Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) sensor that measures RF current includes a substrate that has an inner perimeter that defines an aperture. A conductor extends through the aperture. Sensor pads are arranged on the aperture and are connected to form two sensor loops. The loops generate an electrical signal that represents RF current flow through the center conductor. Additionally, a plurality of circular conductive rings may be included in the RF sensor to generate a signal representing the voltage of the conductor.

Abstract: A forklift includes a chassis component having an opening in the form of one of a recess and a cutout; and a measuring element disposed in the opening and configured to record and translate changes in at least one of the geometric shape and size of the opening into electrical measurement signals dependent on a magnitude of the changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layout for antenna loops having both functions of capacitance induction and electromagnetic induction, and particularly relates to the layout for antenna loops having both functions of capacitance induction and electromagnetic induction, wherein the capacitance detection elements are integrated with the antenna loops. In this layout for antenna loops, each of the antenna loops therein is separated into three sections, and there are several geometric structures fabricated in two of these sections. These geometric structures are capacitance detection elements. Therefore, the two sections are directly fabricated to be the capacitance detection elements because of these geometric structures. By this way, the antenna loops can be integrated with the capacitance detection elements and the capacitance detection elements do not prevent the antenna loops from receiving the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A device and method using one or more electrically conductive nano-structures defined on one or more surfaces of a microelectronic circuit such as an integrated circuit die, microelectronic circuit package a stacked microelectronic circuit package, or on the surface of one or more layers in a stack of layers containing one or more ICs. The nano-structure is in connection with a monitoring circuit and acts as a “trip wire” to detect unauthorized tampering with the device or module. Such a monitoring circuit may include a power source such as an in-circuit or in-module battery and a “zeroization” circuit within the chip or package to erase the contents of a memory when the nano-structure is breached or altered. One or more electrically conductive nano-structures interconnect and reroute one or more electrical connections between one or more ICs to create an “invisible” set of electrical connections on the chip or stack to obfuscate an attempt to reverse engineer the device. microscope.

Abstract: A method of detecting the position of the armature (3) of an electromagnetic actuator arranged and able to move between first and second coils (1, 2), in which a voltage jump (UB) is applied to the first and the second coils (1, 2) of the actuator connected in series. The first and the second coils (1, 2) form a voltage divider in accordance with the impedance coil principle. The voltage (U1) of the first coil (1) and the voltage (U2) of the second coil (2) are measured and, from the measurement data for the voltages at the first and the second coils (1, 2), the quotient of the difference (?U) between the two voltage values and the voltage jump (UB), normalized in relation to the size of the voltage jump (UB) is calculated, and a specific armature stroke is correlated one-to-one with each value of the quotient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor device for determining an absolute angle of a prosthetic joint, and which is resistant to environmental elements and has a reduced power draw. The sensor device includes an inductive sensor and a rotatable member including a metal material. The metal material can include a non-ferrous metal material. The inductive sensor detects an amount of the metal material in a proximate location to the inductive sensor. Rotation of the rotatable member increases or decreases an amount of metal material in the proximate location of the inductive sensor. The amount of metal material in the proximate location corresponds to an angle of the rotatable member and the prosthetic joint based on a monotonic function. Thus, the inductive sensor detects the amount of metal material in the proximate location to determine the angle of the rotatable member and subsequently the angle of the prosthetic device.

Abstract: Techniques for characterizing a molecule are described herein. In one example, a portion of the molecule is trapped in a nanopore, a variable voltage is applied across the nanopore until the trapped portion of molecule is moved within the nanopore, and the molecule is characterized based on the electrical stimulus required to affect movement of at least a portion of the trapped portion of the molecule within the nanopore.

Abstract: Methods, device and systems for identifying or fingerprinting an intact bottle of wine are provided. Such methods are useful in authenticating a bottle of wine.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil energized by a high frequency current source. A first receiver coil includes an even number N of loops wherein adjacent loops of the first receiver coil are oppositely wound. A second receiver coil also includes N loops where adjacent loops are oppositely wound. Furthermore, the second receiver coil is angularly offset from the first receiver coil by 180/N degrees. A noncircular coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably mounted relative to the coils so that the coupler element overlies at least a portion of the first and second receiver coils. A circuit processes the output signals from the first and second receiver coils and generates an output signal representative of the rotational position of the coupler.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive sensor in which static damping of the sensor is suppressed.

Abstract: A coupling loop or antenna is provided that can be used with a system that determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. In one embodiment orientation features are provided for positioning the coupling loop relative to the sensor to maximize the coupling between the sensor and the coupling loop.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention include an input circuit for electromagnetic (inductive) measurements of the conductivity of liquids. The input circuit and the induction coil are directly coupled, and the arrangement includes a current-voltage converting circuit which accomplishes the transformation from current to voltage in the induction coil, and ensures the terminal voltage to be zero. Also there is an anti-saturation circuit which is composed of an integrating circuit and a voltage dividing circuit and serves to prevent saturation in the operational amplifier which is used for the current-voltage transformation. The circuit further includes features for the detection of an open-circuit failure of the sensor coil or cable.

Abstract: A conductivity sensor for measuring conductivity of a medium surrounding the conductivity sensor, including: a first toroidal coil, which surrounds a first traversing opening for accommodating the medium and which serves for inducing an electrical current in the medium, a second toroidal coil, which surrounds a second traversing opening for accommodating the medium and which serves for registering a magnetic field produced by the induced electrical current. At least one of the toroidal coils has a plurality of first conductor sections, which extend in a plane of a multi-ply circuit card, a plurality of second conductor sections, which extend in a second plane of the circuit card, and a plurality of first vias, which connect the first conductor sections with the second conductor sections.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include methods and devices for the electromagnetic (inductive) measurement of the conductivity of liquids by immersing a sensor into the liquid, wherein the sensor includes at least 2 toroidal cores, one of said cores carrying an excitation coil and the other core carrying an induction coil. Exemplary methods include converting the induced current at the induction coil into an alternating square-wave voltage, followed by rectification. A sample-hold circuit may be employed to avoid the transition time of the alternating square-wave current conversion. The demodulated DC voltage is proportional to the conductivity of the measured liquid.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods for using ferrite alignment keys in wireless remote sensor assemblies. In one aspect, the invention provides wireless resonant sensor assemblies comprising a pick-up coil, a ferrite alignment key positioned in and extending from the pick-up coil, and wireless resonant sensor having a receiving element wherein the pick-up coil and the wireless resonant sensor align upon insertion of the ferrite alignment key into the receiving element. The ferrite alignment key may also be part of a resonant sensor such that insertion of a pick-up coil into a receiving element of the alignment key results in a configuration where the alignment key is positioned in and extended from the pick-up coil. Methods of measuring one or more parameters of a monitoring system are also provided. The insertion of the ferrite alignment key aligns the pick-up coil and wireless resonant sensor thereby increasing sensing of the wireless resonant sensor by the pick-up coil.

Abstract: A device for measuring the position of a first body relative to a second body comprising: a first body which further comprises an electrical intermediate device; a second body which further comprises at least two inductors energised with an alternating current and at least one of which is formed by a planar spiral winding on a printed circuit board normal to the measurement axis and attached to the second body; arranged such that displacement of the electrical intermediate device causes a change in inductance of the planar spiral winding and whereby measurement of the ratio of the inductances indicates the position of the first body relative to the second.

Abstract: A coupling loop or antenna is provided that can be used with a system that determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. In one embodiment multiple energizing loops energize an implanted sensor and a sensor coupling loop connected to an input impedance that is at least two times greater than the inductance of the sensor coupling loop receives the sensor signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for increasing functionality of gas metrology devices used in a supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network by combining the collection of meter data with cathodic protection (CP) monitoring data in a single system. Per present subject matter, CP monitoring data may be collected at individual metrology locations and combined with data otherwise bubbled up to SCADA data collectors for transmission to the network head end. CP data collection and transmission with the bubbled up metrology data provides a significant increase in the amount of CP data collected and offers the advantage of relatively earlier detection of CP installation related problems in addition to significant reduction in data collection costs.

Abstract: A compact instrument package consisting of a rotating sensor and supporting signal-processing electronics is capable of measuring two-dimensional electric-field vectors, ranging from DC to an arbitrary upper AC frequency not limited by the rotation rate, with highly improved accuracy and sensitivity when compared with previous art. In addition, contrary to previous art, the sensor can measure the electric field gradient at its location. This is achieved by the use of a combination of quadrature modulation and phase-sensitive quadrature demodulation digital signal processing in a generic rotating electric-field sensor. Ground isolated versions of the instrument can be used singly or in arrays when precise measurements of the electric fields are necessary. Either grounded or isolated versions of the instrument can operate continuously without the need for internal batteries, making it extremely attractive for a wide-range of industrial and space applications.

Abstract: Substrates to be aligned include microcoils arranged at the level of their facing surfaces. In an alignment phase, power is supplied to at least the microcoils of the first substrate, whereas the inductance of the microcoils of the second substrate is measured. The microcoils are preferably flat microcoils in the form of a spiral or a serpentine.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a circuit for measuring a current in an inductor, wherein the current in the inductor is controlled by alternately switching a first power transistor and a second power transistor each having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate. The measuring circuit includes a first sense transistor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate, the first sense transistor having the control gate coupled to the control gate of the first power transistor. A second electrode is coupled to the second electrode of the first power transistor. A second sense transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control gate, the second sense transistor having the control gate coupled to the control gate of the second power transistor and having the second electrode coupled to the second electrode of the second power transistor.

Abstract: A beam current sensor is composed of a cylindrical super-conductive body having a bridge unit formed on the outer diameter side wherein a beam passes through the inner diameter side. The sensor improves efficiency of creating a magnetic field from a current and can measure a beam current as 1 nA. The bridge unit includes a first coil unit formed so as to have an eddy shape wound counterclockwise from the outer diameter side toward the inner diameter side; a second coil unit formed so as to have an eddy shape wound clockwise from the outer diameter side toward the inner diameter side; and a connection portion for connecting the center position of the inner diameter side of the first coil unit with the center position of the inner diameter side of the second coil.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor comprises patterned electrodes and printed wires of conductive material integrated with sensing circuits on flexible circuit substrates. The flexible circuit substrates are fingered or otherwise elongated to distribute sensing points to the limbs in a toy doll or animal, or squares on a board game. Such sensing points can detect the presence of a finger even though actual contact is not made by measuring the proportions and changes in stray capacitance attaching to the various electrodes. Touch sensors are therefore possible even when the capacitor sensor's sensing points are covered by a doll's plastic skin or a plush animal's fur. Including an interlayer of open cell foam under the flexible circuit substrate further implements a pressure sensor because applied pressures will deform the geometries of the capacitor electrodes and dielectrics enough to produce a measurable change in capacitance.

Abstract: An inductively working sensor for determining the conductivity of a liquid medium.

Abstract: A method for in situ monitoring of a membrane of a membrane separation system comprises measuring a complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide an indication of the electrical conduction and electrical polarization properties of the membrane. The membrane based separation system for removing or reducing the concentration of materials carried in a fluid including a separation membrane has a first pair of electrodes separated by the membrane and arranged for measurement of the complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide the indication of the membrane properties. There may also be a second pair of electrodes separated by the membrane for injecting the stimulus current such that the injecting and monitoring functions are separated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a circuit arrangement for measurement of the current through an inductive load L wherein the current is fed into the inductive load L with the aid of a full-bridge circuit. By way of example, full-bridge circuits such as these are used to feed a current in a pulse-width-modulated form into a winding of a direct-current, stepping or plunger coil motor. A respective measurement device (Ra, Rb) is provided for each half-bridge. In this case, a respective measurement device (Ra, Rb) is arranged between in each case one series circuit of switching elements and ground (VSS) or the supply voltage (VDD), respectively, at which a respective voltage is tapped off, which is a measure of the current through the respective measurement device.

Abstract: A method for operating an inductive conductivity-measuring cell having a primary circuit with a sending coil, a secondary circuit with a receiver coil, and a short-circuit path, which passes through the sending coil and the receiver coil. The sending coil couples via the short-circuit path inductively with the receiver coil, wherein, in the case of closed short-circuit path, a first electrical signal present in the primary circuit is measured, and wherein the first signal is compared with, and/or weighed against, values, which are furnished or stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inductive load detection circuit for detecting the presence of an inductive load on a dimmer circuit. The detection circuit provides for enhanced detection of the inductive load by detecting voltage ringing resulting from a turn-off of a switching element in the circuit. The ringing can be enhanced by providing a faster turn-off rate in an initial period than a turn-off rate in a steady state period. Also disclosed is a dimmer circuit comprising the inductive load detection circuit.

Abstract: A detection circuit arrangement in a plasma processing chamber having movable lower electrode is provided. The arrangement includes flexible connector having a first flexible connector end, a second flexible connector end and at least a slit. At least portion of the slit is disposed in a direction parallel to a line drawn between two flexible connector ends. One end is coupled to the movable lower electrode and another end is coupled to a component of the plasma processing chamber. Flexible connector provides low impedance current path between the movable lower electrode and the component of the plasma processing chamber. The arrangement also includes means for detecting current flow through conductor material disposed on one side of the slit. The means for detecting includes at least a coil wound around the conductor material and a detector circuit coupled to the coil for detecting the current flow interruption due to a tear.

Abstract: Inductive sensor module comprising a coil arrangement and a carrier, on which electronic components are arranged, wherein the coil arrangement is arranged on a first side of the carrier and the electronic components are arranged on a second side of the carrier directed away from the first side.

Abstract: A device has built-in inductive load testing capabilities. The device includes a device housing, an inductive load disposed within the device housing; and test circuitry disposed within the device housing. The test circuitry is constructed and arranged to effectuate application of a modulated test signal to the inductive load, and obtain a result signal in response to the application of the modulated test signal to the inductive load. The test circuitry is further constructed and arranged to generate an output signal indicating that the inductive load is in one of (i) a shorted inductive load state, (ii) a normal inductive load state, and (iii) an abnormally high inductive load state, based on the result signal. Such test circuitry is well-suited for testing a variety of devices having inductors/coils which are susceptible to defects (e.g., a solenoid, a motor winding, various actuator components, etc.).

Abstract: A junction-current probe is provided which can measure a current flowing in a junction port adapted to connect a circuit board or an electronic apparatus to a chassis under the condition that the circuit board or electronic apparatus is packaged to the chassis. Structurally, the current probe has a circular or rectangular insulator having a hole in the center, a coiled conductor wire for converting linkage flux into voltage, an insulating member for preventing the insulator from making electrical contact with surroundings, an extraction lead for connecting opposite ends of the conductor wire to a cable and the cable for connection to a measurement unit. The current probe is reduced in thickness within in a range in which the condition of packaging to the chassis can remain unchanged.

Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.

Abstract: An inductive conductivity measurement cell of the invention includes: sending coil, a receiving coil, and a coil support body having an annular, sending coil chamber and an annular, receiving coil chamber, wherein there extends through the coil support body at least one section of a closed media path, which passes through the sending coil chamber and through the receiving coil chamber, characterized in that the coil support body has first connection bores, which extend from a surface of the coil support body to the sending coil chamber and through which the connection lines of the sending coil extend, and second connection bores, which extend from a surface of the coil support body to the receiving coil chamber and through which the connection lines of the receiving coil extend. The connection lines of the sending coil in the first connection bores are shielded from the connection lines of the receiving coil in the second connection bores by the coil support body.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor system is provided that comprises a first sensor element disposed within a first member having an axis Y, and a second member configured to rotate about the axis Y at a value X. The second member is configured to interface with the first member. The non-contact sensor system further comprises a second sensor element disposed on the second member proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element, and the first sensor element and the second sensor element are operatively coupled to facilitate sensing the value X. The non-contact sensor system may be configured to sense velocity, acceleration, and other values.

Abstract: A method of estimating an inductance delay includes determining a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay with resistances and capacitances of a network and estimating an inductance delay of the network by determining a propagation delay of an electromagnetic (EM) field across wires of the network. Additionally, the method includes determining if the RC delay is below a specified threshold and adding the estimated inductance delay to the RC delay to determine a total time to propagate voltage swings through the network if the RC delay is below the specified threshold.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.

Abstract: A method for use in connection with installing a cable into a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, comprising the steps of—providing the cable with a metallic attribute,—providing within or proximate to the conduit, sensing means for sensing the metallic attribute,—introducing the cable into the first conduit end and driving it towards the second conduit end and—detecting that the sensing means has sensed the metallic attribute by sensing a change in inductance levels of the sensing means.

Abstract: It is disclosed to measure the impedance of a read-out line. The read-out line includes at least two cascaded electrical circuit segments, each electrical circuit segment including two longitudinal arms, wherein one of the longitudinal arms includes an electrical component, and a lateral arm including a switch configured to close in the presence of an object in the vicinity of the switch. The measured impedance of the read-out line can be compared to a preset value corresponding to an allowable value of the impedance of the read-out line.

Abstract: In a measurement instrument for measuring pollutants in a liquid, such as oil in water, the measurement instrument includes a main unit disposed in a first housing and a sensor unit disposed in a second housing. The housing, manufactured from an electrically insulating material, and an associated electric connection, are sealed against the passage of gas and liquid. The sensor unit has connections which are connected to a conduit system in which flows the liquid which is to be inspection measured. Sensors are further disposed in the sensor unit for emitting a measurement signal. The sensor unit and its electronics lack galvanic connection with electrically conductive components in the main unit, transfer of measurement signals between both of the units taking place by optical energy transfer, capacitative or inductive transfer.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a sensor arrangement remotely readable by radio frequencies. The sensor arrangement includes an LC resonator that includes a capacitor and a coil, and a sensor element coupled to the LC resonator whose properties change as a function of a measurable quantity. A sensor element according to the invention does not form a direct galvanic contact with the LC resonator, rather the coupling is implemented capacitively or inductively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous composition for preparing an edible coating on a microwavable food, which composition comprises at least one prolamin and at least one hydrocolloid or gelling agent. The invention further relates to a microwavable food comprising an edible coating, which coating comprises at least one prolamin and at least one hydrocolloid or gelling agent.

Abstract: A coupling loop or antenna is provided that can be used with a system that determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. In one embodiment multiple energizing loops energize an implanted sensor and a sensor coupling loop connected to an input impedance that is at least two times greater than the inductance of the sensor coupling loop receives the sensor signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition, methods of making and methods of using a multi-nano-well plate having a first layer at least partially disposed on the substrate and one or more nano-wells that extends through the first layer that extends toward the substrate, wherein the one or more nano-wells having an opening in the first layer connected to bottom layer by one or more walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is a position measuring device, comprising: a first and second solid measure and a first and second scanning mechanism, wherein: the first and second solid measure and the first and second scanning mechanism are respectively designed identically but mirrored in a plane including the direction of measurement and perpendicular to the direction that is not measured; the first and second solid measure are mounted in a fixed opposite position in a direction that is not measured; the first and the second scanning mechanism are mounted in a fixed opposite position in the direction that is not measured; and the scanning signals generated by the first and second scanning mechanisms respectively are electronically combined into an output scanning signal.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for analysis and compensation of the signals for an inductive displacement sensor is provided. The circuit includes a first operating amplifier, a second operating amplifier and a coil for a displacement measurement, in parallel with the second operating amplifier output and the second operating amplifier first input and connected to a capacitance in series with the coil inductance and coil resistance to form an RLC series tuned circuit. In order to improve the accuracy of a measured resonance frequency, the circuit arrangement can be extended with a second coil for a temperature compensation, by connecting a first of the ends of the coil winding to a second end of the coil winding of the first coil and a second of the ends of the coil winding to the second input of the first operating amplifier.

Abstract: A low cost, high performance method and apparatus for identifying electrical intermediate devices and measuring their position relative to an antenna is provided. The technique preferably uses electrical intermediate devices co-operating with AC energized antennae. The resulting electrical data can be used in a wide variety of user interfaces, identification systems and sensors to measure, for example, rotary position, linear position, weight, level, torque, vibration, turbidity and flow. The invention includes means for the contactless transmission of data and power to general instrumentation.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) sensor that measures RF current includes a substrate that has an inner perimeter that defines an aperture. A conductor extends through the aperture. Sensor pads are arranged on the aperture and are connected to form two sensor loops. The loops generate an electrical signal that represents RF current flow through the center conductor. Additionally, a plurality of circular conductive rings may be included in the RF sensor to generate a signal representing the voltage of the conductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for error location in branched low voltage and medium voltage networks and to an evaluation network used therefor.

Abstract: A method of estimating an inductance delay includes determining a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay with resistances and capacitances of a network and estimating an inductance delay of the network by determining a propagation delay of an electromagnetic (EM) field across wires of the network. Additionally, the method includes determining if the RC delay is below a specified threshold and adding the estimated inductance delay to the RC delay to determine a total time to propagate voltage swings through the network if the RC delay is below the specified threshold.