Abstract: A method for measuring strain of a component includes determining a preferred placement for a strain sensor on the component, and a preferred feature dimension and orientation for the strain sensor at the preferred placement on the component; and printing the strain sensor at the preferred placement on the component with the preferred feature dimension and orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the torque of a drive unit (10), particularly a vehicle drive unit (10), said drive unit (10) comprising at least one bearing (20) for connecting to a fixed support point (21), and at least one sensor (22) being provided which measures a change in force and/or position, particularly a relative rotation of the drive unit (10), as a sensor value, wherein a torque at the drive unit (10) is determined as a measurement value on the basis of said sensor value.

Abstract: An analysis machine uses a test wheel to confirm operation of measurement sensors and software algorithm associated with the analysis machine. The machine includes at least one laser measurement device that measures dimensional characteristics of tires received in the analysis machine. A test wheel is receivable and rotatable in the analysis machine, wherein the test wheel has a known dimensional configuration detected by the at least one laser measurement device to confirm the accuracy of the at least one laser measurement device and/or confirm performance of the software algorithm.

Abstract: A method to measure and determine the unbalance of a rotor, by decoupling the unbalance of the balancing machine and the unbalance of the rotor, which includes the following procedures make the zero angle reference on the rotor or on the balancing machine, select two planes on the rotor, and use a balancing machine to measure the unbalances of the rotor in the two planes, these unbalances are designated as first nominal unbalances.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring device calibration. The system includes an asset management computer communicatively coupled to field devices. The asset management computer includes a processor connected to a memory device storing a field device drift identifying (FDDI) program. The FDDI program causes the asset management computer to statistically determine at least one process control limit from historical parameter data received from each of the field devices. The system continuously samples current parameter data received from each of the field devices and compares the current parameter data to respective ones of the process control limits for each of the field devices to determine whenever any of the current parameter data is outside the process control limit for identifying a first device drift for a first field device. Responsive to identifying the first device drift, an alert is generated that the first field device needs calibration.

Abstract: A vehicle abnormality detecting apparatus 1 includes wheel load sensors 11 that are attached to right and left rails R constituting a track to measure wheel loads of wheels 3 provided in a vehicle 2; and a calculation unit 12 that is connected to the wheel load sensors 11. An index represented by wheel loads of a pair or more of right and left wheels 3 provided in at least one of bogies 4 and defined according to a type of vehicle abnormality as an index for detecting the vehicle abnormality is previously stored in the calculation unit 12. The calculation unit 12 calculates a value of the stored index from the wheel loads measured by the wheel load sensors 11 and transmitted from the wheel load sensors 11, and detects the abnormality of a running vehicle based on the calculated value of the index.

Abstract: An apparatus for calculating a wheel speed is described herein which includes a tire force sensor, a time measurement unit, an angular velocity calculation unit and a wheel speed calculation unit. The tire force sensor outputs a signal in accordance with an amount of modification of a bearing. The time measurement unit measures a time interval between peak values of the signal output from the tire force sensor. The angular velocity calculation unit calculates an angular velocity by dividing an angle between balls positioned within the bearing by the time interval measured by the time measurement unit. The wheel speed calculation unit calculates the wheel speed by multiplying a distance from a center of the bearing to a center of the ball by the angular velocity calculated by the angular velocity calculation unit.

Abstract: Using a force-measuring balancing machine (1), the empirically determined permanent calibration is corrected in that the resonant frequencies (m) of the rotor (2) to be balanced are calculated, in a translatory direction and (?2) in a rotational direction, from the mass (mR) of a rotor (2) to be balanced, which is mounted in the balancing machine (1), the co-oscillating mass (Ms) of the bearing supports (3), the rigidity (c) of the bearing supports (3) and the spacing (L) of the rotor bearings, and a frequency response calculated from the resonant frequencies (?1, ?2) and the frequency (?) of the rotor (2) is introduced to the permanent calibration.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for compensation of mechanical imbalance in a measurement apparatus, that provides options for increased accuracy and/or less expensive manufacture of a torsion balance. Orientation measurements are taken and an imbalance torque about the torsion spring's axis of rotation is determined, and used to calculate a compensation. The measurement apparatus of one embodiment includes a test body and a set of magnets for generating a first disturbing force on the test body in response to a paramagnetic gas. A conductor element in the magnetic field receives an electrical current that generates a second opposing force to the test body, under feedback control that varies the current until the test body achieves a balanced null position. The control signal required to achieve the fixed null position is measured.

Abstract: This improved method of calibrating wood testing machines includes improved test bars, shim and software to direct the operator through the steps of calibration, storing interim results and calculating new calibration factors based on values read when the test bars are placed in the wood testing machine. This method avoids a number of problems in previous methods and apparatus. It properly corrects for changes in deflection in the measurement apparatus and changes in straightness of the test bars. The result is a more stable and reliable calibration that is referenced to precise measurement of the EI product for the test bar.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device that includes an electric power generator having a stator and a rotor, said rotor having a plurality of alternating opposite magnetic poles in a circumferential direction of the rotor, at least a first magnetic sensor mounted on either the stator or a support member for supporting the stator and operable to detect the alternating opposite magnetic poles in the rotor; and an electric power supply circuit for utilizing an electric power generated by the electric power generator as an electric power source for the at least first magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.

Abstract: A dynamic calibrator in an tire uniformity machine for testing a tire having a chuck assembly for receiving and chucking a tire load cell in sensing relation therewith, the load cell transmitting sensed information to a controller, the dynamic calibrator including a rotatable calibration wheel coupled to the chuck assembly; a motor assembly operatively coupled to the wheel to cause rotation thereof; and a wheel velocity sensing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating calibration of sensors embedded within an object includes: a foundation; a force generator mounted on the foundation configured to generate a force in a first direction; a load cell connected with the force generator that detects the magnitude of force applied by the force generator; a roller mounting assembly pivotally interconnected with the foundation and pivotable about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being generally perpendicular to the first direction; and a roller rotatably mounted on the roller mounting assembly for rotation about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being generally perpendicular to the first direction, the roller protruding in the first direction sufficiently to apply a force to the object. This apparatus can enable force applied to the sensor to be calibrated with sensor output.

Abstract: Balancing apparatus that supports and rotates a body to be measured with a rotating mechanism so that the body vibrates due to the dynamic imbalance thereof. The vibration of the body is transmitted to a vibration member and then detected by a sensor. A vibrator is connected to the vibration member. The vibrator applies to the vibration member a vibration that is an inverse of a vibration that will be generated in the vibration member by an ideal body having an ideal dynamic imbalance. By detecting the vibration remaining in the vibration member, the balancing apparatus measures the deviation of the dynamic imbalance of the body from the ideal dynamic imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for stabilizing a rotor about its geometric center in a magnetic bearing system at a constant rotor speed. In the method, the controller for controlling the magnetic bearing uses an adaptive control algorithm which simultaneously identifies and compensates for synchronous sensor runout and rotor mass unbalance while determining a control action that drives the rotor rotating at a constant speed to its geometric center. The identification of sensor runout and mass unbalance is by varying the magnetic stiffness which is achieved by perturbation of the bias currents in opposing electromagnet coils in a manner that does not alter the equilibrium of the rotor while it is rotating at a constant speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating calibration of sensors embedded within an object includes: a foundation; a force generator mounted on the foundation configured to generate a force in a first direction; a load cell connected with the force generator that detects the magnitude of force applied by the force generator; a roller mounting assembly pivotally interconnected with the foundation and pivotable about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being generally perpendicular to the first direction; and a roller rotatably mounted on the roller mounting assembly for rotation about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being generally perpendicular to the first direction, the roller protruding in the first direction sufficiently to apply a force to the object. This apparatus can enable force applied to the sensor to be calibrated with sensor output.

Abstract: In this system an unbalancing force, as set by an unbalance load injection device integrated into a work piece balancing machine and its balance computer, is injected into an injection planethrough an operating portion of the machine. This injected load is in effect transferred by computation to a calibrating plane of a known standard or a masterwork part loaded into and rotatably driven by the balancing machine. The values of the unbalancing force as generated by the unbalance injecting device and by calculation into the rotating master are sensed by synchronizer and vibration pick-ups. Data reflective of the injected imbalance are furnished to the balance computer for the calibration thereof. The principle of this self-calibration is to use a workpiece drive spindle and unbalance injector device that can introduce a known unbalance, set by adjusting the unbalance injector device to inject a predetermined load at a known angle into the master to effect master unbalance.

Abstract: In this system an unbalancing force, as set by an unbalance load injection device integrated into a work piece balancing machine and its balance computer, is injected into an injection planethrough an operating portion of the machine. This injected load is in effect transferred by computation to a calibrating plane of a known standard or a masterwork part loaded into and rotatably driven by the balancing machine. The values of the unbalancing force as generated by the unbalance injecting device and by calculation into the rotating master are sensed by synchronizer and vibration pick-ups. Data reflective of the injected imbalance are furnished to the balance computer for the calibration thereof. The principle of this self-calibration is to use a workpiece drive spindle and unbalance injector device that can introduce a known unbalance, set by adjusting the unbalance injector device to inject a predetermined load at a known angle into the master to effect master unbalance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating an unbalance measuring apparatus, in which in a calibration run two calibration masses of the same or different sizes are simultaneously caused to rotate about a measuring axis in two axial calibration planes, wherein a calibration mass rotating about the measuring axis is simulated in another axial plane.

Abstract: The Roll Defect Management Process (RDMP) is a system which is designed to manage, track and evaluate all mill rolls found in use in the hot and cold production of flat rolled metal strip. The RDMP is capable of detection, distinction and differentiation of various defects found in the mill roll using a nondestructive inspection system for generating variable amplitude output voltage signals corresponding to changes in physical properties found in a mill roll and defines corrective action for each roll type, mill, stand and position. The disposition and corrective actions of the RDMP are automated and dependent on the determination of various thresholds identified by roll, mill and stand.

Abstract: A test rotor for balancing machines has a plurality of receptacles for test weights. Fitting surfaces are provided beside the receptacles against which fitting surfaces of the test weights are placed. The fitting surfaces for angle positioning are shaped as level surfaces that run in the lengthwise direction of the rotor in order to inexpensively ensure a simple, precise and secure manner for positioning the test weights.