Abstract: A leadless sensor of the type employing a p+ rim which surrounds contact areas, each contact area defined by a metallized portion surrounded by a p+ semiconductor material, which p+ semiconductor materials or fingers are coupled to an active sensor array. The leadless sensor is bonded to a first glass cover member having two slotted apertures which communicate with the active regions of the sensor area on the underside and a top glass contact member which has two slotted regions which communicate with the piezoresistive sensors on the top side of the semiconductor wafer. The glass contact member has a series of corner through holes which are congruent with the contact terminals associated with the semiconductor sensor and which through holes are filled with a glass metal frit to enable contact to be made to the contact terminals of the semiconductor sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (200) for monitoring vehicle tire pressure and warning the driver when a low tire inflation pressure condition occurs includes transponder tags (220a . . . 220d, 300, 300a) and associated sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature) for each tire and a monitor (230a . . . 230d, 400 disposed in close proximity to each tire (204a . . . 204d). In this case manner, a low-powered radio transmission can take place between each tire tag and an associated one of the monitors. Each monitor is connected to a vehicle data bus 206, 430) for communicating, preferably bi-directionally, with a computer (208), and a central display (212) provides visual (or audible) warnings to the operator of the vehicle. The system is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and highly reliable, and conforms to standards established for heavy vehicles, and can be used on passenger car applications as well.

Abstract: A linear displacement sensor (10) has a capacitive transducer (24) having a flexible diaphragm (24c) disposed in a housing (12) which also slidingly mounts a plunger (18) movable toward and away from the diaphragm. The plunger has a spring seating end slidably received in a hollow tubular button (14) with a coil spring disposed in the tubular button between the spring seating end of the plunger and a spring seat of the button. Movement of the button caused by an element whose movement is to be monitored causes a change in the force applied to the diaphragm which is proportional to the movement of the button to provide a corresponding output signal by means of signal conditioning electronics (28) disposed in the housing.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed service block is mounted inside a field wiring compartment of a process fluid transmitter. The service block has field wiring terminals, sealed jumper assemblies and sealed pushbutton switches connected to a sealed cable and plug. The sealed plug plugs into a permanently sealed transmitter assembly. High impedance programming circuitry connected to the jumper assemblies and pushbutton switches is completely sealed and not subject to malfunction due to contamination present in the field wiring compartment.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly may be configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The body includes a device that predictably orients the monitoring assembly when the assembly is floating in the liquid. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.

Abstract: A first cylinder drives a flap to a predetermined down position. Strain gages detect strains at each part of the flap while a load that corresponds to the down position is applied to the flap by a second cylinder that has been moved by an XY table so as to track the down position. Accordingly, actual aerodynamic forces are precisely reproduced by applying a load having a size and a direction that correspond to the down position of the flap. Thus, a stationary load test, a dynamic load test, and a durability test of the flap can be carried out automatically with a small effort and in a short time.

Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a Bourdon tube coupled to a pinion of a spindle with a link and a sector gear, and to rotate the spindle in correspondence with a pressure in the Bourdon tube. The rotational movement of the spindle or the deformation of the Bourdon tube may be converted into a digital output and shown in a displayer. A disc is secured to the spindle and has a number of openings formed in the peripheral portion. A photo detecting device may be used for detecting a light emitted through the openings of the disc and for detecting the rotational movement of the disc.