Abstract: A soot sensor includes a soot sensor including a first element on a first surface of the soot sensor. A soot sensing system may include a soot sensor and circuitry electrically coupled to the first element of the soot sensor. The circuitry is configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated on the first element and to control heating of the first element in response to the soot accumulation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly is placed against an inside surface of a panel for sensing objects on an opposite side of the panel and includes an ultrasonic sensor, a preload structure, a coupling element, and a damping material. The preload structure applies a preload on the ultrasonic sensor toward the inside surface of the panel. The coupling element interfaces between the ultrasonic sensor and the inside surface of the panel. The damping material is placed against the inside surface but not where the coupling element interfaces between the ultrasonic sensor and the inside surface. The coupling element may include a matrix material that is reinforced with a filler.

Abstract: A method to determine a fatigue limit for a material. Form a test component including the material. Identify a resonant frequency of the component and an excitation frequency which causes the component to vibrate. Measure a response parameter of the component when excited at the excitation frequency. Test the component to determine its fatigue limit by sub-steps to: apply an excitation force to the component at the excitation frequency to cause vibration of the component; alter the applied excitation force at constant excitation frequency to maintain the response parameter constant; measure at least one of an input parameter and an output parameter; iterate the sub-steps to alter and measure until the first order, second order, or first and second order derivatives of the input parameter and/or output parameter exhibit a discontinuity. Repeat the steps for a different excitation frequency. The fatigue limit for the material includes all the identified discontinuities.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder assembly, a sensor assembly for a cylinder assembly and methods of assembling and operating a cylinder assembly. The cylinder assembly may include a housing; a ram slidably mounted in the housing; and a sensor assembly mounted between the housing and the ram and operable to sense a side load. The sensor assembly may be incorporated into a bearing. In some constructions, the sensor assembly may include a capacitive sensor. In some constructions, the sensor assembly may include a piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: Integrated acoustic emission transducer apparatus and methods are described. An example apparatus includes an acoustic emission sensor having a data extractor and a process variable determiner integrated within the acoustic emission sensor. The acoustic emission sensor is to generate an acoustic emission signal. The data extractor is to extract signal data from the acoustic emission signal. The process variable determiner is to determine process variable data based on the extracted signal data. The process variable data includes at least one of leakage rate data, flow rate data, flow capacity data, flow area data, flow velocity data, mass accumulation data, or volume accumulation data.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided includes a sensor housing, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The sensor housing operatively connected to a body having a first end and a second end. The first sensor is disposed within the sensor housing. The second sensor is disposed within the sensor housing and is spaced apart from the first sensor. The first sensor and the second sensor face towards a first position feature and a second position feature that is disposed on a movable member that is received within the body.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection device is used for a structure. The structure includes: a first member; a second member provided on an opposite side of the first member; and a welded portion that is provided along an end of the second member facing the first member and fixes the first member and the second member. The detection device include: a plurality of acoustic emission sensors that are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in a direction in which the welded portion extends and are configured to detect an elastic wave transmitted to the second member, each acoustic emission sensor being attached to the second member; and an outputter that outputs information, obtained from outputs of the plurality of the acoustic emission sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for measuring thickness in any type of carbon fiber component, even in components having parts with different thickness and integrating at least a second material. The method includes measuring with the maximum and minimum real thickness of the component, and measuring with ultrasonic equipment the time that the ultrasound takes to propagate across the component part with maximum and with minimum thickness, calculating a thickness correction value, and calculating an ultrasound test speed from said thickness correction value, said measured times, and said measured maximum and minimum real thickness. Then, the total thickness of each of the parts of the component are measured, using ultrasounds with the same calculated ultrasound test speed, and the thickness correction value is applied to each of the measuring total thickness of each part, to determine a corrected carbon fiber thickness for each part.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers are imbedded into sacrificial metal coupons which are located in the vicinity of underground or aboveground structures, such as a pipe or tank, which allow for the measurement of the effectiveness of impressed current cathodic protection systems and can be used to determine the corrosion rate of the structure that is being protected. When excited by a pulser-receiver excitation pulse, the ultrasonic transducers can be used to determine the thickness of the coupon and its rate of change over time. The sacrificial metal coupon ultrasonic transducer assembly can be located in the vicinity of underground piping, under or inside of a tank, underground or underwater, or inserted into structures where absolute material loss values or material loss rate of change is being monitored.

Abstract: An environmental physical sensor is provided that includes a power input terminal, a sensor output terminal, and a resonant switch. The resonant switch includes a mechanical element that is responsive to an environmental stimulus and is coupled to an electrical switch. The electrical switch is operable between an open position and a closed position and electrically connects the power input terminal to the sensor output terminal when in the closed position. The mechanical element is configured to intermittently actuate the electrical switch into the closed position responsive to the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A sacrificial metal coupon is provided with one or more ultrasonic transducers which, when excited by a pulser-receiver excitation pulse, determines the thickness of the coupon and its rate of change over time. The sacrificial metal coupon ultrasonic transducer assembly can be inserted into the liquid stream of a pipe, under or inside of a tank, underground or underwater, or inserted into structures where absolute material loss values or material loss rate of change is being monitored.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus verify operation of acoustic emission sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an acoustic source acoustically coupled to a device, where the acoustic source is to generate an acoustic signal, and a processor to determine an operational condition of an acoustic emission sensor associated with the device based on measuring the generated acoustic signal at the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus including a fixing jig for vibration test of a battery pack. The fixing jig includes at least one upper block that is coupled to at least one coupler formed in the battery pack, a lower block placed below the at least one upper block, and a base plate having a board shaped and placed below the lower block.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a dynamic vibration frequency includes the following steps. At least five pairs of vibration measurement elements are selected. A bandwidth range of the vibration measurement elements is determined. The vibration measurement elements in sequence on a first side and a second side, which are geometrically symmetrical to each other, of a main shaft are used to measure vibration displacements in a symmetrical position arranging manner. The vibration displacements measured by the vibration measurement elements of either of the first side and second side are corrected, so as to differentially eliminate an ambient noise. Positions of nodes located on the first side and the second side are calculated. The vibration displacements in the preceding steps are used to deduce dynamic vibration frequencies of main harmonics. A vibration mode of the main shaft is confirmed.

Abstract: The present apparatus is configured to carry an instrument or probe and optionally deploy it against a surface, such as a metal pipeline or storage tank. The apparatus can include a sensor probe for inspecting the integrity of the surface and a first linkage that is operatively coupled to the sensor probe and configured to move the sensor probe according to a first path (in a first direction/first degree of freedom). An actuator can be operatively connected to the first linkage for moving the first linkage so as to move the sensor probe along the first path. A second linkage is operatively connected to the sensor probe and configured to passively move the sensor probe according to a second degree of freedom to cause the sensor probe to become normal to the surface when at least a portion of the apparatus contacts the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving, among other things, the commission and maintenance checks of material handling equipment are described. In an example, sensor data may be generated based on movement of test equipment by a material handling equipment along a path between locations of a facility. The path may be associated with movement of an item by the material handling equipment. The sensor data may be associated with different conditions along the path. The test may include a plurality of sensors configured to generate the sensor data. Based on the sensor data, an indication of a location along the path and a condition may be provided. The condition may be associated with the location along the path and may affect movement of the item at the location. The indication may be provided to a user equipment that is remote from the test equipment.

Abstract: A photoacoustic microscope includes a light source, an objective lens, a light scanner, a photoacoustic wave detector, and a calculation unit. The light source emits excitation light. The objective lens focuses the excitation light within a specimen. The light scanner scans the specimen with the excitation light. The photoacoustic wave detector detects photoacoustic waves. The calculation unit uses a correlation coefficient to calculate a shift in waveform due to a change over time in photoacoustic waves between a standard position and a calculation position. The calculation unit calculates the depth from the standard position at the calculation position based on the shift.

Abstract: Inspection devices include a nozzle portion having at least one opening and a transducer disposed in a rear chamber of the housing. The housing has at least one fluid channel defined in the housing and extending along at least a portion of the rear chamber. The at least one fluid channel is configured to supply a fluid into a forward chamber of the housing proximate the transducer. Related methods include operating an inspection device.

Abstract: A system for quality monitoring of additive manufacturing includes an acoustic emission (AE) sensor configured to be attached to an additive manufacturing substrate and to output a sensor signal indicative of acoustic vibrations received at the AE sensor and an AE module. The AE module is configured to receive the sensor signal from the AE sensor and process the sensor signal to determine at least one characteristic of an additive manufacturing process and/or an additively manufactured article.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transmitting elements in an electroacoustical transceiver transmit acoustic energy to an electroacoustical transponder, which includes ultrasonic receiving elements to convert the acoustic energy into electrical power for the purposes of powering one or more sensors that are electrically coupled to the electroacoustical transponder. The electroacoustical transponder transmits data collected by the sensor(s) back to the electroacoustical transceiver wirelessly, such as through impedance modulation or electromagnetic waves. A feedback control loop can be used to adjust system parameters so that the electroacoustical transponder operates at an impedance minimum. An implementation of the system can be used to collect data in a vehicle, such as the tire air pressure. Another implementation of the system can be used to collect data in remote locations, such as in pipes, enclosures, in wells, or in bodies of water.