Abstract:
A tactile sensor includes a flexible medium having electrically conductive strips embedded therein and extending in a first direction, said electrically conductive strips including conductive nanostructures dispersed in a flexible support material, said nanostructures selected from conductive nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, wherein each electrically conductive strip is connected at each end to an impedance measuring device that measures the impedance across each electrically conductive strip. The electrically conductive strips may be formed on a first layer of the flexible medium by using direct-write technology.
Abstract:
A personal items network, comprising a plurality of items, each item having a wireless communications port for coupling in network with every other item, each item having a processor for determining if any other item in the network is no longer linked to the item, each item having an indicator for informing a user that an item has left the network, wherein a user may locate lost items. A method for locating lost personal items, comprising: linking at least two personal items together on a network; and depositing one or both of time and location information in an unlost item when one of the items is lost out of network.
Abstract:
A sensor able to detect shearing forces as well as simple pressure includes a substrate, a support secured to the substrate, and shear force sensing unit located at an exterior surface of the support facing away from the substrate. The support can be elastically deformed in proportion to the shearing force or pressure. The shear force sensing unit includes first piezoelectric films on outer opposing shoulders of each support, the first piezoelectric film being elastically deformed with the support and outputting a signal accordingly. The magnitude of simple pressure is recorded by similar deformation of a second piezoelectric film entirely covering its support.
Abstract:
Acoustic transducer systems involving position sensing, and methods of operating and providing the acoustic transducer systems, are described herein. The described systems include a driver motor with a voice coil structure coupled to a diaphragm, the voice coil structure movable within an air gap in response to a magnetic flux; a position sensor to generate a position signal to represent a displacement of the diaphragm; and a system controller to modify an input signal based on the position signal and transmit the modified input signal to a voice coil so the voice coil can move in response to the modified input signal. The position sensor can generate the position signal based on optical sensing or strain measurements.
Abstract:
A method of determining a load on at least one member of a power shovel may include the steps of: sensing a strain in a boom of the power shovel; determining a plurality of member joint loads based on strain sensed in the boom; and determining the load on the at least one member of the power shovel from the plurality of member joint loads.
Abstract:
Monitoring deformation of a flexible electronic apparatus. Changes in space within the apparatus between at least two measurement points are detected; and degree of deformation of the apparatus is determined based on the detected changes in the space within the apparatus between the at least two measurement points.
Abstract:
A force sensor includes a pedestal member, an action member, a displacement detecting unit, a ridged member, at least three columnar elastic members, and elastic units. The action member is configured to be displaced by an exerted external force, and the displacement detecting unit detects a displacement of the action member. The rigid member is arranged so as to face the pedestal member. The columnar elastic members extend in a direction perpendicular to the pedestal member, are arranged about an axis at intervals, and connect the pedestal member and the rigid member. The elastic units are arranged about the axis at intervals and connect the action member and the rigid member. The elastic units each include a pair of beam-shaped elastic members extending in a direction parallel to a plane of the pedestal member.
Abstract:
A force-measuring device is provided for integrating measurement of at least three radial forces acting centrally, in particular for radial presses or collets. The force-measuring device comprises a stretching-element assembly, which is concentric to a measurement axis and which comprises at least one stretching element. The force-measuring device also has at least three pressure elements spaced from each other in a circumferential direction, wherein two spreading elements are connected to the at least one stretching element at ends of the stretching element, the pressure elements are supported, by means of pressure inclines, on corresponding sliding inclines of the spreading elements, a transmitting element is fastened to a first of the two spreading elements, and a measuring sensor acts between the second of the two spreading elements and the transmitting element.
Abstract:
A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a sensor including a tactile sensor and bending sensor and a method of making the same, of which the manufacturing cost is low, the production efficiency is high and the sensor sensitivity is improved. The present invention relates to a sensor including a tactile sensor and bending sensor composed of an elastomer containing a magnetic filler and a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic change caused by deformation of the elastomer; and a method of making the same, of which the viscosity of the mixed solution of the thermosetting elastomer precursor solution with the magnetic filler is adjusted to a specified range.