Abstract: A method of evaluating the stickiness of an outer surface of an absorbent article comprises the steps of: (i) providing an absorbent article on a stationary horizontal surface, the absorbent article having an outer surface facing away from the stationary horizontal surface, (ii) affixing an adhesive substrate to the outer surface of the absorbent article, (iii) grasping an end portion of the adhesive substrate, and (iv) lifting the end portion of the adhesive substrate in a direction away from the stationary horizontal surface.

Abstract: Improved apparatuses and methods for testing turf or other surfaces, in one embodiment, a turf testing apparatus includes two actuators for moving a shoe relative to a turf surface. The first actuator moves the shoe along a substantially horizontal axis and the second actuator moves the shoe along a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A motion conversion system is described. The motion conversion system comprises a first torsional member operative for rotating in a first direction. A second torsional member is offset a distance from the first torsional member, wherein the second torsional member is operative for rotating in a direction opposite from the first direction. And, a lateral member has a lower surface connected to the first and second torsional members. Wherein, translational movement of the lateral member results from rotational movement of the first and second torsional members.

Abstract: In a running test, vehicle wheels are mounted on rollers. Each roller receives torque corresponding to the running resistance, which is a value corresponding to the running resistance applied to the vehicle on actual ground. The actual friction coefficient between the wheels and the rollers is calculated. The running resistance is corrected such that the actual friction coefficient becomes equal to the friction coefficient on actual ground that is calculated based on the slip ratio of the wheels with respect to the rollers. This approximates the running resistance applied to the vehicle by the rollers to the running resistance applied to the vehicle on actual ground as the torque is applied to the rollers in correspondence with the corrected running resistance. This prevents the drive force produced by the vehicle in the running test from becoming different than the drive force that is produced when running on actual ground.

Abstract: A method for determining an equivalent mechanical load of a component includes a dynamic mechanical loading. A first measurement value of the mechanical load of the component is measured and compared to a first reference value. Further, at least one count value representing the number of load half-cycles of the component is updated based upon the result of comparing, wherein the load half-cycles correspond to a predetermined range of mechanical loads and occur within a time period prior to the measurement of the first measurement value. A first equivalent mechanical load of the component is determined based on the first updated count value. It is further described a program element and a computer-readable medium having stored a program for controlling the described equivalent mechanical load determining method.

Abstract: A method of preventing nerve damage positional injury during surgery includes providing a nerve damage positional injury pressure monitoring system including a site sensor with a transducer in the form of a transducer element and a ring extending outward from the transducer element, and a monitor connected to the site sensor; adhering the ring of the site sensor to the patient so that the transducer element forms a protective barrier in front of the area of the patient prone to nerve damage positional injury during surgery; using the system to continuously monitor pressure on the protective barrier formed by the transducer element in front of the area of the patient prone to nerve damage positional injury during surgery with the site sensor and monitor; and causing an alarm to be actuated to alert medical personnel of a pressure condition when monitored pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for sensing ambient conditions in electric equipment. These conditions may include verification of the user, the location of the equipment and various properties of the environment. The invention is preferably applied in mobile terminals. One idea of the invention is to provide a sensor arrangement with a substrate (663) that forms at least part of a sensor, and also serves as a substrate for other sensors (695-698). The substrate is preferably flexible so that it can be formed in a shape which is follows the shape of the device cover. The invention also describes a way to create two- or three-dimensional electrode structures that can be used to optimize the performance of the sensor. When the surface structure is designed to follow the shape of a finger, a very small pressure is required when sliding the finger along the sensor surface. This way the use of the sensor is ergonomic and the measurement is made very reliable.

Abstract: A testing system for testing a temperature characteristic of a first motor includes a second motor, a controller, a driver, a load, a temperature sensor, and a temperature recorder. The controller provides a drive command for the driver to drive the second motor. The second motor drives the first motor via a coupling. A current of the first motor is determined by adjusting the resistance of the load. The temperature sensor senses the temperatures of the first motor every a determined time and sends the temperatures to the temperature recorder. The temperature recorder records and transmits the temperatures to the controller for the temperature characteristic test of the first motor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric oscillator includes: a piezoelectric substrate having at least a vibrating part and a base part; an excitation electrode formed on the vibrating part; and an oscillation circuit formed on the base part. In the piezoelectric oscillator, the oscillation circuit includes a thin film transistor made of one of polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon and is coupled to the excitation electrode.

Abstract: Parts and structures are described for micro and nano machines and the creation of macro structures with nano and micro layers of special materials to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A method for testing the brakes of a wind energy system is provided, wherein the method comprising determining the brake torque by an indirect measurement. The method contains a comparison to defined threshold values for time and generator torque as well as time and actual power. Further, a computer-readable medium is provided that provides instructions which when executed by a computing platform cause the computing platform to perform operations wherein the operations include the method according to embodiments described herein. Further, a wind energy system is provided that has a rotor with a rotor brake and a calculation unit adapted for comparing two threshold values for time and torque to the actual values of time and torque, alternatively for comparing two threshold values for time and actual power to the actual values of time and actual power.

Abstract: A tool for multi-axis mechanical testing of medical implant devices includes a plurality of pins arranged to form a contacting surface with a sample holder. The pins maintain rolling contact with the sample holder during a bending phase of a fatigue cycle and reduce the effects of friction and localized differential strain on the sample holder.

Abstract: A foil-type pressure sensor includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, the spacer comprising at least one recess defining an active area of the pressure sensor. At least two electrodes are arranged in the active area of the pressure sensor between said first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the pressure sensor, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes. According to the invention, at least one of the carrier foils includes a multi-layered configuration with at least two layers of different materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for dynamometer testing of motor vehicles, said system including a cooling device for a braking device and/or a power-generating means, and having power-absorbing means for absorbing a power applied thereto by power-generating means, the cooling device including a fan arrangement for producing an air stream, said air stream being intended to be directed towards the braking device and/or the power-generating means and/or a heat exchanger for providing a cooling effect. The fan arrangement includes two fans, which are substantially axially aligned, and the cooling device includes means for rotating the fans in opposite directions relative to each other. The present invention also relates to a method for cooling power-generating means or power-absorbing means in a system for dynamometer testing of motor vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test bench for testing wind turbine equipment. The test bench comprises one or more load applying means directly and/or indirectly applying load to the equipment, drive means of the test bench for rotating an input shaft of the equipment at least during a part of the test, and simulating means for establishing wind turbine like conditions or facilities. The invention further relates to a method for testing wind turbine equipment. The method comprises the steps of positioning the equipment in, on or at a test bench, rotating an input shaft of the equipment by drive means of the test bench, and directly and/or indirectly applying load to the equipment by means of load applying means of the test bench.

Abstract: A wind turbine testing system is disclosed for testing at least a part of the nacelle components of a wind turbine system when mounted on a load carrying structure of a nacelle, said wind turbine testing system comprising a test bench being arranged to hold said load carrying structure including said nacelle components, a grid simulation system comprising a power converter system and a simulation controller being arranged to be electrically coupled to at least one of said nacelle components and being adapted for providing a simulated utility grid on the basis of a power supply and at least one control signal established by said simulation controller, and a wind simulation system comprising a wind turbine shaft rotating means arranged to be coupled to a rotating part of said generator system or a generator-related system of a nacelle or a part of a nacelle located in said test bench.

Abstract: A torque-detecting sleeve member is a cylindrical member that has first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts, a torsion signal generator and a torsion converter. Torque acts on the first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts in at least two points. The torsion signal generator is disposed axially between the first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts to at least partially form an external peripheral surface between the first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts. The torsion converter is operatively disposed between the torsion signal generator and at least one of the first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts for converting torsion transmitted from the at least one of the first and second cylindrical torque-acting parts to the torsion signal generator.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are provided for modifying and measuring surfaces of diamond workpieces and other workpieces with nanoscale precision. The apparatus and techniques exploit scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) at a wide range of operating temperatures. In some embodiments, the SPM/AFM apparatus also includes an interferometric microscope and/or acoustic-wave microscope for making high-precision measurements of workpiece surfaces.

Abstract: An electromagnetic apparatus, comprises a conductive loop comprising two parallel conductive legs joined at a free end by a sample contacting member and a magnetic circuit that imposes a magnetic field in opposite directions across the respective legs. A method of mechanically characterizing a sample, comprises imposing a magnetic field in opposite directions in each of two parallel conductive legs of a conductive loop, the legs joined at a free end by a sample contacting member.

Abstract: A tool for multi-axis mechanical testing of medical implant devices includes a plurality of pins arranged to form a contacting surface with a sample holder. The pins maintain rolling contact with the sample holder during a bending phase of a fatigue cycle and reduce the effects of friction and localized differential strain on the sample holder.

Abstract: A rotary paddle sensor for detecting a substance. A paddle or paddles are mounted on a rotating shaft coupled to a motion of the shaft by a slip clutch mechanism. The sensor detects movement of the paddle. If a substance impedes the movement of the paddle, the sensor detects this occurrence. The sensor can be used for many different applications, such as to detect the level of material in a bin, to determine the distance to a wall, to determine the height from the ground, to detect the boundary between two surfaces such as mowed or unmowed vegetation, or to detect the vegetation in a row.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has road wheels that are coupled to suspension uprights of the vehicle through wheel ends that have the capacity to monitor lateral loads that act on the road wheels at tire patches where the road wheels contact a road surface. Each wheel end offsets displacements that would be produced within the wheel end by vertical loads with displacements that would be produced by moments induced by the vertical loads, so that the remaining displacements within the wheel end reflect essentially lateral loads exerted at the tire patch. The wheel end contains a sensor and a target that the sensor monitors to detect the presence and magnitude of the displacements and hence the magnitude and direction of the lateral force at the tire patch. The sensor may also monitor angular velocity, angular position, and temperature.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a handle and a function end is connected to one of two ends of the handle. A strain transducer is connected to a side of the handle and electrically connected with a display member on the handle. The display member has a first light and a second light. The first light lights up when a pre-set torque is about to be reached and the second light lights up when the pre-set torque is reached.

Abstract: In a torque sensor having lead pins connected to a wire harness, the wire harness includes: a plurality of lead wires; a plurality of connection terminals each having a sleeve mounted around each of the lead pins and a connection portion extended from an outer periphery of the sleeve to be connected with one end of the lead wire; and an electrically insulating terminal holder for holding the plural connection terminals. The terminal holder includes: a sleeve holder portion for holding the sleeves in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the sleeves from contacting each other; and a connection-portion holder portion for holding the connection portions in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the connection portions from bending to contact each other.

Abstract: A plurality of acoustic wave sensing devices can be provided, which are mechanically simulated for implementation upon a quartz wafer substrate. The quartz wafer substrate is appropriately etched to produce a quartz diaphragm from the quartz wafer substrate. A plurality of torque SAW sensing resonators can then be located upon the quartz wafer substrate, which is based upon previously mechanically simulated devices for implementation upon the substrate, together with a quartz cover to thereby produce a quartz torque sensor package from the quartz wafer substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cross spring element, as it is preferably arranged in measuring apparatuses for the measurement of the mass flow of bulk materials according to the Coriolis principle. In that regard, two bearing elements (1, 2) that are rotatable relative to one another are provided in the measuring branch and comprise at least four mutually orthogonally crossing leaf spring elements (3, 4, 5, 6), which connect both of the bearing elements (1, 2) with one another. In that regard, the mutually crossing leaf spring elements (3, 4; 5, 6) of one radial direction (8) are arranged at least pair-wise and cross themselves on the rotation axis (7). The ends of each leaf spring pair (3, 4; 5, 6) in that regard are secured on one side respectively on different bearing elements (1, 2) so that they transmit radial compressive and tensile loads in each direction (8) simultaneously.

Abstract: A load cell reacts to an applied force by displacing a physical component of the load cell. An electrical component of the load cell produces an electromagnetic (EM) field in response to an applied radio frequency signal. The physical component is located in proximity to the EM field, and perturbs the EM field without physically contacting said electrical component structure. A displacement of the physical component results in a change to the perturbation of the EM field. A monitoring circuit of the load monitors an output signal that is affected by change to the perturbation of the EM field, and thereby detects the applied load.

Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus is described that comprises a chassis, a reversible electrical motor having a motor housing and a rotatable output shaft projecting from one end of said motor housing, motor mounting means mounting said motor housing for rotation relative to said chassis, means for connecting said motor output shaft to a rotatable component of a device to be tested, whereby energization of said motor will cause said output shaft to rotate and apply a torque to said rotatable component and the resistance to rotation offered by said rotatable component will result in a reactionary torque that causes said motor housing to rotate relative to said chassis, means responsive to rotation of said motor housing for generating a signal representative of said reactionary torque, and means for converting that signal into a measure of the torque applied by said motor output shaft to said rotatable component.

Abstract: A control circuit for scanning a pressure or force responsive sensor array is disclosed. Pressure or force sensors formed of an array of pressure or force responsive sensor elements can be used to acquire pressure or force measurements in response to an applied load. The control circuit can sample signals from the sensor elements to detect the pressure or force at one or more sensor elements of the sensor array. The circuit herein may provide for relatively faster scan rates. A user may define a subset or subsets of sensor elements of the sensor array to be scanned. Various methods and related circuitry for adjusting for sensor characteristics are also disclosed.

Abstract: Parts and structures are described for micro and nano machines and the creation of macro structures with nano and micro layers of special materials to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A first shaft and a second shaft are connected coaxially. A torsion bar converts a torque applied between two shafts into a torsion displacement. A multipolar magnet is fixed to the first shaft. One set of magnetic yokes is fixed to the second shaft and disposed in a magnetic field generated by the multipolar magnet. The magnetic yokes are opposed to each other via an air gap in an axial direction. A magnetic sensor is provided for detecting the density of magnetic flux generated in the air gap. A non-magnetic spacer is disposed between the magnetic yokes as a means for positioning the magnetic yokes. The spacer and the magnetic yokes are integrated by resin molding.

Abstract: Angular movement detectors may be disposed within or proximate to joints in one or more members of articulated arms and linked via one or more communications networks to a controller to provide angular movement data to the controller for use in controlling movement of the articulated arm. The communications networks may be redundant.

Abstract: The fastening member removing force measuring device according to the present invention includes a holding unit (300) for holding and pressing a fabric (953) around a snap member (921), a restricting unit for restricting the snap member (921), and a tensile force measuring unit for pulling the restricting unit away from the fabric (953) and measuring a tensile force. The holding unit (300) includes a die (420) for mounting thereon the fabric 953, and a fabric presser unit (500) for holding the fabric (953) placed on the die (420) together with the die (420).

Abstract: An enhancing structure of an electronic torsional tool having an electronic strain gauge for measuring a torsional force applied thereon; wherein the electronic torsional tool having a main body comprising: an extending rod mounted in the main body and extended through a longitudinal length of the main body, so as to enhance flexibility of the main body. The main body is provided with a hole to enhance flexibility of the main body. The extending rod is extended through a longitudinal length of the hole of the main body, so as to enhance the strength of the hole of the main body. The strain gauge is mounted in the hole of the main body.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for a rotating body comprises: a rotary section including first and second flanges provided respectively at driving and driven sides, and a hollow cylinder provided between the first and second flanges; light emitting elements provided at an outer circumference of the rotary section, and adapted to emit light based on output from each of torque detectors provided at an inner surface of the hollow cylinder thereby sending an optical signal; a light conductive member to receive the optical signal at a light receiving surface thereof, and to guide the optical signal along its longitudinal directions; and a torque calculator to calculate torque of the rotary section based on the optical signal guided by the light conductive member, wherein the light conductive member has an optical path converting means formed at either the light receiving surface or a surface thereof opposite to the light receiving surface.

Abstract: To achieve the improvement in workability of attachment or detachment of a light receiving fiber for receiving a torque optical signal from a rotor, as well as the improvement in the light receiving efficiency of optical signals, a torque measuring apparatus comprises a rotor having a hollow body portion formed between a drive-side flange portion and a load-side flange portion; light emitting elements disposed on a periphery of the rotor for emitting optical signals based on an output from a torque detection unit arranged on a hollow portion of the hollow body portion; a diffusion means for diffusing the optical signals; and a light receiving fiber attached to a chassis disposed outside the rotor for receiving the optical signals via the diffusion portion.

Abstract: A device for force measurement in dynamic tensile experiments on material samples is disclosed. The device includes a force measurement cell in which at least one force measurement sensor is integrated. The force measurement cell has at least one one-piece connecting structure, whereby a material sample may be detachably fixed to the force measurement cell by the connecting structure and the at least one force measurement sensor is arranged on the force measurement cell at a distance from the connecting structure.

Abstract: A torque sensor including a first step formed on an inner peripheral surface of a sensor housing, a second step formed on an outer peripheral surface of a detection coil assembly, the first and second steps axially supporting each other, and a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the detection coil assembly at a position adjacent to the second step such that the groove faces an inner surface portion of the first step, so that the first step penetrates the groove while being plastically deformed when the detection coil assembly is pressed toward the first step, thereby causing the detection coil assembly to be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing.

Abstract: An integral strain measurement layer for use in an assembly printed circuit board to provide for strain measurement on the printed circuit board. The strain measurement layer includes an insulating layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a strain sensitive layer of metallic foil adhered to the top surface of the insulating layer for measuring strain associated with the printed circuit board, and a copper coating disposed on the strain sensitive layer of metallic foil.

Abstract: A torque detector includes: a monolithic tubular housing for supporting a rotating shaft, including an opening at one end in a longitudinal direction; a sensor holding hole for holding a sensor part detecting a rotating torque exerted on the rotating shaft, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a board chamber for accommodating a circuit board outputting a signal corresponding to the detected rotating torque, which is provided inside the housing and communicates with the opening; a partition wall between the sensor holding hole and the board chamber; and a lead hole passing through the partition wall, into which a lead connecting the sensor part to the circuit board is inserted and which communicates with the opening. The housing is formed by drawing a sheet material in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a test bench design consisting at least of an internal combustion engine (1) having its own sensor technology, actuator technology and control devices, a dynamometric brake (2), and a test bench computer (5) controlling the internal combustion engine (1) and the dynamometric brake (2), whereby the computer (5) calculates the control variables for the internal combustion engine (1) and the dynamometric brake (2) based on set point defaults, the object to operate the internal combustion engine (1) with the assistance of the dynamometric brake (2) in the same way as the engine would be operated by the user in a selected vehicle and with the driving profile to be set by the user is achieved by conducting a predefined measurement prior to the actual measurement, which cannot be performed precisely by the user himself, and based on the measurement, parameters of a calculation specification (9) of set point defaults of the control variables are to be determined under consideration of the characteristics of the te

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying and categorizing the weight and characteristics of the occupant currently occupying a vehicle seat. The method for identifying and categorizing the occupant or object involves measuring the deflection of the upper surface of the seat cushion at several points and therefore the weight distribution of the occupant. The system contains multiple weight sensors arrayed for detecting the distribution of the load causing the seat deflection. The system also includes a sensor to measure ambient temperature, preferably for temperature compensation due to the effects extreme temperatures may have on the compression properties of the seat cushion material and the weight sensors. A system processor interprets the data acquired by the sensors, and utilizes an algorithm and weight tables to simulate a neural network in providing an output a control signal indicative of the categorization of the occupant or object.

Abstract: An improved conventional steering wheel position sensor including a housing, a main gear, an auxiliary gear enmeshed with the main gear and a ring shield at the auxiliary gear. A ring shield wall of the ring shield has a low rise portion adjacent the main gear and a high rise portion distally therefrom. A truncated plate is connected to the high rise portion, and the auxiliary gear is bearingly mounted to an axle of the truncated plate so as to be rotatable without contacting the ring shield.

Abstract: Force-sensing unit for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock, including a casing with an opening formed in a front side, and further including a moving anchor which is located in the casing and which protrudes through the opening and which has a stop that restricts the movement of the lug from the casing against an elastic support, and a sensor for registering the position of the moving anchor, whereby the casing can be attached between the seatbelt lock and an anchorage, characterized in that the elastic support is provided by a torsion spring supported on the anchor and on the casing on both sides of the anchor.

Abstract: A rotation sensor functioning as both a rotation-angle sensor and a torque sensor is provided which, when applied to a steering sensor for an automobile, for example, permits reduction in the number of components and thus in the weight of the automobile and contributes to conservation of global environment. The rotation sensor has slip rings covered with conductive synthetic resin having small coefficient of friction, allowing the contact pressure of brushes disposed in sliding contact with the slip rings to be kept low and the life duration of the slip rings to be prolonged. Further, no metal powder is produced when the brushes slide on the respective slip rings, and it is therefore possible to prevent the formation of unwanted insulating film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a spindle are provided. The apparatus includes a rotational load device and a linear load device. The rotational load device is connected to the spindle via a shaft and configured to rotationally load the spindle. The linear load device is configured to apply a predetermined linear load on the shaft, so that the linear load is at least partially transmitted to the spindle. The spindle can be subjected to various linear and rotational loads to determine the effectiveness of the spindle, and the performance of the spindle can be measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle passenger detecting apparatus capable of detecting an unoccupied-seat state through the use of existing signals in a vehicle and correcting an unoccupied-seat reference value with a simple configuration. In a case in which an ignition key switch and a buckle switch are in off conditions and a load detecting value, which is the sum of measurement data from load sensors in these conditions, falls below a predetermined unoccupied-seat load value, an occupied-seat reference value serving as a load measurement standard for detection of a state of a vehicle passenger is corrected using the load detection value. This eliminates the influence of vibrations stemming from engine revolutions and electrical noises and enables the reference value to be corrected using a stabler load detection value.

Abstract: A device for detecting force acting on a vehicle wheel, is mounted in a vehicle and includes a disc wheel, and a vehicle body having a hub as a retaining body that rotatably retains the vehicle wheel integrally with the disc wheel and in which the disc wheel is mounted on the same axis as the vehicle wheel. The device includes a detector mounted between the disc wheel and the retaining body to receive force that is transmitted between the disc wheel and the retaining body, and which detects force acting on the vehicle wheel. With this device, it is possible to detect force acting on the vehicle wheel without being restricted by either the disc wheel or the hub. Accordingly, this device facilitates highly accurate detection of force acting on the vehicle wheel by optimizing the arrangement, structure, and shape and the like of parts.

Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus includes a rotor having a hollow body portion formed between a drive-side flange portion and a load-side flange portion. Light emitting elements are disposed on a periphery of the rotor, for emitting optical signals based on an output from a torque detection unit attached to a hollow portion of the hollow body portion. A transparent plate attached to a chassis is disposed outside the rotor, for allowing the optical signals to pass therethrough, and a signal receiving unit is arranged on the chassis, for receiving the optical signals via the transparent plate, wherein the transparent plate is detachable from the chassis.

Abstract: An integrated loadcell system, having a loadcell body having a leg connected to a spanning member, the leg having a transducer mounted thereto and a housing coupled to the loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with the transducer; where an output of the wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by the loadcell body.