Abstract:
A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.
Abstract:
The disclosed sensor chip includes a substrate and a moving member coupled to the substrate and disposed for movement relative to the substrate. The moving member moves relative to the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction in response to movement of the substrate. The first direction is different than the second direction. The moving member includes a plurality of receptors. The receptors are configured for selectively binding to a first measurand.
Abstract:
A MEMS-based system that enables low cost, low power, single chip realization of real-time signal detection and fault diagnosis. The system is suitable for analyzing the time-varying properties of a signal that are important for condition-based monitoring of electro-mechanical machines or structures. The system includes mechanical sensors that sense input signals such as vibration, signal templates of fault conditions, logic units that detect, store, and compare signal features to provide a diagnostic state, and an output readout mechanism to couple the diagnostic state to readout device that provides an external signal.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the field of measuring instruments and, in particular to sensing apparatus capable of measuring displacement or deformation for the ultimate purpose of monitoring strain and/or stress. The vibrating wire measuring principle provides a very reliable method of measuring small deformations with high precision. Measurement apparatus utilizing this principle, however, tend to be limited in range to the elastic limit of the stretched wire. To increase the useful range of measurement of a vibrating wire monitor, a spring may be placed in series with the wire. In order to prevent the spring from vibrating during the resonancing of the wire and thereby delaying the determination of the wire's resonant frequency, the invention contemplates isolation of the spring from the wire in a vibrational sense. In one form of the invention, isolation is achieved by causing a nodal point to be formed on the spring side of the wire. The nodal point may be formed by pressing a fret against the wire.
Abstract:
A force-measuring instrument of the vibrating-wire type wherein the mechanical components are located at the force-measuring location and the vibrating wire is coupled through a two-wire transmission line to electronic circuitry at a distant location. The electronic circuitry includes means to excite the vibrating wire and to produce a d-c measurement output signal corresponding to the frequency of vibrations. The electronic circuitry further includes function-generating means to establish a closely-linear relationship between the output current and the force applied to the wire. Means also are incorporated in the electronic circuitry for adjusting the zero and span of the instrument, and this can be done without interaction between the adjustments.
Abstract:
A tensioned helical wire for use as a displacement sensor. The sensor made of high strength piano wire is attached at its ends to two anchors which in turn are attached to or are a part of the object or objects to be tested. In the preferred embodiment the sensor has straight ends which are attached to two small anchor blocks. These blocks are then attached to the test object. The displacement range and sensitivity of the sensor can be controlled by the initial geometry selected. If an initial tension applied is small, the sensor has a very large response range that is about fifty times that of a straight wire sensor. If a large initial tension is applied, the helical shape approaches that of a straight sensor and has a displacement range only a few times that of a straight wire sensor. If the sensor has a large displacement range, the sensitivity is much less than that of a straight wire sensor and if the sensor has a small range the sensitivity is comparable to that of the straight wire sensor. When in place, a readout system can be used to pluck the wire sensor to determine its initial vibratory mode. Should a sensor length change occur, this can be interpreted as a displacement change by using calibration results obtained during the manufacture of the sensor or during the installation process. Subsequent readings made by the readout system can be used to measure on a continuing basis the resulting displacement behavior.
Abstract:
A mass and force meter comprising a frame, a load support, a digital evaluation and display device and two electrically-excited, transversely-vibrating, pre-tensioned strings each having one end fixed to the frame. The other ends of the strings are connected to a force distributor, and first and second transmission elements are provided for transmitting to the force distributor a pre-tensioning force and a force which depends on the load to be measured. One end of each of the transmission elements is fixed to the force distributor and the other ends are connected to the respective pre-tensioning and load forces. A guide member having one end connected to the frame and the other end connected to the force distributor acts together with the strings to guide the force distributor in a statically defined manner relative to the frame with respect to the pre-tensioning force and the force established by the load to be measured. Means are further provided for applying to the evaluation display device the resultant frequency variations caused by application of load to the strings thereby permitting measurement and display of the magnitude of the measured load.
Abstract:
Force measuring apparatus of the type including a mechanical oscillator, such as a string, that vibrates under load to produce a signal voltage the frequency of which is a function of the force to be measured. The invention is characterized in that following multiplication of the signal frequency, the signal is fed to multi-stage counter means for selected long or short periods of time corresponding with the desired sensitivity of measurement. The duration of the period of connection is controlled by a gate timing switch which is operable simultaneously with a stage selection switch associated with the counter, whereby when the connection periods are alternately long and short, the signal to be counted is fed to lower and upper counter stages, respectively. The gate tuning switch is operable alternately by a reference signal supplied from a mechanical oscillator, such as a crystal, or a reference string contained in the same housing as the measuring string.
Abstract:
A strain gauge incorporating a length of wire maintained under a predetermined tension and an electric magnetic device for plucking the wire at substantially the mid point of its length, the wire being disposed in a hollow spacer tube assembly comprising an outer tube formed of a material such as ebonite which while being longitudinally compressible nevertheless has a lateral stiffness sufficient to withstand forces which may normally be expected to be applied thereto when in use, and an inner tube or liner of brass or other equivalent material made up of at least two axially aligned lengths of tube so arranged that at least one gap or space will be present in the overall length of said inner tube or liner.