Abstract: A method for estimating damping characteristics of shock absorbers in an active or semi-active suspension involves providing a reference model of a nominal relation between a road severity index related to vertical acceleration values, and the mean driving current of the control valves of the shock absorbers, acquiring respective relative acceleration or speed data of at least the front wheels of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body, determining a value of the road severity index starting from relative acceleration or speed data of the front wheels of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle body, acquiring values representative of the mean driving current of the control valve of each shock absorber, comparing acquired value of the mean driving current with an expected value of the nominal mean driving current determined as a function of the road severity index according to the reference model, and determining a degradation condition if the acquired value does not correspond to the expected value.

Abstract: According to some aspects, there is provided a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device wherein one or more components of the MEMS device exhibit attenuated motion relative to one or more other moving components. The MEMS device may comprise a substrate; a proof mass coupled to the substrate and configured to move along a resonator axis; and a first shuttle coupled to the proof mass and comprising one of a drive structure configured to drive the proof mass along the resonator axis or a sense structure configured to move along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the resonator axis in response to motion of the proof mass along the resonator axis, wherein displacement of at least a first portion of the proof mass is attenuated relative to displacement of the first shuttle and/or a second portion of the proof mass.

Abstract: The MEMS gyroscope is formed by a substrate, a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first and the second masses are suspended over the substrate and extend, at rest, in a plane of extension defining a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction. The MEMS gyroscope further has a drive structure coupled to the first mass and configured, in use, to cause a movement of the first mass in the first direction, and an elastic coupling structure, which extends between the first mass and the second mass and is configured to couple the movement of the first mass in the first direction with a movement of the second mass in the second direction. The elastic coupling structure has a first portion having a first stiffness and a second portion having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a method of separating a sample (e.g., pharmaceutical drug, genotoxic impurity, biomarker, and/or biological metabolite) including coating a metallic flow path of a chromatographic system; injecting the sample into the chromatographic system; flowing the sample through the chromatographic system; separating the sample; and analyzing the separated sample using mass spectroscopy. In some examples, the coating applied to the surfaces defining the flow path is non-binding with respect to the sample—and the separated sample. Consequently, the sample does not bind to the low-binding surface of the coating of the flow path. The applied coating can increase the chromatographic peak area for the sample of the chromatographic system.

Abstract: A gyro sensor includes a substrate, a fixed section fixed to the substrate, a driving section configured to perform driving along an X axis parallel to a principal plane of the substrate, a mass section coupled to the driving section and displaced along the X axis, a detecting section coupled to the mass section, capable of turning around a Z axis crossing the X axis, and capable of being displaced along the Z axis by a Coriolis force acting on a turning motion horizontal to the substrate, and an elastic section coupling the detecting section and the fixed section. The fixed section is disposed between the center of gravity of the detecting section and the mass section in a plan view.

Abstract: A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.

Abstract: A micromechanical rate-of-rotation sensor set-up, including a first rate-of-rotation sensor device capable of being driven rotationally by a driving device via a drive frame device, so as to oscillate about a first axis, and is for measuring a first outer rate of rotation about a second axis and a second outer rate of rotation about a third axis; and a second rate-of-rotation sensor device capable of being driven by the driving device via the drive frame device, so as to oscillate linearly along the second axis, and is for measuring a third outer rate of rotation about the first axis. The first rate-of-rotation sensor device is connected to the second rate-of-rotation sensor device by the drive frame device. The drive frame device includes a first and second drive frame, which may be driven by the driving device in phase opposition, along the third axis, in an oscillatory manner.

Abstract: Angular sensor with vibrating resonator includes a supporting structure, a first mass and a second mass which are concentric, and mechanical springs arranged symmetrically in pairs, the pairs themselves being arranged symmetrically with respect to one another. Each spring comprises a first elastic leaf and a second elastic leaf which are connected to one another by one end, the first elastic leaf of one of the springs of each pair being parallel to the second elastic leaf of the other of the springs of the same pair. The four elastic leaves of at least one pair comprise two adjacent pairs of leaves making an angle of approximately 45° between them. The sensor is not provided with electrostatic springs.

Abstract: An engaging portion 30 is provided which is engageable with a portion-to-be-engaged 11b a displaceable integrally with a developer receiving portion 11 with a mounting operation of a developer supply container 1 to displace 11 in an upward direction U to bring a receiving opening into communication with a discharge opening. An engaging portion 30 includes a first engagement surface 31a extending in the upward direction U as going toward a developer accommodating portion of the developer supply container 1, and a second engagement surface 32a provided at a position closer to the developer accommodating portion than the first engagement surface 31a. When the receiving opening in communication with a shutter opening, a height of an end of the first engagement surface 31a close to the developer accommodating portion is higher than the second engagement surface 32a.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device with a milking control, a milk line, and a sampling/analysis device. The milking control controls the milking based on said analysis. The sampling/analysis device includes a reagent carrier, including a tape with a first side with a reagent pad that detects the presence of a substance in the milk sample and a second side, a dosing device to provide a droplet of said sample onto the reagent pad, a source for emitting source radiation onto the reagent pad, and a sensor to detect response radiation emitted by the reagent pad, and to analyse the detected response radiation to indicate the presence or concentration of said substance. The first side faces away from the sensor during analysing by the sensor. By viewing “from below”, the observed reaction in the reagent is cleaner, and suffers less from artefacts, and the camera will stay cleaner.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transporting sample using a first vacuum configuration and subsequently isolating the sample at a valve prior to introduction to an analysis system, where a second vacuum configuration transports other fluids through the system. A system embodiment can include, but is not limited to, a valve system including a first valve in fluid communication with a sample reservoir and a second valve having at least a first vacuum configuration to fluidically couple a first vacuum line with the first valve and having a second vacuum configuration to fluidically couple a second vacuum line with the first valve; a sensor system configured to detect presence or absence of a fluid at the first valve; and a controller configured to control operation of the second valve to block access of the first vacuum line to the first valve upon detection of the fluid at the first valve.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device is provided. A vibrating structure gyroscope included in the device employs a temporal differential sensing method alone or a spatial differential sensing method in combination with the temporal differential sensing method. When used in combination, the temporal sensing method may be applied before the spatial sensing method or applied after the spatial sensing method. The temporal differential sensing samples signals at times t1 and t2 when velocity of a sensing mass within the vibrating structure gyroscope is maximum and has an opposite sign. The temporal sensing method improves Euler and Centrifugal forces cancellation and increases the signal to noise ratio if forces remain equal at times t1 and t2. Applying a high sampling speed can result in times t1 and t2 being sufficiently close to each other and therefore cancel any error terms associated with Euler and Centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A pressure sensor array can be used to record a pressure distribution in gait analysis and/or tactile sensing applications. The pressure sensor array can include a piezo-resistive material and a uniform distribution of a plurality of flexible circuits. Each of the plurality of flexible circuits comprise at least one wire connecting an internal portion of a respective flexible circuit to a common port. A device housing the pressure sensor array can be customized to a size and used for a gait analysis and/or tactile sensing application. The arrangement of the wiring permits partial sensors to be used as part of the pressure sensor array during the gait analysis and/or tactile sensing application.

Abstract: Provided are a protecting trolley and a construction method of rock burst prewarning protection system in non-contact tunnel construction. The protecting trolley includes a framework, a walking assembly, a rockfall buffering assembly, a spraying assembly and a rock burst prewarning system. The rockfall buffering assembly includes an arch frame in a fixed connection with the framework and a protecting net fixed on the arch frame. The spraying assembly includes a track car in connection with the rockfall buffering assembly and a spraying hose fixed on the track car, and the spraying hose sprays towards the surrounding rock. The rock burst prewarning assembly includes a thermosensitive infrared sensor used for detecting the temperature of the surrounding rock and a highly sensitive laser sensor used for detecting the deformation of the surrounding rock.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methods, mediums, and systems for creating a processing activity map for an analysis workflow in a chromatography experiment. A result set for the analysis workflow may be created and maintained throughout various stages of the analysis workflow. When certain trigger conditions are met, the in-use version of the result set may be persisted. For example, a read-only historical archive copy of the result set may be created, while the previous version of the result set is used in further stages of the analysis workflow. The trigger conditions may include a number of situations such as moving backwards in the workflow and making a change, moving across gated step boundaries in the analysis workflow, or receiving an instruction to clear the result set. The persistent, historical copies of the result set may be used to support auditing of a compliance-driven analysis process.

Abstract: In an embodiment a circuit includes an inertial measurement unit configured to be oscillated via a driving signal provided by driving circuitry, a lock-in amplifier configured to receive a sensing signal from the inertial measurement unit and a reference demodulation signal which is a function of the driving signal and provide an inertial measurement signal based on the sensing signal, wherein the reference demodulation signal is affected by a variable phase error, phase meter circuitry configured to receive the driving signal and the sensing signal and provide, as a function of a phase difference between the driving signal and the sensing signal, a phase correction signal for the reference demodulation signal and a correction node configured to apply the phase correction signal to the reference demodulation signal so that, in response to the phase correction signal being applied to the reference demodulation signal, the phase error is maintained in a vicinity of a reference value.

Abstract: In an image-forming device, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge are detachably attached to a frame. A controller is configured to perform: a drum replacement necessity determination process; and a mode switch process. The drum replacement necessity determination process determines, based on life information for the drum cartridge, whether replacement of the drum cartridge is necessary. The mode switch process switches a mode of a printing process between a normal printing mode and an extended printing mode. The normal printing mode allows the image-forming device to perform the printing process when the replacement of the drum cartridge is determined to be unnecessary. The extended printing mode allows the image-forming device to perform the printing process on a condition that the developing cartridge attached to the frame is not replaced with another developing cartridge in a state where the replacement of the developing cartridge is necessary.

Abstract: An electrospray ionization system used in mass spectrometry provides for improved current measurement. The system includes a fluid union, a fluid column coupled with a first port of the fluid union, a power source coupled with the fluid union and configured to apply a voltage potential to the fluid union, and an electrospray emitter coupled with a second port of the fluid union. The power source is coupled with the first port and configured to apply the voltage potential to the first port to restrict current leakage from the fluid union. The current sensing circuit is configured to determine an electrical current flow between the power source and the at least one of the fluid union and the first port.

Abstract: One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a three-axis micromachined gyroscope which improves the detection sensitivity for detecting angular velocity. Accordingly, the present invention provides a three-axis micromachined gyroscope, including: a base; a vibration part suspended by the base, including a vibration assembly for receiving Coriolis force and generating a position change; a drive electrode for driving the vibration part; a detection part connected with the vibration part for detecting position change of the weights after receiving Coriolis force, and converting the position change of the weight into an electrical signal for outputting; and a swing center of each weight being outside the corresponding weight. When the three-axis micromachined gyroscope receives an angular velocity, the swinging weight is subjected to Coriolis force and a corresponding position change occurs.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope includes a support structure, a driving mass movable according to a driving axis; and an oscillating microelectromechanical loop. The microelectromechanical loop has a resonance frequency and a loop gain and includes the driving mass, a sensing interface that senses a position of the driving mass, and a gain control stage that maintains a modulus of the loop gain at a unitary value at the resonance frequency. The gain control stage includes a sampler and an transconductance operational amplifier in an open-loop configuration. The sampler acquires samples of a loop signal from the sensing interface in a first operative condition and transfers them to the transconductance operational amplifier in a second operative condition. The sampler decouples the transconductance operational amplifier from the sensing interface in the first operative condition and in the second operative condition.