Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a third substrate. The second substrate has a through-hole, a first contact formed on an inner surface of the through-hole, and a first bonding pad connected to the first contact. An electrically conductive ball is accommodated in the through-hole. The third substrate has a recess, a second contact formed in the recess contacting the bottom of the electrically conductive ball, and a second bonding pad connected to the second contact.

Abstract: An accelerometer element of the bender having geometrical outside dimensions and relations wherein the height and width are alike and half of the length. The accelerometer element is built from ceramic materials and consists of two half blocks with a piezoelectric bender element clamped in-between. The high part tolerances are overcome by two fastener gaps, being filled with a special material for microcomponents. This method allows tolerance differences to be compensated by the fastener gaps and its fastening layer. The half blocks consist of a ceramic material to be ground in strips and processed with electronic components in well known batch production methods. Both sides of the blocs are protected with cover plates. The connector recess is filled with a watertight sealing material. The accelerometer element, whether with or without integrated electronics, is fully hermetic and watertight, with only the signal wires protruding on the outside.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for balancing a motor vehicle wheel comprising a wheel with pneumatic tire thereon, the wheel is clamped on to a measuring shaft of a balancing machine, and geometrical data of the wheel are sensed and stored. A measuring run is conducted for ascertaining an unbalance, and for determining at least one balancing vector in accordance with a balancing program selected depending on the type of wheel. The material of the wheel is detected with a sensor. The balancing program for determining the nature of balancing weight and its positioning in a balancing plane on the wheel is selected depending on the signal obtained in the sensing operation using the sensor. The balancing vector is determined in the electronic system of the machine for the balancing program. At least one balancing weight is then fixed to the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic resonators comprising a resonator chamber body (11) and one or more electroacoustic transducers (13, 14). The resonator body consists of a non-piezoelectric material; it forming a resonant cavity for accommodating a specimen. This resonant cavity is configured so that between the acoustically excitated internal walls a resonant wave field of standing linear acoustic waves is formed. The electroacoustic transducer(s) is(are) acoustically coupled externally to said resonator chamber body (FIG. 2) fixedly or removably or movably.

Abstract: A rotation sensor utilizing light reflection and/or refraction techniques including a light source, a light reflecting surface and a reflected light receiving member in which the elements are positioned so that the intensity of light reflected by the reflecting surface and received by the receiving member is unique for each rotational position being measured. The invention also relates to a method utilizing the above sensor.

Abstract: A balancing apparatus which is capable of compensating for an eccentricity generated even when a rotating member is rotated at a velocity that is lower than a critical velocity thereof. Preferably, the balancing apparatus is disposed, in relation with the rotating member, at a position spaced apart from a rotation center of the rotating member by a predetermined distance. The balancing apparatus includes a plurality of balls for compensating for an eccentricity, a hardening agent for fixing the balls under the condition that the eccentricity is compensated by the balls, and a keeping member for insertion of the balls and the hardening agent.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of items made of recyclable materials randomly located and arranged within randomly arranged solid waste having random characteristics. A transmitter produces acoustic energy of at least one predetermined wavelength in a desired direction. The acoustic energy causes the items made of recyclable material present within the randomly arranged solid waste to resonate and thereby produce resonated acoustic energy. A receiver receives the resonated acoustic energy. The receiver generates a signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy. A processor connected at least to the receiver receives the signal from the receiver for analyzing the resonated acoustic energy, for calculating the signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy, and comparing the calculated signature to known signatures of items made of recyclable materials.

Abstract: A runout measurement and control system including an accelerometer comprising a unit that is positioned on the lathe housing and configured to measure the rotational acceleration of the lathe body during a lateral runout correction sequence. The runout measurement and control system further includes a control circuit comprising a microprocessor that analyzes the accelerometer data to provide a corrective signal that is transmitted to an automated alignment device.

Abstract: A method for determining the resonant frequency of vibration of a rotating blade comprises determining the approximate resonance frequency and rotating a blade at a plurality of frequencies in a range above and below the approximate frequency. At each frequency two measurements are taken representative of synchronous amplitudes at each measurement point (P.sub.1 and P.sub.2) wherein the two points are separated by an angle .beta. and there are an unknown number x of complete synchronous vibrations between the two points. A set of data is provided and a plot of P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 produced, the data being analysed to determine a likely value of x and hence the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A monolithic substrate for acceleration and angular rate sensing. The substrate comprises a support frame, and a first accelerometer formed in the substrate. The first accelerometer has a proof mass including first and second opposite edges. A flexure connects the first edge of the proof mass to the support frame. The flexure defines a hinge axis for the proof mass. The first accelerometer further includes a torsion stabilizing strut coupling a portion of the proof mass to the frame.

Abstract: A shock sensor detects shocks from all directions in a plane. A coil produces a magnetic field. A magnetic fluid is sealed in a closed container located in the magnetic field. A magnetoresistive effect element is also is located in the magnetic field and opposes the magnetic fluid. The magnetic fluid moves relative to the magnetoresistive effect element when the magnetic fluid receives a shock. When the magnetoresistive effect element is subjected to a change in magnetic field, the resistance of the magnetoresistive effect element changes. The magnetoresistive effect element may be formed of four elements in a bridge configuration and the output of the bridge is processed in an output circuit. The output circuit outputs a sensor output when the magnetic fluid moves relative to the magnetoresistive effect element.

Abstract: The system is designed for the purpose of providing a means of conducting objective assessment of the actual or "real world" attenuation which is provided by insert-type hearing protection (IHP) devices. A device is constructed to serve as the input device to any commercially available noise dosimetry instrument or sound level measuring device. A miniature microphone is mounted on, or embedded in the proximal surface of the IHP which is to be inserted in the ear or upon the ear of the user. The miniature microphone is hard wired to a miniature jack which is mounted on, or embedded in, the distal surface of the IFP device. A cable connects to the jack on the outside of the IHP device and to the input of the noise dosimetry instrument or sound level measurement device. Thereby, when the IHP device containing the above is used, the dosimetry or sound level measurement instrument conducts assessments of actual sound levels to which the hearing mechanism is exposed when IHP devices are in use.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope having a vibratable body in the form of a triangular prism, piezoelectric elements formed on side surfaces of the vibrating body and having the same vibration characteristics and a detection circuit having two input terminals connected to two of the piezoelectric elements to detect the difference between the outputs from the two piezoelectric elements, the two detection piezoelectric elements being selected such that the difference between their outputs with respect to a change in ambient atmosphere temperature is the smallest.

Abstract: A modular vibration system which utilizes interchangeable modules to adapt to any of a wide range of applications and performance characteristics. The vibration system comprises a shaker module, a coupling module, and a fixture module. The shaker module includes features for mounting actuators, which provide multiaxial shaking motions, to the shaker module. The fixture module provides for attaching and holding specimens under test. The coupling module, preferably made of a visco-elastic material, couples the fixture module to the shaker module. The fixture module and the coupling module are easily separable from the shaker module. This configuration permits tuning the vibration system, over a wide range of multimodal coupling characteristics between the shaker module and the fixture module, for a specific application by interchanging fixture modules and coupling modules. The coupling characteristics can range from very flexible to very stiff and from underdamped to overdamped.

Abstract: A monolithic, micromechanical vibrating beam accelerometer with a trimmable resonant frequency is fabricated from a silicon substrate which has been selectively etched to provide a resonant structure suspended over an etched pit. The resonant structure comprises an acceleration sensitive mass and at least two flexible elements having resonant frequencies. Each of the flexible elements is disposed generally collinear with at least one acceleration sensitive axis of the accelerometer. One end of at least one of the flexible elements is attached to a tension relief beam for providing stress relief of tensile forces created during the fabrication process. Mass support beams having a high aspect ratio support the mass over the etched pit while allowing the mass to move freely in the direction collinear with the flexible elements. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating such an accelerometer.

Abstract: An oscillation type angular velocity sensor includes an oscillator, as exciting device for exciting the oscillator, a detecting device for detecting the direction of oscillation of the oscillator which occurs by a Coriolis force acting on the oscillator when an angular velocity is applied thereto and a correction device adhered to a portion of the oscillator for correcting the direction of the oscillation of the oscillator by varying the elasticity of the portion of the oscillator.

Abstract: A machine for determining dynamically a residual unbalance in a workpiece having a conical surface is provided with a plurality of support elements, such as roller elements, that communicate with the workpiece at the conical surface thereof. The roller elements are arranged circumferentially equidistant about the workpiece and may have cylindrical or conical configurations. Further support elements, such as roller elements, can be applied against an annular surface of the workpiece, such as on a flange portion thereof. At least one of the support rollers that communicates with the conical surface is arranged to rotate about an adjustable axis of rotation that can be oriented with respect to the workpiece to achieve good rotative communication therebetween.

Abstract: A monolithic substrate for acceleration and angular rate sensing. The substrate comprises a support frame, and a first accelerometer formed in the substrate. The first accelerometer has a proof mass including first and second opposite edges. A flexure connects the first edge of the proof mass to the support frame. The flexure defines a hinge axis for the proof mass. The first accelerometer further includes a torsion stabilizing strut coupling a portion of the proof mass to the frame.

Abstract: A force transducer in which a deflectable seismic mass is supported on a frame by support means is disclosed. The seismic mass at rest includes a plane and when the seismic mass is deflected by any force the mass always retains the plane parallel to the rest position. Any deflection of the seismic mass is purely topographically translational movement with no rotational movement allowed. The invention allows three identical structures to be etched onto a flat semiconductor wafer and yet can be used to determine accelerations in three perpendicular directions. As the structures deflect, the surfaces of their seismic masses always remain parallel to the wafer surface. This enables measurement of the deflection to be made easily, for example by depositing electrodes on the surfaces of the seismic masses and fixed surfaces (such as deflection stops) and measuring the change in capacitance between the electrodes.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope includes a vibrator having a triangular prism shaped vibrating body and piezoelectric elements. An oscillation circuit is connected between two piezoelectric elements and another piezoelectric element. Output signals from two piezoelectric elements are applied to input terminals of a differential circuit. The differential circuit is connected to a synchronous detecting circuit, and the synchronous detecting circuit is connected to a smoothing circuit. A temperature compensating capacitor is connected between two piezoelectric elements that are connected to the differential circuit. The oscillation circuit consists of an amplifier and a phase shifter having a resistor and a capacitor. As the capacitor used in the phase shifter, the temperature compensating capacitor may be used.