Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fluid modulation signals transmitted by an instrument in a wellbore includes a motion sensor coupled to a selected position on an exterior of a conduit coupled between a discharge side of a fluid pump and an inlet to a pipe string suspended in the wellbore. The instrument is coupled to the pipe string. A signal detector is in signal communication with the motion sensor.

Abstract: A flow meter includes a heater for heating a fluid flow along a membrane. A temperature difference is measured between and upstream point and a downstream point. There are additionally provided one or more strips of material having a relatively high heat conductivity. Strips that are substantially perpendicular to the flow direction direct heat from the heater to the sides of the membrane, causing a large proportion of the heat that would otherwise drive heat flows to be dispersed and decreases inaccuracies or bias in the measured flow rate. Strips of material that are provided parallel to the flow direction act to direct heat from the heater along the direction of flow. This increases the proportion of heat that flows along this axis and guides the flow and hence reduces the proportion of heat available to drive heat flows that cause inaccuracies and bias in the measured flow rates.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus and a method for determining a characteristic variable for the location of a boundary surface in a container are described, wherein a multiple echo having at least the order of one is recognized in an echo curve. The characteristic variable for the location of the boundary surface in the container is determined based on the position of the multiple echo and the order of the multiple echo.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a measuring apparatus for detecting a filling level of a fluid (F) in a tank (T) by means of ultrasound signals. The measuring apparatus comprises a sensor unit (3) adapted to transmit and receive ultrasound signals, and an evaluation device (40) adapted to evaluate the received ultrasound signals. The sensor unit (3) and the evaluation device (40) are arranged on a common assembly (4), and the assembly (4) is arranged in a housing (2) of the measuring apparatus (1). That provides for accurate measurement of even low filling levels.

Abstract: A level sensor includes a substrate having at least one reflective side surface, at least one wave generator on one end of the substrate configured to transmit a wave down the surface of the substrate and a plurality of reflective echelons mounted on the substrate such that each echelon is at an angle relative to reflective side surface. The reflective echelons are configured to convert a wave of a first mode in to a wave of a second mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one fill level of a medium in a container comprising: a capacitive or conductive probe unit having at least one electrode; and a control/evaluation unit. The electrode is a hollow body, that an end region of the electrode protruding into the container is embodied as an oscillatable membrane. On an inner side of the membrane a driving/receiving unit is arranged, which excites the membrane to execute mechanical oscillations and receives mechanical oscillations therefrom and converts such into an electrical, received signal. The control/evaluation unit supplies the electrode at least at times with a voltage and determines the fill level of the medium capacitively or conductively, and/or that the control/evaluation unit supplies the driving/receiving unit at least at times with an exciter signal and determines from the electrical received signal the fill level of the medium.

Abstract: Sensing a force and/or a change in motion proximate to an arbitrarily-shaped surface via a conformal sensing element (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer) disposed on a flexible substrate and having a sufficient mechanical coupling to the surface. The conformality of the sensing element facilitates intimate proximity to the surface to ensure accurate sensing. Examples of arbitrarily-shaped surfaces include body parts of a person (e.g., a head). A processor receiving one or more signals from the sensing element may provide information relating to possible injury to a body part (e.g., head trauma) resulting from sensed forces and/or changes in motion. Such information may be conveyed by one or more output devices that provide indications of possible degrees of injury/trauma. A conformal sensing apparatus may be integrated with a protective garment or accessory, such as a helmet, wherein the conformality of the sensing apparatus also ensures sufficient comfort for the wearer.

Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope includes: a microstructure having a fixed structure, a driving mass, movable with respect to the fixed structure according to a driving axis, and a sensing mass, mechanically coupled to the driving mass so as to be drawn in motion according to the driving axis and movable with respect to the driving mass according to a sensing axis, in response to rotations of the microstructure; and a driving device, for keeping the driving mass in oscillation with a driving frequency. The driving device includes a discrete-time sensing interface, for detecting a position of the driving mass with respect to the driving axis and a control stage for controlling the driving frequency on the basis of the position of the driving mass.

Abstract: A tunneling accelerometer includes a proof mass that moves laterally with respect to a cap wafer. Either the proof mass or the cap wafer includes a plurality of tunneling tips such that the remaining one of proof mass and the cap wafer includes a corresponding plurality of counter electrodes. The tunneling current flowing between the tunneling tips and the counter electrodes will thus vary as the proof mass laterally displaces in response to an applied acceleration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an inertial sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The inertial sensor includes: a flexible part; a mass body movably supported by the flexible part and including a metal; a post supporting the flexible part; piezoelectric elements driving the mass body or sensing displacement of the mass body; and a package enclosing the flexible part, the mass body, and the post, wherein the metal has a melting point lower than the Curie temperature of the piezoelectric elements and higher than that of a solder forming connection parts for a surface mounting technology (SMT) provided on the package.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor is provided. The acceleration sensor contains a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element. An electrically insulative element is connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element. At least one electrically conductive spring is located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of acoustic sensors (acoustically coupled to a structure for monitoring) is connected to a network bus system via a preamplifier for capturing, processing and reporting acoustic events in a structure, for example aircraft structures. Each of the preamplifiers processes the acoustic event signals received from the sensors when an acoustic emission resulting from an acoustic event (defect in a structure, impact on the structure etc), and passes digital processed signal data relating to the detected acoustic event to a Remote Data Concentrator over the network for collation. The collated data is then stored and/or further processed (at a later time or in near real-time) to determine the source and/or location of detected acoustic emissions in the structure.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a noninvasive constituent concentration measuring apparatus and constituent concentration measuring apparatus controlling method, in which accurate measurement can be performed by superimposing two photoacoustic signals having the same frequency and reverse phases to nullify the effect from the other constituent occupying large part of the object to be measured. The constituent concentration measuring apparatus according to the invention includes light generating means for generating two light beams having different wavelengths, modulation means for electrically intensity-modulating each of the two light beams having different wavelengths using signals having the same frequency and reverse phases, light outgoing means for outputting the two intensity-modulated light beams having different wavelengths toward a test subject, and acoustic wave detection means for detecting an acoustic wave generated in the test subject by the outputted light.

Abstract: A physical quantity detector includes a diaphragm including a displacement part that is displaced under external pressure, a ring-shaped fixing part that holds an outer circumferential part of the diaphragm, a holding member having a projection part that projects from an inner circumference of the fixing part toward a center at one surface side of the diaphragm, a support fixed to the projection part, and a pressure-sensitive device having a first base part fixed to the displacement part, a second base part fixed to the support, and a pressure-sensitive part provided between the base parts.

Abstract: A pressure measuring cell for detecting the pressure prevailing in an adjoining medium, comprising an elastic membrane on which a first electromechanical transducer is arranged, which supplies a first pressure-dependent output signal is provided. According to the invention, a second electromechanical transducer, which supplies a second pressure-dependent output signal, is arranged on the membrane wherein the two transducers are arranged such that with an elastically reversible deformation of the membrane the output signals have a first pressure characteristic, and after an irreversible deformation of the membrane due to an increased pressure load same have a significantly different second pressure characteristic.

Abstract: A MEMS pressure sensor wherein at least one of the electrode arrangements comprises an inner electrode and an outer electrode arranged around the inner electrode. The capacitances associated with the inner electrode and the outer electrode are independently measured and can be differentially measured. This arrangement enables various different read out schemes to be implemented and also enables improved compensation for variations between devices or changes in device characteristics over time.

Abstract: The invention provides a submersible, electrically-powered sensor assembly that incorporates a flexible seal assembly having operative and non-operative electrical traces of a uniform vertical height for carrying clamping loads and avoiding signal loss along a signal carrying trace due to compression of the flex seal, minimizing fluid leak paths between two flange surfaces, providing stability in compression, and enabling electrical communication in an environment having an operating fluid.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a flexible substrate, a CNT film made of a plurality of CNT fibers aligned in an orientation direction, a pair of electrodes, and a protective coat. The electrodes are formed at the opposite ends of the CNT film in a perpendicular direction to the orientation direction of the CNT fibers. The protective coat protecting the CNT film is made of a resin, a water-based emulsion, or an oil-based emulsion. The protective coat is placed in contact with at least part of the CTN fibers on the surface of the CNT film. The strain sensor including the protective coat is able to prevent damage/breakage of the CNT film and to prevent foreign matters from entering into gaps between CNT fibers, thus improving durability in maintaining adequate sensing functionality.

Abstract: A mechanical-quantity measuring device capable of measuring a strain component in a specific direction with high precision is provided. At least two or more pairs of bridge circuits are formed inside a semiconductor monocrystal substrate and a semiconductor chip, and one of these bridge circuits forms a n-type diffusion resistor in which a direction of a current flow and measuring variation of a resistor value are in parallel with a <100> direction of the semiconductor monocryastal silicon substrate, and an another bridge circuit is composed of combination of p-type diffusion resistors in parallel with a <110> direction.

Abstract: Performance of a sport equipment, such as a ball bat, is measured by applying a force through a spring of known elastic properties to compress the sport equipment and indicating compliance of the sport equipment to a known standard based on the compression of the sport equipment.

Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus adapted to interact with a mold that defines a mold axis is provided. The gyratory compactor apparatus includes a frame defining a frame axis, a pivoted support carried by the frame, and a mold-engaging device carried by the pivoted support and having a carriage plate spaced-apart from the pivoted support for receiving the mold. The carriage plate is movable relative to the frame axis by rotation of the pivoted support. At least one actuator is in engagement with the carriage plate for imparting translation to the carriage plate relative to the frame axis.

Abstract: A system for processing a signal from a sensor is described. The system comprises an analog-to-digital converter. The system is configured to vary a sampling rate of said analog-to-digital converter dependent on an expected shape of the signal.

Abstract: First and second piezoelectric transducers 2 and 3 are fixed to a tubular main body 1 via first and second fitting bases 4 and 5. On front and rear surfaces of an end portion of each of the first and second piezoelectric transducers 2 and 3 are provided first and second electrodes 6 and 7. When the tubular main body 1 is secured to a circuit box, each of the end portions of the first and second piezoelectric transducers 2 and 3 is inserted between first and second contact members provided on the circuit box such that the first and second electrodes 6 and 7 are electrically connected to the first and second contact members, respectively to connect the first and second piezoelectric transducers 2 and 3 to the circuit box by one touch operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement including a torque sensor for measuring the torque acting on a first shaft and including a rotational angle index unit. The first shaft is supported by at least one bearing, the seal of the bearing including a magnetic index encoder that is detected by at least one magnetic sensor element.

Abstract: A transport container system for a water analysis sensor cartridge includes a water analysis sensor cartridge configured to be interchangeable. The water analysis sensor cartridge comprises at least two different sensor membranes. A transport container cup comprises, for each of the at least two different sensor membranes, a separate moist chamber. Each separate moist chamber comprises one chamber opening and a specific humectant for each of the at least two different sensor membranes.

Abstract: A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Abstract: A method of collecting trace evidence comprises covering a surface with a sheet material comprising a sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The first side comprises an active side exhibiting an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user and which is sufficient to adhere to a target surface. The sheet of material is sufficiently flexible to conform readily to a desired surface and has sufficiently small resiliency that it does not exert undue restorative forces which would tend to cause the sheet of material to break contact with the desired surface. The sheet material is pressed on the target surface. The sheet material is removed from the surface wherein trace evidence adheres to the sheet material.

Abstract: A disposable animal fecal sample kit including a fecal sample holding bag having a resealable closure adjacent an opening at one end thereof, and a hollow fecal sample collector tool to be stored within the fecal sample holding bag. The collector tool can have a notch formed at one end. An envelope can have indicia defining an animal fecal sample identification data entry location printed thereon and a sealable flap at one end. The envelope for receiving the fecal sample holding bag and hollow fecal sample collector tool therein. A fecal sample removal tool is engageable within the hollow fecal sample collector tool for pushing a fecal sample out of the collector tool. The removal tool can have one end with an external periphery complementary with respect to a cylindrical cross-section of the fecal sample collector tool and an opposite end with an enlarged finger grip portion.

Abstract: A dust test system includes a test chamber, a vibration apparatus mounted on the test chamber and a vibration control circuit electrically connected to the vibration apparatus. The test chamber is adapted to accommodate an electronic device. The vibration apparatus includes a vibration sieve mounted on the test chamber and at least one vibration motor linkage to the vibration sieve. A plurality of dust is laid on the vibration sieve. The vibration control circuit is adapted to receive a first AC voltage, and output a second AC voltage according to the first AC voltage. The at least one vibration motor is adapted to receive the second AC voltage and vibrate. The vibration sieve is adapted to vibrate together with the at least one vibration motor. The plurality of dust lying on the vibration sieve are dropped into the test chamber.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a display on which measurements are displayed. The display is provided by an organic electroluminescent panel or an electronic paper including an assembly of organic electroluminescence devices and includes: a display controlling section that displays a plurality of scale segment images at an equal interval and a pointer image at a position corresponding to the measurements among display areas displayed by the plurality of scale segment images; and a scale information input section that specifies at least one of the display areas and inputs scale interval information of the scale segment images on the specified area. The display controlling section includes a scale interval changing section that, based on the scale interval information, displays the scale segment images on the specified area commanded by the scale information input section.

Abstract: A gyroscope and a manufacturing method are provided. The gyroscope comprises: a substrate with a bottom driving electrode and a bottom measuring electrode, and a dielectric layer with a sealed cavity comprising: a central axis on the substrate; a support ring on the substrate rotatable around the central axis; a mass ring surrounding and having common central axis with the support ring; cantilevers connected with the support ring and the mass ring and suspend the mass ring in the cavity; elastic components among the support ring, the mass ring and two adjacent cantilevers; a top driving electrode overlaying the support ring, the mass ring, the cantilevers and the elastic components; a conductive plug connected with top driving electrode and bottom driving electrode on the elastic components. The mass ring comprises an insulation layer and a weight layer. Stability and performance of the gyroscope may be improved.

Abstract: A linear actuator suitable for mobilizing a load comprises: a leg linked to the load by one of its ends with a ball joint with three degrees of freedom in rotation; a plate that is mobile in translation along an axis belonging to a plane of a support of the actuator, said mobile plate being mechanically linked to the leg by its other end. The linear actuator also comprises at least one first elastic cable, fixed by one of its ends to the mobile plate, and fixed by its other end to the support, being engaged in a first pulley fixed to the support. The actuator can notably be used to mobilize a simulation platform mounted on a hexapod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bevel gear wheel (1) of a bevel gear unit, each tooth (2) of which comprises a load flank (3) and a non-working flank (4), wherein the teeth (2) have a helical or spiral tooth trace, in particular a curved tooth longitudinal line, and the teeth (2), in particular the upper meshing region of the teeth, have an octoid tooth shape or a spherical involute tooth shape, and the teeth have an excess material quantity (11) on the load flanks (4) in order to reinforce the load flanks (4), in particular such that the axis (9) that runs through the tooth tip-bisecting point AI of the tooth tip transverse line (23) and through the midpoint of the gear wheel exhibits asymmetry of the teeth (2). The invention further relates to a method for producing a bevel gear wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the tooth geometry is produced by a four-axis or multi-axis method, in particular a five-axis method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothing, in particular between a starting pinion (22) and a ring gear (25) of an internal combustion engine. The toothing is designed as straight or oblique toothing and comprises a number of individual teeth (202) that mesh with one another. The thicknesses of the individual teeth (212) are asymmetrical, in particular in reduced or widened form on one or both sides.

Abstract: The guide element has two opposed hooks in alignment, one of which is intended to be positioned angularly so as to bear and butt in a recess formed in the support mount, while the other hook is designed to bear on an elastic member belonging to said mount so as to trigger the pivoting movement of a tilting latch which engages with said other hook, under a tilting effect of said guide element that corresponds to a position of coupling with the support mount.

Abstract: A shift assembly for a manual transmission includes a decoupled inertial mass. The decoupled mass is active only to assist and complete the shift (longitudinal shift lever movement) and is inactive during selection (lateral shift lever motion). A shift tower includes a stub shaft which is translated axially by a first shift cable through a first linkage. This motion corresponds to lateral motion of the shift lever (selection). A radial arm is rotated by a second shift cable through a second linkage. This motion corresponds to longitudinal motion (gear engagement) of the shift lever. A mass of dense material is mounted on the arm which is received about the stub shaft and connected thereto by a member in a slot that rotationally couples the arm and mass to the stub shaft but allows unrestricted (uncoupled) axial motion between the arm (and mass) and the stub shaft.

Abstract: A robot arm assembly includes a first mechanical arm, a second mechanical arm, a third mechanical arm, a first transmission assembly and a second transmission assembly. The first mechanical arm, the second mechanical arm and the third mechanical arm are rotatably connected together in that order, and are respectively configured to rotate along a first axis A, a second axis B and a third axis C. The first transmission assembly is assembled within the first mechanical arm and the second mechanical arm, and is further coupled with the third mechanical arm. The second transmission assembly is assembled within the first mechanical arm and sleeved on the first transmission assembly, the second transmission assembly is further coupled with the second mechanical arm.

Abstract: An active compliant parallel device includes a movable body; a base body; and a plurality of linking members. The plurality of linking members are coupled to the movable body and the base body by a plurality of joints and include at least one compliant linking member, having a compliant element, and at least one actuating linking member, having an actuating element. The device may further include at least one damping linking member having a damping element and/or at least one passive linking member. The actuating, compliant, passive, and/or damping linking members are arranged in a parallel arrangement or structure such that each linking member makes a connection, using a connection element, such as a joint, with the base body and the movable body. The potential configurations of the device allow for movement and positioning of one or more unrestricted and externally loaded elements in space.

Abstract: A robot arm assembly includes a supporting arm, first and second mechanical arms, a first driving member, a second driving member, a first transmission mechanism between the first mechanical arm and the first driving member, and a second transmission mechanism between the second mechanical arm and the second driving member. The first driving member drives the first transmission mechanism to rotate the first mechanical arm. The second driving member drives the second transmission mechanism to rotate the second mechanical arm. The first driving member and the second driving member are both carried in the supporting arm and are arranged side by side.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steered shaft, and stoppers which restrict an amount of movement of the steered shaft in an axial direction. The steered shaft has first outer peripheral faces, second outer peripheral faces, and annular stepped portions. Each stepped portion includes a contact portion that faces a corresponding one of the stoppers in the axial direction, a first corner portion that has a concave curved sectional shape and connects the first outer peripheral face to an inner end of the contact portion, and a second corner portion that has a concave curved sectional shape with a larger curvature radius than that of the first corner portion, and connects the first outer peripheral face to the second outer peripheral face, at a position in front of or behind a central axis of the steered shaft.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly for allowing or preventing adjustment of a component and an adjustable steering column are provided. A compression bracket is configured to support the steering column, a rake bracket is configured to support the compression bracket and an actuating lever is slidingly coupled to the compression bracket and slidable along a linear travel path. A linkage assembly is connected to the compression bracket and is coupled to one end of the actuating lever and a clamping assembly is coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to release a clamping force from the component upon movement of the actuating lever from a first position to a second position, and apply a clamping force to the component upon movement of the actuating lever from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, the bearing bushing being enclosed by an elastic bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube, the outer circumference of the elastic bushing comprising outwardly extending rib-shaped elements, the elastic bushing comprises at least one sealing lip extending in the axial direction.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle has at least two components and at least one locking device. The components can be adjusted in the position thereof relative to each other along an adjustment path in an open position of the locking device and are locked in the position thereof relative to each other in a closed position of the locking device. A stop element is arranged at least an a first of the components, which stop element limits the adjustment path and can be detached from the first of the components when a force value is exceeded. The adjustable steering column has a tool which can be inserted between the stop element and the first of the components in order to detach the stop element.

Abstract: A handle assembly and related methods for actuating a mechanism such as a disconnect switch.

Abstract: A handle assembly and related methods for actuating a mechanism such as a disconnect switch.

Abstract: When a depression force of an accelerator pedal is increased than a base depression force by a predetermined increase amount when an accelerator opening degree becomes greater than an accelerator opening degree threshold value, an overshoot control is performed so that a depression force increase command is once increased than a depression force increase target command value which increases the depression force of the accelerator pedal than the base depression force by the predetermined amount, and returned to the depression force increase target command value. In this overshoot control, an overshoot controlled variable of the overshoot control is set based on a magnitude of a hysteresis of the base depression force of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A handle assembly and related methods for actuating a mechanism such as a disconnect switch.

Abstract: A steering wheel that can be quickly assembled and disassembled includes a fixed unit and a connecting unit, and a first interval is formed at a bottom portion of the fixed unit. Several ball slots are formed outside the connecting portion, and several fixed connecting points are formed at the end of the connecting portion. The connecting unit has a top portion and a conjugating portion, wherein the conjugating portion has several rolling balls and movable connecting points, and the connecting unit covers the connecting portion of the fixed unit through the conjugating portion. The rolling balls and ball slots are used to form a structure for quickly assembling and disassembling the steering wheel, and when the rolling balls are not aligned with the ball slots, the fixed connecting points and movable connecting points have an appropriate space in between to avoid a short circuit.

Abstract: A cam is disclosed. The cam may include a body having an outer surface at a substantially constant diameter extending between a first end and a second end, a first path helically disposed inward from the outer surface, around the body in a first direction, wherein a first end of the first path is proximate the first end of the body, and a second path helically disposed inward from the outer surface, around the body in a second direction, wherein a first end of the second path is proximate the second end of the body.