Abstract: A vibrator includes first and second circular or substantially circular arc-shaped beam portions, a base end-side weight portion, and a base end-side weight portion joining portion. The end portions of the first and second circular or substantially circular arc-shaped beam portions in an X-axis positive direction face each other across a distance in a Y-axis direction, and the end portions thereof in an X-axis negative direction are joined to each other. The base end-side weight portion is disposed between the first and second circular or substantially circular arc-shaped beam portions. The base end-side weight portion joining portion extends from a joining portion between the first circular or substantially circular arc-shaped beam portion and the second circular or substantially circular arc-shaped beam portion in the X-axis positive direction, and joined to the base end-side weight portion.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing system includes, an optical fiber, a plurality of pairs of reflectors distributed along the optical fiber at specific areas where acoustic energy data is sought, a source of coherent radiation in operable communication with the optical fiber, and a detector in operable communication with the optical fiber configured to detect a different wavelength of coherent radiation reflected from each of the plurality of pairs of reflectors including a portion of the coherent radiation reflected from the reflector nearer the detector after having reflected from the reflector further from the detector that define one of the pairs of reflectors.

Abstract: A method for the precise measuring operation of a micro-mechanical rotation rate sensor, including at least one seismic mass, at least one drive device for driving the seismic mass in the primary mode (qi) and at least three trimming electrode elements which are jointly associated directly or indirectly with the seismic mass. An electric trimming voltage (u1, u2, u3, u4) is set respectively between said trimming electrode elements and the seismic mass. Each of the electric trimming voltages (u1, u2, u3, u4) are adjusted in accordance with a resonance frequency variable (?T, ?T,0), a quadrature variable (?T, ?T,0) and a restoring variable (?S).

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method for inspecting a first article. The method includes, in a first inspection process: measuring the distance between a first surface of the first article and a nominal axis at three or more measurement locations along the axis of the surface; using the measured distances to produce a mathematical model of the surface of the first article; transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a first side of the first article through the first surface of the first article at a plurality of inspection locations along the axis of the first surface, and receiving a transmitted waveform which has passed through at least part of the first article; using the model to normalize each transmitted waveform at each inspection location to the nominal axis; and identifying a signature signal from the normalized transmitted waveform at each inspection location.

Abstract: Use of an acoustic wave receiving apparatus which includes: a resonator including a first mirror on which measurement light is incident, a second mirror which is arranged to face the first mirror and on which acoustic waves from an object are incident, an acoustic wave reception layer interposed between the first mirror and the second mirror, and a compensation layer; and a detector for detecting a variation in an optical path length between the first mirror and the second mirror that occurs in response to deformation of the acoustic wave reception layer caused by incidence of the acoustic waves, wherein the variation in the optical path length due to a film thickness distribution of the acoustic wave reception layer is compensated by refraction in the compensation layer.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the surface of a curved object is provided. This system includes an object having a curved surface; at least one substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to generate surface energy waves; and at least one coupling device disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the coupling device is operative to conform to the curved surface, support the interdigital transducer, and provide a medium through which the surface energy waves can effectively travel from the interdigital transducer to the curved surface and across the curved surface in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A low density accelerometer includes a buoyant outer layer and a rigid hollow housing within the outer layer. The housing includes an upper member and a lower member and is configured to form a groove at the junction of the upper and lower member. A disk shaped sensing element configured in a ring defining an aperture is configured to engage the groove along an outer edge of the annular ring. A solid proof mass is configured to fit in the center of the annular ring and configured with a threaded bore on an upper surface of the proof mass. The mass is secured to the sensing element by a retainer such as a Belleville washer in contact with the upper surface of the sensing element circumferentially about the aperture and a threaded fastener passing through the retainer and the aperture in the sensing element, and threadingly engaging the threaded bore in the proof mass.

Abstract: A MEMS resonant accelerometer is disclosed, having: a proof mass coupled to a first anchoring region via a first elastic element so as to be free to move along a sensing axis in response to an external acceleration; and a first resonant element mechanically coupled to the proof mass through the first elastic element so as to be subject to a first axial stress when the proof mass moves along the sensing axis and thus to a first variation of a resonant frequency. The MEMS resonant accelerometer is further provided with a second resonant element mechanically coupled to the proof mass through a second elastic element so as to be subject to a second axial stress when the proof mass moves along the sensing axis, substantially opposite to the first axial stress, and thus to a second variation of a resonant frequency, opposite to the first variation.

Abstract: A system configured to determine the mass of an object. The system generates a first output signal by transmitting an excitation signal through an oscillating resonator array. The oscillating resonator array includes a first oscillating resonator, a second oscillating resonator; and an electronic component coupled between the first oscillating resonator and the second oscillating resonator. A user adds an object to a surface of the oscillating resonator array. After adding the object, the system generates a second output signal by transmitting the excitation signal through the oscillating resonator array and determines a phase difference between the first output signal and the second output signal.

Abstract: For ultrasonic measurement of pipe seam peaking, optionally with simultaneous ultrasonic wall thickness measurement using ultrasonic probes mounted on sensor holders on a sensor mount, it is proposed to use a sensor mount with sensor holders mounted on movable skids, which are pressed outward by spring elements and bear against the internal pipe surface, and skids having a large skid breadth greater than the seam peak breadth measured in the pipe's circumferential direction in the region of a measured seam peak, and sensor holders equipped with sensors only in a measuring region situated half way between two skid contact surfaces, wherein the measuring region breadth is less or equal to half of the skid breadth such that the stand off deviation of the sensors resulting in the seam peak region remains below a threshold value.

Abstract: A rotation sensor system is presented. The system includes a rotating frame configured to be mounted on a gimbal and configured to be driven for controlled rocking motion about a predetermined axis of the frame, and a proof mass assembly mounted on the rotating frame. The proof mass assembly includes one or more proof mass elements, each mounted to be driven into controlled movement with respect to the predetermined axis along a certain path, such that a distance of each proof mass element from the axis corresponding to a direction of the rocking motion of the frame, thereby affecting a moment of inertia of the rotating frame.

Abstract: An example include microelectromechanical die for sensing motion that includes a fixed portion, an anchor coupled to the fixed portion, a first nonlinear suspension member coupled to anchor on a side of the anchor, a second nonlinear suspension member coupled to the anchor on the same side of the anchor, the second nonlinear suspension member having a shape and location mirroring the first nonlinear suspension member about an anchor bisecting plane and a proof-mass that is planar, the proof mass suspended at least in part by the first nonlinear suspension member and the second nonlinear suspension member such that the proof-mass is rotable about the anchor and is slideable in a plane parallel to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A vibrator element including: a base portion; vibrating arms which extend from the base portion; a first drive section and a second drive section, and a first detecting section and a second detecting sensor which are respectively provided in the vibrating arms; adjusting arms which extend from the base portion in parallel to the vibrating arms; and a first adjusting section and a second adjusting section which are respectively provided on a principal surface of the adjusting arms, wherein, in the first adjusting section and the second adjusting section, a first electrode, piezoelectric layers, and adjustment electrodes are laminated on the first principal surface to be formed, and output signals of the first adjusting section and the second adjusting section are in antiphase to charges generated by the first detecting section and the second detecting section when no angular velocity is added to the vibrating arms.

Abstract: Frequency compensation of a vibration sensor digitally in a time domain by using a high-pass filter roll-off slope is presented. The subject matter reduces the noise floor of an analog front end or analog domain portion of a circuit configured to enhance the frequency response of a vibration sensor. The present subject matter eliminates or reduces analog components and adds pieces of signal processing software to digitally enhance the frequency response of a vibration sensor so as to reduce component costs.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in scanning a material includes a top member having a first body with a first plurality of holes; a bottom member having a second body with a second plurality of holes; and an interconnecting member connecting the top member and the second member to provide a gap between the top member and the bottom member. Each hole in the top member is aligned with a corresponding hole in the bottom member to form a hole-pair.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controller, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of processing multiple sensor signals of a gyroscope. The signal processor includes: a front end amplifier for converting a signal into a voltage variation signal; at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to the front end amplifier and operative to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; and at least one demodulator coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and operative to demodulate the digital signal to thereby extract an envelope signal therefrom.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes a back plate; at least one back plate electrode coupled to the back plate; a proof of mass with the proof of mass elastically coupled to the back plate; and a proof of mass electrode coupled to the proof of mass. Movement of the sensor causes a capacitance between the proof of mass electrode and the at least one back plate electrode to vary and the capacitance represents a magnitude of the movement of the sensor.

Abstract: Sensing devices based on a surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) device coated with an absorbent crystalline or amorphous layer for detecting at least one chemical analyte in a gaseous carrier. Methods for detecting the presence of a chemical analyte in a gaseous carrier using such devices are also disclosed. The sensing devices and methods for their use may be configured for sensing chemical analytes selected from the group consisting of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methanol, ethanol, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, organic amines, organic compounds containing NO2 groups, halogenated hydrocarbons, acetone, hexane, toluene, isopropanol, alcohols, alkanes, alkenes, benzene, functionalized aromatics, ammonia (NH3), phosgene (COCl2), sulfur mustard, nerve agents, sulfur dioxide, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and methyltertbutyl ether (MTBE) and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer successfully operates at temperatures of up to 1000° C. and fast (>1 MeV) neutron fluencies of more than 1018 n/cm2. The transducer comprises a transparent, nitrogen rich aluminum nitride (AlN) crystal wafer that is coupled to an aluminum cylinder for pulse-echo measurements. The transducer has the capability to measure in situ gamma heating within the core of a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A first sensor section installed in an acceleration sensor employs a first elastic member which is elastically movable according to acceleration in the first and third directions and is stiff against acceleration in second direction so as to restrict elasticity in second direction. Thereby, the first sensor section is provided as a biaxial acceleration sensor which detects the first and third directional acceleration according to a change of electrostatic capacity between a first weight (i.e. the first movable electrode) made movable according to acceleration and the first fixed electrode. A second sensor section installed in the acceleration sensor is structurally identical with the first sensor section and configured to detect acceleration in second and third directions. Thereby, such combination of the first sensor section and the second sensor section constitutes a three-dimensional acceleration sensor.