Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a flexible body, a stress sensor, and a detector. The stress sensor has a piezoelectric film that is deformed by a stress resulting from bending of the body. The stress sensor detects stresses that develop respectively at an end part and a central part of the body. When the end part and the central part are bent at the same radius of curvature, the stress sensor outputs output values such that a first output value based on a stress having developed at the end part is different from a second output value based on a stress having developed at the central part. Moreover, the detector detects at least one of the first output value and the second output value having exceeded a given threshold.

Abstract: A dynamic quantity measuring apparatus includes a strain sensor, a resin member, a strain body, and a boding portion. The strain sensor has a plurality of piezoresistance elements and a plurality of electrode pads formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The resin member for electrical wiring is provided with a plurality of wires electrically connected to the plurality of electrode pads. The strain body is joined to a back surface of the strain sensor. The bonding portion is configured to bond the resin member for electrical wiring to the strain body. A groove is provided in a region of the resin member for electrical wiring located in a vicinity of the strain sensor.

Abstract: A wireless passive strain sensor is provided. The wireless passive strain sensor includes an outer coil holder, a reading inductance coil, a capacitance patch, an inner coil holder, and a sensing inductance coil. A shaft penetrates through the outer coil holder. The reading inductance coil is disposed on the outer coil holder. The capacitance patch is disposed on the shaft. The inner coil holder is disposed inside the outer coil holder. The inner coil holder is disposed on the shaft. The sensing inductance coil is disposed on the inner coil holder. The sensing inductance coil is electrically connected to the capacitance patch.

Abstract: A multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism includes: at least one support assembly; and a plate supported by the at least one support assembly, wherein the at least one support assembly includes: a bipod having a first rod and a second rod, one ends of which are fixed to each other at a top provided with a support section; and a linear motion arrangement having a first movable member and a second movable member which are fixed to the other ends of the first rod and the second rod respectively, wherein the first movable member and the second movable member independently move in a linear motion direction.

Abstract: A technique physically amplifies strain to facilitate measurement of strain/displacement. A strain amplifying mechanism is mounted to a component being monitored for strain and comprises an input port and an output port. The strain amplifying mechanism is attached to the component such that the input port moves when the component undergoes strain. Movement of the input port causes movement of the output port over a distance greater than the physical movement of the input port. A strain sensor is coupled to the output port to detect its movement over the greater distance.

Abstract: A crank arm (200) includes a mechanical ring amplifier (232), having a cavity and a connecting bridge (140), to amplify the radial strain exerted on the crank arm by a rider. Strain sensors (234, 235) are positioned to detect the amplified radial strain. The crank arm (200) may include further strain sensors (228, 229) adapted to detect tangential strain on the crank arm, allowing both the tangential and radial forces exerted by a bicycle rider to be measured. The crank arm (200) may also comprise means for adjusting the position of a pedal axle relative to the crank arm, via the loosening, rotation and retightening of a carrier disc held by the crank arm, where the carrier disc has an eccentrically mounted aperture for holding the pedal axle.

Abstract: A multiple degrees of freedom motion system comprising an arrangement of rigid stages, flexure constraint modules, actuators, and sensors. These components of the motion system are arranged and connected in a systematic fashion to provide a high degree of decoupling between the motion axes, suitable placement of ground-mounted actuators to actuate each motion axis, and suitable placement of sensors to allow end-point measurement along each motion axis. This arrangement of rigid stages, flexure constraint modules, actuators and sensors enables large motion range and high motion quality in the motion system, while using standard and commonly available components.

Abstract: A device for measuring electromechanical properties and microstructure of nano-materials under stress state comprises two bimetallic strips placed on an insulated metal ring plated with insulating paint, wherein the two bimetallic strips are placed in parallel or V-shaped to insulated metal ring on the same plane, one end of each bimetallic strip is fixed on the insulated metal ring, the other end of the bimetallic strip hangs inside of the insulated ring, the distance of two bimetallic strips were controlled within 0.002-1 mm. Also provided is a method for measuring electromechanical properties and microstructure of nano-materials under stress state.

Abstract: A portable test lever including a load arm and a force arm for efficient examination of the tractive capacity and/or an acceleration capacity of a lift. The test lever includes an integrated measuring value sensor, at least one cable receptacle arranged on the load arm and at a distance from the force arm, and a support. A method used to measure the tractive capacity of a lift cable and/or the acceleration capacity of a lift.

Abstract: A force sensor assembly includes a force sensor, a first support member, a threaded portion, an opening made in the first support member, a nut, a restricting member and a spacer. The nut is screwed onto the threaded portion which is inserted through the opening. The restricting member is provided between the force sensor and the nut. The spacer, which is provided between the force sensor and the nut, is deformable in a direction of its thickness. The shape of the spacer is adapted to avoid interference with the restricting member. Before the nut is tightened onto the threaded portion, a summation of thickness for the first support member and the spacer is adapted to be not less than a height of the restricting member. The nut is tightened up with a predetermined fastening torque until the spacer deforms so that the nut strikes the restricting member.

Abstract: A strain gage apparatus for measuring the load applied to a derrick leg mechanically multiplies the deflection or distortion of a strain gage. The apparatus attaches to the derrick leg at two points that are spaced about five feet apart. Accumulated strain along the five-foot section moves one end of an elongate member a significant distance. The distance is much greater than any localized movement or minute strain in the derrick leg. The movement of the elongate member stresses a reaction member upon which the strain gage is mounted.

Abstract: A mechanical amplifier includes first and second amplifier mounting pads (110, 120) and first and second sensor mounting pads (130, 140). At least one of the first and second amplifier mounting pads (110, 120) receives a load or displacement. The first and second sensor mounting pads (130, 140) connect to the first and second amplifier mounting pads (130, 140) via flexible connecting members. A sensor (150) may connect to the first and second sensor mounting pads to measure the amount of load or displacement.

Abstract: A strain/electrical potential transducer (10) includes a rigid base (12), a rigid beam (18) hinged to the base (12) at (20), an elongate stack (14) of dielectric substance, e.g. piezoelectric material, generally parallel with the beam (18) and hinged to the base at (16), and a rigid link (22) interconnecting ends of the beam and stack remote from the base (12). The transducer can be operated as a displacement generator by applying potential difference to the stack (14) via contacts (15) to strain the stack (14) and to cause amplified, transverse displacement as shown at (32). Conversely, the transducer can be operated as a sensor. Displacement at (32) causes strain in the stack (14) which generates a potential difference at the contacts (15). Composite transducers are disclosed. A manipulating device in the form of an arrangement of displacement generators and use thereof for microscanning are disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate for a MEMS device includes a base material having a first side, a poly silicon strain gage formed on the first side of the base material, a dielectric material disposed over the strain gage, and a conductive material in communication with the strain gage through the dielectric material, wherein the substrate is adapted to have at least one opening formed therethrough, and wherein the strain gage is adapted to be formed adjacent the at least one opening.

Abstract: A strain gage apparatus for measuring the load applied to a derrick leg mechanically multiplies the deflection or distortion of a strain gage. The apparatus attaches to the derrick leg at two points that are spaced about five feet apart. Accumulated strain along the five-foot section moves one end of an elongate member a significant distance. The distance is much greater than any localized movement or minute strain in the derrick leg. The movement of the elongate member stresses a reaction member upon which the strain gage is mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanical strain amplification for enhanced piezoelectric transduction. The device consists of a piezoelectric element elevated above the neutral axis of a supporting, micromachined, photoetched substrate by use of castellations on the substrate. By elevating the piezoelectric element above the neutral axis, the charge sensitivity of the device is increased which facilitates the development of high-sensitivity, low-noise transducers. There is a limit to charge sensitivity because the optimal elevation is a function of the physical properties of the supporting structure and the piezoelectric element. Accordingly, a mathematical formulation and finite element analysis (FEA) are provided to define the optimal height of the castellated substrate. The recognition of limits to the castellation height has further led to the discovery of using the relaxor-ferroelectric, single crystal class of materials in the present invention.

Abstract: A motion apparatus having two or five degrees of freedom includes a plurality of arm flexures, a plurality of parallelogram flexures or a plurality of compound parallelogram flexures. The motion apparatus minimizes direct, parasitic, and coupled error motions.

Abstract: A beam is mounted to a mounting flange. A seat pan is mounted to opposite end portions of the beam. Provided near a middle portion of the beam is a sensor unit for detecting flexure of the middle portion of the beam. The sensor unit has a sensor beam whose length is sufficiently less than the distance between fulcrums of the beam, and a transmission member that transmits the flexure of the beam occurring at a middle point thereof to the sensor beam. The sensor beam is provided with a strain sensor.

Abstract: A devised strain meter detects displacement on the lateral side of the receptacle after magnification of the displacement by a lever in the receptacle. A cavity exists near the middle of the receptacle with a lever and a detector along the lateral side of the receptacle of the strain meter. Wires for signal and power lines of other strain meters are easily passed through this cavity. This mechanism with a cavity near the middle of the receptacle is very useful for an array observation of strain in the ground and/or in a solid construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deformation measuring device (11) for measuring the torque of a cylindrical shaft (10), which device consists of a sensor (12) which rotates together with the shaft (10) and at least one transducer (16) for converting a torque-dependent deformation of the shaft (10) into a signal which can be evaluated and displayed, the sensor (12) being mounted in an axially aligned manner on the external surface (13) of the shaft (10) and comprising edge portions (14, 19) which extend in the axial direction and which are mounted on the external surface (13) of the shaft (10) so as to transmit the deformation of the shaft, the sensor (12) comprising at least one portion (15) of reduced cross-section which is situated between said edge portions (14, 19) and which supports a deformation transducer (16).

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is put forward for weighing a load carried by a load support provided with front and rear wheel assemblies each having at least one member which deforms as a result of the load. The apparatus comprises a plurality of strain transducers to be affixed respectively to the members. Each of the transducers includes a pair of spaced apart brackets to be fixedly secured to the corresponding member such that their upper ends come closer to one another when the corresponding member is deformed, and an elongated load cell having opposite ends attached respectively to the upper ends of the brackets. The load cell is provided with strain sensing elements for producing an electrical strain signal indicative of a strain variation substantially along a longitudinal axis of the load cell.

Abstract: A device for measuring physical variables comprises a pair of thin planar members disposed symmetrically in a face-to-face arrangement about a plane including a reference axis defining the direction of displacement of a target object mechanically coupled to the pair of thin planar members, wherein the displacement in a first direction parallel to the reference axis increases the separation distance between the pair of thin planar members and the displacement in a second direction opposite to the first direction decreases the separation distance between the pair of thin planar members. The physical variable related to the displacement is determined as a function of an electrical parameter varying as a function of the separation distance between the pair of thin planar members such as the electrical capacitance or resistance therebetween measured by a capacitance or ohm meter.

Abstract: A field-based movement sensor adapted for measuring strain along a certain axis in an object on which the sensor is attached. The sensor includes a substrate having a working surface and formed with a pair of fingers projecting from a first direction, and a third finger projecting from a direction oppposite the first direction, to a position between the pair of fingers. The pair of fingers and third finger extend generally perpendicular to the axis along which strain is to be measured, with the pair of fingers being moveable with respect to the third finger along the axis when the strain occurs. An electrically charged element for producing an electric field is disposed on the working surface of the third finger, and a pair of field-effect transistors (FETS) are each disposed on a working surface of a different one of the pair of fingers.

Abstract: A strain measurement device to determine the amount of clamping force or pressure developed in a machine from the small amount of linear movement which results from strain on a predetermined part of the machine, such as a tie bar. The strain measurement device features an elongated arm which will pivot in response to such strain movement and amplify or magnify the amount of this strain movement. The strain measurement device also includes a sensing unit which will measure the amplified strain movement, and a circuit for converting this measurement into a signal indicative of force.

Abstract: The device comprises at least three non-colinear studs (A,B,C) interposed between each lug face (5) against which a sensor or sensor mounting part is pressed. Stud (A) may be closer to a beam (1) than the other studs (b) and (C), thereby maximizing the relative displacement of the sensor parts for a given shear force on the beam (1).

Abstract: A rotary shaft (13) is fitted with strain gauges (17) in a bridge formation arranged to give a response to torque. Windings (18a, 19a) surround the shaft at axially spaced zones and rotate with it, co-operating with fixed windings (18b, 19b) providing transformer coupling. AC is applied across the bridge via one transformer (18) and an output from the bridge is available from the other transformer (19). This output has a phase shift related to torque, and a phase shift detector (24) and filter (25) provide a torque indicative DC signal. The strain gauges (17) are mounted on a compliant bridge (15,16) anchored at axially spaced zones to the relatively stiff shaft (13) for greater response.

Abstract: A transducer for sensing forces in a single axis. A beam (14) which may be the draft link of a tractor is provided with an intermediate central beam (32) defined by two relatively narrow parallel slots (30) disposed closely adjacent to the neutral plane (34) of the beam (14). The central beam (32) is provided with a reduced cross sectional area (44) which acts to mechanically amplify tensile and compressive loads applied along the axis of the beam. Strain sensing means, which may be strain gauges, are associated with the reduced cross sectional area. The slots (30) and reduced cross sectional area are formed by wire electro discharge machining.

Abstract: An intrusion detecting sensor assembly comprising a bracket having one leg to be clamped to the surface of a structural member, for instance of a building, and having a second leg spaced from the first leg and also abutting said surface, the second leg being joined to the first leg by a bridge portion of the bracket supporting a piezoceramic transducer which is sensitive to bending of the bridge portion when the structural member is flexed by changes in its loading.

Abstract: A transducer system comprising, a multiple capacitive transducer having a flexible dielectric sheet of elastic nonconductive material, a first plate of flexible conductive material defining a region located adjacent a first surface of the sheet, and a plurality of second plates of flexible conductive material located adjacent a second surface of the sheet, with the second plates defining areas aligned with the region of the first plate. The system separately forms signals responsive to the capacitance between the first and second plates.