Abstract: A robotic inspection system for corrosion detection within external post-tension bridge tendons includes a sensing device. The sensing device is configured to move along a bridge tendon to detect magnetic flux leakage of the bridge tendon as the sensing device moves along the bridge tendon. In addition, the system includes a location device coupled to the sensing device, where the location device is configured to determine the location of the sensing device on the bridge tendon. The system also includes a control station configured to wirelessly interface with the sensing device and the location instrument. The control station is also configured to generate a bridge tendon condition assessment report from the detection of magnetic flux leakage to identify locations and sizes of discontinuities of the bridge tendon.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensor includes first and second magnetic detection elements disposed at positions where a first disposition angle relative to a magnet center is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees and configured to acquire magnetic field in a first direction varying by a rotation of a magnet; third and fourth magnetic detection elements configured to acquire the magnetic field in a second direction; a calculation signal generator configured to output a first magnetic field calculation signal, based on outputs of the first and second magnetic detection elements, and configured to output a second magnetic field calculation signal, based on outputs of the third and fourth magnetic detection elements; and an angle signal generator configured to generate and output an angle signal indicative of a rotation angle of the magnet, based on the first and second magnetic field calculation signal.

Abstract: A rotation angle detection device for detecting a rotation angle of a rotating body includes a magnet disposed to rotate together with the rotating body, a magnetic portion provided in a ring shape radially outward of the magnet, a plurality of gaps being formed in the magnetic portion at a plurality of locations along a circumferential direction, and a magnetic detection unit arranged in a particular gap of the plurality of gaps. The magnetic detection unit is located at a detection position, a width of the particular gap in the tangential direction at the detection position is defined as a detection position gap width, a width of the particular gap in the tangential direction at a position radially outward of the detection position is defined as a tangential width, and the tangential width is narrower than the detection position gap width.

Abstract: A system for detecting water trees in branching underground electrical cables includes a pulse generator configured to inject a pulse into a first underground cable that branches into a second underground cable and a third underground cable. The system includes a first sensor associated with the first cable, a second sensor associated with the second cable, and a third sensor associated with the third cable. The system includes a control device configured to obtain a first, second, and third signal associated with the first, second and third sensors, respectively. The control device determines a lead-lag relationship between the second and third signals and determines presence of a water tree within at least one of the second and third cable based on the lead-lag relationship. When presence of a water tree is determined, the control device generates a control action associated with repairing or replacing the second and/or third cable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a probe for a nondestructive testing device using a crossed gradient induced current and a method of manufacturing an induction coil for a nondestructive testing device. The probe for a nondestructive testing device using a crossed gradient induced current includes an induction coil formed to have a predetermined width and to generate first and second induced currents in a direction crossing each other when a current is applied from a power supply, and a magnetic sensor part installed adjacent to the induction coil so as to measure the first and second induced currents induced from the induction coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate-shaped connection system for the connection of two test units, such as for example a testing device (tester) and a handling device (handler). The handling device serves for the feeding of semiconductor elements to the tester of a test system, for the testing of such semiconductor elements. The plate-shaped connection system comprises a master frame and an insert frame. The master frame is designed for connection with a first of the two test units and one or more docking elements are provided for releasable connection with the other second test unit. The insert frame is designed that it may be connected to the master frame. The insert frame extends inwards from an inner edge of the master frame, wherein the insert frame has mounting elements for the mounting of a test board.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensor unit for generating a signal indicative of a physical quantity. The device comprises a processing unit for receiving the signal, in which the processing unit comprises a storage memory for storing data derived from the signal as provided by the sensor unit at at least two points in time. The device comprises a bus interface for communicating with an electronic control unit via a digital communication bus. When a read command is received from the electronic control unit, an estimate of the physical quantity is sent in response to the electronic control unit. The processing unit comprises an estimator for calculating the estimate at a reference point in time based on the data stored in the storage memory, in which the reference point in time differs from the point in time at which the read command is received by substantially a predetermined offset.

Abstract: A proximity sensor installed inside a vehicle can include: an outer frame formed of a first non-conductive substance and including a first metal layer; an inner frame formed of a second non-conductive substance, including a second metal layer, and disposed in an interior of the outer frame; a sensor electrode contacting the second metal layer; and a sensor Integrated Circuit (IC) connected to the sensor electrode and configured to detect an approach or a contact of a user's hand. The first metal layer can be connected to the ground (GND) so as to confine a sensing field of the sensor electrode to the interior of the outer frame.

Abstract: A rotation angle measurement method and a circuit, a rotation angle measuring system including a shaft, a transducer, a first sensor system with at least one magnetic field sensor of a first type for measuring a magnetic field component Bz and a second sensor system with at least one magnetic field sensor of a second type for detecting magnetic field components Bx, By being provided, a first or second measured value being ascertained with the aid of each sensor system at a first point in time, a first or second rotation angle value being determined for each measured value, a first output rotation angle value being determined from the first rotation angle value and a known constant angle offset between the two sensor systems as a reference value for the second sensor system, a deviation of the second rotation angle value from the first output rotation angle value being ascertained.

Abstract: Enhanced surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors and SAW sensor-tag wireless interface devices, including low loss devices, devices that enable enhanced use of time diversity for device identification, and devices suitable for use in band-limited environments (such as ISM band) and for use in ultra-wideband applications are disclosed. Antennas for use with both SAW sensors and/or tags, and wireless transceiver systems also are disclosed, including antennas suitable for operation in conductive media and in highly metallic environments, said antennas being used to activate and read said SAW sensors and/or tags. SAW sensors and sensor-tags and related methods for measuring scaled voltage and current in electrical conductors via measurements of the electric and magnetic fields thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing tests using automated test equipment (ATE) is disclosed. The system comprises a robot comprising an end effector operable to pick up and transfer a DUT in-and-out of a test slot in a primitive. The system further comprises a system controller comprising a memory and a processor for controlling the robot. Also, the system comprises a test rack comprising a plurality of primitives, wherein the primitive is a modular device comprising a plurality of slots for testing a plurality of DUTs, and wherein the robot is configured to access slots in the plurality of primitives within the test rack using the end effector.

Abstract: Apparatuses for studying possible physical effects of dark matter may include an electronic oscillator. A power source may be in electrical communication with the electronic oscillator. An antenna may be in series electrical communication with the electronic oscillator. A first diode may be in series electrical communication with the electronic oscillator and the antenna. A second diode may be in series electrical communication with the electronic oscillator and the antenna. The first diode and the second diode may ensure and restrict flow of electrical current in one direction only in the antenna. Methods for studying possible physical effects of dark matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for correcting a relative position between a probe card having a plurality of cantilever-type probes and an object to be inspected having a plurality of electrode pads, including: arranging a first group of cantilever-type probes among the plurality of cantilever-type probes in a first region and a second region; arranging a second group of cantilever-type probes among the plurality of cantilever-type probes in a third region and a fourth region; obtaining needle traces formed on the plurality of electrode pads, which are generated when the first group of cantilever-type probes and the second group of cantilever-type probes that are arranged in the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region, are brought into contact with the plurality of electrode pads; and correcting the relative position between the probe card and the object to be inspected based on the obtained needle traces.

Abstract: A probe card includes a circuit board having a through opening therein. A fixing member is at least partially in the through opening of the circuit board and has a through opening therein. The through opening of the fixing member is defined at least partially by opposite first and second sidewalls of the fixing member. A plurality of probes each includes an arm portion and a tip portion. One end of the arm portion is connected to the circuit board. The arm portion extends through the first sidewall of the fixing member into the through opening of the fixing member. The arm portion is angled with respect to a direction perpendicular to the first sidewall of the fixing member when viewed from above. The tip portion extends from the arm portion. The second sidewall of the fixing member is free of probes.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a proximity sensor (300) comprising: at least a first sensor portion, a second sensor portion and a third sensor portion, the second sensor portion being provided between the first and third sensor portions, the first and third sensor portions each comprising at least a portion of a or a respective substrate (310) having first and second opposite major faces, the first and third sensor portions each bearing on a major face of the or the respective substrate at least a portion of a substantially planar transmit electrode (320), and a substantially planar receive electrode (330A, 330B) arranged to receive a signal transmitted by the respective at least a portion of a transmit electrode, the second sensor portion comprising a first region (315), the sensor comprising a ground shield portion (340) comprising one or more substantially planar, elongate electrodes, the ground shield portion having at least one elongate portion laterally disposed between the receive e

Abstract: According to an example, a microfluidic apparatus may include a fluid slot and a foyer that is in fluid communication with the fluid slot via a channel having a relatively smaller width than the foyer. The microfluidic apparatus may also include an electrical sensor to measure a change in an electrical field caused by a particle of interest in a fluid passing through the channel from the fluid slot to the foyer, an actuator to apply pressure onto fluid contained in the foyer, and a controller to receive the measured change in the electrical field from the electrical sensor, determine, from the received change in the electrical field, an electrical signature of the particle of interest, and control the actuator to control movement of the particle of interest based upon the determined electrical signature of the particle of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments related to a corrosion detection device for detecting corrosive environments. A corrosion detection device comprises a magnetic sensor and at least one magnetic nanowire disposed on the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor is configured to detect corrosion of the one or more magnetic nanowires based at least in part on a magnetic field of the one or more magnetic nanowires.

Abstract: A method and device for determining insulation resistances in a motor vehicle. The device includes a control device which, in at least two measuring intervals, controls a respective operating state of at least one power converter of the motor vehicle, which is conductively connected to the traction energy store. The device further comprises a measuring device having a measuring terminal, which is conductively connected or connectable to least one DC voltage pole of an electric traction energy store of the motor vehicle, and a ground terminal which is conductively connected or connectable to a reference potential of the motor vehicle. The measuring device, in the at least two measuring intervals, respectively measures a conductance between the measuring terminal and the ground terminal. The device further comprises a calculation device, which determines the insulation resistances as a function of the at least two measured conductances and the operating states controlled.

Abstract: A circuit and method for magnetic field detection is disclosed. A fluxgate sensor comprises a fluxgate having a first core and a second core. A sense coil has a first winding around the first fluxgate core and a second winding around the second fluxgate core. A fluxgate detection circuit is coupled to the sense coil and outputs a signal proportional to an external magnetic field applied to the fluxgate. A detection circuit is coupled to the first winding and outputs a signal that indicates whether voltage pulses have been detected on the first winding.

Abstract: Various embodiments manage a fuel cell IT grid system to maintain fuel cell temperatures above a threshold temperature. The system may include power modules each including a fuel cell, DC/DC converters each connected to a power module, a DC power bus connected to the DC/DC, IT loads each connected to the DC power bus, a load balancing load connected to the DC power bus, and a control device connected to a first power module. The control device may determine whether a temperature of the first power module exceeds the temperature threshold, determine whether an electrical power output of the power modules exceeds an electrical power demand of the IT loads in response to the temperature exceeding the temperature threshold, and direct excess electrical power output to the load balancing load in response to the electrical power output exceeding the electrical power demand.