Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a vehicle occupant to determine whether to deploy an airbag is disclosed. The classification apparatus includes a sensor which is installed in a seat of a vehicle and is supplied with AC power, the sensor having a sensing conductor and a guard conductor electrically connected to each other, with an insulator interposed therebetween. A controller compares an imaginary current value, attributable to variation in capacitance of the sensor, measured on an output side of the sensor, and a real current value, attributable to variation in resistance of the sensor, with preset threshold values, thus classifying an occupant who is sitting in the seat. According to the classification apparatus, even if moisture permeates into a seat, an occupant can be precisely classified using the real current value and the imaginary current value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of capacitive sensor based inventory control is disclosed. In one embodiment, an inventory management system includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, a sensor to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a scale formed with a set of plates having inserted between the set of plates the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface and a container placed above the scale such that an item (e.g., a liquid, a solid, a discrete part, a powder and/or a gas, etc.) of the container is weighed through the measurement. The inventory management system may further include a reference capacitor associated with the apparatus to enable the sensor to adjust the measurement based on the environmental condition.

Abstract: A system for measuring stress including a coilless sensor including at least one band of electrically conductive and magnetostrictive material, the band having a first end and a second end defining a gap therebetween, a measuring circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coilless sensor, the measuring circuit being configured to pass a current through the coilless sensor and measure at least one of an inductance, a resistance and an impedance of the coilless sensor in response to the current, and a processor in electrical communication with the measuring circuit, the processor being configured to calculate an amount of stress being applied to the coilless sensor based upon the measured inductance, resistance and impedance.

Abstract: A shear sensor includes a stator structure, a transformer, and a ferromagnetic core. The stator structure distorts in two perpendicular axes upon application thereto of a shear force. The transformer is coupled to the stator structure, and includes a primary winding and a pair of differentially wound secondary windings. The ferromagnetic core is non-rotationally coupled to the stator structure and is at least partially surrounded by the primary and secondary windings. The core is spaced apart from the transformer stator poles to define an air gap between the core and the stator poles. The air gap varies in the two perpendicular axes upon application of the shear force to the stator structure.

Abstract: A load cell with an elastically deformable membrane force transducer for receiving forces to be determined, with a sensor arrangement for detecting the deformation of the force transducer and its conversion into an electric weight signal, which is robust and can also be installed in narrow spaces and can receive and determine tensile forces as well as pressure forces, is disclosed, comprising a housing surrounding the force transducer essentially on all sides and having an opening, through which the membrane force transducer can be acted upon with the force to be determined, wherein the membrane force transducer comprises a force introduction member arranged centrally and at the edge area an edge part projecting beyond at least one of the membrane surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides the stress detection method for force sensor device with multiple axis sensor device and force sensor device employing this method, whose installation angle is arbitrary. The stress detection method includes, first and second force sensors whose detection axes are orthogonal to each other. When the detection axis of first force sensor forms angle ? with direction of detected stress Ax, and the stress component of direction perpendicular to direction of the detected stress Ax is Az, output Apx of the axis direction of first force sensor is found as Apx=?x (Ax×cos ?+Az×sin ?), and output Apz of the axis direction of the second force sensor is found as Apz=?z (Ax×sin ?+Az×cos ?), and, when ?x and ?z are detection sensitivity coefficients of first and second force sensors respectively, the detection sensitivity coefficient ?z of second force sensor is set as ?z=?x tan ?, and the detected stress Ax is found as Ax=(Apx?Apz)/?x(cos ??tan ?×sin ?).

Abstract: A force sensor with a force sensor chip, and a buffering device for dampening and applying incoming external force to the force sensor chip. The buffering device includes an input portion to which external force is input, a sensor mount for fixing the force sensor chip to the exterior, a dampening mechanism for dampening external force, and a transmission portion for transmitting the dampened external force to the active sensing portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a load sensor comprising a member composed of electrically conductive magnetostrictive material. The member is a uniform and continuous distribution of wire or strip material abutting itself between opposite ends. The magnetostrictive material is annealed and abutting portions of the member are spaced apart from one another using insulation incorporating microspheres. Terminals at different portions of the member allow the member to be electrically connected in a circuit for measuring an impedance of the member. Stress applied along an axis of the member causes a change in the member's permeability that is measurable as a change in impedance of the sensor. The configuration of the sensor can be described as coil shaped or accordion shaped. The wire or strip material comprising the sensor comprise a variety of shapes. Insulation comprises a high strength adhesive filled with high strength ceramic microspheres.

Abstract: A gap-change sensing through capacitive techniques is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, and a sensor to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The change in the distance may be caused by a deflection of the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface, and the deflection may be a compressive force and/or an expansive force. The sensor may apply an algorithm that converts a change in capacitance to at least one of a change in voltage and/or a change in frequency to generate the measurement. The change in the distance may be caused by a load applied to the surface above the first conductive surface with respect to the second conductive surface.

Abstract: A force sensor includes a shaft to which a magnet is fixed, and a case which can reciprocate with respect to the shaft and to which a Hall IC element is fixed. The Hall IC element outputs an output voltage which changes in accordance with relative displacement between the Hall IC element and the magnet. A main spring is interposed between the shaft and the case and elastically deforms in accordance with force produced between the shaft and the case in the reciprocating direction. A sub spring is provided in order to impart a preload such that when the amount of elastic deformation of the main spring is substantially zero, no axial clearance is formed between a flange portion of the shaft and one end portion of the main spring, and no axial clearance is formed between the case and the other end of the main spring.

Abstract: A sheet film protective covering for different types of contour sensing devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, this covering is a MYLAR® sheet film that is coated with a layer of a conductive material. The bottom surface of the MYLAR® film is also preferably coated with a layer of an adhesive. The sheet film covering preferably is contiguous and serves the purpose, among other things, to protect the underlying surface of the pressure-sensing device from contaminants and from electrostatic discharge, as well provide force concentration during use.

Abstract: A load detecting device includes a sensor element including a function for generating and detecting a vibration within a single element, the sensor element converting a load or an acceleration into a detection signal, a driving portion for outputting a driving signal for vibrating the sensor element, a vibration detecting portion for extracting the detection signal from the sensor element and for detecting a vibration characteristic value of the sensor element, a wiring for electrically connecting the sensor element, the driving portion and the vibration detecting portion to one another, and for transmitting a superimposed signal constituted by superposition of the driving signal from the driving portion and the detection signal from the sensor element, and a calculating portion for calculating one of or both of a load and an acceleration applied to the sensor element based on the vibration characteristic value from the vibration detecting portion.

Abstract: In a sensor sheet, first electrodes (11) each covered with a pressure-sensitive resistive member and second electrodes (21) each covered with a pressure-sensitive resistive member are disposed to extend perpendicularly to each other in a plan view. A core member (40) made of a hard material is disposed over four detection regions where the first electrodes (11) and the second electrodes (21) overlap each other in a plan view. X-, Y-, and Z-axial components (Fx, Fy, Fz) of a force (F) externally applied to the sensor sheet (1) are detected on the basis of changes in the contact resistance values (R1, R2, R3, R4) corresponding the four detection regions over which one core member (40) is disposed.

Abstract: A capacitance type sensor includes a first flange having four flexible portions and fixed to a base 300; and a second flange having four flexible portions and being opposed to the first flange. A connecting shaft standing at the center of each flexible portion of the first flange is connected to a connecting shaft standing at the center of each flexible portion of the second flange. A pair of electrodes E11 and E12; a pair of electrodes E21 and E22; a pair of electrodes E31 and E32; and a pair of electrodes E41 and E42 are fixed on the upper face of the base 300. The sets of pairs of electrodes, flexible portions of the first flange, flexible portions of the second flange, and connecting shafts are arranged around the Z-axis at regular angular intervals of 90 degrees at the same distance from the Z-axis.

Abstract: A touch panel has an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an elastic layer, plural conducting wires, and a gel layer. An upper conductive layer is formed at a lower surface of the upper substrate, a lower conductive layer that faces the upper conductive layer with a gap in between is formed at a top surface of the lower substrate, and the elastic layer is formed at a top surface of the lower conductive layer. The conductive wires are partially buried in the elastic layer and are disposed in a manner vertically oriented with a gap from the upper conductive layer. The gel layer is formed between the upper conductive layer and the elastic layer. With this construction, the touch panel is obtainable that suffers less wrong operation and allows reliable operation.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensing device includes a capacitor, a capacitive pressure transducer, a resistor, a capacitance/frequency converter and a processor. The capacitive pressure transducer includes a metal sponge, a metal layer and a capacitive sensor element. The metal sponge is sandwiched between the metal layer and the capacitive sensor element. When an external force is applied to the metal layer, the metal sponge is compressed, and reduces a distance between the metal layer and the capacitive sensor element, the capacitive pressure transducer thus produces a variable capacitance value Ct. The total capacitance value at an input terminal of the capacitance/frequency converter is contributed by the capacitor and the capacitive pressure transducer. The capacitance/frequency output a control signal according to the total capacitance value to an electronic device to trigger a corresponding function.

Abstract: The present invention provides the stress detection method for force sensor device with multiple axis sensor device and force sensor device employing this method, whose installation angle is arbitrary. The stress detection method includes, first and second force sensors whose detection axes are orthogonal to each other. When the detection axis of first force sensor forms angle ? with direction of detected stress Ax, and the stress component of direction perpendicular to direction of the detected stress Ax is Az, output Apx of the axis direction of first force sensor is found as Apx=?x (Ax×cos ?+Az×sin ?), and output Apz of the axis direction of the second force sensor is found as Apz=?z (Ax×sin ?+Az×cos ?), and, when ?x and ?z are detection sensitivity coefficients of first and second force sensors respectively, the detection sensitivity coefficient ?z of second force sensor is set as ?z=?x tan ?, and the detected stress Ax is found as Ax=(Apx?Apz)/?x(cos ??tan ?×sin ?).

Abstract: A passenger detection system for a person on a seat of a vehicle, includes a long range capacitance sensor for measuring a long range capacitance between a seating portion of the seat and a body of the vehicle and a short range capacitance sensor for measuring a short range capacitance in the seat, and a detection unit for detecting a passenger on the seat based on the measured long range capacitance and the measured short range capacitance. Therefore, the passenger detection system accurately detects a passenger on the seat of the vehicle while suppressing a detection error caused by an external effect.

Abstract: A dynamometric cell having an elastically deformable force transducer for receiving a weight force and a sensor arrangement for detecting the deformation of the force transducer and its conversion into an electric weight signal is disclosed, wherein the force transducer is connected to a mounting member at its first end and supports a force introduction member at its second end, such that it allows a more exact determination of weight force even when it is incorporated into narrow spaces and wherein the force transducer is designed as a hollow bar with two attenuation zones spaced in longitudinal direction of the bar.

Abstract: A multi-zone capacitive force sensing apparatus/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more capacitors each having an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface substantially parallel to the upper conductive surface, a housing with a top plate and a bottom plate to encompass the capacitors, and a sensor in the housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the upper conductive surface and the lower conductive surface of each of the capacitors when a contact zone of the top plate associated with the each of the plurality of capacitors is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus may also include a comparison module associated with the sensor to generate a signal indicating unevenness of a force applied on the top plate when there is any significant difference between measurements of the capacitors.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a deflectable dielectric mat and a flexible printed circuit that wraps around the major surfaces of the dielectric mat to define upper and lower conductor strips that overlap in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric mat. Overlapping regions of the conductor strips define an array of capacitive load cells distributed over the seating surface. A connector stub depending from the flexible printed circuit couples the conductor strips to an external circuit that measures the capacitance of the various load cells to determine occupant weight and weight distribution.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a deflectable dielectric mat and a flexible printed circuit that wraps around the major surfaces of the dielectric mat to define upper and lower conductor strips that overlap in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric mat. Overlapping regions of the conductor strips define an array of capacitive load cells distributed over the seating surface. A connector stub depending from the flexible printed circuit couples the conductor strips to an external circuit that measures the capacitance of the various load cells to determine occupant weight and weight distribution.

Abstract: A capacitive load cell includes upper and lower capacitor plates and an intermediate dielectric comprising two or more layers of compressible material with diverse compressibility characteristics. The most easily compressed dielectric layer provides sensitivity to low occupant weight, while the less easily compressed dielectric layer(s) provide sensitivity to medium and high occupant weight.

Abstract: A force sensor comprises a force sensor chip, and a buffering device for dampening and applying incoming external force to the force sensor chip. The buffering device comprises an input portion to which external force is input, a sensor mount for fixing the force sensor chip to the exterior, a dampening mechanism for dampening external force, and a transmission portion for transmitting the dampened external force to the active sensing portion.

Abstract: A weight sensor 10 having a simple structure and yet being capable of detecting load or pressure of an object to be measured in a short time and with high sensitivity and high precision. The sensor includes a first rotating shaft 14 vertically and rotatably supported on a stage 12, a second rotating shaft 18 axially and coaxially connected to the first rotating shaft 14 with a magnetostrictive member 16 interposed therebetween for rotatably supporting an object 20 to be measured, and a pickup coil 28 for detecting changes in magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization of the magnetostrictive member 16. Load or pressure of the object 20 is detected as the changes in magnetic permeability or remnant magnetization, which are caused by extension and contraction of the magnetostrictive member 16.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a sensor element device for a capacitive contact switch can be formed from a foam body with several portions. There are electrically conductive areas with a sensor element surface and an electrical contact face, as well as insulating areas. The sensor element surfaces engage from below on a glass ceramic plate. The areas can be interconnected in cylindrically elongated and juxtaposed manner. This leads to a type of strand material from which with the predetermined spacing it is possible to produce juxtaposed, capacitive sensor elements as parts of contact switches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transducers for converting the spatial position of an object into an electrical signal, more specific to a novel position sensor which has advantages of simplicity, long-term stability and durability. According to the invention, a position sensor comprises at least one body of an elastomeric material, mounting means for mounting a first part of the body to a support, and movable means joined to a second part of the body at a distance from the first part, the movable means being movable to stretch a third part of the body located between the mounting means and the movable means. The sensor has opposed first and second surfaces on the third part, a first electrode on the first surface, and a second electrode on the second surface.

Abstract: A capacitive load cell apparatus includes first and second conductor plates and an intermediate convoluted nonconductive elastomeric dielectric that variably collapses in response to applied force. The dielectric convolutions are defined by a pattern of cone-shaped or dome-shaped projections that alternately extend toward the first and second conductor plates. When an occupant sits in the seat, the projections of the dielectric material variably collapse in relation to the amount and distribution of the applied weight to locally reduce the separation between the first and second conductor plates. Preferably, the first conductor plate comprises an array of charge plate conductors to define a plurality of capacitances whose variation is detected as an indication of the amount and distribution of the applied weight.

Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement serves for the mounting of a force transducer that has a sensor-equipped core part connecting a support part to a force-application part. The support part can be bolted to a fastening part by mounting screws, and the force-application part can be bolted to a weighing pan carrier by means of mounting screws. The support part and the force-application part of the force transducer can each have a triplet of threaded holes serving to receive the mounting screws. Each triplet forms an isosceles triangle whose apex points towards the deformable body. The symmetry axes of the triangles lie in a plane that is parallel to the displacement travel of the force transducer. The mounting arrangement can be further configured to provide an effective overload protection in a low-profile design and to provide a thermally uncoupled fixation.

Abstract: A spring scale, in particular for weighing loads in the ?g-mg range, comprises a load platform suspended by at least three flexural springs in a surrounding frame, and has bridge-connected strain gauges arranged for measuring strain on one side of the flexural springs. The flexural springs extend in succession along substantially the whole periphery of the load platform in a gap between the load platform and the inner edge of the frame, and an attachment spot on the load platform for every flexural spring is arranged substantially directly opposite or past an attachment spot on the inner edge of the frame for a next flexural spring in the succession of springs. Preferably, the spring scale is made in one piece, and manufactured by means of semiconductor process technology.

Abstract: An exemplary mounting arrangement serves for the mounting of a force transducer that has a sensor-equipped core part connecting a support part to a force-application part. The support part can be bolted to a fastening part by mounting screws, and the force-application part can be bolted to a weighing pan carrier by means of mounting screws. The support part and the force-application part of the force transducer can each have a triplet of threaded holes serving to receive the mounting screws. Each triplet forms an isosceles triangle whose apex points towards the deformable body. The symmetry axes of the triangles lie in a plane that is parallel to the displacement travel of the force transducer. The mounting arrangement can be further configured to provide an effective overload protection in a low-profile design and to provide a thermally uncoupled fixation.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor of the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A dynamometer (10; 10a; 10b) has a pickup element (11; 11a; 11b), in which a permanent magnet (32) and a sensor (35) are disposed. At least the permanent magnet (32) is surrounded by ferromagnetic material, and the spacing of the permanent magnet (32) from the ferromagnetic material changes upon imposition of a force (F) upon the pickup element (11; 11a; 11b). This change in the spacing causes a change in the field intensity of the permanent magnet (32), which is detected by means of the sensor (35) and converted into a corresponding signal.

Abstract: A capacitive encoder includes a signal-balanced shield electrode configuration that does not require electrical ground connection or active sensing and control in order to maintain the shield electrode(s) at a sufficiently constant voltage during capacitive position measurements. The shield electrode configuration is positioned in a capacitive coupling gap between transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes during operation. The shield electrode configuration is patterned in a manner that complements the layout of the transmitter electrodes, such that the shield electrode configuration inherently floats at a nominally constant electrical potential when coupled to the signals present on the transmitter electrodes.

Abstract: A high aspect ratio microelectromechanical system device for measuring an applied force and having a suspension structure for compensating out-of-plane displacements of the device proof mass, wherein the device includes a frame; a proof mass coupled to the frame for in-plane motion along an axis of symmetry, the proof mass having first and second sets of spaced apart capacitor plates projected therefrom on each side of the axis of symmetry and oriented substantially crosswise to the axis of symmetry; and third and fourth sets of spaced apart capacitor plates oriented substantially crosswise to the axis of symmetry of the proof mass and intermeshed respectively with the first and second sets of capacitor plates, the third and fourth sets of capacitor plates being suspended for motion relative to the frame about respective first and second axes of motion oriented substantially parallel with the axis of symmetry of the proof mass.

Abstract: A Hall effect sensor assembly including a Hall effect sensor; an overmolded housing which is overmolded onto the Hall effect sensor; and a magnet movably connected to the Hall effect sensor by a movable connection with the overmolded housing. The movable connection restrains movement of the magnet to a path along and aligned with a Hall effect central sensing axis. The magnet is substantially prevented from tilting relative to the sensing axis.

Abstract: A capacitive encoder includes a signal-balanced shield electrode configuration that does not require electrical ground connection or active sensing and control in order to maintain the shield electrode(s) at a sufficiently constant voltage during capacitive position measurements. The shield electrode configuration is positioned in a capacitive coupling gap between transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes during operation. The shield electrode configuration is patterned in a manner that complements the layout of the transmitter electrodes, such that the shield electrode configuration inherently floats at a nominally constant electrical potential when coupled to the signals present on the transmitter electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive microsystem, which can be used to replace conventional strain gauges used currently. The microsystem has substantial advantages with regard to handling, overload stability and endurance. Capacitive microsystems of this type can be used to record deformations and to calculate forces, torque etc. They can be used in particular to determine the weight of vehicle seats, to provide for example deployment data for an airbag.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a fixed board provided with a fixed electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes, a movable member provided with a movable electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes which faces the fixed electrode unit with a gap therebetween, the movable member being rotatable with respect to the fixed board, a weight provided on the movable member, and a retaining element which is disposed between the fixed plate and the weight and retains the movable member in a rotatable manner. At least one of the movable electrode unit and the fixed electrode unit includes a plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A device for detecting the pressure exerted at different points of a flexible and/or pliable object that may assume different shapes, includes a plurality of capacitive pressure sensors and at least a system for biasing and reading the capacitance of the sensors. The requirements of flexibility or pliability are satisfied by capacitive pressure sensors formed by two orthogonal sets of parallel or substantially parallel electrodes spaced, at least at each crossing between an electrode of one set and an electrode of the other set, by an elastically compressible dielectric, forming an array of pressure sensing pixel capacitors. The system for biasing and reading the capacitance includes column plate electrode selection circuits and row plate electrode selection circuits and a logic circuit for sequentially scanning the pixel capacitors and outputting pixel values of the pressure for reconstructing a distribution map of the pressure over the area of the array.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a retaining member, an intermediate member retained by the retaining member such that the intermediate member can rotate around a first axis, a movable member retained by the intermediate member such that the movable member can rotate around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, a weight provided on the movable member, a movable electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes which is provided on the movable member, and a board on which a fixed electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes is provided such that the fixed electrode unit faces the movable electrode unit. At least one of the movable electrode unit and the fixed electrode unit includes a plurality of electrodes, and capacitances between the one or more electrodes of the movable electrode unit and the one or more electrodes of the fixed electrode unit are detected.

Abstract: A sensor device having a magnetostrictive force sensor is provided. To detect a force, the sensor device contains a TMR force sensor element having a magnetic detection layer of material having a magnetostriction coefficient &lgr;≧|5·10−6|, a magnetically harder reference layer, and a tunnel barrier disposed between these layers. Established in the detection layer is a starting magnetization that relative to the magnetization of the reference layer, which is directed in the direction of force, forms an angle of other than 0° and thus is rotated out of its starting position under the effect of the force.

Abstract: An accelerometer had a movable electrode between two fixed electrodes to form a differential capacitor. Drivers provide AC drive signals to the fixed electrodes. The movable electrode is coupled through reading circuitry to an output terminal. In response to a sensed acceleration, feedback is provided from the output terminal to one or both drivers to null any AC signal on the movable electrode and to keep the electrostatic forces between the movable electrode and each of the fixed electrodes equal.

Abstract: The invention provides a weight sensor (10) which includes a first electrically conductive sheet (12) electrically isolated from a second electrically conductive sheet (14) by inserts of a closed cell foamed polymeric dielectric (16) and an elastic dielectric (18) in spaces (20) formed between the inserts (16) located between the sheets (12, 14). The sensor (10) also includes capacitive measuring means (24), electrically connected between the first sheet (12) and the second sheet (14), which measures a change of capacitance between the sheets (12, 14) when a vehicle passes over the sheets (12, 14). The sensor (10) further includes converting means (26) for converting the change of capacitance to a number related to a weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A MEMS sensor packaged with an integrated circuit includes switches and control circuitry. In a test mode, the control circuitry causes the switches to turn off and on such that the first and second capacitance of the MEMS sensor can be monitored individually. During a normal mode of operation, the switches are maintained such that the MEMS sensor packaged with the integrated circuit operates to produce a filtered and trimmed output reflecting the sensed phenomena.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing accelerations and other forces. The apparatus having a cover plate having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion being formed with a plurality of spaced apart electrodes projecting therefrom and defining spaces therebetween; and a proof mass having an inner portion being formed with a plurality of spaced apart electrodes projecting therefrom and defining spaces therebetween, an outer portion being coupled to the outer portion of the cover plate with the electrodes being electrically isolated from the cover plate electrodes, and the proof mass electrodes and spaces being aligned with the cover plate electrodes and spaces such that, when the inner portion of the proof mass is deflected toward the cover plate, the proof mass electrodes pass into the spaces between the cover plate electrodes, and a flexible suspension member coupled between the inner and outer proof mass portions.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides instruments for measuring mechanical properties of a combinatorial library of materials. The instruments include at least one capacitor to which a member of a library of material samples is removably secured for testing; at least one voltage source for delivering one or more forces to each library member; and at least one sensing device for monitoring the response each library member to the one or more forces. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods of screening a combinatorial library of materials where the method monitors the responses of a plurality of samples on a substrate to a force induced by a capacitor.

Abstract: A bicycle which comprises as force transmission equipment a chain for transmitting the muscular strength of a person pedaling the bicycle from the person to the bicycle for the purpose of moving the bicycle, characterized in that the chain has a vibration transducer which is arranged to vibrate at a resonance frequency proportional to the force transmitted by the chain, and the bicycle comprises a reading device separate from the chain for reading the resonance frequency of the vibration transducer, to which reading device calculation means are connected for calculating the force affecting the chain on the basis of the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a force sensing device, and in particular to a force sensing device for sensing an oscillating force or for application as a filter. In general terms, the invention proposes a force sensing device having a magneto electric material and a magnetic element moveable relative thereto in response to an applied force. The magneto electric material is exposed to the magnetic field of the magnetic element which has a magnetisation direction parallel to the direction of the movement.