Abstract: A method of tracking translation and rotation of one or more objects within a region of interest. The method includes providing a passive transponder in the region of interest, the transponder having a position and an orientation, generating an electromagnetic field in the region of interest, causing the transponder to generate electromagnetic signal, mapping the electromagnetic field and the signal as functions of the position and the orientation of the transponder, fixing the transponder to the object being tracked, receiving the signals generated by the transponder while the transponder is fixed to the object being tracked, and processing the signal, with reference to the functions, to compute the three-dimensional translational position and three-axis rotational orientation of the object.

Abstract: A pressure gauge is provided for monitoring pressure within a reservoir, such as air within a vehicle tire. The gauge is particularly configured to allow it to remain upon a valve stem of the tire even when the tire is in operation. A receiver of the gauge can be coupled to the valve stem. A valve core is preferably provided through which air can pass from a compressed air source, so that the tire can be filled without removing the gauge. A Bourdon tube is located within a sensor chamber and measures pressure within the reservoir. A shroud or other support surface is located adjacent a central opening of the Bourdon tube so that the Bourdon tube is supported sufficiently to avoid damage from forces including centrifugal forces encountered when the tire is spinning and the gauge is mounted on the valve stem of the tire.

Abstract: A tire pressure detector includes an electrically conductive housing having a housing body and a protruding annular body; a cover having a sleeve portion connected to the protruding annular body, an airtight chamber defined by the cover and the housing for receiving a battery device, a PCB and a first electrically conductive resilient member, the housing body or the cover being disposed with an air intake mouth; and the PCB having a pressure and temperature detecting device. The air intake mouth guides air inside the tire to flow into the airtight chamber. The pressure and temperature detecting device detects the pressure and temperature of the air inside the tire and transmits data to the microprocessor for processing. The microprocessor controls the transmitter to transmit a signal. A receiver disposed near a driver's seat receives and processes the signal and then displays the tire pressure and temperature value on a display.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for indicating wind direction including: a holder, a supportive pole connected to the holder, a wind vane rotatably connected to the supportive pole in view of wind so as to indicate a direction of wind, an orientation indicator rotatably connected to the supportive pole to show the direction of the magnetic pole of the earth, and a solar-power supplier disposed at the holder, which provides power to illuminate the wind van and the orientation indicator.

Abstract: A new and improved combination pressure gauge and relative humidity indicator for use upon a compressed air or gas too, such as, for example, a paint spray gun, comprises a housing within which a pressure transducer, for determining the pressure level of the incoming compressed air or gas, and a humidity sensor, for determining the relative humidity of the incoming compressed air or gas, are disposed and contained. A first end portion of the housing has a first coupling mounted thereon for connection to an inlet port coupling of the paint spray gun, while a second end portion of the housing has a second coupling mounted thereon for connection to a compressed air or gas line of a compressed air or gas supply source. In this manner, the combination pressure gauge and relative humidity indicator can be readily incorporated within the fluid flow line of the compressed air or gas so as to be separably and independently useable with any compressed air or gas tool.

Abstract: Cost is reduced by simplifying the wiring while reducing power consumption. A multi-axis sensor unit (10) for measuring any one or more of multi-axis force, moment, acceleration and angular acceleration applied externally, comprising eight strain gauges (R11-R24) arranged on one plane, and one bridge circuit (11) formed by interlinking the strain gauges (R11-R24). As compared with a conventional multi-axis sensor unit, power consumption is reduced by decreasing the number of bridge circuits (11) and the strain gauges (R11-R24), and production cost is lowered by simplifying the wiring.

Abstract: Apparatus for dynamic surface annealing of a semiconductor wafer includes a source of laser radiation emitting at a laser wavelength and comprising an array of lasers arranged in rows and columns, the optical power of each the laser being individual adjustable and optics for focusing the radiation from the array of lasers into a narrow line beam in a workpiece plane corresponding to a workpiece surface, whereby the optics images respective columns of the laser array onto respective sections of the narrow line beam. A pyrometer sensor is provided that is sensitive to a pyrometer wavelength. An optical element in an optical path of the optics is tuned to divert radiation emanating from the workpiece plane to the pyrometry sensor. As a result, the optics images each of the respective section of the narrow line beam onto a corresponding portion of the pyrometer sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining thermal effusivity and/or thermal conductivity of a sheet material or of coated substrate having a thickness of less than about 100 ?m. The method contains providing a sample by layering more than 2 sheet materials or coated substrates and measuring thermal effusivity and/or thermal conductivity of the sample by a thermal effusivity probe and/or thermal conductivity probe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for calibrating an infrared thermometer, which can obtain a sensitivity of a radiation sensor of an infrared thermometer and a reference resistance of an ambient-temperature sensor of the infrared thermometer. The method of the present invention uses an infrared thermometer to detect two test objects respectively placed in two environments having different ambient temperatures to obtain output signals of the radiation sensor and resistances of the ambient-temperature sensor from the two test objects. Then, the method of the present invention uses the output signals of the radiation sensor and the resistances of the ambient-temperature sensor to work out the sensitivity of the radiation sensor and the reference resistance of the ambient-temperature sensor.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for determining the calorific value of combustible substances employs an integrated, isothermal water reservoir to reduce the complexity of the apparatus and facilitates automation of the calorimeter by providing a convenient source of isothermal water. A moving divider is used to reconfigure the isothermal water reservoir to either provide for temperature equilibration prior to sample analysis or define a fixed volume of water during analysis in which high precision temperature measurements can be recorded. The apparatus includes mechanisms for controlling the moving divider, a sample holding combustion vessel, and loading, cleaning, and unloading the combustion vessel. This eliminates key analysis steps that had previously required manual intervention by an operator.

Abstract: A non-contacting strain measurement method and system employs a laser light source for irradiating a test piece to provide a spectral pattern in spaced relationship from the test piece. The pattern is viewed while the test piece is placed under tension by a plurality of video cameras. The CCD video cameras are coupled to signal processing circuits which calculate the Poisson ratio according to the formula: ? xx = - ? ? ? A x 2 ? L 0 ? tan ? ? ? 0 .

Abstract: A device for generating a tensile force between a substrate and a coating, wherein the substrate has a thickness defined by a first side and a second side in a first axis, and the coating is applied to the first side of the substrate such that the coating and substrate are axially spaced along the first axis in intimate facing contact with each other to form a coating/substrate interface. The apparatus has a glass element disposed on the second side of the substrate and axially spaced along the first axis. The glass element is configured to propagate a stress wave to the coating/substrate interface to generate a tensile force between the substrate and the coating.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device with a mechanism layer and a base. The top surface of the base is bonded to the mechanism layer and defines a gap in the top surface of the base. A portion of the mechanism layer is deflected into the gap until it contacts the base, and is bonded to the base.

Abstract: An endurance testing apparatus, which is for performing an endurance test of a contacting/separating portion in which a first member and a second member repeats contacting with and separating from each other, has a contact load generator and a testing medium fluid supply means. The contact load generator reciprocates the second member relative to the first member to generate a contact load acting between the first member and the second member repeatedly. The testing medium fluid supply means supplies a testing medium fluid to the contacting/separating portion to expose the first member and the second member to the testing medium fluid.

Abstract: A method and structure for an integrated circuit comprising a first transistor and an embedded carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) proximate to the first transistor, wherein the CNT FET is dimensioned smaller than the first transistor. The CNT FET is adapted to sense signals from the first transistor, wherein the signals comprise any of temperature, voltage, current, electric field, and magnetic field signals. Moreover, the CNT FET is adapted to measure stress and strain in the integrated circuit, wherein the stress and strain comprise any of mechanical and thermal stress and strain. Additionally, the CNT FET is adapted to detect defective circuits within the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A process variable transmitter is operably coupleable to a source of multiphasic process fluid flow. The process variable transmitter is configured to obtain information relative to temperature, a reference pressure, and differential pressure across a differential pressure producer in the multiphasic process flow. The process variable transmitter is configured to calculate and/or correct for overreading based upon the reference pressure, the differential pressure and the temperature.

Abstract: A mechanical-quantity measuring device capable of measuring a strain component of structure deformation for an object to be measured in a particular desired direction with long life, high reliability and high precision. A strain sensor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Impurity-diffused layers considering the crystal orientation of the semiconductor single crystalline substrate are used to form a Wheatstone bridge circuit on the substrate. The Wheatstone bridge circuit can operate on one substrate since the semiconductor single crystal has the anisotropy of piezoresistance effect.

Abstract: To detect a defect without being limited to the current path of a sample. The presence or absence of a defect in a sample is detected by allowing said sample to stand for a predetermined period of time after heating said sample with a heat source and by observing the temperature distribution formed on said sample by an observation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved on-chip temperature sensing circuit, based on bolometry, which provides self calibration of the on-chip temperature sensors for ideality and an associated method of sensing temperature at a specific on-chip location. The circuit comprises a temperature sensor, an identical reference sensor with a thermally coupled heater and a comparator. The comparator is adapted to receive and compare the outputs from both the temperature and reference sensors and to drive the heater with current until the outputs match. Based on the current forced into the heater, the temperature rise of the reference sensor can be calculated, which in this state, is equal to that of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises a tool having a threaded member which is characterized by a cylindrical shaft or spindle with a surrounding body or handle. The shaft and body are operably engaged by means of a series of magnets in the spindle and the body, and the operable engagement releases once the torque force on the threaded member exceeds the magnetic force between the body and the spindle. In the method of the present invention, the user can calibrate and adjust the torque limit of the assembly by attaching a calibration bar of predetermined length to the threaded member and then rotating the tool over a scale such that the calibration bar contacts the surface of the scale. The user can then adjust a set screw which alters the length of the shaft and alters the magnetic force between the body and the spindle and correspondingly alters the torque limit of the tool to a desired level.