Abstract: A three-axis MEMS transducer featuring a caddie-corner proof mass comprises a planar main body portion of conductive material and a planar extra mass caddie-corner feature. The main body portion includes a width, length, and at least four side edges. An x-axis sense direction is defined from a first side edge to an opposite first side edge and a y-axis sense direction is defined from a second side edge to an opposite second side edge. The x-axis sense direction is perpendicular to the y-axis sense direction. The main body portion further includes at least two corners. The caddie-corner feature is positioned about at least one of the two corners of the main body portion. The caddie-corner feature and the main body portion comprise a single proof mass having a z-sense pivot axis disposed at an angle of ninety degrees to a diagonal extending from the caddie-corner feature to an opposite corner of the main body portion.

Abstract: A sensor adapted for measuring acceleration, the sensor including a light source for illuminating an optical cavity; the optical cavity oriented for receiving light from the source, the optical cavity comprising a quality factor greater than or equal to about 10,000; and a photodetector for measuring a resonant frequency of light emitted from the optical cavity.

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 audiometer including a processor controlled test signal generator is adjustable so as to produce a uniform output signal when coupled with a transducer load. Each transducer set to be used with the test signal generator includes recordable indicia in written or electronic form, upon which correction values for adjusting the electronic signal output of the audiometer module to produce a desired sound output from the each transducer in the transducer set. When the transducer set is connected to the audiometer module, the correction values are either retrieved automatically from the electronic indicia, which may be an EEPROM, or are input to the processor manually by a user through an interface such as a keyboard. These correction values are then used by the processor to dynamically adjust the output of the audiometer to correct for sound output response deviation of each transducer in the transducer set.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission medium is received in a medium container, and an opening of the container is sealed by a polymer membrane. An inspection object is received in an inspection object receiving container body that is separate from the medium container and whose opening is formed opposite the polymer membrane of the medium container. The opening of the inspection object receiving container body is covered by the polymer membrane of the medium container, and a measurement environment space formed by a frame body, the polymer membrane, and the inspection object is reduced in pressure to cause the polymer membrane to be in intimate contact with the inspection object. Then, flaw detection is performed by emitting and applying an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe to the inspection object via the ultrasonic transmission medium and the polymer membrane.

Abstract: A vibration excitator is described, comprising: a main body (2); a stinger (3) which is adapted to move relative to the main body (2), in a particular working direction; an actuator (5) coupled to the main body (2) and the stinger (3); wherein the stinger (3) has a first end (3a) that is coupled to the main body (2), and an opposite second end (3b) that is intended for attachment to an object (V) to be examined; wherein the stinger (3) has an elastic centre point (Me); wherein the main body (2) has a centre of gravity (G); and wherein L1=L3 applies, wherein L1 is the distance between the elastic centre point (Me) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction; and wherein L3 is the distance between the centre of gravity (G) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure determination device for determining the pressure in a fuel storage arrangement, with a connection element for connecting the pressure determination device to the fuel storage arrangement, a first chamber, a connecting line for communicating connection of the interior of the connection element to the first chamber, a second chamber, a membrane, and a switch, the interior of the connection element, the connecting line and the first chamber being made to accommodate throughflow of a fluid, the first chamber being made separated fluid-tight from the second chamber at least by means of the membrane, and the membrane being made for actuating the switch at least depending on the pressure of the fluid in the first chamber, and the connecting line being provided with a vibration damping element through which a fluid can flow.

Abstract: A pressure gauge locking structure of a paintball gun includes a rear cap and a pressure gauge. The rear cap is screwed to a rear end of a gun body and has a first end and a second end. The first end is formed with a recess for the pressure gauge to be secured therein. The second end is provided with a piston block which has a stepped hole therein. The stepped hole is disposed axially and interconnected with the recess. The pressure gauge has a guiding rod which has a threaded hole for insertion of a screw member. The pressure gauge has an air passage for interconnecting with an air passage of the piston block so that the pressure gauge is unable to be dismantled from its exterior and the user reads the pressure gauge easily.

Abstract: A sensor device. One embodiment provides a first sensor having a first sensor surface. The first sensor surface is exposed to allow sensing of a first variable. A second sensor has a second sensor surface. The second sensor surface is sealed to inhibit sensing of the first variable, and a mold material is embedded the first and second sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a load sensor which is driven by a low electric power consumption, can measure at a high precision, and has a high reliability without being broken. The load sensor is structured such that a detection rod for detecting a strain is provided in an inner portion of a hole formed near a center of a pin via a shock relaxation material and a semiconductor strain sensor is provided in the detection rod, in a load sensor detecting a load applied to the pin from a strain generated in an inner portion of the pin.

Abstract: A high suction double-cell extractor includes an outer cell defining an outer chamber, and an open-ended inner cell defining an inner chamber. The inner chamber is bottle-shaped and has a neck. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a vertical loading system for applying axial force on a soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a port for introduction of pressurized air supply into the outer and inner cells. The introduced pressurized air can apply cell pressure on the soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a relative humidity control system and a differential pressure detector system. The high suction double-cell extractor can be used to measure stress-dependent soil-water characteristics curve (SDSWCC) under various stress states three-dimensionally and more accurately, and under total suction up to 8,000 kPa.

Abstract: A specimen grip assembly which can be used with a relatively light-weight jaw in a materials testing system. The specimen grip assembly illustratively contains a grip shell and a pair of wedge-shaped specimen grips. The shell has a truncated, frusto-pyramidal exterior shape with two outwardly facing inclined surfaces, both inclined at an angle and which matingly abut and slide against complementary inclined interior surfaces of the jaw. The grips are oriented in a recess within the shell such that inclined surfaces of the grips abut against interior complementary surfaces of the shell. The shell, containing the grips and specimen, is suitably positioned within the jaw, with the shell and grips then jacked into a fixed position. The shell substantially eliminates any noticeable compliance from the specimen grips that might otherwise arise from tensile and/or compressive forces applied to the jaw and specimen grip assemblies during a test program.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting the flow volume of a fluid using alternating vortices.

Abstract: A correction system provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement of a coriolis meter. The correction system includes a gas volume fraction (GVF) meter, which may include an array of strained-based or pressure sensors, to measure the speed of sound propagating through the fluid passing through the coriolis meter to calculate at least the GVF of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. The calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit for determining an improved mass flow rate and/or density for the coriolis meter. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A torque sensor for a steering wheel with a center axis has an input member, an output member, the input and output members being rotatable about the common center axis, and a spring member that is arranged in a flow of force between the input member and the output member, the spring member is configured as a flat spring member extending in a plane perpendicular to the center axis.

Abstract: The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat 1 comprises a pair of fixed lower rails 3 fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails 4 which are engaged with the fixed lower rails 3 so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails 3, a sub frame 110 which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails 4, load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80 which lie between the sub frame 110 and the movable upper rails 4, brackets 8 and 9 which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails 4, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets 8 and 9. The submarine pipe 11 is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket 9.

Abstract: The driving force produced by the linear drive on a motor with a rotational drive and with a linear drive can be registered in a quantified fashion by virtue of the fact that deformation of a motor element (top disc 22) which connects a rotor (30) of the linear drive to an output shaft (24) is measured. A corresponding signal can then be assigned to a measured value for the axial force, either on the basis of a known linear relationship or on the basis of standardization. Strain measuring gauges (DMS1 to DMS4) are used to measure the deformation.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments provide sensing devices of the type useable to obtain measurements from a plurality of positions of a substrate, such as in a well, body of water, soil, snow pack, or ice pack. In a particular implementation, the sensing device includes a housing having a length. A plurality of digital sensors are disposed at a plurality of positions along the length of the housing. A communication bus is in communication with each of the plurality of sensors. A data collection or transmission device is in communication with the communication bus. Further implementations provide sensing devices having a housing formed from a plurality of modular sections. Sensors are disposed in at least one of the modular sections. Also disclosed are networks formed from a plurality of the disclosed devices.

Abstract: A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value.

Abstract: A threaded nut is provided for a linear drive having a rotatable spindle. The threaded nut is provided with a main nut, wherein the main nut is intended for being arranged with its internal thread on the external thread of the spindle, and is intended to perform a translatory displacing motion during a rotary motion of the spindle. The threaded nut has, furthermore, a safety nut, which is intended not to mesh by its internal thread with the external thread of the spindle during the normal operation of the linear drive and to mesh with the thread of the spindle in case of failure of the main nut. To make possible simple mounting in case of such a threaded nut means and to reduce the risk for incorrect alignment, the main nut (11) has a first part and a second part. The two parts are located at spaced locations from one another and each part being provided with a threaded section (18a, 18b) of the main nut (11), wherein the safety nut (12) is intended to be arranged between the two threaded sections (18a, 18b).

Abstract: Transmissions in which the mechanical gear shift arrangements are replaced by electro-hydraulic operated shift mechanisms that have to be able to be neutralised positively to ensure a proper operation. An arrangement and method are provided to determine the position of the shift rail so a shift can be made only if the conditions are right. To prevent engagement of two shift members at the same time and consequent damage in case of electronic failure, mechanical safety features such as detents are included.

Abstract: A steering handlebar apparatus for a vehicle includes a rod-shaped steering handlebar having a hand grip at a distal end thereof, and also includes both a clutch lever and a hot start lever mounted thereon at a position proximal to the hand grip. A switch holder for holding various switches is mounted to the steering handlebar at a position proximal to the hand grip. The hot start lever is journaled on the lower surface of the switch holder so that the user can operate the hot start lever with the thumb of the hand which is holding the hand grip, and can simultaneously turn off the clutch lever with other fingers of the same hand. The inventive arrangement provides a steering handlebar apparatus for a vehicle which facilitates simultaneous operation of a handle lever and a hot start lever using the hand which is holding a hand grip of a steering handlebar.

Abstract: A parallel mechanism which has a holding bracket; a movable platform; and three branch joint assemblies of the same structure that are spatially arranged symmetrically about an axis disposed between the holding bracket and the movable platform. Each branch joint assembly has a connecting rod, a linear guide, a driving device and a carriage. The linear guide and the driving device both are secured on the connecting rod. One end of the connecting rod is connected with the movable platform through a hinge having three rotational degrees of freedom. The carriage and the linear guide are connected with each other by a sliding joint, and the carriage is connected with the holding bracket by a hinge having one rotational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A reach-adjustable lever assembly that is mountable to a handlebar for actuating one of a gear-change and braking device. The lever assembly includes a lever with a finger grip pivotably connected to a housing and a reach adjust mechanism. The reach adjust mechanism includes a cam actuator and a cam. The cam actuator is rotatably supported by one of the housing and the lever. The cam is threadably connected to the cam actuator and is configured to engage the other of the housing and the lever. The cam is displaceable upon rotation of the cam actuator to pivot the lever to position the finger grip relative to the handlebar.

Abstract: A pedal system includes a housing, a pedal lever pivoted to the housing for rotation, and a hysteresis mechanism located above the pivot axis when mounted in a vehicle so that it is positioned in a protected position from environmental dirt and debris, and further is positioned in a more open region less subject to conflicting special requirements within the vehicle. The housing defines a closed end and an open end. The pedal lever is adapted to fit into the housing with the hysteresis mechanism already mounted on a free end of the pedal lever. A pivot pin extends through side walls of the housing and also through the pedal lever to retain the pedal lever in the housing, and is accessible for attachment of an electrical sensor for sensing angular position of the pedal.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a rotatably supported shaft, is provided with a thin-walled sleeve arranged such that a gap is provided along a circumferential direction of the shaft. The clamping device clamps the shaft by deforming the thin-walled sleeve towards the shaft.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench assembly having a spring assembly positioned in the ratchet head. The ratchet wrench has a handle portion, a head portion with a yoke having yoke teeth, a ratchet mechanism drive body positioned in the head portion, and one or more pawls positioned in the drive body. The yoke is capable of reciprocating between movement with the pawls of the drive body operatively engaging the yoke teeth and movement with the pawls of the drive body disengaged from the yoke teeth. The spring assembly is positioned in the drive body and is capable of retaining the drive body in position when the yoke reciprocates from a first direction to a second direction.

Abstract: A wrench comprises a handle connected to a housing. A socket is rotatably supported in the housing for ratcheting movement relative to the housing. A retaining member releasably secures a device in the socket. A retainer is supported on the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The retainer, when in the first position, at least partially overlays the socket. A plurality of guides orient a member relative to the socket. The guides are mounted in a rotatable body. A first handle is permanently connected to the housing and a second handle is removably connected to the housing.

Abstract: A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool.

Abstract: For signaling the force exerted with a manually operated pair of pliers, one arm of the pliers comprises an inner lever and an outer lever, the inner lever carrying a jaw of the pliers and being biased by means of compression springs, with respect to the outer lever which is gripped by the user's hand. The two levers, have opposed contact elements, which contact one another when the actuation force that acts counter the bias of the compression springs, reaches a predetermined value, to actuate a vibrator housed in the arm of the pliers.

Abstract: An attachment for a power tool has a tool receptacle for receiving a tool bit, a locking unit which is detachably mountable on a housing of a power tool, an output shaft, which is connectable to a drive shaft of the power tool in a manner fixed against relative rotation, and a device for adjusting the torque.

Abstract: A torque-limiting driver. The driver comprises a handle having a housing, a drive assembly located the housing. The drive assembly comprises a drive, a drive clutch member supported by the drive shaft and secured to the housing, a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft and interacting with and biased against the drive clutch member. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft. The housing has a first open end and a second open end. The drive assembly is locked or secured together at the first open end, and the drive assembly is connected to a tool at the second opening.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, machine tool for radially machining a surface is provided, where the machine tool includes a cutting head having a cutter movably coupled thereto, and the cutter is further coupled to a control member such that the control member can variably control radial movement of the cutter relative to the cutting head.

Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A cooling system for a Gatling machine gun can be use to retrofit an existing machine gun or can be incorporated in a newly manufactured gun. The system directs fluid through the housing assembly of the machine gun to a location intermediate barrels of the gun, and discharges the fluid to cool the barrels.

Abstract: A percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a firing pin, spring means and a drive cam for the firing pin enabling its displacement in translation up to an “armed” position and the compression of the spring means, such device wherein it incorporates means to immobilize the firing in the “armed” position, these means being supported by the weapon breech and able to take up a position in which they immobilize the firing pin and another in which they release the firing pin.

Abstract: A ballistics armor system comprises plural tiles having overlapping edge portions.

Abstract: A ceramic composite and method of making are provided. The ceramic composite may be transparent and may serve as transparent armor. The ceramic portion of the composite may be single crystal sapphire. The composite may provide adequate protection from projectiles while exhibiting large surface areas and relatively low areal densities.

Abstract: A transparent assembly locatable in a building surface having a rebate is described. The assembly has a transparent panel and one or more high tensile strength flexible material reinforcement pieces extending laterally from the panel to provide non-rigid attachment of the assembly to a subframe and/or wall, wherein the attachment allows movement of the assembly within the rebate. By direct but non-rigid attachment of the transparent assembly, generally a window, to the subframe and/or wall, any weakness in the impact-resistance of the assembly because of weakness and/or damage to the frame is avoided. The non-rigid nature of the attachment allows it to absorb much of the blast loading. This allows a large load on the transparent assembly to be supported by the subframe and/or wall. The present invention also provides a number of ballistic-resistant and blast-resistant assemblies providing protection against much higher levels of protection from high velocity weapons and explosives.

Abstract: A swash plate pivot bearing is provided having roller bearing segments (15) arranged between a hollow cylindrical bearing surface (12) for a swash plate (10) in a housing (3) and a cylindrical bearing surface (11) on the swash plate (10), held in curved cages (17) whereby elements are provided for controlling the cages which prevent the cage (17) accommodating the roller body (16) from slipping out from the optimum position thereof in the pivot bearing. The cage control elements are integrated into the roller bearing segments (15) so that at least one roller body (23, 23.1, 23.2) of cylindrical form has a positive engagement with the hollow cylindrical bearing surface (12) and the cylindrical bearing surface (11). It is thus possible to prevent the escape of roller bearing segments (15) from the bearing gap (22) due to the effects of vibration.

Abstract: A mechanical tappet (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001) is provided, in particular for actuating the lifting of a pump piston (39) of a fuel pump of an internal combustion engine, with a sleeve-shaped tappet housing (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 902, 1002) constructed as a shaped sheet-metal part and with a driving roller (6) supported so that it can rotate. Here, a bolt (4) supports the driving roller so that it is centered, and end sections (7) of the bolt projecting from the driving roller are supported in bolt eyes (8) of the tappet housing.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic damper including a receiving space formed between a rod guide of a cylinder and an insert metal, for temporarily retaining a working fluid leaked out from an oil chamber through a sliding gap of a rod. The hydraulic damper further includes a communicating path for communicating between a reservoir and the receiving space, and a check valve for allowing a flow of the working fluid only from the receiving space to the reservoir. Either one of a lip part of the check valve or a seat surface provided on the rod guide is formed with a sealing projected part protruding from a mutual contact surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one contact volume connectable with at least one target volume, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume being separated by at least one filter arrangement, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume defining at least one predefined flow path through filter arrangement.

Abstract: An convection oven with a removable blower wheel system is provided. The oven includes motor with a corresponding motor shaft, a first hub engageable with the motor shaft, a blower wheel, and a second hub. Each of the first hub, blower wheel, and second hub include corresponding radial apertures formed in consistent positions on each component. A plurality of shafts extend through each of the first and second hubs and the blower wheel to cause the three components to rotate together.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to an alignment device, method, and system for aligning an upper platen of a paperboard press with a lower platen of a paperboard press. The alignment device can comprise a latching collar adapted to be mounted on a lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a central hole and can be adapted to be mounted on or affixed to the lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a locking area. The alignment device can further comprise a plunger unit. The plunger unit can comprise a housing, a securing device attached to the housing, and a plunger configured for reciprocal motion through the housing. The securing device can be adapted to removably secure the housing to a top surface of an upper platen of a paperboard press.

Abstract: A spray head is provided in which fluid flow is redirected by an insert before the fluid exits a spray nozzle. Specifically, the spray head includes an insert located within its valve body that changes the path of fluid moving through the valve body and spray nozzle cavity, resulting in increased mixing of fluid in the spray nozzle cavity and thus, improved lateral spray distribution when the fluid exits the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Cloth feed control unit of a cleaning device for printing machine cylinders. Provided is a position sensor (30), which generates signals linearly in proportion to the radial variations in the distance of the peripheral surface of a cleaning roller (8, 10) from the position sensor (30). The signals can be used to calculate the length of a cleaning cloth that is on a cloth roller and/or to control the cloth feed. The cloth feed control is carried out preferably in combination with signals of an encoder (44), which detects the rotation-increments of a cloth roller.

Abstract: A flexographic printing station prints at least one print stripe of opaque scratch-off coating onto the surface of the card over a PIN as a card member is advanced into a printing station. A print cylinder has a circumferential printing surface that engages an Anilox metering roll and receives the scratch-off coating therefrom and transfers the scratch-off coating from the printing surface onto the surface of the debit card. A controller controls movement of the print cylinder via a mounting mechanism into and out of engagement with the surface of the debit card at a predetermined location and for a predetermined length of time to apply at least one print stripe of predetermined length onto the surface of the debit card based on the length of time the printing surface engages the surface of the debit card.

Abstract: A modified projectile round which is configured to function with a propellant cartridge such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,074. The projectile assembly uses a High-Low gas pressure cartridge to launch the projectile. When the high pressure cartridge is ignited, hot propellant gases rupture a burst cup and shoot propellant gases toward the aft end of the projectile. The hot propellant gases impinge against a delay carrier located in the aft end of the projectile. The contents of the delay carrier are thereby ignited. The delay carrier includes one or more delay columns ultimately terminating in an igniter charge. The delay columns burn as the projectile is in flight. A specified amount of time later, the igniter charge ignites an ignitable payload—such as a marker flare candle.