Abstract: A device for electrically measuring a force includes a load cell having a first metal electrode and a second metal electrode disposed opposite thereof in the direction of the force, each having contact surfaces in which the force to be measured can be impressed, and electrical resistance in the range of a few milliohms to less than or equal to ten ohms and a mean roughness value (Ra) of less than or equal to 400 nanometers, for forming force-independent conductivity, a thin insulating film disposed between the first and second metal electrodes in a form-locked manner, a reference metal electrode disposed on a section of the thin insulating film such that it is force-decoupled from the first metal electrode and tensioned with respect to the second metal electrode at a constant retaining force by a fastening element, and a measuring circuit designed as a half bridge or a full bridge.

Abstract: A time domain integrated temperature sensor described by the present invention adopts a shaped clock signal to control the charging time of capacitors, so that the capacitors generate charging time delay signals related to the cycle of an input clock, and a pulse signal related to pulse width, temperature and the cycle of the input clock is generated through logical XOR (Exclusive OR) operation on a time delay signal generated when the capacitors are charged by one way of PTAT (Proportional To Absolute Temperature) current in an above control manner and a time delay signal generated when the capacitors are charged by one way of CTAT (Complementary To Absolute Temperature) current in the same manner; then, the same input clock signal is adopted for quantifying the pulse width of the pulse signal, the relevance of the obtained quantization result and the cycle of the input clock is completely offset, namely, an output value of the temperature sensor is unrelated to the input clock signal, thereby solving the pr

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a time temperature indicator (TTI) which is capable of providing a summary of the time and temperature history of a good to which it is coupled, optionally including with regard to providing an indication as to whether one or more temperature thresholds have been breached. According to other embodiments, the TTI specifically provides an indication as to whether a temperature threshold at or around the freeze point has been breached, optionally even without providing a time and temperature history.

Abstract: A display includes an integrated strain-gauge layer in or on the display for measuring the strain at a plurality of locations on the display. The display is deformable and secured to a display device by a first chassis. A method includes measuring, over a period of time, strain of the display of a first device at the plurality of locations and recording the strain measurements in a memory of the display device. Strain measurements associated with a failure of the display may be identified. The method may include simulating a dynamic system including a model of a second device. The model of the second device includes a model of a second chassis different than the first chassis and a model of the display associated with the failure. Simulating the dynamic system may include simulating deformation of the model of the display based on the identified strain measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tactile sensor for detecting a clamping force includes an ultrasonic detector and a sensing layer, and the sensing layer includes a first soft layer and a second soft layer, and the first soft layer has plural spherical microstructures arranged in contact with the ultrasonic detector, so that after a pressure is applied to the sensing layer, the ultrasonic detector generates an ultrasonic wave and receives a reflected wave signal, and the signal is provided for identifying the contact area of the spherical microstructures and deriving the force exerted on the tactile sensor.

Abstract: A non-contact angle/torque sensor comprises an upper rotor in an annular shape having a central axis, and in which magnets are located, the magnets positioned within the annular shape around the central axis with the north and the south poles of adjacent magnets being oriented opposite to one another, and a lower rotor in an annular shape and sharing the central axis of the upper rotor, and located spaced outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the upper rotor. The lower rotor has upper and lower stators spaced apart along the central axis. The upper stator has upper and lower backplanes and a series of upper and lower extensions extending from the respective backplanes. The upper extensions and the lower extensions are not intermeshed or overlapped.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the health and growth of plants in a field. The method and system acquire a thermal image indicative of thermal energy emitted by the plants and process the thermal image to assess variations in the temperatures among the plants.

Abstract: A torque sensor coil includes a non-magnetic bobbin that includes first inclined grooves inclined at a predetermined angle relative to an axial direction and second inclined grooves inclined at the predetermined angle relative to the axial direction in a direction opposite to the first inclined grooves, a first detection coil formed by winding an insulated wire around the bobbin along the first inclined grooves, and a second detection coil formed by winding an insulated wire around the bobbin along the second inclined grooves. The bobbin is divided into plural regions along the circumferential direction, side walls of the first and second inclined grooves in each region are all parallel to a mold draw direction set to be different for each region or are inclined with respect to the parallel direction in such a manner that the first and second inclined grooves are widened toward the outside in a radial direction.

Abstract: A force detection apparatus includes a substrate and a force transmission block. The substrate includes: a high-sensitive mesa gauge that is provided on a main surface, extends in a first direction to produce a relatively large change of an electric resistance in accordance with compressive stress, and includes a top surface; a low-sensitive mesa gauge that is provided on the main surface, extends in a second direction to produce a relatively small change of an electric resistance, and includes a top surface; and a mesa lead that is provided on the main surface, extends in a third direction, and includes a top surface. The force transmission block contacts the top surface of the high-sensitive mesa gauge and the top surface of the low-sensitive mesa gauge, and is non-contact with at least a part of the top surface of the mesa lead.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly having a sensor unit, a pressure port, and an electrical connector. The sensor unit may include a printed circuit board (PCB), a pressure sensor, a support, and a media isolation layer. The PCB may have a first side and an opposite second side, where the pressure sensor may be secured to the first side. The support may also be secured to the first side of the PCB and may circumferentially surround the pressure sensor and/or may define a media sensing opening. The media isolation layer (e.g., a gel or other material) may be provided in the media sensing opening and encase the pressure sensor, where the media isolation layer may transfer a pressure provided by the media in the pressure port to the pressure sensor and may act as a barrier between the media and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An object can depress an input device, such as, for example, a function button in an electronic device. A resistive element having a mechanically resistive force can be disposed to resist the depression or movement of the input device. One or more electrodes can be disposed to provide a measure of capacitance based on the depression of the input device. A shield can be disposed to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the one or more electrodes and the object. The electronic device can include a fingerprint sensor operably connected to at least one of the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: An inner support member, a detection deformable body, and a ring-shaped outer support member are disposed sequentially from the inside to the outside around a Z axis as a central axis. Inner surfaces in the vicinity of inner support points of the detection deformable body connect to outer surfaces of the inner support member via inner connecting members, and outer surfaces in the vicinity of outer support points of the detection deformable body connect to inner surfaces of the outer support member via outer connecting members. When a torque acts in the clockwise direction on the outer support member (130) while the inner support member is fixed, detection parts are displaced outwardly, and detection parts are displaced inwardly. These displacements are detected electrically as changes in capacitance values of four capacitor elements including opposing electrodes.

Abstract: In a system having a thermal backdrop (106) and a thermal illuminator (102), the thermal backdrop includes a body having a top face; a contrast phantom (114) positioned above the top face and aligned substantially parallel with the top face; and a reflective layer (112) located between the body and the contrast phantom and aligned substantially parallel with the top face. The thermal illuminator radiates thermal energy (104) in a first direction towards the contrast phantom; wherein the first direction is aligned with the top face such that when the thermal energy is radiated in the first direction a first portion of the thermal energy is absorbed by the contrast phantom and a second portion (116) is reflected by the reflective layer towards a millimeter-wave camera (118) in a second direction. Furthermore, the contrast phantom has a plurality of different portions (114A, 114B, 114C, 114D), each portion having a different respective thickness along the first direction.

Abstract: The invention is an improved header and corresponding port associated with a transducer assembly. The header and port define mating threaded portions, thread stop portions, and a weld gap region. The thread stop portions are configured to mate and maintain a pre-loading tension between the threaded portions during and after applying a weld in the weld gap region. The weld gap region is configured to have a predetermined gap distance such that the weld seals the transducer without stress in the weld. The mating of the first and second thread stops are configured to maintain at least a portion of the pre-loading tension.

Abstract: A tester assembled by multiple sets of mechanisms for shear strength-scale effect of a rock joint includes a horizontal loading mechanism, a horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism and a sample installation and lifting table are mounted on a platform on the bottom of a frame, the horizontal loading mechanism and the horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism are respectively located on two sides of the sample installation and lifting table; rock joint sample is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a slit, the horizontal loading mechanism is configured to load the upper portion of the multi-scale rock joint sample, and the horizontal supporting and force-measuring mechanism is configured to support the lower portion of the multi-scale rock joint sample; a vertical loading mechanism is located above the multi-scale rock joint sample, and can be mounted on the frame in a manner of being movable up and down; and the horizontal loading mechanism comprises at least two tangentia

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor portion and a sensor circuit, which are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. A thermistor is configured to measure an air temperature. A metal plate includes a grounding end terminal. One lead wire of the thermistor is joined electrically with the grounding end terminal. The sensor circuit is disposed on the metal plate. The sensor circuit is entirely overlapped with the plate shape portion in a direction perpendicular to the metal plate.

Abstract: A deformation sensing apparatus comprises an elastic substrate, a conductive element, and an additional conductive element. The conductive element includes conductive joints that are separated from each other by resolving elements along a length of the conductive element. Different combinations of conductive joints and resolving elements correspond to different segments of the deformation sensing apparatus. Based on a change in capacitance between a conductive joint and the additional conductive element when a strain is applied to the deformation sensing apparatus, the deformation sensing apparatus generates a signal that allows determination of how the strain deforms the deformation sensing apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible sensor that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a capacitive structure on the PCB, and mechanical coupling sites. The PCB includes a slot extending from an outer edge of the PCB to an inner portion of the PCB, and the slot defines a first edge and a second edge facing the first edge. The first and second edges are separated by a gap when the PCB is in an unflexed state. The slot is configured to permit the PCB to flex so as to vary a relative position of the first edge with respect to the second edge. The capacitive structure on the PCB includes a first edge electrode on a portion of the first edge of the PCB, and a second edge electrode on a portion of a second edge of PCB. The second edge electrode is aligned with the first edge electrode across the slot.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a strain sensing element provided on a deformable substrate. The strain sensing element includes: a first magnetic layer; a second magnetic layer; and an intermediate layer. The second magnetic layer includes Fe1-yBy (0<y?0.3). Magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to deformation of the substrate. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

Abstract: A composite test coupon includes a plurality of plies. The plurality of plies include first ply layers and second ply layers. The first ply layers have first fibers and a substantially uniform matrix material associated with the first fibers. The second ply layers have second fibers and a pre-stressed matrix material associated with the second fibers. The first fibers are oriented in a first direction, and the second fibers are oriented in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The pre-stressed matrix material includes stress induced cracks between the second fibers of each of the second ply layers.