Force Or Torque Measurement Patents (Class 702/41)
  • Patent number: 8589089
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and measuring impacts in a wireless device. The wireless device has a processor coupled to a memory and an acoustic transducer. The method comprises acquiring data from the acoustic transducer, the data acquisition including the processor taking samples of an electrical input signal supplied to an input of the processor by the acoustic transducer; saving the acquired data in the memory; detecting whether an impact has occurred; and halting data acquisition after the impact is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Denis Lahaie, Sheldon Terry Schwandt
  • Publication number: 20130304401
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating the point of impact of a body on a surface comprises detecting means (12; 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) adapted to detect pressure waves generated by the interaction of said body with said surface, and a processing unit (15) operatively connected to said detecting means (12; 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d); the detecting means (12; 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) and the processing unit (14, 15) are configured for detecting and processing power values associated with said pressure waves so as to calculate the position of said point of impact as a function of the aforementioned power values. Also described is the related method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOGYM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Tubaro, Angusto Sarti, Marco Tagliasacchi, Fabio Antonacci, Fulvio Crivellaro, Gabriele Genovese
  • Publication number: 20130304400
    Abstract: A system for reconstructing sensor data in a rotor system that comprises a rotating component of the rotor system, a plurality of sensors in the rotating component to sense at least one of loads and motion characteristics in the rotating component and to generate sensor data, and an analysis unit to generate reconstructed sensor data from the sensor data using numerical analysis for low-rank matrices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Isom, Sergey Shishkin
  • Patent number: 8583382
    Abstract: The apparatus, system, and method provides an instrumented container with a contour similar to that of a production container which includes two portions spaced apart and joined by a torque sensor. The instrumented container also includes a processor which directs the periodic sampling of data measured by the torque sensor during the capping process, and a memory which stores a plurality of data values. The apparatus, system, and method provides a reusable instrumented container form to which a portion of an actual production container may be attached. The instrumented container is indistinguishable, for purposes of the capping line, from a regular production container. It may thus be used to test individual spindles, randomly test application torque, verify set application torques, and provide accurate information as to the impact of a particular dye or other variable on bottle capping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corporation
    Inventors: James C Loase, Michael Mihalik, Bethany Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 8571815
    Abstract: A system, device and method are provided to enable low energy firearm shot measurement, including, in some embodiments, an impact sensor adapted to detect a substantial impact event from the firearm, and to generate an analog signal representing the impact event; an electronic circuit supporting a microprocessor to enable processing of digital data representing the analog signal, the electronic circuit also supporting a memory unit to store the data, the microprocessor and the memory being designed to be substantially in a sleep state except for a selected time interval related to the impact event following an identification of the impact event from the firearm; an amplifier, adapted to amplify the analog signals and transmit the signals to the circuit; a power source to support the circuit supported components; and a communications module for enabling communicating of the digital data to an external data receiver, upon demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Secubit Ltd.
    Inventors: Asaf Bar-David, Yuval Spector
  • Patent number: 8571814
    Abstract: According to one non-limiting embodiment, a method includes accessing distributions of flight loads associated with one or more flight regimes for a fleet of aircraft. Using the distributions of flight loads, a factor for at least one of the flight regimes is determined that provides a flight load adjustment for a component on each aircraft of a fleet of aircraft known to be affected through at least load damage by the at least one flight regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Z. Zhao, David O. Adams
  • Publication number: 20130282308
    Abstract: Head impact event evaluation systems and methods. A system and computer implemented method for event detection includes collecting sensor data transmitted from one or more sensor devices being attached to one or more users. The sensors transmit data when an event results in sensor data above a threshold value. At least one force is determined based on the collected sensor data. At least one force vector is determined based on a location of one or more sensors associated with the sensor devices and the determined at least one of the linear or rotational force. At least a portion of a human form is displayed with the determined force vector based on the determined at least on force vector on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw
  • Patent number: 8566041
    Abstract: A method of determining face paper properties of all types of wallboard including providing a core strength value of the wallboard, determining a required nail pull value based the wallboard specifications and calculating a face paper stiffness value based on the provided core strength value and the determined nail pull value. The method includes displaying the calculated face paper stiffness value on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Alfred Li
  • Publication number: 20130275057
    Abstract: A sensor having a set of grid of bars that are in contact from their bottom at the corners with a set of protrusions that are in contact from above with a plurality of intersections, each having a sensing element, of a grid of wires disposed on a base, and a top surface layer that is disposed atop the grid of bars, so that force imparted from above onto the top surface layer is transmitted to the grid of bars and thence to the protrusions, and thence to the intersections of the grid of wires which are thereby compressed between the base and protrusions; and that the protrusions above thereby focus the imparted force directly onto the intersections. A sensor includes a computer in communication with the grid of wires which causes prompting signals to be sent to the grid of wires and reconstructs a continuous position of force on the surface from interpolation based on data signals received from the grid of wires. A method for sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: TACTONIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Charles Hendee, Alex Grau, Gerald Seidman
  • Patent number: 8554495
    Abstract: Systems and methods for head impact injury prediction. A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user. The generated indicator is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: X2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw, Robert Snook
  • Publication number: 20130261991
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating the load acting on a tire, wherein data are obtained, representative of the deformation undergone by the tire on a rolling surface. The data obtained are processed in order to obtain a first quantity representative of the deformation extent within a first deformation region substantially corresponding to the footprint between the tire and the rolling surface and a second quantity, different from the first quantity, representative of the deformation extent in a second deformation region, the second region including the first deformation region and having a circumferential extension greater than the circumferential extension of the first deformation region, the second quantity being obtained starting from at least a part of the obtained data, which corresponds to a portion of the second deformation region which is external to the footprint. The load is estimated based on the first quantity and on the second quantity thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Tebano, Giorgio Audisio, Anna Paola Fioravanti
  • Publication number: 20130261886
    Abstract: An output section of one detection coil of a first resolver and an output section of one detection coil of a second resolver are connected by a first inter-coil resistor element, and an output section of the other detection coil of the first resolver and an output section of the other detection coil of the second resolver are connected by a second inter-coil resistor element. A sin wave signal for excitation is supplied to one of first and second excitation coils, and a cos wave signal for excitation having the same frequency as that of the sin wave signal for excitation and having a phase delay of 90° in relation to the sin wave signal for excitation is supplied to the other of the first and second excitation coils. By virtue of this configuration, the rotational angles of the two resolvers can be calculated even when one of detection lines is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20130261990
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes a rotation angle sensor and detection means. Each of sensor signals of the rotation angle sensor has a composite waveform of an nth multiple angle component corresponding to a multiple of the number of phases, and an mth multiple angle component corresponding to a non-multiple of the number of phases. The detection means subtracts an average value of the respective sensor values from the respective sensor values, and extracts values of the mth multiple angle components from the respective sensor values to detect an electric angle having a multiplication factor of angle of m, and converts m mechanical angle estimated values which are estimated based on the electric angle into values of the nth multiple angle component, and compares the converted values with the average value to detect a mechanical angle with one mechanical rotation of a detection target as one cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noritake Ura
  • Patent number: 8548752
    Abstract: A device for investigating a collision between a test body and a physical structure, wherein the device comprises a mounting unit for mounting the test body, an electric drive unit adapted for mechanically driving the mounting unit and the test body mounted thereon, and a control unit adapted for controlling the electric drive unit to accelerate the test body mounted on the mounting unit and for controlling release of the test body from the mounting unit to direct the accelerated test body towards the physical structure for collision, wherein the device is adapted so that the mounting unit and the test body mounted thereon are mechanically driven exclusively by the electric drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Klaus Matlschweiger
  • Publication number: 20130253851
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes at least one memory and at least one processor. The processor receives information that includes a position or motion of one or more points of a body during a movement. Based at least on the position or motion of the one or more points of the body during the movement, the processor calculates a first one or more curves indicative of a first force between a surface and at least a first portion of the body, and calculates a second one or more curves indicative of a second force between the surface and at least a second portion of the body. The processor further predicts a force applied to the surface by the body during the movement by combining the first and second one or more curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Peter G. Weyand, Kenneth P. Clark, Laurence J. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20130253852
    Abstract: A crosstalk correction coefficient of a multi component force detector provided in a rolling resistance testing machine is calibrated. A method of calibrating a multi component force detector provided in a rolling resistance testing machine including a spindle shaft to which a tire is attached, a running drum with a simulation road surface on which the tire is pressed, and a rotation torque meter provided in a rotation shaft of the running drum; in which, in performing a process of calculating a force acting on the tire from a measurement value of the multi component force detector by using a crosstalk correction coefficient that corrects an influence of crosstalk occurring in the multi component force detector, the crosstalk correction coefficient is calibrated by using a rolling test data including a rotation torque measured by the rotation torque meter and a force measured by the multi component force detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Toru Okada, Takayuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8538401
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a touchscreen configured to display information and receive touch inputs; a sensor unit configured to detect a gravity characteristic of the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to output a user-settable gravity sensitivity threshold option for setting a gravity detected sensitivity of the sensor unit, to receive a selection signal indicating a selection of a first gravity sensitivity threshold, to determine the mobile terminal is in a state of falling when the detected gravity characteristic of the mobile terminal is less than or equal to the selected first gravity sensitivity threshold, and to automatically execute a predetermined function mapped to the determined falling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jonghwan Kim, Hyunghoon Oh, Jongseok Park
  • Publication number: 20130238101
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for estimating load inertia and a method for adjusting control parameters. To achieve this aim, a load position control test is performed in a load position control system, based on a feedback control system (21) and a first position deviation (??) generated at a prescribed load position (?L) is estimated. Then, in a load inertia estimation model (60) which is a model of a load position control system, a load position control simulation of a feed system model is performed based on a feedback control system model, a load inertia (JL) included in the feed system model is adjusted, and the load position control simulation repeated until a second position deviation (??) that generated at this time at the prescribed load position equals the first position deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Kuramoto, Yasunari Yamada
  • Patent number: 8527217
    Abstract: A physical evaluation apparatus includes a kinematic data capture device, the kinematic data capture device being configured and disposed to obtain whole body kinematic data from a subject. The kinematic data capture device is further configured to obtain dimensions of at least one body segment. A mass data capture device is configured and disposed to obtain mass data on the subject, the mass data being separable according to body segments of a subject to yield segment mass data. A processor, is configured to calculate the force being generated by a subject of the evaluation apparatus at selectable positions or in a selectable direction. The force is calculated without a force plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dynamic Athletic Research Institute, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Moodie
  • Patent number: 8521447
    Abstract: A method that includes comparing a first brake pressure measured at a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered unit of a distributed power (DP) system to a second brake pressure measured at a second transducer that is part of a braking system on a remote powered unit of the DP system. The method also includes determining whether the second transducer is functioning within designated operational parameters when the DP system is operating in a DP mode based on comparing the first brake pressure to the second brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Smith, David Carroll Teeter, John William Brand
  • Patent number: 8521462
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a fixture, which is coupled to accept a probe so that a distal tip of the probe presses against a point in the fixture and produces first measurements indicative of a deformation of the distal tip relative to a distal end of the probe, in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip. A sensing device is coupled to the fixture and is configured to produce second measurements of a mechanical force exerted by the distal tip against the point. A calibration processor is configured to receive the first measurements from the probe, to receive the second measurements from the sensing device and to compute, based on the first and second measurements, one or more calibration coefficients for assessing the pressure as a function of the first measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Publication number: 20130218487
    Abstract: A seat occupancy determination apparatus includes a seatbelt attachment detection device, a first load detection device and a second load detection device arranged under a vehicle seat and each detecting part of a load acting on the vehicle seat, a control processor obtaining a first load value and a second load value, the control processor including a sum load value calculation portion computing a sum load value, a no-occupancy determination portion, a slope way determination portion determining that a vehicle is stopped on a slope way, a seatbelt attachment determination portion, a tentative determination portion tentatively making a seat occupancy determination, a forward movement determination portion determining that the vehicle starts moving forward and runs steadily on a flat ground, and a definite determination portion determining that an adult is seated and determining that a child safety seat is fastened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130218488
    Abstract: The invention relates to an algorithm for detecting activation of a tactile pressure sensor having a mechanic structure that includes the steps of: (a) measuring periodically an input quantity (V0; f0) of the sensor, when it is not pressed, the period being set according to sensor dynamic requirements; (b) computing a current idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) depending on the input quantity (V0; f0) measured at step a); (c) computing an activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) based on a quantity characterization of the sensor mechanic structure and depending on the idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) defined at step b); (d) comparing the sensor input quantity (V0; f0) with the last defined idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) increased by the activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) computed in step c) in order to determine whether the sensor is pressed or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Grandemange, Pierre-Benoit Prud'Homme, Etienne Aufrere, Quang Huong
  • Publication number: 20130218486
    Abstract: A seat occupancy determination apparatus includes a seat belt attachment detection portion, a first and a second load detection sensors, a front-rear load sum computing portion, a front-rear load difference computing portion, a memory portion, an adult possibility determination portion, and a child safety seat determination portion determining a vehicle seat determined as possibly occupied by an adult is occupied by a child safety seat in a case where a first predetermined amount increase condition satisfies by a front-rear load difference value within a time range between a time of engagement and a first time point increases by a first predetermined amount or more from the value at the first time point or earlier and a second predetermined amount decrease condition satisfies by the front-rear load difference value decreases by a second predetermined amount or more within a time range between the time of engagement and a second time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8515691
    Abstract: A method for determining tube wall thickness of at least one measuring tube of a Coriolis, flow measuring device, wherein the Coriolis, flow measuring device has an oscillatory system, which includes at least one measuring tube, and at least one exciter, by which the oscillatory system is excitable to execute mechanical oscillations. In the method, at least one excitation input variable of the at least one exciter and at least one response variable of oscillations of the oscillatory system caused thereby are registered. Additionally, a tube wall thickness of the at least one measuring tube is ascertained by inserting the excitation input variable and the response variable into a transfer equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm, Hao Zhu, Marcel Braun
  • Publication number: 20130211739
    Abstract: The invention concerns an industrial robot (1) and a method to determine a torque having an effect on a limb of the robotic arm (2). The robotic arm (2) has several sequentially arranged limbs (3-7), of which a first limb (4) is stored relative to a second limb (5) of the limbs on an axis of rotation (A2), and using a stationary motor (11) relative to the second limb (4) and a gearbox (12) connected to the motor (11), is rotatable around the axis of rotation (A2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA ROBOTER GMBH
    Inventor: KUKA Roboter GmbH
  • Patent number: 8510063
    Abstract: A control device includes a force detector configured to detect a force in a normal direction and a force in a shearing direction of fingertips of a robot hand device respectively as a normal force and a shearing force, and an object detector configured to calculate a friction coefficient using the normal force and the shearing force detected by the force detector and to detect whether or not a thin-film object having a maximum friction coefficient different from a maximum stationary friction coefficient between the fingertips is grasped between the fingertips on the basis of the calculation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Tsuboi, Takeo Kishida
  • Publication number: 20130204544
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for determining airspeed of an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason Thomas
  • Patent number: 8504307
    Abstract: A machine diagnosing device includes a drive object driving force estimating unit for estimating drive object driving force based on a torque command value toward a servo motor which is acquired using a position command value, an elastic deformation error estimating unit for estimating an elastic deformation error of a ball screw with the drive object driving force, and a positional deviation calculating unit for calculating a positional deviation using a rotation position of the servo motor and the position of a table, and a machine damage diagnosing unit for diagnosing a machine damage by calculating a machine damage coefficient using the elastic deformation error and the positional deviation, comparing the obtained machine damage coefficient with a previously set threshold value, and diagnosing a damage state of the drive object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Norihisa
  • Publication number: 20130197825
    Abstract: A surface mounted monitoring system is disclosed that is useful for detecting the presence of both ordinary and excessive loads on a surface, and for providing real-time or near real-time trending data. The system includes an array of force transducers disposed on the exterior surface of a structural member such as a roof. In an exemplary embodiment, transducers may be placed on an interior surface, such as embedded within insulation. The force transducers detect the magnitude of a load force acting on the surface. A data analysis module (DAM) may record force readings in a circular memory buffer, so that recent data can be recovered in the event of a catastrophic collapse. The DAM may also communicate with a monitoring device that can display real-time loading data to a user and perform other analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Arturo Ayon, Cory Hallam
  • Patent number: 8498827
    Abstract: Included are embodiments for determining an inertial quantity. One embodiment of a method includes combining readings from a plurality of inertial sensors to produce an estimate of the value of an inertial quantity in a manner that is fault-tolerant, more accurate than traditional sensor arrangements, and able to handle non-linear and non-Gaussian systems. Embodiments of a method also include utilizing a Monte Carlo estimation-based inference system to adaptively combine the inertial sensor outputs into a fault-tolerant highly-accurate inertial quantity estimate, an axis-reversed-paired physical arrangement of inertial sensors to minimize effects of environmental and process noise, and cross-associating sensors to ensure good sensor associations and reduce the effects of sample impoverishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: YEI Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Yost
  • Publication number: 20130191043
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining an estimated value for at least one measured variable of a wind turbine. The measured variable represents a bending torque on a blade root of a rotor blade of the wind turbine from a rotor plane. The method includes reading in the measured variable and an angle of attack for the rotor blade. The method further includes adapting a model, which simulates an estimated value of the measured variable on the basis of a modeling instruction for a relationship between the measured variable and the angle of attack. The model is adapted using the read-in measured variable and the read-in angle of attack. The method also includes providing the estimated value for the at least one measured variable using the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosh GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitner, Felix Hess, Martin Voss, Boris Buchtala
  • Publication number: 20130185003
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a force acting on a foot or a footwear. The system includes an assembly that is disposed proximate to a region of the foot or the footwear. The assembly includes a sensing device and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensing device. The sensing device is disposed on a flexible substrate or a stretchable substrate, where the sensing device conforms to the region of the foot or the footwear, and where the sensing device is used to measure data relating to the force acting on the foot or the footwear. The processor executes processor-executable instructions to analyze the data from the sensing device. The analysis can be used to provide an indication of the measured force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carbeck, Kevin Dowling, David Icke, Ben Schlatka, Steven Fastert
  • Publication number: 20130168971
    Abstract: A working fluid sensor system adapted to analyze operation of a power generation system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a working fluid sensor system includes: a set of sensors adapted to be disposed within a turbine, the set of sensors including probe portions which extend into a flowpath of the turbine for exposure to a working fluid, the probe portions adapted to react to a force exerted by the working fluid on the probe portions and indicate a moisture content of the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Alan Donn Maddaus
  • Publication number: 20130158896
    Abstract: A pressure testing device for calculating a pressure in a flexible line comprises a housing unit, a force sensor mounted on the housing unit and a clamp assembly having a clamp mounted on the housing unit. The clamp is operable to compress the flexible line against the force sensor by a predetermined degree of deformation of the flexible line. The device includes a displacement sensor adapted to measure a displacement of the clamp. The device also includes a controller having a processor in communication with the force sensor and the displacement sensor, and a memory unit containing stored data. At the predetermined degree of deformation of the flexible line, the processor compares a first signal from the force sensor and a second signal from the displacement senor with the stored data to estimate the pressure within the flexible line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Custom Fluid Power Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Liviu Schintee
  • Publication number: 20130158895
    Abstract: A system and method for processing sensor signals is disclosed. The system comprises a sensor array, a multiplexer, a converter, a selection module and a combination module. The sensor array measures a physical parameter in a first dimension on a seat and generates a first set of sensor signals. The sensor array measures the physical parameter in a second dimension on the seat and generates a second set of sensor signals. The multiplexer multiplexes the first set of sensor signals into a first signal stream and the second set of sensor signals into a second signal stream. The converter converts the first signal stream to a first set of digital signals and the second signal stream to a second set of digital signals. The selection module determines a set of first-dimension data and a set of second-dimension data. The combination module forms a set of two-dimensional data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Info Technology Center Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Bessho, Makoto Honda
  • Patent number: 8466794
    Abstract: Head impact event evaluation systems and methods. A system and computer implemented method for event detection includes collecting sensor data transmitted from one or more sensor devices being attached to one or more users. The sensors transmit data when an event results in sensor data above a threshold value. At least one force is determined based on the collected sensor data. At least one force vector is determined based on a location of one or more sensors associated with the sensor devices and the determined at least one of the linear or rotational force. At least a portion of a human form is displayed with the determined force vector based on the determined at least on force vector on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: X2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw
  • Patent number: 8463505
    Abstract: In a computer-aided detection of the jamming of an object, wherein, when adjusting a component of a motor vehicle using an adjusting drive (6), measurement values related to the adjusting force (F) are compared to a prescribed threshold value (FR), initiating a slowdown, stop, or reversing of the adjusting motion when said value is reached. A spring rate correcting term characterizing the rigidity of the object is determined for correcting the relationship between the adjusting force (F) and the threshold value (FR), and is considered in the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Egger, Stefan Holzmann, Roman Morawek
  • Patent number: 8457856
    Abstract: A method estimates parameters for a self-energized brake mechanism having a moving part, a brake pad, a brake disc, a caliper, and a wedge profile. The method includes the following acts: applying the same actuator force to the brake mechanism and simultaneously to a dynamical model of the brake mechanism; calculating deviations based on measured state variables of the brake mechanism and simulated state variables of the dynamical model; and producing the estimated parameters by online minimization. A device is provided for executing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Levente Balogh, Huba Nemeth
  • Publication number: 20130138363
    Abstract: A method of evaluating impact force input to a workpiece member with a laser irradiated in laser peening processing is provided. This evaluation method includes a signal acquiring step, an input function calculating step, and an evaluating step. In the signal acquiring step, a detected waveform is acquired. The detected waveform is output during the laser peening processing by an AE sensor that detects an elastic wave generated in the workpiece member. In the input function calculating step, an input function I(t) by laser irradiation is calculated. In the evaluating step, impact force is evaluated using the input function I(t) by the laser irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Enoki, Akinori Matsui, Yuji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8452549
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting erroneous cable stripping includes an auxiliary bracket having a stripping blade coupled thereto to cut a part of a sheath of a cable to strip the cable, a sensor attached to the auxiliary bracket to sense bending deformation of the auxiliary bracket occurring when tensile force is applied to the cable to strip the cable, and a central processing unit configured to receive a signal sent in response to bending deformation of the auxiliary bracket and determine whether the cable has been stripped erroneously or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: KM Digitech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Joo Lim
  • Patent number: 8447531
    Abstract: A Centrifugal Adhesion Balance apparatus for measuring retention forces between a body and a surface. This CAB apparatus decouples the normal and lateral retention forces by allowing any combination of the gravity force and a centrifugal force. This CAB apparatus includes a rotatable arm and an independently rotatable flat surface wherein the angle between the arm and the flat surface is precisely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Rafael Tadmor
  • Patent number: 8442797
    Abstract: A directional tap detection algorithm and a single tri-axis accelerometer are employed to extend the number of unique button less input commands available for a small mobile electronic device. The algorithm analyzes acceleration data from the tri-axis accelerometer to detect the direction and number of taps imparted to any of the six sides of a housing of the device, yielding 12 unique inputs. The algorithm employs a parameter referred to as the performance index (PI) to identify tap induced movements. The PI is determined by calculating the time derivative of each acceleration signal for each axis and then calculating the sum of the absolute values of the calculated acceleration derivatives. A tap is determined to have occurred if the sum exceeds a threshold value for a predetermined amount of time. If a second tap is detected within a predetermined time after the first tap, then a double tap is determined to have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kionix, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Yoon Kim, Scott A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8436558
    Abstract: An electrically driven mooring winch is provided. The mooring winch includes a winding drum, an AC motor configured to drive the winding drum, a frequency conversion unit connected to the AC motor, and a control unit configured to control the frequency conversion unit on the basis of an indicator for tension of the mooring rope. The control unit is configured to set a reference value of rotational speed of the AC motor to a predetermined value, drive the AC motor in one direction for a predetermined time interval, define a first value of a torque of the AC motor, drive the AC motor in an opposite direction for the predetermined interval, define a second value of the torque of the AC motor, and compute a torque estimate using the first and second values of the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Mikael Holmberg, Vassili Jung
  • Patent number: 8436820
    Abstract: There are provided a touchpad using resistive electro-conductive fibers and an input device having the same, which can be used for controlling a personal terminal such as a computer by receiving a user's input using a signal representing a motion of the user detected by the resistive electro-conductive fiber in contact with the user's body part such as a finger, instead of using a separate input device such as a mouse. The touchpad includes a plurality of motion detectors and a signal analyzer. The motion detectors each include a resistive electro-conductive fiber having a resistance value varied according to a change in length caused by contact with a human body part, and a signal generator outputting a signal corresponding to the varied resistance value. The signal analyzer analyzes the signal from each of the motion detectors, and generates a motion signal representing a motion of the human body part in contact with the touchpad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ji Wook Jeong, Seung Hwan Kim, Soun Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8434316
    Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 answers YES by judging that the command to start a compressor 2 is issued when an air-conditioning switch is turned on in step S100. After that, the electronic control unit 14 answers NO in the case where a timer count time Tc is shorter than a predetermined time T1 in step S120. At the same time, Tefin_C is set to 15° C. in step S130. The lower one of Tefin_C and Tefin determined in this way is determined as Tefin_d (step S150). After that, Tefin_d is input to the first-order lag function to acquire Tefin_AD(N). Then, the control proceeds to step S170, where the estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 is determined using Tefin_AD(N) and Gr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
  • Patent number: 8434315
    Abstract: A compressor drive torque estimating device to be adapted for a system provided with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated by a compressor driven by a drive source mounted in a vehicle, comprising heat load detecting means for detecting a heat load of the refrigeration cycle, a storage unit storing a plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics establishing correlation between a drive torque change characteristic of the compressor and an elapsed time from a time of start of operation of the compressor, an estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means for selecting the one of the plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics stored in the storage unit based on detected values detected by the heat load detecting means, and an estimated drive torque calculating means for calculating an estimated drive torque of the compressor based on the estimated drive torque characteristic selected by the estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20130110415
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and/or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Paul M. DAVIS, William MARVIN, Steven FASTERT, Kevin DOWLING, Paul E. LITCHFIELD, Benjamin SCHLATKA, Gilman CALLSEN, Robert RICH, Dustin G. SIMONE, Keith A. STERN, Dennis GABORIAULT
  • Publication number: 20130096849
    Abstract: An interface device for measuring forces applied to the interface device. The interface device has a flexible contact surface suspended above a rigid substrate. The interface device has at least one sensor in communication with the contact surface. The interface device has processing circuitry for receiving signals from the sensors and substantially instantaneously producing an output signal corresponding to the location and force applied in multiple locations across the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: NEXTINPUT INC.
    Inventor: NextInput Inc.
  • Patent number: 8417469
    Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for measuring forces. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprising a probe, a force sensor, an angle measurement system, and an output device is provided. The probe is configured to apply a load to a surface of an object. The force sensor is configured to measure a force along an axis through an end of the probe that contacts the surface when the load is applied to the surface by the probe. The angle measurement system is configured to identify an angle of the axis relative to the surface of the object. The output device is configured to display the force and the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Teofilo R. El Masri, Bruce L. Inman