Abstract: A boom extension monitoring system is provided that uses a combination of sensors to determine an absolute location and a relative location of the boom. As the boom extends or retracts, the monitoring system can determine the absolute location of the boom as the sum of the absolute at relative distances. These distances can be obtained through a combination of a grid, low-resolution sensors, high-resolution sensors, counters, processors, and other components according to various embodiments described herein. A process to obtain the total boom extension of multiple telescoping beams by monitoring the extension of a single beam element is also described.

Abstract: A dry to wet abrasive blast machine conversion kit and method usable to convert an existing blast pot configured for sand blasting for use in wet abrasive air blasting includes a multi-function fluid manifold, and a control panel attachable to the blast pot to effectuate a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, and a pneumatic circuit. The dry to wet abrasive blast machine conversion kit installs to the existing blast pot as is, and therefore enables conversion for wet abrasive blasting without additional penetrations through the blast pot envelope which might otherwise compromise manufacturer warranty and use ratings.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement machine (CMM) includes a manually-positionable articulated arm. The articulated arm includes arm segments and rotary joints. At least one of the rotary joints includes a bearing assembly that comprises first and second bearings, a shaft that engages an inner race of the first bearing and an inner race of the second bearing, a housing that engages an outer race of the first bearing and an outer race of the second bearing, and a transducer configured to output an angle signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The shaft and the housing may be fabricated from materials having coefficients of thermal expansion selected to minimize change in moment rigidity and/or radial rigidity of the bearing assembly as the ambient temperature changes from the lower limit to the upper limit of the CMM operating ambient temperature range.

Abstract: An adjustable square has a blade including a scale, a body, a slot formed in the body for movably receiving the blade, a locking mechanism operably engaged with the body for releasably securing the blade within the slot, and an indexing member operably engaged with the body and operably engaged with the blade. The indexing member indexes the body at precise locations along the blade. A method for indexing an adjustable square is also provided. The method includes positioning a body of the adjustable square at a precise known position and indexing, with an indexing member of the adjustable square, the body of the adjustable square at the precise known position.

Abstract: A laser-level device has a body having a length, a height and a width, with a base, sides and a top, an upper slider engaging a longitudinal track along the top of the device, connected through a lengthwise channel to a lower slider element within the body, a laser module carrying a laser, engaged in a track curved in an arc of about ninety degrees, and a first link engaged pivotally to the lower slider element on a first end and pivotally to the laser module on a second end. The laser module follows the track curvature in response to translation of the slider along the longitudinal track from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position, and the laser emits a laser beam through the central, lengthwise channel, the beam moving in an arc determined by the track curvature.

Abstract: An articulating probe for a measurement device includes a base platform, a rotor platform that is movable relative to the base platform, and a sensor element coupled to the rotor platform. The rotor platform is coupled to the base platform via a spherical parallel kinematic system.

Abstract: An inductive position detector for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a coil board configuration located along a central axis in the probe. The coil board configuration includes a field generating coil configuration and top and bottom axial and rotary sensing coil configurations. The field generating coil configuration generates a changing magnetic flux, and coil signals indicate conductive disruptor element and/or stylus positions. At least one misalignment compensation element is configured to reduce a signal offset that results from a misalignment of at least one coil of the coil board configuration (e.g., the coil board configuration may comprise a printed circuit board with a plurality of layers in which the coils are located and the misalignment of the at least one coil may result from a registration error, such as within manufacturing tolerances, in a layer to layer registration as part of a fabrication process).

Abstract: A system for determining alignment of a signal includes a light assembly comprising a light source operated by an electronic circuit, a first position sensor configured to measure a geographical direction of the light assembly, a second position sensor configured to measure a tilt angle of the light assembly, and a light communication device configured to receive measurements of the first position sensor and the second position sensor, and wherein the light communication device is configured to evaluate the measurements and determine alignment of the light assembly based on predefined tolerance thresholds for the geographical direction and tilt angle.

Abstract: Combining several capillary tubes in one depth gauge, which measure the depth in different ranges, will allow obtaining a measuring scale close to linear and eliminate the main disadvantage of a capillary depth gauge.

Abstract: A tool and system for measuring the size, position, and spacing of rebar in a concrete structure comprises a card preferably having a linear periphery. Around the periphery are a plurality of cutouts, with each of the cutouts adapted to measure the diameter of a standard rebar. The periphery of the card also has a series of hash marks to determine linear measurements. The amount of clear cover of the resulting concrete is measured by placing the tool on rebar inboard of the formwork and counting the hash marks to the adjacent formwork. The spacing between two rebars is measured by placing the tool on one rebar and counting the hash marks between two rebars. Alternatively, the distance between rebars and rebar overlap length is estimated by using the tool to determine the scale, if the space between bars is and overlap is longer that the tool length.

Abstract: A deformation detection apparatus includes a cell movement-control assembly to handle a linear motion and a rotational motion of a battery cell, a body that supports the cell movement-control assembly, a digital micrometer, and control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a displacement of the battery cell between a first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis through a scanning region of the digital micrometer and a plurality of rotational positions of the battery cell at a plurality of charge states and a plurality of discharge states. The control circuitry measures a plurality of outer diameter values of the battery cell for a plurality of linear positions and a plurality of rotational positions along the longitudinal axis of the battery cell and determines a change in a geometrical shape (deformation and/or strain) of the battery cell for the plurality of linear positions and the plurality of rotational positions.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine acquires measured dimensions of a test workpiece that has been machined with a wire electrode inclined at a given angle with respect to a running direction in which the wire electrode runs; and calculates, based on the measured dimensions, first actual information indicating an actual holding position at which the wire electrode is actually held at a first die guide for guiding the wire electrode to a workpiece, and second actual information indicating an actual holding position at which the wire electrode is actually held at a second die guide for guiding the wire electrode sent from the workpiece, and, when necessary, the wire electrical discharge machine rewrites first information and second information stored in a storage unit to the calculated first actual information and second actual information.

Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting an enclosure alignment anomaly. Pressure data of a set period can be obtained from one or more piezoelectric sensors. The one or more piezoelectric sensors are installed in between an enclosure and a fixture of an autonomous vehicle. The pressure data of the set period can be processed over a period of time. One or more trends can be identified based on the processed pressure data.

Abstract: A mask size gauge for selecting a size of a mask in accordance with a distance in a height direction between an upper reference part in an upper portion of a face of a wearer, and a lower reference part in a lower portion, includes: a reference position indicating portion indicating that the reference position indicating portion is to be placed at a height position of the upper reference part on an outer lateral side of an eye of the wearer; and a size indicating portion that is located at a position which is closer to a middle of the face than the reference position indicating portion, and that indicates the size of the mask according to a height position of the lower reference part.

Abstract: A position verification sensor produces a discrete output for determining an accuracy of mutual mechanical positioning with a key and includes: a substratum; a housing; a receiver pad that: receives contact with the key; produces a target output in contact with the key; and produces a null output in absence of contact with the key; an aperture cap having: a cap surface; and the keyway aperture that selectively communicates the key; and a compliant member that: rests in a primary position in an absence of the key disposed on the cap surface; receives the depression force from the aperture cap; reciprocatively depresses, from the primary position to a depressed position, in response to receiving the depression force and being pushed by the depression force from the key; and reciprocatively returns, from the depressed position to the primary position, when the key is removed from contact with the aperture cap.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a two-point size of a workpiece includes receiving a set of measuring points of the workpiece, determining a longitudinal axis of the workpiece based on the set of measuring points, projecting at least a part of the set of measuring points into a projection plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to obtain a set of projection points, and determining a two-point size of the workpiece based on the projection point.

Abstract: A method is described to compute and display the line length required to troll a fishing rig at a desired depth. Line lengths and respective line angles measured at the surface are used to calculate an approximation to the actual underwater curve profile of the trolled fishing line, which is used to determine the line length required to troll at a desired depth or to determine the resulting depth for a specified line length. An embodiment is described which requires only a smartphone and software beyond standard trolling fishing equipment. This embodiment uses the embedded sensors of the smartphone to collect fishing line angle measurements. Also described is a method and devices to automatically collect the line angles and line lengths using a wireless fishing line inclinometer device and a wireless line counter, which is especially useful and convenient when software is implemented on a mounted marine electronics unit.

Abstract: A flight control surface position sensor assembly for an aircraft including a position indicator positioned on a pulley wherein the pulley is secured to the aircraft and the pulley engages a cable associated with a flight control surface of the aircraft. The flight control surface position sensor assembly further includes a sensor which senses rotation of the position indicator with rotation of the pulley.

Abstract: A device for use with orthopedic surgical fixation devices, and more particularly, to an alignment gauge for use with an external fixation system comprising one or more support members (rings, plates, etc.) connected to one or more bone members wherein a plurality of struts of adjustable length support and/or connect the one or more support members. The alignment gauge indicating to a user, such as a surgeon, the degree of translational offset between one bone member and a center point of at least one of the support members in at least one of an anterior-posterior or medial-lateral plane.