The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of water or ice on a structure, for example on the surface of an aircraft. A plurality of heaters (202-214) are thermally coupled to a structure (for example on the back of a wing) (104) in order to detect the presence of water or ice on the structure. The heaters are arranged adjacent one another from a GC region of a leading edge (106) of the structure (that is exposable to an impinging airflow) and extending aft of the leading edge of the structure. The heaters, which may be controlled individually, are supplied power that is sufficient to heat the surface of the structure to substantially the same temperature. A controller senses the power required for the heaters to achieve the same surface temperature at the respective regions. By comparing the power consumed by a heater that is aft of the fore-most heater (214), and the power consumed by a heater fore of the aft-most heater (210), a determination of the presence of water or ice can be made if the power consumed by the heater that is aft of the fore- most heater is different to the power consumed by the heater that is fore of the aft-most heater.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of water or ice on a structure, for example on the surface of an aircraft. A plurality of heaters (202-214) are thermally coupled to a structure (for example on the back of a wing) (104) in order to detect the presence of water or ice on the structure. The heaters are arranged adjacent one another from a GC region of a leading edge (106) of the structure (that is exposable to an impinging airflow) and extending aft of the leading edge of the structure. The heaters, which may be controlled individually, are supplied power that is sufficient to heat the surface of the structure to substantially the same temperature. A controller senses the power required for the heaters to achieve the same surface temperature at the respective regions. By comparing the power consumed by a heater that is aft of the fore-most heater (214), and the power consumed by a heater fore of the aft-most heater (210), a determination of the presence of water or ice can be made if the power consumed by the heater that is aft of the fore- most heater is different to the power consumed by the heater that is fore of the aft-most heater.

A fluid sensor for sensing a concentration or composition of a fluid, the sensor comprising: a semiconductor substrate comprising a first etched portion and a second etched portion; a dielectric region located on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric region comprises a first dielectric membrane located over the first etched portion of the semiconductor substrate, and a second dielectric membrane located over the second etched portion of the semiconductor substrate; two temperature sensing elements on or within the first dielectric membrane and two temperature sensing elements on or within the second dielectric membrane; an output circuit configured to measure a differential signal between the two temperature sensing elements of the first dielectric membrane and the two temperature sensing elements of the second dielectric membrane; wherein the first dielectric membrane is exposed to the fluid and the second dielectric membrane is isolated from the fluid.

A gas sensor (100) extending in an axial direction AX including: a gas sensor element (120) which detects the concentration of a specific gas in a gas under measurement; a tubular metallic shell (110) having a polygonal tool engagement portion (110B) surrounding the gas sensor element (120); a tubular outer tube (103) which extends rearward from the metallic shell (110), surrounds the gas sensor element (120), and has an opening (103E) at a rear end thereof; a sealing member (191) which seals the opening (103E); and a tubular heat dissipating member (104) which surrounds the outer tube (103) and reduces the amount of heat transferred from the forward end side of the gas sensor (100) through the outer tube (103) to the sealing member (191). The maximum diameter D1 of the heat dissipating member (104) is equal to or less than the opposite side dimension D2 of the tool engagement portion (110B).

A method of determining outdoor characteristics of a photochromic optical article includes: determining environmental conditions for an area; positioning the optical article to face a first direction; determining a first incident irradiance on the optical article; determining a first surface temperature and first spectrum of the optical article; rotating the optical article to face a second direction; determining a second surface temperature and Full Characterization of Lens second spectrum of the optical article; determining a second incident irradiance on the optical article; and generating a prediction model of spectral transmission of the optical article. Further using environmental and climate conditions and to select a photochromic article most appropriate for an area.

A method of determining outdoor characteristics of a photochromic optical article includes: determining environmental conditions for an area; positioning the optical article to face a first direction; determining a first incident irradiance on the optical article; determining a first surface temperature and first spectrum of the optical article; rotating the optical article to face a second direction; determining a second surface temperature and Full Characterization of Lens second spectrum of the optical article; determining a second incident irradiance on the optical article; and generating a prediction model of spectral transmission of the optical article. Further using environmental and climate conditions and to select a photochromic article most appropriate for an area.

A method to monitor and control the temperature of a sample holder of a laboratory instrument during execution of a temperature profile on the sample holder is presented. The laboratory instrument comprises a sample holder with high temperature uniformity and at least three identical temperature sensors. The measured actual temperatures of the sample holder are processed in order to determine if the execution of the temperature profile should be continued or aborted. Furthermore, temperature sensors which measure actual temperatures that do not fulfil certain requirements are excluded from further monitoring and controlling the temperature of a sample holder.

A method to monitor and control the temperature of a sample holder of a laboratory instrument during execution of a temperature profile on the sample holder is presented. The laboratory instrument comprises a sample holder with high temperature uniformity and at least three identical temperature sensors. The measured actual temperatures of the sample holder are processed in order to determine if the execution of the temperature profile should be continued or aborted. Furthermore, temperature sensors which measure actual temperatures that do not fulfil certain requirements are excluded from further monitoring and controlling the temperature of a sample holder.

In an example, a method includes receiving, at a processor, object model data representing at least a portion of an object to be generated by an additive manufacturing apparatus by fusing build material. Using a processor and from the object model data, a property diffusion model for the object in object generation may be determined. Using a processor and based on the property diffusion model, a manufacturing boundary object shell around the object and encompassing an external volume may be determined. The shell may have a variable thickness determined so as to include build material for which, in generation of the object, the property modelled in the property diffusion model has a value which is predicted to conform to a predetermined parameter.

In an example, a method includes receiving, at a processor, object model data representing at least a portion of an object to be generated by an additive manufacturing apparatus by fusing build material. Using a processor and from the object model data, a property diffusion model for the object in object generation may be determined. Using a processor and based on the property diffusion model, a manufacturing boundary object shell around the object and encompassing an external volume may be determined. The shell may have a variable thickness determined so as to include build material for which, in generation of the object, the property modelled in the property diffusion model has a value which is predicted to conform to a predetermined parameter.