Abstract: A system for determining vibration characteristics of a motor vehicle having a sensing arrangement (8) adapted to sense vibrations of the vehicle or a vehicle part, and an electronic processing means (11) adapted to apply an algorithm (12) for evaluating signals from the sensing arrangement (8) and for determining vibration characteristics based on the evaluation. The algorithm (12) includes at least one support vector machine SVM (13a . . . 13g) adapted to output a probability that the current vibration characteristic belongs to a particular pre-set type of vibration characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a fluid's kinematic viscosity from ultrasonic energy that has passed through the fluid of unknown viscosity along an acoustic path of known length. A computer of the apparatus determines a characteristic frequency of a received electrical signal associated with the ultrasonic energy and measures the fluid's velocity of sound. The kinematic viscosity of the fluid is determined by the computer on a continuous basis based on the characteristic frequency and the sound velocity. A method for determining a fluid's kinematic viscosity.

Abstract: A photoacoustic wave measurement instrument includes a light output unit, a photoacoustic wave detection unit and a photoacoustic wave generation member. The light output unit outputs light. The photoacoustic wave detection unit receives a photoacoustic wave generated by the light in a measurement object, and converts the light into an electric signal. The photoacoustic wave generation member is arranged between an light output end of the light output unit and the measurement object, receives the light, and generates a known photoacoustic wave.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: an element piece including a movable weight and movable electrode portions which are provided to extend from the movable weight; fixed electrode portions which are provided in a first direction in which the element piece is displaced, with a gap d1 interposed therebetween; and fixed portions which are provided to face an end portion of the element piece, in which a recess is provided on the end portion of the movable weight in a position facing the fixed portions, a first stopper portion which extends towards the movable weight is provided on the fixed portion, and a tip end of the first stopper portion is inserted into the recess, and a gap d2 between the tip end and the movable weight is narrower than the gap d1.

Abstract: A control system includes a processor that operates one or more control loops that enable gyroscopic angular measurement for an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Each of the one or more control loops operates over a range of set points defined for each of the respective control loops. A dynamic loop adjuster receives environmental input data to determine environmental conditions for the IMU. The dynamic loop adjuster alters at least one of the set points for at least one of the one or more control loops operated by the processor based on the determined environmental conditions.

Abstract: A rolling search unit including an ultrasonic device and a heat exchanger mounted within a fluid-filled tire may be utilized to perform ultrasonic testing on an underlying railroad rail. The ultrasonic device may transmit or receive ultrasonic beams into or from the railroad rail, and the heat exchanger may be utilized to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the tire at a preferred level or within a preferred range. In such a manner, the results of testing obtained using the rolling search unit may be standardized regardless of the ambient temperature in the environment where the testing is being performed, and regardless of any heat gained or lost by the rolling search unit during operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate processing system having acoustic monitoring is disclosed. The system includes a process chamber adapted to perform a process on a substrate, a process fluid source, a fluid conduit coupling the fluid source to the process chamber, and a flow control valve located along the fluid conduit and adapted to be operable to control a flow of a process fluid between the process fluid source and the process chamber. The system includes one or more acoustic sensors operable to sense acoustic noise coupled to at least one of the process fluid source, the fluid conduit, and the flow control valve, and an acoustic processor adapted to receive at least one signal from the one or more acoustic sensors. Acoustic monitoring methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and a transducer holder for preventing the transmission of housing waves has a decoupling ring between a housing flange of a transducer housing and a holder flange of the transducer holder. Preferably, there is a gasket between the housing flange of the transducer housing and the decoupling ring in addition to a gasket between the decoupling ring and the holder flange of the transducer holder.

Abstract: A device and method measure an acceleration of a moving body. The device contains a solid body having a moving part and an internal cavity capable of allowing for a free movement of the moving part. The internal cavity has at least one wall forming a sloping track, the sloping track having a surface allowing for the free movement of the moving part on the sloping track between an initial position at rest and a distant position spaced from the initial position situated at an end of the internal cavity and reachable by the moving part during a variation in acceleration. The moving part moving from the initial position to the distant position in the internal cavity under an effect of the acceleration of the moving body. At least one detector is provide and is capable of detecting a presence of the moving part at the distant position.

Abstract: In some examples, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical accelerometer includes a housing comprising an internal chamber that includes a Fabry-Perot cavity and a proof mass affixed to the housing via one or more elastic elements, a light source configured to emit radiation, a first detector configured to receive radiation transmitted through the Fabry-Perot cavity and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a position of the proof mass. The MEMS optical accelerometer further comprises an atomic wavelength reference and a second detector configured to detect radiation transmitted through the atomic wavelength reference and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light source, and a servomechanism electrically coupled to the second photo detector and the light source, configured to adjust the light source to maintain the radiation emitted by the light source at approximately a selected wavelength.

Abstract: An example optical accelerometer system is provided. An optical beam is provided having a predefined center frequency and is frequency-modulated about the predefined center frequency. An optical cavity includes a first mirror at a first end and a second mirror at a second end of the optical cavity. The second mirror is movable along the axial length of the optical cavity in response to an external acceleration, and the optical cavity receives the optical beam and emits a resonated optical beam. An acceleration detection system measures an intensity of the resonated optical beam and calculates a magnitude of the external acceleration along the axial length of the optical cavity based on the intensity of the resonated optical beam resulting from motion of the second mirror. A stabilization system stabilizes the predefined center frequency of the optical beam independently of the external acceleration based on the modulation of the optical beam.

Abstract: The adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage in the range of 5 to 9 VDC to the sensor transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to reduce environmental noise-induced false triggering and to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a laser system located outside of an area that includes a region of a structure to be inspected, a mobile platform located within the area to be inspected, and a projection system associated with the mobile platform. The laser system is configured to generate a laser beam. The projection system receives the laser beam and projects the laser beam onto a surface of the region of the structure. The laser beam causes a number of ultrasonic waves to form within the structure.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope, includes: a supporting body; a first movable mass and a second movable mass, which are oscillatable according to a first driving axis and tiltable about respective a first and second sensing axes and are symmetrically arranged with respect to a center of symmetry; first sensing electrodes and a second sensing electrodes associated with the first and second movable masses and arranged on the supporting body symmetrically with respect to the first and second sensing axis, the first and second movable masses being capacitively coupled to the respective first sensing electrode and to the respective second sensing electrode, a bridge element elastically coupled to respective inner ends of the first movable mass and of the second movable mass and coupled to the supporting body so as to be tiltable about an axis transverse to the first driving axis.

Abstract: A transducer for stimulating an article under test with ultrasonic vibration may include a transducer body having a transmitting face and configured to generate ultrasonic vibration through the transmitting face, and an couplant mounted on the transmitting face, the couplant having a multiplicity of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes extending therefrom in a direction substantially normal to the transmitting face.

Abstract: A measuring rod capable of receiving a plurality of instrumentation cables transmitting data to a data processing device, includes a section of epicycloidal shape.

Abstract: A method of scanning a sample includes simultaneously forming a plurality of co-linear scans. Each scan is formed by a sweep of a spot by an acousto-optical device (AOD). The co-linear scans are separated by a predetermined spacing. A first plurality of swaths are formed by repeating the simultaneous forming of the plurality of co-linear scans in a direction perpendicular to the co-linear scans. The first plurality of swaths have an inter-swath spacing that is the same as the predetermined spacing. A second plurality of swaths can be formed adjacent to the first plurality of swaths. Forming the second plurality of swaths can be performed in an opposite direction to that of the first plurality of swaths or in a same direction. An inspection system can implement this method by including a diffractive optical element (DOE) path after a magnification changer.

Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of preventing arithmetic operation accuracy from deteriorating even when a bipolar transistor used to form a Gilbert multiplier core has poor characteristics. A correction current generating circuit (3) uses a constant current source (301) to feed a constant current I0 to an emitter of a bipolar transistor (Q7) being a first replica transistor having the same current gain ? as bipolar transistors (Q1 to Q4) that form the Gilbert multiplier core (101), to generate a current of ?·I0 on a collector side thereof. The current is output as a correction current ?·I0, and is added to each of one of input signals (±K1·Vy) of the Gilbert multiplier core (101) as a bias current, to thereby eliminate influence of the current gain ? on an output signal being a multiplication result.

Abstract: A multi-sensor NDI probe having means for self-alignment of the NDI sensors in conjunction with the movement of the sensor suite along the length of a hollow elongated stiffener having a rounded cap. The apparatus comprises a large-radius curved ultrasonic transducer array with cylindrical focus, which provides complete coverage for the rounded cap, two small-radius convex curved transducer arrays for NDI of the lower outside radii, and two linear transducer arrays for NDI of the sides of the stiffener. The five transducer arrays are supported by respective compliant assemblies which facilitate proper adjustment of the location (i.e., position and orientation) of the transducer arrays during scanning. The positions of the transducer arrays are adjusted to account for geometric variations in the stiffener.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer with extended operational capabilities beyond a closed-loop saturation. The present invention combines the closed-loop feedback signal and the measured proof-mass position into a hybrid acceleration measurement, which effectively provides an operating range equal to the traditional closed-loop operating range plus the sensor's mechanical open-loop range.