Abstract: A testing apparatus for a composite material includes a base for holding the composite article, a load cell for placing a selected load on a portion of the composite article, and a displacement measuring device for measuring the amount of displacement for a selected load. In operation, a composite article is placed in a testing apparatus, a selected load is placed on the composite article, and the displacement of the composite article is measured.

Abstract: An insertable strain gauge spanner which comprises a spanner body having a rod body and a driving head insertable into the rod body; the rod body having a handle and an inserting opening at one end thereof; the inserting opening can be received the driving head; the rod body being installed with a strain gauge; a lower end of the rod body being formed as an inserting opening; the inserting opening being in contact with the strain gauge; thereby the twisting force from the driving head can be transferred to a sensing end of the strain gauge; the twisting force being displayed in a window of the strain gauge; and the driving head having an inserting end with a shape corresponding to that of the inserting opening; and the orientation of the driving head with respect to the rod body is adjustable.

Abstract: A piezoresistive device is provided for sensing mechanical input and converts mechanical movement of at least two relatively movable parts into an electrical output. A silicon substrate is provided that is oriented in the (100) plane and has an n-type impurity. A gap extends across a portion of the substrate. The gap defines the at least two relatively moveable parts. A flexible cross-section connects the at least two relatively moveable parts. The cross-section is made of the same material as the substrate. At least one strain sensitive element is provided on a surface of the silicon substrate, is aligned in a [110] direction and includes a p-type impurity. The strain sensitive element has two end portions interconnected by an intermediate neck portion. The neck portion is supported on a structure that concentrates strain. The structure extends across the gap and has vertical walls that extend to the cross-section in the gap. The structure is made of the same material as the substrate.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for testing shear strain response of a test specimen having a thick adhesive bond line is disclosed. Method and apparatus permit the use of readily available clip-on extensometers. The apparatus and method may include the use of knife edges secured to each of two adherend components on a standard ASTM D 5656 thick adherent test specimen.

Abstract: An electronic torsional tool includes a main body, and a strain gauge mounted in the main body. The main body is provided with an opening to enhance flexibility of the main body and to increase deformation of the strain gauge. The opening is extended through the handle portion and the drive portion of the main body, thereby enhancing deformation of the main body, and thereby increasing deformation (or distortion) of the strain gauge, so as to detect and obtain the torsion values exactly.

Abstract: A bond strength tester unit is provided for testing adhesive bond strength of a nutplate or the like attached to a substrate, such as by adhesive bonded attachment to a blind side of the substrate in substantial alignment with a substrate opening. The nutplate may be constructed according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,391, and carries a fastener element such as a threaded nut or the like for subsequent connection with a mating fastener element such as a threaded bolt or the like passed through the substrate opening. The tester unit includes a tool tip having a reaction head for engaging the substrate, in combination with an actuator pin for applying a test force of selected magnitude against the adhesively bonded nutplate. In the event of inadequate bond strength, the actuator pin will separate the nutplate from the substrate.

Abstract: An adjustable, torque-limiting driver for a tool having a radially extending handle that houses a cam member and a pair of plungers. The plungers are biased against the housing and provide variable resistance for the cam member. The arrangement of the cam member and the plungers reduces the wear on the various parts of the driver and extends the life of the driver.

Abstract: An engine torque sensory system (10), adapted for use with an engine-driven vehicle (12) having a flexplate (18), including at least one sensor (26) fixedly attached on the surface of the flexplate (18) and operable to detect deformations along the surface of the flexplate (18) caused by the generated engine torque, and further including a receiver (28) communicatively coupled to the sensor (26), spaced from the rotating flexplate (18), and operable to convert sensor readings to correlative engine torque values.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing the shear strength of curved core material. The method comprises the steps of: (a) bonding one side of a test specimen of curved core material to a convex curved surface of a first support; (b) bonding the other side of the test specimen to a concave curved surface of a second support; (c) mounting the first support so that it is pivotable about a pivot axis; (d) fixing the second support to a rigid frame; (e) after step (a) through (d) have been performed, causing the first support to pivot about the pivot axis; and (f) during step (e), continuously monitoring a parameter that will manifest a change if and when shear induced in the test specimen causes a structural change indicative of failure of the test specimen. A linearly displaceable head is mechanically coupled to the first support in a manner such that linear displacement of the head is converted into pivoting of the first support.

Abstract: An air data system is described that includes a cone-shaped probe, a plurality of pressure transducers, and a processing device. The cone-shaped probe includes a first pressure port formed in a substantial tip of the probe and extending therethrough, and a plurality of pressure ports formed in a substantially evenly spaced circular pattern about a sloped surface of the probe and extending through the probe. The plurality of pressure transducers are each configured to receive at least one pressure transferred through at least one of the pressure ports and output one or more signals related to the pressures sensed. The processing device is configured to receive signals originating from the transducers. The processing device is further configured to calculate a static pressure, an angle of attack, and an angle of sideslip based on the received signals.

Abstract: A method of monitoring corrosion in a metal sample comprising applying a physical stress to one or more metal samples, placing the metal sample under stress in a sealed vessel, adding one or more fluids to the vessel, measuring the strain on the metal sample over a specified time interval, controlling the environment inside the vessel, calculating the rate of change of the strain measurement over the specified time interval, recording the rate of change of the strain measurement, calculating a moving average of two or more previously recorded rates of change of the strain measurement, and monitoring the moving average to detect damage to the metal sample.

Abstract: A sensor/actuator network configured with a number of electrically-interconnected elements. More specifically, the sensors/actuators are each placed in electrical communication with the same transmission line. Various embodiments of such networks employ sensors/actuators connected in electrical series and in electrical parallel. Networks having these configurations, when placed upon a structure, are capable of detecting and/or transmitting stress waves within the structure so as to detect the presence of an impact, or actively query the structure. Advantageously, as these networks employ a single transmission line, they utilize fewer wires than current sensor/actuator networks, thus making them easier to install and maintain. They can also be configured as flexible layers, allowing for further ease of installation and maintenance.

Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus having a permanent magnet fixed to an input shaft, magnetic yokes fixed to an output shaft coaxially connected to the input shaft via a torsion bar and disposed within a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to form a magnetic circuit, and a Hall IC for detecting a magnetic flux induced by the magnetic yokes. The permanent magnet is of a truncated conical shape, and the bevel circumference surface thereof is magnetized by magnetic poles alternately in a reverse polarities along circumference direction, so as to oppose the magnetic yokes. A torque applied to the input shaft or the output shaft can be detected through detection by the Hall IC of the magnetic flux generated between the magnetic yokes. The configuration allows reducing the length in an axial direction of the input shaft.

Abstract: There are provided a device for detecting a rotation rate that prevents an eddy current from being generated in a housing member around a rotation rate sensor, and a device for detecting a rotation rate that prevents a decrease in the compressing efficiency of a fluid compressed by a rotor. A slit-shaped concave portion for preventing a generation of an eddy current is formed on the housing on both side of the rotation sensor. The rotation rate sensor generates a magnetic field by being supplied with a high-frequency alternating excitation current. The concave portion prevents an eddy current from being generated in the housing around the rotation rate sensor based on the magnetic field generated by the coil. The concave portion has a small capacity, and is formed along the flow of intake air. As a result, a decrease in the compression efficiency of the blades of the suction-side turbine can be prevented.

Abstract: A device for indicating an internal pressure of an inflatable medical cuff, comprising: a membrane movable in response to a difference between the internal pressure and an external pressure; and movable indication means operably associated with the membrane for indicating, in use of the device, the internal pressure.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical capacitive strain sensor. The micro-electromechanical capacitive strain sensor comprises a first bent beam, a second bent beam, and a straight center beam. The first bent beam, second bent beam, and straight center beam are aligned in the X-axis with the straight center beam located between the first and second bent beams. The first bent beam, second bent beam, and straight center beam are disposed between two anchors. The two anchors are aligned in the Y-axis. The first bent beam is bent away from the center beam and the second bent beam is bent towards the center beam to provide a set of differential capacitors with respect to the center beam, wherein the center beam serves as a common reference with respect to the first and second bent beams.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal head, a platen roller which allows the thermal head to be in the head up/down state, an ink ribbon which is drawn between the thermal head and the platen roller, a paper feed roller which can convey a recording paper. A peeling member is disposed on the downstream side of the thermal head in a conveyance direction of the recording paper and can peel the ink ribbon adhered onto the recording paper during printing, and an optical ribbon detecting sensor, which can detect a color discernment marker corresponding to an ink surface of a desired color formed on the surface of the ink ribbon, is disposed between the thermal head and the peeling member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bond integrity tool, which includes a shoulder housing, a collar shaft, and an end cap. The collar shaft has a neck portion and a mouth portion. The neck portion is disposed within the shoulder housing, and the mouth portion is able to grip a test piece. The end cap communicates with the neck portion, such that when the end cap is initiated the end cap applies force on the shoulder housing, which in turn applies force on the collar shaft, which grips the test piece such that the bond integrity between the test piece and a surface may be tested.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a handle and a function head is connected to an end of the handle. A first recess and a second recess are respectively defined in two opposite sides of the handle, and a strain transducer is engaged with the first recess. A display member and a processing unit are connected to the handle, and the strain transducer is electrically connected with the processing unit. A hole is defined through the handle and located between the first and second recesses.

Abstract: A torque sensor is disclosed based on a SAW die configured on a surface of a plate, and an isolator formed from a flexible material. The isolator is rigidly mounted to the plate, such that the isolator flexes when a force perpendicular to the surface of the plate are applied while transferring a torque that is applied within a plane of the plate to the SAW die, thereby eliminating or minimizing the effect on the SAW die of out-of-plane forces on the plate so as to isolate the torque transferred to the plate.