Abstract: An inductive sensor for determining a position of a body moveable on a fixed housing includes an inductive transmission element in the body, the transmission element being operative for generating an alternating magnetic field flux. The body is movably arranged such that the flux passes over a flux path area of the housing. At least one conductor loop is arranged on the housing along a measuring length on the housing which measuring length can extend in a linear course or a circular course. At least one conductor loop is arranged on the housing extending along the measuring length, the conductor loop including a feed line and a return line. The return line has a path which at regular intervals of said measurement length alternates into and out of said flux path area. A permeation of the return line at a given measurement path location by the flux of the flux region induces a loop output voltage indicative of a body measurement length position on the housing or of a body angular position on the body.

Abstract: A rotary input for a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) system connects to a gear reduction system. The gear reduction produces a reduced rotary output in a rotary output member. The output member is threaded, and a nut is threaded onto the output member. Therefore, the nut translates as the rotary output member rotates. The armatures of one or more LVDTs attach to the nut. Each armature contains a magnetic member. As the nut translates along the threaded output member, the nut translates the armatures. Armature movement moves the magnetic members to create a differential voltage between the secondary coils of the LVDT.

Abstract: A non-contact position sensor including a first stator having two magnet facing sides, a second stator having one magnet facing side aligned with the two magnet facing sides along a locus, a hall element between the first and second stators, and two magnets located next to each other along the locus opposite the three magnet facing sides so as to move freely along the locus. When configured as a rotary sensor, an arbitrary angle of usage can be set. When configured as a linear sensor, a magnet can be made thick without increasing leakage of magnetic flux.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical fiber coupling system controlling an optical fiber coupling device, and the system is characterized by a manufacturing process controlling device. With the present invention, the coupling ratio of the optical fibers to be coupled can be modulated via a window interface unit. Thus, the system provides real-time information and convenient modulation of the optical fiber coupling device simultaneously and clearly.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided that allow heads for use in disk drives to be tested in a helium environment in a cost-effective way with little or no impact on test time and with minimal consumption of helium.

Abstract: Described are improved transmissive magneto-optical sensors that may be used to determine the magnitude and phase of a magnetic field surrounding a conductor, and when in contact with the conductor, the surface temperature of the conductor. The magneto-optical sensor may be made to be symmetric around the direction of propagation of the internal light, enabling ease of manufacturing as well as automated assembly and calibration. The magneto-optical sensor may also be made to be symmetric about the plane determined by the Faraday rotator material, thus enabling reciprocating optical paths for increased vibration and birefringence immunity. The disclosed sensors preferably include cylindrically symmetrical components, thereby making the sensor readily mass-producible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detecting a magnetic field comprising: a dielectric body; an electrically conductive pattern; and an electrically conductive ground region. The electrically conductive pattern so extends in the dielectric body as to form a dielectric looped face at least partially surrounded by the electrically conductive pattern, and the electrically conductive pattern having a first end electrically connected to an external electrically conductive line and a second end. The electrically conductive ground region is formed in the dielectric body. The electrically conductive ground region is electrically connected to the second end of the electrically conductive pattern and is electrically isolated from other parts of the electrically conductive pattern than the second end, so that the electrically conductive ground region serves as a ground to the electrically conductive pattern.

Abstract: An integrating magnetic sensor is described which comprises a sensor element made from a filament of substantially amorphous material which exhibits giant magneto-impedance and means for applying a bias field to the said sensor element so that it operates in the high field section of the giant magneto-impedance response.

Abstract: A bearing provided with a rotation sensor comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling elements, and a magnetic ring is engaged with the inner diametral surface of the outer ring. Thus, a highly reliable bearing provided with a rotation sensor exerting no bad influence on a magnetic sensor can be provided.

Abstract: A distance information obtaining apparatus for obtaining information of a distance from a measurement-start point to an object, includes: a light beam emitting unit for emitting a light beam; a light beam scanning unit for scanning the object with the light beam in such a manner that a center of scan is positioned on the measurement-start point; a reflected light detecting unit for detecting reflected light from a point-of-interest on the object scanned with said light beam; a distance information calculating unit for calculating the distance from a scan velocity and a parameter related to an irradiation time of the object; and an information outputting unit for outputting the calculated distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compliant laminar eddy current sensitivity standard which comprises a sheet of nonconductive, nonmagnetic material having at least one strand of highly conductive metallic material embedded in the sheet and an adhesive layer attached to a surface of the nonconductive, nonmagnetic material to allow the standard to be adhered to a surface of a part to be inspected. A method using the compliant laminar eddy current sensitivity standard is also described.

Abstract: In order to so improve an inductive sensor comprising at least one sensor coil in the form of a structured, conductive layer of a carrier board, and an evaluation circuit comprising a printed circuit board with conductor tracks provided thereon and being connected to the sensor coil, that it is manufacturable as cost-efficiently as possible, it is proposed that the carrier board carrying the sensor coil be mechanically rigidly and electrically connected to the printed circuit board by at least two soldered joints.

Abstract: Provided are photodefinable compositions. The compositions include a silsesquioxane oligomer that has polymerized units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is selected from hydroxyphenyl or hydroxybenzy, and a photoactive component. The solubility of the silsesquioxane oligomer is altered upon exposure to actinic radiation. Also provided are methods of manufacturing optical waveguides, optical waveguides and electronic devices.

Abstract: A sensor that characterizes welds in materials. The sensor includes a meandering drive winding with at least three extended portions and at least one sensing element placed between an adjacent pair of extended portions. A time varying electric current is passed through the extended portions to form a magnetic field. The sensor is placed in proximity to the test material and translated over the weld region. An electrical property of the weld region is measured for each sensing element location. The weld quality is determined using a feature of the electrical property measurement and location.

Abstract: An optical attenuator includes a first multi-mode waveguide varying a phase of an optical signal input through an input terminal; first and second single-mode waveguides having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the first multi-mode waveguide and varying a phase of the optical signal by a thermo-optic effect by electrodes attached thereto; and a second multi-mode waveguide having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the first and second single-mode waveguides and varying a phase of the optical signal, wherein a predetermined optical power distribution obtained by offsetting or adding up a phase varied in the first and second multi-mode waveguides and a phase varied by the thermo-optic effect is transferred to an output terminal of the second multi-mode waveguide.

Abstract: A high sensitivity magnetic field sensor is described. The sensing element is a stress-sensitive, negative-magnetostriction, melt-extracted amorphous wire, in which a strong magneto-impendance effect develops when the wire is connected to conventional electronic circuitry, which can be an impedance-meter. An a.c. current is provided to the wire and its relative change in impedance is measured. Simultaneously, the wire is submitted to a longitudinal d.c. magnetic field, H. A saturating d.c. field pulse is also applied to this wire at the beginning of the operating cycle. Tensile stress is further generated in the wire by pulling one end of the wire with a given force. This stress can be fine-tuned for sensitivity and bias with the help of a suitable mechanism. All these elements are packaged in a rugged non-magnetic enclosure, which permits easy and reliable connection of the sensor to said conventional electronic circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention provides configurations for an electro-optically tunable filter. The filter includes an electro-optical crystal, at least one electrically conductive mesh screen, at least one electrode and a voltage source. In one embodiment, an electrical voltage passes from a source to a mesh screen contacting the crystal, through the crystal and an electrode on the crystal's opposite end. The mesh screen creates a narrow bandpass. The optical properties of the mesh screen-crystal combination are determined partially by the refractive index of the crystal when a voltage is applied to the mesh screen. Variable voltages change the refractive index of the crystal, creating varying spectral positions of the filter. Application of a voltage between the mesh screen and the electrode creates a field internal to the crystal that changes its refractive index, allowing it to be tunable in the bandpass location thereby affecting a passing light signal.

Abstract: An instrument for geophysical measurement of magnetic field strength, using a GMR sensor is provided. The instrument achieves high sensitivity across a relatively wide bandwidth in an instrument which is small and lightweight. The instrument makes it feasible to obtain data, substantially simultaneously, at a plurality of locations and/or frequencies, thus not only reducing time requirements involved in measurements but reducing or eliminating the need for correcting data for changes in earth's magnetic fields. The instrument has relatively high vector sensitivity and relatively low power consumption.

Abstract: A device is presented having an optical emitter/receiver device. The device has a light pipe connected with the optical emitter/receiver device. Also a rotating shaft having at least one opening. The light pipe is situated within the rotating shaft. At least one bearing having a reflective marker is connected to the shaft.