Abstract: A drive actuator for a measurement instrument having a probe, the drive actuator including a heating element in a thermally conductive relationship with the probe such that application of electric current to the heating element modifies a characteristic of the probe. The probe device includes a probe including a cantilever having a lever made of a material having a selected thermal expansivity and a drive actuator in operable cooperation with the cantilever lever made of a material having a thermal expansivity different than the thermal expansivity of the material of which the cantilever lever is made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various types of atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilevers formed by using a photolithography process and an etching process and a method for manufacturing the same, the AFM cantilever includes a handling unit made of a semiconductor substrate, a cantilever unit extendedly formed on a bottom surface of the handling unit in a shape of a rod, a probe unit formed in a shape of a vertically protruded peak by being extendedly formed on one side surface of the cantilever unit and a probe being in contact with a surface of an object to be analyzed by being formed on the peak of the probe unit. Therefore, the present invention has an advantage that the probe of several hundred nanometers can easily formed through a general photolithography process as well as it can easily obtain a natural resonance frequency of the designed cantilever by easily setting a thickness of the cantilever member.

Abstract: A controller for cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments, high-resolution profilometers and chemical or biological sensing probes. The controller samples the output of the photo-detector commonly used to detect cantilever deflection in these instruments with a very fast analog/digital converter (ADC). The resulting digitized representation of the output signal is then processed with field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors without making use of analog electronics. Analog signal processing is inherently noisy while digital calculations are inherently “perfect” in that they do not add any random noise to the measured signal. Processing by field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors maximizes the flexibility of the controller because it can be varied through programming means, without modification of the controller hardware.

Abstract: Described is a method of making and using an adherent indicia strip on a crankshaft pulley of a piston engine to adjust engine valves. The method includes cutting the strip to a length sufficient to exactly encircle the crankshaft pulley; placing midpoint marks onto a visible outside surface of the strip; engaging the strip with a peripheral edge of the crankshaft pulley while aligning the strip for corresponding rotational positions of the crankshaft pulley; and guiding rotation and positioning of the crankshaft and camshaft by the midpoint marks on the indicia strip in order to more easily and accurately adjust the engine's valves.

Abstract: A rough road detection system for an engine having a crankshaft includes a control module and a comparison module. The control module receives a crankshaft speed signal and determines a crankshaft rotation time and a crankshaft acceleration and jerk. The crankshaft rotation time is based on said crankshaft speed signal. The crankshaft acceleration and jerk are based on said crankshaft rotation time. The control module detects a crankshaft disturbance based on said crankshaft acceleration and jerk and counts a number of crankshaft disturbances. The comparison module determines a dispersion value and asymmetry value based on the crankshaft disturbances and determined whether rough road conditions exist based on first and second comparisons. The first comparison is between the dispersion value and a first predetermined threshold. The second comparison is between the asymmetry value and a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for qualifying turbocharger performance includes the step of operating a turbocharger at a single test condition (402). A set of data may be acquired from a set of operating parameters of the turbocharger (404) operating at the test condition. The set of data acquired may be compared to a set of operating ranges (406) that are deemed acceptable, and a determination may be made as to whether the set of data falls within the acceptable operating ranges (408). Performance of the turbocharger may then be qualified (412, 414) based on an outcome of the determination (410).

Abstract: A calibration flow position of a variable nozzle (6) of a turbocharger is set by a method for calibrating the turbocharger, which comprises a turbine (2) and a compressor (1). In this method, the turbocharger is driven by a predetermined fluid supply. Further, the flow position of the variable nozzle (6) is changed while the rotational speed (N) of the turbocharger or an outlet pressure (P2C) of the compressor (1) is monitored. The calibration flow position is fixed based on the monitored quantities.

Abstract: A roller support assembly for a dynamometer system includes a plurality of bearing support structures wherein each bearing support structure includes at least one roller bearing, at least one vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane, at least one horizontal support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a horizontal plane, and an installation site structure supporting each of the plurality of bearing support structures. Each of the at least two bearing support structures further includes at least one vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane and each of the at least two bearing support structures further includes a pair of vertical support assembly for supporting the at least one roller bearing in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing waves within a container arranged to permit a through-flow of fluid flowing generally from an inlet of the container to an exit of the container, wherein the container has wave inducing means located at the exit of the container, the wave inducing means being operable to vary the area of the exit thereby inducing waves within the container. The apparatus may form part of a combustor test rig.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for optically scanning the tread surface of a pneumatic tyre 10 which for forming a vehicle wheel 1 is mounted on a disc wheel 5, wherein measurement data are obtained along a plurality of peripheral lines by light beam scanning, said data corresponding to the spacings of the impingement points of the light beams on the tread surface from a reference position, wherein associated first or higher harmonics for quality classification of the rotational truth of the vehicle wheel are formed in a computer-aided evaluation apparatus 9 from the measurement data along the respective peripheral lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quality control process for an adhesive joint of two sub-components of a structure comprising the following steps: a) Providing the structure of composite material to be controlled; b) Providing at least one premanufactured testing device (1) representative of one of the sub-components of the structure; c) Bonding said at least one premanufactured testing device (1) to the other sub-component (7) of the structure in conditions similar to those of the real adhesive joint of said sub-components; d) Carrying out at least one mechanical test on said at least one premanufactured testing device (1) which allows assessing the quality of said adhesive joint.

Abstract: A flow sensor for flowing media with a cylindrical housing (2) and with a sensor element located in the housing (2), the housing (2) preferably having an outside thread (3) and being screwable into a union (4) of a pipe (5) or into an opening of a connecting piece (43). The flow sensor (1) has very high measurement accuracy while still being economically producible. There is a lifting body (6) which projects into the flowing medium, the lifting body (6) being movably guided on the housing (2) and depending on the flow (7) of the medium to be monitored, can be moved against the reset force of a reset element which is located between the housing (2) and the lifting body (6), and the sensor element is made as a noncontact proximity switch (18, 20) which produces a signal that is dependent on the position of the lifting body (6).

Abstract: The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the water vapor in a freeze-drying process of, for example, pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the investigation of particle characteristics, particularly to a device for measuring the apparent density distribution of a set of particles composed of several subsets of particles with different apparent densities and able to implement a flotation process to measure this distribution and comprising a flotation, container, stirrer and a system for measuring the density of the liquids, characterized in that the inside wall of the container has at least a first part in the shape of an inverted cone with axis Y whose height is 1.5 to 3 times its maximum diameter, and in that it has means for extracting liquid communicating with said first part at the vertex of the inverted cone, said means having a tube communicating with said first part at the tip of the inverted cone of which the first axis makes an angle of between ?/2 and 3?/2 radians with the second axis.

Abstract: An inertial sensor provided with a detection structure sensitive to a first, a second and a third component of acceleration along respective directions of detection, and generating respective electrical quantities as a function of said components of acceleration. The detection structure supplies at output a resultant electrical quantity obtained as combination of said electrical quantities, and correlated to the value of a resultant acceleration acting on the inertial sensor, given by a vector sum of the components of acceleration. In particular, the detection structure is of a microelectromechanical type, and comprises a mobile portion made of semiconductor material forming with a fixed portion a first, a second and a third detection capacitor, and an electrical-interconnection portion, connecting the detection capacitors in parallel; the resultant electrical quantity being the capacitance obtained from said connection in parallel.

Abstract: An accelerometer system includes a capacitor plate fixed within a housing and a flexure plate positioned substantially parallel to the capacitor plate a distance therefrom. The distance varies in response to acceleration forces acting upon the flexure plate such that the flexure plate and the capacitor plate generate a capacitance signal. A magnet is coupled to the flexure plate and generates a magnetic field, which moves as the flexure plate flexes. A coil winding around the flexure plate generates a second magnetic field as a function of capacitance signal, thus opposing the flexure plate magnetic field, and thereby returning the flexure plate to a null position.

Abstract: Accelerometers for determining acceleration and methods of fabricating an accelerometer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the accelerometer includes a frame, a mass movably suspended on the frame, a fixed element having a rounded surface that does not move with respect to the frame, a movable element having a rounded surface that moves with the mass, and a sensing coil of optical waveguide wrapped around the rounded surfaces to detect movement of the mass in response to acceleration based on interferometric sensing of a change in length of the sensing coil. A method of fabricating the accelerometer includes suspending the mass in the frame and wrapping the optical waveguide around the rounded surfaces. Sensitivity and low fabrication cost of the accelerometers enables their use for integration within an ocean bottom seismic cable. Further, the accelerometer may be an in-line or a cross-line accelerometer depending on the arrangement within the frame.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the spring constant of a scanning probe microscope cantilever mechanically coupled to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) actuator may be determined in-situ using a frequency resonance method.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring in-situ the acoustic attenuation obtained by a hearing protection device worn by a user, comprising: positioning the hearing protection device comprising a microphone oriented towards the user's ear canal at the user's ear; positioning a cup-like measuring device comprising a loudspeaker oriented towards to user's ear and a microphone oriented towards to user's ear at the user's ear in such a manner that a closed space surrounding the hearing protection device is created by the measuring device; providing a test signal via the loudspeaker, capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the closed space by the microphone of the measuring device and capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the user's ear canal by the microphone of the hearing protection device; processing the audio signals captured by the microphone of the measuring device and the audio signals captured by the microphone of the hearing protectio

Abstract: A strain sensing device is provided, which may include a hollow, cylindrical member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may have an outer diameter corresponding approximately in size to an inner diameter of an inner surface of a cylindrical bore of a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading. The hollow, cylindrical member may be configured to mate to the inner surface of the cylindrical bore of the structural component such that strain in the structural component is translated into strain in the hollow, cylindrical member. The strain sensing device may also include one or more strain sensing elements attached to the inner surface of the hollow, cylindrical member and configured to detect strain exhibited by the hollow, cylindrical member.

Abstract: Systems for diagnosing/monitoring structural health conditions of objects. The system, which monitors structural health conditions by use of a plurality of patch sensors attached to an object, includes at least one bridge box. Each of the patch sensors is capable of at least one of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal in response to the wave. The bridge box includes: a switch array module that has a plurality of relay switches; and a signal condition module, wherein the plurality of relay switches are operated to establish a channel between a selected one of the patches and the signal condition module.

Abstract: A high temperature pressure transducer is fabricated from silicon carbide. A wafer of silicon carbide has reduced or active areas which act as deflecting diaphragms. Positioned on the reduced or active area is a silicon carbide sensor. The sensor is secured to the silicon carbide wafer by a glass bond. The pressure transducer is fabricated by first epitaxially growing a layer of highly N-doped 3C silicon carbide on a first silicon wafer or substrate. A second wafer of silicon carbide is selected to be a carrier wafer. The carrier wafer is etched preferentially to produce the deflecting members or reduced areas which serve as diaphragms. The 3C material on the silicon slice is patterned appropriately to provide a series of individual piezoresistors which then may be interconnected to form a Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing a fluid pressure in harsh environments such as the air pressure in a tire formed on a wafer substrate. Associated circuitry deposited in CMOS layers on the wafer substrate has a conductive layer at least partially overlying the associated circuitry, the conductive layer forming a first electrode of the capacitative sensor. A conductive membrane at least partially overlies the conductive layer, and is spaced from it to form a second electrode of the capacitative sensor. The conductive membrane separates fluid at a reference pressure and fluid at the pressure to be sensed such that the associated circuitry is configured to convert the deflection of the conductive membrane into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. The conductive membrane is at least partially formed from a ceramic material to provide corrosion and wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric pressure sensor comprising piezoelectric measuring elements located in a housing, which are pre-stressed between the housing base and a membrane provided at the pressured side of the housing. According to the invention the piezoelectric measuring elements are placed on the outside of a pre-stressing element, which is located essentially along the longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is an assembly of an integrated device and of a cap coupled to the integrated device; the integrated device is provided with at least a first and a second region to be fluidically accessed from outside, and the cap has an outer portion provided with at least a first and a second inlet port in fluid communication with the first and second regions. In particular, the first and second regions are arranged on a first outer face, or on respective adjacent outer faces, of the integrated device, and an interface structure is set between the integrated device and the outer portion of the cap, and is provided with a channel arrangement for routing the first and second regions towards the first and second inlets.

Abstract: “Resonance Force Sensor” has broad—and in some cases revolutionary—applications throughout aerospace, maritime, transportation, and industrial force sensing as a low cost, embedded, robust, self-calibrating strain-pressure sensor. Applications include but are not limited to structural load measurement, structural health monitoring, fluid and gas line pressure measurement, batch process manufacturing, and other force-sensing applications. When a complex structure, e.g. an aircraft or ground vehicle structure, is so instrumented, the present invention serves as the primary sensory component for a highly accurate, automatic, on-board vehicular weight and balance system. This sensor system can also be used in non-vehicular structures to measure axial, radial or flexural loading, and hence gravitational mass loading, of structural elements and structural systems.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the magnitude of a force acting on a tire are disclosed. Further, a sensor and a tire suitable for use in the system and method are also disclosed. The system comprises: a tire strain sensor mounted on the tire, for detecting a tire strain at the mounted position, and generating data representing tire strain; a sensor locator for locating the sensor on the tire; a memory in which data on the relationship between the tire strain and force acting on the tire at each of measuring points are stored; and a processor computing the magnitude of the force, using the data representing tire strain obtained from the tire strain sensor and the data on the relationship acquired from the memory based on the data on the sensor location obtained from the sensor locator.

Abstract: An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to the translating device and a controller. The sensor has first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The conductors have a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a geometry of the sensor changing as a result of either conductor or the dielectric element deforming in response to a first object touching the sensor. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with either conductor. The controller receives a signal from the sensor indicative of the capacitance of the conductors, and controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the conductors to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.

Abstract: A testing system includes a soft reaction structure formed by column assemblies, a base and a crosshead. Compliant devices are disposed between the column assemblies and the base and/or the crosshead to isolate interaction of these components and reduce structural vibration mode excitation.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for sensing an applied load. The sensor includes a rigid substrate. A strain sensitive resistor is mounted to the substrate. The resistor has a pair of ends. The resistor has a length and a width that defines an area. A pair of conductors are connected to the end of the resistor. A dielectric layer is mounted over the resistor. A load transfer device is mounted to the dielectric layer. The load transfer device transfers the applied load directly to the strain sensitive resistor such that the resistor is compressed. The resistor changes resistance in response to the applied load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for carrying out the nondestructive determination of the connection quality of bonded wafers (1, 8) in order to verify the connection strength. The fact that an unbonded region (9) forms around a raised or recessed structure (3) on at least one of the connecting surfaces is made use of. The extension of the unbonded region is a measure of the strength of the wafer connection and is electrically determined by staggered contacts (5, 4) that, with the formation of the bond connection, close, only in part, via a contact strip (10).

Abstract: A tensile test fixture and a tensile test method are provided. The tensile test fixture suits to perform a tensile test for a specimen. The tensile test fixture includes a base, a pull bar and a forcing member. The pull bar includes a limiting member, a specimen-fixing member and a shaft member. Wherein, the shaft member is connected between the position limiting member and the specimen-fixing member, and the specimen is fixed between the base and the specimen-fixing member. Otherwise, the forcing member has a cavity, which includes an opening. The shaft member passes through the opening, and the position limiting member is located in the cavity. The dimension of the limiting member is larger than the dimension of the opening so that the limiting member is restricted within the cavity. The forcing member is adopted to pull the limiting member to perform a tensile test for the specimen.

Abstract: A flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a flowing medium has a plastic measurement tube for routing the medium and a connecting device for connecting an end of the measurement tube to an end of a plastic pipeline. So that measurement tube of plastic can be connected easily and to the plastic pipeline, the connecting device is formed by a heating means that is integrated into an inner wall of the end of the measurement tube and that melts at least the end of the measurement tube to thereby form a melted connection between the measurement tube and the pipeline.

Abstract: A method for signal processing of measurement signals of a vortex flow transducer for measuring flow of a medium through a measuring tube. The method is characterized by low needs as regards computing power and memory space. The transducer includes a bluff body arranged in the measuring tube and a sensor for registering pressure fluctuations arising at the bluff body and for converting such pressure fluctuations into an electrical measurement signal. In the method, at least a portion of the measurement signal is sampled and digitized, an autocorrelation of the digitized measurement signal is calculated, and the flow is derived on the basis of at least one characteristic of the autocorrelation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that enables the periodic calculation of the relative phase of the left eigenvector for a vibrating conduit. During normal operation, two drivers are used in tandem to excite the main bending mode of the conduit (202). Periodically, first one (204), then the second (206), of the two drivers is disabled, allowing measurements that enable the determination of the relative phase of the left eigenvector (208) for the vibrating conduit.

Abstract: A process for operating a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device, with at least one measurement tube (10) through which a medium flows and which is subjected to vibration excitation that leads to resulting vibrations of the measurement tube (10), a first indicator quantity being used for detection of a multiphase flow. For detection of the multiphase flow, an additional, second indicator quantity that is independent of the first indicator quantity is used. Thus, a process for operating a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device (1) is attained with which the detection of multiphase flows, especially of two-phase flows, is reliably possible without the need to make assumptions regarding the properties of the individual phases of the flowing medium.

Abstract: A control scheme is provided for a power tool having a rotary shaft. The control scheme includes: monitoring rotational motion of the tool generally about a longitudinal axis of the shaft; detecting a condition of the tool based on the rotational motion of the tool; and controlling torque imparted to the shaft upon detecting the tool condition, where the torque is inversely related to an angular displacement of the tool about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A method for the determination of a torque which is transmitted along a torque transmission path which extends at least along a shaft of a motor vehicle. A rotary position signal is produced by means of a first speed of rotation sensor at a first section of the transmission path and a rotary position signal is produced by means of a second speed of rotation sensor at a second section of the transmission path. At a point in time at which a known torque is transmitted along the transmission path, a first rotary position signal relationship is determined with reference to the instantaneously generated rotary position signals, said rotary position signal relationship serving as an offset value. At a later point in time, a second rotary position signal relationship is determined with reference to the instantaneously generated rotary position signals. The transmitted torque is calculated on the basis of the offset value and of the second determined rotary position signal relationship.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoelastic torque sensor includes plating a magnetoelastic material to a magnetically inert substrate, and its endowment with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy through the creation within the transducer element of stress anisotropy. The plating of magnetostrictive material to the magnetically inert substrate provides a less expensive torque element that exhibits desired levels of accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A quantitative sampling device comprises a sampling part and a case; the sampling part further has a sampling loop with a predetermined size for sampling a fixed amount of an liquid sample; and the case includes a buffer solution with a predetermined volume, the sampling part is adapted for slidable communication within the case, and the liquid sample may mix with the buffer solution after the sampling part propelled in to get a diluted solution.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is capable of preventing the size of the overall apparatus from being increased and the control of the apparatus from becoming more complex. The sample analyzer comprises: a first holding section; a second holding section, a dispenser for dispensing a reagent; analyzing means for analyzing a measurement sample; first receiving means for receiving an replacement instruction; second receiving means for receiving an order including a sample analysis item; and control means for controlling the dispenser so as to dispense a first reagent contained in a first reagent container held by the second holding section, when the first receiving means receives the instruction for replacement of a second reagent container held by the first holding section, and the second receiving means receives the order including the sample analysis item which uses the first reagent.

Abstract: Laboratory spatula having stalk regions with a hollow first end and a hollow second end and at manipulating regions may be used for collecting, transporting or storing a material. A manipulating region may be configured as a shovel region, a scoop region, a whisk region, a punch region, a sieve region, a loop region, a cutting edge, a spreading region, a grinding region, a hook region, a scraper region, a tweezer region, a grasper region, or a pick region. The spatula may be lightweight and disposable, and may be any appropriate size including micro size, a regular size, or a macro size. The spatula may also have an anti-stick surface. The spatula may be calibrated, and may include calibration marks or additional features.

Abstract: A coupling configuration (1; 30) comprising a coupling element (3) and a supply capillary (2), wherein the coupling element (3) has a funnel-shaped section (5) which clamps an end (6) of the supply capillary (2), is characterized in that an envelope capillary (10) is provided into which the supply capillary (2) is inserted, wherein the end (6) of the supply capillary (2) projects past an end (11) of the envelope capillary (10), and the end (11) of the envelope capillary (10) is also clamped in the funnel-shaped section (5). The supply capillary is properly fixed in the coupling element and safely protected from capillary breakage.

Abstract: A method for recording changing boiler conditions over time in three spatial dimensions including: sensing the boiler conditions in real time using sensors which traverse the combustion chamber and gas path generating data from a plurality of positions in one or more supervisory spaces of interest within the boiler system; transmitting the generated data to a computer system; presenting data containing sensor position information and which optionally contains temperature, chemical species information, and other combustor condition information for delivery to a boiler management system to enable said boiler management system to make real time operational adjustments.

Abstract: A self-contained portable device for performing multiple tests on samples of hot asphalt mix and providing an analysis of the aggregate mixture of those samples, comprising an external housing which contains the other components, a test chamber into which samples are placed for analysis, a plurality of sieves located within the test chamber for separating and sorting aggregates, a drive shaft for rotating the sieves, guide rails for directing the rotation of the sieves in a multidirectional tilt pattern, a weighing component for weighing the samples, a wash component for directing water or other liquids into the test chamber and onto the samples, a heating component for raising the temperature of the test chamber, a pressure control component to lower the pressure within the test chamber, a controller to operate the various components, and a computer and computer software to process the results of the various tests and to prepare an analysis therefrom.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods, materials, and devices for making and screening combinatorial libraries to identify semi-conducting and thermoelectric materials. The disclosed method includes preparing a combinatorial library of materials, and identifying library members that are semiconductors. The method may include determining a thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for each member of a second combinatorial library of materials. The method determines ZT by applying an oscillatory voltage across the library members, measuring power dissipated by library members, and calculating ZT from the power dissipated. The method may also include isolating single-phase materials of the semiconducting library members. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for discovering thermoelectric materials using combinatorial techniques.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for optimizing the distribution of the resources of a scanning sensor over a number of areas, where each area can have demands for sensor resources. Said demands are expressed as a dwell time and a revisit time, and the method comprises assigning to each of said number of areas a priority, and compiling the total demands for resources. The total demand is compared with the total sensor resources, and if the total demand and total resources do not match, the total resources are distributing according to said priority. Preferably, the demand for sensor resources in an area is calculated as the ratio between dwell time and revisit frequency.

Abstract: A motor-driven actuator extends and retracts a piston rod. The actuator includes a housing, an electric motor having a motor shaft, a piston rod slidably extendable and retractable with respect to the housing, a speed-reduction stage coupled to the motor shaft and rotating a drive shaft parallel to the motor shaft, a speed and direction-change stage coupled to and driven by the drive shaft and rotating a wheel gear substantially perpendicular to the motor shaft, and a driving stage coupled to and driven by the wheel gear and extending and retracting the piston rod relative to the housing along a direction parallel to the motor shaft. The actuator also includes a position detector detecting when the piston rod is in the extended and retracted positions. Preferably, the position detector includes Hall effect sensors and a permanent magnet mounted on a piston driving the piston rod.

Abstract: In a spindle drive and a production process for such a spindle drive, in particular for adjusting a moving part in a motor vehicle, having a drive assembly, which drives a drive wheel supported on a spindle, and the drive wheel is supported rotatably in a support tube which on one end of the support tube has a receptacle for a fastener for diverting crash forces, the spindle is capable of being installed in the identical support tube in either a first installation position or a second installation position rotated by 180°.