In accordance the present invention, a method, apparatus and computer program for monitoring air pressure change are provided that may include receiving a user input selecting a pressure monitoring application, receiving a user input initiating monitoring of an ambient air pressure by the pressure monitoring application, determining a first barometric pressure of the ambient air pressure at a first time, determining a second barometric pressure of the ambient air pressure at a second time, wherein the second time is a predetermined time interval from the first time, comparing the first barometric pressure with the second barometric pressure to determine a first absolute rate of change of the ambient air pressure over the predetermined time interval, and providing an indication to employ protective measures when the first absolute rate of change of the ambient air pressure is equal to or a exceeds a threshold rate of change likely to cause barotrauma.

A gauge pressure transducer assembly having anti-icing features to allow for easy drainage of fluids to prevent pooling and icing. The assembly can include a header having one or more atmospheric ports extending therethrough, a differential sensing element mounted to the header, a header cap attached to at least a portion of the header, a gauge adapter attached to the header and in communication with the one or more atmospheric ports of the header, an elongated tube attached to the header cap, and a front port attached to the elongated tube. The gauge adapter includes a plurality of through-holes to facilitate drainage and de-icing, which is an improvement over conventional transducers that can trap water within the ports that can freeze and cause damage. The header and the gauge adapter of the gauge pressure transducer assembly can reduce or eliminate regions where water can pool and freeze.

A gauge pressure transducer assembly having anti-icing features to allow for easy drainage of fluids to prevent pooling and icing. The assembly can include a header having one or more atmospheric ports extending therethrough, a differential sensing element mounted to the header, a header cap attached to at least a portion of the header, a gauge adapter attached to the header and in communication with the one or more atmospheric ports of the header, an elongated tube attached to the header cap, and a front port attached to the elongated tube. The gauge adapter includes a plurality of through-holes to facilitate drainage and de-icing, which is an improvement over conventional transducers that can trap water within the ports that can freeze and cause damage. The header and the gauge adapter of the gauge pressure transducer assembly can reduce or eliminate regions where water can pool and freeze.

A device and method for evaluating long-term operation of a transformer oil pump. An inlet of an oil pump is connected to an outlet of an oil tank through an oil pipe, and an outlet of the oil pump is connected to an inlet of the oil tank through an oil pipe. A pressure gauge is provided on the oil pipe to the inlet and the outlet of the oil pump, respectively. An ultra-high-frequency (UHF) sensor is provided on an inner wall of an oil pipe close to the oil pump. A pressure difference between the oil pipes to the inlet and to the outlet of the oil pump is monitored. A three-phase unbalanced current of a stator winding is monitored. The vibration of the oil pump is monitored. The rotor-to-stator rub is monitored. Based on the above inspection, a long-term health status of the oil pump is determined.

A device and method for evaluating long-term operation of a transformer oil pump. An inlet of an oil pump is connected to an outlet of an oil tank through an oil pipe, and an outlet of the oil pump is connected to an inlet of the oil tank through an oil pipe. A pressure gauge is provided on the oil pipe to the inlet and the outlet of the oil pump, respectively. An ultra-high-frequency (UHF) sensor is provided on an inner wall of an oil pipe close to the oil pump. A pressure difference between the oil pipes to the inlet and to the outlet of the oil pump is monitored. A three-phase unbalanced current of a stator winding is monitored. The vibration of the oil pump is monitored. The rotor-to-stator rub is monitored. Based on the above inspection, a long-term health status of the oil pump is determined.

A method for diagnosing operation of a valve to purge a canister of an internal combustion engine, the method, carried out during a purge, including: a) detecting, at an instant to, that the purge valve is open; b) executing a forced closing of the valve at an instant t2; c) measuring a pressure P1m of the intake manifold and calculating a corresponding modelled pressure P1c, at an instant t1 between the instant t0 and the instant t2; d) measuring a pressure of the manifold P2m and calculating a corresponding modelled pressure P2c, at an instant t3 after the instant t2; e) calculating a deviation E1 between P1m and P1c and calculating a deviation E2 between P2m and P2c; f) calculating a criterion C=E1−E2; and g) diagnosing malfunction of the purge valve if the criterion C is lower than a predetermined threshold value Cs.

A method for diagnosing operation of a valve to purge a canister of an internal combustion engine, the method, carried out during a purge, including: a) detecting, at an instant to, that the purge valve is open; b) executing a forced closing of the valve at an instant t2; c) measuring a pressure P1m of the intake manifold and calculating a corresponding modelled pressure P1c, at an instant t1 between the instant t0 and the instant t2; d) measuring a pressure of the manifold P2m and calculating a corresponding modelled pressure P2c, at an instant t3 after the instant t2; e) calculating a deviation E1 between P1m and P1c and calculating a deviation E2 between P2m and P2c; f) calculating a criterion C=E1−E2; and g) diagnosing malfunction of the purge valve if the criterion C is lower than a predetermined threshold value Cs.

The invention discloses a method for individually assessing the cleanness of at least one of an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support in a process column (1). The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a process column (1) comprising an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support, a column chamber, a movable adaptor (5), an upper outlet (6) and a lower outlet (7); b) conveying liquid through one of the lower (3) and upper (2) bed supports, e.g. by moving the adaptor (5) downwards at a predetermined rate with one of the upper and lower outlets closed and the other open to force liquid through one of the lower and upper bed supports, and; c) measuring the differential pressure over the bed support through which liquid passes.

The invention discloses a method for individually assessing the cleanness of at least one of an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support in a process column (1). The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a process column (1) comprising an upper (2) and a lower (3) bed support, a column chamber, a movable adaptor (5), an upper outlet (6) and a lower outlet (7); b) conveying liquid through one of the lower (3) and upper (2) bed supports, e.g. by moving the adaptor (5) downwards at a predetermined rate with one of the upper and lower outlets closed and the other open to force liquid through one of the lower and upper bed supports, and; c) measuring the differential pressure over the bed support through which liquid passes.

A differential pressure sensor system for use in an aircraft comprises a differential pressure sensor for determining a differential pressure between a pressurizable aircraft cabin and an aircraft environment, the differential pressure sensor having a first port connectable to the pressurizable aircraft cabin via a first line and a second port connectable to the aircraft environment via a second line. A shut-off device of the differential pressure sensor system is arranged in the second line which is switchable between an open position in which it opens the second line, such that a pressure prevailing in the aircraft environment acts on the second port of the differential pressure sensor, and a shut-off position in which it closes the second line, such that the second port of the differential pressure sensor is shut off from the pressure prevailing in the aircraft environment.