Abstract: A combined angular position and torque sensor assembly for use in an electric power assisted steering system having an input part for connection to an upper column shaft, an output part for connection to a lower column shaft, a torsion bar that interconnects the input shaft and the output shaft, first and second upper column angular position sensors that each produce at least one output signal that is dependent on the angular position of the upper column shaft; and a processing means unit which produces a first torque signal indicative of the torque carried by the torsion bar. The processing unit further includes a component for producing a first absolute angular position signal by processing the output signals of the first and secondary sensors in a first way and a second absolute angular position signal processing the output of the same two sensors in a different way, and further includes a cross checker that performs a cross check between the two absolute position signals.

Abstract: A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or compression sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port.

Abstract: A tennis player needs multiple playing racquets available for their use, and the mass proportions of every racquet in their bag needs to match, otherwise players will likely experience a degradation of their swing mechanics, BOC provides an accurate measurement of player racquets mass proportions by comparator testing of any 2 racquets, thus providing a simplified solution for accurate measurement, and then equalization process of player racquets mass proportions.

Abstract: The invention has the objective of offering a sensor that allows for measuring the pressure force of the springs on the carbon brushes as well as the actual brush pressure on its contact surface. This is obtained by measuring between the carbon brush, and there is limited space through its holder, and the contact surface and is therefore characterized by the fact that the sensor is thinner than 4 mm, and that it is provided with a target (4) which is suspended in the sensor (1) by means of a mechanically deformable section (3), and where the sensor is fitted with one or more strain gauges (2) that is/are set up as such that it can detect the shearing of the mechanical deformable measuring section under pressure. In contrast to the existing measuring sensors, the measuring strips also connect the suspension points of the mechanically deformable elements with the sensor and/or the suspended target or measuring point through which sensitivity increases and makes the sensor useful for such applications.

Abstract: A wrench and method of using the wrench to properly make up threaded connections is provided. The wrench includes at least a strain gauge coupled thereto, such that when the wrench is used to turn one part of a threaded connection, the strain associated with different states of the making up of the connection is monitored, to establish a baseline condition after which the one part of the threaded connection is turned an additional number of degrees, turns, or fractions of a turn. The wrench and method may be used to make up fluid tight connections, where previously the threaded parts were finger tightened, followed by turning thereof an additional number of degrees, turns, or fractions of a turn.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a diode array-based digitized miniature ultra-low-power-consumption impact monitoring system, which belongs to the technical field of aircraft structural health monitoring. The impact monitoring system consists of a miniature sensor array interface, a passive band-pass filter array, a diode array, a digital conversion and management module, an on-board bus communication module, a monitoring data storage module, a self-powering module, and a miniature communication and power supply interface. According to the impact monitoring system, the amplitudes of impact response signals are controlled within a clamp voltage range of diodes by using the diode array, thereby realizing the first-stage digitization; and the second-stage digitization of the impact response signals is realized by using the digital conversion and management module consisting of a miniature field programmable gate array of ultra-low-power-consumption.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for detection of undesirable forces on one or more surgical robotic arms. In one aspect, there is provided a system including a robotic arm, including: two linkages, a joint, a torque sensor, and an instrument device manipulator (IDM). The system may further include a processor configured to measure a first torque value at the joint based on an output of the torque sensor and determine a second torque value at the joint based on a position of the robotic arm. The second torque value may be indicative of a gravitational component of the torque between the two linkages. The processor may be further configured to determine a force at the IDM based a difference between the first and second torque values and determine whether the robotic arm has collided with an object or misaligned based on the force at the IDM.

Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.

Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.

Abstract: Provided is a safety inspection apparatus for a bridge using an expansion joint with a load cell capable of inspecting safety of a bridge and checking an overweight of a traveling vehicle by including a load cell installed at a lower portion of an expansion joint installed between upper plates of a bridge to measure a load of a traveling vehicle, and a measuring device installed on the bridge to measure behavior of the bridge, determining a total weight of a vehicle to manage an operation of an overweight vehicle which hinders safety of a structure and road pavement, measuring and storing weight data of a vehicle passing over the bridge as behavior data of the bridge in real time, and determining performance, a degree of deterioration, and a damaged position of the bridge without a separate safety inspection by analyzing the data over the long term.

Abstract: Electronic device for measuring the characteristics of fastening devices, comprising a box-shaped body (2) traversed by at least one cylinder (21), rotating with respect to the box-shaped body that transmits the rotary motion received by such a fastening device and a sensor capable of measuring the rotary torque and the rotation angle on said cylinder. Such a device comprises means for detecting the relative rotation between box-shaped body (2) and rotation driving cylinder (21).

Abstract: An example actuator device for a force sensor is described herein. The device can include a device body, a force concentrator element, an overload protection element, one or more legs, and an attachment layer for attaching the device to a substrate. An example method for assembling a force sensing system is also described herein. Further, an example method for protecting a force sensor from excessive forces or displacement is described herein.

Abstract: A device to test the peeling resistance of coupons, each formed of a support and an adhesive, includes: (i) a frame including rollers with parallel axes designed to maintain the coupon supported while guiding movement of the latter, (ii) a traction device including a vertical jack linked to an attachment element including a loop configured in order to cause detachment of the adhesive from the surface of the support, (iii) a device for measuring the force exerted by the jack in order to pull the loop during peeling, and (iv) a coupon, complex in shape, such as one derived from a reinforced vane. At least one roller is translationally adjustable in relation to other rollers and the coupon is specially prepared in order to facilitate carrying out the tests.

Abstract: Provided is an overload prevention mechanism having a structure that protects a weight sensor with a floating action and ensuring the reproducibility of the return position of the weight sensor. The overload prevention mechanism has a resilient member that is interposed between the weight sensor and the case, supports the weight sensor in a pressing manner against the case, and when a certain plate load or greater is imposed causes the weight sensor to separate from the case and thereby be released from the load, a guide member that is arranged in a standing manner between the weight sensor and the case, and a guide receiving seat that is provided in the weight sensor or the case and engages with the guide member.

Abstract: A load transducer system is disclosed herein. The load transducer system includes a load transducer and a data processing device. The load transducer has a load transducer frame portion configured to elastically deform when a load is applied to the load transducer; and one or more deformation sensing elements, disposed on the load transducer frame portion, sensitive to one or more respective force or moment components of the load. The data processing device is operatively coupled to the one or more deformation sensing elements of the load transducer, the data processing device is configured to determine one or more output forces or moments from one or more respective output signals of the one or more deformation sensing elements, to determine one or more deformation compensation parameters for the load transducer system, and to correct the one or more output forces or moments using the one or more deformation compensation parameters.

Abstract: A resonant sensor includes a proof body having a first and a second interface that can each come into contact with an external mechanical structure; two sensitive zones arranged between these two interfaces; a sensitive zone formed by a plate embedded in a frame secured mechanically to the interfaces, the plate able to resonate under the effect of local mechanical excitations produced at particular points by excitation transducers bearing the plate at several resonant frequencies, sensors picking up the resonant signals produced at the particular points, measurement means measuring the resonant frequency shifts of signals which are linear combinations of the resonant signals picked up, the shifts being a function of mechanical stresses induced by the forces and transmitted to the plate by the frame, the components of the torque of forces being determined from the resonant frequency shifts measured on the plates of the sensitive zones.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a strain gauge device and a strain gauge device are presented. The method includes obtaining a first substrate, preferably a first formable substrate film for accommodating electronic components, printing by a printed electronics method, such as by screen printing or inkjet printing, a strain gauge on the first substrate, and molding, preferably by utilizing injection molding, a molded material layer embedding the strain gauge. The strain gauge device may comprise two, preferably formable, substrate films between which the strain gauge and the molded material layer may be arranged.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis device for a mechanical device provided with a motor as a source to drive a motion axis, and configured to acquire a moving position of the motion axis and a disturbance torque value applied to the motion axis every predetermined period, and to diagnose that a failure is occurring when the disturbance torque value is larger than a failure determination threshold, includes a maintenance effect determination unit configured to calculate a change in the disturbance torque value before and after conducting of a maintenance task when the maintenance task is conducted on the motion axis, and a failure diagnosis unit configured to re-set the failure determination threshold only when the change in the disturbance torque value is larger than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pressure sensing module for sensing a pressure applied to a circuit board is disclosed. The pressure sensing module includes a conductive pad, an elastic cover, a pushing part and a conductive unit. The conductive pad is connected to the circuit board. The elastic cover is connected to the circuit board and located on the conductive pad. The elastic cover includes a top end. The pushing part is connected to the top end. The conductive unit is located above the conductive pad. When the pushing part is not under pressure, the conductive unit does not move to touch the conductive pad. When the pushing part is under pressure, the pushing part causes the conductive unit to move toward the conductive pad such that the conductive unit touches the conductive pad.

Abstract: Drop-weight tower (110) for reproducibly initiating a crack in a material sample for fracture mechanics testing comprising a base (120) with a top surface upon which a sample holder (124) is mounted to grip a material sample, an attachment column (140) having a linear rail (142), a carriage (162) attached to the linear rail (142) and a stage (164) is attached to the carriage. The stage (164) includes a vertical rod (184) and a razor-blade holder (178). A weight is slidably mounted to the vertical rod (184). The carriage is used to adjust the height of the stage (164) relative to the material sample. A hammer (180) slides up and down the vertical rod (184) to apply consistent and reproducible force on the razor (178) that then initiates the crack in the material sample.