Abstract: For more accurate analysis of the motions of human beings and animals, two commercial measuring systems, namely a force measuring platform fitted with piezoelectric crystal sensors and a high-resolution surface pressure distribution measuring system equipped with a large number of vertical force sensors, are combined and preferentially joined by gluing to form a single measuring unit.

Abstract: A traffic management systems, combining different monitoring capabilities, beginning with standard WIM (Weigh in Motion) systems for axle weight measurements, combined with tire pressure monitoring in motion and suspension monitoring in motion, whereby for all three specialties, novel road embedded force measuring sensors are used, partly for force measurement and partly for switching operation upon touching the edge of the sensors by the onrolling tire, whereby all possible combinations of the three specialties are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The measuring platform according to the invention, for recessing into road surfaces, consists of a base plate and cover plate supported in cross section on two supporting points fitted with piezoelectric shear crystals, enabling the shear force of an overrunning wheel to be measured. If the supporting points are equipped with piezoelectric pressure crystals, it is possible to measure the axle load with the same platform arrangement. This offers new possibilities, especially on or after gradients, for verifying the functional efficiency of braking and ABS systems and taking out of service vehicles with defective braking equipment.

Abstract: A high-pressure sensor specially for monitoring pulsating hydraulic pressure impulses, as for example in injection systems of combustion engines is provided with a pressure space shaped balloon-like before the diaphragm part, enabling optimal measuring signals to be combined simultaneously with significantly reduced mechanical forces in the welded joint. In addition, welding techniques are proposed enabling a gapless internal welding zone to be achieved, so that notch effects and migratory cracks resulting from these and leading to fractures are obviated. As optimal connection between measuring head and threaded body a two-stage welding routine is proposed first an internal weld is performed by electrical upset welding and then external welding by electron beam, inert gas or laser welding.

Abstract: A foot-strike measuring system and method using a pair of tandem plates each having at least two sensors along the direction of travel for measuring force. By monitoring the signals on the sensors at the adjacent edges and comparing with those on the nonadjacent sensors, the system determines whether one foot is on both plates or one foot is on each plate. This allows collecting and tracking sensor signals for each foot separately. Center of pressure is also calculated using the speed of the treadmill.

Abstract: A multi-component dynamometer for measuring forces and torques includes two force introduction plates and pre-oriented transducer elements without housing arranged between them. Each transucer element comprises typically a rectangular plate and two pre-oriented piezoelectric elements fixed thereon, one of these being sensitive to shear in a direction parallel to one edge of the carrier plate and the other being sensitive to pressure in a direction parallel to the normal of the carrier plate. The pre-oriented transducer elements enable the number of piezoelectric elements and electrical connections to be reduced substantially when assembling measuring platforms, as well as the amount of orientation and testing work. The platforms can be made flatter and more rigid, thereby raising the natural frequency. The electronic measuring and evaluation parts can be integrated partially or wholly into the dynamometer.

Abstract: A piezoresistive force-measuring element comprises at least two force-introduction plates with an electrical conductor subjected to plastic deformation arranged between them. The force-introduction plates transmit the forces acting on them without mechanical shunting onto the conductor between them. The change of electrical resistance caused by the force sustained can be used to measure force, accompanied by plastic as well as elastic deformation of the conductor. The typically annular or rectangular force-introduction plates can be fitted inside a housing which may include a bridge circuit for determining the resistance change as well as other electronics enabling the device to be used as a transmitter. By placing the conductor in grooves or anchoring it in the pores of the adjacent plates, an essentially hydrostatic loading of the conductor is obtained, bringing an enormous extension of the measuring range while the measuring accuracy is enhanced owing to the reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: A transducer, particularly for ballistic high pressure measurements, comprises an assembly body, with a shoulder sealing section and a sensor member, which can be received in a recess in the assembly body. The assembly body can be screwed into a component, e.g. a gun barrel, the measurement area on the sealing section being sealed. The assembly body has a tubular extension extending beyond the sealing section, which extension encompasses the sensor member on a cylindrical fitting face. The high sealing forces required for sealing the measurement area are kept remote from the sensor member. The measuring sensitivity of the transducer is therefore independent of the prevailing tightening torques. A cylindrical gap between the sensor member and assembly body provides additional insulation between the sealing forces and the prestress forces prevailing in the sensor member. The cylindrical gap is sealed against the pressure medium by a force fit or weld between the assembly body and the sensor member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force transducer with at least 100 pC/N sensitivity. The piezo elements of this force transducer are connected rigidly to the force introducing elements, and therefore require no mechanical prestressing. A diaphragm may be provided and is then the only force shunt with a maximum proportion of 5%. The main force flow runs in these transducers through the piezo elements themselves, thereby keeping the pseudo-pyro effect, which is frequently brought about by mechanical shunting, within very narrow limits. Because of bottlenecks in the heat guide path to the piezo elements and the symmetrical construction of the supports, heat transients are also prevented from exerting an appreciable effect on the position of the zero point. This provides zero point stability, which allows accurate measurements in the 0 . . . 1 N range, even where the ambient conditions are unfavorable from the point of view of temperature.

Abstract: A transducer insert for installing in sensors for measuring mechanical variables includes a semi-conductor body with a measuring diaphragm part of which has diffused-in strain-sensitive resistance paths or capacitor electrodes and also connecting contacts on one side. The semi-conductor body is connected to a base body of insulating material, preferably by an anodic method, through which electrically conductively coated channels pass. The channels open at a recess in the base body which is bridged by the measuring diaphragm part. The electrically conductive layers of the channels extend along the recess to the vicinity of the connecting contacts of the semi-conductor body and are directly connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner by the so-called corner drop method, e.g. by glueing, soldering or thermo-compression. A central projection can be provided in the recess of the base body which creates a deflection limit for the measuring diaphragm part.

Abstract: A piezoresistive transduction element for incorporation into a pressure transducer includes a plate defining a diaphragm zone and preferably of silicon with piezoresistances diffused into it, an insulating plate of a glass material and a base plate. The plates are preferably connected to each other by anodic connections in a series of steps. The base plate is made of a material having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as that of the material of the plate which defines the diaphragm zone. Furthermore, the dimensions of the base plate are matched to those of the diaphragm plate. By these measures the deformation forces exerted by the base plate and diaphragm plate on the insulating plate upon changes in temperature are of substantially the same magnitude and therefore there is minimum bending of the diaphragm plate. A symmetrical transduction element is created which has minimum zero point displacement and minimum sensitivity changes in use.

Abstract: A high pressure transducer, especially for ballistic pressure measurements, with a body member and a sensor part, the body member can be screwed into a threaded mounting bore provided in a structural component, whereby the body member comes into sealing contact with its sealing surface against a seating surface of the mounting aperture. The body member is provided with a recess, into which projects an extension on the sensor part to be secured along its end-face on the body member. An annular gap is provided between the extension of the sensor part and the recess in the body member, which causes the force flux lines produced by the sealing forces not to pass through the sensor part so that the latter remains unaffected by changing conditions of the force flux lines, i.e. by the prevailing tightening torques.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element for incorporation in pressure, force or acceleration transducers, in which at least two piezoelectric flat plates loaded in shear mode are arranged on both sides of a central support and are retained under compressive pre-tension by pressure distribution members bearing externally on the piezoelectric plates; a compression form member provided with a location hole for the support, the piezoelectric plates and the pressure distribution members is fitted over the pressure distribution members by direct or indirect shrinking the pressure distribution members are preferably made of two exact fitting cylindrical segments transmitting the tension forces evenly over the piezoelectric plates.

Abstract: A piezoelectric strain/force transducer is described, which is attached preferably by only one locking screw to a test specimen or machine part. The force transmitting member of the transducer comprises two bearing surfaces at a distance apart, which bear frictionally on the surface of the machine part and experience a change in spacing in the case of a change in length of the machine part. Due to this, a resilient member, which can be adapted to a desired sensitivity of the gauge, is tensioned and a set of piezoelectric plates held under precompression in the force-transmitting member are subjected to a corresponding shearing force. The piezoelectric plates are cut or polarized so that they respond piezoelectrically solely to shearing forces. The resulting piezoelectric charge is a measurement of the strain or mechanical stress of the machine part and can be used for monitoring or controlling machines or components, in particular those which are subjected to cyclic loads.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring the pressure characteristics of elastic material to be injection moulded includes a transducing element contained within a sleeve member mounted in an injection moulding device. An end of the sleeve member adjacent the material whose pressure characteristics are to be measured contains a pressure transmitting element for transmitting the pressure characteristics of the injection moulded material to the transducing element. Support and guiding structure is provided for supporting the transducing and pressure transmitting elements in the sleeve member, and for maintaining a uniform spacing of the pressure transmitting element from the internal wall of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A diaphragm arrangement is provided for pressure measuring transducer devices wherein the diaphragm includes a structure of the flexible portions thereof permitting stable calibration and compensation of environmental conditions during measurements. In particular, the diaphragm structure includes concentric annular grooves at opposite surfaces of the diaphragm to form at least one annular rim having elastic tubular walls normal to the diaphragm surfaces, thereby providing the flexible portion of the diaphragm. The connection of the diaphragm to the transducer structure is apart from this flexible construction, and the construction can be varied to suit the conditions of usage.