Abstract: A tire uniformity machine includes a chucking apparatus (8) that accommodates tires (13) of varying bead width spacings. The chucking apparatus (8) includes a lower chuck assembly (10) positioned below a upper chuck assembly (12). The lower chuck assembly (10) includes an inner spindle apparatus (20) that is rotatably received within an outer spindle apparatus (22). The inner (20) and outer (22) spindle apparatus are carried by the piston rods (38 and 54) of a dual piston cylinder (52). An elongate nose cone (26) of the inner spindle apparatus (20) is carried by the inner piston rod (38), while the outer spindle apparatus (22) is carried by the outer piston rod (54). The dual piston cylinder (52) is operable to independently raise and lower the inner (38) and outer (54) piston rods. The operation of the dual piston cylinder (52) is controlled by a low pressure valve (110), a high pressure valve (112) and a servo valve (114).

Abstract: A wireless tire pressure monitoring system is disclosed to warn a driver of a vehicle of low pressure in a vehicle tire. The monitoring system includes a transducer to which wires or other physical connections cannot be easily made. The transducer is attached to a wheel rim and a magnetic field can be selectively produced by elements of the transducer in response to changes in tire pressure. A sensor is mounted for sensing the magnetic field with the sensor producing an output that can be coupled with a monitor in the vehicle cab.

Abstract: A thin film electroluminescent element has a color changing layer doped with green luminescent material and red fluorescent material and separated from an electroluminescent layer for generating blue light for converting the blue light to green light and the green light to red light, and the separation results in reduction of trapping center in the electroluminescent layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure detector which has a small temperature-related measurement error, can be used in particular for small measurement ranges and has a sensor element (1), a sensor diaphragm (11) secured at its border, the non-secured parts of which sensor diaphragm can be deflected on account of the pressure which is to be measured, a housing (2), fastening means (3) for fixing the border of the sensor diaphragm (11) in the housing (2), a diaphragm (4) which closes off the housing (2) and is to be supplied with a pressure which is to be measured, and a solid body (5) with a modulus of elasticity which is suitable for minimizing the temperature-related measurement error, which solid body is arranged between the diaphragm (4) and the deflectable part of the sensor diaphragm (11) and which solid body transmits the pressure from the diaphragm (4) to the sensor diaphragm (11).

Abstract: A temperature sensor that provides an electrical signal that is a known function of temperature. A conductive surface of the object whose temperature is to be measured is incorporated into the electrical circuit that measures the temperature-dependent electrical signal. If the surface is not electrically conductive, a thermally and electrically conductive region is provided, as by plating the surface or bonding a thin sheet of conductive material to the surface. The conductive portion of the surface is contacted at a first location by a portion of the sensor, and at a second, spatially distinct, location by a conductor that is needed to complete the electrical circuit. Unless electrical contact is established at both of these locations, the result is a condition that is readily identifiable. Since electrical contact will only be made if there is good thermal contact, thermal contact is verified by verifying the electrical contact as part of the measurement.

Abstract: An all-silicon monolithic capacitive absolute pressure-sensing device and method for making the same. The device employs a single-crystal silicon diaphragm that serves at a flexible capacitor plate of a variable capacitor. The diaphragm is bonded to a single-crystal silicon wafer to overlie a cavity etched into the wafer. A fixed capacitor plate of the variable capacitor is formed by a heavily-doped region at the bottom of the cavity. A thin dielectric layer is grown on the fixed capacitor plate to complete the capacitor. The cavity has a minimal depth such that the fixed capacitor plate provides overpressure protection for the diaphragm. At least a portion of the operating range of the pressure sensor occurs while the diaphragm is contacting the doped region. As a result, the capacitive output signal of the pressure sensor is produced by changes in contact area between the diaphragm and a thin dielectric situated on the doped region in response to pressure applied to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer includes a pair of interior chambers separated by a peripherally supported, nominally planar electrically conductive diaphragm. A magnetic assembly is positioned on at least one chamber wall opposite to a central portion of the diaphragm. The magnetic assembly includes an electrical conductor and preferably a magnetic field permeable electric field shield between the electrical conductor and the chamber so that as the central portion of diaphragm is displaced from its nominal plane in response to an applied pressure differential, the inductance of the magnetic assembly changes the transducer may be a portion of a tank circuit of an oscillator having a frequency of oscillation that varies with the pressure differential applied across the diaphragm.

Abstract: A device for simulating non-uniform wear on a tread strip of a pneumatic vehicle tire has a support structure and a friction body with radially symmetry connected to the support structure so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The friction body has a rigid circumferential mantle surface with a continuous, permanent friction coating. A receptacle is rotatably connected to the support structure for receiving a vehicle wheel with pneumatic vehicle tire. The vehicle wheel is rotated about a second axis of rotation with the receptacle. A load applying member is connected to the receptacle and extends radially relative to the friction body. It acts radially onto the receptacle for pressing the pneumatic vehicle tire onto the friction coating for generating wear at the pneumatic vehicle tire. A first control device for pivoting the second axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel about a first pivot axis is provided. The first pivot axis extends perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pressure sensor suitable for sensing low pressure environments. The pressure sensor includes a piezoresistive sensing element enclosed within a protective housing, and utilizes an insert molded into the housing for supporting the sensing element and concentrating stresses within the housing at a maximum distance from the sensing element. The insert is adapted to work in cooperation with a constraint to isolate the sensing element from stresses within the housing, so as to improve the electrical performance of the sensing element to low pressure environments, such as an evaporative emission system of an automobile.

Abstract: A system is provided for sensing an exit direction of a flexible supply line relative to an apparatus, such as robot or autonomous mobile unit. A method is also provided for planning the movement of such a unit based partly on such supply line direction data. The system includes a pressure sensor a least partially disposed around an exit opening through which the supply line is feedably guided. Upon contact at a given point on the sensor from the supply line, the sensor emits a signal corresponding to a particular exit direction. From this signal, a probable exit direction is inferred and a more precise movement planning is enabled, avoiding measurement errors that arise when the cable is run over can be avoided, or avoiding knottings of the cable.

Abstract: A signal generating pressure gauge includes a pressure indicating unit having a housing provided with an inlet, a pressure-value indicating panel, a pressure converting unit fluidly communicated with the inlet and provided with a rotary shaft which rotates in response to pressure entering into the inlet, a pointer which rotates with the rotary shaft in order to indicate on the indicating panel the pressure imposed on the inlet, and an electrically conductive pressure control needle movable together with the pointer. An adjustable pressure-setting mechanism includes a rotary plate rotatably mounted in the housing and rotatable relative to the indicating panel, and electrically conductive low-pressure and high-pressure stop units which extend into a setting hole unit in the rotary plate. The positions of the low-pressure and high-pressure stop units in the setting hole unit are adjustable and correspond to the lower and upper limits of a desired pressure range.

Abstract: A temperature transmitter in a process control loop comprises a temperature sensor and a transmitter circuit. The temperature sensor includes a sensor sheath and a sensor element positioned within the sensor sheath. At least one element lead is coupled to the sensor element and extends from the sensor sheath. A sheath lead is coupled to the sensor sheath and extends from the sensor sheath, wherein the element lead and the sheath lead provide signals to be measured. The transmitter circuit includes and A/D converter, a microprocessor and an input-output circuit. The A/D converter is coupled to receive the signals from the element lead and the sheath lead. The microprocessor is coupled to the A/D converter. The input-output circuit is coupled to the microprocessor for communication with the process control loop. The sheath lead allows the transmitter to monitor the sensor sheath's insulation resistance and generation of parasitic sheath-to-lead voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a malfunction in an intake pressure sensor of an engine includes a first detecting unit which detects a flow rate of intake air of the engine. A second detecting unit detects an engine speed of the engine. An intake pressure estimating unit determines an intake-air specific flow rate from the intake-air flow rate and the engine speed and determines characteristic values for the intake-air specific flow rate, the characteristic values being representative of an allowable range of intake pressure of the engine for the intake-air specific flow rate. A malfunction determining unit detects whether a malfunction in the intake pressure sensor has occurred, by comparing a signal output by the intake pressure sensor with the characteristic values determined by the intake pressure estimating unit.

Abstract: A temperature probe assembly for reading heat gradients occurring in internal combustion engines or other components. The assembly has a plurality of separate thermocouples each having an inner junction mounted in an associated heat contact ring. These rings are mounted in spaced relationship on a tip of a cylindrical probe member to provide axially spaced and multiple heat pick-up points when the tip is mounted in a test bore in the cylinder head near the combustion chamber. Leads from the thermocouples feed to separate gages remote from the engine. The gages collectively detect temperature gradient by reading electric currents proportional to temperature occurring in the thermocouples during engine testing.

Abstract: A modal survey flexure fixture of designed to be soft laterally and stiff axially to simulate the same behavior of space shuttle flight latches which support shuttle payloads for payload modal survey verification, qualification and test. The device consists of three major components: an A-Frame which supports flexure rods attached to a trunnion clamp. Flexure rods made of stainless steel with a partially reduced cross section at both ends increase the lateral flexibility for simulating flight conditions. The trunnion clamp is a unique design which takes into account payload integration with the test fixture. The trunnion clamp can be split into upper and lower portions. During the modal survey the lower trunnion clamp acts initially as a place holder for payload installation and alignment. After payload installation and alignment the lower trunnion clamp is combined with the upper trunnion clamp to complete the test fixture configuration.

Abstract: A pressure transducer with a disk-shaped pressure sensor component is connected to a pressure supplying body. The pressure sensor component is surrounded on the outside by a cap-like part whose bottom is above the side of the pressure sensor component that faces away from the pressure supplying body. The pressure supplying body is also connected to a pressure transmitting part over a separating membrane. In order to be able to produce such a pressure transducer at a comparatively low cost, the pressure sensor component is a standard pressure sensor with a conventional base like those used to manufacture semiconductor components. The base of the pressure sensor is in contact with the bottom of the cap-like part through an intermediate filling of cast resin. The bottom of the cap-like part has individual openings for connecting wires and the connecting tube on the low pressure side. The cap-like part is welded to the pressure transmitting part.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a pressure sensor and, more specifically, to a pressure equalization structure that balances the forces on the pressure sensitive component in order to reduce the stress that could otherwise be imposed on its piezoresistors. The pressure sensor provides a housing in which a cavity is formed. Within the cavity, a pressure sensitive component is disposed between a first seal and a second seal in order to expose a first surface of the pressure sensitive component to a first conduit and a second surface of the pressure sensitive component to a second conduit. The pressure surrounding the pressure sensitive structure is generally equalized to one of the first and second conduits by providing a bypass conduit connected therebetween.

Abstract: A refrigerant monitoring set includes a manometer and at least one transparent disk configured to be detachably mounted on the manometer. The manometer includes a manometer face having a pressure scale thereon, and a housing defining an outer window side and including a window at the outer window side thereof, the manometer face being disposed in the housing such that the pressure scale is visible through the window of the housing. The disk is configured to be detachably mounted on the housing at the outer window side thereof by being pressed onto the housing. The disk further has a temperature scale thereon corresponding to a predetermined refrigerant, and is further rotatable with respect to the housing after it has been mounted thereon for achieving a zero position alignment of the temperature scale on the disk and the pressure scale on the manometer face for correlating the temperature scale to the pressure scale.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring laser power includes a target disc of a predetermined thickness located within, and in thermal contact with, a heat-sink. The heat-sink has an opening therein for directing laser radiation to be measured onto the target disc. A thermal gradient is established in the target disc when laser radiation to be measured is directed onto one surface of the disk. The opposite surface of the disc includes means for detecting the thermal gradient. The heat-sink includes a cylindrical core having an opening in one end thereof for admitting laser radiation to be measured. Cooling-vanes are disposed around the cylindrical core extending radially outward therefrom and extending therealong. A housing surrounding the heat sink includes a fan which causes air to be drawn into the housing, flow between the cooling-vanes, and the be expelled from the housing.

Abstract: A tire air pressure gauge that measures air pressure without connecting to the inside of the tire is disclosed. It generally consists of four parts: a handle, a plunger, a spring, and an indicator bar. The plunger is retractably mounted in the handle through the spring. The indicator bar is also slidably mounted on the handle. When plunged against the side wall of a tire, the plunger will retract, and will push the indicator bar outward. The amount of the portion of the indicator bar that is pushed out, indicates how high the air pressure inside the tire is. The more the indicator bar is pushed out, the higher the air pressure inside the tire.