Abstract: A left and right feet pedaling analysis system is disclosed, comprising a pedaling sensing device and an electronic carrier, wherein the pedaling sensing device includes one or more transmission units and one or more accelerometers which are applied to detect the acceleration change data during pedaling, and the pedaling sensing device or/and the electronic carrier can analyze the signals coming from the accelerometer during riding the bicycle in order to acquire the pedaling rotation number, the ratio of the left and right foot forces as well as the installation direction thereby understanding the pedaling distribution ratio of the left and right foot when riding; as such, it can help improve the pedaling skills and adjust the pedaling force mode so as to reduce the risk of injury caused by excessively unbalanced pedaling asymmetry.

Abstract: An airbag controller for a vehicle is proposed. In the airbag controller for a vehicle, an integrated plastic housing without a cover is used to fix a PCB, and a separate grounding device connecting the PCB positioned inside the plastic housing to a vehicle body positioned outside the plastic housing is used in the airbag controller to solve a problem of grounding. Accordingly, it is possible to make the airbag controller be slim and the overall size of the airbag controller be compact.

Abstract: An actuator drive apparatus according to a first aspect includes a first member, a second member that faces the first member via a gap, a gap sensor that detects a dimension of the gap, a first actuator that changes the dimension of the gap through input of a first voltage signal, and a second actuator that changes the dimension of the gap through input of a second voltage signal, in which the first voltage signal is a voltage signal that becomes a constant bias voltage after a lapse of a predetermined time, and includes an overshoot signal larger than the bias voltage before the lapse of the predetermined time, and the second voltage signal is a voltage signal that is feedback-controlled so that a detection value detected by the gap sensor approaches a target value.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of creating a lustrous surface in opaque materials using ridge angles, and valleys of varying depths cut, imprinted or pressed into the opaque material. The combination of the light reflecting ridges, angles to reflect more or less light, and a shadow effect arising from a combination of the valley depths and the angle of the ridges allows one to use light and shadow to create a pattern or series of patterns in the opaque materials. These patterns are created using a process whereby a design is first created, then cut into a master blank using some type of manual or computer-aided method. Next, this pattern is inlaid, pressed, or imprinted into a blank panel composed of the opaque material. In some embodiments, this opaque material is allowed to set, thus creating a finished article of manufacture in the form of a panel.

Abstract: An anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor without a set and reset device may include a substrate, an exchange bias layer, an AMR layer and a collection of barber-pole electrodes. The exchange bias layer may be deposited on the substrate and the AMR layer may be deposited on the exchange bias layer. The AMR layer may include multiple groups of AMR strips, and each group may include several AMR strips. The barber-pole electrodes may be arranged on each AMR strip. The AMR sensor achieves coupling by using the exchange bias layer, without requiring a reset/set coil. Because a coil is not used, the power consumption of the chip is reduced greatly, and the manufacturing process is simpler, providing improved yield and lower cost.

Abstract: A vibrating beam accelerometer (VBA) with an in-plane pendulous proof mass, which may include one or more resonators, planar geometry, a single primary mechanical anchor between the support base and the VBA, a resonator connector structure connecting the resonators to the single primary anchor and a hinge flexure mechanically connecting the proof mass to the single primary anchor. The techniques of this disclosure specify how the resonators can be solidly attached to the single anchor without compromising performance caused by forces applied on or by the support base. The geometry of the VBA may prevent bias errors that may otherwise result from a force applied to the support base that reaches the mechanism of the VBA. An example of force applied to the support base, may include the thermal expansion mismatch between the material of the support base and the material of the VBA.

Abstract: A capacitive accelerometer comprises: a substantially planar proof mass mounted to a fixed substrate by flexible support legs so as to be linearly moveable in an in-plane sensing direction. The proof mass comprises first and second sets of moveable capacitive electrode fingers. First and second sets of fixed capacitive electrode fingers interdigitates with the first and second sets of moveable electrode fingers respectively. A set of moveable damping fingers extend from the proof mass substantially perpendicular to the sensing direction, laterally spaced in the sensing direction. A set of fixed damping fingers mounted to the fixed substrate interdigitates with the set of moveable damping fingers and comprises an electrical connection to the proof mass so that the interdigitated damping fingers are electrically common. The damping fingers are mounted in a gaseous medium that provides a damping effect.

Abstract: A method for operating rod pumping unit for a wellbore includes measuring a parameter of the rod pumping unit at a first location; measuring the parameter of the rod pumping unit at a second location; and subtracting the measured parameters at the second location from the measured parameter at the first location.

Abstract: A method of making a resonating beam accelerometer (RBA). In an example process, a proof mass device and resonators are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the proof mass and the resonators by applying a predefined amount of pressure at a predefined temperature for a predefined amount of time. One or more damping plates are created from a quartz material. A direct bond is formed between the damping plates and the proof mass device. The proof mass device is created by applying a predefined amount of pressure at pressure at temperature to two bases, two proof mass portions, and a flexure. The proof mass bases are on opposite sides of the flexure. The proof mass portions are on opposite sides of the flexure. A gap is present between the proof mass bases and the proof mass portions.

Abstract: A new class of accelerometer uses a differential Eddy current sensor to sense the displacement of the proof mass. This accelerometer can provide improved performance in an open-loop configuration based on the thermal stability and improved linearity of the differential Eddy current sensor. The accelerometer may provide lower cost alternatives to commercial grade accelerometers and lower cost and higher reliability alternatives to strategic grade accelerometers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor including: a membrane; a mass body provided under the membrane; a plurality of patterned magnets provided under the mass body; and a magnetoresistive element provided to be spaced apart from the mass body and measuring static DC acceleration acting on the mass body through resistance changed according to magnetic fields of the plurality of patterned magnets. The plurality of patterned magnets and the magnetoresistive element are included, thereby making it possible to measure static DC acceleration (particularly, gravity acceleration) that is difficult to measure using an existing to piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method and structure for fabricating an inertial sensing device using tilt conversion to sense a force in the out-of-plane direction. The method can include forming anchor structure(s) coupled to portions of a surface region of a substrate member. Also, the method can include forming flexible anchor members coupled to portions of the anchor structures and frame structures, which can be formed overlying the substrate. The method can also include forming flexible frame members coupled to portions of the frame structures and movable structures, which can also be formed overlying the substrate. Forming the movable structures can include forming peripheral and central movable structures, which can be coupled to flexible structure members. Peripheral movable structures having flexible tilting members can convert a pure tilting out-of-plane motion to a pure translational out-of-plane motion. The forming of these elements can include performing an etching process on a single silicon material.

Abstract: A motion sensor capable of detecting the direction of motion in three dimensions is disclosed. The motion sensor can be built into a printed circuit board allowing for simple and cost effective manufacturing. The motions sensor is designed to utilize a through hole in a printed circuit board, which is capped by on each side by housings creating a cavity where a spherical metal ball can move in three dimensions. This interior surface of the through hole and the housings have conductive element that when in contact with the spherical metal ball close a circuit creating an electrical signal indicative of direction.

Abstract: A rotating motion sensor includes at least one electroacoustic resonator to stimulate a surface acoustic wave. The at least one electroacoustic resonator is configured so that rotation of the at least one electroacoustic resonator about an axis of rotation causes a change in resonance frequency of the at least one electroacoustic resonator. The at least one electroacoustic resonator includes oscillating structures configured to oscillate in a first direction that is a direction of propagation of the surface acoustic wave and/or a second direction that is transverse to the direction of propagation of the surface acoustic wave.

Abstract: A motion-sensing device for sensing tilt and acceleration when either tilt, horizontal acceleration, or tilt and horizontal acceleration acting concurrently, influence the device, including: a substrate having a vertical surface, a first accelerometer fixed to the vertical surface of the substrate; a pendulum flexibly coupled to the substrate proximate to the first accelerometer; and a second accelerometer fixed to the pendulum. The first and/or second accelerometers are preferably an accelerometer; a spring-mass system; and/or any tilt or accelerometer sensitive elements. The first accelerometer includes an accelerometer that measures tilt and linear acceleration in a first geometric plane, the pendulum is constrained to move in the first geometric plane, and the second accelerometer is operable to measure linear acceleration in the first geometric plane. The motion-sensing device or devices coupled to a machine, vehicle, and/or a control system. The pendulum is critically damped using a damping fluid.

Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device having mechanical structures and anchors to secure the mechanical structures to the substrate. The anchors of the present invention are comprised of a material that is relatively unaffected by the release processes of the mechanical structures. In this regard, the etch release process are selective or preferential to the material(s) securing the mechanical structures in relation to the material comprising the anchors. Moreover, the anchors of the present invention are secured to the substrate in such a manner that removal of the insulation layer has little to no affect on the anchoring of the mechanical structures to the substrate.

Abstract: An angular velocity measuring device (1) includes a first sensor (2) (vibration gyro) and a second sensor (3) (gas rate gyro). The detection output of the first sensor (2) is inputted to a high pass filter (4). Output of the filter (4) is stored and held in time series in a memory (10). Subtraction processing means (11) successively executes processing of subtracting the output of the filter (4) ?v?(t?tsd) before a predetermined time tsd from the output of the filter (4) ?v?(1). The value thus obtained is successively added to the output of the second sensor (3) ?g(t) by addition processing means (12) so as to obtain the measurement value of the angular velocity. Thus, it is possible to provide an angular velocity measuring device capable of giving an angular velocity measurement value having a high response and stability at a reasonable cost.

Abstract: The angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity for detecting movement amounts and for controlling postures of vehicles, airplanes, cameras, and the like. The angular velocity sensor is provided with a piezoelectric vibrator, a temperature compensation function generating section, a correction coefficient setting section, an oscillation section, a synchronous pulse forming section, and a Coriolis output detection section. If an angular velocity is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator vibrating in a specific direction being driven by the oscillator section, a Coriolis force acts on the piezoelectric vibrator, and a vibration is generated which is perpendicular to the vibration in a specific direction. An electric charge generated by this vibration is detected at the detection electrode of the piezoelectric vibrator.

Abstract: An accelerometer having a plate-like proof mass (1), flexible mounting legs (2) each co-planar with the proof mass (1), a ring-like support (3), in which the proof mass (1) is moveably mounted, with each mounting leg (2) being connected at one end to the proof mass (1) and connected at another end to the support (3) and with the mounting legs (2) extending substantially perpendicularly to the sensing direction, a plurality of interdigitated capacitor fingers mounted, in a gaseous medium, in the ring-like support (3) for sensing linear movement of, and for providing gaseous medium squeeze damping for the proof mass (1) in the sensing direction, with the fingers, proof mass (1), mounting legs (2) and support (3) being co-planar and formed from a single plate of mono-crystalline silicon, which fingers comprise fixed first, second, third and fourth arrays (5, 6, 7, 8) of laterally spaced fingers extending substantially perpendicularly to the sensing direction and away from the support (3) towards to the proof mas

Abstract: To cancel in-phase components acting on vibrators of first and second sensor units in an angular velocity sensing direction Y, a differential amplification circuit obtains a differential waveform between a first angular velocity sensing waveform J1 and a second angular velocity waveform J2. Furthermore, to reduce a residual in-phase component of the obtained differential waveform, input gain adjusting circuits adjust an input gain of the first angular velocity sensing waveform J1 and an input gain of the second angular velocity sensing waveform J2 before these waveforms J1 and J2 are entered into the differential amplification circuit.

Abstract: Electronic damping may be provided to an electrostatic positioner by developing a signal proportional to the velocity of the movable positioner plate and then changing the voltage applied to the positioner in proportion to this velocity signal to oppose the velocity of the movable plate. This velocity signal is obtained by subtracting from a first voltage proportional to the total current through the positioner a second voltage proportional to the current through the static capacitance of the positioner. The first voltage is obtained by a resistor in series with the positioner. The second voltage is not obtainable directly but is equal to a third voltage synthesized by a model impedance including a capacitor and a resistor in series having the same impedance and RC time constant as that of the positioner static capacitance and the resistor in series with the positioner where both resistor and capacitance are energized by the voltage driving the positioner.

Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope makes use of Coriolis acceleration to detect and measure rotation rate about a plane normal to the surface of a substrate. Specifically, various resonating structures are suspended within a frame. The resonating structures include phase and anti-phase masses that are mechanically coupled in order to produce a single resonance frequency for the entire resonating system. Rotation of the micromachined gyroscope about the plane produces a rotational force on the frame. The frame is suspended in such a way that its motion is severely restricted in all but the rotational direction. Sensors on all sides of the frame detect the rotational deflection of the frame for measuring the change in direction.

Abstract: A high strength, high frequency acceleration transducer is used for measuring the acceleration of an impacted machine or structure. The acceleration transducer includes a diaphragm, the diaphragm including one or more strain gages for producing an output signal indicative of the transducer flexure. The diaphragm is securely clamped or held over part of its surface, and is free to deflect over other parts, for example, the remainder of its surface—the diaphragm can be clamped or held along its circumference with its middle free to flex, or alternatively the diaphragm can be clamped or held along its center with the outside portion of the diaphragm free to flex.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, Z-axis, capacitive microaccelerometer having stiff sense/feedback electrodes and a method of its manufacture on a single-side of a semiconductor wafer are provided. The microaccelerometer is manufactured out of a single silicon wafer and has a silicon-wafer-thick proof mass, small and controllable damping, large capacitance variation and can be operated in a force-rebalanced control loop. One of the electrodes moves with the proof mass relative to the other electrode which is fixed. The multiple, stiffened electrodes have embedded therein damping holes to facilitate force-rebalanced operation of the device and to control the damping factor. Using the whole silicon wafer to form the thick large proof mass and using thin sacrificial layers to form narrow uniform capacitor air gaps over large areas provide large-capacitance sensitivity. The manufacturing process is simple and thus results in low cost and high yield manufacturing.

Abstract: A dampening apparatus for a pressure gauge in which a housing secured to the amplifier of the pressure gauge encircles the pointer shaft in a close but loose fit relation so as to define a controlled clearance packed with a high viscosity dampening agent such that it serves to decelerate and cushion any sudden shock or pulsation force that would otherwise be transmitted from the pointer shaft to a pointer registering values of pressure of fluid pressure being monitored.

Abstract: A balanced angular accelerometer is provided having a substrate, a fixed electrode with a plurality of fixed capacitive plates, and a rotational inertia mass with a central opening and substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer has a central member and an outer member fixed to the substrate. According to one embodiment, a plurality of inner support arms extend between the central member and the inertia mass and a plurality of outer support arms extend between the inertia mass and the outer member to support the mass over the cavity. According to another embodiment, one or more cut out apertures are formed in the inertia mass to compensate for a channel and signal line so as to balance the inertia mass about the center of the inertia mass.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibration gyroscope is composed of a main body shaped into a rectangular plate and provided with obverse and reverse surfaces functioning as major surfaces, and the first and second groups of three arms projecting from the main body in opposite directions and lying on extensions of the major surfaces. The first group of the three arms is composed of two excitation driving side arms excited in an opposite phase and a nonexcitation driving side arm inserted between the two excitation driving side arms. The second group of the three arms is composed of two vibration detecting side arms vibrating in an opposite phase and a nonvibration detecting side arm inserted between the two vibration detecting side arms. The excitation driving side arms are respectively provided with driving electrodes for exciting a tangential vibration therein. The vibration detecting side arms are respectively provided with detecting electrodes for detecting a vertical vibration.