Abstract: A method of friction welding a workpiece to a fluid element includes the step of placing a workpiece weld surface in contact with a fluid element weld surface. The workpiece weld surface is driven in a predetermined pattern along the fluid element weld surface. Pressure is applied between the workpiece weld surface and the fluid element weld surface to produce friction and heat sufficient to raise the temperature of the weld surfaces to welding temperature. A weld bond is formed by stopping the driving of the workpiece weld surface while applying the pressure between the weld surfaces. Before and/or after the weld bond is formed, at least a portion of the workpiece is machined to form at least a portion of a fluid fitting configured to receive and sealingly attach to a pipe in a non-leaking manner to convey a flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A battery-free wireless sensor system enables high resolution and very accurate measurements of strain or other transducers with small signal outputs. The system may comprise a sensor tag, associated readers and data processing. The sensor tag may be based on passive RFID, or other passive devices that are powered by RF energy and that communicate with the powering source by backscatter, inductive coupling or reflected energy. The system may include a reader that powers the sensor tags with RF energy and that also wirelessly reads data from and writes data to the sensor tag. The reader software or host software may perform operations on the data that enable more accurate and useable information from the sensor tag. The invention may also include methods for data processes that improve the functionality and performance of the sensor system.

Abstract: An energy harvesting RFID circuit is provided for taking measurements wirelessly. The RFID circuit receives an interrogation signal on an input lead from an antenna, and harvests energy which is stored in a charge storage unit that produces a harvested voltage. A boost converter then boosts the harvested voltage to a boosted voltage that is fed as an output voltage to a sensor output lead. A booster switching unit is also provided for activating the boost converter. The booster switching unit does not activate the boost converter until the voltage output by the charge storage unit reaches a first threshold value. Based on the output voltage, one or more sensor input leads receive a measurement input which reflects a sensed value of an object to be measured, such as the strain in a pipe fitting.

Abstract: A battery-free wireless sensor system enables high resolution and very accurate measurements of strain or other transducers with small signal outputs. The system may comprise a sensor tag, associated readers and data processing. The sensor tag may be based on passive RFID, or other passive devices that are powered by RF energy and that communicate with the powering source by backscatter, inductive coupling or reflected energy. The system may include a reader that powers the sensor tags with RF energy and that also wirelessly reads data from and writes data to the sensor tag. The reader software or host software may perform operations on the data that enable more accurate and useable information from the sensor tag. The invention may also include methods for data processes that improve the functionality and performance of the sensor system.