Abstract: A measurement inside a specimen is performed by providing a nanoscale FET probe comprising a cantilever element and a nanowire extending from the cantilever element. The nanowire is electrically connected to the cantilever element at at least one of the ends of the nanowire. The nanowire is coated along at least part of the length thereof with molecules of a capture agent. The cantilever element is moved to insert the nanowire onto the specimen. An electrical property of the nanoscale FET probe is monitored to detect binding events between the capture agent molecules and an analyte of interest inside the specimen.

Abstract: A process and a device for determining the viscosity of a fluid are proposed. Very simple and accurate determination is enabled in that the magnetic particles in the fluid are set into vibration by a magnetic field which varies over time. A measurement of the amplitude and/or phase of particle vibration is used to determine the viscosity or an associated quantity, such as the coagulation of blood or the glucose content.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.

Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in operation is vibrated by an excitation assembly and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are sensed by means of a sensor arrangement. To produce shear forces in the fluid, the flow tube is at least intermittently excited into torsional vibrations about a longitudinal flow-tube axis. The transducer further comprises a torsional vibration absorber which is fixed to the flow tube and which in operation covibrates with the torsionally vibrating flow tube, thus producing reactive torques which at least partially balance torques developed in the vibrating flow tube. One of the advantages of the transducer disclosed is that it is dynamically balanced to a large extent even in the face of variations in fluid density or viscosity.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a plurality of sensor parts arranged in matrix. A first electrode being connected with first wiring and a second electrode being connected with second wiring are disposed oppositely through a cavity part in the sensor part. The second electrode bends to the first electrode side in response to a pressure from a specimen and touches the first electrode upon application of a pressure of a specified level or above. When the specimen is pressed against a pressure detecting region, both electrodes touch each other at a sensor part corresponding to a protrusion of the specimen and are separated at a sensor part corresponding to a recess. When a scanning signal is fed from a scanning circuit to one wiring and presence of a signal flowing through the second wiring is detected by a sensing circuit, a pressure being applied to each sensor part can be detected.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing the static load-bearing capacity of a pile. In an embodiment, one or more load devices for applying a test load can be disposed within a pile such that a pile element can be above the load device, and a pile element can be below the load device. Upon applying a test load, the pile element above the load device and the pile element below the load device tend to separate. The test loads applied to the pile can be controlled in response to the magnitude of the test load, the combined settlement rate of the pile elements, the displacement of the pile elements, and the compression of the pile elements. A test regime can continue until a programmed regime is completed or a fail-safe trigger event occurs.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt assembly in a vehicle. The seat belt tensor sensor is secured to the vehicle by a bolt. The sensor includes a housing that is secured by the bolt. An anchor plate is mounted to the housing. The anchor plate has a hole for the bolt and an opening. A strain gage is secured to the housing and extends into the opening. The strain gage has an aperture. A spring is located between the anchor plate and the strain gage. An actuator support is located between the spring and the strain gage to actuate the strain gage. The actuator has a projection extending through the aperture that contacts the anchor plate. The projection prevents a shift in the output of the strain gage when the sensor is subjected to mechanical shock.

Abstract: A leakage detecting device is connected to an evaporating fuel processing apparatus to detect leakage of evaporating fuel in a ventilation apparatus that includes an electric pump, a fuel tank, and a filter. The electric pump includes a pump portion and a motor portion. The pump portion is capable of generating at least one of pressurizing force and de-pressurizing force. The motor portion drives the pump portion. The filter absorbs fuel evaporating in the fuel tank. The leakage detecting device generates pressure difference between the inside of the ventilation apparatus and the outside of the ventilation apparatus in accordance with the pressurizing force and the de-pressurizing force generated using the electric pump to detect a leakage condition of the ventilation apparatus. The leakage detecting device includes a rotation speed controlling means that controls rotation speed of the motor portion at a predetermined rotation speed.

Abstract: The system (10) comprises a sensor (18) 90×90×90×30 mm as an electromagnetic microwave cavity (20) with a coupler (22) with a wire (40) and an antenna (42). Cavity (20) produces a response signal (26) in response to an interrogation signal (24) from interrogator (16). Sensor (18) is coupled to a structure (14) to allow a strain to alter the resonance properties. 3.6 GHz is used with a detection of a 2.5 kHz change. If not temperature via strain is detected a mechanical amplifier is used with cavity (20) for temperature compensation. Continuous or intermittent narrowband signals are used as interrogation signals (24). Used with bridges for structural health monitoring. Also for aircrafts, dams, buildings, vehicles.

Abstract: A contact-type electric capacitive displacement sensor includes a stationary element having a stationary plate, a stationary conductive pattern formed on the stationary plate and an insulation film coated on the stationary plate and a displaceable element having a displaceable plate, a displaceable conductive pattern formed on the displaceable plate and an insulation film coated on the displaceable plate. The stationary and the displaceable conductive patterns have a cyclic pattern of conductor to thereby produce a variation of capacitance therebetween when moving relative to each other.

Abstract: Torque sensing methods and systems are disclosed. In general, a sensing element and a sensor housing can be provided for maintaining the sensing element. A plurality of wirebond posts can be assembled perpendicular to a plane of the sensing element. The sensing element can then be wire bonded to the plurality of wirebond posts, such that the sensing element, the sensor housing and the plurality of wirebond posts form a sensor housing assembly thereof for torque sensing applications thereof. The sensor housing assembly is then connected to a shaft to form a hermetic seal thereof. The sensor housing assembly can also be electrically attached to an antenna for wirelessly communicating data to and from the sensing element. The sensing element can be configured, for example, as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle engine in which a crankcase is reduced in length in a crankshaft direction and in which the number of parts for an ignition signal detecting device is reduced, whereas rigidity and function of a one-way clutch for a starter mechanism is maintained. The one-way clutch is mounted on one end of a crankshaft, and a sensor of the ignition signal detecting device is positioned radially outside a cylindrical outer wall of a clutch outer component of the one-way clutch. The cylindrical outer wall of the clutch outer component includes a plurality of concave and convex parts as a signal output part in its circumferential direction, where each of the concave and convex parts extends in the crankshaft direction. The cylindrical outer wall includes an annular reinforced part having a thickness which is greater than that of a bottom wall forming the concave part.

Abstract: A capacitive humidity sensor includes a printed circuit board having an insulating substrate on which a circuit section is formed, a pair of electrodes formed on a surface of the insulating substrate to be opposite from each other with a space, and a humidity sensitive layer formed on the insulating substrate to cover the electrodes and the surface of the insulating substrate between the pair of electrodes. The relative permittivity of the humidity sensitive layer changes in response to humidity, and the circuit section performs a signal processing of a capacitance change between the electrodes. Furthermore, the electrodes and the circuit section are electrically connected through a wiring section formed in the insulating substrate.

Abstract: A sensor having a terminal connection structure in which an elongated sensor element (21) is inserted, from its rear end through relative movement, into a metallic-terminal-member retainer. Metallic terminal members (51) are elastically deformed and pressed against corresponding electrode terminals (25) formed on side surfaces (26) of the sensor element. A chamfer (28) is formed on a rear edge of sensor element (21). Rear ends (25b) of the electrode terminals (25) are biased from the chamfer (28) toward a front end of the element (21). A flat surface (26b) is present between the rear ends (25b) of the electrode terminals (25) and a front end (28a) of the chamfer (28). During insertion of the element (21), a large force generated when the metallic terminal members (51) pass over the chamfer (28) is not directly applied to the rear ends (25b) of the electrode terminals (25), thereby preventing damage to the electrode terminals (25).

Abstract: A sample injection apparatus and sample injection method capable of sufficiently reducing carry-over, having simple cleaning means for a short cleaning time period, a small influence of vibration of the cleaning means, and a small error in the amount of injected sample and preventing the durability of a sampling needle from being lowered, and a liquid chromatography apparatus having the sample injection apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Particulate material concentration of a dispersion is detected by providing a known amount of dispersion including particulate material, a solvent, and other optional components; centrifuging the dispersion and separating the particulate material from the dispersion; drying the particulate material; and weighing the particulate material to determine a particulate material concentration of the dispersion.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for a composite material includes a base for holding the composite article, a load cell for placing a selected load on a portion of the composite article, and a displacement measuring device for measuring the amount of displacement for a selected load. In operation, a composite article is placed in a testing apparatus, a selected load is placed on the composite article, and the displacement of the composite article is measured.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying explosive materials and devices, and naturally occurring and man-made dangerous or hazardous biological and chemical materials and devices in ducts or piping systems, or other fluid flow systems in buildings such as residential, office, industrial, and power plants, transportation systems such as ships, airplanes, subways, and trains, and various types of infrastructure such as dams, tunnels, or bridges, and in the rooms, compartments, enclosures, containers, or difficult to access areas in these buildings, transportation systems, and structures. The preferred embodiment of this detection and location method uses a conservative tracer and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the duct or area to be searched at one location and then monitored at the same or another location in the duct or area.

Abstract: A mechanical torque wrench including a wrench body defining an elongated interior compartment and a wrench head including a bar extending therefrom being pivotally secured to a first end of the wrench body. A hand grip located on a second end of the wrench body and a set spring is disposed within the wrench body. A pawl is disposed between the bar and the set spring. Rotation of a dial screw in a first direction compresses the set spring and rotation in a second direction allows expansion of the set spring. A set ring is operatively connected to the dial screw and rotatable relative to the wrench body. A resistive element is coupled to the dial screw and produces an output signal that depends on a position of the dial screw relative to the resistive element. A processor converts the output signal into an equivalent torque value for display on a user interface.

Abstract: In a seat load detecting device, sensor bodies are interposed between an upper rail and respective lower brackets. Each sensor body includes an annular strain portion which axial line extends vertically, an outer peripheral holder which is mounted to the upper rail and which holds an outer peripheral edge of the strain portion, and an inner peripheral holder which is mounted to the lower bracket and which holds an inner peripheral edge of the strain portion. Strain gauges for detecting a load applied to a seat on the basis of a strain amount between an outer periphery and an inner periphery of each strain portion are disposed on each strain portion. A second clamping member of each inner peripheral holder has a mounting hole which is formed through the second clamping member in a widthwise direction thereof and which rockably connects the lower bracket.