Abstract: A compact pipe specimen applicable to a fracture toughness test used to evaluate physical properties of a pipe material is provided. The compact pipe specimen includes: a pipe having a notch portion formed in a circumferential direction and a crack portion formed at the edge of the notch portion; and first and second jigs having openings to which a pressurizing unit is coupled so as to cause a bending load on the pipe, having the notch portion therebetween, and attached to the exterior surface of the pipe, respectively. It is unnecessary to correct the influence of a constraint effect due to varying sizes and shapes of the specimen. There is no restriction to the curvature and thickness of a pipe. A fracture behavior of a pipe crack portion can be precisely simulated.

Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided is a device to sense battery internal state that can sense tiny elastic waves accompanying a reaction inside a battery and can accurately ascertain changes in battery internal state. The device (10) to sense the internal state of a battery (1) comprises restraining members (5, 5) that apply compressive force to the battery (1), a non-metallic plate (11) disposed between the battery (1) and a restraining member (5), and multiple acoustic emission sensors (13) affixed to the non-metallic plate (11). Compressive force is applied to the battery (1) by the restraining members (5, 5), elastic waves (W) generated in the battery (1) are sensed by the multiple acoustic emission sensors (13), and the internal state of the battery (1) is sensed by analyzing the sensed elastic waves (W).

Abstract: A force measurement assembly includes a first component supported by a first load measuring device and having a first measurement surface; a second component supported by a second load measuring device, spaced apart from the first component by a gap, and having a second measurement surface; and a third load measuring device operatively coupled to both the first component and the second component; wherein the first load measurement device is configured to output at least one first quantity that is representative of the load being applied to the first measurement surface, the second load measurement device is configured to output at least one second quantity that is representative of the load being applied to the second measurement surface, and the third load measuring device is configured to output at least one third quantity that is representative of a load being transferred between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: An impact sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer operatively connected to a chromic device. The chromic device includes a chromic material that changes from a first color state to a second color state in response to electric power generated by the piezoelectric transducer when exposed to a given level of impact force. The chromic material is bistable so that the chromic material remains in the second color state for a significant amount of time. An impact force to which the sensor has been subjected may be quantified by observing the chromic device. In one embodiment, the chromic material is an electrochromic material, such as a viologen, that changes through a color gradient of light transmission states from the first color state to the second color state. A printed color gradient may be used to aid in quantifying the impact force. In another embodiment, the chromic device includes a thermochromic material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing pin-pull testing of a printed circuit board (PCB) are presented. The pin-pull testing generally involves the use of a standard tensile tester that is useful for performing other tests aside from pin-pull testing. In this regard, a non-specific pin may be used in conjunction with the tensile tester without the need to purchase or manufacture pins specially adapted for use with a specially designed tensile tester. Additionally, the pin-pull testing may include application of heat to the pin by way of an external heat supply such that the need of a heater integrated into the testing device to heat a pin during the testing may be eliminated. As such, a common heating element (e.g., a standard soldering iron) may be employed by applying heat to a pin directly with the external heat supply.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for testing the mechanical properties of a specimen. The device includes an actuator component slider for positioning the specimen within one of multiple test configuration positions, such that each test configuration position examines the static compression/tension properties, dynamic compression/tension properties, static torsional properties, or dynamic torsional properties of the specimen.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for testing a tensile strength under a high temperature condition and a unit for measuring elongation provided in the same. The apparatus for testing a tensile strength under a high temperature condition includes a base frame part, a test sample loader and a cylinder part connected to the base frame part and applying a tensile force to a test sample, and a heater for forming a high temperature condition to the test sample. The unit for measuring elongation includes a movable frame, a vertical bar, and a measurement head part connected to the vertical bar to measure elongation of the test sample and blocking heat from the heater.

Abstract: A clamping force sensor assembly for a transformer includes at least one sensor disposed within a casing. The design and configuration of the sensor assembly is such that it accurately measures clamping force values placed on the windings, without adversely impacting the operation of the transformer and with the ability to continue operating under electrical and thermal changes within the transformer. The sensor assembly can include loading members that distribute the pressure evenly over the casing that contains the sensor. The output of the sensor can indicate to an operator the extent of pressure changes experienced by the transformer windings. The output can be coupled with a process by which the damage to or the possibility of failure of the transformer is readily evaluated.

Abstract: A load sensing platform (121) is disclosed for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium that measures a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The load sensing platform (121) comprises a sensing assemblage (1), substrates (702, 704, and 706), springs (315), spring posts (708), and spring retainers (710). The sensing assemblage (1) comprises a stack of a transducer (5), waveguide (3), and transducer (6). A parameter is applied to the contact surfaces (8) of the load sensing platform (121). The sensing assemblage (1) measures changes in dimension due to the parameter. Position of the applied parameter can be measured by using more than one sensing assemblage (1). The springs (315) couple to the substrates (702, 704) providing mechanical support and to prevent cantilevering. The spring posts (708) and spring retainers (710) maintain the springs (315) at predetermined locations in the load sensing platform (121).

Abstract: A method for determining a total mechanical load of a wind turbine is provided. A present load signal indicative of a present load of a wind turbine base structure is obtained, wherein the present load acts in a present angular direction. A first present load and a second present load are derived based upon the present load signal and the present angular direction, wherein the first present load is associated with a first angular sector of the turbine and the second present load is associated with a second angular sector of the turbine. Further, a total mechanical load is derived based upon the first present load and the second present load.

Abstract: In a variable torque rate test joint, screw-threaded first and second elements are rotated relative to one another by a tool under test. At least one spring beam is cantilevered over a pivot point to exert an axial force between the first and second elements and the torque rate of the test joint can be varied by moving the pivot point to change the axial force. The first element may be a shaft that is fixed during testing and the second element is a nut rotatably mounted on the shaft, whereby the element rotated by the tool has a minimal moment of inertia. Whichever of the first and second elements is held stationary during the test may be mounted in a hub that is locked during the test but can be rotated at the end of the test to reset the test joint. Measurements may be made of the torque and the rotation angle to derive an actual torque rate of the joint, which allows correction of errors by moving the pivot point.

Abstract: Provided is a displacement amplifying device which uses Pascal's principle and is insusceptible to temperature change. A main body (1) is provided with an accommodation space (11) for accommodating a medium (2) therein. The medium (2) is provided with a fluid (21) with a positive thermal expansion coefficient and a movable body (22) with a negative thermal expansion coefficient. The movable body (22) is displaced according to the movement of the fluid (21). The medium (2) is provided with a small-area first movable surface (23) and a large-area second movable surface (24). The displacement of one of the first movable surface (23) and the second movable surface (24) is transmitted to the other via the medium (2). In the displacement amplifying device, even if the volume of the fluid (21) is changed by the temperature change of the medium (2), the amount of change of the volume of the medium (2) as a whole can be kept low by the volume change of the movable body (22).

Abstract: A mask defect test apparatus, including a tension jig unit having a supporter on which a metal mask to be tested is located, a clamp part disposed at both sides of the supporter to fix opposite edges of the metal mask, and a tension part to apply a tension force to the metal mask fixed by the clamp part; and a test unit to test the metal mask fixed by the tension jig unit. A vertical distance between the metal mask located on the supporter and the test unit is less than or equal to a vertical distance between the tension jig unit and the test unit.

Abstract: System and method for measuring shear strength and viscosity of sediments that extends both the maximum rotational rate attainable and the maximum torque sustainable, and includes a high data acquisition rate and data storage. Also a method of making an apparatus, and method of using the apparatus for accurately measuring, peak, evolution, and residual values of the undrained shear strength, yield, and viscous and plastic flow characteristics of cohesive sediments at various pre-set and variable values of the rotational velocity of a vane sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating stresses experienced by a rotor blade root in a complementary disc fixture, especially in gas turbine engines. The apparatus comprises a mounting member for receiving a blade speciman having a root. The mounting member has an aperture for receiving the root of the blade specimen, and blade contacting regions on either side of said aperture for holding said blade specimen in said aperture. The apparatus further comprises an actuator for applying a tension load to said blade specimen. The blade contacting regions are undercut such that there is a gap between said blade contacting regions and a main body of said mounting member, whereby the blade contacting regions are able to deflect outward into said gap when a tension load is applied to the blade specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for gaging the repeatability of a tool is provided by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly has a pivot member with a tool engagement feature to selectively receive a torque from the tool at a pivot axis. The pivot assembly also has a first magnetically permeable member fixed in movement with the pivot member. The pivot assembly further has a second magnetically permeable member. An abutment member abuttingly engages the pivot member to limit its pivotal travel at a position where the first and second magnetically permeable members are magnetically coupled together, without contacting each other for being separated by a gap, by a magnetic force of attraction urging the pivot member toward the second magnetically permeable member.

Abstract: A detecting device including a pressure sensor that is deformed by a load from an outside and causes stress dispersion includes a slip detecting unit that calculates a pressure center position using a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor, calculates a movement value of the calculated pressure center position using a temporal change of the pressure center position, and detects a slip on the basis of the calculated movement value of the pressure center position. The pressure sensor has a multilayer structure in which two detecting units that detect pressure are arranged to hold a viscoelastic body made of a viscoelastic material that is deformed by a load from the outside.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies, units and methods are provided to determine crack development of components of interest associated with a monitored structure. According to preferred embodiments, a sample sensor bolt is provided having a shank with a threaded end, the sensor bolt being formed of a material serving as a surrogate of the material forming a component of interest associated with the monitored structure. A frame surrounds the shank of the sensor bolt and has fluid ports therein to allow fluid to contact an exposed portion of the sensor bolt shank in registry therewith. A load cell is operatively connected to the sensor bolt. A preload nut is threaded onto the threaded end of the sensor bolt shank and contacts an end of the frame so as to place the sensor bolt under an initial tensile stress.

Abstract: A sensing device is provided for measuring flexural deformations of a surface. Such a sensing device may be used as a user interface in portable electronic devices. The sensing device comprises at least one cell. The cell comprises a first electrode, a central electrode, a second electrode, a first piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the first electrode and the central electrode, a second piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the central electrode and the second electrode, and a circuit connected to the first, second and the central electrodes. The circuit is configured to measure a first electrical signal between the first electrode and the central electrode, and a second electrical signal between the second electrode and the central electrode. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is responsive to an external stress applied on the sensing device.