153results about "Electrical/magnetic measuring arrangements" patented technology

A system and method is disclosed for minimizing power consumption of a sensor unit that is capable of detecting an object. Main circuitry operates the sensor unit in a high power mode of operation when the sensor unit detects an object. Low power control circuitry operates the sensor unit in a low power mode of operation when the sensor unit does not detect an object within a pre-determined period of time. The low power control circuitry also comprises a counter to periodically determine when to restore the sensor unit to a high power mode of operation. One advantageous embodiment of the sensor unit is a fingerprint sensor unit for detecting a finger to obtain fingerprint information.

Three-dimensional parameters of a tire are measured dynamically in a non-contact way using laser vision technology. Two laser vision sensors are used, which are calibrated and then used for practical measurement. The system offers a wide measuring range, high accuracy and high efficiency, even though the tire is moving, and it minimizes the size of the measuring apparatus, and reduces the cost of the apparatus.

A method of instrumenting a first component (210) for use in a combustion turbine engine (10) wherein the first component (210) has a surface contacted by a second component during operation of the combustion turbine engine (10). The method may include depositing an insulating layer (260) on the surface of the first component (210) and depositing a first conductive lead (232, 254) on the insulating layer (260). A piezoelectric material (230) may be deposited in electrical communication with the first conductive lead (232, 254) and a second conductive lead (236, 256) may be deposited in electrical communication with the piezoelectric material (230) and be insulated from the first conductive lead (232, 254) to form a sensor (50) for detecting pressure exerted on the surface of the first component (210) during operation of the combustion turbine engine (10).

A method and hand-held scanning apparatus for three-dimensional scanning of an object is described. The hand-held self-referenced scanning apparatus has a light source for illuminating retro-reflective markers, the retro-reflective markers being provided at fixed positions on or around the object, a photogrammetric high-resolution camera, a pattern projector for providing a projected pattern on a surface of the object; at least a pair of basic cameras, the basic camera cooperating with light sources, the projected pattern and at least a portion of the retro-reflective markers being apparent on the 2D images, a frame for holding all components in position within the hand-held apparatus, the frame having a handle, the frame allowing support and free movement of the scanning apparatus by a user.

An implantable pedometer for measuring the amount of joint use is disclosed. The implantable pedometer includes a sensor adapted for detecting indicators of joint usage. A counter is configured for storing count data corresponding to the number of indicators detected by the sensor and a telemetry circuit is configured for transmitting the count data outside of the body.

A force feedback mouse interface device connected to a host computer and providing realistic force feedback to a user. The mouse interface device includes a mouse object and a linkage coupled to the mouse that includes a plurality of members rotatably coupled to each other in a planar closed-loop linkage and including two members coupled to ground and rotatable about the same axis. Two actuators, preferably electromagnetic voice coils, provide forces in the two degrees of freedom of the planar workspace of the mouse object. Each of the actuators includes a moveable coil portion integrated with one of the members of the linkage and a magnet portion coupled to the ground surface through which the coil portion moves. The grounded magnet portions of the actuators can be coupled together such that a common flux path between the magnet portions is shared by both magnets. At least one sensor is coupled to the ground surface that detects movement of the linkage and provides a sensor signal including information from which a position of the mouse object in the planar workspace can be determined.

A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

A scanning probe microscopy (SPM) inspection and / or modification system which uses SPM technology and techniques. The system includes various types of microstructured SPM probes for inspection and / or modification of the object. The components of the SPM system include microstructured calibration structures. A probe may be defective because of wear or because of fabrication errors. Various types of reference measurements of the calibration structure are made with the probe or vice versa to calibrate it. The components of the SPM system further include one or more tip machining structures. At these structures, material of the tips of the SPM probes may be machined by abrasively lapping and chemically lapping the material of the tip with the tip machining structures.

An implantable pedometer for measuring the amount of joint use is disclosed. The implantable pedometer includes a sensor adapted for detecting indicators of joint usage. A counter is configured for storing count data corresponding to the number of indicators detected by the sensor and a telemetry circuit is configured for transmitting the count data outside of the body.

Materials for use in miniaturized arrays, the arrays, and methods of manufacturing. Materials for making arrays described include a substrate with a silicon-containing layer, optionally with linking agents and reactants.

A method and system for detecting drift in calibrated tracking systems used to locate features with respect to one or more coordinate systems allows medical devices to be accurately tracked within a reference coordinate system, and facilitates detection and compensation for changes in the orientation of the tracking system with respect to the coordinate system over time.

A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources. The structure further includes applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive layers so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element, sensing changes in the electrical signal generated by the electrical element in response to the electrical element physically responding to the transitory and permanent distortions, and transmitting the changes in the electrical signal to a location remote from the structure.

A scanning probe microscopy (SPM) inspection and / or modification system which uses SPM technology and techniques. The system includes various types of microstructured SPM probes for inspection and / or modification of the object. The components of the SPM system include microstructured calibration structures. A probe may be defective because of wear or because of fabrication errors. Various types of reference measurements of the calibration structure are made with the probe or vice versa to calibrate it. The components of the SPM system further include one or more tip machining structures. At these structures, material of the tips of the SPM probes may be machined by abrasively lapping and chemically lapping the material of the tip with the tip machining structures.

A system and method to fully characterize the thermal behavior of complex 3D submicron electronic devices. The system replaces and / or supplements laser-based surface temperature scanning with a CCD camera-based approach. A CCD camera records multiple points of light energy reflected from an integrated circuit to obtain a static temperature measurement. The system is used to non-invasively measure with submicron resolution the 2D surface temperature field of an activated device. A CW laser illuminates a single point on the surface of an active device and a photodetector records the reflected light energy to obtain a transient temperature measurement. The measured 2D temperature field is used as input for an ultra-fast inverse computational solution to fully characterize the thermal behavior of the complex 3D device. The system extracts geometric features of a known device, assessing the system's ability to combine measured results and computations to fully characterize complex 3D electronic devices.

A proximity sensor for sensing an object in the path of or proximate to a closure panel such as a vehicle window. First and second electrodes encased in a non-conductive casing are mounted on the metallic structure near the closing edge of the aperture. The two electrodes define a capacitance CE1 / 2 therebetween, and parasitic capacitances CE1 and CE2 between the first electrode and chassis ground and the second electrode and chassis ground, respectively. A controller cyclically connects (1) the second electrode to a voltage reference source (Vref1) and the first electrode to chassis ground and (2) the second electrode to chassis ground and the first electrode to the reference capacitor, thereby periodically charging the capacitance CE1 / 2 and transferring the charge stored thereon to the reference capacitor whilst short-circuiting the parasitic capacitances. The charge on the reference capacitor, the time period required to charge the reference capacitor to a specified voltage, or a calculated value for CE1 / 2 are then compared against a reference value in order to derive an obstruction signal.

An apparatus for checking diametral dimensions of crankpins and main journals in the course of grinding is provided. The apparatus includes a head with a Vee-shaped reference device and an axially movable feeler that contacts the surface of the pin to be checked, and an articulated support device, coupled to the grinding wheel slide that carries the head and enables it to keep contact with the surface of the pin during possible orbital rotations. A transducer in the head cooperates with the feeler for detecting its displacements and transmits signals to a processing and display device in turn connected with the computer numerical control of the grinding machine. The processing and display device processes the transducer signals with compensation values or coefficients stored in a memory unit for obtaining measuring signals output by the head that vary in a linear way in a wide range and for compensating errors due to temperature variations.

A process of enabling and providing a service for improving haulage efficiency in a haulage system includes identifying a customer who may benefit from the service. Haulage vehicles of a fleet of haulage vehicles are equipped with a system for monitoring haulage parameters of the haulage vehicles. Equipment for gathering data on the monitored haulage parameters and for gathering information on haulage vehicle location along haul roads is provided. Target haulage parameters which result in desired haulage system performance are determined. The data is analyzed and deviations of actual haulage system performance from desired haulage system performance are determined.

Methods are disclosed wherein the structural health of a civil structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge or the like is measured by electronic distance measurement (EDM) from a plurality of stable locations to a plurality of cardinal points on the structure in a methodical manner. By measuring the coordinates of the cardinal points, the dynamic and long-term static behavior of the structure provide an indication of the health of the structure. Analysis includes: comparison to a Finite Element Model (FEM); comparison to historical data; and modeling based on linearity, hysteresis, symmetry, creep, damping coefficient, and harmonic analysis.

Provided is a moisture detection device including: a moisture detection label that has at least a pair of detection terminals and a pattern, the detection terminals being provided on a base material with an insulated front surface, the pattern being provided on the surface of the base material and formed between the detection terminals with water-dispersible and conductive paint; and detection circuit which detects an electrical connection state between the detection terminals.