Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.

Abstract: A device for over-temperature detection having a test mode is presented. The device includes a temperature detection circuit having first and second transistors. The temperature detection circuit is configured so that when an ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit is less than a temperature threshold, a voltage at an emitter terminal of the second transistor is less than a voltage at an emitter terminal of the first transistor minus VT*In(N), and when the ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit is greater than the temperature threshold, the voltage at the emitter terminal of the second transistor is greater than a voltage at the emitter terminal of the first transistor minus VT*In(N). The device includes a measurement circuit configured to generate an output voltage that is proportional to a difference between the temperature threshold of the temperature detection circuit and the ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit.

Abstract: A system for measuring the thermal diffusivity of a material includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, a plate holding the material in a fixed position between the upper portion and lower portion of the housing, and a source at the lower portion of the housing projecting heat onto the material along a first axis that is perpendicular to the plate. A sensor at the lower portion of the housing is movable in relation to the plate and senses the heat radiating through the material along a second axis that is perpendicular to the plate and offset from the first axis. A controller receives data from the sensor and calculates the thermal diffusivity of the material.

Abstract: Acoustic ambient temperature and humidity sensing based on determination of sound velocity is described, in addition to sensors, algorithms, devices, systems, and methods therefor. An exemplary embodiment employs sound velocity in the determination of ambient temperature and humidity. Provided implementations include determinations of sound velocity based on time of flight of a coded acoustic signal and/or based on resonance frequency of a Helmholtz resonator.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By compensating for unideal behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. During calibration, the surgical robotic system moves the endoscope to a target position and receives data describing an actual position and/or orientation of the endoscope. The surgical robotic system determines gain values based at least on the discrepancy between the target position and the actual position. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath and/or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate, a first fixed electrode arranged on the substrate, a movable electrode arranged above the first fixed electrode and being movable non-parallely, a second fixed electrode arranged above the movable electrode. The sensor further includes a detector to detect a difference between a first capacitance between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second capacitance between the movable electrode and the second fixed electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely monitoring intoxication of a user, comprising: prompting the user to provide a breath sample at a time point; at a breath sample acquisition device, generating a breath sample signal upon reception of the breath sample from the user, and broadcasting a unique signature proximal in time to the time point; using a sensor of a mobile computing device, generating an authentication signal derived from detection of the unique signature; at a processing system in communication with the mobile computing device and the sample acquisition device, receiving the breath sample signal and the authentication signal; generating a verification assessment that validates provision of the breath sample by the user; determining a value of an intoxication metric for the user based upon the breath sample signal; and transforming the verification assessment and the value of the intoxication metric into an analysis of intoxication of the user.

Abstract: A hoist main shaft torque monitoring device based on angle measurement, constituted primarily by a first base, a second base, a light generating unit, a shutter, and a light sensing element; the light source, a first lens, and a first optical aperture arranged in the light generating unit, as well as a second optical aperture, second lens, and light sensing element on the shutter, forming a light source generation, propagation, and reception pathway; when the elevator main shaft is subjected to a certain torque, a corresponding displacement is produced between the first optical aperture and the second optical aperture, thus measuring the change in amount of light ultimately reaching the second optical aperture so as to measure the twist angle of the rotary shaft and finally calculate the magnitude of the shaft torque. Without damaging the original equipment and foundation, the device measures the torque of the shaft at different rotational speeds.

Abstract: A heat flux sensor to be attached to a hole portion defined in a surface of an object includes a body portion having an outer circumferential face, and an exterior end face that is flush with the surface of the object. The body portion includes a plurality of bored holes extending from an outer face other than the exterior end face of the body portion, with respective tips of the bored holes being arranged on the same normal line of the exterior end face. The heat flux sensor further includes a plurality of heat sensors having wiring lines leading to the outer face of the body portion through the bored holes, and a filling material that fills the bored holes to seal the heat sensors.

Abstract: A system for determining a temperature of a first portion of an engine, and related circuit, and related method of operation, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the system includes a wheel having a plurality of magnetic teeth, and an electrical circuit including a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) including at least one winding, the VRS being positioned proximate the wheel, where the VRS is in thermal contact with the first portion, and a comparator having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, where the comparator is configured to output an output signal at the output terminal. Either the output signal or a further signal generated by the electrical circuit is at least indirectly indicative of a resistance of the at least one winding, whereby an indication of the temperature of the first portion can be determined based upon the output signal or further signal.

Abstract: A thermionic sensor package and methods of using the same are disclosed. The sensor package includes a substrate, a package housing disposed on the substrate and at least partially defining a package chamber in which vacuum conditions are maintained, a thermionic sensor disposed in the package chamber, and a wireless transmission device disposed on the substrate. The thermionic sensor includes a sensor housing at least partially defining an emission chamber, a cathode disposed in the emission chamber, an anode disposed in the emission chamber and spaced apart from the cathode, and an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber facing the anode and cathode. The method includes generating a detection signal when the anode and the cathode of the sensor are at substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: A load cell has a longitudinal body including a bending beam axially between a force input element and a force output element, strain gages applied on strainable measuring parts of the bending beam, a hermetically sealed enclosure outside around the strain gages and the strainable measuring parts, and an overload protection arrangement including an overload beam in a recess in the bending beam, a receiving hole partially in the overload beam, and a fitting pin received in the receiving hole so that a defined gap is formed between the fitting pin and an adjacent stop surface in the recess of the bending beam. In further embodiments, the enclosure includes a stiff pipe sleeve and ring elements with flexible membranes connecting the sleeve to the longitudinal body, and a mounting end face of the longitudinal body has centering pins in holes and an O-ring in a groove.

Abstract: A thermionic sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a sensor housing at least partially defining an emission chamber in which at least a partial vacuum is maintained; a cathode disposed in the emission chamber; an anode disposed in the emission chamber and spaced apart from the cathode; and an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber facing the anode and cathode. The thermionic sensor is configured to output a detection signal when the anode and cathode are at substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a temperature sensor and a distance sensor. The distance sensor provides an indication of distance between the temperature sensor and an object to be measured. By determining the distance between the temperature sensor and the object, the system determines whether the object is sufficiently close to the temperature sensor to make an accurate temperature measurement, such as by determining whether the object completely fills the field of view of the sensor. In an implementation, the distance sensor includes a light source and a photodetector configured to detect light having wavelengths that correspond to those generated by the light source.

Abstract: A thermowell system for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation from the distal end of the thermowell and responsively provide a sensor output. Vibration detector circuitry is coupled to the infrared detector and configured to detect vibration of the thermowell as a function of oscillations in the sensor output.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a tubular housing having an inner surface defining an axial chamber and a temperature sensor disposed in the axial chamber and moveable along an axial direction of the tubular housing. The sensor assembly further includes a seal carrier movable with the temperature sensor, and a sealing member disposed around the seal carrier. The sealing member is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the tubular housing and hermetically seals an interface between the sealing member and the inner surface of the tubular housing.

Abstract: The present application provides a transducer head comprising a laser source configured to heat a target storage medium surface, and a thermal sensor configured to detect a defect on the target storage medium surface. The present application also provides a method comprising heating a target storage medium surface with an energy source configured in a transducer head to irradiate the target storage medium surface, and detecting a defect on the target storage medium surface using a thermal sensor configured in the transducer head. Other implementations are also described and recited herein.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method to map a thermal profile of a composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure. The system has a thermochromatic witness assembly having a first series of probes with a thermochromatic material applied either to a composite lay-up, or applied to a removable material adjacent the composite lay-up. The system further has a process assembly with a heat source to cure the thermochromatic witness assembly to form the composite structure. The system further has a light source to activate the thermochromatic material of the first series of probes to prompt an onset of color changes in the thermochromatic material to determine one or more maximum temperatures of the composite structure, to map the thermal profile of the composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure.

Abstract: A wine thermometer for adhering to a wine bottle indicates the temperature of a particular wine product in that bottle. The thermometer comprises an adhesive backed flexible plastic substrate having three to five predetermined color sections mounted on the flexible substrate with a first color section indicating when a preferred serving temperature for the particular wine product inside has been reached, a second color section indicating when the temperature for the particular wine product inside is higher than preferred and a third color section indicating when the temperature for the particular wine product inside is lower than preferred.

Abstract: An infrared thermal sensor for detecting infrared radiation, comprising a substrate and a cap structure together forming a sealed cavity, the cavity comprising a gas at a predefined pressure; a membrane arranged in said cavity for receiving infrared radiation; a plurality of beams for suspending the membrane; a plurality of thermocouples for measuring a temperature difference between the membrane and the substrate; wherein the ratio of the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the thermocouples, and the thermal resistance between the membrane and the substrate through the beams and through the gas is a value in the range of 0.8 to 1.2. A method of designing such a sensor, and a method of producing such a sensor is also disclosed.