Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to robot-aided product inspection. For example, an inspection apparatus may include a processing device to communicatively couple to a robotic apparatus, to a display device, and to a user input device. The processing device may: receive an image of an item, wherein the image was captured by the robotic apparatus; generate a proposed classification for the image, wherein the classification indicates an attribute of the item based on the image; cause the image to be displayed on the display device along with the proposed classification; and receive an indication from the user input device of a final classification of the image.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a deformation sensor and device for measuring the load of a wheel hub of a vehicle, and an automobile. The deformation sensor includes: a metal lining fixed on the surface of the wheel hub, and a resistance strain gauge fixed on the metal lining. The resistance strain gauge is fixed on the metal lining through a structural adhesive.

Abstract: A sensor device is disclosed comprising at least one deformable substrate, at least one transducer element formed in or on a surface area of a first side of the deformable substrate, at least one other transducer element formed in or on a surface area of a second side of the deformable substrate, and electrical conductors formed on and/or in the substrate for electrically connecting between and to the transducer elements.

Abstract: A rock mechanics test system with impact loading-confining pressure unloading and its usage method. The test system includes bearing frame unit, axial compression loading unit, impact loading unit and confining pressure loading unit. The bearing frame unit includes pedestal, column and cross beam. The column is vertically installed on both sides of the upper surface of the pedestal, and the cross beam is horizontally fixed on the upper part of the column. The axial compression loading unit is fixed at the middle position of the upper surface of the pedestal and is used to exert the axial bottom-up pressure to the sample. The impact loading unit is fixed on the cross beam and is used to exert the axial top-down impact load on the sample.

Abstract: Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.

Abstract: A large-scale three-dimensional physical model test system for a deep cavern group comprises a base, an anti-deformation prestressed loading frame assembly, a load applying assembly, a model sample preparation and transportation assembly and a multifunctional hydraulic loading system assembly. The anti-deformation prestressed loading frame assembly and the model sample preparation and transportation assembly are both arranged on the base. The load applying assembly is arranged on the anti-deformation prestressed loading frame assembly, and the load applying assembly is connected with the multifunctional hydraulic loading system assembly. A model sample is subjected to long-time load holding, dynamic disturbance and displacement control overload under multi-surface multi-point cooperative control through cooperation between the load applying assembly and the multifunctional hydraulic loading system assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods for yielding lymph nodes from fatty tissue, the device including a fenestrated sample chamber configured to receive a sample of fatty tissue having lymph nodes; a lockable gate switchable between a closed position that is locked and an open position; a pusher configured to push the sample against the gate when locked in the closed position to compress the tissue, and configured to push the compressed tissue out of the sample chamber when the gate is subsequently opened; and a cutting chamber aligned distal to the sample chamber for receiving compressed tissue from the sample chamber, the cutting chamber comprising sets of opposing through slots aligned to permit slicing of the compressed tissue into sections, thereby yielding lymph nodes from the fatty tissue.

Abstract: A high-pressure true triaxial test apparatus with capacity of low-frequency disturbance and high-speed impact includes static and dynamic loading frames, four static loading actuators, two dynamic loading actuators and an SHPB mechanism, wherein all actuators are connected with a hydraulic station system; a hollow way is formed in the axial center of each piston shaft of the dynamic loading actuators, a dynamic pressure sensor adopting a hollow ring structure is mounted at the end part of each piston shaft, and the SHPB mechanism applies a high-speed impact load on a rock sample through the dynamic pressure sensors respectively; and the dynamic loading actuators adopt a static pressure oilway balance support sealing manner and are connected with the hydraulic station system, each oilway is provided with an energy accumulator, and flow is increased by the servo valves to drive pistons to perform dynamic response.

Abstract: A detector provided on a flat portion of a diaphragm includes a plurality of strain gauges, resistor element connectors connecting adjacent ones of the strain gauges, and an electric conductor covering a part of the resistor element connectors. First linear portions and second linear portions of the resistor element connectors exposed from the electric conductor are orthogonal to the edges of the electric conductor extending across the first linear portions and the second linear portions. Even when a pattern of the resistor element connector and a pattern of electric conductor are misaligned in X direction or in Y direction, an area of the resistor element connector exposed from the electric conductor does not change.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet, a computing device and an associated method are provided to measure the force applied to a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet. By measuring the force applied to the drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet, certain predefined condition(s) may be detected, such as the closure of a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet with an excessive amount of force. In this regard, a medication dispensing cabinet is provided that includes a cabinet body defining an internal cavity and a plurality of drawers disposed within the internal cavity of the cabinet body. The drawers are configured to be slidably opened and closed relative to the cabinet body. The medication dispensing cabinet also includes a force sensor carried by at least one of the cabinet body or one or more of the drawers and configured to measure force applied to a drawer of the medication dispensing cabinet.

Abstract: A simulated impact-type rock burst experiment apparatus includes a bracket, a specimen box assembly, an X-direction, Y-direction and Z-direction loading mechanisms mounted on the bracket, and control systems. Each loading mechanism includes four supporting posts in a rectangular arrangement, a first and second frames aligned with each other and fixedly connected to both ends of the four supporting posts, a loading hydraulic cylinder and a lead screw mounted on the two frames respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing jig including: a base configured to be mounted to a load axis of a fatigue testing device and including an accommodating recess portion for accommodating a portion to be held of a test piece; a pressing member disposed so as to be supported in the accommodating recess portion and configured to come into surface contact with an end surface of the test piece; and an insert nut configured to be threadedly engaged with a male screw portion of the portion to be held of the test piece. The fixing jig further includes a fastening flange including a hole portion for loosely inserting the test piece therethrough and a flange portion configured to come into contact with the insert nut, for holding the test piece in the accommodating recess portion via the insert nut so that the end surface of the test piece is pressed against the pressing member supported by the base.

Abstract: A specimen for measuring a material under multiple strains and strain rates. The specimen including a body having first and second ends and a gage region disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the body has a central, longitudinal axis passing through the first and second ends. The gage region includes a first gage section and a second gage section, wherein the first gage section defines a first cross-sectional area that is defined by a first plane that extends through the first gage section and is perpendicular to the central, longitudinal axis. The second gage section defines a second cross-sectional area that is defined by a second plane that extends through the second gage section and is perpendicular to the central, longitudinal axis and wherein the first cross-sectional area is different in size than the second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A chip with resistive, metallic strain gauges distributed on surfaces on and buried within the chip. Also, vertically arranged vias and vertical thin film resistive strain gauges are described. The resistive strain gauges can be multiplexed wherein strain can be measured across the topology of the chip in each of the top, bottom and buried layers and any vertical strain. The resistive strain gauges may be in serpentine patterns and may be arranged on via or on vertical edges of grooves that extend from an upper or lower surface of the chip to buried layers. In this fashion, the distributed strain gauges may be used to map the strain throughout the body of a chip. A Kelvin bridge may be used to measure the strain, but other such measuring techniques and devices may be used.

Abstract: In a method of evaluating measured values for recognizing defect conditions due to material fatigue on aircraft parts, strain sensors (6) are applied on the critical locations of an aircraft (1) and measured values of outputs of the strain sensors are detected at different loading conditions, amplified and stored through several measuring circuits. An evaluating apparatus (9) derives, signals or indicates a material fatigue by comparison of current measured values with previous measured values. The critical aircraft parts (1) are impinged on with prescribed loading conditions by loading elements (3). The strain effect caused thereby is detected by measuring circuits. The evaluating apparatus (9) forms, for at least each loading condition and each measuring circuit, an allocated reference value and a permissible limit value range. If current measured values exceed the limit value range, this represents a material fatigue manifestation.

Abstract: A strain measuring device according to the present invention includes a bridged circuit comprising a p-type impurity diffused resistor as a strain detective portion and a bridged circuit comprising an n-type impurity diffused resistor as a strain detective portion in a semiconductor single crystalline substrate, and sheet resistance of the p-type impurity diffused resistor is 1.67 to 5 times higher than that of the n-type impurity diffused resistor. Furthermore, it is preferable that the impurity diffused resistor be configured to be a meander shape comprising strip lines and connecting portions. Moreover, it is preferable that the number of strip lines in the p-type impurity diffused resistor be smaller than that in the n-type impurity diffused resistor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing comprising at least one system for determining the amplitude A of the pseudo-sinusoidal deformations of an area of the fixed race that are induced during rotation, the said system comprising at least three strain gauges (7), a device for measuring three signals Vi depending respectively on the temporal variations of the signal emitted by each gauge (8), the said device being able to form two signals SIN and COS respectively of like angle and like amplitude, and a device for calculating the amplitude A of the deformations of the area (7) as a function of time, the said device being designed to calculate the expression SIN2+COS2 so as to deduce the amplitude A therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collar for measuring lateral deformation of a test piece during uniaxial or triaxial compression tests. According to the invention, the collar includes a metal hoop or a hoop that is made from composite materials, which can clasp the test piece. When the hoop is open, the free ends thereof are separated by a distance ?. The inventive collar is also equipped with a measurement device for directly or indirectly measuring the distance ?. Between the free ends of the hoop, the device can be a linear variable differential transformer-type probe. The invention also relates to a protective sleeve for the test piece, which can co-operate with the collar.

Abstract: A hybrid bioreactor for cell culture is disclosed. To simultaneously apply compressive strain for cell differentiation and shear strain for cell proliferation to cells, the hybrid bioreactor includes a plurality of reactor tube assemblies (100), a compressive strain motor (5), a shear strain motor (25), a lower anchor mount (20) having a plurality of toothed anchors (70) to respectively anchor the lower ends of the reactor tube assemblies (100) to the lower anchor mount (20), a ball screw (90) operated in conjunction with the compressive strain motor (5), an upper anchor mount (60) which engages with the ball screw (90) to vertically move upward and downward and having a plurality of compressive strain anchors (80) to anchor the upper ends of the reactor tube assemblies (100) to the upper anchor mount (60), a power transmission unit to transmit the rotating force of the shear strain motor (25) to the toothed anchors (70).

Abstract: A movable furniture part has at least one force sensor to measure the forces acting on the outer panel of the movable furniture part. The movable furniture part has an inner panel, behind an outer panel when viewed from the front and spaced at a distance therefrom. The at least one force sensor is disposed between outer panel and inner panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing comprising at least one system for determining the amplitude A of the pseudo-sinusoidal deformations of an area of the fixed race that are induced during rotation, the said system comprising at least three strain gauges (7), a device for measuring three signals Vi depending respectively on the temporal variations of the signal emitted by each gauge (8), the said device being able to form two signals SIN and COS respectively of like angle and like amplitude, and a device for calculating the amplitude A of the deformations of the area (7) as a function of time, the said device being designed to calculate the expression SIN2+COS2 so as to deduce the amplitude A therefrom.

Abstract: A patient sensor configured to detect the presence of a patient on a patient support surface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films using substantially flat, parallel test surfaces with minimal width. This invention is further directed to the measurement of stress-strain relationships in thin films at controlled temperatures and at high strain rates above 100% per second.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system 10 for measuring and remotely monitoring strain in an element 1 having a strain sensor 20, a telemetry circuit 40 for transmitting strain data to a remote location, and a reader module 60 for transmitting energy to the telemetry circuit and receiving said data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and recording conditions inside a chamber containing cloth items and fluid is provided. The method involves placement of contact sensors inside a wash chamber that can detect contact with a target cloth. The method also involves placement of rotation sensors for determining the position of rotating components within the washer. The method also involves installation of friction sensors that can measure forces between cloth items and the surfaces of the wash chamber. The method also involves installation of a fluid flow sensing system to determine the direction of fluid flow in the washer. All or some of the aforementioned signals are communicated from instruments within the washer to an external computer and may be converted to spatial locations for the impeller, target cloth and basket. Video may be recorded and combined with the sensor data to develop a more complete picture of cloth motion.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement in a roller bearing, which determines the direction of displacement of a displaceable bearing component in relation to a stationary bearing component. Four pressure-dependent resistors (R1, R2, R3, R4) of a bridge circuit are arranged successively in a line, in a measuring area on a bearing component and in a parallel manner in relation to the direction of displacement of the rolling body or the displaceable rolling component. The distance (R1-R2) is exactly the same as the distance (R3-R4) and the distance (R2-R3) is greater than the other distances. The positions of the resistors and the bridge circuit are selected in such a manner that a single output signal with an asymmetrical form is created. The rotational direction is, for example, determined by the evaluation of the deviation of a maximum of the mean position between two adjacent minima.

Abstract: A force sensor assembly includes a force sensor, a first support member, a threaded portion, an opening made in the first support member, a nut, a restricting member and a spacer. The nut is screwed onto the threaded portion which is inserted through the opening. The restricting member is provided between the force sensor and the nut. The spacer, which is provided between the force sensor and the nut, is deformable in a direction of its thickness. The shape of the spacer is adapted to avoid interference with the restricting member. Before the nut is tightened onto the threaded portion, a summation of thickness for the first support member and the spacer is adapted to be not less than a height of the restricting member. The nut is tightened up with a predetermined fastening torque until the spacer deforms so that the nut strikes the restricting member.

Abstract: In order to improve the monitoring of a machine with movable parts, such as in particular an industrial robot, and for increasing safety, the invention provides a method for monitoring movable parts of a machine, such as an industrial robot, in which at least two different measured quantities are detected and at least one of these measured quantities is processed to a first measure result in such a way that it is comparable with another measured quantity or a second measure result obtained on the basis thereof, that the first measure result is compared with another measured quantity or a measure result obtained on the basis thereof and that a signal characterizing the comparison result is provided.

Abstract: A device for detecting strain levels imposed on a circuit board includes an apparatus mounted on the circuit board, an amplifier for detecting a change in the impedance of the apparatus and generating an output signal representing the change in the impedance of the apparatus, and a signal conditioner for receiving the output signal and setting the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: A deflection sensing assembly comprises a square plate with attachment holes in each of the four corners for attachment to a structural element along which deflection is to be measured. The sensor is attached to the structural element such that only two opposed corners of the plate lie along the deflection axis. The sensor assembly is removably attachable and it has been found that there is a high degree of independence between deflections in the temperature compensation axis and deflections in the deflection axis.

Abstract: Structure for securing a load detection element under a vehicle seat in combination with a support leg element having a hole formed in one end portion thereof, wherein the load detection element is pivotally connected with the support leg element, while being fixedly secured by first and second securing pins to the vehicle seat. The first pin has an end riveted to a bottom side of the vehicle seat and an end portion extending through the hole of support leg element. Such another end portion has a head larger in diameter than that hole and is disposed outwardly under the support leg member, with one space given between the head and support leg member. The second pin has a end fused and fixed in the bottom side of vehicle seat and a head disposed beneath the load detection element, with another space given between the head and support leg member.

Abstract: A bearing assembly which couples a road wheel to a suspension system component on an automotive vehicle includes a hub to which the wheel is attached and a housing which is attached to the suspension system component. The housing has two tapered raceways which surround raceways on cones that are fitted to the hub. Organized in two rows between the raceways of the housing and cones are tapered rollers which roll along the raceways when the wheel rotates. The rollers as they pass over the outer raceway impart minute flexures to the housing and these flexures are monitored by multiple strain sensors on the housing. The strains—and the signals produced by the sensors—reflect conditions at the region of contact between a tire on the road wheel and the road surface over which the tire rolls.

Abstract: To detect a low load of an outrigger with high accuracy and improve alarming accuracy of a roll-over alarming device, the roll-over alarming device for a crane includes a load cell 1 having a coil spring 5 provided with a strain gauge 4, and an upper load cell case 6 and a lower load cell case 7 which support the coil spring 5 from its top and bottom to transfer a load of an outrigger to the coil spring 5, supports 8, 9 for supporting a load when the load having more than a predetermined value acts to restrain yielding of the coil spring 5 being provided between the upper load cell case 6 and the lower load cell case 7, and an alarming section which issues a roll-over alarm on the basis of a load detecting value of the outrigger from the load cell 1.

Abstract: A method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys is disclosed. The sensor comprises a substrate material, a flexible diaphragm provided on the substrate material and a thin film SMA material deposited on the flexible diaphragm. The thin film SMA material is capable of undergoing a phase transformation in response to a physical stimulus being applied thereto. During such a phase transformation, a change occurs in the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material. By measuring the value of the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material immediately before and after the thin film SMA material undergoes a phase transformation, the difference in the value of the electrical resistance can be determined and utilized to determine the magnitude of the physical stimulus that was applied to the thin film SMA material causing it to undergo a phase transformation.

Abstract: A deflection sensing assembly comprises a square plate with attachment holes in each of the four corners for attachment to a structural element along which deflection is to be measured. The sensor is attached to the structural element such that only two opposed corners of the plate lie along the deflection axis. The sensor assembly is removably attachable and it has been found that there is a high degree of independence between deflections in the temperature compensation axis and deflections in the deflection axis.

Abstract: A golf club has a shaft made of fiber reinforced plastics. The shaft has braided layers with substantially symmetrical diagonal yarns which are positioned at orientation angles +&thgr;, −&thgr; from more than 0° to +10° and from less than −0° to −10° respectively, and/or from 45° to less than +90° and from −45° to more than −90° respectively, against the longitudinal axis of the shaft at at least a portion along the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The Poisson's ratio &ngr; expressed by the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain is 0.5 or less at least at the portion when load is applied to the shaft. The portion with the Poisson's ratio of 0.5 or less is preferably on the grip side, thus facilitating a swing of the club.

Abstract: For the metal substrate of a strain sensor, a Mo-containing two-phase stainless steel SUS329 is used. When an insulating layer, electrodes and a resistor are formed on the metal substrate by baking their materials, the alpha phase in the stainless steel of the metal substrate changes to a sigma phase through the baking heat, and, as a result, the range of strain applicable to the sensor within the elastic region of the substrate is broadened and the residual strain of the substrate is reduced. The strain sensor has a broad strain-detectable range and is readily restored to its starting point.

Abstract: A strain gauge strip (10a) of the type that can be mechanically applied to a support (1) subject to deformation, is made of Samarium sulphide and provides optimum performance in terms of precision and sensitivity, without being affected by temperature and covering a wide range of deformations that are well suited to commercial application (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An atomic force microscope including a cantilever, a transferring device and a displacement detecting device is used for conducting a material test of a test member based on a load amount and a displacement amount. The test member may be fixed to the cantilever or may be entirely replaced with the cantilever. The transferring device, which is normally used for transferring the cantilever or the sample in accordance with a shape of the sample, constitutes a load applying device for applying a load to the test member, and a displacement of the test member is detected by the displacement detecting device. The load applying device can apply slight displacement and load to the test member, so that the material test for the small material can be conducted.

Abstract: A load detection structure in a vehicle seat with a support leg member, which includes a block member of rigid yet resilient recovery property and a strain gauge attached thereon. The block member is interposed between the seat and support leg member, such that a securing portion thereof is secured to the seat, whereas a pivotal end portion thereof is rotatably pivoted to the support leg member. The securing portion is displaced in a vertical direction due to a vertical load applied to the seat, while the pivotal end portion is rotated, so as to cause deflection in the block member, which is detected by the strain gauge. It may be so arranged that the block member is rotatable about its central axis, thereby being prevented against twist due to a lateral load applied to the seat. An auxiliary linkage is provided to insure preventing such twist of block member.

Abstract: The bearing load measuring system of the present invention is a bearing load measuring system which uses a bearing cartridge as a load cell to measure the bearing load, wherein the abovementioned bearing cartridge is constructed as a double-cylinder type cartridge consisting of an inside cylindrical part that makes internal contact with the outer race in which the bearing balls, and an outside cylindrical part which is linked to the inside cylindrical part via a ring-form supporting member, and the bearing load is measured by strain gauges that are disposed on the surface of the abovementioned outside cylindrical part.

Abstract: A method and system for quantification of strain imaging is disclosed. The method and system comprises performing a motion analysis on the at least two regions of interest. The method and system further includes providing a strain estimate for each of the at least two regions of interest and comparing the strain estimates of each of the at least two regions to quantify the strain for the at least two regions of interest. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for strain quantification based on conventional B-mode images. Using this technique, the strain of regions of interest (ROI) defined by users can be determined and quantitative comparisons can be effectively made in real time. The strain quantification can be used to determine tissue's properties and can potentially be applied in breast imaging as well as cardiac imaging.

Abstract: A load cell has internal cuts or grooves allowing increased the measurable strain on a load cell package increasing its ability to accurately measure lower weights while reducing the load cell's sensitivity to thermal shock. These cuts or grooves are rectangular slots with circular ends and run parallel to the load cell. The cuts or grooves are cut into the gage-hole producing ridges. The strain gauges are located on the middle ridge which is a thicker wall which reduces the temperature differences between the gauges, causing the cell to generate less output during a thermal shock. Not only is the output due to thermal shock smaller, but it lasts for a shorter period of time.

Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.

Abstract: Thermodynamic material testing apparatus and a method for use therein which are capable of controllably inducing very large strains in crystalline metallic specimens. The apparatus prevents longitudinal flow elongation, that otherwise results in conventional testing systems when a specimen is compressively deformed, from occurring but permits sideways material flow outwards from a specimen work zone. The specimen is rotated between successive deformations through a predefined angle, e.g., 90 degrees, in order to present strained specimen material to opposing anvil faces for a next successive compressive deformation. Rotating the specimen between hits and hence compressing previously strained material permits the same work zone material to be deformed many times with very high strains induced therein.

Abstract: A bearing assembly which couples a road wheel to a suspension system component on an automotive vehicle includes a hub to which the wheel is attached and a housing which is attached to the suspension system component. The housing has two tapered raceways which surround raceways on cones that are fitted to the hub. Organized in two rows between the raceways of the housing and cones are tapered rollers which roll along the raceways when the wheel rotates. The rollers as they pass over the outer raceway impart minute flexures to the housing and these flexures are monitored by multiple strain sensors on the housing. The strains—and the signals produced by the sensors—reflect conditions at the region of contact between a tire on the road wheel and the road surface over which the tire rolls.

Abstract: A load detection structure in a vehicle seat with a support leg member, which includes a block member of rigid yet resiliently recovery property and a strain gauge attached thereon. The block member is interposed between the seat and support leg member, such that a securing portion thereof is secured to the seat, whereas a pivotal end portion thereof is rotatably pivoted to the support leg member. The securing portion is displaced in a vertical direction due to a vertical load applied to the seat, while the pivotal end portion is rotated, so as to cause deflection in the block member, which is detected by the strain gauge. It may be so arranged that the block member is rotatable about its central axis, thereby being prevented against twist due to a lateral load applied to the seat. An auxiliary linkage is provided to insure preventing such twist of block member.

Abstract: A displacement transducer capable of measuring very small displacements (on the order of 100 &mgr;m or less) comprises a strain gage mounted to the curved arc of a substrate. The transducer has a resolution of at least 10 &mgr;m, preferably at least 1 &mgr;m or better. The transducer can measure positive or negative displacement in a specimen and can also be used as an extremely sensitive load cell for very high resolution weight, load or mass determinations.

Abstract: A washer-type strain sensor, which generates an output representing a load acting thereon, is arranged between the vehicle body and the wheel. A dynamic load acting on the wheel is measured on the basis of the outputs of the strain sensor when the vehicle is traveling. A lateral force, a lateral-force coefficient, a slip angle, and steering characteristics of the wheel are obtained on the basis of the measured dynamic load, and thereby the cornering characteristics of the wheel are obtained.

Abstract: A bearing assembly which couples a road wheel to a suspension system component on an automotive vehicle includes a hub to which the wheel is attached and a housing which is attached to the suspension system component. The housing has two tapered raceways which surround raceways on cones that are fitted on the hub. Organized in two rows between the raceways of the housing and cones are tapered rollers which roll along the raceways when the wheel rotates. The rollers as they pass over the outer raceway impart minute flexures to the housing and these flexures are monitored by multiple strain sensors on the housing. The strains—and the signals produced by the sensors—reflect conditions at the region of contact between a tire on the road wheel and the road surface over which the tire rolls.