Abstract: A Coriolis gyro includes a first and a second resonator, each in the form of a coupled system comprising first and second linear oscillators. The first resonator can be caused to oscillate in antiphase with respect to the second resonator along a common oscillation axis. A system coupled in this way has the advantage that it is possible to measure rotation rate and acceleration simultaneously, with insensitivity to disturbances (e.g., externally or internally acting vibrations).

Abstract: In a method for quadrature-bias compensation in a Coriolis gyro, whose resonator (1) is in the form of a coupled system comprising a first and a second linear oscillator (3, 4), the quadrature bias of the Coriolis gyro is determined. An electrostatic field is produced by variation of the mutual alignment of the two oscillators (3, 4) with respect to one another, with the alignment/strength of the electrostatic field being regulated such that the determined quadrature bias is as small as possible.

Abstract: The oscillation type inertial force sensor includes an oscillator arranged to detect an inertial force, an oscillation circuit unit arranged to drive the oscillator, and a signal processing circuit unit arranged to generate a signal according to the magnitude of the inertial force on the basis of a detection output of the oscillator, and further includes a holding arranged to hold a processed signal in the signal processing circuit unit at a predetermined potential during a period immediately after power-on until operation of the oscillation circuit unit becomes stable in response to power-on.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a micro-machined device having a movable mass rotatably suspended from a frame by one or more hinges for rotation relative thereto frame. A DETF resonator is suspended between the frame and reaction mass, and a capacitor is provided between the frame and movable mass for transmitting a drive signal to the DETF resonator.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a fixing unit and a movable unit. The fixing unit has a plurality of first electrode parts and a plurality of second electrode parts. The movable unit is connected with the fixing unit and includes a body having an opening, a plurality of third electrode parts and a plurality of fourth electrode parts. The third electrode parts are disposed at an outer side of the body with respect to the first electrode parts, respectively. The fourth electrode parts are disposed at the inner side of the body in the opening, and are disposed respectively with respect to the second electrode parts, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor chip has a fixed portion having a first thickness, a weight portion surrounding the fixed portion from a periphery, a beam portion having the first thickness and connecting the fixed portion and the weight portion such that the weight portion can displace with respect to the fixed portion, and a piezo element formed at the beam portion. The fixed portion is fastened to a lower container having a pedestal portion which projects-out at a center of a bottom surface of a cavity. In accordance with the above-described structure, there are provided a semiconductor acceleration sensor and method of manufacture thereof which can realize simplification of manufacturing processes and prevention of a decrease in yield, without a sensor sensitivity decreasing.

Abstract: A filter internal flaw test apparatus includes a frame with a filter support and at least one pair of transducer supports. A filter is positioned in the test apparatus, and an ultrasound through transmission test and at least one ultrasound pulse echo test are performed on the filter. Data reliability is increased by positioning the pair of transducers in alignment with one another and pushing them toward one another using a force generator with a predetermined uniform force, such as via a regulated pneumatic actuator. A signal generating/receiving device is in communication with the transducers and provides the ability for analyzing the test results to determine whether the filter has an internal flaw, such as a crack or void that would render it unsatisfactory for use as a particulate filter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a sending element for sending an ultrasonic wave to an object to be detected, a receiving portion for receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by the object, an oscillating portion that oscillates by the ultrasonic wave transmitted thereto, and a supporting portion for holding an end part of the oscillating portion. The receiving portion is exposed to a space where the object exists. The receiving portion and the oscillating portion are connected through the supporting portion such that the ultrasonic wave received by the receiving portion is transmitted to the oscillating portion through the supporting portion. The oscillating portion is separate from the receiving portion by the supporting portion.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a spot weld on a workpiece. The system may include an actuator, an inspection assembly coupled to the actuator, and a controller electronically coupled to the inspection assembly. The inspection assembly may include an ultrasound device and one or more adjustment motors coupled to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: A workpiece internal flaw test apparatus has a frame that includes a workpiece support and a pair of transducer supports, a pair of transducers positioned on the transducer supports, a force generator, a signal generating and receiving device in communication with the pair of transducers, and a uniform contact apparatus. The pair of transducers are in alignment with one another and are adjacent opposite sides of the workpiece support. Each transducer has a contact face. The force generator is connected to the frame and is operable to push the pair of transducers toward each other with a predetermined force such that the contact faces of the transducers engage a test face of the workpiece.

Abstract: A pressure sensor that has a sensor membrane for exposure to fluid at a pressure to be sensed, and a compensation membrane sealed from the fluid at the pressure to be sensed. Associated circuitry connected to the sensor membrane converts deflection into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. The circuitry also connects to the compensation membrane to convert deflection into an adjustment to the output signal that compensates for membrane deflection due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: A method of monitoring pressure of a gas species up to at most a predetermined maximum pressure value is disclosed. The method includes exposing the gas species to transmission of laser light, periodically modulating the wavelength of the laser light over a wavelength band including at least one absorption line of the gas species, optoelectrically converting the transmitted laser light, thereby generating an electric output signal, performing at least one of first filtering the electric output signal with a filter characteristic having a lower cut-off frequency not lower than a transition frequency and of second filtering the electric output signal with a bandpass filter characteristic having an upper cut-off frequency not higher than the transition frequency and a lower cut-off frequency above the modulation frequency of the periodic wavelength modulation. The output of at least one of the filterings is evaluated as a pressure indicative signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor (30) for sensing a fluid pressure in harsh environments such as the air pressure in a tire. The sensor has a dual wafer construction with a first wafer substrate (32) that has a cavity extending from its front side to the opposing back side. A flexible membrane (50) seals the cavity at the front side and a second wafer (31) seals the cavity at the back side of the first wafer (32) to form a chamber (58) containing a fluid at a reference pressure. The flexible membrane (50) deflects due to pressure differentials between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure and associated circuitry (34) for converts the deflection of the flexible membrane (50) into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. The second wafer (31) is wafer bonded to the first wafer substrate (32) as wafer bonding offers an effective non-adhesive solution. It provides a hermetic seal with only minor changes to the fabrication procedure.

Abstract: A method for measuring shear load of a fastening tool, which comprises the steps of: positioning an optical fiber sensor on a surface of a fastening tool to be subjected to a measurement, or within the tool but near the surface thereof, so that the optical fiber sensor is positioned along a direction of an axis the fastening tool; and measuring the shear load acting on the fastening tool on the basis of a change in an optical characteristic of the optical fiber sensor that directly corresponds to a deformation of the fastening tool when the shear load is applied to the fastening tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for identifying changes in composition in a flow containing an oil/hydrocarbon gas fluid mixture, including a measurement of the respective holdups of any two of the gas, oil and water; and measurements to determine attenuation or scattering of high energy photons passing through the mixture; and combining holdup measurements and attenuation or scattering measurements to detect the presence or concentration of a hetero-component in the mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monolithic force transducers in which a sensed force is applied across only two ends of a pair of force sensing elements so that the pair of force sensing elements are loaded in series with one in compression and the other in tension, whereby the force sensed by each of the two force sensing elements are identically equal in magnitude but opposite in sense.

Abstract: An electronic torque-angle instrument including a generally tubular body having a gripping section and a pivoting head for engaging a workpiece, such as a nut or bolt, and a housing associated with the body and containing electronics, including a microprocessor, which permit individual or simultaneous measurement of torque and angle applied to the workpiece. The microprocessor includes stored programs which interpret a signal from an input, such as a gyroscopic sensor, and sends the interpreted signal to an output means.

Abstract: A measuring system for determining the electromechanical coupling characteristics of a piezoceramic (PZT) vibrator, which apply photo-interrupters matrix, glass tube, and metal ball to measure the bouncing motion, wherein the system includes an elastic-bouncing tester, a height measuring circuit, an instantaneous height indicator, a microprocessor, a monitor, and a driving circuit. There is a metal ball in the elastic-bouncing tester. By measuring the bouncing height and flying time, it can determine the electromechanical coupling characteristics of a PZT vibrator or the hardness of other rigid objects.

Abstract: A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Abstract: A seat occupancy sensor (12) comprises a sensing layer (14) associated to a seating surface of a seat, which has at least one electrical property varying locally in response to a pressure and/or deformation applied to said sensing layer (14). The device further comprises a plurality of electrodes (18) associated to said sensing layer (14) at a periphery of a sensing area, and a control unit (20) connected to said electrodes (18), said control unit (20) comprising means for evaluating a pressure profile acting on said sensing layer (14) by determining said at least one electrical property between pairs of electrodes (18) selected from said plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for use with a sample analyzer comprises a sample probe insertable into a process stream, and an extraction cylinder including a variable volume chamber and a piston movable by an actuator back and forth in the cylinder to increase and decrease the volume of the variable volume chamber. A sampling valve is connected between the extraction cylinder and the sample probe, with a sample line connecting the sampling valve to the sample probe, and the variable volume chamber having a capacity substantially greater than the combined volumes of the sample probe, sampling valve and sample line.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for taking a core sample of dense packed fibrous material including: (a) a generally cylindrical sampling tube open on its distal end, wherein the length of the sampling tube is greater than the sample length; (b) at least one exhaust port outside the sampling length adjacent to its proximate end; (c) a ram rod movable from the proximate end to the distal end of the sampling tube for discharging a sample from the sampling tube; and (d) a drive attached to the proximate end of the sampling tube for aiding in sampling.

Abstract: A gas flux chamber assembly is provided comprising a lift-and-rotate mechanism and a chamber. The chamber is moved between first and second positions, wherein the chamber is positioned over a sample in the first position and is positioned outside of an area above the sample in the second position. In operation, the chamber is first lifted off of the collar and is then rotated, about a rotational axis outside of the area above the collar. These acts are reversed to move the chamber from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for mounting a sensor on a device being subjected to torque such as a shaft or plate in the form of a retaining ring having an opening or chamber sized to hold the sensor. The ring has a first open end for insertion of the sensor into the chamber or opening and a second end having a lip for retaining the sensor in the opening. The second end has an opening for the sensor wires or other connecting elements. The ring has threads on the outer periphery of the retaining ring for engaging similar threads on the device being subjected to torque.

Abstract: A quick-releasing linear actuator suitable for electric hospital beds includes a motor means, a transmission means, a clutch means and a pulling arm means. With the pulling of the pulling arm of the pulling arm means, a clutch and a clutch base of the clutch means can be disengaged, such that the screw of the transmission means will not be impeded by the worm gear.

Abstract: A drive coupling 10 has an outer plate 12 and an inner plate 14. Inner plate 14 is positioned within the inner periphery 16 of outer plate 12. The inner plate 14 includes a plurality of outwardly extending projections 18. The inner periphery 22 of outer plate 12 includes a plurality of recesses 24. The drive coupling 10 further comprises a plurality of compression springs 28 arranged between respective projections 18 of inner plate 14 and the respective side wall of the recess 24 of outer plate 12. A first retaining plate 42 is positioned by passing it over shaft 32. A spacer ring 48 is positioned such that it abuts one side of the inner plate 14. A second retaining plate 50 is located on the other of the inner and outer plates. Bolts 56 are used to hold the retaining plates 42 and 50 together.

Abstract: A shaft 30 in which all of a moving cylinder 36 and a deep groove ball bearing ball bearing 62 are assembled and a reduction gear shaft 73 are assembled to a first shell 12 and then, a potentiosensor 70 is assembled to the first shell 12. A feed coupler is connected to a terminal 50, the driven gear 72 is rotated and adjusted to a predetermined sensor voltage value. The potentiosensor 70 is allowed to slide toward a worm wheel 59, and a large-diameter reduction gear 74 is meshed with a pinion 76.

Abstract: An actuator has a hollow track rail 6 having a slit 8 extending in an axial direction thereof, a movable block 7 disposed inside the track rail 6 to be movable along the track rail, and a ball screw mechanism for moving the movable block 7 along the axial direction of the track rail 6. The track rail has, in a section perpendicular to the axial direction of the track rail, a guide portion 9 for guiding movement of the movable member 7 and an extension 11 extending from the guide portion 9 so as to cover the movable member, and a width W1 of the slit 8 of the track rail formed between the opposed extensions 11 is narrower than a width W2 of the movable member. Accordingly, the actuator can provide a high rigidity in spite of compact outer dimension.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus interposed between a prime mover and an axle, comprising: an automatic continuously variable belt transmission serving as a main transmission; and a gear transmission serving as a sub-transmission. The sub-transmission includes input means for receiving power from the main transmission, output means for outputting power to the axle, a first gear train interposed between the input means and the output means so as to have a first deceleration ratio, a first clutch disposed on the first gear train, a second gear train interposed between the input means and the output means so as to have a second deceleration ratio which is different from the first deceleration ratio, and a second clutch disposed on the second gear train. The first clutch is engaged when a rotary speed of the input means is not smaller than a threshold value, and the second clutch is engaged unless the first clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A twin clutch gear transmission for a vehicle is provided for improving speed change control. The twin clutch gear transmission includes an even-numbered-gear-change gear transmission mechanism having a plurality of even-numbered gear-change gear trains which can be selectively established, and an odd-numbered-gear-change gear transmission mechanism having a plurality of odd-numbered gear-change gear trains which can be selectively established. The pair of clutches are capable of individually changing over the disconnection and the connection of power transmission between input shafts, which both gear transmission mechanisms include respectively, and a power source.

Abstract: A shift actuator disposed outside a power unit that is easily positioned in the neutral position during mounting. A motorcycle equipped with a shift actuator includes a transmission; a shift shaft for changing the gears of the transmission; and a crankcase that covers the shift shaft and the transmission. The shift actuator includes a motor; an output shaft connected to the shift shaft with a connecting device therebetween; a worm gear interposed between the motor and the output shaft; a case supporting the motor, the output shaft, and the worm gear; and a potentiometer supported by the case and sensing the position of the output shaft. The worm gear transfers a driving force from the motor to the output shaft but transfers no driving force from the output shaft to the motor.

Abstract: Seven-gear gearbox for a motorcar double clutch transmission The gearbox comprises: a first inner input shaft (10) which carries driving gearwheels (21, 23, 27) associated to the odd gears (I, III, V, VII) and fast for rotation therewith; a second outer input shaft (12) which is coaxial with the first and carries driving gearwheels (22, 24) associated to the even gears (II, IV, VI) and to the reverse gear (R) and fast for rotation therewith; and first and second output shafts (14, 16) carrying idle driven gearwheels (31-38).

Abstract: A shift range switching apparatus connects with a motor for switching a shift range of an automatic transmission. The shift range switching apparatus includes a switching unit that is operated by the motor for switching the shift range. The shift range switching apparatus further includes a control unit that outputs a driving current to the motor for switching the shift range to one of a P range, an R range, an N range, and a D range. The control unit controls the driving current at one of a plurality of set values in accordance with a switching pattern of the shift range. The switching pattern may be defined by a combination of two of the P range, the R range, the N range, and the D range.

Abstract: A transmission, a vehicle control unit equipped with the transmission, or control method thereof comprising two input shafts, output shaft, two input clutches that are engaged and disengaged to transmit rotational force from drive source to the two input shafts, multiple gear sets which transmit drive force at respective gear ratios between the two input shafts and output shaft, multiple shifting clutches to select a gear set which transmits the drive force among the multiple gear sets, and friction clutch which transmits drive force between two input shafts. Thereby, maximum vehicle drivability and riding comfort requested by drivers are provided without any complicated control and adjustment such as a dual friction clutch transmission.

Abstract: A gear in which forged chamfered portions are formed on the respective ridge line portions at intersections between tooth bottom lands, tooth flanks, and a tooth tip land of the gear and end faces in the axial direction of the gear, and which does not need machining such as cutting to remove burrs caused by hobbing in the conventional techniques.

Abstract: An easily assemblable multi-directional switching device capable of preventing the rattling of drive members is described, in which each pair of drive members mutually adjacent in the circumferential direction are connected to each other by an elastic arm member to form drive member units, and stem portions of the respective drive members are inserted in a casing from above corresponding guide holes to position the elastic arm members of the drive member units on the upper surface side of a top panel of the casing.

Abstract: A gearshift finisher assembly comprises a finisher for bridging a gap between a gear selector plate and an adjacent or surrounding vehicle trim panel and a retainer including means for attachment to the trim panel. The finisher is engaged with the retainer for floating movement of the finisher with respect to the retainer, for example by engaging formations associated with the finisher and the retainer. The finisher may be engaged with the retainer via an intermediate fastener such as a plastics frame spring clip shaped to engage the finisher and the retainer.

Abstract: To provide a transmission device in which assembly of a shift spindle is improved. In the transmission device, a groove is formed on a shift spindle into an annular shape along the peripheral portion of the shift spindle. A positioning pin is mounted so as to be inserted through a through hole of a rear cover from the outside. The distal end of the positioning pin projecting inwardly of the rear cover is locked with the groove. A rib with which a spindle plate can come into abutment is formed on the inner side of the rear cover. The groove is arranged on the extension of the through hole in a state in which the spindle plate comes into abutment with the rib.

Abstract: A selector device for an automated or automatic transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, has a selector lever which is adjustable in an automatic selector gate to switch between automatic operating positions and can be moved via a transverse gate into a tip-action selector gate in which it is adjustable to shift between transmission gears. Here, the selector lever has one stable operating position in the tip-action selector gate, to which stable operating position the selector lever automatically returns from all the labile positions of the three gates. To increase operating comfort and to increase operational safety, a transmission controller is configured such that, after an automatic operating position is selected, it only switches to the selected automatic operating state when the selector lever resumes its stable operating position.

Abstract: A selector device for an automated or automatic transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, has a selector lever for selecting automatic shift stages and gears of the transmission. It being possible to move the selector lever from a stable initial position into a plurality of directly adjacent labile selector positions for selecting the automatic shift stages and the gears, from which labile selector positions, the selector lever automatically returns into the initial position. The selector device further has a display for visualizing the currently engaged gear and/or the currently activated automatic shift stage. To increase operating comfort, the selector lever can also be moved from the initial position into a stable rest position, from which the selector lever can be moved only in the direction of the initial position.

Abstract: A shift lever device for transmission operation of a vehicle has a shift lever, a locking member, a withdrawing member and a biasing member. When force is applied to the shift lever due to transmission operation of the shift lever by a vehicle occupant, the withdrawing member is pushed, and, due to a component of force thereof, is withdrawn from a path of movement for transmission operation of the shift lever. When the locking member is set in a movement limited state due to operation of the vehicle occupant, the locking member impedes movement of the shift lever due to transmission operation. When the locking member is set in a movable state, the locking member as well is, by a torsion spring, interlocked with the withdrawing member and withdrawn from the path of movement of the shift lever.

Abstract: A gearshift lever with a reverse gear lock-out, having a manual gearshift lever with a gearshift knob, beneath which are placed the control line sheath to actuate reverse gear, the ball, an elbow lever, and the transmission mechanism to actuate reverse gear. There is a lever of the reverse gear lock-out that can pivot around a pin in the housing, on which the transmission mechanism acts, and that blocks the motion of the elbow lever. The elbow lever has one shaft that can pivot on the housing and another shaft that receives a selector finger of the ball.

Abstract: A control device for driving and braking a vehicle, preferably a rail vehicle, comprises a first (1) and a second (2) linearly movable operating lever which are disposed next to each other and can be coupled to each other.

Abstract: A medical robotic system that includes a robotically controlled surgical instrument. The system includes a constraint controller that constrains the movement of the instrument based on a predetermined parameter. The parameter may be a surgical space, wherein the instrument cannot be moved into, or alternatively cannot be moved out of, the space. The surgically constrained spaced may be defined through a telestrator screen that allows a surgeon to point and click the boundaries of the space.

Abstract: A first elastic body actuator and a second elastic body actuator are used for driving a first configuration member and a second configuration member to swing them with respect to each other, wherein one end portion of the first elastic body actuator is secured to the first configuration member and the other end portion of the first elastic body actuator is secured to the second configuration member, and one end portion of the second elastic body actuator is secured to the first configuration member and the other end portion of the second elastic body actuator is secured to the second configuration member, such that the position at which the other end portion of the second elastic body actuator is secured to the second configuration member and the position at which the one end portion of the first elastic body actuator is secured to the second configuration member are substantially symmetric about a rotational joint.

Abstract: Prevention of movement of the rotational center of a spherical member provided at one end of a rotary shaft is achieved with an inexpensive structure. A universal joint is equipped with a rotary shaft 21 having a spherical member 22 provided at one end and having a pair of shafts 24 provided on the diameter line of the spherical member 22; and a rotating body 26 having guide grooves 28 formed therein for receiving the shafts of the rotary shaft, and a holding cage 27 formed therein for trapping the spherical member 22, the spherical member rotating about the axis of the shafts and also rotating while tilting the shafts along the guide grooves. Raised portions 30 are provided in the holding cage for preventing the spherical member from falling out of position.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a Bowden cable arrangement is described in the form of a manual lock or tensioning lock, which comprises a housing (10), a threaded spindle (70) guided in the housing (10) in a torsionally-resistant and axially movable manner, which is to be connected by a wire to the Bowden cable arrangement, and two half-shell elements (50), which are arranged in the housing (10) in an axially-secure and rotatable manner, and are in threaded engagement with the threaded spindle (70). Located at the housing (10) is a shoulder element (16) with an opening (13) through which the wire of the Bowden cable arrangement is guided in the axial direction out of the adjustment device. Allocated to the shoulder element (16) is a sleeve (30), which is to be placed in positive fit on the shoulder element (16) and prevents any deformation of the shoulder element (16) when the adjustment device is actuated.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a push pull cable apparatus includes a push pull cable connection, that has a rod having a first diameter and a core disposed adjacent the rod wherein the core has a second diameter and wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are substantially similar. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a push pull cable connection, includes providing a rod, forming a first counter bore into the rod, forming a second counter bore into the rod, inserting a second layer into the first counter bore, surrounding the second layer with a core jacket, and removing a portion of the core jacket along a length of the core jacket.

Abstract: An operating lever system not requiring packing for preventing noise and any special function portion which reduces the number of parts and number of assembly steps and reduces the costs, that is, an operating lever system wherein the cam groove is formed in it middle portion with sharp bends where the curvature sharply changes, a front end of a pin is provided with a slit extending substantially in parallel to the two side walls of the cam groove and having a predetermined depth from the front end of the pin, at least part of the portion of the pin circumference substantially corresponding to a predetermined depth of the slit contacts the side walls without clearance, and the other portion of the pin circumference has a clearance from the side walls.