Abstract: A SAW sensor arrangement includes a transducer including a support for supporting a SAW device. The support includes a sensor location part located between two oppositely extending attachment parts. The SAW device is mountable to the sensor location part. The sensor arrangement 10 includes at least two spaced friction raisers. The sensor arrangement includes a clamp arrangement which applies a clamping force to clamp the sensor arrangement to an item. The sensor arrangement is arranged so that in use each of the friction raisers is located between a different one of the attachment parts and the item.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A device and method for limiting damage to a semiconductor device under test when the semiconductor device fails during a high current, or high power test is provided. The occurrence of a failure of the device under test is detected, and power applied to the semiconductor device is diverted through a parallel path element upon detection of failure of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A SAW sensor arrangement includes a transducer including a support for supporting a SAW device. The support includes a sensor location part located between two oppositely extending attachment parts. The SAW device is mountable to the sensor location part. The sensor arrangement 10 includes at least two spaced friction raisers. The sensor arrangement includes a clamp arrangement which applies a clamping force to clamp the sensor arrangement to an item. The sensor arrangement is arranged so that in use each of the friction raisers is located between a different one of the attachment parts and the item.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks supporting a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A railroad open top hopper car comprises a pair of spaced trucks supporting a railcar body, the body comprising a pair of side structures railcar, wherein each including (i) a top chord extending the side structure length, (ii) a plurality of upper side stakes extending from the top chord, (iii) an intermediate side chord extending the side structure length and below the top chord and coupled to the upper side stakes, (iv) a plurality of lower side stakes extending from the intermediate side chord, and (v) a side sill extending the length and below the intermediate side chord and coupled to the lower side stakes. The body forms discharge chutes forming pockets for the body with a plurality of intermediate doors and end doors, wherein the end doors are larger than the intermediate doors. Each door may include a biased door seal.

Abstract: A device and method for limiting damage to a semiconductor device under test when the semiconductor device fails during a high current, or high power test is provided. The occurrence of a failure of the device under test is detected, and power applied to the semiconductor device is diverted through a parallel path element upon detection of failure of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A combined pressure and temperature sensor comprising a tubular member 3 of circular cross section having a closed end and an open end, the open end, in use, connecting to a pressurized environment such that the interior of the tubular member is exposed to the pressure, a flat or preferably a symmetrical distribution of flats 1 being formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular member 3, and a sensor element 2 mounted on at least one said flat 1, which sensor element 2 is sensitive to the strains in the tubular wall of the tubular member 3 resulting the pressure in the interior thereof and the temperature of said tubular member.

Abstract: A circular shaft having a platform formed on it by machining a circular flat into the surface of the shaft. A channel extends around the periphery of the circular flat with a depth in the range of 10 to 15% of the diameter of the shaft and in the range of 30 to 50% of the width/diameter of the platform. The width of the platform is 4 to 7% of the diameter of the shaft. A sensor is mounted on the platform, whereby the formation of the platform and surrounding channel reduces the strain arising in the device which is transferred to the sensor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to using surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors mounted on a disc coupling component in a powertrain to measure the torque generated by an automobile engine. The sensor may be positioned and oriented on the disc coupling component so that the phase velocities of SAWs propagating through active elements of the SAW sensors are aligned with principal strain components due to torque in the disc coupling component. The torque may be calculated by determining the difference between resonant frequencies of the active elements to suppress common-mode interference factors. In addition, SAW resonant frequencies may be communicated in a non-contacting manner by utilizing rotary and stationary couplers employing radio frequency (RF) signals. Moreover, SAW sensors may be activated and interrogated by employing targeted RF pulses having different carrier frequencies at or near respective resonant frequencies of each resonator in a SAW sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring torque in a shaft of a drive line including a disc coupling component such as a flexplate 1 or a flanged coupling 13, as well as a drive coupling system for carrying out the method. The disc coupling component 1, 13 is connected between a drive input 4 and a drive output so that all torque transmitted between the input and output passes through said component. The disc coupling component 1, 13 has a radially extending portion, which may include a plurality of spokes 7, to which is attached a SAW based strain sensor which communicates with a stationary coupler 3 fastened to an engine block 5 for wireless transmission of data from the sensor, the strain sensor measuring the strain in the disc coupling component 1, 13 from which the torque carried in the input shaft 4 may be calculated.

Abstract: A circular shaft having a platform formed on it by machining a circular flat into the surface of the shaft. A channel extends around the periphery of the circular flat with a depth in the range of 10 to 15% of the diameter of the shaft and in the range of 30 to 50% of the width/diameter of the platform. The width of the platform is 4 to 7% of the diameter of the shaft. A sensor is mounted on the platform, whereby the formation of the platform and surrounding channel reduces the strain arising in the device which is transferred to the sensor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to using surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors mounted on a disc coupling component in a powertrain to measure the torque generated by an automobile engine. The sensor may be positioned and oriented on the disc coupling component so that the phase velocities of SAWs propagating through active elements of the SAW sensors are aligned with principal strain components due to torque in the disc coupling component. The torque may be calculated by determining the difference between resonant frequencies of the active elements to suppress common-mode interference factors. In addition, SAW resonant frequencies may be communicated in a non-contacting manner by utilizing rotary and stationary couplers employing radio frequency (RF) signals. Moreover, SAW sensors may be activated and interrogated by employing targeted RF pulses having different carrier frequencies at or near respective resonant frequencies of each resonator in a SAW sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for packaging a sensor device comprises a main body 2 having an internal chamber 4 with a base 2b on which, in use, is mounted the sensor so as to couple the sensor to the strain field in an article to which the packaging is attached by means of said base. A lid 3 is separately formed from and is formed of a different material to said base 2b and is sealable to the main body 2 in order to seal close said internal aperture 4. The lid 3 includes contact pins 8, 9 which extend therethrough from one side to the other. A first end 8a, 8b of each said pin 8, 9 extends into said chamber 4 when the lid 3 is positioned on the body 2 for connection to said sensor and a second end 8b, 9b of each said pin 8, 9 extends away from the package when the lid 3 is positioned on the body 2 for connection to a rotary coupler.

Abstract: A sensor has a body having a tapered locking surface, and engages in a component with a mounting surface having a complementary taper to the tapered locking surface of the body. The body is positioned on the component with the tapered locking surface aligned with the mounting surface, and an axial force is applied to the body to drive the tapered locking surface into engagement with the complementary taper of the mounting surface. The body is then fixed relative to the component by swaging outwards a skirt on the body into engagement with a lower surface of the component.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring torque in a shaft of a drive line including a disc coupling component such as a flexplate 1 or a flanged coupling 13, as well as a drive coupling system for carrying out the method. The disc coupling component 1, 13 is connected between a drive input 4 and a drive output so that all torque transmitted between the input and output passes through said component. The disc coupling component 1, 13 has a radially extending portion, which may include a plurality of spokes 7, to which is attached a SAW based strain sensor which communicates with a stationary coupler 3 fastened to an engine block 5 for wireless transmission of data from the sensor, the strain sensor measuring the strain in the disc coupling component 1, 13 from which the torque carried in the input shaft 4 may be calculated.

Abstract: A SAW based sensor having a base and a lid engageable with the base to form an internal cavity therewith. A substrate is supported in the cavity on either tile base or the lid 13 and a dimple 16 is formed on the other which extends towards the substrate so as to engage against the substrate and apply a preload thereto. The base and lid include complementary threads by means of which they are attachable to each other. The preload applied to the substrate by the dimple 16 is adjustable by varying the rotational position of the lid relative to the base.