Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing chemical and/or biological analytes includes a deflectable arm of a microcantilever at least partially embedded within a sensing element. A gaseous or liquid medium which may include the analyte being detected is introduced to the sensing element. The sensing element undergoes volumetric expansion or contraction in the presence of the analyte sought to be detected, typically by adsorbing the analyte. The volumetric change of the sensing element causes the deflectable arm to deflect. The deflectable arm includes at least one measurable physical property which changes when the arm deflects. Detecting means are provided to measure the change in the physical property to determine the presence and amount of analyte present. An array of microcantilevers in which each microcantilever is dedicated to detecting a particular analyte which may be included in the medium, is also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the spring constant of a scanning probe microscope cantilever mechanically coupled to a MEMs actuator may be determined in-situ by application of a force to the scanning probe microscope cantilever.

Abstract: An accessory for coupling a torque measuring device to a container cap, especially a smooth sided closure. The accessory includes two clamp elements movably coupled together by a threaded rod so the clamps can be forced into frictional engagement with a cap. A mount block is included for coupling the torque measuring device to the clamps so cap closing torque can be measured using an inexpensive and easily used device. This device will be especially useful for laboratories, fillers and shippers of containers that have been closed with a cap having a certain amount of closure torque so the user can demonstrate to DOT that the closing torque is in the proper range.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying contamination in a fluid flow system like a pipe or duct. This characterization technique uses a conservative and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the fluid flow system and then monitored at another location in the system. Detection, location, and quantification are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration.

Abstract: Method and sensor arrangement for determining a load vector acting on a rolling element bearing (1) in operation. A plurality of N sensors (8) are provided which measure displacement and/or strain for determining displacement and/or strain in one of the elements (5, 6, 7) of the rolling element bearing (1). Furthermore, a mode shape coefficients calculator (11) is provided, connected to the plurality of N sensors (8), for determining a deformation of the element (5, 6, 7) by calculating amplitude and phase of N/2 Fourier terms representing at least one radial mode shape of the ring shape element (5, 6, 7). Also, a bearing neural network (12) is present, connected to the mode shape coefficients calculator (11), the bearing neural network (12) being trained to provide the load vector on the rolling element bearing (1) from the N/2 Fourier terms.

Abstract: A miniaturized Schottky diode hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor and the method of making same is disclosed and claimed. The sensor comprises a catalytic metal layer, such as palladium, a silicon carbide substrate layer and a thin barrier layer in between the catalytic and substrate layers made of palladium oxide (PdOx). This highly stable device provides sensitive gas detection at temperatures ranging from at least 450 to 600° C. The barrier layer prevents reactions between the catalytic metal layer and the substrate layer. Conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques are used to fabricate the small-sized sensors. The use of a thicker palladium oxide barrier layer for other semiconductor structures such as a capacitor and transistor structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope and method of energy dissipation imaging using such atomic force microscope. The atomic force microscope has a cantilever equipped with a probe for making contact with a sample, a vibrating unit for vibrating the cantilever, a vibration control unit for controlling the vibrating unit based on a preset value of amplitude, a vibration detector for detecting the amplitude of the vibration of the cantilever, and an imaging unit for creating an energy dissipation image based on the vibration of the cantilever. Error information based on the difference between the value of amplitude detected by the amplitude detection unit and the preset value of amplitude is fed back to the vibrating unit. Thus, the vibrating unit vibrates the cantilever to drive it into resonance. The imaging unit creates an energy dissipation image based on the difference information.

Abstract: A chemical sensing system has: an interrogation unit operable to wirelessly transmit an interrogation signal and wirelessly receive a response; an environmentally sealed container for holding a chemical analyte; a sensor array unit in fluid communication with the analyte disposed within the container, where the sensor array unit is operable to generate a response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; and a passive responder unit connected with the sensor array unit, the responder unit being powered from the interrogation signal, where the responder unit is operable to wirelessly receive the interrogation signal and wirelessly transmit the response to the interrogation signal to the interrogation unit.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly including magnets oriented to reduce assembly size comprises a pull plate having portions defining a belt loop opening for receiving seat belt webbing and a sensor opening. First and second magnets are coupled to the pull plate on opposite sides of the sensor opening and are oriented with a first pole adjacent the sensor opening and second pole positioned away from the opening toward a side of the sensor assembly. A sensor disposed in the sensor opening is configured to provide an output in response to flux imparted thereto by the magnets. At least one projection extends from the sensor opening of the pull plate generally towards the sensor and is configured to direct magnetic flux from the magnets in a closed-loop path through the sensor. Upon application of tension to the seat belt webbing, the pull plate is configured to move along a first axis of the seat belt tension sensor assembly relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor coil serving as a sensor unit fitted and retained in a sensor retaining hole of a sensor housing and a circuit board stored in a board chamber provided inside the sensor housing are integrated by coating the outer surface of a lead and the circuit board with a resin layer formed by resin molding performed under the condition in which the sensor coil and the circuit board are connected with the lead. As a result, mounting of the sensor unit and the circuit board of a torque detecting apparatus in the housing is facilitated, the reliability of the connection part of the sensor unit and the circuit board is increased, and occurrence of connection defects due to the function of external force is prevented.

Abstract: A detector for the detection for trace vapors and particles in the air that includes a housing; a well formed in the housing; a heated filter positioned across the well; a source delivering sampled air substantially perpendicular to the open end of the well on a first side of the filter; a source to supply dry air across the first side of the filter; a detector line in communication with the at least one well on a second side of the filter; and a second dry air source for supplying air to the second side of the filter at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. An automatic inspection station that includes a vibrator for vibrating articles to be inspected. An automatic inspection station that includes a heating element positioned below an upper surface of the floor and an inlet positioned above the floor.

Abstract: A friction test apparatus includes a base structure and a receptacle secured to the base structure. At least three lower friction surfaces are positioned in the receptacle. The friction test apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft providing powered rotation of the shaft. An upper friction surface is positioned on the shaft in contact with the at least three friction surfaces in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to permit a fluid in the receptacle to be changed.

Abstract: A method for estimating transmission input torque is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of measurable characteristics that influence transmission input torque. Thereafter, transmission input torque values are measured on a sample powertrain operating at a plurality of different combinations of the measurable characteristics. A look-up table including the measured input torque values corresponding to each combination of the measurable characteristics is established and saved onto a vehicle memory device. The vehicle is configured to monitor the status of the measurable characteristics during operation. At any given time, the vehicle can retrieve the measured transmission input torque value corresponding to the status of the monitored measurable characteristics wherein the measured transmission input torque value provides an estimate of the transmission input torque of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rheometer has a measuring chamber which is delimited by a measuring chamber wall in which at least one measuring component is disposed for acceptance of a sample. The measuring chamber can have a gas flowing through it whose temperature is controlled in a desired fashion by a first temperature control device. A second temperature control device is also disposed in the measuring chamber wall by means of which the wall of the measuring chamber can be temperature controlled to a desired temperature. To temperature control the sample, the gas flow in the measuring chamber can be switched off or at least highly reduced prior to measurement of the reological characteristic quantities and further temperature control of the measuring chamber is effected by means of the temperature control of the measuring chamber wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fatigue testing one or more stents based on measured electrical resistance levels of each stent. Pairs of lead lines from an ohmmeter are connected to a respective stent. The respective stent is mounted onto an expander having an interior tapered portion into which a correspondingly tapered expansion pin is received. Cyclic loading strains are applied to the respective stent as an expansion pin is inserted into a corresponding one of the expanders. Stent fracture or failure occurs when cyclic loading exceeds the stents architectural and material capacity. Such fracture fatigue or failure is identified by increased electrical resistance levels. Resistance may be continuously monitored to more readily identify the onset of fatigue or failure. The expansion pins extend from a movable plate, and the expanders comprise a part of corresponding stations that extend from a fixed plate.

Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention provides an improved fuel sensing system for a generator, in addition, one or more other aspects of the invention provide improved systems and methods for determining remaining run-time of a generator system.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, a sensor device (11) is arranged between the superstructure of the vehicle seat and the seat rail (3) of the vehicle seat, in order to measure forces transmitted from the superstructure into the seat rail (3). The sensor device (11) can be positioned at least partially inside the seat rail (3).

Abstract: A gas sensor which includes walls delimiting a gas detection chamber, and having an introduction port (or an inlet) through which an observed gas is introduced into the gas detection chamber, a measuring element disposed in the gas detection chamber and measuring concentration of a subject gas contained in the observed gas, and a heater constituting at least a portion of the walls, the portion facing the gas detection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric power steering device provided with a torque sensor for detecting a torque using coil windings arranged in the inside of an electromagnetic yoke. The electric power steering device comprises coil bobbins which are housed in the inside of the electromagnetic yoke; a terminal block which projects a portion of the coil bobbins outwardly; and connection pins which are formed on the terminal block in a projecting manner. Further, the connection pins comprise connection members for connecting the connection pins to a sensor circuit substrate and the connection pins are arranged not to be covered and concealed with the sensor circuit substrate.

Abstract: An approach to determine cantilever movement is presented. An observer based state estimation and statistical signal detection and estimation techniques are applied to Atomic Force Microscopes. A first mode approximation model of the cantilever is considered and an observer is designed to estimate the dynamic states. The cantilever-sample interaction is modeled as an impulsive force applied to the cantilever in order to detect the presence of sample. A generalized likelihood ratio test is performed to obtain the decision rule and the maximum likelihood estimation of the unknown arrival time of the sample profile and unknown magnitude of it. The use of the transient data results in sample detection at least ten times faster than using the steady state characteristics.