Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: The invented apparatus includes at least one acoustic sensor, a mapping unit, a controller, and a transducer. The sensor is coupled to an object to be inspected for damage, and generates a sensed signal based on acoustic signal occurring in the object under an applied load, which signal may or may not be the sound of damage occurring in the object. The mapping unit is coupled to receive the sensed signal from the sensor, and generates damage data based thereon. The controller is coupled to receive the damage data from the mapping unit. Initially, the apparatus is in a passive mode in which the apparatus senses an acoustic signal from the object. If the damage data indicates that the object has incurred possible damage in the passive mode, the controller switches to active mode and outputs induced signal data. The transducer is coupled to the object as well as the controller, and induces acoustic signal in the object, based on the induced signal data.

Abstract: A micromechanical, dithered device comprising a substrate, a movable mass connected to the substrate by a suspension, a position sensor, a dither signal generator, a dither force transducer connected between the substrate and the movable mass, the input of the dither force transducer being connected to the output of the dither signal generator and a calculator taking as inputs at least the position sensor output and the dither signal generator output. In one embodiment of the invention, the dithered device includes an electrostatic force transducer for applying feedback. In this embodiment, dither force may be directly applied to the mechanical proof-mass utilizing electrostatic structures similar to electrostatic structures used for feedback. The electrostatic dithering structures provide good matching between the feedback and dither electrodes, enabling the use of simple logic for subtraction of the dither signal from the accelerometer output.

Abstract: The method of the invention identifies damage to an in-service conductor associated with the delivery (transmission and distribution) of electric power. Electro-magnetic acoustic energy is generated in an in-service conductor associated with the delivery of electric power. Corresponding return electro-magnetic acoustic energy is then measured. Features are then extracted from the return electro-magnetic acoustic energy to characterize damage to the in-service conductor. The features may be extracted through a variety of signal processing techniques, such as wavelet signal processing. The extracted features may be classified using a neural network, fuzzy logic, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A rate sensor for angular/rotational acceleration includes a housing defining a fluid cavity essentially completely filled with an electrolyte fluid. Within the housing, such as a toroid, ions in the fluid are swept during movement from an excitation electrode toward one of two output electrodes to provide a signal for directional rotation. One or more ground electrodes within the housing serve to neutralize ions, thus preventing any effect at the other output electrode.

Abstract: This invention intends to provide a method for inspecting an inner state of an object by determining whether or not any foreign matter is generated inside the object material without being affected by any outside state of the object. This method comprises irradiating waveform of ultrasonic wave to an object whose inner state is desired to be inspected from outside, extracting waveform of a reflected wave traveling inside the object, detecting a difference of acoustic impedance of the foreign matter from the waveform of the reflected wave by extracting a deflection of the waveform and detecting for presence/absence of the foreign matter inside the object or presence/absence of the foreign matter and a quantity of the foreign matter.

Abstract: A rotation sensor is formed of three semiconductor wafers. A first wafer comprises a frame that surrounds a paddle. The rotation-sensitive paddle is surrounded on either of the opposed sides of the first wafer by rings of driven elements formed of radially-directed plateaus in the semiconductor material. Second and third wafers sandwich the first wafer. Each of the second and third wafers includes a first surface in which are formed concentric rings of driver and pickoff electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, the rings of pickoff electrodes are split into two semicircular arcs.

Abstract: A micromechanical resonator including a motion arresting mechanism to rapidly damp the vibration of a resonator beginning at any given moment in time to remove vibration caused by previous events. An electrostatic clamp uses a bias voltage between an electrode and the resonator to damp the resonator and return it to its equilibrium position. A mechanical clamp includes an actuator that forces the mechanical clamp to contact the resonator. These micromechanical resonators facilitate condition based monitoring of complex electromechanical machines and components by allowing signature analysis in multiple temporal and frequency domains.

Abstract: An inertial sensor having an inner stator and an outer rotor that are electrostatically coupled together by mobile sensor arms and fixed sensor arms. The rotor is connected to a calibration microactuator comprising four sets of actuator elements arranged one for each quadrant of the inertial sensor. There are two actuators making up each set. The actuators are identical to each other, are angularly equidistant, and each comprises a mobile actuator arm connected to the rotor and bearing a plurality of mobile actuator electrodes, and a pair of fixed actuator arms which are set on opposite sides with respect to the corresponding mobile actuator arm and bear a plurality of fixed actuator electrodes. The mobile actuator electrodes and fixed actuator electrodes are connected to a driving unit which biases them so as to cause a preset motion of the rotor, the motion being detected by a sensing unit connected to the fixed sensor arms.

Abstract: A titanium article for an ultrasonic inspection is provided in which the titanium article can be ultrasonic inspected for determining its acceptability in for microstructurally sensitive applications. The ultrasonic inspection method comprises providing a titanium article, directing ultrasonic energy of ultrasonic inspection to the titanium article; scattering reflected energy in the titanium article; determining an amount of noise generated by the ultrasonic inspection of the titanium article; and characterizing the titanium article as acceptable if the amount of noise as a function of ultrasonic frequency or wavelength is characteristic of predominantly Rayleigh scattering and the magnitude of the noise is less than a pre-determined noise level. The titanium article comprises an uniform-fine grain microstructure. The uniform-fine grain microstructure generates predominantly Rayleigh scattering when undergoing ultrasonic inspection. The invention also sets forth a method of forming a titanium article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for balancing a cylinder, roll, or equivalent part, with a thin mantle, by which deviations in the circumferential deflection line of the mantle can be compensated in order to correct for dynamic runout. Errors in the circumferential deflection line are measured and dynamic runout is determined. Locations and magnitudes of any counterweights necessary for balancing are determined based on deformations and dynamic runout arising from deviations in the deflection line of the mantle. Counterweights are fixed to the inner face of the mantle of the cylinder, roll or equivalent part at positions determined from measurements.

Abstract: A fiber optic particle motion accelerometer has a housing with a mid-section mounted therein such that the mid-section flexes in response to acceleration along a sensing axis. A proof mass is mounted to an outer edge of the mid-section. A first spiral-wound optical fiber coil is mounted to a first side of the mid-section and a second spiral-wound optical fiber coil is mounted to a second side of the mid-section. A first hinge is formed in the mid-section adjacent the mounting of the mid-section in the housing, and a second hinge is formed in the mid-section between the proof mass and the first and second fiber optic coils. The optical fiber coils are included in an interferometer such that acceleration along the sensing axis produces a phase difference between optical signals propagating in the optical fiber coils.

Abstract: A micromechanical device, in particular an acceleration sensor, includes a seismic mass which is resiliently supported on a substrate via a first flexural spring device and which can be deflected in at least one direction by an acceleration, the deflection being able to be limited by a stop device. The stop device has at least one limit stop that is resiliently supported on the substrate via a second flexural spring device, the second flexural spring device having a greater flexural strength than the first flexural spring device.

Abstract: A device for ultrasound radiation into a material comprises a piezoelectric substrate, a first input interdigital transducer, a second input interdigital transducer, an output interdigital transducer, an amplifier, and a voltage controller. All the interdigital transducers are formed on one end surface of the piezoelectric substrate. If an input electric signal is applied to the first input interdigital transducer, a first elastic wave is excited in the piezoelectric substrate. A non-leaky component of the first elastic wave is transmitted to the output interdigital transducer, and detected at the output interdigital transducer as a delayed electric signal, which is amplified via the amplifier. A signal part of an amplified electric signal is fed back to the first input interdigital transducer, again.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor 1 includes a strip-like piezoelectric member 2 having first and second end portions, first and second signal output electrodes 3, 4 formed on a pair of main surfaces facing each other of the piezoelectric member 2, and an intermediate electrode 5 formed at the intermediate position in the direction connecting a pair of main surfaces so as to face the first and second signal output electrodes 3, 4. The piezoelectric member is supported at both ends of the piezoelectric member by first and second supporting members. Polarization treatment is provided to the central area of the piezoelectric member in the thickness direction. The first and second signal output electrodes 3, 4 are led to a first end portion of the piezoelectric member 2, and the intermediate electrode 5 is led to a second end portion of the piezoelectric member.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pre-ignition combustion condition in an internal combustion engine. An ion sensing circuit measures an ion current during the ignition coil charging time. An ion current level above a predetermined reference level indicates pre-ignition combustion. A powertrain control module is responsive to a pre-ignition signal for discontinuing delivery of fuel to the cylinder in which the ion current was measured.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor has an oscillating structure which is movably suspended on a substrate and can be deflected by an acting acceleration. The acceleration sensor also has an analyzing arrangement detecting a deflection of the oscillating structure due to the acceleration. The oscillating structure and/or the analyzing arrangement are connected to the substrate by mechanical decoupling devices.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring rotation rate with respect to three axes and linear acceleration with respect to two axes. Electromagnets comprising cores of high magnetic permeability and windings are fixed to structures that protrude inwardly from outer frames of upper and lower rotor assemblies. An element of high magnetic permeability is fixed to the facing surface of a rotor arm to create electromagnetic drives for counteroscillation of upper and lower sets of rotor arms. Accelerometers are horizontally aligned and fixed to the top surfaces of preselected rotor arms of the upper rotor assembly and to the bottom surfaces of aligned rotor arms of the lower set of rotor arms for measuring rotation rate with respect the x and y axes and linear acceleration with respect to the z axis. The two sets of rotor arms are connected by a torsion bar.

Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.

Abstract: An acoustic non-linearity parameter (&bgr;) measurement method and system for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of materials and structural members obviates the need for electronic calibration of the measuring equipment. Unlike known substitutional measuring techniques requiring elaborate calibration procedures, the electrical outputs of the capacitive detector of a sample with known &bgr; and the test sample of unknown &bgr; are compared to determine the unknown &bgr;. In order to provide the necessary stability of the present-inventive reference-based approach, the bandpass filters of the measurement system are maintained in a temperature-controlled environment, and the line voltage supplied to said amplifiers is well-regulated.