(19)

(11)

EP 1 133 671 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 25.05.2000 (43) Date of publication: 19.09.2001 Bulletin 2001/38 (21) Application number: 99967061.5 (22) Date of filing: 31.08.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01B 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9919/986 (87) International publication number: WO 0017/601 (30.03.2000 Gazette 2000/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 01.09.1998 US 98786 P (71) Applicant: Northwest Research Associates, Inc. Bellevue, WA 98007-3713 (US)	(72) Inventor: DOYLE, James, L., Jr. Renton, WA 98055 (US) (74) Representative: Driver, Virginia Rozanne et al Page White & Farrer54 Doughty Street London WC1N 2LS London WC1N 2LS (GB)