Abstract: A bearing apparatus having one or more integrated load sensors for determining the load imposed on a rotatable shaft. The bearing apparatus includes a bearing housing having a bearing set, such as a bearing insert, located therein. The load sensors are preferably configured as strain gauges having resistance characteristics that vary as the bearing housing is deformed. For example, the strain gauges may be angularly spaced in an arcuate recess defined below the bearing set in the bearing housing. Preferably, circuitry is also provided to condition the deformation signal to provide an indication of loading on the shaft. The conditioning circuitry may be advantageously attached to the exterior of the bearing housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring weight of a substance placed within a substrate space which is subjected to sever conditions, including a measuring unit having a transducer and placed within a measuring space, a partition member provided between the measuring space and the substance space and having hole through which said measuring space is communicated with said substance space, a rod-like member extending through said hole formed in the partition member such that a first end of said force transferring member situates within said substance space and a second end of said force transferring member situates within said measuring space, a parallel link mechanism arranged within the measuring space and connected with the rod-like member, a magnetic fluid provided in a space within said hole such that said substance space and measuring space is isolated from each other in a liquid tight manner by means of said magnetic fluid, and a magnetic force generating unit producing a magnetic force such that said magnetic fluid

Abstract: A transducer assembly adapted for use for measuring forces and moments including a stationary center load axle having an elongated extend extending along an elongated axis between spaced opposed ends. The transducer assembly including first and second load cells interposed in a force path between opposed first and second ends of the load axle measuring applied load in the suspension load path of a two wheel vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor including a center post extending along the sensing axis of the sensor, a piezoelectric sensing element concentrically engaging the center post, and a preload element preloading the piezoelectric element radially outward to the axis. The center post includes a recess along the axis and the first preload element is in the recess and preloads the piezoelectric element radially outward. The sensor may include a mass concentrically engaging the piezoelectric element. The sensor senses acceleration, force or pressure.

Abstract: A method for determining whether the cable sealing force for a vehicle door cinching assembly exceeds a maximum limit. The method includes the steps of: determining a maximum cinching time corresponding to a predetermined maximum tolerable sealing force for cinching a vehicle door type from a partially-latched position to a fully-latched position; determining the time necessary to cinch the particular vehicle door from a partially-latched position to a fully-latched position; comparing the determined time with the maximum cinching time that corresponds to the predetermined maximum force; and generating an output indicating if the determined time exceeds the maximum cinching time.

Abstract: This invention is a hand held apparatus used to measure the hardness, or compressibility, of a golf ball and also the sphericity, or roundness, of the ball. The apparatus is small enough to be carried in the typical golf bag and easily fits in the normal hand, thus enabling the user to use the apparatus anywhere. A golf ball is inserted into the apparatus and the ball is automatically centered between two opposing plates. One plate is attached to a calibrated spring while the other plate is attached to a screw, which will be used to drive the associated plate against the ball. The screw will be hand turned until a sensing mechanism will be actuated and thus indicate to the user to stop turning. Each ball being tested will be subjected to the same force and therefore compressed an amount determined by it's own hardness.

Abstract: The invention broadly provides a method and apparatus for measuring the power output of one powering a chain driven vehicle. In a preferred embodiment described, the vehicle is a bicycle. The method of the invention comprises measuring the speed and tension of the drive chain and calculating the power output therefrom. The apparatus of the invention includes a chain speed sensor, a chain tension sensor, and electronic processing means to calculate and display the power output based upon the chain measurements.

Abstract: In an external measuring apparatus, a past zero signal value V0 is first read out. A subtracted value obtained by subtracting the zero signal value V0 from a read signal value Vin from an angular velocity detector is compared with a preset first threshold value &Dgr;V1. If no angular velocity is being applied, then the read signal value Vin is updated and set to the zero signal value V0 in which a drift component is canceled. In addition, the subtracted value obtained by subtracting the zero signal value V0 from the read signal value Vin is further compared with a second threshold value &Dgr;V2 so as to perform the zero adjustment of the subtracted value. This makes it possible to eliminate the drift component and the random noise component from the detection signal, enabling accurate angular velocity to be obtained.

Abstract: An unsteady signal analyzer for detecting a defect in a monitored object through the analysis of an unsteady signal generated by the monitored object has a wavelet transform calculating device which produces a wavelet spectrum data through a wavelet transform of the unsteady signal, a state variation function setting device which sets a state variation function representing a variation of a specific state variable of the monitored object with time, and a time coordinate nonlinear transformation device which transforms a time coordinate of the wavelet spectrum data nonlinearly into a coordinate of the specific state variable by using an inverse function of the state variation function.