Abstract: A gyrometer including a first dual-mass gyrometer including a planar substrate, first left and right inertial masses including a first left and right frames, respectively, aligned along a first excitation axis X1 parallel to an excitation direction, and mounted with the ability to slide on the substrate along the first excitation axis X1, and first left and right central masses, respectively, mounted with the ability to slide in the first left and right frames, respectively, parallel to a first detection direction perpendicular to the excitation direction; a first coupling spring interposed between the first left and right frames; a first rocker mounted with the ability to rotate on the substrate about a first rocker pivot, first left and right ends of the first rocker being connected to the first left and right central masses, respectively; second left and right inertial masses aligned along a second axis X2 parallel to the excitation direction, and mounted with the ability to slide on the substrate along th

Abstract: An anchor member supports a frame-shaped member. A first input electrode is located outside the frame-shaped member and separate from the frame-shaped member and fixed to a substrate. A second input electrode includes an electrode portion located outside the frame-shaped member and connected to the frame-shaped member. The second input electrode is displaceable in a prescribed direction. A first reference electrode is inside the frame-shaped member and fixed to the substrate. A second reference electrode includes an electrode portion located inside of the frame-shaped member and connected to the frame-shaped member. The second reference electrode is displaceable in the prescribed direction. In the structural component, the first input electrode and the electrode portion of the second input electrode are located between the frame-shaped member and a weight member in the prescribed direction in plan view in a thickness direction defined with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for integrated decomposition and scanning of a semiconducting wafer, where a single chamber is utilized for decomposition and scanning of the wafer of interest.

Abstract: A tire wear estimator includes a tire measurement system adapted to be mounted in or on an inner surface of the tire. The tire measurement system comprises a sensor adapted for sensing a physical property of the tire, and an acquisition system adapted for sampling a signal of the sensor into memory, to acquire a perturbation in the sampled data induced by a contact patch of the tire when the sensor is mounted in or on an inner surface of the tire. A sample rate of the acquisition system is high enough so at least one oscillation, which indicates a tread depth of the tire, becomes detectable in the sampled data in and/or around the perturbation.

Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system having a mechanical resonator (proof mass) and drive circuitry for maintaining oscillation in two axes at a small frequency split. Angular rate input is shifted to the frequency split and modulates both the frequency (FM) and the amplitude (AM) of the oscillations. Unlike other gyroscope modulation techniques which derive rate information from only the FM information and are subject to aliasing for rate signals with bandwidth exceeding the modulation frequency, the innovation uses both the FM and AM information. By exploiting their orthogonality, the image frequencies from the modulation cancel, thus removing the bandwidth limitation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromachined gyroscope, including: a base; an anchor point fixed to the base; a number of vibration structures; and a drive structure used for driving the vibration structure to vibrate in a x-y plane along a ring direction. The drive structure includes at least four groups arranged at intervals along the ring direction and symmetrical about an x axis and a y axis. The micromachined gyroscope works in two vibration modes interchanging with each other, including a driving mode status working in a first mode status and a testing mode status working in a second mode status. By virtue of the configuration described in the invention, the micromachined gyroscope can realize three-axis detection at the same time, and greatly improves the quality utilization rate of the vibration structure.

Abstract: Described is a chain including a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other such that the chain is configured to bend in one direction without back-bending. Each of the plurality of links including a link body include: an inner side facing a bending direction of the chain; an outer side facing opposite the bending direction of the chain; a back-bending prevention portion; a post feature extending laterally across the link body, and a connection feature configured to engage with the post feature of the first other of the pivotally connected plurality of links to create one direction pivotal attachment without back-bending between the links. Further disclosed is a chain system and methods of moving devices with a chain or chain system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a sensor part. The sensor part includes a supporter and a movable part. The movable part includes a movable member located around the supporter in a first plane, and a plurality of structure members located between the supporter and the movable member. The structure members have bent shapes. The structure members connect the movable member with the supporter. The movable member is capable of vibrating. The movable part has the supporter as a center of rotational symmetry. The movable part has a plurality of mirror planes. The mirror planes pass through the center of the rotational symmetry and cross the first plane.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatically determining friction of a control valve. An example apparatus includes a hysteresis measurement controller to determine an average control hysteresis value for a valve over a first range of travel of the valve, a comparator to compare the average control hysteresis value to a second value corresponding to a second range of travel of the valve encompassing the first range of travel of the valve, and a step size selector to select one of multiple control step sizes for the valve based on the comparison.

Abstract: Determining tread depth using data from a tire mounted sensor (TMS), including: determining, based on data collected by the tire mounted sensor, a tire deformation for a tire; determining, based on the tire deformation, an effective rolling radius of the tire; and determining, based at least on the effective rolling radius of the tire, an estimated tread depth for the tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-axis rotational inertial navigation system based on bidirectional optical communication and wireless power supply. The system comprises a bidirectional optical communication unit, a wireless power supply unit, a motor driving unit, an inertial measurement unit, a rotating-end information acquisition and processing unit, and a fixed-end information receiving and processing unit. According to the system, in the same transmission channel, information interaction between a rotating end and a fixed end is achieved by adopting infrared light communication and visible light communication; and medium-power high-efficiency wireless energy transmission under a specific distance is achieved by adopting a magnetically coupled resonant wireless power supply method. The design of a high-accuracy motor driving unit is achieved by adopting the design of combining a frameless torque motor with an incremental circular grating and double reading heads.

Abstract: A sensor system for collecting data regarding sub-surface material characteristics may include a multitude of sensor nodes, a data gateway, and a controller. Each sensor node may include a power supply and a communication device and the multitude of sensor nodes may include sensors distributed between underground sensor nodes and/or partially-exposed sensor nodes to collect data regarding sub-surface material characteristics. The data gateway may be coupled with any combination of the sensor nodes through wireless transmission data pathways and may receive and store at least some of the data collected by the one or more sensors. The controller may receive the data generated by the one or more sensors from the data gateway and display at least a portion of the data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automated Marsh funnel and Marsh funnel apparatus or system, and an automated method for measuring the Marsh funnel time and density of drilling muds and calculating other rheological properties from Marsh funnel time and mud weight. The system measures and reports rheological properties of drilling muds in real time and faster, more conveniently, and more accurately than conventional manual methods.

Abstract: To enable easy alignment of a leakage outlet according to known guidelines, a connecting device (1) for connecting a sensor (3) to a unit (2) containing a fluid is provided, comprising a first mounting portion (1a) to which the sensor (3) is mountable, a second mounting portion (1b) which is mountable to the unit (2), a central portion (1c) located between the first and second mounting portions (1a and 1b) and a leakage ring (1e) covering the bore (1d) of the central portion (1c), the leakage ring (1e) being sealed and rotatable relative to the central portion (1c), wherein the leakage ring (1e) has a leakage outlet (1f) on its periphery, the leakage outlet (1f) being provided to be located in the region of a lowest position of the periphery of the leakage ring (1e) in an operating position to allow any fluid present to drain.

Abstract: A gyroscope which comprises first and second proof masses aligned on a first lateral axis, third and fourth proof masses are aligned on a second lateral axis, and central and peripheral anti-phase coupling structures which synchronize a first and a second oscillation mode in this four-mass system. Each central x-axis anti-phase structure and each central y-axis anti-phase structure comprises an in-plane seesaw with a central elongated bar which is suspended from at least one central anchor point with at least one central seesaw suspender which allows the central elongated bar to rotate in the device plane about an axis which is perpendicular to the device plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gyroscope structure. A frame disposed on a substrate, and a flexible element is correspondingly disposed a first, second, and third plate. The first plate has a second flexibility. The second plate is connected to the second plate, the second plate is connected to the third plate with a fourth flexible element, the second plate is provided with a first through-hole, and a rotating plate is pivotally connected in the first through-hole. The rotating plate is connected to a supporting column of the substrate by a fifth flexible part, and then a sensing element is provided on the substrate corresponding to the first, second, and third plates to sense the movement and movement of the plates. Rotating, in one embodiment, the first and third plates are provided with through-holes, and corresponding sensing elements and driving elements are provided.

Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing system includes: a gas supply; a mass flow controller (MFC) coupled to the gas supply; an inlet coupled to the MFC; an outlet; a control volume serially coupled to the inlet to receive a gas flow; and a flow restrictor serially coupled to the control volume and the outlet. A controller is adapted to allow the gas supply to flow gas through the control volume and the flow restrictor to achieve a stable pressure in the control volume, terminate the gas flow from the gas supply, and measure a rate of pressure decay in the control volume over time. A process chamber is coupled to a flow path, which is coupled to the mass flow controller, the process chamber to receive one or more process chemistries via the mass flow controller.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a magnetic field of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), is provided that includes initializing accelerometer and gyroscope (AG) heading data for the IMU and initializing accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer (AGM) heading data for the IMU. Determining whether a tracking state exists and completing processing of the AG heading data and the AGM heading data if the tracking state does not exist. Calculating a magnetic field error if the tracking state exists.

Abstract: A transducer for non-invasive measurement includes: a shear-type piezoelectric element; and a host material. The shear-type piezoelectric element is mounted to a first face of the host material. A second face of the host material is mountable to a wall of a vessel that holds a liquid. When the second face of the host material is mounted to the wall of the vessel, the transducer when activated at an activation frequency launches a Lamb wave into the wall of the vessel. The transducer is designed such that a phase velocity of the Lamb wave in the wall of the vessel is greater than a speed of sound in the liquid held by the vessel.

Abstract: A test apparatus determines the state of torsional balance of an elongate device about its longitudinal axis. It has a base plate, supporting two sets of longitudinally spaced-apart low-friction roller bearings. The second bearings are mounted on the base at a higher location than the first bearings. A support for the second bearings has a side opening to allow lateral movement of the device under test into engagement with the underside of the second bearings which resting on the upper side of the first bearings. The device under test may be a rifle or a golf putter, the barrel or shaft respectively of which is supported on the roller bearings of the first set and in contact with the underside of the second bearings. The device will rotate about the longitudinal axis if not balanced about the axis. It is very easy and convenient for the user to place the tube in the guide to check for balance whenever checking balance of the item.