Abstract: A pressure measuring apparatus comprising a seal diaphragm that separates a fluid to be measured from a pressure transmitting medium that transmits a pressure variation of the fluid to be measured to a pressure detecting section. In such an apparatus, a non-electrically conductive film is coated on a surface of the seal diaphragm which is on the side of the fluid to be measured. As a result of the above construction, the pressure can be measured accurately over a long period of time while preventing hydrogen from passing through the seal diaphragm surely and protecting the seal diaphragm.

Abstract: A low pressure capacitance measurement device where capacitance base members are constructed from metal and one of the base members arranged to be torqued relative to the other base member where the stress level is maintained within the elastic limits of the metal and the torque force is developed by a bellows which acts on a moment arm to torque the base member about its torque displacement axis.

Abstract: A device for verifying or measuring a minimum value of a previously applied torque on a workpiece such as bolt, nut, etc., includes a motor, a reduction gear assembly, a torque transducer and a fastener engaging member, including a rotatably spindle. The motor causes the spindle to rotate. A torsion bar interposed the spindle and the motor absorbs the inertia of the motor when the motor is stopped to minimize torque overshoot, as well as taking up the rotation generated by the motor immediately upon engagement with a workpiece. An angle encoder senses any rotation of the workpiece caused by the rotation of the spindle. Any rotation of the workpiece means that the previously applied torque is below a minimum predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the magnitude of a uniformity characteristic in a cured tire and the tire produced thereby. A signal is generated which is indicative of the magnitude of the uniformity characteristic. The signal is also indicative of the location on the tire to be corrected. At least a portion of one carcass reinforcing member of the tire is permanently deformed a predetermined amount at the location indicated by the signal to correct the uniformity characteristic.

Abstract: A device with bonded and conductive substrates is disclosed. This device includes a conductive substrate (509) having an electrically insulating layer (515) disposed on a portion thereon. An electrically conductive layer (519) is disposed on the electrically insulating layer (515). Then an insulating substrate (101) having a first surface (103) and an opposing second surface (105) with an electrically conductive coating (516) disposed on a portion thereon is provided. Finally, the insulating substrate (101) is bonded to the electrically conductive layer (519). In a more specific embodiment a capacitive pressure sensor is disclosed. This capacitive pressure sensor has a sealed chamber (125) and is further constructed with a conductive substrate (509) having an electrically insulating layer (515) disposed thereon.

Abstract: A signal generator for generating an electrical signal which varies in accordance with movement of an actuating member includes a plunger slidable mounted within a housing which carries a pair of permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field to be applied to a hall effect generator. As the plunger is moved relative to the hall effect generator, the magnets are also moved relative to the hall effect generator, thereby varying the magnetic field applied thereto. Accordingly, a variable output signal is generated as a function of the position of the input member.

Abstract: A pressure transducer system for developing accurate pressure measurements with a torque driven pressure transducer where the transducer has dual capacitor devices in tandem and mechanically coupled to permit relative displacement along a elongated axis in response to temperature and where the devices are displacable by angular torque about the elongated axis to obtain independent correlatable measurements from the dual capacitor devices.

Abstract: Device (1, 2, 3, 4) for warning of the under-inflation of a tire, mounted the wheel of the tire, includes a stationary element (10, 71) with two inner chambers (11, 12, 73, 74), one (11, 73) of which is brought to the inflation pressure, the other (12, 74) to the atmospheric pressure, and a centrifugal mass (20, 72). A blocking device (30, 90) blocks any displacement of centrifugal mass (20, 72) when the inflation pressure is greater than a certain threshold and frees the centrifugal mass (20, 72) when the inflation pressure decreases below the inflation threshold. Centrifugal mass (20, 72) can then become off-centered under the effect of centrifugal forces and creates a dynamic imbalance able to be sensed by the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus detects an air turbulence and wind shear encountered by an air vehicle having an accelerometer sensing air vehicle vertical acceleration. The apparatus includes a pressure sensor having a pressure sensing port for sensing a pressure parameter of a local air flow which changes with changes in the local airflow turbulence, and a fast time constant pressure transducer coupled to the pressure port for generating a transducer signal representative of the parameter. Differentiating means calculates a time derivative of the transducer signal and provides a turbulence signal representative of the time derivative. Subtracter means provides the difference between the turbulence signal and a vertical acceleration signal from the accelerometer, to provide a wind shear indicating signal indicative of an increase in air turbulence.

Abstract: One side of a primary flight display has an elongated vertically disposed airspeed dial display which provides global or macro airspeed information. A rolling drum display provides a digital display of a present value of airspeed. An elongated vertically disposed altitude dial display is located on a second side of the primary flight display. The second dial display is configured to provide a predetermined amount of rotation of the pointer for a lo predetermined change in altitude. A second rolling drum display provides a digital present value of altitude. The elongated dial displays provide greatly expanded display areas and improved readout resolution.

Abstract: An overpressure-protected, differential pressure sensor (37) is formed by depositing diaphragm material (24) over a cavity (23) formed and filled with sacrificial material (22) into a front surface of a substrate. The sacrificial material (22) is then removed to create a free diaphragm. The floor of the cavity (23) defines a first pressure stop to limit the deflection of the diaphragm in response to pressure applied to the top of the diaphragm. A port (33) is created to allow pressure to be applied to the bottom side of the diaphragm (24). An optional second pressure stop, which limits the deflection of the diaphragm in response to pressure applied to the bottom side of the diaphragm, is formed by bonding a cap (35) to stand-offs (34) placed around the top of the diaphragm. The stand-offs are spaced to allow pressure to be applied to the top of the diaphragm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure measurement apparatus for inspecting therapentic energy waves, e.g. shock waves or ultrasonic waves. The pressure measurement apparatus for inspecting focal position and pressure of therapeutic energy waves comprises a pressure sensing sheet which changes visually or electrically according to the pressure, and a marker for setting the focal position, mounted on the pressure sensing sheet. Also, the apparatus for inspecting focal position and pressure of therapeutic energy waves in a water tank, comprises, a pressure sensing sheet which changes visually or electrically according to the pressure, a mount for holding the pressure sensing sheet as a flat shape, a mount holder for holding the mount, a marker for setting the focal position, held above the pressure sensing sheet from the mount holder, and holder means for holding the mount holder into the water tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for determining the abrasion potential for tire treads is presented. A tire is rotatably and forcefully brought into contacting engagement with a reflective surface received upon an illuminated glass plate. A charge coupled device monitors the internal reflection light which evidences a grey level corresponding to the force of engagement between the associated portion of the tire and the glass support plate. A marker is placed upon the tire centrally within a region of interest. The video image of the marker and region of interest is analyzed as to slip and force at that area. The product of the slip and force functions is an indication of frictional work at the interface between the tire and support surface and is correspondingly an indication of the propensity of the tire to wear.

Abstract: Microminiature pressure transducers are formed on semiconductor substrates such as silicon and include a membrane which spans a cavity over the substrate, with the membrane being mounted to and sealed to the substrate at the peripheral edges of the membrane. The bottom of the cavity forms an overpressure stop to prevent over deflections of the membrane toward the substrate. An overpressure stop formed as a bridge of a material such as nickel extends above the membrane and is spaced therefrom to allow the membrane to deflect freely under normal pressure situations but prevent over deflections. The thickness of the polysilicon membrane and the spacing between the membrane and the overpressure stops is preferably in the range of 10 micrometers or less, and typically in the range of one micrometer. The overpressure stop bridge is formed utilizing deep X-ray lithography to form a well-defined bridge structure.

Abstract: An indicator gauge may utilize a motion amplifying gauge movement. The motion amplifying mechanism makes it possible for a diaphragm-type pressure gauge to provide large angular displacements for an indicating pointer. The indicator gauge may be configured to have a maximum readout visibility in the range from about 0.degree. to about 270.degree.. A single-piece crankshaft located on an adjustable mounting translates the short range of motion of a diaphragm button to a pivotal gear segment. The crankshaft may be configured as a C-shaped crankshaft or an L-shaped crankshaft. The pivotal gear segment may be wedge-shaped or have an extension arm for contact with the crankshaft. The crankshaft may also contact a downwardly or upwardly extending boss located on the pivotal gear segment.

Abstract: A grade and acceleration sensor having a weight, a first sensor for measuring a first parameter of the weight due at least to the force of gravity to generate a first signal, a second sensor for measuring a second parameter of the weight due to both the force of gravity and the acceleration of the vehicle on which the sensor is mounted to generate a second signal, a grade angle generator generating the grade angle .theta. in response to the first and second signal, and an acceleration generation generating a signal having a value corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle in response to the first and second signals. In a first embodiment, the weight is a bob of a pendulum, the first parameter is a displacement angle of the bob due to acceleration and gravity and the second parameter is the force on the arm of the bob due to gravity and acceleration.

Abstract: A resistive pressure transducer wherein a flexible diaphragm is mounted in a spaced apart relationship to the upper surface of a base member. A conductive path is deposited on one surface of the diaphragm. A resistive configuration is also deposited on the same surface of the diaphragm. The resistive configuration includes four separate resistive patterns. The first and third resistive patterns are deposited in close proximity to the outer edge of the diaphragm. The first and third resistive patterns are each comprised of three radially extending resistors, spaced apart along the periphery of the diaphragm, and interconnected by conductive material. The second and fourth resistive patterns are deposited in close proximity to the center of the diaphragm. The first and third resistive patterns measure radial strain, while the second and fourth resistive patterns measure tangential strain. The four resistive patterns each forms a separate leg of a Wheatstone bridge configuration.

Abstract: A temperature responsive sensor is located in the airflow over the specified surface of a body and is maintained at a constant temperature. An active thermal isolator is located between this temperature responsive sensor and the specified surface of the body. The temperature of this isolator is controlled to reduce conductive heat flow from the temperature responsive sensor to the body. This temperature control includes (1) operating the isolator at the same temperature as the constant temperature of the sensor and (2) establishing a fixed boundary temperature which is either (a) less than or equal to or (b) slightly greater than the sensor constant temperature.

Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope comprises, for example, a regular triangular columnar vibrating body, and on two side faces of the vibrating body, two driving and detecting piezoelectric elements are formed. To the piezoelectric elements, an output terminal of an oscillation circuit is connected. Further, the piezoelectric elements are connected respectively to two input terminals of a differential amplifier as a detection circuit which detects outputs thereof. An output terminal of the differential amplifier is connected to one input terminal of a differential amplifying circuit as a composite circuit through a synchronized detection circuit, a smoothing circuit and so on. Furthermore, the output terminal of the differential amplifier is connected to the other input terminal of the composite circuit through an integration circuit, an amplifying circuit and so on.

Abstract: An accelerometer implementing a capacitive transducer, including circuitry for reducing the effective loading capacitance on a movable vane. The capacitive transducer includes a pair of shields, including an inner shield driven by the output of a unity gain amplifier which is coupled to the movable vane, and a second outer grounded shield isolated from and encompassing both the driven shield and the capacitive transducer. Thus, the accelerometer reduces both the effective parasitic loading capacitance by taking advantage of the well-known Miller theorem, while implementing a second grounded shield without affecting the parasitic loading capacitance to reduce EMI. A more linear capacitive based accelerometer is realized which can be practically implemented in vehicles, including vehicle performance analyzers used in automobiles for detecting changes in G-forces experienced during acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle.