Abstract: According to one implementation, a damage detection system includes: a physical quantity detection unit, a flight condition changing part and a damage detection part. The physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity of a structural object composing an aircraft during a flight of the aircraft. The flight condition changing part changes at least one flight condition of the aircraft to at least one specific flight condition when the physical quantity of the structural object has been detected by the physical quantity detection unit. The damage detection part determines whether a damage arose in the structural object, based on a physical quantity which has been detected, from the structural object of the aircraft flying with the at least one specific flight condition, by the physical quantity detection unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a fracture ring sensor and a method of using the same to detect out of tolerance forces. Aspects of the invention include a product having a defined an out of tolerance force, a fracture ring sensor, and a mounting assembly coupling the fracture ring sensor to the product. The fracture ring sensor is patterned with a conductive trace and is manufactured to break when subjected to a predetermined amount of force. The predetermined amount of force is substantially equal to a percentage of the out of tolerance force of the product.

Abstract: A seat occupancy sensor includes: a first sensor group having a plurality of first sensor cells that are arrayed in a front-rear direction of a seat and become conductive as a load is applied thereto; a second sensor group having a plurality of second sensor cells that are arrayed in the front-rear direction, farther on a front side of the seat and closer to an end of the seat in a width direction than the first sensor group, and that become conductive as a load is applied thereto; and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit determines that someone is sitting on the seat when both of at least one of the first sensor cells and at least one of the second sensor cells become conductive.

Abstract: A sensor mounting system for mounting onto a sensor mounting bracket a sensing device and a cover that covers the sensing device. The sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket by sliding from a sensing device delivery position to a sensing device mounted position. The cover pivots relative to the sensing device from a cover delivery position to a cover locked position. When the sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket, the cover is in the cover delivery position and contacts the sensor mounting bracket such that by pivoting the cover towards the cover locked position, the cover causes sliding of the sensing device into the sensing device mounted position.

Abstract: A force-torque sensor for capturing forces and torques in a robotic unit, including a one-part carrier body which has a cylindrical basic shape and is provided with two connection disks parallel to one another and at least three bridge elements which connect the connection disks to one another and are each assigned at least one measuring point, each bridge element having a central cylindrical bore as a measuring point. Each bridge element is provided, on its opposite outer edges, with a respective concave recess at which a further measuring point is respectively provided.

Abstract: To associate condition information, such as (a) a location in a movement section at which fatigue occurred, (b) a type of work or operation during which fatigue occurred, and (c) a type of natural phenomenon experienced when fatigue occurred, a device for displaying the material fatigue of a machine is configured to observe stress variation in a time series using a sensor correlated with the stress variation or stress of a machine. Stress variation in a single cycle and the time when the stress variation occurred are detected, and the stress variation value and time of occurrence are output and displayed.

Abstract: A flow measuring device includes a sub-bypass passage arranged to precede a bypass passage which is linked to a flow detecting element. Bypass passage wall surfaces, which are positioned adjacent the sub-bypass passage, are inclined toward a direction of a sub-inflow opening, and an inner-circumference-side wall surface and an outer-circumference-side wall surface of the sub-bypass passage are inclined toward a direction of a sub-outflow opening. The described structure minimizes variations in the size of the bypass passage due to build-up of foreign material, and results in a more stable flow velocity of measured fluid past the flow detecting element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting formation of a droplet at a distal end of a pipette tip attached to a pipette. The methods, systems, and computer program products provide dispensing a fluid from the pipette tip, measuring pipette pressure in real time at an internal portion of the pipette while the fluid is dispensed, determining a plurality of pressure differences, estimating a plurality of rate of change in pipette pressure values during a given time interval, detecting formation of the droplet responsive to determining certain conditions are met, and stopping the dispensing of the fluid from the pipette tip or moving the pipette when the droplet is detected.

Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system includes a motor spring system that drives a tape reel during tape retraction. The output drum of the motor spring system is coupled to the tape reel such that rotation of the reel causes rotation of the output drum. The output drum is located adjacent to the tape reel, and the output drum and tape reel may have a common axis of rotation.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the technology, an automated thermal desorption system includes a sample tube including a chamber to contain an analyte, visible indicia on the sample tube, a thermal desorption apparatus, and a sample tube monitoring system. The thermal desorption apparatus is configured to receive the sample tube and includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the sample tube in the thermal desorption apparatus and thereby desorb the analyte from the sample tube. The sample tube monitoring system includes: an optical sensor configured to read the visible indicia on the sample tube and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto; and a controller configured to receive the output signal corresponding to the visible indicia from the optical sensor and to determine an orientation of the sample tube with respect to the thermal desorption apparatus based on the output signal.

Abstract: A method may include providing a drill string positioned in a wellbore including a measurement tool. The method may include taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a first location; coupling a pipe stand including a first selected number of tubular segments to the drill string, the first selected number being two or more; lowering or advancing the drill string into the wellbore the length of the pipe stand; taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a second location; raising the drill string the length of a tubular segment; removing a second selected number of tubular segments from the drill string; taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a third location; raising the drill string the length of the first selected number of tubular segments; removing the first selected number of tubular segments; and taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a fourth location.

Abstract: In one aspect, a transducer body, includes a support including a pair of clevis halves; and a sensor body coupled to each of the clevis halves. The sensor body is disposed between the clevis halves and includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub, the central hub being joined to each of the clevis halves with the peripheral member spaced apart from each clevis half, where at least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the central hub, and where the flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the central hub. A biasing assembly connected between the support and the sensor body is configured to provide a bias force between the sensor body and the support.

Abstract: The accelerometric sensor has a suspended region, mobile with respect to a supporting structure, and a sensing assembly coupled to the suspended region and configured to detect a movement of the suspended region with respect to the supporting structure. The suspended region has a geometry variable between at least two configurations associated with respective centroids, different from each other. The suspended region is formed by a first region rotatably anchored to the supporting structure and by a second region coupled to the first region through elastic connection elements configured to allow a relative movement of the second region with respect to the first region. A driving assembly is coupled to the second region so as to control the relative movement of the latter with respect to the first region.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus for a vehicle may include: a sensor element configured to measure a change in air pressure by a vehicle collision; a housing unit into which the sensor element is seated, and including a terminal unit electrically coupled to the sensor element, the housing unit being fixed to a vehicle body; a cover unit removably installed on the housing unit; and an elastic pressing unit including a first end coupled to the cover unit, and a second end protruding toward the sensor element and pressing the sensor element, the elastic pressing unit being made of elastically deformable material. An area of a pressing surface of the elastic pressing unit that faces the sensor element may be equal to or less than an area of a surface of the sensor element that faces the pressing surface.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (10) has a carrier chip (20) in and/or on which at least one sensor element (30) is integrated, the measuring signal of which depends on the mechanical stress in the carrier chip (20). The carrier chip (20) is connected on its back side in a flat and material-locking fashion to a solid body (50), the modulus of elasticity of which differs from the modulus of elasticity of the carrier chip (20). The carrier chip (20) has at least two independent and longitudinal grooves (80a, 80b) between which the sensor element (30a, 30b) is arranged. The pressure sensor has a bias voltage circuit (40) and is used in a common rail injection system.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing chair according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first electrode having a first conductive region formed in a first direction; a second electrode having a second conductive region formed in a second direction; a sensing sheet including an intermediate layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first elastic body arranged on the sensing sheet and having a first elastic modulus; and a plurality of second elastic bodies arranged in the first elastic body and having a second elastic modulus, which is greater than the first elastic modulus.

Abstract: A resonator paradigm, where the resonator structure is made up of a very large number of small, coupled Coriolis sensitive units arranged in a periodic 1D or 2D (and, possibly, in the future, 3D) structure to create a Coriolis-sensitive “fabric” that supports a large number of Coriolis-coupled “supermodes. Such a “fabric” can be shaped into arbitrary “waveguides” that propagate either pulses of excitation that are Coriolis-coupled, thus enabling an acoustic version of a FOG-type gyroscope (where a pulse of excitation travels along a passive waveguide and it's phase/time delay is measured), or support multiple “stationary” Coriolis-coupled vibration modes analogous to optical laser modes in an RLG where counter-propagating modes of oscillation are maintained at constant amplitude via a continuous addition of energy.

Abstract: A prosthetic limb test fixture is configured to mimic a human stride. An electronic management system can control the test fixture to follow the position and pattern of a particular selected gait cycle during testing. A proposed prosthesis can be attached to the test fixture. Sensor data collected during testing can be evaluated to determine whether the proposed prosthesis is likely to appropriately fit an amputee patient. Iterative adjustments may be made to the prosthesis based on test data in order to maximize the likelihood of a good fit.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor attached to the base, and a cover transparent to the sensor and forming a spherical joint with the base. The cover may have a partial spherical shape. The sensor assembly may include an exterior panel having a hole, and the cover may be disposed in the hole. The cover may be rotatable relative to the base about any axis extending parallel to the exterior panel.

Abstract: A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data.