Abstract:
Apparatus are provided for sensor assemblies and related medical devices. An embodiment of a sensor assembly includes a beam and a sensing element disposed on the beam. The sensor assembly also includes a structure to prevent deflection of the beam when a force applied to the sensor assembly is greater than a threshold value.
Abstract:
A method of leveling a polymer pen array includes contacting a pen array with a surface and measuring a total force exerted on the surface by the pen array, the pen array being disposed at a first angle with respect to a first axis of the surface and a second angle with respect to a second axis of the surface; tilting one or both of the pen array and the surface to vary the first and second angles of the pen array with respect to the surface; measuring the total force exerted by the tilted pen array on the surface; and repeating the tilting and measuring steps until a global maximum of the total force exerted on the surface by the pen array is measured, thereby determining first and second angles which correspond to a leveled position of the pen array with respect to the surface.
Abstract:
A measuring arrangement is associated with a branch channel of a channel through which crops flow. The measuring arrangement comprises a measuring device for detecting the constituents of a sample of a crop stream in the branch channel, where in the branch channel between an opening and the measuring device, a processing device is arranged for reducing in size or for squeezing the sample.
Abstract:
A speech recognition method according to the present invention uses distances calculated through a variance weighting process using covariance matrixes as the local distances (prediction residuals) between the feature vectors of input syllables/sound elements and predicted vectors formed by different statuses of reference neural prediction models (NPM's) using finite status transition networks. The category to minimize the accumulated value of these local distances along the status transitions of all the prediction models is figured out by dynamic programming, and used as the recognition output. Learning of the reference prediction models used in this recognition method is accomplished by repeating said distance calculating process and the process to correct the parameters of the different statuses and the covariance matrixes of said prediction models in the direction of reducing the distance between the learning patterns whose category is known and the prediction models of the same category as this known category, and what have satisfied prescribed conditions of convergence through these calculating and correcting processes are determined as reference pattern models.
Abstract:
A voice output device includes a processor for setting a time limit for waiting for the performing of a key input operation. The device also includes a timer for measuring a waiting time for the performing of a key input operation to detect the lapse of the time limit. The device further includes voice processing circuitry for outputting voice instructions to the operator when the lapse of the time limit is detected by the timer.
Abstract:
A force, weight or position sensor unit and sensor element in a first embodiment. In a second embodiment, the sensor element of the first embodiment is incorporated into an apparatus for microindentation hardness testing and surface imaging which allows immediate imaging of the surface subsequent to hardness testing. The sensor uses a multi-capacitor system having drive and pick-up plates mounted on an appropriate suspension system to provide the desired relative motion when a force is applied to the pick-up plate. The output signal is run through a buffer amplifier and synchronously demodulated to produce a signal proportional to force or displacement. The sensor element is mounted on a scanning tunneling microscope base and a sample mounted on the sensor. The force sensor is used for both measuring the applied force during microindentation or micro hardness testing and for imaging before and after the testing to achieve an atomic force microscope type image of the surface topography before and after indentation testing.
Abstract:
A device for monitoring the fatigue life of a structural member is comprised of at least one and preferably a plurality of substantially flat, elongated coupons which are fabricated of the same material as that of the member being monitored. The coupons are secured in parallel to the member so that they all experience the same strain history as the member. Each of the coupons includes a different stress concentrating notch pattern so that the application of the same strain to all of the coupons results in the development of different stress concentrations within the coupons. The development of different stress concentrations within the coupons causes each coupon to have a different fatigue life, the fatigue life of each coupon being a predetermined percentage of the fatigue life of the structural member being monitored.
Abstract:
A method for predicting damage accumulation in a structural component in which a gage in the form of a metal strip having a flaw therein of predetermined length is attached to the component having a flaw therein of a length assumed to be greater than the length of any other flaw therein. Damage accumulation in the structural component is tracked by following the growth of the flaw in the gage and determining from that growth the growth in the flaw in the component. Thus, in accordance with this method, flaw growth in a gage is related to flaw growth in a structural component rather than to time so that damage actually accumulated in the component can be predicted regardless of the time factor.
Abstract:
A scratch strain gauge has an annular target guided into its recording position where it cooperates with a scratch element on a scratch arm to indicate strains of opposite senses. The gauge has a guide adjacent one edge of a plate on which rollers are mounted for rotatably mounting the target in cooperation with brushes. The guide cooperates with a groove in the periphery of the target to insure that the groove receives one of the rollers, then the brushes, and finally the other roller as the target is inserted into its recording position. Ears, which are disposed above the rollers and extend outwardly beyond the rollers to overlie portions of the target when the target is in its recording position, aid in insuring that the target is seated on the roller tongues when disposed in its recording position.