Abstract: A pressure sensor has a recess formed in outer surfaces of a deforming part and a non-deforming part such that a pair of steps are formed at opposite ends of the recess. The deforming part is strained by a pressure whereas the non-deforming part is not strained by the pressure. An amorphous magnetic alloy film is received in and affixed relative to the recess, and extends between the pair of steps. The depth of the recess is larger than the thickness of the film. A pair of permeability detector elements are mounted respectively on the deforming part and the non-deforming part so as to detect a change in permeability of the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a torque, conducted through a rotatable machine element, by means of fork-shaped transmitter levers including tines which are connected with two parts which, when a torque is transmitted, resiliently rotate in relation to each other, and the fork handle of which is hinged on a transmitter ring, so that the relative rotation between the two previously mentioned parts generates an increased axial movement of the transmitter ring, which is detected as a measurement of the torque. To prevent an overload on the measuring device and breakage of its components in case of impermissibly high torque shocks, stops are provided which limit the relative rotation of the two parts which rotate in relation to each other during the transmission of torque to a value which corresponds to the maximally permissible stress on the material of the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting the condition of the surface and adjacent edges of a road by means of electromagnetic radiation. A transmitter emits measuring beam pulses of electromagnetic radiation directed in a linear area of the road. Back scattered radiation from reflection of the measuring beam pulses by features of the road surface and adjacent areas are received and transformed into a time sequence signal. A signal processing and analysis unit analyzes the time sequence signal to identify features and surfaces of the road and their distance from the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a tire inspection device for a tire wheel made from nonmetallic material having a detecting part fitted inside the wheel. The detecting part is equipped with a sensor for detecting the tire internal pressure, the strain of the wheel and the like, and also an electric circuit for conveying out of the wheel an electric signal corresponding to the tire state sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: An improved pressure sensor element and pressure sensor array is formed by a cathode layer, a cathode tip attached to the cathode layer, and an anode layer opposing the cathode layer. The magnitude of the electron current flowing between the cathode tip and the anode layer is dependant on the field strength at the cathode tip, which is dependant on the separation between the cathode tip and the anode layer. As a deflectable anode layer is deflected towards the cathode tip, the field strength increases, causing a corresponding change in the magnitude of the flow of electrons. The cathode tip is separated from the anode layer such that electron current is produced at relatively low voltages by tunneling or field emission. The exact method of current production is selected by controlling the initial separation between the anode layer and the cathode tip.

Abstract: Pressure vessel components of a sensing element are formed from liquid crystal polymers. Individual LCP components may be ultrasonically adhered to one another to form a hermetic seal. In the preferred embodiment, a metal tube is hermetically sealed to a pressure vessel cup by molding an LCP resin around a cleaned and heated tube to form a hermetic seal. Also in the preferred embodiment, the sensing element includes a single convolution diaphragm formed under heat and pressure using a polyimide film.

Abstract: In a two wire transmitter, a capacitive sensor senses differential pressure and provides a differential pressure signal based on the differential pressure sensed. The differential pressure signal varies with variations in static pressure. A capacitive compensator has a capacitive value substantially unaffected by variations in static pressure, and is coupled to the capacitive sensor to compensate the differential pressure signal for variations due to variations in the static pressure.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm formed over the surface of a semiconductor substrate by thin film forming technique is provided.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a case, a diaphragm provided within the case, a pressure detecting part provided within the case for detecting pressure applied to the diaphragm, and a pressure transmission chamber formed between the diaphragm and the pressure detecting part for sealingly accommodating therein liquid through which the pressure is transmitted from the diaphragm to the pressure detecting part. The pressure transmission chamber is arranged to cope with the volume changes of the liquid due to the temperature changes thereof.

Abstract: A metal thin film bonds a semiconductor bonding region of a diaphragm layer to a ceramic bonding region of a high modulus support block. The arrangement isolates a pressure sensing diaphragm from undesired strain, improving sensor accuracy. A passageway through the support block couples the fluid pressure to the sensing diaphragm to deflect it. Capacitive coupling between the diaphragm and a capacitor plate on the support block sense the deflection and provide an output representative of pressure.

Abstract: A grasp analysis apparatus and method by which the power of grasp exerted by the human hand can be measured, and by which a determination can be made related to the maximum effort of grasp that is made during the measurement. The apparatus includes a housing having opposed walls which can be forced towards one another in proportion to the magnitude of the compressive strength exerted by the person that grasps the housing. A transducer enclosed within the housing is compressed between the movable opposed walls and provides a signal that is proportional to the magnitude of the compressive force of the grasp. The signal is converted into a measurement indicative of the magnitude of the force. A plurality of measurements taken at different locations along the fingers are plotted to reveal the true effort being made while grasping the apparatus.

Abstract: A pressure sensor 10 is made up of silicon diaphragm 12 sandwiched between two housing members 20 and 22 with external conduits 24, 26. The diaphragm 12 has a central rigid disc 14 which moves axially like a piston, a peripheral rim 16 and an integral web 18. The rim 16 is undercut to provide recesses 46 and 48 (FIG. 1 ) or recess 50 (FIG. 6) which reduces the net reactive forces tending to separate the joints 42 and 44 between rim 16 and the housing parts 20, 22. Overpressure stop surfaces 28 and 30 on the inside of the housing cavity form capacitor gaps with the opposite flat sides of rigid disc 14 for signal output to readout circuitry 40 in the rated range. Configurations for gage pressure and absolute pressure are disclosed, as well as a system of isolation from corrosive process environments.

Abstract: A pressure transducer having means for improving the linearity and sensitivity of an output signal from the pressure transducer. Ribs and bosses are introduced in the diaphragm region to collect the moments caused by a difference in pressure on the two sides of the diaphragm and thus improve device sensitivity. In addition, the ribs and bosses prevent stretching of the piezoresistors thus improving the linearity of the device. A constraint can also be included to improve the alignment of the piezoresistors thus improving the linearity of the device.

Abstract: A method of making an isolator flow device for use in a process fluid system. The device has a body and an elastomeric sensor ring in the body, through which process fluid flows. There is an annular space outside the sensor ring for communicating outside the body to sense pressure on the ring by the process fluid. In the method, the ring is formed by in-situ molding to the body, and is bonded to the body at its opposite ends, leaving an intermediate portion unbonded. Then, the elastomer will shrink annularly to create an annular space between the body and the ring.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for measuring variations in pressure including a container for housing a volume of liquid and an indicator float to be movably supported by the liquid therein. The float is to have a hollow interior portion for maintaining a volume of compressible fluid, and is vertically movable within the container. The apparatus further includes a variable buoyancy equilibrium force device for automatically offsetting buoyant forces created by the compressible fluid within the float, whereby the equilibrium force is automatically varied in response to changing buoyancy of the float corresponding to changing ambient pressures. In a preferred embodiment, the variable buoyancy equilibrium force device comprises a flexible ballast structure attached to an adjustable support above the float, and wherein excess length of the ballast collects in a ballast retainer on the upper portion of the float.

Abstract: In an optically-excited micromachined silicon pressure sensor comprising a resonantly vibrating beam mounted on a diaphragm, vibration of the beam is sensed optically via the same optical fibre through which the optical excitation signal is applied to the sensor. The end of the fibre and the beam are arranged to define a cavity or gap whose width varies with vibration of the beam and which behaves as a Fabry-Perot cavity: thus light from the fibre is directed onto the beam and then reflected back to the fibre, the reflected light being modulated at the frequency of vibration of the beam. In order to overcome the difficulty of setting the gap or cavity width at an optimum value for light of a given wavelength, light of two different wavelengths is used to sense the vibrations, the wavelengths being selected such that the phase difference produced by the gap for one wavelength differs from that for the other wavelength by roughly 90.degree..

Abstract: A tire monitoring and repairing device comprises a body having a front arm and a rear grip arm interconnected at their upper end with a connecting member to substantially form a U-shape. A pressure gauge is mounted in the front arm and a flash light device is mounted in the rear grip arm. The front arm further has a mouth piece projecting forward to form a pressure inlet. A tire repairing tool is detachably screwed to the mouth piece of the front arm. In addition, a tire tread ruler is provided in the rear grip arm.

Abstract: A deflator for monitoring and selectively or simultaneously deflating an inflated item, such as a basketball, includes a body configured with a central passageway, a first end, a second end and at least one side, each having a bore disposed so as to be in fluid communication with the central passageway. The deflator includes a measuring gauge for measuring the pressure of the inflated item and operationally secured to the body to be in fluid communication with the central passageway, an insertion needle for insertion into the inflated item, which is connected to the body and is in fluid communication with the central passageway, and a valve connected to the body portion, which is in fluid communication with the central passageway for selectively deflating the inflated item.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for temperature dependent offset and fixed offset in a resistance bridge is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a resistance bridge, a compensation network and an instrumentation amplifier. The uncompensated output of the bridge is applied to the input of the instrumentation amplifier. The output of the compensation network is fed into the instrumentation amplifier to compensate for the temperature and offset dependent components of the bridge output. The output and resistance of the bridge are measured under conditions of constant pressure and temperature for different temperatures and pressures and the temperature coefficient of resistance, temperature coefficient of offset and temperature coefficient of sensitivity are calculated. These coefficients are used to select compensation network resistors.

Abstract: A pressure microsensor comprises, between two plates in an insulating material: a bottom silicon plate (3) forming a base; a middle silicon plate (2) constituting a diaphragm (11) surrounded by a frame (12), a first part (15) of a stud being formed at a decentred location of the diaphragm; and a top silicon plate (1) comprising a frame (17) corresponding to that of the middle plate, a second parts (16) of said stud and a silicon blade (18) constituting a resonator connecting the top of the stud to a high area of the frame. A measuring interval (13) is provided between the diaphragm and the bottom plate, this interval comprising an access (14, 28), and the two insulating plates (4, 5) cooperate with the border of the three assembled silicon plates to form a closed cavity.