Abstract: The method for measuring porosity of concrete is a vacuum pressure saturation-based method for calculating a porosity value of a sample of concrete. The method includes the steps of first drying a concrete sample and then making a first weight measurement of the concrete sample. Following the first weight measurement, the concrete sample is placed in a vacuum pressure vessel, where the sample is subjected to vacuum. The vacuum pressure vessel and a pressure cell are next filled with water. Water in the pressure cell and vacuum pressure vessel is pressurized, and the sample remains within the pressurized water for twenty-four hours. The sample remains submerged in the vacuum pressure vessel for another twenty-four hour period to achieve equilibrium. A second weight is then taken in the water, and a third weight measurement is taken in air. The porosity is calculated based upon the first, second and third weight measurements.

Abstract: A system for in line in situ validation of an air filter of an exhaust filter system including a scan head, a means for facilitating movement of said scan head in the XY plane, a means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head from outside the plenum of the exhaust filter system in the XY plane, and a means for coupling the scan head to the means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head, is provided. The system can also include a scanning arm, inside and outside magnetic couples, and rolling means to facilitate movement of the inside and outside magnetic couples. A method for in line in situ validation of an air filter in an exhaust filter system is also described, which involves the use of the system for in line in situ validation of air filters of an exhaust filter system.

Abstract: A sensor element for a consistency transmitter for use in measurements of a pulp suspension and coated with a diamond coating. A consistency transmitter for measuring the consistency of a pulp suspension, comprising: a sensor element to be placed in the pulp suspension and provided with a diamond coating; a part provided with equipment for measuring the force/torque effective on the sensor element, for processing the force/torque by computation, and for converting the force/torque to an electrical signal; and a transmitting element, connected to the sensor element and said part, for transmitting the force/torque effective on the sensor element to said part. A method in the manufacture of a sensor element for a consistency transmitter for use in measurements of a pulp suspension, wherein the method comprises the step of coating the sensor element with a diamond coating.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing a rheological property of a particulate or powdered pharmaceutical composition having a sensor that measures the force imparted to a powder interacting member disposed within a quantity of moving powder. The measured force is related to a rheological property of the pharmaceutical composition, such as viscosity, flowability or compressibility. Information regarding the pharmaceutical composition's rheological properties allows increased performance in the automated loading of precise amounts of a powdered drug into a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring in situ the viscosity of a fluid within a vessel which includes an impeller paddle immersed in the fluid rotated by an electric motor connected to a shaft passing through a wall of the vessel. The impeller paddle is connected to the shaft by a toroidal spring. The electric motor is controlled by a variable voltage power supply controlled by a computer. Sensors are mounted on the impeller paddle and the shaft to sense the rotational positions of each and to generate electronic signals indicative thereof. The electronic signals are processed by signal processing circuitry to determining the deflection angle of the impeller paddle and the results sent to a computer, where the signals are recorded and analyzed to determine the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A sensor element carrier for use in a mass-sensitive chemical sensor instrument comprises a base component and a lid component, the base component being adapted to receive, in use, a sensor, the signal generated by which depends on the mass of material adsorbed at a sensing surface thereof, the base component or the lid component having formed therein, in a recessed area, at least one channel for the ingress of sample fluid, the recessed area forming, in use and in conjunction with the sensing surface of the sensor, a sample chamber, the sensor being held, in use, between the base component and the lid component and the approach of the base component and lid component being limited on assembly of the sensor element by means of substantially rigid portions of each which come into abutment, thereby limiting the minimum height of the sample chamber for a given set of sensor, base and lid components.

Abstract: A method of observing a consumer product is provided. The method includes placing a consumer product into an imaging machine, and then using the machine to obtain information regarding the product.

Abstract: A transportable system and method for determining erodibility of a surface such as that of an earthen embankment. Select embodiments deploy an instrumented portable bottomless open channel test enclosure, either a manifold or an inlet to a flume, and sufficient piping and valves to provide a fluid flow over a surface of interest. Select embodiments use mounts, such as spikes, affixed to the bottom edges of the open channel to position the channel flush against the surface, thus reducing or preventing fluid leakage along the periphery. Select embodiments emulate a hydraulic open channel having smooth vertical sides as may be found in a civil engineering laboratory. Select embodiments incorporate an external pump, gauges for taking measurements while fluid flows through the channel, an inlet and an outlet and a re-cycling sub-system from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the topography of an object. A micro-cantilever with a scanning tip is provided. The micro-cantilever includes a thermal sensor. A biased voltage is applied across the thermal sensor. A resistance change of the thermal sensor is then identified. The bias voltage is then modulated, based on the resistance change to enhance the bandwidth and the sensitivity of the thermal sensor. Responsive to the scanning tip traversing a topographical variation on an object, the thermal sensor is vertically displaced with respect to the object, which induces a temperature change of the thermal sensor. A subsequent electrical resistance change of the thermal sensor is then identified, the subsequent electrical resistance change corresponding to a subsequent temperature change. The position of the object relative to the thermal sensor is then identified based on a difference between the initial electrical resistance and the subsequent electrical resistance.

Abstract: The spark plug comprises:—a central electrode (2),—an insulating core (6) bearing the central electrode (2),—an external body (8) in which the insulating core (6) is mounted and which has a region (18) where the external body (8) is crimped onto the insulating core (6), and—a force sensor (30). The force sensor (30) is mounted at the periphery of the external body (8) between, on the one hand, a bearing element (38) secured to a first peripheral region of the external body (8) and, on the other hand, a second peripheral region (24) of the external body (8). The second peripheral region (24) of the external body (8)is further away from the crimping region (18) than the first peripheral region. The bearing element (38) is prestressed against the force sensor (30).

Abstract: A test bench conditioning system for a working fluid of a machine located on the test bench includes at least one pump (3) for circulating the working fluid, a heat exchanger (4) for cooling the working fluid coming from the discharge line (1) of the machine and a heating device (5) for the working fluid fed into the supply line (2) to the machine and a mixing valve (6). Furthermore, a bypass (8) that can be shut off between the discharge line (1) and the supply line (2) can be provided. Setting a temperature profile for the working fluid is possible via a control device. In order to render possible an optimum simulation of a real temperature profile of an operating fluid of a machine with the slightest deviations for the predetermined profile, a connecting line (10) with a control valve (11) leads to the discharge line (1) in front of the mixing valve (6), which opens into this discharge line (1) in front of the pump (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the error monitoring of chassis components of rail vehicles, including at least one vibration sensor. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one vibration sensor is arranged on a bogie frame or on a wheel set bearing of an axis of a bogie of the rail vehicle such that the detection direction thereof has a component in the moving direction (x-direction) or a component perpendicular to the moving direction (y-direction) and at the same time a component parallel to the vertical axis (z-direction) of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid based ice protection test method tests an aircraft part that includes at least a first heating element mounted on an inside surface of an aircraft skin. The method includes bringing the aircraft skin into contact with a low temperature bath and taking one or more temperature readings of the aircraft skin. A liquid based deicing test system includes a container that holds a low temperature bath, a fixture to suspend the aircraft part within the container, and a temperature sensing device for reading temperatures on an outside surface of the aircraft part. A liquid based ice protection test method includes sealing off ends of an aircraft part, attaching at least one temperature sensing device on the aircraft part and at least partially submerging it in a low temperature bath, and obtaining temperature information from the temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A component having an acceleration sensor having at least one freely oscillatory mass, and a resonator having at least one resonating structure, in which the at least one freely oscillatory mass of the acceleration sensor and the at least one resonating structure of the resonator are disposed on and/or in one chip. A corresponding production method for a component is also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing for characterizing turbine blades, including characterizing the dynamics of one or more turbine blades or stages of a stage in terms of natural frequencies, normalized response intensity, and/or stage modal shape or nodal configuration. Such methods and systems comprise fluid (e.g., oil) excitation of bladed disks and quantitative modeling of the fluid excitation. Additionally or alternatively, such methods and systems may provide for analyzing modal shape or nodal configuration of a bladed disk (e.g., a turbine stage) based on a phase analysis of strain signals acquired from a bladed disk subjected to a fluid excitation, wherein the modal shape or nodal configuration corresponds to modes of blades coupled through a disc or shrouding.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides coated polymeric substrates that have a polymeric substrate body with a coated surface. The surface coating includes more than one pair of coating layers. Each pair of coating layers includes a first applied coating layer and a second applied coating layer. In addition, an indicator, applied on top of or between coating layers, provides an indication of wear of the coating.

Abstract: A diamond-like carbon coating is provided on a metal interior surface of a sample chamber of a well fluid sampling apparatus to render the sample chamber substantially impervious to the absorption of at least H2S, mercury, and/or mercaptans. The coating is a dense, amorphous, diamond-like carbon with an sp3 content greater than about 65% and is composed of about 70 percent (%) carbon, 30 percent (%) hydrogen. The coating may be applied over the surface in one or more layers by a suitable method, e.g., plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition or a PAVCD process, and is between about 10 and about 20 microns thick. One or more of the layers of the coating includes a small percentage of silicon to increase both the adherence to the metal interior surface of the sample chamber and the absorption resistance of the coating. The resulting sample chamber provides H2S, mercaptan, and mercury retention of greater than about 95% of the original concentration in samples stored up to 14 days.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting icing conditions in an airstream includes a flow housing mounted on an aircraft and in which one or more probes are mounted. At least one of the probes subjected to impingement of the airstream and liquid moisture droplets in such airstream. The heat removal, or cooling effect on the probe in the airstream carrying liquid droplets is determined. A temperature signal indicating the airstream temperature is combined with signals from the at least one probe for determining whether or not icing conditions are present.

Abstract: A thermal flow meter for use in dialysis is described, that uses a thermal wave to generate a signal in the fluid for which the flow rate is to be measured. The phase angle of the thermal wave signal changes when traversing downstream. The phase difference between the signals received downstream, compared with a reference excitation source signal is measured, and used to determine the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A gravimeter that utilizes an electromagnetic launcher for enabling a free-fall of a test mass is disclosed. The electromagnetic launcher propels the test mass upward such that the test mass begins to free-fall once it has reached the apex of its flight. In addition, in some embodiments, the test mass comprises only non-ferromagnetic materials so that the free-fall of the test mass is unperturbed by magnetically induced influences.

Abstract: A Coriolis gyro having an arrangement which comprises a substrate, at least two individual structures and spring elements. The spring elements couple the individual structures to the substrate and to one another. Force transmitters and taps are provided. The arrangement has at least one excitation mode which can be excited by the force transmitters and at least one detection mode which can be measured by the taps. The excitation mode and the detection mode are closed, as a result of which no disturbance excitations of the excitation mode and of the detection mode can be caused by linear accelerations and/or vibrations if there is no need to take account of manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: There is provided a signal separation circuit of an angular velocity sensor where a first sensing section, a second sensing section and a third sensing section which are arranged in two second arms are connected to a detection circuit section, and in this detection circuit section, an angular velocity is detected based upon angular velocity signals outputted from the first to third sensing electrode sections. A configuration is formed where angular velocity signals include an X component signal around an X axis, a Y component signal around a Y axis, a Z component signal around a Z axis and an oscillating component signal of a flexible body in the mutually orthogonal X axis, Y axis and Z axis, and the detection circuit section is provided with a separation circuit that separates these X component signal, Y component signal, Z component signal and oscillating component signal.

Abstract: At the frequency of natural vibration with which the driving tines and detection tine of a piezoelectric vibrator resonate, the vibration directions of natural vibrations and the frequency difference between the resonance frequencies are set to reduce the leakage of vibration from the driving tines to the detection tine for suppressing the leakage vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator. In the piezoelectric vibrator, the vibration direction of the driving tines is made orthogonal to the vibration direction of the detection tine, or the frequency difference between the resonance frequency of the driving tines in the in-plane direction and the resonance frequency of the driving tines in the out-of-plane direction is increased sufficiently to suppress the growth of the leakage vibration. This configuration makes the piezoelectric vibrator compact and reduces leakage vibrations.

Abstract: A convective accelerometer capable of measuring linear or angular acceleration, velocity, or angle of inclination is provided. The accelerometer comprises sensing elements that are sensitive to convection located inside a sealed housing containing a liquid agent. Applied external acceleration causes forced convection of the liquid agent, which produces variations in an electric current produced by the sensing elements that are proportional to the applied acceleration or angle of inclination. The accelerometer has a small size, extremely wide frequency and dynamic ranges, high sensitivity, simple design and is suitable for mass production. The device has a wide range of application, such as stabilization and control systems, homeland security, and oil exploration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a seismic acquisition system that includes an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes a capacitive MEMS-based sensor, a controller and a charge amplifier. The sensor includes a proof mass; input terminals to receive a first signal; and an output terminal that is electrically connected to the proof mass to provide a second signal. The first signal, which is regulated by the controller, controls an equilibrium restoring force for the sensor and causes the sensor to provide the second signal. The charge amplifier provides a third signal, which is indicative of a position of the proof mass.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, comprising: a mass including a main body and two capacitor plates located at the two sides of the main body and connected with the main body, the two capacitor plates being at different elevation levels; an upper electrode located above one of the two capacitor plates, forming one capacitor therewith; and a lower electrode located below the other of the two capacitor plates, forming another capacitor therewith, wherein the upper and lower electrodes are misaligned with each other in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, comprising: a substrate with at least one opening; and a membrane supported on the substrate, the membrane including at least two thin segments and a thick segment connected together, wherein the two thin segments are not at the same level, and the thick segment is formed by a plurality of layers including at least two metal layers and a via layer, such that the membrane has a curve cross section.

Abstract: An MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) sensor includes a base layer and a deformation portion provided on the base layer at an interval from the base layer and deformed by external force. The deformation portion is made of an organic material.

Abstract: A full tube is closed in a closing station of a tube filling machine by forming a welded joint, and the closed tube is then tested in terms of the tightness thereof. In order to do so, sound wave energy is introduced into the welded joint, and the sound wave that penetrates the welded joint is detected and is compared with a reference sound wave. The tube is classified as faulty if the detected sound wave deviates from the reference sound wave by more than a predetermined measure.

Abstract: A vibration sensor enabling measuring a vibratory signal in a single virtual center of mass of the sensor including a chamber within the housing exhibiting a chamber center and chamber surface wherein all portions of the chamber surface are substantially equidistant from chamber center; and two pairs of vibration-sensitive transducers, wherein each transducer has a body including a first end portion, a second end portion and a central axis segment passing axially through the center of the body, between the first end portion and the second end portion; and wherein the first end portion includes a transuding element receptor portion; and wherein the second end portion is in operative association with the housing and each transducer pair of the two or more transducer pairs and includes an axis passing through the central segment of a first transducer, the chamber center, and the central segment of a second transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high accuracy, inexpensive diagnosis method and system diagnosing an abnormality of a 10 rpm or less very low speed roller bearing using an acoustic signal, that is, detects an acoustic signal emitted from a roller bearing of a 10 rpm or less ultralow speed rotating machine using a sensor having a sound pickup performance of 10 kHz or less, uses frequency analysis to find the spectrum distribution, processes this to obtain the frequency analysis waveform, compares the spectral average value or effective value of a frequency of the natural frequency of the bearing or more of this with a reference value, and judges that the bearing is abnormal when this spectral average value or effective value exceeds the reference value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a system for using a thermal measurement method to determine the gas pressure in a vacuum element or in an evacuated body having an envelope and comprising on its exterior a flap delimited by two film faces that are joined together in the region of the free edge of the flap; the system according to the invention is characterized, on the one hand, by the fact that the space between the two film faces of the flap communicates with the space inside the envelope of the vacuum element and is at least partially filled with an open-pored, thin material layer, and, on the other hand, by a device for measuring the gas-pressure-dependent heat exchange coefficient of the flap at the location of the material layer; the invention also relates to the manner of operation of this measuring device.

Abstract: The precision of crack-propagation prediction is improved by taking into consideration a variation in the error due to inspectors and inspection methods. There is provided a crack-propagation prediction method including a correlation-information preparing step of measuring the length of a crack initiated in a test object by a plurality of inspectors and/or a plurality of inspection methods and obtaining correlation information between data acquired through the measurement and the condition of an actual crack; a crack-length estimating step of estimating the actual length of the crack initiated in an inspection target on the basis of the crack length measured by an inspector during inspection of the inspection target and the correlation information; and a crack-propagation-curve estimating step of estimating a crack-propagation curve of the inspection target originating from the crack length estimated in the crack-length estimating step.

Abstract: A test apparatus for applying shear loads to a deposit on a substrate comprises a cantilevered shear tool (18) having a tip (24) for contact with the deposit, and a back face having a piezo-electric crystal thereon. In use, the back face is subject to a compressive force, as well as other forces, and a corresponding electrical output from said crystal which is proportional to those forces. In one embodiment, the portion of the shear tool which contacts the deposit is offset rearwardly from the front face of the shear tool to improve the accuracy of the signal produced by the piezo-electric crystal. The apparatus is useful in testing the strength of bonds between deposits and substrates typically found in semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A clip for detecting bending forces and electrical characteristics is disclosed, which comprises: a base; a clipping head fixedly disposed on the base and composed of a clipping sheet and a fixing sheet combined therewith; and a force detecting unit fixedly disposed the base and contacting the clipping head; wherein the clipping head is provided with two electrodes thereon and the two electrodes contact a substrate when the clipping head clips the substrate.

Abstract: A flowmeter is provided to have a measuring tube, in or on which a measuring system is arranged. The flowmeter includes pinch seal sleeves which are arranged at both ends of the measuring tube for connecting the measuring tube to a process pipeline. According to an exemplary configuration, the pinch seal sleeves and/or the inner surfaces of the pinch seal sleeves are composed of an electrically insulating material and/or coated with an electrically insulating material. To make the device lighter in enable fast installation, the measuring tube can be made flangeless.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive load sensor includes a coil with a through hole, a load sensing member disposed in the through hole, first and second magnetic circuit defining members which are joined together so as to cover the coil and which together define a magnetic circuit to pass a magnetic flux that has been generated by current flowing through the coil, and a housing that houses the coil. The load sensing member and the first and second magnetic circuit defining members are arranged together. Each of the first and second magnetic circuit defining members includes a first portion that contributes to defining the magnetic circuit and a second portion that is arranged so as to extend from the first portion and extend out of the magnetic circuit. The housing holds and fixes together the respective second portions of the first and second magnetic circuit defining members.

Abstract: A device for detecting torque features of an electric screwer comprises a clutch for coupling with the electric screwer and a clutch for applying a resisting torque. The two clutches (11, 13) are connected to one another by a shaft (14) on which there are arranged extensometers (15) for measuring the torque transmitted by the shaft. On the shaft there is splined a disc (18) that bears on at least one face circular tracks (19, 20, 21, 22) that are coaxial to the shaft and to which the extensometers are electrically connected. Sliding contacts (23, 24, 25, 26) rest elastically on said circular tracks in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft to pick up the electric signals from the extensometers. An encoder (17) is provided to detect shaft rotation.

Abstract: The present invention of collecting gaseous sample employs the sealable container, the inlet mounted at a part of the container, the outlet mounted at the other part of the container, the atomizing electrode mounted in the container, the primary refrigerator mounted at adjacent to the atomizing electrode, the opposite electrode mounted in the container, the acicular capture electrode mounted at adjacent to the opposite electrode, and the secondary refrigerator mounted at adjacent to the capture electrode. Charged microparticles are prepared by chilling gaseous sample and producing condensate of the same. Such charged microparticles are collected by the capture electrode with static electricity, and they are condensed by chilling them. This method prevents the capture electrode from spreading solution thereon.

Abstract: Container seal having an integrated safety arrangement for a sample carrier, wherein the container seal (3) is in the form of a screw- or turning-closure, a lid, a cap, a plug or the like and the sample carrier is a swab having a sample collector (1) in form of a piece of cotton wool (1) or another suitable collector attached to a swab shaft (2), characterized in that the container seal (3) is provided with means for arresting the swab shaft (2) in guiding tube (4), wherein these arresting means allow a single insertion of the swab shaft (2) into the guiding tube (4) and prevent a movement into the opposite direction.

Abstract: An assembly that provides operational information about operation of a device, such as a nasal spray pump or metered dose inhaler. A linkage adapted to extend between a mounting assembly, connected to a stationary part of the device, and an adapter assembly, connected to a movable part of the device, is in operational relationship with a transducer to enable the transducer to indicate a mechanical relationship between the movable and stationary parts of the device corresponding to the operation of the device. A data collection and processing system may be connected to the transducer for determining information that may be used to program an automated actuation system.

Abstract: Device for mounting and demounting of a probe (12) to be arranged in an access tube to a process pipeline. It comprises an hydraulic cylinder (14), accessing the access tube (26) with a gripping tool (15) to engage a probe (12) for moving this probe into an operating position in the access tube and retrieving the probe from this position. A revolving unit (17) with at least two chambers (27, 28) is provided, each for accommodating an axially movable probe (12). The chambers (27, 28) are accessible by the gripping tool (15) to move a probe into a chamber and in a subsequent step from the chamber into the access tube. A power means (30, 31) is arranged for revolving the revolving unit (17).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional cam mechanism, which is capable of selecting a cam guide surface shape freely to drastically improve the degree of freedom for selecting a target locus on the follower side, transmitting not only a power between orthogonal axes but also a strong and reliable power, and performing a reversible operation. The present invention is configured such that a three-dimensional cam guide surface (2 (3)) is formed in a three-dimensional cam (1), and the cam guide surface (2) is caused to guide a cam follower (6 (7)) formed at a predetermined angle at one end of a follower side link (4), so that the rotational movement of the three-dimensional cam (1) is translated into the swinging movement at the other end of the follower side link (4).

Abstract: An actuator with an anti-loose structure comprises an actuator and an anti-loose structure. The actuator includes a first tube, a second tube and a drive assembly. The first tube is movably mounted on the second tube, and the drive assembly is drivingly connected to the first and the second tubes and provided with a drive gear connected to a power source. The drive assembly obtains the power through the drive gear to drive the second tube to life and descend with respect to the first tube. The anti-loose structure includes a first limit member and a second limit member that are both disposed on the drive screw of the drive assembly. The first limit member and the second limit member are respectively located at two ends of the drive gear to for avoiding the uncontrollable movement of the drive gear, which is likely to affect extending/retracting movement of the actuator.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic transmission control apparatus that secures the safety of a motor drive, even in the case where an abnormality exists in a unit that detects a voltage supplied to a motor control apparatus, and that neither deteriorates the controllability of the motor drive nor erroneously operates the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission. An automatic transmission control apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a voltage determination unit that determines which one of a voltage detected by a control apparatus voltage detection unit and a voltage detected by a motor voltage detection unit is utilized as a duty reference voltage; the motor control apparatus controls the motor, based on a motor drive duty that a drive duty calculation unit calculates by use of the voltage determined by the voltage determination unit.

Abstract: It comprises a fixed part (10) and a knob (20), said knob (20) being arranged such that it can be moved relative to said fixed part (10) for shifting operations, and a haptic device (30) for providing the user with a shifting feeling when operating the knob (20). The haptic device (30) may act between the knob (20) and the fixed part (10) and it may be mounted inside the knob (20). The haptic device (30) comprises a contoured surface fitted inside the knob (20) (31) and a follower finger (32) is arranged spring biased in the fixed part (10) towards the contoured surface (31).

Abstract: An arrangement of a shift rocker (1), in a transmission housing, comprising a sliding sleeve (2) and a shift rod (3). The shift rocker (1) is mounted to pivot relative to the housing about a pivot axis, can be actuated by the shift rod (3), and engages with an annular groove of the sliding sleeve (2), via sliding blocks (6, 7). The pivot axis of the shift rocker is substantially vertically orientated and the shift rocker (1) has at least one supporting element (9), located outside the vertically orientated pivot axis, which rests on the shift rod (3).

Abstract: In a robot arm having a closed link mechanism between a base and a hand, misalignment of the hand is inhibited during when the robot arm is used to move high temperature work. In a robot arm 100 in which a temperature of first predetermined links 20 and 4 from among a plurality of links constituting the closed link mechanism reaches a first temperature T1, and a temperature of second predetermined links 18, 10, 2, and 18 reaches a second temperature T2, the first predetermined links 20 and 4 and the second predetermined links 18, 10, 2, and 18 are formed from differing materials. An elongation ratio caused by thermal expansion of the first predetermined links 20 and 4 during a temperature change from a pre-operation temperature T0 to the first temperature T1 is approximately equal to an elongation ratio caused by thermal expansion of the second predetermined links 18, 10, 2, and 18 during a temperature change from the pre-operation temperature T0 to the second temperature T2.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connecting device of a joint unit. The electrical connecting device includes a first conductor provided at one side of the electrical connecting device and a second conductor provided at the other side of the electrical connecting device. The first and second conductors make contact with each other. Therefore, the joint unit is electrically connected at all times so that the joint unit is used as a module.

Abstract: A bidirectional tendon terminator that has particular application for terminating a tendon that actuates a finger in a robotic arm. The tendon terminator includes a cylindrical member having an internal channel through which a single continuous piece of the tendon extends. The internal channel of the tendon terminator includes a widened portion. A ball is placed in the tendon strands, which causes the tendon to expand, and the ball is positioned within the widened portion of the channel. Pulling on the tendon operates to either open or close the finger of the robotic arm depending on which direction the tendon is pulled. In one specific embodiment, the cylinder includes two cylindrical pieces that are coupled together so that the ball can be positioned within the channel and the cylindrical member has an entire circumference of material.