Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of elongate structural elements, for example, railway rails, and a method of designing and manufacturing the system is disclosed. The method includes identifying and selecting suitable modes of propagation and signal frequencies that can be expected to travel large distances through an elongate structural element; designing a transducer that will excite the selected mode at the selected frequency; numerically modelling the transducer as attached to the elongate structural element; validating the transducer design by analyzing a harmonic response of the selected mode of propagation to excitation by the transducer, and manufacturing one or more transducers for use in the system.

Abstract: A concentrator that is operable to concentrate particles of target material from a high flow rate sampled airflow into a low flow rate secondary airflow. The concentrator may have an array of radially arranged blades. Each blade may have a sampled airflow inlet that uses centrifugal force to concentrate the particles into a central portion of the sampled airflow passing through it. Downstream, the blade may also have primary airflow outlets and knife-edged secondary airflow inlets that divide the sampled airflow into a pair of lateral, high flow rate primary airflows from which the particles have been depleted, and a central, low flow rate secondary airflow which carries the concentrated particles.

Abstract: There is provided an alignment aid method of an ultrasonic transmitter implemented by means of an alignment aid system. The alignment aid system includes a receiver including a plurality of transducers each configured to receive an ultrasonic wave and convert it into a respective signal, and a processing unit configured to digitally process all the signals coming from the transducers, at least part of the transducers being arranged so as to form a first continuous row of transducers. The system also includes an alignment control device communicating with the processing unit, the alignment control device being configured to supply an indication about the transducer(s) receiving a single ultrasonic wave transmitted by said transmitter along the first row of transducers so as to enable the transmitter to be aligned in relation to the receiver.

Abstract: A fluidless roller probe device for performing structural integrity testing. A drum sensor has a shaft, a barrel-shaped inner portion mounted on the shaft, a sensor array having transmit elements and receive elements positioned on an outer surface of the inner portion, and an outer portion positioned over the sensor array. A shaft encoder is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. A support structure is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. Processing circuitry coupled to the transmit elements and receive elements is configured to activate, based on a signal from the shaft encoder, only that transmit element closest to the surface of the part under test and to calculate an output signal based on signals received from the receive elements. The transmit and receive elements are either ultrasonic transducers or eddy current coils. The transmit and receive elements are arranged in a lattice-like configuration.

Abstract: A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a rotation sensor for detecting a plurality of rates of rotation about orthogonal axes (x,y,z). The rotation sensor comprises a substrate, driving masses, X-Y sensor masses, and Z sensor masses. The driving masses are driven by drive elements to oscillate in the X-direction. The X-Y sensor masses are coupled to the driving masses, and driven to oscillate in the X-Y direction radially to a center. When a rate of rotation of the substrate occurs about the X-axis or the Y-axis, the X-Y sensor masses are jointly deflected about the Y-axis or X-axis. When a rate of rotation of the substrate occurs about the Z-axis, the X-Y sensor masses are rotated about the Z-axis, and the Z sensor masses are deflected substantially in the X-direction.

Abstract: A device, system and method for monitoring a cable for a physical disturbance is disclosed. The device includes at least one pair of acoustic transducers, the pair comprising a first acoustic conductor monitoring transducer and a second ambient transducer. The acoustic conductor monitoring transducer is in acoustic contact with an acoustic conductor to be monitored by the device, with the transducers being arranged such that an ambient acoustic signal is common to both transducers. The device further includes a circuit element, with each transducer being connected to an input of the circuit element, the circuit element being arranged to output a difference between the input signals from the transducers. An alarm triggering module is connected to an output of the circuit element, the module being operable to trigger an alarm when the output signal received from the circuit element exceeds a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes oscillating-type angular velocity sensing element (32), IC (34) for processing signals supplied from angular velocity sensing element (32), capacitor (36) for processing signals, and package (38) for accommodating angular velocity sensing element (32), IC (34), capacitor (36). Element (32) and IC (34) are housed in package (38) via a vibration isolator, which is formed of TAB tape (46), plate (40) on which IC (34) is placed, where angular velocity sensing element (32) is layered on IC (34), and outer frame (44) placed outside and separately from plate (40) and yet coupled to plate (40) via wiring pattern (42).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an inertia measurement module for an unmanned aircraft, which comprises a housing assembly, a sensing assembly and a vibration damper. The vibration damper comprises a first vibration-attenuation cushion; and the sensing assembly comprises a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a flexible signal line for connecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board. An inertia sensor is fixed on the second circuit board, and the first circuit board is fixed on the housing assembly. The inertia measurement module further comprises a weight block, and the second circuit board, the weight block, the first vibration-attenuation cushion and the first circuit board are bonded together. The present disclosure greatly reduces the influence of the operational vibration frequency of the unmanned aircraft on the inertia sensor and improves the measurement stability of the inertia sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is an accelerometer that can be sensitive to acceleration, but not anchor motion due to sources other than acceleration. The accelerometer can employ a set of electrodes and/or transducers that can register motion of the proof mass and support structure and employ and output-cancelling mechanism so that the accelerometer can distinguish between acceleration and anchor motion due to sources other than acceleration. For example, the effects of anchor motion can be cancelled from an output signal of the accelerometer so that the accelerometer exhibits sensitivity to only acceleration.

Abstract: System and methods for characterizing and/or detecting structural characteristics of syringes (e.g., bare syringes or syringes included in automatic injection devices) using acoustic vibrations. A transducer is positioned proximate to a syringe so that the transducer vibrates at one or more frequencies and a response of the syringe to the vibrations can be received via the receiver. The response of syringe can be processed to determine a structural characteristic of the syringe.

Abstract: A weight member includes two sides opposite to each other in an X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. A vibrating beam includes one end portion connected at one location to a fixation member and the other end portion connected at one location to one of the two sides of the weight member in the X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. The vibrating beam supports the weight member to be displaceable in the X-axis direction. A holding beam includes one end portion connected at one location to the fixation member and the other end portion connected at one location to the other of the two sides of the weight member opposing to each other in the X-axis direction when looked at in a plan view. The holding beam supports the weight member to be displaceable in the X-axis direction. A driver is disposed on the vibrating beam and vibrates the vibrating beam. A detector is disposed on the vibrating beam and configured to output a detection signal changes according to deformation of the vibrating beam.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a base substrate; a movable portion; a plurality of movable electrode fingers which are provided in the movable portion; a fixed electrode finger which is provided on the base substrate; and a fixing portion which fixes the movable portion to the base substrate. In the movable electrode fingers, a movable electrode finger which opposes the fixing portion in the first direction is included. A clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixing portion is smaller than a clearance between the movable electrode finger and the fixed electrode finger. The width of the movable electrode finger is greater than the width of other movable electrode finger.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe apparatus and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus are disclosed. The ultrasonic probe apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer configured to output an electrical signal upon receiving ultrasonic waves; a sound absorption unit, one surface of which is an installation surface of the ultrasonic transducer and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer; a first electronic circuit electrically connected to the sound absorption unit; and a substrate connection unit disposed between the sound absorption unit and the first electronic circuit, configured to electrically interconnect the first electronic circuit and the sound absorption unit. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes the above ultrasonic probe and a main body.

Abstract: Low-cost and easily-operated microviscometer suitable for medical diagnosis clinical studies and other fluid tests. The equipment consists of a microchannel (2) formed by concatenated microchannels made by micro-manufacturing techniques, and a fluid column position detector inside the microchannel. The microchannels are open at one end and closed at the other end and are made of a single biocompatible material. When a liquid drop is put into the inlet of the microchannel (2), the fluid enters by capillary until the compressed air pressure equals the capillary pressure plus atmospheric pressure. The fluid transient movement from entering the channel until stopping at its balance position is analyzed thus obtaining as a result the viscosity and the capillary pressure of the liquid tested.

Abstract: A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulate the operation of a motor, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to engage a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means and mount assembly, enabling identification, optional marking, and adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide for stiction testing in MEMS devices, such as accelerometers. In certain embodiments, testing is accomplished by a high voltage smart circuit that enables an analog front-end circuit to accurately read the position of a movable proof-mass relative to a biased electrode in order to allow the detection of both contact and release conditions. Testing allows to detect actual or potential stiction failures and to reject defective parts in a Final Test stage of a manufacturing process where no other contributors to stiction issue can occur, thereby, minimizing stiction failure risks and extending the reliability of MEMS devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for adjusting a position of an aspirator in a sample processing apparatus, the sample processing apparatus comprising the aspirator configured to aspirate a sample or a reagent from a container and a capacitance sensor connected to the aspirator to detect change in capacitance, the method comprising: moving the aspirator above a position adjustment part which is electrically conductive and which is disposed at a predetermined position; obtaining capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor while moving the aspirator; and setting reference position information indicating a reference position of the aspirator based on change in the obtained capacitance.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors, and more particularly, a sensor device having accelerometer and gyroscope integrated into a low cost compact package. The device includes: MEMs wafer; and an ASIC wafer bonded to the MEMs wafer; a wafer-level-package redistribution layer (WLP RDL) formed on a surface of the ASIC wafer; and a ball grid array having a plurality of solder balls that electrically connect the package to a circuit board. The MEMs wafer includes the accelerometer and gyroscope, while the ASIC wafer includes two separate cavities corresponding to the accelerometer and gyroscope, respectively. The ASIC wafer includes electrical circuits/components to process the readout signals received from the accelerometer and gyroscope.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vibration-type angular velocity sensor capable of improving detection precision of angular velocities around the Z axis and preventing detection precision of angular velocities around the X and Y axes from deteriorating. A weight 3 is columnar or conic. The outline of an outer peripheral portion of a diaphragm 1 has such shape that a straight portion ST is formed at each of four corner portions of a square. Four vibration exciting electrodes 11 are respectively located in four regions partitioned by a first imaginary line L1 and a second imaginary line L2. Four angular velocity sensing electrodes 13 are respectively located in four regions partitioned by a first imaginary diagonal line CL1 and a second imaginary diagonal line Cl2.