Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for detecting a rotational motion about a resulting sensitivity axis. The sensor includes at least two dual mass gyroscope units, each of the gyroscope units are adapted to detect a rotational motion about a sensitivity axis of the respective gyroscope unit. The sensitivity axes being parallel to each other and to the resulting sensitivity axis. The gyroscope units are interconnected at the inertial masses of the gyroscope units which cause the gyroscope unit to operate synchronously.

Abstract: A Coriolis-based bulk acoustic wave gyroscope includes a center-supported resonating element with capacitively-coupled drive, sense, and control electrodes. The resonating element has a first substantially solid or perforated region which is connected to the center-support by a second region characterized by a plurality of spokes or beams. When operating in a resonance state, the first region undergoes a bulk acoustic mode of vibration while the second region undergoes a flexural mode of vibration. Energy losses associated with the flexural mode of vibration reduce the overall quality factor (Q) at high resonance frequencies creating a large bandwidth and a fast response time without needing vacuum.

Abstract: A system for conducting phased array testing on a vehicle hub includes a guide element having a first end and a second end, a pivot element extending from the second end to couple to the vehicle hub, and a slide element coupled to the guide element. The slide element is movable relative to the guide element between the first end of the guide element and the second end of the guide element. The slide element including an object-receiving aperture to receive a phased array probe element.

Abstract: A method for checking the function of a sensor for detecting soot is provided, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes situated on a substrate made of an electrically insulating material, and a heating element, the method including: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement at a first temperature to ascertain a first measured variable, carrying out a second current-voltage measurement at a second temperature to ascertain a second measured variable, and forming a difference between the first measured variable and the second measured variable.

Abstract: Embodiments for modifying a spring mass configuration are disclosed that minimize the effects of unwanted nonlinear motion on a MEMS sensor. The modifications include any or any combination of providing a rigid element between rotating structures of the spring mass configuration, tuning a spring system between the rotating structures and coupling an electrical cancellation system to the rotating structures. In so doing unwanted nonlinear motion such as unwanted 2nd harmonic motion is minimized.

Abstract: A scanning system to analyze wood and determine defects includes at least two ultrasonic transducers configured to scan the wood from edge to edge by triangulating the wood. The at least two ultrasonic transducers are configured to find splits and shakes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite focusing wedge for ultrasonic non-destructive testing/inspection. The composite wedge comprises a base made of machined or cast material, and a lens made of a material which is cast in liquid form and subsequently solidifies. The acoustic velocity in the base material is less than that in the lens material. The castable lens material conforms exactly to a convex machined or cast surface of the base, thereby forming a concave lower surface of the lens. A flat ultrasonic probe is coupled to a planar upper surface of the lens. The minimum distance between the lower concave and upper planar surfaces of the lens is less than one acoustic wavelength in the lens material. The ringdown time of reverberations between the two surfaces is then sufficiently short that there is no interference between the reverberations and signals from sub-surface flaws in the object being tested.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer having separate sense and force-feedback electrodes is disclosed. The use of separate electrodes may in some embodiments increase the dynamic range of such devices. Other possible advantages include, for example, better sensitivity, better noise suppression, and better signal-to-noise ratio. In one embodiment, the accelerometer includes three silicon wafers, fabricated with sensing electrodes forming capacitors in a fully differential capacitive architecture, and with separate force feedback electrodes forming capacitors for force feedback. These electrodes may be isolated on a layer of silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the accelerometer also includes silicon dioxide layers, piezoelectric structures, getter layers, bonding pads, bonding spacers, and force feedback electrodes, which may apply a restoring force to the proof mass region. MEMS accelerometers with force-feedback electrodes may be used in geophysical surveys, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic NDT sensor arrangement for inspecting surfaces of variable geometry of metal bodies. The sensor arrangement includes a housing with a hollow inner space and an opening, through which part of an incoming sound beam exits the housing to enter a metal body to be tested. An ultrasonic sensor is coupled to the housing such that it emits said incoming sound beam directly into said hollow inner space in a direction towards the opening. The said inner space of the housing is filled with a first coupling fluid which is water. The opening of the housing is closed with a closing member, which is made of a silicone material and which has a similar density and velocity of sound compared to the first coupling fluid.

Abstract: A sense channel signal processing block is time-domain multiplexed among multiple MEMS devices and utilizes an anti-aliasing filter disposed after track-and-hold switches, to prevent the bandwidth of the sense channel from being limited by the anti-aliasing filter. A multiplexed signal processor architecture performs dynamic calibration of all sensor error signals in response to environmental changes.

Abstract: In some implementations, a cement testing system includes an upper end module and a lower end module. Casing-emulating tubing couples to the upper end module and to the lower end module and emulates a wellbore casing. A plurality of intermediate well-wall-emulating modules is configured to couple end-to-end and to couple to the upper end module and the lower end module to form an annulus around the casing emulating tubing. Each of the plurality of intermediate well-wall emulating modules is configured to emulate one or more characteristics of a well wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic inspection of elongated composite members in a single scan pass using pulse echo phased arrays operating in a bubbler method. The system concept is fully automated by integrating an inspection probe assembly to a robot and using the robot to move the inspection probe assembly along the part (i.e., outside of an inspection tank); and by integrating tooling fixtures that move out of the way as the inspection probe assembly travels along the length of the part during the inspection. In addition, the system allows for generally elongated composite members having lengthwise variation in shape, curvature and dimensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling and testing the functionality of a structural unit having a fill level gauge in a non-stationary container for liquids, said container being embodied from thermoplastic synthetic material, wherein the method comprises testing a first and second angular position of a lever arm of the fill level gauge when the latter is in the installed position under the influence of a magnetic field on the empty container.

Abstract: A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a rotational accelerometer. The method includes attaching a rotational accelerometer to be tested to a plate fitted with and second linear accelerometers and vibrating the plate. Angular acceleration measurements from the rotational accelerometer and linear acceleration measurements from the first and second linear accelerometers are obtained during the vibrating. The linear acceleration measurements are converted into angular acceleration values, and data representing, or usable for, a comparison of the angular acceleration measurements from the rotational accelerometer and the converted angular acceleration values is generated.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensor nodes and a sensor module. The plurality of sensor nodes detects sound waves generated from a prestressed concrete and converts the detected sound waves into detection signals. The sensor module is connected to the plurality of sensor nodes and receives the detection signals. The plurality of sensor nodes includes the sensor nodes in an operating state and the sensor nodes in a dormant state in which power consumption is held down as compared to the operating state. When magnitude of the detection signals is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the sensor module switches the sensor node in the dormant state to the operating state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing real time measurement of capacitance for a plurality of transducing elements in an acoustic probe during repair are disclosed. An example method includes determining, at a second time, a capacitance of a transducing element of the plurality of transducing elements; when the capacitance of the transducing element is (A) outside an acceptable range and (B) different than an initial capacitance of the transducing element, triggering an alert, the initial capacitance determined at a first time prior to the second time and continuing to determine the capacitance of the transducing element; and when the capacitance of the transducing element is within the acceptable range, continuing to determine the capacitance of the transducing element.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held sampler for collection of aquatic biotic samples. A pump with an exhaust tube and a water intake tube is attached to a frame. A battery is attached to the frame and electrically connected to the pump. A handle is attached to the bottom of the frame for an operator to hold the sampler in one hand. A switch is electrically connected to the pump and to the battery and attached to the frame near the handle for the operator to control activation of the pump with the same single hand. A venturi tube assembly with a sample intake tube is attached to the exhaust tube. The pump draws water into the water intake tube and sample material into the sample intake tube and the venturi tube diverts the sample material away from the pump and into a sample collection reservoir to prevent damage to the sample material.

Abstract: A calibration rig (1), for calibrating a torque wrench (9), comprises a support structure (3) for supporting the torque wrench (9) during calibration. The support structure (3) comprises: a support member (7) which is free to move substantially vertically; means for applying a balance force (14, 15) to the support member (7), wherein the balance force acts counter to a force exerted by the weight of the torque wrench (9) when a handle of the torque wrench (9) is received by the support member (7); means for applying a measured torque (6) to the torque wrench (7); and means for resisting rotation (16) of the torque wrench (9) as a result of the applied torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS gyroscope for detecting rotational motions about an x-, y-, and/or z-axis, in particular a 3-D sensor, containing a substrate, several, at least two, preferably four, drive masses (2) that are movable radially with respect to a center and drive elements (7) for the oscillating vibration of the drive masses (2) in order to generate Coriolis forces on the drive masses (2) in the event of rotation of the substrate about the x-, y-, and/or z-axis. The oscillating drive masses (2) are connected to at least one further non-oscillating sensor mass (3) that however can be rotated about the x-, y-, and/or z-axis together with the oscillating drive masses (2) on the substrate. Sensor elements (9, 10) are used to detect deflections of the sensor mass (3) and/or drive masses (2) in relation to the substrate due to the generated Coriolis forces. At least two, preferably four anchors (5) are used to rotatably fasten the sensor mass (3) to the substrate by means of springs (4).