Abstract: The present invention relates to a micromachined hemispherical resonance gyroscope, which includes a resonant layer, wherein the resonant layer comprises a hemispherical shell whose top point of the hemispherical shell is its anchor point; several silicon hemispherical electrodes are arranged around the hemispherical shell, the silicon hemispherical electrodes include driving electrodes, equilibrium electrodes, shielded electrodes and signal detection electrodes or quadrature correction electrodes, the hemispherical shell and the several silicon spherical electrodes which surround the hemispherical shell constitute several capacitors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of acquiring rotational information of a gyro sensor includes sensing a predetermined physical quantity which depends upon an amplitude of a vibration in a second direction, the vibration in the second direction being based on Coriolis force that is applied to a movable body which is vibrating in a first direction, calculating rotational information of the movable body based on the sensed predetermined physical quantity, and stopping a vibration in the first direction of the movable body after the predetermined physical quantity is sensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1000) for monitoring a degree of coking at dynamic seals of a turbine engine comprising: a gas generator including a rotary shaft and an injection wheel mounted on the shaft; a fuel injection manifold designed to convey fuel to the injection wheel; and dynamic seals designed to provide a seal between the injection wheel and the fuel injection manifold. The method is characterised in that it comprises steps consisting in: measuring (1100) the rotation speed of the gas generator shaft during a turbine engine autorotation phase, and determining (1200) a degree of coking at the dynamic seals, based on changes in the measured rotation speed over time. The invention also relates to a turbine engine equipped with a monitoring system.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a system and method for checking the operational status of alternative compressor valve and more particularly for checking operational status of electrically commanded valves, provided in alternative compressors used in refrigeration systems. In accordance with the present invention, said operational checking system of alternative compressor valve comprises a data processing core (5) capable of estimating one among two possible operations statuses of said metal valve (1) by varying at least one electric parameter provided by said sensor (4), wherein said step of estimating one among two possible operational statuses of said metal valve (1) is effected on the basis of the results from the comparison between said signal of electric parameter from sensor (4) and the predetermined range of data analogous to the electric parameter.

Abstract: A method for analyzing droplets is described. The droplets can be received on an outer surface region of a sampler surface disposed on a substrate, wherein the sampler surface is increasingly less hydrophobic along a radial direction toward the center of the sampler surface. Next, the droplets can be aggregated and moved toward the center of the sampler surface. The droplets can then be received at an inner surface region of the sampler surface. Next, the droplets can be analyzed using an analysis mechanism in an area in the inner surface region.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating an electrostatic capacitance-type acceleration sensor having a capacitor which electrostatic capacitance between a movable electrode and a fixed electrode changes according to the displacement of the movable electrode, the method includes: a step of forming a groove on at least one of the surface of an insulative substrate and the surface of a semiconductor substrate; a step of forming a hole in the semiconductor substrate so as to penetrate the semiconductor substrate at a position communicating with a passage formed by the groove; and a step of forming an electrode extraction hole in the insulative substrate so as to penetrate the insulative substrate, at a position communicating with the passage formed by the groove.

Abstract: A method for testing an overspeed protection apparatus of a single-shaft system that includes: a) operating the system at nominal speed and under electrical load, wherein the load is selected to be low enough that, after dropping the load, the speed of the system rises such that the speed remains below steam turbine threshold speed lower than gas turbine threshold speed, such that first overspeed protection is triggered when the speed of the steam turbine reaches the steam turbine threshold speed, and second overspeed protection is triggered when the speed of the gas turbine reaches the gas turbine threshold speed; b) dropping the load; c) increasing the mass flow of the steam introduced into the steam turbine and/or of the fuel introduced into the gas turbine such that the speed of the steam turbine reaches the steam turbine threshold speed; d) testing whether the first overspeed protection is triggered.

Abstract: Force transducer (10) include two structural members (11, 12) spaced apart to define a gap (101) and being linked to each other. Optical fibers (13) are to the members and are freely suspended in the gap. The optical fibers are configured to provide a change in a detectable optical property responsive to a change in relative position between the two members in one or more predetermined degrees of freedom. Each of the optical fibers (13) is fixed to both structural members and continuous between the members to link the two structural members to each other. The optical fibers are substantially the only structure forming a link between the two structural members (11, 12), such that the arrangement of the optical fibers defines substantially the stiffness of the link between the two structural members in the one or more predetermined degrees of freedom, which stiffness is mainly, such as for at least 95%, determined by the optical fibers.

Abstract: A dynamometer for automobile steering wheel position adjusting device which comprising: a rack box, a fixing fixture, a supplemental fixing fixture, a first dynamometer mechanism, and a second dynamometer mechanism. The fixing fixture which comprising a base panel, four locking devices, two supporting device; the two dynamometer mechanism are both provided with a dynamometer. The fixing fixture and the first dynamometer mechanism are mounted on the base surface of the rack box, the first dynamometer mechanism is arranged in front of the fixing fixture, the supplemental fixing fixture is mounted on the right side wall of the rack box and the second dynamometer mechanism is mounted on the left side wall of the rack box. The two dynamometer mechanisms test the force required to turn adjustment handle or to pull or push the telescoping column with the neck of the steering wheel position adjusting device respectively.

Abstract: A system includes a MEMS sensor having dual proof masses capable of moving independently from one another in response to forces imposed upon the proof masses. Each proof mass includes an independent set of sense contacts configured to provide output signals corresponding to the physical displacement of the corresponding sense mass. A switch system is in communication with the sense contacts. The switch system is configured to enable a sense mode and various test modes for the MEMS sensor. When the switch system enables a sense mode, output signals from the sense contacts can be combined to produce sense signals. When the switch system enables a test mode, the second contacts are electrically decoupled from one another to disassociate the output signals from one another. The independent sense contacts and switch system enable the concurrent compensation and calibration of the proof masses along two different sense axes.

Abstract: An impact fatigue device includes a striker rod assembly configured to reciprocally move between an upstream position and a downstream position. The striker rod assembly includes a striker rod slidingly mounted on a support member and a trigger located upstream of the striker rod and adapted to move downstream to engage the striker rod and propel the striker rod downstream. An actuator assembly is located upstream of the striker rod assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to releasably engage the trigger and to translate the trigger upstream. A reset mechanism is configured to releasably engage the striker rod and to move the striker rod from the downstream position to the upstream position. A method of operating the impact fatigue device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibrating element includes a base part, drive arms containing first surfaces and second surfaces having front-back relations with the first surfaces, having groove portions provided on the first surface sides, and extended from the base part in extension directions, and drive parts provided to contain piezoelectric layers on the second surfaces, and section shapes of the drive arms orthogonal to the extension directions contain asymmetric section shapes with respect to virtual center lines passing through centers of widths in directions orthogonal to the extension directions.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprising ultrasound sensors to monitor the structure of a composite material part during production is automatically calibrated using reference sensors mounted on reference blocks and placed in the production environment of the part. The automatic calibration comprises actuating a reference sensor to transmit an ultrasonic wave and measuring the amplitude of a reference echo constituted by the transmitted ultrasonic wave after it has passed through the reference block. The measured amplitude is compared to a set point value and the gain is applied to the reference sensor to obtain an amplitude value of the reference echo substantially equal to the set point value. The gain applied to the reference sensor is applied to the ultrasound sensors of the same type as the reference sensor. The operation is performed for each reference sensor, and successively for all of the stages of production of the part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1000) for monitoring a degree of coking at the dynamic seals of a turbine engine comprising: a gas generator, comprising a rotary shaft and an injection wheel mounted on said shaft, an injection manifold, dynamic seals for ensuring a seal between the injection wheel and the injection manifold, and a starter, the method comprising the steps: measuring (1500), during a phase for initiating rotation of the shaft of the gas generator by the starter, a current flowing through the starter and a voltage on the terminals of the starter, determining (1600), from the measured current and voltage, a degree of coking at the dynamic seals. The invention also relates to a turbine engine comprising a system for monitoring a degree of coking.

Abstract: The press wheel has instrumentation associated therewith detecting a rolling of the wheel over a planted set. The press wheel also has a computing device connected to the instrumentation and to the speed monitoring device of the planter. The computing device determines spacings between planted sets. The data obtained is real-time data and is readily available to the operator of the planter so that the speed of the planter can be adjusted on the fly to maintain an ideal set spacing.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a lubricant in a transmission are provided. The system comprises a first speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a processing unit. The first speed sensor is positioned adjacent a first clutch, which forms a portion of the transmission. The first speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational difference between portions of the first clutch. The temperature sensor is disposed within the transmission. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the lubricant. The processing unit is in communication with the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor. In response to information from the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor, the processing unit determines a condition of the lubricant used in the transmission.

Abstract: An interfacial adhesion strength measuring apparatus of a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of load applying parts that are each adhered to outer surfaces of a substrate configuring the gas diffusion layer of the fuel cell and a micro porous layer coated on the substrate and is configured to apply a tension force in a direction in which the substrate and the micro porous layer are separated from each other. A first adhering part is applied to one of the load applying parts and is adhered to the substrate and a second adhering part is applied to the other of the load applying parts and is adhered to the micro porous layer. In addition, the first and second adhering parts contain materials of which contact angles with the substrate or the micro porous layer are different from each other, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an acceleration sensor having a housing (1), which has a cylindrical or cubic basic shape, having at least one internal support (4) and having a sensor element (2) arranged thereon. According to the invention a sensor element (2) comprising a main body (29) having a head part (21) and an end face (24) opposing said head part (21) is premounted, by surrounding the head part (21) with at least one piezoelectric measuring element (23), a seismic composition (22) and a clamping ring (27). The end face (24) is subsequently positioned on the inner support (4) of the housing (1) in contact therewith to form a contact zone (7) between the end face (24) and the support (4). Finally, the sensor element (2) is welded in this contact zone (7) to the housing (1). The invention further relates to an acceleration sensor produced using said method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeder unit, a separating unit, a conveying unit disposed downstream of the separating unit in a sheet feeding direction, an image forming unit disposed downstream of the conveying unit in the sheet feeding direction, a drive unit, and a control unit. The feeder unit feeds a sheet. The separating unit separates sheets fed by the feeder unit one by one. The conveying unit conveys the sheet. The image forming unit forms, while the sheet is being conveyed, an image on the sheet. The drive unit drives the conveying unit. The control unit controls the drive unit. After the conveyed sheet reaches the image forming unit, the control unit reduces a conveyance speed of the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit.

Abstract: A detection device includes: a drive circuit which receives a feedback signal from a physical quantity transducer and drives the physical quantity transducer; a detection circuit which receives a detection signal from the physical quantity transducer and detects a desired signal; and a control unit which controls switching on/off of an AGC loop in the drive circuit. The drive circuit outputs a drive signal based on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-period of the AGC loop to the physical quantity transducer and thus drives the physical quantity transducer in an off-period of the AGC loop.