Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic.

Abstract: A method and a device for balancing a CT gantry device are provided. The method includes: obtaining a fluctuation chain of pulses generated in one revolution of the CT gantry and obtained when the CT gantry collects data; obtaining an eccentric angle of a center of mass according to the fluctuation chain, and calculating a magnitude of imbalance; and adjusting weight at a weight counterbalancing position according to the eccentric angle and the magnitude of imbalance, to locate the center of mass at the rotation center. The device includes a data collection unit for collecting a fluctuation chain, and a processor for obtaining an eccentric angle of a center of mass, and calculating a magnitude of imbalance; and the processor adjusts weight at the weight counterbalancing position according to the eccentric angle and the magnitude of imbalance, to locate the center of mass at the rotation center.

Abstract: An impact detection circuit includes a first detection section adapted to detect presence or absence of an impact input based on a first output signal as an output signal in a first detection axis of an inertial sensor having the first detection axis and a second detection axis different from each other, a second detection section adapted to detect presence or absence of an impact input based on a second output signal as an output signal in the second detection axis, and an impact detection determination section adapted to determine that an impact input has been made in a case in which both of the first detection section and the second detection section have detected the presence of the impact input.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for protecting a rotary machine in a high noise environment. In one embodiment, the method includes a step of measuring a vibration signal during operation of the rotary machine. Another step includes modulating the vibration signal at a desired frequency to generate a modulated signal having a direct current (DC) value. The desired frequency varies as a function of an operational parameter of the rotary machine. The method also includes a step of filtering the modulated signal via one or more low-pass filters. Another step includes comparing an amplitude of the filtered signal to a threshold amplitude for one or more components of the rotary machine. The threshold amplitude is indicative of an imbalance within one or more components of the rotary machine. The rotary machine is then operated based on the comparison so as to protect the rotary machine from damage caused by the imbalance within the one or more components of the rotary machine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a micromechanical gyroscope and a circuit. The micromechanical gyroscope is configured to be excited in a first mode by a drive signal, and configured to be excited in a second mode by a gyroscopic effect. The circuit is coupled to the micromechanical gyroscope and configured to detect the gyroscopic effect when the micromechanical gyroscope is in the second mode.

Abstract: A system includes a vibration test system and a test fixture. The vibration test system includes a slip table, and the vibration test system is configured to vibrate the slip table. The slip table includes an electromagnet. The test fixture is configured to receive at least one article to be subjected to vibration testing. At least part of the test fixture is configured to be magnetically attracted to the electromagnet in order to secure the test fixture to the electromagnet. The system may also include a material handling robot configured to lift and move the test fixture and multiple testing stations configured to perform tests on the at least one article, where the material handling robot is configured to move the test fixture to and from each of the testing stations.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods for digital automatic gain control for driving a MEMS device, such as a proof mass. In an example, an apparatus can include a driver configured to oscillate a proof mass of a MEMS device, a charge-to-voltage (C2V) converter configured to provide oscillation information of the proof mass, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to provide a digital representation of the oscillation information, and a digital, automatic gain control circuit to provide oscillation amplitude error information using a comparison of the oscillation information to target amplitude information, and to provide a digital drive command signal using an amplified representation of the oscillation amplitude error information.

Abstract: An inertial sensor having a body with an excitation coil and a first sensing coil extending along a first axis. A suspended mass includes a magnetic-field concentrator, in a position corresponding to the excitation coil, and configured for displacing by inertia in a plane along the first axis. A supply and sensing circuit is electrically coupled to the excitation coil and to the first sensing coil, and is configured for generating a time-variable flow of electric current that flows in the excitation coil so as to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic-field concentrator to induce a voltage/current in the sensing coil. The integrated circuit is configured for measuring a value of the voltage/current induced in the first sensing coil so as to detect a quantity associated to the displacement of the suspended mass along the first axis.

Abstract: A probe that is inserted into a body cavity, wherein an inner unit (inner assembly) comprises an oscillator unit, an intermediate substrate, an electronic circuit substrate, and a backing member. An exhaust heat sheet is joined to an area at the perimeter of the rear surface of the electronic circuit substrate. The exhaust heat sheet comprises a main body part and a plurality of wings that extend to the outside from the main body part. The plurality of wings include a right wing and a left wing. The wings are inserted into two slits formed in a probe head case (heat radiating shell), and the end parts of the wings are accommodated in and adhered to two recessed sections formed in the outer surface of the probe head case. Thus, heat generated inside the probe head case can be directly transferred to the outer surface of the probe head case.

Abstract: An inertial force sensor includes a detecting device which detects an inertial force, the detecting device having a first orthogonal arm and a supporting portion, the first orthogonal arm having a first arm and a second arm fixed in a substantially orthogonal direction, and the supporting portion supporting the first arm. The second arm has a folding portion. In this configuration, there is provided a small inertial force sensor which realizes detection of a plurality of different inertial forces and detection of inertial forces of a plurality of detection axes.

Abstract: This document discusses among other things apparatus and methods for a proof mass including split z-axis portions. An example proof mass can include a center portion configured to anchor the proof-mass to an adjacent layer, a first z-axis portion configure to rotate about a first axis using a first hinge, the first axis parallel to an x-y plane orthogonal to a z-axis, a second z-axis portion configure to rotate about a second axis using a second hinge, the second axis parallel to the x-y plane, wherein the first z-axis portion is configured to rotate independent of the second z-axis portion.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes a cylindrical shell having a first end and a second end, a base on the second end of the shell, a substrate, an anchor coupling the base to the substrate, and electrodes for driving and sensing mechanically separated from the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of monitoring a fluid carrying conduit, comprising interrogating an optic fiber positioned along the path of the conduit to provide distributed acoustic sensing, measuring by distributed acoustic sensing the acoustic signal at each of a plurality of discrete longitudinal sensing portions along the length of the optic fiber, to monitor the optic fiber for the presence of a first characteristic signal, the first characteristic signal being indicative of ground heave the vicinity of the optic fiber, and determining that a failure has occurred in the conduit when a first characteristic signal is measured in the distributed acoustic sensing.

Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor having a substrate and a plurality of movable substructures that are mounted over a surface of the substrate, the movable substructures being coupled to a shared, in particular, central spring element, means being provided for exciting the movable substructures into a coupled oscillation in a plane that extends parallel to the surface of the substrate, the movable substructures having Coriolis elements, means being provided for detecting deflections of the Coriolis elements induced by a Coriolis force, a first Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis, a second Coriolis element being provided for detecting a yaw rate about a second axis, the second axis being oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.

Abstract: An online real time steam or gas turbine engine rotor balancing system is incorporated in a rotor balance plane. A selectively displaceable balancing weight is coupled to the rotor and is selectively displaced by a motor that is coupled to the balancing weight. The motor selectively displaces the balancing weight along a displacement path that is in the balance plane. A turbine engine rotor vibration monitoring system monitors rotor vibration in real-time. A control system is coupled to rotor vibration monitoring system and the motor, for determining in real time a desired balance weight displacement position to counteract the monitored rotor vibration. The controller selectively causes the motor to displace the balancing weight to the desired displacement position. The motor power source is an inductive power source or a permanent magnet generator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: A device for determining properties of a medium has a hollow body which accommodates the medium and a housing which circumferentially surrounds the hollow body. At least one portion of a wall of the hollow body is formed as waveguide for acoustic surface waves, which forms an interface to the medium. There is provided at least one transmitter for exciting acoustic waves in the waveguide and at least one receiver for receiving acoustic waves from the waveguide, which are arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are in direct contact with an outer surface of the waveguide and wherein the distance between transmitter and receiver is chosen such that acoustic waves excited by the transmitter can at least partly propagate on paths extending through the medium. There is provided at least one contact carrier on which the transmitter and/or the receiver are arranged. Between the waveguide and the contact carrier a continuous air gap is formed.

Abstract: A vibrating inertial sensor is provided, micro machined in a plane thin wafer, allowing the measurement of an angular position or of an angular speed. The sensor comprises two vibrating masses suspended by springs with identical stiffness in X and Y and coupled together by identical stiffness springs in X and Y, and at least excitation transducers and detection transducers disposed on at least one of the masses. The mobile assembly consisting of a vibrating mass and the parts of transducers fastened to this mass has a generally symmetric structure with respect to an axis of symmetry OX and with respect to an axis of symmetry OY.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first sensor element which detects an angular velocity around z axis and a second sensor element which detects an angular velocity around x axis, the relationship fd1>fd2 and fm1<fm2 is satisfied, when the drive frequency of the first sensor element is set to fd1, the drive frequency of the second sensor element is set to fd2, the mistuned frequency of the first sensor element is set to fm1, and the mistuned frequency of the second sensor element is set to fm2.