Abstract: A contact force measuring device for measuring a contact force of a spring contact includes a measuring probe having a height in a contact region identical to the height of the contact pin that fits into an opening defined between a pair of opposing spring contact arms of the spring contact. The probe includes an upper insulator element attached to an upper side of a piezoelectric element, and a lower insulator element is attached to a lower side of the piezoelectric element opposite the upper side. The contact force measuring device includes a holding device connected to one end of the probe, an evaluation unit, a supporting device and a positioning device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.

Abstract: An electric plug-in connector comprising: an electric contact structure accommodated in an enclosure; and a plugging cycle counter including a piezoelectric sensor mechanically connected to the contact structure and/or to the enclosure. The piezoelectric sensor senses joining of the electric contact structure to a corresponding electric contact structure.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a drift-compensated force measurement.

Abstract: A press machine includes a servo amplifier configured to supply a drive current to a servo motor, a current detector for detecting the drive current, a rotational angle detector for detecting a rotational angle of a rotary motion provided by the servo motor, and a controller. The controller is configured to set a press production speed by setting a correspondence between rotational angles and rotational speeds at the rotational angles, which defines the rotary motion. The controller is configured to determine whether or not the drive current detected by the current detector is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The controller is configured to reduce all the rotational speeds by an equal ratio when the drive current detected by the current detector is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

Abstract: An acoustic fingerprint imaging system having a plurality of acoustic elements, each acoustic element including a transducer, and independent drive and sense circuitry is disclosed. Drive circuitry may require higher voltage than low voltage sense circuitry. Many embodiments described herein include a ground shifting controller to apply a voltage bias to the low voltage sense circuitry during a drive operation, in order to prevent electrical damage to the sense circuitry.

Abstract: An acoustic fingerprint imaging system having a plurality of acoustic elements, each acoustic element including a transducer, and independent drive and sense circuitry is disclosed. Drive circuitry may require higher voltage than low voltage sense circuitry. Many embodiments described herein include a ground shifting controller to apply a voltage bias to the low voltage sense circuitry during a drive operation, in order to prevent electrical damage to the sense circuitry.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a slider includes a substrate, a magnetic head, and a coupling capacitor. In one embodiment, a slider includes a substrate, a magnetic head, and a coupling capacitor configured to AC couple an electronics ground of the slider to the substrate and DC decouple the electronics ground of the slider from the substrate, the coupling capacitor including: a first conductive layer, a gap layer positioned above the first conductive layer, a dielectric layer positioned above the gap layer and the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer positioned above the dielectric layer. In another embodiment, a method for forming a capacitor includes forming a substrate, forming a first conductive layer above the substrate, forming a gap layer above the first conductive layer, forming a dielectric layer above the gap layer and the first conductive layer, and forming a second conductive layer above the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and method for analyzing mechanical inputs. The apparatus comprises mechanical elements configured to receive mechanical inputs and a piezoresistive sensor configured to convert the mechanical inputs into electric signals. The apparatus further includes electrical elements configured to determine voltage components of the electric signals and a processor configured to analyze the voltage components, wherein the voltage components are analyzed to determine a plurality of characteristics of the mechanical inputs.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module that selectively varies the resistance of an RLC network based upon one or more properties of exchanges data signals between one or more sensors and a controller (e.g., an ECU). The disclosed sensor interface module has a closed control loop that receives modulated sensor current signals from one or more sensors and that regulates a modulated output voltage that is provided to the one or more sensors. A protocol processor detects one or more properties of the exchanged voltage and current signals. The protocol processor provides the detected properties to an impedance controller, which selectively varies the value of an impedance element within an RLC network, located between the sensor interface module and the one or more sensor, to adjust the one or more properties in a manner that improves performance of the sensor interface module.

Abstract: The measuring method is for measuring a physical parameter using an electronic interface circuit (1) for a capacitive sensor (2) with at least two capacitors (C1X, C2X) whose common electrode (CM) is mobile between the fixed electrodes. The electronic circuit includes an amplifier (4) connected to the common electrode (CM) by a switching unit (3), a logic unit (5) connected to the amplifier for supplying first and second digital measuring signals, and a digital-analogue converter (7) for supplying a measurement voltage (VDAC) to the electrodes on the basis of a conversion of one of the digital signals.

Abstract: The measuring method is for measuring a physical parameter by means of an electronic interface circuit (1) for a capacitive sensor (2) with at least two capacitors (C1X, C2X) whose common electrode (CM) is mobile between the fixed electrodes. The electronic circuit includes an amplifier (4) connected to the common electrode (CM) by a switching unit (3), a logic unit (5) connected to the amplifier for supplying first and second digital measuring signals, and a digital-analogue converter (7) for supplying a measurement voltage (VDAC) to the electrodes on the basis of a conversion of one of the digital signals.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement to monitor localization, movement, and properties of an object, such as human body. An excitation signal is connected to a first division of selected conductors of a transducer which includes a distribution of conductors such as a matrix. A first signal including information about coupling impedance between a first and a second selected division of conductors is derived from a coupling of the excitation signal between the first and the second selected divisions of conductors of said transducer. The object is monitored by studying changes of the coupling impedance caused by the object to be monitored during subsequent repeated cycles of the above mentioned steps.

Abstract: The output signal from a measuring transducer in a force-measuring device is processed by filtering a measuring signal (ms), representing a load that is acting on the transducer, to suppress interfering signal portions caused by extraneous influences including mechanical disturbances, or changes of the load. The measuring signal (msE) passes through a first delay element (141A) to a measurement value unit (145) which holds the value of the currently received measuring signal (msE), a mean value based on the most recent values of the measuring signal, or an expected value (msE) based on the most recent values of the measuring signal. The measuring signal (msE) is monitored for signal disturbances using a first detector module (151). After detection, a switching means (142) is actuated and the output signal (msX) of the measurement value unit is processed further, if applicable, and sent to the output end of the device, instead of the currently received measuring signal (msE).

Abstract: A current-driven signal conditioning system comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a strain gauge, and an instrumentation amplifier is disclosed. The strain gauge is adapted to measure a deformation of a structure and to generate a resistance which corresponds to the measured deformation. The instrumentation amplifier is adapted to be connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The instrumentation amplifier is further adapted to be connected to the strain gauge and to place an output current on the second terminal. The output current is proportional to the resistance generated by the strain gauge. An output resister is coupled between the strain gauge and the second terminal, and a capacitor is coupled between the resister and the first terminal. A zenor diode is coupled between the first terminal and the strain gauge, and a diode is also coupled between the first terminal and the strain gauge.

Abstract: A semiconductor stress sensor includes a field-effect transistor for producing a drain current commensurate with a stress applied thereto. The gate of the field-effect transistor is supplied with a gate bias voltage from a gate bias voltage generator. The drain current from the field-effect transistor is converted into a detected output signal by a current-to-voltage converter. The gate-to-source voltage of the field-effect transistor can be varied to reduce the drain current in a standby mode when no stress is to be detected. To vary the gate-to-source voltage, the gate bias voltage applied to the gate of the field-effect transistor may be slightly varied or the source potential thereof may be slightly varied. The gate-to-source voltage of the field-effect transistor slightly differ from each other in the standby and stress sensing modes. Even in the standby mode, the field-effect transistor is supplied with substantially the same voltage as in the stress sensing mode.

Abstract: A tuning device for tympani that displays the pitch of each instrument's tympanum. The pitch is determined by measuring the strain in an adjustable tensioning mechanism employed in all tympani to keep proper tension on the tympanum. The pitch or tone of the tympani is determined by the vibration frequency of the tympanum when the tympani is played and the frequency is determined by the tension in the tympanum. A transducer measures the strain in the tensioning mechanism to give an accurate indication of what the tympanum tension, and therefore the pitch, of the tympani would be when played. The transducer includes a resistance-type strain gage mounted on the tympanum tensioning mechanism. The length of the conductor in the strain gage and therefore its resistance, changes with stress changes in the tensioning mechanism used to tune the tympani.

Abstract: A load monitor for a reciprocating machine having a selective sensor connection for monitoring the total load or the individual load on each machine support member. A sensor is mounted on each one of a pluralityof support members. The sensors are connected in series and to an outlet through which a portable detector may be connected. A multi-position switch selectively connects the sensors to the outlet so that the total load or the individual load on each support member may be monitored.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for measuring physical quantities of a rotating body at many points thereof in a contact-free manner. The present measurement comprises electromagnetically applying control signals to the rotating body outside the body and taking out such physical quantities as mechanical strains, temperatures, etc. at many points of a rotating body with high accuracy, in a desired manner irrespective of the revolution of the body. Detecting circuits for detecting physical quantities such as mechanical strains or temperatures of a rotating body are additively and detachably provided at many measuring points of the body. The rotating body is also provided with electronic switches which can be arbitrarily changed over by control signals transmitted electromagnetically from the stationary side. The output signals from the detecting circuits are switched over by the electronic switches and transmitted electromagnetically to the stationary side.

Abstract: A multipoint measuring device comprising a matrix of transducers of the measured quantity and switching elements, the columns of said matrix being formed by serially connected switching elements and each transducer having one of its terminals connected to a respective switching element of the column and the other terminal connected to a common bus of a respective row. At the beginning and at the end of each row there are provided switching elements. The matrix is connected to a measuring circuit via two compensators.

Abstract: A strain gauge load measuring system includes a pair of strain gauges mounted on each of one or more load supports, such as the axles of a vehicle. The strain gauges connect in a DC bridge circuit. A multiplexer comprises a pair of analog switches which alternately apply the voltage from respective bridge output terminals to an AC coupled amplifier, as a square wave voltage of amplitude equal to the difference between the voltages on the bridge output terminals. The amplified square wave voltage is applied across a meter as an amplified DC signal proportional to the DC bridge output signal, by a demultiplexer incorporating a further pair of analog switches cooperating with low pass filter elements. The demultiplexed DC signal across the meter is compared by an operational amplifier, having positive feedback for hysteresis, with the voltage on a variable voltage divider to determine when a threshold load value has been reached.