Abstract: The present disclosure features an image forming apparatus having a first developing unit having a first developing roller; and a first toner supply unit configured to supply toner to the first developing unit, the first toner supply unit having: a first container configured to accommodate the toner therein, the first container having a first inlet opening through which the toner is received in the first container and a first outlet opening through which the toner in the first container is discharged; a first lid configured to close the first inlet opening; and a first shutter configured to open the first outlet opening when the first lid closes the first inlet opening, and to close the first outlet opening when the first lid opens the first inlet opening.

Abstract: A magnetic tracking system is configured to determine an object pose of a tracked object in an environment of the magnetic tracking system. The tracking system includes a transmitter assembly that includes a transmitting coil configured to generate a magnetic signal indicative of an object pose of a tracked object with respect to the transmitter assembly and a marker that visually identifies a pose of the transmitter assembly with respect to a camera device. The camera device captures at least one image of the transmitter assembly. A computing device determines, based on the image, a pose for the transmitter assemblies in the image. Based on the magnetic signal and the pose associated with the transmitter assembly, the computing device determines the object pose of the tracked object in the environment.

Abstract: A powder collection container accommodates a powder discharged from a discharge port of a powder discharge device including a powder discharger provided with a shutter member that opens and closes the discharge port. The powder collection container includes a moving member that is movable between a first position where the moving member abuts against the shutter member to open the discharge port of the powder discharge device, and a second position where the moving member does not abut against the shutter member and the discharge port of the powder discharge device is not opened.

Abstract: Circumferential and axial magnetizers for a magnetic flux leakage pig. A magnet bar may comprise at least one magnet and may be configured to collapse radially inward to the shaft. Magnetizers may include a cushion disposed about the shaft and biasing the magnet bar against a pipe wall. A sensor head disposed between circuit poles at each polar end of the magnet monitors magnetic flux. The central shaft of a circumferential magnetizer or axial magnetizer may comprise a joint linking an additional smart pig module. A novel magnetizer cushion is described, as are smart pigs containing one or more circumferential or axial magnetizers.

Abstract: A control unit having a detection device that includes: a multi-turn detection unit capable of continuing detection of a rotation position of multiple rotations of a steering shaft driven by a motor without power supply from outside; a position detector detecting the rotation position in one rotation of the rotor; a count calculator calculating multiple rotation position information related to the rotation position of multiple rotations based on a detection value of the multi-turn detection unit; and an angle calculator calculating a motor rotation angle related to the rotation position in one rotation based on a detection value of the position detector. The multi-turn detection unit is disposed at a position different from the motor, thereby detection of the rotation position of multiple rotations is continuable even when a supply of electric power from outside is interrupted.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a developing roller, a supplying roller, a first magnetic including a first magnetic pole, a second magnetic including second to fifth magnetic poles, and a regulating member. Maximum magnetic flux densities of the third and fourth magnetic poles are larger than maximum magnetic flux densities of the fourth and fifth magnetic poles, respectively, with respect to a normal direction to the supplying roller. In a case that positions where a magnetic flux density of the fourth magnetic pole is 50% of the maximum magnetic flux density thereof with respect to the normal direction are a first position and a second position, a position where the magnetic flux density of the fourth magnetic pole becomes maximum with respect to the normal direction is downstream of an intermediary position between the first position and the second position by 3 degrees or more.

Abstract: A sensor and a sensing system includes a chain of sensors, wherein each sensor comprises an input control port, an output control port, a power interface and an output interface, and is configured such that, when the sensor is powered over the power interface, an enable signal at the input control port triggers the sensor for executing a sequence which comprises measuring a physical property, and subsequently transmitting an enable signal over the output control port. The output control port of an earlier sensor is connected with the input control port of a next sensor. A first sensor is configured for repeating the sequence with a predefined period.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and associated systems are provided. A plurality of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors are arranged in an array, each anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor comprising a magnetic field transducer and a sensor signal conditioning circuit. A central processor in electrical communication with each anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor is provided. The central processor is configured to compare processed signals received from at least two of the plurality of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors to determine a position of the magnet.

Abstract: An inductive angle measuring device includes a scanning element and a scale element having scale tracks. First and third scale tracks have an equal first number of scale structures, and a second scale track has a different number of scale structures. The scale tracks are arranged circumferentially and concentrically about an axis, such that the first scale track is located radially inwardly, the second scale track is located radially between the first scale track and the third scale track, and the third scale track is located radially outwardly. The scanning element includes receiver conductors by which the signals having angle-related signal periods can be generated. The first signal period is equal to the third signal period. An overall signal can be generated from the first signal and the third signal and can be combined with the second signal for determining absolute angle position information.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to obstruction detector assemblies, systems, and related methods for detecting obstructions along oil and gas equipment. In one implementation, an obstruction detector assembly includes a driver housing having an internal chamber and a plurality of fastener openings. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver stem disposed at least partially in the internal chamber of the driver housing. The driver stem is movable partially out of the internal chamber of the driver housing. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver head disposed outside of the driver housing and coupled to the driver stem. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as a wireline) in a wellhead structure. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as sand) in a valve.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container storing a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a toner, a developer carrying member carrying the developer on its outer circumferential surface, and a regulation member arranged to be opposed at a prescribed distance to the developer carrying member. The developer carrying member includes a developing sleeve on which a magnetic brush is formed, and a magnet secured in the developing sleeve and having a plurality of magnetic poles including a regulation pole opposed to the regulation member and a downstream-side magnetic pole arranged downstream of the regulation pole with respect to the rotation direction of the developing sleeve. The magnet is such that the vertical magnetic force gradient [mT/°] has a local minimum value near a position at which the vertical magnetic force is 0 [mT] between the downstream-side surface of the regulation member and the downstream-side magnetic pole.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a pin, a mechanism and a sensor. The housing is configured to receive a weld head. The pin is configured to move linearly relative to said housing. The mechanism is configured to convert a position of said pin into a displacement. The sensor is configured to generate a value representative of said position of said pin based on said displacement.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a magnet that generates a magnetic field to be detected, and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field to be detected and generates a detection value corresponding to the position of the magnet. The magnetic field to be detected has a first direction that changes within a first plane, at a reference position in the first plane. The magnetic sensor includes four MR elements. Each of the MR elements includes a first magnetic layer having first magnetization that can change in direction within a second plane corresponding to the each of the MR elements. The first plane and the second plane intersect at a dihedral angle ? other than 90°. A detection value depends on the direction of the first magnetization.

Abstract: A voltage state detector includes a voltage drop circuit, a pull-down circuit, a load circuit, a transistor, a pull-up circuit, first and second output terminals, and a logic circuit. The pull-down circuit is coupled to the voltage drop circuit. The transistor has a first terminal coupled to the load circuit, a second terminal coupled to the pull-down circuit, and a control terminal coupled to the voltage drop circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled to the load circuit and the voltage drop circuit. The first output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the transistor for outputting a first state determination signal. The second output terminal is coupled to the voltage drop circuit for outputting a second state determination signal. The logic circuit includes a NOR gate for performing an NOR operation on the first state determination signal and the second state determination signal to output a control signal.

Abstract: A stroke sensor that allows adjustment of the magnetic field distribution without changing the positions of the magnets is provided. Stroke sensor 1 has magnets 2A, 2B, and sensor 3A that detects a magnetic field that is generated by magnets 2A, 2B. Magnets 2A, 2B are movable relative to sensor 3A in first direction X. Magnet 2A has surface 5A that faces sensor 3A in second direction Z, magnet 2B has surface 5B that faces sensor 3A in second direction Z, and surface 5A and surface 5B have different polarities. A position in first direction X at which magnetic field intensity in second direction Z is zero is positioned between reference axis RA and magnet 2B. Reference axis RA is parallel to second direction Z and passes through middle point MP of minimum section S that includes magnets 2A, 2B in first direction X.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is to supply paper sheets on which images are formed to a post-processing apparatus to pressure-bind binding areas of paper sheets bundled. The image forming apparatus includes a conveyor, an image forming device, and a controller. The conveyor conveys a paper sheet. The image forming device discharges liquid ink to the paper sheet conveyed by the conveyor. The controller repeatedly executes a process of: causing the conveyor to convey the paper sheet to a position facing the image forming device; causing the image forming device to discharge the liquid ink to form an image on the paper sheet; and causing the conveyor to convey the paper sheet on which the image has been formed toward the post-processing apparatus. The controller further causes the image forming device to apply the liquid ink to a binding area of at least one of the paper sheets.

Abstract: A measurement input circuit for a measurement device for measuring an electric signal in a device under test comprises a signal input that receives the electronic signal from the device under test and provides the received electronic signal at a signal node, a direct signal coupling path that is coupled between the signal node an electrical ground and comprises a first impedance value, an alternating signal coupling path that is coupled between the signal node and the electrical ground, and comprises a second impedance value that is lower than the first impedance value, and a signal output that is coupled to the signal node and outputs the received electronic signal.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first pair of connection terminals extended from a first sensor and a second pair of connection terminals extended from a second sensor. A first negative connection terminal that is a negative connection terminal of the first pair of connection terminals and a second negative connection terminal that is a negative connection terminal of the second pair of connection terminals are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing device including a flexible cylindrical rotary member and an inner-surface opposing portion that opposes an inner surface of the rotary member at an end portion of the rotary member in a generatrix direction. The inner-surface opposing portion moves upstream in a recording material conveying direction in accordance with lateral shift of the rotary member in the generatrix direction. This restricts the lateral shift of the rotary member.

Abstract: A system may include a first security component configured to emanate a signal with an authorizing code, and may have a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a signaling magnetic field including the signal with the authorizing code. The system may also include a second security component configured to wirelessly receive the signal with the authoring code when the second security component is proximate to the signaling magnetic field of the first security component. The second security component may include a magnetic field sensor configured to sense the signal emanating from the magnetic field generating device, and the sensor may be changed between first and second states by a change in the signaling magnetic field.