Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure that is counter to the first conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure is movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the second conductive structure is capacitively coupled to the first conductive structure to form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure; a signal generator configured to apply a first electrical signal step at an input or at an output of the first capacitor to induce a first voltage transient response at the output of first capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a first time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the first time constant.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first electrode structure; a second electrode structure that is counter to the first electrode structure, wherein the second electrode structure is movable relative to the first electrode structure and is capacitively coupled to the first electrode structure to form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first electrode structure and second electrode structure; a signal generator configured to apply an electrical signal at an input or at an output of the capacitor to induce a voltage transient response at the output of capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the time constant and based on whether the first electrical signal is the pull-in signal or the non-pull-in signal.

Abstract: A rail assembly is provided, suitable for embedding in concrete, including a profile rail having a rail body, wherein the rail body has a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first rail lip protruding from the first lateral wall, and a second rail lip protruding from the second lateral wall. The rail assembly has a reinforcing element with a force-absorbing body, wherein the force-absorbing body is positioned in front of the first lateral wall of the profile rail for contacting the first lateral wall of the profile rail with the force-absorbing body. A construction body having a concrete element, in which a rail assembly of this type is embedded is also provided, as is a method.

Abstract: A profiled rail assembly for casting into concrete. The profiled rail assembly includes a profiled rail including a rail body having a rail slot extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the profiled rail, and a reinforcing body including a head element and at least one tension element protruding from the head element, the head element opposite the at least one tension element having a head element major face defining a contact surface for a formwork element. The at least one tension element is connected to the profiled rail.

Abstract: Pressure sensors include stacking of sensor capacitors on top of reference capacitors. A pressure cavity may be extended below a bottom electrode. The pressure sensors may include a mechanical link of a top membrane with the bottom electrode in order to form a dual membrane, or a mechanical link of the top membrane, the bottom electrode and an intermediate electrode within a cavity. A pressure sensor includes a first and second pressure sensing portions, each including a first and second rigid electrodes, and a deflectable membrane structure. The second rigid electrode is between the first rigid electrode and the deflectable membrane structure arranged in a vertical configuration. The first and second rigid electrodes of the first and second pressure sensing portions form respective reference capacitors, and the second rigid electrodes and the deflectable membrane structures form respective sensing capacitors.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the first and the second conductive structures form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure, wherein the first capacitance is representative of the external force; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a first leakage current in the capacitive sensor by measuring an first electrical parameter that is affected by the first leakage current and comparing the measured first electrical parameter to a first predetermined error threshold, wherein the diagnostic circuit is further configured to generate a first error signal in response to the measured first electrical parameter being greater than the first predetermined error threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial vascular graft comprising a primary scaffold structure encompassing an inner space of the artificial vascular graft, said primary scaffold structure having an inner surface facing towards said inner space and an outer surface facing away from said inner space, a coating on said inner surface, wherein a plurality of grooves is comprised in said coating of said inner surface. The primary scaffold structure comprises further a coating on said outer surface. The primary scaffold structure and the coating on said inner surface and on said outer surface are d designed in such a way that cells, in particular progenitor cells, can migrate from the periphery of said artificial vascular graft through said outer surface of said coating, said primary scaffold structure and said inner surface to said inner space, if the artificial vascular graft is used as intended. The invention relates further to a method for providing said graft.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first electrode structure; a second electrode structure that is counter to the first electrode structure, wherein the second electrode structure is movable relative to the first electrode structure and is capacitively coupled to the first electrode structure to form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first electrode structure and second electrode structure; a signal generator configured to apply an electrical signal at an input or at an output of the capacitor to induce a voltage transient response at the output of capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the time constant and based on whether the first electrical signal is the pull-in signal or the non-pull-in signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a first pressure sensing portion and a second pressure sensing portion, each including a first rigid electrode, a second rigid electrode, and a deflectable membrane structure, wherein the second rigid electrode is between the first rigid electrode and the deflectable membrane structure, and wherein the first rigid electrode, the second rigid electrode and the deflectable membrane structure are in a vertical configuration, and wherein the first and second rigid electrode of the first pressure sensing portion form a reference capacitor, and wherein the second rigid electrode and the deflectable membrane structure of the first pressure sensing portion form a sensing capacitor, and wherein the first and second rigid electrode of the second pressure sensing portion form a reference capacitor, and wherein the second rigid electrode and the deflectable membrane structure of the second pressure sensing portion form a sensing capacitor.

Abstract: An expansion anchor is provided, which is fixable in a borehole, including an expansion sleeve for anchoring on a wall of the borehole and including an anchor bolt which is guided through the expansion sleeve and which has an expansion area for expanding the expansion sleeve, the expansion sleeve having a first annular groove on its outside, which extends up to the front end face of the expansion sleeve facing the expansion area. According to the invention, it is provided that the expansion sleeve has a second annular groove on its outside, and that an annular connection piece is situated between the first annular groove and the second annual groove.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure that is counter to the first conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure is movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the second conductive structure is capacitively coupled to the first conductive structure to form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure; a signal generator configured to apply a first electrical signal step at an input or at an output of the first capacitor to induce a first voltage transient response at the output of first capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a first time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the first time constant.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface; a stress-sensitive sensor disposed at the first surface of the substrate, where the stress-sensitive sensor is sensitive to mechanical stress; a stress-decoupling trench that has a vertical extension that extends from the first surface into the substrate, where the stress-decoupling trench vertically extends partially into the substrate towards the second surface although not completely to the second surface; and a plurality of particle filter trenches that vertically extend from the second surface into the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of particle filter trenches have a longitudinal extension that extends orthogonal to the vertical extension of the stress-decoupling trench.

Abstract: Examples provide for an apparatus, method, and computer program for comparing the output of sensor cells in an arrangement of sensor cells in an area A, including a set of at least two measurement units. A measurement unit includes at least two sensor cells, wherein at least one sensor cell of at least one measurement unit includes a sensitive sensor cell, which is sensitive with respect to a measured quantity. The sensor cells are intermixed with each other. The apparatus further includes means for selecting output signals of sensor cells of the arrangement and means for determining a measured quantity or determining an intact sensor cell by comparing output signals of different measurement units.

Abstract: A fault database includes a fault identifier, a signature or pattern that indicates the presence of the fault, and a set of mitigation control steps. The fault database is intermittently updated and downloaded to an agricultural machine. A fault identification system on the agricultural machine scans data logs that are generated by a log generation system on the agricultural machine and compares information in the data logs to the signature or pattern in the fault database to determine whether any of the faults in the fault database are present on the agricultural machine. If a fault in the fault database is present, a mitigation control step is identified to mitigate the fault, and a control signal is generated on the agricultural machine to implement the mitigation control step.

Abstract: A capacitive microelectromechanical device is provided. The capacitive microelectromechanical device includes a semiconductor substrate, a support structure, an electrode element, a spring element, and a seismic mass. The support structure, for example, a pole, suspension or a post, is fixedly connected to the semiconductor substrate, which may comprise silicon. The electrode element is fixedly connected to the support structure. Moreover, the seismic mass is connected over the spring element to the support structure so that the seismic mass is displaceable, deflectable or movable with respect to the electrode element. Moreover, the seismic mass and the electrode element form a capacitor having a capacitance which depends on a displacement between the seismic mass and the electrode element.

Abstract: A capacitive microelectromechanical device is provided. The capacitive microelectromechanical device includes a semiconductor substrate, a support structure, an electrode element, a spring element, and a seismic mass. The support structure, for example, a pole, suspension or a post, is fixedly connected to the semiconductor substrate, which may comprise silicon. The electrode element is fixedly connected to the support structure. Moreover, the seismic mass is connected over the spring element to the support structure so that the seismic mass is displaceable, deflectable or movable with respect to the electrode element. Moreover, the seismic mass and the electrode element form a capacitor having a capacitance which depends on a displacement between the seismic mass and the electrode element.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the first and the second conductive structures form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure, wherein the first capacitance is representative of the external force; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a first leakage current in the capacitive sensor by measuring an first electrical parameter that is affected by the first leakage current and comparing the measured first electrical parameter to a first predetermined error threshold, wherein the diagnostic circuit is further configured to generate a first error signal in response to the measured first electrical parameter being greater than the first predetermined error threshold.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises a housing, a flexible membrane which, together with the housing, forms a hermetically closed cavity, a sensor element arranged in the cavity, and a gaseous medium in the cavity.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement includes a sensor collar where the sensor collar has a sensor sleeve for insertion into an anchor hole and has a sensor flange which is fixedly connected to the sensor sleeve and which radially protrudes from the sensor sleeve for abutting on a mouth of the anchor hole. A through hole extends through the sensor sleeve and through the sensor flange. The sensor arrangement further includes a sensor where a physical quantity of the sensor flange is determinable by the sensor.

Abstract: A rail assembly is provided, suitable for embedding in concrete, including a profile rail having a rail body, wherein the rail body has a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, a first rail lip protruding from the first lateral wall, and a second rail lip protruding from the second lateral wall. The rail assembly has a reinforcing element with a force-absorbing body, wherein the force-absorbing body is positioned in front of the first lateral wall of the profile rail for contacting the first lateral wall of the profile rail with the force-absorbing body.