Abstract: A vibrator module adapted for use in a taper apparatus for advancing carrier tape having a plurality of compartments and for placing parts in the compartments. The vibrator module includes a motor that includes an output shaft that rotates in response to operation of the motor. The vibrator module also includes an eccentric weight mounted to and rotatable with the output shaft. The eccentric weight causes the motor to vibrate in response to rotation of the output shaft and eccentric weight. The vibrator module further includes a vibration transferring member interconnected with the motor and operable to transfer vibrations from the motor to the carrier tape to cause the parts to settle into the bottoms of the compartments.

Abstract: A low profile acoustic array (10) is configured to selectively respond to shear waves while rejecting compression wave energy in the frequency range of interest. One sensor array is configured as a linear strip with a frame segment having at least one longitudinally extending rail and a plurality of sensor elements (20) extending therefrom. These sensor elements have a resilient core and opposing PDVF outer layers configured with opposing polarities onto the core. The linear strip array also includes a pair of separate electrical signal transmission paths. The transmission lines can include a series of undulations formed thereon to help minimize undesired mechanical crossover between sensors. A carrier member can be configured to be detachably releasable carries the discrete sensors to maintain the positional alignment until they are secured to a patient.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly for a robot to prevent damage to the robot when it moves in an undesired manner is disclosed. The robot may be used in conjunction with semiconductor fabrication applications. The capacitive sensor assembly can include a hit contact, one or more fixed contacts, one or more damping springs, and a capacitive sensor. The hit contact comes into contact with a barrier as a result of undesired movement by the robot. The damping springs are compressed against the fixed contacts when the hit contact comes into contact with the barrier. The capacitive sensor has a capacitance that changes as the hit contact comes into contact with the barrier. The capacitance of the capacitive sensor is used to detect the robot coming into contact with the barrier, so that damage to the robot can be prevented.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotary machine having a rotor, includes a sensor disposed within the rotary machine for sensing vibration of the rotor, a vibration damping device disposed within the rotary machine for imparting a reaction force to the rotor, and a controller arranged in operable communication with the sensor and the vibration damping device. The controller is adapted to receive a sensor signal from the sensor and to send a control signal to the vibration damping device for damping the vibration of the rotor.

Abstract: Shakers and methods of testing suitable for various applications, including those presenting adverse test environments. The shakers have a permanent magnet assembly mounted in a sealed housing for vibration along a shaker axis. The permanent magnet assembly is double ended, and includes at least one shorting ring to hold down the inductance of the driving coils at higher frequencies. Fluid cooling (or heating) of both the shaker housing and the permanent magnet assembly allows placement of the shakers inside a temperature test chamber. The shakers may be coupled directly to the article to be tested, or coupled singularly or in a plurality to a test table to which an article to be tested is coupled. Various embodiments and methods of testing are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling motion of an object includes a first actuator for moving the object, an elastic-motion measuring unit for measuring elastic motion of the object, and a control unit for controlling the first actuator based on a result of measurement of the elastic-motion measuring unit. Another apparatus for controlling motion of an object includes a first actuator for moving the object, a second actuator for suppressing elastic motion of the object, and a control unit for controlling the second actuator based on a result of predicting the elastic motion of the object caused by the first actuator.

Abstract: The closed-form HEAD EXPANDER comprises a table surface; one end of each edge surface having a curved side; a trumpet body with a plurality of cambered surfaces downwards reduced from the curved side; an outer annular supporter and an inner annular supporter being connected to and support the trumpet body so as to form a first receiving space and a second receiving space; a plurality of spacing ribs being formed within the inner annular supporter; the plurality of spacing ribs being connected to a central shaft; a plurality of long grooves being formed between the inner annular supporter, the spacing ribs, the central shaft, and a table bottom; and a plurality of cambered sloped surfaces being formed on the surface of the trumpet body and connected to the inner annular supporter and the curved sides so as to equally space the surface of the trumpet body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A sheet material identifying device for identifying the kind of sheet material by applying vibration on the sheet material. The identifying device has a vibrator for applying vibration on the sheet material, a vibration sensor for detecting, via the sheet material, vibration applied by the vibrator, a device for changing a vibrating state between the vibrator and the vibration sensor, and an identifying section for identifying the kind of sheet material based on a detection result of the vibration sensor. Also, an image forming apparatus making use of the sheet material identifying device and a method of identifying the kind of sheet material are provided.

Abstract: Output-only modal testing of an object. Vibrations are excited in said object and measured by a number of vibration sensitive detectors. From the data of the measurements, a spectral density matrix function is determined. From this density matrix, auto spectral densities for the individual modes are identified performing a decomposition based on the Singular Value Decomposition technique. From the auto spectral densities of the individual modes, natural frequencies and damping ratios for the modes can be estimated, and from the singular vectors of the Singular Value Decomposition, the modes shapes can be estimated.

Abstract: A nondestructive method of and apparatus for detecting degradation of reinforcing members embedded within a structure is disclosed. Degradation can arise from many sources, such as corrosion, fracture, cracking, fatigue, chemical reaction, etc. The device includes an inducing instrument(210) to induce a vibration of the reinforcing members (110)and a measuring device (220) to detect the vibration of the reinforcing members. The measurement is analyzed to detect the presence of reinforcing member degradation or reinforcing member-to-concrete bonding. The device may include a controller (230) to enhance the detection. The device may also include an amplifier (240) to further increase the energy in the waves imparted to the structure and the acoustic waves detected by the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fabrication machine for a semiconductor device, in which damage condition of components for fast driving can be recognized and failure of the components can be predicted, and the machine are provided. Vibration information of a drive member is sent from a motor controller for controlling a motor connected to the drive member to a machine controller. The vibration information is stored in an information storage in the machine controller and operated in an operational processor, and condition of the drive member according to the operation results is displayed on a display unit at any time. Therefore, when some failure occurs in the drive member, the specifics can be known with the display unit without need for connecting a special analyzer or PC to the fabrication machine for a semiconductor device. Consequently, the machine is capable for self-diagnosing, and thus trouble of the drive member can be prevented from happening.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to constitute a high-accuracy position control system even for a low-rigidity object to be controlled. To achieve this object, a vibration control apparatus includes a measurement device which measures the elastic vibration of an object to be controlled, a driving device which applies a force to the object, and a compensation device which determines a force to be generated by the driving device. The measurement device measures at least a position component out of the position, speed, and acceleration components of the elastic vibration. The compensation device controls the elastic vibration of the object on the basis of position information measured by the measurement device.

Abstract: The testing performs a vibration excitation testing of a part of the structure, performs a numerical calculus of vibration response of the other parts of the structure, and calculates the vibration response of a whole of the structure by combining these two methods. Testing includes calculating a position of a point of exciting force on the basis of vibration exciting, and calculating a reaction force on the basis of a load detected and the position of the point of exciting force. Then, a displacement of a numerical model is computed by using the reaction force calculated and a known external force, and calculating a vibration exciting machine displacement command value on the basis of the displacement. A drive drives the vibration exciting on the basis of an output thereof. Vibration excitation is performed in the translational direction as well as the rotational direction.

Abstract: A vibration testing device includes a computer system having: a measurement processing block for inputting an output of the monitoring sensor and processing the output; a model substituting block for modeling characteristics of the test piece, calculating a response quantity corresponding to a drive condition of an actuator, and inputting the calculation result to a numerical simulation block and the parameter changing block; the parameter changing block for comparing the calculation result of the model substituting block with the processing result of the measurement processing block, and changing the parameter; the numerical simulation block for calculating a vibration response in accordance with a previously input structure numerical model; and a waveform generating block for calculating a time function of a deformation to be applied to the test piece, and outputting the time block to the actuator controlling device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the zero point temperature drift of a vibrator and the deviation or change of the drift among vibrators actually fabricated. A vibrator has a driving vibration piece 2A, a detection vibration piece and a base portion connecting the driving and detection vibration pieces. The driving vibration piece 2A is composed of a bending vibration piece having a pair of surfaces 2c and 2d parallel with each other and a pair of side faces 2a and 2b. The driving vibration piece 2A has a ratio (WD/TD) of a width WD to a thickness TD of not smaller than 1.5 and not larger than 2.4.

Abstract: A mechanical ultrasonic device that includes a housing assembly, a mechanical vibration assembly disposed within the housing assembly, and having an impact member. The mechanical vibration assembly is structured to vibrate the impact member at a frequency between about 5 kHz to 40 kHz. The impact member may be brought into contact with a test object thereby causing the ultrasonic vibration, or high frequency sonic vibration, to be transmitted through the test object.

Abstract: A shock wave vibration generator system is disclosed and includes methods and apparatus that sever objects and thereby produce shock waves. The shock waves then may be focused and coupled to objects for measuring or testing. The shock wave generator may be utilized for a sound source for imaging such as in ultrasound or sonar.

Abstract: A vibration testing system using acoustical waves having a testing unit including a main enclosure defining a main acoustical cavity and having a baffle provided with a main opening which is aligned with a set of acoustical insulation bands receiving an article to be tested that are clamped on a fixture secured to the baffle, so that the main opening is substantially closed by the article and the acoustical insulation bands. The apparatus includes a main acoustical source comprising a main acoustical transducer such as a loudspeaker which is acoustically coupled to the main acoustical cavity, and a subsystem for driving the loudspeaker which generates acoustical waves imparting vibration to the article accordingly. The apparatus preferably also includes a further acoustical source in the form of one or more further loudspeakers facing the main loudspeaker with the baffle extending therebetween, the further loudspeakers showing complementary frequency operating ranges.

Abstract: A vibrator has a construction that allows its electrodes to be easily formed and requires a smaller number of the assembly man-hours. The vibrator includes a drive electrode and two detection electrodes that are disposed along a length direction thereof, on a planar portion provided on the surface of a vibrating member defined by piezoelectric body. These electrodes constitute interdigital electrode portions defined by mutually opposed comb electrodes which are arranged such that the direction in which the teeth thereof extend is substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the vibrating member.

Abstract: A monitoring and protection system includes a plurality of monitoring modules that are positioned proximate to points of interest in a machine system where dynamic operating conditions are to be monitored. The monitoring modules at individual locations communicate with one another via an open industrial data exchange protocol. The groups of modules may also communicate via the same protocol, creating a flexible and expandable system that accommodates a wide range of modules and that avoids the need for conventional backplane architecture. The groups also communicate with remote equipment via a different standard data exchange protocol, such as via a gateway associated with each of the monitoring module groups.

Abstract: A thrust jig with a concave-convex shape is pierced into a food sample to generate and detect an oscillation spectrum and an acoustic spectrum, which is analyzed in main component to calculate a main component value as the texture of the food sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying and eliminating vibration in a hydraulic clutch actuator. The vibration is identified by using transducers to characterize the vibrational characteristics of a power train of a vehicle. That characterization is used to program a shaker on a test bed to replicate the vibrations on the vehicle in a hydraulic clutch actuator. Different hydraulic dampers may be employed to eliminate the vibration. The preferred apparatus of the present invention includes a two piece hydraulic damper which may be opened as to insert different diaphragms for testing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a testing system and a testing method for a structure which tests a structure made of a test piece structure and a numerical model virtually connected to the structure. A simulated structure including a frame, an actuator and a reaction force measuring device is mounted on a foundation on which a shaking table is also mounted. Only the test piece structure is mounted on the shaking table. The motion of the shaking table 5 which is generated at the time of shaking the test piece structure using the shaking table and the actuator is measured by a shaking table motion measuring device, while the reaction force generated by the test piece structure is measured by a reaction force measuring device. Using these measured values and the numerical model stored in a digital computer, the motion of the test piece structure after a predetermined period for the motion of the simulated structure is calculated.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the zero point temperature drift of a vibrator and the deviation or change of the drift among vibrators actually fabricated. A vibrator has a driving vibration piece 2A, a detection vibration piece and a base portion connecting the driving and detection vibration pieces. The driving vibration piece 2A is composed of a bending vibration piece having a pair of surfaces 2c and 2d parallel with each other and a pair of side faces 2a and 2b. The driving vibration piece 2A has a ratio (WD/TD) of a width WD to a thickness TD of not smaller than 1.5 and not larger than 2.4.

Abstract: A vibration testing apparatus is arranged to provide vibration in multiple axes and includes a first frame member, at least one actuator connected to the first frame member for vibrating the first frame member in a first direction, and a second frame member for holding devices under test, the second frame member having an axis and being connected to and arranged to vibrate with the first frame member and being arranged to turn about the axis relative to the first frame member. A method of vibration testing and a method of setting up a multiple axis vibration testing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a hybrid vibration experiment of the structure, while shaking an actual model simulating a portion of the structure, analysis is made on vibration response of a numerical model simulating the remaining portions of the structure, with using a computer. Loading members are provided neighboring to the actual model. The plural numbers of vibrators vibrates the actual model through the loading member. A control means for the vibrators controls the plural numbers of vibrators, so that not a point displacement, but a distributed displacement is loaded on the actual model.

Abstract: A mechano/electrical sensor senses force or vibration and delivers at least one electrical signal that is a function of the sensed force or vibration. The sensor has at least one inner body supported by at least one piece of electric support structure that, in turn, is suspended in a surrounding framework. Signal leads are provided from opposite lead polarizable sides of the at least one support structure.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to constitute a high-accuracy position control system even for a low-rigidity object to be controlled. To achieve this object, a vibration control apparatus includes a measurement device which measures the elastic vibration of an object to be controlled, a driving device which applies a force to the object, and a compensation device which determines a force to be generated by the driving device. The measurement device measures at least a position component out of the position, speed, and acceleration components of the elastic vibration. The compensation device controls the elastic vibration of the object on the basis of position information measured by the measurement device.

Abstract: A method and/or an apparatus for determining the dynamic response of a microstructure is disclosed. A piezocomposite ultrasonic transducer device formed of a piezoelectric material and a polymer material around said piezoelectric ceramic material is used to provide a pulsed bulk acoustic wave having a bandwidth of at least 20% to excite a microstructure. The microstructure is attached onto the transducer, and the pulsed bulk acoustic wave generated through the transducer in response to a pulse voltage excites the microstructure to vibrate. Meanwhile, the dynamic response of the microstructure can be monitored by a laser Doppler vibrometer, and shown by an oscilloscope.

Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A vibrator has a construction that allows its electrodes to be easily formed and requires a smaller number of the assembly man-hours. The vibrator includes a drive electrode and two detection electrodes that are disposed along a length direction thereof, on a planar portion provided on the surface of a vibrating member defined by piezoelectric body. These electrodes constitute interdigital electrode portions defined by mutually opposed comb electrodes which are arranged such that the direction in which the teeth thereof extend is substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the vibrating member.

Abstract: The columns of an aligner are placed on a surface plate. Actuators are provided between the surface plate and leg parts of the column. Acceleration sensors are attached to the surface plate and the leg parts of the column near the leg parts of the column respectively. Relative vibrations in +/−z directions which are generated between the surface plate and the column are detected by the acceleration sensors and, in accordance with the detection results, driving forces generated by the actuators in +/−z directions are controlled. Further, vibration eliminators are attached to the important points of the surface plate, the column or a lower base and vibrations generated locally in the surface plate, the column or the lower base are reduced by the vibration eliminators.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vibration measuring device for measuring a vibration of an object. Such device includes a sensing body generating a dynamic information in response to the vibration, and a piezoelectric sensing layer disposed on the sensing body to construct a sensor and formed in a distributed mode to measure the dynamic information in a selected specific bandwidth. The present invention also discloses a vibration measuring method.

Abstract: A method and/or an apparatus for determining the dynamic response of a microstructure is disclosed. A piezocomposite ultrasonic transducer device formed of a piezoelectric material and a polymer material around said piezoelectric ceramic material is used to provide a pulsed bulk acoustic wave having a bandwidth of at least 20% to excite a microstructure. The microstructure is attached onto the transducer, and the pulsed bulk acoustic wave generated through the transducer in response to a pulse voltage excites the microstructure to vibrate. Meanwhile, the dynamic response of the microstructure can be monitored by a laser Doppler vibrometer, and shown by an oscilloscope.

Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A surrogate component for shock testing is disclosed that includes a housing with exterior dimensions, mass, and a center of gravity approximately the same as the exterior dimensions, mass, and center of gravity of a counterpart component. The housing also has a stiffness greater than the counterpart component and has an interface for securing a sensor. In particular, the counterpart component may be hard drive and the housing may be constructed from a molybdenum material.

Abstract: A vibration testing apparatus is arranged to provide vibration in multiple axes and includes a first frame member, at least one actuator connected to the first frame member for vibrating the first frame member in a first direction, and a second frame member for holding devices under test, the second frame member having an axis and being connected to and arranged to vibrate with the first frame member and being arranged to turn about the axis relative to the first frame member. A method of vibration testing and a method of setting up a multiple axis vibration testing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of constructing vibrator devices particularly adapted for producing and applying vibratory forces to bodies or test bodies for any measuring or an testing purposed by using cavitating spaces within fluids within housings which are driven by piezoelectric drivers to thereby produce supersonic shock-wave vibratory forces which are coupled by any gas interfaces or any liquid interfaces or any solid interfaces to bodies or test bodies is presently disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-vibration member is provided on an inner wall of a cylinder tube of a lift cylinder. The anti-vibration member is formed into a cylindrical form, and an outer circumferential surface thereof is formed along an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder tube. The anti-vibration member is formed by coating resin high in ultrasonic wave attenuating effect (such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin). It is possible to attenuate or absorb a vibration of a surface wave transmitted from an ultrasonic wave sensor and indirectly transmitted through the inner wall of the cylinder tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite vibrator that can maintain high sensitivity even when miniaturized. The composite vibrator includes tuning bar vibrators having the same length and support members for supporting the tuning bar vibrators. The tuning bar vibrators are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction to be coupled with each other near nodes of bending vibrations occurring at both free ends of the tuning bar vibrators. In this arrangement, since the tuning bar vibrators are coupled with each other, the mass of the composite vibrator increases. Thus, even when the length of the longitudinal direction of the tuning bar vibrator is reduced, due to the increased mass, higher sensitivity for the detection of an angular velocity can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for determining a minimal set of adjustments for the blades of a rotor supported by a supporting structure for reducing rotation-induced vibration in the supporting structure at at least one harmonic rotation order and/or for reducing track deviation while maintaining structure vibration over at least one harmonic order within an acceptable limit. In one embodiment, a relationship is established by which vibration of the supporting structure may be calculated at harmonic orders of rotor rotation from Fourier coefficients of adjustment, Fourier coefficients of unit vibration influence and Fourier coefficients of vibration measurements. Thereafter, a value is determined for each selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment that provides a desired virtual reduction of vibration of the supporting structure at the harmonic order of the selected Fourier coefficient of adjustment using the vibration relationship.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a testing system and a testing method for a structure which tests a structure made of a test piece structure and a numerical model virtually connected to the structure. A simulated structure including a frame, an actuator and a reaction force measuring device is mounted on a foundation on which a shaking table is also mounted. Only the test piece structure is mounted on the shaking table. The motion of the shaking table 5 which is generated at the time of shaking the test piece structure using the shaking table and the actuator is measured by a shaking table motion measuring device, while the reaction force generated by the test piece structure is measured by a reaction force measuring device. Using these measured values and the numerical model stored in a digital computer, the motion of the test piece structure after a predetermined period for the motion of the simulated structure is calculated.

Abstract: Flexure assemblies include steel plates or pieces of metal material that are rigid in at least one direction but flexible in at least one other direction. One arrangement of components provides a flexure assembly that is intended to permit linear motion along an axis while preventing off-axis motion. Another arrangement of components permits rotary or pivotal motion about an axis within a limited range while preventing off-axis motion. All arrangements provide a frictionless and noiseless support arrangement that is well suited for test equipment where noise sensitivity and accuracy are of concern. The invention provides a testing device that permits test forces to be input directly to a vehicle body structure for testing vehicle squeak and rattle noises within a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A method for measuring the vibration damping of a part. The method comprises the steps of vibrating the part with a contactless vibrator, measuring the output vibrations of the part with a contactless measuring device, determining an input frequency for testing the part, the input frequency being a frequency which uses the smallest gain to cause the part to produce vibrations having an output amplitude equal to a predetermined target amplitude, providing an input to the part with the contactless vibrator such that the part vibrates at the input frequency, simultaneously interrupting the input and using the contactless measuring device to measure as a function of time an output amplitude of vibrations in the part, and determining the rate at which the vibrations in the part are damped.

Abstract: A micromechanical resonator including a motion arresting mechanism to rapidly damp the vibration of a resonator beginning at any given moment in time to remove vibration caused by previous events. An electrostatic clamp uses a bias voltage between an electrode and the resonator to damp the resonator and return it to its equilibrium position. A mechanical clamp includes an actuator that forces the mechanical clamp to contact the resonator. These micromechanical resonators facilitate condition based monitoring of complex electromechanical machines and components by allowing signature analysis in multiple temporal and frequency domains.

Abstract: The vibration damping capability of a test part can be computed by vibrating the test part at different frequencies, and measuring the amplitude of the vibrational wave generated in the test part at each input frequency. The test data can be used to generate a measurement curve plotting vibration amplitude against frequency.

Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator unit comprises: at least one piezoelectric vibrator including: common internal electrode layers and segment internal electrode layers arranged alternately; piezoelectric layers, each interposed between adjacent pair of the common and segment internal electrode layers; and external electrodes formed on an exterior of the piezoelectric vibrator and electrically connected respectively to the common internal electrode layers and the segment internal electrode layers; and a fixing member to which a surface of the piezoelectric vibrator is fixed. The piezoelectric vibrator is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to a lamination direction in which the internal electrode layers and piezoelectric layers are laminated. The magnitude of electric fields applied to the piezoelectric layers is non-uniform.

Abstract: Analog test signals may be picked up from the test object with vibration sensors. A computer is equipped with a standard interface card which is connected by an interface, preferably parallel interface, and serves to digitize the test signals. A switching means serves to generate a trigger signal which can be input over a preferably serial interface. An executive routine in the computer switches the input of test signals on and off via the trigger signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing mechanical vibration for the purpose of evaluating the durability or vibration response of a test article. More particularly, the devices and methods produce mechanical vibration of a test fixture without mechanical contact, thereby enabling the evaluation of the durability and vibration response of a test article connected to the test fixture. The device and method are particularly suitable for testing disk drives for portable computers and similar articles.