Abstract: An encasing film for a galvanic element has at least one force sensor for detecting an expansion state of the encasing film. The encasing film is produced from an elastic and electrically insulating material, e.g., plastic. The force sensor, which has a strain gauge, is situated on a surface of the encasing film.

Abstract: A pressure array sensor module, comprising an array electrode board, a plurality of pressure sensing elements, at least one first conductive structure and at least one second conductive structure is provided. The array electrode board comprises a substrate and an electrode array disposed on the substrate and having a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern. Each pressure sensing element is disposed at a sensing position on the array electrode board, and comprises a top electrode layer, a bottom electrode layer and at least one pressure sensing layer disposed between the top electrode layer and the bottom electrode layer. The top electrode layer has a first lead. The bottom electrode layer has a second lead. The first conductive structure electrically connects the first lead and the corresponding first electrode pattern. The second conductive structure electrically connects the second lead and the corresponding second electrode pattern.

Abstract: The present invention has been made to improve measurement accuracy of a thermal flow meter. In the thermal flowmeter according to the invention, a circuit package (400) that measures a flow rate is molded in a first resin molding process. In a second resin molding process, a housing (302) having an inlet trench (351), a bypass passage trench on frontside (332), an outlet trench (353), and the like are formed through resin molding, and an outer circumferential surface of the circuit package (400) produced in the first resin molding process is enveloped by a resin in the second resin molding process to fix the circuit package (400) to the housing (302).

Abstract: A flow rate sensor includes: a housing made from a resin material and having a bottom base portion and a side wall, at least one surface side of the housing being open; a cover made from a resin material, covering the one surface side of the housing, welded to an upper surface of the side wall of the housing, and defining, with the bottom base portion and the side wall of the housing, an auxiliary passage within which a gas to be measured flows that is taken in from a main passage; and a flow rate detection unit disposed within the auxiliary passage. A protruding portion for height control is provided to one of the housing and the cover at least in a vicinity of the side wall around the flow rate detection unit so as to suppress sinking in of the cover during welding.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes an auxiliary channel having an opening into which a fluid to be measured is taken; a sensor element that measures the flow of the fluid to be measured; a housing that accommodates electronic parts; and a resin cover. The flow sensor is configured such that junctions of the housing and the cover are formed in locations where first target weld portions, which are formed so that the circuit chamber is surrounded, face each other and second target weld portions, which are disposed for additional reinforcement of the joints, face each other on a bonding face of the housing and a bonding face of the cover with a step being provided. The positioning of the housing and the cover is determined, and the first target weld portions are welded to each other and second target weld portions are welded to each other by way of laser radiation.

Abstract: There is provided a displacement sensor which can precisely detect the amount of displacement given by an operator. A touch sensor which is a type of the displacement sensor has a piezoelectric element, a voltage converting unit and a detecting unit. The piezoelectric element instantaneously generates a voltage proportional to a pressing force (the amount of pressing). The voltage converting unit converts the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element, into a voltage proportional to a transition determined based on a predetermined time constant determined by an impedance of a resistor of the voltage converting unit and capacitances of a capacitor and the piezoelectric element, and a pressing force. The detecting unit integrates output voltages of the voltage converting unit, and calculates the pressing force (the amount of pressing) based on an integration value.

Abstract: A physical quantity measuring sensor includes: a joint having a projection; a ceramic sensor module including a diaphragm and a cylindrical portion integrated with the diaphragm and provided to the projection; and an O-ring interposed between a sensor-module flat portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the cylindrical portion and a joint flat portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the projection.

Abstract: A load can be applied to a beam and a property of the load can be calculated. In one example, a first shear gauge can be configured for positioning on a neutral axis of a beam on one side of a force that the beam is subjected to. Similarly, a second shear gauge can be configured for positioning on the neutral axis of the beam on an opposite side of the force to the first shear gauge. A calculator can be configured to identify a characteristic of the force through use of an output of the first shear gauge and through use of an output of the second shear gauge.

Abstract: A relative rotational angular displacement detection device includes a pair of rotatable members rotatable relative to each other in a circumferential direction. A permanent magnet is attached to one of the rotatable members and includes magnetic poles magnetized in an axial direction of the axis of rotation and arranged to alternate in polarity in the circumferential direction. A magnetic flux guiding ring includes an annular ring body attached to the other of the rotatable members and is arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation, and a plurality of protruding portions each having a circumferential width smaller than the circumferential width of the magnetic pole. A magnetic detection unit is configured to detect magnetic fluxes of the ring body of the magnetic flux guiding ring. The magnetic flux guiding ring is magnetized depending on the positions of the protruding portions relative to the positions of the magnetic poles.

Abstract: Pressure transmitters mounted on a panel are arranged so as to ease and facilitate their calibration. More particularly, curved tubing portions are interposed between the drain/vent valves and transmitter bases of the pressure transmitters so as to cause the drain/vent valves to face outwardly from the panel in the same direction that pressure valves on the transmitter base face. Common fluid lines together with a pressurization valve are provided to simultaneously pressurize multiple pressure transmitters to further ease the calibration process.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to chromatography systems that include a microfluidic device configured to provide three-way switching or switching between three or more inputs or outputs. The microfluidic device can be fluidically coupled to one or more switching valves to provide for selective control of fluid flow in the chromatography system.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal flow meter to improve the measurement accuracy of a temperature detector provided in a thermal flow meter. The thermal flow meter includes a bypass passage through which a measurement target gas 30 flowing through a main passage flows, and a circuit package 400 which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion 452 for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas. The circuit package 400 includes a circuit package body which is molded by a resin to internally envelope the measurement circuit and a protrusion 424 molded by the resin. The temperature detecting portion 452 is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion 424, and at least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from a housing 302.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system incorporates various embodiments in design and processing to achieve a very high ratio of energy stored per unit cost. The system uses a high-strength steel rotor rotating in a vacuum envelope. The rotor has a geometry that ensures high yield strength throughout its cross-section using various low-cost quenched and tempered alloy steels. Low-cost is also achieved by forging the rotor in a single piece with integral shafts. A high energy density is achieved with adequate safety margins through a pre-conditioning treatment. The bearing and suspension system utilizes an electromagnet that off-loads the rotor allowing for the use of low-cost, conventional rolling contact bearings over an operating lifetime of several years.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for exposing an associated specimen(s) to motions along multiple axes is provided. The testing apparatus includes a test chamber and first, second, third, and fourth devices that impose different kinematic motions or forces on the specimen. A drive mechanism is connected to the first, second, third, and fourth devices so that motion from a single axis is conveyed by the first, second, third and fourth devices to deliver the desired kinematic motions and/or forces to the test chamber(s). At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth devices includes an adjustment mechanism to modify at least one of the devices.

Abstract: A method for performing distributed pressure sensing including the steps of, forming a grating in a birefringent fiber, measuring the birefringence distribution along the length of the birefringent fiber, and determining pressure present along the length of the fiber using the measured the birefringence distribution. The invention also relates to a corresponding sensing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an effective wind speed are disclosed. A system includes a first detector, a second detector and a processing unit. The first detector includes a heated temperature-sensing element having a heater and a first temperature sensor, and a first housing at least partially housing the heated temperature-sensing element. The second detector includes a non-heated temperature-sensing element having a second temperature sensor, a second housing at least partially housing the non-heated temperature-sensing element. The processing unit can be adapted to determine the effective wind speed according to a temperature at the heated temperature-sensing element, a temperature at the non-heated temperature-sensing element, and/or a difference between these temperatures and in accordance with an algorithm or table of values.

Abstract: To improve measurement accuracy of a thermal flow meter. The present invention provides a thermal flow meter, in which a protrusion 356 having an orifice surface 503 and a recovery surface 505 is provided on a wall surface 501 of a bypass passage, an intersection line 506 between the orifice surface 503 and the wall surface 501 is arranged in an upstream side from an upstream side end 401 of a circuit package 400, an intersection line 507 between the recovery surface 505 and the wall surface 501 is arranged in a downstream side from a downstream side end 402 of the circuit package 400, and an apex 504 of the protrusion 356 is arranged in a downstream side from a heat transfer surface of an air flow sensing portion 602 and in an upstream side from the downstream side end 402 of the circuit package 400.

Abstract: A signal compensation unit includes an adjustment section configured to adjust temporal variation characteristics of a detection signal obtained by a bend sensor. The adjustment section includes: a signal amplifier including a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, and an output terminal, and amplifying the detection signal; and a resistor for adjustment of the temporal variation characteristics disposed between the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal of the signal amplifier.

Abstract: A tailstock assembly includes a housing, a torque cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a first load range, and a load cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a second load range that is different from the first load range. The tailstock assembly is configured so that the torque cell can be selectively mechanically isolated from the housing. In particular, the torque cell and the load cell are supported on the housing through a low friction bearing, and the tailstock assembly can be selectively switched between a first measurement mode in which the torque cell is fixed to the housing, and a second measurement mode in which the torque cell is mechanically isolated from housing via the bearing. The tailstock assembly may be used as part of a brake dynamometer for accurately measuring both active braking torques and residual drag torques.