Abstract: The displacement sensor (100) includes a rod (103) including a conical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) and a magnetic sensor (110) located in close proximity to the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105). The magnetic sensor (110) generates a positional signal that is related to the position of the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) in relation to the magnetic sensor (110).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a downhole method and apparatus for simultaneously determining the horizontal resistivity, vertical resistivity, and relative dip angle for anisotropic earth formations. The present invention accomplishes this objective by using an antenna configuration in which a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna are oriented in non-parallel planes such that the vertical resistivity and the relative dip angle are decoupled. Preferably, either the transmitter or the receiver is mounted in a conventional orientation in a first plane that is normal to the tool axis, and the other antenna is mounted in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane. This invention also relates to a method and apparatus for steering a downhole tool during a drilling operation in order to maintain the borehole within a desired earth formation.

Abstract: The teachings relate to a power supply for a portable electronic device. The power supply comprises a modular hybrid-charger assembly operably connected to a device holder. The modular hybrid-charger assembly comprises a rechargeable internal battery connected to a port operable to function as a tetherless connection to a portable electronic device, a power management engine embodied in a computer readable medium, and an untethered solar energy source. The device holder comprises a framework operable to receive, hold, and release the portable electronic device; and an alignment mechanism that facilitates a mating of the portable electronic device with the hybrid-charger assembly. The modular hybrid-charger assembly can comprise a form factor that is interchangeable and operable with each of several different device holder form factors.

Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor has a plurality of sensor elements connected to form measurement arrangements, each measurement arrangement having a measurement tap, and a control circuit formed to perform an embodiment of a method of calibrating the magnetic-field sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor structure including a first magnetoresistive element in a spin-valve arrangement with a first reference layer structure with a first reference magnetization direction and a second magnetoresistive element in a spin-valve arrangement with a second reference layer structure with a second reference magnetization direction, wherein the first and second magnetoresistive elements are arranged in a layer vertically above each other and galvanically isolated from each other by an intermediate layer, and wherein the first and second reference magnetization directions are different.

Abstract: A sensor device measures a property of an object. The sensor device comprises a magnetic field generator adapted to generate a magnetic field in at least a part of the object, and at least one magnetic field detector adapted to detect at least one detection signal in response to the magnetic field generated in at least a part of the object. The at least one detection signal is indicative of the property of the object. A direct current or a direct voltage is applicable to the magnetic field generator to generate the magnetic field in at least a part of the object.

Abstract: A battery charging system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with power from an external power source, such as a standard 110 volt or 220 volt AC wall outlet. The method senses various internal and external conditions and uses this information to charge the plug-in electric vehicle in an optimum fashion that reduces charging time yet avoids damage to components of the charging system. In one embodiment, the battery charging system includes an external power source, a battery charger with sensors for monitoring the external power source and the charger, a battery unit with sensors for monitoring the battery, a battery charging control module for processing the information, and a user interface that allows user-specified custom charging constraints. All of these components, with the exception of external power source, may be located on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of interest of an earth formation during drilling of a borehole. A first toroidal coil antenna induces a current along a path that includes a bottomhole assembly and the formation. A second toroidal coil antenna disposed at the drillbit and oriented at a non-zero angle to the longitudinal axis of the bottomhole assembly measures an electrical signal resulting from the current, the electrical signal being a parameter of interest of the formations.

Abstract: A method for testing a magnetic head to determine whether the magnetic head is unacceptably affected by temperature variations. The test includes testing the magnetic head at different temperatures and measuring either or both of a signal amplitude and a signal asymmetry of a signal from the magnetic head at the different temperatures. If signal amplitude or signal asymmetry vary excessively as a result of the temperature change then the head can be scrapped.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive position or elongation sensor of the type in which an elongated magnetorestrictive waveguide is influenced by a magnetic field from a moving magnet has a Villary type transformer at one end and a hermetically sealed housing containing the signal processing circuitry on a plurality of circuit boards. The signal processor can switch the sensor into a programmable mode in which a diagnostic output is obtained recognizing the magnet, the presence of the sensor in the programming mode and voltage values.

Abstract: To provide an electrical junction box having a new structure that includes a plurality of electrical component mounting sections that are open in an upper surface, such that (1) the structure is provided with a drainage groove for preventing accumulation of water without requiring any special space, and (2) the structure can eliminate a problem of heat generation from electrical components. An electrical junction box includes a first and second electrical component mounting section units. A plurality of electrical component mounting sections are arranged in straight lines to from the first and second units, respectively. The first and second electrical component mounting segment units are separated apart from each other by a given distance and are arranged in parallel with each other. A heat radiation drainage groove is provided between opposed portions of peripheral walls that constitute the adjacent first and second units.

Abstract: A driving mass of an integrated microelectromechanical structure is moved with a rotary motion about an axis of rotation, and a sensing mass is connected to the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to perform a detection movement in the presence of an external stress. The driving mass is anchored to an anchorage arranged along the axis of rotation by elastic anchorage elements. An opening is provided within the driving mass and the sensing mass is arranged within the opening. The elastic supporting and anchorage elements render the sensing mass fixed to the driving mass in the rotary motion, and substantially decoupled from the driving mass in the detection movement. The detection movement is a rotation about an axis lying in a plane. The sensing mass has, in plan view, a non-rectangular shape; in particular, the sensing mass has a radial geometry and, in plan view, the overall shape of a radial annulus sector.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a display panel, a frame disposed in the rear of the display panel, a backlight unit disposed between the display panel and the frame, a driver attached to a back surface of the frame, and a back cover that is disposed in the rear of the driver and is connected to the back surface of the frame. At least one of the frame and the back cover includes a heat dissipation member.

Abstract: An intriguing and educational display structure (1) appears to be spinning upon itself without any apparent drive mechanism, power supply or bearing. The structure comprises two concentric hollow spheres (3, 5) spaced apart by a transparent fluid (6). The outer sphere is totally transparent, immobile, and may rest on a tripod (2) or other type of support. The inner sphere may be partially transparent or translucent and carries over its surface, a design such as a map of the world (7). The inner sphere rotates within, and independently from, the first outer one. The internal, that is self-contained, drive mechanism uses either a conventional electrical motor (8) with its own field winding and commutator, or one made of a rotor comprising a cross-array of electromagnets (AC, BD) that interact with an ambient magnetic field such as the earth magnetic field.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a quartz crystal unit, a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is formed by etching a quartz crystal wafer to form a quartz crystal tuning fork base, quartz crystal tuning fork tines connected to the quartz crystal tuning fork base, and a groove having stepped portions in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the quartz crystal tuning fork tines. A first electrode is disposed on at least one of the stepped portions of each of the grooves and a second electrode is disposed on each of side surfaces of each of the quartz crystal tuning fork tines. A frequency of oscillation of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is adjusted at least twice and in different steps. The quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is then mounted in a case and an open end of the case is covered with a lid.

Abstract: In a method for capturing three-dimensional data of an area of space, a plurality of measuring beams (Ls) are sent out to a plurality of measuring points. A detector (50) receives a plurality of reflected beams (Lr) which are reflected by the measuring points (34a). A plurality of distances to the measuring points (34a, 34b) are determined as a function of the reflected beams (Lr). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one object (30) which comprises a hidden channel (66) having a visible entry opening (72) is located in the area of space. A rod-shaped element (32) is inserted into the channel (66) in such a manner that a free end proximal portion (70) protrudes from the entry opening (72). A first distance to a first measuring point (34a) and a second distance to a second measuring point (34b) are determined. An orientation (74) of the hidden channel (66) is determined as a function of the first and the second distances.

Abstract: A driving mass of an integrated microelectromechanical structure is moved with a rotary motion about an axis of rotation, and a sensing mass is connected to the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to perform a detection movement in the presence of an external stress. The driving mass is anchored to a first anchorage arranged along the axis of rotation by first elastic anchorage elements. The driving mass is also coupled to a pair of further anchorages positioned externally thereof and coupled to opposite sides with respect to the first anchorage by further elastic anchorage elements; the elastic supporting elements and the first and further elastic anchorage elements render the driving mass fixed to the first sensing mass in the rotary motion, and substantially decoupled from the sensing mass in the detection movement, the detection movement being a rotation about an axis lying in a plane.

Abstract: A driving control device according to the present invention includes: a fixed member; an operation member arranged to be manually rotatable with respect to the fixed member; a transducer arranged in one of the fixed member and the operation member and arranged to come into contact with an opposed surface of the other of the fixed member and the operation member; a position detecting section for detecting a position of the operation member with respect to the fixed member; and an operation force amount control section for controlling driving of the transducer to change contact friction force generated when the transducer contacts with the fixed member or the operation member. The operation force amount control section controls the transducer such that the contact friction force applied to the operation member when the operation member is manually rotated with respect to the fixed member changes to a sense of click.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery powered tool (e.g., nutrunner, drill) includes an output head operatively connected to a motor, a plurality of battery cells, an ON/OFF start switch, a resistance sensor that measures a resistance of the output head to movement, and a controller. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor does not exceed a predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds the predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, wherein when performing auto focus control while continuously moving a focusing lens by using an image sensor that has a lag in timing of electric charge accumulation, a focusing accuracy can be improved. To this end, the imaging apparatus includes the rolling shutter function, an imaging unit configured to convert an object image into an image signal, and a setting unit. When a difference exceeds a predetermined amount in the barycentric position of the optical system between an upper line and an a lower line of the AF area due to the rolling shutter function, the setting unit imposes a limitation on the AF area to reduce the size of a desired AF area to an AF area where the difference in the barycentric position becomes a predetermined amount.