive a retainer such that the combined body and retainer can be held in an aperture extending through a wall of a mould for the hardenable material, with the body extending from the inside of the wall. A sensor circuit includes detector elements supported by the body and disposed when in use in the concrete, and circuit terminals which face the exterior of the mould wall when in use, and are accessible through the retainer for connection to terminals of an external instrument. Preferably, the detector elements are conductive portions of a printed circuit board forming a resonator. The instrument can operate a switch in the probe which interconnects the terminals to indicate a good connection and measures resonator impedance at multiple frequencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of reaction between a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in a reaction cell. The reaction cell is capable of measuring the small changes in pressure that occur due to osmotic pressure shifts during a catalytic or binding reaction at species concentrations down to approximately 10?7 M.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous measurement of a geomaterial is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring device and a flat bed operatively coupled to the measuring device. The measuring device includes a moving head configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to a core section of the geomaterial and a first probe coupled to the moving head and configured to continuously measure a property of the core section. The flat bed includes a load actuator configured to secure the core section during the continuous measurement and axially rotate the core section, as well as a core holder assembly configured to apply confining pressure on a length of the core section.

Abstract: A method for determining a strain hardening property of a pipe enabling reduction of costs while ensuring pipeline integrity is provided. Moreover, a method for manufacturing a pipe based on the method for determining the strain hardening property of the pipe, a pipe manufactured by means of the method for manufacturing the pipe, and a pipeline are proposed. The method for determining the strain hardening property of the pipe according to the present invention includes a step of defining pipe dimensions where a diameter D, a thickness t, and a required critical local buckling strain ?req of the pipe are set as conditions to be satisfied; a step of acquiring a strain hardening property for acquiring the strain hardening property in the vicinity of a buckling point of the pipe satisfying the conditions set in the step of defining the pipe dimensions; and a step of setting the strain hardening property as a condition to be satisfied by the stress-strain curve of the pipe.

Abstract: A protocol for characterizing a rock is provided. The protocol includes a crushing operation, wherein a test column of the rock in granular form is subjected to a compressive force orientated parallel to the axis of the column. The protocol further includes a measurement operation, wherein the amount by which the axial length of the test column is reduced through the application of the force is measured. The protocol yet further includes a calculation operation, wherein a characteristic of the rock is calculated using the product of the force applied and the amount by which the length of the test column is reduced through the application of the force. A method for characterizing the hardness of a subject rock is also provided.

Abstract: A hardness tester of a relatively large “cantilevering” and/or designed for permitting application of relatively large loads to the indenter may be constructed in a much slander and lighter manner by employing a loading mechanism based on the use of a second or auxiliary loading arm pivotally anchored to the frame of the tester and therefore completely independent of the stress structure of reference contained in the frame of the tester, which mechanical connects the anvil, on which the test object is placed, to the indenter. The load, applied to said second auxiliary arm is transmitted to the indenter carrying arm of the reference stress structure of the tester by unrestrained abutment of a rolling bearing solidly mounted on one of the two arms on a surface of the other arm. Along the trajectory of movement of the tip of the indenter toward the anvil.

Abstract: Accurately determining the compaction state of a base material during the compaction process is a recognized problem in the construction industry. The present invention recognizes that the compaction state of the base material can be determined by ascertaining the effective roller radius of the compactor. In other words, in the case of powered compactors, the effective roller radius will asymptotically approach the actual roller radius as the base material changes from a soft un-compacted condition to a hard compacted state. Monitoring compaction state via indicative of an effective roller radius can be used alone as a means of determining compaction state in real time, or can be leveraged and combined with other independent means of monitoring the compaction state to a symbiotic affect in more accurately determining compaction state.

Abstract: A method and testing fixture for toughness-testing corrugated high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The method includes the steps of preparing a test sample, attaching the test sample in the testing fixture, and providing an impact load to the test sample. The test sample is cut from a section of corrugated HDPE pipe so as to have a clamped portion and a loading member extending outwardly therefrom. The clamped portion includes two sidewalls with a trough therebetween. A hole is bored in the loading member near the end of the loading member. The testing fixture includes a vertical clamp which is configured to grip the clamped portion of the test sample so as to retain the clamped portion in a stationary position when the test sample is loaded. The loading member of the test sample projects outwardly from the vertical clamp. A guide rod is attached to the loading member through the bore in the loading member.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a fixing belt includes forming a fixing belt which includes a substrate, an elastic layer laminated on the substrate, and a mold releasing layer laminated on the elastic layer. A universal hardness test for the fixing belt is performed. The fixing belt is judged as an acceptable product if a creep value CHU is included within a range of 0.40?CHU ?3.50 (%) when the universal hardness test is performed for the fixing belt and when the creep value CHU, which is measured from the side of the mold releasing layer, is defined by the following formula: CHU=(h2-hl)/hl×100 (%) where h1 is a pushed depth when a test load reaches a predetermined value which is kept for a predetermined period of time, and h2 is a pushed depth when a predetermined period of time is elapsed after the test load is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing surface property measurements, such as workpiece hardness and other material property measurements, with in-process compensation for instrument frame distortion and the like.

Abstract: An improved surface testing apparatus, such as a scratch test apparatus, allows accurate determination of the test speed, for example using one or more magnetic sensors. An example scratch test apparatus comprises an arm assembly, and an attached blade moving over the surface during the scratch test. A pair of spaced apart reed switches are provided proximate to the arm assembly, the reed switches being successively actuated by a magnetic portion of the arm asssembly as it moves during the scratch test.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material.

Abstract: Blast pressure gauges and methods for detecting blast pressure during a blast test. The gauges operate independently of power sources, are portable, and are used in harsh environments including test ranges. Each embodiment is constructed to detect blast pressures as required in the circumstances of a particular blast test.

Abstract: An instrument (“artificial athlete”) for characterizing, from the biomechanical standpoint, a treading surface, such as natural grass cover or synthetic grass flooring, is configured for: dropping a weight from a given height on the surface, producing the conversion of kinetic energy of falling of the weight into deformation energy of the surface, the deformation energy being able to be restored by the surface to the weight, bringing about its return/bouncing back upwards; and detecting at least one parameter representing the process of restitution of the deformation energy by the surface to the weight, the parameter identifying the characteristics of tread of the surface.

Abstract: A hardness testing apparatus has an indenter shaft having an indenter at a top thereof, a force motor for moving the indenter shaft in its axial direction and applying a predetermined test force to a sample through the indenter, an external force detection section for detecting an external force applied from outside of the hardness testing apparatus to the indenter shaft when the indenter shaft is moved by the force motor, and an external force adjustment and control section for controlling the force motor to apply the predetermined test force to the sample while deadening the external force detected by the external force detection section.

Abstract: A hardness tester for measuring hardness of a sample by applying a predetermined test load to the sample with an indenter attached to an indenter attaching member so as to form an indentation on the sample, comprises: the indenter attaching member to which the indenter is attached detachably; the indenter which comprises an identification member with identification information to identify the indenter; an indenter information storing member to store indenter information and the identification information of the indenter, where the indenter information is matched with the respective identification information; an identification information acquiring member to acquire the identification information from the identification member when the indenter is attached to the indenter attaching member; an indenter information acquiring member to acquire the indenter information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring from the indenter information storing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the in-situ measurement of the stiffness of a surface. The apparatus includes a platform, which is movable relative to the surface. A stiffness measurement device is supported by the platform in a stationary position relative to the surface for a measurement period during movement of the platform along the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-destructive detection of pits and pit fragments found in dried fruit has been developed. It utilizes a force transducer and a signal processor to determine whether or not pit or pit fragments are present in a fruit specimen, and is able to automatically separate specimens testing positive from the product stream.

Abstract: In most construction processes, some quality assurance compaction test must be performed on a base material before further construction can take place on or relative to the compacted base material. In order to avoid costly downtime associated with waiting for a quality assurance test to be performed, the present invention contemplates generating compaction quality assurance data using on-board generated compaction quality control data. The quality control compaction data is based upon quantifying a sinkage deformation interaction between the compactor and the base material. The interaction might include monitoring an effective roller radius of the compactor, or an amount of energy transferred or consumed when the compactor moves over the base material, or even measuring a rut depth caused by the compactor.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture or treatment of a material web, in particular of a paper or a cardboard web, while using a respective machine, in particular a paper machine, including the step of measuring the hardness and/or the compactness of at least one clothing, in particular of at least one felt, fabric, belt and/or the like, of the machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for measuring elastic modulus of a sample object. This invention also relates to a method for correcting creep effects in the modulus measurement. The error due to creep in the apparent contact compliance is equal to the ratio of the indenter displacement rate at the end of the load hold to the unloading rate. Determination of this error term and deduction of it from the measured contact compliance can be easily done at a low cost by modifying the data analysis software in any commercial depth-sensing indentation system.

Abstract: A wireless tire pressure alarming system includes a tire pressure sensor & transmitter attached to each car wheel for sensing the tire pressure in each car wheel and for remotely sending the tire pressure signal from each car wheel; and a receiver having a plug plugged in a car cigarette-lighter receptacle to be powered by the car battery through such a cigarette-lighter receptacle and for receiving the tire pressure signal from the car wheel; whereby upon detection of a tire pressure reduced below the pre-determined safety pressure value of each car wheel, an alarm will be actuated either by an optical alarm signal or a sound alarm signal for warning the car driver for inflating his or her car wheel for enhancing driving safety.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for objectively testing the condition of a support surface such as mattress. The apparatus comprises a frame (8, 21, 22) for extending over the support surface, an indenter (5) mounted on said frame and a load sensor (4) disposed between the indenter and the frame, manually operated means (6) for pressing the indenter into the support surface, displacement measuring means for measuring the movement of the indenter into the support surface and data processing means (7) for analyzing the force applied to the indenter in relation to the displacement of the indenter into the support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the values of stiffness and dampening, in particular of surfaces for sports fields. The invention furthermore relates to a device for carrying out the aforesaid method. The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for determining the values of stiffness and dampening of an artificial grass lawn which provide a reliable measuring result in a quick and efficient manner, which device is furthermore user-friendly and easy to transport.

Abstract: In a method for evaluating a fixing member to fix a toner having a surface layer, a hardness test is carried out by applying a pressure deformation from the surface side of the fixing member, and when a deformation of the surface layer by the pressure deformation is within an elastic range, the fixing member is regarded as a standard product.

Abstract: A device for testing the scratch resistance of a surface of a test specimen by means of a gas stream charged with solid particles, comprising:

Abstract: A device implements a method of determining a cut resistance of a sample. The device includes a blade wherein the blade and the sample are relatively movable and a first apparatus that transfers energy to at least one of the sample and the blade to cause relative movement thereof in a direction parallel to a surface of the sample such that the blade contacts and cuts the sample until the imparted energy is expended and relative movement is terminated. A second apparatus measures a parameter of the relative movement to obtain an indication of the cut resistance of the sample.

Abstract: Tire air pressure during high speed travel is estimated without a sensor for detecting the tire air pressure directly. An apparatus is constituted by a wheel speed sensor, road surface friction state estimator for estimating a friction state estimation value representing friction between the tire and a road surface from wheel speed detected by the wheel speed sensor, tire air pressure estimator for estimating any reduction in the tire air pressure based on the friction state estimation value, and a display for displaying the estimated reduction in the tire air pressure.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an apparatus and method for aircraft navigation are provided that utilize a blended architecture consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) and micro-electromechanical sensors (MEMS) for the primary navigation system and a laser gyroscope system for the secondary navigation system. The blended architecture of the present invention provides a navigation system that is at least as accurate, redundant and fault-tolerant as conventional navigation systems. In addition, the navigation system components may be distributed throughout the aircraft and may share computing resources with other avionics systems to process signals and provide data to the avionics systems. Overall, the navigation system of the present invention is significantly less expensive and easier to maintain, but equally or more precise and redundant, relative to conventional navigation systems.

Abstract: A fruit tester provides a motor driven intrusive plunger with associated sensors to determine digital data indicative of plunger position, force resisting plunger intrusion and constant pressure creep. Sensor data is presented to a computer for storage, analysis and feedback control of the plunger. The plunger powering train includes a belt driven ball screw translator to convert rotary to linear motion and an “S” type stress block with plural bridge interconnected strain gauges to sense pressure resisting intrusion to allow accurate measurements. Methods of analysis are disclosed to determine both resistance to plunger penetration and plunger creep at fixed pressure, in each of at least two concentric zones of a fruit, which are related by software for accurate determination of fruit condition as a function of time, both present and future.

Abstract: A vehicle noise, vibration and harshness analysis tool according to the present invention comprises at least one sensor, each sensing a vibration or noise and generating a signal at a frequency related to the vibration or noise. A communication link with a vehicle is included to transmit data regarding the vehicle. A microprocessor system receives the signals generated by said at least one sensor and receives the vehicle data over said communication link. The microprocessor system conducts an analysis of the received sensor signals and vehicle data and identifies a vehicle component that is likely causing a vibration or noise. The microprocessor system also identifies the possible problems with the identified vehicle component. A user interface is also included with a display. The microprocessor system causes the display to list the likely vehicle components causing the vibration or noise and the possible problems with the components.

Abstract: A device for checking the compaction, in particular, of black top pavement in street and roadway construction, using a vibration roller drum that is provided with a compaction checking device is provided. In the compaction of black top pavement, the measurement methods of the dynamic ground rigidity, known from ground compaction, for determining the condition of compaction that has been achieved, can not be used since the asphalt rigidity varies between two measurements with the temperature and in addition, the underground rigidity is measured with it proportionately. In order to solve these problems, a second vibration roller drum is provided which has a second compaction checking device, whereby the second vibration roller drum is coupled to the first vibration roller drum essentially following it in the same track. In this way, for the comparison of the values determined, the temperature dependence of the measurement values determined is eliminated.

Abstract: A sand penetrability gauge for golf course bunker sand, having a probe shaft for penetrating into bulk sand, a weight or spring for reproducibly applying force to advance the probe shaft into bulk sand, the probe shaft being movably connected to the weight or spring, and measuring indicia associated with the probe shaft for measuring displacement of the probe shaft, with a cross-sectional area of the probe shaft and the force of the weight or spring selected so that the measuring indicia will provide a displacement measurement when the probe is driven into golf course sand bunker sand.

Abstract: A wear indicator is provided for use on sports balls and other articles of manufacture, the wear indicator consisting of one or more dots imprinted upon the surface of the article, each dot manifesting a different degree of resistance to wear due to article use and each dot being composed of a mixture of pigment and a rubber cement hardener in which the resistance to wear is proportional to the ratio of the hardener to the pigment, or in which each dot is of a selected thickness and wear resistance proportional to its thickness. A brand name also may be imprinted on the surface of the article either as a permanent marking or to signify a predetermined degree of wear when no longer visible to the eye.

Abstract: A testing method is provided for determining the hardness of a micro region, using indentation curves indicating relations between observed penetration depths and indenting forces when an arbitrary shaped indenter is pushed into standard samples of plural types. The method involves (1) measuring relations between observed penetration depths and indenting forces when the arbitrary shaped indenter is pushed into standard samples of plural types, to prepare the indentation curves, (2) determining a reference function indicative of macro hardness, by standardizing the relations between the indenting forces and macro hardness at the same penetration depth as an index, for the indentation curves of the standard samples of plural types, (3) measuring a relation between the penetration depth and indenting force of an arbitrary sample, and (4) determining the hardness of a micro region from the measured value in step (3) according to the reference function as determined in step (2).

Abstract: A glass transition temperature Tg measurement system includes a probe point penetrating into a sample under test that has been heated by a heater to a temperature where the sample undergoes a phase change from a solid to a semisolid. A thermocouple is used to measure the temperature while a motion transducer is used to measure the amount of penetration. The penetration amount sharply increases at the glass transition temperature. A portable unit can be used in the field to test the Tg properties of various composite materials used, for example, in structures including buildings and bridges.

Abstract: Cutting tools and wear-resistant materials formed of a silicon-nitride-based sintered body having excellent characteristics, such as high wear resistance. Cutting tool 1 is in the form of a negative chip having a shape prescribed by ISO standard: SNGN 120408. Specifically, the cutting tool 1 is a chip of a rectangular parallelepiped shape which has a thickness of 4.76 mm and in which each of four sides (cutting edges) 5 on a rake face 3 side has a length of 12.7 mm. In the region having a width of 0.2 mm or less and extending from the cutting edges 5 of the cutting tool 1, the cutting tool 1 has a microhardness H. Plast of 21.2 GPa or greater and a microhardness HU of 11.2 GPa or greater. The Vickers hardness of the cutting tool 1 as measured at a substantial center of the rake face 3 is 14.5 GPa or greater. Further, the amount of oxygen within the cutting tool 1 is 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %.

Abstract: A hardness tester for a large test material is downsized by shortening a stroke length of the x-y stage. A hardness tester in accordance with the invention transfers the laser irradiating unit 70 two-dimensionally along the X or Y axis and irradiate a laser beam on the material W under test placed on the stage 10. The tester also monitors the laser beam visually and determine a target position to be measured and transfers the monitoring unit 45 to the determined target position along the X or Y axis and monitor the position by means of the monitoring unit 45. If the position does not fall on a boundary between crystals, the loading unit 55 is two-dimensionally transferred and forms a dent on the position by means of the penetrator 55a. An image of the dent is captured by the monitoring unit 45 and the hardness is determined by calculating a diagonal length of the dent by image processing.

Abstract: Cutting tools and wear-resistant materials formed of a silicon-nitride-based sintered body having excellent characteristics, such as high wear resistance. Cutting tool 1 is in the form of a negative chip having a shape prescribed by ISO standard: SNGN 120408. Specifically, the cutting tool 1 is a chip of a rectangular parallelepiped shape which has a thickness of 4.76 mm and in which each of four sides (cutting edges) 5 on a rake face 3 side has a length of 12.7 mm. In the region having a width of 0.2 mm or less and extending from the cutting edges 5 of the cutting tool 1, the cutting tool 1 has a microhardness H. Plast of 21.2 GPa or greater and a microhardness HU of 11.2 GPa or greater. The Vickers hardness of the cutting tool 1 as measured at a substantial center of the rake face 3 is 14.5 GPa or greater. Further, the amount of oxygen within the cutting tool 1 is 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %.