Abstract: A pressure point detector has a simple structure and is capable of detecting which location of a two-dimensional surface such as a circle a pressure is applied can be detected. The pressure point detector includes a flexible insulation member in a predetermined shape, a resistance film formed on one side of the flexible insulation member, a conductive member made of conductive material and established to face the insulation member with a with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a pair of electrodes established on the resistance film in a parallel fashion to produce voltage distribution. The pressure point detector produces an output voltage from the conductive member indicative of a location of the pressure applied to the insulation member.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representable pressure sensors include the presence of a compliant member mounted on a substrate in a manner such that the compliant member has first and second opposing exposed surfaces and is positioned at least proximal to the said pressure sensor's neutral plane. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representative pressure sensors include the presence of at least one strain transducer that is fabricated from a stable gauge material. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to disperse area-wide odors, as generated by municipal waste treatment facilities and the like. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the odor source. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration, and most preferably configured for high volume and low RPM operation, to minimize noise. The method also includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and plant operation conditions in real time and operating the wind machines in response to stagnant, odor producing conditions. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The wind machines can respond to the odor by varying operating parameters such as air flow direction, speed and blade pitch.

Abstract: A multipurpose utility mounting assembly for a handheld field maintenance tool is disclosed. The assembly includes a number of features that allow effective use of the handheld field maintenance tool for a wide variety of mounting techniques that may be encountered in the field. Specifically, the mounting assembly includes features that facilitate handheld use, benchtop use and temporary hanging use. In some embodiments, the multipurpose utility mounting assembly is detachably mountable to a handheld field maintenance tool.

Abstract: A new family of multifunctional smart coatings based on diamond-like atomic-scale composite materials which can provide a real-time control of the surface stress distribution and potentially dangerous stress diagnostic for the most critical parts of flying vehicles. The coating is a silica-stabilized dielectric film, particularly, a diamond-like atomic-scale composite material.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representative pressure sensors include the presence of at least one strain transducer that is fabricated from a stable gauge material. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: An improved conventional steering wheel position sensor including a housing, a main gear, an auxiliary gear enmeshed with the main gear and a ring shield at the auxiliary gear. A ring shield wall of the ring shield has a low rise portion adjacent the main gear and a high rise portion distally therefrom. A truncated plate is connected to the high rise portion, and the auxiliary gear is bearingly mounted to an axle of the truncated plate so as to be rotatable without contacting the ring shield.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representative pressure sensors include the presence of at least one strain transducer that is fabricated from a stable gauge material. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A device for measuring alignment of a golf club is provided, and allows measurement of the lie angle and loft angle simultaneously. The strike face of the club is placed against an abutment member that is fixed to a base member, and held in place with a clamping member. An alignment member is coupled to the base member and spaced from the clamping member in generally opposing relation thereto. The alignment member is movable with respect to the clamping member to receive the golf club shaft in a cradle.

Abstract: A high-performance, fast-response, multi-sensor pressure probe for velocity and pressure measurement applications in unsteady and turbulent flowfields. The invention includes both 5 and 7-sensor probes, hemispherical-tip probes and conical-tip probes of various diameters. The present invention eliminates the need for long pressure tubing in such probes by placing the sensors adjacent the flow apertures which leads to a dramatic response in probe measurement frequency response which extends the use of the invention to unsteady and turbulent flows.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of detecting and quantifying subsurface defects (10) in an article (1) made of high strength non magnetisable materials after the use in a high temperature environment. A crack (8) or gap on a surface (7) of the article (1) is brazed and after the brazing operation the crack (8) or any remaining braze defect or subsurface crack (10) is detected and quantified by means of a multifrequency eddy current system.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same. A feature of of at least some of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. Additional features of representative pressure sensors include the presence of first and second strain transducers that are associated with a compliant member so that their outputs respond oppositely to deflection of the compliant member resulting from differential pressure across the compliant member but respond similarly to deformation of a substrate on which the compliant member is mounted. The subject pressure sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method of setting pre-stressing, by which blades (11) of a granulating head carried by a shaft (12) which is driven by a motor (21) and which is displaceable in the axial direction of a granulating device abut against the perforated plate (8), makes use of the torque of the motor (21) for the said setting. To this end, the shaft (12) is adjusted at a constant speed in both axial directions in succession, the pattern of the torque M of the motor (21) being recorded over the displacement path x of the shaft (12) for both directions. The differential dM/dx is formed from this and the position x0 of the shaft is then determined for dM/dx =0. Starting from the said position x0 a position x=x0+xz of the shaft (12) is set, in which xz represents the desired advance of the shaft (12) in the direction towards the perforated plate (8). The device for carrying out this method provides for a sensing device (66) for the time pattern of the torque M of the motor (21).

Abstract: A beam transducer employs a linear bearing which surrounds the active element of the transducer which is the beam. One end of the bearing is welded to the inactive end of the load beam. The other end of the bearing is not welded, allowing the active end of the beam to move freely. The linear bearing eliminates friction and jamming which will cause inaccurate load measurement, but the ability to allow the active element to move freely with one end free enables the load beam sensitivity to be maximized. The free end is sealed environmentally by employing a flexible metal membrane or diaphragm which is welded between the bearing end and the load beam. This configuration provides a hermetic seal to protect the load beam and the sensitive gages which are placed on the load beam.

Abstract: Force-sensing unit for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock, including a casing with an opening formed in a front side, and further including a moving anchor which is located in the casing and which protrudes through the opening and which has a stop that restricts the movement of the lug from the casing against an elastic support, and a sensor for registering the position of the moving anchor, whereby the casing can be attached between the seatbelt lock and an anchorage, characterized in that the elastic support is provided by a torsion spring supported on the anchor and on the casing on both sides of the anchor.

Abstract: A method for evaluating restitution characteristics of a golf club head with ease and high accuracy compared to conventional methods and devices. The method first acquires a resonance frequency of the impact surface in a mass added state, which is obtained by affixing a mass regulating member having a known mass to the impact surface, and then acquiring a resonance frequency of the impact surface in a non-mass added state, in which the mass regulating member is not affixed to the impact surface, by using a response signal of the impact surface due to the impact vibration; and next computing, by using the resonance frequencies acquired in the mass added state and the non-mass added state, a coefficient of restitution for the impact surface when the impact surface impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: A non-contact method for evaluating stress in a substrate. An impurity is non-uniformly introduced into at least one region of a crystalline substrate. The crystalline substrate is subjected to physical stress. Fluorescence producing energy is directed at the crystalline substrate. A fluorescence produced by the crystalline substrate is measured. The fluorescence is correlated with the stress on the crystalline substrate.

Abstract: The disclosed transducer includes a housing, a diaphragm, an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a first baffle. The housing defines an interior volume. The diaphragm is disposed in the housing and divides the interior volume into a first chamber and a second chamber. The diaphragm flexes in response to pressure differentials in the first and second chambers. The inner conductor is disposed in the first chamber. The outer conductor is disposed in the first chamber around the inner conductor. The first baffle is disposed in the second chamber and defines an inner region, a middle region, and an outer region. The inner region underlies the inner conductor. The middle region underlies the outer conductor. The outer region underlies neither the inner conductor nor the outer conductor. The first baffle defines apertures in at least two of the inner, middle, and outer regions.

Abstract: A device for measuring pressure includes a housing 9 in which a carrier 3 equipped with a sensor element 31 and electrical connection elements 34 is located. The housing 9 is made up of a first housing chamber 4 that encloses the sensor element 31 and is connected with a first pressure channel 13 of a first pressure connection 12. The housing also includes a second housing chamber 5 that is sealed off from the first housing chamber 4 and encloses at least the electrical connection elements 34. The housing 9 has a third housing chamber 6 that is sealed off from the first housing chamber 4 and the second housing chamber 5. The third housing chamber is connected with a second pressure channel 11 of a second pressure connection 10.