An improvement in the process of pillow selection is described, allowing customers to select a pillow that is appropriate for them in a less random manner. First, a method of selecting a pillow for a user is disclosed, comprising the steps of locating the user with a shoulder thereof adjacent a flat rigid surface, orienting the user substantially transverse to the surface, measuring a spacing between the surface and a proximate side of the user's head, and selecting at least one pillow from a group of pillows, based on the measured spacing. The rigid surface is ideally upright, such as a wall. The group of pillows can be divided into a plurality of sub-groups, each sub-group containing a plurality of pillows with substantially like thickness. Thus, based on the reading, the user can be invited to choose any pillow from a specific group or range of pillows. Second, an apparatus for assisting in the selection of a pillow is disclosed, comprising an extending centre section located between a pair of opposing end plates, the centre section having a visible indicia indicative of a distance between the end plates. The centre section is ideally telescopic, and can comprise an inner and an outer telescopic sleeve, the visible indicia then being provided on the inner telescopic sleeve. A series of coloured bands as the visible indicia allows the relevant group of pillows to be identified easily, quickly and unambiguously.

An improvement in the process of pillow selection is described, allowing customers to select a pillow that is appropriate for them in a less random manner. First, a method of selecting a pillow for a user is disclosed, comprising the steps of locating the user with a shoulder thereof adjacent a flat rigid surface, orienting the user substantially transverse to the surface, measuring a spacing between the surface and a proximate side of the user's head, and selecting at least one pillow from a group of pillows, based on the measured spacing. The rigid surface is ideally upright, such as a wall. The group of pillows can be divided into a plurality of sub-groups, each sub-group containing a plurality of pillows with substantially like thickness. Thus, based on the reading, the user can be invited to choose any pillow from a specific group or range of pillows. Second, an apparatus for assisting in the selection of a pillow is disclosed, comprising an extending center section located between a pair of opposing end plates, the center section having a visible indicia indicative of a distance between the end plates. The center section is ideally telescopic, and can comprise an inner and an outer telescopic sleeve, the visible indicia then being provided on the inner telescopic sleeve. A series of colored bands as the visible indicia allows the relevant group of pillows to be identified easily, quickly and unambiguously.

A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe. In some embodiments, the actuator includes a Lorentz force linear actuator. The mechanical property may be determined using non-linear stochastic system identification. The mechanical property may be indicative of, for example, tissue compliance and tissue elasticity. The device can further include a handle for manual application of the probe to the surface of the tissue and may include an accelerometer detecting an orientation of the probe. The device can be used to test skin tissue of an animal, plant tissue, such as fruit and vegetables, or any other biological tissue.

The invention provides a method of selecting a threaded tubular connector for qualification testing, the method comprising the steps of providing a test specimen (34) provided with a test surface that exhibits comparable material properties and/or surface topology as the sealing surface on the connector, determining a parameter of the test surface relating to the sealing capability of the sealing surface; subjecting the test surface to a load, the load corresponding to a selected phase of a qualification test procedure for the tubular connector; removing the load; determining a variation of the parameter; and ceasing the qualification test procedure if the variation of the parameter indicates a reduction of the sealing capability of the sealing surfaces.

Techniques for testing a component for compatibility with a depressurization profile associated with a launch vehicle payload fairing during ascent are disclosed. A pressure of air or other gas within a pressure vessel containing the component is raised to a first value substantially higher than one atmosphere absolute pressure. The air/gas pressure within the pressure vessel is lowered, by venting into the ambient atmosphere, at a rate simulating or demonstrating margin with respect to the launch vehicle payload fairing depressurization profile. The component is inspected for damage. The component may be a panel including a honeycomb core sandwiched between two faceskins, the panel having a planar area in excess of twenty five square feet.

Disclosed is a fracture plugging simulation experimental device and an experimental method thereof. The device comprises a simulated wellbore, a simulated formation, a simulated fracture, a plurality of pressure sensors and vales, a mixing barrel, a liquid injection port and a pressurization port, a liquid collection tank, a plugging fluid storage tank, a heating device, etc. The method comprises: loading the simulated formation with the simulated fracture in the simulated wellbore, closing the second valve and turning on the mixing device, injecting a lost circulation material into the mixing barrel, closing the liquid injection port and turning on the heating device and pressurizing, stopping pressurizing and opening the second valve to establish a plugging process, turning on the plunger pump to continue pressurizing, and collecting a fluid pressure change of the simulated fracture in the plugging process; and calculating a pressure-bearing capacity of plugged fracture.

A simulation test system is provided for simulating a person who carries an object on his shoulder and handholds a portable object. The simulation test system includes a control unit controlling the simulation test system to perform a simulation test. In the simulation test of the shoulder-carrying object, a carrying device is attached with a strap that connects with a back-packing object or a side-carrying object via at least one hook. The carrying device connects with a vertical-driven device that is controlled by the control unit for a vertical up-and-down movement, and connects with a horizontal-driven device that is controlled by the control unit for a horizontal swing movement. In the simulation test of the handheld object, an arm simulator is attached with a handle that connects with the handheld object. The control unit controls a swing-driven device that connects with the arm simulator to perform backward-and-forward movement.

A thermal-mechanical testing apparatus for use with an electrically conductive specimen testing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first compression anvil assembly, a mounting frame coupled to the first compression anvil assembly, and a second compression anvil assembly positioned opposite the first compression anvil assembly and the mounting frame. The first compression anvil assembly includes a mounting plate, a first compression anvil coupled to the mounting plate, and a heating current ground system coupled to the mounting plate. The mounting frame includes a set of conductive end plates, a set of insulating connectors connecting the conductive end plates, and a plurality of mounting components coupled to the insulating connectors. The mounting components are also coupled to the mounting plate. The second compression anvil assembly includes a conductive mounting plate, a second compression anvil coupled to the conductive mounting plate, and a heating current by-pass system coupled to the conductive mounting plate and one of the conductive end plates.

Disclosed is a fracture plugging simulation experimental device and an experimental method thereof. The device comprises a simulated wellbore, a simulated formation, a simulated fracture, a plurality of pressure sensors and vales, a mixing barrel, a liquid injection port and a pressurization port, a liquid collection tank, a plugging fluid storage tank, a heating device, etc. The method comprises: loading the simulated formation with the simulated fracture in the simulated wellbore, closing the second valve and turning on the mixing device, injecting a lost circulation material into the mixing barrel, closing the liquid injection port and turning on the heating device and pressurizing, stopping pressurizing and opening the second valve to establish a plugging process, turning on the plunger pump to continue pressurizing, and collecting a fluid pressure change of the simulated fracture in the plugging process; and calculating a pressure-bearing capacity of plugged fracture.

The present invention relates to the field of rock mechanics technology, and provides a three-dimensional water absorption swelling multifunctional experimental machine and method for chemical swelling rock, comprising a triaxial high-temperature and high-pressure reaction chamber, the triaxial high-temperature and high-pressure reaction chamber is respectively connected with a confining pressure loading controller, a water pressure loading controller, a temperature controller, an axial pressure loading controller, a pH value monitor and a data acquisition and analyzer; the triaxial high-temperature and high-pressure reaction chamber includes a set of internal cavity and an external cavity, a sealing liner sleeve is provided between the internal cavity and the external cavity, a rock sample is provided in the internal cavity, a water-permeable pressure hoop is provided outside the rock sample, and the sealing liner sleeve is connected with a circumferential stress-strain sensor through a displacement structure.