Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital device and a method for measuring the axial load of a torque-shear-type high strength bolt. One embodiment of the digital device of the present invention includes: a main body portion which is connected to an electromotive wrench fastening a torque-shear-type high strength bolt; a measurement portion disposed at the main body portion to measure the axial load of the torque-shear-type high strength bolt using a quantity of the electricity from the electromotive wrench; a power supply portion disposed at the main body portion and including a power lead-in portion for receiving an external power supply and a power lead-out portion for supplying power to the electromotive wrench; and a display portion displaying the axial force value measured by the measurement portion.

Abstract: A moving or rotating body and a stationary body having a wireless communication link with each other. The communication link may involve RF telemetry. The stationary body may provide power in a wireless manner to the rotating body. The moving body may be a rotation sensor for determining torque, speed of rotation, angular position, power and the like. The stationary body may also interact with a processing module via a communication medium. The communication medium may be an Ethernet or an equivalent.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel service system configured with a load roller assembly to apply a generally radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly during rotation, and which is configured with sensors to obtain one or more measurements of lateral forces associated with the vehicle wheel assembly during the loaded rotation, from which a quantified representation of lateral force for the tire of the vehicle wheel assembly is determined.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment and a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit has a radio frequency transceiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle tongue weight so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, and calculated trailer weight.

Abstract: A system for characterizing a vehicle tire is provided. The system includes a testing assembly configured to support the vehicle tire. The assembly includes a force-moment transducer configured to gather force information from the vehicle tire in response to a stimulus on the vehicle tire. The system further includes an accelerometer coupled to the vehicle tire and configured to gather vibration information from the vehicle tire in response to the stimulus on the vehicle tire. The system further includes a post-processing system configured to receive the vibration information from the accelerometer and the force information from the force-moment transducer. The post-processing system is further configured to extract resonant frequencies from the vibration information and the force information.

Abstract: An acoustic emissions testing device includes a rock sample including a first surface, an acoustic sensor, an indenter coupled to the first surface, and a load. The load is exerted on the indenter, which transfers the load to the first surface. The acoustic sensor is communicably coupled to the rock sample and detects one or more acoustic events occurring within the rock sample. An acoustic emissions testing system includes a data recorder coupled to the testing device. The data recorder records the data from testing device. Based upon the data received, the toughness of the sample is objectively determined and can be ranked comparatively to the toughness of other samples. The load is ramped up to a peak load, held for a period of time, and then ramped down.

Abstract: Impact at a headpiece, for example a protective helmet, is characterized in part using an impact sensor including at least one acceleration switch positioned on the helmet. A microcontroller is configured to identify and store acceleration switch opening duration data based on the binary output values of the at least one acceleration switch. A processor at a portable electronic device receives the acceleration switch opening duration data and determines whether the experienced impact force is associated with an impact force magnitude that is within a predetermined head injury range of magnitude. An impact alert is generated when the impact force magnitude is within the predetermined head injury range of magnitude. In an embodiment, the portable electronic device displays a severity indication and an identifier of a person associated with the sensor that experienced impact.

Abstract: A method allowing the reliable and accurate calculation of the torque of a shaft using two phonic wheels and a sensor, the method including correlating the signal resulting from a rotation or one sixth of a rotation with the signal resulting from the subsequent rotation or one sixth of a rotation. The length of time between two passages of teeth is calculated by interpolating the cross-correlation function using least squares interpolation.

Abstract: A digital programmable load measurement device provides a controllable and variable load unit in a system. The variable load unit is connected to a voltage follower and a current follower to measure and figure out dynamic load voltage and load current of a device under test. Selected loads can be switched in a short period to measure the voltage and current values thereof, sampled for saving, and an I-V curve of the system can be depicted.

Abstract: A system and method of calculating under changing conditions in real-time aerodynamic drag acting on a rider on a vehicle. A computer receives a signal indicative of a force of the vehicle on the rider from at least one force sensor located at or near at least one point of contact between the rider and the vehicle. The computer determines aerodynamic drag acting on the rider on the vehicle from the received signal. These steps are repeated under changing conditions.

Abstract: A bicycle-use measuring apparatus includes a sensor, a signal amplifying section and a gain control section. The sensor is configured to be installed on a bicycle having a rotating part. The signal amplifying section amplifies an output of the sensor. The gain control section adjusts a gain of the signal amplifying section in accordance with changes in a rotational state of the rotating part.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a fixture coupled to hold a distal end of a medical probe. An actuator is configured to press against the distal tip of the probe and apply to the distal tip multiple force vectors having respective magnitudes and angles with respect to the distal end, so as to cause a deformation of the distal tip relative to the distal end. A sensing device is configured to measure the magnitudes of the force vectors applied by the actuator. A calibration processor is configured to receive from the probe first measurements indicative of the deformation of the distal tip in response to the force vectors, to receive from the sensing device second measurements indicative of the magnitudes of the force vectors, and to compute, based on the angles and the first and second measurements, calibration coefficients for assessing the force vectors as a function of the first measurements.

Abstract: Methods of and a system for providing force information for a robotic surgical system. The method includes storing first kinematic position information and first actual position information for a first position of an end effector; moving the end effector via the robotic surgical system from the first position to a second position; storing second kinematic position information and second actual position information for the second position; and providing force information regarding force applied to the end effector at the second position utilizing the first actual position information, the second actual position information, the first kinematic position information, and the second kinematic position information. Visual force feedback is also provided via superimposing an estimated position of an end effector without force over an image of the actual position of the end effector. Similarly, tissue elasticity visual displays may be shown.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating aircraft dynamic pressure. The load on the flight control surface actuator that is coupled to a flight control surface is measured. An estimate of the aircraft dynamic pressure is calculated from the measured load.

Abstract: A system and method for determining wedge tightness in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor, stator and a wedge assembly having at least one wedge for retaining a coil. The system includes a force application device for applying a predetermined force or a known quantity of force to a wedge, and the force is applied in a substantially radial direction. A measuring device for measuring movement of the wedge, measures a movement distance relative to a surface of an adjacent core surface. The system can be inserted between the rotor and the stator, and the movement distance is obtained by evaluating a distance to an adjacent core surface and a distance to a surface of the wedge.

Abstract: Modeling the gravitational field-induced or centrifugal field-induced separation of particles of a dispersion by use of one or more additional force fields that also influence the migration of the particles. A method includes detecting and measuring the modified separation behavior with the help of concentration-measuring sensors. The force acting upon the particles can be calculated from the change in velocity of the particles, and the corresponding particle properties can be calculated if the respective field intensities are known.

Abstract: A steering test stand has a first steering device with a measurement unit measuring the steering device torque value and applies forces to the steering device and control unit and has a control unit connected to a computer for controlling actuators. The computer simulates static and/or dynamic properties of a motor vehicle and transmits simulated target values to the control unit. A test driver unit comprises a second steering device as a force feedback steering wheel and a connection between the test driver unit and the computer, transmits a second steering angle set on the force feedback steering wheel. A second connection between the test driver unit and computer transmits steering torque measured on the first steering device to the test unit, such that the second steering device sets a second steering torque value on the force feedback steering wheel as a function of the first value.

Abstract: A system and method for measurement of a polished rod movement in a reciprocating rod pumping system comprising reciprocal motive elements is provided. A proximity sensor target is mounted on the polished rod while a corresponding sensor element, is mounted in fixed relation to the pumping system, for example in fixed relation to the wellhead or ground. The sensor detects passage of the proximity sensor target, and thus the polished rod, as it moves in opposite directions during a single stroke cycle. The time of passage and the speed of the polished rod, as determined from its kinematic relationship with other pumping system components, is used to determine the position of the polished rod at any point during the cycle. The proximity sensor target may be mounted on a walking beam or other reciprocally moving element, with the sensor positioned in a corresponding fixed location.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for testing the design of a seat comprising a seat area, a backrest, and a headrest. The method includes positioning a body simulating element with a reference measuring point on the seat by means of a robot kinematics; passive switching of the robot kinematics; measuring a distance between the reference measuring point and the headrest; and comparing the measured distance with a reference value.

Abstract: A method for determining properties of an asphalt material include measuring respective current deformations of a plurality of samples of the asphalt material, repeating the measuring step over a plurality of temperatures that change at a predetermined rate, calculating a plurality of measured total strain values as a function of the deformations and the temperatures, calculating respective creep strains, at different ones of the plurality of temperatures, based on the total strains as a function of applied stresses, calculating respective creep stiffnesses as a function of the temperatures, determining a combined creep curve based on the respective creep stiffnesses, deriving a theoretical creep curve, and fitting the theoretical creep curve with the combined creep curve to determine a master creep curve function and a time-temperature shift function.

Abstract: A method for evaluating mechanical properties of a sample includes applying a plurality of pulses of acoustic energy to a sample to apply a mechanical force to the sample and induce a non-steady-state displacement in the sample. The method further includes monitoring a response of the sample caused by the application of the mechanical force. The method further includes determining a quantitative value for a mechanical property of the sample based on the response.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine. A method includes determining a hoist bail pull associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd torque limit value for a crowd drive based on the determined hoist bail pull of the industrial machine, and setting a crowd torque limit of the crowd drive to the crowd torque limit value to limit a torque associated with a crowd motor to the crowd torque limit value.

Abstract: A sensing circuit includes a plurality of sensors, a controller, a multiway switch, a linear optocoupler, and a logical control unit. The plurality of sensors are capable of measuring physical quantity, and each of the plurality of sensors is capable of generating a sensing signal in accordance with the physical quantity. The controller is capable of receiving and analyzing the sensing signals, and transforming the sensing signals into sensing events. The multiway switch is capable of selectively connecting one of the plurality of sensors to the controller. The linear optocoupler is connected between the plurality of sensors and the controller. The logical control unit is capable of controlling the multiway switch to selectively connect one of the plurality of sensors to the optocoupler, and generating a control signal to the controller, wherein the control signal indicating the one of the plurality of sensors connected to the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are generally directed to a system of monitoring an appliance. Various embodiments can have a number of appliance subsystems with real and imaginary current associated therewith. The operating characteristics of each appliance subsystem may be learned by monitoring the real and imaginary current associated with each appliance subsystem over time, and operating profiles can be derived therefrom.

Abstract: A method for determining output torque capabilities in a transmission having a first, second, and third node, each of which has a speed and acceleration. The method includes controlling the speed of the first node, calculating a real maximum long-term output torque capability (raw max LT) as a function of at least the acceleration and the speed of the first and second nodes, and calculating an inertialess maximum long-term output torque capability (inertialess max LT), which is identical to the raw max LT except that the inertialess max LT ignores torque capability due to acceleration of the first node. The raw max LT and the inertialess max LT are compared to determine an operating capability for the transmission. The first node may be an input node for the transmission. The method may include determining a new effective minimum long-term output torque capability (new effective min LT) by similar considerations.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring a force acting between a machining tool (4) and a work piece in a processing machine is disclosed. It comprises an arrangement of at least two hydrostatic pads (7), wherein the at least two hydrostatic pads are designed to receive and support a mounting part (10) of the machining tool (4), and each hydrostatic pad of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7) presenting a pressure sensor (13), a calculation unit (16) for —reading hydrostatic pad pressure related to the pressure sensors (13) and a constant based on characteristics of each one of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7), —calculating the force by calculating a difference between the products of, for each hydrostatic pad of the at least two hydrostatic pads (7), the hydrostatic pad pressure and the constant, and —indicating the force. Also, a device for monitoring a machining tool and a device for compensating for a deflection of a machining tool when machining a work piece comprising the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A system to measure forces on a device inserted through the skin into a human or animal body to introduce or remove material.

Abstract: Apparatuses for monitoring power tong operation are disclosed. The apparatus comprising: a sealed enclosure housing a computer and a battery; a torque sensor connected to send signals to the computer; and a turns counter connected to send signals to the computer; in which the battery is connected to supply power to the computer, the torque sensor, and the turns counter. An external display may be connected to receive display signals from the computer. The computer may be a microcontroller with a central processing unit, a motherboard, and a memory unit.

Abstract: A fabric-based pressure sensor array includes: (1) a first layer including M elongated conductive strips coated thereon; (2) a second layer including N elongated conductive strips coated thereon, the M elongated conductive strips extending crosswise relative to the N elongated conductive strips to define M×N intersections; and (3) a unitary textile sheet extending between the first layer and the second layer so as to overlap the M×N intersections, the textile sheet having a variable resistivity in response to applied pressure so as to define M×N pressure sensors at locations corresponding to the M×N intersections.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media configured to process input specifying a user attribute, adjust a performance zone based on the user attribute, receive data generated by at least one of an accelerometer and a force sensor, determine whether the data is within the performance zone, and output the determination.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to for analyzing behavior of small live test subjects. More specifically, methods and devices of the present invention can allow a researcher to use a single device for analyzing effects of genetic modifications made to the test subjects on the test subject's behavior and movements. Additionally, the methods and devices may allow for analysis of effects that various medications may have on the test subject's behavior and movement.

Abstract: The direction sensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sensing circuit, a computing module, and a judging unit. The sensing circuit detects the gravity direction of an object and produces at least a detecting signal. The computing module receives the detecting signal, and produces at least a computing value according to at least a threshold value and the detecting signal. The judging unit receives the computing value, and gives a state of gravity direction of the object according to the computing value. Thereby, the present invention shrinks the area of circuits and hence saving cost by means of the simple circuit structure of the computing module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the static force developed by a servo-control (10) having an actuator (20) and a hydraulic distributor control valve (30), said actuator (20) including at least one cylinder (21) and a slidable element (25).

Abstract: A method for logging the performance of a vehicle suspension system is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the dynamic effect of an impulsive load with an electronic weighing system mounted onboard the vehicle, and determining one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the damping ratio of the suspension, the oscillation frequency of the suspension and the impact loading of the vehicle. One or more of these parameters is then logged in a data logger.

Abstract: A dummy junction which will break earlier than a target junction is arranged on a board. A history of load applied to the dummy junction until the dummy junction actually breaks is recorded, and an estimated lifetime of the target junction is calibrated when a lifetime of the dummy junction estimated by the history of the load is largely different from an actual lifetime of the dummy junction. The calibration is performed by subtracting a value of an unmeasurable load from the estimated lifetime of the target junction based on load ever applied to the target junction, and the unmeasurable load is calculated based on the difference of the actual lifetime and estimated lifetime of the dummy junction.

Abstract: A resilience and displacement measuring device is configured with a shaft having a displacement detection module and a force detection module disposed respectively at the two ends thereof. When the shaft is moved for driving a probe of the force detection module to press on a tested press-key, a reflective panel in the displacement detection module will be caused to displace along with the moving of the shaft for allowing a light sensor to measure the displacement of the shaft, and at the same time the pressing of the probe on the press-key will force a detection film to deform for allowing a strain gauge to measure a resilience. The device is capable of dividing a measurement range into a plurality of sub-ranges while designing calculation models specifically for the sub-ranges, by that a precise distance can be obtained from the measured distance information of the calculation models.

Abstract: A system for in situ fastener preload measurement. The system includes a length measuring tool adapted to grip a fastener by the axially opposed ends of the fastener, and a computing device coupled to the length measuring tool and comprising a database and a display. The length measuring tool is provided with tips adapted to seat in indentations disposed in the axially opposed ends of the fastener, with the indentations having a shape complementary to the shape of the tips, and the indentations being disposed such that the deepest points of the indentations are axially opposite each other.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly, a motion base configured to displace the force measurement assembly, and an inertial compensation system configured to determine the inertial forces and/or moments resulting from the displacement of the force measurement assembly by the motion base. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for accurately determining the forces and/or moments applied to a surface of a force measurement device by a subject disposed thereon is disclosed, which includes the step of determining, by using an inertial compensation system, the inertial forces and/or moments resulting from the displacement of a force measurement assembly by a motion base. According to still another aspect of the invention, a force and/or motion measurement system having inertial compensation includes a motion acquisition system having a plurality of motion sensing devices configured to capture a subject's movement.

Abstract: A force measurement system having inertial compensation includes a force measurement assembly with at least one accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration thereof. According to one aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes at least one angular velocity sensor configured to measure the angular velocity of the force measurement assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes a data processing device with a computer-readable medium loaded thereon that is configured to execute a calibration procedure for determining the inertial parameters of the force measurement assembly by utilizing the measured acceleration of the force measurement assembly while the force measurement assembly is subjected to a plurality of applied linear and/or rotational motion profiles. According to still another aspect of the invention, the at least one accelerometer is disposed on the force transducer.

Abstract: A device having a winch spool, a torque sensor that measures torque of the winch spool, a first angle sensor that detects a first angle of a winch line relative to a central axis of the winch spool, and a second angle sensor that detects a second angle of the winch line coming from a coil of line on the spool relative to a surface of the coil of line is disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for a determination, section after section, of a parameter-dependent correction value approximation course includes determining a first measurement signal value with a first parameter value associated with a sensor arrangement when the first parameter value fullfils a predetermined condition or a trigger condition is fulfilled, changing the first parameter value to obtain a second parameter value, determining a second signal value with the second parameter value and determining a second partial section of the correction value approximation course for a second parameter range based on a functional connection describing the second partial section, the first parameter value, the second parameter value, the first measurement signal value, the second measurement signal value and an initial correction value.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench having a flexible head provides accurate torque measurements irrespective of the angular position of the head relative to a handle on which the force is applied. The head includes first and second portions connected by at least three pivotal links. One of the links is used to react against the entire torque applied to the handle, regardless of the pivotal position of the handle. An electronic strain gauge on the torque-reacting link provides a measurement of the torque applied to the fastener.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for sensing and derived information conveyance as disclosed. One electrical device includes an electronic circuit and executable instructions provided by at least one of: software stored in memory associated with the circuit or provided in firmware within the circuit, wherein the circuit receives raw sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the circuit, analyzes the data, and creates a report document that includes one or more features of the analysis of the data.

Abstract: The method for calculating rotational torque between inner and outer rings of a four point contact ball bearing assembly includes an individual torque calculation step for calculating the rotational torque for each of rolling elements and a total sum calculation step for determining the rotational torque. In the individual torque calculation step, data on a contact condition representative of the extent of approximation to the two point contact state or four point contact state is used. For the contact condition data, the four point contact ratio Cf, which is the ratio of surface pressure of one of respective maximum contact pressures P1 and P2 between two partial raceways in an inner ring or outer ring, which one is higher than the other of the maximum contact pressures P1 and P2, relative to a surface pressure of the other of the maximum contact pressures, is used.

Abstract: An in-plane compressive strength evaluation device (10) provided with a memory unit (21) into which, when an in-plane compressive strength evaluation is actually performed using a test piece, an evaluation result is stored as first information; a first analysis unit (22) that obtains second information that is an evaluation result related to the load and a displacement of the structural model; an adjustment unit (23) that adjusts an elemental factor of the structural model that influences the in-plane compressive strength such that the second information approaches the first information; and a second analysis unit (24) that, in a state where the elemental factor used when the second information approaches the first information most closely expands the structural model into the structural form of the actual tube support plate, and that performs the in-plane compressive strength evaluation using the expanded structural model.

Abstract: A force measurement system having inertial compensation includes a force measurement assembly with at least one accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration thereof. According to one aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes at least one angular velocity sensor configured to measure the angular velocity of the force measurement assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes a data processing device with a computer-readable medium loaded thereon that is configured to execute a calibration procedure for determining the inertial parameters of the force measurement assembly by utilizing the measured acceleration of the force measurement assembly while the force measurement assembly is subjected to a plurality of applied linear and/or rotational motion profiles. According to still another aspect of the invention, the at least one accelerometer is disposed on the force transducer.

Abstract: Dynamic systems with moving parts, such as printers and image forming apparatuses, for example, can shake as a result of reaction forces related to carriage movement. The characteristics of the shake are related to the particular usage environment and, therefore, can be different for the same dynamic system used in different environments. When the shake of a dynamic system is characterized while the dynamic system is in its particular usage environment, the shake can be reduced, for example, based on a degree of control specified by an operator, for every use in that same environment through adjustments based on the characterization.

Abstract: First and second shafts are connected with each other through a torsion bar and arranged to rotate relative to each other within a relative rotational angle range A. A s torque sensor includes first and second resolvers for sensing the angular potions of the first and second shafts, respectively. The first resolver produces a periodical first resolver output signal so that the number X1 of cycles per revolution of the first shaft is smaller than 360/A (X1<360/A). The second resolver produces a periodical second resolver output signal so that the number X2 of cycles per revolution of the second shaft is smaller than 360/A (X2<360/A).

Abstract: A dynamic method to accurately determine the mass of a vehicle which deforms on acceleration and is subject to low frequency noise is disclosed. Only the greater than zero hertz frequencies of the signals are processed. Both signals are squelched during periods of high jerk to reduce the error between true mass and apparent mass. For a single body or combination vehicle such as a semi-rig with a propulsive body of known mass a reference for matched or Wiener filtering is constructed from the noisy signals to filter low frequency noise. A towing vehicle with a fifth wheel mounted on a dedicated load sensing apparatus can, therefore, determine the weight of any semi-trailer towed on any terrain of any inclination and any changing inclination with the greatest precision in the shortest possible time.

Abstract: A method, an arrangement and a program process a measurement signal generated in a measurement transducer of an electronic force-measuring device, particularly a balance. The generated measurement signal corresponds to the force acting on the transducer. The measurement signal is entered directly or by way of a pre-processing stage into a display function which assigns corresponding output values to the values of the measurement signal. The output values are subsequently presented in a display or passed on for further processing. The input range of the display function contains a capture range, so that the values of the measurement signal that lie within the capture range are assigned a common output value by the display function, and the position of the capture range within the input range is controlled dependent on the generated measurement signal.