Abstract: A portable sensing apparatus includes an attachment mechanism to secure the portable sensing apparatus to an object, a communications module and a flexible sensor communicatively coupled to the communications module. The flexible sensor is configured to mechanically deform in accordance with a shape of the object and includes a pair of diffusion layers disposed between a pair of contact layers that distribute the force received along outer surfaces of the flexible sensor across the diffusion layers. The flexible sensor includes a sensing layer disposed between the diffusion layers. The diffusion layers normalize the force received from the contact layers across the sensing layer. The sensing layer receives the force at a plurality of locations across a surface area of the sensing layer to determine a resultant pressure applied to the flexible sensor, and the communications module transmits an electrical signal indicative of the resultant pressure to an external device.

Abstract: A micro pressure sensor includes a body having a compartmentalized chamber provided by membranes anchored between opposing walls of the body and carrying electrodes disposed on surfaces of the membranes.

Abstract: A capacitance detection device includes a sensor unit including at least one sensor element whose capacitance changes, a control line applying to the sensor element a predetermined charging voltage for detecting the capacitance of the sensor element, a shield line electrically shielding the control line, a control circuit supplying the charging voltage to the sensor element via the control line, measuring a voltage change of the sensor element when the charging voltage is applied to the sensor element, and detecting the capacitance of the sensor element based on the voltage change, and an equipotential circuit setting a potential of the shield line equal to a potential of the control line.

Abstract: A friction force sensing system comprising one interrupter with a blocking extension and one flexible assembly having a fixed end and a free end, longitudinal flexures extending between said fixed end and said free end, said interrupter and said flexible assembly being fixedly connected to each other by a mounting element at the free end of said flexible assembly.

Abstract: A load cell to measure displacements transferred by a fifth wheel to the load cell includes an elongated mounting base portion configured to attach to a support structure of a tractor, a coupling portion configured to pivotally support a fifth wheel, a middle portion disposed above the elongated mounting base portion and below the coupling portion, the middle portion including a hollow interior section with an opening into the hollow interior section, and a post extending from the elongated mounting base portion and protruding into the hollow interior section of the middle portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer that includes a delay line, an active piezoelectric element, and interposing metal conductive layer between the delay line and active piezoelectric element. The delay line and active piezoelectric element are joined so that ultrasonic waves may be coupled from the active piezoelectric element into the delay line or from the delay line into the active piezoelectric element. A via is formed, using a milling operation, in the active piezoelectric element to expose the edge of the interposing metal conductive layer between the delay line and active piezoelectric element. A conductive layer makes electrical contact between the interposing metal conductive layer and the surface of the active piezoelectric element to allow an electrical connection to be made from the surface of the active piezoelectric element to the interposing metal conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire comprising an apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, the third layer being optional, characterized in that the first layer comprises a first electrode material, the second layer comprises a first intervening material, the fourth layer comprises a second intervening material and the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, wherein the first intervening material of the second layer and the second intervening material of the fourth layer are different, the four or five layers are arranged on top of one another in the above order and the second and/or fourth layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the intervening material. The invention also relates to the uses of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes drive portions, lever arms, and proof masses located in a device plane. The lever arms are caused to rotate about an anchoring point based on anti-phase movement of the drive portions along a first axis in the device plane, and are coupled to the proof masses to cause the proof masses to move in anti-phase along an axis perpendicular to the first axis in the device plane. In response to a Coriolis force applied to the proof masses, the lever arm rotates out of plane and the proof masses move relative to sense electrodes. The movement of the proof masses with respect to the sense electrodes is used to measure angular velocity.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for adjusting the high flex point of a deformable sensor are disclosed herein. A deformable sensor may include an enclosure comprising a housing and a deformable membrane coupled to an upper portion of the housing, where the enclosure is configured to be filled with a medium, a contact mechanism coupled to the housing and selectively adjustable such that adjusting a position of the contact mechanism causes a change in a location of a high flex point of the deformable membrane, and an internal sensor, disposed within the enclosure, having a field of view configured to be directed through the medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane, where the internal sensor is configured to output a deformation region within the deformable membrane when placed in contact an object.

Abstract: The accelerometric sensor has a suspended region, mobile with respect to a supporting structure, and a sensing assembly coupled to the suspended region and configured to detect a movement of the suspended region with respect to the supporting structure. The suspended region has a geometry variable between at least two configurations associated with respective centroids, different from each other. The suspended region is formed by a first region rotatably anchored to the supporting structure and by a second region coupled to the first region through elastic connection elements configured to allow a relative movement of the second region with respect to the first region. A driving assembly is coupled to the second region so as to control the relative movement of the latter with respect to the first region.

Abstract: A conveyor system that includes a sprocket, a conveyor element, a sensor, a tensioning system, and an electronic processor. The conveyor element is coupled to the sprocket to move around the sprocket. The sensor is positioned adjacent to the sprocket and configured to generate an output signal indicative of a detection of the conveyor element. The electronic processor is coupled to the sensor and to the tensioning system. The electronic processor is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, estimate a trajectory of the conveyor element based on the output signal, determine a value for slack distance based on the estimated trajectory of the conveyor element, and control the tensioning system based on the value for slack distance.

Abstract: A membrane-based sensor in one embodiment includes a membrane layer including an upper surface and a lower surface, a backside trench defined on one side by the lower surface, a central cavity defined on a first side by the upper surface, a cap layer positioned above the central cavity, and a first spacer extending from the upper surface to the cap layer and integrally formed with the cap layer, the first spacer defining a second side of the central cavity and an inner membrane portion of the membrane layer.

Abstract: A force sensor includes a substrate; a first electrode fixed to a first area on the substrate; a second electrode fixed to a second area different from the first area on the substrate, the second electrode extending to a position higher than the first electrode; a capacitance detecting unit configured to detect a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an operation member including a contact area that is in contact with the second electrode. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided in plurality. The second electrode is elastically deformed by a load applied to the second electrode by an operation with respect to the operation member, and the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode changes according to an elastic deformation of the second electrode.

Abstract: A property assessment system is provided to assess a property for various purposes. The system includes a property assessment apparatus configured to be inserted into any space of a property and retrieved therefrom once necessary information is collected from the space. The property assessment apparatus operates to monitor various conditions in the space, which is used to assess the property.

Abstract: A contact force measuring device for measuring a contact force of a spring contact includes a measuring probe having a height in a contact region identical to the height of the contact pin that fits into an opening defined between a pair of opposing spring contact arms of the spring contact. The probe includes an upper insulator element attached to an upper side of a piezoelectric element, and a lower insulator element is attached to a lower side of the piezoelectric element opposite the upper side. The contact force measuring device includes a holding device connected to one end of the probe, an evaluation unit, a supporting device and a positioning device.

Abstract: A method may include providing a drill string including a measurement tool. The drill string may be positioned in a wellbore. The method may include taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a first location. The method may include coupling a pipe stand including a first selected number of tubular segments to the drill string, the first selected number being two or more. The method may include lowering or advancing the drill string into the wellbore the length of the pipe stand. The method may include taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a second location. The method may include raising the drill string the length of a tubular segment. The method may include removing a second selected number of tubular segments from the drill string, the second selected number different from the first selected number. The method may include taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a third location.

Abstract: A sensor module includes a holding member formed of an elastic body, a pressure bearing face provided at the holding member and configured to bear pressure, an adjoining face provided at the holding member so as to adjoin the pressure bearing face and configured to undergo deformation in accordance with the pressure borne by the pressure bearing face, and an elongate piezoelectric substrate arranged on the adjoining face.

Abstract: A drive train bench system has two dynamometers that are connected in series to a specimen. The mechanical characteristics estimation method has: a first measurement step for measuring a response to a first excitation torque input signal when the first excitation torque input signal overlaps a first torque current command signal while a measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; a second measurement step for measuring a response to a second excitation torque input signal when the second excitation torque input signal overlaps a second torque current command signal while the measurement control circuit controls the two dynamometers; and a mechanical characteristics transfer function estimation step for using the results from the first and second measurement steps to estimate a mechanical characteristics transfer function.

Abstract: Herein provided is a fluid level sensor and associated systems and methods. The fluid level sensor comprises a floater movable along a floater path in response to changes in a fluid level and a sensing circuit disposed along the floater path. The floater path has a first end associated with a low fluid level and an opposite second end associated with a high fluid level. The sensing circuit comprises first and second electrically-coupled circuit branches with first and second sensing terminals arranged proximate to the first end of the floater path, a plurality of passive elements connected in series along the first circuit branch, and plurality of switching elements each connected in parallel between the second circuit branch and the first circuit branch at connection points along the first circuit branch between pairs of adjacent passive elements, the switching elements configured for being actuated by movement of the floater.

Abstract: A medico-technical measuring device for measuring a property of a fluid, such as pressure for pressure measurement, includes a line extending along a central longitudinal axis to guide a fluid, such as blood, within a longitudinal cavity delimited by a wall. A sensor unit has a sensor and measures a property of the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity. The line is provided with a radial cavity inserted in the wall in a radial direction, in which the sensor unit is at least partially arranged, and which is integrated in the wall such that the sensor is in communication with the fluid. In this way, a measuring device can be provided that allows simple handling—in particular, in combination with a comparatively precise measurement—especially, pressure measurement. The measuring device may be produced according to a method and the measuring device may be used in a measuring method.