Abstract: A torque sensor including a magnetostrictive alloy ribbon having plural rows of plural hole groups arranged longitudinally in the direction at a required angle to the shaft, and the magnetostrictive alloy ribbon is glued to the surface of the shaft, and means for detecting magnetic change are arranged around the magnetostrictive alloy ribbon in order to detect torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to directly measuring the torque applied to a capstan attached to an output shaft of a motor. The output shaft of the motor is rotatably mounted within a support. The motor includes a lever arm projecting therefrom. The lever arm coacts with a load cell to restrict the motor from rotating within the frame. As a torque is applied to the capstan, a proportional force is applied by the lever arm against the load cell. The force against the load cell can be calibrated to reflect the torque on the capstan.

Abstract: A torque transducer comprises strain measuring means on a torque deformable shaft and slipring means for transmitting the torque signals from the rotating shaft to stationary brush means. The slipring means are annular disc of carbon material, such as sintered graphite and the brush means are individual strips of flexible metal passing under tension partially around the respective sliprings. The electrical contact between the strain sensing means and the carbon disc is by means of printed circuit boards each of which has an annular or substantially annular portion with its conductive coating in face-to-face contact with a face of a respective carbon disc. The carbon disc and printed circuit boards being in axial compression on the shaft.

Abstract: A method of determining the optimum torque for securing a U-bolt assembly calculated according to the formula T=UL.multidot.d.multidot.K.multidot.LF, where T is the optimum torque, UL is a calculated value for the ultimate tensile load of one U-bolt leg, d is the diameter of the threaded end of one U-bolt leg, K is a torque coefficient of friction associated with the U-bolt assembly, and LF is a chosen load safety factor. A tool used in securing the U-bolt assembly includes at least one surface having torquing indicia located thereon and a radius for testing the bend radius on the U-bolt. The torquing indicia includes U-bolt assembly designation data and a corresponding optimum torque value.

Abstract: An electronic fluid flowmeter includes an LSI digital device and an LSI analog device. The digital device drives a pair of acoustic transducers to transmit acoustic waves within a fluid, the flow of which is being measured. The acoustic waves are received within the analogue device, the moment of arrival being determined by envelope detection associated with the phase of the received signal. The reception of a signal stops a counter within the digital device, the value in the counter representing the time of flight of the acoustic signals within the fluid. Fluid flow data can be stored on an EEPROM from which meter data can be read using a liquid crystal display or via an interface port to an external device.

Abstract: A method of determining damping coefficients for a resilient web, involving: stretching a prescribed length of the web between a pair of pulleys mounted on a frame; attaching a prescribed test mass M.sub.o upon this length at a prescribed distance L.sub.1 from one pulley; shaking the frame at resonance frequency f.sub.R, while deriving the resonance-amplitude; and using the foregoing to determine web damping coefficients.

Abstract: A flowmeter for measuring the velocity of a fluid produces magnetic field transverse to the direction of fluid velocity thereby inducing a voltage potential in the fluid. The magnetic field may be produced using either electromagnets or permanent magnets. Two primary electrodes in electrical contact with the fluid, spaced apart along a first line transverse to the direction of the magnetic field and transverse to the direction of the fluid velocity sense the induced voltage potential and a background voltage across the fluid. Two secondary electrodes in electrical contact with the fluid, spaced apart along a plane parallel to the direction of the magnetic field and parallel to the direction of the fluid velocity, sense the background voltage across the fluid. A signal processor, responsive to the primary and secondary electrodes, generates a velocity signal representative of the magnitude of the velocity of the fluid.

Abstract: A servo motor is coupled through an electric clutch to the needle on a mechanical airspeed indicator. The servo motor is controlled by a signal processor to position the needle to indicate airspeed based on a value calculated from static and pitot pressure indicated by output signals from a solid state transducer. The needle is also connected to an aneroid mechanism that positions the needle based on static and pitot pressure but which is overcome by the servo motor when the clutch is activated. The clutch is deactivated, allowing the aneroid mechanism to position the needle, if a fault is detected by the signal processor.

Abstract: A mass flow determination apparatus according to the Coriolis principle, particularly suitable as a component of an automatic dosing apparatus to obtain a highly precise measured value formation. The measuring pipe is vibration-decoupled from the process piping to prevent the internal vibration of the measuring pipe required for the measurement according to the Coriolis principle from passing into the process piping, as well as those which specifically prevent the penetration of external vibrations from the process piping into the measuring pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for determining the flow rate of a fluid in a pipe. The apparatus includes a device for providing acoustic energy on a diagonal path through the fluid. The diagonal providing device is in contact with the pipe. The apparatus also includes a device for providing acoustic energy on a diametrical path through the fluid. The diametrical providing device is in contact with the pipe. The apparatus is also comprised of a device for determining the flow of fluid in the pipe based on the acoustic energy of the diagonal providing device with the energy received by the diameterical receiving means used to determine the speed of sound of the fluid so the flow rate of fluid can be determined and the acoustic energy of the diametrical providing device. In one embodiment, the diagonal providing device is fixedly disposed on the pipe. In another embodiment, the diametrical providing device provides acoustic energy emitted in both directions on the diametrical path.

Abstract: A torque measuring device has the capability of measuring torque in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The device has a dual peak circuit, which allows the measuring to be effected without physical alteration of the device.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow meter for measuring moderate to low liquid flow rates with improved accuracy and minimal back pressure. The flow meter has a housing with two halves, a cover and a body, that fit together around a impeller so that liquid may flow and turn the impeller. Impeller performance is improved by use of a tapered inlet nozzle that increases liquid velocity while minimizing back pressure. Liquid is introduced tangent to the impeller by the tapered inlet nozzle to enhance initial impeller turning. The impeller registers the liquid flow by turning. The turning of the impeller is sensed electronically. Plenums are used for inlet and outlet flow to create regions of relatively consistent pressure regardless of duct location and orientation. The impeller fins are almost as wide as the impeller chamber to prevent liquid flow around the impeller. A magnet is encapsulated within the impeller that gives rise to a detectable electromagnetic flux when the impeller turns.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a multi-axis wheel transducer are disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises a wheel transducer for measuring the loads and moments acting on a vehicle wheel. Tubular load cells positioned in a radial fashion around the perimeter of the transducer hub join the rim and hub. Loads and moments acting on the rim of the wheel are transferred through the spoke-like load cells to the hub of the wheel. Sensors strategically positioned around the circumference of the tubular load cell monitor the intensity of the loads and moments. To detect angular position of the wheel, a light source generates a cone of polarized light to flood the wheel of the vehicle and detector-polarizing filter pairs detect an angle of the polarization relative to the wheel to determine its angular position. The transducer hub computer processes the sensor data and transfers the information via infrared signal to a computer located in the fender of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved shapemeter is provided to measure the flatness of metal strip under tension as the strip passes over a shapemeter roll, the shapemeter including a stationary shaft with a set of bearings that allow the strip to easily pass over the shapemeter roll. The stationary shaft does not touch the inner ring of each bearing, but the inner ring is urged against a block having horizontal and vertical flexural members that deflect giving only a single degree of freedom. This single degree of freedom allows each block to rotate about a pivot point, which is defined by the locations of the flexural members, in the transverse vertical plane only. The shaft has a slot, which provides an open area in which a single box that contains all the force transducers is mounted. Each force transducer (e.g., a load cell) is attached to a thrust button that contacts the corresponding block, and thereby absorbs some of the vertical load on the block.

Abstract: A strain gage apparatus that includes a unique mounting mechanism which enables the apparatus to be directly mounted on a load-bearing structure without having to modify the structure thereby making the apparatus particularly useful for measuring the weight of articles and materials disposed within various types of structures as, for example, tanks and hoppers.

Abstract: To permit this flowmeter to automatically operate either on one measurement principle or on another depending on a selectable foreign-particle content of the fluid, it has a first pair of ultrasonic transducers, one of which is operated as a transmitting transducer and the other as a receiving transducer or vice versa, and which are mounted on the outside surface of a fluid-carrying pipe and separated by a given distance in a direction parallel to the axis of the pipe, with the angle between the direction of the ultrasound and the pipe axis differing from 90.degree.. There is provided a second pair of ultrasonic transducers which are operated simultaneously as transmitting transducers or receiving transducers and are mounted on the outside surface of the pipe and separated by a given distance in a direction parallel to the axis of the pipe, the angle between the direction of the ultrasound and the pipe axis being less than or equal to 90.degree..

Abstract: The invention is related to a capacitive transducer feedback-controlled by means of electrostatic force and a method for controlling said transducer. The transducer comprises a body part (8) supporting a dynamically moving transducing element sensitive to the variable being measured, said transducing element being, e.g., a diaphragm (9) or a reference mass (36) supported by a bending beam (37), said element further being at least on its surface electrically conductive to the end of forming a first electrode (9, 36) of the transducer, and the transducer further comprising at least two second, planar electrodes (5, 6) which are placed on the same side with regard to the transducing element (9, 37). According to the invention, the second electrodes (5, 6) have at least essentially equal effective areas to the end of measuring the profile of the transducing element (9, 37) and controlling the same to an exactly defined geometric state.

Abstract: An improved torque sensor, or relative angular movement sensor, comprises an input member, an output member, LED light sources, a pair of photodetector units adapted to receive light from the LED light sources, and a signal processor, in which said signal processor is adapted to receive output signals from the photodetector units, the output signals of the photodetector units being dependent upon the light signals which they receive, and the signal processor being adapted to process the output signals from the photodetector units so as to produce a modified output signal indicative of the relative angular displacement between, or torque applied between, the input and output member, wherein the improvement lies in the arrangement of photodetectors which comprise the photodetector units.

Abstract: A locator 20 for facilitating the location of the center of gravity of an object such as a golf club head 130 includes a balancing member 42 having a rod 88 extending in a first direction from the member and a threaded rod 100 extending from the member in a second direction opposite the first direction. An adjustable weight 94 is located on rod 88 and a holder 110 for supporting an adaptor 138 and club head 130 is located on a free end of rod 100. Adaptor 138 with club head 130 are positionable in at least three different positions on holder 110 representative of the "X", "Y" and "Z" coordinates of the center of gravity of the club head. When club head 130 is located in each of the three positions, balancing member becomes unbalanced. By adjustment of weight 94 on rod 88, balancing member becomes balanced. Various distance measurements are taken and, by use of a moment-summing equation, unknown distances are determined to locate the "X", "Y " and "Z" coordinates of the center of gravity of club head 130.

Abstract: A sensor having a housing enclosing a passage adapted to be connected to a source of fluid in fluid receiving relation; a member mounted in the housing communicating with the passage in position to be moved upon the application of a fluid pressure differential thereacross; and a system for registering the movement of the member to detect the fluid pressure differential.