Force Or Torque Measurement Patents (Class 702/41)
  • Patent number: 8131483
    Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Testing Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Ross, Filiz Avsar, Kendall W. Gordon, Steven Leary
  • Publication number: 20120053857
    Abstract: A heat tube inspection cable and a method of analyzing an insertion force of the cable are disclosed. The heat tube inspection cable includes a sensor unit configured to detect a defect in a heat tube, a plurality of segment units each configured to comprise a body part and a wheel part rotatably connected to the body part, a signal cable configured to helically pass through the body part of each of the plurality of segment units to transmit electric signal from the sensor unit, and a wire configured to pass through the body part of each of the plurality of segment units to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yun Hang CHOUNG, Dong Ok KIM, Jin Seok PARK, Won Jae LEE, Hark Rho KIM, Hyun Kyu JUNG, Yong Chil SEO
  • Publication number: 20120046104
    Abstract: An example method includes measuring a capacitance of an actuator and a conductive element when, responsive to a force applied to the actuator, the actuator is coupled to a reference voltage and deformed such that surface area of the actuator proximate to the conductive element increases. The example method includes determining the force applied to the actuator based on the measured capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Wright
  • Patent number: 8121788
    Abstract: A method for correcting errors in LWD depths includes performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data. A system for correcting errors in LWD depths includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for: performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Georgiy Bordakov, Alexander Kostin
  • Publication number: 20120041691
    Abstract: A device for detecting a twist angle and/or a torque of a shaft occurring on the shaft and methods for operating the device uses at least one first encoder and at least one second encoder at a predefined spacing therefrom. Each encoder influences at least one coil parameter, is associated with at least a part of the circumference of the shaft, and has at least one track having at least one period per revolution of the shaft. At least first and second inductive sensors scan the first and second encoders, respectively. Each inductive sensor provides a respective sensor signal reflecting at least one measure for the rotational angle of the shaft within the period, and a difference ascertainment unit ascertains and provides the twist angle of the shaft as an angle difference of the two rotational angles detected by the inductive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Sorin Fericean, Andrea Hiller-Brod, Reinhard Droxler, Markus Fritton, Daniel Kraeter
  • Patent number: 8113048
    Abstract: Provided is a dynamic balancing apparatus using a linear time-varying angular velocity model, which includes a rotational shaft on which a rotational body having a rotating unbalanced mass is installed; a linear time-varying angular velocity generator which allow the rotational shaft to be rotated at a linear time-varying angular velocity; a support for supporting both sides of the rotational shaft; and a transducer for measuring applied force or vibration transferred to the support by revolution of the rotational shaft having a linear time-varying angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Wan Sup Cheung, Jong Yeon Lim, Sae Won Yoon
  • Publication number: 20120035811
    Abstract: So as to provide, with high accuracy, an actuating variable for actuating a torque control element in an electric vehicle steering system and achieve this with reduced complexity as compared to the known methods and devices, an actual torsion-bar torque (MD) is detected, a differential torque is found from a predefined target torsion-bar torque (MD,ref) and the actual torsion-bar torque (MD), and the actuating variable is determined by means of an output feedback controller, as a function of the differential torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Gruener
  • Publication number: 20120035864
    Abstract: A method for determining an equivalent mechanical load of a component includes a dynamic mechanical loading. A first measurement value of the mechanical load of the component is measured and compared to a first reference value. Further, at least one count value representing the number of load half-cycles of the component is updated based upon the result of comparing, wherein the load half-cycles correspond to a predetermined range of mechanical loads and occur within a time period prior to the measurement of the first measurement value. A first equivalent mechanical load of the component is determined based on the first updated count value. It is further described a program element and a computer-readable medium having stored a program for controlling the described equivalent mechanical load determining method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Ib Frydendal
  • Patent number: 8112234
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the components of the force torsor that are applied to a bearing, which method provides for the measurement of a vector (Vm) of N deformations and for the use of a physical model linking a vector (Q) of at most N representative values of the components of the torsor with a deformation measurement vector, the method comprises the following iterative steps: introduction of a vector (Q) of representative values into the model in order to calculate a deformation measurement vector (Vc); and carrying out a pertinence test (T) between the deformation measurement vector (Vc) which is calculated and the measured vector (Vm); if the test (T) is negative, establishing at least one new vector (Q) of representative values to be introduced into the model according to the result of the test; or if the test (T) is positive, storing the vector (Q) of introduced values; wherein the estimated components of the force torsor are established according to at least one stored vector (Q) of values
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: SNR Roulements
    Inventors: Christophe Duret, David Kwapisz, Alexandre Laurent
  • Publication number: 20120029841
    Abstract: A method of measuring drop impact at an electronic device includes detecting a fall based on signals from drop detection sensor of the electronic device, receiving an output from a piezoelectric sensor in response to detecting the fall, and storing drop data based on the output from the piezoelectric sensor in a memory at the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Arnett WEBER, Todd Robert PALECZNY, Denis LAHAIE
  • Patent number: 8108096
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an engine torque module, a torque detection module, a torque estimation module, a torque monitoring module, and a diagnostic module. The engine torque module generates a first estimated torque signal based on engine signals and/or GPS signals. The torque detection module generates an actual torque signal of a transmission. The torque estimation module generates a second estimated torque signal based on the first estimated torque signal and/or vehicle/engine values. The diagnostic module detects a fault of a torque sensor based on a torque difference between the actual torque signal and the second estimated torque signal. The torque monitoring module generates a first and a second torque signals based on actual torque signals that represent a lowest and a highest torque values respectively over a predetermined period. The diagnostic module detects the fault based on a torque difference the first and the second torque signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20120022799
    Abstract: A detection device includes a first substrate that has a plurality of pressure sensors disposed around a reference point, and a second substrate on which disposed an elastic projection whose center is positioned in a position overlapping with the reference point and that elastically deforms due to the external force in a state in which the tip portion of the elastic projection makes contact with the first substrate. When an external force has been applied, the direction and intensity of the applied external force is found by carrying out a predetermined calculation using pressure values detected by the pressure sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomo IKEBE
  • Publication number: 20120022798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a model equation for predicting the impact resistance of an ABS material, which has excellent properties, gloss, and stainability and thus can be widely used in vehicles, electricity and electronics, and miscellaneous applications. The model equation of the present invention provides high accuracy and reproducibility. The prediction technology can be used particularly to determine whether a material complies with the specification of vehicle components, to overcome the quality problems, and to prevent the production of defective products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicants: INDUSTRY FOUNDATION OF CHONNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ju Hyung Lee, Min Chul Shin, Seok Jin Choi, Chang Kook Hong, Song Yi Bae
  • Publication number: 20120022800
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the torque exerted by a cyclist during pedaling of a human-powered vehicle, as for example a bicycle, including an electromagnetic emitter which is adapted to be fixed securely to a rear wheel hub, for generating and directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards a rim of the wheel, and a detector mounted on the wheel for detecting the movement of the beam when torque is applied to the wheel, the movement being indicative of an angular displacement of the hub with respect to the rim and directly proportional to the torque. Either alone or using optical elements, the beam is directed to travel at least a distance between the emitter and the rim before detection. The measurement can be used to provide a power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SMART PATENT LIMITED
    Inventor: Gennady Lubarsky
  • Publication number: 20120020595
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a compliant bearing includes a main body and a bearing surface. The main body and the bearing surface may be engaged with one another via one or more bearing surface springs configured such that the bearing surface is compliant with respect to the main body. A second embodiment of a compliant bearing includes a main body and at least one bearing pad. The main body and the bearing pad may be engaged with one another via one or more pad radial and/or pad axial springs configured such that the bearing pad is compliant with respect to the main body. A sensor web may be integrated into the compliant bearing. In one embodiment the sensor web comprises at least one sensor configured as a strain gauge and affixed to a bearing surface spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jongsoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120010827
    Abstract: A friction test system for an antiperspirant/deodorant (APDO) product generally includes a substrate having a test surface and a mount assembly configured to hold the APDO product in contact with the test surface and maintain an applied force between the APDO product and the test surface such that the applied force is substantially normal to the test surface. An actuator (e.g., a linear actuator) is configured to move the mount assembly laterally along an axis substantially perpendicular to the applied force during a testing mode. A force sensor is configured to determine the frictional force experienced by the APDO product during the testing mode. A processor coupled to the mount assembly, the actuator, and the force sensor, is configured to determine the coefficient of friction of the APDO product with respect to the test surface based on a ratio of the applied force and the frictional force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Dial Corporation
    Inventor: Travis T. Yarlagadda
  • Patent number: 8090546
    Abstract: An elastic sheet is defined in accordance with a user input operation to have a shape with which the elastic sheet does not cross another member (building component) (step S1). Then, the elastic sheet is divided into rigid elements (step S2). Angles formed by each rigid element with adjacent rigid elements on two sides are calculated, and the calculation results and the like are stored in a RAM (step S3). A flexible medium which moves through a conveyance path is defined (step S4). Conveyance conditions when the flexible medium moves through the conveyance path are set (step S5). After that, the motion is calculated (step S6). The result of the motion calculation, that is, the behavior of the flexible medium, is displayed on a display device (step S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Toyosawa, Kenji Taki
  • Publication number: 20110313685
    Abstract: A computerized system for obtaining information regarding a waterway is described. The system comprises an input means for receiving accelerometer data from an accelerometer of a free fall object and a processing means being programmed for deriving, based on said data accelerometer data at least one of a density, a viscosity or a depth of a soil. The present invention also relates to a free fall impact object comprising such a computerized system, to a method for obtaining information regarding a waterway and to corresponding computer related products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Koen Geirnaert, Peter Staelens, Sebastien Deprez
  • Publication number: 20110313684
    Abstract: A g-force-sensitive label for detecting and indicating the application of a g-force is provided, the g-force sensitive label comprising an area for detecting and indicating an application of a g-force above a threshold value on the g-force sensitive label and an attachment area for attaching the g-force sensitive label on an object. At least one physical property of the area measurably changes its state upon applying a g-force above the threshold value, thereby altering a displayed pattern such that a machine-readable 1D or 2D or alphanumeric code is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Mark James Simmons
  • Publication number: 20110307189
    Abstract: A testing apparatus and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the testing apparatus may include a platform, first plurality of cables, a second plurality of cables and a third plurality of cables, each of the cables coupled to a respective load cell. The first plurality of cables may suspend the platform and be substantially parallel to each other. The second plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the second plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables. The third plurality of cables may be coupled to the platform, and each cable of the third plurality of cables may be substantially parallel to each other cable of the third plurality of cables, and substantially perpendicular to each cable of the first plurality of cables and the second plurality of cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Petruska, Jeffrey R. Nostrom, Amy M. Baesler, Rick R. Baird
  • Publication number: 20110307128
    Abstract: An automatic vessel position holding control method for holding a vessel position and a vessel heading of a vessel on the ocean in order to reduce a positional deviation and a heading deviation sharply as compared with the conventional automatic vessel position holding control by performing feedforward control for estimating and then compensating for at least one of a wave drifting force and a wave drifting moment that act on the vessel, wherein a vessel position holding control is performed that includes such controls as estimating waves entering the vessel from motion thereof, calculating at least one of the wave drifting force and the wave drifting moment from the estimated waves and performing feedforward control for at least one of the calculated wave drifting force and the calculated wave drifting moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Igarashi, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Satoru Nagase, Koh Murata, Masakatsu Saito, Eigou Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20110301874
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Francis Alexander Reed
  • Publication number: 20110301876
    Abstract: A tactile sensor unit is provided, which includes a substrate; a coat formed on the substrate; and a cantilever beam structure having one end fixed to the substrate and curved to rise in such a direction that the other end of the cantilever beam structure is farther from the substrate than the one end. The tactile sensor unit detects a load applied to the coat. The cantilever beam structure is capable of resonating at a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency which is different from the first resonant frequency. The tactile sensor unit further includes a computation section for calculating a directional component of the load based on a change ratio of the first resonant frequency obtained in accordance with a change in the load and a change ratio of the second resonant frequency obtained in accordance with the change in the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Kaoru Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110301875
    Abstract: A bushing press-fitting inspection device that can perform an inspection in any state between the beginning of press-fitting and the end of press-fitting as to whether or not the press-fitting has been satisfactorily performed is provided. The bushing press-fitting inspection device is used in a bushing press-fitting apparatus that, using a press-fitting mechanism, supports a bushing at an end of the bushing press-fitting apparatus and that press-fits, over a certain stroke at a certain load, the bushing into a bushing press-fitting portion formed in part of a structure in a cylindrical shape that is included in a workpiece. The bushing press-fitting inspection device includes setting means, storage means, input means, judgment means, and output means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Masami Ito, Yoshirou Kitano
  • Publication number: 20110295523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the state of a foundation supporting a building (I) and embedded in the ground, consisting of using a plurality of sensors (4, 5) arranged on the building to acquire a set of measurements (mi1, mi2) relating to the foundation and/or to the building according to a predetermined acquisition mode; calculating, from said set of measurements, a set of condition indicators (iJ1,iJ2) characteristic of an embedding rigidity of the foundation; and making a comparison between a set of values derived from the set of calculated condition indicators and a set of thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Gilles Hovhanessian, Frédéric Bourquin
  • Patent number: 8068997
    Abstract: A system and method of conducting a continuous performance analysis for a system includes collecting transient performance data for a first parameter of the system and a second parameter of the system. Transfer functions are applied to the transient performance data for at least one of the first and second parameters to thereby generate phase compensated performance data representative of a steady state relationship between the first and second parameter. For each phase compensated performance datum, an estimate of the first parameter is calculated at a predetermined value of the second parameter using the phase compensated performance datum and a previously stored performance characteristic curve representative of the steady state relationship between the first and second parameters in a deterioration model extrapolation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ling, Jan Goericke, Kevin Moeckly, Andy Stramiello, Larry Lee
  • Patent number: 8065031
    Abstract: Change in a torque waveform is monitored while removing continuously-varied periodic noise in real time, and the change in the torque waveform caused purely by the wafer state is detected by separating noise components while removing the noise not caused by the wafer state such as drift noise caused by dressing conditions and the polishing pad state, thereby reliably detecting a polishing end point with high precision when polishing is finished. A polishing end point detection device utilizing torque change for analyzing periodic components in data by subjecting Fourier transformation to the measured data, and calculating moving average processing time for removing periodic noise components based on the analyzed periodic components, and correcting the waveform by performing averaging process based on the moving average processing time calculated in real time for the data, and detecting the polishing end point of a predetermined film based on a change in the corrected torque waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takashi Fujita, Satoshi Hasegawa, Shinji Osada, Soushi Yamada, Takuji Atarashi
  • Patent number: 8065105
    Abstract: A system including a platform having a receptacle adapted to a bottom of a shoe or foot; securing mechanism, associated therewith; a sole for contacting a ground surface; a mechanism associated with the sole and a platform bottom, including: motor and a thrusting element, activated by the motor, the thrusting element adapted to move between the sole and the platform to apply an upward force against the platform bottom, thereby changing a platform height with respect to the sole; a sensor device adapted to associate with a lower limb, and to produce a locomotion data signal, and a microprocessor, operatively connected to the sensor device and motor, adapted to: receive locomotion information based on the signal; process the locomotion information to determine a locomotion phase, and control a timing of the mechanism, based on the determination, to change the height during a locomotion swing phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Step of Mind Ltd.
    Inventors: Simona Bar-Haim, Mark Belokopytov
  • Publication number: 20110278078
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that utilize a first electrode disposed on a first substrate and a second electrode disposed on a second substrate, where the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance. A third substrate is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, the third substrate having an opening arranged such that at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode overlap the opening. A transmission element is provided that partially overlaps the opening. The transmission element is physically coupled to the second electrode such that a force biasing the transmission element causes the second electrode to deflect relative to the first electrode, thus changing the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance may then be used to determine force information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard R. Schediwy, Robert J. Bolender, Adam Schwartz, Fritz Nordby, Shawn P. Day
  • Publication number: 20110282164
    Abstract: A sensing device comprises a substrate material layer and a plurality of sensors provided on the substrate material layer. The plurality of sensors is electrically connected to form a loop. The loop has two output ends. There is a loop output value between the two output ends. The loop output value varies when the sensors are subjected to an external force. Each sensor has one induction value. The induction value of each sensor is different from each other. A total induction value of any one or more sensors is different from a total induction value of the other one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: MING YOUNG BIOMEDICAL CORP.
    Inventors: Chang-Ming Yang, Tzulin Yang, Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 8055456
    Abstract: An interior space of the at least one housing of a force-measuring device is filled with a gas composition that is distinguishable in at least one parameter from the ambient atmosphere. A sensor that is arranged in the interior space, or on the housing, measures this distinguishable parameter. A processing unit of the force-measuring device compares signals obtained from the sensor to monitor and determine the condition of the force-measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Urs Loher, Kurt Jensen, Volker Ziebart
  • Publication number: 20110270538
    Abstract: A balancing device includes an active balancing mechanism. The active balancing mechanism maintains the balancing device in an actively balanced state within a range of the active balancing mechanism. An auxiliary balancing mechanism is configured to support the balancing device in an unbalanced state that is outside the range of the active balancing mechanism and aid a transition of the balancing device to the actively balanced state that is within the range of the active balancing mechanism, wherein the auxiliary balancing mechanism is configured to support the balancing device includes to prop up the balancing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: OLogic, INC.
    Inventors: Ted W. Larson, Robert Allen
  • Patent number: 8042347
    Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 uses Tefin_lag(N) as an actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during a period Tp1 included in the timing t1 to t2. During a period Tp2 included in the timing t1 to t2, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N). Thus, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the on period (t1 to t2) of a compressor 2. In addition, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during the off period (t2 to 3) of the compressor 2. As a result, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the whole period including the on and off periods of the compressor 2. In this way, a highly accurate estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20110257904
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring compression of a mattress includes a laser rangefinder and a weighted body. The weighted body may be placed onto a mattress surface and a measurement is taken before and after the mattress compresses under the weight. The difference between the two measurements is converted into an output indicative of the stiffness of the mattress. In an embodiment, the measuring device is embodied in a plush animal such as a bear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Hugging Mattress, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Arthur DENEAU
  • Publication number: 20110254777
    Abstract: An interface device for measuring a force applied by a user is disclosed. In one aspect, the interface device has a deformable body positioned on a support housing. In another aspect, the deformable body contains a fluid medium. The interface device also has at least one pressure sensor in fluid communication with the fluid medium. In an additional aspect, the interface device has processing circuitry for receiving pressure signals from the pressure sensors and producing an output signal corresponding to the force applied by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: IAN DOUGLAS CAMPBELL
  • Publication number: 20110251802
    Abstract: This invention relates to impact sports, and to articles of clothing and for detection systems used to monitor and registering the intensity, location and sources of impacts in contact sports such as boxing, martial arts, fencing, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jin Y. Song
  • Patent number: 8036858
    Abstract: A method is provided for selecting and optimizing an electric drive system by analyzing critical-to-quality subjects of the electric drive system according to Six Sigma theory. The critical-to-quality subjects include weight, volume, reliability, efficiency and cost. Various design approaches may be evaluated to select an optimal design. The design approaches may include electric machine type, cooling system, electrical integration and electrical-mechanical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Evgeni Ganev
  • Publication number: 20110246096
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Varel Europe S.A.S
    Inventor: Federico Bellin
  • Publication number: 20110246097
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining an aerodynamic coefficient for a body immersed in a fluid under a set of fluid flow conditions. The method comprises obtaining surface flow parameter data for a plurality of locations on the body. These locations include body surface points straddling an area of the body surface where a leading edge stagnation point (LESP) is expected to be located. The method further comprises determining the LESP location and an angle of attack of the body with respect to freestream conditions of the fluid using the flow parameter data. The method also comprises determining the aerodynamic coefficient from the LESP location and the angle of attack using an aerodynamic model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Arun Mangalam
  • Publication number: 20110231113
    Abstract: A method for determining a load exerted on a tyre fitted on a vehicle during a running of said vehicle comprises the following steps: acquiring a first signal comprising a first portion representative of a radial deformation to which a first tread area portion of said tyre is subjected during passage of said first tread area portion in a contact region between said tyre and a rolling surface; measuring an amplitude of said radial deformation in said first signal portion; estimating a rotation speed and an inflation pressure of said tyre in correspondence of said radial deformation; deriving said tyre load from said amplitude, said rotation speed and said inflation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Massimo Brusarosco, Federico Mancosu, Daniele Arosio
  • Publication number: 20110224376
    Abstract: An aerogel includes a plurality of supramolecular structures bound to one another. Each supramolecular structure includes a carbon nanotube (CNT) or graphene type structure having an outer surface, and a plurality of polymers or aromatic molecules secured to the outer surface of the CNT or graphene type structure. The plurality of polymers or aromatic molecules have at least one crosslinkable structure. The supramolecular structures are crosslinked together by chemical bonding between the crosslinkable structures. The polymers can be block copolymers including at least one conjugated polymer block and at least one block of a crosslinkable non-conjugated polymer that provides the cross linkable structure, where the conjugated polymer block is non-covalently bonded to the outer surface of the CNT or graphene type structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Zhai, Jianhua Zou
  • Patent number: 8010302
    Abstract: First and second screens are set for a tool path display apparatus for displaying a path of the tip of a tool attached to a machine tool. The first screen displays the three-dimensional path of the tip of the tool obtained by synthesizing the position information of the drive axes of a 5-axis machine tool. The second screen displays the waveforms of the position deviations and current instructions of the drive axes in chronological order. When a part (line segment) of the three-dimensional path of the tip of the tool is selected on the first screen, the display attribute of the corresponding time area is changed on the second screen so that the time area can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Tadashi Okita, Hiroyuki Kawamura, Junichi Tezuka, Kazuyuki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20110208444
    Abstract: An example sensor band configured for attachment to a calf of a mammal and used in measuring track and balance motion of the mammal includes one or more first sensors for sensing muscle circumferential pressure at multiple positions; one or more second sensors for sensing Earth's magnetic field; and one or more third sensors for sensing Earth's gravitational field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: James C. Solinsky
  • Patent number: 8005630
    Abstract: A system identification device having a position amplitude calculator outputting a position amplifier; a position torque command integral value multiplier outputting a position torque command integral value multiplication value; a position torque command integral value average calculator inputting the position torque command integral value multiplication value and then outputting an average of a position torque command integral value; a speed torque command integral value multiplier outputting a speed torque command integral value multiplication value; a speed torque command integral value average calculator inputting the speed torque command integral value multiplication value and then outputting an average of a speed torque command integral value; and a first inertia moment and viscous friction calculator calculating identification values of inertia moment and viscous friction from the position amplitude, the average of the position torque command integral value and the average of the speed torque command i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Fukashi Andoh, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110192518
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Alfred Li
  • Publication number: 20110196623
    Abstract: A load monitoring system (5) is used to monitor the loading of a vehicle (1) by a load handling system (2) which is movable through a loading cycle to load a payload module (3) onto the vehicle (1) from the ground (4). The load monitoring system (5) comprises sensors (53) for sensing positional information and loading force information of the load handling system (2) at multiple positions during the loading cycle. A data processor (54) uses this information to calculate the mass of the payload module (3) and the position of the centre of gravity (31) of the payload module (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Seppo Häkkinen
  • Publication number: 20110187545
    Abstract: A system 100 of monitoring mass in a furnace is described having a number of hanger rods 110 used to support at least a portion of the furnace. The system has at least one pressure sensor 111 that may be a load washer 111 operatively engaging a hanger rod 110 that provides a signal indicative of an amount of tension on the hanger rod 110. A pivoting unit 107, 109 distributes the force over the surface of the pressure sensor 111. A processor 200 monitors the signals from the pressure sensors 111 to set alarms when there is a mass overload, or adjust the operation of the furnace. The processor 200 may also predict when an overload will occur by extrapolating pressure sensor 111 readings forward into the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Richard L. Burrington, William K. Montuori, William F. Rice, Thomas W. Sambor, Lloyd E. Steen
  • Patent number: 7991598
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
    Inventor: Giles D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20110181419
    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: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: X2IMPACT, INC.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw
  • Publication number: 20110184663
    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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: X2IMPACT, INC.
    Inventors: Christoph Mack, Marina Kuznetsova, Scott Votaw, Robert Snook