An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device. The training device includes an aerosol dispensing device having a container with a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position. The container dispenses a portion of the contents within the container when the valve stem is moved to the open position. The aerosol dispensing device includes a housing adapted to support the container reciprocally moveable within the housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, the housing comprising a well adapted to receive the valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with the well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein the portion of the contents within the container is dispensed from the first end of the exhaust port to the second end of the exhaust port when the housing moves to an actuation position where the valve stem is actuated so that a portion of the contents within the container is dispensed through the second end of the exhaust port when the valve stem is moved to the open position. An actuation sensor generates a signal that indicates when the housing is moved to the actuation position and the valve stem is actuated. A shake sensor determines whether the contents within the container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.

Aerosol dispensing inhaler training device

This invention relates generally to testing apparatus and methodology for measuring fluid dynamic properties of structures within fluid flows. One embodiment includes a fluid induced motion testing apparatus of the type which includes a test rig (21) suitable for holding a test body (1) in a fluid body. The apparatus may include any of an actuator (8) suitable for producing a force upon the test body (1); a turbulence generator (65) located in the fluid body up current from the test body (1) suitable for generating a turbulent flow field with uniform turbulence intensity across the fluid body-test body interface, the turbulent flow field including dominate vortical structures, the axis of the vortical structures about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the test body (1); or a test body adjuster suitable for adjusting the test body (1) relative to the fluid current in four or more increments, thereby enabling multiple headings of the test body (1) to be tested against the current of the fluid body. This invention also relates to designing and constructing offshore structures and to producing hydrocarbon resources using offshore structures designed using the testing apparatus and methodology.

Method and apparatus for fluid flow testing

An improved peak flow meter for measuring the peak flow of exhaled air including an indicator and one or a plurality of vents designed so that the indicator provides a logarithmic measurement of the exhaled air. Also provided is a peak flow meter adaptable for low and high flow rate applications.

Peak flow meter

A vortex-shedding flowmeter has a flow-pipe (14) with a shedder-sensor unit (15) torsionally supported therein on a pivot axis normal to the flow axis. The torsional support includes a torque tube (17) whose base (17A) is received within a bore in the pipe (14) and is welded thereto and whose tip (17B) is welded to one end of the shedder-sensor unit (15) to provide a fluid-tight structure. In operation, as the incoming fluid stream is divided by and flows past the unit (15), vortices are shed therefrom alternately on either side to develop an alternating torque about the pivot axis, causing the unit (15) to oscillate at a rate proportional to the flow rate whereby the unit (15) acts both as shedder and as sensor. These oscillations are converted into corresponding electrical signals by an external torque transducer (18) operatively coupled to the unit (15) by a rod (21) which extends into the torque tube (17) and is welded to the tip thereof.

Vortex-shedding flowmeter with unitary shedder/sensor

A ship or floating support for transporting/storing liquid constituted by a liquefied having a plurality of beacon devices for detecting roughness of liquid within the tank, each beacon having a vibration sensor for measuring amplitude of the acceleration (g) as a function of time (t) of the vibratory movements of a wall on which the beacons are fastened, and an electronic calculation unit having a microprocessor and memory for processing a signal as measured by the vibration sensor, and a device for transmitting the signal to a supervisor or central unit.

Floating support or vessel equipped with a device for detecting the movement of the free surface of a body of liquid

In a device for detecting fluid flow, an elongated body, such as a wire, is supported so that when a substantial portion of its length is exposed to a flowing fluid with the longitudinal axis of said portion arranged substantially transverse to the fluid flow, said portion can be caused to vibrate by vortex shedding; an electromechanical transducer is coupled to the body so as to produce an electrical signal in response to the vibration; and either the presence of the electrical signal is detected, for operation as a safety switch, or the frequency of the vibrations is detected, for measurement of fluid flow rate, fluid velocity etc.

Malcolm V. Wade

Papers

Devices for detecting fluid flow