Abstract: The invention relates to a circular knitting machine with a protective cover (17) at least partially surrounding a take down and/or winding up device (15) on the outside. The cover (17) which includes a guide fixed on the machine frame and segments (18 to 23) movably mounted on this. In accordance with the invention the segments (18 to 23) are so arranged at different radial distances from a machine axis (11) that they are movable relative to one another at least partially with mutual overlapping.

Abstract: A selection element (16) is movably seated in a system element, for example a needle (1). As an assembly aid for temporary fixation, a material-to-material connection in the form of an adhesive, lacquer, a laser weld spot or a thin strip of material is provided on at least one connecting point (34), which breaks or is dissolved in the course of first use.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for producing a tubular knitted article having a closed end is disclosed. The apparatus includes a knitting cylinder for forming the tubular knitted material; an accumulator downstream of the knitting cylinder for permitting the knitting cylinder to continuously form the tubular knitted material; and a stitching closure assembly downstream from the accumulator. The stitching closure assembly includes a sewing head, a fabric positioner, a conduit for connecting the fabric positioner to the accumulator and a fabric guide. Further, the circular knitting machine may include a fabric control system for selectively actuating the sewing head, the fabric positioner and the fabric guide for automatically producing the tubular knitted article having a closed end.

Abstract: A stretchable warp knitted fabric comprising warp knitting yarns, first weft in-laid yarns and second weft in-laid yarns, and stretchable warp in-laid yarns. The second weft in-laid yarns consist of a plurality of at least non-stretchable yarns, and said second weft in-laid yarns run sequentially and separately in the course direction on different wale regions of the same course with having an arbitrary length respectively, while crossing the first weft in-laid yarns between courses. Consequently, even when pulled in a longitudinal direction, because the separate second weft in-laid yarns influence each other independently, the fabric does not have a great amount of ruffling in a width direction thereof and thus the a flat surface is maintained wherein there is no narrowing in the middle of the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A kingpin lock includes a vertically-oriented tube with a conical shell formed by a plurality of gussets projecting radially from the tube. The gussets are triangular in shape, so that the conical shape tapers from the upper end to the lower end of the tube. A plunger type lock is mounted on the tube and is operable to move a securement pin into a notch on the kingpin to secure the kingpin within the tube, and to withdraw the pin from the notch to permit removal of the kingpin from the tube.

Abstract: A combination lock capable of being opened by a key or inhibited the same is disclosed. In the locked position inserting a key into a lock core for turning an abutment member will open the lock. In the unlocked position press the trigger member for moving a post down until grooves clear from ridges, rotate the post a predetermined degree to matingly engage first and second toothed members together, release a trigger member to cause both itself and the post to move up, inclined bottom ends of ridges are gradually engaged with and finally stopped by a second ratchet member, the post is stopped from moving up, and a space between the post and a top hole of the abutment member is reduced sufficiently to inhibit a short leg from moving out of an upper bore by turning the key.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes two mounting seats for mounting respectively on two objects. Each mounting seat has a shackle engaging lobe. A slide seat is slidable between the mounting seats for selectively engaging the mounting seats. A cover member is pivoted to the slide seat for pivoting between closed and open positions, and has another shackle engaging lobe. The lobe on the cover member is disposed between the lobes of the mounting seats to permit extension of a padlock shackle through the three lobes when the cover member is in the closed position while the slide seat engages the two mounting seats. The cover member is turned away from the lobes of the mounting seats to permit sliding movement of the slide seat between the mounting seats when the cover member is moved to the open position after removal of the shackle from the lobes.

Abstract: A merchandize item protection apparatus has a housing, with an alarm transducer received in the housing. A device for securing the housing to a merchandize item or merchandize to be protected is provided because the housing has a passthrough opening in order to hang a protected merchandize item or merchandize package on a merchandize presenter. The housing is constituted by two housing elements that are detachably joined to one another by the attachment device. A gap is formed between the housing elements, and in which a merchandize package can be clamped in place between the housing elements.

Abstract: A latch assembly, comprising a control element having a pivot point and an actuator. The actuator has a first position in which the control element is engaged by the actuator for pivotal movement about the pivot point and a second position in which the control element is disengaged by the actuator from pivotal movement about the pivot point. The latch assembly further includes a ratchet arranged and configured for rotation with the control element when the control element is engaged by the actuator and for non-rotation when the control element is disengaged by the actuator. A highly preferred embodiment of the invention includes an automatic unlocking circuit powered by a backup power source.

Abstract: The present invention has a main body and a transverse annular ring being orthogonally connected with the main body for collecting and hanging keys; the main body has therein an elastic engaging latch, and has at its central position a longitudinal central hole, an upper and a lower transverse hole are communicated with the central hole; an upper and a lower section of the annular ring are extended through the upper and the lower transverse holes respectively; and the upper section has at a middle position an access with a diameter slightly larger than that of the central hole for mounting and dismounting. The engaging latch is inserted to connect the central hole, and has near the upper end thereof a control hole to select a state between offsetting from and communicating with the main body; a transverse window is provided beneath the control hole.

Abstract: A dual-ended key ring holder device that allows a key ring to be quickly released from one end. Provision is made for display of artwork or advertising and a space inside the holder is provided for storing a currency note. The device employs a strong attractive magnetic force produced by two permanent magnets to ensure that a removable key-ring portion is normally held tightly to the holder. The device is small in size, inexpensive and reliable.

Abstract: A cassette assembly for a multi-roll leveler and a method for producing necessary work roll bending in such a cassette assembly. An upper and lower cassette module are provided for placement into a precision leveler. The lower cassette module is provided with roller support arms that lie below and transverse the work rolls of the module. The roller support-arms are pivotally connected to the lower cassette module near one side thereof. An actuator, or actuators, are integrally located in the lower cassette module to provide an upward force near the ends of the roller support arms opposite that of the pivotal connection. The upward force of the actuator(s) causes a resultant upward displacement of the roller support arms, and a corresponding bending of the work rolls of the lower cassette. The movement of the actuator(s) may be controlled and/or monitored by an automatic shape control system portion of the leveler to which the cassette assembly is installed.

Abstract: A self-contained stock lifter is particularly adapted for use in multiple station, progressive metal forming dies and the like, and includes a base plate with two vertical through holes adjacent opposite sides, and a vertical spring unit aperture located between the through holes. The stock lifter also includes a lifter bar having two vertical through holes in vertical registry with the base plate through holes. Two rigid guide shafts are mounted in the base plate through holes to permit the lifter bar to reciprocate in a manner which selectively lifts stock in the die to permit longitudinal shifting of the stock along the multiple die stations. A spring unit has a base retained in the spring unit aperture, and a reciprocating rod biased outwardly, with a free end abutting a central portion of the lifter bar to shift the lifter bar to an extended position, thereby defining a fully self-contained unit that can be readily mounted in and removed from the die to reduce manufacturing and repair costs.

Abstract: A press brake tool and tool holder. The tool is provided having a body that terminates downwardly in a work piece engaging surface and that includes a tang extending upwardly from the body for reception in a tool holder. The tang has a first wall defining a vertical surface for engagement with a cooperating vertical surface of a tool holder, and a second wall on the reverse side of the tang that defines an arcuate, concave surface engagable with a clamp of the tool holder. The concave surface includes an upper contact surface tangent to a plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to the vertical surface such that a force delivered to the contact surface includes an upward component tending to lift the tang into the tool holder. The upper contact surface may be formed on a first radius about a horizontal axis and is tangent to a first plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to said vertical surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to system for calibrating plurality of pressure transducers, said system comprising plurality of pressure transducers (13.1 to 13.n) mounted on a mounting means (12) which receives pressure input from a pressure source (11) via a hollow pipe (14) and distributes the pressure evenly to all the pressure transducers, said plurality of pressure transducers are mounted on the mounting means and placed inside a vessel (15) as to vary the temperature of the pressure transducers, said pressure source is also connected to a standard pressure transducer (17) whose temperature is maintained at the same level as that of pressure transducers (13.1 to 13.n).

Abstract: A weight drop system includes a frame, a base weight, at least one supplemental weight, a carriage, at least one gripper carried by the carriage and a hold mechanism. The base weight is movable relative to the frame between an undeployed position and a deployed load applying position in which a load is applied. The at least one supplemental weight is actuatable between a load supplementing state in which the load being applied is increased and a non-supplementing state. The carriage moves between a raised position and a lowered retrieving position. The grippers move between a weight engaging position and a weight disengaging position. The hold mechanism holds at least the base weight in the undeployed position while the at least one gripper disengages or is disengaged from at least the base weight. Release of the base weight by the hold mechanism allows at least the base weight to fall to the load applying position.

Abstract: The present invention continuously monitors the amount of oxygen dissolved in a beverage in a beverage storage tank in a beverage filler. Gas is continuously sampled via the vent holes 28 and the vent pipe 29 from the space part inside the beverage storage tank 1 of the beverage filler and is supplied to the oxygen measuring apparatus 40. The oxygen measuring apparatus 40 includes the oxygen measuring device 45 and measures the concentration of oxygen gas of the delivered gas. Based on the concentration of oxygen gas, it is monitored whether or not the amount of oxygen dissolved in the beer inside the storage tank is at or below a predetermined level. Further, the beverage is sampled from a supply channel supplying the beverage to the beverage storage tank so that the concentration of oxygen in the beverage is measured and monitored.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor to detect an analyte, the sensor comprising a piezoelectric material including a wide bandgap semiconductor material grown using plasma source molecular beam epitaxy.

Abstract: A misfire detection apparatus for an internal combustion engine is capable of detecting combustion when an ionic current generated upon combustion is superimposed on a leakage current, even if the ionic current does not contain an increased component. An ionic current detection part (1) detects an ionic current flowing between electrodes arranged in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine through ions generated upon combustion of an air fuel mixture therein by impressing a voltage on the electrodes. A tendency recognition part (4-7) recognizes a tendency of a change in the ionic current detected by the ionic current detection part. A threshold determination device (8) sets a threshold for an output of the tendency recognition part. A determination device (10) determines an occurrence of combustion or misfiring in the combustion chamber based on an output of the tendency recognition part and an output of the threshold determination device.

Abstract: A multi-function device for testing masks such as NBC masks used in civilian and military applications. In its preferred form, the device is self-contained and can be readily transported to field sites by one or two individuals. The device includes a protective storage and transport case. The case includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the case houses the power unit assembly and includes sufficient storage space to store such things as an aerosol generator reservoir, various headform accessories, a containment shroud, manuals (e.g. installation, operation and maintenance manuals) and nominal tools. The lower portion of the case houses the head assembly and controller unit which are preferably mounted on a cover or top panel. Underneath the top or cover panel of the lower portion of the case are stored the light scattering chamber, flow sensor, pressure transducer, circuit boards and valves.

Abstract: A fuel vapor purge system includes a fuel tank, a canister, and an evaporation route, and purges fuel vapor collected in the canister into an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. A failure diagnosis apparatus of the fuel vapor purge system includes a controller having a pressure difference applying unit for applying a pressure difference between the evaporation route and outside air. The controller also detects a level of an influence of the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank on failure determination of the evaporation route, and detects both a pressure state obtained when the pressure difference applying unit communicates with a reference orifice communicating with the outside air and a pressure state obtained when the pressure difference applying unit communicates with the evaporation route. The failure diagnosis apparatus determines whether there is a failure in the evaporation route in view of the level of the influence by comparing the detected pressure states with each other.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus, such as a quartz crystal microbalance, comprises a piezoelectric sensor and an oscillator circuit, coupled to the sensor, to oscillate at a frequency substantially determined by a resonant frequency of the sensor, and to provide an output signal at the oscillator frequency at an output. The oscillator circuit maintains a substantially constant drive signal to the piezoelectric sensor by an AGC (33) within a feedback loop of the oscillator. The gain control signal is used as an indication of the Q of the piezoelectric sensor. The drive signal to the sensor is made substantially sinusoidal by ensuring that all the elements in the feedback loop providing signal gain and attenuation are configured to operate in a substantially linear mode.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosis of an exhaust turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, at least one value which characterizes the load on the exhaust turbocharger is determined and compared with a reference value, an event signal being generated in the event of the reference value being exceeded. A wear characteristic number which characterizes the alternating load on the exhaust turbocharger is formed by addition of load signals, in each case one change signal being generated whenever the charger speed of the exhaust turbocharger exceeds a maximum.

Abstract: A rate of cylinder-to-cylinder variations in an intake air quantity is calculated, and learned as a learning value based on an output from an airflow meter when a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition is set at a preferable condition for learning the rate of cylinder-to-cylinder variations. Subsequently, the rate of cylinder-to-cylinder variations is estimated based on the learning value when the predetermined condition is not met. Thus, cylinder-to-cylinder variations of an engine are accurately obtained in almost all the operating ranges, so that the measurement of the cylinder-by-cylinder intake air quantity with high degree of accuracy is achieved.

Abstract: A pouch-like receptacle for housing and dispensing a fibrous, windborne material useful in detecting air currents, air movement or wind speed and direction is disclosed. The receptacle includes at least one aperture or opening for accessing and dispensing said fibrous material and may include a reclosable opening for refilling the receptacle with said fibrous material as necessary or desirable. The receptacle is also adaptable so as to allow permanent incorporation or removable attachment of the device to a variety of items or articles, including golf accessories, bunting or observation accessories and articles of clothing.

Abstract: A water meter includes a metal housing which is connectable with a connecting housing through which the water passes and which is disposed in a water pipeline. A plastic measurement insert includes a channel ring upper part, a channel ring lower part and an unpeller mounted therebetween. The metal housing presses the plastic measurement insert onto an outlet opening of the connecting housing. Said plastic measurement insert is seated with its lower edge on a gasket on an opening surrounding the connecting housing to thereby form a seal.

Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom micro-machined multi-sensor that provides 3-axes of acceleration sensing, and 3-axes of angular rate sensing, in a single multi-sensor device. The six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device includes a first multi-sensor substructure providing 2-axes of acceleration sensing and 1-axis of angular rate sensing, and a second multi-sensor substructure providing a third axis of acceleration sensing, and second and third axes of angular rate sensing. The first and second multi-sensor substructures are implemented on respective substrates within the six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device.

Abstract: A three axis sensor including a substantially planar vibrator resonator or having a substantially ring or hoop like structure with inner and outer peripheries e tending around a common axis, drive means for causing the resonator to vibrate in an in lane cos 2? vibration mode, carrier mode pick-off means for sensing movement of the resonator in response to said drive means, pick-off means for sensing in plane sin 2? resonator motion induced by rotation about the z-axis, drive means for nulling said motion, pick-off means for sensing out of plane sin 3? resonator motion induced by rotation about the x-axis, drive means for nulling said motion, pick-off means for sensing out of plane cos 3? resonator motion induced by rotation about the y-axis, drive means for nulling said motion, and support means for flexibly supporting the resonator and for allowing the resonator to vibrate relative to the support means in response to the drive means and to applied rotations, wherein the support means comprises only L support

Abstract: A semiconductor dynamic sensor such as an acceleration sensor is composed of a sensor chip having electrodes movable in response to acceleration applied thereto and a circuit chip having a circuit for processing signals fed from the sensor chip. The sensor chip and the circuit chip are contained and held in a packaging case. The sensor chip and the circuit chip are fixedly connected via an adhesive film. The sensor chip is correctly positioned on the circuit chip without creating misalignment relative to a sensing axis, because the adhesive film from which an adhesive material does not flow out under heat is used. A semiconductor wafer including plural sensor chips is first made and the adhesive film is stuck to one surface of the wafer, and then individual sensor chips are separated by dicing. The sensor chip is connected to the circuit chip via the adhesive film.

Abstract: There is described an accelerometer which is fabricated utilizing a beam diaphragm sensor employing dielectrically isolated resonant beams. Each resonant beam is subject to an acceleration. One beam is an acceleration sensing beam and contains a mass which is coupled to the deflecting diaphragm. As the accelerometer is subjected to acceleration, the acceleration sensing beam will alter its resonant frequency according to the applied acceleration, while the other beam is immune to acceleration and therefore, provides a relatively fixed resonant frequency. One then takes the difference frequency between the two beams to obtain an output frequency signal which is relatively independent of temperature and/or biasing changes.

Abstract: In order to compensate for a drop in sensitivity at high rotational speeds, an acceleration sensor having an inductive measuring head (T) which cooperates with a moving Ferraris disk (F) essentially over a main magnetic field and which supplies an acceleration-dependent variable (Vdet; V?) is expanded by an additional DC magnetic field excitation circuit (13, 14, IK, RK) with a means for driving the latter with the effect that the additional DC magnetic field acts in a compensating fashion on an eddy-current DC field, starting from a relatively high rotational speed (?) of the Ferraris disk (F). This can be performed by amplifying the main magnetic field or by reducing the eddy-current DC field. A control signal (V?), dependent on rotational speed, which both can be generated outside the sensor via a characteristic curve, and can be derived in the form of a control loop from the sensor signal (V?), serves as a drive.

Abstract: In a capacitive type dynamic quantity sensor, a width of a beam in a beam portion extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a predetermined deformation direction and a gap disposed between a movable electrode and the fixed electrode in the predetermined deformation direction are approximately identical. Accordingly, manufacturing error is prevented from affecting the sensitivity of the capacitive type dynamic quantity sensor. For example, a manufacturing tolerance error of ±2.5% is allowed as a result of designing the width of the beam and the gap to be identical in length.

Abstract: A capacitive dynamic quantity sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a weight, a movable electrode, and two fixed electrodes. The weight is movably supported by the semiconductor substrate. The movable electrode is integrated with the weight. The fixed electrodes are stationarily supported by the semiconductor substrate. The fixed electrodes face the movable electrode to provide a narrow gap and a wide gap and form a detection part having a capacitance. The weight and the movable electrode are displaced relative to the fixed electrodes in response to a dynamic quantity to be detected such that one of the gaps increases while the other decreases. The dynamic quantity is detected on the basis of the variation in the capacitance. One of wide gap electrode surfaces, which define the wide gap, is smaller than narrow gap electrode surfaces, which define the narrow gap, to improve sensor sensitivity.

Abstract: A method to measure the complex frequency-dependent dilatational and shear wavenumbers of a material under a static compressional force. The material is first vibrated in a vertical and horizontal directions while obtaining transfer functions in each direction. The two transfer functions are combined with a theoretical model to estimate a dilatational wavenumber and a shear wavenumber. The wavenumbers can be utilized to give the complex dilatational wavespeed, complex shear wavespeed, complex Lamé constants, complex Young's modulus, complex shear modulus, and complex Poisson's ratio.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the joint of a composite structure includes a transmitting transceiver and a receiving transceiver, as well as a processing element. Typically, the composite structure includes first and second panels that are connected to define the joint, with the second panel extending outwardly from the first panel of the joint. Moreover, the composite structure includes a filler disposed at the joint. The transmitting transducer is disposed proximate an input side of the second panel and can transmit an ultrasonic signal into the second panel such that at least a portion of the signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits an output side of the second panel. A receiving transducer disposed proximate the output side of the second panel can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. And a processing element is capable of identifying a defect in the composite structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for inspecting pipelines, in particular for detecting defects in pipelines by means of ultrasound. Towards this end, measuring sensors transmit ultrasound signals during passage through a pipeline. The signals reflected on boundary regions of a pipeline wall, e.g. surfaces or defects, are then measured and evaluated. The invention is characterized in that partial regions of the measuring sensors (virtual sensors) formed of a plurality of neighboring sensor elements irradiate ultrasound signals into the pipe wall at at least one radiation angle which is inclined with respect to the normal to the pipe wall and the signals reflected at boundary regions of the pipe wall are received by same and/or other partial regions of the respective measuring sensors, wherein defects in the pipe wall are determined by evaluation of the acoustical signals reflected by different boundary regions.

Abstract: A device (10) for receiving date transmitted as impulses through an input transmission body (16) is provided. The device (10) has a vibration sensitive transducer (50) which constitutes part of a floating mass assembly (40) with a pick-up portion (42). The pick-up portion (42) is biased towards a surface of a rigid body that is either the input transmission body (16) or a vibrations transmissive member (151). The assembly (40) has a freedom of movement permitting it to vibrate independently from the rigid body.

Abstract: A stylus structure (40) integrally incorporating a stylus (2), a vibrator (4), a detector (6), a first secondary magnetic circuit (12) and a second primary magnetic circuit (21), and a stylus support (30) integrally incorporating a first primary magnetic circuit (11) and a second secondary magnetic circuit (22) are mutually fittable, thereby achieving signal transmission by the respective magnetic circuits using no electrical contact.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly includes an elongate pressure sensor mounted to a sensor mounting block. A protective element covers the elongate pressure sensor to prevent the pressure sensor from contacting process fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for making output signal (AC voltage) levels of MEMS capacitive sensors uniform, each including a microstructure being displaced by a certain force and a fixed electrode for detecting capacitance variation caused by gap size difference between the microstructure and the fixed electrode, the apparatus and method comprising so as to apply actuating current of a predetermined frequency to the microstructure, output a sensing signal of the fixed electrode while receiving a reference offset voltage, compare an RMS level of the sensing signal with a preset RMS level, and then adjust the reference offset voltage of the fixed electrode so that the sensing signal made equal to a target level.

Abstract: A pressure sensor that is particularly suitable inter alia for the food industry and the measuring accuracy of which is stable over a long time, having a diaphragm seal (3, 45) with a separating diaphragm (7, 53) on which a pressure (P) to be measured acts and having a ceramic measuring cell (9, 57) which is connected to the diaphragm seal (3, 45) exclusively by inorganic materials, is provided, in which sensor the separating diaphragm (7, 53) and all further sensor components coming into contact during measurement with a medium of which the pressure (P) is to be measured are metallic.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure probe includes a holder body having a first passage therein adapted to receive a pressure signal, a pressure sensor including at least a pressure sensing portion located within a sleeve seated within a pressure sensor housing portion, the sleeve engaged with a wall of the housing portion; the pressure sensor including a diaphragm having one face exposed to a pressure chamber within the sleeve between the pressure sensor and the wall; wherein an aperture in the wall of the housing connects the pressure chamber to the first passage; and wherein the first passage continues axially beyond the aperture in a flow direction an acoustic damping coil wound about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A mechanical deformation amount sensor includes a sensor structure which is formed by a semiconductor substrate or an insulating substrate and integrally includes a deformation portion deformable, when a physical quantity to be detected is applied to the sensor structure, due to the physical quantity and a support portion for supporting the deformation portion, a carbon nanotube resistance element which is provided on the deformation portion so as to be mechanically deformed in response to deformation of the deformation portion and a wiring pattern which is formed in a pattern on the sensor structure so as to be connected to the carbon nanotube resistance element. By applying a voltage to the carbon nanotube resistance element via the wiring pattern, a change of electrical conductivity of the carbon nanotube resistance element upon mechanical deformation of the carbon nanotube resistance element is fetched as an electrical signal.

Abstract: A system and method for non-destructively testing the strength of bonded joints, particularly a bonded joint between two composite components, is provided. The method generally includes activating a source of rapid surface pressure application against a bonded assembly containing the bonded joint to create a shock load. The resulting shock load first generates compression and then tension within the bonded joint, along with surface motions proximate the bonded assembly, and a surface motion detector measures the surface motions to determine the minimum strength of the bonded joint. Accordingly, the surface motions are correlated to the strength of the bonded joint. Further, the magnitude of the impact may be adjusted to vary the amount of tension within the bonded joint to correspond with various load conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing weld integrity is disclosed which is portable, self-contained, adaptable for field use in most locations, and can verify the integrity of attachment welds. The testing apparatus includes a cylinder or cylinders, attachable to the desired object to be tested on one end and to a cross bar on the other end, support beam or beams which, along with the cylinder or cylinders, support the test apparatus, a supply for pressurized fluid, and a control manifold for flow direction and pressure measurement. The pressurized fluid moves the cylinder shaft creating a load on the test piece. As the fluid pressure increases the cylinder shafts extract or retract and exert a required load on the test piece. The test piece is then inspected for breakage or damage such as deformation or attachment weld cracking.

Abstract: A method and device for use with a hydraulic system is adapted to measure a position, velocity and/or acceleration of a piston of a hydraulic actuator based upon differential pressure measurement. The device of the present invention utilizes a differential pressure flow sensor to establish a flow rate of a hydraulic fluid flow traveling into and out of a cavity of the hydraulic actuator, from which the position, velocity and acceleration of the piston can be determined.

Abstract: In a method for determining whether a wheel is locked or not, it is determined whether an output value of a steering torque sensor for detecting steering torque is either equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value; when the output value is either equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined whether the output value has continued to be either equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value for more than a predetermined length of time and, when it is determined that the output value of the steering torque sensor has continued to be either equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value for more than the predetermined length of time, then it is determined that the wheel is locked.

Abstract: A system for detecting particles on the outer surface of a vehicle has a housing capable of being placed in a test position adjacent to, but not in contact with, a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle. An elongate sealing member is fastened to the housing along a perimeter surrounding the wall, and the elongate sealing member has a contact surface facing away from the wall to contact the outer surface of the vehicle to define a test volume when the wall is in the test position. A gas flow system has at least one gas inlet extending through the wall for providing a gas stream against the surface of the vehicle within the test volume. This gas stream, which preferably is air, dislodges particles from the surface of the vehicle covered by the housing. The gas stream exits the test volume through a gas outlet and particles in the stream are detected.

Abstract: The linear guide apparatus includes a guide rail 3 including a rolling body rolling groove 8 and a friction apply unit 6 assembled to the guide rail 3. The friction apply unit 6 includes a unit main body 15, a brake member 16, an oil pressure cylinder 17 and a plate spring 32. The brake member 16 is disposed so as to face the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and can be contacted with the other portions of the side surface 3a than the rolling body rolling groove 8 thereof. The oil pressure cylinder 17 includes a piston member 20 which is structured to be driven in a positive direction to thereby press the brake member 16 against the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and also the piston member 20 can be driven in the opposite direction to thereby remove the pressure of the brake member 16 from the side surface 3a.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a feed screw shaft mechanism including a ball screw shaft and a ball screw nut, and a slider having an opening for receiving the ball screw shaft and the ball screw nut therein. The feed screw shaft mechanism is assembled into a single unit which is detachably installed to a frame by the aid of the opening of the slider.