Abstract: A low power consumption multi-contact micro electro-mechanical strain/displacement sensor and miniature autonomous self-contained systems for recording of stress and usage history with direct output suitable for fatigue and load spectrum analysis are provided. In aerospace applications the system can assist in prediction of fatigue of a component subject to mechanical stresses as well as in harmonizing maintenance and overhauls intervals. In alternative applications, i.e. civil structures, general machinery, marine and submarine vessels, etc., the system can autonomously record strain history, strain spectrum or maximum values of the strain over a prolonged period of time using an internal power supply or a power supply combined with an energy harvesting device. The sensor is based on MEMS technology and incorporates a micro array of flexible micro or nano-size cantilevers. The system can have extremely low power consumption while maintaining precision and temperature/humidify independence.

Abstract: A protective device for a membrane of a sensor that detects a physical parameter acting upon the membrane includes a hollow main body that elongates in a direction along a longitudinal axis. The main body is open at one opposite end of the main body along the longitudinal axis, and at the end of the main body opposite the open end the protective device includes a bottom in which is defined a passage through which the medium is able reach the membrane when the protective device is attached to the sensor. The passage is defined in part by a wall that is configured so that the electromagnetic radiation propagating in the passage cannot reach the membrane without being reflected at least once on the wall.

Abstract: A compact load cell that simultaneously measures normal and shear forces in a load plane offset from a sensor plane by a distance h. The compact load cell comprises at least three force sensing elements (preferably four) arranged in the sensor plane about a point and spaced a distance d from the point. All force sensing elements may be spaced by the same distance or the distance may be different for one or more force sensing elements. Each force sensing element comprises a pressure sensor encased in a force transmission medium. A load plate is in contact with the force transmission medium and a load beam is connected at one end to the load plate above the point of the sensor plane and extends to the load plane. Forces acting in the load plane are transmitted to the sensor plane by the load beam and load plate. The forces are resolved to determine the normal and shear forces acting at the load plane. The compact load cell may be applied to determine forces acting on, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A film resistor and a thin-film sensor are disclosed. In an embodiment a film resistor includes a piezoresistive layer including a first transition metal carbide.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes multiple sensing blocks each of which includes two or more T-patterned beam structures. Each T-patterned beam structure includes strain-detecting elements, at least one first detection beam, and a second detection beam extending from the first detection beam in a direction perpendicular to the first detection beam. Each T-patterned beam structure includes a connection portion formed by coupling ends of second detection beams in respective T-patterned structures, the connection portion including a force point portion. The sensor chip is configured to detect up to six axes relating to predetermined axial forces or moments around the predetermined axes, based on a change in an output of each of the strain-detecting elements, the output of each strain-detecting element changing in accordance with an input applied to a given force point portion.

Abstract: Techniques relating to a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device configured to measure direct axial and shear stress components of a stress tensor are described. The MEMS device includes a first and second circuit configured in a double rosette structure coupled with a third circuit in a standard rosette structure to form a triple rosette piezo-resistive gauge circuit. The first circuit includes at least one piezoresistive element suspended from a substrate, and at least one piezoresistive element fixed to the substrate. The second circuit includes each piezoresistive element fixed to the substrate. The third circuit includes at least one piezoresistive element fixed to the substrate. Additionally, the MEMS device may be coupled to one or more processing systems to determine a mechanical stress tensor that is applied to the MEMS device based on measurements received from the MEMS device.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a measurement device is provided that includes an actuator module, a control module, a load cell module, a processing module, and a notification module. The actuator module includes an actuator. The control module includes one or more actuator controllers configured to control the actuator. The load cell module includes one or more motors configured to set orientation of attachments points for the actuator with respect to a component relative to a location of a user. The processing module includes a processor configured to receive and analyze information from the load cell module pertaining to an insertion force for the component. The notification module is configured to provide a notification based on the analyzing performed by the processing module.

Abstract: A device for attachment to a linear force transmission medium such as a wire or rod includes a flexure body having axially aligned tubular extensions on opposite ends that can receive and be crimped to the medium to create a continuous path for tensile force transmission. The flexure carries strain gages on top and bottom planar surface portions that are connected into a bridge circuit that responds to stress in the flexure body. Leads are protected against disconnection from solder pads by wrapping the leads and a carrier for them around the exterior circumferential surface of a jacket that fits on and around the flexure body. An FPC plug embodiment is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire comprising an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, the third layer being optional, characterized in that: a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material, c) the third layer comprises an insulation material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material, and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, wherein the second or fourth layer has a layer thickness in the range from 10 to 1000 ?m, the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, and the four or five layers are arranged one above the other according to the above sequence. The invention also relates to uses of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fabric-based pressure sensor array includes: (1) a first layer including M elongated conductive strips coated thereon; (2) a second layer including N elongated conductive strips coated thereon, the M elongated conductive strips extending crosswise relative to the N elongated conductive strips to define M×N intersections; and (3) a unitary textile sheet extending between the first layer and the second layer so as to overlap the M×N intersections, the textile sheet having a variable resistivity in response to applied pressure so as to define M×N pressure sensors at locations corresponding to the M×N intersections.

Abstract: A sensor may include a deformable sensing element having a deformable conductor arranged to deform in response to deformation of the sensing element, wherein the deformation of the sensing element is selectively controlled. The sensing element may be selectively controlled by a restraining element. The restraining element may control the deformation of the sensing element by distributing forces applied to the sensing element. The sensing element may include a deformable body with the deformable conductor arranged to respond to elongation of the deformable body. The deformable conductor may include a conductive gel. A sensor may include a deformable body, a deformable conductor arranged to deform in response to deformation of the deformable body, and a restraining element arranged to selectively control the deformation of the deformable body.

Abstract: A cantilever force sensor with relatively lower On-Force is disclosed, which comprises a top stack, a bottom stack, and a spacer. The first spacer is configured between the top stack and the bottom stack and configured in a first side of the force sensor. A second side, opposite to the first side, of the top stack, is cantilevered from the bottom stack. When the force sensor is depressed from the top side, the second side of the top stack moves down using the first spacer as a fulcrum. Since the cantilevered side can be easily depressed down so that the On-Force for the force sensor is reduced and hence a force sensor with a relatively higher sensitivity is created.

Abstract: A containment force apparatus and method a containment force apparatus for measuring containment force on a load, the apparatus comprising a first element configured to contact the load; a second element configured to engage at least a portion of a packaging material on the load and move between a first position associated with the first element to a second position perpendicular to the first position and spaced from the first element a measured distance; an actuator configured to urge the second element to move between the first position and the second position; and a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted on one of the first element or the second element.

Abstract: A Weigh-In-Motion force transducer includes a housing profile and a piezoelectric measuring arrangement that generates electric polarization charges from a reaction force acting along a force introduction axis via the housing profile, which includes a tubular part internally defining a cavity containing the piezoelectric measuring arrangement under mechanical prestress along the force introduction axis. The tubular par is configured to be expanded along the force introduction axis by a mounting force acting along a mounting force axis and applied to the tubular part. The configuration of the tubular part in a cross-sectional plane defined by the force introduction axis and the mounting force axis is elliptical in shape with a major semiaxis extending along the mounting force axis and a minor semiaxis extending along the force introduction axis.

Abstract: The present application relates to a sensor with a time-sharing regional shielding function and a robot. The sensor comprises a plurality of sensor units, each of which comprises regions contained in four multifunctional layers. Four parallel-plate capacitors are contained in the multifunctional layers. The multifunctional layers realize the regional shielding function through the time-sharing switching of analog switches and the control of a bus.

Abstract: A sensing system and method utilizes measured flywheel speed variations to determine engine torque. The measured engine torque can be used to control vehicle transmissions, clutches, and other vehicle components and systems.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a system configured for detecting connection between a pressure pad and a monitor. The system includes a pressure detection circuit and a presence detection circuit. The pressure detection circuit is configured for sensing whether the pressure on the pad is above or below the threshold pressure. The presence detection circuit is configured for determining whether a connection between the monitor and the pad is intact. The presence detection circuit is configured to establish a high voltage condition that occurs when connection is broken along the presence detection circuit and a low voltage condition when the presence detection circuit is intact.

Abstract: A bicycle component comprising a stress/strain sensor aligned according to a stress/strain to be detected, and a temperature sensor associated with said stress/strain sensor, wherein said stress/strain sensor and said temperature sensor lie in planes that do not coincide with one another and are not parallel to each another.

Abstract: A method of sampling a multi-layered material and a micro-sampling tool are described. The sampling method includes penetrating a top surface of a material in a component of interest with a micro-cutting tool to a predetermined depth sufficient to include each layer of the multi-layered material and a portion of the base, without cutting through the full depth of the base, under-cutting from the depth of penetration through the base to define a micro-sample of the multi-layered material, and removing the micro-sample with each layer of the multi-layered material intact. The micro-sampler includes a cutting tool calibrated to cut to a depth no greater than 2 mm, and in some aspects, no greater than 200 microns into a multi-layered material, the material having a top surface and a metallic or ceramic base and a container for removing and storing a micro-sample cut from the material with each layer of the multi-layered material and a portion of the base intact.

Abstract: Provided are a surface stress sensor that enables deterioration in measurement precision to be suppressed and a method for manufacturing the same. A surface stress sensor includes: a membrane configured to be bent by applied surface stress; a frame member configured to surround the membrane with gaps interposed therebetween when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane; at least a pair of coupling portions configured to couple the membrane and the frame member; a flexible resistor configured to be disposed on at least one of the coupling portions and have a resistance value that changes according to bending induced in the coupling portion; and a support base member configured to be connected to the frame member and overlap the frame member when viewed from the thickness direction of the membrane, in which a cavity portion is disposed between the membrane and the support base member.