Abstract: Sensing methods and systems for transformers, and the construction thereof, are described herein. Example transformer systems and example methods for constructing a core for the system are disclosed. The example system includes a core with a bottom plate, two or more limbs mounted to the bottom plate and a top plate enclosing the core. At least one of the bottom plate, the limbs and the top plate is formed with a sensing component therein. The sensing component can be mounted to a spacer layer assembled within a stack of laminated layers. The sensing component can be mounted within a path defined within the spacer layer, for example. Methods for detecting operating conditions within the transformer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Circuitries for controlling a power consuming device are disclosed. Methods for operating the circuitries and manufacturing the circuitries are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the circuit comprises a first thin-film transistor (TFT), a second TFT, and a storage capacitor. The first TFT is configured to output a current to a power consuming device. The second TFT is configured to provide a control voltage to the first TFT for controlling an amount of the current. The storage capacitor is configured to store the control voltage.

Abstract: Methods of sensor readout and calibration and circuits for performing the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include driving an active sensor at a voltage. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration sensor, and the circuits include the calibration sensor. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration current source and circuits include the calibration current source. In some embodiments, a sensor circuit includes a Sigma-Delta ADC. In some embodiments, a column of sensors is readout using first and second readout circuits during a same row time.

Abstract: There is accordingly provided a device for measuring a person's ventilation including oxygen consumption. The device includes a breathing conduit with at least one sensor sampling port. The device includes a dehumidification conduit extending from the sensor sampling port towards a sensor. The dehumidification conduit has a proximal end portion flush with the sensor sampling port. The dehumidification conduit has a longitudinal axis about which the proximal end portion thereof extends. The breathing conduit is shaped to promote a flow of air adjacent the sensor sampling port in one or more directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A measurement system, its assembly and use are disclose. The system may include an instrument for making sensor measurements. The instrument has a substantially cylindrical housing. The shape and size allow the instrument to easily fit in an average hand enabling handheld operation. The housing houses a board stack of electronic boards. These electronics drive an electrical signal in at least one drive channel and measure responses from at least two sensing channels. These responses are provided to a processor for analysis. The instrument has a sensor connector that enables simultaneous electrical and mechanical attachment of an end effector.

Abstract: Disclose is a system and method for real-time measurement and feedback of metrology and metallurgical data during additive manufacturing (AM) part fabrication. This solution promises to provide higher performance, lower cost AM parts. A sensor is placed either in the rake/roller or following the rake/roller so that it has no impact on the process efficiency and can be used to provide real-time feedback and an archived digital map of the entire part volume. The solution provides non-contact sensing of AM layer's electrical conductivity in a high-temperature environment, metallurgical property verification, porosity imaging, local defect detection and sizing, local material temperature monitoring, and grain anisotropy imaging. Part geometry, the AM powder, and the laser/material interface are monitored in real-time. Dual mode sensing using magnetoquasistatic and optical sensors enhance results. Real-time nonlinear control of the AM fabrication process is performed based on the sensor data.

Abstract: Eddy current sensing is governed by the diffusion equation of magnetoquasistatic fields. As such the eddy current sensor's proximity to the object to be inspected (i.e., “liftoff”) significantly affects the sensor's response signal. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving performance for an eddy current sensor, though they may also be used for other sensor types. These solutions are beneficial for both single channel eddy current sensors and arrays, and are particularly beneficial for measuring parts with complex surfaces. In some aspects improved performance is achieved by varying the stiffness of the mechanical support for the sensor. Some mechanical supports may exhibit anisotropic stiffness. After performing a scan with an eddy current array, a multi-channel shape filtering module is applied to improve defect detection. The module reduces the variability of defect response measured due to the unpredictability of the defect location transverse to the scan direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, electromechanical systems including a semiconductor layer that has a planar surface and includes conductive and adjacent non-conductive regions and a hermetic seal applied above the planar surface and methods of manufacturing the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, electromechanical devices that include first and second planar semiconductor layers are disclosed. Each of the semiconductor layers includes conductive regions, and at least one conductive region from each of the layers is electrically coupled to each other. Methods of manufacturing the electromechanical devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer program products for measuring the speed of an object. A speed measuring device includes a rangefinder module configured to measure distances from the device to a target object. Activating the device causes the device to measure a first distance from the device to the object along a first line-of-sight, and a second distance from the device to the object along a second line-of-sight. The device determines an angular displacement between the first line-of-sight and the second line-of-sight, and one or more of an elapsed time between measuring the first distance and measuring the second distance and a radial velocity of the object. The device then determines the absolute speed of the object based on the first distance, the second distance, the angular displacement, and one or more of the elapsed time and radial velocity.

Abstract: A measurement system, its assembly and use are disclose. The system may include an instrument for making sensor measurements. The instrument has a substantially cylindrical housing. The shape and size allow the instrument to easily fit in an average hand enabling handheld operation. The housing houses a board stack of electronic boards. These electronics drive an electrical signal in at least one drive channel and measure responses from at least two sensing channels. These responses are provided to a processor for analysis. The instrument has a sensor connector that enables simultaneous electrical and mechanical attachment of an end effector.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing pit detection and sizing in a test object. Response signatures are created and stored in a signature library to characterize various sensor responses (liftoff, orientation) and pit properties (e.g., depth, width), possibly with or without additional considerations (e.g., edges, cracks). A sensor is placed on and scanned across a surface of interest on the test object. During scanning the sensor is measured repeatedly at regular intervals. An encoder may be used to record the sensor position for each measurement. The measurement results are then correlated with one or more signatures in the signature library. A threshold is used to determine if the correlation is indicative of the detection of a pit. If so additional processing may be performed to estimate pit properties.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing a hole inspection performance study. Specimens for the performance study are made from a reconfigurable set of inspection plates. Each plate includes multiple test holes which are located symmetrically. The plates may be of various thicknesses and materials. Each test hole may or may not have a feature such as a crack or machining notch. Such features may be located at various positions of the hole, such as at an edge, within the bore, and at various circumferential positions. A specimen is formed by stacking two or more plates and securing the stack together with an alignment tool. A variety of specimens may be formed by using different combinations of inspection plates and flipping and rotating the member plates. A hole inspection system is disclosed as well as an inspection procedure and data processing algorithm for inspecting each hole.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for inspecting challenging material locations such as holes. The system may include a sensor cartridge (“mandrel”) for hole inspection that has a helical portion to which a sensor array is attached. The radius of the helical portion can be increased or decreased by applying a torque to the helical portion thereby allowing the sensor to be inserted into a hole or pressed against the wall of the hole. A scanner is described to which mandrels can be quickly connected and changed enabling an inspector to quickly switch between different mandrels (e.g., for different holes sizes and sensor configurations). Also disclosed is an inspection procedure and data processing algorithm for performing an inspection. The data processing algorithm utilizes a signature library for enhancing the detection or sizing of features of interest such as cracks. The algorithm and library can account for material edges, various material types.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that improve the reliability and configurability of sensor systems.

Abstract: A high precision rotation sensor comprises an inertial mass suspended from a base wherein the mass is responsive to rotational inputs that apply loads to load-sensitive resonators whose changes in resonant frequency are related to the applied loads.

Abstract: Eddy current sensing is governed by the diffusion equation of magnetoquasistatic fields. As such the eddy current sensor's proximity to the object to be inspected (i.e., “liftoff”) significantly affects the sensor's response signal. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving performance for an eddy current sensor, though they may also be used for other sensor types. These solutions are beneficial for both single channel eddy current sensors and arrays, and are particularly beneficial for measuring parts with complex surfaces. In some aspects improved performance is achieved by varying the stiffness of the mechanical support for the sensor. Some mechanical supports may exhibit anisotropic stiffness. After performing a scan with an eddy current array, a multi-channel shape filtering module is applied to improve defect detection. The module reduces the variability of defect response measured due to the unpredictability of the defect location transverse to the scan direction.

Abstract: A tank and liquid level indicator has first housing that holds a liquid and a second elongated housing in fluid communication with the first elongated housing so that a liquid level in the second housing is approximately equal to the level in the first housing. A float in the second housing cooperates with the circuitry to operate one or more light switches. A light-transmissive cover is disposed over the light source.

Abstract: Designs of an anti-blooming sensing element or simply sensor are described. According to one aspect of the designs, each sensing element includes a photosensor, a pair of first and second circuits, a store device and a readout circuit. The first and second circuits, sandwiching the photosensor from a circuit perspective, are mirrored and balanced in impedance. The first circuit provides an inherent mechanism to discharge excessive charge accumulated on the photosensor before a predefined exposure time ends. Each of the two circuits includes two transistors.

Abstract: There is provided a device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption. The device includes a tubular member with a first tapered portion through which an exhalation of air enters into the device, a second tapered portion, and a constriction between the portions thereof. The devices includes a flow sensing mechanism in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device includes an oxygen sensor in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device is configured such that the oxygen sensor is passively supplied a portion of the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first tapered portion and at least one of ambient air and the constriction of the tubular member.

Abstract: A sensor module includes at least a camera module and one or more machine learning (ML) inference application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which are configured to detect the presence of people in an elevator. The sensor module includes at least one processor, which executes instructions that enable the sensor module to detect, count, and anonymously track one or more persons in an elevator. The sensor module may also sensors, such as an accelerometer and an altimeter, which are used to estimate the kinematic state of the elevator. The camera, ML ASIC(s), sensors, and embedded application enable the sensor device to anonymously monitor the movement of people through a building via the elevator. The ML ASIC(s) allow the sensor module to count occupants in the elevator in near-real time, enabling the sensor to transmit signals for controlling aspects of the elevator system.