Abstract: A payload measurement system can be used to measure the payload added to a machine supported on a plurality of walking beams. A plurality of load cell sensors is mounted to the walking beams in locations where, when the walking beam bends, the sensors are placed under load. The load cell sensors include a symmetrical strain bar having first and second mounting ends connected by a connecting span, wherein the end thickness is greater than the span thickness of the connecting span. The connecting span is disposed between and spaced apart from an upper plane and a lower plane with which the surfaces of the mounting ends are aligned.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure transducer includes a body having an outer surface and a diaphragm, a strain gauge including a resistive element located on the outer surface, a fluidic inlet, and a fluidic cavity enclosed by the body in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet, the fluidic cavity having an upper surface. The diaphragm is located between the upper surface of the fluidic cavity and the outer surface of the body. The diaphragm includes a variable thickness across a region defined between the upper surface of the fluidic cavity and the outer surface located below the strain gauge.

Abstract: A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.

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: Provided is a flexible temperature sensor including a flexible temperature-sensing fabric, wherein the flexible temperature-sensing fabric includes a fabric base and at least one flexible temperature-sensing conductive fiber, the fabric base is a flat fabric woven from a plurality of insulating fibers, and the temperature-sensing conductive fiber is fixed in the fabric base by weaving. The flexible temperature sensor has the advantages of being easy to fabricate, low in cost, washable, wide in temperature monitoring range, high in sensitivity, good in stability and repeatability, and compatible with existing textile technologies.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a plurality of terminal members each of which includes a lead portion and an external terminal portion having an external connection end face, a sensor device connected to the lead portions, and a resin member that covers the sensor device and a part of the plurality of terminal members. The lead portion includes a thin wall portion having a thickness thinner than the external terminal portion and a protruding portion protruding from the thin wall portion to an external connection end face side. In a plan view from a direction where the terminal member and the sensor device overlap, the sensor device is disposed at a position overlapping the protruding portion and not overlapping the external terminal portion.

Abstract: A load sensor is designed to be mounted on a continuous force-applying medium such as a cable so as to deform according to the force transmitted through the medium. The sensor includes a body having a longitudinal through-passage for the medium and is mechanically secured to the medium only at the opposite ends of the body. A lateral hole provides a strain concentration area with zones that are instrumented with strain gages. The sensor body can be enclosed to provide support for a wrap-around lead carrier.

Abstract: A load cell for measuring a force applied thereto by an object for determining a weight of the object. The load cell includes a rigid block having a number of interconnected cavities having a strain gage pocket, a strain gage positioned in the strain gage pocket, and potting material filling the interconnected cavities such that moisture and debris cannot enter the strain gage pocket.

Abstract: A force detection apparatus includes a first member, a second member placed to be opposed to the first member, a sensor device placed between the first member and the second member and including a force detection element having at a piezoelectric element that outputs a signal according to an external force, and a pressurization bolt provided in an outer periphery of the sensor device in a plan view as seen from a direction in which the first member and the second member overlap and pressurizing the sensor device, wherein the first member has a groove which is between the sensor device and the pressurization bolt in the plan view.

Abstract: A polymeric measuring beam comprising a core with a shaped stress concentrator with cylindrical delimiting surfaces and measuring systems or elements thereof located in the area of highest stress and uniformly bonded with the material of the beam core; the beam core being made of a thermoplastic polymeric or duroplastic polymeric material: thermosetting or chemically curing, is characterized in that the stress concentrator, in the longitudinal section of the beam, has a shape defined by at least one circle or at least one closed curve, symmetric or asymmetric relative to the vertical or horizontal axis of the local coordinate system of the concentrator, the shape of which is limited by two lines imposing the condition of convergence in the direction opposite to the desired stress increase gradient along the axis of the beam, and such shaped stress concentrator may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically relative to vertical or horizontal axis of the beam.

Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle for attaching a trailer or for supporting a load carrier, including a coupling arm provided for coupling a coupling piece of the trailer or load carrier, and at least one sensor arranged on the coupling arm for detecting a deformation of the coupling arm caused by a load on the coupling arm. For the trailer coupling, at least one recess is provided on an outer circumferential contour of the coupling arm, in which or on which recess the at least one sensor is arranged or held.

Abstract: A load cell for measuring load in a rod, the load cell is described. The load cell is formed by a cylindrical strain member having a cylindrical aperture there through. The cylindrical aperture sized to fit the rod. The strain member includes a plurality of slots that create contact points there between for strain member to contact the rod in a predicable manner. A plurality of strain gages located adjacent to the contact points, the strain gages producing an electrical voltage proportional to the load on the rod.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a fixing portion, a weight portion, a detection beam, support beams, and a metal wiring. The weight portion is supported on the fixing portion so as to be freely displaced. The detection beam is connected to the fixing portion and the weight portion and piezoresistive elements are provided on the detection beam. The support beams are provided separately from the detection beam and are connected to the fixing portion and the weight portion. Both ends of the metal wiring are extended to the fixing portion and the metal wiring is wired so as to pass through the support beams.

Abstract: A force detection device includes: a substrate that includes a power supply wire, a reference wire, a first output wire, a second output wire and first to fourth mesa gauges extending along a first direction; and a force transmission block connected to the substrate. A pair of the first and second mesa gauges and a pair of the third and fourth mesa gauges are connected in parallel to each other between the power supply wire and the reference wire. The first output wire is connected between the first and second mesa gauges. The second output wire is connected between the third and fourth mesa gauges. A contact area of the force transmission block with a first pair of the first and fourth mesa gauges is different from a contact area of the force transmission block with a second pair of the second and third mesa gauges.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a bending beam sensor coupled to a touch input device. The method includes providing a bending beam. The method also includes placing a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge on a surface of the beam near a first end of the beam, and aligning the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge with the beam along an axis. The first end is attached to a base. The method further includes coupling the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge to a plate of the touch input device and electrically connecting the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge such that a differential signal is obtained from the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge when a load is applied on the plate of the touch input device.

Abstract: This invention installs multiple miniature strain gauges inside a regular dimensioned bolt washer to accurately measure bolt preload. To enhance the strain gauge sensitivity, an alloy with low elastic modulus and high yield strength is selected to fabricate the metal washer. In addition, multiple gauges are connected in series to multiply the effective gauge length and enhance measurement sensitivity. Further, the stain gauges are encapsulated in the middle of the washer as opposed to on the external surface which offers much improved sensitivity and physical protection of the strain gauges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell symmetrical about a central vertical axis and comprising first and second mounting surfaces, each on the same horizontal plane and configured for attachment to a support structure and to a loading fixture respectively.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a pressure-sensitive sensor which can detect information on a pressure, a sound pressure, acceleration, gas and the like, with high sensitivity. The pressure-sensitive sensor includes: a cantilever (22); a frame (23) which is provided around the cantilever (22) and holds a base end of the cantilever (22); a gap (24) formed between the cantilever (22) and the frame (23); and a liquid (28) which seals the gap (24).

Abstract: The present invention provides a load-indicating device for use with structural assemblies that have fastening components such as nuts and bolts. The load-indicating device comprising a washer having a tubular body defining a bore extending therethrough, the body comprising at least one hole extending at least partially through the body; and a probe configured to be disposed within the at least one hole and operable to provide an indication of the compression on the washer, such that, in use, the washer deflects to compress the hole against the probe when the load on the washer reaches a predetermined tension.

Abstract: A method for determining the thrust of at least one engine, which is held on a supporting structure of a vehicle, includes the steps of acquiring the elongation of at least one structural element onto which the thrust of the at least one engine acts, by means of at least one strain gage; calculating the force causing the elongation in the at least one structural element, taking into account the materials characteristics of the structural element; and determining the thrust of the at least one engine as an effective force component in the direction of thrust of the vehicle. It is thus not necessary to carry out an estimate of the thrust on the basis of other physical variables such as shaft speeds, pressure or exhaust gas temperature of engines.

Abstract: A compact multi-axis load cell with opposing rigid mounting elements includes annular flanges at the perimeter of the elements. A sensing region is formed between the rigid mounting elements by bonding, as by welding or brazing, opposing annular flanges at their end surfaces. To increase the mass and rigidity of the opposing mounting elements, the annular flanges may be partially formed by a peripheral groove, the groove defining a portion of an inside surface of the annular flange. The peripheral groove provides sufficient flange length for affixing strain gauges while positioning internal surfaces of the mounting elements close together in order to reduce the overall length of the load cell. Sensing circuits affixed to the outside surface of the sensing region provide output signals responsive to forces and moments exerted between the rigid mounting elements in at least two substantially perpendicular directions.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable shunt system is disclosed that, in one example implementation, includes a resilient member and a connected fluid regulating device. The fluid regulating device selectively permits fluid flow through an opening valve of an implantable shunt according to an adjustable opening pressure. The opening pressure is proportional to an amount of tension on the resilient member. One or more tension sensors that are connected to the resilient member measure an amount of tension on the resilient member. The tension sensors generate tension data that corresponds to the measured amount of tension. The system further includes a communication unit with a transmitting unit that transmits the measured data over a communication link.

Abstract: A pressure sensible textile has at least a high-resistance conducting area and two groups of low-resistance conducting wefts or warps contacting the high-resistance area directly. The two groups of low-resistance conducting wefts or warps cross each other and do not contact with each other directly. Furthermore, two scanning circuits can be electrically connected to the two groups of low-resistance conducting wefts or warps. Then, a controller is added to the two scanning circuits to obtain a pressure sensible device.

Abstract: A piezoresistive transducer is disclosed having a framework including a support element attached to a bending element that undergoes a deformation relative to the support element when a force acts on the bending element including a neutral fiber whose length does not change during the deformation. At least one piezoresistive expansion body is attached to the support element that exhibits a piezoresistive material and converts the deformation of the bending element into an electrically detectable change in resistance.

Abstract: A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser.

Abstract: The strain gauge for measuring large strains has metallic foil pattern sections including a gauge element pattern section, gauge tab pattern sections and connecting pattern sections attached to a gauge base. The gauge base having the metallic foil pattern sections attached and connected with the bases of gauge leads is almost entirely covered on the surface with a laminating film, and the tip of the laminating film is extended by a predetermined length from the tip end of the gauge base, to form a protruding portion. The protruding portion functions to prevent the separation of the gauge base from an object to be measured.

Abstract: A strain gauge type sensor and a strain gauge type sensor unit using the sensor are improved in sensitivity. In a strain gauge type sensor 1 for measuring at least one of multiaxial force, moment, acceleration, and angular acceleration, externally applied, diaphragms 15 and 16 different in thickness are formed at inner and outer edges of a substantially disk-shaped interconnecting portion 13 interconnecting a vicinity of an upper end of a force receiving portion 11 and a fixed portion 12 disposed around the force receiving portion 11. The thicknesses of the diaphragms 15 and 16 are determined such that strains at intersections of a straight line extending through an origin O with the diaphragms 15 and 16 are equal to each other. Strain gauges are disposed at the intersections of the straight line extending through the origin O with the diaphragms 15 and 16.

Abstract: A plate member 101 having flexible portions; plate members 102 to 104 having openings corresponding to the flexible portions of the plate member 101; a plate member 201 having flexible portions; and plate members 202 to 204 having openings corresponding to the flexible portions of the plate member 201 are formed by etching. The plate members 101 to 104 and 201 to 204 are bonded by diffusion bonding process to make first and second flanges 100 and 200. Interconnecting shafts are formed by cutting. The first and second flanges 100 and 200 and the interconnecting shafts are bonded by diffusion bonding process to make a strain generation unit 5. Strain gauges are attached to the lower face of the strain generation unit 5. A stain gauge type sensor 1 is thus made.

Abstract: A mechanical-to-electrical sensing structure has first and second movable blocks formed in a handle layer. A first hinge is coupled to the first and second movable blocks and configured to resist loads other than flexing of the first hinge. The first hinge is formed in the handle layer. A first gauge is separated from the first hinge and aligned to provide that a moment tending to rotate one of the first or second blocks relative to the other about the first hinge applies a tensile or compressive force along a length of the first gauge. The first gauge is formed from a device layer with an oxide between the device and handle layers. The sensing structure is made from an SOI wafer, and the first gauge is protected during an etching away of handle material beneath the first gauge by an oxide between the device and handle layers and an etch-resistant oxide or nitride on exterior surfaces of the first gauge.

Abstract: The cost and complexity of an electronic pressure sensitive transducer are decreased by constructing such a transducer directly on a printed circuit board containing support electronics. Conductive traces are formed on the printed circuit board to define a contact area. A flexible substrate having an inner surface is positioned over the contact area. An adhesive spacer, substantially surrounding the contact area, attaches the flexible substrate to the printed circuit board. At least one resistive layer is deposited on the flexible substrate inner surface. In use, the resistive layer contacts at least two conductive traces in response to pressure applied to the flexible substrate to produce an electrical signal indicative of applied pressure.

Abstract: An electrical circuit having at least one electrical component, in particular a strain-sensitive resistor and conductor tracks which are applied to a metallic carrier with the intermediate positioning of at least one insulating layer, at least one further conductor track, which is connected to at least one conductor track of the circuit, is applied to the surface of the metallic carrier. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat frame (20) for supporting a vehicle occupant and a floor pan (4) for supporting the seat frame (20) for movement relative to the floor pan (4). The apparatus (10) includes a deflection member (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The deflection member (50) connects to the seat frame (20) for movement with the seat frame (20). The deflection member (50) has a first deflection surface (51). The sensor lever (70) connects to the floor pan (4). The sensor lever (70) has a second deflection surface (75) for engaging the first deflection surface (51) of the deflection member (50) and for deflecting as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70) changes as the seat frame (20) moves relative to the floor pan (4). The sensor (79) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (70) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount of deflection of the sensor lever (70).

Abstract: A high-performance strain gauge has a high gauge factor and a decreased temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). The strain gauge has a laminated structure that includes a first layer formed of a positive TCR material and a second layer formed of a negative TCR material.

Abstract: An analog sensor depressible by a single human finger/thumb. Depressive force is applied to a dome-cap and to analog materials for varying an analog output of the sensor responsive to varying force applied by a single finger or thumb. Depressive force causes the dome-cap to bow downward passing through a user discernable threshold, causing a snap-through tactile sensation. In some embodiments the dome-cap is metallic.

Abstract: A strain-sensitive resistor including a resistance layer arranged on a support element and an electromechanical transducer produced with this transistor. The support element has a recess in its surface. When the support element is subjected to mechanical stress in at least one area in which the resistance layer is positioned, the recess produces a ratio between the two main strain directions of the resistance layer which differs in magnitude.

Abstract: A position sensor is arranged to detect the position of a mechanical interaction, such as the application of manual pressure. A first fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a first conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A second fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a second conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A central layer is disposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The central layer includes conductive elements. A first insulating separating element is disposed between the first conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. A second insulating separating element is disposed between the second conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. The conducting elements provide a conductive path between the first conducting outer layer and the second conducting outer layer at the position of a mechanical interaction.

Abstract: A piezoresistor having a base substrate with a quantum well structure formed on the base substrate. The quantum well structure includes at least one quantum well layer bounded by barrier layers. The barrier layers are formed from a material having a larger bandgap than the at least one quantum well layer.

Abstract: A piezoresistor having a base substrate with a quantum well structure formed on the base substrate. The quantum well structure includes at least one quantum well layer bounded by barrier layers. The barrier layers are formed from a material having a larger bandgap than the at least one quantum well layer.

Abstract: A foot switch for use in the control of medical apparatus comprises a pedal that is connected to and movably seated on a floor plate by means of a joint connection, a sensor linked to a switch element, and a repositioning means disposed between the floor plate and the pedal. The repositioning means ensures that an operating force must be applied to the upper surface of the pedal to produce a tilting movement of the pedal out of an initial position into an operating position in which a smaller angle is defined between the floor plate and the pedal than in the initial position and in which the sensor is activated to trigger the output of a switch pulse from the switch element. A common feature of known arrangements similar to this is that during operation corrosion develops in the foot switch, in particular in the joint region, which interferes with operation of the switch so that the arrangement does not move freely and therefore is in a deficient functional state.

Abstract: A piezoresistor having a base substrate with a quantum well structure formed on the base substrate. The quantum well structure includes at least one quantum well layer bounded by barrier layers. The barrier layers are formed from a material having a larger bandgap than the at least one quantum well layer.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive layers are disposed on respective resin films through electrodes to face each other, and include high conductivity flaky carbon particles and low conductivity amorphous-based carbon particles. The two kinds of carbon particles are bound together by a resin-system binder. Accordingly, when a pushing force is applied to the resin films, an average distance between the carbon particles is decreased to cause a tunnel conduction phenomenon, resulting in a decrease in conductive resistance between the electrodes. As a result, a pressure sensing property can be made gentle.

Abstract: A motion transducer having a user moveable plunger which compresses a spring for generating a force proportional to plunger displacement and applying the generated force to an actuator telescoped onto the plunger. The actuator has an elastomeric pad on the surface which contacts and reacts the generated force onto a force/pressure sensitive resistive strip which varies its resistance with the changing force applied by the elastomeric pad. The changes in resistance may be electrically detected to give an indication of plunger travel.

Abstract: the present invention provides a force transducer having high compression fracture strength and high detection sensitivity, thus satisfying both detection precision and reliability, and also a method of fabricating such a force transducer. The force transducer is so constructed that a compression force is transferred via a pressure transfer block to narrow strain gages, which protrude from the surface of a silicon substrate and provide a small pressure-bearing area. Therefore, large compression strains act on the strain gages and thus the detection sensitivity is increased. When the compression force exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure transfer block comes into contact with the surface of the silicon crystal, thus improving the fracture strength of the strain gages. These narrow, protruding strain gages can be fabricated easily by a single mesa etching process.

Abstract: A user-manipulable sensor apparatus is provided for allowing a user to input, through hand manipulation of a movable member, motion in six degrees of freedom: translational motion in the X, Y, and Z axes, and rotation about each of those three axes. The apparatus includes a central member which acts as a stationary reference, and a user-manipulable member, such as a spherical, hollow member which substantially surrounds the central member. Flexible wire or in-line strain gauges are coupled between the central member and the inside surface of the user-manipulable member, to hold the user-manipulable member in a quiescent position, relative to a position of the central member. Accordingly, there is no need for additional support members for holding the user-manipulable member in position. Manipulation of the user-manipulable member causes tension on various ones of the strain gauges. The strain gauges produce signals, from which the motion of the user-manipulable member may be computed.

Abstract: A pressure transducer has a cylindrical body with a thread formed on at least part of the outer surface. A resistance element is wound in the thread and an internal bore receives pressurized fluid. The resistance element is strained by application of pressure to vary its resistance.

Abstract: A pressure-adjusting device for adjusting an output of an integrated pressure sensor in which a silicon wafer is joined onto a seat that has pressure-adjusting passages formed therein, and which has formed in the silicon wafer a signal processing circuit with an adjusting resistor for each chip, a thin diaphragm for each chip and a piezo-resistance layer for each chip. The pressure-adjusting device includes a pressure-setting stage on which the seat is placed, the pressure setting stage having pressure-adjusting passages formed therein to adjust a pressure exerted on the respective thin diaphragm via the pressure-adjusting passages formed in the seat. A holding member is arranged on the pressure-setting stage as to surround at least an outer periphery of the seat. A first elastic air-tight member is arranged on the pressure-setting stage as to surround the outer periphery of the seat and be held compressed by the pressure-setting stage and by the holding member.

Abstract: Device including a strain generating portion supported at least at one end on a substrate and formed in a displaceable manner with respect to the substrate in a cavity of the substrate. A semiconductor strain sensing element, which is disposed at the strain generating portion, detects the amount of strain of the strain generating portion. A support is disposed at a connection point between the strain generating portion and the substrate so as to reinforce the connection point.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer includes a first electrically conductive layer, and a diamond diaphragm mounted opposite the first electrically conductive Layer so as to be moveable relative to the first electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer defines a first plate for the transducer, while the diaphragm defines the second plate for the transducer. In one embodiment of the transducer, the diamond layer is degeneratively doped providing the second plate. The microelectronic capacitive transducer preferably also includes an insulating layer on a face of the diamond layer adjacent the electrically conductive layer defining an overpressure stop for the transducer. The transducer includes absolute or differential pressure sensing embodiments. The microelectronic capacitive transducer may also be configured as an actuator. The diamond layer may be highly oriented diamond including semiconductor devices formed therein to provide signal conditioning. A fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A foil strain gage or a transducer or load cell with such a strain gage has a backing to which a resistor grid is bonded, made of polyaryletherketone and preferably also a cover of polyaryletherketone.

Abstract: A bicycle crank arm apparatus comprises a crank arm having a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion. A circuit-mounting structure is disposed between the crank axle mounting portion and the pedal mounting portion, wherein the circuit-mounting structure is configured to detachably mount a measurement board. When a measurement board is mounted to the circuit-mounting structure, the resulting combination forms a bicycle input force processing apparatus.