Abstract: A sensor device adapted to detect at least one of a particle and a bubble in a fluid, includes a fluid nozzle defining a center of fluid flow; and a plurality of sensor elements for converting an impact of one of a particle and a bubble into an electrical signal, wherein a first sensor element is arranged closer to the center of fluid flow than a second sensor element. The sensor device includes a number of diaphragm sensor elements each having a sufficiently small mass for responding to a collision with the particle, and an apparatus for converting a vibration of the diaphragm portion into an electrical signal so as to detect the vibration. The multiple elements are arranged in the fluid flow stream such that different size particles will preferentially strike different elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low reaction oscillating mass-based torquing tool wherein an oscillating mass is excited into near resonant oscillation by reversing pulses resulting in increased energy stored in oscillation about a dual stiffness spring which develops a higher torque output with the stiffer spring action in the tightening direction and hence tightens the fastener.

Abstract: A sensor element for detecting solid particles in a fluid includes: a detecting unit including a piezoelectric film consisting essentially of a ceramic material, a first electrode coated onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode coated onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the piezoelectric film; a vibrating portion consisting essentially of a second ceramic material, the detecting unit being placed on the vibrating portion so that the second electrode is coated onto at least a portion of the vibrating portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the vibrating portion so that the vibrating portion may vibrate. At least one of the detecting unit and the vibrating portion contacts with a solid particle in the fluid so that the piezoelectric film converts the vibration into an electric signal. A particle sensor includes the sensor element. The sensor element and the particle sensor are excellent in particle detection precision and durability at low cost.

Abstract: A display element includes: an actuator including a piezoelectric film having a pair of surfaces and a pair of electrodes coated onto at least a portion of each of a pair of respective surfaces of the piezoelectric film; a movable flexing portion, in contact with one of the pair of electrodes, to support the actuator; a fixed portion for holding the flexing portion so that the flexing portion can move; means, connected to the actuator, for transmitting a displacement of the actuator; and a plate for transmitting light, disposed closely to the displacement-transmitting means. In this display element, a voltage is applied into the actuator through the pair of electrodes so as to control a rest position and a displacement of the actuator as well as a contact and a separation between the displacement-transmitting means and the plate so that a light emission at a predetermined position in the plate is controlled.

Abstract: A sensor element for detecting solid particles in a fluid includes: a detecting unit including a piezoelectric film consisting essentially of a ceramic material, a first electrode coated onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode coated onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the piezoelectric film; a vibrating portion consisting essentially of a second ceramic material, the detecting unit being placed on the vibrating portion so that the second electrode is coated onto at least a portion of the vibrating portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the may vibrate portion so that the vibrating portion vibrates. At least one of the detecting unit and the vibrating portion contacts-with a solid particle in the fluid so that the piezoelectric film converts the vibration into an electric signal. A particle sensor includes the sensor element. The sensor element and the particle sensor are excellent in particle detection precision and durability at low cost.

Abstract: A display element includes: an actuator including a piezoelectric film having a pair of surfaces and a pair of electrodes coated onto at least a portion of each of a pair of respective surfaces of the piezoelectric film; a movable flexing portion, in contact with one of the pair of electrodes, to support the actuator; a fixed portion for holding the flexing portion so that the flexing portion can move; means, connected to the actuator, for transmitting a displacement of the actuator; and a plate for transmitting light, disposed closely to the displacement-transmitting means. In this display element, a voltage is applied into the actuator through the pair of electrodes so as to control a rest position and a displacement of the actuator as well as a contact and a separation between the displacement-transmitting means and the plate so that a light emission at a predetermined position in the plate is controlled.

Abstract: Various levitation devices are disclosed in which an array of permanent magnets is levitated by magnetic interaction with a diamagnetic material. Levitation is achieved without using a fixed permanent magnet or other device to supplement the magnetic field of the array. The cost and design constraints resulting from undesirable spring constants produced by such permanent magnets are thereby avoided.

Abstract: An in-pipe running robot includes a vehicle body movable inside piping along a piping axis, and a pair of running devices disposed in front and rear positions of the vehicle body. Each of the running devices has a pair of wheels secured to opposite ends of an axle. The wheels are steerable as a unit about a vertical axis of the vehicle body, and have a center of steering thereof extending linearly in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle body. When the robot is caused to run in a circumferential direction inside the piping, the vehicle body is set to a posture having the fore and aft direction inclined with respect to the piping axis, with the running devices set to a posture for running in the circumferential direction. Then, the running devices are driven to cause the vehicle body to run stably in the circumferential direction of the piping.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving within pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least one wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall. An arm is rotatably mounted on the central portion of the outer wheel member. The arm has a pair of magnetically permeable members disposed widthwise of the vehicle body. A magnet is mounted on the arm with its poles in contact with the pair of magnetically permeable members. The arm can be rotated and freely oriented toward the running surface magnetically to hold the wheel to the running surface. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving in pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least on wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall and an inner wheel member including a portion of a magnetically permeable material. The inner wheel member has an outside diameter smaller that the inside diameter of the outer wheel member and is rollable on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel member. A magnet is provided in the inner wheel member having magnetic poles in contact with the permeable portion of the inner wheel. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving within pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least one wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall with an inner wheel member including a portion of magnetically permeable material. The inner wheel member has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the outer wheel member and is rollable on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel member. A magnet is provided in the inner wheel member having magnetic poles in contact with the permeable portion of the inner wheel. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A pulse rate sensor system is packaged in a wristwatch sized assembly and is worn by the user to provide an accurate determination of pulse rate. A tonometer sensor is provided to detect heartbeat pressure waves produced by a superficial artery. A microcomputer manipulates the unprocessed tonometer sensor element signals using multiple algorithms to determine an accurate pulse rate.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving within pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least one wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall with an inner wheel member including a portion of magnetically permeable material. The inner wheel member has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the outer wheel member and is rollable on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel member. A magnet is provided in the inner wheel member having magnetic poles in contact with the permeable portion of the inner wheel. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.