Abstract: A load cell incorporates two identical sensing beams equipped with resistance-type strain gauges. The beam geometry is such that a large constant shear strain is developed at the strain gauge locations. Two different strain gauge arrangements are used to provide linear response to axially applied forces while rendering the transducer insensitive to extraneous forces and couples. The geometry allows a fully redundant set of gauges to be placed on the beams for high reliability applications. Bridge balance and temperature compensation are accomplished by optimizing the direct deposited thin film gauge material which are then laser trimmed.

Abstract: A force detector is comprised of resistance elements having a piezo resistance effect such that electric resistance varies due to mechanical deformation, and formed on a single crystal substrate (10), and a strain generative body (20) having a supporting portion (21) and a working portion (23), thus allowing the resistance elements to produce a mechanical deformation on the basis of a displacement with respect to the supporting portion of the working portion. This force detector can detect a force applied to the working portion as changes in resistance values of the resistance elements. The plane on which resistance elements are to be formed on the single crystal substrate is selected so that piezo resistance coefficients in two directions perpendicular to each other exhibit peak. When a weight body (30) is connected to the working portion, it is possible to detect an acceleration acting on the weight body.

Abstract: A dynamic grip sensor is formed from a unitary block having upper and lower covers. The sensor, being of a size so that it can be gripped by a human hand, comprises two sets of parallel flexure beams connected between outer end blocks and a center block and are loaded by a base plate connected to the outer end block and extending between the end blocks. The flexure beams deflect to respond to hand grip strength. Strain sensors located on the flexure beams and connected in a wheatstone bridge provide indication of gripping strength. The grip sensor may operate apart from a supporting structure or be incorporated into a handle or similar structure.

Abstract: The sensor according to the present invention provides a device for measuring the magnitude of an applied load as a shift in resonant frequency of a mechanical resonator caused by load-induced strains on the resonator. The sensor includes a substrate, generally constructed of a semiconductor material, e.g. silicon, a diaphragm substantially supported along its outer periphery by the substrate, a boss abutting a region of the diaphragm remote from the outer periphery of the diaphragm, at least one resonator in the form of a beam having one end integral to the diaphragm proximate the region of the boss and the other end integral to the diaphragm remote from the boss, a hermetic seal for enclosing the resonator, and an exciter/detector for measuring changes in the natural frequency of the resonator due to an applied load. Preferably, the sensor includes a differential resonator configuration in which the resonators are positioned rectilinearly with respect to each other and are covered by the same hermetic seal.

Abstract: A noncontacting method for sensing stress and torque based on the principle of magnetostriction comprises inducing a magnetic flux in a shaft (20) via such means as a single core/coil(58/60) placed close to the shaft (20) which detects torque by means of voltage or current changes in the coil (60). Another embodiment comprises two single core/coils (58/60 and 59/61) and signal processing circuitry which produces a signal minimally affected by material property inhomogeneities. An additional embodiment employs a plurality of sensors (66A/66B) strategically located around the shaft (20) to eliminate spurious signals which are due to bending stress and shaft misalignment.

Abstract: This sensing element, which is to be installed in a pipeline conducting the fluid to be measured, consists of a straight section of pipe (1) with an unrestricted cross-sectional area and an uninterrupted wall to the external surface of which are positively fixed, successively in the downstream direction and in a spaced-apart relationship: a first resonance absorber (11) at the inlet end consisting of at least one absorber disk (111), a first transducer disk (21) having a first ultrasonic transducer (31) attached to one lateral surface thereof which excites the radial resonance frequency of said first transducer disk (21), a second transducer disk (22) having a second ultrasonic transducer (32) attached to one lateral surface thereof which excites the radial resonance frequency of said second transducer disk (22), and a second resonance absorber (12) at the outlet end consisting of at least one absorber disk (121), the absorber disks (111, 121) being dimensioned so that their respective radial resonance freque

Abstract: A force sensor in the integral/monolithic comprises a monolithic block of elastic material which includes a first, second and third plate; a first pair of leaf spring integrally interconnecting the first and second plate, so that the first and second plates can parallely vibrate relative to each other in a first direction; a second pair of leaf springs integrally interconnecting the first and the third plates so that the first and the third plates can parallely vibrate relative to each other in a second direction being at right angles to the first direction; a shaft clearing traverses a bore in the first plate and is affixed to the second plate; the third plate is provided for connection for force receiving; and strain gauges are placed on all the leaf springs to sense separately forces acting in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A load cell suitable for the measurement of discrete events having an output substantially free of resonant frequencies is disclosed. The load cell includes a visco-elastic polymer bonded thereto as well as accompanying control circuitry for maintaining the visco-elastic at a constant temperature to stabilize the load cell output in the event ambient temperature varies.

Abstract: A load measuring device is incorporated in a damper or suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises an annular plate which is interposed between axially spaced opposite faces of a thrust bearing and an abutment for the adjacent end of the spring, and the plate is supported from the opposite faces at at least three angularly spaced locations of which a location on one side of the plate is disposed substantially at the mid-point in the circumferential length between a pair of locations on the opposite side of the plate. Bending moments in the plate are monitored by thick film technology to give a direct reading of load.

Abstract: A pair of magnetic field generating units and a pair of measuring electrodes are mounted on a measuring pipe. The pair of magnetic field generating units generate a substantially functional distribution magnetic field in the measuring pipe. Each magnetic field generating unit has a plurality of coils. A turn ratio of the plurality of coils is substantially equal to a turn ratio of pieces obtained by dividing a sin distribution coil into N portions when the number of coils is given as N (N is an integer of 2 or more). The plurality of coils are constituted by, e.g., coils with pole pieces and saddle coils.

Abstract: A human hand load sensor is a strain gauge based force measurement instrument that has two platforms or handles that can be moved together with parts of the human hand, for example, a thumb and finger, or the handles can be grasped between the heel of the hand and several fingers. The instrument permits very precise measuring of strength force by supporting a movable handle relative to a base or reference handle through a flexure system which deforms predictably under shear loading as the handles or platforms are moved together. The flexure system is much like a parallel linkages made from a single block of material between a base and a movable block, and having a small deflecting beam sensing element between the base and the movable block that is isolated from influences of bending or rolling movements on the strain level. The strain energy is sensed with strain gauges that provide a signal directly proportional to the shear loading for very accurate measurements.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow meter consists of a metering tube made of an electrically non-conductive material and having a thick outer wall. The tube has at least two measuring electrodes and at least two magnetic poles, each of which is disposed in a blind bore of the tube. The poles are linked to one another by a yoke fitted with a magnetic coil. To achieve greater measuring precision both the yoke and the magnetic coils are mounted in a recess inside the outer surface of the metering tube. The recesses are in the form of through holes and grooves. When fully assembled all magnet components are disposed inside the outer surface of the metering tube.

Abstract: A wind speed and wind direction indicator is constructed on a center support pole or mast having a vertical scale of wind speed indicia for visually reading wind speed at a distance from the pole. A swivel head is mounted at the top of the pole for rotation to different compass directions. A rigid arm pendulum is pivotally coupled to the swivel head for pivotal motion of the pendulum to different angles with respect to the support pole. A wind drag structure such as a wind sock is coupled to the free end of the rigid arm pendulum for angular positioning in response to varying wind speed. A sliding collar is mounted on the support pole for sliding motion up and down over the scale of wind speed indicia. A line is coupled between the free end of the rigid arm and the sliding collar for sliding motion of the collar over the scale of wind speed indicia in response to varying wind speed.

Abstract: An apparatus to cause a running length of yarn to vibrate at its harmonic frequency by through utilization of dual orifices through which pressurized air flows at an angle of intersection and to measure electronically the harmonic frequency thereof to provide a signal that can be employed to maintain and/or correct the parameters of the system to maintain a desired tension in the yarn being run.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter comprises a pressure-resistant measurement tube made of a heat-resistant material and a stainless steel casing which surrounds the measurement tube. Disposed in a sealed space between these two parts is a magnetic device comprising at least pole pieces and windings, and one or more measuring electrodes are arranged in the measurement tube. To ensure effective sealing even at high temperatures by simple means, at least one end of the stainless steel casing is bent to form a concentric inner ring and a steel compensation ring surrounds the inside of the inner ring. The steel from which the compensation ring is made has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is between that of the material of the measurement tube and that of the stainless steel of the casing.