Abstract:
A pressure transducer comprising a flexible member made of amorphous quartz and a crystalline quartz sensor are coupled together without an adhesive material. Instead, the amorphous quartz and the crystalline quartz sensor are coupled together at the molecular level. In some embodiments, the crystalline quartz sensor remains in compression or tension during the entire operating range of the pressure transducer. In one embodiment, the crystalline quartz sensor is pre-stressed in either compression or tension when the pressure transducer is exposed to atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, pressure transducer is located in pressure stabilizing system.
Abstract:
A method for a large space structure collapse detection apparatus to detect collapse of a large space structure according to the present invention includes: measuring a change in external load with respect to at least one main member in the large structure; calculating a stress or stress sensitivity according to the measured change in the external load; and comparing at least one of the calculated stress or the calculated stress sensitivity with a predetermined collapse diagnosis reference value and determining a risk of collapse of the large space structure.
Abstract:
A method includes: removing at least a part of an oxide formed on a surface of the sample by relatively scanning the surface of the sample in X and Y directions parallel to the surface while bringing a probe into contact with the surface of the sample; detecting a signal by bringing the probe into contact with the surface of the sample from which at least a part of the oxide is removed at a predetermined detection position in the X direction or the Y direction while a bias voltage is applied to the sample; calculating a spreading resistance value based on the signal; and retracting the probe to keep the probe relatively away from the surface in a Z direction perpendicular to the surface while relatively moving the probe to a next detection position to start scanning the sample from the next detection position.
Abstract:
An environmental condition may be measured with a sensor (10) including a wire (20) having an ultrasonic signal transmission characteristic that varies in response to the environmental condition by sensing ultrasonic energy propagated through the wire using multiple types of propagation, and separating an effect of temperature on the wire from an effect of strain on the wire using the sensed ultrasonic energy propagated through the wire using the multiple types of propagation. A positive feedback loop may be used to excite the wire such that strain in the wire is based upon a sensed resonant frequency, while a square wave with a controlled duty cycle may be used to excite the wire at multiple excitation frequencies. A phase matched cone (200, 210) may be used to couple ultrasonic energy between a waveguide wire (202, 212) and a transducer (204, 214).
Abstract:
A “semi-automated” device, method and/or system for the determination of line sag in a tensioned (e.g., power) line is described. A prescribed number of waves based on the waves required by a given sag-tension chart is input. After the device is directly or indirectly attached onto the line, the user then induces a wave on the line either by pulling/striking the tensioned line. The device automatically measures the acceleration/inflection of the passing waves and the time of arrival of waves, as well as ambient temperature, and signaling the user upon completion of the measurement. These recorded values can be used to determine the actual sag of the tensioned line, thus avoiding the current error-prone approach of using a manual stopwatch and visual deflection of the waves.
Abstract:
A method includes: removing at least a part of an oxide formed on a surface of the sample by relatively scanning the surface of the sample in X and Y directions parallel to the surface while bringing a probe into contact with the surface of the sample; detecting a signal by bringing the probe into contact with the surface of the sample from which at least a part of the oxide is removed at a predetermined detection position in the X direction or the Y direction while a bias voltage is applied to the sample; calculating a spreading resistance value based on the signal; and retracting the probe to keep the probe relatively away from the surface in a Z direction perpendicular to the surface while relatively moving the probe to a next detection position to start scanning the sample from the next detection position.
Abstract:
A device for providing feedback to a user of a string instrument is described. The device comprises receiving circuitry operable in use to communicate with at least one finger sensor capable of detecting the force of a finger on a string, a camera operable in use to capture an image and a display operable in use to display data, wherein the receiving circuitry, camera and display are connected to processing circuitry which is operable to: detect, from the receiving circuitry, the force of a user's finger on at least one string at a given time; detect, from the camera, the position of the user's finger on the at least one string at the given time; compare the detected force of the user's finger and the position of the user's finger on the at least one string at the given time with a predetermined value of force and position at the given time; and generate, on the basis of the said comparison, feedback to display on the display.
Abstract:
A load sensor includes a vibrator, a drive electrode provided at the vibrator, a drive circuit that supplies, to the drive electrode, a drive voltage for vibrating the vibrator, a detection electrode that outputs a current in response to a vibration of the vibrator, and an IV converter that converts the current output from the detection electrode into a voltage. The drive circuit includes an operational amplifier that outputs the drive voltage and a resistor connected to the operational amplifier. The drive circuit has a small internal resistance. The IV converter has an inverted input terminal that is virtually grounded and that has the current input thereto. The IV converter may constitute a negative feedback circuit.
Abstract:
Methods of analyzing a cyclo-mechanical engine include detecting an engine signal associated with a plurality of cycles of the cyclo-mechanical engine, comparing a first sample of the engine signal with a second sample of the engine signal to determine a cycle length of the cyclo-mechanical engine, and analyzing the engine signal to detect a variation in the cycle length of the cyclo-mechanical engine over time based on the determined cycle length. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of determining the breaking stress in shear for a part of determined thickness and made up of two elements that are bonded together by a layer of adhesive. A plane sensor emits an ultrasound wave at the part of determined thickness. The plane sensor receives a reflected signal made up of a plurality of successive echoes. A processor unit calculates a fast Fourier transform of the reflected signal. A Gaussian envelope connecting together the peaks of all of the resonances of the fast Fourier transform is determined. A frequency at which the Gaussian envelope is at a maximum is determined. The breaking stress from a predetermined correspondence relationship between the frequency of the maximum of the Gaussian envelope and the breaking stress is determined.