Abstract: A gyroscope for sensing rate on at least two axes includes a substantially planar vibratory resonator having a ring or hoop like shape, carrier mode drive means for causing the resonator to vibrate in a Cos n1&thgr; in-plane carrier mode where n1 has an integer value of 2 or more. The gyroscope also includes support means for flexibly supporting the resonator, carrier mode pick off means for sensing in-plane movement of the resonator, X axis response mode pick off means for sensing out-of-plane Cos n&thgr; response mode movement of the resonator in response to rotation of the gyroscope around the X axis, where n has a value of n1+1 or n1−1, and Y axis response mode pick off means for sensing out-of-plane Sin n&thgr; response mode movement of the resonator in response to rotation of the gyroscope about the Y axis where n has a value n1+1 or n1−1, identical to that for the X axis response mode.

Abstract: Clamping device for fixing a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel to the shaft of a balancing machine. The clamping device comprises a locating flange which is to be fixed on the shaft of the balancing machine and has a locating face for the wheel rim; a clamping flange which is positioned on a shaft journal and can be clamped against the locating flange; centering bolts which are concentrically arranged on the clamping flange around its circumference and at equal distances from each other and at their ends facing the locating flange each has a centering cone designed to engage fixing and centering holes in the wheel rim of the vehicle wheel; and pivots which axially protrude outwards from the centering cone. A circular groove is arranged in the locating face of the locating flange. The width of the circular groove corresponds to the diameter of the pivots and the mean radius of the circular groove corresponds to the radial distance of the centering bolts to the axis of rotation of the shaft of the balancing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus is mounted to an object, and a signal from the apparatus is used to monitor the acceleration of the object. The apparatus includes a structure that flexes in response to acceleration of the object, and a transducer supported by the structure so as to generate a signal responsive to flexing of the structure. The structure and the transducer may be constructed and arranged such that a neutral axis passes through the structure when the structure flexes, and such that the neutral axis would still pass through the structure when the structure flexes if the first transducer was removed from the structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a multi-layer, piezoceramic capacitor disposed on a circuit board. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a disk-shaped, piezoceramic element of the type typically used in microphones or speakers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interrogating a resonator to monitor its resonance characteristics (e.g. resonant frequency) in an especially energy efficient manner, particularly changes to the characteristics over time. The resonator is pulsed and the response thereto sampled. By comparison of samples of the response to sequential pulses, sampled at the same times after pulse initiation, one can infer phase changes between the responses, and hence infer changes in resonance characteristics. Preferably, one calibrates the resonator's time response initially as a reference, which permits subsequent determination of the resonance state with only one digital sample per pulse. In one embodiment, the invention this detection scheme is used as a chemical detector. The resonator is an electo-acoustic device, having plural Bragg gratings, with a different adsorptive material atop each grating which adsorbs one selected chemical particularly well.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting particular frequencies of acoustic vibration utilize a piezoelectrically-tunable beam element having a piezoelectric layer and a stress sensitive layer and means for providing an electrical potential across the piezoelectric layer to controllably change the beam's stiffness and thereby change its resonance frequency. It is then determined from the response of the piezoelectrically-tunable beam element to the acoustical vibration to which the beam element is exposed whether or not a particular frequency or frequencies of acoustic vibration are detected.

Abstract: A sensor chip having a support frame part and sensor structure including at least one displaceable weight part, and a beam part for connecting the weight part to the support frame part. The sensor structure is formed on a silicon substrate through an insulating layer and the insulating layer between the sensor structure and the silicon substrate is removed. The beam part is formed of two parallel beams and the weight part is connected to the support frame part by two parallel beams. At least two semiconductor strain gauges are formed on the surface of the two respective parallel beams. The semiconductor chip may be contained in a package having a main surface for mounting the semiconductor sensor chip formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of a printed circuit board for mounting the package. The main surface is provided with a plurality of terminals along two opposite sides thereof for connecting with input/output terminals of the semiconductor sensor chip.

Abstract: A rotary sensor having a rotator to which rotation from outside is transmitted, a housing on which the rotator is rotatably supported, and an angle sensing member for detecting the angle of rotation to the rotator. At least two, first and second torsion coil springs which constantly turn the rotator in one direction towards the housing are disposed between the rotator and the housing.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of searching for or analyzing materials, in particular liquids, by optical means. The method of optically measuring the transparency of a liquid uses a turbidity analyzer comprising at least one emitter of light passing through an optical interface piece providing an interface with the liquid illuminated in this way, and at least one measurement cell receiving a fraction of said light via a second optical interface piece, said fraction having traveled a given distance through said liquid. According to the method of the invention: ultrasound waves are generated in the vicinity of the emitting and receiving optical/liquid interfaces of said optical pieces in contact with said liquid; gaseous microcavities are thus created in the liquid and said interface surfaces are cleaned when said microcavities implode; and the emission of said ultrasound waves is stopped and the light received by the cell is measured.

Abstract: A flaw detection system using acoustic Doppler effect for detecting flaws in a medium wherein there is relative motion between the medium and system includes a transducer, spaced from the medium to be inspected, for introducing to and sensing from the medium an acoustic signal that propagates in the medium at a predetermined frequency; and a detector, responsive to the sensed propagating acoustic signal, for detecting in the sensed acoustic signal the Doppler shifted frequency representative of a flaw in the medium.

Abstract: A vibration gyro sensor is constructed as follows. Namely, a detecting piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 12, which detects displacement generated in a direction perpendicular to a direction of vibration of a vibrator 2 when the vibrator is rotated, is provided on a detecting section. The detecting section is constructed by an integrated fired product made of ceramics together with the vibrator 2 and a support base 4. The detecting section is constructed by a first plate-shaped section 6 which is more thin-walled than the vibrator 2 and which has its principal surface extending in the direction of vibration. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 12 is formed in an integrated manner on the first plate-shaped section 6 in accordance with a film formation method.

Abstract: Water-resistant preformed resilient bags are applied to a porous material specimen having a coarse external surface to provide for more consistent measurement results in water displacement tests. The preformed bag is configured to collapse and substantially conform to the material specimen's external surface and to provide planar collapsed portions extending away from the specimen. The preformed bags are precision manufactured and each applied to a respective specimen in a manner in which the bag consistently displaces the same volume of water when used in water displacement tests over many specimens. The volume of the bag can be accounted for when obtaining the volume of the specimen. The method of sealing the specimen includes inserting the specimen into a preformed bag and collapsing and sealing the bag such that is conformal to the external surface of the specimen.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor device includes drive oscillators oscillated by driving in drive direction a0, and detecting oscillators connected to the drive oscillators and oscillated in detecting directions a1, a2 by a Coriolis force, which is generated by an angular velocity in a direction K. The directions a1, a2 respectively make an angle &thgr; with the direction K. Detection electrodes are provided for the detecting oscillators, and produce output signals. A signal caused by an inertia force and a signal caused by the Coriolis force are obtained from the output signals, and the angular velocity is determined by the two signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method monitors the condition of a bearing/shaft assembly by forming diagnostics based on spectral analysis of assembly's vibration. Baseline parameters are determined by a microprocessor analysis of the vibration spectra, comparing actual peaks to the peaks predicted by a model. The microprocessor estimates rotation rate and preferably number of rolling elements by attempting to fit the model to the actual vibrational spectrum, by varying the assumptions. Baseline profiles are formed from one or more selected tones and preferably also harmonics thereof, to characterize the bearing/shaft assembly. The baseline profiles and parameters are compared against later acquired vibrational characteristics, and the comparison is used to diagnose bearing and/or shaft conditions.

Abstract: An inductive rotational accelerometer for assisting in servo control of a hard disc drive using a torsional mass-spring system in combination with an inductance sensitive circuit to detect and measure the rotational vibrations imposed on a hard disc drive. The inductive rotational accelerometer includes a frame member coupled to the disc drive, the frame member supporting a pin on which is disposed a rotational mass. The rotational mass supports conductive blocks which with the rotational mass and the frame member provide a path for inductance.

Abstract: An angular rate producer is provided for measuring vehicle angular rate, wherein high performance dither drive signal generation and angular sensing signal extracting means are provided for hands-on vibrating type angular rate detecting units, including tuning forks and vibrating strings to obtain highly accurate angular rate signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting particular frequencies of vibration utilize a magnetically-tunable beam element having a stress-sensitive coating and means for providing magnetic force to controllably deflect the beam element thereby changing its stiffness and its resonance frequency. It is then determined from the response of the magnetically-tunable beam element to the vibration to which the beam is exposed whether or not a particular frequency or frequencies of vibration are detected.

Abstract: A gas concentration sensor comprises an ultrasonic element 33 opposite a reflection surface 34. A depression 34a is formed on an edge portion of a reflection surface 34 which is in contact with a side wall of a measurement chamber 32 such that a bottom surface of the depression 34a is substantially in parallel with the reflection surface 34. The distance between the ultrasonic element 33 and the edge portion of the reflection surface 34 becomes greater than the distance between the ultrasonic element 33 and a central portion of the reflection surface 34. As a result, an indirect wave, which impinges obliquely on the side wall of the measurement chamber 32 and propagates along the side wall, is reflected from the bottom surface of the depression 34a and propagates.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor including a framelike vibrator supported on a fixed support portion via a pair of beams. The framelike vibrator is placed into an inertial state by being vibrated by a driving means, and a displacement of the framelike vibrator due to Coriolis force is detected. The fixed support portion is formed on a support substrate made of a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion in the center of the framelike vibrator, and the beams are T-shaped and include a first beam portion for displacing the framelike vibrator by the driving means in the driving direction, and a second beam portion for displacing the framelike vibrator in the direction of generation of the Coriolis force.

Abstract: Ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic transducer 3 is transmitted through a member 1, such as the wall of a vessel, on which the transducer is mounted. A cylindrical projection 2 is formed integral with the member, and the ultrasonic transducer main body is attached to the projection, e.g. by screwing the body onto outer threads of the cylindrical projection. The cylindrical projection is designed to form the lower part of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Weight compensating arrangement for a displaceable examination component of a medical system has a lever arrangement and a controllable adjusting device which acts on a first lever arm in order to exert a compensating force for the weight of the examination component which act on the other lever arm. This produces an optimal weight compensation and a reduced mass of the medical device compared to conventional arrangements.