Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a hydrostatic transmission includes a plate-like dump valve disposed between the transaxle housing or in a recess formed therein, adjacent a fluid conduit that connects the pump and motor of the transmission, the dump valve having fingers which unseat valves in the conduit to relief pressure therein. A rod having an offset portion extends through a bore in the dump valve, the rotation of the rod and offset portion urges the fingers of the plate-like dump valve towards or away from the conduit valves. The settling chamber disposed within the transmission includes protrusions upwardly projecting from the bottom of the chamber which trap particulates suspended in the hydraulic fluid that circulate through the system. A magnet is likewise disposed in the settling chamber adjacent the protrusions for attracting and holding magnetic particles and debris circulated by the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: An inert gas turbine engine contains a working fluid closed loop system leading from an expansion turbine which is in fluid flow relationship with an expansion chamber. Working fluid within the expansion chamber is heated by the combustion of compressed air and fuel within the combustion chamber. The heated working fluid within the expansion chamber rotates an expansion turbine which in turn rotates the compressor. Combusted gases do not contact the turbine blades. The rotation of the expansion turbine is controlled by the temperature and pressure of the working fluid within the expansion chamber. The temperature of the expansion turbine and working fluid within the expansion chamber may be controlled by the use of various cooling means. Additional turbines may be incorporated within the engine to be turned by the working fluid within the expansion chamber.

Abstract: An air separation process wherein a nitrogen enriched fraction is withdrawn from the distillation column, a portion of which is compressed and recycled through the lowest positioned reboiler in the column and directed to an upper portion of the column as reflux.

Abstract: A natural gas vehicle fuel delivery system regulates the pressure of LNG which is vaporized and delivered to an engine. The system employs dual regulator valves responsive to the gas phase pressure of a storage tank to either directly couple vapor produced from a heat exchanger to an engine combustion system, or to divert that vapor through another heat exchanger contained within the tank itself. This additional heat exchanger maintains the pressure within the tank at the desired level despite heavy fuel demands of the engine. The system functions independent of liquid level in the storage tank. When multiple LNG storage tanks are used, they are coupled in parallel so that they both produce gas and are concurrently regulated in the gas phase portion. A pressure initializing structure and process are also provided.

Abstract: A cryogenic station for delivering a cryogen substantially free of higher boiling impurities. The cryogenic station includes an insulated main tank and an auxiliary tank. Liquid stored in the main tank and pressurized by a pressure building circuit is driven into the auxiliary tank. Cryogenic vapor formed in the auxiliary tank is warmed to ambient temperature by an external heat exchanger and is then recirculated back to an internal heat exchanger located within the auxiliary tank. The internal heat exchanger is configured such that a portion of the cryogen driven into the auxiliary tank is vaporized to form the cryogenic vapor and a remaining portion of such cryogen is left within the auxiliary tank to substantially retain the higher boiling impurities in a solidified state. As such, the cryogenic vapor is substantially free from the impurities when delivered as a product stream.

Abstract: Two LNG storage tanks receive LNG from a fill station. The two storage tanks are connected to an overflow tank into which the LNG flows during pressurization of the system. The overflow tank is connected to the use device, i.e. the vehicle's engine, through a heat exchanger to provide high pressure natural gas thereto. The fill station initially delivers LNG to the two storage tanks until the tanks are substantially filled with LNG whereupon the fill station automatically stops delivery of LNG and begins to deliver natural gas vapor to the storage tanks until the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined maximum that is equal to or greater than the pressure required by the use device. During the pressurization of the system some of the LNG in the two storage tanks is forced into the overflow tank by the incoming natural gas vapor.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling the interior of an automobile comprising a refillable water reservoir stored onboard the automobile, a water atomizer for dispersing water directly into the interior of the automobile to absorb heat by evaporation, a device for selectively delivering water from the reservoir to the atomizer, a fan for circulating air within the interior using a solar or lighter socket power source, a manually detachable double sided clip for mounting the atomizer adjacent to the fan or to the built in ventilation of the automobile and an intrusion prevention device comprising a plurality of geometric pieces.

Abstract: An improved air recirculation and conditioning system for recirculating and dehumidifying air within a living space is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the system diverts a portion of the air recirculated through a return and removes moisture from that portion of the air before mixing the drier air with the air in the return. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the system makes use of a standard water heater as a source of heat to heat a regenerative air stream to regenerate a desiccant wheel of the system. Finally, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system externally draws all of the air for the regenerative air stream and exhausts the regenerative air stream to an air space external of the living space within which the air is being treated.

Abstract: A defrost cycle controller for a refrigeration system encompassing a compressor; a defrost heater; a thermostatic switch coupled in series with said compressor to control operation of said compressor; a bimetallic switch coupled in series with said defrost heater to control operation of said defrost heater; and a relay coupled to mutually exclusively couple the compressor or defrost heater to a power supply, the relay having a normally closed contact which is in series with said compressor and a normally open contact coupled in series with said defrost heater.

Abstract: An air cycle air conditioning system including an air-air heat exchanger defining a first air flow path for air to be cooled and a second air flow path for air to pass therethrough and absorb heat from the air to be cooled and apparatus for supplying air to the second air flow path at sub-atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A cooler container having a rectangular configuration, each lower corner of the container having a recess. Also provided is a lid with a hinge. A latch is secured to the lid and side wall opposite from the hinge.

Abstract: An absorption type refrigerator including a generator having an improved heat-exchange efficiency and which is compact and economical. The generator is constructed using a heat-exchanger made up of a bellows-fin formed by consecutively bending a thin plate into a wave-like form and seal plates attached to ends of the bellows-fin for sealingly separating chambers disposed on opposite sides of the bellows-fin. In constructing the generator using the heat-exchanger, the bellows-fin is transversely arranged so that a lower chamber is used as a combustion chamber and an exhaust path for a burner whereas a diluted solution is introduced into an upper chamber and discharged therefrom for circulation after generating vapor refrigerant and being converted into concentration solution.

Abstract: A plurality of warp knitting machine needles are aligned in a parallel array in a like plurality of needle bar grooves. The needles each have a striker detent projection which mates with an abutment surface of the bar at the groove. The striker projection forms a key which is shaped to torque the needle against the groove in response to a force applied to a force transfer projection extending from the needle on a side opposite the striker projection. A convex tensioning device is between the force transfer projection and the bar and when compressed by a screw threaded to the bar spreads the device and forces the needle into the groove. The striker and the force transfer projection are axially aligned at the same or different needle shaft positions in different embodiments. A collar on the screw between the device and bar limits the maximum force applied to the needle.

Abstract: Fiber waste generated during operation of a circular machine is removed from components of the machine and/or an associated creel by air currents that conduct the fiber waste to one or more filters. Air suction and/or air jet forces remove the fiber waste from the filters. In one embodiment the waste removing apparatus includes stationary air suction and/or air jet devices that remove the fiber waste from a rotating filter. In another embodiment the air suction and air jet devices rotate and the filter is stationary.

Abstract: A warp-knit cloth for a surface fastener, comprising: a foundation design knitted of pile knitting yarns and foundation yarns so as to form pile loops, which serve as engaging elements of the surface fastener, on wales; a marquisette design in which inlaid yarn extend in the wale direction and course direction so as to form squared meshes, which serve as vents, between said wales.

Abstract: A knitted fabric for winterweight garments comprising two confronting webs, one overlying the other and united at intervals by a stitch of the yarn of one web engaging the other web. One of the webs has thick and thin yarns grouped in adjacent courses, the grouped courses of thick yarns alternating with the grouped courses of thin yarns to produce a ridged effect in the web. The thick yarns produce ridge lines and the thin yarns intermediate said ridge lines produce air-entrapping channels in the one web. The other web is preferably smooth on both surfaces. When fabricated into a garment the ridged web is on the inside and the smooth web is on the outside of the garment.

Abstract: In a control device for an automatic washing machine, a first change in the turbidity of a wash liquid is detected a predetermined time period after start of a wash step. The predetermined time period corresponds to a time period required for the detergent to sufficiently dissolve into the water. A time period of the wash step is determined on the basis of the detected change of turbidity. The wash step is completed upon lapse of the determined time period when a second change in the turbidity of the wash liquid in a short period upon lapse of the wash step time period is at a predetermined value or below. When the turbidity change is above the predetermined value, the wash step time period is extended by a period of time in accordance with the first change in the turbidity.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a imperforate stationery tub and further having a rotatable plastic wash basket, for receiving a clothes load, disposed within the stationary tub. The rotatable plastic wash basket further includes a cylindrical outer wall having an upper end open for receiving the clothes load. A base integral with the cylindrical outer wall is provided for forming a bottom of the rotatable basket. An annular core member is disposed within the base of the plastic wash basket such that the base encapsules and interlocks with the annular core member. In addition, a hub member is disposed centrally in the annular core member and is drivingly connectable with a drive shaft for drivingly rotating said rotatable wash basket. The annular core member has a substantially triangular radial cross-section such that the base is optimally configured to form a solid triangular radial cross-section for providing strength and rigidity to the wash basket.

Abstract: An improved multipoint lock assembly is provided for securing a swinging door in a tightly closed condition. The multipoint lock assembly includes a main actuator cartridge for retracting a plurality of latch pins mounted at vertically spaced positions along a free side edge of the swinging door, in response to rotational movement of indoor and outdoor lever handles. A trigger assembly retains the latch pins in a retracted position in response to lever handle rotation to open the door, and includes a trigger pin for engaging the adjacent door jamb upon door closure to release the latch pins for spring-loaded movement to an advanced position. The advanced latch pins engage ramped strike plates on the door jamb to draw in and tightly retain the closed door against the door jamb. When the latch pins are advanced, a security deadbolt on the main actuator cartridge can be thrown to positively lock the door.

Abstract: The present invention is a key ring splitter for separating an end of a conventional key ring so as to locate keys thereon or also remove keys. The present invention utilizes a pulling motion to separate the key ring instead of a pushing motion and also includes a self-alignment feature. The key ring splitter includes a front section with a front end and a rear section with a rear end. The front section is provided with a small rectangular shaped opening which is defined by an upper edge, a lower edge, a proximal edge adjacent to the front end, and an opposite distal edge.

Abstract: A lock cylinder comprises a profile housing (1) with a cylinder core (9) disposed rotatably therein, and tumblers (15) which are controllable by a flat key. Disposed on the profile housing (1) is an information detector (37) which responds contactless to control information signals of a control circuit of the flat key, which is connected to an electronic control and power-supply circuit having at least some of its circuit components disposed separate from the lock cylinder. These circuit components are connected by a cable (43) and a plug connector (45) consisting of two plug parts (49, 51) complementary to one another. A first plug part (49) is mounted fixed on the profile housing (1), and the cable (43) bears a second, loose plug part (51) capable of placement on the first plug part (49).

Abstract: A device for generating curved pipe portions (38, 40) bent alternately in opposite senses in a continuously supplied linear pipe (18), particularly for generating a pipe coil, comprises a machine table provided with two bending rolls (12, 13) having rotational axes (15, 16) extending at a fixed mutual distance and parallel to each other. The bending rolls (12, 13) have their peripheries formed with grooves for receiving the pipe (18) which are adapted to the cross-section of the pipe (18). Further, the device is provided with a bending drive. One bending roll has a rotational axis fixed in position relative to the machine table whereas the other bending roll is pivotable by said bending drive about the bending roll having the fixed rotationai axis, thereby bending a curved pipe portion (38, 40) of the pipe (18).

Abstract: A cold-forming method of making a finished battery terminal with a necked down flange by first expanding the metal radially outward until the battery terminal die cavity is partially filled with metal and then upsetting the metal to complete the deformation filling of the battery, terminal die cavity and to simultaneously form a necked down region in the flange on the battery terminal.

Abstract: A method of scoring a metal panel such as a can end lid includes forming a first scoreline having a base and a pair of lateral walls and subsequently forming a second scoreline within the first scoreline by indenting a portion of the first scoreline base. The final scoreline may be created by employing two or more scoring operations after the first scoreline has been formed. The apparatus preferably includes a press which supports the first scoring die and second scoring die in such a manner as to establish the desired sequence of scoring operations. This method and associated apparatus provide a scored metal panel or container lid having improved performance characteristics. The resultant lid is characterized by reduced residual strain.

Abstract: Acceleration sensors in a vehicular safety system with at least two acceleration sensors are stimulated by an electrical or sound excitation so that one of the sensors functions as a body sound transmitter, while the other(s) receive(s) these signals and vice versa. The performance which includes a calibration check, and the coupling to the housing structure are evaluated through a signal processing circuit. The safety system including its output trigger stage, remains switched-on during testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining friction between a support roller and a rubber roller comprising an adjustable horizontal seat board, a pivoted stand supporting a pivot spindle in parallel to the seat board, an adjustable horizontal pressure pad for applying even downward pressure, a clamping and driving assembly for clamping two ends of the rubber roller, a support roller for supporting one end of the paper, a paper holding device with rollers below for holding the other end of the paper, a load cell in connection with the paper holding device for conveying a pull from generated friction, and a set of weights for selecting to be placed on the horizontal pressure pad. In use, the rubber roller, evenly pressing on one end of the paper, may be driven into turning at a fixed speed to allow a relatively accurate frictional factor to be detected.

Abstract: A resealable gas concentration sensor for determining the concentration of a particular gas within a gaseous environment. The sensor is constructed of a housing and a cap. The cap is adapted to be temporarily coupled with the housing while in the environment to define a sealed sample chamber, thereby capturing a sample of the environment. A venturi tube having a narrow passage is affixed to the housing which is adapted to allow fluid flow through venturi tube into test equipment for determining the concentration of the gas in the sample. The housing and cap may be repeatedly uncoupled and resealed to capture additional samples and measure other concentrations.

Abstract: An anlytical equipment and method for the selective detection of individual oxygenated compounds in complex organic mixtures, in particular fuels, comprising, downstream an equipment of chromatographic separation, a cracking reactor, a catalytic hydrogenation microreactor and a FID detector. The cracking reactor is provided with a catalyst under the form of metal elements, made of palladium, inserted inside the capillary tube though which flows the gas under test. Thanks to the present equipment, the analytical process, based on the specific response of oxygenates to the method of flame ionization detection (O-FID), foresees that the cracking reaction takes place at temperatures below 1000 degrees C. and, consequently allows to keep the cracking reactor at stand-by temperatures below 700 degrees C.

Abstract: A detonation detector operable for detecting the intensity of detonation occurring in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The detonation detector of the present invention includes a mechanical filter mounted on the engine for amplifying vibration signals resulting from detonation, including low intensity, sub-audible detonation signals. The mechanical filter is tuned to a resonant frequency at about the detonation frequency signal in order to attenuate noise signals from the engine and amplify signals at about the detonation frequency signal. A flat response accelerometer is mounted on the mechanical filter and receives the amplified detonation frequency signals and the attenuated noise signals and converts these signals into electrical output signals. An electronic circuit is connected to the accelerometer for amplifying the electrical output signals and filtering the attenuated noise signals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for determining the permeability and the porosity of small sections at and just below the surface of a slabbed sample of porous rock or other material. The measurement is performed by forcing air or other gas through a central passageway of a deformable (e.g. rubber) probe tip pressed against the surface of the sample to be tested. Permeability of the matter directly under the probe tip is computed from the ratio of flow rate into the sample to the pressure drop between the gas in the probe-tip and the ambient atmosphere. A preferred and an alternative means for measuring flow rate are disclosed involving the use of an optical interferometer to detect displacement of a bellows chamber.

Abstract: The use of a sacrificial anode in a plumbing system or in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine or the like to protect the system against the destructive effects of electrolysis caused by the many different metals employed in modern plumbing systems or engines is disclosed, along with several methods and apparatus for monitoring the condition of the sacrificial anode to indicate when replacement is needed for continued protection of the system. Physical, optical and electrical systems are taught, each designed to indicate the need for replacement of the anode in an easily discernable manner.

Abstract: A leak-detection installation for testing the gastightness of flexible or rigid sealed packages containing a certain concentration of tracer gas, said installation including a belt conveyor, a bell-shaped cover situated above said conveyor and including drive means enabling said cover to be raised and to be lowered until it bears against the belt of said conveyor, said cover being connected to a tracer gas leak detector, the resulting assembly being controlled by control electronic circuitry, wherein said belt is made of a material that is both non-porous and non-perforated, and wherein the cover carries sealing means at its bottom periphery for co-operating with the belt of said conveyor to guarantee the gastightness of said cover when it is in the low position, wherein the cover is connected to a vacuum pump, and wherein a backing plate provided with a system of sealing rings is disposed under said belt and in alignment with said cover, said backing plate having a recess and being connected to said cover vi

Abstract: A skin compliance measurement device for measuring the compliance of human skin. The skin compliance measurement device comprises a housing containing two flexible strips attached to the housing at one end and attached to a probe at an opposite end. The probe extends from the flexible strips, through an opening in the bottom of the housing, and contacts an area of skin. A measurement device measures the flexure of the strips when the probe comes into contact with the skin.

Abstract: A bonding tool capable of uniformly pressing all electrodes of a semiconductor element and surely bonding all the electrodes and leads, even if the end pressing surface of a tool end part of a bonding tool is enlarged with the large-sized and long-sized tendency of semiconductor elements, is provided in which an end pressing surface of a tool end part fitted to a shank is composed of a hard material, characterized in that the end pressing surface is gradually curved to form a concave surface from the peripheral part to the central part at an application temperature of the bonding tool and the degree of flatness of tile concave end pressing surface is in the range of 1 to 5 .mu.m at the application temperature of the bonding tool.

Abstract: A combustion state-detecting system for an internal combustion engine calculates a first average speed by averaging the rotational speed of the engine over a time period corresponding to duration of one stroke of a cylinder, and a second average speed by averaging the rotational speed of the engine over a time period corresponding to duration of one cycle of all strokes of the cylinder. The system calculates a difference between the first average speed and the second average speed, and determines based on the difference whether or not the combustion state of the engine is abnormal.

Abstract: An exhaust filter backpressure indicator includes a sensor for measuring the backpressure and the exhaust system. The sensor sends a signal which is processed for indicating that an exhaust filter element is filled. The indicator includes a timer so that a signal corresponding to pressure must be maintained for a predetermined period of time before the filled element is indicated. The apparatus may also include high and low frequency discriminators to process signals within predetermined signal frequency ranges corresponding to engine operating speeds. Therefore, depending on the operation of the vehicle, the element will be indicated as being filled at either high engine speed operation or low engine speed operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a coating on a plate. The invention uses a method of measuring the impedance of a coating on a plate, which uses the steps of placing the coating on a plate in a chamber, and then placing a counter electrode in the chamber so that the coating lies between the plate and the counter electrode. A reference electrode is placed in the chamber so that the coating lies between the reference electrode and the plate, and the chamber is filled with a fluid with an ionic substrate. A potentiostat induces a voltage between the plate and the reference electrode, and the impedance of the coating is measured to determine the quality of the coating.

Abstract: A gear tester method and apparatus for inspecting a contact area between a gear member, such as a spiral bevel or hypnoid gear, relative to a second gear, such as a pinion. The gear tester includes a spray system for coating a portion of the gear member with a gear marking compound, such that when the pinion contacts the gear member the gear marking compound provides an indication or footprint of tooth contact made between the gear member and the pinion. A strobing device illuminates the gear member for inspecting the footprint while the gears are still rotating. In a preferred embodiment, a sensing device senses images of the footprint and a display device displays the sensed images whereby the gear mesh is non-invasively inspected.

Abstract: An acoustic current meter in which a CW burst is transmitted first in one direction along each acoustic path and then in the reverse direction along such path so that a single receiver system may be used and phase shift and/or d.c. offsets canceled. Four orthogonal components of current are measured so that the axis contaminated by the center support strut may be eliminated from further computation. A direction sensor includes a 3 axis magnetometer using feedback to minimize current requirements and a two axis accelerometer aligned therewith as a tilt sensor.

Abstract: A sensor device for a mass flow controller suitable for stably sensing gas flowrate of the mass flow controller regardless of variation of peripheral temperature.

Abstract: A humidity detector with a supporting substrate and a ladder polymer coating, which can be utilized in xerographic imaging and printing apparatuses.

Abstract: An acceleration detector includes a beam having a strain gauge mounted thereon, an arm of synthetic resin fixed on the beam and a spherical weight fixed on the end of the arm. The weight, the arm and the beam are formed as a single unit by insert formation molding to provide a shock proof detector with good accuracy.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor is formed of a magnet having a magnetizing pattern in which N and S poles are alternately arrayed in one direction, a housing for slidingly holding the magnet in one direction, and a magneto-electric converting element provided within the housing facing the magnet. The acceleration sensor detects a change in speed applied to the acceleration sensor from the output of the magneto-electric converting element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring device that is especially suited to nondestructive testing of materials is fitted with an ultrasound test head 72, a transmitter (74) and a receiver (76) that is characterized by a broadband logarithmic amplifier (78). This amplifier consists of several amplifier stages that are identical in construction and connected in series. Each amplification stage is characterized by the fact that it contains two transistorized individual amplifiers, namely a first and a second differential amplifier that are connected to one another and whose transistors (20, 22; 24, 26) are each interconnected at their base and at their collector. Each of these transmitters is connected at the emitters via inverse feedback resistors (34, 36; 40, 42) to a constant-current source (46, 50).

Abstract: A method of measuring thin film properties of materials using interference of ultrasonic waves in the frequency range of 2-15 MHz. An ultrasonic interferometer produces interference "fringes" from which the film thickness can be accurately determined. The film may consist of any solid material having known sonic properties and thickness of the order of the sonic wavelength. The device utilizes a narrow-band source of ultrasound and guided-wave propagation to accurately define the optical path of the ultrasonic waves producing the interference. The interferometer is also useful to measure certain material properties in thin specimens, thereby allowing the material to be characterized locally.

Abstract: A gas jet is positioned above the water nozzle of a system provided for ultrasonically detecting flaws in an article to be inspected. The water nozzle directs a substantially level water jet stream against an upright surface of the article as it is moved transversely of the nozzle. A transducer associated with the water nozzle transmits ultrasonic energy along the water jet stream toward the article, then receives echoes from flaws existing in the article. The gas jet directs toward the upright surface of the article a gas jet stream which is substantially parallel to, and vertically aligned with, the water jet stream. The gas jet stream serves to deflect the water splashing off the surface of the article after impact therewith and prevents the splashing water from descending toward and striking the water jet stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compression tester which is designed to simulate as closely as possible the low temperature conditions a cable is subjected to in an outdoor environment. Axially aligned composite sample members are compressed longitudinally while fitted in a cylindrically enclosed space in a specially designed sample die assembly. Testing may take place in an environmental chamber.

Abstract: A flow meter apparatus for measuring the mass flow rate of a fluid using the Coriolis principle. A single straight flow conduit is employed which is vibrated in a radial-mode of vibration. Coriolis forces are thereby produced along the walls of the flow conduit which deform the conduit's cross-sectional shape as a function of mass flow rate. Additional embodiments are disclosed employing vibration of selected portions of the flow conduit walls. In addition, a method is described to determine the pressure and the density of a fluid by simultaneously vibrating a flow conduit in two modes of vibration and thereby determining pressure and density based on changes in each frequency.

Abstract: An all molded flowmeter assembly that is especially adapted for use in connection with medical and laboratory type equipment applications for measuring and/or controlling fluid flow and is arranged for snap-fit mounting at its ends with respect to the flow monitoring panel normally provided such equipment, wherein the assembly is in the form of a basic flowmeter body and a selection of upper and lower end caps therefor that serve the usual intake and output functioning needed for devices of this type, including as options, where the application requires a metering system, end caps equipped with metering devices for pressure and vacuum applications; the general arrangement involved is such that the resulting flowmeter assembly provided by the basic flowmeter body and user selected end caps therefor may be readily assembled, and the resulting "whole" snap-fit mounted on such usual panel after suitably sized mounting aperturing is formed in such panel, and further, the general arrangement involved does not requi

Abstract: A robot hand and a robot using it are provided. The robot hand has a finger-tip tactile sensor device, a palm tactile sensor device, and a tip contact force detecting device. Among them, the finger-tip tactile sensor device 10 has an elastic cap 14, in which a cavity 15 is formed with an opening 17a at a base end. The cavity is filled up with an incompressible fluid. A pressure detector 16 is inserted into the opening 17a of the cavity 17, and a holding member 18 holds the elastic cap 14 and the pressure detector 16. The holding member 18 is swingably mounted on a finger 1 of robot hand through a joint 2. When the elastic cap 14 contacts with an object, the contact pressure is detected through the incompressible fluid by the pressure detector 16.