Abstract: A mechanical testing device has a rigid frame and a piezo translator connected to the frame. A Wheatstone bridge is connected to the translator to produce an electrical signal related to the compression of the translator, wherein a sample positioned between the piezo translator and the frame is subjected to loads by the movement of the translator. A sensor detects the force applied to the sample by the piezo translator, and produces a signal indicative of the force. A computer receives the Wheatstone bridge electrical signal and the signal indicative of the force applied to the sample. The computer controls the advancement of the translator to allow the application of precise amounts of compression to the sample.

Abstract: A semiconductor accelerometer device is formed on an SOI substrate by micro-machining. A movable unit is supported at both ends, and a weight portion is movable in response to acceleration exerted in the detection direction. A movable electrode is formed in a comb shape integrally with the weight portion. A pair of fixed electrodes in a comb shape are cantilevered and interleaved with the movable electrode to face the movable electrode. A plurality of through holes is provided in the electrodes so that the electrodes have Rahmen structure which is a series of rectangular frames. This structure reduces the weight of each electrode while increasing the strength against twist force. The electrodes are less likely from breaking in response to an acceleration exerted in a direction perpendicular to the normal detection direction because of reduced weight.

Abstract: A load transducer adapted to measure a load force applied to a load anvil. The load transducer including a base and a relatively rigid bridge coupled to the base and load anvil to floatably support the load anvil so that the load anvil moves relative to the rigid base proportional to an applied load. The transducer including a sealable chamber enclosed by surfaces of the load anvil, bridge and base and adapted to be filled with a flowable medium within the sealed chamber.

Abstract: A micromechanical contact load force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor comprises an array of capacitive load cells on a substrate. The force sensor is able to sense high loads, on the order on 10.sup.9 N/m.sup.2, and distribute the load over a suitable number of the cells of the array while minimizing crosstalk between adjacent cells. The force sensor is useful in biological and robotic applications.

Abstract: A brushless motor including: a rotor casing having a cylindrical wall with an opening, the rotor casing holding a magnet therein, the magnet having an exposed portion which is exposed through the opening of the rotor casing; a stator core having drive coils; Hall elements for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet, the Hall elements being arranged outside the cylindrical wall of the rotor casing; a drive circuit applying drive currents to the drive coils in accordance with output signals of the Hall elements; a magnetic flux varying member provided at a point on the cylindrical wall of the rotor casing; and an index signal processing circuit for generating an index signal in accordance with an output signal of one of the Hall elements.

Abstract: A sound comparison device for a drum that has a body that includes a bottom with a periphery. The periphery of the bottom of the body is in contact with the surface of a drum head. A drum head tension measurement element includes a tip which protrudes from the bottom of the body. A spring biases the tip to press against and sink into the drum head to a distance determined by the tension on the drum head. A display is connected with the measurement element for causing the display to display a numerical value Y which corresponds to distance X of the protrusion of the measurement element. The values X and Y are coordinated so that the display displays the value Y=K/X1/2, where K is a constant.

Abstract: A sensor containing at least one piezoelectric transducer element is operated via a common, single signal line in both possible operating modes--first, at low frequencies as a measuring element for a mechanical quantity upon utilization of the direct piezoeffect and, second, at higher frequencies as a piezoelectric resonator upon utilization of the inverse piezoeffect for electrical excitation of mechanical oscillations and of the direct piezoeffect for generating the piezoelectric reaction. A high-frequency signal (u.sup.HF, u.sub.F) that describes the resonant characteristic and a lower-frequency signal (u.sub.NF, u.sub.Q) that describes the mechanical influence are generated from the measured signal on the signal line. The faultless function of the sensor together with the appertaining measuring amplifier, for example, can thus be monitored immediately during a measurement with the sensor or a simultaneous measurement of two different quantities can be undertaken.

Abstract: A pressure sensor circuit (10A) is disclosed which preferably utilizes a piezoresistive pressure transducer (11A) having a substantial temperature coefficient of resistance to provide an inherent temperature variation which is used to implement offset temperature compensation for the circuit. Two operational amplifiers (OA1, OA2) are configured along with selectable resistors (R.sub.1, R.sub.9, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.4) to implement four adjustments of the circuit (10A) to adjust span (gain), offset and temperature variation of both span and offset to achieve a desired result. All this is achieved while implementing a common mode gain for the circuit (10A) which is less than 5 and preferably no more than 2.

Abstract: The crane load-test gauge of the instant invention includes an elongate vessel having multiple fluid containing compartments therein. Each compartment has an open top side. A fluid carrying manifold is disposed along the length of the vessel and has a valve mechanism associated with each of the compartments for introducing fluid into the compartment. The manifold has a conventional fire hose connector on the free end thereof. A level adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the level of fluid in a compartment. The level adjusting mechanism includes a trim valve for partially emptying a single compartment and a sluice valve for transferring fluid between compartments. A sight gauge is affixed to a side of each compartment in communication with the interior thereof. The sight gauge is operable to indicate a fluid level in its associated compartment.

Abstract: A spinner is disclosed having at least one drawing roller arrangement, the bottom rollers of which are driven by at least one electric motor. For the purpose of identifying specific malfunctions and setting errors, a monitor is allocated to the electric motor, or to at least one of the electric motors, which monitors its power input and/or torque.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing the peak compression pressure and power output of individual cylinders of an internal combustion engine based on stored normalized energy coefficients derived from a normalized pressure curve and the measured instantaneous engine speed.

Abstract: Apparatus indicating the linear movement of a member includes a pulley and a spring disposed on the pulley and having characteristics of producing a force substantially linearly related to its speed of movement with respect to the pulley. A motor produces a displacement of the spring relative to the pulley. A transducer produces a signal related to the speed of movement of the spring relative to the pulley at each instant and provides a signal linearly related at that instant to the distance of the spring movement at that instant. A cam may also be included for converting the movement of the spring into a non-linear function having particular characteristics. Such cam may have a particular non-linear relationship on its external periphery relative to its axis of rotation. The cam and the pulley may be coupled to opposite ends of the spring to provide a conversion between the linear movement of the spring and the particular non-linear relationship provided by the cam.

Abstract: In a known method of testing braking effectiveness, a sheet carrying a series of lines is attached to a moving part of a machine and these lines are sensed sequentially by a photo detector as the machine part moves. The output of the photo detector thus gives an indication of the movement of the machine part during the braking operation.In the invention the photo detector 21,22 is associated with an optical system 20 which is used to project light to the series of lines; and to focus light reflected from the lines, onto the photo detector. In this way the photo detector and associated equipment can easily be set up, e.g. on a tripod, at a position spaced from the machine whilst still enabling a reliable signal to be generated in the photo detector.An important preferred feature of the invention is the use of retroreflective material on the aforementioned sheet. This greatly enhances the strength of the signal generated by the photo detector.