Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a force effect comprises two electrical conductors which run at a distance from one another, a deformable spacer which is arranged between the two electrical conductors, a first measuring device which is electrically connected to one end of the two electrical conductors in each case and an electrical component which is electrically connected to the respective other end of the two electrical conductors. The first measuring device is designed to detect a change in a variable which can be measured by the measuring device, which change is caused by a change in the distance between the two electrical conductors which is caused by a force effect at at least one place along the two electrical conductors, in order to detect the force effect.

Abstract: A torque sensor for electrically assisting a vehicle with pedals includes a housing, a rotating member, an actuator, and an resistor. The housing defines a receiving chamber and is configured to be coupled to the driving member. The rotating member is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber and configured to rotate under an external force. The resistor is received in the receiving chamber and the actuator slides along the electrical resistance and compresses a spring as a rider applies force to the pedals. The variable resistor is coupled to a controlling module which governs the assisting power. The disclosure also includes an electric bicycle using the torque sensor.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement comprises a carrier substrate and a ferroelectric layer disposed on the carrier substrate, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises means for reading the permittivity of the ferroelectric layer. The sensor arrangement is such that the ferroelectric layer is disposed in a crystalline manner on the carrier substrate. A method for producing the sensor arrangement and to use of the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example methods, devices and systems associated with flat covered leadless pressure sensor assemblies suitable for operation in extreme environments. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side; a diaphragm disposed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate; a first cover coupled to the first side of the semiconductor substrate such that it overlays at least the diaphragm, wherein a pressure applied at the first cover is transferred to the diaphragm; and a sensing element disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the sensing element is used to measure the pressure.

Abstract: In examples, methods and systems for sensing tension in a timing belt are provided. In one example, a transmission device is provided that comprises a timing belt transmission configured to cause rotation of an output hub, and the timing belt transmission includes a timing belt with markings. The transmission device also includes a detector for detecting the markings on the timing belt as the timing belt is placed under a tension due to a load at the output hub, and a distance between the markings on the timing belt changes as the timing belt is placed under the tension. The transmission device also includes one or more processors for determining output torque of the timing belt transmission based on the distance between the markings on the timing belt or based on a time between detected markings.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion; an operation portion; a bending wire that causes a bending portion to bend by pulling; a bending operation member that gives pulling force to the bending wire by swinging; an operation force reduction portion including a spring that can press the bending operation member; and a semi-fixation mechanism switch operation member that makes a switch to a pressing state, in which the spring presses the bending operation member, and to a non-pressing state.

Abstract: A process for checking when tightening a threaded fastener that it has been tightened on the complete threads of the fastener. In order to do this the process comprises detecting different gradients in a tightening graph representing torque as a function of another parameter and comparing each gradient with predetermined values. According to the portions of graph detected and their gradient values it is possible to determine whether tightening is correct and has taken place on the complete threads of the fastener, or if not it is possible to identify a cause of failure.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (20) includes a test cell (32) and sense cell (34). The sense cell (34) includes an electrode (42) formed on a substrate (30) and a sense diaphragm (68) spaced apart from the electrode (42) to produce a sense cavity (64). The test cell (32) includes an electrode (40) formed on the substrate (30) and a test diaphragm (70) spaced apart from the electrode (40) to produce a test cavity (66). Both of the cells (32, 34) are sensitive to pressure (36). However, a critical dimension (76) of the sense diaphragm (68) is less than a critical dimension (80) of the test diaphragm (70) so that the test cell (32) has greater sensitivity (142) to pressure (36) than the sense cell (34). Parameters (100) measured at the test cell (32) are utilized to estimate a sensitivity (138) of the sense cell (34).

Abstract: This disclosure if directed to an improved pressure, force, and orientation sensing system, which may be applied to various industrial articles or sports equipment, fore remote performance analysis and user interface. Where applied to sports equipment, including a golf club, the sensor array of flexible and resilient piezo-resistive material permits collection of grip force data for an array of positions around and along the golf club grip handle; for the analysis, processing and communication of the data once collected, and a method of providing automated golf instruction using a force sensing golf grip of the present invention. Where applied to improved manufacturing lines and shipping of containers, force sensing packages may be equipped with the sensor arrays disclosed herein. The force sensing package is of similar shape to a standard sized package the ordinary forces on which are being tested and by the sampled force sensing package.

Abstract: A force detector includes a first base part, a second base part, and a pressure detection unit provided between the first base part and the second base part and including a piezoelectric element that outputs a signal in response to an external force, wherein the pressure detection unit has a first member having a portion in contact with the first base part, a second member having a portion in contact with the second base part, and a third member connecting the first member and the second member, a first longitudinal elastic modulus of at least a part of the first member is lower than a third longitudinal elastic modulus of the third member, and a second longitudinal elastic modulus of at least a part of the second member is lower than the third longitudinal elastic modulus of the third member.

Abstract: A system for and method of stretching a membrane is provided. The system has a top plate and a bottom plate that are in parallel with each other and a plurality of flexible v trusses. The top plate is configured to move vertically. The v trusses are placed in circle and have arms pointing to the center. There is a clamp for each arm for clamping a membrane. When external force is applied to push the top plate towards the bottom plate, the force bends the trusses, which is translated to the horizontal displacement of the trusses with arms. As the trusses move outwards, the clamped membrane is stretched.

Abstract: A system for determining mechanical stress of a compressor is provided. The system includes a reciprocating compressor. The system also includes a magnetostriction sensor coupled to the reciprocating compressor and configured to measure a change in magnetic permeability of a target material of the reciprocating compressor. Furthermore, the system includes a processor configured to convert the measured change in the magnetic permeability of the target material into an estimated mechanical stress under which the target material is exposed.

Abstract: An optical fiber strain sensor system and method are provided that use pre-formed optical structures instead of optical fibers for measuring the strain, or stress, placed on a subject object. The use of pre-formed optical structures in the optical strain gauge system eliminates many of the limitations associated with the use of optical fibers. Because the optical structures are pre-formed structures, they can be made with very tight tolerances to ensure high measurement accuracy and repeatability. The pre-formed structures can be made in low to high volume at low cost and can be made of a variety of materials to ensure that the structures are suitable for use with the material of which the subject object is made. Also, the pre-formed structures can be made very compact while achieving higher sensitivity and exhibiting less optical loss than fiber.

Abstract: A device for detecting a mechanical state of a machine element rotates about an axis, such as a shaft is formed with an actuator disposed on the machine element so as to be axially movable, an arrangement for converting a torsion of the machine element into an axial displacement of the actuator and a sensor disposed so as to be stationary relative to the machine element for detecting the axial displacement of the actuator. A mark is assigned to the actuator for detection by the sensor in order to detect the axial displacement of the actuator. A speed (n) of the machine element can be determined from the number of marks that are detected per unit of time.

Abstract: Systems and method for monitoring gait dynamics are disclosed. The performance of an orthotic or prosthetic device or other device associated with a limb may be measured based on the resistance of a bending sensor. Data from the sensors is gathered or processed, particularly for purposes of alignment, safety, failure, usage, selection, and artificial proprioception. Information relating to the device may be outputted visually or auditorily to an individual.

Abstract: In one aspect, wireless strain gauges are described herein. In some embodiments, a wireless strain gauge comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a nano-composite backplane coupled to the RFID tag, wherein the resonant frequency of the RFID tag antenna demonstrates an exponential dependence or substantially exponential dependence on the strain sensed by the strain gauge.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment and a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit has a radio frequency transceiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle tongue weight so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, and calculated trailer weight.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the temperature surrounding a circuit, including: a charge storage element; a charge evacuation device; and a thermo-mechanical switch connecting the storage element to the evacuation element, the switch being capable of closing without the circuit being electrically powered, when the temperature exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a collector and a sensor housing. The collector faces a stator guiding a magnetic flux, with a void between the collector and the stator, and collectively attracts the magnetic flux guided by the stator. The sensor housing has a wall covering outside of the collector, and holds the collector. A clearance is formed between an opposite surface of the collector to a surface thereof facing the stator, and the wall of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A collision detection apparatus includes: an impact force detector configured to detect an impact force generated on a vehicle; a collision detector configured to detect collision with an obstacle outside of the vehicle at the time the impact force detector detects the impact force exceeding a threshold value; a collision predictor configured to predict that a bicycle being operated by a bicycle rider will collide with the vehicle before the collision with the obstacle outside of the vehicle is detected by the collision detector; and a colliding direction predictor configured to predict that the collision of the bicycle with the vehicle predicted collision with a front surface or a rear surface of the bicycle.