Abstract: Sol-gel process for the production of optical fiber preforms or overcladdings by preparing a sol, gelling the sol, drying the wet gel to a dry porous gel and densifying the dry gel to fully dense glass, wherein during the calcination treatment from 350° C. to 900° C. to remove organic impurities in the dry gel, it is carried out at least one reduced-pressure phase at a pressure comprised between about 0.01 and 0.5 bar.

Abstract: The method of fabricating an optical waveguide fiber from a preform having a centerline aperture which includes reducing the pressure in the centerline aperture, then increasing the pressure in the centerline aperture to a pressure in order to improve uniformity, circularity, and/or symmetry around the centerline aperture region.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for sintering of a porous mold body (2) in a gas-tight chamber (3), with the mold body (2) hanging loose from a link chain (7) so that it can be fed continuously to a heating zone (5). In the area of the upper boiler (10), the traction direction of the link chain (7) is reversed by a deviation wheel (11). The tensile force is transmitted via a traction rope (13) that can be taken up on a take-up reel (14), such take-up reel (14) being driven by a drive (16) arranged outside the chamber (3). A drive shaft (15) for the take-up reel (14) provides for easy sealing of the duct (18) towards the chamber (3), because only a rotation and not a simultaneous axial displacement is required for the hoisting movement, and moreover, because the duct (18) is arranged at a spatial distance from the heating zone (5).

Abstract: A power controller for an appliance, especially a washing machine, is operative to place the appliance into a hyperspin mode. When in the hyperspin mode, the washing machine rotates its washing basket at a higher speed in relation to a traditional spin mode for the washing machine. In order to prevent damage to the washing machine that could result from spinning heavier, unbalanced loads at higher speeds (i.e. hyperspin speeds), a controller detects vibration of the washing machine basket while the items are being spun at a lower speed (i.e. at the speed of the traditional spin mode). If the washing basket vibration is less than a predetermined threshold vibration value, the washing machine controller operates to cause the washing machine to rotate its washing basket at a higher speed. This results in removal of more water from the clothes being spun dried.

Abstract: An appliance controller includes a control knob assembly and detection mechanism having various mechanical and electrical components that are configured to detect the position of the knob assembly and produce a position signal indicative of the knob assembly position. The position signal is provided to the appliance controller that produces a control signal in response thereto. The control signal is used to initiate various appliance functions based on the specific position of the knob assembly. In one form, the detection mechanism includes a variable resistor assembly that is comprised of a wiper and resistor pad arrangement. In another form, the detection mechanism includes a shaft encoder mechanism that is comprised of a light transmitter and receiver, and an associated apertured disc secured to the knob assembly.

Abstract: A security device for attaching laptop computers and the like to a desk includes a body portion which is to be received in an aperture of the work surface of a work station or desk. The body portion includes a grommet which fits within the aperture with a flange at the top. A lock plate bears against the underside of the work surface to hold the grommet in place. A combination of pawls and lock teeth hold the lock plate in place. Within the grommet there is a cable lock to which the computing device is attached.

Abstract: The lock can be used as a lock for an individual box, cabinet door or drawer where the objective is to keep guns, medicine, chemicals etc. secure from children. Only an individual whose finger it has been adjusted to can open the lock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking a water main valve having a handle attached to a valve stem against unauthorized usage includes a method of selecting the apparatus which has a locking cover having a sidewall sized to enclose a portion of a water main valve which has an open bottom and a partially covered top and a first elongated locking arm extending therefrom. The selected apparatus also includes a second elongated locking arm having two ends and having a generally perpendicular yoke extending from one end thereof and having an opening in the other end thereof. The second elongated locking arm yoke is sized to fit under the water main valve handle over the water main valve stem.

Abstract: Although a door locking handle assembly is small as a whole in thickness in construction, it permits, through its computerized personal management system, a large number of persons or users to have easily and quickly access to their instruments contained in a box provided with the door locking handle assembly. In this assembly, a combination lock (19), which is opened by turning each of a set of its specially marked dial discs (21) a given number of times to establish a unique combination of marks of the dial discs (21), is incorporated in a door handle (13) or in a base body (1). In operation, a locking member (24) of the assembly prevents the door handle (13) from being pulled out of the base body (1), and is driven to reach its unlocked position when the combination lock (19) is opened.

Abstract: A handle assembly of thin type permits through a computerized personal management system a plurality of persons to have easily access to instruments in a box with the handle assembly in which: a combination lock (6), opened by turning each of its dial discs (4) a given number of times to establish a combination of marks of the discs, is incorporated in a handle (2) and disposed adjacent to a cylinder lock (2) in the handle; and, a plate (11), interlocked with a rotor (8) of the lock (2), engages with a shoulder (15) of a lever (16) pivoted to a body (1), so that the handle is held in its folded position. When the lock (6) is held in its unlocked condition and the handle (2) is pulled, the lever (16) is swung upward by the plate (11) to release the handle (2) from the body (1).

Abstract: A key blank, key and master keying system for a twisting tumbler sidebar lock of the type where the sidebar is blocked or unblocked by a selectively positioned longitudinally extending slider, has a key blank with a slider contacting surface on a rib on the blank below the bitting area at one of a plurality of selected predetermined locations. A key with skew cut bittings can be cut on the blank and the blank can be configured with the slider contacting surface at different predetermined locations. The slider contact area on the rib of the key blank can be divided into two horizontal portions at different predetermined locations and the slider itself can have contact surfaces also positioned at different predetermined locations so that a number of different master keying variations are possible.

Abstract: An electronic lock device includes provision for setting different bolt or latch extension lengths, to accommodate different door lock situations. In addition, the bolt or latch itself preferably is interchangeable for bolts or latches of different sizes or configurations, including switching a latch for a bolt or vice versa. The bolt or latch extension can be settable via a keypad or ibutton. In the preferred embodiments the lock units include a D.C. geared micromotor, which is also included in other electronic lock units disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing loading plane border frame tubes for chairs utilizes continuous roll-forming processes to roll a base material to form loading plane border frame tubes for use on chairs. The processes include: transport a steel sheet to a roller leveler for flattening; then roll the steel sheet through a first roller calender, a second roller calender, a third roller calender, and a fourth roller calender to form a semi-finished tube; send the semi-finished tube to a high frequency generator for welding and soldering at high temperature; trim the semi-finished tube in a trimming machine; and roll the semi-finished tube through a fifth roller calender to form a finished tube of a selected shape for making border frames of loading planes of the chairs.

Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing keystone type superconducting compacted stranded wires. In manufacturing the keystone type superconducting compacted stranded wires, a large number of superconducting wires are stranded to form stranded wires, which are then roll-formed. The method and apparatus are configured so that, in the roll-forming, one side of the compacted stranded wires, which is thinner than the other side thereof after being roll-formed, comes into contact with one flat roll before the other side of the compacted stranded wires comes into contact with another flat roll. The method and apparatus are provided as another configuration wherein one flat roll to contact with the compacted stranded wires to be thicker is smaller in diameter than another flat roll to contact with the compacted stranded wires to be thinner.

Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders are provided in a housing so as to be opposed to roll chocks. Each of the hydraulic cylinders is constituted by movably fitting a thin plunger via a liner into a cylinder fixed to the housing, movably fitting a concave portion of the thin plunger over a center guide on the cylinder to form guide means, and connecting a liner for thrusting each of the roll chocks to a front end portion of the thin plunger.

Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders are provided in a housing so as to be opposed to work rolls and backup rolls. Before a front end portion of a rollable material is engaged between the work rolls, the working oil pressure of the hydraulic cylinders is set at a high pressure value to make a pressing force on roll chocks high. After the rollable material is completely engaged between the work rolls, the working oil pressure of the hydraulic cylinders is set at a low pressure value to make the pressing force on the roll chocks low.

Abstract: A crimping and cutting apparatus having upper and lower die members, with each die member having matching crimping surfaces and matching cutting surfaces which define a crimping region and a cutting region. A cylinder and piston assembly moves the first die member between upper and lower positions to accomplish the crimping and the cutting. The apparatus can be grasped manually, and it is particularly adapted for use in an operation where a cable is placed around a bundle of logs, and the ends of the cable are connected by crimping, and one end of the cable being cut from the cable leading to a spool.

Abstract: A guide system is provided to slidingly guide a reciprocating dynamic balancer weight within a press machine. An elongate stationary guide rail is disposed within a vertical channel formed at one side of the balancer mass. In this configuration, the guide rail is arranged in guide support relationship to the balancer mass. An arrangement of wear plates is mounted to the guide rail to provide additional bearing support to the reciprocating balancer mass. An arrangement of hydrostatic pads is mounted to the guide rail in facing opposition to the balancer mass to enable the formation of a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic lubricating action therebetween during reciprocation of the balancer mass. A machined steel plate is secured to the balancer mass at the same side where the guide rail is located and includes a set of lateral apertures formed therethrough that receive guide support members extending therethrough. The guide support members anchor the guide rail to the press crown.

Abstract: A method of filtering an oxygen sensor signal is provided. The method includes obtaining the oxygen sensor signal from the oxygen sensor on a periodic basis. The oxygen sensor signal is then compared to an average oxygen sensor signal value. If the oxygen sensor signal is greater than the average oxygen sensor signal value, a high signal counter is incremented. If the high signal counter is greater than a high signal count threshold, the oxygen sensor signal is forced to a high signal value. If the oxygen sensor signal is less than the average oxygen sensor signal value, a low signal counter is incremented. If the low signal counter is greater than a low signal count threshold, the oxygen sensor signal is forced to the low signal value. The high and low signal count thresholds correspond to a preselected period of time indicating a low or high signal trend within the oxygen sensor signal.

Abstract: Apparatus which can be used to calibrate, or provide measurement data on, a machine. The apparatus comprises two structures each with three spherical supports spaced in a triangular array thereon. The supports may be balls or sockets. The structures are interconnected by six members and each support has the ends of two members connected to it. The members are passive extensible measuring bars and the structures are respectively connected to fixed and movable parts of a machine so that movement of the machine parts causes relative movement between the structures and varies the lengths of the measuring bars. From measurements of the lengths of the measuring bars the actual movement of the machine part can be determined. Calibration of the spherical supports is carried out using a measuring bar which is pre-calibrated in a Zerodur jig.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for in-situ testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric accelerometers. Circuits, measurement techniques, and interpretative algorithms to enable in-situ testing of piezoelectric accelerometers are described. Accelerometers that employ a piezoelectric material to convert mechanical strains into electronic signals are reciprocal electromechanical transducers. In such transducers the electrical output impedance of the sensor is dependent upon the electrical and mechanical parameters of the sensor. The procedure described in this disclosure includes methods of measuring the transducer electrical output impedance as a function of frequency and the extraction of the electrical and mechanical transducer parameters from the measured data. The measured values of the transducer parameters may be interpreted to provide an indication of the operational status of the transducer.

Abstract: An engine oxygen concentration sensor mounting structure in which an oxygen concentration sensor is mounted in an exhaust pipe connected to an outlet of an exhaust manifold having a plurality of exhaust single pipes. When a straight line is drawn from a detection part of the oxygen concentration sensor positioned within the exhaust pipe so as to be parallel to a section of a centerline of the exhaust pipe closest to the detection part, the straight line passes outside the outlet of the exhaust manifold. This allows the exhaust gases discharged from the exhaust manifold to be sufficiently mixed within the curved exhaust pipe and differences in length of the plurality of the exhaust single pipes to be compensated for. Thus, accurate detection by the oxygen concentration sensor can be secured, even if the lengths of a plurality of exhaust single pipes of the exhaust manifold are nonuniform.

Abstract: An improved structure of a gas sensor made up of a sensor element and a first and a second hollow cylindrical porcelain insulators covering the sensor element. The first porcelain insulator is laid on the second porcelain insulator in alignment within a body of the gas sensor. A positioning mechanism is provided which works to establish and keep alignment of the first and second porcelain insulators, thereby avoiding undesirable inclination of the first and second porcelain insulators which may cause damage to the sensor element.

Abstract: The measuring device comprises at least one measuring head having a reference part, which comprises a reference surface against which the moving web is supported. The reference surface comprises a measuring area in the inside of which the property of the web is measured. The reference part is arranged in connection with the measuring head in such a way that below the reference part, there is a substantially open air space. The measuring head comprises means for generating negative pressure in the air space below the reference part, and the reference part comprises holes formed through it, in such a way that the negative pressure generated in the air space affects through the reference part the space between the reference surface and the moving web in such a way that the web is supported against the reference surface substantially over the whole area of the measuring area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature rheometer, a parallel rheometer, and improved force sensor elements which may advantageously be used in combination with the miniature rheometer and the parallel rheometer. The miniature rheometer is adapted to determine rheological characteristics of materials which are provided in the form of small quantity samples. The miniature rheometer comprises an actuating element, a sensing element and a feedback circuit to provide rebalance of the shear force applied by the sample to the sensing element, which insures an exceptional stiffness in determining the shear strain so as to allow measurements of high accuracy. The parallel rheometer of the present invention allows simultaneous measurements of a plurality of samples so as to allow of a plurality of samples within a short time period. The force sensor element according to the present invention allows simultaneous measurement of a shear force and a normal force applied to the sensor element.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for testing the extent of contaminants in a fluid during a test period, comprises: a source (Ps) of pressurized fluid to be tested; a fluid sump (R); a first flow restriction (R1) adapted to be supplied with fluid flow from the source, the first flow restriction being configured as an annular clearance between a first land (24) and a first bore (22) and being sized and arranged so as to be progressively occluded by contaminants in the fluid flow during said test period; a second flow restriction (R2) arranged between the first flow restriction and said sump, the second flow restriction being configured as an annular clearance between a second land (55) and a second bore (22), the second flow restriction being substantially the same dimensionally as the first flow restriction so that the second flow restriction will not be occluded by contaminants passing through the first flow restriction and the pressure drops across each of the flow restrictions will be substantially equal at the beginning of

Abstract: A support device for a motorised flying instrument in a wind tunnel.

Abstract: A method for aligning measurements of a hostile environment includes synchronizing at least two clocks, wherein at least a first clock is in the hostile environment, measuring characteristics of the hostile environment, aligning time domain curves of the collected measurements, correlating the curves using one or more events recorded by each clock, and correcting the curves by adding one or more time offsets. The offsets may be added to a found resent event or at other locations on the time domain curve. A second clock may be located outside the hostile environment or within a same or similar hostile environment. The collecting the measurements may be taken by a first measurement tool in a first device near the first clock and in at least a second device coupled to a second clock.

Abstract: A level indicator emits measuring pulses (M) onto the surface (O) of a material (F) that is filled into a container, wherein second echo pulses (E2) are directly reflected at the surface of the material to the transmitting and receiving antenna (A) of the level indicator. Third echo pulses (E3) are reflected by the container wall (BW) and then to the transmitting and receiving antenna (A) due to diffuse reflection on the surface (O). First echo pulses (E1) are reflected at exposed parts, e.g., welding seams (SW) of the container wall (BW), to the transmitting and receiving antenna (A). The echo pulses (E1, E2, E3) received by the transmitting and receiving antenna (A) are low-pass filtered by means of a preferably digital low-pass filter (TP) and then evaluated in an evaluation unit (AW). Due to this low-pass filtering, the second and the third echo pulses (E2, E3) are combined into a single echo pulse (EV). The level indicator is particularly suitable for measuring the level (H) of pourable solids (F).

Abstract: The muscle testing device, allows a person to determine, without assistance, the openness of their autonomic nervous system through determining the strength of a muscle, usually the arm muscle. The force of the muscle is applied against a gradually increasing known force, through the use of a solenoid. When the forces are equal a contact opens alerting a microprocessor to indicate this force on a display, through the use of a look-up table within the computer.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: Machine and method for dynamically balancing rotatable shafts featuring positioning and welding equipment that is controlled by an electronic control unit that determines the imbalance of a rotating shaft and the amount of weight required at predetermined balance planes associated with misalignment joints of the shaft. The positioning and welding equipment is moved along a rail of the machine parallel with the shaft mounted therein into precision points and the welding gun moves into a welding position in which the shaft is griped by the welder and the correction weight is welded at the correction point on the shaft in the correction plane. In a second embodiment, balancing is achieved by removing calculated amount of materials at points on the shaft determined by the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A device for measuring the running parameters of a bicycle having a sensor capable of reacting to a revolution of a rotationally movable member through a change of state and operating according to a cycle of changes of state, the sensor being provided to be mounted on a rotatable member of the bicycle, a transmission circuit having an antenna, a reception circuit having an antenna. The transmitting circuit has a circuit for calculating a value of the running parameter based on the signal originating from the sensor, a transmitter connected to the antenna to transmit this value to the receiving device, and an optimization circuit for activating the transmission of the transmitter to moments independent of the changes of state of the sensor.

Abstract: An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a plurality of sense elements disposed upon a silicon wafer. Each of the sense elements senses a different inertia range. The sense elements are electrically connected to a common signal conditioning circuit that generates an output signal for each of the sense elements. The signal conditioning circuit has an output that is electrically connected to at least one control system and provides output signals in different ranges to the control system.

Abstract: A simplified and smaller accelerometer-gyro is provided by combining gyro and accelerometer functions in a single sensor unit which has a pair of counter oscillating accelerometers each having a pendulum or sense element and a vibrating element. The pendulum and vibrating element of each accelerometer are designed to be symmetrical so that the center of mass for each accelerometer are on a line which is parallel to the dither motion of the unit. The geometry of these two pendulums is configured so that the centers of percussion of each is at the same point. Electrodes on the top and bottom cover of the sensor unit combine the pickoff and forcing function with the pendulum tuning function, thereby simplifying electrical connection. A pair of mounting tabs are fastened to the frame by respective compliant beams. The accelerometer-gyro may be mounted in an enclosure that maintains a pressure below atmospheric around the accelerometer-gyro.

Abstract: An acceleration-sensing system for sensing acceleration in a three-dimensional manner is proposed. The acceleration-sensing system includes a first acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a two-dimensional manner along first and second directions that are perpendicular to each other and a second acceleration-sensing unit for sensing acceleration in a one-dimensional manner along at least another direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring the distribution of selected properties of materials, said device comprises an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and furthermore at least one sensor of a first type. The emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a selected frequency range towards said materials and a sensor of the first type detects electromagnetic radiation in a selected frequency range coming from said materials. The detected electromagnetic radiation having been emitted by said emitter. The device also comprises means to generate a three dimensional image contour information regarding the said material's position in space, and an analyser which (a) receives information from said sensors and (b) processes this information and (c) generates signals containing information about the distribution of said properties as output. The invention also relates to a system and a method for measuring the distribution of selected properties of materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: The invention is a wafer having variable acoustic properties. The wafer may be used as a substrate over which to form an ultrasonic transducer, an IC, or may be used as a circuit board. An ultrasonic transducer formed on the wafer may include piezoelectric ceramic transducer elements or MUT elements. By controlling the acoustic impedance of the wafer upon which the integrated control circuitry for an ultrasonic transducer is formed, the acoustic impedance of the wafer can be matched to the acoustic impedance requirements of the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, by the addition of internal voids, the wafer reduces or eliminates the lateral propagation of acoustic energy through the wafer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a probe for measuring pressure pulsations. The probe comprises an inner tube (1) functioning as a measurement tube; an outer tube (12) arranged to envelop the measurement tube, and forming a toroidal space (14) between the inner and the outer tube; a pressure transmitter (6) which is in connection with the interior of the measurement tube on a transmitter side of said tube; a semi-infinite tube (8) with a first end in connection with the transmitter side end (3) of the measurement tube, and with a second end (11) in connection with the toroidal space. The semi-infinite tube (8) is arranged as a winding around the inner and/or outer tube, resulting in a compact and robust design of the probe, which is especially suited for a long-duration use for the measurement of combustor pulsations of gas turbines.(FIG.

Abstract: A pressure-measuring device with monitoring for diaphragm fracture comprises a housing (10) with a passage whose two openings at the end faces of the housing (10) are closed by a first deformation body (21) and a second deformation body (22). The passage is completely filled with a transmission liquid in order to transmit the process pressure from the first deformation body (21) to the second deformation body (22). The device comprises means (31, 32) for monitoring a material property of the transmission liquid. A change in the material property indicates contamination by the process medium and thus a fracture of the first deformation body. The material property monitored is preferably the relative dielectric constant.

Abstract: A transducer system that can be used to measure various parameters includes a programmable circuit that may be mounted in the same package as a sensor. Such a system may include pressure sensors that are optimized to measure very low pressures. The programmable circuit may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is configured to modify the output of the sensor to correct for possible errors in the sensor. A method of using a programmable circuit to calibrate a sensor may include coupling the programmable circuit to a computer and to a testing station. The computer can be configured to vary the conditions of the testing station and determine the response of the sensor. Then the programmable circuit can be programmed to produce a desired response.

Abstract: The aim is to specify a relative pressure measuring instrument having a reference pressure feed that offers a high measure of safety and is easy to produce, having a relative pressure measuring cell (1) having a pressure sensitive element (3), on whose process-facing side there is present during operation a pressure (p) to be measured, on whose process-averted side there is present during operation a reference pressure (pR) to which the pressure (p) to be measured is to be referred, a support (5) on which the relative pressure measuring cell (1) is arranged and which is enclosed in a housing (9), a process connection (15), that is connected to a process-facing end of the housing (9), a measuring instrument housing (17) that is arranged at a process-averted end of the housing (9), and a reference pressure feed through which during operation the reference pressure (pR) is led to the process-averted side of the pressure sensitive element (3), and which leads completely out of the relative pressure measuring inst

Abstract: A sensor device for registering strain of a component, which comprises a sensor chip and a supporting substrate, which are connected to each other by a connecting layer such that they form a prefabricated sensor module. The sensor module is attached to the component by a durable creep-free connection such that the strain of the component is transferred to the sensor chip.

Abstract: A method for determining fracture toughness KIC of materials ranging from metallic alloys, brittle ceramics and their composites, and weldments. A cylindrical specimen having a helical V-groove with a 45° pitch is subjected to pure torsion. This loading configuration creates a uniform tensile-stress crack-opening mode, and a transverse plane-strain state along the helical groove. The full length of the spiral groove is equivalent to the thickness of a conventional compact-type specimen. KIC values are determined from the fracture torque and crack length measured from the test specimen using a 3-D finite element program (TOR3D-KIC) developed for the purpose. In addition, a mixed mode (combined tensile and shear stress mode) fracture toughness value can be determined by varying the pitch of the helical groove. Since the key information needed for determining the KIC value is condensed in the vicinity of the crack tip, the specimen can be significantly miniaturized without the loss of generality.

Abstract: A cartridge (3) carrying an impeller (4) is inserted into a flowmeter sensor (1). The water pressure and shape tolerances as well as forces and bending moments acting on the system from the outside shall not affect the rotary behavior of the impeller (4). The outer surface (10) of the cartridge (3) is spaced apart from the inner surface (11) of the water space (20). A flange (14) is provided to seal the cartridge (3) against the water space (20). The cartridge (3) is supported linearly or in a punctiform manner in a guide area (32) of the inner surface (11).

Abstract: Torsion in a shaft with two portions or a torsion bar caused by a torque is initially converted into an angular movement of a disc-shaped movement converter fastened to the first portion. A carrier surrounding the shaft as a sleeve is fastened to the second portion and converts the angular movement into an axial translation movement of the carrier which can be detected by a contactless displacement sensor.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor includes a housing attached between the vehicle and the seat belt. A limit structure is located in the housing. A sensor is attached to the limit structure for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the housing.