Abstract: An ignition lock system for a motor vehicle includes an electronic ignition key and an electronic ignition lock having a key receptacle. The electronic ignition key can be inserted into the key receptacle to exchange coded operating signals, the key receptacle, together with the inserted electronic ignition key, being movable out of an initial position into at least one operating position. A mechanical blocking device is provided in the key receptacle, which blocks the electronic ignition key against withdrawal from the key receptacle in the operating position. The mechanical blocking device cooperates with the electronic ignition key in such a way that the electronic ignition key and/or the key receptacle is irreversibly damaged when blocking actions of the mechanical blocking device are forcibly overcome.

Abstract: A self-powered electric lock includes a lock bolt and a first engagement element having disengaged and engageable positions. An electric actuator includes an output operative to move the first engagement element to its engageable position. A manually operated rotatable member is operatively coupled to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. A lock bolt drive mechanism is coupled to the lock bolt and to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. The movable output moves the first engagement element to its engageable position upon input of correct electronic data. An electricity generator is coupled to the manually operated rotatable member. The electricity powers the electric actuator and an electronic data input device. The manually operated rotatable member is also used to actuate the lock bolt drive mechanism and retract the lock bolt.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a barometric lock cylinder for actuating a latch assembly wherein the barometric lock cylinder including a lock body having an axial rotor hole and a plurality of marble sockets radially distributed on an inner surface of the lock body, a plurality of marbles being coaxially placed in the marble sockets respectively, a tubular compound lock core being rotatably and coaxially fitted in the axial rotor hole of the lock sleeve to define a keyway therethrough, the lock core having a plurality of locking holes radially distributed on an outer circumferential surface of the lock core and a plurality of air channels radially distributed on an inner circumferential surface of the lock core for communicating with the locking holes respectively, and a plurality of resilient elements being coaxially disposed in the marble sockets respectively, and a barometric key including a key handle having a compressible air bag provided therein and a key body having an air conduit longitudinally extended fr

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacturing of strips of stainless steel, comprising cold rolling of a strip which in a foregoing process has been manufactured through casting a melt to form a cast strip and/or has been hot rolled. The cold rolling is performed in a rolling mill line (B), which comprises, in the initial part of the line, at least two initial cold rolling mills (11-13) in series, after said initial cold rolling mills at least one annealing furnace (18) and at least one pickling section (26, 27), and in a terminating part of the line, at least one more cold rolling mill (32). The patent specification discloses various modes of operation, including passing the strip once or twice through the line.

Abstract: A rolling mill, especially an inclined roll or Diescher roll mill. Its stand is formed by a pair of portal frames on a cast plate on a foundation spaced apart by cassettes holding the upper and lower roll units and tie rods securing the portal frames against one another and the cassettes. The tie rods are spaced apart vertically or horizontally on the portal frames.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a can having a can body including a dome section and an annular projection. The dome section is formed on a bottom of the can and is recessed inwardly of the can body. The annular projection is formed around a peripheral edge of the dome section so as to project outwardly in a direction of an axis of the can. A plurality of inner recesses are formed on an inner wall of the annular projection. The apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a mandrel disposed on the apparatus main body for supporting the can body; a can bottom processing unit disposed on the apparatus main body so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the can axis with respect to the can bottom.

Abstract: Slow production speeds in the manufacture of lanced and offset fins for use in heat exchanger tubes are eliminated through the use of a method of forming the fins involving a plurality of roll assemblies located along a forming path which may operate on a strip of fin forming material of indeterminate length. After being formed, the fin may be cut to any desired length.

Abstract: The present invention is a crimping machine capable of forming an improved building panel that includes notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine imparts a unique design of notched inclined side walls. The crimping machine incorporates two sets of male and female crimping roller, wherein each set of crimping rollers imparts a notch in one of the inclined side walls. The crimping machine also includes a gap adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between both sets of male and female crimping rollers.

Abstract: A multi-stand block for a rolling mill comprises a plurality of roll stands alternately arranged on opposite sides of a pass line along which a product is rolled in a downstream direction from an entry end to an exit end of the block. Drive shafts are provided on opposite sides of the pass line. The drive shafts comprise coaxial segments interconnected by couplings, with each roll stand being connected to a respective one of the line shaft segments. A block drive is connected to the line shafts at the upstream end of the block, and the couplings are selectively disconnectable to mechanically isolate any downstream line shaft segments and the roll stands connected thereto from the block drive.

Abstract: A method of continuously rolling a ferrous workpiece into a finished round, comprising rolling the workpiece in successive first and second roll passes at an elevated temperature of between about 650 to 1000° C., the first and second roll passes each being defined by two work rolls and being dimensioned to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of at least about 20-55%, with an accompanying effective strain pattern dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross sectional area; and while the effective strain pattern remains dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross section, continuing to roll the workpiece in at least third and fourth consecutive roll passes, each of the third and fourth roll passes being defined by at least three rolls and being sized to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of not more than about 4-25 %.

Abstract: A tool for removing damaged fasteners and a method for making such tool wherein the tool (10) includes a first end (12) and a second end (14) with an outside surface (32) and an inside surface (40) defined between ends (12) and (14). A portion (46) of inside surface (40) is in the shape of an hexagonal frustum (54) that has a major end (58) and that includes spiral splines (25). Splines (25) have constant depth between the major end (58) and the minor end (56) of frustum (54) and the relief angle (£) of splines (25) decreases in the direction from minor end (56) toward major end (58). In the method for making the tool (10), a tubular section (118) is made from a tapered blank (91) by piercing one end of the tapered blank with a pierce punch (132). One end of the tubular section is then driven onto a splined punch (162) to provide splines in one end of the tubular section.

Abstract: A tool for forming an armature guide eyelet. The tool having a body with a working end, a support end and at least one sizing rib disposed along a longitudinal axis. The at least one sizing rib has a perimeter having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a substantially constant distance Dc, from the longitudinal axis. The second portion has a varying distance Dv from the longitudinal axis. Also, a method for forming the armature guide eyelet with the tool. The method including aligning at least one non-uniform sizing rib and an armature guide eyelet having a constant inner diameter along a longitudinal axis and forming the constant inner diameter of the armature guide eyelet into a non-uniform inner diameter with the at least one non-uniform sizing rib.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing the angular position of a rotatable body such as a motor vehicle steering column. The sensor assembly includes a ring gear which is zero calibrated upon assembly of the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly further includes a ring member which functions to lock the ring gear to the sensor housing to maintain the zero calibration between the time of calibration and the subsequent mounting of the sensor assembly on the steering column and further functions to release the ring member for free rotation with the steering column in response to mounting of the sensor assembly on the steering column.

Abstract: A method of verifying spindle bearing functionality prior to service, comprising: assembling a machine-tool spindle having an outer housing rotatably supporting an inner spindle shaft about a spindle axis by use of roller bearing sets, at least one set being compressed along the spindle axis to promote a resilient bearing preload force between the housing and shaft; suspending the housing of said assembly on a non-resonating flexible support, the spindle shaft being essentially isolated from the housing except for the preloaded rolling bearing set; sharply striking the inner spindle shaft along said spindle axis to induce an axially oscillating frequency; measuring the oscillating frequency in the shaft as it is affected by the degree of bearing preload of such at least one bearing set; and comparing the measured induced frequency to a known frequency analysis for the type of spindle assembly which is correlated to varying bearing preloads, the comparison indicating the spindle bearing functionality prior to

Abstract: An apparatus is described which permits the lubricity of fuel compositions at or near temperatures and pressures experienced by compression ignition fuel injector components during operation in a running engine. The apparatus consists of means to apply a measured force between two surfaces and oscillate them at high frequency while wetted with a sample of the fuel composition heated to an operator selected temperature. Provision is made to permit operation at or near the flash point of the fuel compositions.

Abstract: An air side cover is attached to a proximal end of a housing so as to confine an aerial atmosphere therein. A measured gas side cover is attached to a distal end of the housing so as to confine a measured gas atmosphere therein. A glass sealing material airtightly seals a clearance between an inner surface of an insulator and an outer surface of a sensing element. A contact interface of the glass sealing material protrudes toward a proximal end of the gas sensor compared with at least an adjacent portion of the remainder of the glass sealing material. By melting and hardening a glass pellet, the sensing element is airtightly fixed in the insulator.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus that measures dirt density on steel plates, characterized by including a pulsed laser that impinges on the inspected plate, and a microphone that detects the sound produced by the sudden ablation of the dirt, the amplitude of the microphone signal being the measure of the dirt on the plate. The microphone is connected to an electronic signal processing system, which is a computer or a programmed digital processor that determines the average value and standard deviation of the signal over the number of hits specified by the operator.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine, and for dynamically controlling fluid properties of a fluid that is operational in situ in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stop flow detection and measurement of radioactivity in liquid samples are provided. In some embodiments, the invention includes precise positioning of fractions within a flow cell detection area. Novel flow cells and methods providing for flushing samples with gas are also provided.

Abstract: Diagnostic imaging methods, methods of detecting the margin of tissue structures and bioresponsive needle systems are disclosed. The methods rely on the use of strain signals provided by a strain gage mounted on the wall of one or more needles as the needle or needles are moved through tissue. The systems employ a strain gage mounted on the wall of the needle and a strain monitor providing feedback to a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the spatial distribution of properties of a notably heterogeneous sample (1).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for monitoring the operation of an intake-manifold flap for switching the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The engine rpm (nmot) is measured utilizing an rpm sensor and the air mass flow (ms) is measured utilizing an air mass flow sensor. The intake manifold pressure (ps) is computed on the basis of the engine rpm (nmot) and the air mass flow (ms) for at least two different intake-manifold flap positions and, simultaneously, the intake-manifold pressure is measured utilizing a pressure-detecting sensor. The difference between the computed and measured intake-manifold pressures is formed for each one of at least two positions of the manifold flap. A diagnosis is then made of the operation of the intake-manifold flap by evaluating the differences formed.

Abstract: The axial or grip force between at least one wheel of a vehicle and a ground surface, wherein the wheel is mounted on an upright and carried by an axle, is directly measured. The axle is radially supported in the upright by roller bearings. The lateral load is supported by the use of thrust bearings. Disposed between the axle lateral thrust bearing assembly and the upright is a force sensor. The force sensor directly registers axial force on the axle with respect to the upright. Lateral (or axial) output force signals from the force sensor can be sent directly to a readout device or can be sent to a processor, for example, for treatment. Such a design results in isolating the axial or lateral force vector placed on the axle, which carries the wheel and tire assembly, and, thus, the directly measuring the grip force of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting indoor hydroplaning tests on a tire. A tire is supported by a frame above a test surface and a load is applied to the tire tread against the test surface. A stream of high pressure fluid is discharged from a nozzle against an area of contact of the tire tread and the test surface. A device detects a change in the loaded contact of the tire as the pressure of the fluid stream increases which provides an indication that hydroplaning is beginning to occur in comparison with a previously tested tire under actual driving conditions.

Abstract: The present invention includes tree crown volume measuring devices and measuring systems useful in determining the necessary amount of growth regulator product to be applied to trees near power lines. The present invention also includes measuring methods and processes using the devices of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for selecting proportions of aggregate for incorporation into concrete comprises several steps. First, a maximum aggregate size for a specific application is determined. A sample of the maximum size aggregate is loose poured into a container. The percentage voids in that sample is then calculated. An amount of smaller sized aggregate equal to approximately the volume of percentage voids calculated earlier is added to the sample until a reduced volume of voids in the mixed sample is achieved. Finally, the amounts of aggregate determined to have the reduced volume of voids in the mixed sample are used in a concrete mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a liquid level in a vessel using an acoustic wave. Acoustic tubes have first ends disposed vertically along a sidewall of the vessel for each of the liquid levels to be measured, and the tubes communicate with the inside of the vessel. Second ends of the tubes are connected to a common tube. A storage level sensor board generates the acoustic wave in the vessel, receives the acoustic wave propagated through the acoustic tubes and the common tube, and determines the level of liquid in the vessel based on the received acoustic wave.

Abstract: A wireless liquid sensing system includes a beverage container and a table top for holding the container. Embedded in the walls and bottom of the container are two electrically conductive plates coupled to a transponder wire coil. A reader radiates an RF signal at a predetermined frequency through a reader antenna. A microprocessor, also coupled to the transponder coil and the two plates, is powered by a rectifier circuit that gains power from then radiated RF signal. The microprocessor amplitude modulates the RF signal in accordance with the amount of liquid in the container. The reader can then detect this modulation with a peak detector to sense the amount of the substance in the container when the transponder antenna is inductively coupled to the reader antenna at the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor of the present invention utilizes a plurality of thermocouples grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouples is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouples are connected in series and produce a signal directly indicative of the level of the liquid along the sensor. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with the liquid level sensor.

Abstract: Multi-symbol refractive encoding of distance or level along a scale provides an advanced means for measuring liquid level or dissimilar-liquid interface level with a float. Distance or level information is encoded in the patterns of microfacets impressed in the scale. The microfacets divide and direct incident visible or infrared beams toward or away from detectors disposed in arrays. This approach provides significant reductions in the number of encoding tracks and of the size of the float, improved accuracy, fault detection, increased span, less friction, and easier installation. A slender rod can replace the wide encoding tape of prior designs. The rod can also be used to guide optical or acoustic signals efficiently from floats to the rod support and thus on to level indicating and recording devices. In addition, the rod support provides means for quick installation, signal coupling, and setting reference levels.

Abstract: A gyroscope is based upon the integration of an optical resonant cavity and a photodiode to detect minute perturbations due to angular forces. A Fabry-Perot cavity is created from two parallel semitransparent mirrors used in conjunction with a monochromatic light source. One mirror is fixed while the other is allowed to rotate with respect to the first mirror. A resonant cavity is thereby formed on either side of the axis. The gap between the mirrors is set so that light transmission through the mirrors is optimized. Rotation of the mirror from this position causes the distance between the mirrors to be altered and the light transmission on either side of the rotational axis to be change. Photodiodes on these sides sense this change as a change in photo-generated current, enabling the amount of change in rotation to be calculated. The photo-currents can be differentially amplified for sensitivity.

Abstract: An inertial sensor having a stator and a rotor made of semiconductor material and electrostatically coupled together, and a microactuator also made of semiconductor material, coupled to the rotor and controlled so as to move the rotor itself and thus compensate for the position offset thereof.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor element including a weight, a support having a hollow part, which is disposed around the weight as a center, and a flexible plate having piezoelectric elements including a piezoelectric body sandwiched by at least one set of electrodes and disposed horizontally across the support to suspend the weight at the hollow part of the support. Acceleration applied from the exterior is converted into deflection of the flexible plate based on movement of the weight corresponding to the acceleration, and the direction and rate of the acceleration are three-dimensionally determined from the electric charges generated from the piezoelectric body corresponding to deflection of the flexible plate. The piezoelectric elements are disposed to be continuously constructed over the flexible parts of the flexible plate from the upper part of the weight and/or the support at the plane of projection seen from the upper part of the flexible plate.

Abstract: A mechanical structure (100) comprises a moving mass (3) suspended by beams (4, 5, 6, 7) from a fixed frame (2). The structure (100) comprises elongation means (23-26) mechanically connected to each of the beams (4, 5, 6, 7). The elongation means is designed such that the stiffness of the beams (4, 5, 6, 7) varies only little during movement of the moving mass. The structure is characterized in that the response of an elongation means is asymmetric when acting in tension and in compression. The structure is thus made insensitive to accelerations along a direction parallel to the suspension direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaluation method of a golf club, where a rear end portion of a club shaft is vibrated in a state where a tip portion of the club shaft is fastened to measure a frequency per unit time, and a golf club using the club shaft is evaluated based on the frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe and method for making the same is provided which has an advantageous construction and method of assembly. The ultrasonic probe has a segmented ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of individual independent transducers, a plurality of piezoelectric transducers connected to a first end of a respective individual independent transducer; and a plurality of electrical connections electrically communicating each the piezoelectric transducer with a power source.

Abstract: A resonant microbeam pressure sensor is disclosed, comprising a microbeam suspended by a diaphragm at one or more points by suspension elements. Pressure applied to the diaphragm will cause the resonance frequency of the beam to shift. This shift is detectable and proportional to the pressure. The device is manufactured by surface micromachining.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed service block is mounted inside a field wiring compartment of a process fluid transmitter. The service block has field wiring terminals, sealed jumper assemblies and sealed pushbutton switches connected to a sealed cable and plug. The sealed plug plugs into a permanently sealed transmitter assembly. High impedance programming circuitry connected to the jumper assemblies and pushbutton switches is completely sealed and not subject to malfunction due to contamination present in the field wiring compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-range force sensor comprising a load cell made of a shape memory alloy, a strain sensing system, a temperature modulating system, and a temperature monitoring system. The ability of the force sensor to measure contact forces in multiple ranges is effected by the change in temperature of the shape memory alloy. The heating and cooling system functions to place the shape memory alloy of the load cell in either a low temperature, low strength phase for measuring small contact forces, or a high temperature, high strength phase for measuring large contact forces. Once the load cell is in the desired phase, the strain sensing system is utilized to obtain the applied contact force. The temperature monitoring system is utilized to ensure that the shape memory alloy is in one phase or the other.

Abstract: The invention is an electronic digital bargraph tachometer apparatus encased within an upper handlebar clamp encasement which replaces the existing upper handlebar clamp for many American made and similar foreign made custom and stock motorcycles having electronic circuitry. The invention attaches to the motorcycle using the original bolts which attach the upper handlebar clamp to the motorcycle risers. The encased electronic digital bargraph tachometer is connected to the motorcycle electronic circuitry by a three wire electrical lead connection extending from the bottom of the upper handlebar clamp encasement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of designing a high fatigue strength in high tensile strength steel, comprising: obtaining values of tensile strength &sgr;B (unit thereof is MPa) and Vickers hardness Hv of the steel; measuring a flaw area of an inclusion, when a fracture origin is located only at a surface of the steel; and estimating, in designing the high fatigue strength steel, that a fatigue limit &sgr;w (unit thereof is MPa) of the steel satisfies either &sgr;w≧0.5 &sgr;B or &sgr;w≧1.6 Hv, when a square root of the flaw area, (area)½ (unit thereof is m), contained in the steel is no larger than 45.8/&sgr;B2 or 4.47/Hv2. According to the present invention, a method of evaluating high fatigue strength in high tensile strength steel, in which method a relationship between a flaw dimension (area) of ODA and the fatigue strength is considered, and a high fatigue strength material can be provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring the liquid and gas flow rates (QL and QG) of a multiphase fluid stream which comprises: withdrawing a portion of the overall flow rate (Q) under isokinetic conditions, measuring the liquid and gas flow rates (qL, qG) of the withdrawn portion, measuring the pressure drop in correspondence of a t least one of the constricted sections located upstream and downstream of the sampling section and calculating said liquid and gas flow rates (QL, QG) from the sampling section and calculating said liquid and gas flow rates (QL, QG) from the relation QL=(A1/A2) qG, where A1 and A2 are the areas of the constricted section and of the sampling section respectively.

Abstract: A process and device for measuring the velocity of flow of a fluid stream by measuring the difference between the respective traveltimes of acoustic pulses emitted by means of a generator (G) respectively between two points (PA, PB) spaced out along the fluid stream, according to whether they are propagated upstream or downstream in relation to the direction of flow, a difference that is indicative of the displacement velocity of the fluid stream. Measurement of this traveltime difference comprises using an acquisition unit (A) coupled to a processing unit (P) allowing determination of the frequency spectrum of each pulse and measurement of the phase lag affecting at least part of the frequency spectrum of each pulse, resulting from the traveltime thereof. Measurement of the velocity of flow of the fluid stream and of the resulting flow rate is very accurate. The process can be applied in chemical industries, chromatography, etc.

Abstract: Multiphase flow calculation software and computer-readable media carrying computer executable instructions for calculating liquid and gas phase mass flow rates of high void fraction multiphase flows. The multiphase flow calculation software employs various given, or experimentally determined, parameters in conjunction with a plurality of pressure differentials of a multiphase flow, preferably supplied by a differential pressure flowmeter or the like, to determine liquid and gas phase mass flow rates of the high void fraction multiphase flows. Embodiments of the multiphase flow calculation software are suitable for use in a variety of applications, including real-time management and control of an object system.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling the emission content of an exhaust gas from an exhaust source has an exhaust inlet adapted for connecting the exhaust source with a venturi metering device for measuring the flow rate of the exhaust gas. The venturi metering device includes a housing having an entrance section, a throat section, and an exit section, the throat section having a smaller diameter than the entrance and exit sections. The housing includes first and second pressure transducers that produce an electrical output that characterizes the pressure that the pressure sensing means senses, the electrical outlet enabling a computer of the venturi metering device to accurately measure the pulsating flow of the exhaust gas in both directions.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes a replaceable laminar sensor to be placed on a bed, the sensor including distributed force sensing elements providing output signals to processing apparatus including a near-bed processor and a central processor coupled to the near-bed processor by a wireless communication link. The processing apparatus applies spatial weighting to the sensor output signals to derive the force distribution across the sensor, and processes the force distribution over time to generate patient status information such as patient presence, position, agitation, seizure activity, respiration, and security. This information can be displayed at a central monitoring station, provided to a paging system to alert attending medical personnel, and used to update medical databases. The sensor may be manufactured from layers of olefin film and conductive ink to form capacitive sensing elements.

Abstract: Torque information of a rotating machine may be determined by counting a number of discrete samples representing a rotation of a rotating component. If the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component changes, it may be assumed that the torque has changed due to a change in loading placed on the rotating machine. The amount of change in torque may be determined by determining the amount of change in the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A hand-held powered screw tightening tool has a detecting device to detect a rotation angle of a rotary member in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. In screw tightening, an angle obtained by subtracting a cumulative total of the rotation angle of the rotary member with rebound, if any, in a counterclockwise direction from a cumulative total of the rotation angle of the rotary member in the clockwise direction is detected and accumulated as a total rotation angle (P) and a rotation angle formed during the deceleration at the hammering is detected as &Dgr;H and accumulated, and a preset design angle Pd for hammering is accumulated. A wobbling angle is calculated from Equation: A wobbling angle=P−a cumulative total of Pd−a cumulative total of &Dgr;H (where Pd is a design value of the impact wrench, indicating an angle corresponding to 360°/m for the case of the m number of hammerings per rotation of the rotary member).

Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.

Abstract: To provide a diagnostic method of a seat load measuring apparatus for detecting an abnormality of the seat load measuring apparatus, outputs of load sensors 1R, 1L are inputted into a differential amplifier 4 through a multiplexer 3, converted into digital signals by a A/D converter 5, and then inputted into the MPU 6. An offset correction amount is added into the input of the differential amplifier 3 from the MPU 6 through a D/A converter 10. First, the output of the differential amplifier 4 is measured in a state in which no load is applied to a seat and a value thus measured is assumed as X1. After a predetermined load is applied to the seat, the output of the differential amplifier 4 is measured and a value thus measured is assumed as Y1. It is judged that a difference between X1 and Y1 is in a predetermined range between A1 and B1. When the difference between X1 and Y1 is not in the range between A1 and B1, an alarm indicating abnormality is emitted.