Abstract: A pinch detection system and method controls the speed of a motor moving an object by first calculating the actual motor force and then comparing the actual motor force with a reference force value in a reference field. A pinch condition is indicated if the difference between the actual force and the reference force exceeds a selected pinch threshold. The difference is also used to update the reference field, the pinch threshold and the desired speed of the motor so that the reference field will eventually reflect the actual force profile of the object. The updated pinch threshold is also used to control the motor speed so that the pinching force remains constant regardless of the pinch threshold value.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measure device with air bearings includes a base member having a platform horizontally securely thereon. A bridge is slidably mounted on the platform and moved along a first dimension. The bridge includes a first support and a second support respectively supporting a horizontal portion of the bridge. A runner is slidably mounted on the horizontal portion and moved along a second dimension. A tubular shaft is reciprocally and moved received in the runner and moved along a three dimension. A probe is longitudinally movably received in the tubular shaft. The air bearings are mounted between two adjacent elements that are moved relative to each other. Each air bearing has a resilient member mounted and previously compressed therein to provide an act force to the air bearing for adjusting a gap between the two adjacent elements that are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for proof testing an optical waveguide fiber includes a first capstan defining a first outer diameter and a continuous first capstan belt under tension and in contact with the first outer diameter of the first capstan. The contact between the first capstan belt and the first capstan defining a first arc of contact, and the first capstan belt defining a first width, a first thickness and a first length. The apparatus further includes a second capstan defining a second outer diameter and a continuous second capstan belt under tension and in contact with the outer diameter of the second capstan. The contact between the second capstan belt and the second capstan defining a second arc of contact, second capstan belt defining a second width, second thickness and a second belt length. The first arc of contact being equal to or greater than about 105° and the second arc of contact being at least 20° greater than the first arc of contact.

Abstract: A rotation sensor functioning as both a rotation-angle sensor and a torque sensor is provided which, when applied to a steering sensor for an automobile, for example, permits reduction in the number of components and thus in the weight of the automobile and contributes to conservation of global environment. The rotation sensor has slip rings covered with conductive synthetic resin having small coefficient of friction, allowing the contact pressure of brushes disposed in sliding contact with the slip rings to be kept low and the life duration of the slip rings to be prolonged. Further, no metal powder is produced when the brushes slide on the respective slip rings, and it is therefore possible to prevent the formation of unwanted insulating film.

Abstract: A method for creating a correction value table for a test variable for identifying the pressure loss in a tire of a vehicle comprises the steps of determining a driving dynamics variable of the vehicle, determining a correction value for the test variable, and storing the said in dependence on the value of the driving dynamics variable that prevailed during the correction value determination. A method of determining a corrected test variable for identifying a pressure loss in the tire of a vehicle comprises the steps of determining a test variable from the wheel radii or from variables that mirror these wheel radii of at least two wheels, preparing a correction value table by means of the method as described hereinabove, determining a driving dynamics variable of the vehicle, reading out of a correction value from the table in accordance with the value of the driving dynamics variable, and correcting the test variable by means of the correction value.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a thin film material. A chip is fabricated that includes the specimen to be tested, held by a force sensor beam at a first longitudinal end and by a support structure at a second longitudinal end. The chip is configured to be placed into a testing environment for quantitative and qualitative material property testing of the specimen. Methods are also provided for fabricating a testing chip.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device having a temperature sensor includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a sensor casing for accommodating the pressure sensor and a connector pin for electrically connecting the pressure sensor to an outside circuit, and an inlet port mounted on the sensor casing and having a pressure introduction port for introducing a measuring object to the pressure sensor. The temperature sensor comprises a temperature sensing element and a pair of lead wires and is disposed in the pressure introduction port. The lead wires of the temperature sensor are welded to and supported by the connector pin. One of the lead wires is formed as a U-shape and inserted into the pressure introduction port while the U-shaped lead wire is inwardly depressed, so that a reaction force is generated at the lead wire, which outwardly urges the lead wire and the temperature sensing element to an inner wall of the pressure introduction port.

Abstract: A passive SAW strain sensor for remotely sensing strain within a surface has a receiving SAW correlator with a signal input interdigitated transducer and a plurality of adjacent successive spaced interdigitated output transducers on a piezoelectric substrate, and a transmitting SAW correlator having a plurality of adjacent successive spaced interdigitated output transducers and a signal output interdigitated transducer on a piezoelectric substrate. The transmitting SAW correlator is affixed to or embedded in the surface such that its substrate will be stressed when the surface is strained and the receiving SAW correlator is not affixed to or embedded in the surface. The output transducers of the receiving SAW correlator and the transmitting SAW correlator are spatially placed to define a unique frequency of sensitivity, and their outputs are coupled together.

Abstract: A block test stand includes a body having a base and two rods each having a first end secured on the base and a second end having a barrel laterally secured on the two rods. A bearing member is partially slidably received in the barrel. The bearing member includes a piston cap slidably received in the barrel, and a piston is received in the piston cap and extends through the barrel. A connector is secured on a distal end of the piston. A bearing seat is connected to the connector. The bearing seat includes a block and a spheroid secured on the block. The spheroid is partially universally received in the socket in the connector and a concentric ring is sleeved on the connector and secured on the block to hold the block in place.

Abstract: A part where a creep void is recognized is observed at an arbitrary magnification by a scanning electron microscope, an optical microscope, and a laser microscope, and the maximum value of creep void crystal grain boundary occupancy is measured in the field of view. The maximum value is applied to a a master curve corrected from the results of a test of simulating an actual machine and a test piece of actual machine size, taking account of internal damage of the machine. Thus the creep lifetime consumption rate of a member is estimated easily with high accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a torque detector. The torque includes a synchronous detector, a bridge circuit and a signal converter. The synchronous detector detects an AC voltage signal having a preset DC voltage level and a certain frequency, and generates a detection output signal. In the bridge circuit, a torque detection coil whose inductance varies with rotation of a steering wheel and a temperature compensation coil whose inductance varies with temperature variation are connected in series to each other. The detection output signal and the DC voltage are applied to both ends of the two connected coils, respectively. The bridge circuit allows a first detection voltage to be induced at a connecting point between the two coils by variation of the inductance of the two coils. The signal converter generates a torque detection signal having an amplitude corresponding to a difference between peak values of a preset reference voltage and the first detection voltage.

Abstract: A pressure sensor having a radially tensioned diaphragm for measuring fluid pressure. The pressure sensor includes a first generally concave metal body member and a second generally concave metal body member, and a radially tensioned flexible metal diaphragm located therebetween that is tensioned by heating the sensor. The first and second body members are formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of approximately 0.0000056 inch/inch/° F. to 0.0000064 inch/inch/° F. The diaphragm is formed from a precipitation hardening metal material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately 0.0000060 inch/inch/° F. The first body member and the second body member are formed from a ferromagnetic metal material such that the first and second body members shield the diaphragm from magnetic fields which may otherwise cause movement of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A force transducer is inserted into a small boring inside a test object. Inside the boring, it can measure the elastic extensions caused by the surrounding stress matrix. The force transducer is provided in two parts. Both parts are provided with a conical inner boring or conical outer periphery in such a manner that they can be held inside the boring of the test object by a tractive force. In order to span a large tolerance zone, the outer part is axially provided with multiple slits on both sides. The outer part is provided with a polygonal shape and thereby detects the deformations to be measured, not over the entire periphery, but it records theres via the contacts axially oriented through the axial lines. The extension is integrated in a peripheral direction between the contacts and is transferred into the inner part.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tire condition sensor capsule to a wheel rim comprises a housing having a receptacle having a shape complementary to the capsule to receive the capsule snugly therein, a lock on the housing, cooperating with a surface on the capsule to lock the housing to the capsule; and a connector for connecting the housing the wheel rim such that the capsule is between a portion of the wheel rim and the receptacle.

Abstract: A moisture detection system includes an electrical conductor disposed on a surface of a substrate. The electrical conductor has a resonant frequency that varies as a function of an amount of moisture present adjacent the electrical conductor. An oscillator outputs an oscillator signal at a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency. A resonator circuit is coupled to the electrical conductor and is responsive to the oscillator signal and the resonant frequency of the electrical conductor for outputting a resonator signal having an amplitude related to the resonant frequency of the electrical conductor. A filter circuit rectifies and filters the resonator signal and provides it to an analog-to-digital converter which outputs a digital signal related to the rectified and filtered resonator signal. A controller is responsive to the digital signal for causing a system associated with the substrate to operate in accordance with the digital signal.

Abstract: A system for producing tires having a toroidal carcass, a tread and defined internally by two annular beads. The system includes a production line for manufacturing the tires and a control station for measuring the electrical conductivity of each tire. The production line includes a conveyor which transports the tires between successive parts of the system. A pair of gripping bodies engages the bead portion of the tires and moves the tires vertically from a start position to a measuring position. At least one of the gripping bodies being electrically connected to a first terminal of a measuring instrument. A conducting element is electrically connected to a second terminal of the measuring instrument and is moved into contact with the tread of the tires. The measuring instrument measures the electrical conductivity between the tread and the bead portion of the tires.

Abstract: A method and sheet-like sensor for measuring stress distribution including a grid of members which change in resistance when subjected to strain, the members intersecting at internal nodes and intersecting at boundary nodes at the periphery of the grid defining a plurality of legs. An analyzer is electrically connected only to the boundary nodes and configured to calculate any change in resistance in all of the legs based solely on the measured resistance of the legs between the boundary nodes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detection of susceptibility to moisture damage for asphalt mixes. A sample of asphalt mix is placed inside a chamber, which is partially filled with water. An increased air pressure is applied to the chamber. A controlled evacuation of the water from the chamber takes place while the increased pressure is maintained in the chamber. Pressure is released from the chamber and water is returned to the chamber. The cycle is repeated a predetermined number of times. Changes in conductivity and turbidity of the water may be monitored to indicate mixture stripping. When a chosen number of cycles of a pressurized emptying and filling of the chamber is complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and tested against a controlled sample. The test procedure adapts itself readily to a dual chamber design so that two samples may be tested simultaneously. A vacuum may also be applied to the chamber in addition to pressurizing the chamber.

Abstract: A load cell includes a strain gage on a narrow sensing section of a beam element, on a planar outer surface facing outwardly from the median plane extending longitudinally through the cell. A cup-shaped seal cap enclosing the strain gage is laser welded onto the outer surface of the beam element to form a hermetic seal. A wiring tunnel in the load cell body leads from inside the seal cap into an electronics cavity for wires to pass from the strain gage to electronic circuitry. The load cell body and seal caps, made of stainless steel or titanium, are hermetically sealed for use in harsh environments. The seal caps have a minimal influence on strain in the sensing sections. The load cell has a low-end capacity of 5 kg or less.

Abstract: An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to the translating device. The sensor has first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance. The conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance. The sensor has a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the sensor. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one conductors. A controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the conductors to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.