Abstract: A driving belt (2) operatively mounted on at least a first (3a) and second (4) pulleys electrically insulated from each other, is provided with an electrically conductive covering fabric acting in contact relationship with the pulleys. By applying an electric voltage to the pulleys (3a, 4) the electric resistance value offered by the belt (2) is detected and this value is compared with a reference value to which a given degree of wear of the belt corresponds. When the detected resistance value is greater than the reference value, a danger signal is emitted. The danger signal is inhibited during the belt operation and during a predetermined waiting time starting from the moment of the belt stopping in order to avoid the resistance detection to be altered by electrostatic charges present on one of the pulleys (3a, 4) and/or the high temperature in the vicinity of the belt (2).

Abstract: A force sensor component comprising a dimensionally stable body of electrically conductive material, the body having a selected outer surface formed into a predetermined topography; the body including an electrically conductive material in an amount sufficient to render the body electrically conductive at least throughout the selected outer surface of the body; the predetermined topography of the outer surface of the body comprising a plurality of interconnecting ridges across the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: System and method for filtering a misfire data stream having numerical values that indicate whether a firing of a cylinder was a misfire or a proper firing, to yield an optimum measurement misfire-rate for accurate and rapid determination of whether an engine is misfiring beyond a threshold level.

Abstract: A conventional dynamic testing machine, such as an MTS (Material Test System) is modified to allow for a new method for dynamically monitoring fatigue damage in a specimen. Load and stroke signals are used to determine phase angle and gain frequency response parameters for a specimen as it is cyclically loaded. Although the cycles required for specimens to fatigue to failure varies greatly from specimen to specimen, the phase shift between the load and stroke signals as well as the gain of the stroke signal remains fairly constant from specimen to specimen. These characteristic parameters can be used to accurately determine the percent of life remaining and residual strength in other specimens.

Abstract: A sparking voltage detecting device for an internal combustion engine having an ignition system having at least one secondary side high-tension cord, is mounted on the secondary side high-tension cord, for detecting sparking voltage generated in the engine. A main body formed of an insulating material has at least one through hole formed therein. The high-tension cord is fitted through the through hole in a liquidtight manner. At least one conductive member is embedded in the main body at a location radially outward of the through hole and spaced from the high-tension cord by a predetermined distance. The main body has at least one incision formed therein, which extends from the outer surface of the main body to the through hole. The incision is forcibly expansible to an extent enough to allow the high-tension cord to be fitted into the conductive member is arranged at a side of the main body remote from the incision with respect to the through hole.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of determining the performance loss of a catalyzer by using a deterioration variable indicative of this performance loss. The catalyzer is affected by operating conditions and is mounted in the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine having a lambda controller operated to provide a two-level response. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a measurement signal from a lambda probe mounted forward of the catalyzer and a test signal from a lambda probe mounted rearward of the catalyzer; forming a relationship between the measurement and the test signals; measuring values of operating variables which affect oxygen storage processes in the catalyzer; and, correcting the deterioration variable based on the values of the operating variables thereby reducing the influence of the operating conditions on the deterioration variable.

Abstract: A return system for a throttle of an internal combustion engine has a first return device in the form of a spring for returning the throttle to a first return position and a second return device in the form of a motor for returning the throttle to a second return position beyond the first return position. A position sensor determines the first and second return positions and a fault is indicated if the second return position is not beyond the first return position.

Abstract: In a misfire detecting device for an internal combustion engine, a crank angle detector detects the crank angle of the engine, a speed detector detects the speed of the engine from the crank angle thus detected, a load detector detects the load of the engine from the speed thus detected; and a misfire detector detects the misfire rate of the engine from the load thus detected, and outputs a misfire detection signal when the misfire rate thus detected exceeds a misfire rate determining value set according to a certain amount of load.

Abstract: The detector includes a unipolar Hall effect pickup (3) for detecting the passage of a target (14) of soft magnetic material that is movable in displacement with the piston of the first cylinder and is intended to loop the field lines of a permanent magnet (4) to the sensitive zone of the pickup (3). The detector includes two magnets (4, 5) arranged to cancel the resting magnetic induction in the sensitive zone of the pickup (3).

Abstract: Vehicle engine torque, acceleration, deceleration and brake treadle pressure are determined. Vehicle load is calculated from the engine torque and acceleration; and braking system effectiveness is calculated by comparing the determined deceleration with a deceleration predicted for the calculated vehicle load and the determined brake treadle pressure. Values representative of braking system effectiveness are accumulated and evaluated to more accurately determine when braking system service is required than is possible by merely scheduling service according to the amount of elapsed time or the number of miles driven since prior service was performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing a test specimen in a compression/tension testing machine. The apparatus supports the test piece along its lengthwise edge or edges to prevent unwanted Euler buckling, however in a manner so as not to prevent sublaminate buckling. In one embodiment the apparatus supports the test piece along both of its lengthwise edges while engaged between the grips of the test machine. In a second embodiment, the apparatus supports the test piece along only one of its lengthwise edges. In a third embodiment, the apparatus includes grip plates which are mounted to the test machine and which engage a portion of the test specimen while the remainder of the specimen is supported along its lengthwise edges by stabilizer plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the bending characteristics of a curved surgical needle having a butt end portion and a tip portion including a base support, a clamp for releasably gripping the butt end portion of the needle. A system of stepper motors and related plates is provided for moving the gripped needle along a predetermined path. A load cell is positioned within the predetermined path for engagement by the tip of the needle and for sensing the forces generated by the moving needle tip, and a minimal friction support plate is provided for the load cell to maintain the needle tip at a predetermined location on the load cell while moving the gripped needle.

Abstract: A measuring sensor having a magneto-elastic element and an electronic resonant circuit for sensing mechanical stress of an object. The sensor is firmly attached to the object being measured and creates a resonance frequency. The resonance frequency is transmitted to an aerial in a contactless, position-independent manner.

Abstract: A force moment sensor for interjection in a load path comprises two rings having a common central axis joined by a resilient wall. Three or four tongue-like targets attached to one of the rings and equally spaced about the periphery of the ring project parallel to the central axis and a like number of proximity sensing assemblies attached to the other ring detect the proximity of these targets. These target-sensing assembly pairs allow sensing of forces along the central axis and torques about the two shear axes. Three or four additional tongue-like targets attached to one of the rings and equally spaced about the periphery of the ring project perpendicular to the central axis and a like number of sensing assemblies attached to the other ring detect the proximity of these targets. These target-sensing assembly pairs permit the measuring of forces along the two shear axes and torque about the central axis.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for an internal combustion engine so as to provide a signal when one cylinder of the engine is at a pre-determined position. The sensor arrangement includes an inductive sensor that is mounted directly in the cam cover of the engine and which cooperates directly with one of the cam lobes.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a manual or automatic air brake valve test fixture that includes a secondary test plate to which a valve device to be tested is mounted from a front load position and then rotated to its usual side location for clamping to the primary test plate, thereby relieving the tester of physical strain encountered heretofore in mounting the valve in a side load position. The hinge assembly is spring-loaded to obtain even, face-to-face engagement of the mating surfaces of the primary and secondary test plates and thereby assure the integrity of the pressure seal therebetween.

Abstract: Inlet vortex ingestion is deterred when testing an engine (12) in a test cell (10). Ramp structures (26) are installed on the walls blocking 30% to 50% of the flow area. The apex (42) of these ramps is located adjacent the engine inlet (24) with the upstream faces (46) at about a 45.degree. angle.

Abstract: A prefabricated, easily installable strain gage assembly (10) is provided which includes an elongated synthetic resin substrate (12) having adhesive (16) applied to the majority of one surface thereof while leaving a handling tab portion (18) adjacent one end of the substrate (12). A strain gage unit (28) is secured to the adhesive-bearing surface of substrate (12). A strippable protective film (56) is placed in covering, protective relationship to the strain gage (28) and the adhesive surface of substrate (12). Preferably, the substrate (12), adhesive (16) and film (56) are substantially transparent, and the substrate (12) is provided with perpendicular alignment marks (55, 55a) which are strategically located relative to the strain gage unit (28).

Abstract: A target carrier is clamped between a constant velocity joint and a spindle bearing inner race such that an encoded target mounted on the target carrier rotates with a wheel spindle over which the spindle bearing inner race is mounted. A sensor probe is mounted on a steering knuckle within which the constant velocity joint is mounted for the encoded target and for generating a signal indicative of rotation of the wheel spindle. The target carrier may be held by a capturing cup before installation of the constant velocity joint and may serve as a pilot during installation of the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing torsional stress/strain states of a power transmitting member of an internal combustion engine to detect an abnormal combustion condition, including misfire or roughness. A first signal is obtained relating to the torsional stress in the member produced by a first combustion event or series of events. A second signal is obtained which relates to the torsional stress in the member produced by a second combustion event or series of events. The first and second signals are compared to detect the abnormal combustion event in the operation of the engine. A magnetostrictive sensor may preferably be used to obtain the signals relating to the torsional stress in the power transmitting member, such as the engine crankshaft.