Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow velocity of a flowing fluid includes a positive temperature coefficient thermistor to be immersing within the flowing fluid in order to provide a measurement of the rate of heat dissipation of the thermistor produced by the flowing fluid, and thereby a measurement the flow velocity of the fluid. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor used has a resistance which increases sharply at the predetermined temperature at which electrical current is maintained in the thermistor such that the thermistor is self-controlled to maintain substantially the predetermined temperature, whereby the electrical current drawn by the thermistor is a measurement of the thermal load on the thermistor resulting from the thermal heat dissipation therefrom by the flowing fluid, and thereby a measurement of the flow velocity of the fluid.

Abstract: The invention is intended to improve reliability of a thermal type air flow measuring instrument employing a molded part formed by integral molding together with a metal plate. A slot or opening allowing only a resin to pass through the same is formed in the metal plate in an area or thereabout subjected to higher stresses. A part of connector terminals, which is not required from the intrinsic object, is disposed in the vicinity of a area where the resin has a larger thickness and the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the resin is locally increased. An injecting direction is set so as to prevent a weld line and a void from being generated in a combined way. In the molded part with the metal plate inserted therein, the occurrence of cracks and an increase of the fatigue crack growth rate can be suppressed and reliability can be improved.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device and a torque detecting device, which can prevent waveforms to be outputted from a plurality of semiconductor MR elements, from dispersing due to the material difference of a semiconductor wafer. A plurality of semiconductor MR elements are formed over a common cell of a semiconductor wafer and are arranged to confront at such positions different from each other in a target circumferential direction with respect to corresponding input and output shafts that signals to be outputted according to the rotations of the input and output shafts to be detected may establish a predetermined phase difference in an electrical angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a parameter associated with the torque transmitted by a friction clutch, where the friction clutch has a clutch disk which is or can be connected for rotation in common to a power takeoff shaft. The apparatus includes a receiver area, which does not rotate with the clutch disk in the torque-transmitting state, and a code provided on the clutch disk. The code can be scanned by the receiver area and thus generates a sensor signal associated with transmitted torque.

Abstract: The flow sensor serves to measure an electrically conductive fluid flowing in a pipe. It comprises a flow tube designed to be inserted into the pipe for conducting the fluid, the flow tube being electrically nonconductive at least on a fluid-contacting inner side, an electrode arrangement consisting of at least two measuring electrodes disposed on the flow tube for picking up a voltage induced in the fluid, and a magnetic field system likewise disposed on the flow tube. The magnetic field system comprises at least two saddle-shaped field coils for producing a magnetic field cutting the fluid during operation of the flow sensor, a respective ferromagnetic pole piece for each of the two field coils, as well as at least one ferromagnetic return path extending around the flow tube upstream of the two field coils and at least one ferromagnetic return path extending around the flow tube downstream of the two field coils for directing the magnetic field around the flow tube.

Abstract: Measurements are obtained by a computing unit based on an output Vh from an indirectly-heated constant-temperature controlling flow rate measuring section (16) and an output Vout from a two-constant-point temperature difference detecting flow rate measuring sections (18a, 18b). In the flow rate measuring section (16), a heating element (163) is feedback-controlled based on a detected temperature by a heat sensing element (162) to obtain an output Vh based on the feedback-controlled condition. An output Vout is obtained from flow rate measuring sections (18a, 18b) based on the detected temperature difference between a heat sensing element (182) disposed on the liquid-flow-direction upstream side of the flow rate measuring section (16) and a temperature sensing element disposed on the downstream side.

Abstract: A semiconductor mechanical quantity sensor includes two sensor chips (100a, 100b) having the same structure and the same characteristics formed on semiconductor substrates (10a, 10b), arranged on a circuit chip (6) in the same direction. There may be used a sensor chip having two sensors of the same structure formed in one semiconductor substrate in the same direction. The number of the sensors may be three or more. A plurality of sensors may be stacked on the semiconductor substrate or on the circuit chip, or may be arranged on both surfaces of the semiconductor substrate (10a, 10b) or the circuit chip (6).

Abstract: A tire condition monitoring apparatus has a pressure sensor that measures air pressure in a tire of a vehicle. The apparatus also has a transmitter that transmits pressure data measured by the pressure sensor, and a receiver that receives and processes data transmitted by the transmitter. The pressure sensor has a diaphragm exposed to air of the tire, and metallic material covering the diaphragm. The transmitter has a power supply circuit and a connecting member. The power supply circuit supplies electricity for activating the transmitter. The connecting member connects the power supply circuit with the metallic material such that the potential of the metallic material is the same as the potential of the power supply circuit.

Abstract: The torque detection device for a wave gearing comprises a strain gauge unit having a strain gauge pattern. The strain gauge pattern includes circular-arc shaped detection segments A and B, and three terminal portions for external wiring with one being formed between the detection segments and the others at opposite ends thereof. The strain gauge unit having the strain gauge pattern can be mounted on the diaphragm of a flexible external gear by a simple operation of positioning the strain gauge unit on the diaphragm and connecting the three terminal portions to the external wirings. Compared to the case where a large number of perpendicular biaxial strain gauges are positioned and wired to form a bridge circuit, the wiring operation can be simplified, the mounting space can be reduced, and errors in detected signals due to the positioning errors of the strain gauges can also be reduced.

Abstract: The transducer has a case which is formed by a support frame for supporting a fluid-conducting flow tube and by a case cap for encasing at least one bent segment of the flow tube which vibrates during operation of the transducer. The case cap comprises a channel-shaped first cap segment with a circular-arc-shaped first segment edge of predeterminable radius R and with an essentially identically shaped second segment edge. The first cap segment has a circular-arc-shaped cross section with a radius r less than the radius R of the first segment edge. The case cap further comprises an essentially plane second cap segment, which is connected via a circular-arc-shaped first segment edge with the first segment edge of the first cap segment, and a third cap segment, which is essentially mirror-symmetric with respect to the second cap segment and which is connected via a circular-arc-shaped first segment edge with the second segment edge of the first cap segment.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus is disclosed for determining crankshaft position, engine phase, engine loading, and intake air mass of an internal combustion engine (10) through monitoring intake air pressure fluctuations (120). The opening of the intake valve (44) is mechanically linked to the crankshaft position of an engine. When the intake valve (44) opens it creates air pressure fluctuations in the air induction system (14) of the engine (10). The control apparatus is configured to determine intake air pressure fluctuations indicative of an intake air event (100 to 110) and thus a particular crankshaft position, and their corresponding period of the engine cycle. The controller then uses this information to determine crankshaft speed and position for the purpose of fuel injection and ignition timing of the internal combustion engine. Engine phase is also determined on four-stroke engines. Intake air pressure is used to determine intake air mass and loading of the engine.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.

Abstract: A force sensor with two force input elements to which the force to be measured and the support force are applied. The two force input elements are substantially rotationally symmetrical and are axially spaced apart, and the force to be measured and the support force are applied in a radial direction. A spring element, arranged axially between the two force input elements connects these elements and its load-dependent deformation is converted into an electrical signal. A substantially tubular cover connected to one of the two force input elements surrounds the spring element. The cover surrounds a portion of the other force input element, forming a circumferential gap. The cover has an inwardly projecting constriction that is spaced apart by a small axial distance from an opposite shoulder on the other force input element.

Abstract: An improved flow measurement device is provided in a flow path for direct measurement of flow. An internal heat source solves the problem of heat transfer in conventional mass flow meters. The heat transfer associated with the internal heater forms the basis of flow measurement, and improved accuracy is achieved. The flow measurement device advantageously eliminates the introduction of inaccuracies, bypass errors, or inaccurate assumptions that are inherent in a conventional bypass structure. The present measurement device eliminates the need for one or more bubblers and thus overcomes bubbler pressure sensitivity and the bubbler requirement for exact (and unstable) gas vapor saturation of conventional flow measurement. The flow measurement device works equally well with gases, liquids or mixtures of gases and liquids and provides greater control over flow rates with very high degree of precision.

Abstract: A magnetic force sensor and method for measuring a force applied to an object. A magnetostrictive element mounted on at least a portion of the object is subjected to a prestress. A conductive coil is wound around at least a portion of the magnetostrictive element. An excitation source, which includes one of a current source and a voltage source, excites the conductive coil. A detection circuit detects one of an induced voltage across the conductive coil and a voltage drop across a resistor in series with the conductive coil. The detected voltage can be used to determine the applied force. A second coil can be used in a bipolar sensor or to correct for variations in ambient conditions.

Abstract: An occupant detection system, includes a sensor, a controller, a base frame, and a heat insulator. In this occupant detection system, the sensor measures a weight of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The controller detects a presence of the occupant on the vehicle seat. The base frame is fixed to one of a vehicle seat or a vehicle body and accommodates the sensor. The heat insulator is provided on the base frame and prevents a heat transfer between the base frame and the sensor.

Abstract: Force detection devices may have high detection precision and may prevent current leakage through a strain gage 126 to the outside. For example, a force detection block 120 may include a semiconductor substrate 122, a first insulating layer 124 and a semiconductor layer 126 (strain gage). The strain gage 126 preferably includes a site where resistance changes in accordance with the stress acting thereon. The strain gage 126 preferably constitutes at least a portion of a ridge 130 projects from the surface of the force detection block 120. A force transmission block 138 may be attached to a top surface of the ridge 130. The width of the first insulating layer 124 is preferably greater than the width of the semiconductor layer 126.

Abstract: A test stand for allowing the testing of both a pull-type lifting apparatus and a push-type lifting apparatus. The test stand includes a base and a carriage component, the carriage component including a load transmitting section and a sensor receiving section. The load transmitting section and the sensor receiving section are spaced apart by spacing members. The spacing members are slidably mounted to the base for allowing a sliding movement of the carriage component relative to the base between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A load sensor provides a measurement of a force biasing the carriage component towards the extended configuration.

Abstract: A seat position sensor including a generally u-shaped housing and a cover disposed on the housing for blocking entry contaminants into a shunt opening of the housing. A sensor including mounting wings that flex upon mounting is also provided, as is a sensor including an integral connector, and a two-piece sensor configuration. A PCB including a heat throttle trace and a heat sink region, and a supply voltage circuit for a Hall Effect sensor including a parallel connected varistor are also provided.

Abstract: A shaft (40) subject to torque about its axis (A—A) has an axial bore (42). A region (44) of the shaft (40) has a stored magnetisation, the region (44) being permanently magnetised with circumferential magnetisation about the axis (A—A) or an annulus of longitudinal magnetisation which is preferred. The stored magnetisation emanates a torque-dependent field into the bore (42). A magnetic field sensor arrangement (50) is positioned in the bore to produce a torque-dependent signal. The disclosure discusses the relationship between the radial depth (tm) of the permanent magnetisation in region (44) relative to the shaft wall thickness (t). Magnetic sensor placements include axial (52, 54) or offset arrangements of pairs of sensors (52a,b, 54,b). Dependent on the nature of the field to be sensed, sensors (5) may be oriented axially, radially or tagentially with respect to the axis (A—A).