Abstract: A handheld instrument that accomplishes non-contact infrared (IR) temperature measurement, and the measurement of movement of an object. The instrument has a case, and a movement-sensing device coupled to the case and operable to be directed toward or placed against an object being measured, for generating an output signal based on the sensed movement. An IR detector, also carried by the case, senses IR energy emitted from a surface being measured along an IR-sensing axis that extends from the case, and generates an IR output signal. The sensed IR energy is converted to a temperature value, and the output signal from the current-sensing device is converted to at least a measured current value. A display device in the case displays instrument measurements to the user.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor MEMS detector device includes a piezo-resistive detector located at a fixed end of a cantilever, a bi-layer resonance actuator including two thin layer materials having different thermal expansion coefficients, wherein one of the actuator layers serves as a heating element and the other serves as insulating layer between the heating element layer and the cantilever, and a sensing element located at the free end of the cantilever, which serves, dependent on the particular application, as a gravitational mass, an absorber of energy, a gas- or vapor-adsorber, etc. Registration of the resonance frequency of the free end of the cantilever is performed both before and after an interaction (e.g., exposure to energy, materials/mass changes due to chemical reactions or/and physical interactions, etc.

Abstract: A linearly moving external part of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is contacted with a hand-held contact tachometer for producing a waveform signal which, along with a signal responsive to the ignition of each cylinder, are applied to an engine analyzer processor for display of a single engine cycle of the waveform signal on the CRT oscilloscope of the engine analyzer. The variations and amplitude of the waveform signal correspond to speed variations of the moving part over an engine cycle to give an indication of the relative power contributions of the individual cylinders. Cylinder ignition markers and cylinder zone markers are respectively displayed at the top and bottom of the screen, respectively corresponding to the cylinders in their ignition order. Each cylinder zone marker is delayed a predetermined time from its corresponding cylinder ignition marker and indicates the time period during which the engine responds to the ignition event of the corresponding cylinder.

Abstract: A hand-held contact tachometer includes an elongated hollow handle comprising two interconnected members defining a clevis at one end thereof and carrying therewithin a magnetic sensor disposed adjacent to the clevis and conditioning circuitry coupled to the output of the sensor. The clevis has hub portions defining an axle on which is rotatably mounted a contact wheel of molded construction including a body of non-magnetic material in which is embedded a toothed magnetic wheel and a bearing. The wheel is provided with a frictional ribbed surface on its outer periphery to facilitate engagement with an associated moving surface, thereby rotating the wheel to generate a pulsating signal having a frequency proportional to the speed of the moving surface.

Abstract: A linearly moving external part on a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is contacted with a hand-held rotary encoder, contact tachometer having a hollow handle in which processing circuitry is disposed for converting the rotary encoder output to a waveform signal. This signal, along with a signal responsive to the firing of the number one cylinder, are applied to an engine analyzer processor for display of a single engine cycle of the waveform signal on the CRT oscilloscope of the engine analyzer. The variations in amplitude of the waveform signal correspond to speed variations of the moving part over an engine cycle to give an indication of the relative power contributions of the individual cylinders.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a combination touchless (photo type) and contact type tachometer having a digital display for measuring high, medium and low rotating and surface speeds. Mechanical rotation may be detected by a photo emitting-receiving sensor on the left-hand end of the device or by the contact transmitter located on the right-hand side. The received signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit and regulated by a regulator circuit. Subsequently the data is processed by a standard micro-processor IC circuit, for performing calculations, unit conversion and display decoding. The speed and other information are precisely displayed by a shiftable and reversible, rotatable 180.degree., digital displaying unit to achieve the advantages of an easy to read, precise, economical and effective tachometer.

Abstract: An electret sheet is clamped on an apertured support around the aperture so that a sheet portion stretches all across the aperture. A tension-producing ring is advanced against the sheet portion normal to its stretch direction to produce progressively increasing tension therein. Concurrently, a loudspeaker on one side of the sheet emits constant-amplitude sound waves of fixed frequency and directed against the sheet portion to cause it to vibrate at that frequency. When, because of the increasing tension in the sheet portion, it's vibration amplitude rises to a predetermined value at or near resonance, the advance of the mentioned ring is ended, and the sheet portion is adhered to another ring which retains in that portion the tension then existing in it. Such tensioned sheet and adhering ring are then used to make electret diaphragms for electret microphones.

Abstract: A friction driven tachogenerator having a friction drive wheel in contact with a movable member. The tachogenerator is compliantly and frictionlessly mounted, and at least one pressure roller is disposed in tangential, rolling contact with the friction drive wheel. The pressure roller biases the friction wheel against the movable member to provide a predetermined contact pressure between the friction wheel and movable member without applying a significant load to the shaft and bearings of the tachogenerator. The compliant and frictionless mounting of the tachogenerator is devoid of friction sources which can interfere with the sensing of velocity oscillations by the tachogenerator.

Abstract: A traction wheel motion sensor for endless conveyors which is self-cleaning of foreign matter that may enter the traction wheel housing and is spring biased toward the associated conveyor. A traction wheel housing located adjacent a moving conveyor engages the conveyor for sensing the rate of linear displacement thereof, and the wheel drives motion sensing apparatus through a belt. The housing includes a bottom surface which is obliquely oriented to the horizontal wherein foreign matter entering the housing is automatically discharged therefrom and further, the traction wheel is mounted upon apparatus biased toward the conveyor by spring means wherein the traction wheel maintains an operative driven relationship with the conveyor during conveyor operation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for sensing the motion of endless conveyors. A housing, on which a traction wheel having a high friction periphery is rotatably mounted, is located adjacent the moving conveyor member to be sensed, and the housing includes an open end through which a portion of the wheel periphery extends for engagement with the moving member. The wheel rotates a shaft which is belted to the input shaft of a motion sensor, preferably of the electrical type, mounted upon the housing. In one embodiment of the invention the traction wheel is adjustably mounted upon the housing whereby adjustment of the wheel to the moving member is facilitated. In another embodiment the wheel housing is of an elongated configuration utilizing a mounting bracket which may be affixed to the housing at the desired position to accommodate the dimensions of the particular installation.

Abstract: Device for transmitting movement to a speed indicator instrument and/or distance counter, particularly for bicyles, comprising a driving wheel driven by a tire of the bicycle and a transmission casing. The transmission casing has an input shaft on which the wheel is mounted, and an output shaft adapted to be connected by a flexible cable to the counter and/or indicator instrument, the input and output shafts being parallel and connected by a transmission system of the wheel and belt type. The input shaft is offset in relation to the median plane of the casing parallel to the input and output shafts in such a manner that the wheel projects only on one side of the casing.