Abstract: The invention relates to a process valve (10) comprising a valve seat (14), a flow restrictor (12), a valve rod (16) and a drive unit (18) acting thereon, with a force measuring device (20, 44) being connected between said drive unit (18) and said flow restrictor (12). The invention is characterized in that said force measuring device (49) includes a spring (30, 46), and said force measuring device (29, 44) comprises a travel measuring device (38, 42, 50, 52) so as to allow the force acting on it to be determined based on the change in the deflection of the spring (30, 46) caused by the force acting on it.

Abstract: A solenoid force measurement system includes: a first plate having an opening for receiving a solenoid; a second plate separated from the first plate by an air-gap; a force detection unit located within the second plate for measuring a force exerted by the solenoid; a height control device coupled to the second plate the height control device configured to adjust the size of the air-gap.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a user includes a housing, a drive motor assembly in the housing, a force sensor, and an electronics module. The drive motor assembly regulates delivery of fluid by actuating a piston of a fluid reservoir, and the force sensor generates output levels in response to force imparted thereto during, for example, fluid delivery operations. The electronics module processes the output levels of the force sensor to assess the operating health of the force sensor, to check for occlusions in the fluid delivery path, and to monitor the seating status of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion provided between one of a front portion and a rear portion of a seating portion of a seat for a vehicle that includes a lifting function for changing a height position of the seating portion relative to a floor for the vehicle, the seat including a seat back at the rear portion of the seating portion of the seat, the load detecting portion detecting a seating load applied to the seating portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion comparing the seating load detected by the load detecting portion with a predetermined threshold value and determining a seat occupancy state of the seat, the seat occupancy determining portion changing the threshold value based on the height position of the seating portion.

Abstract: A ring shear apparatus for measuring a shear strength of soil samples. The ring shear apparatus considering a wall-slip effect including: an upper ring for forming a first accommodation portion having a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated; a lower ring for forming a second accommodation portion that corresponds to the first accommodation portion of the upper ring and has a ring shape in which soil samples are accommodated, closely attached to a lower portion of the upper ring and rotatably installed relative to the upper ring; a rotating unit for rotating the lower ring relative to the upper ring; and a shear strength measuring sensor combined with the upper ring and for measuring a shear strength of the soil samples, wherein a plurality of protrusions that protrudes from the lower ring is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower ring along a circumferential direction of the lower ring in order to prevent the soil samples from being slid when the lower ring is rotated.

Abstract: A device forming a pressure sensor is provided. The device includes: a substrate made of electrical insulation material including a first reservoir, a second reservoir in communication with the first reservoir and of which two internal walls are each equipped with an electrode, and a flexible membrane made of an electrical insulation material, including a protuberance and secured to the substrate so as to enable movement of the protuberance between a position in which it is at a distance from a liquid filling the first reservoir and at least one second position in which it exerts a pressure on the liquid, thus discharging it at least partially from the first reservoir toward the second reservoir with mechanical contact with the two electrodes, the mechanical contact of the liquid with the electrodes establishing a resistance or capacitance between the electrodes. Application in the production of a touch screen is also provided.

Abstract: A test system configured to impart a body disturbance to a test specimen and measure motion or displacement of the test specimen in response to the input body disturbance. The system includes one or more actuator devices configured to replicate motion or displacement of the body imparted through the original input body disturbance utilizing the measured motion or displacement. As disclosed, the system includes algorithms or instructions to generate control parameters utilizing the measured motion or displacement to control operation of the one or more actuator devices. The force applied through the one or more actuator devices to replicate the measured motion or displacement is used to determine the force or load applied to the body via the input disturbance.

Abstract: A contact-terminal apparatus for use in measuring an electrical property of an object includes a first contact-terminal unit made of a conductive material to come in contact with the object, a movable part having a first surface on which the first contact-terminal unit is placed, and a pressure sensor situated beneath a second surface of the movable part, wherein the pressure sensor has a pressure detecting part that is in contact with the second surface of the movable part.

Abstract: An arrangement for the direct contacting of contact mechanism has a first contact mechanism arranged on a contact carrier and a second contact mechanism. The second contact mechanism acts with a predetermined contact force on the first contact mechanism. The contact carrier includes a plastic injection premolding of galvanizable plastic and a nongalvanizable plastic. The galvanizable plastic has a predetermined resilient behavior and the first contact mechanism is formed by a metal layer having predetermined dimensions. The first contact mechanism can be applied onto the galvanizable plastic in a galvanic process. The resilient behavior of the galvanizable plastic and the dimensions of the metal layer form, under the predetermined contact force, a microdepression configured to guide the second contact mechanism in the first contact mechanism. A corresponding connection device for a pressure measurement cell includes such a direct contacting arrangement.

Abstract: A side impact detection system includes a two-stage load transmitting structure that transmits to a floor tunnel, in which a side impact-detecting G sensor is provided, load caused by a side impact at a predetermined impact speed Vp in two stages having a predetermined time lag in such a manner that the load transmitted or the rate of change in the load differs between the first-stage load transmission and the second-stage load transmission.

Abstract: A method of constructing a sensor includes depositing a first material in a predetermined arrangement to form a structure. The depositing results in at least one void occurring within the structure. The method further includes depositing a second material within the voids. The second material may have electrical properties that vary according to deformation of the second material. The method also includes providing electrical access to the second material to enable observation of the one or more electrical properties. A sensor includes a structure that has one or more voids distributed within the structure. The sensor also includes a material deposited within the one or more voids. The material may be characterized by one or more electrical properties such as piezoresistivity. The sensor includes a first contact electrically coupled to a first location on the material, and a second contact electrically coupled to a second location on the material.

Abstract: A system for determining the tongue weight of a towed vehicle and other parameters includes a drawbar transducer in one embodiment and a receiver hitch transducer in another embodiment. Strain gauges are strategically located on the transducer and information regarding the towed vehicle are sent to a display. In one embodiment, a portable display unit has a radio frequency transceiver for receiving transmitted data from the transducer reflective of the towed vehicle tongue weight so that a user can view the tongue weight in practically real time. In this manner, the user can adjust the contents of the towed vehicle to achieve proper tongue weight without the necessity of going back and forth between the trailer and the transducer. A method is also disclosed for determining a safe towing condition based on the trailer tongue weight, trailer pulling force, acceleration during towing, and calculated trailer weight.

Abstract: An impact detection system has two chambers disposed adjacent to one another. The two chambers have opposing tapered shapes, so that an impact anywhere along them will create a different pressure wave or pulse in each chamber. A pressure sensor module incorporating two pressure sensors is disposed at one end of the dual-channel unit, and comparison of the signals from the sensors can be used to discriminate both the location and severity of a pedestrian impact.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing the tightness of an electric machine stator core includes: introducing a test instrument that is connected to a movable support into an air gap between a stator core and a rotor, locally placing the test instrument and locally testing defined zones of the generator stator core. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus of measuring viscosity and/or elasticity comprising: an electro-conductive rotor; a container that contains a sample and the rotor such that the rotor is arranged in the sample; a magnet unit that is arranged in the surrounding of the container and applies a magnetic field to the rotor; a rotation controlling unit that drives the magnet unit to apply a rotating magnetic field to the rotor so as to induce induced current in the rotor and rotate the rotor by providing the rotor with a rotation torque caused by Lorentz interaction between the induced current and the magnetic field applied to the rotor; a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the rotor; and a dynamic property detection unit that detects viscosity and/or elasticity of the sample being in contact with the rotor based on the rotation torque and the rotational movement.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.

Abstract: The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat includes a pair of fixed lower rails fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails that are engaged with the fixed lower rails so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails, a sub frame which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails, load sensors and that lie between the sub frame and the movable upper rails, brackets and which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets. The submarine pipe is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for generating a linearized pressure sensor pattern for a pressure sensor. Force may be applied to a pressure sensor sample, comprising the pressure sensor without conductors. A patch, comprising an area of contact between a top and bottom surface of the sensor sample, can be measured, which corresponds to the applied force. Patch measurements can be made for respective applied force intervals, resulting in one or more indications of applied force, respectively corresponding to an indication of a patch measurement. The linearized pressure sensor pattern can be generated using the one or more force indications and corresponding patch measurement indications.

Abstract: A device includes a guard member, at least one bias sensor, a display, and a measurement sensor. The guard member includes an aperture on an axis. The at least one bias sensor is coupled to the guard member. The at least one bias sensor is configured to provide a bias signal corresponding to a bias force on the guard member. The bias force is aligned parallel with the axis. The display is coupled to the at least one bias sensor and is configured to provide a visible indication of the bias force. The measurement sensor is configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a measured force proximate the aperture.

Abstract: An optical fibre sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals (1, 2, 3, 4); a modulator connected to the output of the source to produce a train of output pulses of the monochromatic signals; a plurality of sensor sub-assemblies connected to the output of the modulator, each sub-assembly comprising an optical drop multiplexer (ODM) (13), a sensor array (14) comprising a plurality of sensor elements and an optical add multiplexer (OAM) (15); a wavelength demultiplexer (WDM), having an input coupled to the sub-assemblies output; a plurality of detectors, each detector having an input connected to receive a respective output of the WDM and providing at an output thereof a signal corresponding to a respective frequency of the modulated monochromatic signals; and an interrogation system, having a plurality of inputs connected such that each input receives the output signal from a respective detector.

Abstract: A testing system is used to testing a flip type electronic device having a main body, and a cover. The testing system includes a fixing structure, a flipping structure, a sensing device, a rotating mechanism, and a control device. The fixing structure positions the main body. The fixing structure flips the cover until a rotation degree of the cover and the main body reaches a threshold degree. The sensing device senses is pressed by the cover when the cover automatically rotates relative to the main body and generates electrical pressure signals according to the mount of pressure. The control device controls the rotating mechanism to drive the flipping structure to rotate and judges whether the flipping performance of the electronic device is normal according to the electrical pressure signals.

Abstract: An improved activity detection system for use on a lift truck can be generally stated as including a detection apparatus and a processor apparatus. The detection apparatus can be generally stated as including at least one of a load detector and a movement detector. The processor apparatus can be generally stated as including a storage for storing an output from the detection apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to measuring stiffness of a biological sample Specifically, the invention relates to a milliprobe indentation device that comprises a force probe and a micromanipulator and uses thereof for measuring stiffness of biological samples

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a collision of a displaceable furniture part and an obstacle, comprising a controller (5) for a drive device for the displaceable furniture part, and a sensor (20) having a first sensor range (21) and a second sensor range (22), wherein a force and/or a relative motion arising between the first and second sensor parts (21, 22) can be detected.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a contact device that includes a shaft member, a first sensor configured to detect, when a tip of the shaft member comes into contact with a surface of a contacted object, a first force corresponding to a component of a force applied to the tip, which acts in a planar direction crossing a direction of an axis of the shaft at right angles, and a second sensor configured to detect a second force corresponding to a component of the applied force, which acts in a direction of the axis of the shaft member.

Abstract: An implantable active pressure transducer including a pressure sensing element and associated sensor circuitry together enclosed within an innermost glass packaging. The pressure sensing element is anodically bonded to the innermost packaging substantially aligned with an opening defined therein. An outermost biocornpatible metal packaging forms a cavity divided into first and second chambers by an intermediate partition. The innermost packaging is disposed within the first chamber without physically directly contacting or being fixed to the outermost packaging. A barrier plate is hermetically sealed to the intermediate partition to hermetically isolate the battery and communication circuitry from a pressure transmitting fluid. Inductive coupling is used to communicate data detected by the pressure sensing element internally within the implant.

Abstract: A clamping force sensor assembly for a transformer includes at least one sensor disposed within a casing. The design and configuration of the sensor assembly is such that it accurately measures clamping force values placed on the windings, without adversely impacting the operation of the transformer and with the ability to continue operating under electrical and thermal changes within the transformer. The sensor assembly can include loading members that distribute the pressure evenly over the casing that contains the sensor. The output of the sensor can indicate to an operator the extent of pressure changes experienced by the transformer windings. The output can be coupled with a process by which the damage to or the possibility of failure of the transformer is readily evaluated.

Abstract: A detection device (10) for shocks on a part (20) comprises a base (11) intended to be fixed by a lower face (111) onto a surface of the part (20) where the occurrence of a shock is to be detected and comprises one or more detectors (12) fixed at the base (11) and protruding with respect to the base, a detector (12) being deformed in a persistent way with a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold magnitude As when it is subjected to a shock with an energy equal to or greater than a threshold energy Es. Under the effect of such a shock with energy Es or greater, a detector (12) is simply deformed or broken such that the visual inspection allows the occurrence of the shock to be detected.

Abstract: A robotic grasping device (10) has a first finger (20), a second finger (30) and an actuator (40). The first finger has a first fingertip (22), a first base (24) and a first actuator engagement end (26). A first gripping surface (21) of the first finger lies between the first fingertip and the first base. Similarly, the second finger has a second fingertip (32), a second base (34), a second actuator engagement end (36). A second gripping surface (31) of the second finger is between the second fingertip and the second base. The actuator (40) mechanically engages with the first actuator engagement end and the second actuator engagement end to open and close the fingers. A first force sensor (28) is disposed on the base of the first finger to measure a first operative force on the first finger, and a second force sensor (38) is disposed on the base of the second finger to measure a second operative force on the second finger.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an integral strength of a magnet, including a magnetically attractive specimen, a force-sensing device for receiving the specimen and determining a magnitude of a first force applied by the specimen against the force-sensing device in the presence of the magnet and a magnitude of a second force applied by the specimen against the force-sensing device in the absence of the magnet, and a platform for receiving the magnet and for positioning the magnet at a desired distance above the specimen.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade tester includes a pair of linearly reciprocable actuators, such as hydraulic actuators. Each of the actuators is arranged to deliver a stroke to a wind turbine blade being tested. The stroke delivered by each of the actuators provides a controlled force in both the edgewise and flapwise directions. A method for testing a wind turbine blade is also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.

Abstract: A force measuring system is provided for measuring forces on a rotating body that includes, but is not limited to a force measuring device, which is mounted on the rotating body, as well as a position sensing unit for detecting the rotation of the rotating body and an evaluation unit, which is connected to the force measuring device and the position sensing unit. The evaluation unit is configured for recording a force value measured by the force measuring device depending on the detected position of the rotating body. The force measuring system allows the forces and torques on a rotating body to be determined precisely and as flexibly as possible, independently of the prevailing rotation speed of the rotating body.

Abstract: A method for use in determining the thickness of a layer of interest in a multi-layer structure. A first electrode is positioned in contact with a first surface of the multi-layer structure, and a second electrode is positioned in contact with a second surface of the multi-layer structure. The second surface is substantially opposite the first surface. The first electrode is pressed against the multi-layer structure at a predetermined sampling pressure, and the structure is optionally adjusted to a predetermined sampling temperature. The electrical impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode is measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical system for minimizing passenger door contact with the Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB) floor and subsequent damage to said door, during passenger loading or off loading. The system, as configured at the Cab entry, senses the proximity of the aircraft door by contacting a sensing pad, attached to the PLB floor. This initiates a sequence of events. 1) Both visual and auditory alarms are initiated to alert the passenger loading agents and/or the bridge operator of a fault. 2) The PLB is moved down and away from the door sufficiently to prevent the PLB floor from coming in contact with the door. The loading agents or PLB operator can then perform the necessary steps to reset the device and continue loading.

Abstract: A bite force measuring device includes a handle having first and second ends. A measurement shaft extends outwardly from the handle first end and includes a distal end relative to the handle. A test plate is positioned on the measurement shaft. The measuring device includes a flexible reservoir positioned inside the measurement shaft that is in contact with the test plate that contains a generally incompressible fluid such that the flexible reservoir undergoes pressure changes when the test plate bears against the reservoir. A plunger shaft is operatively connected to the reservoir and is pushed outwardly therefrom when pressure in the reservoir is increased. The plunger shaft may include indicia indicative of a measurement of a relative bite force.

Abstract: Measuring apparatus for monitoring the position of the center of mass of a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wafer support (14) with a ledge for supporting an edge of a wafer (2) when it is lifted at a detection point by a probe (16). The probe (16) is connected to a force sensor (18) which senses a force due to a moment of the wafer about a fulcrum (4) on the wafer support (14). Moment measurements are taken at a plurality of detection points and a processing unit calculates the position of the center of mass from the moment measurements. Changes in wafer mass distribution (e.g. due to faulty treatment steps) which cause movement of the center of mass can be detected.

Abstract: A load detecting device includes a substrate, a load receiver arranged on a first face of the substrate, a load detecting element arranged between the substrate and the load receiver, and a supporting portion to support the substrate. The supporting portion is made of metal. The supporting portion is located to overlap with the load receiver in a direction approximately perpendicular to the substrate. The supporting portion has a plurality of projections contacting with a second face of the substrate opposite from the first face. The projections located adjacent to each other are distanced from each other through a trench.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein provide novel approaches for rapidly sensing sense line cross-point interaction in a textile such as a carpet or rug. A textile may comprise transmit and receive sense lines configured so that when an object contacts the textile and depresses one or more transmit lines against one or more receive lines, the object may be detected by monitoring unique signals produced by the transmit sense lines into the receive sense lines to detect the object.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a hydraulic jack is provided having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion attached to a first section of a structure and the second portion attached to a second section of the structure. When a pressurized fluid is forced between the first portion and the second portion, a load is transferred to the first section and the second section by the pressure of the fluid on the first portion and the second portion. The first section and the second section are forced apart by the load, thus creating or enlarging at least one void in the structure. The pressurized fluid fills or partially fills one or more of the at least one void, thereby increasing the surface area effectively normal to the direction of the load in contact with the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a support mechanism, a pushing device and a clamping device. The pushing device includes a guiding member, a driving member moveably attached to the guiding member, and a resilient component located between the guiding member and the guiding member. The clamping device is attached to the driving member, and secures a product. The driving member and the clamping device deforms the resilient component in a first direction, and the resilient component biases the driving member and the clamping device in a second direction, that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: What is proposed is simply-structured initial slippage detection means. When a contact member (5) comes in contact with a contact receiving member (2) via a pressure-sensitive conductive sheet (3A), it is confirmed, on the basis of a change in resistivity of the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet (3A) and in response to a detection signal (S1) transmitted from the pressure-sensitive conductive sheet (3A), that initial slippage has occurred right before the occurrence of slippage displacement, at a time when a high-frequency waveform component (VpX) generated right before the occurrence of the slippage displacement of the contact member (5) exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to realize a slippage detection device whose slippage detection section is smaller, more lightweight and thinner.

Abstract: A passenger distinguishing apparatus is provided. The passenger distinguishing apparatus includes: a plurality of lower brackets that are fixed to a floor of a vehicle room; upper brackets that assist mounting of a passenger seat disposed at an upper part of the lower brackets; and a plurality of sensors that are disposed between the lower brackets and the upper brackets to detect a weight of a passenger seated in the passenger seat, wherein in an upper end part and a lower end part of the sensors, male screw threads for bolt-fastening to fastening holes formed at each of the lower bracket and the upper bracket are formed, and in at least one of the upper end part and the lower end part of the sensors, dampers for absorbing assembling tolerance of the sensors while being fixed due to a contact with nuts tightened and fixed to a portion in which the male screw threads are formed, are formed. Therefore, an assembling process can be improved, a cost can be reduced, and durability of the sensor can be improved.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a container; a pressure receiving member which constitutes a part of the container; a supporting member which extends from a peripheral portion of the pressure receiving member in parallel to the displacement direction of the pressure receiving member, and in which an end portion thereof is bent toward a central portion of the pressure receiving member; and a pressure sensing device which has a pressure sensing portion and first and second base portions respectively connected to both ends of the pressure sensing portion. The supporting member includes two or more members which are formed of different materials and connected in the displacement direction, and the proportion of the lengths of the two or more members is adjusted so that the supporting member has the same thermal expansion coefficient as the pressure sensing device.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed that can help isolate the sensor and/or sensor components from a media to be sensed and/or can help reduce sensor damage caused by harsh operating environments. In one illustrative embodiment, the pressure sensor may include a substrate having a pressure sensing die mounted on a first side of the substrate, a first housing member defining a first cavity around the pressure sensing die, and a second housing member defining a second cavity on the second side of the substrate. A passivating agent, such as a gel, can be positioned in both the first cavity and the second cavity to transmit pressure from the media to a pressure sensing element (e.g. diaphragm) while isolating the pressure sensing element and other components from the media. In some cases, the first housing member and/or the second housing member may include an opening for exposing the passivating agent to the media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving system for an automatic sliding door. The driving system includes a driver and a rack and pinion mechanism. The pinion is adapted to cause sliding movement of the door in a first or second direction when operatively connected to a corresponding rack associated with the door. The pinion is selectively attachable to the driver in two positions: (a) a first position in order to cause sliding movement of the door in the first direction; and (b) a second position in order to cause sliding movement of the door in the second direction. The present invention also relates to a device for indicating whether a driving system is suitable for driving a sliding door. The device includes a first end, a region including one or more calibrations; and a second end. The first end is adapted to be pulled by a user. The second end is adapted to be selectively and detachably attached to one of the calibrations. The region is located between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: There is provided a contact-pressure detecting apparatus including a base, at least three pressure-sensitive sensors, and a plurality of plates. The base has an arbitrary shape. The at least three pressure-sensitive sensors are provided on different vertex positions of a polygon having at least three corners, respectively, the polygon being set on each of a plurality of areas partitioning at least part of an area on a surface of the base. The plurality of plates are arranged corresponding to the areas of the base, respectively, the plurality of plates covering the surface of the base by sandwiching the at least three pressure-sensitive sensors with the base.

Abstract: An infusion pump uses sensors, movable members and a control unit to determine tubing thickness in a tube-loading section of the pump. The infusion pump utilizes sensors, such as a pressure sensor, to record forces imparted by a tube undergoing no pressure, a single pressure, or a pressure sweep, to determine thickness. Using these values, the tubing wall thickness can be determined. The infusion pump can also compress a tube using a movable member of the pump and records the distance traveled by the movable member to compress fully the tube. Using this distance, the tubing wall thickness can be determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a testing apparatus, comprising a carrying construction for supporting a road section, and a frame for positioning a test wheel on the surface of the road section. During operation of the apparatus the test wheel, by a tread thereof, describes a circular path over the road surface. The frame is provided with a sensor for measuring a force exerted on the measuring wheel by the road surface.