Abstract: A tire valve element assembly comprises a pressure sensing and transponder arrangement. The arrangement is mounted on a short valve element so as to extend axially from the short valve element and is sized to slidably fit within and be removable from a valve stem of a tire. The tire valve element assembly is adapted to be connected via an electrically conducting receptacle within the stem, so as to be a direct substitution for an existing in situ valve element in the tire valve stem. The arrangement is in fluid contact with the interior of the tire to sense the pressure within the tire when the short valve element is in situ. The arrangement, when in situ, is electrically connected to a conductive portion of the valve element via the receptacle to facilitate an antenna system for radio frequency communication with the arrangement.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring anomalies in a railway system 400 to predict a future track behavior. The technique uses a motion sensor 207, 209 operably coupled to a chassis of a rail car 101 to detect a possibility of an event which may correspond to an anomaly in the railway system. A global positioning sensor (GPS) 213 operably coupled to the chassis detects a geographical location of the rail car 101 at a time corresponding to the event, which correlates the anomaly to the geographical location and the time. The technique also uses a processor 301 operably coupled to the motion sensor 207, 209 to direct a signal corresponding to the event and a recorder 215 operably coupled to the processor 301 to log the signal which may correspond to the anomaly and the geographical location of the rail car corresponding to the event. A central station 104 tracks and analyzes the anomaly over time to predict a possible defect in the railway system using a record of the events over time.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal is provided. The apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal comprises a transmitter for emitting a signal, a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter, and means for detecting the onset of the signal as it arrives at the receiver such that the period of time from emission by the transmitter to the time the receiver initially receives the signal can be determined.

Abstract: The invention covers a procedure for measuring hydrostatic pressure, especially that of ground water, with the particularity that air is bubbled into the ground water, the pressure in the measuring pipe is fed to an absolute pressure cell and atmospheric pressure is then applied to the same measurement cell.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an initial correction is executed on the dynamic load radii of the tires automatically, for example, at the time when the power supply of the computer for executing a tire air pressure reduction detection processing is turned on for the first time after the tire air pressure reduction detecting apparatus has been produced. It is therefore not required to press the initialization switch for making an initial correction. This results in a reduction in the number of inspection steps.

Abstract: An improved fluid pressure sensor/sensor array is shown to provide high resolution, sensitivity which can be easily controlled based on anticipated or detected pressure range, and reliable pressure measurements with easy installation and low fabrication cost. A fluid pressure sensor is provided having a substantially incompressible mounting structure with a cavity formed therein. An elastic membrane is attached to said mounting structure and across said cavity, separating the cavity from the fluid to be measured. At least one non-contact transducer is attached to the mounting structure in the cavity to detect deflection at a selected plurality of regions on the membrane. The sensitivity and pressure range of the sensor can be chosen by preselecting the elasticity of the membrane, stretching the membrane across the cavity under a preselected tension, maintaining a predetermined reference pressure in the cavity, and/or actively controlling the membrane tension.

Abstract: A loadwheel assembly for a tire testing machine includes a loadwheel with a tire contacting surface supported along substantially its entire circumference by one or more solid discs. The loadwheel consistently measures forces and generates electrical signals corresponding to the forces to more precisely determine tire uniformity. The loadwheel, formed as an aluminum weldment which reduces manufacturing costs, rotates about spindles provided with load cells and mounted to a C-shaped carriage. The carriage has upper and lower legs with the spindles fixed to one side of each leg such that the load cells are easily accessible from one side of the carriage.

Abstract: A pressure transducer, in particular for sensing a lateral collision in a motor vehicle, delivers an electric useful signal which is determined by a relative pressure change relating to a pressure event. Low-frequency changes in an output signal of a sensor device, which depend on the ambient pressure, are compensated by a control device with an integrating behavior. The sensitivity of the sensor device, as a manipulated variable, changes in a manner inversely proportional to the ambient pressure. Higher-frequency pressure changes in the output signal of the sensor device are not compensated, but as a result of the variable sensitivity of the sensor device, determine as relative pressure changes the useful signal, which is additionally independent of temperature influences and offset errors of the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A basic pressure sensor of four fused silica discs and two defined interior cavities. The discs are bonded to one another by a cold metal film metallization. The film metallization in spaced apart discs define capacitor electrodes where a central metallization film is a common electrode and the other metallization films define separate capacitor electrodes.For a high pressure capacitance pressure sensor, end cap discs are relatively thick and are supported by an annular ring surface on interior discs which also have a small central cavity. Pressure acting on the discs develops compressive forces which change the volume of the central cavities and the capacitance as a function of pressure.For low pressure capacitance pressure sensors, the end caps are relatively thin and flex to change a capacitance relationship defined by the bonding films. A reference capacitor can be incorporated by use of an additional electrode disc.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure gauge construction in which a diaphragm assembly responsive to changing values of fluid pressure being supplied to the gauge is secured against an internal support surface of the casing by a combination of sealant and thermal staking.

Abstract: Evaluation unit of a differential-pressure sensor An evaluation unit of a differential-pressure sensor is provided which supplies an output signal which corresponds to a differential pressure (.DELTA.P) which has been corrected with respect to a measuring error due to the static pressure (P.sub.S). The differential-pressure sensor has a capacitive single-chamber differential-pressure measuring cell with two capacitors (4, 5) as sensor element (1), and a temperature sensor (6) is arranged at the sensor element (1). The differential-pressure measured value is corrected by means of a first correction value (.DELTA.K) which is a measure of the static pressure (P.sub.S) at a reference temperature (T.sub.R). This correction value (.DELTA.K) is determined from the difference between a sensor temperature (T.sub.S) determined by means of the temperature sensor (6) and a sum of a temperature discrepancy (T.sub.0) and an internal temperature (T.sub.i) assigned to the sum (.SIGMA.

Abstract: An improved device for measuring pressures, comprising a silicon membrane or diaphragm which is exposed, on its two faces, to two pressures whose difference is to be measured. A resonant element is provided on one face of the diaphragm, which is treated by selective chemical etching, and is mechanically coupled to the diaphragm so that its resonance frequency varies as a consequence of the deformation undergone by the diaphragm.

Abstract: The pressure gauge is designed for operative engagement with a fluid pressurized system such as a gas or a liquid. It includes a housing having a pressurized fluid inlet orifice and a cylindrical bore formed within the housing. A pressure reactive piston is slidably engaged within the cylindrical bore, and a resistance means is disposed within the cylinder to provide a resistive force to the movement of the piston. A calibration means engages the resistance means to apply a user selectable calibration force to the piston, and a calibration means engagement means is utilized to fixedly engage the calibration means in the user selectable position. An arm member is disposed proximate the piston, whereby movement of the piston will cause movement of the arm member, and a pressure indicator means is engaged to the arm to provide an indication of the pressure level of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for operating devices on wheels having pneumatic tires to signal the tire pressure, i.e. the air pressure in the pneumatic tire, in which a pressure sensor measures the tire pressure at regular intervals, and an analysis circuit compares the tire pressure readings with a reference pressure and, in the event of deviations of the tire pressure reading from the reference pressure which exceed a threshold value .DELTA.p, transmits by radio, to an indicating device arranged separately from the wheel, a signal reporting the deviation, such that the device meets its energy needs from an electrical battery. Radio operation is discontinued as long as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is below a preselected second pressure threshold, in particular a preselected absolute pressure value.

Abstract: In order to cover a large measuring range extending from about 10.sup.-6 mbar to about 10 bar, a simple, compact and economically producible pressure sensor (3) arranged in a protective tube (1) has, on a support plate (5), a ceramic membrane (6) which, together with the support plate (5), forms a capacitive measuring element for the determination of pressures between about 0.1 mbar and 10 bar, and two measuring wires (11, 12) which are arranged adjacent to the membrane (6) and constitute a Pirani measuring element with substantial compensation of the effect of the wall temperature, for the determination of pressures between about 10.sup.-6 mbar and 1 mbar. The membrane (6) is shielded from the radiation of the measuring wires (11, 12) by a protective ring (16).

Abstract: A tire which, during use is subjected to one or more severe stresses lead to an appreciable reduction of its potential lifetime of use under nominal conditions. In order to be able to determine whether a tire has undergone such severe conditions, the tire is provided with a monitoring device, containing at least one means sensitive to a given stress and capable of memorizing a piece of information, according to the stress to which the component has been subjected for at least a given time or a given number of cycles.

Abstract: A device for finding correction factors for correcting outputs of rotational velocity detectors used for detecting the rotational velocities of four tires mounted on a vehicle. The device judges whether or not the vehicle is traveling linearly. If the vehicle is traveling linearly, an initial correction factor K.sub.1 for eliminating the effect of a difference in effective rolling radius between the right and left front tires, and an initial correction factor K.sub.2 for eliminating the effect of a difference in effective rolling radius between the right and left rear tires, are calculated on the basis of the outputs of the rotational velocity detectors. When it is judged that the vehicle is coasting linearly, an initial correction factor K.sub.3 for eliminating the effect of a difference in effective rolling radius between the front tire and the rear tire is calculated.

Abstract: A hand-held tire pressure and tire soundness testing device is described. A shaft having a linear axis of symmetry, a predetermined maximum shaft cross-sectional dimension, a distal end and a proximal end is provided. A tire-striking head extends from the distal end of the shaft. The tire-striking head has a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the shaft and has an axially symmetrical striking surface defined by rotating an imaginary convex curve around the axis of symmetry at a predetermined maximum head diameter greater than the predetermined maximum shaft diameter. A handle coaxially extends from the proximal end of the shaft. The handle has a circular cross-sectional shape at a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and has a maximum handle diameter equal to or greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved metal seal useful in conjunction with a pressure transducer or other pressure device or vessel. The pressure transducer comprises a pressure housing having an open end and having a housing wall. The housing wall preferably has internal threads and has a terminal end. The pressure transducer has a chamber defined by the housing wall of the pressure housing. The pressure transducer has a mating piece which engages the pressure housing, thereby enclosing the chamber. The mating piece has an externally threaded end for engaging the internal threads of the housing. The mating piece employing the invention has an overlap for engaging the terminal ends of the housing wall to prevent the housing wall from expanding and for forming a seal therewith. The overlap prevents the housing walls from expanding due to high pressures contained in the chamber of the pressure housing. Consequently, by using the overlap, pressure transducers having thin walls are able to withstand higher pressures.

Abstract: A reduced volume socket body and a reduced volume tube are used in a pressure gauge system in semi-conductor fabrication process equipment. The socket body includes an outlet and the tube has an end connected to the outlet. The outlet is a shaped, weld prep formed on the socket body having an inner surface. A continuous seat is formed on the outlet and includes a seat thickness. The tube has an inner wall and an outer wall defining a wall thickness which is substantially the same as the seat thickness. The end of the tube is engaged with the seat so that the inner wall of the tube and the inner surface of the outlet are substantially aligned to form a crevice free tube-to-socket connection.