Abstract: In this device for indicating (10) pretensioning forces in a tensioning element (7), such as tie-down straps or tie-down ropes, the spring surrounds the tie bolt (3) which is located on the loop of the tie-down strap, and in response to weak forces describes a path (6) which is easily visible. The combination of two components which differ in shape allows the spring (1) to maintain its shape and spring constant. As a result, the pretensioning force is indicated directly, yet the spring is not subject to an additional load under high tensions but is protected by positive engagement.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for measuring forces acted upon a tire in which a radial force and a peripheral force acting to the tire, which are required for the high precision measurement of a friction coefficient on a road surface, are simply measured in a high precision by detecting a magnetic field formed by a magnet fixed to a tread portion of the tire by a magnetic sensor fixed to a rim and measuring the forces acting to the tire from a variant pattern of a magnetic flux density detected un the rotation of the tire and without influencing upon the balance of the tire, which contributes to the high precision measurement of the friction coefficient on the road surface.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer element is formed by rotating an integral region of a shaft about an axis in the presence of a magnetic source. An annulus of magnetization results in having its magnetization in the axial direction. The exterior magnetic field emanated by the annulus exhibits respective axial magnetic profiles of its axially and radially directed components which have an axial shift under torque. The direction of profile shift depends on the rotational direction of the shaft while magnetization proceeds. A pair of regions exhibiting opposite shift directions provide signals in which torque-dependent shift is separated from axial displacements of the shaft. An annulus of magnetization may be non-uniform with angle about the shaft axis. Measures to prevent eddy currents generated in the rotting region of the shaft under magnetization are disclosed as we “sweet spots” for sensor placement to mitigate non-uniformity effects.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for determining the internal temperature of a catalytic converter of a vehicle equipped with a heat engine. According to the present invention, such a process is characterized in that this temperature is determined by calculating the mean value of exhaust gas temperature measurements carried out before the admission of these gases into the catalytic converter over a limited period of time, these measurements being weighted by a variable that is a function of the oxidation activity of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A method of determining a rotor angle in a drive control for a motor, comprising the steps of (a) determining a rotor magnetic flux in the motor; (b) estimating the rotor angle on the basis of the rotor magnetic flux; and (c) correcting the estimated rotor angle on the basis of reactive power input to the motor. Step (a) may include the step of non-ideal integration of stator voltage and current values. Step (b) may include the step of correcting phase errors caused by said non-ideal integration via a PLL circuit with phase compensation (F). Step (c) may include the steps of (1) calculating a first reactive power input value as 1.5*We*(C_Lq*I*I) and a second reactive power input value as 1.5*(Vq*id?Vd*iq); (2) determining a difference between said first and second reactive power input values; and (3) applying said difference to the rotor angle estimated in step (b) to obtain a corrected rotor angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating and marking an equator of a golf ball is provided and includes a rotation plate shaped to support a golf ball is provided in a housing. The housing encloses a motor and the motor is attached to the rotation plate and is capable of imparting spin on the rotation plate. A guard has a ring and a cross-beam with a marking opening defined therein extending from the ring. The bottom portion of the housing includes a cavity shaped to accommodate the golf ball such that any markings made to the ball may be darkened and better defined.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate in part to water flow sensors, and also to such water flow sensors in combination with a system used to selectively shut off the flow of water through a water supply pipe to a building, such as in the event of a broken water pipe. Such systems included in the combination can also optionally discontinue electrical power to a water heater to minimize the risk of water heater elements burning out in the event a water heater is at the risk of being drained of water, such as due to a broken water pipe.

Abstract: An automated tool installation and workspace analysis method determines an axis of a fastener in order to determine positioning a fastener actuating tool. A center of gravity of the fastener is determined. The axis of the fastener is calculated based in part on the center of gravity. Additionally, the axis of the fastener is calculated based on distances between vertices of the fastener and an initial assumed axis of the fastener. Once the axis of the fastener is determined, the positioning of the tool can be determined.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring of positions or movements of two objects relative to one another with a force and/or moment sensor and a conversion spring element, with the force and/or moment sensor being elastically connected with one of the objects at least via the conversion spring element. A force and/or moment sensor with the measuring apparatus. A joystick with the measuring apparatus or the force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: A composite material has a laminated structure of fiber-reinforced resin layers and films of a shape-memory alloy. A predetermined strain has been applied to each film. A damage sensor has a film of an alloy of nickel and titanium. An electric circuit is bonded to the film, and strain gages are connected to the electric circuit. The damage sensor can be laminated to the resin layers in place of the film of the shape-memory alloy. Damage to the composite material is suppressed as follows: A current is applied to the films of the shape-memory alloy, to monitor change in electric resistance of the films. The damage is located in response to the change in electric resistance. Another current is applied to a film of the shape-memory alloy for which the change is larger than the other films to generate heat for deforming the film to generate shrinking stress or shear stress to the damage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator for storing foods at a low temperature. An avatar refrigerator and a method for sensing contamination of the same receive measurement values from various sensors installed around the refrigerator in a contamination sensing mode, decide kinds and degrees of contamination in each position by analyzing the measurement values of the sensors by a control means, decide contamination solving methods, and display the kinds and degrees of contamination in each position and the contamination solving methods through a display means formed at the refrigerator door side with avatars. As a result, the avatar refrigerator and the method for sensing contamination of the same maintain the clean air environment and improve health by notifying the air contamination in the peripheral regions of the refrigerator installed at the center of the residential space and the contamination solving methods as well as freshly maintain the foods by storing the foods at a low temperature.

Abstract: An improved micro slit viscometer includes a combined micrometer depth rectangular slit flow channel with monolithically integrated multiple pressure sensors in the flow channels and a pumping system that injects a test sample to the channel at a desired flow rate. Pressure sensing diaphragm of the monolithically integrated pressure sensors is smooth to minimize the flow disturbance thereby measuring accurate local pressures. With the measurement of the pressures at various locations of the channel the true viscosity of test sample can be calculated. The viscometer may consist of multiple flow channels and thus the true viscosity at multiple shear rates can be measured simultaneously for a given flow rate thereby obtaining a full viscosity curve as a function of shear rate of non-Newtonian liquids in a much faster manner. The viscometer needs only a miniscule amount of sample, which minimizes a waste of test material.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring torque of a torque tool by using an indirect structure arranged on one side of the torque tool, in which the apparatus comprises a microstructure part connected with a side surface of the torque tool. The microstructure part further comprises a sensing structure for sensing the strain or displacement generated by a force exerted on the torque tool and converting the strain or displacement into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then properly calibrated and processed for transforming units by a System-on-Chip (SoC), and converted into the torque value exerted by the user and the value is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A process is provided for measuring a gas concentration with at least one thermal measuring element. The thermal measuring element is operated by pulses. A measured value of the gas concentration in the environment of the measuring element is obtained from the evaluation of the response of the measuring element to at least one single pulse by determining transient states of the thermal measuring element. From this the measured value of the gas concentration in the environment of the measuring element can be derived, during the imposed pulse based on electric measured variables.

Abstract: A gas sensor unit including a gas sensor and a sensor cap. The gas sensor includes a gas detecting element, an electrode provided on the gas detecting element and a sensor terminal connecting to the electrode for transmitting an output signal from the gas detecting element. The sensor cap is adapted for transmitting the output signal to an external device. The sensor cap includes a cap terminal electrically connecting to the sensor terminal and an enclosing member bonding to the gas sensor so as to form an internal space in cooperation with the gas sensor. The enclosing member includes a communicating hole through which the internal space is in communication with a space outside the gas sensor unit, and the communicating hole is gas-permeably and watertightly closed by a filter member.

Abstract: A magnetism generation portion 4 is provided at a first shaft 2, and a first magnetic yoke 7 and a second magnetic yoke 8 bent in L shape are provided at a second shaft 3 so that a magnetic flux generated at the magnetism generation portion 4 can be detected on the outer circumference side of the second shaft 3, and a magnetism detecting device for detecting the magnetic flux can be provided on the outer circumference side of the second shaft.

Abstract: An inductive clamp includes a pair of jaws configured to surround a conductor, and a pair of handles, each connected to a corresponding jaw. A pivotal connection is provided that allows the jaws to close around a conductor. The jaws are optionally biased to hold them closed around the conductor. A ferromagnetic core is mounted in each jaw and a coil surrounds at least one of the cores. An indicator is provided that tells a user that a signal has been applied to at least one of the cores.

Abstract: A device measures the high and low fluid levels of a fluid body. A housing has a shaft with a buoyant weight, the shaft protruding through a cap on the housing's top and capable of sliding through the cap. A first ring encompasses the shaft and is initially positioned immediately below the cap, while a second ring is positioned immediately above the cap. As fluid enters the housing, the shaft rises in lockstep with the fluid level causing the first ring to be pushed downwardly on the shaft and when the fluid level falls, the shaft falls causing the second ring to be pushed upwardly along the shaft. The distance between the rings is the amount of fluid level variation. A debris tube attached to the housing measures the upper limit of fluid level. Subtracting the amount of variation from this upper limit yields the lower fluid level limit.

Abstract: A strain waveform control apparatus of the present invention is adapted to horizontally supporting a printed circuit board over a trestle and cause strains on the printed circuit board by a dropped rigid ball with buffer blocks being located on both surfaces of the printed circuit board. These buffer blocks are movably supported by movable stages so as to be in contact with proper places of both surfaces of the printed circuit board. The buffer blocks are capable of regulating and relatively modify/adjusting first and second occurred strain waveforms generated by application of the impact to the printed circuit board and modifying/adjusting a steepness of each of the strain waveforms.

Abstract: A printer including a print unit, a supply unit for holding a web of receiving material wound into a roll, a system for unwinding the web and transporting it for printing to the print unit, which supply unit is adapted to carry an elongate member on which the roll is fixed, substantially concentrically, the elongated member being provided at its peripheral edge with a pattern of sensorially perceptible discrete transitions, which pattern is substantially symmetrical with respect to a reference position on the elongated member and extends from this position to the vicinity of the ends of the elongated member.