Abstract: A hub unit adapted for use in a monitoring system that monitors engine performance parameters of a gas turbine engine. The hub unit includes a housing, at least one signal conditioning circuit board within the housing and adapted to receive the analog sensor outputs from the sensors, and a control circuit board within the housing, connected to the signal conditioning circuit board, and adapted to produce digital data corresponding to analog sensor outputs. The control circuit board and the signal conditioning circuit board each comprise electrical circuit components that define an analog signal processing path and have accuracy and precision characteristics that drift in response to component aging and to changes in the temperature to which the hub unit is subjected. The hub unit performs a continuous calibration scheme to determine and remove errors in the analog signal processing path resulting from the drifts of the electrical circuit components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and/or diagnosing an emission control system of a vehicle having a first SCR region upstream of a second SCR region are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, indicating degradation based on a first SCR region performance during a first condition; and indicating degradation based on a second SCR region performance during a second condition, the first condition different than the second condition. In this way, different levels of degradation among different SCR regions may be used to indicate emissions levels have increased above a threshold value, for example.

Abstract: A diagnostic test for a secondary air system comprising an air pump, a first mass air flow sensor connected to the air pump and a first check valve connected to the first mass air flow sensor. A first testing phase is disclosed comprising a first delay period and a first testing period, wherein the air pump is activated. A second testing phase is disclosed comprising a second delay period and a second testing period wherein the first check valve is opened. A third testing phase comprising a third delay period and a third testing period is disclosed wherein the first check valve is closed. A fourth testing phase is disclosed comprising a fourth delay period and a fourth testing period wherein the air pump is deactivated. An optional fifth testing phase is also disclosed comprising a fifth delay period and a fifth testing period wherein the air pump remains off but the check valve is reopened and engine RPMs are increased.

Abstract: A stroke sensor abnormality determining apparatus includes a stroke sensor for detecting a stroke of a brake pedal by detecting an electric signal that varies in response to the stroke of the brake pedal, a deceleration calculating unit for calculating a total target value, which is correlated with a target deceleration of a vehicle, based on at least the stroke, and an abnormality determining unit for determining whether or not an abnormality of the stroke sensor occurs, based on the electric signal detected by the stroke sensor, the abnormality determining unit being configured so that a signal indicating the abnormality of the stroke sensor can be outputted when the abnormality is determined to have occurred in the stroke sensor.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating a load bearing on a vehicle tire includes an inflation pressure measuring sensor attached to the tire for measuring a tire cavity inflation pressure level; and one or more piezofilm deformation measuring sensors mounted to one or both of the tire sidewalls. The deformation measuring sensor generates within the tire footprint a deformation signal having signal power level indicative of a level of sidewall deformation within the footprint contact patch. Power-to-load maps adjusted for tire inflation pressure are generated and stored for the tire, the maps correlating a range of load levels to a range of signal power levels whereby operatively enabling a load level to be identified for each signal power level on an inflation pressure adjusted basis.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a valve stem assembly for a tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The assembly can comprise a valve stem body, and a grommet for purposes of engaging a vehicle wheel. The valve stem body can comprise an attachment end to be attached to a pressure sensor to determine tire air pressure, and an air transfer end to receive a gas to fill the tire. The grommet can further comprise flanges with dimensions such that the grommet can limit movement of the valve stem assembly relative to the vehicle wheel. Methods for installing the valve stem assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for characterizing and quantifying certain attributes of antiperspirants and deodorants is provided, such as payout, friction, and flakeoff. The apparatus is capable of reproducibly applying antiperspirants and deodorant to a substrate.

Abstract: A thermal disturbance of a rock mass is performed by circulating a fluid through a borehole, a temperature of the circulation fluid differs from a temperature of the rock mass. Before, during and after the thermal disturbance, differential electrical signals proportional to a temperature difference between two points along the borehole are registered by at least one pair of differential temperature transducers disposed along an axis of the borehole Differential electrical signals measured before the thermal disturbance are compared with differential electrical signals measured during the thermal disturbance and differential electrical signals of different temperature transducers positioned along the wellbore borehole are compared with one another. Based on the comparison results of different rock mass areas with different properties are identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coin value safeguard devices and methods by determining and monitoring the eye appeal of a coin and labeling that eye appeal on an appropriate holder of the coin such that the eye appeal is displayed to a viewer of the holder, and that coin's value is thus increased. Appropriately knowledgeable graders assess a coin's eye appeal by determining the coin's axial ultimate refractory angle(s) (AURA) and assigning an AURA rating to the coin. The coin image is stored in a database where it may be compared to secondary temporal images of the coin as necessary to determine whether coin doctoring has been employed.

Abstract: A rain monitoring system includes a rain monitor configured to measure fluid precipitation. A mount is provided and the rain monitor is attached to the mount. The mount includes a lower plate that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The lower plate has a plurality of primary apertures extending therethrough. An upper plate has an upper side, a lower side and an exterior edge. The upper plate has a plurality of secondary apertures extending therethrough. The rain monitor may be positioned on the upper side. A plurality of fasteners each has a first end and a second end. Each of the fasteners extends through a corresponding one of the primary apertures. Each of the fasteners threadably engages one of the secondary apertures to retain the upper plate above the lower plate. A support is attached to the mount and supports the mount above a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the liquid level of molten metal including an image measuring device (5), a measuring probe (6), a lifting mechanism (1), a displacement sensor (11), an data processing system (4) and a correction marker(7). The lifting mechanism (1) is fixed to the molten metal container (10) or is independent of the molten metal container, the image measuring device (5) and the measuring probe (6) are installed on the lifting mechanism (1) or are independent of the lifting mechanism, and the optical axis of the image measuring device (5) is set at an angle with the geometric axis of the measuring probe (6), the measuring probe (6) is located within the field of view of the image measuring device (5), the image measuring device (5), the lifting mechanism (1) and the displacement sensor (11) are connected to the data processing system (4) respectively. A method for measuring the level of molten metal is also disclosed.

Abstract: Filling-level measurement device with a housing and a measurement cell arranged inside the housing, wherein the measurement cell comprises an essentially cylindrical measurement cell body, which comprises a membrane arranged crosswise relative to a longitudinal axis of the measurement cell body, wherein the measurement cell is mounted in the housing by a circumferential sealing element, which is arranged between the measurement cell body and the housing, wherein the sealing element is arranged in axial direction of the measurement cell in such a way that a measurement signal emitted by the measurement cell is independent from a compression of the sealing element.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component measures a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The sensor couples to the support surface of the first structure. The support surface of the first structure is compliant. The first and second structure are coupled together housing the at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the first and second structure are welded together forming the hermetic seal that isolates the at least one sensor from an external environment. The at least one sensor can be a pressure sensor for measuring load and position of load.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring the gravitational acceleration on the ground, for example adapted to geophysical explorations applied to mining, including a base frame, a resonator having a first disc of sapphire integral to the base frame, and a second disc of sapphire arranged at a minimum distance from the first mass and aligned vertically with respect to the first mass such that the first and the second disc form a resonator for electromagnetic signals; a cantilever arm connected to the base frame and holding resiliently the second disc in order to provide a steady elastic modulus; a magnetic probe for applying an electromagnetic signal to the resonator arranged according to a plane existing between the two discs; a linear electric probe, arranged under the fixed disc aligned vertically with respect to its side edge, for measuring a resonance frequency of the resonator responsive to the electromagnetic signal, device for correlating the variation of the resonance frequency to a variation of distan

Abstract: Carrying cases for medical devices and components thereof are provided. Also provided are methods for carrying medical devices and for medical testing.

Abstract: A method of protecting a sensor for use in an environment, includes providing a protective enclosure formed in a plurality of sections, at least a first section of the plurality of sections being movable relative to a second section of the plurality of sections so that the protective enclosure can be placed around at least a portion of the sensor; placing the first section adjacent the sensor while the first section and the second section are in an open state; and moving the second section to place the first section and the second section in a closed state in which the first section and the second section encompass the at least a portion of the sensor.

Abstract: An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with: a driving mass, anchored to a substrate via elastic anchorage elements and moved in a plane with a driving movement; and a first sensing mass, suspended inside, and coupled to, the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect to the driving mass in the driving movement and to perform a detection movement of rotation out of the plane in response to a first angular velocity; the elastic anchorage elements and the elastic supporting elements cause the detection movement to be decoupled from the driving movement. The elastic supporting elements are coupled to the first sensing mass at an end portion thereof, and the axis of rotation of the detection movement extends, within the first sensing mass, only through the end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method that corrects for tuning errors in vibrating structure gyroscopes that are configured to be driven along a plurality of axes without the need for dedicated torque elements. The correction is accomplished by introducing a phase offset in the drive signal of one or more of the drive elements relative to other drive elements to minimize or reduce the quadrature signal. The tuning may be accomplished as a one time “set and forget” adjustment, as a manual adjustment performed at the discretion of the user, or as a closed loop active correction system. The technique improves the tuning of the resonator assembly, rather than merely compensating for the mistuning. Accordingly, for various embodiments of the invention, the destructive interference between the plurality of drive axes is reduced. Conservation of vibrational energy present in the resonator is thus enhanced, with less vibrational energy transferred to the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes a substrate having a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate collectively have a first mode when excited by a drive signal and have a second mode when excited by a gyroscopic effect. The first and second plates each include a temperature-compensated stack having first and third layers that have a stiffness that increases with increasing temperature over a temperature range with a second layer between the first and third layers, where the second layer is formed from a different material than the first and third layers.

Abstract: In a microelectromechanical device, a mobile mass is suspended above a substrate via elastic suspension elements and is rotatable about said elastic suspension elements, a cover structure is set above the mobile mass and has an internal surface facing the mobile mass, and a stopper structure is arranged at the internal surface of the cover structure and extends towards the mobile mass in order to stop a movement of the mobile mass away from the substrate along an axis (z) transverse to the substrate. The stopper structure is arranged with respect to the mobile mass so as to reduce an effect of reciprocal electrostatic interaction, in particular so as to minimize a resultant twisting moment of the mobile mass about the elastic suspension elements.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for sensing are provided. In one embodiment, a sensing system is provided that includes a first electrode array disposed on a proof mass, and a second electrode array disposed on a planar surface of a support structure. The proof mass is attached to the support structure via a compliant coupling such that the first electrode array is positioned substantially parallel to and faces the second electrode array and the proof mass is capable of displacement relative to the support structure. The first electrode array includes a plurality of first patterns of electrodes and the second electrode array includes a plurality of second patterns of electrodes. The sensing system further includes circuitry configured to provide an input voltage to each of the second patterns of electrodes to produce an electrical null position for the first electrode array.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software is disclosed for using parameters of acoustic emissions emitted from an structure, such as aircraft landing gear, for detecting yield in the structure.

Abstract: A machine has at least two wheels (at least one of them driven) arranged on a base body and connected with a revolving belt. A transmitter and a receiver are arranged on the base body. The transmitter transmits contactless to the belt a transmitted signal having an oscillation frequency, with the receiver from the belt a reflected signal in response to the transmitted signal. An evaluation device connected to the receiver checks if the reflected signal received by the receiver satisfies an acquisition condition indicating that a speed of the belt is in a predetermined speed range. The evaluation device determines, if the acquisition condition is satisfied, a frequency spectrum which is based of the oscillation frequency and the reflected signal in the predetermined speed range and indicative of a mechanical oscillation characteristic of the belt, and generates a control signal based on the evaluated frequency spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for investigating a structure and a structure for receiving and/or conducting a liquid or soft medium, the method comprising the steps of: a) exciting acoustic waves in the structure by means of at least one transmitter, b) converting at least a part of the energy associated with the acoustic waves (A) excited in the structure into volume sound waves of the medium, c) reconverting at least a part of the energy associated with the volume sound waves into acoustic wave energy of the structure thereby generating acoustic waves in the structure, d) receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter by at least one receiver, and e) verifying whether a coating is present on a surface of the structure and/or if a coating is present determining properties of the coating by evaluating a signal generated by the receiver upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter and/or verifying whether a level of the medium (5) is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Non-contact microelectronic device inspection systems and methods are discussed and provided. Some embodiments include a method of generating a virtual reference device (or chip). This approach uses a statistics to find devices in a sample set that are most similar and then averages their time domain signals to generate the virtual reference. Signals associated with the virtual reference can then be correlated with time domain signals obtained from the packages under inspection to obtain a quality signature. Defective and non-defective devices are separated by estimating a beta distribution that fits a quality signature histogram of inspected packages and determining a cutoff threshold for an acceptable quality signature. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound inspection device for the inspection of tubular workpieces, where the ultrasound inspection device can be coupled to the workpiece by means of a fluid medium, so that sound emitted from a transducer unit hits an insonification point on the lateral surface of the workpiece, the workpiece and the ultrasound inspection device can be moved relative to each other, and where the transducer unit is pivotable on a pivoting line which corresponds to an arc of a circle whose center is formed by the insonification point.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors output information into a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system via acousto-mechanical signals. The sensors are coupled to the optic fibre at the centre of the DAS system indirectly, the acousto-mechanical signal being transmitted via an intermediary body, such as the ground or a conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 ?m; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 ?m at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for mapping pipeline for use in a fluid pipeline, comprising: a pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the fluid in the fluid pipeline; a gyroscope that measures the angular velocity of the apparatus for mapping pipeline in the fluid pipeline; a processing module that collects and converts the pressure of the fluid and the angular velocity to a pressure data and an angular velocity data, respectively; and a data output module that outputs the pressure data and the angular velocity data. The present invention also provides a method for mapping pipeline and a system using the same that obtain the spatial layout of the fluid pipeline by analyzing the pressure data and the angular velocity data.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for measuring pressure comprises a fixed charge plate integral to a printed circuit board, a flexible charge plate that is grounded, a conductive donut-shaped adhesive spacer between the charge plates, a lid, a non-conductive donut-shaped adhesive spacer between the second charge plate and the lid, means of providing a pressure, fixed or variable, to both sides of the flexible charge plate, wherein a microcontroller controls a power supply and provides a voltage to the first charge plate wherein the accumulative voltage may be measured as a means of determining differential pressure.

Abstract: Provided is a piezo-resistive pressure sensor that realizes sensitive and accurate measurement of pressure, by reducing the variation of electrical conduction due to thermal variation in piezo resistance elements, without lowering the sensitivity of measurement. Piezo-resistance sections R1, R2, R3 and R4 are arranged on diaphragm 31, near the border between diaphragm 31 and support section 32. By this means, pressure can be measured with high sensitivity. The area of a part where a group of piezo-resistance elements are placed, and the outer shape of that part, are the same between piezo-resistance sections R1, R2, R3 and R4. By this means, piezo-resistance sections R1, R2, R3 and R4 have uniform temperature distribution and reduce the variation of electrical conduction due to thermal variation in piezo resistance elements.

Abstract: A device for measuring strain on a surface of an object (3) includes a carrier (5) which is provided with a central section (6) and two end sections (8) which are arranged on either side of the central section (6). A strain element (10) is connected to the carrier (5) and is provided with a strain sensor. The device (1) for measuring strain includes two supporting feet (9) which can be directly attached to the surface of the object (3) at a distance apart. The end sections (8) of the carrier (5) are detachably connected to in each case one supporting foot (9).

Abstract: There are provided a method by which a stress history of an object can be measured with high reliability if the object, which has temporarily been elastically deformed upon receiving an external force, recovers from the elastic deformation, and a composite material containing cement as a main component, of which a stress history can be measured with high reliability without reducing the strength of the material itself and without breaking the structure. To achieve the above-mentioned advantages, the method includes the steps of: acquiring an initial value of a twin density for calcite particles contained in an object to be measured that is elastically deformable upon receiving an external force; and measuring a history of stresses received by the object to be measured on the basis of a difference from the initial value in respect of the twin density for the calcite particles after the object to be measured receives the external force.

Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable conduit, and a driver connected to the conduit that is operable to impart motion to the conduit. A sensor is connected to the conduit and is operable to sense the motion of the conduit and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to detect a single-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a first process during the single-phase flow condition to generate a validated mass-flow measurement. The controller is also operable to detect a two-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a second process during the two-phase flow condition to generate the validated mass-flow measurement.

Abstract: Force or pressure transducer arrays have elastically stretchable electrically conductive polymer threads disposed in parallel rows and columns that contact at intersections thereof a piezoresistive material which has an electrical resistivity which varies inversely with pressure or force exerted thereon to form a matrix array of force or pressure sensor elements. The threads are fixed to a single one or pair of flexible elastically stretchable substrate sheets made of thin sheets of an insulating polymer such as PVC, or for greater elasticity and conformability to irregularly-shaped objects such as human body parts, an elastically stretchable fabric such as LYCRA or SPANDEX. Elastic stretchability of the sensor arrays is optionally enhanced by disposing either or both row and column conductive threads in sinuously curved, serpentine paths rather than straight lines.

Abstract: A load cell for detecting the supporting force transmitted by a load-bearing support element is provided. The load cell forms a measuring portion of the support element, which deforms under the supporting force and transverse forces in a direction deviating from the supporting force to form part of the support element with the same. A plurality of thin-film resistors are arranged at the measuring portion, and exhibit a reaction proportional to strain and whose reactions proportional to transverse forces cancel each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoresistive material, a piezoresistive composition and a pressure sensor device are provided. The piezoresistive composition includes a conductive carbon material, a solvent, a dispersive agent, an unsaturated polyester and a crosslinking agent. The conductive carbon material is selected from a group consisting of multi-wall nanotube, single-wall carbon nanotube, carbon nanocapsule, graphene, graphite nanoflake, carbon black, and a combination thereof. The solvent is selected from a group consisting of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexane, propylene glycol mono-methyl ether acetate and a combination thereof. The dispersive agent includes block polymer solution with functional groups providing the affinity. The unsaturated polyester is selected from a group consisting of an ortho-phthalic type unsaturated polyester, an iso-phthalic type unsaturated polyester, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A force sensor of the present invention corrects the output voltages of Hall elements without using a temperature sensor in response to changes in the characteristics of a magnet and the Hall elements.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to improve response property and accuracy of temperature control of a liquid sample, and is provided with a vaporization tank that retains the liquid sample, one or more heaters that are provided in the vaporization tank and respectively have heating parts that come into contact with the liquid sample to heat the liquid sample, a temperature detection part that is provided in contact with an outer surface including the heating part of any of the heaters and detects a temperature of the outer surface, and a control part that receives a temperature detection signal from the temperature detection part to control electric power supplied to the heaters.

Abstract: A handheld pipetting apparatus for metering liquids, with a handleable pipette housing, at least one accommodation for a fastening portion of a syringe cylinder of a syringe, at least one plunger accommodation in an accommodation body for a plunger fastening portion of a syringe plunger of the syringe, syringe and plunger gripping levers for detachably holding the fastening portion in the accommodation and the plunger fastening portion in the plunger accommodation, at least one displacement device with a displacement chamber and a shiftable chamber wall limiting the same, for displacing a fluid; at least one seat for detachably holding a pipette point, a channel, connecting a hole in the seat with a displacement chamber, and at least one drive device, which is connected to couplable with the accommodation body the and/or the chamber wall, for shifting the accommodation body with respect to the accommodation, the and/or the chamber wall with respect to the displacement chamber.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for ground sensing from the interior of a vehicle, comprising a sensing probe capable of being brought into contact with the ground, and a handle for moving the sensing probe from a rest position into a lower ground sensing position. The sensing probe can be coupled with the handle such that upon actuation of the handle, the sensing probe is lowered into the ground sensing position accompanied by lever action. A lowering locking mechanism can be provided for arresting a lowering movement of the sensing probe. For orientation purposes, the sensing probe can be pivotable via the handle about an essentially horizontal pivot plane, and an orientation arresting mechanism can be provided for arresting an orientation position of the sensing probe. In a vehicle having such a sensing apparatus, the sensing probe can be guided through the bottom of the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sampling tool (100, 200) for use in obtaining a sample of material from within a container comprises a cutter shaft carrying a cutting head (1, 101), the shaft including a passage which has an inlet located at or towards the cutting head (1, 101), a drive mechanism which is adapted to cause the cutter shaft to rotate in a first direction in turn to cause the cutting head to cut a hole in wall of the container and expose the inlet to the material contained within the container, a flexible seal (3, 103) carried by the cutter shaft which is located so that with the inlet in contact with the fluid the seal extends at least partially through the hole, a clamp mechanism which is operable once the seal is located in the hole such that continued rotation of the cutter shaft pulls the cutting head (1, 101) back towards the hole to mechanically clamp the seal (3, 103) around the hole; and a self sealing connector which is in connection with an outlet of the passage and through which a sample may be withdrawn into a s

Abstract: The present invention is a sensor interface or network of interfaces that utilizes high-temperature electronics to operate at elevated temperatures for applications that include but are not limited to aircraft and automobile engines, vehicle frames, refineries, nuclear and chemical production plants, and in downhole drilling for petroleum and natural gas. The interface or network provide connectors for a variety of sensors with analog and digital outputs, and can in turn provide data to an automated electronic control system or a monitor. Because the sensor interface may be placed in so-called “hot zones” nearer to the sensors being monitored than other systems that use conventional electronics, the sensor interface can increase noise immunity, increase reliability, decrease cost, reduce weight, and increase space.

Abstract: A system and method for absorbing rock-back and oscillation in a drive assembly of an engine start-stop device. The drive assembly has a pinion with at least two slots that receive axially extending protrusions of a barrel element. Damping elements in the slots and a spring element absorb rock-back and impact oscillations.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated shifter for use in a power take-off includes a shifter housing having an interior, a fluid port, and an opening. A shifter piston is disposed within the interior of the shifter housing and is movable in first and second directions. The shifter piston defines first and second chambers within the interior of the shifter housing. The fluid port communicates with the first chamber, and the opening communicates with the second chamber. The shifter piston includes a passageway that provides communication between the first and second chamber defined within the interior of the shifter housing. A shift actuator is supported on the shifter piston for movement therewith and extends through the opening provided in the shifter housing.

Abstract: A robot manipulator includes a plurality of joint shafts including at least first and second joint shafts. If the robot manipulator extends vertically with respect to a rotation center of the first joint shaft that rotates in a horizontal plane, a rotation center of the second joint shaft that rotates in another horizontal plane is offset from the rotation center of the first joint shaft.

Abstract: A cable guide re-orders a plurality of cables. A first guide plate has a plurality of first guide holes that receive a plurality of cables in a first order. A second guide plate has a plurality of second guide holes that receive the plurality of cables in a different second order. An intermediate guide plate is located between the first and second guide plates. The intermediate guide plate has a plurality of intermediate guide holes. Each of the intermediate guide holes receives one of the plurality of cables and causes a change of direction in the cable to facilitate the change from the first to the second order. The intermediate guide plate may further include cable passages to allow some cables to pass through without changing direction. There may be more than one intermediate guide plate. The cables may change from a generally linear to a generally circular arrangement.

Abstract: A mechanism for articulating a right arm, a left arm, a right forearm, and a left forearm of a humanoid, the arms are coupled with a torso of the humanoid by humeroscapular joints. Each of the forearms is coupled with a humerus of the respective arm, by a respective proximal radioulnar joint. The mechanism includes a first transmission, a second transmission, a first actuator, a second actuator, and a controller. The first actuator is coupled with the right humeroscapular joint and with the left proximal radioulnar joint via the first transmission. The second actuator is coupled with the left humeroscapular joint and with the right proximal radioulnar joint via the second transmission, the controller controlling the movements of each of the first actuator and of the second actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating stiffness and a method for controlling stiffness, which can generate stiffness by using elastic members and can control the stiffness, and a joint of a robot manipulator to which the device and method can be applied. The device for generating stiffness includes a rotating shaft; a plurality of elastic members fixed to the rotating shaft; upper and lower circular plates that are disposed so as to be spaced from each other with the elastic members interposed therebetween, are independently driven with respect to the rotating shaft by power generating units thereof, respectively, and respectively have slits of which the number is equal to the number of the elastic members; and a plurality of moving members that are inserted into the slits formed in the upper and lower circular plates, respectively, and are connected to the elastic members so as to move.

Abstract: A steering device smoothly moves a variable tilt lock gear in a tilt direction, smoothly engages the movable tilt lock gear with a stationary tilt lock gear, and facilitates the assembling. When a movable tilt lock gear is not well engaged with a stationary tilt lock gear, and the respective threads of a gear of the movable tilt lock gear and a gear of the stationary tilt lock gear are abutted against each other, arm parts of a wire spring are elastically deformed by its reaction force. As a result, the movable tilt lock gear is slightly moved in the vertical direction of the vehicle body while the stationary cam is fixed, and the gear of the movable tilt lock gear and the gear of the stationary tilt lock gear are normally engaged with each other.