Abstract: An apparatus (100, 200, 300) and a method for measuring residual torsions of an elongated structure (202) such as a steel cord use a pivot head (102). The pivot head (102) comprises a wheel (104) adapted to guide an elongated structure (202). The wheel (104) is mounted in the pivot head (102) to transmit torques exercised by the elongated structure (202) on the wheel (104) to the pivot head (102). The pivot head (102) is mounted along a pivotal axis (110). This pivotal axis (110) lies in a plane of the wheel (104) and comprises the center of the wheel (104). Sensors (116, 206) measure the torque on the pivot head (102). The pivotal movement of the pivot head (102) around the pivotal axis (110) is limited to an angle range of ±5°, preferably ±3° in order to reach an improved accuracy of the torque measurement.

Abstract: An elevator includes a car, a counterweight, a rotatable drive member, and one or more suspension ropes interconnecting the car and the counterweight and passing over the rotatable drive member. Each of the suspension rope(s) has a first rope section on the first side of the drive member and a second rope section on the second side of the drive member, the first section(s) of the rope(s) being connected to the car to suspend the car. The second section(s) of the rope(s) are connected to the counterweight to suspend the counterweight. Drive machinery controls rotation of the drive member. The elevator includes a rope tension sensor mounted on the counterweight and arranged to sense tension of the second section(s) of the rope(s). The rope(s) include(s) electrically conducting member(s) extending continuously along the length of the rope(s) forming an electrically conducting connection between the car and counterweight.

Abstract: An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a base configured to be connected to a vehicle, a lever pivotally connected to the base, a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, and a sensor coupled to the lever. A force applied to the seat causes pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base. The sensor detects the pivotal movement to sense the weight of the occupant.

Abstract: A multi-turn angle sensor includes rotors 60, 62, 64, each of which rotates in a different manner with respect to an input shaft 19, and a common stator portion 66. The rotors and pole teeth disposed around the rotors form each of resolvers 600, 620, 640. At least two of the resolvers are arranged on a single plane vertical to the rotation central axis of each of the rotors. The common stator portion 66 surrounding each of the rotors is formed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets 106, each of which has an identical shape including a plurality of sets of pole teeth corresponding to each of the rotors. A single length of unspliced electrical wire is wound around each of the pole tooth sets. This facilitates automation of assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for testing an aircraft pedal system (12) comprises a pedal actuation device (14) for actuating an aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), a force sensor (26) for sensing an actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) upon actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) and for providing a signal indicative of the actuation force, a deflection sensing device (28, 30) for sensing an angular deflection of a device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?), and a control unit (32) adapted to process the signals of the force sensor (26) and the deflection sensing device (28, 30) so as to generate an output indicating the angular deflection of the device (12?, 12?; 13) deflected in response to the actuation of the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?) in dependence on the actuation force applied to the aircraft pedal (12?, 12?).

Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Techniques are described for enhancing the useful force range for impedance sensors by internally texturing the elastomeric skin.

Abstract: A machine for raising and lowering a load, the machine including a platform, a boom attached at one end to the platform, a rod mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom on the other end of a boom, the rod having a central bore there through, with at least two strain gauges mounted therein and angled relative to each other, a hoist rope extending over the rod and having an end adapted to be attached to the load, and a mechanism connected to the at least two strain gauges for determining the angle of departure of the hoist rope from the rod and the amount of pull of the load on the hoist rope.

Abstract: A occupant weight detecting device detects the weight of an occupant setting on a vehicle seat assembly and includes a pivot support mechanism for supporting the vehicle seat assembly for pivotal movement about a horizontally extending shaft relative to a seat fixing portion in a vehicle; an elastic force applying mechanism for applying a biasing force to the vehicle seat assembly to enable the latter to pivot an angle, proportional to a load imposed on the vehicle seat assembly, relative to the seat fixing portion; a pivot angle detecting mechanism for detecting an angle of pivot of the vehicle seat assembly relative to the seat fixing portion; and a pivot restricting mechanism for defining a pivotal range over which the vehicle seat assembly can pivot relative to the seat fixing portion.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensor is provided with a shaft portion having a torsion bar, a rotation angle sensing portion for detecting rotation angle of the shaft portion, and a torque sensing portion for detecting angle of torsion of the torsion bar. The rotation angle sensing portion and the torque sensing portion improve their own detecting accuracies by using each other's detecting result, whereby the rotation angle sensor can detect rotation angle and angle of torsion of a multi-turn rotatable body with high accuracy and high resolution.

Abstract: A robotic carriage for measuring the camber of a large-span structural beam is provided. The carriage includes a frame having a platform supported by a plurality of legs having wheels rotatably mounted at the ends of the legs. The legs elevate the platform above vertically extending obstacles, such as shear studs, which are frequently present on the upper surface of large-span structural beams. The width-wise distance between the legs is adjustable so that the legs avoid contact with the shear studs while the carriage traverses the beam. The carriage includes a guide mechanism formed from a pair of opposing guide members moveably mounted on the frame into sliding engagement with opposing portions of the beam to maintain the carriage on a straight path. In operation, a surveying target is mounted on the top of the frame, and the carriage is moved into selected positions at known distance along the length of the structural beam.

Abstract: A gait analysis system includes a shoe insert for use in a shoe worn by a subject while walking as part of a process of collecting gait data. The insert has force-sensing sensors distributed to define a sensing aperture, and each sensor provides an electrical output signal. Processing apparatus is communicatively coupled with the sensors. The processing apparatus calculates a gait line represented by a series of points, wherein each point is calculated as a spatially-weighted average of samples of the sensor output signals over the sensing aperture. The processing apparatus includes a portable telemetry transmitter worn by the subject. The transmitter is connected to the sensors to receive the sensor output signals, and transmits a radio signal carrying the sensor information. A stationary receiver receives the sensor information in a transmission from the transmitter, and provides the sensor information to a personal computer or similar workstation.

Abstract: A tension measuring device including an elongated body having two ends and a deflection block secured to each end of the elongated body for holding a line spaced apart from the elongated body. The deflection blocks are positioned equidistant from a center of the elongated body. A clamping mechanism between the deflection blocks clamps the line to the elongated body wherein increased tension in the line will bend the elongated body. A strain gage element is connected to the elongated body for producing an output signal proportional to the bending of the elongated body. The strain gage element is positioned on the elongated body and is applied directly to the bending of the elongated body. A linearizing signal device is connected to the strain gage element for processing the output signal and for providing a readable output representative of the tension on the line.

Abstract: A description is given of a passenger detector comprising a flexible support of insulating material, at least two electrode structures placed on said insulating substrate at a certain distance from each other, and a layer of semiconducting material placed above said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector. In conformity with the invention, said layer of semiconducting material has an internal resistance that varies with a deformation of said layer and said layer of semiconducting material is placed in intimate contact with said electrode structures.

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.