Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors. A sensor such as an inertial device includes a first structure and a second structure that is springedly coupled to the first structure. The sensor is configured to generate an output voltage based on a current between the first and second structures. Monotonic motion of the second structure relative to the first structure causes a reversal in direction of the current.

Abstract: A micromechanical rotation rate sensor includes: a substrate having a main plane of extension; a first Coriolis element; a second Coriolis element; a drive device for deflecting the first and second Coriolis elements from a neutral position; and a detection device. The first Coriolis element, with regard to a first axis extending in parallel to the main plane of extension, has a mass-symmetrical design with respect to the second Coriolis element. The first and second Coriolis elements have a common main plane of extension, and in the neutral position the shared main plane of extension extends in parallel to the main plane of extension of the substrate. The first and second Coriolis elements each have a mass-symmetrical design with respect to a second axis extending perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. The first and second Coriolis elements are drivable by the drive device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic guided wave system for defect detection in a plate-like structure, includes at least one first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element configured to be coupled to a structure. The controller includes a machine readable storage medium and a processor in signal communication with the machine readable storage medium. The processor is configured to cause a pulse generator to pulse the at least first circumferentially-polarized piezoelectric d15 shear ring element such that shear horizontal-type guided wave energy is transmitted in all directions in the plate-like structure, process at least one guided wave signal to identify the presence and location of at least one possible defect in the plate-like structure, and store the guided wave signal and defect detection data in the machine readable storage medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors. A sensor such as an inertial device includes a first structure and a second structure that is springedly coupled to the first structure. The sensor is configured to generate an output voltage based on a current between the first and second structures. Monotonic motion of the second structure relative to the first structure causes a reversal in direction of the current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting temporally varying thermomechanical stresses and/or stress gradients over the wall thickness of metal bodies, in particular pipelines. In the method, the temperature on the outer surface of the body is measured in order to determine a temperature progression and stress progression therefrom. In addition, electromagnetic ultrasonic transducers are used at at least one measuring point on the outer surface in order to determine the progression of the stresses and/or stress gradients over time over the wall thickness of the body in conjunction with the result of the temperature measurement. The method allows the fatigue monitoring of pipelines even in the event of rapid stress changes.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor device that comprises a seismic mass, and a spring structure that defines for the seismic mass a drive direction, and a sense direction that is perpendicular to the drive direction. A capacitive transducer structure includes a stator to be anchored to a static support structure, and a rotor mechanically connected to the seismic mass. The capacitive transducer structure is arranged into a slanted orientation where a non-zero angle is formed between the drive direction and a tangent of the stator surface. The slated capacitive transducer structure creates an electrostatic force to decrease quadrature error of the linear oscillation.

Abstract: A method of component monitoring for machinery having multiple rotating elements, which are rotated at different rotational speeds, the method including sampling data from the vibration sensor at a sampling frequency at least as great as the fastest rotational speed of the multiple rotating elements to form a data set and determining an actual rotational frequency for at least some of the rotating elements during the sampling of the data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the health and operational status of components in a fuel dispensing environment. In one aspect, a method includes providing a control system having a memory in which is stored information representative of a first vibration characteristic of a component, providing a sensor in electronic communication with the control system, the sensor operative to sense vibration characteristics of the component, and coupling the sensor with the component. The method also includes sensing a second vibration characteristic of the component using the sensor, transmitting information representative of the second vibration characteristic to the control system, and comparing the information representative of the second vibration characteristic to the information representative of the first vibration characteristic.

Abstract: Externally generated noise can be coupled into a fluid carrying structure such as a pipe, well, or borehole so as to artificially acoustically “illuminate” the pipe, well, or borehole, and allow fluid flow in the structure or structural integrity to be determined. In the disclosed system, externally generated noise is coupled into the structure being monitored at the same time as data logging required to undertake the monitoring is performed. This has three effects. First, the externally generated sound is coupled into the structure so as to “illuminate” acoustically the structure to allow data to be collected from which fluid flow may be determined, and secondly the amount of data that need be collected is reduced, as there is no need to log data when the structure is not being illuminated. Thirdly, there are signal processing advantages in having the data logging being undertaken only when the acoustic illumination occurs.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating microelectronic packages and microelectronic packages having split gyroscope structures are provided. In one embodiment, the microelectronic package includes a first Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) die having a first MEMS gyroscope structure thereon. The microelectronic package further includes a second MEMS die, which has a second MEMS gyroscope structure thereon and which is positioned in a stacked relationship with the first MEMS die. The first and second MEMS gyroscope structures overlap as taken along a first axis orthogonal to a principal axis of the first MEMS die.

Abstract: Reducing noise from drive tone and sense resonance peaks of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope output using a notch filter is presented herein. The MEMS gyroscope can include a drive oscillation component configured to vibrate a sensor mass at a drive resonance frequency; a sense circuit configured to detect a deflection of the sensor mass, and generate, based on the deflection and the drive resonance frequency, a demodulated output; and a signal processing component configured to receive a set of frequencies comprising a first value representing the drive resonance frequency and a second value corresponding to a sense resonance frequency associated with the sense circuit, and apply, based on the first value and the second value, a notch filter to the demodulated output to obtain a filtered output.

Abstract: A device for detecting the state of a leaf of doors, gates or the like, including a magnetometer that can move with respect to a reference geometric plane that has a substantially fixed orientation with respect to an external magnetic field, the magnetometer being connected to a control unit that is configured to produce a movement of the magnetometer with respect to a preset position, on the basis of a measurement of the external magnetic field which is detected by the magnetometer; in addition or as an alternative to the magnetometer, the device can include an accelerometer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes by which fatigue testing can be carried out by altering the vibrational characteristics of a component, but without physically altering the component itself. In particular the invention provides a method of performing high-cycle fatigue testing on a component, the method including the steps of: attaching one or more masses to the component to alter the stress distribution of the component under vibration; and carrying out high-cycle fatigue testing by exciting the component at a low fundamental frequency of the component. The component can then be tested at a low frequency, which is easier to excite, but fail in a position of the component characteristic of a more complex modeshape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring mechanical stresses or vibrations occurring in a component, wherein the measuring device comprises at least one electromechanical transducer, which can be integrated in a force-locked manner into the component, and at least one electronic unit, which is connected to the transducer via signal lines and is used to record and process the signals delivered by the transducer. In order to improve the robustness of the arrangement, it is provided according to the invention that the electronic unit is at least partially surrounded by a housing, and wherein a compensation zone for absorbing relative movements between the housing and the electronic unit is provided between the housing and the electronic unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a socket portion and a nut portion which are integrally molded with resin, a screw portion which is tightly fixed to a side wall of an opening in a concave part of the nut portion by adhesive, and a sense element which is fixed to the screw portion and is disposed in the concave part of the nut portion. The socket portion, the nut portion and the screw portion constitute a package. A through hole introducing the pressure measurement target liquid is formed in the screw portion. An external lead-out terminal is fixed to the sense element. The external lead-out terminal passes through the through hole on a base of the concave part of the nut portion, and is tightly fixed to the socket portion with adhesive. The external lead-out terminal is a connection terminal to be connected with external wiring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: A sensor position control apparatus and method that includes a guide rail formed to be elongated along one direction set to a longitudinal direction thereof and a position control unit coupled to the guide rail and configured to slide along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. A sensor mount unit is connected to be moved together with the position control unit and has a sensor mounted on one surface thereof. In addition, an angle control unit is configured to change a direction which one surface of the sensor mounting unit faces and a position control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the position control unit. An angle control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the angle control unit.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor has a package, which is provided with a substrate and a lid and has an internal space inside, and a functional element which is accommodated in the internal space, the lid is formed on a partition wall section which is provided on the periphery of the internal space in planar view and has a communication hole which causes a lower surface at the substrate side to communicate with an upper surface at the opposite side to the substrate, and the communication hole communicates with the internal space via a groove which is formed in the substrate.