Abstract: In an embodiment, a pressure transducer includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The third portion is positioned in a cavity contained in the second portion. In addition, a seal is placed in the cavity. The first portion and second include provisions for applying a downward pressure on the third portion when the first portion and the second portion are joined. The downward pressure is applied by the third portion to the seal the cavity. The first portion also includes a stop and the second portion also includes a snap member. The snap member includes a prong that contains a first edge and a second edge. The snap member allows movement of the first portion after the first edge of the prong meets the stop and restricts movement of the first portion after the second edge of the prong meets the stop.

Abstract: Rotary actuator assemblies, wind tunnels including the same, and associated methods are disclosed. A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary element and a rotary actuator with a shape memory alloy element. The rotary actuator is configured to generate a first torque and a second torque in opposing rotary directions to rotate the rotary element. A rotary actuator assembly further includes an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element configured to generate a magnetic force therebetween. Wind tunnels include an aerodynamic model with a rotary actuator assembly to rotate a portion of the aerodynamic model with respect to an airstream in a chamber. A method of rotating a rotary element includes modulating a temperature of a shape memory alloy element and applying a supplemental torque to the rotary element with an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a work piece center of mass includes coupling a work piece to a manipulator assembly. The manipulator assembly includes a force and torque sensor. The work piece is positioned in at least two different orientations relative to a gravity vector with the manipulator assembly. The at least two different orientations include at least first and second orientations. In the first orientation the force and torque sensor measures a first torque and at least a first force associated with the work piece in the first orientation. In the second orientation the force and torque sensor measures a second torque associated with the work piece in the second orientation. The work piece center of mass is identified according to at least the measured first and second torques and at least the first force.

Abstract: According to the invention, a pressure receiving space of a pressure sensor is prevented from being charged. In the pressure sensor, a diaphragm is mounted on a base fixed in a cover to form the pressure receiving space in which oil is sealed. A semiconductor pressure detection device is provided in the pressure receiving space, and adjustment lead pins and an earth-terminal lead pin are connected to terminals of the semiconductor pressure detection device by bonding wires. A wiring substrate is provided with the base of the pressure receiving space interposed and faces the base, and a metal foil is provided such that one or more lead pins of the adjustment lead pins and the earth-terminal lead pin are electrically connected in the wiring substrate. Therefore, the charging of the insulative medium sealed in the pressure receiving space is prevented.

Abstract: A fingerprint identification device includes a fingerprint identification controller and a fingerprint identification sensor. The fingerprint identification sensor includes a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a side surface coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface. Sensor electrodes are arranged on the top surface, electrical leads couple the sensor electrodes and the fingerprint identification controller. The coupling leads extend from the top surface along the side surface to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A stitched sensor including a plurality of threads stitched to a textile in a stitch geometry is described. The plurality of threads includes a conductive thread, and the stitch geometry is configured such that an electrical property of the stitched sensor changes based on at least one of stretching, relaxation, or bending of the textile. Methods for forming a stitched sensor are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a hand-held working device (1), which comprises a data acquisition unit (24) in which actuations of the trigger switch and accelerations of the working device (1) are captured. In order to further simplify and/or improve the operation of the hand-held working device, it is monitored within a limited period of time after actuation of the trigger switch whether an acceleration of the working device (1) exceeds an acceleration threshold in order to detect trouble-free ignitions and/or ignition problems during the operation of the working device (1).

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a work piece center of mass includes coupling a work piece to a manipulator assembly. The manipulator assembly includes a force and torque sensor. The work piece is positioned in at least two different orientations relative to a gravity vector with the manipulator assembly. The at least two different orientations include at least first and second orientations. In the first orientation the force and torque sensor measures a first torque and at least a first force associated with the work piece in the first orientation. In the second orientation the force and torque sensor measures a second torque associated with the work piece in the second orientation. The work piece center of mass is identified according to at least the measured first and second torques and at least the first force.

Abstract: Collecting data includes generating a sensor signal from each of a plurality of sensors located on a sensing roll, wherein each signal is generated when each sensor enters a region of a nip between the sensing roll and mating roll during each rotation of the sensing roll; wherein a web of material travels through the nip and a continuous band, which also travels through the nip, contacts a region of the web of material upstream from or in the nip. A periodically occurring time reference is generated associated with each rotation of the continuous band and the signal generated by each sensor is received so that the one of the plurality of sensors which generated this signal is determined and one of a plurality of tracking segments associated with the continuous band is identified. The signal is stored to associate the respective sensor signal with the identified one tracking segment.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing a cooling water state applied to a cooling water pump control system is provided. The cooling water pump control system includes a speed controller that generates an output current instruction value of an inverter to provide power to a cooling water pump based on a difference between a speed instruction value of the cooling water pump and an actual speed measurement value of the cooling water pump. The system for diagnosing a cooling water state includes a pump speed prediction model unit that generates a speed estimation value to predict a speed of the cooling water pump based on the output current instruction value, and a pump state diagnosing unit that compares the speed estimation value and the actual speed measurement value to diagnose a circulation state of the cooling water.

Abstract: A concrete reinforcement assembly including a first hollow metal sleeve, an anchor bar that is nested concentrically within the first hollow metal sleeve, and a second hollow metal sleeve. The first hollow metal sleeve is nested concentrically within the second hollow metal sleeve and an infill material is disposed in between the first hollow metal sleeve and the anchor bar, and in between the first hollow metal sleeve and the second hollow metal sleeve. The infill material dampens energy transfer to and from the concrete reinforcement assembly when employed for structural stability in a concrete structure. A method for repairing a damaged concrete anchor with the concrete reinforcement assembly. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute a method of determining a cyclic response factor of a concrete reinforcement assembly in a concrete structure.

Abstract: The invention refers to measuring equipment and is a mechanical stress sensor. The sensor has a rectangular plate of a polymer material the top surface of said rectangular plate having a cavity where a detector is located. Inside the rectangular plate there is a preliminary tensile amorphous ferromagnetic microwire located inside a measuring coil. The microwire is connected to a first pair of contact pads, while the differential measuring coil is connected to a second pair of contact pads. Both pairs of contact pads are connected to the detector. The detector has an output which is connected to an analog to digital converter coupled with a personal computer.

Abstract: A process fluid pressure measurement probe includes a pressure sensor formed of a single-crystal material and mounted to a first metallic process fluid barrier and disposed for direct contact with a process fluid. The pressure sensor has an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. A feedthrough is formed of a single-crystal material and has a plurality of conductors extending from a first end to a second end. The feedthrough is mounted to a second metallic process fluid barrier and is spaced from, but electrically coupled to, the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and the feedthrough are mounted such that the secondary metallic process fluid barrier is isolated from process fluid by the first metallic process fluid barrier.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a base having a bottom wall and a first sidewall enclosed with the bottom wall to form a first receiving space. A pressure sensitive film is located in the first receiving space and the peripheral portion of the pressure sensitive film is arranged on the first sidewall. An elastic cover has a top wall, a second sidewall, and a protrusion. The top wall and the second sidewall are enclosed to form a second receiving space. The second sidewall is located on the first sidewall of the base, the protrusion extends from the top wall to the second receiving space and makes contact with the pressure sensitive film, transferring an external pressure to the pressure sensitive film. The resistance of the pressure sensitive film is virtually linear corresponding to the external pressure.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical pressure sensor structure that comprises a planar base, a side wall layer and a diaphragm plate. The side wall layer forms side walls that extend away from the planar base into contact with the diaphragm plate. The side wall layer is formed of at least three layers, a first layer and a second layer of insulating material and a third layer of conductive material, wherein the third layer is between the first layer and the second layer. The conducting layer provides a shield electrode within the isolating side wall layer. This shield electrode is adapted to reduce undesired effects to the capacitive measurement results.

Abstract: A pressure sensing pad includes a flexible planar layer having a two-dimensional sensing area, and an optical fiber embedded in the plane of the flexible planar layer traversing the two-dimensional sensing area in a particular configuration. At least one end of the fiber optic strain sensor has a connector that is connectable to an interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system. When the connector is connected to the an interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system and pressure is applied to the pressure sensing pad, a signal from the optical fiber is provided to and processed by the interferometric-based fiber optic interrogation and processing system to determine a two-dimensional pressure map for the two-dimensional sensing area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chassis configured to move back and forth along multiple rails. The apparatus also includes electrical contacts configured to form electrical connections to the rails. The apparatus further includes a power converter/conditioner configured to receive power from the rails via the electrical contacts and to convert the power into a different form and/or condition the power. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to measure at least one characteristic of a material, where the one or more sensors are configured to operate using the power from the power converter/conditioner. The electrical contacts could touch the rails and receive the power directly from the rails. The electrical contacts could also touch rail contacts and receive the power indirectly from the rails via the rail contacts.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a parameter includes a capacitor, a switch and a comparator. The capacitor is configured to be charged or discharged by at least one of a first current signal or a second current signal. The switch is configured to selectively connect or disconnect the first current signal and the capacitor in response to a feedback signal. The comparator is coupled with the capacitor and configured to output an output voltage based on a comparison of a capacitor voltage of the capacitor to a reference voltage. The first current signal is independent of the parameter, and the second current signal is dependent on the parameter. The output voltage defines the feedback signal and is indicative of a value of the parameter detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A load sensor includes a core having a hollow part provided therein and containing magnetic material and a coil attached to the core. A magnetic path along which a magnetic flux generated by a current flowing in the coil is formed along a circumference direction of the hollow part. The core has a load-receiving portion that receives a load at a surface of the core located in a crossing direction crossing a plane along which the magnetic path is formed.

Abstract: An output member for a Direct Impact Hopkinson pressure bar includes an elongate tube portion and a disc-shaped cap portion. The tube portion has a first end and an opposite second end, while the cap portion includes a first face and an opposite second face. A circular stub protrudes from a center of the first face, and a circular cavity is formed in the second face. Each of the stub and the cavity is concentric with the cap portion, with a diameter of the cavity being greater than a diameter of the stub. The second face of the cap portion is positioned in intimate contact with the first end of the tube portion, with the cap portion being concentric with the tube portion.