Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems of determining stall of a fan are disclosed, when the fan is controlled with a frequency converter. The method includes estimating a rotational speed (n) and the torque (T) of the fan. Transferring characteristic curves of the fan to the estimated rotational speed (n) of the fan, determining the stall region of the fan. Determining an operation point of the fan from the estimated rotational speed (n) and estimated torque (T) using the characteristic curves. Calculating RMS values of the low frequency components of the torque and rotational speed estimates (TRMS, nRMS) to obtain a low frequency parameter (S), and determining an occurrence of stall based on at least one of the operation point and the low frequency parameter (S).

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a contact device that includes a shaft member, a first sensor configured to detect, when a tip of the shaft member comes into contact with a surface of a contacted object, a first force corresponding to a component of a force applied to the tip, which acts in a planar direction crossing a direction of an axis of the shaft at right angles, and a second sensor configured to detect a second force corresponding to a component of the applied force, which acts in a direction of the axis of the shaft member.

Abstract: In a user-interactive system, such as an interactive voice response (IVR) system, the duration and/or force of key-presses by the user and/or the speed of response to prompts by the user are used to make inferences about the user, such as whether the user is impaired or is growing frustrated. The user interface is modified based on the inferences.

Abstract: A system for sensing a force applied to an aircraft includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor operative to define a first velocity vector as a function of a first velocity due to a rotation motion of the aircraft, define a second velocity vector as a function of a second velocity due to the rotation motion of the aircraft, define an instant axis of rotation of the aircraft as a function of the first velocity vector and the second velocity vector, determine whether a force has been exerted on a first portion of the aircraft, and output an indication that a force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft responsive to determining that the force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed herein for modeling a mechanical system having body elements movable in at least two dimensions in a graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein allow constraints on body elements movable in at least two dimensions in the mechanical system to be generalized and represented by a single block in the graphical modeling environment. The system and methods described herein simplify the modeling of a mechanical system by allowing a user to construct a definition of generalized constraints through a connectivity table. Thus, it is possible to model a mechanical system in a graphical modeling environment with less than all the body elements represented by blocks in a graphical model.

Abstract: A propeller system with two propellers, arranged one behind the other and separated by a propeller gap, respectively comprising a propeller hub and at least one rotating force measuring device, comprises at least two differential pressure sensors and an evaluation unit. The rotating force measuring devices are mechanically connected to the respective propellers and are adapted for determining the individual thrust force of each propeller. At least one of the said differential pressure sensors is arranged on or in each propeller and is adapted for measuring a differential pressure between the propeller gap and the respectively opposing side of the propeller. By adding the measured individual thrust forces and by subtracting the gap area forces that are based on the respectively measured differential pressures, the evaluation unit can determine a precise overall thrust force for the propeller system.

Abstract: In order to move an object, a handle is attached to the object. The handle includes at least one sensor configured to detect a force being applied to the handle and to generate at least one sensor output signal in accordance therewith. A motorized object driving apparatus is in electrical communication with the at least sensor and is configured to move the object based on the at least one sensor output signal in the direction of the force being applied to the handle.

Abstract: A detector for an electromagnetic brake, for example used in an elevator system, that, by quantitative judgment, determines whether the brake force of the electromagnetic brake is appropriate. Load cells for detecting the recovery forces of brake springs are arranged between brake springs, which energize brake arms with brake shooes installed on them toward the side of brake wheel, and spring sheets, which hold brake springs in a compressive deformed state, and, at the same time, judgment part judges whether the brake force of electromagnetic brake 4 is outside a prescribed normal range based on the outputs of load cells. If the brake force of electromagnetic brake is outside the normal rnage, judgment part sends a signal, for example to a monitoring center.

Abstract: A method and device for determining critical buffeting loads on a structure of an aircraft is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (2, UC) implementing a semi-empirical method for determining the critical loads generated by some buffeting on the structure of the airplane.

Abstract: A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism driving apparatus is disclosed that includes a frictional transmission configured to output torque via a viscous fluid, the torque being input from the motor; an input shaft rotational amount detecting part configured to detect a rotational amount of an input shaft of the frictional transmission; an output shaft rotational amount detecting part configured to detect a rotational amount of an output shaft of the frictional transmission; an input torque detecting part configured to detect input torque of the frictional transmission; a slip amount calculating part configured to calculate a slip amount between the input shaft and the output shaft; and abnormal state determining part configured to determine abnormal state of a rotating mechanism connected to the output shaft of the frictional transmission based on the input torque and to determine an abnormal state of the frictional transmission based on the slip amount.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for turbine fault analysis are described herein. One computing device implemented method for turbine failure analysis includes collecting a first set of data associated with wind turbine performance, via a computing device, analyzing the first set of data to determine whether the first set of data can indicate a fault condition, and reviewing a second set of data associated with wind turbine performance to determine if a fault condition exists.

Abstract: A force feedback method for presenting a force sense to an operator by jetting gas or liquid from a nozzle of jetting means according to a position or an orientation of a receiver is disclosed. In the force feedback method, the receiver is provided with an inclined side surface unit shaped to be inclined, outward from a center part of the receiver, with respect to an axis line of the receiver, and the force feedback method provides a force, to the receiver, including a component perpendicular to a jet direction of the gas or the liquid, by jetting the gas or the liquid to the inclined side surface unit.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade having a strain sensor system is described. The strain sensor is insensitive to the effect of twisting motions or edge-wise bending on the measurement of the strain. The sensor comprises one or more strain sensing devices arranged in a circular or regular polygon shaped path enclosing a region of the component. In the sensor system, a plurality of strain sensors are spaced longitudinally along a flap-wise axis of the wind turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for impact sensing and recording. In one embodiment, an impact recording sensor includes an impulse sensing system configured to sense impacts experienced by the impact recording sensor in three dimensions and a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to obtain impact data from the impulse sensing system and store an impact data set including the impact data in memory in response to an impact experienced by the impact recording sensor. The impact recording sensor may also include a rechargeable power source configured to supply power to the MCU. In another embodiment, an impact recording system includes and impact recording sensor and a control interface unit configured to communicatively couple with the impulse recording sensor. The control interface unit may be configured to download impact data set stored in memory of the impulse recording sensor.

Abstract: A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus capable of controlling, tracking and measuring the tightening torque and the locking force and a method thereof. The device comprises a control device, a transducing device, and a sensing device. The transducing device comprises a second connector and a first signal transmitter. The control device communicates with the transducing device through a second signal transmitter and the first signal transmitter wiredly or wirelessly. The sensing device comprises a first connector and a sensor, and electrically connects to the transducing device through the second connector and the first connector. The sensing device senses the torque applied to a fastener to transmit real-time sensing data to the control device. The control device compares the real-time sensing data with a setting value so as to measure, control or track the locking force or tightening torque applied to the fastener in real time.

Abstract: An aerodynamic force sensing apparatus for providing an air data computer with information to calculate air data. The apparatus includes a plurality of vanes supportable in a vane array extending from a distal end of an airfoil of an aircraft, and one or more sensors configured to sense the response of one or more vanes of the vane array to aerodynamic forces and to transmit corresponding signals to an air data computer (ADC) for use by the ADC in calculating air data.

Abstract: A system for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system, the system including a comparator subsystem configured to evaluate a pressure reading differential taken between a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered system and a second transducer that is a part of a braking system on a remote powered system, wherein the pressure reading differential is taken when the lead powered system and the remote powered system are operating in a distributed power application. A method and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system.

Abstract: An exemplary method for the temperature correction of a force-measuring device such as a balance is disclosed. The method includes generating, by means of a force-measuring cell, a force measurement signal corresponding to the input force; generating an electrical temperature measurement signal by means of a temperature sensor that is arranged at a distance from the heat-generating components of the force-measuring device, processing the force measurement signal into a temperature-corrected output signal based on the temperature measurement signal and the force measurement signal; and transmitting the output signal to an indicator unit and/or to a further processing unit.

Abstract: A technique for measuring pressure of a material directs one or more laser beams at the material (e.g., a pressurized fluid) to create a distribution of electromagnetic field intensity which varies over an intensity range and induces dielectric breakdown in the material. An emission pattern of broadband light from the dielectric breakdown is detected, and a value of a characteristic of the emission pattern (e.g., location of a threshold intensity or of a peak intensity) is processed (e.g., by a computer or similar electronic processor) to generate a pressure measurement signal representing a pressure of the material. Processing typically employs a pre-established calibration function which associates a set of stored values of the characteristic with corresponding known pressures of the material, obtained for example by preceding similar measurements of the same material under conditions of known pressures.

Abstract: A force sensitive device comprises a force sensor and a control system. The control system applies drive signals to the force sensor and measures receive signals that are responsive to forces associated with contacts made to the force sensitive device. The control system determines location and force information of one or more contacts on the force sensor based upon the receive signals.

Abstract: A method and a device for contactless determination of forces and/or moments acting on a hollow cylindrical body (12), in which via a light source (20; 38; 40), light radiation is produced within the hollow cylindrical body (12); measurement signals are recorded by an optoelectronic sensor (22; 34); the measurement signals recorded by the optoelectronic sensor (22; 34) are supplied to the signal processing unit (26); the signal processing unit (26) detects and outputs changes of the measurement signals relative to an initial state determined beforehand by calibration, corresponding to the initial undeformed state of the hollow cylindrical body (12); and when a mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12) is present, according to a calibration function or a calculation rule, the signal processing unit (26) outputs an output signal that describes the forces and/or moments that are causing the mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12).

Abstract: In a torque sensor, a torque signal and a monitoring signal have values between a first lower limit and a first upper limit. A limiting section changes the torque signal to a second lower limit when the torque signal is equal to or less than the second lower limit that is greater than the first lower limit, and changes the torque signal to a second upper limit when the torque signal is equal to or greater than the second upper limit that is less than the first upper limit. When abnormality has occurred in the torque signal, an output section transmits a first fault notification signal that is a value between the first and second lower limits or a second fault notification signal that is a value between the first and second upper limits.

Abstract: To prevent a reduction in engine load detection accuracy due to variations in reluctor size within mass production tolerances, an engine control unit includes a pulse generator PC that detects a reluctor to output crank pulses. An angular velocity calculating unit calculates a first crank angular velocity on the basis of an interval between two crank pulses output in a predetermined section near compression top dead center TDC, and detects near overlap top dead center OLP the same reluctor used for calculating the first crank angular velocity to calculate a second crank angular velocity on the basis of an interval between generated two crank pulses. An engine load estimating unit calculates, as an engine load, a difference between the first crank angular velocity and the second crank angular velocity. The engine load is indicated mean effective pressure over a whole cycle including negative work done by the engine.

Abstract: A method of determining face paper properties 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for classifying an impact to a head of a human being as one of a plurality of event classes. A sensor interface is configured to determine an acceleration at a location of interest on the human being from provided sensor data in response to the impact. A feature calculation component is configured to calculate a plurality of impact parameters from the determined acceleration at the location of interest. A pattern recognition classifier is configured to associate the impact with an associated event class of at least three associated event classes according to the calculated plurality of impact parameters. A post-processing component is configured to communicate the associated event class an observer via an associated output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an acceleration at a location of interest within one of a user's head and neck. At least one of linear acceleration data, angular acceleration data, angular velocity data, and orientation data is produced using at least one sensing device substantially rigidly attached to an ambient-accessible surface of the user's head. The location of interest is represented relative to a position of the at least one sensing device as a time-varying function. An acceleration at the location of interest is calculated as a function of the data produced at the sensing device and the time-varying function representing the location of interest. The calculated acceleration at the location of interest is provided to at least one of the user and an observer in a human-perceptible form.

Abstract: A movement monitoring device (MMD) for action sports has a detector for sensing motion associated with action sports, a processor for processing data from the detector to determine one or more movement metrics, and a communications port for wirelessly relaying the movement metrics to a remote location. A method collects motion data within action sports, including: detecting motion of a person or object engaged in action sports; determining one or more events associated with the motion; and wirelessly relaying the events to a remote network. One MMD for action sports is formed within a cell phone having a detector for sensing motion associated with action sports and a processor for processing data from the detector to determine one or more movement metrics for (a) display to a person using carrying the cell phone during action sports or (b) relaying the movement metrics to an external network for review by others.

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.

Abstract: A method of processing force signals from plural force platforms includes, in a computer, in an initialization process, receiving data distinguishing the plural platforms, monitoring force data signals from each of the plural platforms, and identifying each of the plural platforms to a force platform data process application by a sequence of received above-threshold force data signals. The method further includes, subsequent to the initialization process, processing subsequent force data signals according to the identification of each of the plural force platforms. The distinguishing data can include data retrieved from nonvolatile memory of each of the plural force platforms, such as a platform serial number, calibration data, and platform capacity. A force platform system includes one or more force platforms and force platform signal conditioning circuitry connected to the one or more force platforms.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring peeling force of an adhesive capable of varying different peeling angles and peeling rates, the apparatus comprising a force transducer for measuring a peeling force of a tape sample; and a peeling angle (angle C) defined by the adjustment a first angle (angle A) and a second angle (angle B); wherein said first angle (angle A) is defined by an angle between a test sled and a slide with a movement device, and said second angle (angle B) is defined by an angle between a force-bearing direction of said force transducer and a horizontal parallel plane of said slide.

Abstract: A method of estimating airflow for a characterized blower system including a motor. The method includes running the motor, estimating a torque and a speed of the running motor, and assuming a starting airflow estimate. Torque is calculated based on the estimated speed and the estimated airflow. A torque error is calculated as a function of the calculated torque and the estimated torque. Estimated airflow is revised based on the calculated torque error. The method also includes repeating the calculating and revising steps using the revised estimated airflow until the torque error is within a predetermined acceptable range.

Abstract: A tactile surface texture method including: measuring at least one force perceived by a force sensor during a relative movement of the sensor with respect to a surface to be characterized; calculating one or more time and/or frequency parameters of an output signal transmitted by the sensor representative of the previously measured force; determining a value of a tactile descriptor of multiple tactile descriptors through application of a continuous transfer function to the previously calculated parameters, the transfer function being previously determined by regression from a learning database associating, for each descriptor, plural values of the tactile descriptor with plural values of one or more time and/or frequency parameters calculated from measurements made by the force sensor on multiple test surfaces representative of values of the tactile descriptor in question.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring the load on rotor blades of wind energy installations by measuring acceleration on at least one rotor blade of a wind energy installation and determining load on the rotor blade from the picked-up acceleration signals, dynamic, even uncritical load states can be detected, in differentiated fashion, and combined in a suitable form for evaluation in order to influence, if possible prior to the onset of damage to the rotor blade, the mode of operation of the wind energy installation, in particular the design of the pitch control or angle setting of stall-regulated rotor blades, on the basis both of all of the rotor blades together and of a single rotor blade. Frequency of occurrence of the load values over a certain period of time is determined from amplitudes of the acceleration signal or amplitudes of selected natural oscillations of the frequency spectra are obtained by Fourier transformation.

Abstract: A hardness test method performed by a controller of a hardness tester includes a first measurement process measuring an indentation curve (indentation history curve) for a plurality of times under a same condition with respect to a test specimen for verification in a predetermined environment; a setting process setting an acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve based on load loading curves (load loading history curves) of the plurality of the indentation curves obtained by the first measurement process; a second measurement process measuring an indentation curve under a same condition as the first measurement process with respect to the test specimen in an actual usage environment; and a judging process judging whether a load loading curve of the indentation curve measured by the second measurement process is within the acceptable range of variation in a load loading curve set by the setting process.

Abstract: A method of calculating forces acting on the footprint area of a tire, the tire being mounted on a wheel in turn mounted on a hub for engagement with a vehicle, the tire being moved along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the ground, includes the following steps: detecting a first angular position of the footprint area; detecting a second angular position of a reference point substantially integral with the hub; comparing the first and second angular positions with each other to determine a phase displacement between the reference point and footprint area; determining a parameter representing an angular velocity of the wheel; calculating at least one longitudinal force in the footprint function of at least the phase displacement and the parameter. Also described is an apparatus for calculating the forces.

Abstract: A contact pressure and position detecting device includes a first sensing layer, a second sensing layer located on the first sensing layer, and a processor. The first sensing layer includes a number of parallel first pipes, and the second sensing layer includes a number of parallel second pipes perpendicular to the first pipes. Each first pipe includes a first pressure sensor received therein for generating a first electrical signal according to the gas pressure therein. Each second pipe includes a second pressure sensor received therein for generating a second electrical signal according to the gas pressure therein. The processor compares the first electrical signals with a first threshold value, and the second electrical signals with a second threshold value to judge which first pipe and second pipe is pressed, and then obtains the contact position on the detecting device.

Abstract: A sensor having a set of plates 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 set of plates, so that force imparted from above onto the top surface layer is transmitted to the plates 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 which causes prompting signals to be sent to the grid and reconstructs a continuous position of force on the surface from interpolation based on data signals received from the grid. A method for sensing.

Abstract: A collision detection method for a drive unit including an electric drive motor and a movable component which is driven thereby, wherein an actual torque and an actual acceleration of the electric drive motor are sensed and a collision of the movable component is detected on the basis of an evaluation of a predefinable mathematical combination of the actual torque and the actual acceleration.

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 portable electronic apparatus for collecting impact information includes a body, a piezoelectric element, a processing element, and a storage element. The piezoelectric element covers the body and generates an electrical signal when experiencing a force from an impact. The processing element, connected to the piezoelectric element, converts the electrical signal from the piezoelectric element into impact information. The storage element stores the impact information.

Abstract: A forward/reverse mechanics calculation of an accurate model of a human body having bone geometrical data and muscle/cord/band data is carried out at high speed. When a new skeleton geometrical model is given, a mapping between the new skeleton geometrical model and a pre-defined normal body model representing a normal body is defined to automatically produce a new body model.

Abstract: A detection device includes: a detecting unit having a first substrate on which a plurality of pressure sensors are disposed around a reference point and a second substrate on which is formed an elastic projection whose center of gravity is positioned in a position overlapping with the reference point and that elastically deforms due to an external force in a state in which the tip of the elastic projection makes contact with the first substrate; and a controller that carries out detection operations for detecting the presence/absence of the external force based on pressure values detected by at least one of the plurality of pressure sensors, and controls the next detection operations of the detection unit based on the result of the previous detection.

Abstract: A method of measuring torque acting on a drive shaft (13) and a torque measurement system for implementing said method. Vibration sensors (18, 20) are attached to each of said main gearbox (11) and said tail gearbox (15) in order to detect gear mesh vibrations resulting from interaction of said drive shaft (13) with said main gear (12) and said tail gear (16), said detected gear mesh vibrations being transferred to an evaluation unit (19) for analysis.

Abstract: To well remove a noise component due to vibration of a flexible member from an original detection signal output from a detecting unit and suppress a phase delay of a detection signal obtained by filtering. For this purpose, the present invention provides a detecting unit including a flexible member deforming according to a state of an object to be measured and a sensor detecting an amount of deformation of the flexible member and outputting an original detection signal indicating a detection result. A filtering unit outputs a detection signal obtained by filtering the original detection signal using a filter coefficient. A calculating device calculates a vibration frequency of the flexible member contained in the original detection signal. A changing unit changes a filter coefficient of the filtering unit to cause the filtering unit to function as a filter for attenuating the vibration frequency calculated by the calculating device.

Abstract: A method for determining the torque of a worm of a solid bowl worm centrifuge. The solid bowl worm centrifuge includes a rotatable drum and a rotatable worm, the rotatable worm being rotatable at a different rotational speed than that of the rotatable drum. The rotatable drum and rotatable worm are driven via a gear arrangement and a common single drive motor via at least one belt drive, a driving belt pulley, a driven belt pulley and a belt coupling the pulley. The method steps include determining a slip of the at least once belt drive and calculating a torque based upon the determination of the slip.

Abstract: A torque sensing system, a torque sensor, a method for determining an amount of torque, and a steering system are provided. The method includes generating a first output signal utilizing a first plurality of piezo-electric transducers disposed between a first plurality of tooth portions of a first hub portion and a second plurality of tooth portions of a second hub portion when the first hub portion is rotated in a first direction relative to the second hub portion. The transducers are electrically coupled in series with one another. The method further includes filtering the first output signal to obtain a first filtered signal and amplifying the first filtered signal to obtain a first amplified signal. The method further includes determining a first torque value indicative of a first amount of torque applied to an input shaft based on the first amplified signal.

Abstract: There is provided a bed monitoring system comprising a sensor for detecting and measuring the pressure or force exerted on a bed; and a processor configured to process signals from the sensor to identify a pressure or force pattern that is characteristic of a state of a user relative to the bed; wherein the pressure or force pattern is identified by examining the measured pressure or force over time.

Abstract: A control module for seat belt retractor capable of controlling a winding torque of a seat belt within a predetermined range, and such a seat belt retractor are provided. The seat belt retractor includes a spool 300 around which a seat belt for vehicle is wound, a motor 200 that causes the spool 300 to rotate, and a motor power transmission mechanism unit that couples the motor 200 and the spool 300. A microcomputer 400 uses a preset control parameter value to control a motor current that flows through the motor 200. The microcomputer 400 changes, based on the motor current and an output torque value of the spool, the control parameter value. The control parameter value is an apparent torque constant for each seat belt retractor product.